JP2011067438A - Sandwiched machine and game medium management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To invest the remainder of prepaid value without insisting on monetary load to a game parlor and insisting on lowering of convenience to a game customer. <P>SOLUTION: In an sandwiched machine, a transition processing unit acquires the prepaid remainder indicating the remainder of the prepaid value, and when a game end designatio is received, the transition of some or whole of the acquired prepaid remainder to one's own ball value indicated by the number of game media acquired by the game customer is caused. A surplus obtained by dividing the prepaid remainder obtained by the transition processing unit by a predetermined amount is transferred to the own ball value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inter-bed apparatus and a game medium management system provided corresponding to a game machine, and in particular, even if the consumption tax imposed on game medium lending is an external tax system, to the game store side. The present invention relates to a stand-by apparatus and a game medium management system capable of operating the remaining amount of prepaid value without compromising the financial burden on the player or reducing the convenience to the player.

  Conventionally, a lending processing machine (hereinafter referred to as “pachinko machine”, etc.) that is installed in parallel with a game machine such as a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine installed in a game shop such as a pachinko shop, accepts money such as banknotes or coins and rents game media such as pachinko balls and medals. (Referred to as an inter-device device).

  Such inter-table devices include a type that lends game media to a game machine via a nozzle, and a type that sends a predetermined payout instruction to the game machine and lends game media to the game machine side. For example, in Patent Document 1, when a ball rental equivalent to a predetermined unit amount is requested from a gaming machine and a response is received from the gaming machine indicating that the ball rental is ready, the equivalent of one unit amount for the gaming machine Is disclosed.

  When such a conventional inter-device receives a cash insertion from a player, the prepaid balance for a card-like recording medium stocked in advance in the inter-device (hereinafter simply referred to as “card”) Associate. Each time the loan is executed, the prepaid balance is subtracted. When the player inputs a game end instruction, a card associated with the final prepaid balance is issued to the player.

  By the way, the consumption tax imposed on the game media lending is currently borne by the game store, and the lending unit price of the game media (for example, 4 yen) is a price including the consumption tax (hereinafter, “ Internal tax system ”). For example, when the lending unit price is 4 yen and the consumption tax rate is 5%, the main unit price is 3.81 yen and the consumption tax amount is 0.19 yen.

  When renting out game media, it is generally performed to lend a predetermined amount of game media together. For example, when lending out game media for 100 yen in a lump, 25 game media are lent out at one lending. Then, the prepaid balance is subtracted by 100 yen for each lending, and finally becomes 0 yen.

  When such an operation is performed, the prepaid balance is an amount in increments of 100 yen. Therefore, a player who has been issued a card associated with a prepaid balance of 100 yen or more can receive cash of a multiple of 100 yen by inserting the card into the checkout machine.

Japanese Patent No. 3545395

  However, the conventional inter-device device has a problem that a fraction of the prepaid balance is generated when the consumption tax imposed on the game medium lending becomes an external tax system. For example, if the lending unit price is 4 yen and a consumption tax of 5% is imposed by the external tax method, the lending price per game medium will be 4.2 yen.

  Here, a case where cash of 1000 yen is inserted will be explained. Since 1000 yen is not divisible by 4.2 yen (a fractional part is generated), the final prepaid balance may not be 0 yen. it is obvious.

  Then, if all the prepaid balance that is not a multiple of 100 yen is to be paid back to the player, the above-mentioned settlement machine needs to stock low money such as 1 yen coin as change. Therefore, if the consumption tax levied on gaming media lending is an external tax system, it will be necessary for the amusement store to replace or change the settlement machine, and the number of types of coins handled will increase maintenance. It also takes a load. In addition, the player side receives a lot of change and is not convenient.

  In addition, since it is highly likely that the consumption tax rate will be raised in the future, it is considered difficult to continue the operation with the consumption tax paid by the amusement store as in the conventional manner. Therefore, it is highly possible to adopt an operation in which a consumption tax is paid by the player by introducing an external tax system.

  For these reasons, even if the consumption tax levied on gaming media lending is a foreign tax system, the prepaid value of the game store can be reduced without compromising the financial burden on the game store or reducing convenience to the player. A major issue is how to realize a stand-by device or a game medium management system capable of operating the remaining amount.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems caused by the prior art, and even if the consumption tax imposed on gaming media lending is an external tax system, It is an object of the present invention to provide a table device and a game medium management system capable of performing the remaining amount of prepaid value without forcing a financial burden and a decrease in convenience to a player.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a stand-alone device provided in correspondence with a gaming machine, a prepaid balance acquisition means for acquiring a prepaid balance indicating a balance of a prepaid value, and a game A transition means for transferring a part or all of the prepaid balance acquired by the prepaid balance acquisition means to a possession value indicating the number of game media acquired by the player when an end instruction is received; It is characterized by.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the transition means shifts the remainder obtained by dividing the prepaid balance acquired by the prepaid balance acquisition means by a predetermined amount to the holding value. Features.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the transition means uses an amount corresponding to a minimum unit number in gaming medium lending as the predetermined amount.

  Further, in the present invention, the present invention provides a payout means for paying out game media, and pays out a number of game media corresponding to the surplus when the existing possession value is less than a predetermined value. It further comprises a payout instruction means for instructing the payout means.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, further comprising an associating means for associating the possessed ball value reflecting the shift by the shift means with a predetermined recording medium.

  Further, the present invention is a gaming medium management system having a platform device provided in correspondence with a gaming machine and a management device for managing the platform device, wherein a prepaid for acquiring a prepaid balance indicating a balance of a prepaid value When a remaining amount acquisition means and a game end instruction are accepted, a part or all of the prepaid remaining amount acquired by the prepaid remaining amount acquisition means shifts to a possession value indicating the number of game media acquired by the player Means.

  According to the present invention, when a prepaid balance indicating the remaining amount of prepaid value is acquired and a game end instruction is received, a part or all of the acquired prepaid balance is stored indicating the number of game media acquired by the player. Since it was decided to shift to the Jade Value, even if the consumption tax levied on gaming media lending becomes a foreign tax system, it will impose a financial burden on the game store side and a decrease in convenience to the player The remaining amount of prepaid value can be managed without any problems.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the remainder obtained by dividing the acquired prepaid balance by the predetermined amount is transferred to the holding value, so that the prepaid remaining to be transferred to the holding value is small. At the same time, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent a financial burden on the game store side and a decrease in convenience to the player.

  Further, according to the present invention, the amount corresponding to the minimum number of units in the game media lending is used as the predetermined amount, so the remaining prepaid amount corresponding to the amount less than the minimum number of units in the game medium lending is used for the possession value. By shifting, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent a small amount of prepaid balance that is not a loan target from remaining.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when a payout unit such as a nozzle for paying out game media is provided, and the existing ball value is less than a predetermined value, the number of game media corresponding to the remainder is reduced. Since the paying department is instructed to pay out, it is possible to prevent a small amount of prepaid balance that is not eligible for lending from remaining, and to deliver game media corresponding to the prepaid balance to the player There is an effect that can be.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the possession value reflecting the transition is associated with a predetermined recording medium, the operation flow of the prepaid balance is integrated into the operation flow of the recording medium associated with the possession value. There is an effect that can be.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a prepaid balance handling method according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a network environment to which the inter-device apparatus according to the present embodiment is connected. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-device apparatus. FIG. 4 is an external view of the inter-device apparatus. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the migration process. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of fraction handling in the migration process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the inter-station apparatus. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a modification of the processing procedure executed by the inter-device.

  Exemplary embodiments of an inter-device and a game medium management system to which a prepaid balance handling method according to the present invention is applied will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the case where the consumption tax rate is 5% will be described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to cases where the consumption tax rate is other than 5%.

  First, prior to detailed description of the embodiment, an outline of a prepaid balance handling method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a prepaid balance handling method according to the present invention.

  Note that (A) in the figure shows the transition of the prepaid balance in the domestic tax system, and (B) in the figure shows an outline of the prepaid balance handling method according to the present invention. In addition, the figure shows the prepaid balance transition when the player inserts 1,000 yen of cash into the inter-device.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, if the lending unit price of the game medium is 4 yen and the consumption tax is included in the lending unit price, the minimum payout unit is 25 balls. In this payout, 100 yen of game media is paid out.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 1A, when 100 yen of game media is paid out at a time, the prepaid balance that was initially 1000 yen is It is subtracted by 100 yen like 900 yen and 800 yen. When the number of payouts reaches 10, the prepaid balance is 0 yen.

  In this way, in the case of the internal tax system in which the gaming media lending unit price is 4 yen and the consumption tax is included in the lending unit price, the prepaid balance is a multiple of 100 yen. Therefore, it is sufficient for the payment machine that performs the payment of the prepaid balance to handle 100 yen coins as the smallest unit of change.

  On the other hand, when the consumption tax levied on gaming media lending is an external tax system, as shown in FIG. 1B, the unit price of the gaming media is 4.2 yen (main unit price 4 yen, consumption tax amount) 4 yen x 5% = 0.2 yen). If the minimum payout unit is 25 balls, 105 yen of game media will be paid out in one payout.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1B, if 105 yen of game media is paid out at a time, the prepaid balance that was initially 1000 yen will be It is deducted by 105 yen each, such as 895 yen and 790 yen. When the number of payouts reaches 9, the prepaid balance is 55 yen.

  Thus, when the foreign tax system is adopted, an amount of less than 100 yen will eventually remain as a prepaid balance. In each payout count, an amount less than 100 yen, such as 895 yen or 790 yen, remains as the prepaid balance.

  From these things, when it is going to use the settlement machine which refunds the amount according to the amount of prepaid like the past, the mechanism which refunds coins (for example, 10 yen coin and 1 yen coin) less than 100 yen to the settlement machine side. Necessary. However, since the conventional settlement machine does not support low-priced coins such as 10 yen, it is necessary to add a function for handling low-priced coins to the settlement machine or to replace the settlement machine itself.

  In addition, if the game store side handles low-priced coins such as 10 yen in this way, operations such as preparation of low-priced coins and replenishment to the checkout machine occur. Also, the player receives a lot of change from the payment machine, which is not convenient.

  Therefore, in the prepaid balance handling method according to the present invention, for example, a prepaid balance less than 100 yen (hereinafter referred to as “the fraction of the prepaid balance” or simply “fraction”) is transferred to the holding value, By paying out as a game medium via the nozzle of the device, it was decided that a low-priced money for change was unnecessary.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1 (B), when the prepaid balance is 55 yen, the prepaid balance of 55 yen is transferred to the holding value (see (B-1) in the figure), or the prepaid balance is changed to An appropriate number of game media were paid out (see (B-2) in the figure).

  Here, the “mochitama” value refers to the number of game media that the player has acquired with the gaming machine. Will be updated. In addition, when a player who has moved from another gaming table inserts a card associated with a possession value, the possession value corresponding to the card is updated.

  Incidentally, FIG. 1B illustrates the case where the prepaid balance is 55 yen. However, when the prepaid balance is larger than 100 yen, for example, 895 yen, It shall be the target of transition to value and the target of game media payout. Here, other than the fraction of the prepaid balance (800 yen) is associated with the card as a prepaid value as before. It should be noted that other than this fraction (800 yen) may also be set as a transition target to the holding value.

  It should be noted that whether to shift to the possession value or pay out the game media can be automatically determined depending on whether the player is a member, the amount of the prepaid balance or the possession value. . It is also possible to make such a determination based on the player's selection.

  As described above, according to the prepaid balance handling method according to the present invention, it is possible to adjust the prepaid balance so that no fraction is generated in the prepaid balance. . Therefore, the expense associated with the replacement or change of the checkout machine is not imposed on the game store side. In addition, since it is possible to avoid a situation where the player receives a large amount of low money, the convenience of the player is not reduced.

  In the following, an embodiment of the inter-device and the game medium management system to which the prepaid balance handling method described with reference to FIG. 1 is applied will be described in detail. In addition, although the Example shown below demonstrates the stand apparatus which has what is called each counter counting function, this invention is applicable also to the stand apparatus which does not have each counter counting function.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a network environment to which the inter-device apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is connected. As shown in the figure, the inter-device 10 provided for each gaming machine 100 includes a management device 200, an island controller 300, a checkout machine 400, and a prize management machine via a network such as an in-store LAN (Local Area Network) 20. 500, a card processor 600, and a prize dispenser 700. The game medium management system according to the present embodiment includes the inter-device 10 and the management device 200.

  The island controller 300 is a relay device provided for each gaming island on which the inter-device 10 and the gaming table 100 are installed, and is between the management device 200 / the inter-device 10 or between the management device 200 / the gaming table 100. Relay communication data.

  Here, when the inter-device device 10 returns the card, a player who does not intend to continue the game on the other gaming table 100 inserts the card into the checkout machine 400, and thus responds to the prepaid value (prepaid balance). Receive money.

  In addition, the player brings the card to the prize exchange corner and holds or inserts the card into the card processing machine 600. Then, when an employee of the game shop operates the prize management machine 500 or the prize dispenser 700, the player receives a prize according to the value of the possession.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the inter-device 10 does not associate a prepaid balance less than 100 yen with a card, but a prepaid balance less than 500 yen may not be associated with a card.

  As shown in the figure, the management apparatus 200 has a recording medium management DB (database) 201 that manages values associated with the cards. The storage medium management DB 201 is a prepaid card DB (database) 201a for managing prepaid value, and a storage ball indicating that the game medium acquired by the player is stored in a game store without being exchanged for cash or prizes. A storage ball DB (database) 201b for managing the money and a money ball DB (database) 201c for managing the money value acquired by the game store.

  For example, the money value or prepaid value that is valued for the card returned by the inter-device 10 is also managed by the prepaid card DB 201a or the money DB 201c managed by the management device 200.

  The storage ball DB (database) 201b is a database for performing a storage ball service given to a membership card distributed to members of the amusement store. In the case of a general card, a prepaid card DB (database) 201a. In addition, only the holding ball DB (database) 201c is related.

  Here, with respect to the storage ball DB (database) 201b, a member management device may be separately provided, and the member management device may manage the storage ball DB (database) 201b.

  Next, the configuration of the inter-station apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the inter-device apparatus 10. In the figure, only components necessary for explaining the characteristics of the inter-device 10 are shown, and descriptions of general components are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the inter-device 10 includes a payout unit 11, a card holding unit 12, a counting unit 13, a control unit 14, and a storage unit 15. Moreover, the control part 14 is further provided with the transfer process part 14a, the payout instruction | indication part 14b, and the correlation part 14c, and the memory | storage part 15 memorize | stores the prepaid balance 15a and the ball value 15b.

  The payout unit 11 is configured by a device such as a nozzle or a ball cutting mechanism, and pays out the number of game media instructed from the payout instruction unit 14b. The card holding unit 12 is a device that holds a membership card inserted by a player and holds a general card stored in advance.

  In this embodiment, a case where a member of a game shop uses a membership card will be described. However, a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone carried by a player may be used instead of the membership card. In this case, the inter-device 10 includes a communication unit that communicates with the mobile terminal device.

  The counting unit 13 is a device that counts the number of game media acquired by the player and performs a process of updating the ball value 15b of the storage unit 15 with the counting result. Here, the external configuration of the inter-device 10 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is an external view of the inter-station apparatus 10. In the figure, the gaming table 100 provided with the inter-device device 10 is indicated by a broken line. Moreover, although the inter-device 10 which receives only a banknote is shown in the same figure, it is good also as providing the unit for coin reception.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the inter-device 10 includes a state display unit 51 that displays the state of the inter-device 10 by turning on or blinking a predetermined color lamp, and bill insertion that accepts various types of bills for lending game media. Part 52. The inter-table device 10 includes a remote control light receiving unit 53 that receives an instruction from a remote control (portable terminal device) carried by an employee of the amusement shop, and a display unit such as a display, an operation unit such as a numeric keypad, and a card return button. A display / operation unit 54 is provided.

  The inter-device 10 also accepts a payout unit 55 (corresponding to the payout unit 11 in FIG. 3) having a nozzle for paying out game media such as holding balls, and accepts cards such as general cards and membership cards, A card insertion unit 56 (corresponding to the card holding unit 12 in FIG. 3) for returning a card associated with each value such as a stored value and a prepaid value is provided.

  Furthermore, the inter-device 10 includes a counting unit 57 (corresponding to the counting unit 13 in FIG. 3) that counts the game media (held balls) acquired by the player, and a ball storage unit 58 that stores the held balls (acquired balls). And. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the ball storage unit 58 has a ball display unit 58a that displays the count value of the ball, and a holding command that instructs the payout (reuse) of the game medium based on the count value of the ball. A ball payout button 58b is further provided. Note that the game medium dropped from the lower plate of the game table 100 is guided to the counting unit 57 through the ball storage unit 58.

  In addition, the gaming table 100 is provided with a display unit 100a for displaying the prepaid balance, and operation buttons 100b such as a lending button for instructing lending of game media and a card return button for instructing card return. The display unit 100a and the operation button 100b are connected to the control unit 14 of the inter-bed apparatus 10.

  Here, the installation positions of the ball display unit 58a and the ball payout button 58b of the inter-device 10 and the display unit 100a and the operation button 100b of the game table 100 are not limited to the positions illustrated in FIG. . In addition, the payout of the possession ball (acquired ball) and the stored ball value may be performed from the game stand 100 instead of being performed via the payout unit 55.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the control unit 14 will be described. The control unit 14 is a control unit that performs overall control of the inter-device 10. The transfer processing unit 14a is a processing unit that performs a process of transferring the prepaid balance 15a to the coin value 15b and a game medium payout instruction process corresponding to the prepaid balance 15a.

  Specifically, the transition processing unit 14a performs a process of dividing the prepaid balance 15a by the reference value after setting the predetermined reference value to the minimum coin amount (for example, 100 yen) handled by the checkout machine 400. Do. Then, the remainder (fraction) obtained by dividing the prepaid balance 15a by the reference value is handled as a transition target to the holding value or a payout target of the game medium.

  For example, if the reference value is 100 yen and the prepaid balance 15a is 895 yen, the remainder (fraction) of 95 yen, which is the remainder of 895 yen divided by 100 yen, is the target for transitioning to the holding value, or the target for paying out game media Treat as.

  In addition, other than the fraction of the prepaid balance 15a (800 yen) is handled as the prepaid value as it is (associated with the card in the form of the prepaid balance as it is). It may be handled.

  Also, if the reference value is 100 yen and the prepaid balance 15a is 55 yen, the remainder (fraction) obtained by dividing 55 yen by 100 yen is 55 yen. Or as a game media payout target.

  Here, the migration process executed by the migration processing unit 14a will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the migration process, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of fraction handling in the migration process.

  First, an overview of the migration process will be described with reference to FIG. 5A shows an outline of the process of shifting the fraction of the prepaid balance to the possession value, and FIG. 5B shows a game medium payout instruction process corresponding to the fraction of the prepaid balance. Each outline is shown.

  Further, FIG. 5 illustrates the case where the prepaid balance itself is smaller than the reference value 100 yen and the prepaid balance itself is equal to the fraction of the prepaid balance, but when the prepaid balance is larger than the reference value 100 yen, The remainder (fraction) obtained by dividing the prepaid balance by the reference value (100 yen) is the processing target. For example, when the prepaid balance is 895 yen, a fraction of 95 yen is a processing target.

  In the case of shifting the fraction of the prepaid balance to the possession value, as shown in FIG. 5A, first, processing for converting the fraction of the prepaid balance into the number of game media is performed ((A- in FIG. 5). 1)). For example, as shown in the figure, when the fraction of the prepaid balance is 55 yen, the converted value of 13.1 balls is calculated by dividing 55 yen by the ball unit price of 4.2 yen. Here, the number of balls after the decimal point is rounded down.

  And, for example, if the existing possession value is 1000 balls, 13 converted values are added (see (A-2) in the figure), and the accumulated possession value 1013 balls are associated with the card (the figure). (See (A-3)). And the card | curd with which the holding value 1013 ball was linked | related is discharged.

  If the prepaid balance is larger than the reference value (100 yen), such as 895 yen, the converted value of 22 balls (rounded down to the nearest 95 yen) is transferred to the existing value. At the same time, the 800 yen portion is associated with the card in the form of the prepaid balance. In this case, it is good also as associating the possession value and the prepaid balance with one card, or the card associating the possession value with the card associating the prepaid balance with each other.

  Thus, by setting the amount of the minimum change (for example, 100 yen coin) of the settlement machine 400 as the reference value, a fraction less than the reference value does not remain in the prepaid balance. Although the figure shows the case where the fraction of the prepaid balance is shifted to the possession value, the remaining prepaid balance may be migrated to the possession value regardless of the size of the prepaid balance. For example, when the prepaid balance is 895 yen, the converted value of 213 balls may be added to the existing possession value.

  Next, a case where a payout instruction for game media corresponding to the prepaid balance is performed will be described. As shown in FIG. 5B, first, the prepaid balance is converted into the number of game media (see (B-1) in FIG. 5). This conversion process is the same as that shown in FIG.

  And the inter-device 10 throws out a conversion value from a nozzle (refer (B-2) of the figure). For example, as shown in the figure, when the converted value is 13.1 balls, 13 game media are thrown out from the nozzle and delivered to the player.

  As described above, if the number of game media corresponding to the fraction of the prepaid balance is thrown out, an amount less than the minimum change (for example, 100 yen coin) of the settlement machine 400 does not remain in the prepaid balance. . The player who has received the game medium can move the table with the game medium, or bring the game medium into the counter and exchange it for a general gift such as candy.

  In FIG. 5, the case where the prepaid balance is shifted to the possession value (see FIG. 5A) and the case where the game medium corresponding to the prepaid balance is thrown out (see FIG. 5B) are shown. Although shown, it is good also as performing combining both.

  For example, after the prepaid balance is temporarily transferred to the value of the money, the value of the money is adjusted to be a multiple of the minimum amount of the special prize (a prize that can be exchanged for cash). It is good also as throwing out game media.

  In addition, the transfer processing unit 14a adds only when the player is a non-member if the remaining value after adding the fraction of the prepaid balance to the existing retained value is less than the “predetermined value”. A process of paying out the game medium corresponding to the value of the subsequent possession is performed. This is to prevent a non-member (general customer) from taking a general card home.

  Here, the “predetermined value” indicates, for example, the amount of the lowest special prize. On the other hand, in the case of a member, such a take-out problem does not occur. Therefore, even if the value of the possessed ball after addition is small, a process of associating with a card is performed.

  Next, an example of fraction handling in the migration process will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 6A shows a case where the possessed ball value is managed as a real number, and FIG. 6B shows a case where the possessed ball value is managed as an integer.

  When managing the possessed ball value as a real number, as shown in FIG. 6A, for example, the retained ball value may be held to the first decimal place. Then, the possessed ball value is added, and when the fractional part is moved up to the first place, it may be set as the target of the retained ball payout.

  In addition, when managing the value of the holding ball as an integer, as shown in FIG. 6B, it is only necessary to perform a round-down process or a round-up process based on a preset setting. For example, when the devaluation setting is performed, the possessed ball value of 13.1 balls is handled as 13 balls, and conversely, when the round up setting is performed, the retained ball value of 13.1 balls is 14 balls. It should be handled. A so-called rounding process may be performed.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the description of the control unit 14 will be continued. The payout instructing unit 14b is a processing unit that performs processing to instruct the payout unit 11 to pay out a predetermined number of game media when instructed by the transition processing unit 14a.

  The associating unit 14c is a processing unit that performs processing for associating the possessed ball value 15b with a card when a card return instruction is received. The associating unit 14c is also a processing unit that instructs the card holding unit 12 to discharge a card associated with the possessed ball value 15b. Assume that the associating unit 14c also performs a process of associating a card other than the fraction of the prepaid balance 15a with a card as a prepaid value.

  The memory | storage part 15 is a memory | storage part comprised with memory | storage devices, such as a non-volatile memory and a hard-disk drive, and memorize | stores the prepaid balance 15a and the coin value 15b. The prepaid balance 15a is a value indicating the remaining prepaid value. Here, when the banknote is inserted into the banknote insertion part 52 (see FIG. 4), the prepaid balance 15a is set as a value corresponding to the banknote as an initial value, and whenever a lending button or the like is pressed, The amount corresponding to the number of payouts is subtracted.

  The possessed ball value 15 b is a value indicating a counting result by the counting unit 13. Further, when the possession value is associated with the card inserted into the card holding unit 12, the possession value can be used as the initial value of the possession value 15b. In addition, a fraction of the prepaid balance 15a converted by the transfer processing unit 14a may be added to the holding value 15b.

  In addition, although FIG. 3 demonstrated the case where the platform apparatus 10 performs the process which acquires a prepaid balance, and the process which transfers a part or all of a prepaid balance to a possession value, a part of these processes or All may be performed by the management apparatus 200 (see FIG. 2).

  Next, a processing procedure executed by the inter-bed apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the inter-device apparatus 10.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the inter-device apparatus 10 determines whether a card return operation has been accepted (step S <b> 101). When the card return operation is received (step S101, Yes), the transfer processing unit 14a determines whether or not the prepaid balance has a fraction (step S102). If the determination condition in step S101 is not satisfied (No in step S101), the process in step S101 is repeated.

  If there is a fraction in the prepaid balance (step S102, Yes), the fraction of the prepaid balance is transferred to the holding ball (step S103), and the existing holding ball and the transferred holding ball (transferred by the step S103) are used. Add together (step S104).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether the prepaid balance has a fraction other than the fraction (step S105). If the prepaid balance has a fraction other than the fraction (step S105, Yes), the fraction other than the fraction of the prepaid balance is associated with the card (step S106). ).

  Here, in step S106, other than the fraction of the prepaid balance is associated with the card as the prepaid value. If the determination condition in step S105 is not satisfied (No in step S105), the process proceeds to step S107 without performing the process in step S106.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the player is a member (step S107). If the player is a member (Yes in step S107), the combined possession ball added in step S104 is associated with the card. (Step S108), the card is returned (Step S109), and the process is terminated. Here, in step S107, for example, when a member card is inserted by the player, it is determined that the player is a member.

  On the other hand, if the player is not a member (No at Step S107), it is determined whether or not the total possessed ball added at Step S104 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (Step S110). If the total possession ball is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step S110, Yes), the total possession ball is associated with the card (step S108), the card is returned (step S109), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the determination condition of step S110 is not satisfied (step S110, No), a ball (game medium) corresponding to the combined possession ball is returned (step S111), and the process is terminated.

  By the way, when it is determined in step S102 that there is no fraction in the prepaid balance (step S102, No), it is determined whether or not there is a fraction other than the fraction in the prepaid balance (step S112). If the prepaid balance is other than the fraction (step S112, Yes), all the prepaid balance (other than the fraction + fraction) is associated with the card (step S113). Here, in step S113, all prepaid balances are associated with the card as prepaid values.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the player is a member (step S114). If the player is a member (step S114, Yes), the existing possession ball is associated with the card (step S115), The card is returned (step S109), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the player is not a member (step S114, No), it is determined whether or not the existing possession ball is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S116). Here, as the predetermined value, a value corresponding to the amount of the lowest special prize can be used.

  And when the existing possession ball is more than a predetermined value (step S116, Yes), after associating the existing possession ball with the card (step S115), the card is returned (step S109), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the existing possessed ball is less than the predetermined value (step S116, No), the ball (game medium) corresponding to the existing possessed ball is returned (step S117), and the process is terminated.

  In addition, when calculating the total possessed ball in step S104 shown in FIG. 7, if there is no existing retained ball, the total retained ball is equal to the transition retained ball.

  By the way, up to now, whether the prepaid balance is transferred to the possession value (see (A) in FIG. 5) or whether the game medium corresponding to the prepaid balance is paid out (see (B) in FIG. 5) automatically. However, it is also possible to allow the player to select which process is to be performed. Therefore, in the following, the case where the player selects to move the ball or return the ball will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen. Note that each screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display / operation unit 54 of the inter-bed apparatus 10 according to an instruction from the control unit 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the selection screen includes a prepaid balance (“895 yen” in the figure), a fraction of the prepaid balance (“95 yen” in the figure), and the fraction. Is converted to the number of balls ("22 balls" is displayed in the figure).

  Then, on the selection screen, a holding ball transition button 81 and a ball return button 82 are displayed together with a message for prompting selection of handling for fractions. Then, when the player selects any one of the buttons, processing corresponding to the button is executed.

  For example, when the possession ball shift button 81 is selected, a fraction (22 balls) of the prepaid balance is transferred to the possession value. And the card | curd with which the prepaid value equal to other than the fraction of a prepaid balance (800 yen) and the coin value after a transfer are linked | related is discharged | emitted.

  When the ball return button 82 is selected, the number of game media corresponding to the fraction of the remaining prepaid amount (22 balls) is paid out via the payout unit 55 (see FIG. 4). In this case, a card associated with a prepaid value equal to a value other than a fraction of the prepaid balance (800 yen) and an existing holding value is discharged.

  Even if the existing value is less than the specified value and the prepaid balance is transferred to the value, the player is not a member even if it is less than the price of the lowest special prize. In this case, it is possible to disable selection of the holding ball transition button 81 shown in FIG.

  Specifically, as shown in (B) of FIG. 8, when the total number of possessed balls after shifting the fraction of the prepaid balance is less than a prescribed value (corresponding to “XX pieces” in the figure) For example, a message such as “the number of possessed balls is less than XX and cannot be transferred” is displayed, and the transferred ball button 81 is not displayed. Note that the holding ball transition button 81 may be displayed in a non-selectable state.

  Next, a processing procedure in the case of causing the player to select the ball transfer or ball return will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the processing procedure executed by the inter-device apparatus 10.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the inter-device 10 determines whether a card return operation has been accepted (step S201). When the card return operation is accepted (step S201, Yes), the transfer processing unit 14a determines whether the prepaid balance has a fraction (step S202). If the determination condition in step S201 is not satisfied (step S201, No), the process in step S201 is repeated.

  If the prepaid balance has a fraction (step S202, Yes), the control unit 14 displays the selection screen illustrated in FIG. 8 (step S203). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the player is a member (step S204). If the player is a member (Yes in step S204), the possession shift button 81 (see FIG. 8) is activated. (Step S205).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the holding ball transition button 81 is pressed (step S206). If the holding ball transfer button is pressed (step S206, Yes), the fraction of the prepaid balance is transferred to the holding ball. (Step S207), the existing possession balls and the transition possession possession balls are added together (Step S208).

  On the other hand, when the holding ball transition button is not pressed (No at Step S206) and the ball return button 82 is pressed (Step S209, Yes), a ball (game medium) corresponding to the fraction of the prepaid balance is returned. In addition (step S210), the existing possession balls are regarded as total possession balls (step S211), and the process proceeds to step S212. In addition, when the determination condition of step S209 is not satisfied (step S209, No), the processing after step S206 is repeated.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the prepaid balance has a fraction other than the fraction (step S212). If the prepaid balance has a fraction other than the fraction (step S212, Yes), other than the fraction of the prepaid balance is associated with the card (step S213). ). Here, in step S213, other than the fraction of the prepaid balance is associated with the card as the prepaid value.

  If the determination condition in step S212 is not satisfied (No in step S212), the process proceeds to step S214 without performing step S213. Then, after associating the total possessed ball with the card as a retained ball value (step S214), the card is returned (step S215), and the process is terminated.

  By the way, when it is determined in step S204 that the player is not a member (No in step S204), it is determined whether or not the prepaid balance is other than a fraction (step S216). If there is a fraction other than the fraction in the prepaid balance (step S216, Yes), the processing after step S205 is performed.

  On the other hand, if there is no fraction other than the fraction in the prepaid balance (step S216, No), then whether the sum of the transition balance possessed ball that has shifted the fraction of the prepaid balance to the possession ball and the existing possession ball is a predetermined value or more. It is determined whether or not (step S217). Here, as the predetermined value, a value corresponding to the amount of the lowest special prize can be used. Then, when the determination condition of step S217 is satisfied (step S217, Yes), the processing after step S205 is performed.

  On the other hand, when the determination condition of step S217 is not satisfied (step S217, No), the ball transition button 81 (see FIG. 8) is invalidated (step S218). Then, it is determined whether or not the ball return button 82 (see FIG. 8) has been pressed (step S219).

  Then, when the ball return button 82 is pressed (step S219, Yes), a ball (game medium) corresponding to the sum of the transferred portion of the prepaid balance and the existing portion is transferred. It returns (step S220) and the process ends. In addition, when the determination condition of step S219 is not satisfied (step S219, No), the process of step S219 is repeated.

  By the way, when it is determined in step S202 that the prepaid balance has no fraction (step S202, No), it is determined whether or not the prepaid balance has a fraction other than the fraction (step S221).

  If the prepaid balance is other than the fraction (step S221, Yes), all the prepaid balance (other than the fraction + fraction) is associated with the card (step S222). If the determination condition of step S221 is not satisfied (step S221, No), the process proceeds to step S223 without performing step S222.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the player is a member (step S223). If the player is a member (step S223, Yes), the existing possession ball is associated with the card (step S224), The card is returned (step S215), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the player is not a member (step S223, No), it is determined whether or not there is a prepaid balance (step S225). If there is a prepaid balance (step S225, Yes), an existing possession ball Is associated with the card (step S224), the card is returned (step S215), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when there is no prepaid balance (step S225, No), it is determined whether or not the existing holding ball is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S226). Here, as the predetermined value, a value corresponding to the amount of the lowest special prize can be used.

  And when the existing possession ball is more than a predetermined value (step S226, Yes), after associating the existing possession ball with the card (step S224), the card is returned (step S215), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the existing possessed ball is less than the predetermined value (step S226, No), the ball (game medium) corresponding to the existing possessed ball is returned (step S227), and the process is terminated.

  In addition, when calculating the total possessed ball in step S208 shown in FIG. 9, if there is no existing retained ball, the total retained ball is equal to the transition retained ball. In addition, when calculating the sum of the fraction of the prepaid balance and the existing holding ball in step S217 shown in FIG. 9, if there is no existing holding ball, the sum is equal to the fraction of the prepaid balance.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the transition processing unit acquires a prepaid balance indicating the remaining amount of prepaid value and receives a game end instruction, a part or all of the acquired prepaid balance is It was decided to shift to the value of money that indicates the number of game media acquired by the customer. Therefore, even if the consumption tax levied on gaming media lending is an external tax system, the remaining amount of prepaid value can be managed without compromising the financial burden on the game store or reducing convenience to the player. It can be carried out.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the prepaid balance is transferred to the holding value has been described. However, the transfer destination of the prepaid balance is not limited to the holding value. For example, the transfer destination of the prepaid balance may be a point issued by a game store or various electronic money.

  As described above, the inter-device device according to the present invention is useful when it is desired to carry out the remaining amount of prepaid value without forcing a monetary load on the game store side or a decrease in convenience to the player, It is suitable when the consumption tax levied on game media lending is an external tax system.

10 inter-unit equipment 11 payout part 12 card holding part 13 counting part 14 control part 14a transfer processing part 14b payout instruction part 14c associating part 15 storage part 15a prepaid balance 15b holding money value 20 in-store LAN
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 51 Status display section 52 Bill insertion section 53 Remote control light receiving section 54 Display / operation section 55 Dispensing section 56 Card insertion section 57 Counting section 58 Ball storage section 100 Game table 100a Display section 100b Operation button 200 Management device 300 Island controller 400 Settling machine 500 Prize management machine 600 Card processor 700 Prize dispenser

Claims (6)

An inter-device provided corresponding to a gaming machine,
A prepaid balance acquisition means for acquiring a prepaid balance indicating the balance of the prepaid value;
A transition means for transferring a part or all of the prepaid balance acquired by the prepaid balance acquisition means to a possession value indicating the number of game media acquired by the player when a game end instruction is received; An inter-device device characterized by that. The transition means includes
The inter-unit device according to claim 1, wherein a surplus obtained by dividing the prepaid balance acquired by the prepaid balance acquisition means by a predetermined amount is transferred to the holding value. The transition means includes
The inter-unit device according to claim 2, wherein an amount corresponding to a minimum number of units in gaming medium rental is used as the predetermined amount. A payout means for paying out game media;
A payout instruction means for instructing the payout means to pay out the number of game media corresponding to the surplus when the existing possession value is less than a predetermined value; The inter-station apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. The inter-device apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: an association unit that associates the possessed ball value reflecting the shift by the shift unit with a predetermined recording medium. A game medium management system having a table device provided corresponding to a gaming machine and a management device for managing the table device,
A prepaid balance acquisition means for acquiring a prepaid balance indicating the balance of the prepaid value;
A transition means for transferring a part or all of the prepaid balance acquired by the prepaid balance acquisition means to a possession value indicating the number of game media acquired by the player when a game end instruction is received; A game media management system characterized by the above.

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