Gaming system, relay device, and gaming information management method

Abstract

To stably transmit information pertaining to operation of a game machine, and to efficiently reduce a processing load of information pertaining to operation of a game machine in a management device.SOLUTION: In addition to card processing data, such as payment, card insertion, and card discharge, in an inter-machine card processor 10, information regarding a game, such as outs, safe, and special prizes in a game machine 20 is reported from the inter-machine card processor 10 to an island controller 30 (S1). Since information regarding a game is reported as data instead of pulses, information transmission is stabilized. The island controller 30 stores received operation data and processes the data into a data format required by a hall management device 50 (S2), and reports the stored data to the hall management device 50 at a predetermined period (S3). The island controller 30 reports the card processing data to the card management device 60 when receiving card processing data (S4).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming system, a relay device, and a gaming information management method that can stabilize the transmission of information related to the operation of a gaming machine and reduce the processing load of information related to the operation of the gaming machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in gaming establishments such as pachinko parlors, hall management devices collect information related to games played on gaming machines, such as outs, safes, and special prizes. By accumulating historical information about such gaming machines, gaming establishments analyze the operating status and sales of various gaming machines. In addition, card management devices and member management devices installed in gaming establishments collect and store information related to card processing, such as deposits, card insertions, and card ejections, at card processing machines between machines, thereby analyzing the games played by players.

[0003] Specifically, a technology is disclosed in which the gaming machine outputs out pulses, safe pulses, special prize pulses, etc. to a hall management device, and the machine-to-machine card processing machine outputs deposit data, card insertion data, card ejection data, etc. to a card management device and a member management device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-104390 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, because information related to the operation of gaming machines is output to the hall management device as pulses, there is a possibility that accurate information may not be transmitted to the hall management device due to incorrect wiring of the communication line, deterioration over time, etc. Furthermore, because pulses are sent to the hall management device in real time from all gaming machines in the gaming parlor, the processing load on the hall management device becomes excessive when many gaming machines are in operation.

[0006] For this reason, it has become an important issue to stably transmit information related to the operation of gaming machines and to efficiently reduce the processing load on the hall management device.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the problems (issues) of the above-mentioned conventional technology, and aims to provide a gaming system, a relay device, and a gaming information management method that can stably transmit information related to the operation of gaming machines and efficiently reduce the processing load of information related to the operation of gaming machines in the management device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a gaming system including a gaming device installed in a gaming parlor and attached to a gaming machine, a gaming information management device that manages gaming information of the gaming machine, and a relay device that is interposed between the gaming device and the gaming information management device and is connected to the gaming device and the gaming information management device so as to be able to communicate with the gaming device and the gaming information management device, wherein the relay device Game information of the gaming machine and processing information by the gaming device and a collection means for collecting the information collected by said collection means. is the processing information, a control means for notifying the first management device of the processing information and controlling the first management device to store the game information and the processing information in a predetermined storage unit. and stored in the storage unit. Accumulated information including the game information and the processing information at a specified time Second The present invention is characterized by comprising a notification means for notifying the management device.

[0010] In the present invention, the relay device further comprises processing means for processing the gaming information into gaming information in a format of the gaming information management device.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention provides the above-mentioned Second The management device is characterized by comprising an analysis processing means for performing a predetermined analysis process using the plurality of pieces of game information notified from the plurality of relay devices.

[0012] The present invention also provides a relay device that is installed in a gaming facility and is interposed between a gaming device attached to a gaming machine and a gaming information management device that manages gaming information of the gaming machine, and is connected to the gaming device and the gaming information management device so as to be able to communicate with the gaming device and the gaming information management device, and Game information of the gaming machine and processing information by the gaming device and a collection means for collecting the information collected by said collection means. is the processing information, a control means for notifying the first management device of the processing information and controlling the first management device to store the game information and the processing information in a predetermined storage unit. and stored in the storage unit. Accumulated information including the game information and the processing information at a specified time Second The present invention is characterized by comprising a notification means for notifying the management device.

[0013] The present invention also provides a gaming information management method for a gaming system having a gaming device installed in a gaming parlor and attached to a gaming machine, a gaming information management device that manages gaming information of the gaming machine, and a relay device that is interposed between the gaming device and the gaming information management device and is connected to the gaming device and the gaming information management device so as to be able to communicate with the gaming device and the gaming information management device, wherein the relay device Game information of the gaming machine and processing information by the gaming device a collection step of collecting the information collected by the collection step; is the processing information, a control step of notifying the first management device of the processing information and controlling the first management device to store the game information and the processing information in a predetermined storage unit. and the relay device stores the information stored in the storage unit. Accumulated information including the game information and the processing information at a specified time Second and a notification step of notifying the management device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to stably transmit information relating to the operation of the gaming machine, and to efficiently reduce the processing load of the information relating to the operation of the gaming machine in the management device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of a gaming system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine and the gaming machine shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the device status data and card data shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the island controller illustrated in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operational data and accumulated data illustrated in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the hall management device illustrated in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the game data shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the card management device shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the card management data and the device management data shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the island controller according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] [Embodiment] The gaming system, relay device, and gaming information management method according to this embodiment will be described in detail below. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the gaming system according to this embodiment.

[0017] In this specification, "reserved balls" refers to data indicating gaming media acquired by a player through gaming, which can only be used again for gaming on the same day (before the gaming establishment's closing time). "Number of possessed balls" refers to the number of gaming media acquired by a player through gaming. "Saved balls" refers to data indicating gaming media deposited by a player at a gaming establishment, which can be used again for gaming from the next day onwards (after the gaming establishment's closing time). "Saved balls" refers to the number of gaming media deposited by a player at a gaming establishment. Reserved balls are available to both regular players and member players, and are used when a gaming machine is moved, for example. In principle, only member players can use saved balls, and are used when acquired gaming media are used to play a gaming machine from the next day onwards. "Number of gaming balls" refers to the number of playable balls available to a player for gaming.

[0018] 1, in the gaming system according to this embodiment, in addition to card processing data such as deposit, card insertion, and card ejection in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, information related to the game in the gaming machine 20 such as out, safe, and special prize is notified as operational data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 to the island controller 30 (S1). Since the information related to the game is notified as data rather than pulses, information transmission is stabilized.

[0019] The island controller 30 accumulates the received operational data and processes it into a data format required by the hall management device 50 (S2), and notifies the hall management device 50 of the accumulated data at a predetermined time (S3). Furthermore, when the island controller 30 receives card processing data, it notifies the card management device 60 of this card processing data (S4).

[0020] In this way, the gaming system according to this embodiment can stably transmit information relating to the operation of the gaming machines and can efficiently reduce the processing load of information relating to the operation of the gaming machines on the management device.

[0021] <System configuration> Next, the system configuration of the gaming system according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, a gaming facility is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-machine card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20.

[0022] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 is connected to a communication line, which is an in-store network, via an island controller 30. The island controller 30, hall management device 50, card management device 60, member management device 70, prize management device 80, and settlement machine 90 are connected to the communication line.

[0023] The gaming machine 20 is a device in which game balls enclosed within the device are shot onto a game board. These game balls are physical "balls" used in the game, and are different from the "game balls" that the gaming machine 20 treats as data. The game board of the gaming machine 20 is provided with multiple prize areas (prize openings), and a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls when a game ball passes through a prize area. The game board is also provided with a predetermined number of start areas (start openings), and a predetermined lottery is held when a game ball passes through a start area. If the lottery results in a jackpot, a predetermined movable member or the like is activated, thereby increasing the probability of the game ball passing through the aforementioned prize area or another start area, thereby providing an advantage in the game. An area may also serve as both a start area and a prize area.

[0024] Each of the winning areas is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of a gaming ball into the winning area, and the winning sensor detects the passage (winning) of a gaming ball shot into the winning area. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also has a prize ball memory for storing the number of gaming balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area, and a playable number memory for indicating the number of gaming balls. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also periodically transmits the number of gaming balls to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0025] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a deposit from a player, it associates prepaid value corresponding to the amount of the deposit with the identification information (card ID) of the card stored inside the machine. This prepaid value can be used to lend game balls. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 can also accept the insertion of a card associated with prepaid value, owned balls, saved balls, etc. Then, at the end of a game, it ejects the card associated with prepaid value, owned balls, saved balls, etc. and returns it to the player. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 also transmits a history of operations such as deposits, card insertions, and card ejections to the island controller 30.

[0026] When a predetermined number of game balls are shot onto the game board, the gaming machine 20 transmits out data to the inter-machine card processor 10. Furthermore, when a game ball passes through a winning area (so-called winning) and a predetermined number of prize balls are added to the game balls, the gaming machine 20 transmits safe data to the inter-machine card processor 10. Furthermore, when a special state such as a jackpot occurs during play, the gaming machine 20 transmits special prize data indicating the occurrence of such state to the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0027] The out data corresponds to the number of balls that the player has shot onto the game board. The safe data corresponds to the number of balls won as a prize. The special prize data indicates the status of the gaming machine 20, such as a jackpot. Each piece of data is transmitted to the island controller 30 via the machine-to-machine card processing device 10.

[0028] The inter-machine card processing device 10 accepts deposits, lends gaming balls, communicates with the island controller 30, communicates with the card management device 60, and communicates with the gaming machines 20. When the inter-machine card processing device 10 accepts bills inserted by a player, it sends a deposit notification including the deposit amount to the card management device 60, thereby adding the prepaid value equivalent to the deposit amount to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 60. Then, when a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, it sends a ball lending request to the card management device 60, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the card management device 60, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value, which is added to the number of gaming balls.

[0029] When the inter-machine card processing device 10 accepts the insertion of a card, it sends a card insertion notification to the card management device 60. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing device 10 receives the balance of prepaid value, held balls, or saved balls from the card management device 60, it stores the balance. When it receives and stores the balance of held balls, it sends a held ball subtraction request to the card management device 60, thereby clearing the balance of held balls (number of held balls) managed by the card management device 60 to zero.

[0030] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a held ball replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of held balls it manages, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted held balls, and adds it to the number of game balls. Also, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a saved ball replay operation, it sends a saved ball replay request to the card management device 60, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the number of saved balls managed by the member management device 70, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted saved balls, and adds it to the number of game balls.

[0031] When the inter-machine card processing device 10 receives a card return operation, it sends a ball addition request including the number of balls held to the card management device 60, causes the card management device 60 to add the balls held, and then sends a card ejection notification to the card management device 60 and controls the ejection of the card. Note that if a counting operation is received from the gaming machine 20 before the card return operation, it adds the number of game balls to the number of balls held and updates the number of balls held in the card management device 60.

[0032] The inter-machine card processing device 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 an authentication key received from the card management device 60. This authentication is performed at the time of opening a store, etc., and the gaming machine 20 becomes available for play on the condition that the authentication is successful.

[0033] The inter-machine card processor 10 performs various display controls based on the status of the gaming machine 20 and transmits the status of the gaming machine 20 to the island controller 30.

[0034] The island controller 30 is a device that accumulates and processes operational data relating to the status of the gaming machines 20, and relays card processing data notified by the inter-machine card processor 10 to the card management device 60.

[0035] When the island controller 30 receives operation data and ball lending data related to the gaming machine 20 from the inter-machine card processor 10, it adds the received data to the accumulated data and stores it. The island controller 30 notifies the hall management device 50 of the accumulated data at a predetermined time (for example, at the start of closing processing), and then clears the accumulated data to zero.

[0036] When the island controller 30 receives card processing data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it notifies the card management device 60 of the received card processing data, and notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the data received from the card management device 60.

[0037] The hall management device 50 is a device that collects and tallys up operational data relating to the status of the gaming machines 20. The hall management device 50 further obtains the status of ball lending by the machine-to-machine card processing device 10, and can calculate sales from the operational data and ball lending status of each gaming machine 20. The status and sales of the gaming machines 20 can be tallyed up by gaming machine, island, or gaming parlor, and can also be tallyed up by date.

[0038] When the card management device 60 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it manages the identification information of the inserted card (hereinafter referred to as the "card ID") in association with the inter-machine card processing device 10, and transmits the prepaid value and the balance of held balls associated with the card ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Furthermore, if the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of a member card, it transmits a card insertion notification to the member management device 70, and transmits the stored ball replay data received from the member management device 70 to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0039] In addition, when the card management device 60 receives a request to subtract balls from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the balance of balls in possession to zero, and when it receives a request to add balls in possession from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the number of balls in possession indicated in the request to add balls in possession to the balance of balls in possession.

[0040] Furthermore, when the card management device 60 receives a ball lending request from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and transmits ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing device 10. When it receives a saved ball replay request, it transmits the saved ball replay request to the member management device 70, and when the member management device 70 outputs saved ball replay data, it transmits the saved ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0041] Furthermore, when the card management device 60 receives a card ID from the prize management device 80, it notifies the prize management device 80 of the number of balls held that are associated with this card ID. Furthermore, when the card management device 60 receives a card ID from the settlement machine 90, it notifies the settlement machine 90 of the prepaid value that is associated with this card ID.

[0042] The card management device 60 also acquires gaming machine IDs from the inter-machine card processing device 10 and manages the gaming machines 20 installed in its own parlor. It also acquires authentication keys for authenticating the gaming machines 20 set in its own parlor from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the parlor, and distributes the authentication keys to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

[0043] The member management device 70 is a management device that manages the member management data of members registered with the gaming establishment. Specifically, it manages the number of balls stored, PIN number, name, etc. in association with the member card ID issued to the member.

[0044] When the member management device 70 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it transmits stored ball replay data including the balance of stored balls and the PIN number corresponding to the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Furthermore, when the member management device 70 receives a stored ball replay request from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the balance of stored balls associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request, and transmits stored ball replay data including the balance of stored balls after the subtraction to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Furthermore, communication between the inter-machine card processing device 10 and the member management device 70 is performed via the card management device 60.

[0045] In addition, when the member management device 70 receives an inquiry about the number of saved balls from the prize management device 80, it notifies the prize management device 80 of the balance of saved balls corresponding to the specified card ID.

[0046] The prize management device 80 is a terminal device for prize exchange installed next to the prize exchange counter in the gaming facility, and performs prize exchange processing for won balls, saved balls, and held balls. This prize management device 80 is connected to a card reader that reads the card ID of the card and a prize payout device that pays out prizes. When the prize management device 80 reads the card ID from a general card or member card (or reads identification information corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal, etc.), it sends the card ID to the card management device 60 and requests the remaining balance of held balls for that card ID. Furthermore, when saved balls are to be exchanged for prizes, it requests the remaining balance of saved balls from the member management device 70.

[0047] When a card associated with a prepaid value is inserted, the settlement machine 90 transmits the card ID of the card to the card management device 60, acquires the prepaid value associated with the card, and dispenses cash equivalent to the acquired prepaid value.

[0048] Next, we will explain the ball lending process in the gaming system according to this embodiment. When a player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends a message addressed to the local address of the card management device 60. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and a ball lending request.

[0049] When the card management device 60 receives a message including a ball lending request, it updates the card management data by subtracting a predetermined value (for example, 500 points if 100 yen = 100 points) from the prepaid value associated with the card ID in the message, and sends permission for ball lending to the inter-machine card processing device 10 that sent the message. The inter-machine card processing device 10 that has received permission for ball lending sends an addition signal to the gaming machine 20 requesting that the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value (for example, "125") be added to the number of game balls.

[0050] The gaming machine 20 that receives the addition signal adds up the number of gaming balls and transmits the added number of gaming balls to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 uses the number of gaming balls before the addition, the number of gaming balls after the addition, and the number of balls that have been lent to check whether the addition of the number of gaming balls has been performed appropriately.

[0051] Next, the held ball replay process in the gaming system according to this embodiment will be explained. When the inter-machine card processing device 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it sends a message addressed to the local address of the card management device 60. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing device 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing device 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing device 10, and a card insertion notification.

[0052] When the card management device 60 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it notifies the inter-machine card processing device 10 of the balance of the balls held at the rate specified by the message, among the balls held associated with the card ID in the message.

[0053] The inter-machine card processing device 10 stores the balance of held balls received from the card management device 60. Then, it sends a message to the card management device 60 including information specifying the card ID and rate, and a request to subtract held balls. When the card management device 60 receives the request to subtract held balls, it clears the balance of held balls specified by the card ID and rate to zero. Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing device 10 accepts an operation to replay held balls, it subtracts a fixed number from the balance of held balls, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the corresponding number, and adds it to the number of game balls.

[0054] When the inter-machine card processing device 10 receives a management transfer request from the gaming machine 20 to transfer its management by making the number of gaming balls of the gaming machine 20 the balls held by the inter-machine card processing device 10, it adds the number of gaming balls indicated in the management transfer request to the balls held by its own device. After that, when it accepts a card return operation, it sends a message including a request to add balls held to the card management device 60. This message includes the card ID of the card to be discharged, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing device 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing device 10, the balance of balls held, and a request to add balls held.

[0055] When the card management device 60 receives a request to add balls in hand, it updates the balance (number of balls in hand) of the balls in hand associated with the card ID in the message to the received value. After that, the inter-machine card processing device 10 sends a card ejection notification to the card management device 60 and controls the ejection of the card.

[0056] Next, the stored ball replay process in the gaming system according to this embodiment will be explained. When a membership card is inserted or when identification information corresponding to the card ID is read from a portable terminal that can be used as a membership card, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends a message addressed to the local address of the card management device 60. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 (or identification information corresponding to the card ID read from the portable terminal), an address or arbitrary identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

[0057] The card management device 60 transmits a card insertion notification message to the member management device 70. When the member management device 70 receives the card insertion notification message, it transmits stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the data including the PIN associated with the card ID in the message and the balance of stored balls at the rate specified by the message.

[0058] The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the received saved ball replay data, and is able to accept the saved ball replay operation if the saved ball balance indicated in the saved ball replay data is equal to or greater than the payout unit number of game balls in saved ball replay (saved ball replay unit number, for example, "125 balls").

[0059] When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a saved ball replay operation for the first time after storing the saved ball replay data, it requests the player to input a password and checks whether the input password matches the password shown in the saved ball replay data.

[0060] If the PIN numbers match, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends a message addressed to the local address of the card management device 60. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a request to replay the saved balls.

[0061] The card management device 60 transmits a message requesting a replay of stored balls to the member management device 70. When the member management device 70 receives the message requesting a replay of stored balls, it subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of stored balls at the rate specified by the message among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the message, and transmits stored ball replay data including the balance after the subtraction to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0062] The inter-machine card processing device 10 receives the saved ball replay data, updates the saved ball balance, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the saved ball replay unit number to add it to the number of game balls. It also determines whether the updated saved ball balance is less than the saved ball replay unit number. If the updated saved ball data balance is equal to or greater than the saved ball replay unit number, it can accept a saved ball replay operation again, and if it accepts a saved ball replay operation, it sends a saved ball replay request. For the second or subsequent saved ball replay operation, there is no need to confirm the PIN. If the updated saved ball data balance is less than the saved ball replay unit number, it cannot accept a saved ball replay operation.

[0063] Next, we will explain the transition from held balls to saved balls during the store closing process. The card management device 60 checks the balance of held balls in the card management data during the store closing process, and if there are held balls whose balance is greater than "0", it notifies the member management device 70 of the balance of held balls along with the card ID and rate. The member management device 70 adds the notified balance of held balls to the balance of saved balls specified by the card ID and rate and updates it. The card management device 60 then clears the balance of held balls to zero.

[0064] <External Configuration of the Inter-machine Card Processing Machine 10 and the Gaming Machine 20> Next, we will explain the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. In this figure, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that accepts only paper money is shown, but it is also possible to provide a unit that can accept electronic money.

[0065] 3, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is provided with a status display unit 11 that displays the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by lighting or flashing a lamp of a predetermined color, a bill insertion slot 12a that accepts various types of bills, a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, a card insertion slot 14a that accepts cards associated with a card ID, and a holding unit 14b that accepts a mobile terminal held by a player to associate the unique ID. In addition, the holding unit 14b accepts the mobile terminal associated with the unique ID and reads the unique ID.

[0066] The gaming machine 20 is provided with a gaming board, a handle 21 used to release enclosed gaming balls onto the gaming board, and a counting button 22.

[0067] The count button 22 is an operation button for performing a management transfer, which transfers the management of the number of balls that can be dispensed from the gaming machine 20 to the inter-machine card processing machine 10, by subtracting the number of gaming balls in the gaming machine 20 and adding the corresponding number to the balls held by the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In an open gaming machine 20 in which actual gaming balls are dispensed upon winning, this management transfer corresponds to the counting process in which the inter-machine card processing machine 10 counts the dispensed gaming balls and adds them to the balls held.

[0068] <Configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10> Next, we will explain the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a banknote transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a communication unit 15, a memory unit 16, a control unit 17, and a game management unit 18.

[0069] The banknote transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports banknotes inserted through the banknote insertion slot 12a to a banknote storage unit (not shown) while determining the denomination and authenticity of the banknotes. The display operation unit 13 is an input / output device such as a touch panel display that displays various information such as value and accepts various operations such as ball lending operations.

[0070] The reader / writer 14 is a reading unit that reads a card ID from a card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a and a unique ID from a mobile terminal held over the holding unit 14b. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage unit (not shown) via the reader / writer 14. The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication between the island controller 30 and the card management device 60 via the island controller 30.

[0071] The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk drive, a nonvolatile memory, etc. The storage unit 16 stores device status data 16a and card data 16b.

[0072] The machine status data 16a indicates the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The machine status data 16a includes the machine ID, the gaming machine ID, the game type, etc. The machine ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the machine ID within the gaming parlor. The game type is data indicating the rate set in the machine ID. When gaming balls of multiple rates are handled within the gaming parlor, a game type name is assigned to each rate and managed, such as "Ball 1" for a 4-yen rate ball, "Ball 2" for a 2-yen rate ball, and "Ball 3" for a 1-yen rate ball. The machine ID is stored as the game type. The machine ID is a fixed game type for each section in which the machine ID is installed, or the game type may be changeable by the player.

[0073] The card data 16b is data relating to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes the card ID, PIN number, prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, etc. The card ID is the card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is transported from a card storage section (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and then ejected, the card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage section (not shown), the card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during this transport. The prepaid value indicates the balance of the prepaid value that can be used for ball lending, and the held balls and saved balls indicate the respective balances.

[0074] The gaming management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processing related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is desirable that this gaming management unit 18 be formed on a different board from that of the control unit 17. The gaming management unit 18 has an authentication processing unit 18a, an authentication key management unit 18b, and a gaming machine status management unit 18c. In practice, by loading and executing these programs into a CPU (Central Processing Unit), the authentication processing unit 18a, the authentication key management unit 18b, and the gaming machine status management unit 18c will execute processes corresponding to each of them.

[0075] The authentication processing unit 18a authenticates the gaming machine 20 using the authentication key received from the card management device 60. If the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20. If the authentication is unsuccessful, the authentication processing unit 18a prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20. Note that even if the authentication is unsuccessful, the authentication processing unit 18a may be configured to transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 if it is within a predetermined period since the last successful authentication, and not transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 after the predetermined period has elapsed since the last successful authentication, and to prohibit the use of the gaming machine 20.

[0076] The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages authentication keys. A usage time is set for each 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 gaming management unit 18 is formed as the operating time of the gaming machine 20 to manage 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 an authentication key management center outside the parlor via the card management device 60 and updates the authentication key.

[0077] The gaming machine status management unit 18c is a processing unit that communicates with the gaming machine 20 and manages the status of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, transmits a request to add to the number of gaming balls by ball lending, transmits a request to switch management from held balls to the number of gaming balls by replaying held balls, transmits a request to add to the number of gaming balls by replaying saved balls, receives game results such as the number of balls inserted and the number of balls paid out in the gaming machine 20, and receives a request to switch management from the number of gaming balls to held balls by counting. Such communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 uses encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

[0078] The gaming machine status management unit 18c also acquires the status set for the game, such as the current number of gaming balls, start, jackpot, jackpot type, and number of lotteries of the gaming machine 20. The time interval at which the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the status of the gaming machine 20 is preferably set shorter than the interval at which gaming balls are shot (used) in the gaming machine 20. Furthermore, once the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 20, it passes the number of gaming balls to the control unit 17.

[0079] The timing at which the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires a new gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 is not limited to before opening. The gaming machine status management unit 18c can acquire a gaming machine ID or determine whether to replace the gaming machine 20 when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is powered on or off, during periodic communication, when processing related to the number of gaming balls (ball lending, replay, counting, etc.) is performed, when returning from an offline state, etc. Furthermore, these timings may be used in combination.

[0080] The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-machine card processing machine 10, and has a data management unit 17a. In practice, the process is executed by loading a program corresponding to the data management unit 17a into the CPU and executing it.

[0081] When a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits a card insertion notification including the card ID and the inter-machine card processor ID to the card management device 60. Furthermore, when the data management unit 17a receives data including a value (at least one of prepaid value, held balls, and saved balls) from the card management device 60, it updates the card data 16b with the received value.

[0082] Furthermore, when a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits to the card management device 60 a deposit notification including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the inter-machine card processor ID.

[0083] Furthermore, when a ball lending operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball lending request including the card ID and the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID to the card management device 60. If permission to lend balls is received in response to this ball lending request, the data management unit 17a instructs the gaming management unit 18 to subtract the prepaid value of the card data 16b and add a predetermined number of balls to the number of game balls in the gaming machine 20.

[0084] In addition, when the data management unit 17a receives an operation to replay the held balls, it instructs the game management unit 18 to subtract and update the held balls in the card data 16b and add the corresponding number of balls to the number of game balls in the gaming machine 20.

[0085] Furthermore, if the balance of saved balls indicated in the card data 16b is equal to or greater than the number of saved ball replay units, the data management unit 17a displays a saved ball replay button on the display operation unit 13, making it possible to accept a saved ball replay operation. When a saved ball replay operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits a saved ball replay request including the card ID and the machine-to-machine card processor ID to the card management device 60. If saved ball replay data is received in response to this saved ball replay request, the data management unit 17a updates the saved ball balance in the card data 16b and instructs the gaming management unit 18 to add the number of balls corresponding to the number of saved ball replay units to the number of game balls in the gaming machine 20. Note that when a saved ball replay operation is performed for the first time, the input of a PIN is required, and a match with the PIN indicated in the card data 16b is a condition for transmitting a saved ball replay request.

[0086] In addition, when the game management unit 18 receives a request to transfer game balls from the game machine 20, the data management unit 17a adds the number of balls instructed by the game management unit 18 to the held balls in the card data 16b to update it.

[0087] Furthermore, when the data management unit 17a receives a card return operation, it sends a ball addition request including the card ID, the inter-machine card processing machine ID, and the balance of the balls held to the card management device 60. Then, after clearing the card data 16b, it sends a card ejection notification to the card management device 60 and ejects the card.

[0088] Next, a specific example of data stored in the memory unit 16 of the inter-machine card processor 10 shown in Fig. 4 will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the own device status data 16a and card data 16b shown in Fig. 4.

[0089] The own device status data 16a shown in Figure 5(a) indicates a state in which the ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "A101", the gaming machine ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", and "Ball 1" is set as the game type of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

[0090] The card data 16b shown in Figure 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 is "2001." Note that here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, with cards with the first digit "1" being a general card and cards with the first digit "2" being a membership card. The card data 16b also indicates that the PIN number for replaying saved balls is "1234" and the prepaid value is "3000" points. Note that here, 1 point of the prepaid value is equivalent to 1 yen.

[0091] Furthermore, card data 16b indicates that, in terms of held balls, the balance of held balls for ball 1 is 1500 balls, the balance of held balls for ball 2 is 2500 balls, and the balance of held balls for ball 3 is 0 balls, and, in terms of saved balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 1 is 500 balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 2 is 0 balls, and the balance of saved balls for ball 3 is 0 balls.

[0092] <Configuration of 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 has 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 inter-machine card processing machine 10. Communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 uses encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

[0093] When the gaming machine 20 is started up, the communication control unit 23 reads the identification information from the control CPU provided in the game control unit 25 and / or game ball control unit 26, checks whether the identification information is appropriate, and if it is appropriate, establishes communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and goes into standby mode. In the standby mode, if an operation permission is received from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the performance control unit 24, game control unit 25, and game ball control unit 26 are started up and the gaming machine is ready to play.

[0094] The game control unit 25 is a control unit that controls games played by the gaming machine 20. In practice, a program corresponding to the game control unit 25 is loaded into the CPU and executed to execute a process.

[0095] Specifically, the game control unit 25 controls the launch of game balls onto the game board by detecting handle operation, detects game balls that have entered the winning hole on the game board, obtains random numbers (random numbers from 0 to 65535, with numbers assigned to indicate a big win, small win, or loss within a predetermined range) using game balls that have entered the starting hole and draws lots (special and normal patterns), controls movable parts (tulips, etc.) installed on the game board, controls the display of special pattern display devices installed on the game board, detects abnormalities that may indicate fraud (the front frame is open, vibrations are detected, etc.) and notifies the higher-level device, etc.

[0096] A large number of obstacle pins are set on the game board, and game balls launched onto the game board by operating the handle fall between the obstacle pins and either enter a prize hole or a starting hole, or are ejected from the game board through an outlet hole without entering a prize. When a game ball enters a starting hole, a lottery is held, and if a jackpot is awarded, a jackpot game is played in which a predetermined prize hole on the game board is controlled to be open multiple times, and by making it easier for game balls to enter these prize holes, prize balls are awarded to the player.

[0097] Furthermore, jackpot games include bonus jackpot games that grant players a specified bonus game after the jackpot game ends. Bonus jackpot games include probability-changing jackpots and time-saving jackpots. Probability-changing jackpots and time-saving jackpots grant probability-changing and time-saving games as bonus games, respectively, after a jackpot. Time-saving games are bonus games that increase the number of draws per unit time by shortening the fluctuation time (the time from the start of the lottery process to the display of the results) of the normal pattern lottery (the lottery for opening and closing the movable member described above) and / or the special pattern lottery (the jackpot lottery resulting from the winning of a game ball described above), thereby increasing the number of draws per unit time and increasing the probability of winning a jackpot per unit time. This bonus game may also include normal pattern probability fluctuation, which increases the probability of winning a normal pattern. Time-saving games resulting from a time-saving jackpot end when the special pattern lottery has been drawn a specified number of times after the jackpot. Probability-changing games will be described later.

[0098] The game control unit 25 has a probability variation function. This function controls the random number range for the next jackpot lottery (typically by approximately 10 times) when the lottery result falls within a specific random number range for the jackpot. The probability variation game involves drawing a special symbol using this changed probability. The probability variation game continues until the next jackpot is won. The probability variation game and time-saving game may be simultaneously offered. However, to prevent unexpected losses to the gaming parlor, if a player acquires a certain number of game media after the probability variation game or time-saving game has started, the game may be stopped (the player's card may be temporarily ejected and the player may be requested to exchange for a prize or move to another machine). In this case, the gaming machine 20 counts the number of game media after the probability variation game state has begun, and when this count reaches a predetermined value, game stop control is performed, such as stopping the release of game balls.

[0099] The effect control unit 24 is a control unit that controls the effects during play, and has an effect symbol lottery unit 24a and an effect lottery unit 24b. In practice, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, the effect symbol lottery unit 24a and the effect lottery unit 24b will execute processes corresponding to them, respectively.

[0100] The effect pattern lottery unit 24a performs lottery (specifically, whether to stop the display at 7, 7, 7) for effect patterns (patterns to be displayed on effect pattern display devices such as display devices on the game board) based on the special pattern lottery in the game control unit 25.

[0101] The effect selection unit 24b selects the type of effect to be performed before the result of the selection based on the effect symbols is displayed (such as a character appearing to perform a reach effect). The effect is set so that the effect selected differs depending on the main selection result.

[0102] The effect control unit 24 stores effect data for each effect. Furthermore, the effect control unit 24 controls the display of the effect pattern display device, and when an effect is executed, the effect data is superimposed on the background pattern data to display the effect. Furthermore, when the probability fluctuates, background color data different from that in the normal state is set.

[0103] The game ball control unit 26 is a control unit that controls the number of game balls. In practice, a program corresponding to the game ball control unit 26 is loaded into the CPU and executed to execute the process. The playable number management unit 26a is a management unit that manages the playable number, i.e., the number of game balls.

[0104] Specifically, the game ball control unit 26 stores the number of game balls in a playable number memory, subtracts "1" from the number of game balls each time a game ball is fired, and adds the number of prize balls won by winning to the number of game balls. Also, when the number of balls is notified by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the notified number of balls to the number of game balls and sends a confirmation signal to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 indicating that the number has been added to the number of game balls. The game ball control unit 26 can also control cleaning of the game balls (circulating balls) enclosed in the game machine 20.

[0105] Furthermore, the game ball control unit 26 periodically transmits the number of game balls stored in the playable number memory to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 26 continues to update the number of game balls according to the game status without clearing the contents of the playable number memory to zero, and transmits the number of game balls at the time of data acquisition to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

[0106] The gaming machine 20 is also provided with a counting button 22, and a signal indicating that the counting button 22 has been pressed is input to the gaming ball control unit 26. The gaming ball control unit 26 detects the pressing of the counting button 22, and if the time from when the detection signal rises to when it falls is less than a certain time, it sends a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 along with data on the number of gaming balls in increments of a certain number (for example, 100 balls per operation). Then, it subtracts (invalidates) the number of balls that have been transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 from the number of gaming balls. Furthermore, if the pressing of the counting button 22 is detected and no fall is detected for a predetermined time or longer after the detection signal rises, it sends a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 along with data on the number of gaming balls in increments of a certain number (for example, 200 balls per 5 seconds) every time the detection signal remains in an up state for a certain time. Then, it subtracts (invalidates) the number of balls that have been transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 from the number of gaming balls. When subtracting from the number of game balls, possible methods include decrementing the value to be subtracted from the value of 1 stored in memory, or updating the value stored in memory with the value after subtraction and deleting or logically deleting the value before subtraction to invalidate it, but there are no particular limitations as long as the value after subtraction can be identified.

[0107] The game control unit 25 and the game ball control unit 26 are each configured on a separate board. 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 their own 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 this as the gaming machine ID.

[0108] <Configuration of island controller 30> Next, we will explain the configuration of the island controller 30 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the island controller 30 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 7, the island controller 30 has a display operation unit 31, a communication unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a control unit 35.

[0109] The display operation unit 31 is an input / output device such as a touch panel display, etc. The communication unit 33 is an interface unit for data communication with the inter-machine card processing device 10, the hall management device 50, and the card management device 60.

[0110] The storage unit 34 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or nonvolatile memory, and stores operation data 34a and accumulated data 34b. The operation data 34a is data indicating the operation status of the gaming machine 20. The accumulated data 34b is data indicating the total accumulated operation data 34a for each gaming machine.

[0111] The control unit 35 is a control unit that performs overall control of the island controller 30, and includes a data control unit 35a, a data storage unit 35b, and a data transmission unit 35c. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the data control unit 35a, the data storage unit 35b, and the data transmission unit 35c to execute the processes corresponding to them.

[0112] The data control unit 35a is a processing unit that controls relay and storage of received data. When the data control unit 35a receives operation data and ball lending data related to the gaming machine 20 from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it transfers the received data to the data storage unit 35b.

[0113] Furthermore, when the data control unit 35a receives card processing data from the inter-machine card processor 10, it notifies the card management device 60 of the received data. The data control unit 35a notifies the inter-machine card processor 10 of the data received from the card management device 60.

[0114] The data accumulation unit 35b is a processing unit that accumulates operation data and ball lending data related to the gaming machine 20. When the data accumulation unit 35b receives operation data or ball lending data from the data control unit 35a, it stores the received data in the operation data 34a and adds it to the accumulated data 34b and stores it.

[0115] The data transmission unit 35c is a processing unit that notifies the hall management device 50 of the accumulated data 34b. The data transmission unit 35c notifies the hall management device 50 of the accumulated data 34b at a predetermined time (for example, at the start of closing processing), and then clears the accumulated data 34b to zero.

[0116] Next, a description will be given of a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 34 of the island controller 30 shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the operational data 34a and the accumulated data 34b shown in Fig. 7.

[0117] The operational data 34a shown in Figure 8(a) associates the gaming machine ID "B201" and the data type "out" with the time "11:10:14", the gaming machine ID "B201" and the data type "out" with the time "11:10:16", the gaming machine ID "B201" and the data type "safe" with the time "11:11:30", and the gaming machine ID "B201" and the data type "special prize (jackpot)" with the time "13:30:00".

[0118] The accumulated data 34b shown in Figure 8(b) associates the gaming machine ID "B201" with ball loan "10,000" balls, out "15,000" balls, safe "6,000" balls, count "3,000" balls, number of starts "800" and number of jackpots "12", and the gaming machine ID "B202" with ball loan "6,000" balls, out "16,000" balls, safe "8,000" balls, count "2,000" balls, number of starts "1,024" and number of jackpots "7".

[0119] <Configuration of hall management device 50> Next, we will explain the configuration of the hall management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the hall management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 9, the hall management device 50 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52, and has a communication unit 53, a storage unit 54, and a control unit 55.

[0120] The display unit 51 is a liquid crystal panel, a display device, etc. The input unit 52 is a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The communication unit 53 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30.

[0121] The storage unit 54 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or a nonvolatile memory, and stores game data 54a. The game data 54a is data indicating the operating status of the gaming machine 20 on a daily basis.

[0122] The control unit 55 is a control unit that performs overall control of the hall management device 50, and has a collection processing unit 55a and an analysis processing unit 55b. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the collection processing unit 55a and the analysis processing unit 55b to execute the processes corresponding to them.

[0123] The collection processing unit 55a is a processing unit that manages the game data 54a. When the collection processing unit 55a receives accumulated data from the island controller 30, the collection processing unit 55a adds a date to the received accumulated data and stores it in the game data 54a.

[0124] The analysis processing unit 55b is a processing unit that analyzes and displays the gaming data 54a. The analysis processing unit 55b uses the gaming data 54a to tally the data by gaming machine, by island, by gaming parlor, or by date, and displays the tally on the display unit 51.

[0125] Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 54 of the hall management device 50 shown in Fig. 9 will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the game data 54a shown in Fig. 9.

[0126] The gaming data 54a shown in Figure 10 associates the gaming machine ID "B201" and the date "2021 / 09 / 30" with the ball loan of "20,000," the out ball of "25,000," the safe ball of "10,000," the count of "5,000," the number of starts of "1,800," and the number of jackpots of "21," and the gaming machine ID "B506" and the date "2021 / 10 / 01" with the ball loan of "16,000," the out ball of "26,000," the safe ball of "13,000," the count of "3,000," the number of starts of "2,411," and the number of jackpots of "13."

[0127] <Configuration of Card Management Device 60> Next, we will explain the configuration of the card management device 60 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the card management device 60 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 11, the card management device 60 is connected to a display unit 61 and an input unit 62, and has an external network communication unit 63, a store network communication unit 64, a memory unit 65, and a control unit 66.

[0128] The display unit 61 is a liquid crystal panel, a display device, etc. The input unit 62 is a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The external network communication unit 63 is an interface unit for communicating with an authentication key management center outside the store. The store network communication unit 64 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the member management device 70, the prize management device 80, and the settlement machine 90 via communication lines within the gaming store.

[0129] The storage unit 65 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or nonvolatile memory, and stores card management data 65a and device management data 65b.

[0130] The card management data 65a is data that associates the card ID with the balance of prepaid value, the balance of owned balls, etc. The device management data 65b is data related to the devices installed in the gaming facility. This device management data 65b includes the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID, the installation location, the gaming machine ID, the model data of the gaming machine 20, etc.

[0131] The control unit 66 is a control unit that performs overall control of the card management device 60, and includes a card management unit 66a and a device management unit 66b. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the card management unit 66a and the device management unit 66b to execute the processes corresponding to them, respectively.

[0132] The card management unit 66a is a processing unit that manages the card management data 65a. The card management unit 66a communicates with the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the prize management device 80, and the settlement machine 90 to update the prepaid value and the balance of the balls associated with the card ID. In addition, when the card management unit 66a receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it notifies the value and the balance of the balls associated with the card.

[0133] The device management unit 66b is a processing unit that manages the device management data 65b. The device management unit 66b generates and updates the device management data 65b based on the inter-machine card processor ID, installation location, and gaming machine ID acquired from the inter-machine card processor 10.

[0134] Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 65 of the card management device 60 shown in Fig. 11 will be described. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the card management data 65a and the device management data 65b shown in Fig. 11.

[0135] In the card management data 65a shown in Figure 12(a), the card ID "1001" is associated with a prepaid value of "0" points, a balance of "0" balls for each rate, and a destination ID of "A101". In other words, the card with the card ID "1001" is inserted into the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 with the device ID "A101", and the management of the balls has been transferred to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10. Therefore, the balance of the balls for each rate is zero.

[0136] 12(a), the card management data 65a is associated with the card ID "2001" as a prepaid value of "3000" and the remaining balls as ball 1, ball 2, and ball 3, but is not associated with a destination ID. In other words, the card with the card ID "2001" is not inserted into the inter-machine card processing device 10, and the card management device 60 is responsible for managing the remaining balls.

[0137] The device management data 65b shown in Figure 12(b) associates the inter-machine card processing machine ID "A101" with the installation location "Island 1-1", the connected gaming machine 20's gaming machine number "11", the gaming machine ID "B201", the game type "Ball 1", the model data "EV01", the serial number "a", and the gaming machine 20 being in use, and associates the inter-machine card processing machine ID "A201" with the installation location "Island 2-1", the connected gaming machine 20's gaming machine number "21", the gaming machine ID "B506", the game type "Ball 3", the model data "DX03", the serial number "g", and the gaming machine 20 being in use.

[0138] <Processing Procedure of Island Controller 30 According to the Embodiment> Next, a description will be given of the processing procedure of the island controller 30 according to this embodiment. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the island controller 30 according to this embodiment.

[0139] First, when card processing data is received from the inter-machine card processor 10 (step S101; Yes), the received card processing data is notified to the card management device 60 (step S102).

[0140] If operation data or ball lending data is received from the inter-machine card processor 10 (step S103; Yes), the received data is added to the accumulated data 34b and stored (step S104).

[0141] If the closing process has not started (step S105; No), the process proceeds to step S101. If the closing process has started (step S105; Yes), the accumulated data 34b is notified to the hall management device 50 (step S106), and the process ends.

[0142] As described above, in this embodiment, information regarding the game on the gaming machine 20, such as out, safe, and special prize, is notified as operational data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 to the island controller 30, and the island controller 30 accumulates the received operational data for each gaming machine and notifies this accumulated data to the hall management device 50 at a predetermined time (for example, at the start of closing processing).This allows for stable transmission of information regarding the operation of the gaming machines and efficiently reduces the processing load of information regarding the operation of the gaming machines on the management device.

[0143] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which operation data of gaming machines is accumulated in the island controller and notified to the hall management device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the operation data accumulated in the island controller to notify specified data to the machine lamps installed on the gaming machines.

[0144] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the operation data of the gaming machine is accumulated in the island controller, processed into data in the format required by the hall management device, and notified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the island controller to notify the data in its original format without processing it when accumulating it, and then process the data in the hall management device.

[0145] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a configuration for notifying the island controller of the gaming machine's operating data was described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and by constructing separate communication lines between the inter-machine card processing machine and the machine lamp, and between the inter-machine card processing machine and the island controller, it is also possible to configure the inter-machine card processing machine to be able to separately notify the machine lamp and the island controller as the notification destinations when notifying the operating data.

[0146] Furthermore, the components illustrated in the above embodiments are merely functional schematics and are not necessarily physically configured as shown. In other words, the distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0147] The gaming system, relay device, and gaming information management method of the present invention are suitable for stably transmitting information related to the operation of gaming machines and efficiently reducing the processing load of information related to the operation of gaming machines on the management device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 10 Inter-machine card processing machines 11 Status display section 12 Banknote transport section 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation section 14 Reader / Writer 14a Card slot 14b Holding section 15 Communications Department 16 Memory section 16a Device status data 16b Card Data 17 Control Unit 17a Data Management Department 18 Gaming Management Department 18a Authentication processing section 18b Authentication key management unit 18c Gaming Machine Status Management Department 20 Gaming machines 21 Handle 22 Count button 23 Communication control section 24 Production Control Unit 24a Design lottery section 24b Production Lottery Section 25 Game control unit 26 Game ball control unit 26a Playable Number Management Department 30 Island Controller 31 Display operation section 33 Communications Department 34 Storage section 34a Operational Data 34b Accumulated Data 35 Control Unit 35a Data control section 35b Data storage section 35c Data transmission unit 50 Hole Management Device 51 Display section 52 Input section 53 Communications Department 54 Storage section 54a Game Data 55 Control Unit 55a Collection and Processing Unit 55b Analysis processing section 60 Card Management Device 61 Display section 62 Input section 63 External Network Communication Section 64 Store Network Communications Department 65 Storage section 65a Card Management Data 65b Equipment Management Data 66 Control Unit 66a Card Management Department 66b Equipment management department 70 Membership management device 80 Prize Management Device 90 Payment machine

Claims

1. A gaming system having a gaming device installed in a gaming facility and attached to a gaming machine, a gaming information management device that manages gaming information of the gaming machine, and a relay device that is interposed between the gaming device and the gaming information management device and is connected to the gaming device and the gaming information management device so as to be able to communicate with the gaming device, The relay device a collection means for collecting game information of the gaming machine and processing information by the gaming device from the gaming device; a control means for notifying a first management device of the processing information if the information collected by the collection means is the processing information, and for controlling the first management device to store the game information and the processing information in a predetermined storage unit; a notification means for notifying a second management device of accumulated information including the game information and the processing information stored in the storage unit at a predetermined time; A gaming system comprising:

2. The relay device 2. The gaming system according to claim 1, further comprising a processing means for processing the gaming information into gaming information in a format conforming to the format of the gaming information management device.

3. the second management device, 3. The gaming system according to claim 1, further comprising an analysis processing means for performing a predetermined analysis process using the plurality of pieces of gaming information notified from the plurality of relay devices.

4. A relay device that is installed in a gaming facility and is interposed between a gaming device attached to a gaming machine and a gaming information management device that manages gaming information of the gaming machine, and is connected to the gaming device and the gaming information management device so as to be able to communicate with the gaming device, a collection means for collecting game information of the gaming machine and processing information by the gaming device from the gaming device; a control means for notifying a first management device of the processing information if the information collected by the collection means is the processing information, and for controlling the first management device to store the game information and the processing information in a predetermined storage unit; a notification means for notifying a second management device of accumulated information including the game information and the processing information stored in the storage unit at a predetermined time; A relay device comprising:

5. A gaming information management method for a gaming system having a gaming device installed in a gaming facility and attached to a gaming machine, a gaming information management device that manages gaming information of the gaming machine, and a relay device that is interposed between the gaming device and the gaming information management device and is connected to the gaming device and the gaming information management device so as to be able to communicate with the gaming device, comprising: a collection step in which the relay device collects game information of the gaming machine and processing information by the gaming device from the gaming device; a control step of controlling the relay device to notify a first management device of the processing information if the information collected by the collection step is the processing information, and to store the game information and the processing information in a predetermined storage unit; a notification step in which the relay device notifies a second management device of accumulated information including the game information and the processing information stored in the storage unit at a predetermined time; A game information management method comprising:

Images