JP2016022214A - Server device, program, game medium supply device, information processing method, and game medium supply method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server device capable of reducing a burden in a player during using a game machine (a game facility), and to provide a program, a game medium supply device, an information processing method, and a game medium supply method.SOLUTION: In the case that a player uses a game machine 4, wireless communication following a communication protocol relative to Bluetooth (R) is established between a beacon device 2 and a portable terminal device 5 possessed by the player. The beacon device 2 transmits the portable terminal ID of the portable terminal device 5 with communication established and the beacon ID of an own device to a hall server 1. The hall server 1 stores a game machine ID, an inter-machine ID and a beacon ID in the game machine 4, an inter-machine device 3 and the beacon device 2 which are made to be one set by associating one another. Then, the hall server 1 associates each set with the portable terminal device 5 of the player for management by associating the received portable terminal ID with a set including the received beacon ID to store them.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a server device used in a gaming system including a gaming machine, a program executed by a mobile terminal device, a game medium supply device, an information processing method performed by the server device, and a game performed by the game medium supply device The present invention relates to a medium supply method.

  Game machines such as pachinko machines (bullet ball game machines) and slot machines (rotating game machines) are used using game media such as pachinko balls (game balls) or medals (game medals). The gaming machine is generally connected to a lending device that lends a game medium to a player, and the lending device lends the game medium by supplying the game medium to a tray provided in the gaming machine. Among lending devices, there is a device having a function of reading information stored in an IC (Integrated Circuit) card (see Patent Document 1). Such a lending device reads monetary information (remaining amount information) from an IC card purchased (or charged with cash) by a player, and the number of game media according to the amount of money specified by the player within the remaining amount It is configured to lend out.

JP 2012-29932 A

  In a configuration in which a gaming machine (lending device) can be used using monetary information stored in an IC card, the player must manage his / her IC card and possess it when using the gaming machine. Have

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a server device, a program, a game medium supply device, an information processing method, and a game medium supply method capable of reducing a burden on a player when using a gaming machine (game facility). is there.

  The server device according to the present invention is provided corresponding to a portable terminal device capable of communication according to a communication protocol according to Bluetooth (registered trademark) and a gaming machine, and performs communication according to the communication protocol according to the Bluetooth. An identification information receiving unit for receiving portable terminal identification information for identifying the portable terminal device and communication device identification information for identifying the communication device after the communication is established between possible communication devices; An identification information storage unit that stores the portable terminal identification information and the communication device identification information received by the identification information reception unit in association with each other is provided.

  In the present invention, since the correspondence between the gaming machine and the player is managed by the portable terminal identification information of the portable terminal device of the player, the player prepares (purchases) an IC card according to the gaming machine (game facility). There is no need to do. Further, the player only needs to own his / her portable terminal device, and the burden on the player is reduced as compared with the case where the IC card is managed and possessed.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a gaming system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the external appearance of a gaming machine, a sand device, and a beacon device. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a sand apparatus and a beacon apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a hall server and a gaming machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows the storage content of a gaming machine information table and a balance management table. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a portable terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each apparatus performs when a player starts use of a gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each apparatus performs when the lending request | requirement of a game medium or money insertion is performed with respect to the sand apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each apparatus performs when the lending request | requirement of a game medium or money insertion is performed with respect to the sand apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each apparatus performs when the completion | finish instruction | indication of a gaming machine is performed via a sand apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each apparatus performs when the completion | finish instruction | indication of a gaming machine is performed via a portable terminal device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the game system which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the hall server of Embodiment 2, and a central server. It is a schematic diagram which shows the storage content of a balance management table. It is a flowchart which shows a part of process procedure which each apparatus performs when a player starts use of a gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each apparatus performs when the completion | finish instruction | indication of a gaming machine is performed. It is a flowchart which shows a part of process procedure which each apparatus performs when a player starts use of a gaming machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display screen of a portable terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows a part of process procedure which each apparatus performs when a player starts use of a gaming machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display screen of a portable terminal device. It is a schematic diagram which shows the external appearance of the game machine of Embodiment 5, a sand apparatus, and a beacon apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the storage content of the balance management table of Embodiment 5. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each apparatus performs when a prize arises in a gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each apparatus performs when the lending request | requirement of the storage ball is performed with respect to the sand apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each apparatus performs when communication of a portable terminal device and a beacon device stops. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a portable terminal device performs when communication of a portable terminal device and a beacon device stops. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each apparatus performs when a player starts use of a gaming machine. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each apparatus performs when communication of a portable terminal device and a beacon device stops. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each apparatus performs when communication of a portable terminal device and a beacon device stops.

  Hereinafter, a server device, a program, a game medium supply device, an information processing method, and a game medium supply method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing a game system as an embodiment thereof. The gaming systems in the following embodiments are equipped with gaming machines such as pachinko machines, slot machines, amusement game machines, casino machines (casino slot machines, video poker, video blackjack, video roulette, video kino, etc.), etc. It is set up in an amusement facility. In the following embodiments, the present invention will be described by taking a gaming system provided in a gaming facility (pachinko hall) in which a pachinko machine is installed as a gaming machine as an example.

(Embodiment 1)
The gaming system according to the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a gaming system according to the first embodiment. The gaming system of the first embodiment includes a plurality of gaming machines 4, a plurality of sand devices 3, and a plurality of beacon devices 2 installed in a gaming facility. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the sand device 3 and the beacon device 2 are arranged in the vertical direction on the left side of the gaming machine 4, and a plurality of sets are arranged in a straight line with three devices as one set. In addition, each set of the gaming machine 4, the sand device 3, and the beacon device 2 may be juxtaposed along the circumferential surface of a columnar or prismatic column, and any installation form may be employed. Further, the sand device 3 is also called an inter-table machine, and is generally provided between the gaming machines 4. However, the beacon device 2 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. It may be provided in a chair or the like to be seated. The gaming system according to the first embodiment includes a hall server 1 provided in the gaming facility. Each of the hall server 1, the beacon device 2, the sand device 3, and the gaming machine 4 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) provided in the gaming facility and configured to be able to communicate with each other via the LAN. is there. Note that information transmission / reception between the hall server 1 and the beacon device 2 may be performed via the Internet or the like in addition to the configuration performed via the LAN. In addition, a plurality of hall servers 1 and a plurality of LANs connected to each hall server 1 are provided, and each hall server 1 communicates with a beacon device 2, a sand device 3, and a gaming machine 4 connected to each LAN. It is good also as a structure. Furthermore, the gaming system of the first embodiment can communicate with the mobile terminal device 5 possessed by the player who uses the gaming machine 4. That is, the mobile terminal device 5 and the beacon device (communication device) 2 are configured to be capable of wireless communication in accordance with a communication protocol related to Bluetooth. Note that the mobile terminal device 5 is not limited to a terminal owned by each player, but may be a terminal lent to each player at a gaming facility.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the gaming machine 4, the sand device 3, and the beacon device 2. In FIG. 2, the state which looked at the game machine 4, the sand apparatus 3, and the beacon apparatus 2 from the front side (player side) is shown. The gaming machine 4 has a tray 4a in which a gaming medium (for example, a pachinko ball) used in the gaming machine 4 is stored at the lower front portion of the housing. The saucer 4a is provided so as to protrude from the housing of the gaming machine 4, for example. In addition, an operation handle 44a is provided above the tray 4a on the front surface of the housing of the gaming machine 4, and a display unit 45 is provided above the operation handle 44a. The sand device 3 is a lending device (game medium supply device, money accepting device) that lends game media to a player. The sand device 3 has a money insertion slot 34a into which bills such as a thousand yen bill, a 5,000 yen bill, and a 10,000 yen bill are inserted at the upper front portion of the housing, and a game medium at the lower portion of the money insertion slot 34a. Ball lending button (reception unit) 35a for accepting a lending request. The money insertion slot 34a may be configured not only to insert banknotes but also to be able to input coins such as one hundred yen coins and five hundred yen coins, or may be configured to insert a voucher corresponding to a predetermined amount. Nothing is required on the surface of the housing of the beacon device 2, but for example, a message requesting that the mobile terminal device 5 be brought close to beacon so that wireless communication between the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5 can be performed reliably. You may display on the housing | casing front surface of the apparatus 2. FIG. Moreover, you may provide the mounting base in which the portable terminal device 5 can be mounted in the housing | casing front surface of the beacon apparatus 2. FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the sand device 3 and the beacon device 2. The sand device 3 includes a control unit 30, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 31, a storage unit 32, a LAN communication unit 33, a money amount determination unit 34, an operation unit 35, a ball supply unit 36, and the like. The control unit 30 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processor Unit). The control unit 30 reads various control programs stored in the storage unit 32 into the RAM 31 and executes them to perform various processes and control the operation of each unit included in the sand device 3. The RAM 31 is an SRAM (Static RAM), a DRAM (Dynamic RAM), a flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when various control programs are executed by the control unit 30. The storage unit 32 is, for example, a flash memory, and stores in advance a control program executed by the control unit 30 and various data.

  The LAN communication unit 33 is an interface for connecting to the LAN, and communicates with other devices connected to the LAN via the LAN. For example, the LAN communication unit 33 transmits information to the hall server 1 via the LAN in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 30. When the LAN communication unit 33 receives information from the hall server 1 via the LAN, the LAN communication unit 33 sends the received information to the control unit 30. Note that the LAN communication unit 33 may be configured to connect to the LAN by wireless communication or may be configured to connect to the LAN by wired communication via a predetermined signal line. The money amount discriminating unit 34 discriminates the type (amount) of bills inserted into the sand apparatus 3 from the money insertion slot 34 a and notifies the control unit 30 of the discriminated amount. In addition, when the money insertion slot 34a can also insert coins, the money amount determination unit 34 has a configuration that can also determine the type (amount) of the inserted coins. The operation unit 35 includes a ball lending button 35 a and has various operation buttons for the player of the gaming machine 4 to operate the sand device 3. The operation unit 35 receives information corresponding to the operated operation button, and sends the received information to the control unit 30. For example, when the ball lending button 35a is operated, the operation unit 35 receives a game media lending request. The ball supply unit 36 includes, for example, a storage unit that stores game media (pachinko balls), a supply path that supplies (discharges) game media from the storage unit to the tray 4a of the gaming machine 4, and an opening / closing unit that opens and closes the supply path. . The ball supply unit 36 supplies the number of game media according to the instruction from the control unit 30 to the tray 4 a of the gaming machine 4 by opening and closing the supply path at the opening and closing unit in accordance with the instruction from the control unit 30. In addition to the above-described configuration, the sand device 3 may include a display unit that displays various types of information in accordance with instructions from the control unit 30. In addition to the configuration for receiving banknotes or coins, the sand device 3 has a configuration for accepting designation of the amount of money used within the range of the amount inserted and discharging (returning) bills or coins according to the remaining amount as change. You may prepare.

  The beacon device 2 includes a control unit 20, a RAM 21, a storage unit 22, a LAN communication unit 23, a wireless communication unit 24, and the like. The control unit 20 is a CPU or MPU. The control unit 20 reads various control programs stored in the storage unit 22 into the RAM 21 and executes them to perform various processes, and controls the operation of each unit included in the beacon device 2. The RAM 21 is an SRAM, DRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when various control programs are executed by the control unit 20. The storage unit 22 is, for example, a flash memory, and stores in advance a control program executed by the control unit 20 and various data. The LAN communication unit 23 is an interface for connecting to the LAN, and communicates with other devices connected to the LAN via the LAN. For example, the LAN communication unit 23 transmits information to the hall server 1 via the LAN in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 20. When the LAN communication unit 23 receives information from the hall server 1 via the LAN, the LAN communication unit 23 sends the received information to the control unit 20. Note that the LAN communication unit 23 may be configured to connect to the LAN by wireless communication or may be configured to connect to the LAN by wired communication via a predetermined signal line. The wireless communication unit 24 is a communication interface for performing wireless communication according to a communication protocol related to Bluetooth. The wireless communication unit 24 transmits and receives information to and from another communication device (mobile terminal device 5) capable of wireless communication according to a communication protocol related to Bluetooth.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the hall server 1 and the gaming machine 4. The gaming machine 4 includes a control unit 40, a RAM 41, a storage unit 42, a LAN communication unit 43, an operation unit 44, a display unit 45, a ball transport unit 46, a sensor 47, and the like. The control unit 40 is a CPU or MPU. The control unit 40 reads various control programs stored in the storage unit 42 into the RAM 41 and executes them appropriately to perform various processes and control the operation of each unit included in the gaming machine 4. The RAM 41 is an SRAM, DRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when various control programs are executed by the control unit 40. The storage unit 42 is, for example, a flash memory, and stores in advance a control program executed by the control unit 40 and various data.

  The LAN communication unit 43 is an interface for connecting to the LAN, and communicates with other devices connected to the LAN via the LAN. For example, the LAN communication unit 43 transmits information to the hall server 1 via the LAN in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 40. Further, when the LAN communication unit 43 receives information from the hall server 1 via the LAN, the LAN communication unit 43 sends the received information to the control unit 40. Note that the LAN communication unit 43 may be configured to connect to the LAN by wireless communication or may be configured to connect to the LAN by wired communication via a predetermined signal line. The operation unit 44 has operation buttons for the player to operate the gaming machine 4 and includes, for example, an operation handle 44a. The operation handle 44a is used to control the ejection of the game medium, and the ejection speed of the game medium changes according to the rotation angle. The display unit 45 includes a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and the like, and displays various information according to instructions from the control unit 40. The ball transport unit 46 has a mechanism for transporting (injecting) game media in the tray 4 a of the gaming machine 4 into the housing of the gaming machine 4. The ball transport unit 46 transports the game medium at an ejection speed in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 40, and the control unit 40 receives the game medium at the ejection speed corresponding to the player's rotation operation with respect to the operation handle 44a. Instructing the ball conveying unit 46 to convey. The sensor 47 includes a sensor that detects the gaming state of the gaming machine 4, such as a sensor that detects a winning of a gaming medium (a gaming medium enters the winning slot) provided to a winning opening and a big winning opening provided in the gaming machine 4. . When the sensor 47 detects each state, the sensor 47 sequentially outputs a detection signal to the control unit 40. In the present invention, the internal configuration of the gaming machine 4 is not essential. Therefore, for example, it is needless to say that the gaming machine 4 may include a so-called main board that controls lottery and a so-called peripheral board that controls production.

  The hall server 1 is a general server device, and includes a control unit 10, a RAM 11, a storage unit 12, a LAN communication unit 13, and the like. The control unit 10 is a CPU or MPU. The control unit 10 reads various control programs stored in the storage unit 12 into the RAM 11 and executes them to perform various processes, and controls the operation of each unit provided in the hall server 1. The RAM 11 is SRAM, DRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when various control programs are executed by the control unit 10. The storage unit 12 is an HDD or a flash memory, and stores in advance a control program executed by the control unit 10 and various data. The storage unit 12 stores a gaming machine information table 12a for managing the usage state of each gaming machine 4, and a balance management table 12b for managing the balance of each player.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the stored contents of the gaming machine information table 12a and the balance management table 12b. In the gaming machine information table 12a, information on each gaming machine 4 connected to the LAN is stored. Specifically, the gaming machine ID of each gaming machine 4, the sand ID of the sand device 3 associated with each gaming machine 4, the beacon ID of the beacon device 2, the status information of each gaming machine 4, and each gaming machine 4 The portable terminal ID and the like of the portable terminal device 5 possessed by the player are stored in the gaming machine information table 12a in association with each other. The gaming machine ID column stores identification information (gaming machine identification information) for identifying each gaming machine 4, and the sand ID column identifies identification information (money device) for identifying each sand device 3. Identification information) is stored, and identification information (communication device identification information) for identifying each beacon device 2 is stored in the column of beacon ID. The gaming machine 4, sand device 3 and beacon device 2 used by one player are associated in advance, and the contents of each column of gaming machine ID, sand ID and beacon ID are stored in advance. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a gaming machine ID of a certain gaming machine 4, a sand ID of the sand device 3 provided on the left side of the gaming machine 4 and a beacon ID of the beacon device 2 are stored in association with each other. ing. In addition, when a change occurs in the correspondence relationship between the gaming machine 4, the sand device 3, and the beacon device 2, the control unit 10 may be configured to be able to change it. In the state information column, information indicating the usage state (operation state) of each gaming machine 4 is stored. Specifically, “operating” is stored if the gaming machine 4 is in use (gaming), and “stopped” is stored if the gaming machine 4 is not in use. The contents of the status information column are updated to “in operation” by the control unit 10 when the use of each gaming machine 4 is started, and when the use of each gaming machine 4 is finished, Updated to “Stopped”. In the mobile terminal ID column, identification information (mobile terminal identification information) for identifying the mobile terminal device 5 possessed by the player using each gaming machine 4 is stored. The contents of the column of the portable terminal ID are stored by the control unit 10 when the use of each gaming machine 4 is started, and are deleted by the control unit 10 when the use of each gaming machine 4 is finished. As the gaming machine ID, sand ID, beacon ID, and portable terminal ID, destination information used when communicating with each device, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address assigned to each device may be used.

  In the balance management table 12b, the portable terminal ID of the portable terminal device 5 possessed by each player is stored in association with the amount (balance, unit is yen) that can be used by each player. The mobile terminal ID column stores information similar to the information stored in the mobile terminal ID column of the gaming machine information table 12a. The contents of the column of the portable terminal ID are stored by the control unit 10 when the player uses the gaming machine 4 for the first time. The content of the balance column is that when the player inserts money into the sand device 3, the inserted amount is added by the control unit 10, and the player requests the sand device 3 to lend game media. In this case, the amount according to the request is subtracted by the control unit 10.

  The LAN communication unit 13 is an interface for connecting to the LAN, and communicates with other devices connected to the LAN via the LAN. For example, the LAN communication unit 13 transmits information to the beacon device 2 or the sand device 3 via the LAN in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 10. In addition, when receiving information from the beacon device 2 or the sand device 3 via the LAN, the LAN communication unit 13 sends the received information to the control unit 10. Note that the LAN communication unit 13 may be configured to connect to the LAN by wireless communication or may be configured to connect to the LAN by wired communication via a predetermined signal line.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the mobile terminal device 5. The mobile terminal device 5 is a portable communication device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). The mobile terminal device 5 includes a control unit 50, a RAM 51, a storage unit 52, a touch panel 53, a wireless communication unit 54, a network communication unit 55, and the like. The control unit 50 is a CPU or MPU. The control unit 50 reads various control programs stored in the storage unit 52 into the RAM 51 and executes them to perform various processes, and controls the operation of each unit included in the mobile terminal device 5. The RAM 51 is an SRAM, DRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when various control programs are executed by the control unit 50. The storage unit 52 is a flash memory or the like, and stores a control program executed by the control unit 50 and various data in advance. Further, the storage unit 52 stores a gaming machine utilization application program (hereinafter referred to as a gaming machine utilization application) 52a which is a program according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gaming machine use application 52a may be stored in the storage unit 52 in advance, or may be downloaded from a predetermined web server via the network N and stored in the storage unit 52.

  The touch panel 53 includes an operation unit 53a and a display unit 53b. The operation unit 53a has various operation keys necessary for the owner of the mobile terminal device 5 to operate the mobile terminal device 5, receives information corresponding to the operated operation key, and receives the received information from the control unit To 50. The display unit 53b is a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, or the like, and displays various types of information according to instructions from the control unit 50. The operation unit 53a and the display unit 53b may be configured separately. The wireless communication unit 54 is a communication interface for performing wireless communication according to a communication protocol related to Bluetooth. The wireless communication unit 54 transmits and receives information to and from another communication device (beacon device 2) capable of wireless communication according to a communication protocol related to Bluetooth. The network communication unit 55 is an interface for connecting to a network N including the Internet, and transmits / receives information to / from various communication devices connectable to the network N.

  Hereinafter, processing performed by each device having the above-described configuration in the gaming system of the first embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts. First, a process performed by each device when a user (player) possessing the mobile terminal device 5 enters a gaming facility and starts using the gaming machine 4 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed by each device when the player starts using the gaming machine 4. The control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 periodically transmits a beacon signal at the wireless communication unit 24. Specifically, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 determines whether or not it is a predetermined transmission timing (S1), and if it is determined that it is a transmission timing (S1: YES), the wireless communication unit 24 A predetermined beacon signal is transmitted (S2). When it is determined that it is not the transmission timing (S1: NO), the control unit 20 waits until the transmission timing comes. After transmitting the beacon signal, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the wireless communication unit 24 has received a response signal to the transmitted beacon signal (S3). When it is determined that the response signal is not received (S3: NO), for example, when the response signal is not received within a predetermined time after transmitting the beacon signal, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 performs the process in step S1. To return.

  On the other hand, when using the gaming machine 4, the player carrying the portable terminal device 5 instructs the touch panel 53 to execute the gaming machine utilization application 52 a by performing a predetermined operation. The control unit 50 of the portable terminal device 5 reads and activates (executes) the gaming machine using application 52a in the RAM 51 in accordance with an instruction (operation) by the player (S4). In the mobile terminal device 5 that is executing the gaming machine utilization application 52a, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the beacon signal periodically transmitted by the beacon device 2 is received by the wireless communication unit 54 (S5). When it is determined that a beacon signal has not been received (S5: NO), the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 stands by until it is received. If it is determined that a beacon signal has been received (S5: YES), the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 transmits a response signal to the received beacon signal in the wireless communication unit 54 (S6). The beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device 2 includes information on the beacon device 2 (beacon ID), and the mobile terminal device 5 includes the beacon ID included in the beacon signal and the information on the own device (mobile phone). The response signal including the terminal ID) is transmitted. When the beacon device 2 receives the response signal, the beacon device 2 acquires the response signal addressed to the own device when the beacon ID included in the response signal is the beacon ID of the own device. When the beacon device 2 waiting to receive a response signal receives the response signal, communication between the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5 that is the transmission source of the response signal is established (started) (paired). . Here, for simplification of description, it is assumed that the beacon signal from the beacon device 2 is received by only one mobile terminal device 5. The mobile terminal device 5 may transmit a beacon signal, and the beacon device 2 that has received the beacon signal may transmit a response signal to establish communication. The mobile terminal device 5 stores the beacon ID of the communication partner beacon device 2 in, for example, the RAM 51, and the beacon device 2 stores the mobile terminal ID of the communication partner mobile terminal device 5 in, for example, the RAM 21. Thereby, beacon device 2 and portable terminal device 5 which established communication can judge whether the signal received after that is a signal from the other device currently communicating. The beacon device 2 stores the beacon ID of the device itself in the storage unit 22, and the mobile terminal device 5 stores the mobile terminal ID of the device itself in the storage unit 52.

  When the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 determines that the wireless communication unit 24 has received the response signal (S3: YES), the mobile terminal ID and the beacon ID of the own device included in the received response signal are transmitted via LAN communication. The part 23 transmits to the hall server 1 (S7). The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 receives the portable terminal ID and the beacon ID transmitted from the beacon device 2 at the LAN communication unit (identification information receiving unit) 13, and based on the received information, the gaming machine information table 12a. Is updated (S8). Specifically, the control unit (identification information storage unit) 10 stores the received portable terminal ID in the column of the portable terminal ID corresponding to the received beacon ID in the gaming machine information table 12a, and the corresponding state information. Update the field to “in use”. The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 reads the balance corresponding to the received mobile terminal ID from the balance management table 12b (S9), and transmits balance information indicating the read balance from the LAN communication unit 13 to the beacon device 2 ( S10). If the beacon ID is destination information used when communicating with the beacon device 2, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 can transmit the balance information to the beacon device 2 using the beacon ID. When the beacon ID is not destination information, the hall server 1 stores the destination information of each beacon device 2 in the storage unit 12 in association with the beacon ID. Thereby, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 can read the destination information corresponding to the beacon ID from the storage unit 12 and transmit the balance information to the beacon device 2 using the read destination information.

  When the balance information transmitted from the hall server 1 is received by the LAN communication unit 23, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 transmits the received balance information to the mobile terminal device 5 by the wireless communication unit 24 (S11). . When the balance information transmitted from the beacon device 2 is received by the wireless communication unit 54, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 responds to the received balance information on the application screen (display screen) by the game machine using application 52a. The remaining balance is displayed (S12). Thereby, the player can grasp | ascertain the money (balance) which can be used. The player uses (games) the gaming machine 4 with the portable terminal device 5 executing the gaming machine utilization application 52a, that is, with the balance displayed on the display unit 53b of the portable terminal device 5. . In the first embodiment, when the beacon device 2 and the portable terminal device 5 once establish one-to-one communication, the player instructs the end of use of the gaming machine 4 via the sand device 3 or the portable terminal device 5. Until then, it is assumed that communication between the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5 continues.

  After transmitting the balance information, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 transmits a start command for instructing the operation start to the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 associated with the destination beacon device 2 (S13). . The control unit 10 identifies the corresponding sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 based on the stored contents of the gaming machine information table 12a, and transmits a start command to the corresponding sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4. In the sand device 3 that has received the start command, it is possible to insert money from the money insertion slot 34a, and it is possible to accept an operation for the ball lending button 35a. In addition, in the gaming machine 4 that has received the start command, it is possible to accept an operation for the operation unit 44 (operation handle 44a). As a result, the gaming machine 4 can be used.

  Next, after the gaming machine 4 and the sand device 3 can be used as described above, each device performs when the player makes a lending request or inserts a game medium to the sand device 3. Processing will be described. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing a procedure of processing performed by each device when a game medium lending request or money is input to the sand device 3. When the player requests the sand apparatus 3 to rent game media, the player operates (for example, presses) the ball lending button 35a. Further, when the player increases the usable balance, the player inserts money such as banknotes or coins from the money insertion slot 34a. The control unit 30 of the sand device 3 determines whether or not the ball lending button 35a has been operated by the player (S21). If it is determined that the ball lending button 35a has not been operated (S21: NO), the process proceeds to step S29. To migrate. When it is determined that the ball lending button 35a has been operated (S21: YES), the control unit 30 of the sand device 3 operates information (lending information) indicating that the ball lending button 35a has been operated, and the sand ID of the own device. Is transmitted to the hall server 1 by the LAN communication unit (transmission unit) 33 (S22). The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 receives the operation information and the sand ID at the LAN communication unit (lending information receiving unit) 13, and stores the portable terminal ID corresponding to the received sand ID in the gaming machine information table 12a. (S23). The control unit (update unit) 10 updates the balance corresponding to the specified mobile terminal ID in the balance management table 12b (S24). For example, in the case where a game medium for 1000 yen is lent by a single operation on the ball lending button 35a, the control unit 10 updates the balance to a value obtained by subtracting 1000 yen. The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 notifies the sand device 3 of the completion of the balance update through the LAN communication unit 13 (S25).

  When notified of the completion of the balance update, the control unit 30 of the sand apparatus 3 supplies the game medium to the tray 4a of the gaming machine 4 at the ball supply unit (supply unit) 36 (S26), and ends the process. Note that the update completion notification from the hall server 1 corresponds to permission information that permits the supply of game media by the sand device 3. Therefore, the sand device 3 supplies the game medium when notified of the completion of the update from the hall server 1. Further, the sand device 3 may be configured such that the number of game media to be lent out or the amount of money to be used can be designated. Supplied.

  The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 transmits balance information indicating the balance updated in step S24 to the mobile terminal device 5 via the beacon device 2 (S27). Specifically, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 sends the LAN communication unit 13 to the beacon device 2 corresponding to the sand device 3 (or the mobile terminal device 5 whose mobile terminal ID is specified in step S23) that has notified the update completion. Send balance information at. Then, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 receives the balance information transmitted by the hall server 1 by the LAN communication unit 23 and transmits the received balance information to the mobile terminal device 5 by the wireless communication unit 24. Note that the control unit 10 may directly transmit the balance information to the mobile terminal device 5. When the balance information is received by the wireless communication unit 54, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 displays a balance corresponding to the received balance information on the application screen (S28). Here, the control unit 50 changes the balance being displayed on the application screen to a balance corresponding to the received balance information. Therefore, the player can grasp the balance (usable amount) that is appropriately updated (subtracted) by renting out game media on the application screen. In step S29, the control unit 30 of the sand apparatus 3 determines whether or not money is inserted from the money insertion port 34a by the player (S29), and when it is determined that the money is not inserted (S29: NO). The process returns to step S21. When it is determined that money has been inserted (S29: YES), the control unit 30 of the sand apparatus 3 specifies the amount of money that has been inserted by the money amount determination unit 34 (S30). Then, the control unit 30 transmits the deposit information (money information) including the specified amount and the sand ID of the own device to the hall server 1 through the LAN communication unit 33 (S31). The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 receives the deposit information and the sand ID at the LAN communication unit (money information receiving unit) 13, and stores the portable terminal ID corresponding to the received sand ID in the gaming machine information table 12a. (S32). The control unit (monetary information storage unit) 10 updates the balance corresponding to the specified mobile terminal ID in the balance management table 12b (S33). Here, the control unit 10 updates the balance to which the amount indicated by the received payment information is added. The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 transmits balance information indicating the updated balance to the mobile terminal device 5 via the beacon device 2 (S34). Note that the control unit 10 may directly transmit the balance information to the mobile terminal device 5. When the balance information is received by the wireless communication unit 54, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 displays a balance corresponding to the received balance information on the application screen (S35). Therefore, the player can grasp the balance (usable amount) that is appropriately updated (added) by depositing money on the application screen.

  Next, processing performed by each device when the player instructs the end of use of the gaming machine 4 will be described. In the gaming system of the first embodiment, when the player instructs the end of use of the gaming machine 4, it is displayed on an end button (not shown) provided on the sand device 3 or an application screen of the mobile terminal device 5. Operate the end button (not shown). Hereinafter, a process performed by each device when the player gives an instruction to end the gaming machine 4 by operating an end button provided on the sand device 3 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by each device when an instruction to end the gaming machine 4 is issued via the sand device 3.

  The control unit 30 of the sand device 3 determines whether or not the end button has been operated by the player (S41), and when determining that it has not been operated (S41: NO), waits while performing other processing. To do. When it is determined that the end button has been operated (S41: YES), the control unit 30 of the sand device 3 uses the LAN communication unit 33 to send end information for instructing the end of the gaming machine 4 and the sand ID of the own device to the hole. It transmits to the server 1 (S42). When receiving the end information and the sand ID, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 specifies the mobile terminal ID corresponding to the received sand ID based on the stored contents of the gaming machine information table 12a (S43). Thereafter, the control unit 10 updates the status information column corresponding to the received sand ID (or the specified portable terminal ID) to “stopped” in the gaming machine information table 12a, and puts it in the corresponding portable terminal ID column. The stored portable terminal ID is deleted (S44).

  The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 reads the balance corresponding to the mobile terminal ID specified in step S43 from the balance management table 12b (S45), and receives the balance information indicating the read balance via the beacon device 2 as the mobile terminal device. 5 (S46). Note that the control unit 10 may directly transmit the balance information to the mobile terminal device 5. The control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 receives the balance information at the wireless communication unit 54, displays the balance according to the received balance information on the application screen (S47), and ends the process. Therefore, the player can grasp the balance at the end of use (game) of the gaming machine 4 on the application screen. After transmitting the balance information, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 transmits an end command for instructing the end of the operation to the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 associated with the destination beacon device 2 (S48). . In the sand apparatus 3 that has received the end command, it becomes impossible to accept money inserted from the money insertion slot 34a and accept operations for the ball lending button 35a. In addition, in the gaming machine 4 that has received the end command, it becomes impossible to accept an operation for the operation unit 44 (operation handle 44a). The process in step S48 may be performed between the process in step S43 and the process in step S44, for example.

  Next, processing performed by each device when the player gives an instruction to end the gaming machine 4 by operating the end button displayed on the application screen of the mobile terminal device 5 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by each device when an instruction to end the gaming machine 4 is issued via the mobile terminal device 5. The control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 determines whether or not the end button displayed on the touch panel 53 has been operated by the player (S51), and determines that it has not been operated (S51: NO). Wait while performing other processing. When it is determined that the end button has been operated (S51: YES), the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 sends the end information for instructing the end of the gaming machine 4 and the mobile terminal ID of the own device to the wireless communication unit 54. To the beacon device 2 (S52). When the end information and the mobile terminal ID are received by the wireless communication unit 24, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 transmits the end information and the beacon ID of the own device to the hall server 1 by the LAN communication unit 23 ( S53). The beacon device 2 stores the mobile terminal ID of the mobile terminal device 5 that is currently communicating in the RAM 21, and the control unit 20 matches the received mobile terminal ID with the mobile terminal ID stored in the RAM 21. Judge whether to do. When the received mobile terminal ID matches the mobile terminal ID stored in the RAM 21, the control unit 20 acquires the received information as information addressed to the own device. On the other hand, when the received mobile terminal ID does not match the mobile terminal ID stored in the RAM 21, the control unit 20 discards the received information.

  The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 receives the end information and the beacon ID at the LAN communication unit 13, and specifies the mobile terminal ID corresponding to the received beacon ID based on the stored contents of the gaming machine information table 12a ( S54). The beacon device 2 may be configured to transmit the mobile terminal ID of the mobile terminal device 5 that is the transmission source of the end information to the hall server 1 together with the end information. In this case, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 The terminal ID is specified as the received mobile terminal ID. Thereafter, in the gaming machine information table 12a, the control unit 10 updates the status information column corresponding to the received beacon ID (or mobile terminal ID) to “stopped” and stores it in the corresponding mobile terminal ID column. The mobile terminal ID is deleted (S55). The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 reads the balance corresponding to the mobile terminal ID specified in step S54 from the balance management table 12b (S56), and the balance information indicating the read balance is the beacon device 2 that is the transmission source of the end information. To the LAN communication unit 13 (S57). When the balance information transmitted from the hall server 1 is received by the LAN communication unit 23, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 transmits the received balance information to the mobile terminal device 5 by the wireless communication unit 24 (S58). . When the balance information is received by the wireless communication unit 54, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 displays the balance corresponding to the received balance information on the application screen (S59), and ends the process. Therefore, the player can grasp the balance at the end of use (game) of the gaming machine 4 on the application screen. After transmitting the balance information, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 transmits an end command for instructing the end of the operation to the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 associated with the destination beacon device 2 (S60). . Note that the process of step S60 may be performed, for example, between the process of step S54 and the process of step S55.

  In the gaming system of the first embodiment, by automatically pairing the beacon device 2 and the portable terminal device 5 associated with the corresponding sand device 3, the management of the correspondence between each gaming machine 4 and each player, and each The hall server 1 manages the player's balance using the portable terminal ID of the portable terminal device 5 possessed by each player. Therefore, the player only needs to possess the portable terminal device 5 when using the gaming machine 4, and does not need to manage and possess the IC card issued according to the gaming machine 4 (gaming facility). The burden of is reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, a gaming system according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a gaming system according to the second embodiment. The gaming system of the second embodiment includes the gaming system of the first embodiment provided in each of a plurality of gaming facilities (pachinko halls) and the central server 6. Note that the gaming system provided in each gaming facility has the same configuration as the gaming system of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the gaming system of the second embodiment, the hall server 1 provided in each gaming facility is configured to be connectable to the network N. The central server 6 can also be connected to the network N, and the central server 6 and each hall server 1 can communicate with each other via the network N.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the hall server 1 and the central server 6 according to the second embodiment. The hall server 1 according to the second embodiment includes a network communication unit 14 in addition to the control unit 10, the RAM 11, the storage unit 12, and the LAN communication unit 13. The network communication unit 14 is an interface for connecting to the network N, and transmits and receives information to and from various communication devices connectable to the network N.

  The central server 6 is a general server device, and includes a control unit 60, a RAM 61, a storage unit 62, a network communication unit 63, and the like. The control unit 60 is a CPU, an MPU, or the like, and performs various processes by appropriately reading and executing a control program stored in the storage unit 62 in the RAM 61, and controls operations of the above-described units included in the central server 6 To do. The RAM 61 is SRAM, DRAM, flash memory, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when various control programs are executed by the control unit 60. The storage unit 62 is an HDD or a flash memory, and stores in advance a control program executed by the control unit 60 and various data. The storage unit 62 stores a balance management table 62a for managing the balance of each player who uses each gaming facility. The network communication unit 63 is an interface for connecting to the network N, and transmits and receives information to and from various communication devices connectable to the network N.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the contents stored in the balance management table 62a. Similar to the balance management table 12b stored in the storage unit 12 of the hall server 1, the balance management table 62a includes a mobile terminal ID column and a balance column, and further includes a game status information column. Information indicating the current gaming status of each player is stored in the gaming status information column. Specifically, if each player is currently using the gaming machine 4 at any gaming facility (in game), identification information for identifying the gaming facility in use is stored and used (game) Otherwise, nothing is stored. In the case where the game is not being played, information indicating that the game is not being played may be stored. In the game status information column, when the player starts using the gaming machine 4 at any gaming facility, specifically, when any hall server 1 requests (inquires) balance information. The control unit 60 stores identification information of the gaming facility used by the player. In addition to the gaming facility identification information, identification information for identifying the hall server 1 may be stored in the gaming status information column. The contents of each column of the portable terminal ID and the balance are stored or updated by the control unit 60 when the central server 6 receives balance update information from any of the hall servers 1. Note that the case where the central server 6 receives the balance update information from any of the hall servers 1 is the case where the player has finished using the gaming machine 4, and in this case, the control unit 60 determines the gaming status. Delete the information stored in the information column. By managing the game status of each player in the balance management table 62a, for example, it is possible to prohibit the updating of the balance of the player currently playing in the balance management table 62a. Therefore, a situation in which the balance of each player managed by the balance management table 62a in the central server 6 does not coincide with the balance of each player managed by the balance management table 12b in the hall server 1 does not occur.

  Hereinafter, processing performed by each device having the above-described configuration in the gaming system of the second embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts. In the gaming system of the second embodiment, when the player who has the mobile terminal device 5 enters the gaming facility and starts using the gaming machine 4, each device performs processing similar to that shown in FIG. I do. In the second embodiment, the process performed by the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 is slightly different from the process shown in FIG. Therefore, the same process is denoted by the same step number, description thereof is omitted, and only different processes are described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a part of the procedure of processing performed by each device when the player starts using the gaming machine 4.

In the gaming system of the second embodiment, when the player starts using the gaming machine 4, the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5 perform the processes of steps S1 to S7 in FIG.
When the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 receives the mobile terminal ID and the beacon ID transmitted from the beacon device 2 at the LAN communication unit 13, whether or not the received mobile terminal ID is stored in the balance management table 12b. Is determined (S71). If it is determined that it is stored (S71: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to step S8. In this case, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 performs a process similar to the process in the first embodiment. When it is determined that the received mobile terminal ID is not stored in the balance management table 12b (S71: NO), the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 sends the balance information corresponding to the received mobile terminal ID to the network communication unit 14. Request to the central server 6 (S72). When the balance information is requested, the control unit 60 of the central server 6 reads the balance corresponding to the requested portable terminal ID from the balance management table 62a (S73). In the balance management table 62a, the control unit 60 stores the identification information of the gaming facility in which the hall server 1 that requested the balance information is provided in the gaming status information column corresponding to the portable terminal ID from which the balance has been read ( S74). When the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 requests balance information, the control unit 60 of the central server 6 transmits the identification information of the gaming facility in which the own device is provided to the central server 6. The facility identification information is stored in the game status information column of the balance management table 62a. Further, when the hall server 1 requests balance information, the hall server 1 transmits its own identification information to the central server 6, and the control unit 60 of the central server 6 sends the received identification information of the hall server 1 to the balance management table 62a. The game status information may be stored in the game status information column.

  The control unit 60 of the central server 6 transmits balance information indicating the balance read in step S73 to the requesting hall server 1 via the network communication unit 63 (S75). When the balance information is received by the network communication unit 14, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 stores the received balance information in association with the portable terminal ID that requested the balance information in step S72 in the balance management table 12b. (S76). The control unit 60 of the central server 6 may be configured to transmit the corresponding mobile terminal ID to the hall server 1 together with the balance information. In this case, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 receives the received mobile terminal ID and the balance. The information is associated and stored in the balance management table 12b. Thereafter, the hall server 1, the beacon device 2, and the mobile terminal device 5 perform the processing after step S8 in FIG.

  Next, processing performed by each device when the player instructs the end of use of the gaming machine 4 will be described. In the gaming system of the second embodiment, when the player instructs the end of use of the gaming machine 4 by operating the end button of the sand device 3 or the end button in the application screen of the mobile terminal device 5, each device The same processing as that shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11 is performed. In the second embodiment, the process performed by the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 is slightly different from the process shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. Therefore, the same process is denoted by the same step number, description thereof is omitted, and only different processes are described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by each device when an instruction to end the gaming machine 4 is issued.

  In the gaming system of the second embodiment, when the player operates the end button of the sand device 3 to instruct the end of use of the gaming machine 4, the hall server 1, the sand device 3, and the portable terminal device 5 are shown in FIG. Steps S41 to S48 are performed. When the player operates the end button in the application screen of the mobile terminal device 5 to instruct the end of use of the gaming machine 4, the hall server 1, the beacon device 2, and the mobile terminal device 5 The process of S51-S60 is performed. After the processing of step S48 or S60, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 transmits a request for updating the balance of the player who has instructed the end of use of the gaming machine 4 to the central server 6 through the network communication unit 14 (S81). Specifically, the control unit 10 centralizes the mobile terminal ID specified in step S43 or S54, the balance read from the balance management table 12b in step S45 or S56, and information indicating an update request for the balance management table 62a. Send to server 6. When receiving the balance update request, the control unit 60 of the central server 6 stores the received mobile terminal ID and balance in the balance management table 62a (S82). At this time, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the received mobile terminal ID is already stored in the balance management table 62a. If not, the control unit 60 associates the received mobile terminal ID and the balance with the balance management table 62a. To store. On the other hand, when the received mobile terminal ID is already stored in the balance management table 62a, the control unit 60 updates the balance corresponding to the stored mobile terminal ID to the received balance. At this time, the control unit 60 deletes information (for example, identification information of the gaming facility) stored in the gaming status information column corresponding to the updated balance.

  The control unit 60 of the central server 6 notifies the update completion of the balance management table 62a to the hall server 1 that is the transmission source of the update request through the network communication unit 63 (S83). When notified of the completion of the update of the balance management table 62a, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 stores the balance requested for update in step S81, that is, the balance of the player who has instructed the end of use of the gaming machine 4 as the storage unit 12 Is deleted from the balance management table 12b (S84). Specifically, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 deletes the portable terminal ID specified in step S43 or S54 and the balance read from the balance management table 12b in step S45 or S56 from the balance management table 12b.

  In the gaming system of the second embodiment, when the player starts using the gaming machine 4 at any gaming facility, the hall server 1 of this gaming facility acquires the balance information of the player from the central server 6. When the player has finished using the gaming machine 4, the hall server 1 transmits a request for updating the player's balance to the central server 6. Therefore, since the balance information of each player is managed by the central server 6, the player uses the gaming machine 4 of a different gaming facility using the money thrown into the sand device 3 of any gaming facility. be able to. Further, the hall server 1 deletes the balance of the player who requested the update to the central server 6, specifically, the balance of the player updated by the central server 6 from the balance management table 12b of the own device. That is, the balance information of each player is not managed redundantly in the balance management table 12b of the hall server 1 and the balance management table 62a of the central server 6. Therefore, the situation where the balance of each player managed by the balance management table 12b of the hall server 1 does not coincide with the balance of each player managed by the balance management table 62a of the central server 6 does not occur.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the gaming system of the second embodiment, after the hall server 1 transmits balance information to the portable terminal device 5 of the player who has finished using the gaming machine 4, the balance of the player In this configuration, an update request is transmitted to the central server 6. In addition to this, the hall server 1 sends a request for updating the balance of the player to the central server after a predetermined time has elapsed since the balance information was transmitted to the portable terminal device 5 of the player who has finished using the gaming machine 4. 6 may be used. In addition, a detection unit that detects whether or not each player has left the gaming facility is provided at the entrance to the gaming facility, and when the player has left the gaming facility, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since leaving, The hall server 1 may transmit a request for updating the balance of the retired player to the central server 6. A player who has finished using the gaming machine 4 is likely to start using another gaming machine 4 in the same gaming facility. Therefore, even when the player has finished using the gaming machine 4, the balance information of the player is managed by the balance management table 12b of the hall server 1 for a predetermined period, so that between the hall server 1 and the central server 6 It is possible to reduce the number of balance information transmission / reception performed in. Note that a communication unit that performs wireless communication in accordance with a communication protocol related to Bluetooth can be used as the detection unit that detects the player's exit from the gaming facility. By using this communication unit, it can be determined whether or not the player who has the portable terminal device 5 has passed through the entrance of the gaming facility.

(Embodiment 3)
The gaming system according to Embodiment 3 will be described below. The gaming system of the third embodiment has the same configuration as the gaming system of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The gaming system of the third embodiment can also be applied to each gaming system provided in each gaming facility in the gaming system of the above-described second embodiment. In the gaming system of the third embodiment, when the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5 establish communication, the player (user) possessing the mobile terminal device 5 is confirmed. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the mobile terminal device 5 does not communicate with the beacon device 2 not intended by the user, and the use of the gaming machine 4 not intended by the user is not started.

  Hereinafter, processing performed by each device in the gaming system of the third embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts. In the gaming system of the third embodiment, when the player who has the portable terminal device 5 enters the gaming facility and starts using the gaming machine 4, each device performs processing similar to that shown in FIG. I do. In the third embodiment, the processing performed by the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 and the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 is slightly different from the processing illustrated in FIG. Therefore, the same process is denoted by the same step number, description thereof is omitted, and only different processes are described.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a part of a procedure of processing performed by each device when the player starts using the gaming machine 4, and FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen of the mobile terminal device 5. is there. In the gaming system of the third embodiment, when the player starts using the gaming machine 4, the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5 perform steps S1 to S6 in FIG. When the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 determines that the wireless communication unit 24 has received the response signal (S3: YES), the information (game machine information) of the gaming machine 4 associated with the own device is wirelessly transmitted. It transmits to the portable terminal device 5 by the communication part 24 (S91). In addition, when the information of the gaming machine 4 associated with the beacon device 2 is stored in the storage unit 22 of the beacon device 2 in advance, the control unit 20 transmits the information read from the storage unit 22 to the mobile terminal device 5. Send. Further, when the hall server 1 manages the correspondence between the beacon device 2 and the gaming machine 4, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 acquires the information of the gaming machine 4 associated with the own device from the hall server 1. To the mobile terminal device 5. In this case, even if the correspondence between the beacon device 2 and the gaming machine 4 changes, only the information managed by the hall server 1 needs to be changed.

  When the wireless communication unit 54 receives the gaming machine information, the control unit 50 of the portable terminal device 5 displays a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 18 based on the received gaming machine information by the gaming machine using application 52a. It is displayed on the screen (S92). In the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 18, information on the gaming machine 4 indicated by the gaming machine information received from the beacon device 2, and a YES button and NO for confirming whether to start using the gaming machine 4 (gaming) A button is displayed. As information of the gaming machine 4 displayed on the confirmation screen, for example, a number (unit number) assigned to each gaming machine 4 in the gaming facility can be used. The machine number assigned to each gaming machine 4 is displayed (printed) on the upper part of the front of the housing of each gaming machine 4, and the player confirms the machine number of the gaming machine 4 that he / she wants to use, On the confirmation screen, the YES button or the NO button is operated. The control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 determines whether or not the YES button or the NO button is operated via the touch panel 53 (S93), and if it is determined that the button is not operated (S93: NO) Wait until When it is determined that any of the buttons has been operated (S93: YES), the control unit 50 transmits operation information indicating the operated button to the beacon device 2 through the wireless communication unit 54 (S94).

  When receiving the operation information, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 determines whether or not the YES button in the application screen of the mobile terminal device 5 has been operated based on the received operation information (S95). If it is determined that the YES button has not been operated (S95: NO), that is, if the NO button has been operated, the control unit 20 ends the process without doing anything. Note that the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 may end the process after notifying the mobile terminal device 5 of the end of communication. In this case, the communication between the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5 that has transmitted and received the beacon signal and the response signal is completed. If it is determined that the YES button has been operated (S95: YES), the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 determines communication with the mobile terminal device 5 and performs the process of step S7 in FIG. Then, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 receives the portable terminal ID and the beacon ID transmitted from the beacon device 2 in step S7 as the start information of the gaming machine 4 by the LAN communication unit 13. Thereafter, the hall server 1, the beacon device 2, and the mobile terminal device 5 perform the processing after step S8 in FIG.

  In the gaming system of the third embodiment, when wireless communication is established between the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5, the game machine 4 corresponding to the beacon device 2 is used for a player who possesses the mobile terminal device 5. Confirm your intention. Since the use of the gaming machine 4 is started only when the player is willing to use it, the use of the gaming machine 4 that is not intended by the player can be avoided.

(Embodiment 4)
The gaming system according to Embodiment 4 will be described below. In the gaming system of the third embodiment described above, the communication range in which each beacon device 2 can transmit a beacon signal by the wireless communication unit 24 does not overlap, and the mobile terminal device 5 receives a beacon signal transmitted from one beacon device 2. It was a configuration to receive. On the other hand, in the gaming system of the fourth embodiment, the communication range by the wireless communication unit 24 of each beacon device 2 overlaps, and the mobile terminal device 5 receives the beacon signals transmitted from the plurality of beacon devices 2. It is the structure which receives. Therefore, in the gaming system of the fourth embodiment, processing when communication is established (determined) between one beacon device 2 and one mobile terminal device 5 is different from the processing described in the third embodiment. Specifically, when the player starts using the gaming machine 4, the processing performed by the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 and the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 is slightly different from the processing shown in FIG. Therefore, the same process is denoted by the same step number, description thereof is omitted, and only different processes are described. Other processes are the same as those in the first and third embodiments, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a part of a procedure of processing performed by each device when a player starts using the gaming machine 4, and FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen of the mobile terminal device 5. is there. Also in the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment described above, when the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 receives the response signal transmitted by the mobile terminal device 5 (S3: YES), the control unit 20 is associated with the own device. The information (game machine information) of the existing gaming machine 4 is transmitted to the portable terminal device 5 by the wireless communication unit 24 (S91). Here, in the gaming system of the fourth embodiment, the mobile terminal device 5 can receive beacon signals from the plurality of beacon devices 2 and transmits a response signal to each of the received beacon signals to each beacon device 2. To do. Therefore, the control part 50 of the portable terminal device 5 receives each gaming machine information from each beacon device 2 that has transmitted (returned) a response signal. Therefore, in the gaming system of the fourth embodiment, when the wireless communication unit 54 receives the gaming machine information, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 determines whether or not a plurality of gaming machine information has been received ( S101). If it is determined that a plurality of gaming machine information has not been received (S101: NO), that is, if only one gaming machine information has been received, the control unit 50 proceeds to step S92. In this case, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 and the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 perform the same processing as the processing in the third embodiment.

  When it is determined that a plurality of gaming machine information has been received (S101: YES), the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 displays a selection screen as shown in FIG. 20 on the application screen based on the received gaming machine information. (S102). On the selection screen shown in FIG. 20, a message for prompting selection of the gaming machine 4 and a selection button for selecting each gaming machine 4 are displayed. In addition, the information (for example, machine number) of the gaming machine 4 indicated by the gaming machine information received from each of the plurality of beacon devices 2 is displayed on the selection button. The player confirms the machine number of the gaming machine 4 that he / she wants to use and operates one of the selection buttons on the selection screen. The control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 determines whether any selection button has been operated via the touch panel 53 (S103), and when determining that it has not been operated (S103: NO) Wait until If it is determined that any one of the selection buttons has been operated (S103: YES), the control unit 50 transmits operation information indicating the operated selection button to the beacon device 2 through the wireless communication unit 54 (S104).

  When receiving the operation information, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 determines whether or not the gaming machine 4 associated with the own device is selected based on the received operation information (S105). Specifically, the control unit 20 determines whether the received operation information is information indicating an operation on the selection button of the gaming machine 4 associated with the own device. When it is determined that the gaming machine 4 associated with the own device is not selected (S105: NO), that is, when a gaming machine 4 other than the gaming machine 4 associated with the own device is selected, The control unit 20 ends the process without doing anything. Here, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 ends the communication with the mobile terminal device 5. When it is determined that the gaming machine 4 associated with the own device has been selected (S105: YES), the control unit 20 determines communication with the mobile terminal device 5 and performs the process of step S7 in FIG. . Therefore, only the beacon device 2 for which the associated gaming machine 4 is selected can determine communication with the mobile terminal device 5 that is the transmission source of the operation information. Thereafter, the beacon device 2, the mobile terminal device 5, and the hall server 1 with which communication has been established perform the processing from step S8 onward in FIG.

  In the gaming system of the fourth embodiment, the player who has the portable terminal device 5 selects (designates) the gaming machine 4 that he / she wants to use via the application screen, so that the portable terminal device 5 and the selected game are selected. Wireless communication with the beacon device 2 associated with the machine 4 is established (confirmed). Therefore, in a configuration in which the mobile terminal device 5 can receive beacon signals from a plurality of beacon devices 2, the mobile terminal device 5 can establish wireless communication with one beacon device 2 according to the player's selection. Note that the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5 that have once established communication discard the received beacon signal even if they receive a beacon signal from a device other than the communicating partner device until the communication ends. Therefore, after the communication is established, the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5 perform only the processing based on the signal received from the communicating partner device.

(Embodiment 5)
The gaming system according to the fifth embodiment will be described below. The gaming system of the fifth embodiment has the same configuration as the gaming system of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the gaming system of the fifth embodiment, for example, the game medium acquired by the player by winning the game medium in a winning opening or a big winning opening provided in the gaming machine 4 is stored (so-called a saving ball or a stored medal). Is possible. Therefore, in the gaming system of the fifth embodiment, the player uses not only the money put in one of the sand devices 3 but also a stored gaming medium (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a stored ball). 4 can be used.

  FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating the appearance of the gaming machine 4, the sand device 3, and the beacon device 2 according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 21, the state which looked at the game machine 4, the sand apparatus 3, and the beacon apparatus 2 from the front side is shown. The sand apparatus 3 according to the fifth embodiment has a money lending button 35b for accepting a lending request for money by each player in addition to the money slot 34a and the ball lending button 35a on the front of the housing. Further, a connector 3a for connecting the portable terminal device 5 via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, for example, is provided on the front surface of the housing of the sand device 3, and the sand device 3 is connected to the portable terminal device 5 connected thereto. It has the function to charge the storage battery inside. In addition, the function of charging the connector 3a for connecting the portable terminal device 5 and the storage battery in the portable terminal device 5 may be provided in the sand device 3 of the first to fourth embodiments described above. In the gaming system of the fifth embodiment, the configuration of the balance management table 12b stored in the storage unit 12 of the hall server 1 is different from that of the first embodiment described above. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating the contents stored in the balance management table 12b according to the fifth embodiment. The balance management table 12b of the fifth embodiment has a column for portable terminal ID and a column for balance as in the balance management table 12b shown in the first embodiment, and further has a column for the number of stored balls. The number of stored game media stores the number (number) of game media stored by each player. When the prize is generated in the gaming machine 4, the content of the number of stored balls is added by the control unit 10 according to the winning number, and when the player requests the sand device 3 to lend the stored balls, The number according to the request is subtracted by the control unit 10.

  Hereinafter, processing performed by each device in the gaming system of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts. In the gaming system of the fifth embodiment, when a prize is generated in the gaming machine 4, game media acquired by the player according to the prize are managed by the hall server 1 as saved balls. In the following, processing performed by each device when a winning occurs in the gaming machine 4 will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing performed by each device when a winning occurs in the gaming machine 4. Based on the detection signal output from the sensor 47, the control unit 40 of the gaming machine 4 determines whether or not a winning for a winning opening or a big winning opening provided in the gaming machine 4 has occurred (S111). When it is determined that no winning has occurred (S111: NO), the control unit 40 stands by while performing other processes. When it is determined that a winning has occurred (S111: YES), the control unit 40 transmits the winning information indicating the winning and the gaming machine ID of the own device to the hall server 1 through the LAN communication unit 43 (S112). . The gaming machine 4 stores the gaming machine ID of its own device in the storage unit 42.

  When receiving the winning information and the gaming machine ID, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 identifies the portable terminal ID corresponding to the received gaming machine ID based on the stored contents of the gaming machine information table 12a (S113). The control unit 10 updates the number of stored balls corresponding to the specified mobile terminal ID in the balance management table 12b according to the received winning information (S114). Specifically, the control unit 10 updates the number of stored balls by adding the number corresponding to the winning indicated by the winning information. The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 transmits stored ball information indicating the updated number of stored balls to the mobile terminal device 5 via the beacon device 2 (S115). Specifically, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 sends the LAN communication unit to the beacon device 2 corresponding to the gaming machine 4 that is the source of the winning information (or the mobile terminal device 5 that has identified the mobile terminal ID in step S113). At 13, the stored ball information is transmitted. Then, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 transmits the received storage information to the mobile terminal device 5 through the wireless communication unit 24. Note that the control unit 10 may directly transmit the stored ball information to the mobile terminal device 5. When the stored ball information is received by the wireless communication unit 54, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 displays the number of stored balls corresponding to the received stored ball information on the application screen (S116). Therefore, the player can grasp the number of stored balls increased by winning a prize on the application screen.

  In the gaming system of the fifth embodiment, when a prize is generated in the gaming machine 4, the number of game media acquired by the player by winning is added to the number of stored balls managed in the balance management table 12b of the hall server 1. . Therefore, when a winning occurs, the actual game medium is not supplied to the tray 4a of the gaming machine 4. Thereby, in the gaming facility, it is not necessary to prepare a large amount of game media for winning (especially a big hit), and the player is not troubled with handling a large amount of game media obtained when winning. Depending on the type of winning (for example, whether or not a big win), the number of game media obtained by the player is added to the number of stored balls managed in the balance management table 12b, or actually in the tray 4a of the gaming machine 4 It is good also as a structure which switches whether to supply other game media.

  Next, processing performed by each device when the player makes a lending request for the stored balls to the sand apparatus 3 will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed by each device when a storage ball lending request is made to the sand device 3. When the player requests the sand apparatus 3 to lend a stored ball, the player operates (for example, presses) the stored ball lending button 35b. The control unit 30 of the sand device 3 determines whether or not the player has operated the storage ball lending button 35b (S121), and if it is determined that the player has not operated (S121: NO), performs other processing. While waiting. When it is determined that the storage lend button 35b has been operated (S121: YES), the control unit 30 of the sand device 3 performs LAN communication with operation information indicating that the storage lend button 35b has been operated and the sand ID of the own device. It transmits to the hall server 1 in the part 33 (S122).

  When receiving the operation information and the sand ID, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 specifies the mobile terminal ID corresponding to the received sand ID based on the stored contents of the gaming machine information table 12a (S123). The control unit 10 updates the number of stored balls corresponding to the specified mobile terminal ID in the balance management table 12b (S124). For example, in the case where 1000 game media (stored balls) are lent out by a single operation on the stored ball lending button 35b, the control unit 10 updates the number of stored balls by subtracting 1000. The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 notifies the sand device 3 of completion of updating the number of stored balls through the LAN communication unit 13 (S125). When notified of the completion of the update of the number of balls, the control unit 30 of the sand device 3 supplies the game medium to the tray 4a of the gaming machine 4 at the ball supply unit 36 (S126), and ends the process. The sand device 3 may be configured to specify the number of storage balls (game media) to be lent out. In this case, the specified number of game media is supplied. The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 transmits stored ball information indicating the number of stored balls updated in step S124 to the mobile terminal device 5 via the beacon device 2 (S127). Note that the control unit 10 may directly transmit the stored ball information to the mobile terminal device 5. When the stored ball information is received by the wireless communication unit 54, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 displays the number of stored balls corresponding to the received stored ball information on the application screen (S128). Therefore, the player can grasp the number of stored balls updated (subtracted) as needed by renting out game media on the application screen.

  When the gaming system of the fifth embodiment is applied to each gaming system provided in each gaming facility in the gaming system of the second embodiment described above, the hall server 1 transmits a request for updating the player's balance to the central server 6. When doing so, it also sends a request for updating the player's stored ball information. Thereby, not only the balance information of each player but also the stored ball information is managed by the central server 6.

(Embodiment 6)
The gaming system according to the sixth embodiment will be described below. The gaming system of the sixth embodiment has the same configuration as the gaming system of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, when the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5 establish one-to-one communication, the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device until the player instructs the end of use of the gaming machine 4. The communication of 5 was assumed to be continuing. However, the player may leave the gaming machine 4 (beacon device 2) while using the gaming machine 4 (during gaming) in order to go to a meal or a toilet. Therefore, in the gaming system of the sixth embodiment, when the player leaves the gaming machine 4, specifically, when the communication between the mobile terminal device 5 and the beacon device 2 is interrupted, the gaming machine 4 and the sand device 3 The operation is interrupted.

  Hereinafter, processing performed by each device in the gaming system of the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts. Below, the process which the beacon apparatus 2 performs when communication with the portable terminal device 5 stops is demonstrated. FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed by each device when communication between the mobile terminal device 5 and the beacon device 2 is interrupted. In the beacon device 2 that has established communication with one mobile terminal device 5, the control unit 20 determines whether communication with the mobile terminal device 5 has been interrupted (S131). For example, when the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 periodically transmits a beacon signal at the wireless communication unit 24 and does not receive a response signal from the mobile terminal device 5, communication with the mobile terminal device 5 is interrupted. Judged that it was lost. In addition, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 determines that communication with the mobile terminal device 5 is continued by receiving a signal (beacon signal) addressed to itself from the mobile terminal device 5. Also good.

  When it is determined that the communication is not interrupted (S131: NO), the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 stands by while performing other processes. When it is determined that the communication has been interrupted (S131: YES), the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 sends the interruption information indicating the interruption of communication with the mobile terminal device 5 and the beacon ID of the own device to the LAN communication unit 23. To the hall server 1 (S132). The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 receives the suspension information and the beacon ID at the LAN communication unit 13 and updates the status information column corresponding to the received beacon ID to “suspended” in the gaming machine information table 12a. (S133). The control unit 10 activates a timer (S134) and starts measuring a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes or 1 hour). The timer may be provided inside the control unit 10 or may be provided outside the control unit 10.

  The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 transmits an interruption command (interruption instruction) for instructing interruption of the operation to the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 associated with the beacon device 2 that is the transmission source of the interruption information (S135). ). In the sand device 3 that has received the interruption command, the reception of money inserted from the money insertion port 34a, the reception of the operation for the ball lending button 35a, and the supply of the game medium are temporarily interrupted. In addition, in the gaming machine 4 that has received the interruption command, reception of an operation on the operation unit 44 (operation handle 44a) is temporarily interrupted. In the beacon device 2 that has transmitted the suspension information, the control unit 20 determines whether or not communication with the suspended mobile terminal device 5 has been resumed (S136). Here, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 determines that communication with the mobile terminal device 5 has been resumed when a response signal to the beacon signal transmitted by the wireless communication unit 24 is received. The control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 may determine that communication with the mobile terminal device 5 has been resumed when a signal (beacon signal) addressed to itself is transmitted from the mobile terminal device 5. . When the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 determines that the communication has not been resumed (S136: NO), the control unit 20 stands by, and when it is determined that the communication has been resumed (S136: YES), The beacon ID of the own device is transmitted to the hall server 1 by the LAN communication unit 23 (S137).

  In the hall server 1 that has transmitted the interruption command to the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the LAN communication unit 13 has received the restart information from the beacon device 2 (S138). If it is determined that the data has not been received (S138: NO), the control unit 10 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed based on the timer (S141). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S141: NO), the control unit 10 returns the process to step S138 and waits until the resumption information is received or the predetermined time elapses. When it is determined that the resumption information has been received (S138: YES), the control unit 10 updates the gaming machine information table 12a (S139). Here, the control unit 10 updates the status information column corresponding to the beacon ID received together with the resume information to “in operation” in the gaming machine information table 12a. Thereafter, the control unit 10 transmits a restart instruction instructing the restart of the operation to the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 associated with the beacon device 2 that is the transmission source of the restart information (S140). In the sand device 3 that has received the resume command, the receipt of money inserted from the money insertion slot 34a, the acceptance of the operation to the ball lending button 35a, and the supply of the game medium are resumed. In the gaming machine 4 that has received the resume command, The acceptance of the operation on the unit 44 (operation handle 44a) is resumed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S141: YES), the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 “stops” the status information column corresponding to the beacon ID received together with the interruption information in the gaming machine information table 12a. Update to “medium” (S142). Thereafter, the control unit 10 transmits an end command for instructing the end of the operation to the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 associated with the beacon device 2 that is the transmission source of the interruption information (S143). Thereby, the processing by the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 ends. When the wireless communication between the mobile terminal device 5 and the beacon device 2 is interrupted, that is, when the distance between the mobile terminal device 5 and the beacon device 2 is more than the distance capable of wireless communication, a game that possesses the mobile terminal device 5 It can be determined that the person has stopped using the gaming machine 4. Therefore, in the gaming system of the sixth embodiment, when communication between the mobile terminal device 5 and the beacon device 2 is interrupted, the operations of the corresponding gaming machine 4 and sand device 3 are stopped (interrupted). Thereby, it is possible to prevent a third party from illegally using the player 4 and the sand device 3 in the absence of the player. Further, when the communication interruption between the mobile terminal device 5 and the beacon device 2 continues for a predetermined time or longer, the operations of the corresponding gaming machine 4 and sand device 3 are ended. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a player who has stopped using the gaming machine 4 from securing the gaming machine 4 and the sand device 3 for a long time.

  Next, a process performed by the mobile terminal device 5 when communication with the beacon device 2 is interrupted will be described. FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed by the mobile terminal device 5 when communication between the mobile terminal device 5 and the beacon device 2 is interrupted. In the mobile terminal device 5 that has established communication with one beacon device 2, the control unit 50 determines whether or not communication with the beacon device 2 is interrupted (S151). For example, the control unit 50 determines that communication with the beacon device 2 is continuing by periodically receiving a beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device 2 at the wireless communication unit 54. That is, the control unit 50 determines that communication with the beacon device 2 is interrupted (discontinued) when reception of the beacon signal from the beacon device 2 is interrupted. When it is determined that the communication is not interrupted (S151: NO), the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 stands by while performing other processes. When it is determined that the communication has been interrupted (S151: YES), the control unit 50 notifies the player possessing the mobile terminal device 5 that the communication with the beacon device 2 has been interrupted (S152). For example, the control unit 50 displays a message indicating interruption of communication with the beacon device 2 on the application screen being displayed on the touch panel 53. Moreover, when the portable terminal device 5 includes an audio output unit, the control unit 50 may output a predetermined notification sound at the audio output unit. The control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 operates a timer (S153) and starts measuring a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes or 1 hour). Note that the timer may be provided inside the control unit 50 or may be provided outside the control unit 50.

  The control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 determines whether communication with the interrupted beacon device 2 has been resumed (S154). For example, the control unit 50 determines that communication with the beacon device 2 has been resumed when a signal (beacon signal) addressed to itself is transmitted from the beacon device 2. When it is determined that the communication has not been resumed (S154: NO), the control unit 50 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed based on the timer (S156). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S156: NO), the control unit 50 returns the process to step S154 and waits until the communication is resumed or the predetermined time elapses. When it is determined that the communication is resumed (S154: YES), the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 ends the notification performed in step S152 (S155), and returns the process to step S151. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S156: YES), the control unit 50 warns the player who possesses the mobile terminal device 5 that communication with the beacon device 2 has been interrupted for a predetermined time or longer ( S157), the process is terminated. For example, when the communication with the beacon device 2 is further interrupted, the control unit 50 displays a message indicating that the use of the gaming machine 4 is forcibly terminated on the application screen. Further, the control unit 50 may output a predetermined warning sound at the audio output unit. Note that the control unit 50 may notify the player that the use of the gaming machine 4 has been terminated by leaving the gaming machine 4 for a predetermined time or more.

  Through the above-described processing, when communication with the beacon device 2 is interrupted, the mobile terminal device 5 can notify the player of the communication interruption (specifically, the player is away from the gaming machine 4). . In addition, when communication with the beacon device 2 continues for a predetermined time or longer, the portable terminal device 5 warns the player, and prompts the player to determine whether to continue using the gaming machine 4 or to end it. be able to. In the sixth embodiment, when the mobile terminal device 5 detects interruption of communication with the beacon device 2, the elapsed time after the detection is measured by its own timer, and the player is warned after a predetermined time has elapsed. It is. In addition, the hall server 1 measures the elapsed time from the interruption of communication between the portable terminal device 5 and the beacon device 2 with its own timer, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, for example, the portable terminal device by e-mail 5 may be configured to transmit warning information. At this time, the hall server 1 may notify not only the warning information that the use of the gaming machine 4 is forcibly terminated, but also the player's balance information and accumulated ball information. In this case, the hall server 1 stores destination information of each mobile terminal device 5 such as an e-mail address in advance.

(Embodiment 7)
The gaming system according to the seventh embodiment will be described below. The gaming system of the seventh embodiment has the same configuration as the gaming system of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In the above-described first to sixth embodiments, when the player starts using the gaming machine 4, after the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5 establish communication, the beacon device 2 uses the mobile terminal ID and the beacon via the LAN. The ID was transmitted to the hall server 1. Further, when the player gives an instruction to end the gaming machine 4 via the application screen of the mobile terminal device 5, the beacon device 2 transmits the end information to the hall server 1 via the LAN. On the other hand, in the seventh embodiment, after the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal device 5 establish communication, the process of transmitting the mobile terminal ID and the beacon ID to the hall server 1, the player via the mobile terminal device 5 The portable terminal device 5 performs processing for transmitting termination information to the hall server 1 when an instruction to terminate the gaming machine 4 is given. At this time, the mobile terminal device 5 transmits information to the hall server 1 via the network N. Therefore, the hall server 1 has a network communication unit (not shown) for connecting to the network N.

  Hereinafter, processing performed by each device in the gaming system of the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts. First, the processing performed by each device when the player starts using the gaming machine 4 will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed by each device when the player starts using the gaming machine 4. In the seventh embodiment, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 reads and activates (executes) the gaming machine using application 52a in the RAM 51 in accordance with an instruction (operation) by the player (S161). In the mobile terminal device 5 that is executing the game machine using application 52a, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the beacon signal periodically transmitted by the beacon device 2 is received by the wireless communication unit 54 (S162). If it is determined that a beacon signal has not been received (S162: NO), the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 stands by until it is received. On the other hand, the control unit 20 of the beacon device 2 determines whether or not it is a predetermined transmission timing (S163). If it is determined that it is the transmission timing (S163: YES), the wireless communication unit 24 performs a predetermined beacon. A signal is transmitted (S164), and a beacon signal is periodically transmitted. When it is determined that it is not the transmission timing (S163: NO), the control unit 20 waits until the transmission timing comes.

  When the wireless communication unit 54 receives the beacon signal transmitted from the beacon device 2, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 transmits a response signal to the beacon device 2. Then, when the beacon device 2 receives the response signal, communication between the mobile terminal device 5 that is the transmission source of the response signal and the beacon device 2 that has received the response signal is established. When the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 determines that the beacon signal has been received (S162: YES), the network communication unit 55 uses the network communication unit 55 to connect the beacon ID included in the beacon signal and the mobile terminal ID of the own device. It is transmitted to the hall server 1 via (S165). Note that the destination information of the hall server 1 when transmitting information to the hall server 1 via the network N may be stored in the storage unit 52 in advance, or may be incorporated in the gaming machine utilization application 52a.

  The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 receives the mobile terminal ID and beacon ID transmitted from the mobile terminal device 5 at the network communication unit, performs the same processing as step S8 in FIG. 7, and performs the gaming machine information table 12a. Is updated (S166). Specifically, in the gaming machine information table 12a, the control unit 10 stores the received mobile terminal ID in the mobile terminal ID column corresponding to the received beacon ID, and sets the corresponding status information column to “in use”. Update to The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 reads the balance corresponding to the received mobile terminal ID from the balance management table 12b (S167), and receives the balance information indicating the read balance from the network communication unit via the network N to the mobile terminal device 5. (S168). If the mobile terminal ID is destination information used when communicating with the mobile terminal device 5, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 can transmit the balance information to the mobile terminal device 5 using the mobile terminal ID. When the mobile terminal ID is not the destination information, the hall server 1 stores the destination information of each mobile terminal device 5 in the storage unit 12 in association with the mobile terminal ID. Thereby, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 can read the destination information corresponding to the mobile terminal ID from the storage unit 12 and transmit the balance information to the mobile terminal device 5 using the read destination information. When the balance information transmitted from the hall server 1 is received by the network communication unit 55, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 displays a balance corresponding to the received balance information on the application screen by the gaming machine utilization application 52a. (S169). Thereby, the player can grasp | ascertain the money (balance) which can be used. After transmitting the balance information, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 transmits a start command for instructing start of operation to the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 associated with the destination mobile terminal device 5 (S170). ). Thereby, the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 that have received the start command can be used.

  As described above, after the gaming machine 4 and the sand device 3 can be used, the processing performed by each device when the player makes a lending request or money input of a game medium to the sand device 3 is shown in FIG. 8 and 9 are the same as those shown in FIG. Further, the processing performed by each device when the player instructs the end of use of the gaming machine 4 via the sand device 3 or the portable terminal device 5 is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. To do. In the seventh embodiment, in step S52 in FIG. 11, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 sends the end information for instructing the end of the gaming machine 4 and the mobile terminal ID of the own device to the network communication unit 55. To the hall server 1. In step S57 in FIG. 11, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 transmits balance information indicating the balance read from the balance management table 12b to the mobile terminal device 5 via the network N. Thereby, the process similar to Embodiment 1 mentioned above is performed.

  Hereinafter, processing performed by each device when communication between the mobile terminal device 5 and the beacon device 2 is interrupted in the configuration in which the configuration of the seventh embodiment is applied to the gaming system of the sixth embodiment described above will be described. FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 are flowcharts showing a procedure of processing performed by each device when communication between the mobile terminal device 5 and the beacon device 2 is interrupted. In the mobile terminal device 5 that has established communication with one beacon device 2, the control unit 50 determines whether or not communication with the beacon device 2 is interrupted in the same manner as in step S151 in FIG. S181). When it is determined that the communication is not interrupted (S181: NO), the control unit 50 stands by while performing other processing, and when it is determined that the communication is interrupted (S181: YES), the control unit 50 communicates with the beacon device 2. Is notified to the player possessing the portable terminal device 5 (S182). And the control part 50 transmits the interruption information which shows interruption of communication with the beacon apparatus 2, and the portable terminal ID of an own apparatus to the hall server 1 via the network N in the network communication part 55 (S183). The control unit 10 of the hall server 1 receives the interruption information and the mobile terminal ID at the network communication unit, and in the gaming machine information table 12a, the state corresponding to the received mobile terminal ID as in step S133 in FIG. The information column is updated to “suspended” (S184). The control unit 10 activates the timer (S185), and transmits an interruption command instructing interruption of the operation to the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 associated with the mobile terminal device 5 that is the transmission source of interruption information ( S186). Thereby, operation | movement of the corresponding sand apparatus 3 and the game machine 4 can be interrupted.

  Similarly to step S154 in FIG. 26, the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 determines whether or not communication with the interrupted beacon device 2 has been resumed (S187) and determines that the communication has not been resumed (S187). (S187: NO), the process proceeds to step S198. If it is determined that communication with the interrupted beacon device 2 has been resumed (S187: YES), the control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 ends the notification performed in step S182 (S188). Then, the control unit 50 transmits resumption information indicating resumption of communication with the beacon device 2 and the mobile terminal ID of the own device to the hall server 1 via the network N in the network communication unit 55 (S189). In the hall server 1 that has transmitted the interruption command to the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4, the control unit 10 determines whether or not resumption information from the mobile terminal device 5 has been received (S190). When determining that it has not been received (S190: NO), the control unit 10 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed based on the timer (S193). If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S193: NO), the control unit 10 returns the process to step S190 and waits until the resumption information is received or the predetermined time elapses. If it is determined that the resumption information has been received (S190: YES), the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 uses the portable terminal ID received together with the resumption information in the gaming machine information table 12a, similarly to step S139 in FIG. The corresponding status information column is updated to “in operation” (S191). Thereafter, the control unit 10 transmits a restart instruction instructing the restart of the operation to the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 associated with the mobile terminal device 5 that is the transmission source of the restart information (S192), and ends the process. To do. Thereby, operation | movement of the sand apparatus 3 and the game machine 4 which were interrupting operation | movement can be restarted.

  When it is determined in step S193 that the predetermined time has elapsed (S193: YES), the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 displays a status information column corresponding to the mobile terminal ID received together with the interruption information in the gaming machine information table 12a. Update to “stopped” (S194). Thereafter, the control unit 10 transmits an end command for instructing the end of the operation to the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 associated with the mobile terminal device 5 that is the transmission source of the interruption information (S195). Thereby, the processing by the sand device 3 and the gaming machine 4 ends. Further, the control unit 10 of the hall server 1 reads the balance corresponding to the mobile terminal ID received together with the interruption information from the balance management table 12b (S196). The control unit 10 transmits forced termination information including the read balance and indicating that the use of the gaming machine 4 is forcibly terminated to the mobile terminal device 5 via the network N (S197). The control unit 50 of the mobile terminal device 5 determines whether or not the forced termination information transmitted from the hall server 1 has been received by the network communication unit 55 (S198), and determines that it has not been received (S198). (S198: NO), the process returns to step S187. When determining that the forced termination information has been received (S198: YES), the control unit 50 notifies the player that the use of the gaming machine 4 has been forcibly terminated based on the received forced termination information ( S199), the process is terminated. For example, the control unit 50 displays on the application screen a message indicating that the use of the gaming machine 4 being used is forcibly terminated due to being away from the gaming machine 4 for a predetermined time or more together with the balance of the player. Through the processing described above, the gaming system according to the seventh embodiment performs the same operation as the gaming system according to the sixth embodiment, and the same effects can be obtained.

  In the gaming systems of the above-described first to seventh embodiments, a configuration in which each function of the beacon device 2 is provided in the sand device 3 or the gaming machine 4 may be employed. Moreover, in Embodiment 1-7 mentioned above, the some hall server 1 is provided in the game system provided in each game facility, and the process which the hall server 1 demonstrated in each embodiment distributes in the some hall server 1. FIG. You may comprise so that it may carry out.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the meanings described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 Hall server (server device)
2 Beacon device (communication device)
3 Sand device (money reception device, game media supply device)
4 gaming machine 5 mobile terminal device 10 control unit (identification information storage unit, money information storage unit, update unit)
12 storage unit 13 LAN communication unit (identification information receiving unit, money information receiving unit, lending information receiving unit)
33 LAN communication unit (transmitter, receiver)
35 Operation unit 36 Ball supply unit (supply unit)
12a gaming machine information table 12b balance management table 35a operation handle (accepting part)

Claims (7)

A portable terminal device capable of communication according to a communication protocol according to Bluetooth (registered trademark), and a communication device provided corresponding to a gaming machine and capable of communication according to the communication protocol according to Bluetooth An identification information receiving unit for receiving portable terminal identification information for identifying the portable terminal device and communication device identification information for identifying the communication device after communication is established;
A server device comprising: an identification information storage unit that stores the portable terminal identification information and the communication device identification information received by the identification information reception unit in association with each other in a storage unit. The storage unit is configured to store the portable terminal identification information and the communication device identification information in association with gaming machine identification information for identifying a gaming machine corresponding to the communication device indicated by the communication device identification information,
A money information receiving unit that receives money information transmitted according to money received by a money accepting device provided corresponding to the gaming machine, and money device identification information for identifying the money accepting device;
Mobile terminal identification information stored in the storage unit in association with gaming machine identification information of a gaming machine corresponding to the money receiving device indicated by the money device identification information received by the money information receiving unit, and the money information receiving unit The server apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a money information storage unit that stores the money information received in association with the storage unit. The money accepting device is configured to accept a rental request for gaming media used in the gaming machine,
Lending information to be transmitted in response to the lending request accepted by the money accepting device, and a lending information receiving unit for receiving money device identification information of the money accepting device;
The storage unit in association with the mobile terminal identification information stored in the storage unit in association with the gaming machine identification information of the gaming machine corresponding to the money receiving device indicated by the money device identification information received by the lending information receiving unit The server apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an updating unit that updates the money information stored in the lending information according to the lending information received by the lending information receiving unit. In a mobile terminal device capable of communication according to a communication protocol related to Bluetooth,
Establishing the communication with a communication device provided corresponding to a gaming machine and capable of communication according to the communication protocol according to the Bluetooth;
When an instruction to start using a gaming machine corresponding to the communication device is received after the communication is established, the start information of the gaming machine, portable terminal identification information for identifying the own device, and the communication device are identified. And a step of transmitting the communication device identification information for communication to the outside. In a game medium supply device that is provided corresponding to a gaming machine and supplies a gaming medium used in the gaming machine,
An accepting unit for accepting a rental request for the game medium;
A transmission unit that transmits lending information corresponding to the lending request received by the receiving unit to an external device;
The communication is established between a portable terminal device capable of communication according to a communication protocol related to Bluetooth and a communication device provided corresponding to the gaming machine and capable of communication according to the communication protocol related to Bluetooth. After that, when the external device receives the start information of the gaming machine corresponding to the communication device, and further receives the lending information transmitted by the transmitting unit, supply of the gaming medium to be transmitted according to the lending information A receiving unit for receiving permission information to permit
A game medium supply device comprising: a supply unit that supplies the game medium when the receiving unit receives the permission information. In an information processing method by a server device including a storage unit,
The server device is provided corresponding to a portable terminal device capable of communication according to a communication protocol related to Bluetooth and a gaming machine, and between communication devices capable of communication according to the communication protocol related to Bluetooth. Receiving the mobile terminal identification information for identifying the mobile terminal device and the communication device identification information for identifying the communication device after the communication is established;
The server device includes a step of storing the received mobile terminal identification information and communication device identification information in association with each other in the storage unit. In a game medium supply method by a game medium supply device that is provided corresponding to a game machine and supplies a game medium used in the game machine,
The game medium supply device is
Receiving a rental request for the game medium;
Transmitting loan information corresponding to the accepted loan request to an external device;
The communication is established between a portable terminal device capable of communication according to a communication protocol related to Bluetooth and a communication device provided corresponding to the gaming machine and capable of communication according to the communication protocol related to Bluetooth. After that, when the external device receives the start information of the gaming machine corresponding to the communication device, and further receives the lending information, permission information permitting the supply of the gaming medium to be transmitted according to the lending information Receiving the step,
And a step of supplying the game medium when the permission information is received.

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