JP2023145775A - Game management system - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress a burden of a game parlor and cope with a cashless settlement.SOLUTION: An inter-machine card processor 10 encodes settlement data, shop data, and machine data to two-dimensional codes and displays them (s1). A terminal device 110 reads the two-dimensional codes (s2), and transmits a settlement request including settlement data and shop data to a settling device 100 (s3). The terminal device 110 receives settlement completion notification from the settling device 100 (s4), and transmits a payment request to a card managing device 40 (s5). The card managing device 40 performs a payment process and imparts a prepaid value (s6), and notifies the inter-machine card processor 10 of a fact that the payment process and imparting of the prepaid value are completed, (S7) on the basis of the settlement completion notification (s4a) from the settling device 100 and the payment request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a game management system that can properly and efficiently settle value when a game parlor introduces cashless payment.

Conventionally, game parlors have provided games using game media. For example, in a pachinko game, game balls are used as game media, and the game is played by hitting the game balls onto a game board surface. A plurality of winning areas (winning holes) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prizes based on the game balls passing 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 each gaming machine to have a device attached to it. Each device accepts deposits and performs processing for lending game media. In addition, each device manages the number of game media acquired through games as the number of game media held, and performs a replay process in which the number of game media held is subtracted and the game media are paid out (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).

Further, when the player operates a return button provided on the gaming machine when finishing the game, each machine associates the number of game media managed by the machine with the card and then discharges the card. By presenting this card at the prize counter, the player can exchange it for a prize corresponding to the associated number of gaming media he/she owns. Further, the card is also associated with a value that can be used for loaning game media. The balance of value remaining at the end of the game can be settled using the settlement machine.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-131037

However, with the conventional technology, when the first game starts after entering the store, it is necessary to deposit cash into each device and receive a value that can be used to rent game media. As various cashless payments are becoming more widely used, it is inconvenient for users to be required to pay cash to start playing, so it is important to make it possible to start playing with cashless payments that do not require cash. It has been demanded. In particular, the settlement of value when using cashless payments is also a problem.

The present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a game management system that can properly and efficiently settle the value when a game parlor introduces cashless payment. The purpose is to

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the purpose, the present invention provides a gaming management system having a payment machine that settles the value associated with a storage medium, the payment machine including a reception desk that accepts the storage medium. a determining means for determining whether the value associated with the storage medium accepted by the accepting means is a cash deposit amount or a cashless payment amount; If it is determined that the value of the cashless payment and the value of the cashless payment are included, the value of the cash deposit is settled in cash, and the value of the cashless payment is refunded to the account. It is characterized by comprising means.

Further, the present invention provides a game management system having a payment machine that settles the value associated with a storage medium, wherein the payment machine includes a reception means for accepting the storage medium, and a payment method for the payment of the value associated with the storage medium. A determination means for determining whether the value associated with the storage medium is the amount of cash deposit or the amount of cashless payment, and the determination means determines the value of the cash deposit and the value of the cashless payment. The present invention is characterized by comprising a second settlement means that refunds both the valuable value of the cash deposit and the valuable value of the cashless payment in cash or into an account when it is determined that the cashless payment includes value.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the above-described invention further includes a setting means for setting the value of the cash deposit or the value of the cashless payment to be unaccountable.

According to the present invention, when a game parlor introduces cashless payment, it is possible to properly and efficiently settle the value.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the gaming management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the game parlor. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage section of the inter-machine card processing machine. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the terminal device. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device. (Part 1) FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device. (Part 2) FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure related to cashless payment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of refund processing by cashless payment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration for transmitting a deposit request to a card management device via an inter-machine card processing machine. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the card management device performs deposit processing based on a deposit request from a terminal device. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the card management device performs deposit processing based on a deposit request from an inter-machine card processing machine. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of restriction release using a two-dimensional code.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the game management system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this specification, the term "balls held" refers to game media acquired by a player in a game, or data indicating the number of such game media, which can only be used again during the same day (before the store closes). Say what you can. Accumulated balls are data indicating the game media or the number of game media acquired by a player in a game, and can be used again in the game from the next day onwards (time after closing). The balls can be used by both general players and member players, and are used when changing the gaming machine used for a game (so-called machine movement). Normally, the ball reserve can be used only by member players, and is used when the acquired game media are used for games on the next day or later. A predetermined fee may be charged for the use of stored balls.

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

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 processes game balls, such as loaning out game balls, replaying owned and stored balls, and counting acquired game balls and adding them to the owned balls, based on the player's operations. Performs various processing related to. Further, when the player operates a return button provided on the gaming machine when finishing the game, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 associates the number of balls managed by the machine with the card and then discharges the card.

The card management device 40 is capable of communicating with a plurality of inter-machine card processing machines 10 in the gaming parlor, and manages cards in association with their own balls, prepaid value, and the like. The prepaid value is a value that can be used for renting game balls, and is added by depositing money and subtracted by renting out balls.

Specifically, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a banknote, it transmits payment notification data including the amount of the banknote to the card management device 40, and adds the amount to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Have them add the appropriate number. When a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, a ball lending request is sent 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. Process the payout of balls.

Furthermore, in the gaming management system shown in FIG. 1, prepaid value can be given through cashless payment. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives an operation 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 the inter-machine card processing machine 10, for example. The payment amount indicates the amount of money deposited by cashless payment, and may be determined, for example, by the player's designation. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 encodes the generated payment data, store data, and machine data into a two-dimensional code and displays it (s1). The store data is data that identifies the game store, and the machine data is data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

The terminal device 110 carried by the player uses a camera to image the two-dimensional code displayed by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, decodes and reads the two-dimensional code, and acquires payment data, store data, and machine data. (s2).

The terminal device 110 stores payment data, store data, and machine data. The terminal device 110 performs payment processing by adding information necessary for payment, such as the account used for payment, to the payment data, and transmitting a payment request including the payment data and store data to the payment device 100 (s3). .

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

Specifically, the payment device 100 notifies the terminal device 110 of the completion of payment including the payment ID (s4), and notifies the card management device 40 of the completion of payment including the payment ID and the payment amount (s4a). .

Upon receiving the payment completion notification, the terminal device 110 transmits a deposit request to the card management device 40 (s5). The deposit request may be transmitted using, for example, a wireless communication network provided at the gaming parlor. Further, the payment request includes the payment ID and machine data.

When the card management device 40 receives a payment completion notification from the payment device 100 and a deposit request from the terminal device 110, it performs deposit processing and assigns prepaid value (s6). Specifically, when receiving a payment completion notification and a deposit request having the same payment ID, the card management device 40 identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 based on the machine data of the deposit request, and performs the inter-machine card processing. For the machine 10, a payment process is performed for the payment amount of the payment completion notification, and a prepaid value is given. Thereafter, the card management device 40 notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of completion of deposit and provision of prepaid value (s7).

In this way, the inter-machine card processing machine 10, which is a device attached to the gaming machine 20, outputs payment data indicating information related to payment as a two-dimensional code, and the terminal device 110 carried by the player , obtain payment data and perform payment processing. Then, when a payment process is performed, the card management device 40 specifies each corresponding device and assigns a prepaid value. With this configuration, the prepaid value can be assigned based on the cashless payment made by the terminal device 110, rather than each of the inter-machine card processing machines 10 making a cashless payment. This makes it possible to support cashless payments while reducing the burden on game parlors.

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

The gaming machine 20 is a device that plays games by hitting game balls onto a gaming board surface. A plurality of winning areas (winning holes) are provided on the game board surface of this gaming machine 20, and a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prizes based on the game balls passing through the winning areas. It has become. Further, a predetermined number of starting areas (starting ports) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined lottery is to be performed based on the passage of game balls through the starting areas. If the lottery results in a jackpot, a predetermined movable member or the like is operated to perform an operation that is advantageous in terms of gaming, such as improving the probability of passage of game balls to the above-mentioned winning area or other starting area. The result of the lottery based on the ball passing through the starting hole is displayed on a special symbol display device that displays the result of the lottery. The lottery result on this special symbol display device is displayed in such a manner that after a predetermined period of variable display, a final display is performed. In addition, the game board surface is provided with a decorative pattern display device that variably displays decorative patterns such as predetermined numbers based on the lottery results, and when the lottery result is a jackpot, for example (7, 7 , 7), etc. are displayed to notify the user. Note that it is also possible to provide an area that serves as both a starting area and a winning area.

The above-mentioned winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of a game ball into the winning area, and this winning sensor detects the passage (winning) of a game ball hit into the winning area. It has become. Further, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 has a prize memory that stores the number of game balls to be given as prizes for each winning area.

Therefore, when the winning sensor detects that the driven game ball has passed through a specific winning area, the gaming machine 20 determines which game balls should be awarded based on the memory contents of the winning ball memory and the number of gaming balls that have passed through the winning area. It is possible to determine the number of prize balls and perform payout processing for the determined number of prize balls. In addition, the driven game balls are eventually discharged from the back side of the game board to the outside of the game machine, regardless of whether they pass through the winning area or not. The game balls ejected to the outside of the gaming machine are detected by an out ball detection device attached to each gaming machine.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts deposits, lends game balls, and communicates with the card management device 40. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the banknotes inserted by the player, it transmits payment notification data including the amount of the banknotes to the card management device 40, and adds the amount to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Have them add the appropriate number. When a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, a ball lending request is sent 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. Process the payout of balls.

Furthermore, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the insertion of a card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. Furthermore, upon receiving data including the prepaid value, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls from the card management device 40, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the received prepaid value, number of balls held, and number of stored balls. Once the number of balls held is memorized, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends the number of balls managed by the card management device 40 to zero by transmitting data for requesting a subtraction of balls held to the card management device 40. clear.

In addition, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives an operation to replay the balls it has, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls it has stored in its own device, and performs a payout process for the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of balls it has. conduct. In addition, upon receiving the stored ball replay operation, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number from the number of stored balls managed by the member management device 50 by transmitting stored ball replay request data to the card management device 40. and performs a payout process of a number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of stored balls.

In addition, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the card return operation, it transmits the number of balls to be added to the card management device 40, including the number of balls it owns, to the card management device 40. After adding up the numbers, card ejection notification data is sent to the card management device 40 to control card ejection.

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

The card management device 40 is a device that manages the prepaid value of the card, the number of balls held, etc. as card data. Upon receiving the card insertion notification data from the inter-machine 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-machine card processing machine 10, and manages the card ID of the inserted card in association with the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The prepaid value and number of balls associated with this are transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Further, when the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data is the card ID of a membership card, the card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data to the membership management device 50 and receives the card insertion notification data from the membership management device 50. The stored ball replay data is transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

In addition, when the card management device 40 receives the ball possession subtraction request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the number of balls held to zero. Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball possession addition request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the card management device 40 converts the number of balls included in the ball possession addition request data into 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-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts a prepaid value associated with the card ID by a predetermined value, and transfers the ball lending permission data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Send to. When the stored ball replay request data is received, the stored ball replay request data is transmitted to the member management device 50, and when the member management device 50 outputs the stored ball replay data, the stored ball replay data is transmitted between the machines. It is transmitted to the card processing machine 10.

Further, upon receiving 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 associated with this card ID. Further, upon receiving the card ID from the payment machine 80, the prepaid value associated with this card ID is notified to the payment machine 80.

The member management device 50 is a management device that manages member management data of members registered as members at a game parlor. Specifically, the number of accumulated balls, number of points, password, 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-machine card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 displays stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls and a password associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data. The data is then sent to the card processing machine 10. Further, upon receiving the stored ball replay request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined number from the number of stored balls associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request data, The stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls after the subtraction is transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Note that communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40.

Further, upon receiving 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 prize exchange that is attached to a prize exchange counter in a game store, and performs a prize exchange process in which acquired balls, the number of stored balls, and the number of balls held are exchanged for prizes. A card reader for reading a card ID from a card and a prize dispensing device for dispensing prizes are connected to the prize management device 60. When the prize management device 60 reads a card ID from a general card or a membership card (or when it reads identification data corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal, etc.), it transmits the card ID to the card management device 40. Then, the number of balls held by the card ID is requested. Moreover, when exchanging the number of stored balls for a prize, a request for the number of stored balls is requested from the member management device 50.

When a card associated with a prepaid value is inserted, the payment machine 80 transmits the card ID of this card to the card management device 40, and acquires the prepaid value associated with the card by receiving the response data. Then, money is paid out according to the acquired prepaid value.

Next, the ball lending process of the gaming system shown in FIG. 2 will be explained. When a player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits ball lending request data to the card management device 40. This ball lending request data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and an address or arbitrary identification data that specifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender.

When receiving 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-machine card processing machine 10 that is the transmission source. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission data performs a payout process for the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

Next, a description will be given of the ball replay process when replaying the balls held in the gaming system shown in FIG. 2. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. This card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or arbitrary identification data that specifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and the inter-machine card processing machine 10. 10 rates.

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

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the number of balls received from the card management device 40. Then, the card ID, data specifying the rate, and ball possession subtraction request data indicating that the number of balls held is to be cleared to zero are transmitted to the card management device 40. Upon receiving the ball possession subtraction request data, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls at each rate specified by the card ID to zero. In addition, when accepting an operation to replay the balls held and replay the balls held, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number from the stored number of balls held, and performs a payout process for the corresponding number of game balls. . When performing payout processing, the payout process is performed by sending a payout instruction to the gaming machine for multiples of the units that the gaming machine can pay out (for example, 25 balls), and for the remainder (for example, less than 25 balls), the unit is The dispensing process is performed by dispensing from the nozzle unit 18a.

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

Upon receiving the ball possession addition request data, the card management device 40 adds the number of balls included in the ball possession addition request data to the number of balls of each rate associated with the card ID. Thereafter, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits card ejection notification data to the card management device 40 to control card ejection.

Next, the ball storage replay process in the gaming system shown in FIG. 2 will be explained. When the inter-stand card processing machine 10 reads a card ID from a membership card or a mobile terminal that can be used as a membership card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. This card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or arbitrary identification data that specifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and the inter-machine card processing machine 10. 10 rates.

The card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data received from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data, the member management device 50 stores the 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, stored ball replay data including the possible number of stored ball replays is transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The number of balls that can be stored and replayed indicates the number of balls that can be stored and replayed. The possible number of stored balls to be replayed is a multiple of the number of payout units of game balls in the stored ball replay. If an upper limit is set for the replay of stored balls, the maximum value within the range of the number of stored balls and the upper limit becomes the possible number of stored balls for replay. Note that instead of the possible number of stored balls to be replayed, the number of times that balls can be stored and replayed may be used as the stored ball replay frequency. The number of stored ball replays corresponds to the quotient obtained by dividing the number of stored balls by the number of payout units of game balls in the stored ball replay. However, if an upper limit is set for ball storage and replay, the number of ball storage and replay is limited by this upper limit.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the received ball storage replay data, and can accept a ball storage replay operation when the possible number of ball storage replays indicated in the ball storage replay data is one or more.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a stored ball replay operation for the first time after storing the stored ball replay data, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 prompts the player to input a PIN number, and the input PIN is used as the stored ball replay data. Determine whether the password matches the password shown in .

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits ball storage replay request data to the card management device 40 when the passwords match. This ball storage replay request data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or arbitrary identification data that specifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and the inter-machine card processing machine 10. data for specifying the rate of the machine 10.

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

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 updates the number of stored balls to be stored and performs a payout process for the number of game balls corresponding to the number of payout units for stored ball replay. Further, it is determined whether the number of balls that can be replayed after the update is one or more. If the possible number of stored ball replays is 0, no stored ball replay operation will be accepted. If the number of balls that can be replayed after the update is 1 or more, it is possible to accept the ball storage replay operation again. There is no need to confirm the password when replaying the stored balls from the second time onwards. Note that the password may be confirmed every time. In addition, although the case where the inter-machine card processing machine 10 performs the payout process of game balls after the member management device 50 subtracts the balance of the stored balls is illustrated here, the payout process of the game balls is performed based on the stored ball replay request. After doing so, you may subtract the balance of your accumulated balls. This is because the possible number of balls to be replayed is shown in the stored balls replay data before the stored balls replay request, and there is no possibility that the balance becomes insufficient after accepting the stored balls replay request.

Next, the transition from holding balls to storing balls in the closing process will be explained. The card management device 40 checks the number of balls in the card management data at the time of closing processing, and if there is a record associated with a number of balls greater than zero, the card management device 40 adds the number of balls in the record along with the card ID and rate. The member management device 50 is notified. The member management device 50 adds the number of held balls notified from the card management device 40 to the number of stored balls specified by the card ID and rate. Thereafter, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls to zero.

Next, the appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In addition, in FIG. 3, the external appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 connected to the gaming machine 20 is shown as the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Further, the gaming machines 20 provided in parallel are shown in broken lines. Further, although FIG. 3 shows the inter-stand card processing machine 10 that only accepts banknotes, a unit having a function of accepting electronic money or coins associated with a mobile terminal or card may also be provided.

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

The status display unit 11 is composed of, for example, a multicolor LED, and displays the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by lighting or blinking in a predetermined color. The banknote insertion slot 12a is an insertion slot for various banknotes necessary for lending game balls. The display/operation unit 13 is a device that includes, for example, a full-color touch panel liquid crystal display or the like, and displays operation buttons and receives input operations using the operation buttons. Although the display operation unit 13 is not shown in detail in FIG. 3, it has a flat plate shape with its long side on the corresponding gaming machine 20 side being pivotally supported by the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The configuration is such that the angle between the front panel of the inter-stand card processing machine 10 and the display surface of the display operation section 13 can be changed.

The card insertion slot 14a is an insertion slot for a card owned by a player. The holding part 14b is a part for holding up the mobile terminal used for member registration, and when the mobile terminal is held over the holding part 14b, data such as the unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal is read from the mobile terminal. The nozzle unit 18a is a mechanism for discharging game balls to the gaming machine 20. The nozzle unit 18a consists of a cylindrical nozzle that is rotatably provided in the horizontal direction on the front surface of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the tip of the nozzle can be positioned in the storage section of the gaming machine. There is. The nozzle is configured to be supplied with game media from a ball supply device in the inter-machine card processing machine, which receives game media from a supply mechanism in the island where the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is installed. The counting unit 18b is a mechanism for counting game balls dropped from the lower tray of the gaming machine 20. The counting unit 18b includes a tray section that receives game balls, a counting section that is provided at the lower part of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and counts the game balls using a counting sensor, and a counter that passes game media from the tray section to the counting section. It consists of a passage section. The tray section and the counting passage section can be removed as one unit from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 based on a predetermined operation (for example, remote control operation by an employee). Further, the counting section has a unit structure, and by removing the counting section, the tray section, and the counting passage section, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 can be operated without a counting function.

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

The banknote transport unit 12 is a transport unit that determines the denomination and authenticity of a banknote inserted through the banknote insertion slot 12a and transports the banknote to a banknote storage unit (not shown). The display operation unit 13 has a function of specifying and displaying various information such as the prepaid value that can be used for ball lending, the number of balls held, and the number of stored balls from the received card, etc., and displays other information not related to the card, etc. It is an input/output device such as a touch panel type liquid crystal display that has functions and functions for accepting various operations such as ball lending operations. In addition to the above-mentioned display, the display operation section 13 also has a function of displaying whether the number of cards accommodated is excessive or insufficient, and 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 into the card insertion slot 14a. Note that the card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a passes through the reader/writer 14 and is stored in a card storage section (not shown). The holding unit 14b is an interface unit that reads various information such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of a mobile terminal by short-range wireless communication when the mobile terminal or the like is held over. In addition, the reader/writer 14 has a function of associating value data such as the number of balls held and prepaid value shown in the card data 16b with the card stored in the card storage section and issuing a new card in response to a return operation by a player. It 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 held), the card is controlled not to be returned even if a return operation is performed. This is a control to prevent losses to the gaming parlor due to cards associated with a small amount of balls being discarded. The same applies to cards (excluding membership cards). For example, the fixed number can be set such that the value obtained by multiplying the number of balls held by the rental unit price per ball becomes the card value or the lowest price prize in the game store, but this is not limited to this. It can be set freely depending on the store's policy. In addition, when controlling the card so that it is not returned even if there is a return operation, it is possible to pay out the stored balls, but it is possible to display a message that the card cannot be returned and/or to replay the balls. A prompt may be displayed.

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

The storage unit 16 is a storage device consisting of a hard disk device, nonvolatile memory, or the like. The storage unit 16 stores own device status data 16a, card data 16b, and payment data 16c.

The self-device status data 16a is data indicating the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. This device state data 16a includes the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine and game type settings. The device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine is identification data for uniquely identifying the inter-machine card processing machine 10 within the gaming arcade. The game type setting is data indicating the game type etc. set in the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When handling game balls with multiple rates in a game store, game balls with a 4 yen rate are given "ball 1", game balls with a 2 yen rate are given "ball 2", and game balls with a 1 yen rate are given "ball 3". As such, game type names are set and managed for each rate. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 selects a rate to be used for a 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 the card ID, prepaid value, balls held, stored balls, possible number of stored balls that can be replayed, and the like. Regarding balls held and balls stored, data exists for each game type (rate). The card ID is a card ID read by the reader/writer 14. When a card is conveyed from a card storage section (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and then ejected, the card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader/writer 14 during the conveyance. Furthermore, even when the card is transported from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage section (not shown), the card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader/writer 14 during this transport. The payment data 16c indicates data related to payment, such as payment ID and payment amount.

The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-machine card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a, a counting processing unit 17b, a payment data generation unit 17c, an encoding processing unit 17d, a payment data output processing unit 17e, and It has a refund processing section 17f.

When a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a transmits 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 receiving data including value data (prepaid value, number of balls held, and 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 section 17a appropriately controls display of the prepaid value, number of balls held, and number of stored balls shown in the card data 16b on the display operation section 13.

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

Furthermore, when a player performs a ball lending operation, the data management unit 17a transmits ball lending request data including a card ID and a device ID to the card management device 40. If the ball lending permission data is received as a response to the ball lending request data, the data management unit 17a performs a payout process for a predetermined number of game balls.

Furthermore, when the player performs a replay operation for the game balls he/she has, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls he/she has as shown in the card data 16b, and performs a payout process for the corresponding number of game balls. conduct.

In addition, when the possible number of stored ball replays indicated in the card data 16b is 1 or more, the data management section 17a displays a stored ball replay button on the display operation section 13 and can accept the stored ball replay operation. shall be. The data management unit 17a transmits the stored ball replay request data including the card ID and the inter-machine card processing machine ID to the member management device 50 when the player performs the stored ball replay operation. 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 corresponding to the number of payout units of the stored ball replay are paid out. In addition, at the time of the first stored ball replay operation, input of a password is requested, and stored ball replay request data is transmitted on the condition that the password matches the password shown in the card data 16b.

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

Furthermore, if the player performs a stored ball transfer operation with the member card inserted, the data management unit 17a subtracts the number of balls shown in the card data 16b and sends the card to the member via the card management device 40. By transmitting ball storage addition request data to the management device 50, the balls held are transferred to the storage ball. Note that it is also possible to transfer accumulated balls using a mobile terminal instead of a membership card. Specifically, if the number of balls held is a predetermined number or more and the mobile terminal is held over the holding part 14b after a predetermined operation is performed, the data management part 17a controls the number of balls shown in the card data 16b. By subtracting the number and transmitting ball storage addition request data including the IDm read by the holding unit 14b, the held balls are transferred to the storage ball.

Further, the data management unit 17a can perform processing related to wagon service. The wagon service is a service in which a game store clerk places products such as drinks and cigarettes in a wagon and goes around the game store to sell it to players while playing. In this wagon service, in addition to payment in cash, it is possible to make payments using balls held or accumulated balls. When paying for the wagon service using the balls you have or the balls you have, the game store clerk instructs the inter-machine card processing machine 10 through a terminal for clerks (for example, a remote control terminal), so that the inter-machine card processing machine 10 can make the payment for the wagon service. state. Then, information that can specify the number of balls held or stored balls to be subtracted as compensation is input into the inter-machine card processing machine 10. This input processing is performed by inputting numerical values on the display/operation section 13 of the inter-machine card processing machine or the operation section of the clerk's terminal. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the input, it waits to receive an employee recording medium (for example, a wagon card) used for wagon service. When the wagon card is accepted, the data management unit 17a subtracts the entered number of balls and accumulated balls from the number indicated by the card data 16b, and discharges the ball in association with the employee recording medium. In addition, if the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts an employee recording medium without accepting input of information that can specify the number of balls or accumulated balls to be deducted as compensation, the card processing machine 10 does not process the payment for the wagon service. Process to return employee recording media without having to do so. In addition, during payment for the wagon service, if we are accepting input of information that can specify the number of balls or accumulated balls that should be subtracted as consideration, we will not accept operations to replay the balls or accumulated balls or return the recording medium. In such a case, the two processes will be prevented from conflicting by restricting the replay operation/return operation by rejecting them, or by canceling the payment for the wagon service.

The counting processing section 17b performs a process of causing the counting unit 18b to count the game balls when game balls are put into the counting unit 18b, and adding the counting result to the number of balls held in the card data 16b.

The payment data generation unit 17c is a processing unit that generates payment data indicating information related to payment. The payment data includes a payment ID and a payment amount. The payment ID is data that uniquely identifies the payment. The payment amount indicates the amount of money deposited by cashless payment.

Upon receiving an operation requesting a deposit through cashless payment, the payment data generation unit 17c determines a payment ID, generates payment data 16c using the deposit amount specified by the player as the payment amount, and stores it in the storage unit 16. do.

The encoding processing unit 17d is a processing unit that encodes the payment data 16c, store data, and machine data into a two-dimensional code. The store data is data that identifies the game store, and the machine data is data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10. As the device data, for example, the device ID of the own device state data 16a may be used.

The payment data output processing section 17e displays and outputs the two-dimensional code generated by the encoding processing section 17d to the display operation section 13. That is, the payment data output processing section 17e outputs the store data and machine data along with the payment data 16c.

The refund processing unit 17f is a processing unit that refunds prepaid value through cashless payment. When the refund processing unit 17f receives a refund operation requesting a refund by cashless payment, the refund processing unit 17f sets the amount corresponding to the prepaid value indicated in the card data 16b as the refund payment amount. Then, the payment ID is determined, and the refund payment data including the payment ID and the refund payment amount is encoded into a two-dimensional code and displayed on the display operation section 13, and the prepaid value is cleared to zero. The player can receive a refund for the cleared prepaid value by reading the two-dimensional code using the terminal device 110, acquiring refund payment data, and executing refund payment processing.

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

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

The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5(b) shows a state in which the ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "1001". Note that here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, and a card whose first digit is "1" is a general card, and a card whose first digit is "2" is a membership card. Further, the card data 16b indicates that the prepaid value is "2000 degrees". Note that, in this case, the frequency of prepaid value is equivalent to 1 yen. In addition, the card data 16b indicates a state in which the number of balls 1 has is "375 balls," the number of balls 2 has is "500 balls," and the number of balls 3 has is "2000 balls." It shows.

In addition, the card data 16b can store a password, the number of balls that can be replayed, and the number of balls that can be stored for each game type as data related to ball storage, but FIG. Therefore, these data are marked with a ``-'' to indicate that they are not applicable. In addition, although the configuration in which the number of balls that can be replayed is stored as the possible number of replays is shown here, the number of times that can be replayed may be stored as the number of replays. Although not shown, the card management device 40 also stores, in association with the card ID, the ON/OFF status of a "lock" flag that indicates the validity/invalidity of the card, in addition to the balls held, stored balls, and prepaid value. , is turned on by an employee operation when it is discovered that the card has been stolen. These data are also included and stored in the card data 16b. Furthermore, this "lock" flag can also be set for each function ("use ball storage", "boarding", etc.). For example, at the request of a player, only the "boarding" function can be "locked." It can also be used to prevent erroneous operations. In this specification, "entering" means converting the number of gaming media at a certain rate into the number of gaming media at another rate based on the ratio of the unit price of the gaming media. In a specific example, in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 associated with the 4 yen rate, using the number of balls at the 1 yen rate, An example of this is processing a payout. This "boarding" function can be enabled/disabled by the member management device 50 depending on the store's management policy.

The payment data 16c shown in FIG. 5C shows a state in which the payment ID, which is identification information that uniquely identifies the payment, is "A001" and the amount is "10000."

Next, the configuration of the terminal device 110 shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 110 shown in FIG. 1. The terminal device 110 is, for example, a smartphone, and includes a display operation section 111, a speaker 112, a camera 113, a communication section 114, a storage section 115, a control section 116, and the like.

The display operation unit 111 is an input/output interface, such as a touch panel display, that performs display output and operation input. The speaker 112 is an output interface that outputs audio. The camera 113 is an imaging device used to take an image of the two-dimensional code displayed on the display operation section 13 of the inter-stand card processing machine 10. The communication unit 114 is a communication interface for data communication with the card management device 40, the payment device 100, etc. via a predetermined network such as the Internet.

The storage unit 115 is a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory, and stores various programs as well as user data 115a, payment management data 115b, and the like. The user data 115a is various data related to the user of the terminal device 110, and can include name, address, email address, financial institution account, and the like. The payment management data 115b is data for managing cashless payments, and associates processing status with various information acquired from the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

The control unit 116 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and implements functions such as the decryption processing unit 116a and the payment processing unit 116b by reading a predetermined program from the storage unit 115 and executing it.

The decoding processing unit 116a is a processing unit that decodes the two-dimensional code to obtain payment data, machine data, and store data when the camera 113 captures an image of the two-dimensional code. The decryption processing unit 116a associates the processing data with the payment data, machine data, and store data obtained through decryption, and registers them in the payment management data 115b. The processing data includes reading date and time indicating the date and time when the two-dimensional code was read, payment request date and time indicating the date and time when the payment request was sent to the payment device 100, and payment completion indicating the date and time when the notification of payment completion was received from the payment device 100. The deposit request date and time indicating the date and time when the deposit request was made to the card management device 40 are included. Note that at the time of registration by the decryption processing unit 116a, only the reading date and time is registered, and the payment request date and time, the payment completion date and time, and the deposit request date and time are registered as appropriate by the payment processing unit 116b.

The payment processing unit 116b is a processing unit that executes payment processing based on payment data. When the payment management data 115b is registered, the payment processing unit 116b adds information necessary for payment, such as the account used for payment, to the payment data, and sends a payment request including the payment data and store data to the payment device 100. By doing so, payment processing is performed.

When the payment processing unit 116b transmits the payment request, it registers the payment request date and time in the payment management data 115b. Thereafter, upon receiving a notification of payment completion from the payment device 100, the payment processing unit 116b transmits a deposit request to the card management device 40. Specifically, the payment processing unit 116b identifies the corresponding payment management data 115b based on the payment ID included in the payment completion notification of the payment management data 115b, and registers the payment completion date and time of the specified payment management data 115b. . Then, a deposit request including the specified unit data of the payment management data 115b and the payment ID is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the deposit request date and time of the payment management data 115b is registered. This deposit request is transmitted using, for example, a wireless communication network provided at the gaming parlor.

Note that when the payment processing unit 116b makes a payment request for a payment related to a refund, after registering the payment completion date and time, the payment processing unit 116b notifies the completion of the refund through display output to the display operation unit 111, and ends the process.

Here, the determination of the account to be used for payment will be explained. As the account used for payment, for example, an account stored in the user data 115a may be used. If there are a plurality of usable accounts, the selection may be made by the player's selection operation, or the account to be used may be set in advance. It is also possible to set conditions and select an account to use.

Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 115 of the terminal device 110 will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit 115 of the terminal device 110.

The payment management data 115b shown in FIG. 7 associates payment data, store data, machine data, and processing data. Further, the payment data includes payment ID, account, amount, etc. The processing data includes the date and time of receipt, the date and time of payment, and the date and time of grant.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the payment ID of the payment data is "A001", the amount is "10000", and the account is "B Bank C Branch Ordinary 123456". It also shows a state in which the store data is "store ID: Y012" and the machine data is "device ID: 3001." Furthermore, the read date and time of the processed data is "2019/01/10 13:31", the payment request date and time of the processed data is "2019/01/10 13:32", and the payment completion date and time of the processed data is "2019/01/10 13:32". /01/10 13:33'' and the payment request date and time of the processing data is "2019/01/10 13:34."

Next, the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 2 will be explained. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the card management device 40 includes a display section 41, an input section 42, an external network communication section 43, a store network communication section 44, a storage section 45, and a control section 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 or a mouse. The external network communication unit 43 is an interface unit for data communication via a network outside the gaming parlor. The store network communication unit 44 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, member management device 50, prize management device 60, and payment machine 80 via communication lines within the game store.

The storage unit 45 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a nonvolatile memory, and stores game type setting data 45a, card management data 45b, device management data 45c, and payment processing data 45d.

The game type setting data 45a is data in which rental rates and display names are associated with game types. The card management data 45b is data in which a prepaid value, the number of balls of each game type, and a device ID indicating the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 in which the card is inserted are associated with the card ID. be. The device management data 45c is data regarding devices placed at the game parlor. This device management data 45c includes the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine, the address of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the installation location, the gaming machine ID and model data of the gaming machine installed side by side.

The payment processing data 45d is data for managing deposits by cashless payment and provision of prepaid value at the game parlor. Specifically, the payment processing data 45d is data that associates a payment ID, a payment amount, machine data, a payment completion notification date and time, a deposit request reception date and time, and a value assignment date and time.

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, and a value adding unit 46d. In reality, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, thereby controlling the game type setting management unit. 46a, card management section 46b, device management section 46c, and value adding section 46d, respectively, to execute corresponding processes.

The game type setting management unit 46a is a processing unit that associates game types, rates, and display names used in the game parlor and manages them as game type setting data 45a.

The card management section 46b is a processing section that manages the card management data 45b. Specifically, when the card management unit 46b receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b also sends the used device ID of the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data to the card insertion notification data. This is the device ID shown in the data. Further, 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-machine card processing machine 10 as value data. Furthermore, if the inserted card is a membership card, card insertion notification data is transmitted to the membership management device. When the card management unit 46b receives the ball possession subtraction request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the number of balls held at the rate indicated by the ball possession subtraction request data to zero.

Further, when receiving ball lending request data including a card ID from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b determines whether the prepaid value associated with the card ID is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. . If the prepaid value is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the card management unit 46b subtracts the prepaid value from the prepaid value stored in the card management data 45b, and includes the updated prepaid value in the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Send ball lending permission data. On the other hand, if the prepaid value is less than the predetermined value, the card management unit 46b notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of ball lending prohibition data.

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

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

Further, upon receiving the ball possession addition request data, the card management unit 46b adds the number of balls included in the possession ball addition request data to the number of balls of the corresponding rate. Further, upon receiving the card ejection notification data, the card management unit 46b erases the destination device ID of the card ID.

Further, upon receiving the card ID from the prize management device 60, the card management section 46b notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls of each rate associated with this card ID. Further, upon receiving the card ID from the payment machine 80, the card management unit 46b notifies the payment machine 80 of the prepaid value associated with this card ID.

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

The value assigning unit 46d is a processing unit that deposits money based on cashless payment and assigns prepaid value. Upon receiving the payment completion notification from the payment device 100, the value adding unit 46d registers the payment ID and payment amount of the payment completion notification in the payment processing data 45d. Further, upon receiving a deposit request from the terminal device 110, the value adding unit 46d registers the payment ID and machine data of the deposit request in the payment processing data 45d.

When both the payment completion notification and the deposit request having the same payment ID are received, the value adding unit 46d identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 based on the machine data of the deposit request, and 10, the payment process is performed for the payment amount of the payment completion notification, and a prepaid value is given. Thereafter, the value adding unit 46d notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the completion of deposit and the addition of prepaid value.

Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 9 will be described. 9 to 10 are explanatory diagrams 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. 9(a) associates the game type name "ball 1" with the rate "4 yen" and the display name "4 pachi". Furthermore, the game type setting data 45a associates the game type name "ball 2" with the rate "2 yen" and the display name "2 pachi". Furthermore, the game type setting data 45a associates the game type name "ball 3" with the rate "1 yen" and the display name "1 pachi".

In the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 9(b), 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 number of balls 3 It is associated with the number of balls held by "0". That is, the card with the card ID "1001" has not been inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the cards in possession are managed by the card management device 40.

Further, in the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 9(b), the card ID "1002" is associated with the prepaid value "500", the number of balls held at each rate "0", and the device ID "3004". That is, the card with the card ID "1002" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the device ID "3004", and the management of the number of balls held has been transferred to the inter-machine 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. 9(b), the card ID "2002" is associated with the prepaid value "2000", the number of balls held at each rate "0", and the used device ID "3001". That is, the card with the card ID "2002" has been inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the device ID "3001", and the management of the balls has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Therefore, the number of balls held at each rate is zero.

The device management data 45c shown in FIG. 9(c) indicates that the address on the network of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with ID "3001" is "AB.CD.EF.GH", and the installation location is "Island 1-1". ”, the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is “P001”, the game type is “ball 3”, and the model of the connected gaming machine 20 is “EV01”. It also shows that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

The payment processing data 45d shown in FIG. 10(d) is data in which a payment ID, a payment amount, machine data, a payment completion notification date and time, a deposit request reception date and time, and a value assignment date and time are associated with each other. In FIG. 10(d), the payment ID is "A001", the payment amount is "10000", the machine data is "device ID: 3001", and the payment completion notification date and time is "2019/01/10 13: 33'', the deposit request reception date and time is ``2019/01/10 13:34'', and the value assignment date and time is ``2019/01/10 13:35''.

Next, processing procedures related to cashless payment will be explained. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure related to cashless payment. First, upon receiving an operation requesting a cashless payment, the payment data generation unit 17c of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 determines a payment ID, and generates payment data using the deposit amount specified by the player as the payment amount. Generate (step S101). The encoding processing unit 17d encodes the payment data, store data, and machine data into a two-dimensional code (step S102), and the payment data output processing unit 17e displays and outputs the two-dimensional code to the display operation unit 13 (step S103). ).

When the camera 113 of the terminal device 110 captures an image of the two-dimensional code displayed on the display operation section 13 of the inter-stand card processing machine 10, the decoding processing section 116a of the terminal device 110 reads the two-dimensional code (step S201). The obtained two-dimensional code is decoded (step S202), and each data is acquired and stored in the storage unit 115 (step S203).

The payment processing unit 116b performs payment processing by adding information necessary for payment, such as the account used for payment, to the payment data, and transmitting a payment request including the payment data and store data to the payment device 100 (step S204). Thereafter, the payment processing unit 116b receives a payment completion notification from the payment device 100 (step S205), and sends a deposit request including the payment ID and machine data to the card management device 40 (step S206).

The value adding unit 46d of the card management device 40 receives the payment completion notification from the payment device 100 (step S301), and registers the payment ID and payment amount of the payment completion notification in the payment processing data 45d. Then, if both the payment completion notification and the deposit request having the same payment ID are received, the value adding unit 46d specifies the unit data from the payment completion notification and the deposit request (step S302), and uses the specified unit data to For the indicated inter-machine card processing machine 10, a payment process is performed for the payment amount of the payment completion notification, and a prepaid value is assigned (step S303). Thereafter, the value adding unit 46d notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the completion of deposit and the addition of prepaid value (step S304), and ends the process.

Next, refund processing using cashless payment will be explained. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of refund processing by cashless payment. When the refund processing unit 17f of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a refund operation requesting a refund through cashless payment (s21), the refund processing unit 17f of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sets the amount corresponding to the prepaid value indicated in the card data 16b as the payment amount ( s22). Then, the payment ID is determined, and the refund payment data including the payment ID and the refund payment amount is encoded into a two-dimensional code and displayed on the display operation section 13 (s23), and the prepaid value is cleared to zero.

Thereafter, when the terminal device 110 reads the two-dimensional code (s24) and obtains the refund payment data, the payment processing unit 116b of the terminal device 110 selects the account to which the refund is to be made (s25) and performs the refund payment processing. Execute (S26).

In the explanation so far, a configuration has been described in which a wireless communication network is provided in a gaming parlor and the terminal device 110 transmits a deposit request to the card management device 40 via the wireless communication network. It can be changed as appropriate.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration for transmitting a deposit request to the card management device 40 via the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In the configuration shown in FIG. 13, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 converts payment data and store data into two-dimensional codes (s1b). That is, with this configuration, it is not necessary to include the platform data in the two-dimensional code. Then, upon receiving the payment completion notification from the payment device 100 (s4), the terminal device 110 transmits a payment completion notification including the payment ID to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 (s4b). Upon receiving the payment completion notification, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a deposit request including the payment ID and machine data to the card management device 40 (s5b). Note that if the source of the deposit request is used as the machine data, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 may transmit the deposit request including the payment ID. Other operations are the same as those in FIG. 1, so explanations will be omitted.

Furthermore, in the explanation so far, the card management device 40 has been mainly described as having a configuration in which the payment processing is performed using a payment completion notification from the payment device 100 and a deposit request from the terminal device 110. The payment completion notification from the device 100 is not necessarily essential.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the card management device 40 performs a deposit process based on a deposit request from the terminal device 110. In the configuration shown in FIG. 14, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 converts payment data and machine data into two-dimensional codes (s1c). That is, with this configuration, it is not necessary to include store data in the two-dimensional code. When the terminal device 110 receives the payment completion notification from the payment device 100 (s4), it transmits a deposit request including the payment amount and machine data to the card management device 40 (s5c). The card management device 40 performs a deposit process and assigns a prepaid value based on the machine data and payment amount indicated in the deposit request (s6c). Other operations are the same as those in FIG. 1, so explanations will be omitted.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which the card management device 40 performs a deposit process based on a deposit request from the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In the configuration shown in FIG. 15, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 converts payment data into a two-dimensional code (s1d). That is, with this configuration, it is not necessary to include machine data or store data in the two-dimensional code. Then, upon receiving the payment completion notification from the payment device 100 (s4), the terminal device 110 transmits a payment completion notification including the payment ID to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 (s4d). Upon receiving the payment completion notification, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a deposit request including the payment amount and machine data to the card management device 40 (s5d). Note that if the source of the deposit request is used as the machine data, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 only needs to transmit a deposit request that includes the payment amount. The other operations are the same as those in FIG. 14, so the explanation will be omitted.

Next, restrictions on player operations will be explained. The inter-stand card processing machine 10 can request a password or the like for a specific operation such as returning a card, and can return the card on condition that the correct password is received. It is also possible to shift to a rest mode in which all operations are temporarily prohibited when the player leaves his/her seat, and to cancel the rest mode on the condition that the correct password is received.

Here, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 can cancel the restriction by using the payment data in place of the password. The payment data acquired by the payment data generation unit 17c is displayed as a two-dimensional code on the display operation unit 13, read by the terminal device 110, and used for depositing money by cashless payment. The payment data 16c that has been used in this way cannot be used for payment again, but by leaving the used payment data 16c in the storage unit 16, the payment ID can be used as a PIN. It can be used as

That is, a player who has made a cashless payment by reading a two-dimensional code from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the terminal device 110 displays the two-dimensional code on the terminal device 110 and reads the two-dimensional code from the inter-machine card processing machine 10. By holding it up to the camera and having it read, you can return the card or cancel break mode.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of restriction release using a two-dimensional code. In FIG. 16, first, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 generates payment data including a payment ID and a payment amount, encodes the payment data, store data, and machine data into a two-dimensional code, and displays the code (s1). The terminal device 110 captures an image of the two-dimensional code displayed by the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with a camera, decodes and reads the two-dimensional code, and acquires payment data, store data, and machine data (s2).

In FIG. 16, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 then starts to restrict operations (s31). Then, when the terminal device 110 displays the two-dimensional code (s32) and holds it up to the camera of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 reads the two-dimensional code (s33). The inter-machine card processing machine 10 decodes the read two-dimensional code and releases the restriction on the condition that the obtained payment ID matches the payment ID previously generated by the machine itself (s34).

In this way, when restricting and canceling operations, a camera is provided in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a restriction section for restricting operations and a two-dimensional code are provided in the control section 17 of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The configuration may include a reading unit that reads the information.

As described above, in this embodiment, the inter-machine card processing machine 10, which is a device attached to each gaming machine 20, outputs payment data as payment information indicating information related to payment, and provides information to the player. The portable terminal device 110 acquires payment data and performs payment processing, and when the payment processing is performed, the card management device 40 etc. identifies each corresponding device and collects the prepaid value, which is the value related to the gaming media. Add value. With this configuration, the prepaid value can be assigned based on the cashless payment made by the terminal device 110, rather than each of the inter-machine card processing machines 10 making a cashless payment. This makes it possible to support cashless payments while reducing the burden on game parlors.

In addition, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives payment data including a payment ID as payment identification information for identifying a payment, store data as gaming parlor identification information for identifying a gaming parlor, and machine identification for identifying each machine. After outputting the machine data as information, the terminal device sends a payment request including payment data and store data to the payment device, and when the payment processing is performed, the payment device receives the game information identified by the store data. The terminal device 110 notifies the card management device 40, which is the management device of the store, of the payment ID, and when the payment processing is performed, the terminal device 110 notifies the card management device 40 of the payment ID and machine data, and the card management device 40 , each device can be identified using the payment ID notified from the payment device and the payment ID and device data notified from the terminal device 110.

In addition, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 further outputs machine data as machine identification information for identifying each machine, and when a payment process is performed, the terminal device 110 transfers the machine data to the management of the game parlor. The information may be sent to the card management device 40, which is a device, and the card management device 40 may use the device data notified from the terminal device 110 to identify each device.

Further, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 displays and outputs a code that encodes information including payment data, and the terminal device 110 can acquire the payment data by optically reading and decoding the code.

Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the inter-machine card processing machine 10 restricts the operations of the player and releases the restriction when a code output in the past is read.

Further, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 subtracts the prepaid value and outputs refund data indicating information related to the refund of the subtracted prepaid value, thereby making it possible to make a refund by cashless payment.

Further, when reading the refund data and receiving a refund, the terminal device 110 can select a refund destination from a plurality of accounts.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, a configuration was illustrated in which prepaid value is refunded through cashless payment, but if refund through cashless payment is not possible due to some reason such as a communication abnormality, the card with associated prepaid value may be returned. However, it is also possible to configure the payment machine 80 to make the payment.

Also, although the explanation was omitted in the above example, if an upper limit is set for the prepaid value that can be associated with one card, the deposit amount is set within the range determined by the current prepaid value and the upper limit. do it. For example, if the upper limit is 11,000 yen and the prepaid value balance is equivalent to 3,000 yen, the amount of deposit that can be accepted may be 8,000 yen or less.

Further, in this embodiment, a case has been described in which cashless payment is used for purchasing prepaid value using the inter-machine card processing machine 10, but other devices may be configured to perform cashless payment. For example, a ticket vending machine that sells cards with prepaid value added through currency or debit payments may be configured to support cashless payments. Furthermore, the prize management device 60 may be configured to support cashless payment.

Further, a minimum amount may be set for use of cashless payment, and use of cashless payment may be restricted for amounts less than the minimum amount.

In addition, although this embodiment has been described using a configuration in which information related to cashless payments is exchanged using a two-dimensional code, information related to cashless payments is exchanged using short-range wireless communication, etc. It is also possible to have a configuration that performs the following.

Furthermore, if the prepaid value includes both cash deposits and cashless payments, if payment is made using a settlement machine, the cash deposits can be settled in cash and the cashless payments can be refunded to the account. Alternatively, both the cash deposit and the cashless payment may be refunded in cash or refunded to the account. Further, it is also possible to selectively settle only one of the cash deposit amount and the cashless payment amount. Further, it may be possible to set either the cash deposit or the cashless payment to be impossible.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, detailed explanation of the form of the card which is the medium for associating the number of game media is omitted, but such a card includes a magnetic card, an IC card, and the like. Furthermore, for convenience of explanation, the present invention has been explained using a "card" as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to cases where a chip, a stick, a mobile terminal, etc. are used in addition to such a card.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, the case where game balls are used as the game medium has been explained as an example, but it is also applicable to the case where medals for a slot machine are used.

In addition, the illustrated configurations are functionally schematic and do not necessarily necessarily have the illustrated configurations physically. In other words, the form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the diagram, but all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in arbitrary units depending on various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

As described above, the game management system according to the present invention is suitable for properly and efficiently settling the value when a game parlor introduces cashless payment.

10 Inter-machine card processing machine 11 Status display unit 12 Banknote transport unit 12a Banknote insertion slot 13, 111 Display operation unit 14 Reader/writer 14a Card insertion slot 14b Holding unit 15, 114 Communication unit 16, 45, 115 Storage unit 16a Own device status Data 16b Card data 16c Payment data 17, 46, 116 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Counting unit 17c Payment data generation unit 17d Encoding processing unit 17e Payment data output processing unit 17f Refund processing 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 unit 45a Game type setting data 45b Card management data 45c Device management data 45d Payment processing data 46a Game type setting management unit 46b Card management Section 46c Device management section 46d Value adding section 50 Membership management device 60 Prize management device 80 Payment machine 100 Payment device 110 Terminal device 112 Speaker 113 Camera 115a User data 115b Payment management data 116a Decryption processing section 116b Payment processing section

Claims (3)

A game management system having a payment machine that calculates value associated with a storage medium,
The payment machine is
reception means for accepting the storage medium;
determination means for determining whether the value associated with the storage medium accepted by the reception means is for cash deposits or for cashless payments;
If the determination means determines that the value of the cash deposit and the value of the cashless payment are included, the value of the cash deposit is settled in cash, and the value of the cashless payment is calculated. A game management system comprising: a first payment means for refunding value to an account; A game management system having a payment machine that calculates value associated with a storage medium,
The payment machine is
reception means for accepting the storage medium;
determination means for determining whether the value associated with the storage medium accepted by the reception means is for cash deposits or for cashless payments;
If the determination means determines that the value of the cash deposit and the value of the cashless payment are included, both the value of the cash deposit and the value of the cashless payment are transferred to cash. A game management system characterized by comprising: a second payment means for making a refund or an account refund. 3. The gaming management system according to claim 1, further comprising a setting means for setting the value of the cash deposit or the value of the cashless payment to be non-settleable.

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