Prize Exchange System and Prize Exchange Method

Abstract

To efficiently exchange the number of game media acquired by a player in a game for general prizes.SOLUTION: Upon receipt of a card, a prize self-management device 60 acquires the number of owned balls corresponding to a card ID from a management device 50, selects general prizes to be put out of a general prize put-out device 90 according to a predetermined prize put-out condition related to the general prize put-out device 90 upon receipt of optional selection operation, and stores a prize code and the number of pieces of the selected general prizes in the card.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a prize exchange system and a prize exchange method capable of efficiently exchanging the number of game media obtained by a player through a game for general prizes.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a game parlor such as a pachinko parlor, the number of game media obtained by a player through a game is associated with a storage medium such as a card, and this storage medium is brought to a prize counter. If the player hands over the storage medium to an employee at the prize counter, the number of game media associated with the storage medium is exchanged for a prize by the operation of the employee.

[0003] As described above, conventionally, prize exchanges have been performed by employees. Recently, however, an operation in which the player himself / herself exchanges the number of game media for a prize (hereinafter referred to as "self-operation") has been carried out. In this self-operation, the player himself / herself performs a series of processes of reading the storage medium, selecting a prize, and receiving the prize. Therefore, the burden on the employee can be reduced, and prize exchanges can be performed efficiently. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a prize management device issues a receipt on which information specifying a general prize selected by a player is printed, and if this receipt is presented to a general prize payout device, the corresponding general prize is paid out.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the case of the above Patent Document 1, since the player himself / herself has to select a general prize, an operation for selecting a general prize, which is troublesome for the player, is required. In particular, when exchanging general prizes such as snacks or beverages using fractional balls, there are cases where the player does not know what general prizes can be obtained from the general prize payout device. Therefore, it cannot be said that it is always desirable to force the player to perform the operation of selecting a general prize.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a prize exchange system and a prize exchange method capable of efficiently exchanging the number of game media obtained by a player for general prizes.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a prize exchange system including a management device that manages the number of game media obtained by a player in association with identification information of a storage medium, a prize exchange device that exchanges at least the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, and a general prize payout device that conveys a plurality of general prizes stored in a plurality of storage units to a predetermined prize outlet. The prize exchange device includes: a game medium number acquisition means for acquiring, when receiving the identification information of the storage medium, the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium from the management device; a reception means for receiving a selection request operation for the general prizes stored in the plurality of storage units of the general prize payout device; a prize specifying means for specifying, when the selection request operation is received by the reception means, a general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to a predetermined prize payout condition related to the general prize payout device within a range of the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium; and a writing means for writing information related to the general prize specified by the prize specifying means into the storage medium. , the prize specifying means specifies the general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to the prize payout conditions based on the size of each general prize stored in the plurality of storage units and the number of general prizes that can be paid out simultaneously from the general prize payout device It is characterized by the above. Further, the present invention relates to a prize exchange system having a management device that manages the number of game media acquired by a player in association with identification information of a storage medium, a prize exchange device that exchanges at least the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, and a general prize payout device that conveys a plurality of general prizes stored in a plurality of storage units to a predetermined prize outlet. The prize exchange device includes: a game medium number acquisition means for acquiring, from the management device, the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium when receiving the identification information of the storage medium; a reception means for receiving a selection request operation for the general prizes stored in the plurality of storage units of the general prize payout device; a prize specifying means for specifying, within the range of the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium, the general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to predetermined prize payout conditions related to the general prize payout device when receiving the selection request operation by the reception means; and a writing means for writing information related to the general prize specified by the prize specifying means to the storage medium. The prize specifying means specifies the general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to the prize payout conditions based on the size of each general prize stored in the plurality of storage units, the number of general prizes that can be paid out simultaneously from the general prize payout device, and the inventory number of the general prizes.

[0008] Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, the management device is characterized by including subtraction means for subtracting the number of game media corresponding to the general prize specified by the prize specifying means from the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium.

[0009] Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, the general prize payout device includes prize information acquisition means for acquiring prize information related to the general prize associated with the storage medium, and control means for controlling to convey the general prize from a predetermined storage section to the prize outlet based on the information related to the general prize acquired by the prize information acquisition means.

[0012] Further, in the present invention, in the above invention, when there are a plurality of candidates for the general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device, the prize specifying means specifies the general prize so that the remaining balance of the number of game media after paying out the general prize becomes the minimum.

[0013] Further, the present invention is a prize exchange system having a management device for managing the number of game media acquired by a game player in association with the identification information of a storage medium, a prize exchange device for performing an exchange process of at least the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, and a general prize payout device for conveying a plurality of general prizes stored in a plurality of storage sections to a predetermined prize outlet. The prize exchange device includes first acquisition means for acquiring the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium from the management device when receiving the identification information of the storage medium, and writing means for writing information related to the number of game media for prize exchange in the general prize payout device among the number of game media acquired by the first acquisition means into the storage medium. The general prize payout device includes second acquisition means for acquiring the number of game media stored in the storage medium, reception means for receiving a selection request operation for the general prizes stored in the plurality of storage sections, prize specifying means for specifying a general prize to be paid out according to predetermined prize payout conditions within the range of the number of game media acquired by the second acquisition means when the selection request operation is received by the reception means, and conveyance means for conveying the general prize specified by the prize specifying means to the prize outlet., the prize specifying means specifies the general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to the prize payout conditions based on the size of each general prize stored in the plurality of storage units and the number of general prizes that can be paid out simultaneously from the general prize payout device characterized by the following.

[0014] Further, the present invention relates to a prize exchange method in a prize exchange system having a management device that manages the number of game media acquired by a player in association with identification information of a storage medium, a prize exchange device that exchanges at least the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, and a general prize payout device that conveys a plurality of general prizes stored in a plurality of storage units to a predetermined prize outlet, the prize exchange method including: a game medium number acquisition step in which the prize exchange device acquires, from the management device, the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium when the prize exchange device receives the identification information of the storage medium; a reception step in which the prize exchange device receives a selection request operation for a general prize stored in a plurality of storage units of the general prize payout device; a prize identification step in which the prize exchange device, when receiving the selection request operation in the reception step, identifies a general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to a predetermined prize payout condition related to the general prize payout device within a range of the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium; and a writing step in which the prize exchange device writes information related to the general prize identified in the prize identification step to the storage medium. , the prize specifying step specifies the general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to the prize payout conditions based on the size of each general prize stored in the plurality of storage units and the number of general prizes that can be paid out simultaneously from the general prize payout device characterized by the following.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a prize exchange method in a prize exchange system having a management device that manages the number of game media acquired by a player in association with identification information of a storage medium, a prize exchange device that exchanges at least the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, and a general prize payout device that conveys a plurality of general prizes stored in a plurality of storage units for storing general prizes to a predetermined prize outlet. The prize exchange method includes: a first acquisition step in which, when the prize exchange device receives the identification information of the storage medium, the prize exchange device acquires from the management device the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium; a writing step in which the prize exchange device writes, to the storage medium, information related to the number of game media to be exchanged for prizes in the general prize payout device among the number of game media acquired in the first acquisition step; a second acquisition step in which the general prize payout device acquires the number of game media stored in the storage medium; a reception step in which the general prize payout device receives a selection request operation for a general prize stored in the plurality of storage units; a prize identification step in which, when the general prize payout device receives the selection request operation in the reception step, the general prize payout device identifies a general prize to be paid out according to a predetermined prize payout condition within the range of the number of game media acquired in the second acquisition step; and a conveyance step in which the general prize payout device conveys the general prize identified in the prize identification step to the prize outlet. , the prize specifying step specifies the general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to the prize payout conditions based on the size of each general prize stored in the plurality of storage units and the number of general prizes that can be paid out simultaneously from the general prize payout device Characterized in that.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, the number of game media acquired by a player through a game can be efficiently exchanged for general prizes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, the prize exchange system and the prize exchange method according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0019] In this specification, "held balls" refers to data indicating game media acquired by a player in a game, and can be used again in the game only on the same day (before the closing time of the game arcade). Note that the "number of held balls" refers to the number of game media acquired by the player through the game. Also, "stored balls" refers to data indicating game media deposited by the player at the game arcade, and can be used again in the game even after the next day (after the closing time of the game arcade). Note that the "number of stored balls" refers to the number of game media deposited by the player at the game arcade. Held balls can be used by both general players and member players, and are used when moving a gaming machine, etc. Stored balls can generally be used only by member players, and are used when using the acquired game media in the game of a gaming machine after the next day. Also, the "number of game balls" refers to the number of playable balls that a player can use in the game. Also, a "prize" is a prize exchanged for the number of game media acquired by a player, and includes special prizes and general prizes. A "special prize" refers to items such as gold, lapis lazuli, bracelets, and the cores of sharp pens that can be exchanged for money handled by a three-store type operator. A "general prize" refers to items such as confectionery, beverages, and detergents excluding special prizes from prizes.

[0020] <Outline of the Prize Exchange System According to the Embodiment> First, the outline of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment. Here, the case where a general player inserts a general card (hereinafter simply referred to as a "card") into the self-prize management device 60 to exchange held balls for general prizes will be mainly described. However, the same applies to the case where a member inserts a member card into the self-prize management device 60 to exchange held balls and stored balls for general prizes.

[0021] Figure 1(a) shows data indicating the number of prizes that the general prize payout device 90 can payout simultaneously. This general prize payout device 90 is provided with a plurality of storage units, and prizes are stored in each storage unit. And if a prize is selected, the prize is conveyed from the storage unit storing the selected prize to the outlet. Specifically, a conveyance table (hereinafter referred to as an "elevator") for conveying the prize is moved to the corresponding storage unit, and the prize stored in the storage unit is placed on the elevator. Then, this elevator is moved to the outlet, and the prize placed on the elevator is paid out at the outlet. Here, the maximum number of general prizes that can be placed on the elevator simultaneously is three. For example, a large-sized general prize such as "AA stuffed toy" can be placed on the elevator one by one and paid out at the outlet, medium-sized general prizes such as "BB detergent" can be placed on the elevator two at a time and paid out at the outlet, and small-sized general prizes such as "CC cup oar" and "DD chocolate" can be placed on the elevator three at a time and paid out at the outlet.

[0022] Here, as shown in Figure 1(b), if a card is inserted into the self-prize management device 60 (S1), the self-prize management device 60 reads the card ID stored in the card and acquires the remaining balance of the points associated with the card ID from the management device 50. Here, it is assumed that the point balance of "2975 points" of point 1 (4 yen) is associated with the card ID.

[0023] The self-prize management device 60 exchanges "2875 points" out of such point balance of "2975 points" for special prizes. Specifically, it is exchanged for one grand prize that can be exchanged with 2000 points, one medium prize that can be exchanged with 625 points, and one small prize that can be exchanged with 250 points. As a result, the remaining points become "100 (= 2975 - 2875) points".

[0024] Here, if a player performs a consignment selection operation (S2), a general prize that can be exchanged for 100 in-hand coins according to the prize payout conditions is selected (S3). As these prize payout conditions, for example, among the combinations of general prizes that can be exchanged for in-hand coins, it can be a combination of general prizes that the general prize payout device 90 can payout to the outlet at once.

[0025] Specifically, among the prizes equivalent to 400 yen, that is, "100 in-hand coins", as combinations of general prizes that can be paid out to the outlet at once, there are two patterns: "2 packs of BB detergent" and "3 pieces of DD chocolate". If "2 packs of BB detergent" is selected, it can be placed on the elevator and transported to the outlet at the same time. Therefore, "2 packs of BB detergent" is selected. As a result, the player can obtain the prize earlier than when the prize is transported by the elevator multiple times, and the waiting time can be reduced.

[0026] The self-prize management device 60 stores the prize code and quantity of the selected prize in the card (S4) and notifies the management device 50 (S5).

[0027] Then, if a card is presented to the general prize payout device 90 (S6), the general prize payout device 90 pays out the general prize stored in this card (S7) and notifies the management device 50 of the prize code and quantity of the paid-out prize (S8).

[0028] In this way, in the prize exchange system according to this embodiment, when the self-prize management device 60 receives a card, it obtains the number of in-hand coins corresponding to the card ID from the management device 50. If it receives a consignment selection operation, it selects a general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device 90 according to the predetermined prize payout conditions related to the general prize payout device 90, and stores the prize code and quantity of the selected general prize in the card. Therefore, the player can efficiently exchange the in-hand coins and prizes obtained through the game. Here, the case of exchanging in-hand coins for prizes is shown, but the cases of exchanging stored coins for prizes or exchanging the combination of in-hand coins and stored coins for prizes can be performed in the same way.

[0029] <System Configuration> Next, the system configuration of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the prize exchange system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, in the game parlor, a plurality of gaming machines 20 and podium card processors 10 provided corresponding to each of the gaming machines 20 are installed. The podium card processor 10 is connected to a communication line, which is an in-store network, via an island controller 30. The communication line is connected to an island controller 30, a management device 50, a self-prize management device 60, and a general prize payout device 90. Further, the self-prize management device 60 is communicably connected to a special prize payout device 80.

[0030] Here, the management device 50 corresponds to the "management device" in the claims, the self-prize management device 60 corresponds to the "prize exchange device" in the claims, and the general prize payout device 90 corresponds to the "general prize payout device" in the claims.

[0031] The gaming machine 20 is a device that plays a game by driving game balls enclosed inside the device onto the game board surface. Note that this game ball is a physical "ball" used in the game, and is different from the "game ball" that the gaming machine 20 handles as data. A plurality of winning areas (winning holes) are provided on the game board surface of the gaming machine 20, and a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls based on the game balls passing through the winning areas. Further, a predetermined number of start areas (start holes) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined lottery is conducted based on the game balls passing through the start areas. If the lottery results in a big win, operations that are advantageous in the game, such as improving the probability of the game balls passing through the aforementioned winning areas or other start areas, are performed by the operation of a predetermined movable member or the like. Note that there may be an area that serves as both a start area and a winning area.

[0032] In the above winning area, a winning sensor is provided to detect the passage of game balls into the winning area, and the winning sensor is configured to detect the passage (winning) of game balls driven into the winning area. Further, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 has a prize ball memory that stores how many game balls are to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area, and a playable number memory that indicates the number of game balls. Also, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 periodically transmits the number of game balls to the inter-stage card processor 10.

[0033] When the inter-stage card processor 10 receives a deposit from a player, it associates a prepaid value corresponding to the amount of the deposit with a card ID stored inside the device. This prepaid value can be used to lend game balls. Also, the inter-stage card processor 10 can accept the insertion of a card associated with a prepaid value, held balls, stored balls, etc. At the end of the game, it ejects the card associated with the prepaid value, held balls, stored balls, etc. and returns it to the player. Also, the inter-stage card processor 10 transmits the history of operations such as deposit, card insertion, and card ejection to the management device 50.

[0034] When a predetermined number of game balls are launched onto the game board surface of the gaming machine 20, the gaming machine 20 transmits out data to the inter-stage card processor 10. Also, when a predetermined number of prize balls are added to the game balls after the game balls pass through the winning area (so-called winning), the gaming machine 20 transmits safe data to the inter-stage card processor 10. Further, when a special state such as a big win occurs during the game, the gaming machine 20 transmits special prize data indicating the occurrence of such a state to the inter-stage card processor 10.

[0035] The out data corresponds to the number of balls driven into the game board surface by the player, i.e., the number of driven-in balls. The safe data corresponds to the number of prize balls obtained by winning. Also, the special prize data indicates the state of the gaming machine 20 such as a big win. Each data is transmitted to the management device 50 via the inter-stage card processor 10, and the management device 50 can obtain the operation history of the gaming machine 20 by accumulating the out data, safe data, and special prize data as operation information.

[0036] The inter-stage card processor 10 performs receipt of deposits, lending of game balls, communication with the management device 50, and communication with the gaming machine 20. When the inter-stage card processor 10 receives paper money inserted by a player, it transmits a deposit notice including the deposit amount to the management device 50, causing the management device 50 to add the prepaid value equivalent to the deposit amount to the prepaid value it manages. Then, when a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, it transmits a ball lending request to the management device 50, causing the management device 50 to subtract the prepaid value, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value, which is added to the number of game balls.

[0037] When the inter-stage card processor 10 receives the insertion of a card, it transmits a card insertion notice to the management device 50. Also, when the inter-stage card processor 10 receives the remaining amount of prepaid value, held balls, or stored balls from the management device 50, it stores the remaining amount. And when it receives and stores the remaining amount of held balls, it transmits a held ball subtraction request to the management device 50, clearing the remaining amount (number of held balls) of the held balls managed by the management device 50 to zero.

[0038] When the inter-stage card processor 10 receives a held ball replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of held balls it manages, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted number of held balls, and adds it to the number of game balls. Also, when the inter-stage card processor 10 receives a stored ball replay operation, it transmits a stored ball replay request to the management device 50, causing the management device 50 to subtract a predetermined number from the number of stored balls, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted number of stored balls, and adds it to the number of game balls.

[0039] When the inter-stage card processor 10 receives a card return operation, it transmits a held ball addition request including the number of held balls to the management device 50, causing the management device 50 to add the number of held balls. Then, it transmits a card ejection notice to the management device 50 and controls the card ejection. Note that if a counting operation is received from the gaming machine 20 before the card return operation, the number of game balls is added to the number of held balls.

[0040] The inter-game machine card processor 10 has a function of acquiring the game machine ID from the game machine 20 and authenticating the game machine 20 using the acquired game machine ID and the authentication key received from the management device 50. This authentication is performed at the time of store opening processing or the like, and the game machine 20 becomes playable on the condition that the authentication is successful.

[0041] The inter-game machine card processor 10 performs various display controls based on the state of the game machine 20 and transmits the state of the game machine 20 to the management device 50. The inter-game machine card processor 10 stores the number of game balls notified from the game machine 20 and periodically notifies the management device 50 of the number of game balls and the number of held balls.

[0042] The island controller 30 is a device that groups a group of game machines 20 and inter-game machine card processors 10 provided on the game island and relays various information to the management device 50.

[0043] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-game machine card processor 10, it manages by associating the card ID of the inserted card with the inter-game machine card processor 10, and transmits the prepaid value and the remaining balance of the held balls associated with the card ID to the inter-game machine card processor 10. Also, when the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of the membership card, it transmits the stored ball replay data to the inter-game machine card processor 10.

[0044] Further, when the management device 50 receives a held ball subtraction request from the inter-game machine card processor 10, it clears the remaining balance of the held balls to zero, and when it receives a held ball addition request from the inter-game machine card processor 10, it adds the number of held balls indicated in the held ball addition request to the remaining balance of the held balls.

[0045] Also, when the management device 50 receives a ball loan request from the inter-game machine card processor 10, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and transmits a ball loan permission to the inter-game machine card processor 10. And when it receives a stored ball replay request, it transmits the stored ball replay data to the inter-game machine card processor 10.

[0046] In addition, the management device 50 acquires the gaming machine ID from the between-platform card processor 10 and manages the gaming machines 20 installed in its own store. Then, it acquires the authentication key for authenticating the gaming machines 20 set in its own store from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the gaming store and distributes it to the between-platform card processor 10.

[0047] In addition, the management device 50 manages the member management data of the members registered as members in the gaming store. Specifically, it manages the number of stored balls, points, password, name, etc. in association with the card ID of the member card issued to the member.

[0048] In addition, if the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the between-platform card processor 10, it transmits the stored ball replay data including the remaining balance of the stored balls and the password corresponding to the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification to the between-platform card processor 10. Also, if the management device 50 receives a stored ball replay request from the between-platform card processor 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the remaining balance of the stored balls associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request, and transmits the stored ball replay data including the remaining balance of the stored balls after the subtraction to the between-platform card processor 10.

[0049] In addition, if the management device 50 receives the card ID of the general card from the self-prize management device 60, it notifies the self-prize management device 60 of the number of held balls and the prepaid value associated with this card ID. If this card ID is the card ID of the member card, it notifies the self-prize management device 60 of the number of held balls, the number of stored balls, and the prepaid value associated with this card ID.

[0050] In addition, if the management device 50 receives a request for prize inventory data from the self-prize management device 60, it notifies the self-prize management device 60 of the prize inventory data.

[0051] In addition, if the management device 50 receives a registration request including the card ID, the prize code of the selected prize, and the quantity from the self-prize management device 60, it associates the selected prize with the card ID. If the selected prize is a special prize, it sets the status to "exchange completed", and if the selected prize is a general prize, it sets the status to "awaiting exchange" and registers it in the selected prize data.

[0052] In addition, if the management device 50 receives a registration request including the card ID, the prize code of the selected prize, and the quantity from the general prize dispensing device 90, it updates the status of the data corresponding to the received card ID, prize code, and quantity in the selected prize data to "exchange completed".

[0053] The self-prize management device 60 is a terminal device for prize exchange installed beside the prize exchange counter in the game parlor. It has a self-service function for game customers to select prizes themselves and performs prize exchange processing for held coins and stored coins. When the self-prize management device 60 reads the card ID from the membership card or reads the identification information corresponding to the card ID from a registered mobile terminal or the like, it transmits the card ID to the management device 50 and requests the number of held coins, the number of stored coins, and the remaining prepaid value of the card ID.

[0054] In addition, if the self-prize management device 60 reads the card ID from a general card, it transmits the card ID to the management device 50 and requests the number of held coins and the remaining prepaid value of the card ID. When the self-prize management device 60 receives the number of held coins, the number of stored coins, and the prepaid value associated with the card ID from the management device 50, it stores the number of held coins, the number of stored coins, and the prepaid value in the holding value data.

[0055] In addition, the self-prize management device 60 accepts the selection of special prizes and general prizes within the range of the remaining balances of the number of coins held and the number of coins stored in the holding value data, and notifies the management device 50 of a registration request including the card ID, the prize code of the selected prize, and the quantity. Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the self-prize management device 60 first exchanges special prizes within the range of the remaining balances of the number of coins held and the number of coins stored in the holding value data, and then exchanges general prizes within the range of the remaining number of coins held and the remaining number of coins stored after the fractional part. However, it is also possible to specify the number of coins held and the number of coins stored for exchange with general prizes, and exchange general prizes within the specified range of the number of coins held and the number of coins stored.

[0056] At this time, if the self-prize management device 60 accepts an "entrust selection operation" that automatically selects a general prize, general prizes that can be exchanged with the number of coins held and the number of coins stored are automatically selected according to the prize payout conditions. Then, the prize code and quantity of the selected prize are stored in the card.

[0057] Such prize payout conditions can be, for example, a combination of general prizes that can be exchanged with the number of coins held, and specifically, a combination of general prizes that the general prize payout device 90 can payout to the outlet at one time. It is assumed that the combination of general prizes that the general prize payout device 90 can payout to the outlet at one time is specified in advance according to the size of the general prize.

[0058] In addition, when exchanging for a special prize, the self-prize management device 60 notifies the special prize payout device 80 of a payout instruction including the prize code and quantity of the selected prize. The special prize payout device 80 is a device that can store and payout special prizes. When the special prize payout device 80 receives a payout instruction for a special prize from the self-prize management device 60, it pays out the corresponding special prize.

[0059] The general prize payout device 90 is a device that can store and payout general prizes. When the general prize payout device 90 accepts a card, it reads the card ID, the prize code of the general prize, and the quantity stored in the card. Then, based on the read prize code and quantity of the general prize, it pays out the general prize and transmits the card ID, the prize code of the general prize, and the quantity to the management device 50.

[0060] Next, the ball lending process in the prize exchange system according to this embodiment will be described. When a player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-stage card processor 10, the inter-stage card processor 10 transmits a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-stage card processor 10, the address or any identification information identifying the inter-stage card processor 10 as the source, and a ball lending request.

[0061] When the management device 50 receives a message including a ball lending request, it subtracts a predetermined value (for example, 5 times indicating 500 yen when the value per time is 100 yen) from the prepaid value associated with the card ID in the message to update the card management data, and transmits a ball lending permission to the inter-stage card processor 10 that is the source. The inter-stage card processor 10 that has received the ball lending permission transmits an addition signal requesting addition to the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value (for example, "125") to the gaming machine 20.

[0062] The gaming machine 20 that has received the addition signal adds the number of game balls and transmits the number of game balls after addition to the inter-stage card processor 10. The inter-stage card processor 10 compares the sum of the number of game balls before addition and the number of balls lent with the number of game balls after addition to determine whether the addition of the number of game balls has been properly performed.

[0063] Next, the holding credit replay process in the prize exchange system according to this embodiment will be described. When the inter-stage card processor 10 receives the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it transmits a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-stage card processor 10, the address or any identification information identifying the inter-stage card processor 10 as the transmission source, information for specifying the rate of the inter-stage card processor 10, and a card insertion notification.

[0064] If the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-stage card processor 10, it notifies the inter-stage card processor 10 of the remaining balance of the holding credits of the rate specified by the message among the holding credits associated with the card ID in the message.

[0065] The inter-stage card processor 10 stores the remaining balance of the holding credits received from the management device 50. Then, it transmits a message to the management device 50 that includes information specifying the card ID and the rate, and a holding credit subtraction request. If the management device 50 receives the holding credit subtraction request, it clears the remaining balance of the holding credits specified by the card ID and the rate to zero. Also, if the inter-stage card processor 10 receives a holding credit replay operation, it subtracts the remaining balance of the holding credits by a certain number, notifies the corresponding number to the gaming machine 20, and adds it to the number of game balls.

[0066] If the inter-stage card processor 10 receives a management transfer request from the gaming machine 20 to transfer the management by setting the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20 as the holding credits of the inter-stage card processor 10, it adds the number of game balls indicated in the management transfer request to its own holding credits. After that, if it receives a card return operation, it transmits a message to the management device 50 that includes a holding credit addition request. This message includes the card ID of the card to be discharged, the address or any identification information identifying the inter-stage card processor 10 as the transmission source, information for specifying the rate of the inter-stage card processor 10, the remaining balance of the holding credits, and the holding credit addition request.

[0067] If the management device 50 receives a request for adding held balls, it updates the remaining balance (number of held balls) of the held balls associated with the card ID in the telegram to the value received for the held balls of the rate specified by the telegram. Thereafter, the inter-stage card processor 10 transmits a card ejection notice to the management device 50 and controls card ejection.

[0068] Next, the stored ball replay process in the prize exchange system according to this embodiment will be described. When the inter-stage card processor 10 receives a membership card or reads identification information corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal that can be used as a membership card, it transmits a telegram addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This telegram includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-stage card processor 10 (or identification information corresponding to the card ID read from the mobile terminal), the address or arbitrary identification information identifying the inter-stage card processor 10 as the transmission source, information for identifying the rate of the inter-stage card processor 10, and a card insertion notice.

[0069] The management device 50 transmits stored ball replay data including the password associated with the card ID in the telegram and the remaining balance of the stored balls of the rate specified by the telegram to the inter-stage card processor 10.

[0070] The inter-stage card processor 10 stores the received stored ball replay data and enables the stored ball replay operation when the remaining balance of the stored balls shown in the stored ball replay data is equal to or greater than the number of game balls paid out per stored ball replay operation (number of stored ball replay units. For example, "125 balls").

[0071] After storing the stored ball replay data, when the inter-stage card processor 10 first receives a stored ball replay operation, it requests the player to input a password and checks whether the input password matches the password shown in the stored ball replay data.

[0072] When the PIN numbers match, the inter-table card processor 10 transmits a message addressed to the local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-table card processor 10, the address or any identification information identifying the inter-table card processor 10 as the source, information for identifying the rate of the inter-table card processor 10, and a stored ball replay request.

[0073] The management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the remaining balance of the stored balls of the rate specified by the message from among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the message, and transmits stored ball replay data including the remaining balance after subtraction to the inter-table card processor 10.

[0074] The inter-table card processor 10 receives the stored ball replay data, updates the remaining balance of the stored balls, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the stored ball replay unit number, and causes the number to be added to the number of gaming balls. Further, it determines whether the remaining balance of the updated stored balls has become less than the stored ball replay unit number. If the remaining balance of the updated stored ball data is equal to or greater than the stored ball replay unit number, it is possible to accept the stored ball replay operation again, and if the stored ball replay operation is accepted, a stored ball replay request is transmitted. In the second and subsequent stored ball replay operations, confirmation of the PIN number is not required. If the remaining balance of the updated stored ball data has become less than the stored ball replay unit number, the stored ball replay operation cannot be accepted.

[0075] Next, the transfer from the held balls to the stored balls during the closing process will be described. The management device 50 checks the remaining balance of the held balls in the card management data during the closing process, and if there are held balls with a remaining balance greater than "0", it adds the remaining balance of the held balls to the remaining balance of the stored balls and updates it. After that, the management device 50 clears the remaining balance of the held balls to zero.

[0076] <External Configuration of the Inter-table Card Processor 10 and the Gaming Machine 20> Next, the external configurations of the under-stage card processor 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configurations of the under-stage card processor 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2. Although the under-stage card processor 10 that accepts only banknotes is illustrated in this figure, a unit that can accept electronic money can also be provided.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 3, the under-stage card processor 10 is provided with a status display unit 11 that displays the status of the under-stage card processor 10 device by lighting or blinking a lamp of a predetermined color, a banknote insertion slot 12a for accepting various banknotes, a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, and a card insertion slot 14a for accepting a card associated with a card ID.

[0078] The gaming machine 20 is provided with a game board surface, a handle 21 used when throwing the enclosed game balls onto the game board surface, and a counting button 22.

[0079] The counting button 22 is an operation button for performing a management transfer that subtracts the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20 and adds the corresponding number to the stored balls of the under-stage card processor 10, thereby transferring the management of the number of balls that can be thrown from the gaming machine 20 to the under-stage card processor 10. This management transfer corresponds to a counting process in which the under-stage card processor 10 counts the paid-out game balls and adds them to the stored balls in an open-type gaming machine 20 where actual game balls are paid out upon winning.

[0080] <Configuration of the under-stage card processor 10> Next, the configuration of the under-stage card processor 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the under-stage card processor 10 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the under-stage card processor 10 includes a banknote conveyance unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a communication unit 15, a storage unit 16, a control unit 17, and a game management unit 18.

[0081] The bill transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports the bills inserted from the bill insertion port 12a to a bill storage unit (not shown) while discriminating the denomination and authenticity of the bills. The display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel display that performs display of various information such as valuable value and accepts various operations such as the operation of lending balls.

[0082] The reader / writer 14 is a reading unit that reads the card ID from the card inserted into the card insertion port 14a. Note that the card inserted into the card insertion port 14a is stored in a card storage unit (not shown) via this reader / writer 14. The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the management device 50 via the island controller 30.

[0083] The storage unit 16 is a storage device composed of a hard disk device, a non-volatile memory, etc. The storage unit 16 stores the self-device state data 16a and the card data 16b.

[0084] The self-device state data 16a is data indicating the state of the inter-stage card processor 10. This self-device state data 16a includes the inter-stage card processor ID, the gaming machine ID, the game type, etc. The inter-stage card processor ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the inter-stage card processor 10 in the game store. The game type is data indicating the rate set for the inter-stage card processor 10. When handling game balls of multiple rates in the game store, for example, for 4-yen rate game balls, the game type name is set as "Ball 1", for 2-yen rate game balls, it is set as "Ball 2", and for 1-yen rate game balls, it is set as "Ball 3", and managed for each rate. The inter-stage card processor 10 selects the rate to be used in the game from these game types and stores it as the game type. The game type may be fixed for each section where the inter-stage card processor 10 is installed, or may be changeable by the operation of the game customer.

[0085] The card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a PIN number, a prepaid value, the amount of coins in hand, the amount of coins stored, etc. The card ID is the card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When the card is conveyed from a card storage section (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and then discharged, the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this conveyance. Also, when the card is conveyed from the card insertion slot 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 conveyance. The prepaid value indicates the remaining balance of the prepaid value available for lending coins, and the amount of coins in hand and the amount of coins stored indicate their respective remaining balances.

[0086] The game management section 18 is a processing section that performs processing related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is desirable to form this game management section 18 on a circuit board different from the control section 17. The game management section 18 has an authentication processing section 18a, an authentication key management section 18b, and a gaming machine state management section 18c. In practice, by loading these programs into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executing them, processes corresponding to the authentication processing section 18a, the authentication key management section 18b, and the gaming machine state management section 18c are respectively executed.

[0087] The authentication processing section 18a performs authentication of the gaming machine 20 using the authentication key received from the management device 50. If the authentication is successful, the authentication processing section 18a transmits permission to operate to the gaming machine 20. If the authentication fails, the authentication processing section 18a prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20. Note that even if the authentication fails, if it is within a predetermined period from the last successful authentication, permission to operate is transmitted to the gaming machine 20, and after the predetermined period has elapsed from the last successful authentication, permission to operate is not transmitted to the gaming machine 20, and the use of the gaming machine 20 may be prohibited.

[0088] The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages authentication keys. A usage time is set for the authentication key, and when the cumulative operating time of the gaming machine 20 reaches the usage time of the authentication key, the authentication key becomes unusable. Specifically, the authentication key management unit 18b uses the power-on time of the board on which the game management unit 18 is formed as the operating time of the gaming machine 20 and manages the usage time of the authentication key. When the authentication key becomes unusable, the authentication key management unit 18b obtains a new authentication key from the off-premises authentication key management center via the management device 50 and updates the authentication key.

[0089] The gaming machine state management unit 18c is a processing unit that communicates with the gaming machine 20 and manages the state of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine state management unit 18c acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, transmits a request to add to the number of gaming balls by lending balls, transmits a management transfer request from the held balls to the number of gaming balls by a held ball replay, transmits a request to add to the number of gaming balls by a stored ball replay, receives game results such as the number of balls inserted and the number of prize balls in the gaming machine 20, and receives a management transfer request from the number of gaming balls to the held balls by counting. The communication between the inter-stage card processor 10 and the gaming machine 20 uses encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

[0090] In addition, the gaming machine state management unit 18c further acquires the current number of gaming balls in the gaming machine 20 and the states set for the game such as start, jackpot, jackpot type, and number of lottery draws. The time interval at which the gaming machine state management unit 18c acquires the state of the gaming machine 20 is preferably set shorter than the interval at which gaming balls are launched (used) in the gaming machine 20. Further, when the gaming machine state management unit 18c acquires the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 20, it delivers the number of gaming balls to the control unit 17.

[0091] Note that the timing at which the gaming machine state management unit 18c newly acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 is not limited to before opening. When the power of the inter-stage card processor 10 is turned on or off, during regular communication, when processing related to the number of gaming balls (such as lending balls, replay, counting, etc.) is performed, or when returning from the offline state, it is possible to acquire the gaming machine ID and determine the replacement of the gaming machine 20. Also, these timings may be used in combination.

[0092] The control unit 17 is a control unit that performs overall control of the under-stage card processor 10. Actually, the process will be executed by loading the program corresponding to the control unit 17 into the CPU and executing it. The data management unit 17a is a processing unit that manages the card data 16b.

[0093] Specifically, when a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a sends a card insertion notification including the card ID and the under-stage card processor ID to the management device 50. Also, when the data management unit 17a receives data including a valuable value (at least any one of prepaid value, held value, and stored value) from the management device 50, it updates the card data 16b with the received valuable value.

[0094] In addition, when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a sends a deposit notification including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the under-stage card processor ID to the management device 50.

[0095] Also, when a ball loan operation is performed by a game player, the data management unit 17a sends a ball loan request including the card ID and the under-stage card processor ID to the management device 50. If a ball loan permission is received as a response to this ball loan request, the data management unit 17a subtracts the prepaid value of the card data 16b and instructs the game management unit 18 to add a predetermined number of balls to the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20.

[0096] In addition, if the data management unit 17a receives a held value replay operation, it subtracts and updates the held value of the card data 16b and instructs the game management unit 18 to add the corresponding number of balls to the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20.

[0097] In addition, when the remaining credit of the stored balls shown in the card data 16b is equal to or more than the number of stored ball replay units, the data management unit 17a displays a stored ball replay button on the display operation unit 13 and enables reception of a stored ball replay operation. When a stored ball replay operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits a stored ball replay request including the card ID and the inter-stage card processor ID to the management device 50. If stored ball replay data is received as a response to this stored ball replay request, the data management unit 17a updates the remaining credit of the stored balls in the card data 16b and instructs the game management unit 18 to add the number of balls corresponding to the number of stored ball replay units to the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20. At the time of the first stored ball replay operation, input of a password is required, and it is a condition for transmitting the stored ball replay request that it matches the password shown in the card data 16b.

[0098] In addition, when the game management unit 18 receives a transfer request of game balls from the gaming machine 20, the data management unit 17a adds the number of balls instructed by the game management unit 18 to the balls held in the card data 16b and updates it.

[0099] In addition, when receiving a card return operation, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball addition request including the card ID, the inter-stage card processor ID, and the remaining credit of the held balls to the management device 50. Then, after clearing the card data 16b, the data management unit 17a transmits a card ejection notice to the management device 50 and ejects the card.

[0100] Next, a specific example of the data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-stage card processor 10 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the self-device state data 16a and the card data 16b shown in FIG. 4.

[0101] The self-device state data 16a shown in FIG. 5(a) shows a state where the ID of the inter-stage card processor 10 is "A101", the gaming machine ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", and "Ball 1" is set as the game type of the inter-stage card processor 10.

[0102] The card data 16b shown in Fig. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the inter-stage card processor 10 is "2015". Here, the upper digit of the card ID indicates the type of the card. A card with the upper digit "1" is a general card, and a card with the upper digit "2" is a membership card. Also, the card data 16b indicates that the PIN for stored coin replay is "1234" and the prepaid value is "0" degrees. Here, 1 degree of prepaid value is equivalent to 1 yen.

[0103] Also, the card data 16b shows that as the held coins, the remaining balance of the held coins of Coin 1 is "2975" coins, the remaining balance of the held coins of Coin 2 is "0" coins, and the remaining balance of the held coins of Coin 3 is "0" coins. As the stored coins, the remaining balance of the stored coins of Coin 1 is "0" coins, the remaining balance of the stored coins of Coin 2 is "0" coins, and the remaining balance of the stored coins of Coin 3 is "0" coins.

[0104] <Configuration of the gaming machine 20> Next, the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the gaming machine 20 includes a communication control unit 23, a presentation control unit 24, a game control unit 25, and a game ball control unit 26. The communication control unit 23 is a control unit for controlling data communication with the inter-stage card processor 10. Communication with the inter-stage card processor 10 uses encrypted communication with a predetermined encryption method.

[0105] At the startup of the gaming machine 20, the communication control unit 23 reads identification information from the control CPUs provided in the game control unit 25 and / or the game ball control unit 26, checks whether the identification information is appropriate, and if appropriate, establishes communication with the inter-stage card processor 10 and enters the standby state. In the standby state, if an operation permission is received from the inter-stage card processor 10, the presentation control unit 24, the game control unit 25, and the game ball control unit 26 are activated to make the gaming machine in a playable state.

[0106] The game control unit 25 is a control unit for controlling the game by the gaming machine 20. Actually, a process is executed by loading and executing a program corresponding to the game control unit 25 in the CPU.

[0107] Specifically, the game control unit 25 performs control of launching game balls onto the game board surface by detecting handle operations, detection of game balls that have entered the winning holes on the game board surface, acquisition and lottery (special symbols and normal symbols) of random numbers (among random number values from 0 to 65535, where large wins, small wins, and losing numbers are assigned for each predetermined range) by game balls that have entered the start hole, control of movable members (such as tulips) provided on the game board surface, display control of a special symbol display device provided on the game board surface, detection of abnormalities that may be fraudulent (such as the front frame being open, vibration being detected, etc.), and notification to the upper device, etc.

[0108] A large number of obstacle pins are implanted on the game board surface. The game balls launched onto the game board surface by handle operations fall between the obstacle pins and either win and enter the winning holes or the start hole, or are discharged outside the game board through the out hole on the game board surface without winning. When a game ball wins and enters the start hole, a lottery is conducted. If it is a big win, a big win game is performed in which a plurality of predetermined winning holes on the game board surface are controlled to be in an open state for multiple times. By making it easier for game balls to win in this winning hole, prize balls are awarded to the game players.

[0109] In addition, among the big wins, there is a big win game with a privilege in which a predetermined privilege game is awarded to the game player after the big win game ends. The big win game with a privilege includes a probability variable big win and a time-saving big win. The probability variable big win and the time-saving big win each award a probability variable game and a time-saving game as privilege games after the big win. The time-saving game is a privilege game that increases the number of lottery times per unit time and increases the probability of winning a big win per unit time by shortening the variable time (the time from starting the lottery process to displaying the result) of the normal symbol lottery (the opening and closing lottery of the above-mentioned movable member) and / or the special symbol lottery (the big win lottery by the winning of the above-mentioned game balls). This privilege game may include a normal symbol probability variation that increases the winning probability of the normal symbol. The time-saving game by the time-saving big win ends when the number of lottery times of the special symbol lottery reaches a predetermined number after the big win. The probability variable game will be described later.

[0110] The game control unit 25 has a probability variation function. The probability variation function is a function that performs control to change the random number range for a jackpot used in the next lottery when the lottery result falls within a particularly defined random number range among jackpots (generally, it is made about 10 times). The probability variation game performs a special symbol lottery using the probability after this change. The probability variation game continues until the next jackpot win. Also, a probability variation game and a time-saving game may be provided simultaneously. However, in order to prevent unexpected damage to the game store, when a player acquires a certain number of game media after the start of a probability variation game or a time-saving game, a stop (once the card is discharged and a prize exchange or a table movement is requested) process may be performed. In this case, it can be realized by counting the number of game media after the probability variation game state is reached by the gaming machine 20 and performing game stop control such as stopping the emission of game balls when this count value reaches a predetermined value.

[0111] The effect control unit 24 is a control unit that controls the effects during the game and has an effect symbol lottery unit 24a and an effect lottery unit 24b. Actually, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, processes corresponding to the effect symbol lottery unit 24a and the effect lottery unit 24b are executed respectively.

[0112] The effect symbol lottery unit 24a performs a lottery of effect symbols (symbols displayed on an effect symbol display device such as a display device on the game board surface) based on the special symbol lottery in the game control unit 25 (specifically, whether to finally stop the display at 7, 7, 7, etc.).

[0113] The effect lottery unit 24b performs a lottery of the type of effect to be performed until the lottery result based on the effect symbol is displayed (such as a character appearing and performing a reach effect). Such effects are set so that the effects selected for the main lottery result are different.

[0114] The effect control unit 24 stores the effect data of each effect. Further, the effect control unit 24 controls the display of the effect symbol display device, and at the time of effect execution, performs an effect display by overlapping the effect data on the background symbol data. Also, at the time of probability variation, background color data different from the normal state is set.

[0115] The game ball control unit 26 is a control unit that controls the number of game balls. Actually, by loading and executing a program corresponding to the game ball control unit 26 into the CPU, the process will be executed. The playable number management unit 26a is a management unit that manages the playable number, that is, the number of game balls.

[0116] Specifically, the game ball control unit 26 stores the number of game balls in the playable number memory, subtracts "1" from the number of game balls each time a game ball is launched, and adds the number of prize balls obtained by winning to the number of game balls. Also, when the number of balls is notified by the inter-stage card processor 10, the notified number of balls is added to the number of game balls, and a confirmation signal indicating that the number of game balls has been added is transmitted to the inter-stage card processor 10. Further, the game ball control unit 26 can also perform cleaning control of the game balls (circulating balls) enclosed in the gaming machine 20.

[0117] In addition, the game ball control unit 26 periodically transmits the number of game balls stored in the playable number memory to the inter-stage card processor 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 26 transmits the number of game balls at the data acquisition time to the inter-stage card processor 10 while continuously updating the number of game balls according to the game state without clearing the content of the playable number memory to zero.

[0118] In addition, the gaming machine 20 is provided with a counting button 22, and a signal indicating that the counting button 22 has been pressed is input to the game ball control unit 26. When the game ball control unit 26 detects a pressing operation of the counting button 22 and the time from the rising edge to the falling edge of the detection signal is less than a certain time, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-stage card processor 10 together with data on the number of game balls in a certain number (for example, 100 balls per operation). Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-stage card processor 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the number of game balls. Also, when the game ball control unit 26 detects a pressing operation of the counting button 22 and no falling edge is detected for a predetermined time or more after the detection signal rises, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-stage card processor 10 together with data on the number of game balls in a certain number (for example, 200 balls per 5 seconds) every time the rising state of the detection signal continues for a certain time. Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-stage card processor 10 is subtracted (invalidated) from the number of game balls. When subtracting from the number of game balls, methods such as decrementing the value to be subtracted from the value of 1 stored in the memory, updating the value stored in the memory with the value after subtraction, and deleting or logically deleting the value before subtraction to invalidate it can be considered, but there is no particular limitation as long as the value after subtraction can be specified.

[0119] The game control unit 25 and the game ball control unit 26 are each configured on a separate circuit board. The game control circuit board on which the game control unit 25 is configured and the game ball control circuit board on which the game ball control unit 26 is configured each have a unique ID. The gaming machine 20 combines the ID of the game control circuit board and the ID of the game ball control circuit board and uses them as the gaming machine ID.

[0120] <Configuration of the management device 50> Next, the configuration of the management device 50 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 50 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the management device 50 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52, and has an external network communication unit 53, a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56.

[0121] The display unit 51 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display device. The input unit 52 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The external network communication unit 53 is an interface unit for data communication with an authentication key management center (not shown) via an external network. The store network communication unit 54 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the self-prize management device 60, and the general prize payout device 90 via a communication line within the game parlor.

[0122] The storage unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a non-volatile memory, and stores card management data 55a, device management data 55b, member management data 55c, prize inventory data 55d, and selected prize data 55e.

[0123] The card management data 55a is data that associates the remaining prepaid value, the remaining number of tokens, etc. with the card ID. The device management data 55b is data related to the devices installed in the game parlor. This device management data 55b includes the ID of the pedestal card processor, the installation location, the game table number, the game machine ID, the model data of the gaming machine 20, etc. The member management data 55c is data that associates the name of the member, the information of the stored tokens, etc. with the card ID of the membership card issued to the member.

[0124] The prize inventory data 55d is data for managing the inventory of all prizes including special prizes and general prizes. The selected prize data 55e is data for managing the prizes selected by the self-prize management device 60. This selected prize data 55e includes the card ID, information for specifying the selected prize, and a status indicating the waiting / complete state of the exchange.

[0125] The control unit 56 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 50, and includes a card management unit 56a, a device management unit 56b, a member management unit 56c, a prize inventory management unit 56d, and a selected prize management unit 56e. Actually, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, processes corresponding to the card management unit 56a, the device management unit 56b, the member management unit 56c, the prize inventory management unit 56d, and the selected prize management unit 56e will be executed respectively.

[0126] The card management unit 56a is a processing unit that manages the card management data 55a. The card management unit 56a communicates with the between-stage card processor 10 and the self-prize management device 60 to update the prepaid value and the remaining balance of the stored value associated with the card ID. Also, when the card management unit 56a receives a card insertion notification from the between-stage card processor 10 or a request for the value associated with the card from the self-prize management device 60, it notifies the valuable value and the remaining balance of the stored value associated with the card.

[0127] The device management unit 56b is a processing unit that manages the device management data 55b. The device management unit 56b generates and updates the device management data 55b based on the between-stage card processor ID, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID obtained from the between-stage card processor 10.

[0128] The member management unit 56c is a processing unit that manages the member management data 55c. The member management unit 56c communicates with the between-stage card processor 10 and the self-prize management device 60 to update the remaining balance of the stored value associated with the card ID. Also, when the member management unit 56c receives a member registration request, it performs an update to add a member to the member management data 55c.

[0129] Here, the stored coin replay process by the member management unit 56c will be described. If the member management unit 56c receives stored coin replay request data from the podium card processing machine 10, among the stored coins associated with the card ID in the stored coin replay request data, it subtracts the remaining balance of the stored coins at the payout destination rate by the number of payout units, and recalculates the number of possible stored coin replays. Then, it transmits the stored coin replay data including the remaining balance after subtraction and the number of possible stored coin replays to the podium card processing machine 10.

[0130] The prize inventory management unit 56d is a processing unit that manages prize inventory data 55d indicating the inventory of all prizes. If the prize inventory management unit 56d receives a request for prize inventory data from the self-prize management device 60, it notifies the prize inventory data 55d. If the prize inventory management unit 56d receives the prize code and quantity from the selected prize management unit 56e, it subtracts the quantity of the corresponding prize in the prize inventory data 55d.

[0131] The selected prize management unit 56e is a processing unit that manages selected prize data 55e indicating the prizes selected by the self-prize management device 60 and their status. If the selected prize management unit 56e receives a registration request including the card ID, the prize code, and the quantity of the selected prize from the self-prize management device 60, it associates the selected prize with the card ID, sets the status to "exchange completed" if the selected prize is a special prize, and sets the status to "awaiting exchange" if the selected prize is a general prize, and registers it in the selected prize data 55e.

[0132] Also, if the selected prize management unit 56e receives a registration request including the card ID, the prize code, and the quantity of the selected prize from the general prize payout device 90, it updates the status of the data corresponding to the received card ID, prize code, and quantity in the selected prize data 55e to "exchange completed".

[0133] Also, if the selected prize management unit 56e registers / updates "exchange completed" in the status of the data in the selected prize data 55e, it notifies the prize code and quantity of this data to the prize inventory management unit 56d.

[0134] Next, an example of the data stored in the storage unit 55 of the management device 50 shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing examples of the card management data 55a, device management data 55b, member management data 55c, prize inventory data 55d, and selected prize data 55e shown in FIG. 7.

[0135] In the card management data 55a shown in FIG. 8(a), the prepaid value "0" in degrees, the remaining balance of the holding balls of each rate "0" balls, and the usage destination ID "A101" are associated with the card ID "1001". That is, the card with the card ID "1001" is inserted into the floor card processor 10 with the device ID "A101", and the management of the holding balls has been transferred to the floor card processor 10. Therefore, the remaining balance of the holding balls of each rate becomes zero.

[0136] Also, in the card management data 55a, the prepaid value "0" is associated with the card ID "2015". Also, as the holding balls, the remaining balance of the holding balls of ball 1 is "2975" balls, the remaining balance of the holding balls of ball 2 is "0" balls, and the remaining balance of the holding balls of ball 3 is "0" balls are associated. However, the usage destination ID is not associated. That is, the card with the card ID "2015" is not inserted into the floor card processor 10, and the management of the holding balls is being performed by the management device 50.

[0137] The device management data 55b shown in FIG. 8(b) indicates that for the floor card processor 10 with the ID "A101", its installation location is "Island 1-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", the gaming table number is "11", the gaming type is "ball 1", the model of the gaming machine 20 is "EV01", and the manufacturing number is "a". It also shows that this gaming machine 20 is in a state of being in use.

[0138] Also, the device management data 55b indicates that for the floor card processor 10 with the ID "A201", its installation location is "Island 2-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B506", the gaming table number is "21", the gaming type is "ball 3", the model of the gaming machine 20 is "DX03", and the manufacturing number is "g". It also shows that this gaming machine 20 is in a state of being in use.

[0139] The membership management data 55c shown in FIG. 8(c) shows the name, stored points, etc. associated with the card ID. Specifically, the membership management data 55c shows a state where, for the card ID "2015", the name is "Patent Taro", the remaining balance of the stored points of "Ball 1" is "0" balls, the remaining balance of the stored points of "Ball 2" is "0" balls, and the remaining balance of the stored points of "Ball 3" is "0" balls.

[0140] The prize inventory data 55d shown in FIG. 9(a) is data that associates the total inventory with the prize code, prize name, and group code. The prize inventory data 55d associates a total inventory of "400" pieces with the prize code "0001", prize name "Grand Prize", and group code "01", associates a total inventory of "400" pieces with the prize code "0002", prize name "Medium Prize", and group code "01", and associates a total inventory of "400" pieces with the prize name "Small Prize" and group code "01".

[0141] In addition, the prize inventory data 55d shows a situation where it associates a total inventory of "100" pieces with the prize code "0100", prize name "AA Stuffed Toy", and group code "02", associates a total inventory of "100" pieces with the prize code "0101", prize name "BB Detergent", and group code "02", associates a total inventory of "100" pieces with the prize code "0102", prize name "CC Cup Noodles", and group code "02", and associates a total inventory of "100" pieces with the prize code "0103", prize name "DD Chocolate" and group code "02".

[0142] The selected prize data 55e shown in FIG. 9(b) is data that associates the card ID, selected prize, and status. The selected prize includes the prize code, prize name, and quantity. The selected prize data 55e associates 1 grand prize (special prize) with the prize code "0001" for the card ID "2015", associates 1 medium prize (special prize) with the prize code "0002", and associates 1 small prize (special prize) with the prize code "0003". The status of these special prizes is set to "Exchange Completed".

[0143] In addition, for the selection prize data 55e, two BB detergents (general prizes) with the prize code "0101" are associated with the card ID "2015". Since such general prizes have not been dispensed from the general prize dispensing device 90, their status is "awaiting exchange". If they are dispensed from the general prize dispensing device 90, the status will become "exchange completed".

[0144] <Configuration of the Self-Prize Management Device 60> Next, the configuration of the self-prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the self-prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the self-prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 10.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 10, the self-prize management device 60 is a small computer operated by the player himself / herself and is arranged on the table of a prize exchange counter provided at a predetermined position in the game arcade. A special prize dispensing device 80 for dispensing special prizes is arranged on the table of such a prize exchange counter and is communicably connected to the self-prize management device 60.

[0146] A card reader / writer 61 and a receipt issuing unit 62 are connected to the self-prize management device 60. The card reader / writer 61 is a processing unit that reads the card ID from the player's card and writes the prize code and quantity on the card. The receipt issuing unit 62 is a thermal printer or the like and issues various receipts such as a receipt with information identifying the selected prize printed on it.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 11, the self-prize management device 60 has a display operation unit 64, a communication unit 65, a storage unit 66, and a control unit 67. Although not shown here, a staff tag reader for reading the identification code of the staff tag held by the staff can also be provided. By such an identification code, the employee operating the self-prize management device 60 can be identified. Also, a mobile terminal reader for reading the ID from the mobile terminal of a registered member player can be provided.

[0148] The operation unit 64 is an input / output device such as a liquid crystal touch panel, and the communication unit 65 is an interface unit for the self-prize management device 60 to communicate with the management device 50 and the special prize payout device 80 via a communication line or the like.

[0149] The storage unit 66 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory, and stores a prize master 66a, holding value data 66b, prize inventory data 66c, and simultaneous conveyance possible number data 66d.

[0150] The prize master 66a is data used when exchanging game balls for prizes, and is received from the management device 50 and stored, for example. The holding value data 66b is data indicating the value associated with the card read by the card reader / writer 61. The prize inventory data 66c is data for managing the inventory of prizes. The simultaneous conveyance possible number data 66d is data associating the general prizes that the general prize payout device 90 can payout at one time with the number thereof.

[0151] The control unit 67 is a control unit that controls the self-prize management device 60 as a whole, and includes a prize management unit 67a, a holding value management unit 67b, a prize selection control unit 67c, a prize inventory management unit 67d, and a prize association processing unit 67e. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (not shown), and by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, processes corresponding to the prize management unit 67a, the holding value management unit 67b, the prize selection control unit 67c, the prize inventory management unit 67d, and the prize association processing unit 67e are respectively executed.

[0152] The prize management unit 67a is a management unit that manages the exchange ball numbers of special prizes and general prizes that are the handling targets of the self-prize management device 60 using the prize master 66a stored in the storage unit 66. The prize management unit 67a acquires the prize master from the management device 50 and stores it as the prize master 66a in the storage unit 66.

[0153] The holding value management unit 67b is a processing unit that manages the holding value data 66b. When the card ID is read by the card reader / writer 61, the holding value management unit 67b requests the management device 50 for the remaining balance, the number of held items, and the number of stored items of the valuable items associated with the card ID. When the holding value management unit 67b receives the remaining balance, the number of held items, and the number of stored items of the valuable items associated with the card ID from the management device 50, it stores the remaining balance, the number of held items, and the number of stored items of the valuable items in the holding value data 66b.

[0154] The prize selection control unit 67c is a processing unit that selects the prizes to be exchanged. The prize selection control unit 67c accepts the selection of special prizes and general prizes based on the prize master 66a within the range of the remaining balance of the held items and the stored items.

[0155] Specifically, when a special prize is specified by the operation of the player, the prize selection control unit 67c obtains the combinations of the types and numbers of special prizes that can be exchanged within the range of the remaining balance of the held items and the stored items and sets them as the selected prizes. Also, for general prizes, there are cases where the player specifies a prize by operating the display operation unit 64 and cases where the prize selection control unit 67c selects a prize within the range of the number of held items and the number of stored items in response to the entrusted selection operation.

[0156] For example, if the self-prize management device 60 receives an "entrusted selection operation" that automatically selects a general prize, the prize selection control unit 67c automatically selects a general prize that can be exchanged with the number of held items and the number of stored items according to the prize payout conditions. Then, the prize code and the number of the selected prizes are stored in the card.

[0157] Such prize payout conditions can be, for example, combinations of general prizes that can be exchanged with the number of held items and that the general prize payout device 90 can payout to the outlet at one time. Note that the combinations of general prizes that the general prize payout device 90 can payout to the outlet at one time are specified in advance according to the size of the general prizes and are stored as the simultaneous conveyance possible number data 66d.

[0158] In addition, if a prize is selected, the prize selection control unit 67c notifies the management device 50 of a registration request including the card ID, the prize code of the selected prize, and the quantity. If a special prize is selected, the prize selection control unit 67c notifies the special prize payout device 80 of a payout instruction including the prize code of the selected prize and the quantity. If a general prize is selected, the prize selection control unit 67c transfers the prize code of the selected prize and the quantity to the prize association processing unit 67e.

[0159] The prize inventory management unit 67d is a processing unit that manages prize inventory data 66c indicating the inventory of all prizes. If the card ID is read by the card reader / writer 61 or the mobile terminal reader 64c, the prize inventory management unit 67d requests the prize inventory data from the management device 50. If the prize inventory management unit 67d receives the prize inventory data from the management device 50, it stores the received data in the prize inventory data 66c.

[0160] The prize association processing unit 67e is a processing unit that stores the selected general prize as a selected prize in the card. If the prize association processing unit 67e receives the prize code and the quantity from the prize selection control unit 67c, it stores the received prize code and the quantity in the card via the card reader / writer 61.

[0161] Next, an example of the data stored in the storage unit 66 of the self-prize management device 60 shown in FIG. 11 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the prize master 66a and the holding value data 66b shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the prize inventory data 66c and the simultaneous conveyance possible number data 66d shown in FIG. 11.

[0162] The prize master 66a shown in FIG. 12(a) is data that associates a prize name, a group code, a prize value, and the number of exchange balls with a prize code that uniquely identifies a prize. Here, the group code is identification information for classifying and managing prizes. The group code "01" indicates a special prize that can be transferred at a predetermined value through a certain procedure. The group codes "02" and later are general prizes including daily necessities other than special prizes.

[0163] The prize master 66a associates the prize name "Grand Prize", group code "01", prize value "8000" yen, the number of exchange balls for ball 1 "2000" balls, the number of exchange balls for ball 2 "4000" balls, and the number of exchange balls for ball 3 "8000" balls with the prize code "0001".

[0164] Also, the prize master 66a associates the prize name "Medium Prize", group code "01", prize value "2500" yen, the number of exchange balls for ball 1 "625" balls, the number of exchange balls for ball 2 "1250" balls, and the number of exchange balls for ball 3 "2500" balls with the prize code "0002".

[0165] Also, the prize master 66a associates the prize name "Small Prize", group code "01", prize value "1000" yen, the number of exchange balls for ball 1 "250" balls, the number of exchange balls for ball 2 "500" balls, and the number of exchange balls for ball 3 "1000" balls with the prize code "0003".

[0166] Also, the prize master 66a associates the prize name "AA Stuffed Toy", group code "02", prize value "300" yen, the number of exchange balls for ball 1 "75" balls, the number of exchange balls for ball 2 "150" balls, and the number of exchange balls for ball 3 "300" balls with the prize code "0100".

[0167] Also, the prize master 66a associates the prize name "BB Detergent", group code "02", prize value "200" yen, the number of exchange balls for ball 1 "50" balls, the number of exchange balls for ball 2 "100" balls, and the number of exchange balls for ball 3 "200" balls with the prize code "0101".

[0168] Also, the prize master 66a associates the prize name "CC Cup", group code "02", prize value "160" yen, the number of exchange balls for ball 1 "40" balls, the number of exchange balls for ball 2 "80" balls, and the number of exchange balls for ball 3 "160" balls with the prize code "0102".

[0169] In addition, the prize master 66a associates the prize code "0103" with the prize name "DD Chocolate", group code "02", prize value of "100" yen, the number of exchange balls for ball 1 of "25" balls, the number of exchange balls for ball 2 of "50" balls, and the number of exchange balls for ball 3 of "100" balls.

[0170] The holding value data 66b shown in Fig. 12(b) is data indicating the number of balls held, the number of stored balls, the prepaid value, etc., which are values associated with the read card. The holding value data 66b shows a state where the number of balls held for ball 1 is "2975" balls, the number of balls held for ball 2 is "0" balls, the number of balls held for ball 3 is "0" balls, the number of stored balls for ball 1 is "0" balls, the number of stored balls for ball 2 is "0" balls, the number of stored balls for ball 3 is "0" balls, and the prepaid value is "0".

[0171] The prize inventory data 66c shown in Fig. 13(a) is data that associates the prize name, group code, and total inventory with the prize code. The prize inventory data 66c shows a situation where for the prize code "0001", the prize name "Grand Prize", group code "01", and total inventory of "400" pieces are associated; for the prize code "0002", the prize name "Medium Prize", group code "01", and total inventory of "400" pieces are associated; and for the prize code "0003", the prize name "Small Prize", group code "01", and total inventory of "400" pieces are associated.

[0172] In addition, the prize inventory data 66c shows a situation where for the prize code "0100", the prize name "AA Stuffed Toy", group code "02", and total inventory of "100" pieces are associated; for the prize code "0101", the prize name "BB Detergent", group code "02", and total inventory of "100" pieces are associated; for the prize code "0102", the prize name "CC Mug", group code "02", and total inventory of "100" pieces are associated; and for the prize code "0103", the prize name "DD Chocolate", group code "02", and total inventory of "100" pieces are associated.

[0173] The simultaneously conveyable quantity data 66d shown in FIG. 13(b) is data that associates the prize name and the simultaneously conveyable quantity with respect to the prize code. This simultaneously conveyable quantity is the number of general prizes that can be simultaneously conveyed from the storage section of the general prize payout device 90 to the outlet using the elevator. The simultaneously conveyable quantity data 66d associates the prize name "AA stuffed toy" and the simultaneously conveyable quantity of "1" piece with respect to the prize code "0100", associates the prize name "BB detergent" and the simultaneously conveyable quantity of "2" pieces with respect to the prize code "0101", associates the prize name "CC cup ladle" and the simultaneously conveyable quantity of "3" pieces with respect to the prize code "0102", and associates the prize name "DD chocolate" and the simultaneously conveyable quantity of "3" pieces with respect to the prize code "0103", showing the situation. Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, only the simultaneously conveyable quantity of the same prize is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the simultaneously conveyable quantity in the case of combining a plurality of prizes such as the CC cup ladle and the DD chocolate is also included in the simultaneously conveyable quantity data 66d.

[0174] Next, the display screen to be displayed on the display operation unit 64 shown in FIG. 11 will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen to be displayed on the display operation unit 64 shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 14(a), in the standby state, the self-prize management device 60 displays messages such as "Please place the card to be exchanged" and "When you place the card, self-exchange will start", and prompts to place the card on the card reader / writer 61.

[0175] After that, if a player places a card on the card reader / writer 61, an exchange screen as shown in FIG. 14(b) is displayed. Here, it shows a situation where the exchange process for special prizes has been carried out. Among the "2,975" balls, "2,875" balls have been exchanged for special prizes, and the remaining balls are "100" balls. Also, on this exchange screen, there are a "Specified Exchange" button for the player to specify a general prize from among the general prizes, a "Leave it to Me Exchange" button to request the selection of a general prize from the self-prize management device 60, and a "Cancel" button to cancel the exchange operation of the general prize. If the "Specified Exchange" button is pressed, a screen showing a list of general prizes that can be exchanged with the remaining balls is displayed, and the player selects a desired general prize. On the other hand, if the "Leave it to Me Exchange" button is pressed, among the combinations of prizes that can be exchanged within the range of the remaining balls, a combination of prizes that can be transported to the outlet at once is selected.

[0176] In this way, when a general prize is selected, after writing the prize code and quantity of the selected general prize on the card, as shown in FIG. 14(c), messages such as "Please take the card" and "Please be careful not to forget the prize" are displayed on the display operation unit 64. If the player takes the card from the card reader / writer 61, the prize exchange is completed.

[0177] <General prize payout device 90> Next, the general prize payout device 90 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the general prize payout device 90 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the general prize payout device 90 shown in FIG. 15.

[0178] As shown in FIG. 15, this general prize payout device 90 has an appearance similar to that of a vending machine that sells snacks and the like. It enables the general prizes stored in the storage section to be visible, and has a display operation unit 91, a card reader 94, and an outlet 98. Here, it is assumed that AA stuffed toys, BB detergents, CC cup scoops, DD chocolates, etc. are stored in the general prize payout device 90.

[0179] If a player holds a card in front of the general prize dispenser 90 and the card reader 94, the prize code and quantity of the general prize stored on the card are read, and the corresponding general prize is transported from the storage section to the outlet 98 by the elevator. As a result, the player can take out the general prize from the outlet 98 simply by holding the card in front of the card reader 94.

[0180] As shown in FIG. 16, the general prize dispenser 90 includes a display operation section 91, a storage section 92, a transport section 93, a card reader 94, a communication section 95, a memory section 96, and a control section 97.

[0181] The display operation section 91 is an input / output device such as a liquid crystal touch panel. The storage section 92 is a part for storing general prizes, and here, it is configured such that the general prizes can be viewed from the outside using a transparent acrylic plate or the like.

[0182] The transport section 93 is a mechanism for transporting the selected general prize to the outlet 98. Specifically, the elevator is moved to the storage section of the corresponding prize, the prize is placed on the elevator, and then the elevator is moved to the outlet 98 to transport the prize to the outlet 98. When multiple prizes are targeted, the elevator is sequentially moved to the positions of the storage sections where each prize is located, and the multiple prizes are transported to the outlet 98 together.

[0183] The card reader 94 reads the card ID, prize code, and quantity from the player's card. The communication section 95 is an interface section for the general prize dispenser 90 to communicate with the management device 50 via a communication line.

[0184] The memory section 96 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a non-volatile memory, and stores prize inventory data 96a. The prize inventory data 96a is data for managing the inventory of the prizes stored in the storage section 92.

[0185] The control unit 97 is a control unit that controls the general prize payout device 90 as a whole, and includes an inventory management unit 97a and a conveyance control unit 97b. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (not shown), and these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed to execute processes corresponding to the inventory management unit 97a and the conveyance control unit 97b respectively.

[0186] The inventory management unit 97a is a processing unit that manages prize inventory data 96a indicating the inventory of prizes stored in the storage unit 92. When the card ID, prize code, and quantity are read by the card reader 94, the inventory management unit 97a notifies the management device 50 of the card ID, prize code, and quantity. The inventory management unit 97a delivers the read prize code and quantity to the conveyance control unit 97b and subtracts the inventory quantity of the corresponding prize data in the prize inventory data 96a.

[0187] The conveyance control unit 97b is a processing unit that controls the conveyance of general prizes. When the conveyance control unit 97b receives the prize code and quantity from the inventory management unit 97a, it is a control unit that controls the conveyance unit 93 to convey the corresponding number of general prizes from the storage unit 92 to the outlet 98.

[0188] Next, an example of the data stored in the storage unit 96 of the general prize payout device 90 shown in FIG. 16 will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the prize inventory data 96a shown in FIG. 16. The prize inventory data 96a shown in FIG. 17 is data that associates the prize name, group code, and inventory quantity with the prize code. The prize inventory data 96a associates the prize name "AA stuffed toy", group code "02", and inventory quantity "100" with the prize code "0100", and associates the prize name "BB detergent", group code "02", and inventory quantity "100" with the prize code "0101". Also, the prize name "CC cup oar", group code "02", and inventory quantity "100" are associated with the prize code "0102", and the prize name "DD chocolate", group code "02", and inventory quantity "100" are associated with the prize code "0103". <Processing Procedure of Self-Prize Management Device 60 According to the Embodiment> Next, the processing procedure of the self-prize management device 60 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the self-prize management device 60 according to the present embodiment.

[0189] As shown in FIG. 18, if the self-prize management device 60 accepts a card (step S101; Yes), it prompts an exchange operation for special prizes. If it accepts an exchange operation for special prizes (step S102; Yes), it automatically selects special prizes (step S103). Specifically, it selects a combination of special prizes with the maximum value that can be exchanged within the range of the number of held balls and the number of stored balls. Since the selection of such special prizes is a well-known technique, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0190] After that, when a designated exchange operation for general prizes (pressing operation of the designated exchange button) is accepted (step S104; No), a selection list of prizes that can be exchanged within the range of the number of held balls and the number of stored balls is displayed, and a selection operation of the player is accepted to identify the prize to be exchanged (step S105).

[0191] On the other hand, when an entrusted selection operation (pressing operation of the entrusted exchange button) is accepted (step S104; Yes), the self-prize management device 60 automatically selects general prizes (step S106). Specifically, in order to minimize the waiting time of the player until the general prizes can be taken out, general prizes are selected based on the number that can be transported simultaneously.

[0192] After that, the prize code and the number of the selected prizes are stored in the card (step S107), and the card ID, the prize code and the number of the selected prizes are notified to the management device 50 (step S108). If the selected prizes include special prizes (step S109; Yes), the payout of the selected special prizes is notified to the special prize payout device 80 (step S110), and the process ends.

[0193] Next, the processing procedure of the automatic prize selection shown in step S106 of FIG. 18 will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the automatic prize selection shown in step S106 of FIG. 18.

[0194] As shown in FIG. 19, first, candidates for exchange prizes consisting of combinations of general prizes that can be exchanged with the remaining number of held balls and the number of stored balls are specified (step S201), and the number that can be simultaneously conveyed for this candidate is calculated (step S202). Such processing is repeated as long as there are other combinations of general prizes (step S203; Yes). As a result, a plurality of candidates for exchange prizes and the number that can be simultaneously conveyed can be obtained.

[0195] Thereafter, one of the candidates for the combination of general prizes with the minimum number that can be simultaneously conveyed is specified (step S204). In the case where there are a plurality of combinations of general prizes with the minimum number that can be simultaneously conveyed, for example, a combination of general prizes with a large stock quantity can be specified. Also, a combination of general prizes can be specified based on a predetermined priority order.

[0196] As described above, in the present embodiment, when the self-prize management device 60 receives a card, it acquires the number of held balls corresponding to the card ID from the management device 50, and if it receives a commission selection operation, it selects a general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device 90 according to a predetermined prize payout condition related to the general prize payout device 90, and stores the prize code and the number of the selected general prize in the card. Therefore, the prize exchange between the held balls and prizes acquired by the player through the game can be efficiently performed. Here, the case of exchanging held balls for prizes is shown, but the case of exchanging stored balls for prizes or the case of exchanging the sum of held balls and stored balls for prizes can also be performed in the same manner.

[0197] In the above embodiment, the configuration of storing the prize code and the like of the selected general prize in the card has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure to convert the prize code and the like of the selected general prize into a code such as a QR code (registered trademark) and print it on a receipt.

[0198] [Modification Example] In addition, in this embodiment, the case where the self-prize management device 60 accepts a commissioned selection operation has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the general prize payout device 90 can also accept a commissioned selection operation.

[0199] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of the outline of a prize exchange system according to a modification example. As shown in the figure, if a card is placed on the self-prize management device 160 (S11), the self-prize management device 160 reads the card ID stored in the card and acquires the remaining balance of the points associated with the card ID from the management device 50. Here, it is assumed that the remaining balance of points 1 (4 yen) "2975 points" is associated with the card ID.

[0200] The self-prize management device 160 exchanges "2875 points" out of such remaining balance of points "2975 points" for special prizes. Specifically, it is exchanged for 1 grand prize that can be exchanged with 2000 points, 1 middle prize that can be exchanged with 625 points, and 1 small prize that can be exchanged with 250 points. As a result, the remaining balance of points becomes "100 (= 2975 - 2875) points".

[0201] In this way, if 100 points to be exchanged for general prizes are specified (S12), the number of these points is stored in the card (S13), and the number of points is notified to the management device 50 (S14).

[0202] Then, if a card is placed on the general prize payout device 190 (S15), 100 points to be exchanged for general prizes are read from the card. Here, if a commissioned selection operation is accepted (S16), a general prize that can be exchanged with 100 points is selected according to the prize payout conditions (S17). As these prize payout conditions, for example, among the combinations of general prizes that can be exchanged with points, it can be a combination of general prizes that the general prize payout device 190 can payout to the outlet at one time.

[0203] Specifically, among the 100 balls, that is, prizes equivalent to 400 yen, as combinations of general prizes that can be paid out to the payout opening at one time, there are two patterns: "two BB detergents" and "three DD chocolates". However, if it is "two BB detergents", they can be placed on the elevator at the same time and transported to the payout opening. Therefore, "two BB detergents" is selected. As a result, the player can obtain the prize earlier than when the prize is transported by the elevator multiple times, and the waiting time can be reduced.

[0204] After that, the general prize payout device 190 pays out the general prize (S18) and notifies the management device 50 of the prize code and quantity of the paid-out prize (S19).

[0205] As described above, in the prize exchange system according to this modified example, when the self-prize management device 160 accepts a card, it specifies the number of balls to be exchanged for general prizes among the number of balls corresponding to the card ID, and writes the specified number of balls on the card. Then, if the general prize payout device 190 reads the card ID and the number of balls to be exchanged for general prizes, the general prize payout device 190 selects the general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device 190 according to the predetermined prize payout conditions related to the general prize payout device 190, and configures the prize code and quantity of the selected general prize to be stored in the card. Therefore, the prize exchange between the balls obtained by the player through the game and the prizes can be efficiently performed.

[0206] In this modified example, the case where the general prize payout device 190 accepts the entrusted selection operation has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the podium card processor 10 can also accept the entrusted selection operation.

[0207] In addition, in the present embodiment and the modified example, a case where a general prize payout device that uses an elevator to convey a prize to the payout port is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it can be applied to a case where a plurality of general prizes are taken out simultaneously from the payout port. For example, it can also be applied to a case where a plurality of prizes are dropped to the payout port without using an elevator, and after all the prizes are dropped to the payout port, the door of the payout port is controlled to be openable and closable.

[0208] Further, in the present embodiment and the modified example, a case where "selecting a combination of general prizes that can be paid out to the payout port at one time from among combinations of general prizes that can be exchanged for held medals" is set as the prize payout condition is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when there is no combination of prizes that matches the amount corresponding to the held medal that is the target of the entrusted selection operation, a combination of prizes that is closest to the amount corresponding to the held medal is selected. When there are a plurality of combinations of prizes of the same amount, it is also possible to select a combination of general prizes that can be paid out to the payout port at one time. This is because the number of held medals that cannot be exchanged for general prizes should be minimized. Also, when there are a plurality of combinations of prizes of the same amount, it is also possible to select a combination of general prizes in consideration of the inventory of the prizes.

[0209] Note that each configuration illustrated in each of the above embodiments is functionally schematic, and it is not necessarily physically configured as illustrated. That is, the form of dispersion and integration of each device is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of it can be functionally or physically dispersed and integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads, usage situations, etc.

Industrial Applicability

[0210] The prize exchange system and the prize exchange method according to the present invention are suitable for efficiently exchanging the number of game media obtained by a player through a game for general prizes.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0211] Inter-machine card processor Status display unit 12 Banknote Transport Unit 12a Banknote Insertion Slot 13 Display and Operation Unit 14 Reader / Writer 14a Card Insertion Slot 15 Communication Unit 16 Memory Unit 16a Self-Equipment Status Data 16b Card Data 17 Control Unit 17a Data Management Section 18 Game Management Unit 18a Authentication Processing Section 18b Authentication Key Management Section 18c Game Machine Status Management Section 20 Game Machine 21 Handle 22 Counting Button 23 Communication Control Unit 24 Effect Control Unit 24a Effect Symbol Lottery Section 24b Effect Lottery Section 25 Game Control Unit 26 Pachinko Ball Control Unit 26a Playable Number Management Section 30 Island Controller 50 Management Device 51 Display Unit 52 Input Unit 53 External Network Communication Unit 54 Store Network Communication Unit 55 Memory Unit 55a Card Management Data 55b Device Management Data 55c Member Management Data 55d Prize Inventory Data 55e Selected Prize Data 56 Control Unit 56a Card Management Section 56b Device Management Section 56c Member Management Section 56d Prize Inventory Management Section 56e Selected Prize Management Section 60 Self-Prize Management Device 61 Card Reader / Writer 62 Receipt Issuing Unit 64 Display Operation Unit 65 Communication Unit 66 Memory Unit 66a Prize Master 66b Retained Value Data 66c Prize Inventory Data 66d Simultaneous Transportable Quantity Data 67 Control Unit 67a Prize Management Unit 67b Retained Value Management Unit 67c Prize Selection Control Unit 67d Prize Inventory Management Unit 67e Prize Association Processing Unit 80 Special Prize Payout Device 90 General Prize Payout Device 91 Display Operation Unit 92 Storage Unit 93 Conveyor Unit 94 Card Reader 95 Communication Unit 96 Memory Unit 96a Prize Inventory Data 97 Control Unit 97a Inventory Management Unit 97b Conveyor Control Unit 98 Outlet 160 Self-Prize Management Device 190 General Prize Payout Device

Claims

1. A prize exchange system comprising a management device that manages the number of game media acquired by a game player in association with identification information of a storage medium, a prize exchange device that exchanges at least the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, and a general prize payout device that conveys a plurality of general prizes stored in a plurality of storage units to a predetermined prize outlet, wherein: the prize exchange device: when receiving the identification information of the storage medium, a game media number acquisition means for acquiring from the management device the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium; a reception means for receiving a selection request operation for the general prizes stored in the plurality of storage units of the general prize payout device; when the selection request operation is received by the reception means, a prize identification means for identifying a general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to a predetermined prize payout condition related to the general prize payout device within the range of the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium; a writing means for writing information related to the general prize identified by the prize identification means to the storage medium; is provided with; the prize identification means: identifies a general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to the prize payout condition based on the size of each general prize stored in the plurality of storage units and the number of general prizes that can be paid out simultaneously from the general prize payout device; A prize exchange system characterized by the above.

2. A prize exchange system comprising a management device that manages the number of game media acquired by a game player in association with identification information of a storage medium, a prize exchange device that exchanges at least the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, and a general prize payout device that conveys a plurality of general prizes stored in a plurality of storage units to a predetermined prize outlet, wherein: the prize exchange device: when receiving the identification information of the storage medium, a game media number acquisition means for acquiring from the management device the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium; a reception means for receiving a selection request operation for the general prizes stored in the plurality of storage units of the general prize payout device; when the selection request operation is received by the reception means, a prize identification means for identifying a general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to a predetermined prize payout condition related to the general prize payout device within the range of the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium; a writing means for writing information related to the general prize identified by the prize identification means to the storage medium; is provided with; the prize identification means: Specify the general prizes to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to the prize payout conditions based on the size of each general prize stored in the plurality of storage units, the number of general prizes that can be paid out simultaneously from the general prize payout device, and the inventory quantity of the general prizes. A prize exchange system characterized by this.

3. The management device The prize exchange system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is provided with a subtraction means for subtracting the number of game media corresponding to the general prize specified by the prize specifying means from the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium.

4. The general prize payout device A prize information acquisition means for acquiring prize information related to the general prize associated with the storage medium, A control means for controlling to convey the general prize from a predetermined storage unit to the prize outlet based on the information related to the general prize acquired by the prize information acquisition means The prize exchange system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by comprising this.

5. The prize specifying means The prize exchange system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when there are a plurality of candidates for the general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device, the general prize is specified so that the remaining balance of the number of game media after paying out the general prize becomes the minimum.

6. A prize exchange system having a management device for managing the number of game media acquired by a game player in association with the identification information of a storage medium, a prize exchange device for exchanging at least the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, and a general prize payout device for conveying a plurality of general prizes stored in a plurality of storage units to a predetermined prize outlet, The prize exchange device A first acquisition means for acquiring the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium from the management device when receiving the identification information of the storage medium, A writing means for writing information related to the number of game media to be exchanged for prizes in the general prize payout device into the storage medium among the number of game media acquired by the first acquisition means Comprising The general prize payout device A second acquisition means for acquiring the number of game media stored in the storage medium, A reception means for receiving a selection request operation for the general prizes stored in the plurality of storage units, A prize specifying means for specifying the general prize to be paid out according to a predetermined prize payout condition within the range of the number of game media acquired by the second acquisition means when the selection request operation is received by the reception means Conveying means for conveying the general prize specified by the prize specifying means to the prize outlet and comprising the prize specifying means specifies the general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to the prize payout conditions based on the size of each general prize stored in the plurality of storage sections and the number of general prizes that can be paid out simultaneously from the general prize payout device A prize exchange system characterized by this.

7. A prize exchange method in a prize exchange system having a management device for managing the number of game media acquired by a player in association with the identification information of a storage medium, a prize exchange device for exchanging at least the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, and a general prize payout device for conveying a plurality of general prizes stored in a plurality of storage sections to a predetermined prize outlet, comprising a game medium number acquisition step in which, when the prize exchange device receives the identification information of the storage medium, the prize exchange device acquires the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium from the management device a reception step in which the prize exchange device receives a selection request operation for the general prizes stored in the plurality of storage sections of the general prize payout device a prize specification step in which, when the prize exchange device receives the selection request operation in the reception step, the prize exchange device specifies the general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to a predetermined prize payout condition related to the general prize payout device within the range of the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium a writing step in which the prize exchange device writes information related to the general prize specified in the prize specification step to the storage medium including the prize specification step specifies the general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to the prize payout conditions based on the size of each general prize stored in the plurality of storage sections and the number of general prizes that can be paid out simultaneously from the general prize payout device A prize exchange method characterized by this.

8. A prize exchange method in a prize exchange system having a management device for managing the number of game media acquired by a player in association with the identification information of a storage medium, a prize exchange device for exchanging at least the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium for prizes, and a general prize payout device for conveying a plurality of general prizes stored in a plurality of storage sections for storing general prizes to a predetermined prize outlet, comprising a first acquisition step in which, when the prize exchange device receives the identification information of the storage medium, the prize exchange device acquires the number of game media corresponding to the identification information of the storage medium from the management device A writing step in which the prize exchange device writes information related to the number of game media to be exchanged for prizes in the general prize payout device among the number of game media acquired in the first acquisition step to the storage medium; A second acquisition step in which the general prize payout device acquires the number of game media stored in the storage medium; A reception step in which the general prize payout device receives a selection request operation for general prizes stored in the plurality of storage units; A prize specifying step in which, when the general prize payout device receives the selection request operation in the reception step, the general prize payout device specifies a general prize to be paid out according to a predetermined prize payout condition within the range of the number of game media acquired in the second acquisition step; A conveyance step in which the general prize payout device conveys the general prize specified in the prize specifying step to the prize outlet and includes The prize specifying step is specifying a general prize to be paid out from the general prize payout device according to the prize payout condition based on the size of each general prize stored in the plurality of storage units and the number of general prizes that can be paid out simultaneously from the general prize payout device A prize exchange method characterized by the above.

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