JP2024024205A - Game system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system that provides convenience and takes measures against addiction.

SOLUTION: In a game system 1 that includes a payment control unit 160 for inputting money information and performing control for storing the input money information in an information storage medium 10, and a lending control unit 241 for performing control to lend game balls to a game machine 2, the payment control unit 160 stores the paid money information as deposit information up to a predetermined upper limit amount, and when the paid money information exceeds the upper limit amount, stores the exceeded money information in the information storage medium 10 as additional money information. The lending control unit 241 performs control to lend a game medium to the game machine 2 on the basis of the deposit information stored in the information storage medium 10.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming system used in gaming machines.

Traditionally, in game parlors that have gaming machines (pachinko and slot machines) installed, monetary information such as banknotes is input into a unit device attached to the gaming machine, and information storage media (in which monetary information is stored) are used. After inserting a card medium, a medal medium, etc. into a unit device, a lending operation is performed to lend game media (game balls, game medals) to a gaming machine.

If monetary information remains on the information storage medium when the game is finished (if there is a balance on the card), by inserting the information storage medium into the payment machine, the monetary information deposited on the day will be processed. You can receive a refund of your financial information on the condition that

In addition, it is not limited to depositing banknotes etc. into the unit device, but when depositing by inserting the membership card into the deposit device (deposit processing device) installed at the gaming parlor, the deposit device will deposit the amount deposited into the membership card. It is also known to store deposits in association with each other and return the stored membership card (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Furthermore, it is also known that the unit device (inter-machine card processing machine) is equipped with a holding part (code reader) and adds monetary information stored in the information storage medium from electronic money to replenish the monetary information stored in the information storage medium. (For example, see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-187230 JP 2017-12567 Publication

However, when storing monetary information on an information storage medium for use in games, it is desired to provide convenience as well as measures to prevent excessive consumption of money.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a gaming system that is not only convenient but also measures against addiction.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a deposit control section that controls depositing monetary information and storing the deposited monetary information in an information storage medium, and a lending control section that controls lending gaming media to a gaming machine. In a gaming system equipped with,
The deposit control unit stores the deposited monetary information up to a predetermined upper limit amount as deposit information, and when the deposited monetary information exceeds the upper limit amount, the excess monetary information is stored as repayment information. stored in the information storage medium;
The lending control unit is characterized in that it controls lending of gaming media to the gaming machine based on deposit information stored in the information storage medium.
As a result, when storing monetary information on an information storage medium for use in a game, it is possible to provide convenience and to take measures against dependence so as not to waste money excessively.

Preferably, the deposit control unit includes an operation unit that accepts a user's operation, and the deposit control unit, when the money information is already stored in the information storage medium when the user's deposit operation is accepted by the operation unit, It is desirable to restrict the storage of newly deposited monetary information in the information storage medium.
This eliminates the need to perform processing to distinguish between already stored monetary information and newly stored monetary information (for example, there is no need to manage the date and time of each deposit), reducing the control burden and saving monetary information. It is possible to reduce the management burden on the storage server, etc.

Preferably, it includes a settlement control unit that refunds at least one of the deposit information and the additional money information stored in the information storage medium,
When the money information is stored in the information storage medium, the payment control unit may process at least one of the deposit information and the additional money information without accepting the user's payment operation using the operation unit. It is desirable to be able to refund monetary information.
As a result, if monetary information is stored on the accepted information storage medium, the monetary information can be refunded without any payment operation from the user, reducing the control burden and improving convenience for the user. I can do it.

Preferably, when the additional money information is stored in the information storage medium, if a specific condition is satisfied, the additional money information stored in the information storage medium is converted to the deposit information. It is preferable to include a replenishment control unit that replenishes the deposit information.
As a result, when the deposit information is exhausted, the deposit information can be replenished from the additional money information, thereby improving the user's convenience.

Preferably, even if the replenishment information is stored in the information storage medium, if the deposit information is stored in the information storage medium, the replenishment control unit stores the replenishment information. It is desirable to restrict conversion to the deposit information and replenishment of the deposit information.
This eliminates the need to perform processing to distinguish between already stored deposit information and supplemented deposit information (for example, there is no need to manage the date and time of each deposit), reducing the control burden and It is possible to reduce the administrative burden on the deposit server, etc. that stores information.

Preferably, when the deposit information is stored in the information storage medium, the settlement control unit is capable of refunding the deposit information only on the day the deposit information is deposited, and When the repayment information is stored in a storage medium, the repayment information can be refunded even after the day after the repayment information is deposited;
Even if the replenishment information is stored in the information storage medium, if the replenishment information stored in the information storage medium is not the repayment information deposited on the same day, the replenishment control unit may It is desirable to restrict replenishment of the deposit information by converting the additional money information into the deposit information.
As a result, although the repayment information stored in the information storage medium can be refunded from the next day onwards, it becomes impossible to convert it into deposit information and replenish the deposit information from the next day onwards. Therefore, based on the deposit information and the repayment information for the day, the game parlor can manage the sales for the day (sales settlement) using a hall computer, etc., and maintain the convenience of sales management. That is, the deposit information is replenished with the follow-up money information carried over to the next day, and it is possible to prevent past sales from changing retroactively.

Preferably, the replenishment control unit, when the deposit information is not stored in the information storage medium but the repayment information is stored when there is a lending operation from the user, Converting the additional money information stored in the information storage medium into the deposit information to replenish the deposit information, and subtracting the consumption money information corresponding to the rental of the game medium from the replenished deposit information. is desirable.
As a result, even if the deposit information is not stored in the information storage medium, the repayment information can be replenished as deposit information by the same lending operation as when deposit information is stored in the information storage medium. Since the game media are lent out based on the replenished deposit information, the user's convenience can be improved without having to perform multiple operations.

Preferably, a deposit/settlement device includes the deposit control section and the settlement control section, is capable of receiving the information storage medium, and is capable of discharging the accepted information storage medium;
a unit device having the lending control section and the replenishment control section, capable of accepting the information storage medium ejected by the payment settlement device, and capable of ejecting the accepted information storage medium;
It is desirable to include a server that is communicably connected to the payment settlement device and the unit device and manages monetary information stored in the information storage medium.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve convenience and take measures against dependence so as not to waste money excessively.

1 is an example of a schematic diagram schematically showing the configuration of a gaming system of the present invention. It is an example of a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming system of the present invention. It is an example of a sequence diagram showing processing transition 1 of the gaming system of the present invention. It is an example of a sequence diagram showing processing transition 2 of the gaming system of the present invention. It is an example of a sequence diagram showing processing transition 3 of the gaming system of the present invention. It is an example of the flowchart which shows the control process of the deposit settlement apparatus of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart which shows the deposit control process of the deposit settlement apparatus of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart which shows the settlement control process of the deposit settlement apparatus of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart which shows the deposit division settlement processing of the deposit settlement apparatus of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart which shows the additional payment division settlement process of the deposit settlement apparatus of this invention. It is an example of a flowchart showing batch payment processing of the deposit payment settlement device of the present invention. It is an example of a flowchart which shows the control process of the unit apparatus of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart which shows the lending control process of the unit apparatus of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart which shows the deposit lending control process of the unit apparatus of this invention. It is an example of a transition diagram showing transition 1 of monetary information stored in the information storage medium of the present invention. It is an example of a transition diagram showing transition 2 of monetary information stored in the information storage medium of the present invention. It is an example of the display image displayed on the deposit settlement display part of the deposit settlement apparatus of this invention. It is an example of the display image displayed on the unit display part of the unit device of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below show some examples of the present invention, and do not limit the content of the present invention. Furthermore, not all of the configurations and operations described in each embodiment are essential as the configurations and operations of the present invention.

[Game system configuration]
First, the configuration of the gaming system of the present invention will be explained. FIG. 1 is an example of a schematic diagram schematically showing the configuration of the gaming system of the present invention.

The game system 1 is a system used for a game machine 2 such as a pachinko or slot machine, and includes a deposit settlement device 100, a unit device 200, a deposit server 400, and a repayment server 500. Note that the gaming system 1 may include an application server that can communicate with a hall computer and a user's mobile terminal.

In this embodiment, the gaming machine 2 is a gaming machine called a smart pachinko or smart pachislot, and has a function of lending out gaming media used in games and counting the gaming media. Note that the gaming machine 2 does not have to be a gaming machine called a so-called smart pachinko or smart pachislot.

[Deposit settlement device]
The deposit/settlement device 100 is installed in a game store, and is used to deposit monetary information such as coins and eject an information storage medium 10 for lending out game media (for example, game balls and game medals) used in the game machine 2. This is a device capable of accepting the information storage medium 10.

Here, the information storage medium 10 is comprised of a portable storage medium such as a magnetic card, an IC card, or an IC medal with a built-in IC chip, on which information can be read and written.
Further, the information storage medium 10 includes a specific information storage medium 10a corresponding to a membership card in which the user's unique information is registered in advance, and a normal information storage medium 10a corresponding to a general card in which the user's unique information is not registered in advance. It is identified as the information storage medium 10b. In this embodiment, when the specific information storage medium 10a and the normal information storage medium 10b are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as the information storage medium 10.

The deposit settlement device 100 includes a camera 101 for photographing the user, a touch panel 102 that can accept operations from the user and display information, and a bill slot 103 that can deposit monetary information in the form of bills. It also includes an electronic information reading section 104 into which monetary information as electronic money can be deposited. Further, the deposit/settlement device 100 has an information storage medium insertion/ejection port 105 into which the information storage medium 10 can be inserted and which can eject the information storage medium 10, and the monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10 is refunded as banknotes. It is provided with a bill return port 106 and a coin return port 107 for refunding monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10 in the form of coins.

The deposit settlement device 100 is connected to a deposit server 400 and a repayment server 500 via a network so that information can be transmitted and received.

[Unit device]
The unit device 200 is installed in the gaming parlor and attached to the gaming machine 2, and can receive the information storage medium 10 ejected by the deposit/settlement device 100, and is connected to the gaming machine 2 and used in the gaming machine 2. This is a device that allows you to rent out gaming media.

The unit device 200 includes a unit touch panel 201 that can receive operations from a user and the like and can display information, and a unit insertion/ejection port 202 into which an information storage medium 10 can be inserted and which can eject the information storage medium 10. We are prepared.

The unit device 200 is connected to the deposit server 400 and the additional money server 500 via the network so that information can be transmitted and received.

[Deposit server]
The deposit server 400 is a server that manages deposit information, which will be described later, among the monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10.

The deposit server 400 is connected to a plurality of deposit settlement devices 100 and a plurality of unit devices 200 installed in a plurality of game parlors so as to be able to send and receive information, and is connected to each deposit settlement device 100 or unit device 200. When the deposit information stored in the information storage medium 10 is received from the information storage medium 10, the deposit information is managed in association with each information storage medium 10.

[Origin server]
The reimbursable money server 500 is a server that manages reimbursable information, which will be described later, out of the monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10.

The reimbursing money server 500 is connected to a plurality of deposit settlement devices 100 and a plurality of unit devices 200 installed in a plurality of game parlors so as to be able to send and receive information, and is connected to each deposit settlement device 100 or unit device 200. When the repayment information stored in the information storage medium 10 is received from the information storage medium 10, the repayment information is managed in association with each information storage medium 10.

[Block diagram of gaming system]
Next, the functional configuration of the gaming system 1 will be explained. FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the gaming system 1 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the deposit settlement device 100 includes a camera 101, a deposit settlement display section 110, an operation section 120, a monetary information input section 130, a medium insertion/ejection drive section 140, and a deposit settlement control section 150. , and a first communication section 180.

The deposit settlement display unit 110 is made of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display that displays images, and constitutes a part of the touch panel 102. The deposit settlement display unit 110 displays a deposit operation image for depositing monetary information into the information storage medium 10 and performs a settlement operation for refunding the monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10, as will be described in detail later. Display images.

The operation unit 120 is composed of a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, or the like, and constitutes a part of the touch panel 102 . The operation unit 120 can accept operations from a game parlor manager, a user, and the like. Further, the operation unit 120 includes a deposit operation unit 121 and a payment operation unit 122.

The deposit operation unit 121 is an operation unit that can accept a deposit operation by a user who causes the information storage medium 10 to store deposited monetary information.

The payment operation unit 122 is an operation unit that can accept a payment operation by a user to refund the monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10.

In this embodiment, the deposit settlement display section 110 and the operation section 120 are configured together as the touch panel 102, but the operation section 120 is configured with a push-type microswitch or the like, and the deposit settlement display section 110 and the operation section are configured as a touch panel 102. 120 may be configured separately.

The monetary information input unit 130 includes a bill recovery unit that identifies bills inserted from the bill slot 103 and deposits monetary information, and a code reader that identifies electronic money read from the electronic information reading unit 104 and deposits monetary information. It consists of identifying monetary information and depositing money.

In the present embodiment, the monetary information input unit 130 is configured to include a code reader so that electronic money can be deposited, but a bill validator is installed so that only banknotes can be deposited without being equipped with a code reader. It may be composed only of units.

The medium insertion/ejection drive unit 140 is composed of a motor and a belt conveyor, and is used to pull the information storage medium 10 inserted into the information storage medium insertion/ejection port 105 into the deposit/settlement device 100 or to store information from inside the deposit/settlement device 100. The medium 10 is ejected.

The deposit settlement control unit 150 includes processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and performs various controls regarding the deposit settlement device 100. Further, the deposit and settlement control section 150 includes a deposit control section 160 , a settlement control section 170 , and an initial setting section 171 .

The deposit control unit 160 controls the storage of monetary information deposited by the monetary information input unit 130 in the information storage medium 10.

Further, the deposit control unit 160 determines whether conversion conditions are met for the monetary information deposited by the monetary information input unit 130, and if the conversion conditions are not met, the monetary information is converted to the deposit information. If the conversion condition is satisfied, the monetary information is identified and stored as additional money information.

Here, in the present embodiment, the fulfillment of the "conversion condition" is set to be monetary information exceeding a predetermined upper limit amount (for example, 10,000 yen). That is, for deposited monetary information, up to a predetermined upper limit amount is identified as deposit information, and when the deposited monetary information exceeds the upper limit amount, the excess monetary information is identified as repayment information. Thereby, it is possible to take measures against dependence on the gaming machine 2 so as not to consume money excessively.

Note that in this embodiment, monetary information exceeding a predetermined upper limit amount is set as fulfillment of the conversion condition. As a result, monetary information may be identified as deposit information when there is no specific operation by the user, and monetary information may be identified as repayment information when there is specific operation by the user. Furthermore, the type of monetary information deposited by the monetary information input unit 130 is determined to satisfy the conversion condition, and if the monetary information is triggered by banknotes, it is identified as deposit information, and if the monetary information is triggered by electronic money, it is identified as deposit information. In some cases, the information may be configured to be identified as additional money information.

Further, "deposit information" is monetary information for which a first expiration date has been set, and is monetary information limited for use in the gaming machine 2. "Additional money information" is monetary information for which a second expiration date has been set, and is monetary information that is not limited to use in the gaming machine 2.

In this embodiment, the first expiration date of the deposit information is set to "the same day", and the second expiration date of the repayment information is set to "30 days", which is a longer period than the first expiration date. There is. Note that the design of the first expiration date and the second expiration date can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second expiration date is set to a longer period than the first expiration date, but it may be set to the same period (for example, the same day).

The settlement control unit 170 performs control to refund at least one of the deposit information and the additional money information stored in the information storage medium 10 received through the information storage medium insertion/ejection port 105.

The initial setting unit 171 is configured to perform a process for refunding the deposit information and the additional money information all at once when a specific selection is made by the initial setting operation by the administrator of the game parlor or the like when the deposit settlement device 100 is powered on. A first option that allows the settlement operation unit 122 to accept a plurality of settlement operations, including a batch settlement operation, a deposit settlement operation for refunding only deposit information, and a repayment settlement operation for refunding only repayment information. Perform setting processing. In addition, when a specific selection is not made by the initial setting operation by the administrator or the like, the initial setting section 171 does not allow the settlement operation section 122 to accept the deposit settlement operation and the additional money settlement operation, and only allows the lump sum settlement operation. A second selection setting process is performed to enable the payment operation unit 122 to accept payment operations.

The first communication unit 180 is comprised of various communication modules necessary to enable transmission and reception of information between the deposit server 400 and the repayment server 500.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the unit device 200 includes a unit display section 210, a unit operation section 220, a medium insertion/ejection drive section 230, a unit control section 240, and a second communication section 250. .

The unit display section 210 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display that displays images, and constitutes a part of the unit touch panel 201. The unit display section 210 displays a lending operation image for lending out game media to the gaming machine 2, and a return operation image for ejecting and returning the information storage medium 10, as will be described in detail later. do.

The unit operation section 220 is composed of a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, or the like, and constitutes a part of the unit touch panel 201. The unit operation section 220 is capable of accepting a user's lending operation that causes the gaming machine 2 to lend a game medium, and a return operation that causes the information storage medium 10 to be ejected.

Note that in this embodiment, the unit display section 210 and the unit operation section 220 are configured together as the unit touch panel 201, but the unit operation section 220 is configured with a push-type microswitch or the like, and the unit display section 210 and the unit operation section 220 are configured as a unit touch panel 201. The operating section 220 may be configured separately.

The medium insertion/ejection drive section 230 is composed of a motor and a belt conveyor, and is configured to pull the information storage medium 10 inserted into the unit insertion/ejection port 202 into the unit device 200 or to eject the information storage medium 10 from the inside of the unit device 200. I do things.

The unit control section 240 includes a processor such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and performs various controls regarding the unit device 200. Further, the unit control section 240 includes a lending control section 241, a replenishment control section 242, and a ball registration control section 243.

The lending control unit 241 instructs the gaming machine 2 to lend the gaming medium when the unit operating unit 220 receives the lending operation, and when the gaming machine 2 lends out the gaming medium, the lending control unit 241 instructs the gaming machine 2 to lend out the gaming medium. Control is performed to subtract and update consumption money information (for example, 500 yen) from the deposit information stored in the deposit information.

The replenishment control unit 242 performs control to convert the replenishment information stored in the information storage medium 10 into deposit information and replenish the deposit information.

Upon receiving count information indicating the counted amount of game media from the gaming machine 2, the owned ball registration control unit 243 performs control to store the owned ball information, which is the counted amount of gaming media, in the information storage medium 10.

The second communication unit 250 includes various communication modules necessary to enable information to be transmitted and received between the deposit server 400 and the additional money server 500.

The deposit server 400 and the additional money server 500 include processors such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, large-capacity storage devices such as a hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SDD), optical disk drive, and magnetic tape device, and a network. and a communication section that communicates information with.

When the deposit server 400 receives the deposit information stored in the information storage medium 10 from the deposit settlement device 100 or the unit device 200, the deposit server 400 updates the deposit information associated with the user's unique information, etc., and stores the updated deposit information. Money information is stored in a database consisting of a large-capacity storage device in association with user specific information and the like. Further, the deposit server 400 is configured to be able to receive deposit information from the additional money server 500, and even when receiving deposit information from the additional money server 500, it is associated with the user's unique information, etc. Update deposit information.

Upon receiving the repayment information stored in the information storage medium 10 from the deposit settlement device 100 or the unit device 200, the repayment server 500 updates the repayment information associated with the user's unique information, etc., and stores the updated repayment information. Money information is stored in a database consisting of a large-capacity storage device in association with user specific information and the like. Furthermore, upon receiving the replenishment information for replenishing the deposit information from the unit device 200, the repayment server 500 transmits the repayment information as deposit information to the deposit server 400, and uses the user's unique information, etc. Update the associated additional money information.

The game machine 2 includes a processor such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, a game display section that displays images and reels, and a game operation section that performs game operations such as a firing handle, a start lever, and a stop button. At least they have it.

In addition, the gaming machine 2, which is called a smart pachinko or smart pachislot, has a lending control unit that lends out gaming media used in games, a gaming media counting unit that counts the gaming media, and a gaming media counting unit that performs counting. It is equipped with a count display section that displays the counted amount of game media being counted by the game media counting section, and a transfer operation section (transfer button) that transfers the counted amount of game media counted by the game media counting section to the unit device 200. .

[Sequence diagram of gaming system]
Next, the processing transition of the gaming system 1 will be explained. 3, 4, and 5 are examples of sequence diagrams showing processing transitions of the gaming system 1 of the present invention.

The sequence diagrams in FIGS. 3 to 5 show the processing of the deposit settlement device 100, the deposit server 400, the additional money server 500, the unit device 200, and the gaming machine 2 in order from the left column. In addition, each process of the deposit settlement device 100 and the unit device 200 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is a conceptual summary of typical processes in FIGS. 6 to 14, which will be described later, and the details of each are described below. will be explained later.

FIG. 3 is an example of a sequence diagram showing processing transition 1 of the gaming system 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows that after monetary information is deposited into the deposit/settlement device 100, the information storage medium 10 storing the monetary information is ejected from the deposit/settlement device 100, and then the information storage medium 10 is inserted into the unit device 200. A process transition 1 is shown in which a lending operation is performed and the gaming machine 2 is caused to lend out gaming media.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the user deposits monetary information such as banknotes into the deposit and settlement device 100, the deposit and settlement device 100 starts a deposit control process to be described later (step S1).

As a deposit control process, the deposit settlement device 100 first identifies whether the deposited money information is deposit information or repayment information.

Then, when the deposit settlement device 100 identifies that the deposited money information is deposit information, it transmits the deposit information, the user's unique information, etc. to the deposit server 400.
When the deposit server 400 receives the deposit information, the user's unique information, etc. from the deposit settlement device 100, it registers the deposit information in the database of the deposit server 400 in association with the user's unique information, etc., and stores the deposit information. A deposit information registration process is performed to transmit registration notification information to the deposit settlement device 100 to notify that the deposit has been registered (step S2).

Further, when the deposit settlement device 100 identifies that the deposited money information is repayment information, it transmits the repayment information and the user's unique information to the repayment money server 500.
When the reimbursable money server 500 receives the reimbursable money information and the user's unique information from the deposit settlement device 100, it registers the reimbursable money information in the database of the reimbursable money server 500 in association with the user's unique information, etc., and stores the reimbursable money information in the database of the reimbursable money server 500. A repayment information registration process is performed to transmit registration notification information to the deposit settlement device 100 to notify that the payment has been registered (step S3).

Upon receiving the registration notification information from the deposit server 400 or the additional money server 500, the deposit settlement device 100 stores the monetary information in the information storage medium 10 (step S4). Specifically, when the deposit settlement device 100 receives the registration notification information from the deposit server 400, it stores the deposit information in the information storage medium 10, and when it receives the registration notification information from the repayment server 500, it stores the deposit information in the information storage medium 10. 10 stores additional money information.

After storing the monetary information in the information storage medium 10, the deposit settlement device 100 performs an ejection process to eject the information storage medium 10 from the information storage medium insertion/ejection port 105 (step S5).

When the user inserts the information storage medium 10 ejected from the deposit settlement device 100 into the unit device 200, the unit device 200 transfers the monetary information (deposit information and repayment information) stored in the information storage medium 10 to the unit device 200. Information storage processing is performed to store the information in the RAM (step S6).

Then, in a case where at least deposit information is stored in the information storage medium 10 accepted by the unit device 200, when the user performs a lending operation on the unit device 200, a deposit lending control process to be described later is started ( Step S7).

As a deposit lending control process, the unit device 200 first updates the deposit information by subtracting consumption money information (for example, 500 yen) from the deposit information stored in the RAM of the unit device 200, and then The information, user's unique information, etc. are transmitted to the deposit server 400.

When the deposit server 400 receives the deposit information and the user's unique information from the unit device 200, it updates the deposit information registered in the database of the deposit server 400 in accordance with the received user's unique information. Then, a deposit information update process is performed to transmit update notification information for notifying that the deposit information has been updated, user unique information, etc. to the unit device 200 (step S8).

When unit device 200 receives update notification information from deposit server 400 as deposit lending control processing, unit device 200 transmits a lending instruction signal to game machine 2 instructing to lend out gaming media.

When the gaming machine 2 receives the lending instruction signal from the unit device 200, it lends out the game medium, and when the lending of the game medium is completed, it performs a lending process of transmitting a lending completion signal to the unit device 200 (step S9).

When the unit device 200 receives the lending completion signal from the gaming machine 2 as a deposit lending control process, it stores the deposit information registered in the RAM of the unit device 200 in the information storage medium 10 (step S10).

In this way, when at least the deposit information is stored in the information storage medium 10, when a lending operation is performed in the unit device 200, the deposit lending control process involves lending out gaming media based on the deposit information. Deposit lending control will be carried out.

FIG. 4 is an example of a sequence diagram showing processing transition 2 of the gaming system of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows the process after a lending operation is performed on the unit device 200 in a case where deposit information is not stored in the information storage medium 10 inserted into the unit device 200 but repayment information is stored. Transition 2 is shown.

As shown in FIG. 4, when deposit information is not stored in the information storage medium 10 accepted by the unit device 200 but repayment information is stored, the user performs a lending operation on the unit device 200. Then, replenishment control processing is started (step S11).

As a replenishment control process, the unit device 200 first converts the additional money information into deposit information and replenishes the deposit information (step S12). Specifically, after moving the chasing money information stored in the chasing money information storage area of the RAM of the unit device 200 to the deposit information storage area and storing it, the chasing money information stored in the chasing money information storage area is transferred. By clearing , all of the chasing money information is converted to deposit information and the deposit information is replenished. After replenishing the deposit information, the unit device 200 updates the replenishment command information that instructs the replenishment server 500 to replenish the deposit information, the replenishment information that indicates the replenishment information that has been replenished in the deposit information, and the updated replenishment information. The additional money information (=0) and the unique information of the user are transmitted to the additional money server 500.

Note that in this embodiment, all of the chasing money information is converted into deposit information to replenish the deposit information, but it is also possible to convert part of the chasing money information into deposit information. , the deposit information may be supplemented.

Upon receiving the replenishment command information, replenishment information, replenishment information, user unique information, etc. from the unit device 200, the replenishment money server 500 stores replenishment information and the replenishment information in order to store the replenished deposit information in the deposit server 400. Deposit replenishment command processing is performed to transmit the user's unique information and the like to the deposit server 400 (step S13).

When the deposit server 400 receives the replenishment information and the user's unique information from the replenishment server 500, the deposit server 400 associates the received replenishment information with the user's unique information as deposit information. A deposit information update process is performed in which the deposit information registered in the database is updated and update notification information, user specific information, etc. are sent to the repayment server 500 (step S14).

Upon receiving the update notification information and the user's unique information from the deposit server 400, the reimbursable money server 500 associates the reimbursable information (=0) received from the unit device 200 with the user's unique information, A repayment information update process is performed in which the replenishment information is updated as repayment information registered in the database of the repayment server 500, and replenishment completion information, user specific information, etc. are transmitted to the unit device 200 (step S15).

When the unit device 200 receives replenishment completion information and user specific information from the replenishment server 500 as replenishment control processing, the unit device 200 transfers the deposit information and repayment amount information stored in the RAM of the unit device 200 to the information storage medium 10. (Step S16).

When the replenishment control process is completed, the deposit loan control process is started as described above in FIG. 3 (steps S7 to S10).

In this way, when deposit information is not stored in the information storage medium 10 but repayment information is stored, when a lending operation is performed in the unit device 200, the repayment information is converted to deposit information. After performing replenishment control processing to replenish the deposit information, deposit lending control is performed to lend game media based on the replenished deposit information.

Therefore, even if the deposit information is not stored in the information storage medium 10, the additional money information can be changed to the deposit information by the same lending operation as when the deposit information is stored in the information storage medium 10. Since the game media are replenished and lent out based on the replenished deposit information, user convenience can be improved without performing multiple operations.

In this embodiment, the operation for converting the additional money information into deposit information and replenishing the deposit information is the same lending operation as when deposit information is stored in the information storage medium 10. However, by performing a replenishment operation different from a lending operation, the additional money information may be converted into deposit information and the deposit information may be replenished. In this case, when a replenishment operation is performed, the processing from step S11 to step S16 described above can be executed, and when a lending operation is performed, the processing from step S7 to step S10 described above can be performed. do it.

FIG. 5 is an example of a sequence diagram showing processing transition 3 of the gaming system of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows that the information storage medium 10 is ejected from the unit device 200 after the game is finished in the gaming machine 2, and then the information storage medium 10 is inserted into the deposit and settlement device 100 to perform a settlement operation. 3 shows processing transition 3 until the monetary information stored in is refunded.

As shown in FIG. 5, the gaming machine 2 is performing a counting process of counting gaming media (step S21). Then, when the user operates the transfer operation section (transfer button) on the gaming machine 2 to end the game, the gaming machine 2 transmits count information indicating the counted amount of game media to the unit device 200. do.

When the unit device 200 receives the count information from the gaming machine 2, it performs a ball information registration process to store ball information, which is the counted amount of game media, in the information storage medium 10 (step S22).

When the user performs a return operation on the unit device 200, the unit device 200 ejects the information storage medium 10 and returns the information storage medium 10 to the user (step S23).

Here, it is assumed that the information storage medium 10 ejected from the unit device 200 stores monetary information such as deposit information and repayment information.

When the user inserts the information storage medium 10 ejected from the deposit settlement device 100 into the unit device 200, the deposit settlement device 100 starts a settlement control process to be described later (step S24).

As a settlement control process, the deposit settlement device 100 converts the monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10 into banknotes or coins, and refunds the converted banknotes from the banknote return port 106 or returns the converted coins to the coin return port 107. Refund cash by repaying money from.

In addition, in the settlement control process of this embodiment, the monetary information is converted into cash such as banknotes, and the converted cash is refunded, but the monetary information is converted into electronic money and the converted electronic money is refunded. It may be possible to configure it. When monetary information is configured to be refundable as electronic money, code information including monetary information is displayed on the deposit settlement display section 110, and a communication terminal is equipped with a communication terminal capable of wireless communication with the user's mobile terminal. The configuration may be such that monetary information can be transmitted from the mobile terminal to the user's mobile terminal.

Note that the processes of the deposit settlement device 100, the deposit server 400, the additional money server 500, the unit device 200, and the gaming machine 2 in the sequence diagram described above do not represent all the processes, and there are many other processes. Processing is being performed to fulfill the function.

[Deposit settlement device control processing]
Next, details of the control processing of the above-mentioned deposit settlement device 100 will be explained. FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart showing the control process of the deposit settlement device 100 of the present invention.

When the deposit settlement device 100 is powered on, the deposit settlement control unit 150 performs an initialization process to initialize the RAM, registers, etc. of the deposit settlement device 100 in step S101.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S102.

In step S102, the deposit and settlement control unit 150 determines whether or not an initial setting operation by a manager of the game parlor or the like has been received.
If the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that the initial setting operation by the game parlor manager or the like has been received, the process moves to step S103 to perform the initial setting. On the other hand, if the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that the initial setting operation by the game parlor manager or the like has not been accepted, the process proceeds to step S106 without performing the initial setting.

In step S103, the deposit settlement control unit 150 performs initial setting processing for the upper limit amount. In the initial setting process for the upper limit amount, the upper limit amount identified as deposit information is set by the operation of the game parlor manager or the like.
When this process is finished, the process moves to step S104.

In step S104, the deposit settlement control unit 150 performs initial setting processing for the settlement method. In the initial setting process of the payment method, when a specific selection is made by the operation of the administrator of the game parlor, etc., the payment operation image displayed on the deposit payment display section 110 includes a lump payment operation, a deposit payment operation, and a follow-up payment operation. A first selection setting process is performed to display images of a plurality of payment operations including money payment operations. In addition, if a specific selection is not made by the operation of the game parlor manager, etc., a second selection setting process is performed in which the image for the deposit settlement operation and the additional money settlement operation is not displayed, but the image for the batch settlement operation is displayed. I do.
When the first selection setting process is performed by the operation of the game parlor administrator, etc., the payment operation unit 122 can accept a plurality of payment operations including a bulk payment operation, a deposit payment operation, and a repayment payment operation, and the game store When the second selection setting process is performed by the operation of the administrator or the like, only the bulk payment operation can be accepted by the payment operation unit 122.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S105.

In step S105, the deposit settlement control unit 150 performs other initial setting processing. Other initial setting processing includes settings for the display screen of the payment settlement display unit 110, settings for accepting electronic money, and the like.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S106.

In step S106, the deposit settlement control section 150 performs a reception display process that causes the deposit settlement display section 110 to display a reception screen.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S107.

In step S107, the deposit/settlement control unit 150 determines whether or not a user operation has been received from the deposit operation unit 121 or the settlement operation unit 122.
If the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that the user's operation has been accepted, the process moves to step S108. On the other hand, if the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that the user's operation is not accepted, the process moves to step S120.

In step S108, the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines whether the received user operation is a deposit operation.
When the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that the operation is a deposit operation, the process moves to step S109. On the other hand, if the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that it is not a deposit operation, the process moves to step S113.

In step S109, the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines whether the information storage medium 10 has been accepted.
When the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that the information storage medium 10 has been accepted, the process moves to step S110. On the other hand, if the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that the information storage medium 10 has not been accepted, the process moves to step S112.

In step S110, the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines whether the received information storage medium 10 stores any monetary information such as deposit information or additional money information. That is, it is determined whether monetary information remains in the accepted information storage medium 10.
When the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that monetary information remains in the accepted information storage medium 10, the process moves to step S111. On the other hand, if the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that no monetary information remains in the accepted information storage medium 10, the process moves to step S112.

In step S<b>111 , the deposit and settlement control unit 150 performs an ejection process to eject the received information storage medium 10 from the information storage medium insertion/ejection port 105 . Thereby, if monetary information remains in the accepted information storage medium 10, storing new monetary information in the information storage medium 10 is restricted.
When this process is finished, the process returns to step S106.

In this way, if monetary information remains in the accepted information storage medium 10, storing new monetary information in the information storage medium 10 is regulated, so that new monetary information can be stored in addition to the already stored monetary information. There is no need to perform processing to identify the monetary information to be received (for example, there is no need to manage the date and time of each deposit), reducing the control burden and the management burden on the deposit server 400 and repayment server 500 that store monetary information. It is possible to reduce the

In step S<b>112 , the deposit settlement control section 150 performs a deposit control process for storing the monetary information deposited by the monetary information input section 130 in the information storage medium 10 . This deposit control process will be described in detail later using FIG. 7.
When this process is finished, the process returns to step S106.

In step S113, the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines whether the information storage medium 10 has been accepted if the accepted user operation is a settlement operation.
When the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that the information storage medium 10 has been accepted, the process moves to step S114. On the other hand, if the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that the information storage medium 10 has not been accepted, it waits until the information storage medium 10 is accepted.

In step S114, the deposit settlement control unit 150 performs settlement control processing to refund the accepted monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10. This payment control process will be described in detail later using FIG. 8.
When this process is finished, the process returns to step S106.

In step S120, the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines whether or not the information storage medium 10 has been accepted if the user's operation has not been accepted.
When the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that the information storage medium 10 has been accepted, the process moves to step S121. On the other hand, if the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that the information storage medium 10 has not been accepted, the process returns to step S106.

In step S121, the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines whether the received information storage medium 10 stores any monetary information such as deposit information or additional money information. That is, it is determined whether monetary information remains in the accepted information storage medium 10.
When the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that monetary information remains in the accepted information storage medium 10, the process moves to step S122. On the other hand, if the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that no monetary information remains in the received information storage medium 10, the process moves to step S123.

In step S122, the deposit settlement control unit 150 performs settlement control processing to refund the accepted monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10. This payment control process will be described in detail later using FIG. 8.
When this process is finished, the process returns to step S106.

In step S123, the deposit settlement control section 150 performs a deposit control process for storing the monetary information deposited by the monetary information input section 130 in the information storage medium 10. This deposit control process will be described in detail later using FIG. 7.
When this process is finished, the process returns to step S106.

[Deposit control processing of deposit settlement device]
Next, details of the deposit control process performed in step S112 and step S123 in FIG. 6 described above will be explained. FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart showing the deposit control process of the deposit settlement device 100 of the present invention.

Further, the deposit control process in the deposit settlement device 100 is also performed by the deposit control section 160 of the deposit settlement control section 150.

In step S150, the deposit control unit 160 performs a deposit display process that causes the deposit settlement display unit 110 to display a deposit screen.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S151.

In step S151, the deposit control unit 160 performs a unique information acquisition process to acquire the user's unique information. In this unique information acquisition process, different unique information acquisition processes are performed depending on whether the information storage medium 10 is accepted or not.

Here, the information storage medium 10 that is accepted in the deposit control process is an information storage medium that is owned by a user in which monetary information is not stored in the information storage medium 10 (see step S110, etc.) and has not been collected. 10 (see step S182 etc. to be described later), this means that the specific information storage medium 10a corresponds to a membership card.

In the unique information acquisition process, when a specific information storage medium 10a is accepted, the unique information of the user registered in the accepted specific information storage medium 10a is acquired, and the acquired unique information of the user is sent to the payment settlement device. 100 RAM. That is, the user's unique information is acquired from a so-called membership card.
When this process is completed, the process returns to step S152.

In addition, in the unique information acquisition process, if the specific information storage medium 10a is not accepted, the user's unique information is generated from the user's image taken by the camera 101, and the generated user's unique information is transferred to the deposit and settlement device 100. The data is stored in RAM.
When this process is completed, the process returns to step S152.

In this embodiment, if the specific information storage medium 10a is not accepted, the camera 101 captures an image of the user while the user is standing still and depositing monetary information into the deposit/settlement device 100. , blurring due to user movements is less likely to occur, and it is easier to obtain accurate images of the user.

In step S152, the deposit control unit 160 determines whether the deposit of all monetary information has been completed. Specifically, whether a predetermined deposit validity period (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed since the monetary information was deposited into the monetary information input section 130, or whether an operation to complete the deposit has been received from the user through the operation section 120. Determine.
When the deposit control unit 160 determines that the deposit of all monetary information has been completed, the process advances to step S153. On the other hand, if the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that the deposit of all monetary information has not been completed, it waits until the deposit of all monetary information is completed.

In step S153, the deposit control unit 160 determines whether the deposited money information is within a predetermined upper limit amount.
If the deposit control unit 160 determines that the deposited money information is within the upper limit amount, the process advances to step S154. On the other hand, if the deposit control unit 160 determines that the deposited money information is not within the upper limit amount, the process advances to step S158.

In step S154, the deposit control unit 160 stores the deposited money information in the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100 as deposit information.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S155.

In step S155, the deposit control unit 160 transmits the deposit information, the user's unique information, etc. to the deposit server 400.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S156.

As described above, when the deposit server 400 receives the deposit information and the user's unique information from the deposit settlement device 100, it associates the deposit information with the user's unique information and registers it in the database of the deposit server 400. Then, registration notification information for notifying that the deposit information has been registered is transmitted to the deposit settlement device 100.

In step S156, deposit control unit 160 determines whether registration notification information has been received from deposit server 400.
If the deposit control unit 160 determines that registration notification information has been received from the deposit server 400, the process advances to step S157. On the other hand, if the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that it has not received the registration notification information from the deposit server 400, it waits until it receives the registration notification information from the deposit server 400.

In step S157, the deposit control unit 160 stores deposit information and the like in the information storage medium 10. Specifically, the deposit control unit 160 stores the deposit information stored in the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100 in the information storage medium 10, and also records the deposit information indicating the date and time when the deposit information was stored in the information storage medium 10. Payment date and time information is stored in the information storage medium 10. Furthermore, if the specific information storage medium 10a is not accepted, the user's unique information acquired through the unique information acquisition process is stored in the normal information storage medium 10b.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S164.

In step S158, the deposit control unit 160 stores the deposited money information up to the upper limit amount in the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100 as deposit information.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S159.

In step S159, the deposit control unit 160 stores, among the deposited monetary information, monetary information exceeding the upper limit amount as repayment information in the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S160.

In step S160, the deposit control unit 160 transmits the deposit information, the user's unique information, etc. to the deposit server 400.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S161.

As described above, when the deposit server 400 receives the deposit information and the user's unique information from the deposit settlement device 100, it associates the deposit information with the user's unique information and registers it in the database of the deposit server 400. Then, registration notification information for notifying that the deposit information has been registered is transmitted to the deposit settlement device 100.

In step S<b>161 , the deposit control unit 160 transmits the additional money information, the user's unique information, etc. to the additional money server 500 .
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S162.

As described above, upon receiving the chasing money information and the user's unique information from the deposit settlement device 100, the chasing money server 500 also registers the chasing money information in the database of the chasing money server 500 in association with the user's unique information, etc. Then, registration notification information for notifying that the additional money information has been registered is transmitted to the deposit settlement device 100.

In step S162, the deposit control unit 160 determines whether registration notification information has been received from the deposit server 400 and the repayment server 500.
If the deposit control unit 160 determines that registration notification information has been received from the deposit server 400 and the repayment server 500, the process advances to step S163. On the other hand, if the deposit settlement control unit 150 determines that it has not received the registration notification information from the deposit server 400 and the repayment server 500, it receives the registration notification information from the deposit server 400 and the repayment server 500. Wait until.

In step S163, the deposit control unit 160 stores the deposit information and the additional money information in the information storage medium 10. Specifically, the deposit control unit 160 stores the deposit information stored in the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100 in the information storage medium 10, and also stores the deposit deposit date and time information in the information storage medium 10. Further, the additional money information stored in the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100 is stored in the information storage medium 10, and additional money deposit date and time information indicating the date and time when the additional money information was stored in the information storage medium 10 is stored in the information storage medium 10. Remember. Furthermore, if the specific information storage medium 10a is not accepted, the user's unique information acquired through the unique information acquisition process is stored in the normal information storage medium 10b.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S164.

In step S164, the deposit control unit 160 performs an ejection process to eject the information storage medium 10 from the information storage medium insertion/ejection port 105. In this ejecting process, if the information storage medium 10 is accepted at the start of the deposit control process, the specific information storage medium 10a corresponding to the membership card is ejected, and the information storage medium 10 is accepted at the start of the deposit control process. If not accepted, a normal information storage medium 10b corresponding to a general card will be ejected.
When this process is finished, the current deposit control process is finished and the process returns to step S106 (see FIG. 6).

[Settlement control processing of deposit settlement device]
Next, details of the payment control process performed in step S114 and step S122 in FIG. 6 described above will be explained. FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart showing the settlement control process of the deposit settlement device of the present invention.

Further, the settlement control process in the deposit settlement device 100 is also performed by the settlement control section 170 of the deposit settlement control section 150.

In step S170, the deposit control section 160 performs a settlement display process that causes the deposit settlement display section 110 to display a settlement screen. In this payment display process, due to the initial setting process of the payment method in step S104 described above, only the batch payment operation image for selecting the batch payment operation is displayed as the payment operation image, the batch payment operation image, the deposit payment operation A deposit settlement operation image for selecting a deposit settlement operation, and an additional payment settlement operation image for selecting an additional payment settlement operation are displayed.
When this process is finished, the process moves to step S171.

In step S171, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the received information storage medium 10 stores any monetary information such as deposit information or additional money information. That is, it is determined whether monetary information remains in the accepted information storage medium 10.
If the payment control unit 170 determines that monetary information remains in the accepted information storage medium 10, the process moves to step S172. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that no monetary information remains in the accepted information storage medium 10, the process moves to step S178.

In step S172, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the settlement operation received by the settlement operation unit 122 is a deposit settlement operation.
When the settlement control unit 170 determines that it is a deposit settlement operation, the process moves to step S173. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that the operation is not a deposit settlement operation, the process proceeds to step S174.

In step S173, the settlement control unit 170 performs a deposit split settlement process to refund only the received deposit information stored in the information storage medium 10. This deposit split settlement process will be described in detail later using FIG. 9.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S176.

In step S174, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the settlement operation received by the settlement operation unit 122 is a repayment settlement operation.
When the settlement control unit 170 determines that the operation is a repayment settlement operation, the process proceeds to step S175. On the other hand, when the settlement control unit 170 determines that the operation is not a repayment settlement operation, the process proceeds to step S177.

In step S175, the settlement control unit 170 performs a repayment split settlement process that refunds only the repayment information stored in the accepted information storage medium 10. This additional payment split settlement process will be described in detail later using FIG. 10.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S176.

In step S176, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the received information storage medium 10 stores monetary information such as deposit information or additional money information. That is, it is determined whether monetary information remains in the information storage medium 10 even after the deposit split settlement process or the additional money split settlement process.
If the payment control unit 170 determines that monetary information remains in the accepted information storage medium 10, the process moves to step S181. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that no monetary information remains in the accepted information storage medium 10, the process moves to step S178.

In step S177, if the settlement operation received by the settlement operation section 122 is neither a deposit settlement operation nor a repayment settlement operation, the settlement control section 170 determines that the settlement operation received by the settlement operation section 122 is a bulk settlement operation. If so, a lump sum settlement process is performed to refund the deposit information and repayment information stored in the accepted information storage medium 10. This batch payment process will be described in detail later using FIG. 11.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S177.

In addition, when the second selection setting process is performed by the initial setting process of the payment method in step S104 described above, and only the bulk payment operation can be accepted, deposit information and additional money information are stored in the accepted information storage medium 10. If at least one of the monetary information is stored, the batch settlement process in step S177 will be performed even if the settlement operation unit 122 does not accept the batch settlement operation.
As a result, if monetary information is stored in the accepted information storage medium 10, the monetary information can be refunded without any payment operation from the user, reducing the control burden and improving convenience for the user. be able to.

In step S178, the payment control unit 170 determines whether the accepted information storage medium 10 is the specific information storage medium 10a. That is, it is determined whether the accepted information storage medium 10 is a membership card.
If the payment control unit 170 determines that the information storage medium 10a is the specific information storage medium 10a, the process proceeds to step S181. On the other hand, if the payment control unit 170 determines that the information storage medium 10a is not the specific information storage medium 10a, the process proceeds to step S179.

In step S179, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether or not the ball information is stored in the accepted information storage medium 10.
When the settlement control unit 170 determines that the ball information is stored, the process proceeds to step S181. On the other hand, when the settlement control unit 170 determines that the ball information is not stored, the process proceeds to step S180.

In step S180, the payment control unit 170 determines whether there is any abnormality in the received information storage medium 10.
If the payment control unit 170 determines that there is no abnormality in the information storage medium 10, the process moves to step S181. On the other hand, if the payment control unit 170 determines that there is an abnormality in the information storage medium 10, the process proceeds to step S182.

In step S<b>181 , the payment control unit 170 performs an ejection process to eject the received information storage medium 10 from the information storage medium insertion/ejection port 105 .
When this process is finished, the current payment control process is finished and the process returns to step S106 (see FIG. 6).

In step S182, the payment control unit 170 performs a collection process to collect the accepted normal information storage medium 10b to a collection unit (not shown). That is, normal general cards in which monetary information and ball information are not stored are collected.
When this process is finished, the current payment control process is finished and the process moves to step S106 (see FIG. 6).

[Deposit split settlement processing of deposit settlement device]
Next, details of the deposit split settlement process performed in step S173 in FIG. 8 described above will be explained. FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart showing the deposit split settlement process of the deposit settlement device 100 of the present invention.

In step S173-1, the settlement control unit 170 acquires deposit information and deposit payment date and time information from the received information storage medium 10, and stores them in the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S173-2.

In step S173-2, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the deposit information is within the first expiration date (within the current day's expiration date). Specifically, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the acquired deposit payment date and time information is within the first expiration date (within the current day's deadline).
If the settlement control unit 170 determines that the deposit information is within the first expiration date, the process moves to step S173-3. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that the deposit information is not within the first expiration date, it ends the current deposit split settlement process and moves the process to step S176 (see FIG. 8).

In step S173-3, the settlement control unit 170 obtains deposit information from the deposit server 400.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S173-4.

In step S173-4, the settlement control unit 170 compares the deposit information acquired from the information storage medium 10 and the deposit information acquired from the deposit server 400, and determines whether the deposit information matches. .
If the settlement control unit 170 determines that the deposit information matches, the process moves to step S173-5. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that the deposit information does not match, the process moves to step S173-9.

In step S173-5, the settlement control unit 170 transmits deposit refund information, user specific information, etc. to the deposit server 400.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S173-6.

Here, upon receiving the deposit refund information from the deposit settlement device 100, the deposit server 400 clears the deposit information registered in the database of the deposit server 400 and associated with the user's unique information, etc. Settlement notification information for notifying that the deposit information has been cleared is transmitted to the deposit settlement device 100.

In step S173-6, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether settlement notification information has been received from the deposit server 400.
If the settlement control unit 170 determines that the settlement notification information has been received from the deposit server 400, the process moves to step S173-7. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that the settlement notification information has not been received from the deposit server 400, it waits until it receives settlement notification information from the deposit server 400.

In step S173-7, the settlement control unit 170 converts the deposit information stored in the information storage medium 10 into banknotes or coins, and refunds the converted banknotes from the banknote return slot 106 or returns the converted coins. All the deposit information is converted into cash and the money is refunded. Note that the deposit information stored in the information storage medium 10 may be converted into electronic money, and the converted electronic money may be refundable.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S173-8.

In step S173-8, the settlement control unit 170 clears the deposit information and deposit payment date and time information stored in the information storage medium 10.
When this process is finished, the current deposit split settlement process is finished and the process moves to step S176 (see FIG. 8).

In step S173-9, the settlement control section 170 performs an error display process to display an error image on the deposit settlement display section 110 in order to notify that the monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10 is abnormal.
When this process is finished, the current deposit split settlement process is finished and the process moves to step S176 (see FIG. 8).

In addition, in the deposit split settlement process of this embodiment, the deposit information stored in the information storage medium 10 is converted into repayment information with a long expiration date, and only the converted repayment information is refunded as deposit information. It may be configured as follows.

[Additional payment split processing of deposit settlement device]
Next, details of the repayment split settlement process performed in step S175 in FIG. 8 described above will be explained. FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart showing the repayment split settlement process of the deposit settlement device 100 of the present invention.

In step S175-1, the settlement control unit 170 acquires the additional money information and the additional money deposit date and time information from the accepted information storage medium 10, and stores them in the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S175-2.

In step S175-2, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the repayment information is within the second expiration date (within 30 days). Specifically, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the acquired additional payment date and time information is within the second expiration date (within 30 days).
If the settlement control unit 170 determines that the repayment information is within the second expiration date, the process moves to step S175-3. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that the repayment information is not within the second expiration date, it ends the current repayment split settlement processing and moves the process to step S176 (see FIG. 8).

In step S175-3, the settlement control unit 170 acquires repayment information from the repayment money server 500.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S175-4.

In step S175-4, the settlement control unit 170 compares the repayment information acquired from the information storage medium 10 and the repayment information acquired from the deposit server 400, and determines whether the repayment information matches. .
If the settlement control unit 170 determines that the repayment information matches, the process proceeds to step S175-5. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that the repayment information does not match, the process moves to step S175-9.

In step S175-5, the settlement control unit 170 transmits the additional money refund information, the user's unique information, etc. to the additional money server 500.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S175-6.

Here, when the repayment money server 500 receives the repayment information from the deposit settlement device 100, it clears the repayment information registered in the database of the repayment amount server 500 and associated with the user's unique information, etc. Settlement notification information for notifying that the additional money information has been cleared is transmitted to the deposit settlement device 100.

In step S175-6, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether settlement notification information has been received from the repayment server 500.
If the settlement control unit 170 determines that the settlement notification information has been received from the reimbursable money server 500, the process moves to step S175-7. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that the settlement notification information has not been received from the supplementary money server 500, it waits until it receives settlement notification information from the supplementary money server 500.

In step S175-7, the settlement control unit 170 converts the repayment information stored in the information storage medium 10 into banknotes or coins, and refunds the converted banknotes from the banknote return slot 106 or returns the converted coins. All the repayment information is converted into cash and the money is refunded. Note that the additional money information stored in the information storage medium 10 may be converted into electronic money, and the converted electronic money may be refundable.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S175-8.

In step S175-8, the settlement control unit 170 clears the additional money information and the additional money deposit date and time information stored in the information storage medium 10.
When this process is finished, the current repayment split settlement process is finished, and the process moves to step S176 (see FIG. 8).

In step S175-9, the settlement control section 170 performs an error display process to display an error image on the deposit settlement display section 110 in order to notify that the monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10 is abnormal.
When this process is finished, the current repayment split settlement process is finished, and the process moves to step S176 (see FIG. 8).

[Batch payment processing of deposit payment device]
Next, details of the batch settlement process performed in step S177 in FIG. 8 described above will be explained. FIG. 11 is an example of a flowchart showing the batch payment processing of the deposit payment settlement device 100 of the present invention.

In step S177-1, the settlement control unit 170 acquires deposit information, additional money information, deposit payment date and time information, and additional payment date and time information from the received information storage medium 10, and stores them in the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100. Remember.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S177-2.

In step S177-2, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the deposit information is within the first expiration date. Specifically, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the acquired deposit payment date and time information is within the first expiration date.
If the settlement control unit 170 determines that the deposit information is within the first expiration date, the process moves to step S177-3. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that the deposit information is not within the first expiration date, the process moves to step S177-30.

In step S177-3, the settlement control unit 170 obtains deposit information from the deposit server 400.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S177-4.

In step S177-4, the settlement control unit 170 acquires repayment information from the repayment money server 500.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S177-5.

In step S177-5, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the deposit information and the additional money information acquired from the information storage medium 10 match the money information of the deposit server 400 and the additional money server 500. do. Specifically, the deposit information acquired from the information storage medium 10 matches the deposit information acquired from the deposit server 400, and the repayment information acquired from the information storage medium 10 matches the repayment amount information acquired from the repayment server 500. It is determined whether the information matches the repayment information.
If the settlement control unit 170 determines that the deposit information and repayment information acquired from the information storage medium 10 match the monetary information of the server, the process moves to step S177-6. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that the deposit information and repayment information acquired from the information storage medium 10 do not match the monetary information of the server, the process moves to step S177-20.

In step S177-6, the settlement control unit 170 adds the deposit information stored in the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100 to the repayment information to convert the deposit information into repayment information. Specifically, after adding the deposit information stored in the deposit information storage area of the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100 to the additional money information storage area, the deposit information stored in the deposit information storage area is cleared. By doing so, the deposit information is converted into repayment information.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S177-7.

In step S177-7, the settlement control unit 170 transmits the additional money refund information, the user's unique information, etc. to the additional money server 500.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S177-8.

As described above, upon receiving the repayment information from the deposit settlement device 100, the repayment server 500 clears the repayment information registered in the database of the repayment server 500 and associated with the user's unique information. Then, the settlement notification information is sent to the deposit settlement device 100.

In step S177-8, the settlement control unit 170 transmits deposit refund information, user specific information, etc. to the deposit server 400.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S177-9.

As described above, upon receiving the deposit refund information from the deposit settlement device 100, the deposit server 400 clears the deposit information registered in the database of the deposit server 400 and associated with the user's unique information, etc. Then, the settlement notification information is sent to the deposit settlement device 100.

In step S177-9, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether settlement notification information has been received from the deposit server 400 and the repayment server 500.
When the settlement control unit 170 determines that settlement notification information has been received from the deposit server 400 and the repayment server 500, the process moves to step S177-10. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that the settlement notification information has not been received from the deposit server 400 and the supplementary money server 500, the settlement control unit 170 waits until the settlement notification information is received from the deposit server 400 and the supplementary money server 500. stand by.

In step S175-10, the payment control unit 170 converts the repayment information stored in the repayment information storage area of the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100 into banknotes or coins, and refunds the converted banknotes from the banknote return slot 106. or refund the converted coins from the coin return port 107, converting all the additional money information into cash and refunding the money. Note that the additional money information stored in the additional money information storage area of the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100 may be converted into electronic money, and the converted electronic money may be configured to be refundable.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S177-11.

In step S175-11, the settlement control unit 170 clears the deposit information, additional money information, deposit payment date and time information, and additional money payment date and time information stored in the information storage medium 10.
When this process is finished, the current batch payment process is finished and the process moves to step S178 (see FIG. 8).

In step S177-20, the settlement control section 170 performs an error display process to display an error image on the deposit settlement display section 110 in order to notify that the monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10 is abnormal.
When this process is finished, the current batch payment process is finished and the process moves to step S178 (see FIG. 8).

In step S177-30, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the repayment information is within the second expiration date. Specifically, the settlement control unit 170 determines whether the acquired additional payment date and time information is within the second expiration date.
When the settlement control unit 170 determines that the repayment information is within the second expiration date, the process moves to step S177-31. On the other hand, if the settlement control unit 170 determines that the repayment information is not within the second expiration date, it ends the current batch settlement process and moves the process to step S178 (see FIG. 8).

In step S177-31, the settlement control unit 170 performs the above-mentioned repayment split settlement process (see FIG. 10). Therefore, even if the second selection setting process is performed in the payment method initialization process (step S104) and only bulk payment operations can be accepted, if the repayment information is within the second expiration date, Only money information can be refunded.
When this process is finished, the current batch payment process is finished and the process moves to step S178 (see FIG. 8).

In this way, in the batch payment process of the present embodiment, the deposit information and the repayment information stored in the information storage medium 10 can be refunded all at once, so the convenience for the user can be improved. .

In addition, in the batch settlement process of this embodiment, the deposit information is converted into repayment information, and all repayment information is configured to be refundable (step S175-11).
This makes it possible to reduce the control burden and improve the speed at which refunds are provided, without having to separately convert the deposit information and the repayment information into cash in the batch settlement process. Furthermore, since deposit information with a first expiration date is converted into repayment information with a second expiration date that is longer than the first expiration date, it is flexible for various refund methods. It becomes possible to correspond to For example, when refunding electronic money, the expiration date of the repayment information is long, so it can be converted into valid electronic money.

[Control processing of unit device]
Next, details of the control processing of the unit device 200 described above will be explained. FIG. 12 is an example of a flowchart showing control processing of the unit device 200 of the present invention.

When the unit device 200 is powered on, the unit control section 240 performs initialization processing to initialize the RAM, registers, etc. of the unit device 200 in step S201.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S202.

In step S202, the unit control section 240 determines whether or not an initial setting operation by a manager of the game parlor or the like has been received.
If the unit control section 240 determines that the initial setting operation by the administrator of the game parlor or the like has been received, the unit control section 240 moves the process to step S203 to perform the initial setting. On the other hand, if the unit control section 240 determines that the initial setting operation by the game parlor manager or the like has not been accepted, the unit control section 240 moves the process to step S204 without performing the initial setting.

In step S203, the unit control section 240 performs unit initialization processing. In the unit initial setting process, consumption money information (for example, 500 yen or 100 yen) for lending out game media in one lending operation is set by the operation of the manager of the game parlor or the like.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S204.

In step S204, the unit control section 240 performs a standby display process to display a standby screen on the unit display section 210.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S205.

In step S205, the unit control section 240 determines whether the information storage medium 10 has been accepted.
If the unit control section 240 determines that the information storage medium 10 has been accepted, the process moves to step S206. On the other hand, if the unit control section 240 determines that the information storage medium 10 has not been accepted, the process returns to step S204 and waits until the information storage medium 10 is accepted.

In step S206, the unit control unit 240 acquires deposit information, additional money information, deposit deposit date and time information, additional money deposit date and time information, ball information, and unique information of the user from the received information storage medium 10, Performs information storage processing to be stored in the RAM of the unit control section 240.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S207.

In step S207, the unit control section 240 performs an information display process to display the deposit information, additional money information, and possession information stored in the information storage medium 10 on the unit display section 210.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S208.

In step S208, the unit control section 240 determines whether the unit operation section 220 has accepted the lending operation.
If the unit control unit 240 determines that the lending operation has been accepted, the process moves to step S209. On the other hand, if the unit control section 240 determines that the lending operation is not accepted, the process moves to step S210.

In step S209, the unit control section 240 performs lending control processing to cause the gaming machine 2 to lend out gaming media. This lending control process will be described in detail later using FIG. 13.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S210.

In step S210, the unit control section 240 determines whether count information has been received from the gaming machine 2.
If the unit control unit 240 determines that the count information has been received, the process moves to step S211. On the other hand, if the unit control section 240 determines that the count information has not been received, the process moves to step S212.

In step S211, the unit control section 240 stores, in the information storage medium 10, ball information that corresponds to the received count information and is the count of game media.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S212.

In step S212, unit control section 240 determines whether unit operation section 220 has accepted a return operation.
If the unit control unit 240 determines that the return operation has been accepted, the process moves to step S213. On the other hand, if the unit control unit 240 determines that the return operation has not been accepted, the process returns to step S207.

In step S213, the unit control section 240 clears the registration information stored in the RAM of the unit control section 240. Specifically, the deposit information, additional money information, deposit deposit date and time information, additional money deposit date and time information, ball information, replenishment information and replenishment date and time information, which will be described later, are cleared in the RAM of the unit control unit 240. do.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S214.

In step S214, the unit control section 240 performs an ejection process to eject the information storage medium 10 from the unit insertion/ejection port 202.
When this process is completed, the process returns to step S204.

[Unit device rental control processing]
Next, details of the lending control process performed in step S209 in FIG. 12 described above will be explained. FIG. 13 is an example of a flowchart showing the lending control process of the unit device 200 of the present invention.

In step S221, the unit control unit 240 determines whether the deposit information stored in the information storage medium 10 is greater than 0 (deposit information>0).
If the unit control section 240 determines that the deposit information>0, the unit control section 240 moves the process to step S222. On the other hand, if the unit control section 240 determines that the deposit information is not >0, the process proceeds to step S223.

In step S222, the unit control section 240 performs deposit lending control processing to lend out gaming media based on the deposit information. This deposit lending control process will be described in detail later using FIG. 14.
When this process is finished, the current lending control process is finished and the process moves to step S210 (see FIG. 12).

In step S223, the unit control unit 240 determines whether the repayment information stored in the information storage medium 10 is greater than 0 (purchase information>0).
When the unit control section 240 determines that the additional money information>0, the unit control section 240 moves the process to step S224. On the other hand, if the unit control unit 240 determines that the repayment information is not >0, it ends the current lending control process and moves the process to step S210 (see FIG. 12).

In step S224, the unit control section 240 determines whether the chasing money information stored in the information storage medium 10 is the chasing money information for the current day. Specifically, it is determined whether the additional payment date and time information stored in the information storage medium 10 is information for that day.
If the unit control unit 240 determines that the chasing money information is the chasing money information for the current day, the unit control section 240 moves the process to step S225. On the other hand, if the unit control unit 240 determines that the repayment information is not the repayment information of the current day, it ends the current lending control process and moves the process to step S210 (see FIG. 12).

In step S225, the unit control section 240 converts the additional money information in the RAM of the unit device 200 into deposit information, and replenishes the deposit information. Specifically, after moving the chasing money information stored in the chasing money information storage area of the RAM of the unit device 200 to the deposit information storage area and storing it, the chasing money information stored in the chasing money information storage area is transferred. By clearing , all of the chasing money information is converted to deposit information and the deposit information is replenished.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S226.

In addition, in this embodiment, although the configuration is such that all of the chasing money information is converted into deposit information to replenish the deposit information, a part of the chasing money information is converted into deposit information, It may be configured to replenish deposit information.

In step S226, the unit control section 240 stores the supplementary money information added to the deposit information in the RAM of the unit device 200 as supplementary money information. Furthermore, replenishment date and time information indicating the date and time when the deposit information was replenished is stored in the RAM of the unit device 200.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S227.

In step S227, the unit control unit 240 sends replenishment command information that instructs the repayment money server 500 to replenish the deposit information, replenishment money information, updated repayment information (=0), unique information of the user, etc. Send to server 500.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S228.

As described above, upon receiving the replenishment command information, replenishment information, replenishment information, user specific information, etc. from the unit device 200, the reimbursable money server 500 transmits and receives information to and from the deposit server 400, and 400 to replenish deposit information, update the repayment information stored in the database of repayment server 500, and transmit replenishment completion information, user specific information, etc. to unit device 200.

In step S228, unit control section 240 determines whether replenishment completion information has been received from replenishment server 500.
If the unit control unit 240 determines that the replenishment completion information has been received from the replenishment server 500, the process moves to step S229. On the other hand, if unit control section 240 determines that replenishment completion information has not been received from replenishment server 500, it waits until replenishment completion information is received from replenishment server 500.

In step S229, the unit control section 240 stores the replenishment money information and the replenishment date and time information registered in the RAM of the unit device 200 in the information storage medium 10. The reason why the replenishment money information and the replenishment date and time information are stored in the information storage medium 10 in this way is to enable the user to grasp the replenishment information after the fact when the network is offline.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S230.

In step S230, the unit control section 240 updates and stores the deposit information and the additional money information stored in the RAM of the unit device 200 in the information storage medium 10.
When this process is finished, the process moves to step S231.

Furthermore, the processes from step S223 to step S230 described above correspond to the replenishment control process (step S11) in the sequence diagram of FIG.

In step S231, the unit control section 240 performs deposit loan control processing in the same manner as in step S222 above. This deposit lending control process will be described in detail later using FIG. 14.
When this process is finished, the current lending control process is finished and the process moves to step S210 (see FIG. 12).

In this way, in the lending control process (replenishment control process) of the present embodiment, even if deposit information is not stored in the information storage medium 10, repayment information is stored in the information storage medium 10. If there is a lending operation, additional money information can be converted into deposit information to replenish the deposit information, thereby improving convenience for the user.

In addition, in the lending control process (replenishment control process) of this embodiment, after the deposit information is replenished by the lending operation, the lending of gaming media (deposit loan control process) is performed based on the replenished deposit information. Therefore, user convenience can be further improved without performing multiple operations.

Furthermore, in the lending control process (replenishment control process) of this embodiment, if the deposit information is stored in the information storage medium 10, the repayment information is converted into deposit information and the deposit information is replenished. (Step S221, etc.).
This eliminates the need to perform processing to distinguish between already stored deposit information and supplemented deposit information (for example, there is no need to manage the date and time of each deposit), reducing the control burden and It is possible to reduce the management burden on the deposit server 400 etc. that stores information.

Furthermore, in the lending control process (replenishment control process) of this embodiment, if the repayment information stored in the information storage medium 10 is not the repayment information of the day, the repayment information is converted into deposit information. Replenishment of deposit information is restricted (step S224). However, the additional money information stored in the information storage medium is configured to be refundable even after the next day (step S175-2, etc.).
As a result, the game parlor can manage the sales for the day (sales settlement) using the hall computer or the like based on the deposit information and the repayment information for the day, and the convenience of sales management can be maintained. That is, the deposit information is replenished with the follow-up money information carried over to the next day, and it is possible to prevent past sales from changing retroactively.

Although the operation for replenishing the deposit information is configured to be the same lending operation as when the deposit information is stored in the information storage medium 10, it is possible that the replenishment operation is different from the lending operation. Accordingly, the additional money information may be converted into deposit information to replenish the deposit information.

[Unit device deposit loan control processing]
Next, details of the deposit loan control process performed in step S222 and step S231 in FIG. 13 described above will be explained. FIG. 14 is an example of a flowchart showing the deposit lending control process of the unit device 200 of the present invention.

In step S241, the unit control unit 240 subtracts the consumption money information (for example, 500 yen or 100 yen) corresponding to one lending operation from the deposit information stored in the RAM of the unit device 200, and Performs deposit information subtraction processing to update.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S242.

In step S242, the unit control section 240 transmits the updated deposit information, user specific information, etc. to the deposit server 400.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S243.

As described above, when the deposit server 400 receives the deposit information and the user's unique information from the unit device 200, it updates the deposit information registered in the database of the deposit server 400, and updates the update notification information and the user information. The unit device 200 transmits the unique information and the like to the unit device 200.

In step S243, unit control section 240 determines whether update notification information has been received from deposit server 400.
If the unit control unit 240 determines that the update notification information has been received from the deposit server 400, the process moves to step S244. On the other hand, if the unit control section 240 determines that the update notification information has not been received from the deposit server 400, it waits until it receives the update notification information from the deposit server 400.

In step S244, the unit control section 240 transmits a lending instruction signal to the gaming machine 2 instructing the gaming machine 2 to lend out the gaming medium.

As described above, when the gaming machine 2 receives the lending instruction signal from the unit device 200, it lends out the game media, and when the lending of the game media is completed, it transmits a lending completion signal to the unit device 200.

In step S245, the unit control section 240 determines whether a lending completion signal has been received from the gaming machine 2.
When the unit control section 240 determines that the lending completion signal has been received from the gaming machine 2, the process moves to step S246. On the other hand, if the unit control section 240 determines that it has not received the lending completion signal from the gaming machine 2, it waits until it receives the lending completion signal from the gaming machine 2.

In step S246, the unit control section 240 updates and stores the deposit information stored in the RAM of the unit device 200 in the information storage medium 10.
When this process is finished, the current deposit lending control process is finished and the process moves to step S210 (see FIG. 12).

[Transition of monetary information on information storage medium]
Next, a description will be given of the transition of the deposit information and the monetary information, etc., stored in the information storage medium 10. 15 and 16 are examples of transition diagrams showing transitions of monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10 of the present invention.

In the transition diagrams of FIGS. 15 and 16, the information stored in the information storage medium 10 includes deposit information, deposit payment date and time information, repayment information, repayment payment date and time information, replenishment information, replenishment date and time information, Ball information and unique user information can be stored. Note that the information stored in the information storage medium 10 is not limited to the above information, but may include information unique to the information storage medium 10 (card unique information), unique information of the deposit settlement device 100 where the deposit was made, and lending operation information. Specific information of the unit device 200 that has been used may be stored.

FIG. 15 is an example of a transition diagram showing transition 1 of monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10 of the present invention. FIG. 15 shows that after monetary information is deposited into the deposit/settlement device 100, the information storage medium 10 storing the monetary information is ejected from the deposit/settlement device 100, and then the information storage medium 10 is inserted into the unit device 200. It shows transition 1 of monetary information when a lending operation is performed.

As shown in time series 1, when the user deposits a banknote of 10,000 yen into the deposit settlement device 100, since the amount is within the upper limit, 10,000 yen is set as the deposit information, and the deposit information of 10,000 yen and the deposit are The payment date and time information is stored in the information storage medium 10. Further, if the specific information storage medium 10a is accepted, the user's unique information is registered in the specific information storage medium 10a, and if the specific information storage medium 10a is not accepted, the camera 101 The unique information of the user is generated from the photographed image of the user, and the generated unique information of the user is stored in the normal information storage medium 10b.

Furthermore, as shown in Timeline 2, when the user deposits an additional 10,000 yen banknote into the payment settlement device 100, the 10,000 yen is set as additional money information and the additional 10,000 yen is added to the payment settlement device 100. Money information and deposit date and time information of additional money information are stored in an information storage medium 10.

Then, as shown in timeline 3, the user inserts the information storage medium 10 ejected from the deposit and settlement device 100 into the unit device 200.

Next, as shown in time series 4, when the user performs a lending operation on the unit device 200, consumption money information corresponding to one lending operation (for example, 500 yen) is subtracted and updated.

As shown in time series 5, when the user performs the lending operation on the unit device 200 a predetermined number of times (for example, when the lending operation is performed 19 times), the deposit information stored in the information storage medium 10 disappears.

As shown in time series 6, when the deposit information stored in the information storage medium 10 is lost but the repayment information is stored, when the user performs a lending operation on the unit device 200, the information The additional money information stored in the storage medium 10 is converted into deposit information and replenished. However, the repayment information that is converted into deposit information is limited to the repayment information that was deposited on the same day. Further, the replenishment money information and the replenishment date and time information are stored in the information storage medium 10, with the replenishment money information supplemented to the deposit information as replenishment money information.

Thereafter, consumption money information corresponding to one lending operation is subtracted from the deposit information replenished in the information storage medium 10 and updated.

As mentioned above, the operation for converting repayment information into deposit information and replenishing deposit information is not limited to lending operation, but by performing replenishment operation different from lending operation, replenishment information can be converted into deposit information. The deposit information may be supplemented by converting it into money information.

FIG. 16 is an example of a transition diagram showing transition 2 of monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10 of the present invention. FIG. 16 shows the transition 2 of monetary information when the information storage medium 10 is inserted into the deposit settlement device 100, a batch settlement operation is performed, and the monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10 is refunded.

As shown in the time series 10, the user inserts the information storage medium 10 in which the deposit information and the additional money information are stored into the deposit settlement device 100.

Next, as shown in time series 11, when the user performs a bulk payment operation on the deposit settlement device 100, the deposit information is converted to repayment information, and the converted repayment information is added to the repayment information. . Then, all the repayment information to which the converted repayment information has been added is refunded.

Moreover, since the information storage medium 10 stores the ball information, the information storage medium 10 is also returned regardless of whether it is a specific information storage medium 10a or a normal information storage medium 10b.

[Display image of deposit settlement device]
An example of a display image displayed on the deposit settlement display section 110 of the deposit settlement device 100 described above will be explained. FIG. 17 is an example of a display image displayed on the deposit settlement display section 110 of the deposit settlement device 100 of the present invention.

FIG. 17A is an example of a reception screen displayed on the deposit settlement display section 110 of the deposit settlement device 100.

As shown in FIG. 17(a), on the reception screen, at least a deposit operation image 111 for selecting a deposit operation and a payment operation image 112 for selecting a payment operation are displayed.

When the user touches the deposit operation image 111 on the reception screen, the deposit settlement device 100 becomes able to execute deposit control processing, and shifts to the deposit screen shown in FIG. 17(b), which will be described later. Furthermore, when the user touches the payment operation image 112 on the reception screen, the deposit payment and settlement device 100 becomes able to execute payment control processing, and the screen shifts to the payment screen shown in FIG. 17(c), which will be described later.

FIG. 17(b) is an example of a deposit screen displayed on the deposit settlement display section 110 of the deposit settlement device 100.

As shown in FIG. 17(b), on the deposit screen, at least a deposit amount image 113 that displays deposited money information and a deposit completion operation image 114 that selects a deposit completion operation are displayed.

On the deposit screen, when the user touches the deposit completion operation image 114 or when a predetermined deposit valid time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed, the deposit settlement device 100 determines that the deposit of all monetary information has been completed. .

FIG. 17C is an example of a settlement screen displayed on the deposit settlement display section 110 of the deposit settlement device 100.

As shown in FIG. 17(c), on the settlement screen, there is a batch settlement operation image 115 for selecting a batch settlement operation, a deposit settlement operation image 116 for selecting a deposit settlement operation, and an additional payment operation image 116 for selecting a deposit settlement operation. At least a money settlement operation image 117 is displayed.

When the user touches the batch settlement operation image 115 on the settlement screen, the deposit settlement device 100 can execute a batch settlement process that refunds the deposit information and the additional money information all at once. In addition, when the user touches the deposit settlement operation image 116, the deposit split settlement process that returns only the deposit information can be executed, and when the user touches the additional payment settlement operation image 117, only the additional money information can be executed. It becomes possible to execute the additional payment split settlement process to refund the amount.

Further, as described above, when the initial setting section 171 performs the second selection setting process that allows the settlement operation section 122 to accept only the bulk settlement operation, the deposit settlement operation image 116 and the additional payment settlement operation image 117 are It will no longer be displayed.

[Display image of unit device]
An example of a display image displayed on the unit display section 210 of the unit device 200 described above will be described. FIG. 18 is an example of a display image displayed on the unit display section 210 of the unit device 200 of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 18, when the unit device 200 receives the information storage medium 10, the unit display section 210 displays a lending information image 211 that displays information regarding consumption money information and the deposit amount stored in the information storage medium 10. A card information image 212 that displays information, additional money information, and ball information, a lending operation image 213 that selects a lending operation, a return operation image 214 that selects a return operation, and transfers ball information to the gaming machine 2. At least a transfer operation image 215 is displayed.

When the user touches the lending operation image 213, lending control processing for causing the gaming machine 2 to lend the gaming medium becomes executable. Further, when the user touches the return operation image 214, the unit device 200 ejects the accepted information storage medium 10. Further, when the user touches the transfer operation image 215, the unit device 200 transfers the ball information to the gaming machine 2. The gaming machine 2 that has received the ball information can use game media corresponding to the ball information.

Note that if the gaming machine 2 is not a gaming machine called smart pachinko or smart pachislot, the unit device 200 will not transfer the ball information to the gaming machine 2, and the transfer operation image 215 will not be displayed. become.

As described above, in the gaming system 1 of the present embodiment, there is a deposit control unit 160 that controls depositing monetary information and storing the deposited monetary information in the information storage medium 10, and a depositing control unit 160 that controls depositing monetary information and storing the deposited monetary information in the information storage medium 10, and lending gaming media to the gaming machine 2. The deposit control unit 160 stores deposited money information up to a predetermined upper limit amount as deposit information, and when the deposited money information exceeds the upper limit amount, , the excess monetary information is stored in the information storage medium 10 as repayment information, and the lending control unit 241 controls lending the gaming medium to the gaming machine 2 based on the deposit information stored in the information storage medium 10. . As a result, it is possible to take measures against dependence so as not to spend too much money, in addition to convenience.

Further, in the deposit settlement device 100 of the present embodiment, a deposit control section 160 that stores deposited monetary information in the information storage medium 10, a settlement control section 170 that refunds the monetary information stored in the information storage medium 10, The deposit control unit 160 stores the deposited money information as deposit information with a first expiration date set if the conversion condition is not met, and stores it as deposit information with a first expiration date set for the deposited money information if the conversion condition is met. is stored as additional money information with a second expiration date set, and when the deposit information is stored in the information storage medium 10, the settlement control unit 170 stores the deposit information stored in the information storage medium 10. is information within the first expiration date, the deposit information is refunded, and if the repayment information is stored in the information storage medium 10, the repayment information stored in the information storage medium 10 is returned as the second repayment information. To refund additional money information when the information is within the expiration date. Thereby, while maintaining the convenience of the information storage medium 10 with enhanced expandability, it is possible to issue a refund appropriately.

[Other variations]
In the present embodiment, the unit device 200 is configured so that monetary information cannot be deposited (so-called bill barless), but it is equipped with a bill validating unit that identifies banknotes and deposits monetary information, and is configured so that monetary information can be deposited. You may. When the unit device 200 is configured to include a bill recovery unit, the unit device 200 performs the same procedure as the deposit control process of the deposit settlement device 100 (see FIG. 7) for monetary information deposited into the unit device 200. The deposited money information may be identified as deposit information or additional money information depending on whether the conversion condition is satisfied or not, and the information may be stored in the information storage medium 10.

Furthermore, when the unit device 200 is configured to include a bill recovery unit, the payment settlement device 100 does not include the monetary information input section 130, and the gaming system 1 is configured such that monetary information can be deposited only from the unit device 200. You may. In this case, the deposit device for depositing monetary information in the gaming system 1 corresponds to the unit device 200.

Further, in this embodiment, a lending operation from a user can be accepted from the unit operation section 220 of the unit device 200. However, it may be configured such that the lending operation from the user can be accepted from the lending operation button on the gaming machine 2.

Further, in this embodiment, when the user performs a bulk settlement operation on the deposit settlement device 100, the deposit settlement device 100 is configured to convert deposit information into repayment information. However, the deposit information may be configured to be automatically converted to repayment information when the first expiration date passes. In this case, the deposit server 400 exchanges information with the repayment money server 500 when the first expiration date passes, converts the deposit information into repayment information, and converts the deposit information into repayment information. Reimbursement information is stored in reimbursement server 500. Then, the deposit settlement device 100 that accesses the deposit server 400 and the additional money server 500 after the fact may update the deposit information and the additional money information stored in the information storage medium 10.

Further, in this embodiment, the information storage medium 10 is configured using a magnetic card, an IC card, an IC medal, etc. that can be inserted into the deposit/settlement device 100 and the unit device 200. However, the information storage medium 10 may be configured using a mobile terminal (for example, a smartphone, etc.) on which dedicated application software corresponding to the gaming system 1 has been downloaded.
In this way, when configured using a mobile terminal as the information storage medium 10, the deposit/settlement device 100 and the unit device 200 have a wireless communication unit capable of wirelessly communicating with the mobile terminal, and a code information unit capable of displaying code information. It may be constructed by including a display section and a code reader capable of reading code information. Further, the deposit settlement device 100 and the unit device 200 can acquire the user's unique information from a mobile terminal that has downloaded dedicated application software.

The above description is intended to be illustrative only, rather than restrictive. It will therefore be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the claims.

The terms used in the specification and claims should be construed as non-limiting terms. For example, the term "comprising" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to what is described as including." The term "comprising" should be interpreted as "not limited to what is described as comprising." The term "comprising" should be interpreted as "not limited to what is described as having."

1 Gaming system 2 Gaming machine 10 Information storage medium 100 Deposit settlement device 105 Information storage medium insertion/ejection port 110 Deposit settlement display section 120 Operation section 121 Deposit operation section 122 Settlement operation section 150 Deposit settlement control section 160 Deposit control section 170 Settlement control section 171 Initial setting section 200 Unit device 202 Unit insertion/ejection port 210 Unit display section 220 Unit operation section 240 Unit control section 400 Deposit server 500 Reimbursement server

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a deposit control section that controls depositing monetary information and storing the deposited monetary information in an information storage medium, and a lending control section that controls lending gaming media to a gaming machine. In a gaming system equipped with,
The deposit control unit stores the deposited monetary information up to a predetermined upper limit amount as deposit information, and when the deposited monetary information exceeds the upper limit amount, the excess monetary information is stored as repayment information. stored in the information storage medium;
The lending control unit controls lending gaming media to the gaming machine based on deposit information stored in the information storage medium ,
If the additional money information is stored in the information storage medium and a specific condition is met, the additional money information stored in the information storage medium is converted to the deposit information and the deposit is made. It is characterized by comprising a replenishment control section that replenishes money information .
As a result, when storing monetary information on an information storage medium for use in a game, it is possible to provide convenience and to take measures against dependence so as not to waste money excessively. Further, when the deposit information is exhausted, the deposit information can be replenished from the additional money information, thereby improving the user's convenience.

When the user inserts the information storage medium 10 ejected from the unit device 200 into the deposit settlement device 100 , the deposit settlement device 100 starts a settlement control process to be described later (step S24).

In step S177, if the settlement operation received by the settlement operation section 122 is neither a deposit settlement operation nor a repayment settlement operation, the settlement control section 170 determines that the settlement operation received by the settlement operation section 122 is a bulk settlement operation. If so, a lump sum settlement process is performed to refund the deposit information and repayment information stored in the accepted information storage medium 10. This batch payment process will be described in detail later using FIG. 11.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S178 .

In step S177-10 , the payment control unit 170 converts the repayment information stored in the repayment information storage area of the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100 into banknotes or coins, and refunds the converted banknotes from the banknote return slot 106. or refund the converted coins from the coin return port 107, converting all the additional money information into cash and refunding the money. Note that the additional money information stored in the additional money information storage area of the RAM of the deposit settlement device 100 may be converted into electronic money, and the converted electronic money may be configured to be refundable.
When this process is completed, the process moves to step S177-11.

In step S177-11 , the settlement control unit 170 clears the deposit information, additional money information, deposit payment date and time information, and additional money payment date and time information stored in the information storage medium 10.
When this process is finished, the current batch payment process is finished and the process moves to step S178 (see FIG. 8).

Furthermore, in the batch settlement process of this embodiment, the deposit information is converted into repayment information, and all repayment information is configured to be refundable (steps S177-7, S177-10 ).
This makes it possible to reduce the control burden and improve the speed at which refunds are provided, without having to separately convert the deposit information and the repayment information into cash in the batch settlement process. Furthermore, since deposit information with a first expiration date is converted into repayment information with a second expiration date that is longer than the first expiration date, it is flexible for various refund methods. It becomes possible to correspond to For example, when refunding electronic money, the expiration date of the repayment information is long, so it can be converted into valid electronic money.

Claims (8)

a deposit control unit that controls depositing monetary information and storing the deposited monetary information in an information storage medium;
a lending control unit that controls lending gaming media to the gaming machine;
In a gaming system equipped with
The deposit control unit is
For the deposited monetary information, up to a predetermined upper limit amount is stored as deposit information, and when the deposited monetary information exceeds the upper limit amount, the excess monetary information is stored in the information storage medium as repayment information. death,
The lending control unit includes:
A gaming system characterized by controlling the lending of gaming media to the gaming machine based on deposit information stored in the information storage medium. Equipped with an operation section that accepts user operations,
The deposit control unit is
If the monetary information is already stored in the information storage medium when a user's deposit operation is accepted by the operation unit, storing the newly deposited monetary information in the information storage medium is restricted. The gaming system according to claim 1, characterized by: a settlement control unit that refunds at least one of the deposit information and the additional money information stored in the information storage medium;
Equipped with
The payment control section includes:
When the monetary information is stored in the information storage medium, the monetary information of at least one of the deposit information and the additional money information may be refunded even if the operation unit does not accept the user's payment operation. The gaming system according to claim 2, wherein the gaming system is capable of: If the additional money information is stored in the information storage medium and a specific condition is met, the additional money information stored in the information storage medium is converted to the deposit information and the deposit is made. The gaming system according to claim 1, further comprising a replenishment control section that replenishes money information. The replenishment control section includes:
Even if the repayment information is stored in the information storage medium, if the deposit information is stored in the information storage medium, the repayment information is converted into the deposit information and the deposit information is stored in the information storage medium. The gaming system according to claim 4, wherein replenishment of money information is regulated. The payment control section includes:
When the deposit information is stored in the information storage medium, the deposit information can be refunded only on the day the deposit information is deposited;
When the repayment information is stored in the information storage medium, the repayment information can be refunded even after the day after the repayment information is deposited;
The replenishment control section includes:
Even if the chasing money information is stored in the information storage medium, if the chasing money information stored in the information storage medium is not the chasing money information deposited on the same day, the chasing money information is 5. The gaming system according to claim 4, further comprising: regulating conversion into deposit information to replenish the deposit information. The replenishment control section includes:
When there is a lending operation from a user, if the deposit information is not stored in the information storage medium but the repayment information is stored, the repayment amount stored in the information storage medium is 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: converting information into the deposit information to replenish the deposit information, and subtracting consumption money information corresponding to lending of gaming media from the replenished deposit information. gaming system. A deposit/settlement device having the deposit control section and the settlement control section, capable of accepting the information storage medium, and capable of discharging the accepted information storage medium;
a unit device having the lending control section and the replenishment control section, capable of accepting the information storage medium ejected by the payment settlement device, and capable of ejecting the accepted information storage medium;
a server that is communicably connected to the payment settlement device and the unit device and manages monetary information stored in the information storage medium;
5. The gaming system according to claim 4, comprising: