JP2003038839A - Game place information providing system and game place information providing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To contribute to decrease in amount of handling of cash in a game place and to increase number of persons receiving an offer of information more than number of members of the game place. SOLUTION: The game place information providing system is characterized by having a game place managing apparatus with a storing means storing information such as information on a game machine which can be provided and a game place information providing apparatus for outputting the information which a game player asks to provide among the information controlled by this game place managing apparatus.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game hall information providing system and a game hall information providing apparatus, and is particularly characterized by an information requester recognition function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an increasing number of amusement halls have adopted a membership system in order to increase the number of players who repeatedly visit the amusement hall. Then, the member player issues a membership card, and associates it with the membership card to allow the storage of a prize ball (so-called ball accumulation), which is the reward of the result of the game, or to insert the membership card into the information providing device. For example, by providing the information on the payout of the gaming machine, the member player has a greater advantage than the general player.

Further, most of the amusement arcades make it possible to supply a game medium by using a prepaid card purchased in cash.

[0004]

With the introduction of membership cards and prepaid cards, the amount of cash handled at the amusement hall has decreased compared to before they were introduced. The handling amount is large, and from the viewpoint of the amusement hall operator, there is a large amount of cash in the amusement hall,
Not only is cash management complicated, but its management system also becomes complicated, and the monitoring system must be enhanced. For example, cash for change in a prepaid card issuing machine must be constantly monitored, and when the cash becomes small, a replenishment process must be performed. Also, for example, after business hours, cash must be collected from various devices and stored in a safe.

Further, since the information on the amusement hall is provided only to the member players, there is a risk that the customers may be dissatisfied at first glance. On the other hand, if the amusement hall information is widely provided, the merit of the membership system is halved.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and it is possible to apply the amusement hall information so as to contribute to the reduction of the handling amount of cash at the amusement hall, and the person who receives the information provision. The present invention aims to provide a game hall information providing system and a game hall information providing apparatus capable of increasing the number of games.

[0007]

In order to solve such a problem, a game hall information providing system of the present invention according to claim 1 has a storage means for storing available information such as information about a gaming machine. And a game hall information providing device that outputs information requested by a player to be provided from among the information managed by the game hall managing device, on condition that a debit card is inserted. Characterize.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the amusement hall information providing system according to the first aspect, wherein the amusement hall management device is capable of directly or indirectly supplying a game medium by inserting a debit card, Information on the usage status of the debit card is collected, managed, or repeatedly transmitted to the amusement hall information providing apparatus, and the amusement hall information providing apparatus is more frequently used when the inserted debit card is used. It is characterized by increasing the number of types of information that can be provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game hall information providing system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the game hall information providing device is provided even if a debit card is not inserted.
It is characterized by providing the minimum type of information.

A game hall information providing system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the game hall information providing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein when the information providing is requested,
It is characterized in that corresponding information is transferred from the game hall management device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the amusement hall information providing system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the amusement hall managing device determines the information managed by the amusement hall information providing device. The game hall information providing device retrieves and provides corresponding information from the internally stored information when it is requested to provide the information. And

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an amusement arcade information providing apparatus, wherein input means for inputting an information type required to be provided, debit card reading means for reading information of a debit card, and insertion of a debit card are provided. Further, it is characterized in that it has an additional information taking-out means for obtaining information of the information type taken in by the input means and an output means for outputting the additional information obtained by the additional information taking-out means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game arcade information providing device, wherein the debit card obtained by collecting from a device for directly or indirectly supplying a game medium by inserting the debit card according to the sixth aspect. Debit card usage status grasping means for obtaining the usage status information of the debit card from the external device each time, or managing the usage status of the debit card repeatedly sent from the external device, and the above-mentioned usage status of the inserted debit card are many. In some cases, it has a provisionable information type switching means for increasing the number of types of information that can be provided.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game hall information providing apparatus according to the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the provided information fetching means can obtain the minimum type of information even when the debit card is not inserted. Is characterized in that.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the amusement hall information providing apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the provided information fetching means corresponds to an external device when information is requested. It is characterized in that the information to be transferred is transferred and acquired.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the amusement hall information providing apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the provided information fetching means repeats from an external device when information is requested. It is characterized in that the corresponding information is acquired from the information that has been sent and has been updated and stored internally.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (A) Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of a game hall information providing system and a game hall information providing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, provision of game hall information can be performed by using a payment card (called a debit card) having unique identification information. Further, the game hall information providing system and the game hall information providing apparatus of this embodiment are premised on the existence of a game medium processing communication system capable of lending a game medium using debit card payment, etc. The game medium processing communication system will be described below.

It should be noted that the type of gaming machine installed in the gaming hall according to this embodiment does not matter, but in the following, in consideration of simplification of explanation, the gaming machine provided in the gaming hall is a pachinko game. It will be described as a machine.

(A-1) Configuration of the Embodiment (A-1-1) Overall Configuration of the Embodiment FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams showing the configuration of a game medium processing communication system according to this embodiment.

The game medium processing communication system 1 according to this embodiment is configured by connecting the game hall processing system 2 shown in FIG. 2 to the debit card payment system 3 shown in FIG. It should be noted that FIG. 1 shows a debit member store processing terminal 20 and an amusement hall cooperation debit member store processing terminal 25, which will be described later, in addition to the debit card payment system 3.

Here, the term "debit card" used in the detailed description of the invention of this specification refers to all cards that can be applied to a communication authentication (confirmation) system using a unique identification number of each card (described later). The payment card of the card system, which means that it does not have to be for payment in relation to free gift exchange, and enables immediate payment by communicating in real time, is used as an example for convenience in the following description. Of course, it is not limited to bank-related ones (credit card etc. may be used). IC
Not only cards that can read and write data, such as cards, but also unique identification numbers for each card, refer to all cards used in multiple stores. In the following, a case of using a bank-based payment card will be described.

The game hall processing system 2 has a management computer 10, a game machine 11, an information providing device 12a, a prepaid card ticket issuing machine 13a, a ball lending machine 14a, a prepaid card settlement machine 15a, and a cashier POS device 16a. In addition, a prepaid card issuing machine 13a, a ball lending machine 14
a, prepaid card payment machine 15a and cash register P for counting machine
The OS device 16a is provided with debit card processing terminals 13b, 14b, 15b, 16b in association with each other. Further, a debit card reader 12b is provided in association with the information providing device 12a.

The management computer 10 manages the entire game hall, and, as will be described later, cooperates with the information providing device 12a to inform the player of the game hall information (game hall data). It is also responsible for providing the player with.

The management computer 10 is composed of a personal computer or other computer, but in relation to the information providing function, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 30, the debit card data storage unit 31, and the amusement hall data storage unit 32. Have. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the management computer 10 is connected to the game arcade network N via a communication circuit. The function of each unit of the management computer 10 will be described later.

The gaming machine 11 is, for example, a CR sand CR gaming machine or a cash sand gaming machine. The CR sand CR gaming machine may be the same as the conventional one, and the CR sand that can execute the ball lending function using a prepaid card is supplied with the gaming medium lent to the upper plate from the inside of the gaming machine. It is connected to. The cash sand gaming machine may be the same as the conventional one, and the sand that can accept cash and execute the ball lending function from the ball lending nozzle is connected to the gaming machine.

Information about each gaming machine 11, such as whether or not the gaming machine 11 is being used at that time (whether or not it is a vacant base) and information about winning the special prize, is transmitted to the management computer 10, and the information is kept as it is. Alternatively, it is processed and stored in the game hall data storage unit 32 of the management computer 10.

The information providing device 12a is a device for providing game hall data to a player who desires to provide information. In the case of this embodiment, as described above, the information providing device 12a is provided with the debit card reader 12b in association therewith, and does not insert the debit card with the player who requests the information provision by inserting the debit card. With the player who has requested the information provision, the stage of the amusement hall data that can be provided is switched. The detailed configuration of the information providing device 12a will be described later.

The prepaid card issuing machine 13a issues a prepaid card used for ball lending of game media, as in the conventional case. Although the conventional prepaid card ticket issuing machine also has a function of issuing a prepaid card by inserting a cash, the prepaid card ticket issuing machine 1 of this embodiment 1
3a also has a function of issuing a prepaid card using a debit card instead of or in addition to the cash input method. Therefore, the prepaid card issuing machine 13a is provided with the debit card processing terminal 13b in association therewith.

The prepaid card issuing machine 13a delivers money amount information to the debit card processing terminal 13b when the issuance of a prepaid card using a debit card is requested, and the debit card processing terminal 13b.
The prepaid card contained in the card is issued only when the payment completion is notified from. On the other hand, the prepaid card issuing machine 13a visually or audibly notifies that the prepaid card cannot be issued, when the debit card processing terminal 13b notifies that the settlement is not possible (insufficient remaining money).

The prepaid card settling machine 15a settles (pays back) the balance information (remaining amount) of the prepaid card, as in the conventional case. In addition, in recent years,
Balance information (remaining money) of prepaid cards is also being settled. Although the conventional prepaid card settlement machine has a cash settlement function, the prepaid card settlement machine 15a of this embodiment is a prepaid card using a debit card instead of the cash settlement method or in addition to the cash settlement method. It also handles the payment function of the card. Therefore, the prepaid card settlement machine 15a is provided with a debit card processing terminal 15b in association therewith.

The prepaid card settlement machine 15a uses the debit card to transfer the balance information (remaining amount of money) from the amusement arcade account to the debit card account to the debit card processing terminal 15b for which settlement of the balance information is required. The request is made, and the settlement process is finished only when the transfer end is notified from the debit card processing terminal 15b. On the other hand, the prepaid card settlement machine 15a
When the debit card processing terminal 15b notifies that the transfer is impossible, the fact is visually or audibly notified.

The prepaid card ticket issuing machine 13a and the prepaid card settlement machine 15a are each constructed as a dedicated machine (see FIG. 2), and also the prepaid card ticket issuing machine 13a.
Also, it may be constructed as a prepaid card ticketing payment machine that fuses the functions of the prepaid card payment machine 15a. Of course, such a prepaid card ticket issuing and settlement machine also has the functions of the debit card processing terminals 13b and 15b.

The ball lending machine 14a lends a game medium independently of the game machine 11. The ball lending machine 14a of this embodiment has a ball lending function using a debit card instead of or in addition to the cash inserting method. Therefore, the ball lending machine 14a is provided with a debit card processing terminal 14b in association therewith.

The ball lending machine 14a delivers the money amount information to the debit card processing terminal 14b when the ball lending is requested, and only when the settlement completion is notified from the debit card processing terminal 14b. It rents out media. On the other hand, when the debit card processing terminal 14b notifies that the settlement is not possible (insufficient remaining money), the ball lending machine 14a visually or audibly informs that the ball lending is not possible.

The register cashier POS device 16a counts and prints out the number of prize balls obtained by the player as a result of the game. In the case of this embodiment, the cashier PO for the counter
Information (points) on the number of prize balls obtained by counting by the S device 16a
Can be stored in the game hall debit management center device 26 described later, and a debit card is used for personal authentication at that time. Therefore, the cashier POS device 1 for the counting machine
A debit card processing terminal 16b is associated with 6a.

The cashier POS device 16a for the counting machine delivers the points to the debit card processing terminal 16b when the points are required to be accumulated, and when the accumulation (accumulation) end is notified from the debit card processing terminal 16b. It clears the count value. On the other hand, the cashier cashier POS device 16a is used for the debit card processing terminal 16
When b indicates that storage is impossible, the fact is notified visually or audibly.

Each debit card processing terminal 13b, ..., 1
Each of 6b has almost the same hardware configuration when viewed alone.

Each debit card processing terminal 13b, ..., 1
Although not shown in the figure, the internal configuration of each of the 6b is a debit card reader (including a card entrance and transfer section) for reading information from the debit card, and a numeric keypad for allowing the debit card owner (player) to enter a personal identification number and the like. Or an account information storage unit that stores account information (which may be retrieved from the management computer 10 when necessary) related to the game arcade where the debit card processing terminal is provided, the debit card payment system 3 side It has a payment information communication unit and the like for performing communication with.

Debit card processing terminals 13b, 14b,
15b and 16b have any one of the following three types of functions.

First, it has a function of causing the debit card payment system 3 to execute debit card payment at the time of ball lending or issuance of a prepaid card. The first function is carried out by the debit card processing terminals 13b and 14b.

Second, the process of refunding the balance information (remaining amount) of the prepaid card to the account relating to the debit card,
It is responsible for the function of the debit card payment system 3. The second function is the debit card processing terminal 1
5b is in charge.

Thirdly, it has a function of associating points related to a prize ball with a debit card and accumulating them in the debit card payment system 3. The third function is carried by the debit card processing terminal 16b.

The debit card processing terminals 13b and 14b having the first function perform similar processing in relation to the debit card payment system 3.

Debit card processing terminals 13b and 14
When the debit card is inserted, b reads the identification information (hereinafter referred to as an ID; also includes information defining the bank) and the personal identification number, and verifies with the personal identification number input by the owner. (The verification may be left to the debit card payment system 3). Further, when the debit card processing terminals 13b and 14b are provided with the amount information relating to the settlement from the associated devices 13a and 14a, the settlement request signal including the debit card ID, the personal identification number, the game hall account information and the amount information. Is transmitted to the debit card payment system 3 side. Further, the debit card processing terminals 13b and 14b receive the reply information from the debit card payment system 3 side and give it to the associated devices 13a and 14a.

The debit card processing terminal 15b having the second function, when the debit card is inserted, receives its I
D and the personal identification number are read and collation is performed with the personal identification number input by the owner (the collation may be left to the debit card payment system 3 side). Also, when the associated prepaid card settlement machine 15a gives the amount information relating to the settlement, the debit card processing terminal 15b sends a settlement request signal including the debit card ID, the personal identification number, the game hall account information and the amount information. , Is sent to the debit card payment system 3 side. Further, the debit card processing terminal 15b receives the settlement completion information from the debit card payment system 3 side and gives it to the prepaid card settlement machine 15a.

The debit card processing terminal 16b having the third function, when the debit card is inserted, receives its I
D and the personal identification number are read and collation is performed with the personal identification number input by the owner (the collation may be left to the debit card payment system 3 side). In addition, the debit card processing terminal 16b is the cash register POS device 1
When the prize ball number information (points) is given from 6a, a point addition request signal including a debit card ID, a personal identification number and prize ball number information is transmitted to the debit card payment system 3 side. Further, the debit card processing terminal 16b receives the addition end information from the debit card payment system 3 side as the cashier POS device 16 for the counting machine.
a is given to a.

In the above description, the debit card stores the personal identification number, but the personal identification number may not be stored. That is, the debit card is one in which only identification information (ID) is physically, magnetically, electrically or optically recorded, and the personal identification number is the debit management center device 21 or user of the debit card payment system 3 side. The bank processor of the debit card issuer may retain the record and authenticate the personal identification number in real time based on the communication line. With this, even if the user loses the debit card, the person who obtains the debit card does not know the personal identification number, so that the debit card can be prevented from being illegally used.

The debit card payment system 3 includes a debit management center device 21 and bank processing devices 22-1 to 22-22.
Have existing components such as -n. Further, the debit card payment system 3 responds to a debit card payment request from the existing debit member store processing terminal 20. The debit member store processing terminal 20 and the debit management center device 21 are connected via a general data exchange network 23 such as an ISDN network, and the debit management center device 21 and the bank processing devices 22-1 to 22-n. CAF between
It is connected via IS (Zenkinkyo Net) 24.

In the case of this embodiment, in addition to the general structure of the debit card payment system 3 as described above,
It has an amusement hall debit management center device 26. In addition, the debit card payment system 3 can respond to a prize exchange payment request from the gaming center cooperation debit member store processing terminal 25.

The amusement hall debit management center device 26 is connected to the above-mentioned amusement hall debit card processing terminals 13b, 14b, 15b and 16b and the amusement hall cooperation debit member store processing terminal 25 via the data exchange network 23. I will get it. In addition, the game hall debit management center device 26,
Any bank processing device 22-1 via the CAFIS 24
~ 22-n.

The amusement hall debit management center device 26 is a debit card processing terminal 13 in the amusement hall according to the first function.
When a payment request signal is given from b or 14b,
Debit card payment processing is performed and the processing result is returned to the debit card processing terminal 13b or 14b.

In addition, the game center debit management center device 26
When the settlement request signal is given from the debit card processing terminal 15b in the game hall according to the second function, the settlement processing is performed, and the processing result is processed by the debit card processing terminal 1
It is to reply to 5b.

Furthermore, the game hall debit management center device 2
When a point addition request signal is given from the debit card processing terminal 16b in the game hall according to the third function, 6 executes addition processing for points related to the debit card.

Furthermore, when the amusement hall debit management center device 26 is given a free gift exchange settlement request from the amusement hall cooperation debit member store processing terminal 25, it appropriately performs a free gift exchange settlement process such as a point subtraction process, The processing result is returned to the gaming center cooperation debit member processing terminal 25.

The game center debit management center device 26
When a normal payment request signal is given from the game hall cooperation debit member processing terminal 25, the debit card payment processing is performed and the processing result is returned.

The amusement hall debit management center device 26 collects information such as the flow of money between banks when the debit card settlement process and the settlement process are executed. In addition, the game hall debit management center device 26 is a CAFIS
It can be connected to the debit management center device 21 through a dedicated line 24 or an inter-center dedicated line. At the end of each predetermined aggregation period, the aggregate value of information such as the flow of money between banks is debit-managed. The data is transferred to the center device 21.

In the following description, the amusement hall debit management center device 26 performs all the prize exchange settlement processing based on points accumulated by the user (player), in other words, not only settlement of points but also settlement of money. Although this is also shown, this settlement processing is performed by the game center debit management center device 2
6 and the debit management center device 21 may be distributed and burdened. For example, when the amusement hall debit management center device 26 performs the prize exchange settlement process based on the points accumulated by the user, the debit management center device 21 is transferred to the debit management center device 21 via the CAFIS 24 or the data exchange network 23. The payment request signal is transmitted, and the debit management center device 21 performs cash payment processing based on the points used by the user between the debit member store and the amusement center in response to the payment request signal, and manages the settlement end signal in the amusement center debit management. You may make it reply to the center apparatus 26.

The cash settlement processing of the prize exchange based on the points of the debit member store and the amusement hall may be carried out collectively for a fixed period or may be carried out by immediate settlement each time. The point-based prize exchange can be exchanged only within a certain range of points of the user of the game hall debit management center device 26. Therefore, by collectively making settlement at the end of the month, the communication cost required for settlement can be reduced.

Also, the game hall debit management center device 26.
Also appropriately counts and manages other items (for example, the total number of points added per day and the total number of points subtracted per game center).

The amusement hall debit management center device 26 may actually be composed of a plurality of computer devices (for example, a large computer as a center and a small computer connected thereto), but functionally. Is an input unit, a display unit, a control unit, a storage unit (which is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk), a printing unit, and a communication processing unit.

Game hall cooperation debit member processing terminal 25
Not only can operate as a normal debit member store processing terminal 20, but also has a premium exchange settlement processing function.
That is, the amusement hall cooperation debit member store cooperates in providing the goods sold by itself as a prize in the amusement hall, and the debit card owner stored in the amusement hall debit management center device 26 Within the range of the points (corresponding to the number of prize balls), the product can be provided as a prize, and at that time, the gaming facility cooperation debit member processing terminal 25
Sends a prize exchange settlement request to the game hall debit management center apparatus 26 and receives a settlement result from the game hall debit management center apparatus 26.

Game hall cooperation debit member processing terminal 25
For example, similar to the debit member processing terminal 20, the hardware can be realized by a computer device below a personal computer having a debit card reader, and a general debit as a processing function (processing routine) of its control unit. A payment processing function using a card and a gift exchange payment processing function are provided. In relation to the gift exchange payment processing function,
Information on the number of exchange points for each product is stored. Instead of this, a redemption rate calculation method for converting the price into points may be stored. The internal structure of the gaming hall cooperation debit member processing terminal 25 is not shown.

The structure other than the structure for providing the game hall information (game hall data) is the same as that described in the specification and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-189188.

(A-1-2) Details of Provision Structure of Game Hall Information (Game Hall Data) As described above, the management computer 10 in the game hall.
From the aspect of providing game hall information (game hall data), has a control unit 30, a debit card data storage unit 31, and a game hall data storage unit 32. In addition, it also has an input unit, a display unit, and the like.

The control unit 30 controls the debit card processing terminal 1
Information is added to or updated in the debit card data storage unit 31 according to the information from 3b to 16b.

The control unit 30 also plays game data from the gaming machine 11 (whether or not the game is being played, whether or not there is a special winning, winning information, etc.) and game hall data from an input unit (not shown) (for example, event information, etc.). ) Or the like, the storage information of the game hall data storage unit 32 is updated or added.

Further, the control unit 30 controls the information providing device 12
When the amusement hall data and the like are requested from a, the relevant amusement hall data and the like are taken out from the debit card data storage unit 31 and the amusement hall data storage unit 32, and the information providing device 1
2a. Here, the information providing device 12
The request information such as the amusement hall data from a may include the debit card identification information. In this case, the debit card data stored in the debit card data storage unit 31 is appropriately referred to. It

FIG. 3 shows the debit card data storage unit 31.
It is an explanatory view showing an example of data stored in the game hall data storage unit 32.

In the debit card data storage unit 31, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the usage status of the debit card is stored in association with the debit card identification information (card No.).

The usage status of the debit card is, for example, the number of times the prepaid card is issued using the debit card, or the total amount of money for the issued prepaid card (for example, the amount refunded at the settlement may be subtracted. It may be stored as), the number of direct ball lending using a debit card, the total amount of ball lending (may be a frequency), etc. Such information may be a total value in units of months or the like, or all the total values after the debit card is used.

The usage status of the debit card is used not only for providing personal information of the player, but also for determining information that can be provided.

In the case of this embodiment, the type of information that can be provided differs depending on whether or not the debit card is inserted in the debit card reader 12b provided in association with the information providing device 12a. In addition, the type of information that can be provided is partially different due to the underutilization of debit cards. That is, the type of information that can be provided to a general player who has requested to provide information without inserting a debit card is the smallest, and the player who has requested to provide information by inserting the debit card and has little usage of the debit card. The type of information that can be provided to the player (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a light user) is the next smallest, and the player who inserts the debit card and requests the information and who frequently uses the debit card ( Hereinafter, the information that can be provided to the heavy user) will be all types of information prepared by the system.

The game hall data storage unit 32 stores, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, data about a game machine, data of information from the game hall, and the like.

The data about the gaming machine is the data about each gaming machine, and is the data itself given from each gaming machine 11 or the processed data. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the data about the gaming machines includes a vacant base (a gaming machine in which a game is not executed), the number of special prizes of each gaming machine 11 (on that business day). Number of times, or the number of times in the immediately preceding predetermined number of days), the number of times the reels of the gaming machine 11 have started rotating, the probability of winning a prize with respect to the number of times the gaming machine 11 has started, and the transition graph of payout (so-called slump graph) is there.

The data of the notice from the game arcade are, for example, business hours, holiday schedules, event information, etc., as shown in FIG. 3 (B). The event information includes an event date, an event summary, event details, and the like.

Of the information of the various storage items as described above, the information that can be provided to the general player, the light user, and the heavy user increases as the latter becomes greater.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the information providing device 12a. Note that, in FIG. 4, the debit card reader 12b may be configured to be incorporated (merged) in the information processing device 12a.

In FIG. 4, the information providing device 12a has a control unit 40, a touch panel 41, a monitor 42 and a printer 43. Although not shown in FIG. 4, a communication circuit connected to the game hall network N is also provided.

The control section 40 stores input screen information (see FIGS. 10 and 11) to be displayed on the monitor 42 and a program for providing information, and controls the information providing operation.

When the information provision is requested, the control section 40 determines whether or not a debit card is inserted in the debit card reader 12b, and if so, communicates with the management computer 10. , A general player, a light user, or a heavy user.

Further, the control section 40 takes in the type of information requested to be provided from the touch panel 41, makes the management computer 10 take out the corresponding information, and displays the received information on the monitor 42 or the printer 43. Display it.

The touch panel 41 is provided on the display surface of the monitor 42, and provides the player's input information related to the input screen information displayed on the monitor 42 to the control section 40.

Under the control of the control unit 40, the monitor 42 displays the input screen information and the information provided to the player.

The printer 43, under the control of the control unit 40,
The information provided to the player is printed out.

(A-2) Operation of Embodiment Hereinafter, the game medium processing communication system 1 according to the above embodiment.
The operation of will be described.

(A-2-1) Prepaid Card Issuing Operation Next, the operation of the player and the system when the player obtains the prepaid card will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

When a player wants to obtain a prepaid card, the player activates the prepaid card ticket issuing machine 13a, and based on the display at that time, the debit card processing terminal 13b has his or her own debit card. And enter the personal identification number (T1). At this time,
The debit card processing terminal 13b confirms whether it is a debit card that can be handled, and whether the input personal identification number matches that stored in the debit card (T2). If the personal identification number is not stored in the debit card, collation of the personal identification number is omitted.

If the debit card is unhandled or if the input personal identification number is different from the stored personal identification number, a notification process for that is performed (T3).

On the other hand, when the validity of the debit card is confirmed, the debit card processing terminal 13b notifies the prepaid card ticket issuing machine 13a of that fact, and the prepaid card ticket issuing machine 13a informs the player of the prepaid card to be issued. Prompt for the amount information of the card (T4). The player accordingly responds to the prepaid card ticket issuing machine 13a.
Enter the amount information in (T5).

This amount information is passed from the prepaid card issuing machine 13a to the debit card processing terminal 13b, and the debit card processing terminal 13b sends a settlement request signal including a debit card ID, a personal identification number, amusement hall account information, and amount information. A game hall debit management center device 26
(T6).

At this time, the amusement hall debit management center device 26 causes the debit card ID 22 to be issued to the bank processing device 22-i (i is 1 to n; omitted in FIG. 5) of the issuing bank of the debit card relating to the current settlement processing. The personal identification number, the amount information, etc. are given to request confirmation of whether or not the amount can be deducted from the account relating to the debit card (T7). In addition,
At this point, the withdrawal may be requested to be executed. After that, the amusement hall debit management center device 26 waits for a reply to the request from the bank processing device 22-i, and determines the reply content (T8).

Incidentally, the purchase of the prepaid card using the debit card may be performed in the same manner as the purchase of the product using the conventional debit card. That is, the debit card processing terminal 13b may directly output the payment request signal to the debit management center device 21.
From the viewpoint of user management, a settlement request signal may be output to the debit management center device 21 via the game hall debit management center device 26.

When there is no account defined by the debit card ID and the personal identification number, or when the account is present but the balance is less than the specified amount, non-withdrawal is returned. At this time, the game hall debit management The center device 26 adds the current processing history to the settlement journal and replies that settlement is not possible to the debit card processing terminal 13b (T9). As a result, the debit card processing terminal 13b informs the prepaid card issuing machine 13a that the prepaid card cannot be issued, and
Eject the debit card (T10, T11). The player receives the discharged debit card (T1
2).

On the other hand, the amusement hall debit management center device 26, which has been notified from the bank processing device 22-i related to the debit card that debit is possible, causes the bank processing device 22-i to execute the withdrawal and relates to the amusement center account. The bank processing device 22-j (j is 1 to n; omitted in FIG. 5) is caused to deposit the specified amount into the game hall account (T1).
3). Then, the game hall debit management center device 26,
Waiting for the acknowledgment of the end of processing from both bank processing devices 22-i and 22-j, the processing journal of this time is stored in the settlement journal, and the inter-bank money transfer information is updated in accordance with this settlement, and the settlement is completed. Debit card processing terminal 1
Reply to 3b (T14).

At this time, the debit card processing terminal 13b
Causes the prepaid card issuing machine 13a to eject the specified amount of the prepaid card and eject the debit card (T15). The player receives the ejected prepaid card and debit card (T16).

Although omitted in FIG. 5, when a prepaid card is issued, the prepaid card issuing machine 13
From a, the management computer 10 is provided with the identification information of the debit card, the amount information of the issued prepaid card, and the like, and the management computer 10 updates the usage status of the debit card in the debit card data storage unit 31. If the debit card data storage unit 31 does not have the storage information area of the debit card, the management computer 10 stores the usage information after setting the storage information area of the debit card.

(A-2-2) Ball Lending Operation Without Using Prepaid Card Next, the sequence diagram of FIG. 6 shows the operation of the player and the system when the player obtains the game medium without using the prepaid card. It will be explained with reference to FIG. The ball lending operation of the ball lending machine 14a will be described below.

When a player wants to obtain a game medium without using a prepaid card, the player activates the ball lending machine 14a and, based on the display at that time, directs the debit card processing terminal 14b to self Insert the debit card owned by and input the personal identification number (T31). At this time, the debit card processing terminal 14b confirms whether or not the debit card is a handleable debit card and whether the input personal identification number matches that stored in the debit card (T32). If the personal identification number is not stored in the debit card, collation of the personal identification number is omitted.

If the debit card is unhandled or if the entered personal identification number is different from the stored personal identification number, a notification process for that is performed (T33).

On the other hand, when the validity of the debit card is confirmed, the debit card processing terminal 14b notifies the fact to the ball lending machine 14a, and the ball lending machine 14a informs the player of the amount information relating to the ball lending. Input is requested (T34). The player is
Accordingly, the amount information is input to the ball lending machine 14a (T
35).

This money amount information is passed from the ball lending machine 14a to the debit card processing terminal 14b, and the debit card processing terminal 14b sends a settlement request signal including a debit card ID, a personal identification number, game hall account information and money amount information. ,
Send to the game hall debit management center device 26 (T3
6).

At this time, the amusement hall debit management center device 26, the debit card ID, to the bank processing device 22-i (i is 1 to n; omitted in FIG. 6) of the issuing bank of the debit card relating to the current settlement processing. The personal identification number, the amount of money, and the like are given to request confirmation of whether or not the amount of money can be withdrawn from the account relating to the debit card (T37). In addition, you may request execution of deduction at this time. Thereafter, the amusement hall debit management center device 26 waits for a reply from the bank processing device 22-i to the request,
The reply content is determined (T38).

Note that the ball lending using the debit card may be performed in the same manner as the conventional product purchase using the debit card. That is, the debit card processing terminal 14b may directly output the settlement request signal to the debit management center device 21. From the viewpoint of user management, a settlement request signal may be output to the debit management center device 21 via the game hall debit management center device 26.

When there is no account defined by the debit card ID and the personal identification number, or when the balance is less than the specified amount even if the account exists, a non-withdrawal reply is returned. At this time, the game hall debit management The center device 26 adds the current processing history to the settlement journal and replies that the settlement is impossible to the debit card processing terminal 14b (T39). As a result, the debit card processing terminal 14b causes the ball lending machine 14a to notify that the ball cannot be loaned and ejects the debit card (T4).
0, T41). The player receives the discharged debit card (T42).

On the other hand, the amusement hall debit management center device 26, which has been notified by the bank processing device 22-i related to the debit card that the debit card can be debited, causes the bank processing device 22-i to execute the withdrawal and relates to the amusement center account. The bank processing device 22-j (j is 1 to n; omitted in FIG. 6) is caused to deposit the specified amount into the game arcade account (T4).
3). Then, the game hall debit management center device 26,
Waiting for the acknowledgment of the end of processing from both bank processing devices 22-i and 22-j, the processing journal of this time is stored in the settlement journal, and the inter-bank money transfer information is updated in accordance with this settlement, and the settlement is completed. Debit card processing terminal 1
Reply to 4b (T44).

At this time, the debit card processing terminal 14b
Discharges the debit card, and the player receives the discharged debit card (T45, T46). The ball lending machine 14a ejects the specified amount of game media, and the player receives the ejected game media (T47, T4).
8).

Although omitted in FIG. 6, when the game medium is discharged, the ball lending machine 14a gives the management computer 10 identification information of the debit card and amount information relating to the supply amount of the game medium. Management computer 1
0 updates the usage status of the debit card in the debit card data storage unit 31. If the debit card data storage unit 31 does not have the storage information area of the debit card, the management computer 10 stores the usage information after setting the storage information area of the debit card.

(A-2-3) Prepaid Card Balance Settling Operation Next, the operation of the player and the system when the player settles the balance of the prepaid card will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. .

When adjusting the balance of the prepaid card, the player inserts the prepaid card to be settled into the prepaid card settlement machine 15a and activates the processing (T50). At this time, the prepaid card settlement machine 15a
Reads the balance (remaining frequency) of the prepaid card and asks the player for the type of payment method (T51, T5
2).

Note that the prepaid card records only the unique ID, and the balance information is stored in the management computer 10.
If the information is stored in association with the ID, the balance information is retrieved from the management computer 10 instead of reading the balance (remaining frequency). Further, although omitted in FIG. 7, when the balance information is 0, a notification to that effect is given and a series of processing is ended.

[0112] The player uses the prepaid card settlement machine 15a for the debit card when requesting the settlement by the account transfer.
In addition to inputting the personal identification number, the cash settlement button is operated when the cash settlement is requested (T53 to T55).

The debit card processing terminal 15b of the prepaid card settlement machine 15a to which the debit card is inserted and the personal identification number is input is a debit card that can be handled, or the input personal identification number is stored in the debit card. Confirm that it matches the existing one (T5
6). If the personal identification number is not stored in the debit card, collation of the personal identification number is omitted.

If the debit card is unhandled or if the input personal identification number is different from the stored personal identification number, a notification process is performed for that (T57).

On the other hand, when the validity of the debit card is confirmed, the debit card processing terminal 15b sends a settlement settlement request signal including the debit card ID, the personal identification number, the game hall account information and the amount information, to the game hall debit management center. It is transmitted to the device 26 (T58).

At this time, the amusement hall debit management center apparatus 26 gives the amount information and the like to the bank processing apparatus 22-j (j is 1 to n; omitted in FIG. 7) of the amusement hall account relating to the present payment settlement processing. Then, it is requested to confirm whether or not the amount can be withdrawn (T59). In addition, you may request execution of deduction at this time. After that, the amusement hall debit management center device 26 responds to the request by the bank processing device 2
The reply from 2-j is waited for, and the content of the reply is determined (T60).

The settlement of the prepaid card is also performed by the debit management center device 2 from the debit card processing terminal 15b.
Alternatively, the settlement settlement request signal may be directly output to 1. Further, from the viewpoint of user management, the settlement settlement request signal may be output to the debit management center device 21 via the game hall debit management center device 26.

When the withdrawal from the amusement hall account is not possible, a non-withdrawal is returned. At this time, the amusement hall debit management center device 26 adds the current processing history to the settlement journal and at the same time shows that the settlement is impossible with the debit card. It returns to the processing terminal 15b (T61). As a result, the debit card processing terminal 15b notifies that the direct debit payment cannot be made, and the prepaid card payment machine 15a.
Causes the cash of the settlement amount to be discharged, and the player receives the discharged cash (T62 to T64).

When the cash settlement is requested by the player, the prepaid card settlement machine 15a immediately causes the cash of the settlement amount to be discharged, and the player receives the discharged cash (T63, T64).

On the other hand, the amusement hall debit management center device 26, which has been notified that the withdrawal from the amusement hall account is possible, causes the bank processing device 22-j to execute the withdrawal, and the bank processing device 22-i (for the debit card). i is 1 to n (not shown in FIG. 7) and payment of the settlement amount (the communication fee and other settlement fees may be reduced) is executed (T65). Then, the amusement hall debit management center device 26 waits for an acknowledgment of the end of processing from both the bank processing devices 22-i and 22-j, stores the current processing history in the settlement journal, and stores the inter-bank money transfer information. The payment is updated according to the current payment, and the payment settlement completion is returned to the debit card processing terminal 15b (T66).

At this time, the debit card processing terminal 15b
Collects the prepaid card (T67), ejects the debit card, and the player receives the ejected debit card (T68, T69).

Even when cash is paid because it cannot be withdrawn from the game hall account, the prepaid card is collected and the debit card is discharged.

Information of the debit card at the time of issuing the prepaid card may be stored in the management computer 10 or the like, and the same debit card may be inserted when adjusting the balance of the prepaid card.

Although not shown in FIG. 7, when the balance of the prepaid card is settled, the prepaid card settlement machine 15a supplies the management computer 10 with the debit card identification information and the settlement amount information. ,
The management computer 10 updates the usage status of the debit card in the debit card data storage unit 31. For example, in the case where the usage status of the debit card is the total amount of money such as issuance of a prepaid card or a game medium using the debit card, the balance is reduced.

(A-2-4) Premium Ball Processing Operation Next, the operation of the player and the system at the time of processing a premium ball as a reward of the game result will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. Note that all or some of the actions described as being performed by the player in this section may be performed by the cashier POS charge employee.

When processing the prize ball obtained as a result of the game, the player activates the cash register POS device 16a, and based on the display at that time, the player operates the debit card processing terminal 16b by himself. Insert your own debit card and enter your PIN (T71). At this time,
The debit card processing terminal 16b confirms whether or not the debit card is a handleable debit card, and whether the input personal identification number matches the one stored in the debit card (T72). If the personal identification number is not stored in the debit card, collation of the personal identification number is omitted.

If the debit card is unhandled or if the entered personal identification number is different from the stored personal identification number, a notification process for that is performed (T73).

On the other hand, when the validity of the debit card is confirmed, the debit card processing terminal 16b confirms that fact.
Notifying the OS device 16a, the cashier POS device 16a requests the player to perform a counting operation of the prize balls (T74). In response to this, the player causes the cashier POS device 16a to count the number of prize balls (T75, T76). Of course, the prize balls may be previously counted by a counter, and the counting result may be received as a recording medium such as a receipt or a card and input to the cash register POS device 16a.

Information (points) on the number of prize balls counted
Is delivered from the cash register POS device 16a to the debit card processing terminal 16b, and the debit card processing terminal 16b
Transmits a point addition request signal including a debit card ID, a personal identification number, prize ball number information, etc. to the game hall debit management center device 26 (T77).

At this time, the amusement hall debit management center device 26, as the point information 31b for each debit card,
It is determined whether or not the point information of the debit card related to the arrival information of this time is already stored (T78).

If it is not stored in the point information 31b for each debit card, the game center debit management center device 2
6 is a bank processing device 2 of the issuing bank of the debit card
Give 2-i a debit card ID, PIN, etc.,
Confirm the validity of the debit card (T79).
If the account defined by the debit card ID and PIN does not exist, the account nonexistence will be returned. At this time,
The amusement hall debit management center device 26 adds the processing history of this time to the settlement journal, and returns the point addition impossibility to the debit card processing terminal 16b (T8).
0). As a result, the debit card processing terminal 16b
The cashier POS device 16a notifies that fact and ejects the debit card (T81, T8).
2). The player receives the discharged debit card (T83).

In this case, a general prize exchange process is executed, or the process shifts to a process using another debit card.

On the other hand, the amusement hall debit management center device 26 which has a valid account for the debit card for which point addition is to be executed (Yes in T79) and has received a reply from the bank processing device 22-i. Stores the given points by setting the storage field related to the debit card in the point information for each debit card (T84).

If the storage field of the debit card relating to the point addition request already exists in the point information for each debit card (affirmative result in T78), the amusement hall debit management center device 26 determines that the debit card processing terminal Accumulate points for this time from 16b (T8
5).

When the amusement hall debit management center device 26 completes the above-described initial setting of points and the accumulation process, it stores the current processing history in the settlement journal, and the debit card processing terminal 16b currently (updates). rear)
The end of the point addition process including the point information is returned (T76).

At this time, the debit card processing terminal 16b
Causes the cashier POS device 16a to eject the form on which the current point information is printed and eject the debit card (T87). The player receives the discharged current point information printed form and debit card (T88).

The number of points accumulated and the number of points accumulated may be stored in the management computer 10 as information on the usage status of the debit card.

(A-2-5) Point / Merchandise Exchange Operation Next, the operation of the player and the system when the player exchanges the points accumulated in the game hall debit management center device 26 for a commodity (prize). , Will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0139] A player who wants to exchange points for goods (prize) visits a gaming center cooperation debit member store, decides a product to be exchanged, and requests the debit member store to exchange points. At this time, the employee of the debit member store activates the prize exchange settlement process on the gaming facility cooperating debit member store processing terminal 25, causes the player to insert the debit card owned by the player based on the display by activation, and the personal identification number. Is input (T91). At this time, the amusement hall cooperation debit member store processing terminal 25 confirms whether the debit card can be handled or whether the input personal identification number matches the one stored in the debit card (T9).
2). If the personal identification number is not stored in the debit card, collation of the personal identification number is omitted.

If the debit card is unhandled, or if the entered personal identification number is different from the stored personal identification number, notification processing is performed for that (T93).

On the other hand, when the validity of the debit card is confirmed, the amusement hall cooperation debit member store processing terminal 25 informs the debit member store employee or player of the kind of product to be exchanged and related amusement place information. Prompt for input (T9
4). The debit member store employee or the player inputs the product type (a plurality of items may be accepted) and the amusement hall information accordingly, whereby the amusement hall cooperation debit member store processing terminal 25 causes the number of points to be settled and the game to be settled. Recognize field information (T95,
T96). Although illustration is omitted, when a game hall other than the target is designated, abnormality notification processing or the like is performed.

Then, the game hall cooperation debit member store processing terminal 25 displays the debit card ID, personal identification number, product information,
The prize exchange settlement request signal including the member store account information, the amusement hall information, and the number of points to be settled is transmitted to the amusement hall debit management center device 26 (T97).

At this time, the amusement hall debit management center device 26 determines whether or not the information on the debit card relating to the present prize exchange settlement processing is stored in the point information for each debit card of the amusement hall. First, it is determined whether the number of points to be settled is equal to or less than the number of stored points (T98).

If the information of the debit card is not stored in the point information for each debit card of the corresponding amusement hall, or if the stored number of points to be settled is larger than the number of stored points, the amusement hall debit The management center device 26 adds the current processing history to the settlement journal and sends a reply that the prize exchange settlement is impossible to the gaming center cooperation debit member store processing terminal 25 (T99). As a result, the game hall cooperation debit member processing terminal 25 notifies that the prize cannot be exchanged and ejects the debit card (T100, T101). The player or employee of the debit member store receives the discharged debit card (T
102).

On the other hand, the game center debit management center device 26.
If the debit card field relating to the present gift exchange is in the point information for each debit card, and if the number of points to be settled is less than or equal to the number of stored points, the game is sent to the bank processing device 22-j related to the game hall account. The withdrawal of the amount of money corresponding to the number of points from the venue account is executed, and the bank processor 22-k (k is 1 to n) relating to the account of the gaming facility cooperation debit member store stores the amount of money to the member store account. The deposit process is executed (T103). Then, the amusement hall debit management center device 26 waits for an acknowledgment of the end of processing from both bank processing devices 22-j and 22-k, stores the current processing history in the settlement journal, and also calculates the number of points for each debit card. After that, the inter-bank money transfer information is updated in accordance with the present prize exchange settlement, and then the end of the prize exchange settlement (including various information) is returned to the gaming center cooperation debit member store processing terminal 25 (T104). , T105).

As described above, the money transfer between banks may be performed by the debit management center device 21 notified from the game hall debit management center device 26, taking the initiative. Further, the points may be updated immediately or the money may be changed regularly, such as once a month.

Upon receiving the completion of the prize exchange settlement (including various information), the amusement hall cooperation debit member store processing terminal 25 ejects the form on which the updated remaining point information and the product information this time are printed, and the debit card. Is discharged (T106). The player or the employee of the debit member store receives the discharged printing form or debit card (T10).
7).

(A-2-6) Information Providing Operation As described above, a debit card can be used to supply a game medium or a prepaid card and to process a prize.

In this embodiment, in order to promote the use of such a debit card, a person who inserts the debit card (light user or heavy user) at the time of providing information is provided with more information than other players. Is available.

The information providing operation performed by the information providing apparatus 12a will be described below with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that although the flow chart is omitted, FIG. 10 and FIG.
From the change of the screen of No. 1, the control unit 40 of the information providing apparatus 12a
The content of the processing program installed in is clear.

When the information providing apparatus 12a is on standby,
A start screen including a demo screen display as shown in 0 (A) is displayed. A "start" icon is displayed on the start screen, and a message requesting operation of the start icon or insertion of a debit card is displayed. It should be noted that this message display may include a message that there are more types of information that can be provided when a debit card is inserted.

When the start icon is operated, the control unit 40 of the information providing device 12a determines that the information is provided to the general player, and when the debit card is inserted, the debit card is stored in the management computer 10. Inquiries about the usage status of the above, and if the player has a large usage status, it is determined that the information is provided to the heavy user;

If a debit card is inserted but the usage status is 0, it may be processed as information provision to a general player or as information provision to a light user.

The control unit 40 of the information providing apparatus 12a displays a main menu screen as shown in FIG. 10B when the start icon is operated or when the debit card is inserted. On this main menu screen, icons of "gaming machine information" and "hall information" are displayed, and requesting information of the gaming machine 11 and requesting notification information from the gaming hall, respectively. It corresponds to.

When the gaming machine information icon is operated, the control unit 40 of the information providing device 12a follows the above-described discrimination result of the player who requested the information provision, and if it is a general player, the control unit 40 is shown in FIG. Display the sub menu screen shown below,
If the user is a light user, the sub-menu screen shown in FIG. 10D is displayed. If the user is a heavy user, the sub-menu screen shown in FIG.
The submenu screen shown in (E) is displayed.

As is clear from these sub-menu screens, it is possible to provide the general player with information such as "vacant space list" and "special prize frequency list" for the gaming machine, and for light users. Further, it is possible to provide information on the "individual data" of the gaming machine, and it is possible to further provide information on the "slump graph" of the gaming machine to heavy users.

In any of the display states of the sub-menu screens of FIGS. 10C to 10E, when the display icon of "vacant table list" or "special prize number list" is operated,
The control unit 40 of the information providing device 12a takes out the list information of the vacant bases or the list information of the number of special prizes from the management computer 10, and as shown in FIG. Or the numerical value indicating the number of times is overlapped and displayed.

When the "individual data" display icon is operated in the display state of the light user submenu display screen or the heavy user submenu display screen, the control unit 40 of the information providing apparatus 12a displays
The display screen of the individual data shown in (B) is displayed.

At this time of display, the display fields of "unit No.", "start (number of times)", "number of special prizes" and "probability of special prize" are blank, and the player uses the ten-key icon on the display screen. When the "unit No." is input and determined, the control unit 40 of the information providing device 12a retrieves from the management computer 10 information on the start (number of times), the number of special prizes, and the special prize probability regarding the table (game machine). Display it. As shown in FIG. 11B, this display screen has
An icon for activating "print" is also displayed, and when this icon is operated, the control unit 40 of the information providing device 12a causes the printer 43 to print information on the table number, the number of starts, the number of special prizes, and the special prize probability. Output.

When the display icon of the "slump graph" is operated in the display state of the sub menu screen for heavy users, the control unit 40 of the information providing device 12a is operated.
Displays the slump graph display screen shown in FIG.

At this time of display, the display fields of "Unit No." and "Graph" are blank, and when the player uses the ten-key icon on the display screen to input and determine "Unit No.", Control unit 40 of information providing device 12a
Displays the information of the slump graph regarding the table (game machine) from the management computer 10. As shown in FIG. 11C, "print" is displayed on this display screen.
An icon for activation is also displayed, and when this icon is operated, the control unit 40 of the information providing device 12a is displayed.
Causes the printer 43 to print out the table No. and slump graph information.

The control unit 40 of the information providing device 12a is shown in FIG.
When the hall information icon is operated in the screen display state shown in 0 (B), the notification information from the amusement hall is taken out from the management computer 10 and displayed without displaying the sub-menu screen (the display screen is omitted). .

Here, in the notification information from the game hall as shown in FIG. 3 (B), for example, for a general player,
The business hours and holiday information are displayed and provided, the light user is further provided with the event date and the outline of the event, and the heavy user is further provided with the details of the event. The information displayed and provided is printed out in response to the player's request, as in the case described above.

(A-3) Effects of the Embodiments According to the amusement hall information providing system and the amusement hall information providing apparatus of the above embodiments, it is possible to receive the information relating to the amusement halls of general players, and The person who owns the debit card can receive various kinds of information more than ordinary players.

The person who owns the debit card also has more types of information that can be provided as the supply amount of the game medium using the debit card (including the case where the prepaid card is indirectly passed). Therefore, the supply of the game medium using the debit card can be promoted.

As a result, the handling amount of cash at the game arcade can be reduced, the burden of cash management at the game arcade can be reduced, the game arcade cost can be reduced, and the return rate can be expected to improve.

(B) Other Embodiments In the above description, various modified embodiments have been mentioned.
Further, there may be modified embodiments as exemplified below.

The game machine provided in the game arcade is not limited to the pachinko game machine, but may be another game machine such as a pachislot machine.

Further, the gaming machine itself may be capable of issuing a prepaid card using a debit card and supplying a game medium.

The information that can be provided may include the usage status of the debit card itself. In this case, each player can grasp the total balance.

The information providing apparatus of the above embodiment is not compatible with a membership card, but may be one that can activate information provision by inserting a membership card. For example,
When a membership card is inserted, the same information type as for heavy users is provided.

In the above embodiment, the original information provided by the management computer 10 is stored. However, for example, the original information is sent from the management computer 10 to the information providing device 12a at a predetermined cycle (for example, several seconds). The information may be distributed, and when each information providing apparatus 12a is requested to provide information, the information to be provided may be immediately taken out from the stored information of the own apparatus. The usage status of the debit card may also be distributed to the information providing device 12a in a predetermined cycle, for example.

The output method of the provided information is not limited to display and printing, and may be voice output or the like.

[0174]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide various kinds of information related to the amusement hall on condition that the debit card is inserted, which reduces the amount of cash handled in the amusement hall. It is possible to realize a game hall information providing system and a game hall information providing apparatus that can contribute to the number of people who receive the information even more.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game medium processing communication system including a game hall information providing system of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game arcade processing system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of stored information in the management computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the information providing apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a ticket issuing operation of the prepaid card ticket issuing machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a ball lending operation of the ball lending machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a balance settlement operation of the prepaid card of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a processing operation of a premium sphere according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a point / commodity exchange operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an input screen configuration for specifying provision information according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an information providing screen according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Game medium processing communication system, 2… Game hall processing system, 3. Debit card payment system, 10 ... Management computer, 30 ... control unit, 31 ... Debit card data storage unit, 32 ... Amusement hall data storage unit, 11 ... game machine, 12a ... Information providing device, 40 ... control unit, 41 ... Touch panel, 42 ... Monitor, 43 ... Printer, 12b ... debit card reader, 13a ... prepaid card issuing machine, 13b to 16b ... Debit card processing terminal, 14a ... Ball rental machine, 15a ... Prepaid card payment machine, 16a ... cash register POS device, 22-1 to 22-n ... Bank processing device, 25 ... Amusement center cooperation debit member processing terminal, 26 ... Amusement hall debit management center device.

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 17/60 404 G06F 17/60 404 (72) Inventor Satoshi Itakura 3-1, 1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo Ariake F Frontier building F term (reference) 2C088 BB01 BB07 BB11 BB21 CA02 CA04 CA09 CA31 CA35 EA49 EB68

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A game hall management device having a storage means for storing information that can be provided, such as information about a game machine, and among the information managed by the game hall management device, a request is made by a player. A game hall information providing system, comprising: a game hall information providing device that outputs the obtained information on condition that a debit card is inserted. 2. The game hall management device collects and manages information on the usage status of the debit card from a device that enables the supply of the game medium directly or indirectly by inserting the debit card, or Repeatedly transmitting to the amusement hall information providing device, the amusement hall information providing device increases the number of types of information that can be provided as the usage status of the inserted debit card increases. 1. A game hall information providing system according to 1. 3. The amusement hall information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the amusement hall information providing apparatus provides a minimum type of information even when a debit card is not inserted. 4. The amusement hall information providing device causes the amusement hall management device to transfer the relevant information when the information is requested to be provided. Amusement hall information provision system. 5. The amusement hall management device transmits the managed information to the amusement hall information providing device at a predetermined timing to update and store the information, and the amusement hall information providing device is not provided with the information. 4. The amusement hall information providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when requested, the corresponding information is extracted from the internally stored information and provided. 6. An input means for inputting an information type requested to be provided, a debit card reading means for reading information of a debit card, and information of the information type taken in by the input means on condition that the debit card is inserted. A game hall information providing device, characterized in that it has an additional information extracting means for obtaining the additional information and an output means for outputting the additional information obtained by the additional information extracting means. 7. A debit card utilization status information obtained by collecting from a device that enables the supply of a game medium directly or indirectly by inserting the debit card is obtained from an external device each time, or an external device. Debit card usage status grasping means for managing the usage status of debit cards repeatedly sent from, and available information types that increase the number of types of information that can be provided as the usage status of the inserted debit card increases The game hall information providing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a switching unit. 8. The amusement hall information providing device according to claim 6, wherein the provided information extracting means can obtain a minimum type of information even when a debit card is not inserted. 9. The provision information extraction means transfers and obtains corresponding information from an external device when information provision is requested, according to claim 6. Amusement hall information providing device. 10. The provided information extracting means obtains the corresponding information from the information that has been repeatedly transmitted from the external device and updated and stored internally when the information is requested to be provided. The game hall information providing device according to any one of claims 6 to 8.