JP2014008326A - Game medium account management system and game medium account management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently process transfer of balls owned in plural kinds of games into stored balls.SOLUTION: When an inter-machine card processor 10 that contains owned ball accounts subject to a plurality of rates receives an operation to transfer owned balls into stored balls, the inter-machine card processor 10 transmits a request for transfer into saved ball including an owned ball account balance subject to respective rates against saved balls to a card management device 40. The card management device 40 causes a member management device 50, which manages saved ball accounts, to process adding the owned ball account balance subject to respective rates to a corresponding saved ball account balance, thereby making it possible to efficiently process transfer of the owned ball account subject to a plurality of rates into the saved ball account. Even if an error occurs in processing transfer of the plurality of rates, occurrence of confusions can be suppressed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game media account management system and a game media account management method for managing a game media account and a stored game media account.

  Conventionally, a game store such as a pachinko store manages various information related to the player in association with identification information for identifying the player and provides various services to the player. For example, Patent Document 1 provides a storage service that manages the number of game media in association with a member ID of a player registered as a member of a game store, and can use the number of game media for game and prize exchange from the next day. A storage management device is disclosed.

  The player can transfer the possessed ball to the accumulated ball by registering the retained ball, which is the number of game media acquired in the game, in the above-described accumulated ball management apparatus. Mochitama can be used for games and prize exchange only within a predetermined time limit (for example, until the closing time of the day), but it can be used beyond the predetermined time limit by shifting to a stored ball.

JP 2011-217846 A

  However, with the conventional savings service, a single rate is assumed, and the transition from holding balls to savings balls is performed. There was a problem of becoming larger.

  Here, this problem will be specifically described. In conventional game stores, it was common to lend game balls to players at a uniform rate (for example, 4 yen per ball). Recently, however, an increasing number of game stores have adopted multiple rates. Yes.

  For this reason, cards that can be managed by associating their own holding balls have traditionally been cards that can only be associated with holding balls of a single rate. Switching to cards is underway.

  If the multi-rate card is used, the player can collectively manage the acquired game media acquired by the gaming machines having different rates as the balls of each rate, and the convenience of the management of the balls is improved. However, when trying to shift the holding balls of each rate to a storage ball, it moves to the area corresponding to each rate one by one and shifts to the storage ball one rate at a time, or moves to the giveaway exchange counter and does not shift to the storage ball must not. It is a heavy burden on the player to move to the storage ball one by one while sequentially moving to the area corresponding to each rate. In addition, since the prize exchange counter is handled by the game store clerk, the burden on the game store clerk increases. In addition, the prize exchange counter is congested, causing a decrease in service to the player.

  For this reason, it is an important issue how to efficiently process the process of transferring the balls having a plurality of rates to the stored balls to reduce the labor of the player and the game clerk. Such issues are not limited to the case where the rate at which game media is lent (lending rate) is different, but the rate at which game media is exchanged for prizes (exchange rate) and the type of game media are different. The same occurs when a plurality of game types to be managed are handled in the same store.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and a game medium account management system and a game medium capable of efficiently executing a process of transferring a plurality of game type possession balls to a storage ball The purpose is to provide an account management method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention includes a game media account that holds the number of game media acquired by a player as the number of game media that can be used only within a predetermined time limit, A game medium account management system that manages a stored game medium account that holds the number of game media acquired by a player as the number of stored game media that can be used beyond the predetermined time limit, and is associated with a predetermined storage medium A receiving means for receiving a transfer request for transferring to a balance of a stored game medium account, and a plurality of game medium accounts of a plurality of game types are associated with the balance of the stored game medium account And a transfer processing means for adding balances of the plurality of game media accounts to the balances of the corresponding game media storage media accounts and performing balance transfer processing.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the transfer processing means sequentially transfers the balance of the plurality of game type possession game account for each game type.

  In addition, the present invention, in the above invention, further comprises a migration target game type selection means for selecting a game type as a target of the migration process among a plurality of game types associated with the predetermined storage medium, and the migration The processing means performs the transfer process for the game type selected by the transfer target game type selection means.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the transition processing means performs error processing when an abnormality occurs in any of the game types when performing the sequential transfer processing for each game type.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the migration processing means performs different error processing according to the type of abnormality that has occurred in the migration processing.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, when an abnormality that the transfer process is incomplete has occurred in any game type, the game medium in which the transfer process is incomplete The balance of the account is set to a value before the transfer process, and the balance of the portable media account that has been transferred is set to zero.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the transition processing means is a target of the transition processing when an abnormality occurs that makes it unclear whether or not the transition processing has been completed for any game type. In addition, error notification is performed by setting the balance of the game media account of all game types to zero.

  In the above invention, the present invention further includes an inter-device that is arranged in association with the gaming machine and provides the balance of the held gaming media account for games by the gaming machine, the inter-device is the transition A game medium account of a game type managed by the own device when an error notification indicating that an abnormality that makes it unknown whether or not the transfer process has been completed for any game type is performed by the processing means The latest value is output for the remaining balance.

  The present invention also provides a game media account that holds the number of game media acquired by a player as the number of game media that can be used only within a predetermined time limit, and the number of game media acquired by the player. A game medium account management method for managing a stored game medium account held as the number of stored game media that can be used beyond a predetermined time limit, wherein a balance of a portable medium account associated with a predetermined storage medium is stored. The accepting step of accepting a transfer request for the transfer to the balance of the game media account and the possessed media of the plurality of game types when the possessed media account of the plurality of game types is associated with the predetermined storage medium And a transfer process step of performing a transfer process of the balance by adding the balance of the account to the balance of the game media account of the corresponding game type.

  According to the present invention, a transfer request for transfer to a balance of a stored game medium account is accepted for a balance of a game medium account associated with a predetermined storage medium, and a plurality of game types are stored in the predetermined storage medium. When the media account is associated, the balance transfer of the plurality of game types is added to the balance of the game media account of the corresponding game type, and the balance transfer process is performed. It is possible to efficiently execute the process of transferring the possession ball of the game type to the storage ball.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition from holding balls to storage balls according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of the gaming system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the inter-card card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the inter-card card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data stored in the storage unit of the inter-card card processor. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the card management apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data stored in the storage unit of the card management apparatus. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the member management apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data stored in the storage unit of the member management apparatus. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when a card is inserted into the inter-card card processor. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when the transfer of the stored balls is normally completed. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation in the case where the storage ball transfer fails due to a storage ball error. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation in the case where the transfer to the storage ball fails due to a communication error. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation related to the transfer of the stored balls by the inter-card card processing machine. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation related to the transfer of stored balls by the card management apparatus.

  Exemplary embodiments of a game medium account management system and a game medium account management method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In this specification, “mochitama” refers to data indicating the number of game media acquired by the player in the game or the number of the game media, and only within a predetermined time limit (for example, the time before closing during the day). Say something that can be used again in the game. The stored ball is data indicating the game media acquired by the player in the game and the number of the game media, and can be used again for the game after a predetermined time limit (for example, after the next day). Mochidama can be used by both general and member players, and is used when the game table is moved. The stored ball is normally only available to member players, and is used when the acquired game medium is used for games from the next day. A predetermined fee may be imposed on the use of the pool. Moreover, you may call a holding ball as a savings day.

  The game medium includes medals and the like in addition to game balls such as pachinko balls. In the present specification, in order to simplify the explanation, even if the game medium is a medal or the like, it will be referred to as a holding ball or a storage ball.

  First, the transition from holding balls to storage balls according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition from holding balls to storing balls according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the inter-card card processing machine 10 manages holdings for three rates of rates 1 to 3. Specifically, the number of balls at rate 1 is 1000 balls, the number of balls at rate 2 is 500 balls, and the number of balls at rate 3 is 700 balls.

  The inter-card processing machine 10 transmits a stored ball transfer request including the number of held balls of each rate to the card management device 40 when a stored ball transfer operation for transferring the held ball to the stored ball is received from the player. The card management device 40 stores the received storage transfer request in the processing memory, a rate 1 transfer process for transferring the number of held balls of rate 1 to the stored ball, a rate 2 transfer process for transferring the number of held balls of rate 2 to the stored ball, A rate 3 transfer process for transferring the number of held balls of rate 3 to the stored ball is sequentially performed on the member management apparatus 50.

  The member management device 50 adds the balance of the rate 1 savings account when the rate 1 transfer process is accepted, and adds the balance of the rate 2 savings account when the rate 2 transfer process is accepted, and the rate 3 transfer process Is added, the balance of the rate 3 savings account is added. As a result, 1000 balances are added to the rate 1 savings account, 500 balances are added to the rate 2 savings account, and 700 balances are added to the rate 3 savings account.

  In this way, when there are multiple rate holding balls, the member management device 50 that manages the savings account sequentially performs the process of adding the number of holdings of each rate to the balance of the corresponding savings account, The process of transferring the balls to the storage balls can be executed in a batch.

  Next, the system configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, this gaming system uses a 4-yen pachinko parcel in which a plurality of gaming machines 20a using gaming balls lent out for 4 yen per ball and a gaming ball lent out for 2 yen per ball. A 2-yen pachinko parcel with a plurality of gaming machines 20b and a 1-yen pachinko parcel with a plurality of gaming machines 20c that use gaming balls lent out for 1 yen per ball.

  A plurality of gaming machines 20a are provided with corresponding inter-card card processing machines 10a. The inter-card processing machine 10a is set to a rate 1 of 4 yen per ball, and performs a process of lending game balls to the gaming machine 20a at 4 yen per ball.

  Further, when a card is inserted, the inter-card card processing machine 10a acquires and manages the balance of the coin account at each rate associated with the card from the card management device 40. Then, when a holding ball replay operation is accepted, the balance of rate 1 set in the own device is subtracted from the holding ball account, and a corresponding number of gaming balls are paid out to the gaming machine 20a. In addition, the inter-card card processing machine 10a has a function of counting each car that counts the game balls acquired from the gaming machine 20a. The counted game balls are added to the number of balls of rate 1 set in the inter-card processing machine 10a. Further, when ejecting the card, the inter-card processing machine 10a notifies the card management device 40 of the number of balls in each rate, and clears the number of balls in each rate to zero. Depending on the setting, the ball replay may be performed by paying out balls having a rate different from that of the own device. In this case, the number of balls is converted according to the rate. When using rate 2 holding balls, pay out 1 gaming ball for every 2 rate 2 holding balls, and when using rate 3 holding balls, 1 for every 4 rate 3 holding balls. The game balls will be paid out.

  In addition, when the inter-card processing machine 10a accepts a savings replay operation, the number corresponding to the savings account managed by the member management device 50 by subtracting the rate 1 balance set in the own device. The game balls are paid out to the gaming machine 20a.

  A plurality of gaming machines 20b are provided with corresponding inter-card card processing machines 10b. The inter-card processing machine 10b is set to a rate 2 of 2 yen per ball, and performs a process of lending game balls to the gaming machine 20b at 2 yen per ball.

  Further, when the card is inserted, the inter-card card processing machine 10b acquires the balance of the holding account of each rate associated with the card from the card management device 40 and manages it. Then, when the holding ball replay operation is accepted, the balance of rate 2 set in the own device is subtracted from the holding ball account, and a corresponding number of gaming balls are paid out to the gaming machine 20b. Further, the inter-card card processing machine 10b has a function of counting each car that counts the game balls acquired from the gaming machine 20b. The counted game balls are added to the number of balls of rate 2 set in the inter-card card processing machine 10b. Further, when ejecting the card, the inter-card processing machine 10b notifies the card management device 40 of the number of balls held at each rate, and clears the number of balls held at each rate to zero. Depending on the setting, the ball replay may be performed by paying out balls having a rate different from that of the own device. In this case, the number of balls is converted according to the rate. When using rate 1 holding balls, pay out 2 game balls for each rate 1 holding ball, and when using rate 3 holding balls, 1 for every 2 rate 3 holding balls. The game balls will be paid out.

  In addition, when the inter-card processing machine 10b accepts the replay operation of the stored ball, the corresponding number by subtracting the rate 2 balance set in the own device from the stored account managed by the member management device 50. The game balls are paid out to the gaming machine 20b.

  A plurality of gaming machines 20c are provided with corresponding inter-card card processing machines 10c. The inter-card card processing machine 10c is set to a rate 3 of 1 yen per ball, and performs a process of lending game balls to the gaming machine 20c at 1 yen per ball.

  Further, when a card is inserted, the inter-card card processing machine 10c acquires and manages the balance of the coin account at each rate associated with the card from the card management device 40. Then, when the holding ball replay operation is accepted, the balance of rate 3 set in the own device is subtracted from the holding ball account, and the corresponding number of gaming balls are paid out to the gaming machine 20c. Further, the inter-card card processing machine 10c has a function of counting each car that counts game balls acquired from the gaming machine 20c. The counted game balls are added to the number of held balls of rate 3 set in the inter-card card processing machine 10c. Further, when ejecting the card, the inter-card card processing machine 10c notifies the card management device 40 of the number of balls in each rate, and clears the number of balls in each rate to zero. Depending on the setting, the ball replay may be performed by paying out balls having a rate different from that of the own device. In this case, the number of balls is converted according to the rate. When using rate 1 holding balls, pay out 4 gaming balls for each rate 1 holding ball, and when using rate 2 holding balls, 2 for each rate 2 holding ball. The game balls will be paid out.

  In addition, when the inter-card processing machine 10c accepts the replay operation of the stored ball, the number corresponding to the stored amount account managed by the member management device 50 by subtracting the balance of the rate 3 set in the own device. The game balls are paid out to the gaming machine 20c.

  The inter-card processing machines 10a to 10c are connected to the card management device 40, the member management device 50, and the prize management device 60 via a communication line. The inter-card processor 10a to 10c communicates directly with the card management device 40, but communicates with other devices via the card management device 40. In the following description, the inter-card card processing machines 10a to 10c are collectively referred to as the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  The card management device 40 is a device that manages cards. The card management device 40 manages a card by card management data in which a prepaid value and a holding account for each rate are associated with a card ID.

  When the card management device 40 receives the card insertion notification including the card ID from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 notifies the prepaid value associated with the card ID and the balance of the coin account at each rate. , The account of each rate associated with the card ID is set to zero. With this process, the interbank card processing machine 10 performs the balance account balance after the card is inserted. Here, the case where the card management device 40 sets the holding account to 0 when responding to the card insertion notification has been shown, but the inter-card processing unit 10 does not hold the card management device 40 after the card insertion notification. The subtraction request may be transmitted, and the card management device 40 may be configured to set the possession account to 0 when the possession ball subtraction request is received.

  Further, when the card management device 40 receives a ball lending request including a card ID from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 subtracts the prepaid value associated with the card ID, and the table which is the transmission source of the ball lending request The ball lending permission is transmitted to the inter-card processing machine 10.

  In addition, when the card management device 40 receives a card discharge notification including the card ID and the number of possessions of each rate from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 stores the card account of each rate associated with the card ID. Update the card management data by rewriting the balance with the number of possessed balls. In addition, when the inter-card processing machine 10 receives a card return operation, the card management device 40 completes registration of the holding ball by transmitting a holding ball registration request signal to the card management device 40. You may comprise so that a card return notice may be transmitted.

  Further, when the card management device 40 receives the card ID from the premium management device 60, the card management device 40 notifies the premium management device 60 of the balance of the money account at each rate associated with the card ID.

  The member management device 50 is a device that manages information related to members registered as members in the amusement store using member management data. The member management data is data in which a name, a balance account balance at each rate, points, the number of visits, a game history, a personal identification number, and the like are associated with the card ID of the member card issued to the member.

  When the card management device 40 receives a card insertion notification including the card ID of the member card from the inter-card card processor 10, the member management device 50 determines the balance of the savings account at each rate associated with the card ID. The inter-card card processor 10 is notified via the card management device 40. In addition, when the inter-card card processor 10 makes a request for replaying the stored ball, the member management device 50 subtracts the balance of the stored-account account at the rate set in the inter-card card processing device 10 and permits replay. Send. In addition, when the member management device 50 receives the card ID from the prize management device 60, the member management device 50 notifies the prize management device 60 of the balance of the savings account at each rate associated with the card ID.

  The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for exchanging prizes provided in the prize exchange counter in the amusement store, and performs prize exchange processing for stored balls and holding balls. The premium management device 60 is connected to a reader / writer that reads a card ID from a card and a premium dispensing device that dispenses premiums. When the reader / writer accepts the card, the prize management device 60 transmits the card ID of the card read by the reader / writer to the card management device 40 and the member management device 50, and holds the card ID associated with the card ID. Acquire the balance of the ball account and the savings account.

  Next, the external configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, a gaming machine attached to the inter-card card processing machine 10 is illustrated by a broken line. Moreover, in FIG. 3, although the inter-card processing machine 10 which receives only a banknote was illustrated, the unit for coin reception can also be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-card card processing machine 10 includes a status display unit 11 that displays the status of the apparatus of the inter-card card processing machine 10 by lighting or blinking a predetermined color lamp, and various types of gaming balls. And a bill insertion slot 12a for receiving bills. In addition, the inter-card card processing machine 10 throws a game ball into the gaming machine, a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, a card insertion slot 14a for receiving a card, a holding part 14b for holding a portable terminal or the like. It has a nozzle unit 18a and a counting unit 18b for counting game balls dropped from the lower pan of the gaming machine.

  Next, the internal configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the inter-card card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the inter-card card processing machine 10 includes a banknote transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader / writer 14, a holding unit 14 b, a communication unit 15, a storage unit 16, and a control unit 17. And have. Further, the inter-card card processing machine 10 is connected to the nozzle unit 18a and the counting unit 18b.

  The banknote conveyance part 12 is a conveyance part conveyed to the banknote storage part which is not shown in figure, discriminating the money type and authenticity of the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion port 12a. The reader / writer 14 is a reading unit that reads a card ID from a card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage section (not shown) through the reader / writer 14. The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication between the gaming machine 20 and a communication line.

  The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk device, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 16 stores a card ID 16a, valuable value data 16b, device ID 16c, rate setting data 16d, and a processing memory 16e.

  The card ID 16 a is a card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is conveyed from a card storage unit (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and the card is ejected, the card ID 16a is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the conveyance. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage unit (not shown), the card ID 16a is updated with the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transport.

  The valuable value data 16b is data indicating a valuable value that can be used to receive payout of game media. This valuable value includes the balance of the prepaid value that can be used for the ball lending, the balance of the holding account, and the balance of the savings account.

  The device ID 16c is identification information for uniquely identifying the inter-card card processing machine 10 within the game store. The rate setting data 16d is data indicating a rate set in the inter-card card processing machine 10, and is one of the rates 1 to 3. The processing memory 16e is data indicating a history of processing performed by the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the inter-card processing machine 10 as a whole, and includes a data management unit 17a, a banknote processing unit 17b, a card processing unit 17c, a savings transfer processing unit 17d, and a memory management unit 17e.

  When the card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits a card insertion notification including the card ID 16a and the device ID 16c to the card management device 40. In addition, when the data management unit 17a receives a valuable value (at least one of prepaid value, possession ball and storage ball) from the card management device 40, the data management unit 17a updates the valuable value data 16b with the received valuable value. The data management unit 17a appropriately controls the display operation unit 13 to display the prepaid value, the retained ball value, and the stored ball value indicated in the valuable value data 16b.

  Further, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball lending request including the card ID 16a and the device ID 16c to the card management device 40 when a ball lending operation is performed by the player. If a ball lending permission is received as a response to this ball lending request, the data management unit 17a pays out a predetermined number of game balls.

  In addition, the data management unit 17a has a rate corresponding to the rate setting data 16d among the possession accounts of each rate indicated in the valuable value data 16b when the player performs a possession replay operation. Subtract a predetermined number from the balance of the ball account and pay out the corresponding number of game balls.

  Further, the data management unit 17a transmits a stored ball replay request including the card ID 16a and the device ID 16c to the card management device 40 when the player performs a stored ball replay operation. If the storage ball replay permission is received as a response to the storage ball replay request, the data management unit 17a pays out a predetermined number of game balls.

  In addition, when a card return operation is performed by the player, the data management unit 17a transmits a card discharge notification including the card ID 16a, the device ID 16c, and the number of balls in each rate to the card management device 40, and Clear the balance of the Mochitama account to 0.

  Moreover, if a banknote is inserted in the banknote insertion slot 12a, the data management part 17a will transmit the payment notification containing the money amount of the inserted banknote, card ID16a, and apparatus ID16c to the card management apparatus 40. FIG.

  The banknote processing unit 17b is a processing unit that stores the banknotes in a banknote storage unit (not shown) after carrying out conveyance control of the banknotes received from the banknote insertion slot 12a and performing denomination and authenticity identification of the banknotes. The banknote processing unit 17b notifies the data management unit 17a of the amount specified by the denomination identification of the banknote and makes a payment notification.

  When receiving the card from the card insertion slot 14a, the card processing unit 17c causes the reader / writer 14 to read the card ID, stores it as the card ID 16a in the storage unit 16, and causes the data management unit 17a to notify the card insertion. Further, when the card processing unit 17c receives a card return operation, the card processing unit 17a makes the data management unit 17a notify the card discharge and returns the card from the card insertion slot 14a.

  When the savings ball transfer processing unit 17d accepts a savings ball transfer operation for transferring a possession ball to a savings ball from a player, the balance of the holding account for each rate indicated in the valuable value data 16b, the card ID 16a, A storage ball transfer request including the device ID 16c is transmitted to the card management device 40. The storage ball transfer request is stored in the processing memory 16e by the memory management unit 17e. The savings transfer processing unit 17d clears the balance of the holding account for each rate to zero when a savings transfer request is transmitted.

  If the inserted card is a member card issued to a member, the transfer account can be specified by the card ID, but the inserted card can be used by non-members If so, information for identifying the member is necessary to specify the transfer destination savings account. As information for identifying this member, the IDm of the portable terminal can be used. When using IDm of a portable terminal, IDm read from the holding part 14b will be included in a storage ball transfer request. In addition, instead of using IDm itself for storing balls on a mobile terminal, the member card ID may be inquired in advance using IDm and the member card ID obtained in the response may be used.

  The storage ball transfer processing unit 17d notifies the success of the storage ball when a normal end notification is received from the card management device 40 in response to the storage ball transfer request. In addition, when a storage ball error notification is received from the card management device 40 in response to the storage ball transfer request, the balance of the holding account at the rate at which the error occurred is restored from the processing memory 16e, and a storage ball failure is notified. In addition, when a notification of a communication error is received from the card management device 40 in response to the storage ball transfer request, an error log including the balance of the coin account at the rate indicated in the rate setting data 16d of the own device is generated, Announce the failure to save money. As described above, the error log includes the balance of the possession account at the rate indicated in the rate setting data 16d of the own device because the inter-card processing machine 10 increases or decreases the balance of the possession account. This is only for the account with the rate indicated in the data 16d, and it is the device itself that manages the latest balance of the account. Note that the detection of the communication error is not limited to the case where it is notified from a higher-level device (such as the card management device 40), but may be detected by the inter-card card processor 10 and determined that a communication error has occurred. This is because no response is returned when a host device fails or when an abnormality occurs in a communication line with the host device.

  The memory management unit 17e is a processing unit that stores the history of various processes by the inter-card card processing machine 10 together with the time information in the processing memory 16e, including the above-described saving money transfer request and error log.

  Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-card card processing machine 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data stored in the storage unit 16 of the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  The card ID 16a shown in FIG. 5A indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the inter-card card processing machine 10 is “1001”. Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, the card with the first digit “1” being a general card, and the card with the first digit “2” being a membership card.

  The valuable value data 16b shown in FIG. 5B has a prepaid value of “30 degrees”, a rate 1 balance account balance of “1000 balls”, a rate 2 balance account balance of “500 balls”, a rate 3 shows a state in which the balance of the 3 holding account is “700 balls”. Here, the frequency of the prepaid value is equivalent to 100 yen per frequency.

  The device ID 16c shown in FIG. 5C indicates a state in which the ID of the inter-card card processor 10 is “5006”. Further, the rate setting data 16d shown in FIG. 5D shows a state in which “Rate 1” is set in the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  The processing memory 16e shown in FIG. 5 (e) indicates that the storage ball transfer request has been transmitted at the time “16:15:00”. In addition, the storage ball transfer request includes the device ID “5006” of the inter-card processing machine 10, the card ID “1001”, the IDm “IDmX1” read by the holding unit 14 b, the balance account balance of each rate (rate 1 = 1000 , Rate 2 = 500, rate 3 = 700).

  Next, the internal configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the card management device 40 is connected to a display unit 41 and an input unit 42, and includes a store network communication unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 46.

  The display unit 41 is a liquid crystal panel, a display device, or the like. The input unit 42 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The store network communication unit 44 is an interface unit for data communication with the inter-card card processor 10, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the like via a communication line.

  The storage unit 45 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory, and stores card management data 45a and a processing memory 45b.

  The card management data 45a associates a prepaid value balance, a balance account balance at each rate, and a usage ID indicating the ID of the inter-card processing machine in which the card is inserted, with the card ID. Data. The processing memory 45b is data indicating a history of processing performed by the card management device 40.

  The control unit 46 is a control unit that controls the card management device 40 as a whole, and includes a card management unit 46a, a stored ball transfer request receiving unit 46b, and a stored ball transfer processing unit 46c. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, whereby the card management unit 46a, Processes corresponding to the stored ball transfer request receiving unit 46b and the stored ball transfer processing unit 46c are executed.

  The card management unit 46a is a processing unit that manages the card management data 45a. Specifically, when the card management unit 46a receives a card insertion notification from the inter-card processing unit 10, the card ID used in the card insertion notification is also indicated in the card insertion notification. Let it be a device ID. In addition, the inter-card card processor 10 is notified of the valuable value associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification. Here, of the valuable value, the prepaid value and the balance of the money account at each rate are read from the card management data 45a. If the inserted card is a membership card, the card ID is notified to the membership management device 50, and the balance of the savings account at each rate associated with the card ID is acquired. When the card management unit 46a notifies the inter-card card processor 10 of the valuable value associated with the card ID, the card management data 46a is updated by clearing the notified balance of the money account at each rate to zero. .

  Moreover, when the card management part 46a receives the ball lending request | requirement containing card ID from the inter-card card processing machine 10, it determines whether the prepaid value linked | related with this card ID is more than predetermined value. If the prepaid value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the card management unit 46a updates the card management data 45a by subtracting the prepaid value by a predetermined value, and the inter-card processing machine 10 receives the ball loan including the updated prepaid value. Send permission. On the other hand, when the prepaid value is less than the predetermined value, the card management unit 46a notifies the inter-card card processing machine 10 that ball lending is not possible.

  In addition, when the card management unit 46a receives a payment notification including the amount, the card ID 16a and the device ID 16c from the inter-card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46a corresponds the prepaid value associated with the card ID to the amount indicated in the payment notification. The card management data 45a is updated by adding the same number of times.

  Further, when the card management unit 46 a receives a stored ball replay request from the inter-card card processor 10, the card management unit 46 a transfers the stored ball replay request to the member management device 50. The card management unit 46a also performs transfer control for the response from the member management device 50 to the storage ball replay request.

  In addition, when the card management unit 46a receives the card discharge notification, the card management unit 46a determines the balance of the possession account of the card management data 45a based on the card ID indicated in the card ejection notification and the balance of the possession account of each rate. Update. Further, the usage destination of the card ID is updated by deleting the value.

  In addition, when the card management unit 46a receives the card ID from the prize management device 60, the card management unit 46a notifies the prize management device 60 of the balance of the money account of each rate associated with the card ID.

  The savings ball transfer request receiving unit 46b stores the savings ball transfer request received from the inter-card processing machine 10 in the processing memory 45b, and notifies the savings ball transfer processing unit 46c of the reception of the savings ball transfer request to perform the savings ball transfer process. It is a processing unit. There are two types of storage ball transfer processing, one based on a transfer operation by the player himself, and the other automatic transfer processing in which the player himself does not perform an operation. As an example of the automatic transfer process, when a closed ball is associated with a membership card or a date changes, the held ball is automatically transferred to a stored ball. In addition, when a membership card associated with a 4-yen coin is inserted into a one-yen inter-card processing machine, the 4-yen coin may be transferred.

  When a storage ball transfer processing unit 46c receives a storage ball transfer request reception notification, the storage ball transfer processing unit 46c reads the storage ball transfer request from the processing memory 45b and executes the storage ball transfer processing for one rate. And the execution result of the storage ball transfer process is notified to the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40 will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40.

  In the card management data 45a shown in FIG. 7A, the card ID “1001” is associated with the prepaid value “30 degrees”, a balance account balance “0” for each rate, and a usage ID “5006”. That is, the card with the card ID “1001” is inserted into the inter-card card processing machine 10 with the device ID “5006”, and the management of the holding balls is transferred to the inter-card card processing machine 10. For this reason, the balance “0” of the money account at each rate is zero.

  Further, in the card management data 45a shown in FIG. 7A, the card ID “2002” has a prepaid value “20 degrees”, a rate 1 balance account balance “0”, and a rate 2 balance account balance. “1200” is associated with the balance “0” of the rate 3 personal account. That is, the card with the card ID “2001” is not inserted into the inter-card processing machine 10, and the management of the holding balls is performed by the card management device 40.

  The processing memory 45b shown in FIG. 7B indicates that the storage ball transfer request has been received at the time “16:15:00”. The storage transfer request includes the device ID “5006”, the card ID “1001”, the IDm “IDmX1”, and the balance account balance of each rate (rate 1 = 1000, rate 2 = 500, rate 3 = 700). ing.

  Further, the processing memory 45b shown in FIG. 7B indicates that a storage ball addition request is transmitted to the member management apparatus 50 at the time “16:15:01”. This storage ball addition request is a request to transfer the rate 1 holding ball to the storage ball among the storage ball transfer requests, and includes “IDmX1; rate 1 = 1000” in order to specify the transfer destination account and the number of balls. This indicates a request to add 1000 balls to the member's rate 1 savings account associated with IDmX1.

  Further, the processing memory 45b illustrated in FIG. 7B indicates that the completion of the addition of the stored ball is received from the member management device 50 at the time “16:15:02”. Specifically, the completion of the savings ball addition includes “IDmX1; rate 1 = 1000”. This indicates that 1000 balls have been added to the member's rate 1 savings account associated with IDmX1. This addition completes the rate 1 storage transition process.

  Further, the processing memory 45b illustrated in FIG. 7B indicates that a storage ball addition request is transmitted to the member management apparatus 50 at the time “16:15:03”. This storage ball addition request is a request for transferring the rate 2 possession ball to the storage ball among the storage ball transfer requests, and includes “IDmX1; rate 2 = 500” in order to specify the transfer destination account and the number of balls. This indicates a request to add 500 balls to the member's rate 5 savings account associated with IDmX1.

  Next, the internal configuration of the member management apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the member management apparatus 50 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the member management apparatus 50 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52 and includes a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56.

  The display unit 51 is a liquid crystal panel, a display device, or the like. The input unit 52 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The store network communication unit 54 is an interface unit for data communication with the inter-card card processor 10, the card management device 40, the prize management device 60, and the like via a communication line.

  The storage unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory, and stores member management data 55a and premium management data 55b.

  The member management data 55a is data in which a name, a balance account balance at each rate, points, the number of visits, a game history, a personal identification number, and the like are associated with the card ID of the member card issued to the member. The prize management data 55b is data indicating the types and stocks of prizes provided by the amusement store.

  The control unit 56 is a control unit that controls the entire member management apparatus 50, and includes a member management unit 56a and a gift management unit 56b. Actually, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or a non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, whereby the member management unit 56a and The premium management unit 56b is caused to execute a corresponding process.

  The member management unit 56a is a processing unit that manages the member management data 55a. Specifically, when the member management unit 56a receives information (member card ID or IDm) that can identify a member from the inter-card card processor 10, the savings account for each rate associated with the member. Is read from the member management data 55a and notified to the inter-card card processor 10. Similarly, when information (member card ID or IDm) that can identify a member is received from the prize management device 60, the balance of the savings account of each rate associated with the member is read from the member management data 55a. The prize management device 60 is notified.

  In addition, when the member management unit 56a receives a request for replaying a stored ball from the inter-card processing machine 10, the member management unit 56a recycles the stored ball according to the information (rate setting data, card ID, IDm, etc.) indicated in the reclaimed ball request. A savings account to be used for play is specified, and it is determined whether or not the balance of the account is a predetermined number or more. When the balance of the account is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the member management unit 56a updates the member management data 55a by subtracting the predetermined number from the balance, and the inter-card processing for permitting replay of the stored ball including the updated balance To the machine 10.

  In addition, when the member management unit 56a receives a savings addition request from the card management device 40, the member management unit 56a specifies a savings account to be added based on information (rate, card ID, IDm, etc.) indicated in the savings addition request. Then, the balance of the account is added by the designated number.

  If the addition process is normally completed, the member management unit 56a notifies the card management device 40 of the normal completion. In addition, when the addition of the stored ball cannot be performed because the balance of the stored account exceeds the upper limit due to the addition, and the addition of the stored ball fails, the member management unit 56a gives the card management device 40 a failed storage ball. Notice.

  The prize management unit 56b is a processing unit that manages types and stocks of prizes provided by the amusement store. The prize management unit 56b updates the prize management data 56b when the type or stock of the prize changes due to exchange or receipt of the prize.

  Next, a specific example of data stored in the storage unit 55 of the member management apparatus 50 will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining data stored in the storage unit 55 of the member management apparatus 50. The member management data 55a shown in FIG. 9A associates the name “BC”, the savings account balance at each rate, and the IDm “IDmX1” of the mobile terminal with the card ID “2009”. In addition, the storage account balance of each rate is in a “0” state. Although not shown, the member management data 55a can associate points, store visits, game history, personal identification number, address, contact information, etc. with the card ID.

  The prize management data 45c shown in FIG. 9B shows a state in which a prize code “0001” is associated with a prize name “big prize”, a stock quantity “1000”, and the like.

  Next, the operation when a card is inserted into the inter-card card processing machine 10 will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when a card is inserted into the inter-card card processing machine 10. As shown in FIG. 10, when a card is inserted into the inter-card card processing machine 10 (1), the inter-card card processing machine 10 sends a card insertion notification including the card ID of the inserted card and the apparatus ID of the own apparatus. It transmits to the card management apparatus 40 (2).

  The card management device 40 updates the card management data 45a based on the received card insertion notification (3). Specifically, the usage ID associated with the card ID “1001” indicated in the received card insertion notification is the device ID “5006” of the inter-card card processor 10. Further, the balance account balance at each rate is updated to “0” after being saved in the processing memory in order to notify the valuable value.

  The card management device 40 notifies the valuable card processor 40 of the valuable value (4). Specifically, the prepaid value “30”, the holding rate 1 “1000”, the holding rate 2 “500”, and the holding rate 3 “700” are notified. The inter-card processing machine 10 updates the valuable value data 16b with the notified valuable value (5). Here, assuming that the card is a general card, the balance of the savings account is not included in the valuable value, but if the inserted card is a membership card, the card management device 40 determines the membership card. The card ID is notified to the member management device 50 to acquire the balance of the savings account at each rate, and the balance of the savings account at each rate is included in the valuable value notified to the inter-card processing machine 10.

  Next, a process related to storing ball transfer will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when the transfer of the stored balls is normally completed. As shown in FIG. 11, when the inter-card card processing machine 10 accepts the savings ball transfer operation, it generates a holding ball transfer request using the balance of the holding account of each rate, stores it in the processing memory 16e, and stores the valuable value data. The balance account balance of 16b is cleared to zero (1). Therefore, the processing memory 16e stores a rate 1 possession account balance “1000”, a rate 2 possession account balance “500”, and a rate 3 possession account balance “700”.

  When the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits a savings transfer request to the card management device 40 (2), the card management device 40 stores the received savings transfer request in the processing memory 45b and sends it to the member management device 50 for each rate. To add the accumulated balls.

  Specifically, the card management device 40 transmits a rate 1 savings add process to the member management device 50 (3a), and the member management device 50 adds “1000” to the rate 1 savings account balance. , Notify completion of rate 1 savings addition. Subsequently, the card management device 40 transmits a rate 2 savings ball addition process to the member management device 50 (3b), and the member management device 50 adds “500” to the rate 2 savings account balance, 2 Notify completion of savings. Subsequently, the card management device 40 transmits a rate 3 savings ball addition process to the member management device 50 (3c), and the member management device 50 adds “700” to the rate 3 savings account balance, Notify the completion of adding 3 savings. When the card management device 40 receives notification of completion of addition for all rates, the card management device 40 notifies the inter-card card processor 10 of normal termination.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation in the case where the storage ball transfer fails due to a storage ball error. As shown in FIG. 12, when the interbank card processing machine 10 accepts the savings transfer operation, it generates a transfer request using the balance of the holding account of each rate, stores it in the processing memory 16e, and stores valuable value data. The balance account balance of 16b is cleared to zero (1). Therefore, the processing memory 16e stores a rate 1 possession account balance “1000”, a rate 2 possession account balance “500”, and a rate 3 possession account balance “700”.

  When the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits a savings transfer request to the card management device 40 (2), the card management device 40 stores the received savings transfer request in the processing memory 45b and sends it to the member management device 50 for each rate. To add the accumulated balls.

  Specifically, the card management device 40 transmits a rate 1 savings add process to the member management device 50 (3a), and the member management device 50 adds “1000” to the rate 1 savings account balance. , Notify completion of rate 1 savings addition. Subsequently, the card management device 40 transmits a rate 2 savings addition process to the member management device 50 (3b).

  When the rate 2 savings ball addition process fails, the member management device 50 notifies the card management device 40 of the rate 2 savings ball failure. When the card management device 40 receives the notification of the storage ball failure, the card management device 40 does not perform the storage ball addition process for the subsequent rates, and notifies the inter-card card processing machine 10 of the storage ball error including the failure and unexecuted rate information (4 ). In FIG. 12, rate 2 and rate 3 storage ball errors are notified to the inter-card processing machine 10. As a result, the member management apparatus 50 does not add the rate 2 and rate 3 savings account balances. It should be noted that both rate 2 and rate 3 may not be set as a storage error, but only rate 2 may be notified as a storage error, and rate 3 may be notified as unexecuted. As a result, the error display of the inter-card processing machine 10 becomes a “Rate 2” storage error. To explain a specific example of the storage ball failure, for example, when a third party management center manages the storage ball, an individual storage ball upper limit is set. Therefore, if the upper limit is exceeded in the addition processing to the stored ball this time, the stored ball is not allowed to be stored. In other words, if the maximum number of stored balls is 250,000 balls, when a player who has stored 240,000 balls stores 20,000 balls, adding that 20,000 balls will increase to 260,000 balls, exceeding the upper limit. Therefore, the transition process to the storage ball is not performed, and the storage ball failure is assumed.

  When the inter-card processing machine 10 receives a stored-ball error, the inter-card processing machine 10 restores the possession of the rate indicated by the stored-ball error from the processing memory 16e and updates the valuable value data 16b (5). In FIG. 12, since a storage error has been received for rate 2 and rate 3, the balance account balance for rate 1 is “0”, the balance account balance for rate 2 is “500”, and the balance account balance for rate 3. Becomes “700”.

  As described above, when a storage ball error occurs and the balance of the possession is restored, although the transition to the storage ball has failed, the original possession is not lost and is associated with the card. For this reason, processing by the game clerk is unnecessary, and the card can be returned to the player as it is.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation in the case where the transfer to the storage ball fails due to a communication error. As shown in FIG. 13, when the inter-card processing machine 10 accepts the saving money transfer operation, it generates a holding money transfer request using the balance of the holding account of each rate, stores it in the processing memory 16 e, and stores valuable value data. The balance account balance of 16b is cleared to zero (1). Therefore, the processing memory 16e stores a rate 1 possession account balance “1000”, a rate 2 possession account balance “500”, and a rate 3 possession account balance “700”.

  When the inter-card processing machine 10 transmits a savings transfer request to the card management device 40 (2), the card management device 40 stores the received savings transfer request in the processing memory 45b and sends it to the member management device 50 for each rate. To add the accumulated balls.

  Specifically, the card management device 40 transmits a rate 1 savings add process to the member management device 50 (3a), and the member management device 50 adds “1000” to the rate 1 savings account balance. , Notify completion of rate 1 savings addition. Subsequently, the card management device 40 transmits a rate 2 savings addition process to the member management device 50 (3b).

  If the rate 2 storage ball addition process fails due to a communication error, the card management device 40 does not perform the storage ball addition process for the subsequent rates and notifies the inter-card card processor 10 of the occurrence of the communication error (4). .

  When the inter-card card processor 10 is notified of the occurrence of a communication error, the inter-card card processor 10 generates an error log including the balance of the coin account at the rate indicated in the rate setting data 16d of the device itself (5). If the rate setting data 16d indicates rate 1, the error log includes the money account balance “1000” of rate 1 among the money account balances of the respective rates indicated in the processing memory 16e. If the rate setting data 16 d indicates rate 2, the error log includes the balance account balance “500” of rate 2. If the rate setting data 16 d indicates rate 3, the error log includes Includes a rate 3 holding account balance “700”.

  As described above, the error log includes the balance of the money account of the rate corresponding to the rate setting data 16d. The rate setting data 16d indicates that the inter-card processing machine 10 increases or decreases the balance of the money account. This is because the device itself manages the latest balance of such account only for the account with the determined rate.

  The game store clerk can restore the balance account balance and the storage account balance of each rate to appropriate values from the error log and the processing memory of each device. In this case, the card is returned to the player after the game store clerk has completed the possession and balance account balance.

  Next, the processing operation concerning the transfer of stored balls by the inter-card card processing machine 10 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation related to the transfer of stored balls by the inter-card card processing machine 10.

  The storage ball transfer request unit 17d of the inter-card processing machine 10 determines whether or not a storage ball transfer operation has been performed on the display operation unit 13 (step S101), and if a storage ball transfer operation has not been performed (step S101; No) ) And the process is terminated.

  If a storage ball transfer operation has been performed (step S101; Yes), the storage ball transfer request unit 17 determines whether or not a rate to be transferred to the storage ball has been designated (step S102). If the target rate has not been selected (step S102; No), the storage ball transfer requesting unit 17 sets all rates as targets for transfer to the storage ball (step S104), and the target rate has been selected. If so (step S102; Yes), the selected rate is set as an object of storage pool transfer (step S103). In this way, only a part of the selected rates can be targeted at the time of transfer to the stored ball.

  After step S103 or step S104, the savings ball transfer request unit 17 stores the holding account balance at the transfer target rate in the processing memory 16e (step S105), and clears the holding account balance at the transfer target rate to zero. (Step S106). Then, a storage ball transfer request is transmitted to the card management device 40 (step S107).

  If a normal end notification is received from the card management device 40 in response to the storage ball transfer request (step S108; Yes), the storage ball transfer request unit 17 notifies the success of the storage ball (step S109) and ends the process. The notification of the successful storage is performed by a display on the display operation unit 13 or the like.

  If a normal end notification is not received from the card management device 40 in response to the storage transfer request (step S108; No), the storage transfer request unit 17 determines whether a communication error has occurred (step S110).

  If a communication error has occurred (step S110; Yes), the stored ball transfer request unit 17 sets an error that requires confirmation of the member management device and sets the possession ball to 0 (step S113). At this time, an error log including the number of balls corresponding to the rate setting of the own device may be generated. Thereafter, the storage ball failure is notified (step S112), and the process is terminated.

  Further, if the transfer of the stored ball does not end normally due to a reason other than a communication error (step S110; No), the stored ball transfer request unit 17 processes the holding account balance of the rate at which the stored ball error has occurred in the processing memory 16e. (Step S111), the storage failure is notified (step S112), and the process is terminated.

  The notification of the storage ball failure in step S112 is performed by display on the display operation unit 13 or the like. Moreover, you may comprise so that it may alert | report also to the terminal for game shop employees. In addition, when the storage ball fails, the contents of the failure and the coping method may be notified. Specifically, when reporting a storage ball error, the rate at which the transition to the storage ball succeeded and the rate at which it failed were displayed, and the rate at which the transition to the storage ball failed was retained. Is notified. Further, when the transition to the storage ball fails due to a communication error or the like, a notification for calling a game clerk is performed.

  Next, a processing operation related to the transfer of stored balls by the card management device 40 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation related to the storage ball transfer by the card management device 40.

  The storage ball transfer request receiving unit 46b of the card management device 40 determines whether or not a storage ball transfer request has been received from the inter-card card processor 10 (step S201), and if it has not received a storage ball transfer request (step S201; No), the process is terminated as it is.

  If a storage ball transfer request is received (step S201; Yes), the storage ball transfer request reception unit 46b stores the storage ball transfer request in the processing memory 45b (step S202). The stored ball transfer processing unit 46c selects a rate to be transferred and an unprocessed rate based on the stored stored ball transfer request (step S203), and performs a stored ball addition process for the selected rate on the member management device 50 (step S203). S204).

  The storage ball transfer processing unit 46c determines whether or not a storage ball addition completion has been received from the member management device 50 (step S205). If a storage ball addition completion has been received (step S205; Yes), the transfer target rate is not set. It is determined whether or not the processing rate remains (step S206).

  If an unprocessed rate remains in the transfer target rate (step S206; Yes), the process proceeds to step S203, and the transfer target and unprocessed rate is selected. If the processing is completed for all the rates to be transferred (step S206; No), the inter-card card processor 10 is notified of normal termination (step S207), and the processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the storage ball completion notification is not received (step S205; No) and the storage ball addition failure notification is received (step S208; Yes), the storage card error is processed for the selected rate and the unprocessed rate. The machine 10 is notified (step S209), and the process is terminated.

  Moreover, if the notification of the storage ball addition failure has not been received (step S208; No), the storage ball transfer processing unit 46c notifies the inter-card card processor 10 of the occurrence of the communication error (step S210), and the processing is ended. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the inter-card card processing machine 10 accepts a storage-ball transfer operation in a state of having a multi-rate holding account, each of the inter-card card processing machine 10 should resist the storage. The card management device 40 transmits a savings ball transfer request including the money account balance of the rate to the card management device 40, and the card management device 40 stores the money account corresponding to the money account balance of each rate to the member management device 50 that manages the money storage account. Since the process of adding to the balance is sequentially performed, it is possible to efficiently perform the process of transferring the multi-rate holding account to the savings account.

  In the present embodiment, the case where a plurality of game types with different rates at the time of lending is transferred to a storage ball has been described, but there are a plurality of game types with different rates at the time of prize exchange, and types of game media. The present invention can also be applied to a case where a plurality of different game types are transferred to a storage ball. For this reason, it is also possible to transfer the possession account for game balls and the possession account for medals collectively to a storage account.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an explanation has been given of an example of an open-type gaming machine in which a game ball is inserted and a game is played, and a game ball acquired by the game is paid out. The present invention can be applied even to a game machine of the type. In the enclosed game machine, when the ball lending and storage ball replay are performed, the game balls are not paid out, but the holding balls managed by the inter-card processing machine 10 are added. The game balls are fired within the range of the possession balls, and the prize balls obtained by the game are also added to the possession balls.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the detailed description of the order in which the plurality of rates are stored when performing the storage ball transfer is omitted, but this order can be arbitrarily set. Specifically, it may be a preset order (4 yen, 2 yen, 1 yen order, etc.), or the rate set in the inter-card processing machine 10 may be the first (or last). Good.

  In addition, when there is an abnormality in the communication line and communication with a higher-level model is not possible, the storage operation is not performed during so-called offline. In this case, it is notified that the storage is not possible because it is offline when the storage operation is accepted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transfer target rate can be selected at the time of the operation of transferring the stored ball, and the case where the total number of held balls is transferred to the stored ball for the rate to be transferred has been described. The number of balls to be transferred to the storage ball can be specified, and only a part of the holding balls may be transferred to the storage ball.

  In the above-described embodiments, detailed description of the form of the card, which is a medium for associating the number of game media, is omitted, but such a card includes a magnetic card, an IC card, and the like. Further, although the “card” has been described as an example here for convenience of explanation, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a chip, a stick, a portable terminal, or the like is used in addition to such a card.

  Each configuration illustrated in the present embodiment is functionally schematic and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. That is, the form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally / physically distributed / integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

  As described above, the game medium account management system and the game medium account management method according to the present invention are suitable for transferring the possession balls of a plurality of game types to storage balls.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a, 10b, 10c Inter-card processing machine 11 Status display part 12 Banknote conveyance part 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation part 14 Reader / writer 14a Card insertion slot 14b Holding part 15 Communication part 16, 45, 55 Memory | storage part 16a Card ID
16b Valuable value data 16c Device ID
16d Rate setting data 16e, 45b Processing memory 17, 46, 56 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Banknote processing unit 17c Card processing unit 17d Saving money transfer request unit 17e Memory management unit 18a Nozzle unit 18b Counting unit 20, 20a, 20b, 20c Game machine 40 Card management device 41, 51 Display unit 42, 52 Input unit 44, 54 Store network communication unit 45a Card management data 46a Card management unit 46b Stored ball transfer request receiving unit 46c Stored ball transfer processing unit 50 Member management device 55a Member management data 55b Premium Management Data 56a Member Management Unit 56b Premium Management Unit 60 Premium Management Device

Claims (9)

A game media account for holding the number of game media acquired by a player as the number of game media that can be used only within a predetermined time limit, and the number of game media acquired by the player exceeding the predetermined time limit A game medium account management system that manages a stored game medium account held as the number of usable game media,
Accepting means for accepting a transfer request for a transfer to the balance of the stored game medium account for the balance of the held game medium account associated with the predetermined storage medium;
In the case where a plurality of gaming media accounts are associated with the predetermined storage medium, the balance of the gaming media accounts of the plurality of gaming categories is added to the balance of the corresponding gaming media saving media account, respectively. And a transfer processing means for performing a transfer process of the balance.   2. The game medium account management system according to claim 1, wherein the transfer processing means sequentially transfers the balance of the plurality of game type possession game medium accounts for each game type. A migration target game type selection means for selecting a game type as a target of the migration process among a plurality of game types associated with the predetermined storage medium;
3. The game medium account management system according to claim 1, wherein the transfer processing unit performs the transfer process on the game type selected by the transfer target game type selecting unit.   The game medium account according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the transfer processing means performs error processing when an abnormality occurs in any of the game types when the transfer processing is sequentially performed for each of the game types. Management system.   5. The game medium account management system according to claim 4, wherein the transfer processing means performs different error processing according to the type of abnormality that has occurred in the transfer processing.   In the case where an abnormality that the transfer process is incomplete has occurred in any of the game types, the transfer processing means sets the balance of the game medium account for which the transfer process is incomplete as the value before the transfer process. 6. The game media account management system according to claim 5, wherein the balance of the possessed game media account for which the transfer process has been completed is set to zero.   In the case where an abnormality that makes it unclear whether or not the transfer process has been completed for any game type occurs, the transfer processing means has a game media account for all the game types that are the targets of the transfer process. 7. The game medium account management system according to claim 5, wherein error notification is performed with the balance of the game as zero. Further comprising an inter-bed device arranged in association with a gaming machine to provide a balance of the game media account for a game by the gaming machine;
The inter-device is managed by its own device when an error notification indicating that an abnormality that makes it unclear whether or not the transfer processing has been completed for any game type has been performed by the transfer processing means. 8. The game media account management system according to claim 7, wherein the latest value is output for the balance of the game media account of the game type to be played. A game media account for holding the number of game media acquired by a player as the number of game media that can be used only within a predetermined time limit, and the number of game media acquired by the player exceeding the predetermined time limit A game medium account management method for managing a stored game medium account held as the number of usable stored game media,
An accepting step of accepting a transfer request for a transfer to a balance of a stored game medium account for a balance of a game medium account associated with a predetermined storage medium;
In the case where a plurality of gaming media accounts are associated with the predetermined storage medium, the balance of the gaming media accounts of the plurality of gaming categories is added to the balance of the corresponding gaming media saving media account, respectively. And a transfer processing step of performing balance transfer processing.

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