Game arcade management system

Abstract

To provide a game parlor management system that allows employees to efficiently provide proactive service to customers.SOLUTION: A game parlor management system 1 has multiple mobile terminals 8 that notify an employee of a customers' identification information Im. When an employee's identification information Ie is input, the mobile terminal 8 outputs the employee's identification information Ie to a game parlor management computer 9. When the employee's identification information Ie associated with the customer is input from the mobile terminal 8 within a predetermined period, the game parlor management computer 9 outputs the customer's identification information Im to a mobile terminal for a customer, which is the mobile terminal 8 that has output the employee's identification information Ie to the game parlor management computer 9. The game parlor management computer 9 erases the customer's identification information Im which has been input from the information input device within the predetermined period, after a predetermined period elapses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a casino management system.

Background Art

[0002] A casino (store) management system is configured to obtain the operating status of each gaming machine and construct detailed management information that forms the basis of casino operation in order to cope with the increase in the types of various gaming machines and the diversification of the business forms of casinos. In such a casino management system, in order to smoothly operate the gaming machines, when error information of the gaming machines, a call request of a player, etc. occur, an employee outputs information regarding the gaming machines to a mobile terminal that each employee possesses. A casino management system (store management system) is known. For example, it is as described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The store management system described in Patent Document 1 has a management terminal that manages information regarding the gaming machine or the store transmitted from the gaming machine side, and a mobile terminal to which the management terminal transmits information. When the store management system receives information regarding the gaming machine or the store, it extracts response information for the information regarding the gaming machine or the store and transmits it to the mobile terminal corresponding to the gaming machine that transmitted the information. Thereby, the store management system can quickly and efficiently transmit a call request of a player and error information of the gaming machine to an employee.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, the store management system described in Patent Document 1 extracts information on how to deal with a player's call request or a game machine error when the management terminal receives the call request or error information, and transmits it to the mobile terminal of the corresponding employee. In other words, the store management system provides information to employees when any problem occurs with a game machine, etc. In addition, amusement parlors need to improve customer satisfaction in order to differentiate themselves from other amusement parlors. Therefore, there is a need for an amusement parlor management system that not only provides services in response to requests from customers to employees, such as when a game machine malfunctions, but also proactively provides services from employees to customers so that customers can play comfortably. However, in amusement parlors, it has been difficult for a limited number of employees to handle various tasks such as responding to problems with numerous game machines, calling customers, and exchanging balls, while also providing proactive services from employees to customers.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a gaming facility management system that enables employees to provide proactive service to customers efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The inventors of this invention investigated the configuration of a gaming facility management system that can efficiently provide proactive service from employees to customers. After diligent investigation, the inventors came up with the following configuration.

[0008] An amusement park management system according to one embodiment of the present invention is an amusement park management system comprising: an information input device into which customer identification information is input from a customer; a mobile terminal that notifies an employee of the customer identification information; and a control device that manages information related to the customer.

[0009] When the information input device receives customer identification information from a customer visiting the amusement facility, it outputs the customer identification information to the control device. When the mobile terminal receives employee identification information, it outputs the employee identification information to the control device. The control device has identification information for at least one employee associated with each customer. The control device retains the customer identification information input from the information input device within a predetermined period. When the control device receives employee identification information associated with the customer from the mobile terminal within the predetermined period, it outputs information about the customer to the customer-assigned mobile terminal, which is the mobile terminal that output the employee identification information to the control device. After the predetermined period has elapsed, the control device erases the customer identification information input from the information input device within the predetermined period.

[0010] In the configuration described above, the amusement arcade management system has identification information for at least one employee assigned to each customer. For example, when a customer assigned to a customer visits the arcade within a predetermined period from opening to closing, the control device of the amusement arcade management system determines the mobile device to be the customer's assigned mobile device when the identification information of the employee assigned to the customer is input from the mobile device. The control device outputs information about the customer to the customer's assigned mobile device, such as the date and time of the customer's visit, the location of the gaming machine the customer is playing, the date and time of the customer's last visit, and the customer's characteristics. An employee carrying the customer's assigned mobile device can recognize the arrival of their assigned customer through the mobile device even while performing duties within the amusement arcade. Furthermore, even if a customer assigned to an employee has arrived before the start of their shift, the employee can obtain information about the customer from the customer's assigned mobile device by outputting their identification information from the mobile device to the control device within a predetermined period (logging into the amusement arcade management system). Based on the acquired information about the assigned customer, the employee can approach the customer from the amusement arcade side, such as greeting them upon their arrival. This allows employees to provide proactive service to customers efficiently.

[0011] From another perspective, the amusement park management system of the present invention preferably includes the following configuration: When the control device receives identification information of another customer being handled by an employee carrying the customer-assigned mobile terminal from the information input device, it outputs information about the other customer to the customer-assigned mobile terminal.

[0012] In the configuration described above, if an employee is responsible for multiple customers, the control device of the gaming arcade management system outputs information about the customer to the customer-assigned mobile terminal carried by the employee each time a customer assigned to that employee visits the gaming arcade. The employee can obtain information about each customer even if they are responsible for multiple customers. Based on the information about the customers they are responsible for, the employee can approach multiple customers at the time of their arrival, such as by greeting them upon arrival. This enables employees to efficiently provide proactive service to customers.

[0013] From another perspective, the amusement park management system of the present invention preferably includes the following configuration. When there are multiple customer-assigned mobile terminals that output information about the customer, the control device outputs a "no response needed" signal to the other customer-assigned mobile terminals when it receives a response completion signal from one of the customer-assigned mobile terminals indicating that the customer's service has been completed.

[0014] In the configuration described above, when the control device of the amusement facility management system receives a completion signal from a customer-only mobile terminal carried by one of the multiple employees assigned to a single customer, indicating that the customer's service has been completed, it outputs a "no service needed" signal to prevent other employees from providing further service to that customer. This allows the other employees to easily determine whether or not they need to provide service to the customer. Furthermore, since the customer does not receive the same service from different employees multiple times, customer satisfaction can be maintained. This enables employees to provide proactive service to customers efficiently.

[0015] From another perspective, the amusement park management system of the present invention preferably includes the following configuration: If the control device does not receive the response completion signal within a predetermined time after outputting information about the customer to the customer's mobile terminal, it outputs information again to the customer's mobile terminal requesting the customer's response.

[0016] In the configuration described above, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the control device of the amusement facility management system output customer information to the customer-handling mobile terminal and no response completion signal has been received from the customer-handling terminal, the control device determines that the employee in charge of the customer is unable to respond or has not noticed the notification, and resends the customer information to the customer-handling terminal until a response completion signal is received from the customer-handling terminal. By resending the customer information, the employee can be prompted to respond to the customer more quickly. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent situations where the customer does not receive any response from an employee, thereby maintaining customer satisfaction. This enables employees to provide proactive service to customers efficiently.

[0017] From another perspective, the amusement park management system of the present invention preferably includes the following configuration. When the control device receives new identification information of a customer whose information has already been entered from the information input device, it outputs the newly entered information about the customer to a customer-related mobile terminal carried by an employee associated with the customer.

[0018] In the above configuration, the control device of the amusement arcade management system outputs information about a customer to the customer-specific mobile terminal of the employee in charge of that customer, for example, when the customer's membership card information is entered into an information input device associated with a different amusement machine than the one associated with the information input device (e.g., ball dispenser) in which the customer entered their membership card information. The employee can recognize that the customer has moved to another amusement machine while performing their duties at the amusement arcade. Therefore, the employee can recognize the customer's seating position, payment, and other actions necessary for providing proactive service to the customer. This enables employees to efficiently provide proactive service to customers.

[0019] From another perspective, the amusement park management system of the present invention preferably includes the following configuration: When the control device receives a request signal from the customer-assigned mobile terminal requesting information about the customer carried by an employee associated with the customer, it outputs information about the current customer to the customer-assigned mobile terminal.

[0020] In the configuration described above, the control device of the amusement facility management system can acquire information necessary to provide proactive service to customers, such as the arrival time of the customer assigned to the employee and the customer's location within the amusement facility, at the necessary time. This enables employees to efficiently provide proactive service to customers.

[0021] From another perspective, the amusement park management system of the present invention preferably includes the following configuration: When the control device receives a predetermined signal from a gaming machine associated with the information input device into which the customer's identification information has been input, it outputs information about the gaming machine to a customer-assigned mobile terminal carried by an employee associated with the customer.

[0022] In the above configuration, when a predetermined signal such as an error signal or a call signal, which requires the response of an employee, is input from the gaming machine on which a customer is playing, the control device of the casino management system outputs information to the customer-assigned mobile terminal of the employee in charge of the customer. The employee who holds the customer-assigned mobile terminal can also quickly respond to the requests from the customer in charge. As a result, employees can efficiently provide proactive services to customers.

[0023] From another perspective, the casino management system of the present invention preferably includes the following configuration. The control device has identification information of at least one employee associated with each gaming machine. When a predetermined signal is input from the gaming machine, the control device outputs information regarding the gaming machine to a gaming machine-assigned mobile terminal, which is a mobile terminal that has output the identification information of the employee associated with the gaming machine to the control device.

[0024] In the above configuration, when a predetermined signal such as an error signal or a call signal, which requires the response of an employee, is input from the gaming machine on which a customer is playing, in addition to the customer-assigned mobile terminal of the employee in charge of the customer, the control device of the casino management system also outputs information to the gaming machine-assigned mobile terminal of the employee in charge of the gaming machine. Therefore, the employees in charge of the customer and the employees in charge of the gaming machine can quickly respond to the requests from the customer and the gaming machine. As a result, employees can efficiently provide proactive services to customers.

[0025] The technical terms used in this specification are used only for the purpose of defining specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the invention by these technical terms.

[0026] As used herein, the use of "including", "comprising", "having" and their variations identify the presence of the recited features, steps, elements, components, and / or their equivalents, but can include one or more of steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0027] As used herein, "attached", "connected", "coupled", and / or their equivalents are used in a broad sense and encompass both "direct and indirect" attachment, connection and coupling. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not limited to physical or mechanical connection or coupling and can include direct or indirect electrical connection or coupling.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0029] [Customer] As used herein, a customer means a player who visits the game arcade frequently, a player who has influence over other players, or a player who has a special relationship with the game arcade, etc., a player who is distinguishable from other players. Employees of the game arcade provide different services to customers, such as greetings, conversations, and beverage offerings when the customers enter and leave the arcade.

[0030] [Identification Information] As used herein, identification information means an ID assigned to each employee or a membership number of a membership card held by a customer, etc. The control device identifies the employee carrying the portable terminal based on the ID of the employee input into the portable terminal. The control device also identifies whether a game player is a customer based on the membership number of the membership card.

[0031] [Portable Terminal] In this specification, "mobile terminal" refers to an information terminal carried by an employee while on duty. Mobile terminals consist of smartphones and tablets, wearable devices such as watches and glasses, etc. Each mobile terminal has a display screen for displaying various information and an operation screen.

[0032] [Information input device] In this specification, "information input device" means a device that acquires customer identification information from a membership card or the like that has a membership number or the like that identifies the customer. An information input device is, for example, a device such as a card dispenser or counting machine that a customer uses to dispense a membership card or the like that has their identification information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in a gaming facility management system having a plurality of information input devices into which customer identification information is input from a customer, a plurality of mobile terminals that notify employees of the customer identification information, and a control device that manages information related to the customer, employees can efficiently provide proactive services to customers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the amusement park management system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the amusement park management system according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an information notification control mechanism that outputs customer information to a mobile terminal of the amusement arcade management system according to the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of information notification control when a completion signal is input from a mobile terminal of the amusement park management system according to the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the steps in Embodiment 1 of the information notification control of the amusement park management system according to the present invention. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the steps of the information notification process in Embodiment 1 of the information notification control for the amusement park management system according to the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an information notification control mechanism that outputs information about multiple customers to a mobile terminal of the amusement park management system according to the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the mode of information notification control when a customer moves a gaming machine to a mobile terminal of the gaming arcade management system according to the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of information notification control when an employee requests customer information from a mobile terminal of the amusement park management system according to the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the mode of information notification control when a customer calls a mobile terminal of the amusement arcade management system according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] The first embodiment of the amusement park management system 1, the amusement park management system 1, will be described using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the amusement park management system 1 according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the amusement park management system 1.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the amusement arcade management system 1 acquires and manages information Mi about the amusement machines installed in the amusement arcade and information Ci (see Figure 2) about the members who are players.

[0037] The amusement arcade management system 1 includes a machine computer 3 provided for each of the multiple amusement machines (pachinko machines 2a and pachislot machines 2b), a ball (medal) dispenser 4 for each amusement machine, an island computer 5, a card information management computer 6, a communication device 7, a mobile terminal 8, and an amusement arcade management computer 9. The machine computer 3, the ball (medal) dispenser 4, and the island computer 5 function as information input devices for the amusement arcade management system 1. The card information management computer 6 and the amusement arcade management computer 9 function as control devices for the amusement arcade management system 1. In the following embodiment, it will be explained assuming that a pachinko machine 2a is installed as an amusement machine in the arcade.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, a pachinko game machine 2a is a game machine in which a player fires pachinko balls (or tokens in the case of a pachislot game machine 2b), which are the game medium, and when they are inserted into a specific winning slot, a certain number of pachinko balls are dispensed. Pachinko game machine 2a outputs various game machine information Mi to the machine computer 3. Each pachinko game machine 2a is assigned an individual game machine number Mn. Pachinko game machines 2a are arranged in a game hall in what is called an "island," which is a group of multiple machines.

[0039] The machine computer 3, which constitutes the information input device, acquires information Mi related to the pachinko game machine 2a. A machine computer 3 is installed at each pachinko game machine 2a. The machine computer 3 outputs information Mi related to the pachinko game machine 2a's game machine number Mn to the island computer 5.

[0040] In this embodiment, the information Mi relating to the gaming machine includes various information when the pachinko gaming machine 2a is being played by a player, such as the out signal (number of pachinko balls inserted into the pachinko gaming machine 2a) output from the out box that collects the pachinko balls inserted into the pachinko gaming machine 2a, the safe signal (number of pachinko balls that have been won and collected), the number of jackpots, the number of jackpots with small payouts, the number of balls paid out, various setting values, error information for the pachinko gaming machine 2a, and player call requests.

[0041] The ball dispensing machine 4, which constitutes the information input device, is a terminal that reads information from a magnetic card or IC card, which is a recording medium, and stores pachinko balls, and dispenses them within a set amount. In this embodiment, a ball dispensing machine 4 is installed for each pachinko game machine 2a. The ball dispensing machine 4 is electrically connected to the card information management computer 6. Furthermore, the ball dispensing machine 4 is associated with a specific pachinko game machine 2a. In other words, the ball dispensing machine 4 is associated with the ball dispensing machine number and the game machine number Mn of the pachinko game machine 2a. The ball dispensing machine 4 includes a reading device 4a, a deposit device 4b, a ball dispensing device 4c, and an operating device (not shown) for various operations and input of PINs, etc.

[0042] The reader 4a takes in a membership card Cc, which consists of a magnetic card or IC card, and is a recording medium on which information for identifying the player and stored ball information is recorded. The reader 4a reads the identification information Im, such as the member's personal ID, to identify the member who owns the membership card Cc, as well as the stored ball information and card ID. The reader 4a outputs the machine number Mn of the pachinko game machine 2a associated with the card information management computer 6 and the read member's identification information Im. The deposit device 4b takes in the money and generates deposit amount information. The ball dispensing device 4c dispenses pachinko balls based on the stored ball information from the membership card Cc or the deposit amount information generated by the deposit device 4b.

[0043] The ball dispensing machine 4 uses a reader 4a to take in a member card Cc, etc., and reads the information recorded on the card. After confirming the input of a PIN from an operating device (not shown), the ball dispensing machine 4 can obtain the member's identification information Im recorded on the member card Cc taken in by the reader 4a. The ball dispensing machine 4 can then use the ball dispensing device 4c to dispense pachinko balls based on the member's identification information Im obtained from the member card Cc or the deposit amount information generated by the deposit device 4b.

[0044] The island computer 5, which constitutes the information input device, collects and stores the machine number Mn and information Mi related to the pachinko machines 2a that make up the island. The island computer 5 may, in substance, be configured with a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. connected by a bus, or it may be configured with a single chip LSI, etc. An island computer 5 is installed on each island in the amusement hall.

[0045] The island computer 5 is electrically connected to the machine computers 3 and card information management computer 6 of the multiple pachinko machines 2a that make up the island, via a network system etc. built within the amusement hall. The island computer 5 receives the machine number Mn and information Mi related to the pachinko machine 2a from each machine computer 3 at predetermined intervals. The island computer 5 also outputs the individual machine number Mn of the pachinko machine 2a and information Mi related to the pachinko machine 2a with machine number Mn to the amusement hall management computer 9.

[0046] The card information management computer 6, which constitutes the control device, acquires and manages information from member cards Cc or general cards. The card information management computer 6 is composed of a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. In substance, the card information management computer 6 may be configured with a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. connected by a bus, or it may be configured with a single-chip LSI, etc.

[0047] The card information management computer 6 is electrically connected to multiple ball dispensing machines 4 and a game center management computer 9 within the game center via a network system established within the game center. The card information management computer 6 receives input from the ball dispensing machines 4, including the game machine number Mn of the pachinko game machine 2a associated with the ball dispensing machine 4, member identification information Im, or the charge amount information (number of balls dispensed) and card ID read from the general card, as well as the deposit amount information.

[0048] The card information management computer 6 has member information Ci, which is individual information about the member, associated with the member's identification information Im, such as the member's name, gender, age, residential area (city / town), deposit amount information, number of balls stored, time of visit, model of pachinko machine 2a, time played for each pachinko machine 2a, total time played, number of visits, date and time of previous visit, and visit points. Member information Ci includes a determination of whether the member is a customer who meets certain conditions, the member's characteristics, preferences, remarks, etc. The identification information Im of a customer member is treated as customer identification information Im. Member information Ci of a customer member is treated as customer information Ci. Based on the game machine number Mn and the member's identification information Im input from the island computer 5, the card information management computer 6 outputs the member information Ci associated with the member's identification information Im and the game machine number Mn to the game hall management computer 9.

[0049] The communication device 7 sends and receives information to and from the mobile terminal 8. Multiple communication devices 7 are distributed throughout the gaming hall. All communication devices 7 are connected to the gaming hall management computer 9. The communication device 7 can transmit customer information Ci and pachinko machine information Mi from the gaming hall management computer 9 to the mobile terminal 8. The communication device 7 can also output information input from the mobile terminal 8 to the gaming hall management computer 9.

[0050] The mobile terminal 8 is an information terminal carried by an employee. The mobile terminal 8 receives customer information Ci and other information from the amusement facility management computer 9 via the communication device 7. The mobile terminal 8 also outputs control signals to the amusement facility management computer 9. Multiple employees in the amusement facility each carry one mobile terminal 8. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 8 is a wristwatch-type wearable terminal. The mobile terminal 8 notifies the recipient of information by vibration, sound, light, etc. Each mobile terminal 8 is assigned a unique mobile terminal number Pn. When employee identification information Ie, such as the employee ID of the employee carrying the mobile terminal 8, is input, the mobile terminal 8 outputs the mobile terminal number Pn and the employee identification information Ie in association with each other to the amusement facility management computer 9. The mobile terminal 8 receives at least one of information Mi related to amusement machines or information Ci related to customers from the amusement facility management computer 9 via the communication device 7. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 8 can output information regarding the processing performed on the pachinko machine 2a and the customer to the amusement facility management computer 9 via the communication device 7.

[0051] The game center management computer 9, which constitutes the control device, manages information input from multiple island computers 5 and card information management computer 6, as well as information input from multiple mobile terminals 8 via communication device 7. The game center management computer 9 is composed of a general-purpose computer, etc. In substance, the game center management computer 9 may be configured with a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. connected by a bus, or it may be configured with a single-chip LSI, etc. The game center management computer 9 is equipped with a display device 9a that displays the acquired information.

[0052] The amusement facility management computer 9 has pre-recorded information such as the machine number Mn of the pachinko machine 2a, the ball dispensing machine number of the ball dispensing machine 4, the mobile terminal number Pn of the mobile terminal 8, employee identification information Ie, customer (member) identification information Im, and information about the amusement machine Mi. The amusement facility management computer 9 has location information and information about the machine number Mn and ball dispensing machine number of each pachinko machine 2a in the amusement facility. The amusement facility management computer 9 also has combination information of the ball dispensing machine number of the ball dispensing machine 4 associated with the machine number Mn of each pachinko machine 2a. Furthermore, the amusement facility management computer 9 has a list of assigned customers L1 (see Figure 3), which is a combination of the identification information Ie of at least one employee associated with each customer's identification information Im. Furthermore, the amusement facility management computer 9 has a list of assigned gaming machines L2 (see Figure 3), which is a combination of the identification information Ie of at least one employee associated with each gaming machine number Mn. Furthermore, the amusement facility management computer 9 stores a program for displaying the acquired information as a chart on the display device 9a.

[0053] The amusement facility management computer 9 stores various programs for processing information from multiple island computers 5 and card information management computer 6. The amusement facility management computer 9 stores programs for obtaining the machine number Mn and machine information Mi for each pachinko machine 2a from multiple island computers 5, and for processing the total number of operating machines in the amusement facility, information on stopped (out of service) machines, operating rate, number of errors, etc., at predetermined intervals. In addition, the amusement facility management computer 9 stores programs for processing member information Ci, or general card billing amount information and card ID, and deposit amount information generated by deposit device 4b, from card information management computer 6.

[0054] The amusement facility management computer 9 is electrically connected to multiple island computers 5 via a network system established within the amusement facility. The amusement facility management computer 9 receives input from each island computer 5 at predetermined intervals, including the machine number Mn and information Mi related to the pachinko machines 2a, the number of operating pachinko machines 2a, the operating rate, the number of errors, and the number of stopped machines.

[0055] The amusement arcade management computer 9 is electrically connected to the card information management computer 6. The amusement arcade management computer 9 receives input from the card information management computer 6, including the machine number Mn of the pachinko machine 2a, the identification information Im of the customer (member) playing at the pachinko machine 2a with machine number Mn, the customer (member) information Ci associated with the customer (member) identification information Im, or the charge amount information and card ID of a general card, and the deposit amount information generated by the deposit device 4b.

[0056] The amusement facility management computer 9 is connected to multiple communication devices 7. The amusement facility management computer 9 receives the mobile terminal number Pn and employee identification information Ie from the mobile terminal 8 via the communication devices 7. The amusement facility management computer 9 can also output customer (member) information Ci and gaming machine information Mi to the mobile terminal 8 via the communication devices 7. In addition, the amusement facility management computer 9 receives predetermined control signals from the mobile terminal 8 via the multiple communication devices 7.

[0057] The following describes, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, an embodiment 1 of the information notification control of customer information Ci to the mobile terminal 8 by the amusement park management system 1. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the mode of information notification control in which customer information Ci(B) is output to the mobile terminals 8a and 8c of the amusement park management system 1. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the mode of information notification control when a response completion signal S1 is input from the mobile terminal 8a of the amusement park management system 1.

[0058] The amusement facility management computer 9 is assumed to have already received the identification information Ie(C) of employee C from the mobile terminal 8c that employee C is carrying. Furthermore, the amusement facility management computer 9 is assumed to have already received multiple pieces of information from multiple island computers 5, including the machine number Mn of the pachinko machine 2a, information Mi related to the pachinko machine 2a with machine number Mn, and the identification information Im of the member playing at the pachinko machine 2a with machine number Mn.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3, when employee A starts work, the mobile terminal 8 carried by employee A receives employee A's identification information Ie(A) and outputs the mobile terminal number Pn(A) and the entered employee A's identification information Ie(A) to the amusement facility management computer 9. When the amusement facility management computer 9 receives the mobile terminal number Pn(A) and employee A's identification information Ie(A) from the mobile terminal 8, it recognizes that employee A, whose identification information Ie(A) is, is carrying the mobile terminal 8a with mobile terminal number Pn(A).

[0060] When a member B inserts a member card Cc (see Figure 2) into the reader 4a of the ball dispensing machine 4, the ball dispensing machine 4 obtains the identification information Im(B) of member B from the member card Cc. The ball dispensing machine 4 outputs the acquired identification information Im(B) of member B to the card information management computer 6. The card information management computer 6 outputs the identification information Im(B) of member B input from the ball dispensing machine 4 and the game machine number Mn(B) of the pachinko game machine 2a associated with the ball dispensing machine 4 into which the member card Cc was inserted to the game hall management computer 9.

[0061] The island computer 5 outputs the machine number Mn(B) of the pachinko machine 2a, which was input from the machine computer 3, and the machine information Mi(B) of the pachinko machine 2a with machine number Mn(B), to the amusement hall management computer 9.

[0062] Based on the game machine number Mn(B) and member B's identification information Im(B) input from the island computer 5, the card information management computer 6 outputs to the game hall management computer 9 information about member B associated with member B's identification information Im(B) and the game machine number Mn(B).

[0063] The amusement facility management computer 9 receives the following information from the island computer 5 and the card information management computer 6: member B's identification information Im(B), the machine number Mn(B) of the pachinko machine 2a that member B is playing, machine information Mi(B) of the pachinko machine 2a that member B is playing, and member B's information Ci(B). If the amusement facility management computer 9 determines that member B's information Ci(B) contains information indicating that member B is a customer who meets certain conditions, it recognizes member B as customer B. The amusement facility management computer 9 treats member B's information Ci(B) as customer B's information Ci(B). In other words, the amusement facility management computer 9 treats customer B's information Ci as information to be output to the mobile terminal 8. The gaming facility management computer 9 holds the identification information of member B, the gaming machine number of the pachinko gaming machine 2a that member B is playing, information about the pachinko gaming machine 2a that member B is playing, and information about member B, Ci (B).

[0064] The amusement facility management computer 9 searches the assigned customer list L1 for the identification information Ie of the employee associated with customer B. The amusement facility management computer 9 determines from the identification information Ie of the employee associated with customer B that employees A and C are the employees in charge of customer B. The amusement facility management computer 9 identifies mobile terminal 8a with mobile terminal number Pn(A) into which employee A's identification information Ie(A) is entered, and mobile terminal 8c with mobile terminal number Pn(C) into which employee C's identification information Ie(C) is entered, as mobile terminals 8a and 8c, which are in charge of customer B.

[0065] The amusement facility management computer 9 retains the input identification information Im(B) of member B for a predetermined period. Furthermore, if the identification information Ie(A) and Ie(C) of employees A and C are input from the mobile terminals 8a and 8c of employees A and C, respectively, within the predetermined period, the amusement facility management computer 9 outputs information Ci(B) regarding customer B to the mobile terminal 8a and customer B's mobile terminal 8c via the communication device 7. For example, if the period from the opening time to the closing time of the amusement facility is set to a predetermined period, and the identification information Im(B) of member B is input during the amusement facility's business hours, and the identification information Ie(A) of employee A is input from the mobile terminal 8a of customer B, the amusement facility management computer 9 outputs information Ci(B) regarding customer B to the mobile terminal 8a of customer B.

[0066] The mobile terminals 8a and 8c assigned to customer B receive information about customer B, Ci(B), output from the gaming facility management computer 9 via the communication device 7. The mobile terminals 8a and 8c assigned to customer B notify employees A and C of the information about customer B, Ci(B), via a display device or the like. Employees A and C obtain the time of customer B's arrival, the machine number Mn(B) of the pachinko machine 2a that customer B is playing, etc., from the mobile terminals 8a and 8c assigned to customer B, Ci(B).

[0067] As shown in Figure 4, if employee A is available to assist customer B, employee A will greet customer B and provide other necessary assistance. Once employee A has finished assisting customer B, they will input a message to customer B's mobile terminal 8a indicating that the assistance to customer B has been completed. Customer B's mobile terminal 8a will output a service completion signal S1 to the game hall management computer 9 via the communication device 7, indicating that the assistance to customer B has been completed.

[0068] When the gaming facility management computer 9 receives a response completion signal S1 from one of the multiple customer B-assigned mobile terminals 8a via the communication device 7, it outputs a response-not required signal S2 to the other customer B-assigned mobile terminal 8c via the communication device 7, indicating that no further action is required for customer B.

[0069] When the mobile terminal 8c assigned to customer B receives a signal S2 indicating no action is required from the gaming facility management computer 9 via the communication device 7, it notifies employee C via a display device or the like that no action is required for customer B. Employee C then obtains information from the mobile terminal 8c assigned to customer B that the matter has been resolved for customer B.

[0070] Next, using Figures 5 and 6, we will specifically describe the information notification control of customer information Ci, which is Embodiment 1 of the information notification control of the amusement park management system 1 to the mobile terminal 8. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the steps in Embodiment 1 of the information notification control of the amusement park management system 1. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the steps of the information notification process X in Embodiment 1 of the information notification control of the amusement park management system 1. It is assumed that the amusement park management computer 9 has already received identification information Ie of multiple employees from the mobile terminal 8.

[0071] As shown in Figure 5, in step S110 of the information notification control, the amusement arcade management computer 9 receives the identification information Im of member B from the card information management computer 6. The amusement arcade management computer 9 also receives the machine number Mn of the pachinko machine 2a that the member is playing, the machine information Mi of the pachinko machine 2a that the member is playing, and the member information Ci from the island computer 5. The amusement arcade management computer 9 then proceeds to step S120.

[0072] In step S120, the amusement facility management computer 9 receives the mobile terminal number Pn and the employee identification information Ie entered into the mobile terminal 8 from the mobile terminal 8. The amusement facility management computer 9 then proceeds to step S130.

[0073] In step S130, the amusement facility management computer 9 determines whether or not the entered member information Ci contains information indicating that the person is a customer. If the amusement facility management computer 9 determines that the information contains information indicating that a member is a customer, it changes the member information Ci to customer information Ci and proceeds to the information notification process X (see Figure 6). On the other hand, if the amusement facility management computer 9 determines that the information does not include that the member is a customer, it moves the step to step S110.

[0074] As shown in Figure 6, in step S210 of the information notification process X, the amusement park management computer 9 determines whether the identification information Ie of the employee in charge of the customer, which is included in the customer information Ci, is included in the employee identification information Ie entered from the mobile terminal 8. If the amusement facility management computer 9 determines that at least one of the customer's assigned employee identification information Ie is included in the employee identification information Ie entered from the mobile terminal, it proceeds to step S220. On the other hand, if the amusement facility management computer 9 determines that at least one of the customer's assigned employee identification information Ie is not included in the employee identification information Ie entered from the mobile terminal, it terminates the information notification process X and moves the step to step S110.

[0075] In step S220, the gaming facility management computer 9 determines that the mobile terminal 8 with mobile terminal number Pn, into which the identification information Ie of the employee in charge of the customer, which is included in the customer information Ci, is the customer's assigned mobile terminal. The gaming facility management computer 9 then proceeds to step S230.

[0076] In step S230, the amusement facility management computer 9 outputs customer information Ci to the mobile terminal 8, which is the customer's mobile terminal. The amusement facility management computer 9 then proceeds to step S240.

[0077] In step S240, the gaming facility management computer 9 determines whether a predetermined time has passed since outputting customer information Ci to all customer-assigned mobile terminals. If the amusement facility management computer 9 determines that it has output customer information Ci to all customer-assigned mobile terminals within a predetermined time, it proceeds to step S250. On the other hand, if the amusement facility management computer 9 determines that a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since outputting customer-related information Ci to all customer-assigned mobile terminals, it proceeds to step S241.

[0078] In step S241, the game center management computer 9 determines whether or not the completion signal S1 has not been input from any of the customer service mobile terminals. If the amusement facility management computer 9 determines that no completion signal S1 has been received from any of the customer-handling mobile terminals, it proceeds to step S242. On the other hand, if the gaming facility management computer 9 determines that the response completion signal S1 has not been missed from any of the customer-assigned mobile terminals, that is, if it determines that the response completion signal S1 has been received from at least one customer-assigned mobile terminal, it proceeds to step S260.

[0079] In step S242, the gaming facility management computer 9 outputs customer information Ci again to all customer-assigned mobile terminals. That is, the gaming facility management computer 9 outputs customer information Ci again to all customer-assigned mobile terminals that have already received customer information Ci. The gaming facility management computer 9 then moves the step to step S250.

[0080] In step S250, the game center management computer 9 determines whether or not a response completion signal S1 has been received from at least one customer-handled mobile terminal. If the gaming facility management computer 9 determines that a response completion signal S1 has been received from at least one customer-handled mobile terminal, it proceeds to step S270. On the other hand, if the gaming facility management computer 9 determines that no response completion signal S1 has been received from any of the customer B staff's mobile terminals, it proceeds to step S240.

[0081] In step S260, the amusement facility management computer 9 outputs a "no action required" signal S2 to all customer-assigned mobile terminals except those that have output a "completion of action" signal S1 to the amusement facility management computer 9. The amusement facility management computer 9 then terminates the information notification process X and moves the step to step S110.

[0082] In this configuration, the amusement park management system 1 outputs customer B's identification information Im(B) to the amusement park management computer 9 when customer B's identification information Im(B) is input to the ball dispensing machine 4. The mobile terminal 8 outputs employee A's identification information Ie(A) to the amusement park management computer 9 when employee A's identification information Ie(A) is input to the mobile terminal 8.

[0083] The amusement facility management computer 9 has identification information Ie of at least one employee associated with each customer. The amusement facility management computer 9 holds the identification information Im(B) of customer B, which was entered from the machine computer 3 and the ball dispenser 4 during business hours on the day the member visited. When the identification information Ie(A) of employee A associated with customer B is entered from the mobile terminal 8a during business hours, the amusement facility management computer 9 outputs information Ci(B) about customer B to the mobile terminal 8a in charge of customer B that output the identification information Ie(A) of employee A. After business hours, the amusement facility management computer 9 deletes the identification information Im(B) of customer B that was entered from the ball dispenser 4 during business hours.

[0084] For example, when customer B, who is in charge of the arcade, visits the arcade during a predetermined period from opening to closing, the arcade management computer 9 receives the identification information Ie(A) of employee A, who is in charge of customer B, from the mobile terminal 8a, and determines that the mobile terminal 8a is the mobile terminal 8a for customer B. The arcade management computer 9 outputs information about customer B to the mobile terminal 8a for customer B, including the date and time of customer B's visit, the location of the pachinko machine 2a that customer B is playing, the date and time of customer B's previous visit, and customer B's characteristics.

[0085] Employee A, who is carrying the mobile terminal 8a assigned to customer B, can recognize customer B's arrival through the mobile terminal 8a even while performing duties within the gaming facility. Furthermore, even if customer B arrives before the start of work, if employee A outputs their identification information Ie(A) from the mobile terminal 8a to the gaming facility management computer 9 within a predetermined period (logging into the gaming facility management system 1), employee A can obtain information about customer B Ci(B) from the mobile terminal 8a assigned to customer B. Based on the obtained information about customer B Ci(B), employee A can approach customer B from the gaming facility side, such as greeting them upon their arrival.

[0086] Furthermore, when the amusement facility management computer 9 outputs information Ci(B) regarding customer B to the mobile terminals 8a and 8c assigned to customer B, if a response completion signal S1 indicating that the response to customer B has been completed is input from one of the customer B assigned mobile terminals 8a, the computer outputs a response not required signal S2 to the other customer B assigned mobile terminal 8c. This allows employee C to easily determine whether or not a response is needed for customer B. In addition, since customer B will not receive the same response from a different employee C after being handled by employee A, it is possible to maintain customer satisfaction by creating a positive impression that information is being shared effectively. This enables employees to provide proactive service to customers efficiently.

[0087] Furthermore, if the mobile terminals 8a and 8c assigned to customer B that output information about customer B do not input a response completion signal S1 within a predetermined time, the amusement facility management computer 9 outputs information about customer B Ci to all mobile terminals assigned to customer B. This allows the employee in charge of customer B to expedite the response to customer B. It also prevents a situation where customer B receives no response from anyone, thus maintaining customer satisfaction. This enables employees to provide proactive service to customers efficiently.

[0088] Next, using Figure 7, we will describe the information notification control of customer information Ci, which is Embodiment 2 of the information notification control of the amusement park management system 1 to the mobile terminal 8. Embodiment 2 is an information notification control of customer information Ci(D) to employee C, who is in charge of customer B, when customer D, who is in charge of employee C, newly arrives at the amusement park. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the manner in which the information notification control outputs information Ci(B) and Ci(D) of multiple customers B and D to the mobile terminal 8 of the amusement park management system 1. In the following embodiments, we will omit the detailed explanation of points that are the same as those of the embodiments already described, and will focus on the differences.

[0089] The amusement facility management computer 9 determines that the information Ci(D) about member D, which is input from the island computer 5 and the card information management computer 6, contains information indicating that member D is a customer who meets the prescribed conditions, and recognizes member D as customer D. The amusement facility management computer 9 treats the information Ci(D) about member D as information Ci(D) about customer D. The amusement facility management computer 9 holds the identification information Im(D) of member D, the machine number Mn(D) of the pachinko machine 2a that member D is playing, the machine information Mi(B) of the pachinko machine 2a that member B is playing, and the information Ci(B) of member B.

[0090] The amusement facility management computer 9 determines the identification information Ie of the employee associated with customer D from the assigned customer list L1. From the identification information Ie of the employee associated with customer D, the amusement facility management computer 9 determines that employee C, who is the assigned employee for customer B, is also the assigned employee for customer D.

[0091] The amusement facility management computer 9 determines that mobile terminal 8c with mobile terminal number Pn(C), into which employee C's identification information Ie(C) is entered, is customer D's assigned mobile terminal 8c. In other words, the amusement facility management computer 9 duplicately determines that mobile terminal 8c with mobile terminal number Pn(C) is both customer B's assigned mobile terminal 8c and customer D's assigned mobile terminal 8c. The amusement facility management computer 9 outputs customer D's information Ci(D) to mobile terminal 8c with mobile terminal number Pn(C).

[0092] Thus, if employee C, who is carrying the customer B-assigned mobile terminal 8c, is in charge of customer D, the amusement facility management computer 9 outputs customer D-related information Ci(D) to the customer B-assigned mobile terminal 8c when customer D's identification information Im(D) is input from the ball dispensing machine 4.

[0093] If employee C is responsible for multiple customers B and D, the gaming facility management computer 9 outputs information about customer B (Ci(B)) or customer D (Ci(D)) to the mobile terminal 8c carried by employee C when customer B or customer D, who is assigned to employee C, arrives at the gaming facility. Employee C can obtain information about the other customer (Ci) even if they are only responsible for one of the multiple customers B and D. Based on the obtained information about customer B (Ci(B)) and customer D (Ci(D)), employee C can approach multiple customers B and D at the time of their arrival, such as offering greetings. This allows employees to efficiently provide proactive service to customers.

[0094] Next, using Figure 8, we will describe the information notification control of customer information Ci, which is Embodiment 3 of the information notification control of the mobile terminal 8 by the amusement park management system 1. Embodiment 3 is the information notification control of customer information Ci(B) when customer B, who is playing on a pachinko machine 2a, moves to another pachinko machine 2a. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the manner of information notification control when customer B moves to a different pachinko machine 2a on the mobile terminal 8 of the amusement park management system 1.

[0095] The game center management computer 9 determines that customer B has moved to another pachinko machine 2a if the already entered identification information Im(B) of member B is entered from a ball dispenser 4 associated with another pachinko machine 2a. Based on the newly entered identification information Im(B1) of member B, the machine number Mn(B1) of the pachinko machine 2a that member B is playing, the machine information Mi(B1) of the pachinko machine 2a that member B is playing, and the information Ci(B1) of member B, the game center management computer 9 performs information notification control regarding customer information Ci.

[0096] The amusement facility management computer 9 outputs information about customer B, Ci(B1), to customer B's assigned mobile terminal 8a and customer B's assigned mobile terminal 8c via the communication device 7.

[0097] The mobile terminals 8a and 8c assigned to customer B receive information about customer B, Ci(B1), output from the gaming facility management computer 9 via the communication device 7. The mobile terminals 8a and 8c assigned to customer B notify the information about customer B, Ci(B1), via the display device 9a. Employees A and C obtain information about customer B, such as the time of customer B's arrival and the gaming machine number Mn(B1) of the pachinko machine 2a that customer B is playing, from the mobile terminals 8a and 8c assigned to customer B, using the information about customer B, Ci(B1).

[0098] Thus, when the gaming facility management computer 9 of the gaming facility management system 1 receives new customer B identification information Im(B1) from the ball dispensing machine 4, the island computer 5, and the card information management computer 6, it outputs the newly entered customer B information Ci(B1) to the customer B-related mobile terminals 8a and 8c carried by employees A and C, who are associated with customer B.

[0099] When customer B moves from a pachinko machine 2a associated with the ball dispensing machine 4 in which customer B entered information on their membership card Cc to another pachinko machine 2a, the gaming hall management computer 9 outputs updated information about customer B, Ci(B1), to the mobile terminal 8c of employee C, who is in charge of customer B, along with the machine number Mn(B1) of the pachinko machine 2a that customer B is now playing. Employee C can recognize that customer B has moved to another pachinko machine 2a while performing their duties at the gaming hall. Therefore, employee C can recognize customer B's seating position, settlement, and other actions necessary for providing proactive service to customer B. This allows employee C to efficiently provide proactive service to customer B.

[0100] Next, using Figure 9, we will describe the information notification control of customer information Ci, which is Embodiment 4 of the information notification control of the mobile terminal 8 by the amusement park management system 1. Embodiment 4 is the information notification control when employee C requests customer information Ci(B) from the amusement park management computer 9. Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the manner of information notification control when employee C requests customer information Ci(B) from the mobile terminal 8 of the amusement park management system 1.

[0101] If employee C wants to retrieve customer B's information Ci(B) again, employee C inputs a request for customer B's information Ci(B) into the customer B-handling mobile terminal 8c. The customer B-handling mobile terminal 8c outputs the mobile terminal number Pn(C) and a request signal S5 requesting customer B's information Ci(B) to the amusement facility management computer 9 via the communication device 7.

[0102] When the gaming facility management computer 9 receives a request signal S5 from the mobile terminal 8c in charge of customer B with mobile terminal number Pn(C) via the communication device 7, it outputs information about customer B, Ci(B), to the mobile terminal 8c in charge of customer B via the communication device 7.

[0103] The mobile terminal 8c assigned to customer B receives information about customer B, Ci(B), from the gaming facility management computer 9 via the communication device 7. The mobile terminal 8c assigned to customer B notifies the information about customer B, Ci(B), via the display device 9a. Employee C retrieves the information about customer B, Ci(B), from the mobile terminal 8c assigned to customer B.

[0104] Thus, when the gaming facility management computer 9 receives a request signal S5 from the mobile terminal 8c in charge of customer B requesting information Ci related to customer B, it outputs information Ci(B) related to customer B to the mobile terminal 8c in charge of customer B.

[0105] The gaming facility management computer 9 can acquire information necessary for providing service to customer B, such as the arrival time of customer B and customer B's location within the gaming facility, at the necessary time. This allows employee C to efficiently provide proactive service to customer B.

[0106] Next, using Figure 10, we will describe the information notification control of Mi, which is an embodiment 5 of the information notification control of the gaming machine by the gaming arcade management system 1 to the mobile terminal 8. Embodiment 5 is the information notification control when customer B inputs a call signal S6 to the pachinko gaming machine 2a to call an employee. Figure 10 is a block diagram showing the manner of information notification control when customer B calls the mobile terminal 8 of the gaming arcade management system 1.

[0107] When the employee call button (not shown) of a pachinko game machine 2a associated with a ball dispensing machine 4 into which customer B's identification information Im(B) has been entered is operated, the machine computer 3 of the pachinko game machine 2a that had the employee call button operated outputs the game machine number Mn(B) and a predetermined call signal S6 to the island computer 5. The ball dispensing machine 4 also outputs the game machine number Mn(B) and a predetermined call signal S6 to the card information management computer 6.

[0108] The island computer 5 outputs to the amusement facility management computer 9 the machine number Mn(B) of the pachinko machine 2a that customer B is playing, the call signal S6, and information about the pachinko machine 2a with machine number Mn(B) Mi(B).

[0109] Based on the game machine number Mn(B) input from the ball dispensing machine 4, the card information management computer 6 outputs the game machine number Mn(B), information about customer B associated with the game machine number Mn(B) Ci(B), and a call signal S6 to the game hall management computer 9.

[0110] The game hall management computer 9 receives a call signal S6 from the island computer 5 and the card information management computer 6, the game machine number Mn(B) of the pachinko game machine 2a that customer B is playing, information about the pachinko game machine 2a that customer B is playing Mi(B), and information about customer B Ci(B).

[0111] Furthermore, the amusement facility management computer 9 has a list of assigned gaming machines L2. The amusement facility management computer 9 searches the list of assigned gaming machines L2 for the identification information Ie of the employee associated with the pachinko gaming machine 2a with gaming machine number Mn. The amusement facility management computer 9 determines from the identification information Ie of the employee associated with the pachinko gaming machine 2a with gaming machine number Mn that employee E is the employee in charge of gaming machine number Mn(B). The amusement facility management computer 9 determines that the mobile terminal 8e with mobile terminal number Pn(E) into which employee E's identification information Ie(E) is entered is the mobile terminal 8e in charge of gaming machine B.

[0112] Upon receiving the call signal S6, the machine number Mn(B) of the pachinko machine 2a in which customer B is playing, and information about customer B Ci(B), the game hall management computer 9 outputs the call signal S6 and information about the pachinko machine 2a in which customer B is playing Mi(B) to the mobile terminal 8a in charge of customer B, the mobile terminal 8c in charge of customer B, and the mobile terminal 8e in charge of game machine B.

[0113] The mobile terminals 8a and 8c assigned to customer B and the mobile terminal 8e assigned to gaming machine B receive the call signal S6 output from the gaming hall management computer 9 via the communication device 7 and the gaming machine information Mi(B) of the pachinko gaming machine 2a that customer B is playing. The mobile terminals 8a and 8c assigned to customer B and the mobile terminal 8e assigned to gaming machine B notify the call signal S6 and the gaming machine information Mi(B) of the pachinko gaming machine 2a that customer B is playing via the display device. Employees A and C, who are in charge of customer B, and employee E, who is in charge of pachinko gaming machine 2a with gaming machine number Mn(B), each obtain the call signal S6 and the gaming machine information Mi(B) of the pachinko gaming machine 2a that customer B is playing from their respective mobile terminals 8a, 8c, and 8e, respectively.

[0114] Thus, when the amusement facility management computer 9 receives a call signal S6 from the pachinko game machine 2a associated with the ball dispensing machine 4 into which customer B's identification information Im(B) has been entered, it outputs information about the game machine Mi(B) to the customer B-related mobile terminals 8a and 8c carried by employees A and C, who are associated with customer B.

[0115] When the amusement facility management computer 9 receives a predetermined signal from the pachinko machine 2a being played by customer B, such as an error signal or a call signal, that requires employee attention, it outputs information about the amusement machine Mi(B) to the customer B-assigned mobile terminals 8a and 8c carried by employees A and C, who are in charge of customer B playing the pachinko machine 2a, so that they can take appropriate action at the pachinko machine 2a being played by customer B.

[0116] Furthermore, the amusement facility management computer 9 has identification information Ie(E) of at least one employee E associated with each pachinko machine 2a. When a call signal 6S is input from a pachinko machine 2a, the amusement facility management computer 9 outputs information Mi(B) about the amusement machine to the mobile terminal 8e in charge of the amusement machine B, which has output the identification information Ie(E) of the employee E associated with the pachinko machine 2a to the amusement facility management computer 9.

[0117] When the amusement facility management computer 9 receives a predetermined signal from the pachinko machine 2a being played by customer B, such as an error signal or a call signal S6, which requires employee attention, it outputs information about the machine Mi(B) to the mobile terminal 8e of employee E, who is in charge of pachinko machine 2a, and to the mobile terminals 8a and 8c of employees A and C, who are in charge of customer B. Therefore, employee E, who is in charge of pachinko machine 2a, and employees A and C, who are in charge of customer B, can respond quickly to customer B's requests and the machine. This allows employees A, C, and E to efficiently provide proactive service to customer B.

[0118] (Other embodiments) In all of the embodiments described above, the gaming machines managed by the gaming arcade management system 1 consist of a pachinko gaming machine 2a and a pachislot gaming machine 2b. However, the gaming machines managed by the gaming arcade management system 1 may consist of, for example, only a pachinko gaming machine or only a pachislot gaming machine.

[0119] In all of the embodiments described above, the machine computer 3 is provided for each pachinko game machine 2a. However, the machine computer 3 may be configured to be provided for multiple pachinko game machines.

[0120] In all of the embodiments described above, the amusement park management system 1 has an island computer 5 located on each island. However, the amusement park management system 1 may also be configured to manage multiple islands with a single island computer 5.

[0121] In all of the embodiments described above, the card information management computer 6 receives input from the island computer 5 of the pachinko machine 2a associated with the ball dispensing machine 4, the member's identification information Im, or the charge amount information (number of balls dispensed) and card ID read from the general card, and the deposit amount information. However, the card information management computer may also be configured to receive input from the machine computer of the member's identification information or the charge amount information and card ID read from the general card, and the deposit amount information generated by the deposit device.

[0122] Furthermore, in all of the embodiments described above, the amusement arcade management system 1 is configured with the amusement arcade management computer 9 and the card information management computer 6 independently. However, the amusement arcade management system 1 may also be configured with the amusement arcade management computer and the card information management computer as a single computer.

[0123] Furthermore, in all of the embodiments described above, the amusement park management computer 9 retains the identification information Im of visiting customers (members) only during business hours on the day the customer visits. However, the amusement park management computer 9 may be configured to retain the information for a period shorter than business hours. Alternatively, the amusement park management computer 9 may be configured to retain the information for a period longer than business hours.

[0124] Furthermore, in all of the embodiments described above, the amusement park management computer 9 determines, for example, that the mobile terminal 8a carried by employee A is the mobile terminal 8a for customer B. However, the amusement park management computer may determine that the mobile terminal carried by a single employee is at least one of the customer-responsible mobile terminal and the amusement machine-responsible mobile terminal.

[0125] Furthermore, in all of the embodiments described above, the amusement park management computer 9 recognizes the visit of a member by identification information Im, such as the member's personal ID, which is entered via a member card Cc consisting of a magnetic card or IC card from the reader 4a. However, the amusement park management computer may also be configured to identify members by using images of members captured by imaging devices such as cameras within the amusement park as identification information for the members.

[0126] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above are merely examples for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it is possible to carry out the invention by appropriately modifying the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0127] 1. Amusement facility management system 2a Pachinko gaming machine 3 computers 4 Ball rental machine 5. Island computers 6. Card Information Management Computer 7. Communication device 8 Mobile devices 9. Amusement facility management computer L1 Customer List L2 Assigned Gaming Machine List Ie Employee identification information Pn Mobile phone number Mn Gaming machine number Information about Mi gaming machines Identification information of the customer (member) Ci Customer (Member) Information S1 Completion signal S2 Unsupported Signal S4 Response Request Signal S5 request signal S6 Calling signal

Claims

1. A gaming facility management system comprising: a plurality of information input devices into which customer identification information is input from the customer; a plurality of mobile terminals that notify employees of the customer identification information; and a control device that manages information related to the customer, The aforementioned information input device is When customer identification information is input from a customer who has come to the amusement facility, the control device outputs the customer identification information. The aforementioned mobile terminal is When employee identification information is input, the control device outputs the employee identification information. The control device is Each customer's identification information has the identification information of at least one employee associated with it. The system retains the customer identification information entered from the information input device within a predetermined period for providing support to the aforementioned customer. When employee identification information associated with the customer is input from the mobile terminal within the predetermined period, the control device outputs information about the customer to the customer-assigned mobile terminal, which is the mobile terminal that output the employee identification information. After the predetermined period has elapsed, the customer identification information entered from the information input device during the predetermined period will be deleted. Game arcade management system.

2. In the amusement facility management system according to claim 1, The control device is If there are multiple customer-handling mobile terminals that output information about the customer, when a completion signal indicating that the customer's service has been completed is input from one of the customer-handling mobile terminals, it outputs a no-service-needed signal to the other customer-handling mobile terminals indicating that no further service is needed for the customer. Game arcade management system.

3. In the amusement facility management system according to claim 2, The control device is If the customer information is output to the customer-handling mobile terminal and the response completion signal is not received within a predetermined time, the customer information is output again to the customer-handling mobile terminal. Game arcade management system.

4. In the amusement park management system according to claim 1 or 2, The control device is When customer identification information that has already been entered from one of the multiple information input devices is entered from another information input device, the information about the customer entered from the other information input device is output to the customer-related mobile terminal carried by the employee associated with the customer. Game arcade management system.

5. In the amusement park management system according to claim 1 or 2, The control device is When a request signal for information about the customer is input from the customer service mobile terminal, the customer service mobile terminal is output with information about the customer. Game arcade management system.

6. In the amusement park management system according to claim 1 or 2, The control device is When a predetermined signal is input from a gaming machine associated with the information input device into which the customer's identification information has been entered, information regarding the gaming machine is output to a customer-specific mobile terminal carried by an employee associated with the customer. Game arcade management system.

7. In the amusement park management system according to claim 1 or 2, The control device is Each gaming machine has the identification information of at least one employee associated with it. When a predetermined signal is input from the gaming machine, the control device outputs information about the gaming machine to a mobile terminal, which is a mobile terminal that outputs identification information of an employee associated with the gaming machine. Game arcade management system.

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