JP2021023471A - Game management system and game management method - Google Patents

Abstract

To deal with a cashless settlement while suppressing a burden on a game shop.SOLUTION: Setting is performed so that after a prepaid value is added by a first settlement, addition of a prepaid value by a settlement of a type differing from that of the first settlement is restricted. Setting is performed so that if an initial payment is performed using a cash settlement by inserting cash, an additional payment using cash is enabled but an additional payment using a cashless settlement is prohibited. Similarly, if an initial payment is performed using a cashless settlement, an additional payment using a cashless settlement is enabled but an additional payment by inserting cash is prohibited. In the case of receiving operation corresponding to a prohibited payment, an interposed card processing machine 10 performs operation of returning inserted cash, notifying that a cashless payment is disabled, or the like to prevent a prepaid value from being added via a different method.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a game management system and a game management method, which are attached to a game machine that plays a game using a game medium and have each device that performs processing related to the game medium.

Conventionally, game stores have provided games with a game medium intervening. For example, in pachinko games, a game ball is used as a game medium, and the game ball is driven into the game board surface to play a game. A plurality of winning areas (winning openings) are provided on the surface of the game board, and a predetermined number of game balls are given as prize balls based on the passing of the game balls through the winning areas. In this way, the number of game media increases or decreases depending on the result of the game, and the player can exchange the acquired game media for prizes.

It is common for a game machine to be equipped with each device. Each device accepts payment and rents out game media. In addition, each device manages the number of game media acquired by the game as the number of game media, and performs a replay process of subtracting the number of possessed game media to pay out the game media (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .).

Further, when the player operates the return button provided on the game machine when the player finishes the game, each device ejects the card after associating the number of the game media managed by the player with the card. By presenting this card at the prize counter, the player can exchange the card for a prize according to the number of associated game media. The card is also associated with valuable value that can be used to lend game media. The balance of valuable value remaining at the end of the game can be settled with a settlement machine.

In addition to cash, it is also considered to add valuable value that can be used for lending game media by various cashless payments.

JP 2011-131037

However, in the conventional technology, there has been a problem of how to manage the value given by cash settlement and the value given by cashless settlement. For example, cashless payment may provide benefits such as points, and it is difficult to manage the benefits if the value added by cash and the value added by cashless payment are managed inseparably. Become. In addition, the unused portion of the value given by cash settlement can be returned in cash by settlement, but if the value given by cashless settlement can also be settled, there is a risk that it will be used for illegal acquisition of benefits. ..

On the other hand, if the value given by cash settlement and the value given by cashless settlement are managed individually, the burden on the amusement store increases and the convenience of the player also decreases. Furthermore, since there are many types of cashless payments, it is not realistic to manage all of them individually.

From these facts, it has been an important issue how to realize a game management system and a game management method capable of supporting cashless payment while suppressing the burden on the game store.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game management system and a game management method capable of supporting cashless payment while suppressing the burden on the game store. And.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a game management system that is attached to a game machine that plays a game using a game medium and has each device that performs processing related to the game medium. , A value-adding means capable of adding value to the game medium by a plurality of purchasing methods, and a second purchase different from the first purchasing method after adding value based on the first purchasing method. It is characterized by including a setting means capable of setting whether or not to allow the addition of value based on the method, and an operation control means for controlling the operation of each device according to the setting by the setting means.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, one of the first purchase method and the second purchase method is a purchase by cash and the other is a purchase by cashless payment without using cash. And.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the first purchase method and the second purchase method are each purchase by cashless payment without using cash.

Further, in the present invention, the setting means prohibits the addition of the value based on the second purchase method on the condition that the value given based on the first purchase method remains. It is characterized in that it can be set.

Further, in the present invention, the setting means is provided on the condition that either the value given based on the first purchase method or the number of game media acquired by the game remains. It is characterized in that it is possible to set to prohibit the addition of value based on the second purchase method.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the setting means can be set to prohibit settlement of the value given based on cashless settlement without using cash.

Further, the present invention is a game management method in a game management system that is attached to a game machine that plays a game using a game medium and has each device that performs processing related to the game medium. A setting step for setting a process for adding value to a game medium, a first giving step for adding value by the first purchasing method, and a second purchase different from the first purchasing method. It is characterized by including an operation control step for controlling the operation of each of the units according to the setting by the setting step when the operation requesting the addition of value based on the method is accepted.

According to the present invention, it is possible to support cashless payment while suppressing the burden on the amusement store.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the game management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a game store. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-unit card processing machine. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-unit card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the inter-unit card processor. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of setting items related to the addition of prepaid value. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the card management device related to the addition of prepaid value. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of giving the prepaid value. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram when the inter-unit card processing machine determines the type of deposit. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of details of cashless payment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of cashless payment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the game management system and the game management method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present specification, the possession ball is data indicating the game medium acquired by the player in the game or the number of the game media, and may be re-used for the game only during the day (time before the store closes). Say what you can do. The ball storage is data indicating the game medium acquired by the player in the game or the number of the game media, and can be used again for the game from the next day (time after the store is closed). The possession ball can be used by both general players and member players, and is used when the game machine used for the game is changed (so-called table movement). The ball storage is usually available only to member players, and is used when the acquired game medium is used for games on the next day or later. A predetermined fee may be charged for the use of the stored balls.

First, the concept of the game management system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the game management system according to the present embodiment. A plurality of game machines 20 are installed in the game store, and each game machine 20 is provided with a machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 which is a device for each machine.

Based on the operation of the player, the platform card processing machine 10 performs a game ball lending process, a replay process of possessed balls and stored balls, a counting process of counting acquired game balls and adding them to the possessed balls, and the like. Perform various processes related to. Further, when the player operates the return button provided on the game machine when the player finishes the game, the machine-to-table card processor 10 discharges the card after associating the number of balls held by the player device with the card.

The card management device 40, which will be described later, can communicate with a plurality of inter-unit card processing machines 10 in the game store, and manages the cards by associating the cards with the balls and the prepaid value. The prepaid value is a valuable value that can be used for lending game balls, and is added by deposit and subtracted by ball lending.

Specifically, when the inter-unit card processor 10 accepts the insertion of banknotes, the payment notification data including the amount of the banknotes is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the amount is added to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Add the numbers according to. Then, when the predetermined ball lending operation is performed, the ball lending request is transmitted to the card management device 40, the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40 is subtracted, and the number of games corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value is played. Performs ball payout processing.

Further, in the game management system according to the present embodiment, prepaid value can be added by cashless payment. When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives an operation for requesting payment by cashless payment, it generates payment data, encodes it into a two-dimensional code, and displays it. The terminal device 110 carried by the player can read the payment data and make a payment by capturing the two-dimensional code displayed by the inter-unit card processing machine 10 with a camera and decoding and reading the two-dimensional code. .. Although the details will be described later, the completion of the payment by the terminal device 110 is notified to the card management device 40, and the payment amount is added to the prepaid value.

As described above, cash settlement and cashless settlement can be used for the addition of the prepaid value. However, if the prepaid value added by cash payment and the prepaid value added by cashless payment cannot be distinguished, a problem arises in managing the benefits of cashless payment.

Therefore, in the game management system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to set to limit the addition of the prepaid value by the different types of settlement after the prepaid value is added by the first settlement.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, if the first deposit is a cash payment in which cash is inserted, additional payment by cash is possible, but a setting is made to prohibit additional payment by cashless payment. .. Similarly, if cashless payment is used for the first deposit, additional payment by cashless payment is possible, but additional payment by cash injection is prohibited.

When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts an operation corresponding to a prohibited deposit, it performs operations such as refunding the inserted cash and notifying that cashless payment cannot be made, and prepaid value in a different method. Prevents the addition of.

In this way, when it is possible to add value by a plurality of purchase methods such as cash payment and cashless payment, the first purchase method is performed after the value is added based on the first purchase method. The operation of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is controlled by making it possible to set whether or not to allow the addition of value based on the second purchase method different from the above. Therefore, it is possible to support cashless payment while suppressing the burden on the amusement store.

Next, the system configuration of the game store will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a game store. As shown in FIG. 2, in the game store, a plurality of game machines 20 and a table-to-stand card processing machine 10 provided corresponding to each game machine 20 are installed. The inter-unit card processor 10 connects to a communication line, which is a network in the store, via an island controller 30. The island controller 30, the card management device 40, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the payment machine 80 are connected to the communication line.

The game machine 20 is a device for driving a game ball into a game board surface to play a game. A plurality of prize areas (winning openings) are provided on the game board surface of the game machine 20, and a predetermined number of game balls are given as prize balls based on the fact that the game balls have passed through the prize areas. It has become. Further, a predetermined number of starting areas (starting openings) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined lottery is performed based on the passing of the game balls through the starting areas. If the lottery is a big hit, the operation of a predetermined movable member or the like will perform an operation that is advantageous in terms of the game, such as improving the probability of passing the game ball to the above-mentioned winning area or another starting area. The result of the lottery due to the passage of the ball to the starting port is displayed on the special symbol display device that displays the result of the lottery. The lottery result of this special symbol display device is displayed in a mode in which a final display is performed after a variable display for a predetermined time. Further, the game board surface is provided with a decorative symbol display device that variably displays decorative symbols such as predetermined numbers based on the result of the lottery, and when the result of the lottery is a big hit, for example, (7, 7). , 7), etc. are displayed and notified. It is also possible to provide an area that serves as both a starting area and a winning area.

The winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of the game ball into the winning area, and the passing (winning) of the game ball driven into the winning area by this winning sensor is detected. It has become. Further, the control unit of the game machine 20 has a prize ball memory for storing the number of game balls to be given as prize balls for each prize area.

Therefore, when the winning sensor detects that the driven game ball has passed through the specific winning area, the game machine 20 should give the game ball based on the stored contents of the prize ball memory and the number of game balls that have passed through the winning area. The number of prize balls can be determined, and the determined number of prize balls can be paid out. In addition, the driven game ball is finally discharged from the back side of the game board to the outside of the game machine regardless of whether or not it has passed through the winning area. The game balls discharged to the outside of the game machine are detected by an out ball detection device attached to each game machine.

The inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts payments, lends game balls, and communicates with the card management device 40. When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives the bills inserted by the player, it transmits the payment notification data including the amount of the bills to the card management device 40, and the amount is set to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Add the numbers according to. Then, when the predetermined ball lending operation is performed, the ball lending request is transmitted to the card management device 40, the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40 is subtracted, and the number of games corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value is played. Performs ball payout processing.

Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the card insertion, the card insertion notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40. Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives data including the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls from the card management device 40, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 stores the received prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls. Then, when the number of balls held is stored, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 transmits the ball holding request data to the card management device 40 to reduce the number of balls held by the card management device 40 to zero. clear.

Further, when the platform card processor 10 accepts the ball holding replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls stored in its own device, and pays out the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of balls. Do. Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 receives the ball storage replay operation, the table-to-unit card processing machine 10 transmits the ball storage replay request data to the card management device 40 to subtract a predetermined number from the number of balls stored managed by the member management device 50. Then, the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of stored balls is paid out.

Further, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 transmits the ball holding ball addition request data including the number of balls held by the own device to the card management device 40, and the card management device 40 holds the balls. After the numbers are added, the card ejection notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40 to control the ejection of the card.

The island controller 30 is a relay device that bundles a group of game machines 20 and an inter-unit card processing machine 10 provided on the game island.

The card management device 40 is a device that manages the prepaid value of a card, the number of balls held, and the like as card data. When the card management device 40 receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 manages the card ID of the inserted card in association with the device ID of the inter-unit card processing machine 10, and manages the card ID. The prepaid value and the number of balls held in association with the above are transmitted to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. When the card ID shown in the card insertion notification data is the card ID of the membership card, the card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data to the member management device 50 and receives it from the member management device 50. The stored ball replay data is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10.

Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball holding ball subtraction request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls held to zero. Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball addition request data from the inter-unit card processor 10, the number of balls included in the ball addition request data is set to the number of balls managed by the card management device 40. to add.

Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball lending request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and converts the ball lending permission data into the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Send to. Then, when the ball storage replay request data is received, the ball storage replay request data is transmitted to the member management device 50, and when the member management device 50 outputs the ball storage replay data, the ball storage replay data is transferred to the machine. It is transmitted to the card processor 10.

Further, when the card management device 40 receives the card ID from the prize management device 60, the card management device 40 notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held associated with the card ID. Further, when the card ID is received from the settlement machine 80, the prepaid value associated with the card ID is notified to the settlement machine 80.

The member management device 50 is a management device that manages member management data of members registered as members in a game store. Specifically, the number of stored balls, the number of points, the password, the name, etc. are managed in association with the membership card ID issued to the member.

When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 uses the stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls and the password associated with the card ID shown in the card insertion notification data. It is transmitted to the card processing machine 10. Further, when the member management device 50 receives the ball storage replay request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls stored associated with the card ID shown in the ball storage replay request data. The stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls after the subtraction is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10. The communication between the inter-unit card processor 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40.

Further, when the member management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of stored balls from the prize management device 60, the member management device 50 notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of stored balls corresponding to the designated card ID.

The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for exchanging prizes attached to a prize exchange counter in the game store, and performs a prize exchange process for exchanging acquired balls, the number of stored balls, and the number of balls held for prizes. The prize management device 60 is connected to a card reader that reads a card ID from a card and a prize payout device that pays out prizes. When the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from the general card or the membership card (or when the identification data corresponding to the card ID is read from the mobile terminal or the like), the prize management device 60 transmits the card ID to the card management device 40. The number of balls possessed by the card ID is requested. When exchanging the number of stored balls for prizes, the member management device 50 is requested to store the number of stored balls.

When the card with the prepaid value is inserted, the checkout machine 80 transmits the card ID of the card to the card management device 40 and receives the response data to acquire the prepaid value associated with the card. Then, the money is paid out according to the acquired prepaid value.

Next, the ball lending process of the game system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the player performs a ball lending operation on the platform card processor 10, the platform card processor 10 transmits ball lending request data to the card management device 40. The ball lending request data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source, or arbitrary identification data.

When the card management device 40 receives the ball lending request data, the card management device 40 subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID of the ball lending request data. Then, the card management device 40 transmits the ball lending permission data to the inter-unit card processing machine 10 of the transmission source. The inter-unit card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission data performs a payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

Next, the ball holding replay process when the holding ball is replayed by the game system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the inter-unit card processor 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it transmits the card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. The card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the inter-unit card processing machine. Includes data for identifying rates of 10.

When the card management device 40 receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 transmits the number of balls at each rate associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Notice.

The inter-unit card processor 10 stores the number of balls held from the card management device 40. Then, the card ID, the data for specifying the rate, and the ball subtraction request data indicating that the number of balls held is cleared to zero are transmitted to the card management device 40. When the card management device 40 receives the ball subtraction request data, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls held at each rate specified by the card ID to zero. Further, when the platform card processor 10 accepts the ball holding replay operation and performs the holding ball replay, the platform card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number from the stored number of holding balls and performs a payout process of the corresponding number of game balls. .. In the case of payout processing, for multiples of units that can be paid out by the game machine (for example, 25 balls), the payout process is performed by sending a payout instruction to the game machine, and the rest (for example, less than 25 balls) of the own machine. The payout process is performed by paying out from the nozzle unit 18a.

When the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, the inter-unit card processing machine 10 transmits the possession ball addition request data to the card management device 40. The ball addition request data includes the card ID of the card to be returned, the address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 that is the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the number of balls held at each rate. ..

When the card management device 40 receives the ball addition request data, the card management device 40 adds the number of balls included in the ball addition request data to the number of balls held at each rate associated with the card ID. After that, the inter-unit card processor 10 transmits the card ejection notification data to the card management device 40 to control the ejection of the card.

Next, the ball storage replay process in the game system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When the inter-unit card processor 10 reads the card ID from the membership card or a mobile terminal that can be used as the membership card, the card insertion notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40. The card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as the sender, or arbitrary identification data, and the inter-unit card processing machine. Includes data for identifying rates of 10.

The card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data received from the inter-unit card processor 10 to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data, the member management device 50 has a password associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data and the number of stored balls at the rate specified by the card insertion notification data. Then, the stored ball replay data including the possible number of stored ball replays is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10. The number of balls that can be replayed indicates the number of balls that can be replayed. The possible number of ball storage replays is a multiple of the number of game ball payout units in the ball storage replay. If an upper limit is set for the ball storage replay, the maximum value within the range of the number of stored balls and the upper limit is the possible number of ball storage replays. In addition, instead of the possible number of ball storage replays, the number of times the ball storage replay is possible may be used as the ball storage replay frequency. The stored ball replay frequency corresponds to the quotient obtained by dividing the stored ball number by the number of game ball payout units in the stored ball replay. However, if an upper limit is set for the ball storage replay, the ball storage replay frequency is limited by this upper limit.

The inter-vehicle card processor 10 stores the received ball storage replay data, and can accept the ball storage replay operation when the number of possible ball storage replays shown in the ball storage replay data is 1 or more.

When the inter-vehicle card processor 10 first accepts the ball storage replay operation after storing the ball storage replay data, the player is requested to input a password, and the entered password is the ball storage replay data. It is determined whether or not it matches the password shown in.

When the passwords match, the inter-unit card processor 10 transmits the ball storage replay request data to the card management device 40. The ball storage replay request data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the address that identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source, or arbitrary identification data, and the inter-unit card processing. Includes data for identifying the rate of the machine 10.

The card management device 40 transmits the ball storage replay request data to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the ball storage replay request data, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of the stored balls at the rate specified by the telegram among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the ball storage replay request data. Then, recalculate the possible number of ball storage replays. Then, the stored ball replay data including the balance after subtraction and the possible number of stored ball replays is transmitted to the inter-unit card processor 10.

The inter-vehicle card processing machine 10 updates the number of stored balls to be stored, and performs a processing of paying out the number of game balls corresponding to the number of payout units of the stored ball replay. In addition, it is determined whether or not the number of possible replays of the stored balls after the update is 1 or more. If the number of possible ball storage replays is 0, the ball storage replay operation cannot be accepted. If the number of possible ball storage replays after the update is 1 or more, the ball storage replay operation can be accepted again. It is not necessary to confirm the PIN for the second and subsequent replays of the stored balls. The personal identification number may be confirmed every time. Further, although the case where the member management device 50 subtracts the balance of the stored balls and then the inter-unit card processing machine 10 performs the game ball payout process is illustrated here, the game ball payout process is performed based on the stored ball replay request. After that, the balance of the stored balls may be subtracted. This is because the number of possible ball storage replays is shown in the ball storage replay data before the ball storage replay request, and the balance shortage will not be found after the ball storage replay request is accepted.

Next, the transition from holding balls to storing balls in the closing process will be described. The card management device 40 confirms the number of balls held in the card management data at the time of closing the store, and if there is a record associated with the number of balls held greater than zero, the number of balls held in the record is combined with the card ID and rate. Notify the member management device 50. The member management device 50 adds the number of balls held from the card management device 40 to the number of stored balls specified by the card ID and the rate. After that, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls held to zero.

Next, the appearance of the stand-to-stand card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Note that FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the stand-to-stand card processor 10 connected to the game machine 20 as the stand-to-stand card processor 10. Further, the game machine 20 to be attached is shown by a broken line. Further, although FIG. 3 shows the inter-unit card processing machine 10 that accepts only banknotes, a unit having a function of accepting electronic money or coins associated with a mobile terminal or a card can also be provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-table card processing machine 10 includes a status display unit 11, a bill insertion slot 12a, a display operation unit 13, a card insertion slot 14a, a holding portion 14b, a nozzle unit 18a, and a counting unit 18b.

The status display unit 11 is composed of, for example, a multi-color LED, and displays the status of the device of the inter-unit card processor 10 by lighting or blinking a predetermined color. The bill insertion slot 12a is an insertion slot for various bills required for lending game balls. The display operation unit 13 is a device composed of, for example, a full-color touch panel type liquid crystal display or the like, and accepts display of operation buttons and input operations by the operation buttons. Although detailed illustration is omitted in FIG. 3, the display operation unit 13 has a flat plate shape in which the long side of the corresponding game machine 20 side is pivotally supported by the inter-table card processing machine 10. The angle formed by the front panel of the inter-table card processing machine 10 and the display surface of the display operation unit 13 can be changed.

The card insertion slot 14a is a card insertion slot owned by the player. The holding unit 14b is a portion for holding the mobile terminal used for membership registration, and when the mobile terminal is held over the holding unit 14b, data such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal is read from the mobile terminal. The nozzle unit 18a is a mechanism for throwing a game ball into the game machine 20. The nozzle unit 18a is composed of a tubular nozzle provided on the front surface of the inter-table card processing machine 10 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction, and the tip of the nozzle can be located in the storage portion of the game machine. There is. The nozzle is supplied with the game medium from the ball supply device in the table-to-table card processor, which has received the game medium from the supply mechanism on the island where the table-to-table card processor 10 is installed. The counting unit 18b is a mechanism for counting game balls dropped from the lower plate of the game machine 20. The counting unit 18b includes a saucer for receiving game balls, a counting unit provided at the lower part of the inter-table card processing machine 10 for counting game balls with a counting sensor, and a counting unit for passing the game medium from the saucer to the counting unit. It consists of a passage. The saucer portion and the counting passage portion can be integrally removed from the table-to-table card processor 10 based on a predetermined operation (for example, an employee's remote control operation). Further, the counting unit has a unit structure, and by removing the counting unit, the saucer unit, and the counting passage unit, the inter-table card processing machine 10 can be operated without a counting function.

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

The bill transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports the bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 12a to a bill storage unit (not shown) while discriminating the denomination and authenticity of the bills. The display operation unit 13 has a function of identifying and displaying various information such as the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls that can be used for ball lending from the cards that have received it, and displays information not related to other cards or the like. It is an input / output device such as a touch panel type liquid crystal display having a function and a function of accepting various operations such as a card lending operation. In addition to the above-mentioned display, the display operation unit 13 also has a function of displaying excess or deficiency regarding the number of cards that can be stored and displaying the communication status (online / offline, etc.) with the host device.

The reader / writer 14 is a device that reads a card ID from a card inserted in the card insertion slot 14a. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage unit (not shown) via the reader / writer 14. The holding unit 14b is an interface unit that reads various information such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal by short-range wireless communication when the mobile terminal or the like is held over. Further, the reader / writer 14 has a function of associating the card stored in the card storage unit with value data such as a possession ball and a prepaid value shown in the card data 16b and issuing the card as a new card according to the return operation of the player. Also has. However, if the prepaid value shown in the card data 16b is 0 and the number of balls held is less than a certain number (minimum number of holdings), control is performed so that the card is not returned even if there is a return operation. This is a control to prevent the game store from losing money due to the discarding of cards associated with a small amount of balls, and it is accepted not only from the cards stored in advance but also from the outside. The same applies to other cards (excluding membership cards). As a fixed number, for example, the value obtained by multiplying the number of balls held by the lending unit price per ball can be set to be the card price or the lowest price prize in the game store, but the game is not limited to this. It can be set freely according to the store policy. In addition, if it is controlled not to return the card even if there is a return operation, the stored ball can be paid out, but a display indicating that the card cannot be returned and / or a replay of the card is displayed. A prompting display may be made.

The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication between the game machine 20 and the island controller 30. The nozzle unit 18a is used for paying out a part or all of the game balls when paying out the game balls by lending or replaying. The counting unit 18b is a unit that counts game balls.

The storage unit 16 is a storage device including a hard disk device, a non-volatile memory, and the like. The storage unit 16 stores the own device state data 16a and the card data 16b.

The own device state data 16a is data indicating the state of the inter-unit card processing machine 10. The own device state data 16a includes the device ID of the inter-unit card processor and the game type setting. The device ID of the inter-unit card processing machine is identification data for uniquely identifying the inter-unit card processing machine 10 in the game store. The game type setting is data indicating a game type or the like set in the inter-unit card processor 10. When handling multiple rates of game balls in a game store, "ball 1" for 4-yen rate game balls, "ball 2" for 2-yen rate game balls, and "ball 3" for 1-yen rate game balls. In this way, the game type name is set and managed for each rate. The inter-unit card processor 10 selects a rate to be used for the game from these game types and stores it as a game type setting.

The card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a prepaid value, a possession ball, a stored ball, a possible number of stored ball replays, and the like. There is data for each type of game (rate) for possessed balls and stored balls. The card ID is a card ID read by the reader / writer 14. When a card is conveyed from a card storage unit (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and the card is ejected, the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transfer. Further, even when a card is conveyed from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage unit (not shown), the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader / writer 14 during the transfer.

The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-unit card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a, a counting processing unit 17b, a cashless payment processing unit 17c, and an additional deposit operation control unit 17d.

When the card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits the card insertion notification data including the device ID of the own device status data 16a and the card ID of the card data 16b to the card management device 40. Further, when the data management unit 17a receives data including value data (at least one of the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls) from the card management device 40, the data management unit 17a updates the card data 16b with the received value data. .. The data management unit 17a appropriately displays and controls the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls shown in the card data 16b on the display operation unit 13.

Further, when the bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 12a, the data management unit 17a transmits the payment notification data including the amount of the inserted bill, the card ID, and the inter-unit card processing machine ID to the card management device 40.

Further, the data management unit 17a transmits the ball lending request data including the card ID and the device ID to the card management device 40 when the ball lending operation is performed by the player. When the ball lending permission data is received as a response to the ball lending request data, the data management unit 17a performs a predetermined number of game ball payout processing.

Further, when the player performs the ball holding replay operation, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls held in the card data 16b and performs a payout process of the corresponding number of game balls. Do.

Further, when the number of possible ball storage replays shown in the card data 16b is 1 or more, the data management unit 17a can display the ball storage replay button on the display operation unit 13 and accept the ball storage replay operation. And. When the player performs the ball storage replay operation, the data management unit 17a transmits the ball storage replay request data including the card ID and the inter-unit card processing machine ID to the member management device 50. When the stored ball replay data is received as a response to the stored ball replay request data, the number of stored balls in the card data 16b is updated, and the game balls of the number of payout units of the stored ball replay are paid out. At the time of the first ball storage replay operation, the input of the password is requested, and the ball storage replay request data is transmitted on condition that it matches the password shown in the card data 16b.

Further, when the card return operation is performed by the player, the data management unit 17a transmits the card ID, the device ID, and the ball addition request data including the number of balls held to the card management device 40, and the card data 16b. After clearing the number of balls held to zero, the card ejection notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the card is ejected.

Further, if the player performs the ball storage transfer operation with the membership card inserted, the data management unit 17a subtracts the number of balls held in the card data 16b and the member via the card management device 40. By transmitting the ball storage addition request data to the management device 50, the possessed balls are transferred to the ball storage. It is also possible to transfer the ball storage using a mobile terminal instead of the membership card. Specifically, if the number of balls held is equal to or greater than a predetermined number and the mobile terminal is held over the holding unit 14b after the predetermined operation is performed, the data management unit 17a holds the balls shown in the card data 16b. By subtracting the number and transmitting the ball storage addition request data including the IDm read by the holding unit 14b, the possessed ball is transferred to the ball storage.

In addition, the data management unit 17a can perform processing related to the wagon service. The wagon service is a service in which a game clerk puts products such as drinks and cigarettes in a wagon, patrols the inside of the game store, and sells them to the players who are playing the game. In such a wagon service, in addition to payment by cash, payment by holding balls or storing balls is possible. When the wagon service is settled with a ball or a stored ball, the game clerk gives an instruction to the wagon card processor 10 through a clerk terminal (for example, a remote control terminal), and the wagon service can be settled with the wagon service. Put it in a state. Then, information that can specify the number of balls to be deducted or stored as consideration is input to the machine-to-car card processor 10. This input process is performed by inputting a numerical value in the display operation unit 13 of the inter-unit card processor or the operation unit of the clerk terminal. When the inter-unit card processor 10 receives the input, it waits for the reception of the employee recording medium (for example, the wagon card) used for the wagon service. Then, when the wagon card is received, the data management unit 17a subtracts the input number of balls and stored balls from the number indicated by the card data 16b, and discharges the data in association with the employee recording medium. In addition, the wagon service payment is made when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts the employee recording medium without accepting the input of information that can specify the number of balls to be deducted or stored as consideration. The process of returning the employee recording medium is performed without doing so. In addition, during the payment of the wagon service, when the input of information that can specify the number of balls and stored balls to be deducted as consideration is accepted, the replay operation of the balls and stored balls and the return operation of the recording medium are accepted. In that case, the conflict between the two processes is suppressed by limiting the replay operation / return operation by rejecting it or canceling the payment of the wagon service.

When a game ball is thrown into the counting unit 18b, the counting processing unit 17b causes the counting unit 18b to count the game balls and adds the counting result to the number of balls held in the card data 16b.

The cashless payment processing unit 17c performs processing necessary for cashless payment. Specifically, when the cashless payment processing unit 17c accepts an operation for requesting payment by cashless payment, it generates payment data including a payment ID and a payment amount that uniquely identifies the payment, and the payment data and the store The data and the stand data are encoded into a two-dimensional code and displayed on the display operation unit 13. Here, the store data is data for identifying a game store, and the unit data is data for identifying the inter-unit card processing machine 10. As the table data, for example, the device ID of the own device state data 16a may be used. The terminal device 110 carried by the player captures the two-dimensional code displayed on the display operation unit 13 with a camera, decodes and reads the two-dimensional code, and then reads the payment data to make a payment.

The additional deposit operation control unit 17d performs an operation according to the contents set by the card management device 40 at the time of additional deposit. The additional deposit is the addition of the prepaid value with the prepaid value remaining. The additional payment can be made by cash settlement or cashless, but is limited by the setting in the card management device 40.

Specifically, the additional deposit operation control unit 17d refunds the inserted cash if the cash is inserted in a state where the additional deposit by cash settlement is prohibited. In addition, if an operation for requesting cashless payment is accepted while the setting for prohibiting additional payment by cashless payment is made, a notification is given to the effect that cashless payment cannot be performed.

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

The own device state data 16a shown in FIG. 5A shows a state in which the ID of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is "3001" and "ball 1" is set as the game type of the inter-unit card processing machine 10. ing.

The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5B shows a state in which the ID of the card inserted into the inter-unit card processor 10 is "1001". Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, the card whose first digit is "1" is a general card, and the card whose first digit is "2" is a membership card. Further, the card data 16b indicates a state in which the prepaid value is "2000 degrees". Here, the frequency of the prepaid value is equivalent to 1 yen per frequency. Further, the card data 16b shows a state in which the number of balls held by ball 1 is "375 balls", the number of balls held by ball 2 is "500 balls", and the number of balls held by ball 3 is "2000 balls". Shown.

Further, the card data 16b can store a password, the number of balls that can be replayed, and the number of balls stored for each game type as data related to the stored balls, but FIG. 5 (b) shows a state in which a general card is accepted. Therefore, these data are "-" indicating not applicable. Although the configuration in which the number of replayable balls is stored as the replayable number is shown here, the replayable number of times may be stored as the replay frequency. Further, although not shown, the card management device 40 stores ON / OFF of the "lock" flag indicating the validity / invalidity of the card in addition to the possessed ball, the stored ball, and the prepaid value in association with the card ID. , When the theft of the card is discovered, it is turned on by the employee operation. These data are also included in the card data 16b and stored. Furthermore, this "lock" flag can be set for each function ("use of stored balls", "boarding", etc.). For example, only the "boarding" function is subject to "locking" at the request of the player. It can also be used to prevent erroneous operation. In addition, in this specification, "entry" means that the number of game media of a certain rate is converted into the number of game media of another rate based on the ratio of the unit price of the game media and used. In a specific example, in the inter-unit card processing machine 10 associated with the 4-yen rate, the number of balls X at the 1-yen rate is used, and X × (1 yen / 4 yen) = X / 4 balls. Can be exemplified by the payout process. This "boarding" function can be enabled / disabled by the member management device 50 according to the store management policy.

Next, the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the card management device 40 includes a display unit 41, an input unit 42, an external network communication unit 43, a store network communication unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 46.

The display unit 41 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The input unit 42 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The external network communication unit 43 is an interface unit for data communication via a network outside the game store. The store network communication unit 44 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the payment machine 80 in the game store via a communication line.

The storage unit 45 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory, and stores game type setting data 45a, card management data 45b, device management data 45c, and value-adding setting data 45d.

The game type setting data 45a is data in which the lending rate and the display name are associated with the game type. The card management data 45b is data in which the prepaid value, the number of balls held in each game type, and the destination device ID indicating the device ID of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 into which the card is inserted are associated with the card ID. is there. The device management data 45c is data related to the device placed in the game store. The device management data 45c includes the device ID of the inter-unit card processor, the address of the inter-unit card processor 10, the installation location, the game machine ID of the adjacent game machine, and model data.

The value-adding setting data 45d is data for managing settings related to the addition of prepaid value. Specifically, the value-adding setting data 45d indicates whether or not cashless additional payment is possible after cash payment, and whether or not cash payment is possible after cashless payment.

The control unit 46 is a control unit that controls the entire card management device 40, and includes a game type setting management unit 46a, a card management unit 46b, a device management unit 46c, a value-adding unit 46d, and a setting unit 46e. Actually, by storing the programs corresponding to these functional units in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), loading these programs into the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executing them, the game type setting management unit The corresponding processes are executed by the 46a, the card management unit 46b, the device management unit 46c, the value adding unit 46d, and the setting unit 46e, respectively.

The game type setting management unit 46a is a processing unit that manages the game type used in the game store, the rate, and the display name as the game type setting data 45a in association with each other.

The card management unit 46b is a processing unit that manages the card management data 45b. Specifically, when the card management unit 46b receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b also notifies the card insertion notification of the destination device ID of the card ID shown in the card insertion notification data. The device ID shown in the data. In addition, the prepaid value associated with the card ID shown in the card insertion notification data and the number of balls held at each rate are notified to the inter-unit card processing machine 10 as value data. If the inserted card is a membership card, the card insertion notification data is transmitted to the member management device. When the card management unit 46b receives the ball subtraction request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b clears the number of balls held at the rate indicated in the ball subtraction request data to zero.

Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the ball lending request data including the card ID from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, it determines whether or not the prepaid value associated with the card ID is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. .. When the prepaid value is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the card management unit 46b subtracts the predetermined value from the prepaid value stored in the card management data 45b, and includes the prepaid value updated in the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Send the ball lending permission data. On the other hand, when the prepaid value is less than a predetermined value, the card management unit 46b notifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 of the ball lending non-profit data.

Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the payment notification data including the amount of money, the card ID and the device ID inserted from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b notifies the prepaid value associated with the card ID of the payment. Add the prepaid value for the amount shown in.

Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the ball storage replay request data from the inter-unit card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b transfers the ball storage replay request data to the member management device 50. Further, the response data from the member management device 50 to the ball storage replay request data is also transferred to the inter-unit card processing machine 10.

Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the ball addition request data, the card management unit 46b adds the number of balls included in the ball addition request data to the number of balls held at the corresponding rate. Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the card ejection notification data, the card management unit 46b erases the user device ID of the card ID.

Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the card ID from the prize management device 60, the card management unit 46b notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held at each rate associated with the card ID. Further, when the card management unit 46b receives the card ID from the payment machine 80, the card management unit 46b notifies the payment machine 80 of the prepaid value associated with the card ID.

The device management unit 46c is a processing unit that manages the device management data 45c. The device management unit 46c generates and updates the device management data 45c based on the device ID acquired from the machine-to-table card processor 10, the address of the machine-to-machine card processor 10, the installation location, and the game machine ID.

The value-adding unit 46d is a processing unit that adds payment and prepaid value based on cashless payment. When the value-adding unit 46d receives the payment completion notification from the external device that manages the cashless payment, the value-adding unit 46d identifies the payment destination card from various information shown in the payment completion notification and adds the prepaid value.

The setting unit 46e makes a setting related to the addition of the prepaid value, and performs a process of registering the value addition setting data 45d. The setting unit 46e can set whether or not to allow the addition of the prepaid value based on the second purchase method different from the first purchase method after the prepaid value is given based on the first purchase method. Is. Specifically, the setting unit 46e can set whether or not to make a payment by cashless payment after cash payment and whether or not to make cash payment after payment by cashless payment. It is also possible to set whether or not to make a payment by a different cashless payment after the payment by the cashless payment.

Further, the setting unit 46e can be set to prohibit the addition of the value based on the second purchase method on the condition that the value given based on the first purchase method remains. When such conditions are applied, for example, payment by cashless payment is prohibited while the prepaid value given by cash deposit remains, but after the prepaid value given by cash deposit is used up, cashless payment is used. You can make a deposit.

Further, it is also possible to set to prohibit the addition of the value based on the second purchase method on the condition that either the value given based on the first purchase method or the possession ball remains. When such a condition is applied, for example, even if the prepaid value given by cash deposit is used up, the deposit by cashless settlement is prohibited while the possession ball remains.

Further, the setting unit 46e can set to prohibit the settlement of the prepaid value given based on the cashless payment. If you allow the prepaid value given based on cashless payment to be settled, it will be possible to cash the payment amount, and if the benefit is given to cashless payment, it will lead to unauthorized acquisition of the benefit. Is.

Further, the setting unit 46e appropriately notifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 of the setting contents of the value-adding setting data 45d. For example, it may be notified and stored in the inter-unit card processing machine 10 in the game store when the store is opened, or may be notified as necessary when the prepaid value is requested to be added.

Next, an example of the data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40.

The game type setting data 45a shown in FIG. 7A associates the game type name “ball 1” with the rate “4 yen” and the display name “4 pachinko”. Further, the game type setting data 45a associates the game type name "ball 2" with the rate "2 yen" and the display name "2 pachinko". Further, the game type setting data 45a associates the game type name "ball 3" with the rate "1 yen" and the display name "1 pachinko".

In the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7B, the card ID "1001" has a prepaid value "2500", the number of balls 1 has "1500", the number of balls 2 has "2300", and the ball 3 has 3 Is associated with the number of balls "0". That is, the card with the card ID "1001" is not inserted into the inter-unit card processing machine 10, and the holding balls are managed by the card management device 40.

Further, in the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7B, the card ID "1002" is associated with the prepaid value "0", the number of balls held at each rate "0", and the destination device ID "3004". That is, the card with the card ID "1002" is inserted into the inter-unit card processing machine 10 with the device ID "3004", and the management of the number of balls held is transferred to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Therefore, the number of balls held at each rate is zero.

Further, in the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7B, the card ID "2002" is associated with the prepaid value "2000", the number of balls held at each rate "0", and the destination device ID "3001". That is, the card with the card ID "2002" is inserted into the inter-unit card processing machine 10 with the device ID "3001", and the management of the jade is transferred to the inter-unit card processing machine 10. Therefore, the number of balls held at each rate is zero.

Further, in the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7B, the type of deposit used for giving the prepaid value is associated. Specifically, the deposit type of the card ID "1001" is "cash", and the deposit type of the card ID "2002" is "cashless". Since the prepaid value of the card ID "1002" is "0", the deposit type is "none".

That is, if the payment type is "None" when the payment request is received, since it is the first payment, it can be performed by either cash payment or cashless payment. On the other hand, if the deposit type is "cash" or "cashless", the received deposit request is an additional deposit, and there is a possibility that restrictions will be imposed based on the deposit type.

In the device management data 45c shown in FIG. 7 (c), the address on the network of the inter-unit card processor 10 with the ID "3001" is "AB.CD.EF.GH", and the installation location is "Island 1-1". , The ID of the connected game machine 20 is "P001", the game type is "ball 3", and the model of the connected game machine 20 is "EV01". It also shows that the gaming machine 20 is in use.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of setting items related to the addition of prepaid value. As shown in FIG. 8, the setting items include "cashless additional deposit after cash deposit", "cash additional deposit after cashless deposit", "additional deposit with different cashless payment", and "prepaid value". There are "additional deposit in the state", "additional deposit with the ball", and "payment for cashless payment", and you can set either permission or prohibition for each setting item.

Next, the processing procedure of the card management device 40 related to the addition of the prepaid value will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the card management device 40 related to the addition of prepaid value. First, the setting unit 46e of the card management device 40 sets the addition of the prepaid value and registers it in the value addition setting data 45d (step S101).

After that, when the request for the addition of the prepaid value is received (step S102), the card management device 40 executes the addition of the prepaid value (step S103) and updates the deposit type of the card management data 45b (step S104). Since the steps S102 to S104 are the first deposits, they can be executed regardless of the type of deposit.

After step S104, when the request for the addition of the prepaid value is further received (step S105), the card management device 40 refers to the deposit type of the card management data 45b, and whether or not the prepaid value is given by the same deposit type. Is determined (step S106).

If the deposit types are the same (step S106; Yes), the card management device 40 executes the addition of the prepaid value (step S107), and ends the process. On the other hand, if the payment types are not the same (step S106; No), the card management device 40 notifies the inter-unit card processor 10 that the prepaid value cannot be given (step S108), and ends the process.

When the prepaid value becomes "0", the deposit type becomes "none", and if the request for the prepaid value is subsequently received, the process from step S102 is repeated. Further, if the request for the addition of the prepaid value is received with the prepaid value remaining, the process from step S105 is repeated.

Next, a specific example of adding prepaid value will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of giving the prepaid value. As shown in FIG. 10, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts a cash deposit operation as the first deposit (s11), it sends a value-adding request to the card management device 40 (s12). The card management device 40 that has received the value-adding request registers the deposit type (s13) and adds the prepaid value (s14).

After that, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts a payment operation by cashless payment using the terminal device 110 as an additional payment (s15), it sends a value-adding request to the card management device 40 (s12). Upon receiving the value-adding request, the card management device 40 determines the type of deposit (s17), and if the first deposit and the type of deposit do not match, the card processing machine 10 is notified that the value cannot be added. Send (s18). Upon receiving the notification that the value cannot be added, the inter-unit card processor 10 notifies the player that the prepaid value cannot be added by display output or the like (s19).

In the description so far, the configuration in which the card management device 40 determines the type of deposit has been described as an example, but the inter-unit card processor 10 may be configured to determine the type of deposit. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 determines the type of deposit. In FIG. 11, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts a cash deposit operation as the first deposit (s21), it registers the deposit type on its own device (s22) and sends a value-adding request to the card management device 40. (S23). The card management device 40 that has received the value-adding request adds the prepaid value (s24).

After that, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts a deposit operation by cashless payment using the terminal device 110 as an additional deposit (s25), it determines the type of deposit (s26), and the first deposit and the type of deposit are determined. If they do not match, the player is notified that the prepaid value cannot be added by display output or the like (s27).

Next, the details of cashless payment will be described. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of details of cashless payment. As shown in FIG. 12, when the inter-unit card processing machine 10 accepts an operation for requesting payment by cashless payment, it generates payment data including a payment ID and a payment amount. The payment ID is data that uniquely identifies the payment, and may be determined by, for example, the inter-unit card processing machine 10. The settlement amount indicates the amount of payment by cashless settlement, and may be determined, for example, by the designation of the player. The inter-unit card processing machine 10 encodes and displays the generated payment data, store data, and unit data in a two-dimensional code (s31). The store data is data for identifying a game store, and the machine data is data for identifying a machine-to-machine card processor 10.

The terminal device 110 carried by the player acquires the payment data, the store data, and the unit data by capturing the two-dimensional code displayed by the inter-unit card processor 10 with a camera, decoding and reading the two-dimensional code. (S32).

The terminal device 110 stores payment data, store data, and stand data. The terminal device 110 adds information necessary for payment such as an account used for payment to the payment data, and transmits a payment request including the payment data and store data to the payment device 100 to perform payment processing (s33). ..

The payment device 100 that has received the payment request executes the payment by subtracting the payment amount from the account indicated in the payment data of the payment request, and notifies the completion of the payment. The notification of the completion of payment is given to the terminal device 110 which is the request source and the card management device 40 of the game store shown in the store data of the payment request.

Specifically, the payment device 100 notifies the terminal device 110 of the payment completion including the payment ID (s34), and notifies the card management device 40 of the payment completion including the payment ID and the payment amount (s34a). ..

Upon receiving the payment completion notification, the terminal device 110 transmits a payment request to the card management device 40 (s35). The payment request may be transmitted using, for example, a wireless communication network provided in a game store. In addition, the payment request includes the settlement ID and the unit data.

When the card management device 40 receives the payment completion notification from the payment device 100 and receives the payment request from the terminal device 110, the card management device 40 performs the payment processing and the prepaid value (s36). Specifically, when the card management device 40 receives the payment completion notification and the payment request having the same payment ID, the card management device 40 identifies the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 from the machine data of the payment request, and performs the machine-to-machine card processing. The machine 10 is processed for payment for the settlement amount of the settlement completion notification, and a prepaid value is given. After that, the card management device 40 notifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 of the completion of payment and the addition of prepaid value (s37).

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example of cashless payment. In FIG. 13, when the terminal device 110 carried by the player determines the payment amount based on the operation of the player, the terminal device 110 generates information necessary for payment such as the payment amount and the account used for payment as payment data, and the payment data. Is encoded into a two-dimensional code and displayed (s41).

When the two-dimensional code displayed by the terminal device 110 is held over the camera of the inter-unit card processor 10, the inter-unit card processor 10 decodes the two-dimensional code and acquires payment data (s42). The inter-unit card processor 10 associates the acquired payment data with a device ID that identifies the own device as unit data (s43), and transmits the acquired payment data to the card management device 40 (s44).

The card management device 40 stores the payment data and the machine data received from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 (s45), and transmits the payment data to the payment device 100 provided outside the game store to perform the payment processing. (S46).

The payment device 100 executes payment by subtracting the payment amount from the account indicated in the received payment data, and transmits the payment completion to the card management device 40 (s47). Upon receiving the payment completion notification, the card management device 40 identifies the inter-unit card processing machine 10 based on the unit data corresponding to the transmitted payment data, performs payment processing for the payment amount on the inter-unit card processing machine 10, and prepaid. Add value (s48), and notify the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 of the completion of payment and the prepaid value addition (s49).

It is also possible to notify the terminal device 110 of the completion of payment (s49a). For example, by including the address of the terminal device 110 in the payment data, it is possible to notify the terminal device 110 when the payment device 100 completes the payment. Similarly, it is also possible for the card management device 40 to read the address of the terminal device 110 included in the payment data and give a notification.

As described above, in this embodiment, when it is possible to add prepaid value by a plurality of purchase methods such as cash payment and cashless payment, the value is added based on the first purchase method. After that, the operation of the inter-unit card processing machine 10 is controlled by making it possible to set whether or not to allow the addition of value based on the second purchase method different from the first purchase method. Therefore, it is possible to support cashless payment while suppressing the burden on the amusement store.

Here, in the first purchase method and the second purchase method, one can be purchased by cash and the other can be purchased by cashless payment without using cash. Further, the first purchase method and the second purchase method may be purchases by cashless payment without using cash, respectively.

Further, it is also possible to make a setting prohibiting the addition of the value based on the second purchase method on the condition that the value given based on the first purchase method remains. Furthermore, the addition of value based on the second purchase method is prohibited on the condition that either the value given based on the first purchase method or the number of possessed balls, which is the number of game media acquired by the game, remains. It is also possible to set to.

It is also possible to set prohibit settlement of the value given based on cashless payment without using cash.

In this embodiment, a configuration in which payment is made by cashless payment with a card inserted in the inter-unit card processing machine 10 has been described as an example, but cash is provided even when the card is not inserted. It may be configured so that payment by cashless payment is possible.

Further, in this embodiment, if the same deposit type is used, the case where the additional deposit is not restricted is described as an example, but even if the deposit type is the same, the additional deposit is prohibited until the prepaid value is used up. It may be possible to set.

Further, in this embodiment, the prepaid value purchased with different deposit types can be used in the same manner, but it is also possible to use the prepaid value differently depending on the deposit type. For example, a game island in which only the prepaid value given by cash settlement can be used, or a game island in which only the prepaid value given by cashless payment can be used may be provided.

In addition, when the prepaid value for cash payments and the prepaid value for cashless payments can be combined and used, it is possible to set whether to preferentially use cash payments or cashless payments. You can also do it. The game store may set whether to preferentially use the cash payment amount or the cashless payment amount, or the player may allow the setting. In addition, when the store is closed with the prepaid value purchased by cash payment and cashless payment remaining, the cashless payment may be automatically returned to the player's personal account.

Further, in this embodiment, the configuration in which information related to cashless payment is exchanged using a two-dimensional code has been described as an example, but information related to cashless payment is exchanged using short-range wireless communication or the like. It may be configured to perform.

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

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the game ball is used as the game medium has been described as an example, but it can also be applied to the case where a medal for a slot machine is used.

Further, each of the illustrated configurations is a schematic function, and does not necessarily have to be physically illustrated. That is, the form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or part of the device is functionally or physically distributed / integrated in an arbitrary unit according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

As described above, the game management system and the game management method according to the present invention are suitable for supporting cashless payment while suppressing the burden on the game store.

10 Card processing machine 11 Status display unit 12 Bill carrier 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation unit 14 Reader / writer 14a Card insertion slot 14b Holding unit 15 Communication unit 16, 45 Storage unit 16a Own device status data 16b Card data 17, 46 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Counting processing unit 17c Cashless settlement unit 17d Additional deposit operation control unit 18a Nozzle unit 18b Counting unit 20 Game machine 30 Island controller 40 Card management device 41 Display unit 42 Input unit 43 External network communication unit 44 Store network communication department 45a Game type setting data 45b Card management data 45c Device management data 45d Value-giving setting data 46a Game type setting management department 46b Card management department 46c Device management department 46d Value-giving department 46e Setting department 50 Member management device 60 Equipment 80 Payment machine 100 Payment equipment 110 Terminal equipment

Claims (7)

It is a game management system that is attached to a game machine that plays a game using a game medium and has each device that performs processing related to the game medium.
Value-adding means that can add value to the game medium by multiple purchase methods,
After adding value based on the first purchase method, setting means capable of setting whether or not to allow value addition based on a second purchase method different from the first purchase method, and
A game management system including an operation control means for controlling the operation of each of the units according to a setting by the setting means. The game management according to claim 1, wherein one of the first purchase method and the second purchase method is a cash purchase and the other is a cashless payment purchase without using cash. system. The game management system according to claim 1, wherein the first purchase method and the second purchase method are purchases by cashless payment without using cash, respectively. The setting means can be set to prohibit the addition of value based on the second purchase method, provided that the value given based on the first purchase method remains. The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The setting means adds value based on the second purchase method on condition that either the value given based on the first purchase method or the number of game media acquired by the game remains. The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the game management system can be set to prohibit. The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the setting means can be set to prohibit settlement of a value given based on cashless payment without using cash. .. It is a game management method in a game management system that is attached to a game machine that plays a game using a game medium and has each device that performs processing related to the game medium.
A setting step for setting a process when a plurality of purchase methods are used to add value to the game medium, and
The first adding step of adding the value by the first purchasing method and
When an operation requesting the addition of value based on the second purchase method different from the first purchase method is accepted, the operation control step for controlling the operation of each device according to the setting by the setting step. A game management method characterized by including.

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