Game information providing system and game information providing method

Abstract

To improve a service for members by highly efficiently associating (linking) member information registered in a game parlor with member information registered in a game related information site.SOLUTION: When a member card is inserted into an interspace card processing machine 10 (S1), the interspace card processing machine 10 notifies of a card ID read from the inserted member card to a management device 50 (S2). The management device 50 searches member management data using the received card ID, and when a notification service ID is not associated with the card ID, notifies of member information such as a name corresponding to the card ID to the interspace card processing machine 10 (S3). The interspace card processing machine 10 displays a QR code (registered trademark) formed by encoding the received member information and an URL for registration of a game related information site (S4). A player read the QR code (registered trademark) with a portable terminal such as a smartphone, accesses to the game related information site and registers as a member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming information providing system and a gaming information providing method capable of improving services for members by efficiently associating member information registered in a gaming parlor with member information registered in a gaming-related information site.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in the gaming industry including gaming parlors such as pachinko parlors, there are certain restrictions on advertisements. Specifically, according to the Amusement Business Act, acts that may significantly arouse the gambling mentality are prohibited, and advertisements and promotions that appeal to the visual and auditory senses are subject to regulation.

[0003] For this reason, in the gaming industry, information transmission such as the introduction of new machines to members registered in the gaming parlor has been carried out using direct mail (DM). However, in reality, the notification to members via DM has a weak advertising effect.

[0004] Therefore, a mechanism for providing information to members registered in a gaming-related information site on the Internet has attracted attention. Specifically, when a big win occurs in a gaming machine installed in a gaming parlor, information related to the model of the gaming machine and the like, or a two-dimensional barcode in which the URL of a gaming-related information site on the Internet is encoded, is displayed on the liquid crystal screen installed in the gaming machine. Such a service is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the above prior art, there is a problem that the service for members deteriorates because the membership information registered in the game parlor cannot be associated with the membership information registered in the game-related information site.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems (issues) of the prior art, and aims to provide a game information providing system and a game information providing method capable of improving the service for members by efficiently associating (linking) the membership information registered in the game parlor with the membership information registered in the game-related information site.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a game information providing system including a gaming machine installed in a game parlor for providing games, a gaming device installed together with the gaming machine, a management device communicably connected to the gaming device, an information management device for providing information related to the games of a player, and a portable terminal possessed by the player, wherein the information management device includes Memory a first management means for managing information related to the player, and the management device includes Memory a second management means for managing information related to the player, and Memory a determination means for determining whether the information related to the player managed by the second management means is managed by the first management means, and the gaming device includes Memory a display means for displaying a code for registering with the information management device when it is determined that the information related to the player managed by the second management means is not managed by the first management means, and the portable terminal includes Memory a code reading means for reading the code displayed by a predetermined display device, and Memory means for to the information management device transmit to the It is characterized by comprising the means.

[0009] Also, in the present invention, the information management device is the Transmission means bytransmitted Further comprising a player information notification means for notifying the management device of the information, and the management device transmitted by the transmission means associates the information notified from the information management device with the information related to the player Memory performed by the second management means.

[0010] Also, in the present invention, in the above invention, the gaming device further comprises a card information reading means for reading information recorded on a card possessed by the player, and a card information notification means for notifying the information read by the card information reading means. The determination means determines the information notified by the card information notification means as the information related to the player recorded on the card performed by the second management means. recorded on the card Also, in the present invention, in the above invention, the mobile terminal further comprises a request means for requesting the information management device to provide information related to a game according to the player's request, and the information management device further comprises a providing means for providing the information requested by the mobile terminal or predetermined information to the mobile terminal. Memory Also, the present invention is a game information providing method in a game information providing system including a gaming machine installed in a game parlor and providing games, a gaming device installed in the gaming machine, a management device communicably connected to the gaming device, an information management device providing information related to the player's game, and a mobile terminal possessed by the player. The information management device performs a first management step of managing the information related to the player, the management device performs a second management step of managing the information related to the player, the management device determines whether the information related to the player performed by the second management step is the same as that performed by the first management step, and the gaming device

[0011] performs a process according to the information related to the player performed by the second management step.

[0013] Also, the present invention is a game information providing method in a game information providing system including a gaming machine installed in a game parlor and providing games, a gaming device installed in the gaming machine, a management device communicably connected to the gaming device, an information management device providing information related to the player's game, and a mobile terminal possessed by the player. The information management device performs a first management step of managing the information related to the player, the management device performs a second management step of managing the information related to the player, the management device determines whether the information related to the player performed by the second management step is the same as that performed by the first management step, and the gaming device Memory performs a process according to the information related to the player performed by the second management step. Memory Also, the present invention is a game information providing method in a game information providing system including a gaming machine installed in a game parlor and providing games, a gaming device installed in the gaming machine, a management device communicably connected to the gaming device, an information management device providing information related to the player's game, and a mobile terminal possessed by the player. The information management device performs a first management step of managing the information related to the player, the management device performs a second management step of managing the information related to the player, the management device determines whether the information related to the player performed by the second management step is the same as that performed by the first management step, and the gaming device Memory performs a process according to the information related to the player performed by the second management step. Memory Also, the present invention is a game information providing method in a game information providing system including a gaming machine installed in a game parlor and providing games, a gaming device installed in the gaming machine, a management device communicably connected to the gaming device, an information management device providing information related to the player's game, and a mobile terminal possessed by the player. The information management device performs a first management step of managing the information related to the player, the management device performs a second management step of managing the information related to the player, the management device determines whether the information related to the player performed by the second management step is the same as that performed by the first management step, and the gaming device MemoryWhen it is determined that the information related to the player concerned has not been processed by the first management step, a display step of displaying a code for registration to the information management device, a code reading step of the mobile terminal reading the code displayed by a predetermined display device, and a step of the mobile terminal registering the information read by the code reading step to the information management device are included. Memory to transmit to the information management device is characterized by including the above steps.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, by efficiently associating the member information registered in the game parlor with the member information registered in the game-related information site, it is possible to improve the service for members.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, the game information providing system and the game information providing method according to the present Embodiment 1 will be described in detail.

[0017] In this specification, "held balls" refers to data indicating game media acquired by a player in a game, which can be used again in the game only during the same day (before the closing time of the game parlor). 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 parlor, which can be used again in the game even after the next day (after the closing time of the game parlor). Note that the "number of stored balls" refers to the number of game media deposited by the player at the game parlor. Held balls can be used by both general players and member players, and are used when moving the 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 the 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.

[0018] <Overview of the Game Information Providing System According to Embodiment 1> First, the overview of the game information providing system according to the present Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the game information providing system according to the present Embodiment 1.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, in the game information providing system according to the present Embodiment 1, at the management device 50 installed in the game parlor, members of the game parlor are managed using a card ID, and members registered on a game-related information site on the Internet are managed using a notification service ID. Among the members of the game parlor, there are members who are also registered on the game-related information site, and the management device 50 links the registered members of both parties using member management data.

[0020] If a membership card is inserted into the inter-base card processor 10 installed in the gaming machine 20 (S1), the inter-base card processor 10 notifies the management device 50 of the card ID read from the inserted membership card (S2).

[0021] The management device 50 searches for membership management data using the received card ID. If the received card ID is not linked to the notification service ID, the management device 50 notifies the inter-base card processor 10 of the membership information such as the name corresponding to this card ID (S3).

[0022] The inter-base card processor 10 displays a QR code (registered trademark) in which the received membership information and the registration URL of the game-related information site are encoded (S4). The player reads this QR code (registered trademark) with a mobile terminal such as a smartphone and accesses the game-related information site to perform membership registration.

[0023] If the game-related information site receives membership registration, it manages by designating a notification service ID and notifies the management device 50 of this notification service ID and the membership information. The management device 50 associates the notification service ID with the card ID using the received membership information.

[0024] In this way, the game information providing system according to the first embodiment can improve the service for members by efficiently associating (linking) the membership information registered in the game parlor with the membership information registered in the game-related information site.

[0025] <System configuration according to the first embodiment> Next, the system configuration of the game information providing system according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the game information providing system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, in the game parlor, a plurality of gaming machines 20 and inter-base card processors 10 provided corresponding to each of the gaming machines 20 are installed.

[0026] The inter-station card processor 10 is connected to a communication line, which is an in-store network, via the island controller 30. The communication line is connected to the island controller 30, the management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the cash register 70.

[0027] In addition, the management device 50 is connected to the Internet, which is an out-of-store network. The Internet is connected to the management device 50, the information management device 80, and the user terminal 90.

[0028] 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 these game balls are physical "balls" used in the game and are different from the "game balls" handled as data by the gaming machine 20. A plurality of winning areas (winning holes) are provided on the game board surface of this 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. In addition, a predetermined number of start areas (start holes) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined lottery is to be conducted based on the game balls passing through the start areas. If the lottery results in a big win, operations that are advantageous for the game, such as improving the passing probability of game balls to 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.

[0029] A winning sensor is provided in the winning area to detect the passage of game balls into the winning area, and the winning sensor is configured to detect the passage (winning) of the game balls driven into the winning area. In addition, 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. Further, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 periodically transmits the number of game balls to the inter-station card processor 10.

[0030] When the inter-game card processor 10 receives a deposit from a player, it associates the prepaid value corresponding to the amount of the deposit with the identification information (card ID) of a card stored inside the device. This prepaid value can be used to lend game balls. In addition, the inter-game 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. Further, the inter-game card processor 10 transmits the history of operations such as deposit, card insertion, card ejection, etc. to the management device 50.

[0031] When a predetermined number of game balls are launched onto the game board surface of the gaming machine 20, it transmits out data to the inter-game card processor 10. In addition, when a predetermined number of bonus 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-game card processor 10. Further, when a special state such as a jackpot occurs during the game, it transmits special prize data indicating the occurrence of such a state to the inter-game card processor 10.

[0032] The out data corresponds to the number of balls input by the player onto the game board surface. The safe data corresponds to the number of bonus balls obtained by winning. In addition, the special prize data indicates the state of the gaming machine 20 such as a jackpot. Each data is transmitted to the management device 50 via the inter-game card processor 10, and the management device 50 can obtain the history of the operation of the gaming machine 20 by accumulating the out data, safe data, and special prize data.

[0033] The inter-table card processor 10 performs functions such as accepting deposits, lending out game balls, communicating with the management device 50, and communicating with the gaming machine 20. When the inter-table card processor 10 accepts paper currency inserted by a player, it sends 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 sends a ball lending request to the management device 50, causing the management device 50 to subtract the prepaid value and notify the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value, which is then added to the number of game balls.

[0034] When the inter-table card processor 10 accepts the insertion of a card, it sends a card insertion notice to the management device 50. Also, when the inter-table card processor 10 receives the remaining balance of prepaid value, held balls, or stored balls from the management device 50, it stores the remaining balance. And when it receives and stores the remaining balance of held balls, it sends a held ball subtraction request to the management device 50 to clear the remaining balance (number of held balls) managed by the management device 50 to zero.

[0035] When the inter-table card processor 10 accepts 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-table card processor 10 accepts a stored ball replay operation, it sends 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, notify the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted number of stored balls, and add it to the number of game balls.

[0036] When the inter-table card processor 10 accepts a card return operation, it sends 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 sends a card ejection notice to the management device 50 to control the card ejection. Note that if it accepts a counting operation from the gaming machine 20 before the card return operation, it adds the number of game balls to the number of held balls.

[0037] The inter-machine card processor 10 has a function of acquiring a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 and authenticating the gaming machine 20 using the acquired gaming 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 gaming machine 20 becomes playable on the condition that the authentication is successful.

[0038] When the inter-machine card processor 10 receives a notification service registration request from the management device 50, it encodes the name and URL included in this notification service registration request to generate and display a QR code (registered trademark).

[0039] The island controller 30 is a device that groups a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-machine card processors 10 provided on the gaming island and relays various information to the management device 50.

[0040] When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processor 10, it manages by associating the identification information of the inserted card (hereinafter referred to as "card ID") with the inter-machine card processor 10, and transmits the prepaid value and the remaining balance of the stored coins associated with the card ID to the inter-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 coin replay data to the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0041] Further, when the management device 50 receives a stored coin subtraction request from the inter-machine card processor 10, it clears the remaining balance of the stored coins to zero, and when it receives a stored coin addition request from the inter-machine card processor 10, it adds the number of stored coins indicated in the stored coin addition request to the remaining balance of the stored coins.

[0042] Also, when the management device 50 receives a coin loan request from the inter-machine card processor 10, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and transmits coin loan permission to the inter-machine card processor 10. And when it receives a stored coin replay request, it transmits the stored coin replay data to the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0043] In addition, if the management device 50 receives a card ID from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of credits associated with this card ID. Further, if the management device 50 receives a card ID from the payment machine 70, it notifies the payment machine 70 of the prepaid value associated with this card ID.

[0044] In addition, the management device 50 acquires the game machine ID from the between-stage card processor 10 and manages the game machines 20 installed in its own store. Then, it acquires an authentication key for authenticating the game machines 20 set in its own store from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the game store and distributes it to the between-stage card processor 10.

[0045] In addition, the management device 50 manages the membership management data of members registered as members in the game store. Specifically, it manages the number of credits, notification service ID, password, name, etc. in association with the member card ID issued to the member.

[0046] If the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the between-stage card processor 10, it transmits to the between-stage card processor 10 the credit balance replay data including the remaining credit balance and password corresponding to the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification. Also, if the management device 50 receives a credit replay request from the between-stage card processor 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the remaining credit balance associated with the card ID indicated in the credit replay request and transmits to the between-stage card processor 10 the credit balance replay data including the remaining credit balance after subtraction.

[0047] In addition, if the management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of credits from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the remaining credit balance corresponding to the specified card ID.

[0048] In addition, when the management device 50 receives the out data, safe data, and special prize data of the game machine 20 from the between-stage card processor 10, it stores them as operation data in association with the time and the game machine ID, generates a time-series history of the operation of the game machine 20 using the operation data, and stores it as game history data.

[0049] In addition, the management device 50 stores, in the game-related card processing history data, the history of operations of the under-stage card processor 10 such as deposit, card insertion, and card ejection, and the history of operations by the prize management device 60, the settlement machine 70, and the like.

[0050] In addition, when the management device 50 receives wagon prize exchange data and hold coin split notification data from the under-stage card processor 10, it associates the time, the game machine ID, the card ID, etc. with the content of the process and stores it in the non-game card processing history data.

[0051] In addition, when the management device 50 receives an operation notification from the prize management device 60, the settlement machine 70, etc., it associates the time, the device ID, the game machine ID of the last used game machine 20, the card ID, etc. with the content of the process and stores it in the counting and settlement process history data.

[0052] In addition, at a predetermined timing such as after closing the store, the management device 50 uses the operation data and the game-related card processing history data to generate and store game history data.

[0053] In addition, at a predetermined timing such as after closing the store, the management device 50 uses the non-game card processing history data, the counting and settlement process history data, and the game history data to generate and store play data indicating one continuous game.

[0054] In addition, if the management device 50 receives notification service registration information including the name and the notification service ID from the information management device 80, it searches the member management data using the received name and stores the notification service ID in the extracted data.

[0055] In addition, if the management device 50 generates play data, it extracts data for each game machine ID from this play data to calculate the remaining coin count, associates the model and date corresponding to the game machine ID, stores it in the notification service information data, and notifies the information management device 80.

[0056] The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for prize exchange installed beside the prize exchange counter in the game arcade, and performs prize exchange processing for acquired balls, stored balls, and held balls. A card reader for reading the card ID of a card and a prize payout device for paying out prizes are connected to this prize management device 60. When the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from a general card or a membership card, it transmits the card ID to the management device 50 and requests the remaining balance of the held balls corresponding to the card ID. Also, when exchanging stored balls for prizes, it requests the remaining balance of the stored balls from the management device 50.

[0057] When a card associated with a prepaid value is inserted into the payment machine 70, it transmits the card ID of this card to the management device 50, acquires the prepaid value associated with the card, and pays out cash corresponding to the acquired prepaid value.

[0058] If the information management device 80 receives a registration application from the user terminal 90 to the game-related information site, it associates the name, notification destination terminal ID, registration store ID, notification date and time of the information to be notified, and the notification content included in this registration application with a unique notification service ID and stores them in the member management data. At the same time, it notifies the management device 50 of the game arcade corresponding to the registration store ID of the notification service ID and the name as notification service registration information.

[0059] Also, if the information management device 80 receives notification service information from the management device 50, it stores this notification service information in the notification service information data.

[0060] Also, the information management device 80 extracts the corresponding data from the notification service information data based on the notification date and time and the notification content included in the member management data, and notifies the user terminal 90 corresponding to the notification destination terminal ID included in the member management data.

[0061] The user terminal 90 extracts the name and URL from a QR code (registered trademark) captured by a camera installed in the user terminal 90. The user terminal 90 combines the registered store ID, notification date and time, and notification content received by the operation display unit installed in the user terminal 90 with the terminal ID of its own terminal and the name extracted from the QR code (registered trademark), and notifies the information management device 80 as registration application information and stores it in the member data.

[0062] Also, if the user terminal 90 receives a notification service ID from the information management device 80, it stores this notification service ID in the member data. If the user terminal 90 receives notification service information from the information management device 80, it displays this notification service information.

[0063] Next, the ball lending process in the game information providing system according to the first embodiment will be described. When a game player performs a ball lending operation on the apron card processor 10, the apron 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 in the apron card processor 10, the address or arbitrary identification information identifying the apron card processor 10 as the transmission source, and a ball lending request.

[0064] 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 play 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 apron card processor 10 as the transmission source. The apron 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.

[0065] 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 apron card processor 10. The apron 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 appropriately performed.

[0066] Next, the credit replay process in the game information providing system according to Embodiment 1 will be described. When the inter-stage card processor 10 receives the insertion of a general card or 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, 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.

[0067] 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 credits of the rate specified by the telegram among the credits associated with the card ID in the telegram.

[0068] The inter-stage card processor 10 stores the remaining balance of the credits received from the management device 50. Then, it transmits a telegram to the management device 50 including information for specifying the card ID and the rate, and a credit subtraction request. If the management device 50 receives the credit subtraction request, it clears the remaining balance of the credits specified by the card ID and the rate to zero. Further, if the inter-stage card processor 10 receives a credit replay operation, it subtracts the remaining balance of the credits by a certain number, notifies the corresponding number to the gaming machine 20, and adds it to the number of game balls.

[0069] 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 credits of the inter-stage card processor 10, it adds the number of game balls indicated in the management transfer request to its own credits. After that, if it receives a card return operation, it transmits a telegram including a credit addition request to the management device 50. This telegram 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 credits, and a credit addition request.

[0070] If the management device 50 receives a holding credit addition request, it updates the remaining balance (number of holding credits) of the holding credits associated with the card ID in the message to the value received for the holding credits of the rate specified by the message. Thereafter, the podium card processor 10 transmits a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls card ejection.

[0071] Next, the stored credit replay process in the game information providing system according to Embodiment 1 will be described. When the podium card processor 10 receives 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 podium card processor 10, an address or arbitrary identification information for identifying the podium card processor 10 as the transmission source, information for specifying the rate of the podium card processor 10, and a card insertion notification.

[0072] The management device 50 transmits stored credit replay data including the password associated with the card ID in the message and the remaining balance of the stored credits of the rate specified by the message to the podium card processor 10.

[0073] The podium card processor 10 stores the received stored credit replay data, and enables acceptance of a stored credit replay operation when the remaining balance of the stored credits indicated in the stored credit replay data is equal to or greater than the number of game balls paid out in a stored credit replay (stored credit replay unit number, e.g., "125 balls").

[0074] After storing the stored credit replay data, when the podium card processor 10 first accepts a stored credit replay operation, it requests the player to input a password and checks whether the input password matches the password indicated in the stored credit replay data.

[0075] 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 source inter-table card processor 10, information for identifying the rate of the inter-table card processor 10, and a stored credit replay request.

[0076] The management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the remaining balance of the stored credits of the rate specified by the message from among the stored credits associated with the card ID in the message, and transmits stored credit replay data including the remaining balance after the subtraction to the inter-table card processor 10.

[0077] The inter-table card processor 10 receives the stored credit replay data, updates the remaining balance of the stored credits, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the stored credit replay unit number, and adds it to the number of gaming balls. Further, it determines whether the remaining balance of the updated stored credits has become less than the stored credit replay unit number. If the remaining balance of the updated stored credit data is equal to or greater than the stored credit replay unit number, it is possible to accept the stored credit replay operation again, and if the stored credit replay operation is accepted, a stored credit replay request is transmitted. For the second and subsequent stored credit replay operations, confirmation of the PIN number is not required. If the remaining balance of the updated stored credit data becomes less than the stored credit replay unit number, the stored credit replay operation cannot be accepted.

[0078] Next, the transfer from the held credits to the stored credits during the closing process will be described. The management device 50 checks the remaining balance of the held credits in the card management data during the closing process, and if there is a held credit whose remaining balance is greater than "0", it adds the remaining balance of the held credit to the remaining balance of the stored credits and updates it. After that, the management device 50 clears the remaining balance of the held credit to zero.

[0079] <External configurations of the inter-table card processor 10 and the gaming machine 20> Next, the external configurations of the pedestal 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 pedestal card processor 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in FIG. 2. Although the pedestal card processor 10 that only accepts banknotes is illustrated in this figure, a unit that can accept electronic money can also be provided.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 3, the pedestal card processor 10 is provided with a status display unit 11 that displays the status of the device of the pedestal card processor 10 by lighting or blinking a lamp of a predetermined color, a banknote insertion slot 12a that accepts various banknotes, a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, a card insertion slot 14a that accepts a card associated with a card ID, and a holding unit 14b that holds a portable terminal of a player to associate a unique ID. Further, the holding unit 14b accepts a portable terminal associated with a unique ID and reads the unique ID.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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 pedestal card processor 10, thereby transferring the management of the number of balls that can be thrown from the gaming machine 20 to the pedestal card processor 10. This management transfer corresponds to a counting process in which the pedestal card processor 10 counts the paid-out game balls and adds them to the stored balls in an open-type gaming machine 20 in which actual game balls are paid out upon winning.

[0083] <Configuration of the Pedestal Card Processor 10> Next, the configuration of the pedestal card processor 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the pedestal card processor 10 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the pedestal card processor 10 includes a banknote transport 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.

[0084] The bill transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports the bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 12a to a bill storage unit (not shown) while 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.

[0085] The reader / writer 14 is a reading unit that reads the card ID from the card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a and the unique ID from the mobile terminal held against the holding unit 14b. Note that the card inserted into the card insertion slot 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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, "Ball 1" is set as the game type name, for 2-yen rate game balls, "Ball 2" is set, and for 1-yen rate game balls, "Ball 3" is set, and the game type names are set 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.

[0088] 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, 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.

[0089] The game management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processes related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is desirable to form this game management unit 18 on a substrate different from the control unit 17. The game management unit 18 includes an authentication processing unit 18a, an authentication key management unit 18b, and a gaming machine state management unit 18c. In practice, by loading these programs into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executing them, processes corresponding to the authentication processing unit 18a, the authentication key management unit 18b, and the gaming machine state management unit 18c are respectively executed.

[0090] The authentication processing unit 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 unit 18a sends an operation permission to the gaming machine 20. If the authentication fails, the authentication processing unit 18a prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20. Even if the authentication fails, an operation permission may be sent to the gaming machine 20 within a predetermined period from the last successful authentication, and after the predetermined period has elapsed since the last successful authentication, an operation permission is not sent to the gaming machine 20 and the use of the gaming machine 20 is prohibited.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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 obtains the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, transmits a request to add to the number of game balls by lending balls, transmits a management transfer request from the held balls to the number of game balls by replaying with the held balls, transmits a request to add to the number of game balls by replaying the stored balls, 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 game 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.

[0093] In addition, the gaming machine state management unit 18c further obtains the current number of game balls of the gaming machine 20 and the states set for the game, such as start, jackpot, jackpot type, and number of lottery times. The time interval at which the gaming machine state management unit 18c obtains the state of the gaming machine 20 is preferably set shorter than the interval at which game balls are launched (used) in the gaming machine 20. Further, when the gaming machine state management unit 18c obtains the number of game balls from the gaming machine 20, it delivers the number of game balls to the control unit 17.

[0094] Note that the timing at which the gaming machine state management unit 18c newly obtains 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 game balls (such as lending balls, replaying, counting, etc.) is performed, or when returning from the offline state, it is possible to obtain the gaming machine ID and determine the replacement of the gaming machine 20. Also, these timings may be used in combination.

[0095] The control unit 17 is a control unit that overall controls the under-stage card processor 10 and has a data management unit 17a and a code generation unit 17b. Actually, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, processes corresponding to the data management unit 17a and the code generation unit 17b will be executed respectively.

[0096] 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 balls, and stored balls) from the management device 50, it updates the card data 16b with the received valuable value.

[0097] Also, 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.

[0098] Also, when a ball lending operation is performed by a game player, the data management unit 17a sends a ball lending request including the card ID and the under-stage card processor ID to the management device 50. If it receives a ball lending permission as a response to this ball lending 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.

[0099] Also, if the data management unit 17a receives a held ball replay operation, it subtracts and updates the held balls in 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.

[0100] 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 the 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 between-platform 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 remaining credit of the stored balls in the card data 16b is updated, and the game management unit 18 is instructed 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, the input of a password is requested, and it is a condition for transmitting the stored ball replay request that it matches the password shown in the card data 16b.

[0101] 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.

[0102] In addition, when the data management unit 17a receives a card return operation, it transmits a ball addition request including the card ID, the between-platform card processor ID, and the remaining credit of the held balls to the management device 50. Then, after clearing the card data 16b, it transmits a card ejection notice to the management device 50 and ejects the card.

[0103] The code generation unit 17b is a processing unit that generates a QR code (registered trademark) for registration on a game-related information site. When the code generation unit 17b receives a notification service registration request from the management device 50, it encodes the name and URL included in this notification service registration request, generates a QR code (registered trademark), and displays it on the display operation unit 13.

[0104] Next, a specific example of the data stored in the storage unit 16 of the between-platform card processor 10 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the self-device status data 16a and the card data 16b shown in FIG. 4.

[0105] The self-device status data 16a shown in Fig. 5(a) indicates that the ID of the under-stage card processor 10 is "A101", the game machine ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", and the game type of the under-stage card processor 10 is set to "Ball 1".

[0106] The card data 16b shown in Fig. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the under-stage card processor 10 is "2001". 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 shows that the PIN for stored ball replay is "1234" and the prepaid value is "3000" points. Here, 1 point is equivalent to 1 yen in terms of the prepaid value.

[0107] Furthermore, the card data 16b shows that as the held balls, the remaining balance of the held balls of Ball 1 is "1500" balls, the remaining balance of the held balls of Ball 2 is "2500" balls, and the remaining balance of the held balls of Ball 3 is "0" balls. As the stored balls, the remaining balance of the stored balls of Ball 1 is "500" balls, the remaining balance of the stored balls of Ball 2 is "0" balls, and the remaining balance of the stored balls of Ball 3 is "0" balls.

[0108] <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 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 performance 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 under-stage card processor 10. The communication with the under-stage card processor 10 uses encrypted communication with a predetermined encryption method.

[0109] When the gaming machine 20 is activated, 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 it is 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 effect control unit 24, the game control unit 25, and the game ball control unit 26 are activated to enable the gaming state.

[0110] The game control unit 25 is a control unit that controls the game by the gaming machine 20. Actually, a process is executed by loading a program corresponding to the game control unit 25 into the CPU and executing it.

[0111] Specifically, the game control unit 25 performs control of launching game balls onto the game board by detecting handle operations, detection of game balls that have entered the winning holes on the game board, 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 values 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, display control of special symbol display devices provided on the game board, detection of abnormalities (such as the front frame being open, vibration being detected, etc.) that may indicate fraud, and notification to the upper device.

[0112] A large number of obstacle pins are implanted on the game board. Game balls launched onto the game board by handle operations fall between the obstacle pins and either win at the winning holes or start holes, or are discharged outside the game board through the out hole on the game board without winning. When a game ball wins at 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 are controlled to be in an open state, making it easier for game balls to win at these winning holes, and prize balls are awarded to the players.

[0113] In addition, there is a jackpot game with a privilege in which, after the jackpot game ends, a predetermined privilege game is given to the player. The jackpot game with a privilege includes a probability-variable jackpot and a time-shortening jackpot. The probability-variable jackpot and the time-shortening jackpot each give a probability-variable game and a time-shortening game as privilege games after the jackpot. The time-shortening game is a privilege game that increases the number of lottery draws per unit time and increases the probability of winning the jackpot per unit time by shortening the variable time (the time from the start of the lottery process to the display of the result) of the normal symbol lottery (the opening and closing lottery of the movable member described above) and / or the special symbol lottery (the jackpot lottery by winning of the game ball described above). This privilege game may include a normal symbol probability variation that increases the winning probability of the normal symbol. The time-shortening game by the time-shortening jackpot ends when the number of lottery draws of the special symbol lottery is performed a predetermined number of times after the jackpot. The probability-variable game will be described later.

[0114] The game control unit 25 has a probability-variable function. The probability-variable function is a function that performs control to change the random number range of the jackpot used in the next lottery when the lottery result falls within a particularly defined random number range among the jackpots (generally, it is made about 10 times). The probability-variable game performs the special symbol lottery using the probability after this change. The probability-variable game continues until the next jackpot win. Also, the probability-variable game and the time-shortening game may be given simultaneously. However, in order to prevent unexpected damage to the game store, when the player obtains a certain number of game media after the start of the probability-variable game or the time-shortening game, it may be a stop processing (once the card is discharged and a prize exchange or a table movement is requested). In this case, it can be realized by counting the number of game media after the probability-variable game state is entered by the gaming machine 20 and performing game stop control such as stopping the firing of the game ball when this count value reaches a predetermined value.

[0115] 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.

[0116] The production symbol lottery unit 24a conducts a lottery of production symbols (symbols displayed on a production symbol display device such as a display device on the game board surface) (specifically, whether to finally stop the display at 7, 7, 7, etc.) based on the special symbol lottery in the game control unit 25.

[0117] The production lottery unit 24b conducts a lottery of the type of production (such as a character appearing and performing a reach production) to be performed until the lottery result based on the production symbol is displayed. Such production is set so that the production selected for the main lottery result is different.

[0118] The production control unit 24 stores production data for each production. Further, the production control unit 24 controls the display of the production symbol display device, and at the time of performing the production, overlays the production data on the background symbol data to perform a production display. Also, at the time of probability variation, background color data different from the normal state is set.

[0119] 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 in the CPU, a process is executed.

[0120] 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 from the between-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 balls has been added to the number of game balls is transmitted to the between-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.

[0121] Also, the game ball control unit 26 periodically transmits the number of game balls stored in the playable number memory to the between-stage card processor 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 26 transmits the number of game balls at the time of data acquisition to the between-stage card processor 10 while continuing to update the number of game balls according to the game state without clearing the content of the playable number memory to zero.

[0122] 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-base 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-base 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 after a predetermined time or more from the rising edge of the detection signal, every time the state where the detection signal is in the rising state continues for a certain time, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-base card processor 10 together with data on the number of game balls in a certain number (for example, 200 balls per 5 seconds). Then, the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-base 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.

[0123] The game control unit 25 and the game ball control unit 26 are each configured on separate substrates. The game control board on which the game control unit 25 is configured and the game ball control 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 board and the ID of the game ball control board and uses them as the gaming machine ID.

[0124] <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 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.

[0125] 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 the information management device 80 and 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 prize management device 60, and the cashier 70 via a communication line in the game parlor.

[0126] The storage unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory, and stores card management data 55a, device management data 55b, member management data 55c, operation data 55d, game-related card processing history data 55e, non-game card processing history data 55f, counting and settlement processing history data 55g, game history data 55h, idle data 55i, and notification service information data 55j.

[0127] The card management data 55a is data associating the prepaid value balance, the remaining number of holding balls, 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 card processing machine between game tables, the installation location, the game table number, the game machine ID, the model data of the game machine 20, etc. The member management data 55c is data associating the member's name, notification service ID, stored ball information, etc. with the card ID of the member card issued to the member.

[0128] The operation data 55d is data indicating the operation history of the game machine 20. The game-related card processing history data 55e is data indicating the operation history by the card processing machine 10 between game tables, the prize management device 60, the cashier 70, etc. The non-game card processing history data 55f is data indicating the history other than games such as wagon prize exchange.

[0129] The counting and settlement processing history data 55g is data indicating the history of counting processing, settlement processing, etc. The game history data 55h is data of the game history, and the states related to the game, such as deposit, card insertion, card ejection, number of balls put in, number of balls paid out, occurrence of special prizes, etc., are shown in time series.

[0130] The floating data 55i is data indicating one continuous game, and associates the start time, end time, game machine ID, card ID, customer type, deposit amount, number of balls put in (out), number of balls paid out (safe), number of jackpot occurrences, number of wagon prize exchanges, number of times of holding ball division, and winning or losing amount in the same game machine. Here, the customer type indicates whether it is a general game customer or a member game customer.

[0131] The notification service information data 55j is data indicating the information provided to the game-related information site. Specifically, the notification service information data 55j includes the date and time, notification service ID, machine type, game table number, and the difference in the number of balls obtained by subtracting the number of balls paid out from the number of balls out.

[0132] The control unit 56 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 50, and has a card management unit 56a, a device management unit 56b, a member management unit 56c, an operation data accumulation and aggregation unit 56d, a card processing history management unit 56e, a game history data generation unit 56f, a floating data generation unit 56g, a notification service member management unit 56h, a notification service information management unit 56i, and a notification service information notification unit 56j. 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 operation data accumulation and aggregation unit 56d, the card processing history management unit 56e, the game history data generation unit 56f, the floating data generation unit 56g, the notification service member management unit 56h, the notification service information management unit 56i, and the notification service information notification unit 56j will be executed respectively.

[0133] The card management unit 56a is a processing unit that manages card management data 55a. The card management unit 56a communicates with the floor card processor 10, the prize management device 60, and the payment machine 70 to update the prepaid value and the remaining balance of the stored coins associated with the card ID. Further, when the card management unit 56a receives a card insertion notification from the floor card processor 10, it notifies the valuable value and the remaining balance of the stored coins associated with the card.

[0134] The device management unit 56b is a processing unit that manages device management data 55b. The device management unit 56b generates and updates the device management data 55b based on the floor card processor ID, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID acquired from the floor card processor 10.

[0135] The member management unit 56c is a processing unit that manages member management data 55c. The member management unit 56c communicates with the prize management device 60 to update the remaining balance of the stored coins associated with the card ID.

[0136] 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 floor card processor 10, it subtracts the payout unit amount from the remaining balance of the stored coins of the payout destination rate among the stored coins associated with the card ID in the stored coin replay request data, and recalculates the possible number of stored coin replays. Then, it transmits the stored coin replay data including the remaining balance after subtraction and the possible number of stored coin replays to the floor card processor 10.

[0137] When the operation data accumulation and aggregation unit 56d receives the out data, safe data, and special prize data of the gaming machine 20 from the floor card processor 10, it registers them in the operation data 55d by associating the time, the gaming machine ID, and the data type.

[0138] Further, the operation data accumulation and aggregation unit 56d is also a processing unit that acquires the operation history of the gaming machine 20 by aggregating data based on the operation data 55d. The operation history of the gaming machine 20 includes the number of inserted balls, the number of payout balls, and the occurrence of special prizes.

[0139] The card processing history management unit 56e is a processing unit that accumulates the history of operations of the on-stage card processing machine 10 such as deposit, card insertion, and card ejection, and the history of operations by the prize management device 60, the payment machine 70, etc.

[0140] Specifically, when the card processing history management unit 56e receives card insertion notification data, card ejection notification data, deposit notification data, each stage count notification data, and general card exhaustion data from the on-stage card processing machine 10, it associates the time, the gaming machine ID, the card ID, etc. with the content of the processing and adds them to the gaming-related card processing history data 55e.

[0141] Also, when the card processing history management unit 56e receives wagon prize exchange data and holding credit split notification data from the on-stage card processing machine 10, it associates the time, the gaming machine ID, the card ID, etc. with the content of the processing and adds them to the off-gaming card processing history data 55f.

[0142] Also, when the card processing history management unit 56e receives a notification of an operation from the prize management device 60, the payment machine 70, etc., it associates the time, the device ID, the gaming machine ID of the gaming machine 20 that was last used, the card ID, etc. with the content of the processing and adds them to the count and payment processing history data 55g.

[0143] The gaming history data generation unit 56f uses the operation data 55d and the gaming-related card processing history data 55e at a predetermined timing such as after closing the store, generates the gaming history data 55h, and stores it in the storage unit 55.

[0144] The floating data generation unit 56g uses the off-gaming card processing history data 55f, the count and payment processing history data 55g, and the gaming history data 55h at a predetermined timing such as after closing the store, generates the floating data 55i indicating one continuous game, and stores it in the storage unit 55.

[0145] The notification service member management unit 56h is a processing unit that stores the notification service ID received from the information management device 80 in the member management data 55c. When the notification service member management unit 56h receives notification service registration information including a name and a notification service ID from the information management device 80, it searches the member management data 55c using the received name, and stores the notification service ID in the extracted data.

[0146] The notification service information management unit 56i is a processing unit that manages the notification service information data 55j of the data provided to the game-related information site. When data related to the number of outs or the number of safes is stored in the game history data 55h by the game history data generation unit 56f for the card ID in which the notification service ID is set in the member management data 55c, the notification service information management unit 56i calculates the number of balls from the number of outs and the number of safes every predetermined time, and stores the calculated number of balls together with the model and date corresponding to the game machine ID in the notification service information data 55j.

[0147] Also, when the idle data 55i is generated by the idle data generation unit 56g, the notification service information management unit 56i extracts data for each game machine ID from the idle data 55i, calculates the number of balls, and stores the calculated number of balls together with the model and date corresponding to the game machine ID in the notification service information data 55j.

[0148] The notification service information notification unit 56j is a processing unit that notifies the information management device 80 of the notification service information data 55j. When the notification service information data 55j is generated by the notification service information management unit 56i, the notification service information notification unit 56j notifies the information management device 80 of the notification service information data 55j.

[0149] Next, a specific example of the data stored in the storage unit 55 of the management device 50 shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIGS. 8 to 11 are diagrams showing an example of card management data 55a, device management data 55b, member management data 55c, operation data 55d, game-related card processing history data 55e, non-game card processing history data 55f, counting settlement processing history data 55g, game history data 55h, idle data 55i, and notification service information data 55j shown in FIG. 7.

[0150] In the card management data 55a shown in FIG. 8(a), a prepaid value of "0" degrees, the remaining balance of the holding balls of each rate of "0" balls, and a use destination ID of "A101" are associated with the card ID "1001". That is, the card with the card ID "1001" is inserted into the inter-stage card processing machine 10 of the device ID "A101", and the management of the holding balls has been transferred to the inter-stage card processing machine 10. Therefore, the remaining balance of the holding balls of each rate is zero.

[0151] Also, in the card management data 55a, a prepaid value of "3000" degrees, the remaining balance of the holding balls of ball 1 of "1500" balls, the remaining balance of the holding balls of ball 2 of "2500" balls, and the remaining balance of the holding balls of ball 3 of "0" balls are associated with the card ID "2001", but no use destination ID is associated. That is, the card with the card ID "2001" is not inserted into the inter-stage card processing machine 10, and the management of the holding balls is performed by the management device 50.

[0152] The device management data 55b shown in FIG. 8(b) indicates that for the inter-stage card processing machine 10 with the ID "A101", its installation location is "Island 1-1", the game table number is "11", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", the game type is "Ball 1", the model of the gaming machine 20 is "EV01", and the manufacturing number is "a". It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in a state of being in use.

[0153] In addition, 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 game table number is "21", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B506", the game type is "Ball 3", the model of the gaming machine 20 is "DX03", and the manufacturing number is "g". It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in a state of being in use.

[0154] The membership management data 55c shown in FIG. 8(c) indicates the name, notification service ID, stored balls, etc. associated with the card ID. Specifically, for the card ID "2002", the membership management data 55c shows a state where the name is "Hana Ko of Tokkai", the password is "1234", the notification service ID is "123456", the remaining balance of the stored balls of "Ball 1" is "2500" balls, the remaining balance of the stored balls of "Ball 2" is "300" balls, and the remaining balance of the stored balls of "Ball 3" is "100" balls. For the card ID "2005", it shows a state where the name is "Taro Patent", the password is "5678", the notification service ID is "-", the remaining balance of the stored balls of "Ball 1" is "1500" balls, the remaining balance of the stored balls of "Ball 2" is "200" balls, and the remaining balance of the stored balls of "Ball 3" is "0" balls.

[0155] The operation data 55d shown in FIG. 9(a) associates the game machine ID "P001" and the data type "OUT" with the time "11:10:14", the game machine ID "P001" and the data type "OUT" with the time "11:10:16", the game machine ID "P001" and the data type "SAFE" with the time "11:11:30", and the game machine ID "P015" and the data type "Special Prize (Big Win)" with the time "13:30:00".

[0156] The game-related card processing history data 55e shown in FIG. 9(b) is data that associates time, game machine ID, card ID, and processing. Specifically, the game-related card processing history data 55e indicates that at the time "11:10:00" in the floor card processor 10 installed in the gaming machine 20 with the game machine ID "P001", the process of "card insertion" was performed using the card with the card ID "1002".

[0157] In addition, the gaming-related card processing history data 55e indicates that at the time of "12:35:30", in the between-stage card processor 10 installed in the gaming machine 20 with the gaming machine ID "P023", the process of "card ejection" was performed using the card with the card ID "2005".

[0158] In addition, the gaming-related card processing history data 55e indicates that at the time of "13:20:20", in the between-stage card processor 10 installed in the gaming machine 20 with the gaming machine ID "P015", the process of "deposit" was performed using the card with the card ID "1055".

[0159] In addition, the gaming-related card processing history data 55e indicates that at the time of "13:52:40", in the between-stage card processor 10 installed in the gaming machine 20 with the gaming machine ID "P007", the process of "each-stage counting" was performed using the card with the card ID "1021".

[0160] In addition, the gaming-related card processing history data 55e indicates that at the time of "14:04:00", in the between-stage card processor 10 installed in the gaming machine 20 with the gaming machine ID "P015", the process of "general card exhaustion" occurred for the card with the card ID "1055".

[0161] The non-gaming card processing history data 55f shown in FIG. 9(c) is data that associates the time, gaming machine ID, card ID, and process. Specifically, the non-gaming card processing history data 55f indicates that at the time of "13:40:01", in the between-stage card processor 10 installed in the gaming machine 20 with the gaming machine ID "P011", the process of "wagon prize exchange" was performed using the card with the card ID "1003".

[0162] In addition, the non-gaming card processing history data 55f indicates that at the time of "15:00:50", in the between-stage card processor 10 installed in the gaming machine 20 with the gaming machine ID "P007", the process of "holding coin split" was performed using the card with the card ID "1002".

[0163] The counting and settlement process history data 55g shown in FIG. 10(a) is data that associates time, device ID, gaming machine ID, card ID, and process. The device ID is identification information that uniquely identifies prize management devices 60, settlement machines 70, etc. The gaming machine ID is identification information indicating the gaming machine 20 that the player last used, and is specified by having the player input it when performing prize exchange, settlement, counting, etc. Alternatively, it may be specified by referring to the usage history of the card held by the management device 50.

[0164] Specifically, the counting and settlement process history data 55g associates the time "14:22:33", the device ID "6001" of the prize management device 60, the gaming machine ID "P001", the card ID "1002", and the process "prize exchange". Also, it associates the time "14:22:33", the device ID "6001" of the prize management device 60, the gaming machine ID "P001", the card ID "2013", and the process "prize exchange". That is, the general card with card ID "1002" and the membership card with card ID "2013" are used for prize exchange at the same time.

[0165] Also, the counting and settlement process history data 55g associates the time "16:08:08", the device ID "7011" of the settlement machine 70, the gaming machine ID "P019", the card ID "1033", and the process "settlement".

[0166] The gaming history data 55h shown in FIG. 10(b) is data that associates time, gaming machine ID, card ID, and process, and shows the states related to the game, such as deposit, card insertion, card ejection, number of balls inserted, number of balls awarded, occurrence of special prizes, etc. in chronological order.

[0167] Specifically, in the gaming history data 55h, the time "11:10:00", the gaming machine ID "P001", the card ID "1002", and the process "card insertion" are associated, the time "11:11:20", the gaming machine ID "P001", the card ID "1002", and the process "number of balls inserted 100" are associated, and the time "11:12:00", the gaming machine ID "P001", the card ID "1002", and the process "number of balls awarded 30" are associated.

[0168] In addition, in the game history data 55h, the time "12:35:30", the gaming machine ID "P023", the card ID "2005", and the process "card ejection" are associated; the time "13:20:20", the gaming machine ID "P015", the card ID "1055", and the process "deposit" are associated; the time "13:30:00", the gaming machine ID "P015", the card ID "1055", and the process "special prize (big win)" are associated.

[0169] The play data 55i shown in FIG. 10(c) represents a single continuous game, and the start time, end time, gaming machine ID, card ID, customer type, deposit amount, number of balls inserted (out), number of balls awarded (safe), number of big wins, number of wagon prize exchanges, number of times of splitting held balls, and win / loss amount in the same gaming machine are associated. Here, the customer type indicates whether the customer is a general game player or a member game player.

[0170] Specifically, the play data 55i associates the start time "11:10:00", the end time "14:15:33", the gaming machine ID "P001", the card ID "2005", the customer type "member", the deposit amount "3000" yen, the number of balls inserted (out) "0" balls, the number of balls awarded (safe) "6500" balls, the number of big wins "10", the number of wagon prize exchanges "0", the number of times of splitting held balls "1", and the win / loss amount "100000" yen.

[0171] In addition, the play data 55i associates the start time "13:20:20", the end time "18:00:00", the gaming machine ID "P015", the card ID "1002", the customer type "general", the deposit amount "12000" yen, the number of balls inserted (out) "13000" balls, the number of balls awarded (safe) "10150" balls, the number of big wins "13", the number of wagon prize exchanges "2", the number of times of splitting held balls "0", and the win / loss amount "30000" yen.

[0172] In addition, the floating data 55i associates a start time of "14:30:00", an end time of "17:00:00", a gaming machine ID of "P020", a card ID of "2005", a customer type of "member", a deposited amount of "15,000" yen, the number of balls inserted (out) of "10,000" balls, the number of prize balls awarded (safe) of "8,000" balls, the number of jackpot occurrences of "5", the number of wagon prize exchanges of "1", the number of times of splitting the held balls of "0", and a win / loss amount of "-10,000" yen.

[0173] The notification service information data 55j shown in FIG. 11 is data indicating information provided to the gaming-related information site, and associates a date and time, a notification service ID, a machine type, a gaming table number, and the number of difference balls. The number of difference balls indicates the number of balls obtained by subtracting the number of safe balls from the number of out balls.

[0174] Specifically, the notification service information data 55j associates a date and time of "2021 / 06 / 01 10:00", a notification service ID of "123456", a machine type of "Hokuto no Ken", a gaming table number of "11", and a number of difference balls of "500" balls; associates a date and time of "2021 / 06 / 01 10:10", a notification service ID of "123456", a machine type of "Hokuto no Ken", a gaming table number of "11", and a number of difference balls of "-300" balls; and associates a date and time of "2021 / 06 / 01 10:15", a notification service ID of "123009", a machine type of "Kamen Taro", a gaming table number of "21", and a number of difference balls of "-1000" balls.

[0175] In addition, the notification service information data 55j associates a date and time of "2021 / 06 / 01 22:00", a notification service ID of "-", a machine type of "Hokuto no Ken", a gaming table number of "11", and a number of difference balls of "-45,000" balls; associates a date and time of "2021 / 06 / 01 22:00", a notification service ID of "-", a machine type of "Hokuto no Ken", a gaming table number of "12", and a number of difference balls of "3,500" balls; and associates a date and time of "2021 / 06 / 01 22:00", a notification service ID of "-", a machine type of "Kamen Taro", a gaming table number of "21", and a number of difference balls of "-1,200" balls.

[0176] <Configuration of the information management device 80> Next, the configuration of the information management device 80 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information management device 80 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 12, the information management device 80 is connected to a display unit 81 and an input unit 82, and includes a communication unit 83, a storage unit 84, and a control unit 85.

[0177] The display unit 81 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or a display device. The input unit 82 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The communication unit 83 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the management device 50 and the user terminal 90 via the Internet.

[0178] The storage unit 84 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory, and stores member management data 84a and notification service information data 84b. The member management data 84a is data indicating information of members registered on the game-related information site, and includes a notification service ID, a name, a notification content, and the like. The notification service information data 84b is data indicating information related to games to be notified to members of the game-related information site.

[0179] The control unit 85 is a control unit that performs overall control of the information management device 80, and includes a member management unit 85a, a notification service information management unit 85b, and an information notification unit 85c. Actually, by loading and executing these programs on the CPU, processes corresponding to the member management unit 85a, the notification service information management unit 85b, and the information notification unit 85c will be executed respectively.

[0180] The member management unit 85a is a processing unit that manages the member management data 84a. If the member management unit 85a receives a registration application from the user terminal 90 to the game-related information site, it associates a unique notification service ID with the name, notification destination terminal ID, registration store ID, notification date and time of the information to be notified, and the notification content included in this registration application, stores them in the member management data 84a, and notifies the management device 50 of the game store corresponding to the registration store ID of the notification service ID and the name as notification service registration information.

[0181] The notification service information management unit 85b is a processing unit that manages the notification service information data 84b. If the notification service information management unit 85b receives the notification service information from the management device 50, it stores this notification service information in the notification service information data 84b.

[0182] The information notification unit 85c is a processing unit that performs the notification of game-related information. Based on the notification date and time and the notification content included in the member management data 84a, the information notification unit 85c extracts the corresponding data from the notification service information data 84b and notifies the user terminal 90 corresponding to the notification destination terminal ID included in the member management data 84a.

[0183] Next, a specific example of the data stored in the storage unit 84 of the information management device 80 shown in FIG. 12 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the member management data 84a and the notification service information data 84b shown in FIG. 12.

[0184] The member management data 84a shown in FIG. 13(a) associates the name "Tokai Hanako", the notification destination terminal ID "CDE756", the registered store ID "ABC456", the notification date and time "23:00 on the game day", and the notification content "game balance" with the notification service ID "123456".

[0185] The notification service information data 84b shown in FIG. 13(b) associates the date and time "2021 / 06 / 01 10:00", the registered store ID "ABC456", the notification service ID "123456", the model "Fist of the North Star", the game table number "11", and the number of balls "500 balls", associates the date and time "2021 / 06 / 01 10:10", the registered store ID "ABC456", the notification service ID "123456", the model "Fist of the North Star", the game table number "11", and the number of balls "-300 balls", and associates the date and time "2021 / 06 / 01 10:15", the registered store ID "ABC456", the notification service ID "123009", the model "Masked Taro", the game table number "21", and the number of balls "-1000 balls".

[0186] In addition, the notification service information data 84b associates the date and time "2021 / 06 / 01 22:00", the registered store ID "ABC456", the notification service ID "-", the model "Hokuto no Ken", the gaming table number "11", and the number of balls "-45000 balls", associates the date and time "2021 / 06 / 01 22:00", the registered store ID "ABC456", the notification service ID "-", the model "Kamen Taro", the gaming table number "21", and the number of balls "-1200 balls", and associates the date and time "2021 / 06 / 01 22:00", the registered store ID "AGT029", the notification service ID "-", the model "Hokuto no Ken", the gaming table number "51", and the number of balls "8000 balls".

[0187] <Configuration of the user terminal 90> Next, the configuration of the user terminal 90 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal 90 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 14, the user terminal 90 includes an operation display unit 91, a camera 92, a microphone 93, a speaker 94, a communication unit 95, a storage unit 96, and a control unit 97.

[0188] The operation display unit 91 is an input / output device such as a liquid crystal touch panel. The camera 92 is an imaging device provided in the user terminal 90. The microphone 93 is an audio input device provided in the user terminal 90. The speaker 94 is an audio output device provided in the user terminal 90. The communication unit 95 is an interface unit for data communication with the information management device 80 via the Internet.

[0189] The storage unit 96 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory, and stores member data 96a. The member data 96a is data indicating the content registered on the gaming-related information site.

[0190] The control unit 97 is a control unit that performs overall control of the user terminal 90, and includes a code reading unit 97a, a member management unit 97b, and a notification service display unit 97c. Actually, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, processes corresponding to the code reading unit 97a, the member management unit 97b, and the notification service display unit 97c will be executed respectively.

[0191] The code reading unit 97a is a processing unit that reads a QR code (registered trademark). The code reading unit 97a extracts a name and a URL from the QR code (registered trademark) imaged by the camera 92.

[0192] The member management unit 97b is a processing unit that performs registration to the game-related information site and manages the member data 96a. The member management unit 97b displays the name read by the code reading unit 97a and items for registration to the game-related information site on the operation display unit 91.

[0193] Also, the member management unit 97b combines the registered store ID, notification date and time, and notification content received by the operation display unit 91 with the terminal ID of its own terminal and the name read by the code reading unit 97a, and notifies the information management device 80 as registration application information, and stores it in the member data 96a. If the member management unit 97b receives a notification service ID from the information management device 80, it stores this notification service ID in the member data 96a.

[0194] The notification service display unit 97c is a processing unit that displays notification service information. If the notification service display unit 97c receives notification service information from the information management device 80, it displays this notification service information on the operation display unit 91.

[0195] Next, a specific example of the data stored in the storage unit 96 of the user terminal 90 shown in FIG. 14 will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the member data 96a shown in FIG. 14.

[0196] The member data 96a shown in FIG. 15 associates the notification service ID "123456" with the name "Hana Akai", the registered store ID "ABC456", the notification date and time "23:00 on the game day", and the notification content "game revenue and expenditure".

[0197] <Example of display of notification service of game-related information site according to Embodiment 1> Next, an example of the display of the notification service of the game-related information site according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the notification service of the game-related information site according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 16(a), in the menu screen, the notification service can select "Automatic linking of revenue and expenditure" or "Game table data".

[0198] FIG. 16(b) is an example of the display when "Automatic linking of revenue and expenditure" is selected on the menu screen. FIG. 16(b) shows, in a line graph, the revenue and expenditure when playing a game with an investment of "20,000 yen" on the game machine "Hokuto no Ken", table number "Table 18" at the game store "Parlor ABC" on the date "June 1, 2021, 12:00 - 15:00".

[0199] FIG. 16(c) is an example of the display when "Game table data" is selected on the menu screen, and shows, in a bar graph, the daily revenue and expenditure of table numbers "Tables 18 - 20" for the game machine "Hokuto no Ken" on the date "June 1, 2021".

[0200] <Processing procedure for member registration according to Embodiment 1> Next, the processing procedure for member registration according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for member registration according to Embodiment 1. First, if a card is inserted into the between-table card processor 10 (step S101; Yes), the card insertion notification is sent to the management device 50 (step S102).

[0201] If the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification (step S103), it searches for the member information in the member management data 55c using the card ID included in the card insertion notification (step S104), and notifies the stage card processor 10 of the notification service ID of the extracted data as the search result (step S105).

[0202] If the stage card processor 10 receives the search result (step S106), if the notification service ID in the search result is already registered (step S107; Yes), the process ends as it is.

[0203] If the notification service ID in the search result of the stage card processor 10 is not registered (step S107; No), it generates a QR code (registered trademark) for registration to the notification service (step S108) and displays it on the display operation unit 13 (step S109). The player reads the displayed QR code (registered trademark) with the user terminal 90 and notifies the information management device 80 of the registration application information.

[0204] If the information management device 80 does not receive the registration application information to the notification service (step S110; No), the process ends as it is. If it receives the registration application information to the notification service (step S110; Yes), it performs member registration based on the registration application (step S111), and notifies the management device 50 of the notification service ID and name included in the received registration application information as the notification service registration information (step S112).

[0205] If the management device 50 receives the notification service registration information (step S113), it associates the store member and the notification service member using the member management data 55c (step S114), and ends the process.

[0206] In this way, the game information providing system according to the first embodiment can easily associate the members of the game parlor with the members of the game-related information site, and improve the services for the members.

[0207] As described above, in the first embodiment, the information management device 80 manages information related to the player, and the management device 50 also manages information related to the player. The management device 50 determines whether the information related to the player being managed by it is being managed by the information management device 80. When the pedestal card processor 10 determines that the information related to the player managed by the management device 50 is not being managed by the information management device 80, it displays a code for registration in the information management device 80. The user terminal 90 reads the displayed code and is configured to perform registration in the information management device 80 based on the read information. Therefore, by efficiently associating (linking) the member information registered in the game parlor with the member information registered in the game-related information site, it is possible to improve the service for the members.

[0208] In the above-described first embodiment, the configuration for associating the members of the game parlor with the members of the game-related information site has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to install an application that provides game-related information in the user terminal and configure it to associate the members of the game parlor with this application. Also, the association with the application can be configured to be performed by touching the user terminal to the holding part of the pedestal card processor.

[0209] Also, in the above-described first embodiment, the configuration in which the QR code (registered trademark) for registration in the game-related information site is displayed in the pedestal card processor has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure devices such as a prize management device, a payment machine, and an island end counter to display the QR code (registered trademark).

[0210] [Second Embodiment] Incidentally, in the above-described first embodiment, the configuration for associating the members of the game parlor with the members of the game-related information site has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure it to quantify how much the actions after browsing, such as a viewer of the game-related information site coming to the game parlor later, are connected.

[0211] Conventionally, on a gaming-related information site, it has been possible to analyze the preferences of site members through functions such as a favorite game parlor registration function and a browsing history function. In a game parlor, it has been possible to analyze the games within the store using floating data and the like.

[0212] However, since it has not been possible to analyze to what extent the viewers of the gaming-related information site have led to subsequent actions such as visiting the store, it has been an issue that it has not been possible to determine whether the usage cost of the gaming-related information site in the game parlor is appropriate. In the second embodiment, a gaming information providing system for solving the above problem will be described.

[0213] <Overview of the Gaming Information Providing System According to Embodiment 2> First, an overview of the gaming information providing system according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the gaming information providing system according to the second embodiment.

[0214] As shown in FIG. 18, in the gaming information providing system according to the second embodiment, the user terminal 100 detects whether a viewer of the gaming-related information site has subsequently visited the store, registered as a member on the gaming-related information site, or registered as a member at the game parlor, and quantifies each of them.

[0215] In this way, the gaming information providing system according to the second embodiment can analyze the effect of browsing by quantifying the subsequent actions of the viewers of the gaming-related information site.

[0216] <System Configuration According to Embodiment 2> Next, the system configuration of the gaming information providing system according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming information providing system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, in the game parlor, a plurality of gaming machines 20 and pedestal card processors 10 provided corresponding to each of the gaming machines 20 are installed.

[0217] The between-table card processor 10 is connected to a communication line, which is an in-store network, via the island controller 30. Connected to the communication line are the island controller 30, the management device 300, the prize management device 60, the cash register 70, and the wireless router 400.

[0218] In addition, the management device 300 is connected to the Internet, which is an out-of-store network. Connected to the Internet are the management device 300, the information management device 200, and the user terminal 100. Note that descriptions of devices similar to the system configuration shown in FIG. 2 are omitted.

[0219] Using the intensity of the radio wave received from the information management device 200, the management device 300 identifies the position of the viewer inside the game parlor, and notifies the between-table card processor 10, which is presumed to be the one where the viewer is playing, to display a QR code (registered trademark) for registering the game-related information site.

[0220] In addition, when accepting and performing member registration, if the management device 300 has received that the user is a viewer of the game-related information site, it notifies the information management device 200 that the member registration has been completed.

[0221] A plurality of wireless routers 400 are installed inside the game parlor. They are devices that use wireless communication to connect to the user terminal 100 and relay data communication with the management device 300 and others.

[0222] The information management device 200 receives the store ID and location information of the game parlor registered on the game-related information site and stores them as store data. If the information management device 200 receives the terminal ID from the user terminal 100 that has viewed the game-related information site, it associates this terminal ID with a unique viewer ID and stores it as viewer data.

[0223] Further, the information management device 200 determines whether a viewer of the game-related information site has entered any of the store data based on the location information and the like received from the user terminal 100. After it is determined that the viewer has entered the game store, if the information management device 200 receives the intensity of the radio wave of the wireless router 400 in the game store from the user terminal 100, the information management device 200 notifies the management device 300 of the game store where the entry has been determined of this radio wave intensity.

[0224] Also, if the information management device 200 receives the model and the user terminal ID viewed from the user terminal 100, the information management device 200 stores them in the customer acquisition data as browsing history. If it is determined that the viewer has entered the game store, the information management device 200 stores it in the customer acquisition data as an entry history.

[0225] In addition, if the information management device 200 has registered a member on the game-related information site of the viewer, the information management device 200 stores it in the customer acquisition data as a site member registration history. If the information management device 200 receives from the management device 300 that the viewer has registered as a member of the game store, the information management device 200 stores it in the customer acquisition data as a store member registration history.

[0226] If the user terminal 100 views the game-related information site, the user terminal 100 notifies the information management device 200 of the viewed model and the terminal ID of its own terminal. The user terminal 100 calculates the position information of its own terminal at predetermined time intervals using the received GNSS signal, and notifies this position information to the information management device 200. If the user terminal 100 receives the radio wave of the wireless router 400 in the game store, the user terminal 100 notifies the information management device 200 of the intensity of the received radio wave.

[0227] <Configuration of User Terminal 100> Next, the configuration of the user terminal 100 shown in FIG. 19 will be described. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of the user terminal 100 shown in FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 20, the user terminal 100 includes an operation display unit 91, a camera 92, a microphone 93, a speaker 94, a position information sensor 101, a communication unit 95, a storage unit 96, and a control unit 110. Note that the description of the functional units similar to those of the user terminal 90 shown in FIG. 14 is omitted.

[0228] The position information sensor 101 is a sensor that receives signals from artificial satellites by GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) such as GPS (Global Positioning System) or the quasi-zenith satellite system.

[0229] The control unit 110 is a control unit that performs overall control of the user terminal 100, and has a code reading unit 97a, a membership management unit 97b, a notification service display unit 97c, a browsing notification unit 111, and a position information control unit 112. Actually, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, processes corresponding to the code reading unit 97a, the membership management unit 97b, the notification service display unit 97c, the browsing notification unit 111, and the position information control unit 112 will be executed respectively.

[0230] The browsing notification unit 111 is a processing unit that notifies the browsing content when browsing a game-related information site. When the browsing notification unit 111 browses a game-related information site, it notifies the information management device 200 of the browsed model and the terminal ID of its own terminal.

[0231] The position information control unit 112 is a processing unit that notifies information regarding the position of its own terminal. The position information control unit 112 calculates the position information of its own terminal at predetermined time intervals using the GNSS signal received by the position information sensor 101, and notifies this position information to the information management device 200. When the position information control unit 112 receives the radio wave of the wireless router 400 in the game store by the communication unit 95, it notifies the information management device 200 of the intensity of the received radio wave.

[0232] <Configuration of the information management device 200> Next, the configuration of the information management device 200 shown in FIG. 19 will be described. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information management device 200 shown in FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 21, the information management device 200 is connected to a display unit 81 and an input unit 82, and has a communication unit 83, a storage unit 210, and a control unit 220. Note that the description of the functional units similar to those of the information management device 80 shown in FIG. 12 is omitted.

[0233] The storage unit 210 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a non-volatile memory, and stores store data 211, viewer data 212, member management data 84a, notification service information data 84b, and customer attraction data 213.

[0234] The store data 211 is data indicating the store ID and location information of the game store registered on the game-related information site. The viewer data 212 is data indicating the viewer ID and user terminal ID of the viewer of the game-related information site. The customer attraction data 213 is data indicating the viewing of the game-related information site and the subsequent actions of the viewer.

[0235] The control unit 220 is a control unit that performs overall control of the information management device 200, and includes a store data management unit 221, a viewer management unit 222, an entrance determination unit 223, a radio wave intensity notification unit 224, a member management unit 85a, a notification service information management unit 85b, and a customer attraction data management unit 225. Actually, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, processes corresponding to the store data management unit 221, the viewer management unit 222, the entrance determination unit 223, the radio wave intensity notification unit 224, the member management unit 85a, the notification service information management unit 85b, and the customer attraction data management unit 225 are executed respectively.

[0236] The store data management unit 221 is a processing unit that manages the store data 211. The store data management unit 221 receives the store ID and location information of the game store registered on the game-related information site from the input unit 82 and stores them in the store data 211.

[0237] The viewer management unit 222 is a processing unit that manages the viewer data 212. If the viewer management unit 222 receives the terminal ID from the user terminal 100 that has viewed the game-related information site, it searches for the viewer data 212 using this terminal ID. If there is no match, it associates the terminal ID with a unique viewer ID and stores it in the viewer data 212.

[0238] The store entry determination unit 223 is a processing unit that determines whether a viewer of a game-related information site enters a game parlor. The store entry determination unit 223 uses the location information and terminal ID received from the user terminal 100, the location information of the store data 211, and the viewer data 212 to determine whether a viewer of the game-related information site has entered any of the stores in the store data 211.

[0239] The radio wave intensity notification unit 224 is a processing unit that notifies the radio wave intensity received by the user terminal 100. After the store entry determination unit 223 determines that a viewer has entered a game parlor, if the radio wave intensity notification unit 224 receives the radio wave intensity of the wireless router 400 in the game parlor from the user terminal 100, it notifies the management device 300 of the game parlor where the entry has been determined of this radio wave intensity.

[0240] The customer attraction data management unit 225 is a processing unit that manages the customer attraction data 213. If the customer attraction data management unit 225 receives the model viewed and the user terminal ID from the user terminal 100, it identifies the viewer ID using the viewer data 212, and stores it in the customer attraction data 213 with a success rate of 0% according to the date and time, viewer ID, viewed model, etc.

[0241] Also, if the store entry determination unit 223 determines that a viewer has entered a game parlor, the customer attraction data management unit 225 stores it in the customer attraction data 213 with a success rate of 25% according to the date and time, viewer ID, store ID, etc.

[0242] Also, if the membership management unit 85a registers a viewer as a member of the game-related information site, the customer attraction data management unit 225 stores it in the customer attraction data 213 with a success rate of 50% according to the date and time, viewer ID, registration destination, etc.

[0243] Also, if the customer attraction data management unit 225 receives from the management device 300 that a viewer has registered as a member of a game parlor, it stores it in the customer attraction data 213 with a success rate of 100% according to the date and time, viewer ID, store ID, etc.

[0244] Next, a specific example of the data stored in the storage unit 210 of the information management device 200 shown in FIG. 21 will be described. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the store data 211, viewer data 212, and customer acquisition data 213 shown in FIG. 21.

[0245] The store data 211 shown in FIG. 22(a) associates the store ID "ABC456" with the location information "35.9···, 139.6···". The viewer data 212 shown in FIG. 22(b) associates the viewer ID "034567" with the user terminal ID "CDE579".

[0246] The customer acquisition data 213 shown in FIG. 22(c) associates the date and time "2021 / 06 / 01 09:00" with the viewer ID "034567", the action "viewing", the model / store "EV01", the registration destination "-", and the success rate "0%". It also associates the date and time "2021 / 06 / 01 09:30" with the viewer ID "038901", the action "viewing", the model / store "DX03", the registration destination "-", and the success rate "0%". Further, it associates the date and time "2021 / 06 / 01 11:00" with the viewer ID "034567", the action "entering the store", the model / store "ABC456", the registration destination "-", and the success rate "25%".

[0247] Also, the customer acquisition data 213 associates the date and time "2021 / 06 / 02 20:00" with the viewer ID "034567", the action "registration", the model / store "-", the registration destination "notification service", and the success rate "50%". It also associates the date and time "2021 / 06 / 03 12:00" with the viewer ID "034567", the action "registration", the model / store "ABC456", the registration destination "store member", and the success rate "100%".

[0248] <Configuration of the management device 300> Next, the configuration of the management device 300 shown in FIG. 19 will be described. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management device 300 shown in FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 23, the management device 300 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52, and includes an external network communication unit 53, a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 310. Note that the description of the functional units similar to those of the management device 50 shown in FIG. 7 will be omitted.

[0249] The control unit 310 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 300, and includes a card management unit 56a, a device management unit 56b, a member management unit 56c, an operation data accumulation and aggregation unit 56d, a card processing history management unit 56e, a game history data generation unit 56f, a floating data generation unit 56g, a notification service member management unit 56h, a notification service information management unit 56i, a notification service information notification unit 56j, a position specifying unit 311, a guidance display unit 312, and a registration control unit 313. 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 operation data accumulation and aggregation unit 56d, the card processing history management unit 56e, the game history data generation unit 56f, the floating data generation unit 56g, the notification service member management unit 56h, the notification service information management unit 56i, the notification service information notification unit 56j, the position specifying unit 311, the guidance display unit 312, and the registration control unit 313 are executed respectively.

[0250] The position specifying unit 311 is a processing unit that specifies the position of a viewer in the game parlor. The position specifying unit 311 specifies the position of the viewer in the game parlor using the intensity of the radio wave received from the information management device 200.

[0251] The guidance display unit 312 is a processing unit that displays a registration guidance of a game-related information site. If the position of the viewer in the game parlor is specified by the position specifying unit 311, the guidance display unit 312 notifies the table card processing machine 10, which is presumed that the viewer is playing from this position, to display a QR code (registered trademark) for registration of the game-related information site.

[0252] The registration control unit 313 is a processing unit that performs member registration processing. The registration control unit 313 receives member registration from the input unit 52 and stores the registration details in the member management data 55c. When performing member registration, if the registration control unit 313 receives from the input unit 52 that the user is a viewer of the game-related information site, it notifies the information management device 200 that the member registration has been completed.

[0253] <Processing procedure for member registration according to Embodiment 2> Next, the processing procedure for member registration according to Embodiment 2 will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for member registration according to Embodiment 2. First, if the user terminal 100 receives a GNSS signal (step S201; Yes), it calculates the position information of its own terminal (step S202) and notifies this position information to the information management device 200 (step S203).

[0254] If the information management device 200 receives the position information (step S204), it determines whether the viewer of the game-related information site has entered any of the stores in the store data 211 using the received position information, etc. (step S205).

[0255] If it is determined that the user has not entered any store (step S205; No), the process proceeds to step S204. If it is determined that the user has entered any store (step S205; Yes), it stores in the customer acquisition data 213 with a success rate of 25% in accordance with the viewer ID, the store ID of the entered store, etc. (step S206).

[0256] If the viewer enters the game store and the user terminal 100 receives the radio wave of the wireless router installed in the store (step S207; Yes), it notifies the information management device 200 of the intensity of the received radio wave (step S208). If the information management device 200 receives the intensity of the radio wave (step S209), it notifies the management device 300 of this radio wave intensity (step S210).

[0257] If the management device 300 receives the radio wave intensity (step S211), it specifies the position of the viewer in the game parlor using the received radio wave intensity (step S212). Then, it notifies the pedestal card processor 10, which is estimated that the viewer is playing games from the specified position, to display the registration QR code (registered trademark) of the game-related information site (step S213).

[0258] If the user terminal 100 reads the registration QR code (registered trademark) of the game-related information site displayed on the pedestal card processor 10 and performs the membership registration process for the game-related information site (step S214; Yes), it notifies the information management device 200 of the notification service registration application (step S215).

[0259] If the information management device 200 receives the notification service registration application (step S216), it performs the registration process based on the received notification service registration application, and stores it in the customer acquisition data 213 with a success rate of 50% according to the viewer ID, registration destination, etc. (step S217).

[0260] If the management device 300 has a membership registration by a viewer of the game-related information site (step S218; Yes), it notifies the information management device 200 of the fact of the membership registration (step S219).

[0261] If the information management device 200 receives the fact of the membership registration from the management device 300 (step S220), it stores it in the customer acquisition data 213 with a success rate of 100% according to the viewer ID, store ID, etc. (step S221), and ends the process.

[0262] In this way, the game information providing system according to the second embodiment can analyze the effect of browsing by quantifying the subsequent actions of the viewer of the game-related information site.

[0263] In the above-described Embodiment 2, the configuration for linking the browsing of the game-related information site and subsequent actions such as membership registration has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When a viewer of the game-related information site registers as a member of the game parlor, it is also possible to configure the game-related information site to manage the membership registration information in a linked manner.

[0264] Also, in the above-described Embodiment 2, the configuration for notifying the information management device 200 when a viewer of the game-related information site performs membership registration on the game-related information site using the registration QR code (registered trademark) displayed on the apron card processor has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the game parlor employees to be notified of the fact of membership registration on the game-related information site.

[0265] Also, in the above-described Embodiment 2, the configuration for transmitting game information on the game-related information site based on settings from the user terminal has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the game information related to the model to be automatically transmitted by identifying the model on which the game was played using the position information detected by the radio wave intensity of the wireless router.

[0266] Also, in the above-described Embodiment 2, the configuration for detecting the visit of a viewer of the game-related information site and the position within the game parlor using GNSS and the radio wave of the wireless router has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the detection to be performed using face recognition technology from the video images captured by cameras installed in the game parlor and the devices within the store.

[0267] [Embodiment 3] Incidentally, in the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, the configuration for linking the members of the game parlor and the members of the game-related information site has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the content that can be browsed on the game-related information site to be restricted according to the gaming status of the users in the game parlor.

[0268] <Overview of the game information providing system according to Embodiment 3> First, an overview of the game information providing system according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the game information providing system according to the third embodiment.

[0269] In the game information providing system according to the third embodiment, conditions for the game situation in the game parlor are set. When these conditions are not met, as shown in FIG. 25(a), only the names of the popular game machines in the ranking are displayed. When the conditions are met, as shown in FIG. 25(b), in addition to the names of the popular game machines in the ranking, the machine number and the number of balls are displayed.

[0270] For example, as examples of the conditions to be set, the number of visits to the store is 10 times or more per month, the investment amount for the game is 10,000 yen or more, or the player is within the top 30 in the past ball ranking, etc. can be set.

[0271] Also, among the users who meet the above conditions, those ranked 100th or lower, or those who have not used the membership card within the past month, etc. can be further excluded as non-targets.

[0272] In this way, the game information providing system according to the third embodiment can limit the content that can be viewed on the game-related information site according to the game situation of the users in the game parlor.

[0273] In the above-described third embodiment, a configuration for limiting the content that can be viewed on the game-related information site according to the game situation of the users in the game parlor has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be configured to set restrictions on the information transmitted from the game parlor, such as mails and homepages.

[0274] Also, in the above-described third embodiment, a configuration for limiting the content that can be viewed on the game-related information site according to the game situation of the users in the game parlor has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be configured to set restrictions on the content to be transmitted for the information transmitted at the timing when the user uses the membership card, etc.

[0275] In addition, each configuration illustrated in the above embodiments is functionally schematic, and it is not necessarily physically configured as illustrated. That is, the form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown, and all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage situations, etc.

Industrial Applicability

[0276] The gaming information providing system and method according to the present invention are suitable for improving services for members by efficiently associating (linking) member information registered in a gaming store with member information registered in a gaming-related information site.

Explanation of Signs

[0277] Inter-table card processor Status display unit Paper currency transport unit Paper currency insertion slot Display operation unit Reader / writer Card insertion slot Holding part Communication unit Storage unit Self-device status data Card data Control unit Data management unit Code generation unit Gaming management unit Authentication processing unit Authentication key management unit Gaming machine status management unit Gaming machine Steering wheel Counting button Communication control unit Effect control unit Effect symbol lottery unit Effect lottery unit Gaming control unit 26 Game Piece Control Unit 26a Game Possibility Number Management Unit 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 Operation Data 55e Game-Related Card Processing History Data 55f Non-Game Card Processing History Data 55g Count Settlement Processing History Data 55h Game History Data 55i Idle Data 55j Notification Service Information Data 56 Control Unit 56a Card Management Unit 56b Device Management Unit 56c Member Management Unit 56d Operation Data Accumulation and Aggregation Unit 56e Card Processing History Management Unit 56f Game History Data Generation Unit 56g Idle Data Generation Unit 56h Notification Service Member Management Unit 56i Notification Service Information Management Unit 56j Notification Service Information Notification Unit 60 Prize Management Device 70 Settlement Machine 80 Information Management Device 81 Display Unit 82 Input Unit 83 Communication Unit 84 Memory Unit 84a Member Management Data 84b Notification Service Information Data 85 Control Unit 85a Member Management Unit 85b Notification Service Information Management Unit 85c Information Notification Unit 90 User Terminal 91 Operation Display Unit 92 Camera 93 Microphone 94 Speaker 95 Communication Unit 96 Memory Unit 96a Member Data 97 Control Unit 97a Code Reading Unit 97b Member Management Unit 97c Notification Service Display Unit 100 User Terminal 101 Location Information Sensor 110 Control Unit 111 Browsing Notification Unit 112 Location Information Control Unit 200 Information Management Device 210 Memory Unit 211 Store Data 212 Viewer Data 213 Customer Acquisition Data 220 Control Unit 221 Store Data Management Unit 222 Viewer Management Unit 223 Store Entry Judgment Unit 224 Radio Wave Intensity Notification Unit 225 Customer Acquisition Data Management Unit 300 Management Device 310 Control Unit 311 Location Identification Unit 312 Guidance Display Unit 313 Registration Control Unit 400 Wireless Router

Claims

1. A gaming information providing system comprising a gaming machine installed in a game parlor to provide games, a gaming device installed together with the gaming machine, a management device communicably connected to the gaming device, an information management device for providing information regarding a player's game, and a mobile terminal possessed by the player, wherein the information management device comprises first management means for storing information regarding the player, the management device comprises second management means for storing information regarding the player, and judgment means for judging whether the information regarding the player stored by the second management means is stored by the first management means or not, and is provided with the gaming device comprises display means for displaying a code for registration to the information management device when it is judged that the information regarding the player stored by the second management means is not stored by the first management means, the mobile terminal comprises code reading means for reading a code displayed by a predetermined display device, and transmission means for transmitting the information read by the code reading means to the information management device, characterized in that it is provided with the above.

2. The information management device further comprises player information notification means for notifying the management device of the information transmitted by the transmission means, the management device further comprises association means for associating the information transmitted by the transmission means notified from the information management device with the information regarding the player stored by the second management means, characterized in that it is further provided with the above according to Claim 1.

3. The gaming device further comprises card information reading means for reading information recorded on a card possessed by the player, and card information notification means for notifying the information recorded on the card read by the card information reading means, and is further provided with the judgment means judges the information recorded on the card notified by the card information notification means as the information regarding the player stored by the second management means, characterized in that it is according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The mobile terminal further comprises request means for requesting the information management device to provide information regarding a game according to the player's request, the information management device further comprises providing means for providing the information requested from the mobile terminal or predetermined information to the mobile terminal. The gaming information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

5. A gaming information providing method in a gaming information providing system including a gaming machine installed in a gaming parlor and providing games, a gaming device attached to the gaming machine, a management device communicably connected to the gaming device, an information management device providing information regarding a player's game, and a mobile terminal possessed by the player, comprising: a first management step in which the information management device stores information related to the player; a second management step in which the management device stores information related to the player; a determination step in which the management device determines whether the information related to the player stored in the second management step is stored in the first management step; a display step in which the gaming device displays a code for registration to the information management device when it is determined that the information related to the player stored in the second management step is not stored in the first management step; a code reading step in which the mobile terminal reads the code displayed by a predetermined display device; a transmission step in which the mobile terminal transmits the information read in the code reading step to the information management device A gaming information providing method characterized by including the above.

Images