JP7273533B2 - Game management system and game management method - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game management system and a game management method, each of which is installed in a game machine for performing a game using game media and has each machine for performing processing related to the game media.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, amusement arcades provide games through game media. For example, in a pachinko game, game balls are used as game media, and the game is played by hitting the game balls onto the game board surface. A plurality of prize-winning areas (award-winning openings) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined number of game balls are provided as prize balls based on the game balls passing through the prize-winning areas. In this way, the number of game media increases or decreases depending on the result of the game, and the player can exchange the obtained game media for prizes.

A gaming machine is generally provided with each machine. Each machine accepts the deposit and lends out the game medium. In addition, each machine manages the number of game media acquired through a game as the number of game media, and performs replay processing to subtract the number of game media and pay out game media (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .).

Also, when the player ends the game and operates a return button provided on the gaming machine, each machine associates the number of game media managed by itself with the card and discharges the card. By presenting this card at the prize counter, the player can exchange it for prizes according to the number of associated game media. Also associated with the card is a value that can be used for lending out game media. The balance of the valuable value remaining at the end of the game can be settled at the settlement machine.

JP 2011-131037 A

However, with the conventional technology, it is necessary to deposit cash into each machine and receive a valuable value that can be used for lending out game media when the first game is started after entering the store. While various cashless payments are becoming more widely used, it is not convenient for users to require cash to start a game. It has been demanded.

On the other hand, a large number of machines are installed in amusement arcades, and it is a heavy burden for the amusement arcades to configure all the machine machines to perform cashless payments individually.

For these reasons, how to realize a game management system and a game management method that can handle cashless payments while reducing the burden on game parlors has become an important issue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a game management system and a game management method capable of handling cashless payments while reducing the burden on game parlors. and

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a game management system that is installed in a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium and that has a device that performs processing related to the game medium. payment information acquisition means for acquiring payment information indicating information related to payment from a terminal device carried by a player; association means for associating the machine identification information for identifying each machine with the payment information; payment processing means for executing payment processing based on the information; and granting means for granting a value related to the game medium based on the corresponding machine identification information when the payment processing is performed ; The means are characterized by adding value to a new storage medium if the respective machine exceeds an upper limit of value that can be associated with the storage medium in use.
Further, the present invention is a game management system which is installed in a game machine for playing games using game media and has each machine device for performing processing related to the game media, wherein settlement is performed from a terminal device carried by a player. payment information acquisition means for acquiring payment information indicating such information; association means for associating the payment information with the machine identification information for identifying each machine; and payment processing for executing payment processing based on the payment information. and granting means for granting a value related to the game medium based on the corresponding machine identification information when the payment processing is performed, wherein the granting means is a game medium in use by each of the machine devices. If the upper limit of the value that can be associated with the storage medium is exceeded, the granting of value related to the payment process is put on standby, and when it becomes possible to grant the value to the storage medium in use within the range of the upper limit. It is characterized by executing value assignment in a standby state.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the payment information obtaining means obtains the payment information by optically reading and decoding the code displayed by the terminal device.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, each of the machine devices further comprises limiting means for limiting the operations of the players, and the limiting means cancels the limitation on the condition that the code is read. do.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the correspondence means is provided in each machine device, and the payment processing means is provided in a management device that receives notification of the machine identification information and the payment information from each machine device. It is characterized by being provided.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, it further comprises notification means for notifying the terminal device of the completion of the settlement process.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, settlement information of completed settlement processing is held, and a refund destination is specified based on the settlement information when returning the value.

Further, the present invention relates to a game management method in a game management system, which is installed in a game machine for performing a game using a game medium and has each machine for performing processing related to the game medium, wherein the terminal is carried by a player. a payment information acquisition step of acquiring payment information indicating information related to payment from a device; a matching step of associating the payment information with the machine identification information that identifies each of the machine devices; and performing payment processing based on the payment information. a payment processing step to be executed; and a granting step of granting a value related to the game medium based on the corresponding machine identification information when the payment processing is performed , wherein the granting step includes each of the machines It is characterized by adding value to a new storage medium when the device exceeds the upper limit of value that can be associated with the storage medium in use.

According to the present invention, it is possible to cope with cashless settlement while suppressing the burden on the amusement arcade.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the game management system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the game parlor. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of an inter-machine card processing machine. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the inter-machine card processing machine. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device. (Part 1) FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device. (Part 2) FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for cashless payment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of refund processing by cashless payment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a modification relating to the provision of prepaid value.

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

In this specification, "balls in possession" refers to game media acquired by a player in a game or data indicating the number of such game media, which can be used again in the game only during the day (time before the store closes). Say what you can. Accumulated balls refer to game media acquired by a player in a game or data indicating the number of such game media, which can be used again in a game from the next day onwards (hours after the store closes). Possessed balls can be used by both general players and member players, and are used when the gaming machine used for the game is changed (so-called machine movement). The accumulated balls are normally usable only by the member players, and are used when the obtained game media are used in the game from the next day onwards. A predetermined fee may be charged for use of accumulated balls.

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

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 performs game ball lending processing, processing for replaying owned balls and stored balls, and counting processing for counting acquired game balls and adding them to owned balls based on the operation of the player. Perform various processing related to Also, when the player ends the game and operates a return button provided on the gaming machine, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 discharges the card after associating the number of balls managed by itself with the card.

The card management device 40 can communicate with a plurality of inter-machine card processing machines 10 in the amusement arcade, and manages the cards in association with balls held, prepaid values, and the like. The prepaid value is a valuable value that can be used for lending game balls, and is added by receiving money and subtracted by lending balls.

Specifically, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of banknotes, it transmits payment notification data including the amount of the banknotes to the card management device 40 , and stores the amount in the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40 . Add the number corresponding to When a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, a ball lending request is transmitted to the card management device 40, the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40 is subtracted, and the number of games corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value is played. Payout processing of balls is performed.

Furthermore, in the game management system shown in FIG. 1, prepaid value can be given by cashless settlement. First, when the terminal device 110 carried by the player determines the settlement amount based on the operation of the player, it generates information necessary for settlement such as the settlement amount and the account to be used for settlement as settlement data, and divides the settlement data into two. It is encoded into a dimension code and displayed (s1).

When the two-dimensional code displayed by the terminal device 110 is held up to the camera of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 decodes the two-dimensional code and acquires payment data (s2). The inter-machine card processing machine 10 associates the acquired payment data with the device ID for identifying itself as machine data (s3), and transmits the data to the card management device 40 (s4).

The card management device 40 stores the payment data and machine data received from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 (s5), and performs payment processing by transmitting the payment data to the payment device 100 provided outside the amusement arcade. (s6).

The settlement device 100 executes settlement by subtracting the settlement amount from the account indicated in the received settlement data, and transmits settlement completion to the card management device 40 (s7). The card management device 40 that has received the settlement completion notification specifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by the machine data corresponding to the transmitted payment data, performs the payment processing for the inter-machine card processor 10 for the settlement amount, and prepays. A value is added (s8), and the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is notified of the completion of payment and prepaid value addition (s9).

It is also possible to notify the terminal device 110 of the completion of payment (s10). For example, by including the address of the terminal device 110 in the payment data, the terminal device 110 can be notified when the payment device 100 completes payment. Similarly, the address of the terminal device 110 included in the settlement data by the card management device 40 can be read out and notified.

In this way, the inter-machine card processing machine 10, which is a machine installed alongside the gaming machine 20, acquires payment data indicating information related to payment from the terminal device 110 carried by the player, and identifies each machine. The table data and payment data are associated with each other. Then, the card management device 40 executes payment processing based on the payment data, and gives a prepaid value based on the corresponding stand data. With such a configuration, the card management device 40 manages the cashless payment and the provision of prepaid value in a large number of inter-machine card processing machines 10 in an integrated manner, instead of each inter-machine card processing machine 10 performing cashless payment. can be done. Therefore, it is possible to cope with cashless settlement while suppressing the burden on the amusement arcade.

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

The game machine 20 is a device for playing a game by hitting game balls onto a game board. A plurality of winning areas (award winning openings) are provided on the game board surface of the gaming machine 20, and a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls based on the game balls passing through the winning areas. It's becoming A predetermined number of starting areas (starting openings) are provided on the game board surface, and a predetermined lottery is conducted based on the passage of game balls through the starting areas. If the lottery results in a big hit, an operation that is advantageous in terms of the game is performed by operating a predetermined movable member, etc., such as improving the probability of the game ball passing through the winning area or another starting area. The result of the lottery by the ball passing through the starting port is displayed on a special pattern display device for displaying the lottery result. The display of the lottery results on the special symbol display device is performed in a manner in which a fixed display is performed after a predetermined period of variable display. In addition, the game board is provided with a decorative pattern display device that variably displays decorative patterns such as predetermined numbers based on the result of the lottery. , 7), etc., are displayed and notified. It is also possible to provide an area that serves as both the starting area and the winning area.

The winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of game balls into the winning area. It's becoming The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also has a prize memory that stores the number of game balls to be awarded as prizes for each prize area.

Therefore, when the winning sensor detects that the hit game balls have passed through the specific winning area, the gaming machine 20 determines from the stored contents of the winning ball memory and the number of game balls that have passed through the winning area. It is possible to determine the number of prize balls and perform payout processing for the determined number of prize balls. Moreover, regardless of whether or not the hit game balls have passed through the winning area, the game balls are finally discharged from the back side of the game board to the outside of the game machine. The game balls discharged to the outside of the gaming machine are detected by an out ball detection device attached to each gaming machine.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives payment, lends out game balls, and communicates with the card management device 40 . When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the banknotes inserted by the player, it transmits payment notification data including the amount of the banknotes to the card management device 40, and stores the amount in the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Add the number corresponding to When a predetermined ball lending operation is performed, a ball lending request is transmitted to the card management device 40, the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40 is subtracted, and the number of games corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value is played. Payout processing of balls is performed.

Further, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40 when the insertion of the card is accepted. Further, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives data including the prepaid value, the number of owned balls, and the number of accumulated balls from the card management device 40, it stores the received prepaid value, the number of owned balls, and the number of accumulated balls. After storing the number of balls held, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits the ball possession subtraction request data to the card management device 40, thereby setting the number of balls managed by the card management device 40 to zero. clear.

In addition, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the replay operation of the owned balls, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of owned balls stored in its own device, and pays out a number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted number of owned balls. conduct. Further, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the stored ball replay operation, it transmits stored ball replay request data to the card management device 40, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the number of stored balls managed by the member management device 50. Then, the payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted stored number of balls is performed.

Further, when receiving the card return operation, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits to the card management device 40 ball-in-hand addition request data including the number of balls-in-hand managed by itself, After adding the number, the card ejection notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40 to control card ejection.

The island controller 30 is a relay device for bundling a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-machine card processing machines 10 provided on a game island.

The card management device 40 is a device that manages the prepaid value of the card, the number of balls held, etc. as card data. Upon receiving the card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processor 10, the card management device 40 associates the card ID of the inserted card with the device ID of the inter-machine card processor 10 and manages the card ID. to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Further, when the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data is the card ID of the membership card, the card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data to the membership management device 50 and receives the card insertion notification data from the membership management device 50. The accumulated ball replay data is transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.例文帳に追加

Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball-on-hand subtraction request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the number of balls-on-hand to zero. Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball-in-hand addition request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the number of balls-in-hand included in the ball-in-hand addition request data is changed to the number of balls-in-hand managed by the card management device 40. to add.

Further, when the card management device 40 receives the ball lending request data from the inter-machine card processor 10, the card management device 40 subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID, and transfers the ball lending permission data to the inter-machine card processor 10. Send to When the accumulated ball replay request data is received, the accumulated ball replay request data is transmitted to the member management device 50, and when the member management device 50 outputs the accumulated ball replay data, the accumulated ball replay data is sent to the machine. Send to card processing machine 10 .

Further, when the card ID is received from the prize management device 60, the card management device 40 notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls associated with the card ID. Furthermore, when the card ID is received from the payment machine 80, the payment machine 80 is notified of the prepaid value associated with this card ID.

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

When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 generates accumulated ball replay data including the number of accumulated balls and a password associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data. It is transmitted to the interim card processing machine 10 . When the member management device 50 receives the accumulated ball replay request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the member management device 50 subtracts a predetermined number from the number of accumulated balls associated with the card ID indicated in the accumulated ball replay request data, Collected ball replay data including the number of accumulated balls after subtraction is transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.例文帳に追加Communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40 .

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

The prize management device 60 is a prize exchange terminal installed at a prize exchange counter in the amusement arcade, and performs prize exchange processing for exchanging acquired balls, the number of stored balls, and the number of owned balls for prizes. A card reader for reading a card ID from a card and a prize payout device for paying out prizes are connected to the prize management device 60 . When the prize management device 60 reads a card ID from a general card or a membership card (or reads identification data corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal or the like), the prize management device 60 transmits the card ID to the card management device 40. to request the number of balls possessed by the card ID. When exchanging the number of accumulated balls for a prize, the number of accumulated balls is requested from the member management device 50 .

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

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

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

Next, a description will be given of the ball replay process when the ball is replayed in the gaming system shown in FIG. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40 when the insertion of a general card or a membership card is accepted. This card insertion notification data consists of the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processor 10, the address or arbitrary identification data specifying the inter-machine card processor 10 that is the sender, and the inter-machine card processor. and data to specify the 10 rates.

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

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the number of balls received from the card management device 40 . Then, it transmits to the card management device 40 the card ID, the data specifying the rate, and the ball-on-hand subtraction request data indicating that the number of balls on hand is to be cleared to zero. Upon receiving the ball-on-hand subtraction request data, the card management device 40 clears the number of balls on each rate specified by the card ID to zero. Further, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the replay operation of the balls and replays the balls, the card processing machine 10 subtracts a predetermined number from the stored number of the balls and performs payout processing of the corresponding number of the game balls. . When performing payout processing, payout processing is performed by transmitting a payout instruction to the gaming machine for multiples of the unit that can be paid out by the gaming machine (for example, 25 balls), and for the remainder (for example, less than 25 balls), payout processing is performed by the machine itself. The dispensing process is performed by dispensing from the nozzle unit 18a.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits ball-in-hand addition request data to the card management device 40 when the card return operation is accepted. This ball-in-hand addition request data includes the card ID of the card to be returned, an address or arbitrary identification data specifying the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and the number of balls in each rate. .

When receiving the ball-in-hand addition request data, the card management device 40 adds the number of balls-in-hand contained in the ball-in-hand addition request data to the number of balls-in-hand for each rate associated with the card ID. Thereafter, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits card discharge notification data to the card management device 40 and controls card discharge.

Next, the stored ball replay processing in the gaming system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40 when the card ID is read from the member card or the mobile terminal that can be used as the member card. This card insertion notification data consists of the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processor 10, the address or arbitrary identification data specifying the inter-machine card processor 10 that is the sender, and the inter-machine card processor. and data to specify the 10 rates.

The card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data received from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 to the member management device 50 . When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data, the personal identification number associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data and the number of accumulated balls at the rate specified by the card insertion notification data. Then, stored ball replay data including the number of possible replays of stored balls is transmitted to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. - 特許庁The number of replayable stored balls indicates the number of stored balls that can be replayed. The possible number of replays of stored balls is a multiple of the number of payout units of game balls in the replay of stored balls. If an upper limit is set for the number of accumulated balls to be replayed, the maximum value within the range between the number of accumulated balls and the upper limit is the possible number of replays of the accumulated balls. Instead of the possible number of replays of the stored balls, the number of times the stored balls can be replayed may be used as the replay frequency of the stored balls. The replay frequency of accumulated balls corresponds to the quotient obtained by dividing the number of accumulated balls by the number of payout units of game balls in the replay of accumulated balls. However, when an upper limit is set for the replay of accumulated balls, the number of replays of accumulated balls is limited by this upper limit.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the received ball replay data, and makes it possible to accept the accumulated ball replay operation when the number of possible ball replays indicated in the accumulated ball replay data is 1 or more.

After storing the accumulated ball replay data, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 requests the player to enter a personal identification number when receiving the accumulated ball replay operation for the first time. It is determined whether or not it matches the personal identification number shown in .

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits accumulated ball replay request data to the card management device 40 when the personal identification numbers match. This stored ball replay request data includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processor 10, the address or arbitrary identification data specifying the inter-machine card processor 10 that is the sender, and the inter-machine card processing data. data for specifying the rate of aircraft 10;

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

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 updates the number of stored balls to be stored, and performs payout processing for the number of game balls corresponding to the number of payout units for replaying the stored balls. Also, it is determined whether or not the number of possible replays of accumulated balls after updating is 1 or more. If the number of possible replays of accumulated balls is 0, the operation of replaying accumulated balls is not accepted. If the number of possible replays of accumulated balls after updating is 1 or more, the operation of replaying accumulated balls can be accepted again. In the second and subsequent replays of the accumulated balls, confirmation of the personal identification number is unnecessary. In addition, you may make it confirm a personal identification number every time. Further, here, the case where the inter-machine card processing machine 10 performs the game ball payout process after the member management device 50 subtracts the balance of the accumulated balls has been exemplified, but the game ball payout process is performed based on the accumulated ball replay request. After doing so, the balance of the accumulated balls may be subtracted. This is because the stored ball replay data before the stored ball replay request indicates the possible number of stored ball replays, and the shortage of the balance will not be found after receiving the stored ball replay request.

Next, a description will be given of the transition from ball possession to ball storage in the closing process. The card management device 40 checks the number of balls in the card management data at the time of the closing process, and if there is a record associated with the number of balls greater than zero, the number of balls in the record is displayed together with the card ID and rate. The member management device 50 is notified. The member management device 50 adds the number of owned balls notified from the card management device 40 to the number of stored balls specified by the card ID and the rate. After that, the card management device 40 clears the number of possessed balls to zero.

Next, the appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. As shown in FIG. Note that FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the inter-machine card processor 10 connected to the gaming machine 20 as the inter-machine card processor 10 . Also, the gaming machine 20 installed side by side is illustrated with a dashed line. In addition, although FIG. 3 illustrates the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that accepts only banknotes, a unit having a function of accepting electronic money or coins associated with a mobile terminal or card can also be provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a state display portion 11, a banknote slot 12a, a display operation portion 13, a card slot 14a, a holding portion 14b, a nozzle unit 18a and a counting unit 18b.

The status display unit 11 is composed of, for example, multicolor LEDs, and displays the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by lighting or blinking in a predetermined color. The banknote insertion slot 12a is an insertion slot for various banknotes necessary for lending game balls. The display/operation unit 13 is configured by, for example, a full-color touch-panel liquid crystal display or the like, and is a device that displays operation buttons and receives input operations using the operation buttons. Although detailed illustration is omitted in FIG. 3, the display operation unit 13 has a flat plate shape with a long side on the side of the corresponding game machine 20 that is pivotally supported by the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The configuration is such that the angle formed by the front panel of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the display surface of the display/operation unit 13 can be changed.

The card insertion slot 14a is an insertion slot for a card owned by a player. The holding portion 14b is a portion where the mobile terminal used for member registration is held up. When the mobile terminal is held over the holding portion 14b, data such as the unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal is read from the mobile terminal. The nozzle unit 18 a is a mechanism for ejecting game balls to the gaming machine 20 . The nozzle unit 18a is composed of a cylindrical nozzle that is horizontally rotatable on the front surface of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the tip of the nozzle can be positioned in the storage section of the game machine. there is A game medium is supplied to the nozzles from a ball supply device in the inter-stand card processing machine that receives game media from a replenishment mechanism on the island where the inter-stand card processing machine 10 is installed. The counting unit 18b is a mechanism for counting game balls dropped from the lower tray of the gaming machine 20. As shown in FIG. The counting unit 18b includes a receiving tray for receiving game balls, a counting section provided in the lower part of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 for counting the game balls with a counting sensor, and a counting section for passing game media from the receiving tray to the counting section. It consists of a passage part. The receiving tray and the counting passage can be integrally removed from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 based on a predetermined operation (for example, an employee's remote control operation). Further, the counting section has a unit structure, and by removing the counting section, the tray section, and the counting passage section, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 can be operated without the counting function.

Further, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a camera 13a as a characteristic configuration of this embodiment. In FIG. 3, the camera 13a is arranged below the shadow portion 14b. The camera 13a is used when capturing an image of the two-dimensional code displayed by the terminal device 110 .

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

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

The reader/writer 14 is a device for reading a card ID from a card inserted into the card slot 14a. A card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a passes through the reader/writer 14 and is stored in a card storage section (not shown). The holding unit 14b is an interface unit that reads various information such as a unique ID (for example, IDm) of the mobile terminal through short-range wireless communication when the mobile terminal or the like is held up. In addition, the reader/writer 14 has a function of associating value data such as balls and prepaid value shown in the card data 16b with the card stored in the card storage unit in response to the player's returning operation, and issuing a new card. also have However, if the prepaid value shown in the card data 16b is 0 and the number of balls held is less than a certain number (minimum number of held balls), the card is controlled not to be returned even if there is a return operation. This is a control to prevent the loss of the amusement arcade due to the discarding of cards associated with a small number of balls. The same applies to cards (excluding membership cards). As the fixed number, for example, it is possible to set the value obtained by multiplying the number of balls in possession by the rental unit price per ball to be the value of the card or the lowest price prize in the amusement arcade, but this is not limitative. It can be freely set according to the policy of the store. In addition, when controlling so as not to return the card even if there is a return operation, it is possible to process the payout of the stored ball, but display that the card cannot be returned and/or replay the ball. A prompt may be displayed.

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

The storage unit 16 is a storage device such as a hard disk device or a non-volatile memory. The storage unit 16 stores self-device status data 16a, card data 16b, and payment data 16c.

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

The card data 16b is data relating to the card being used by the player. The card data 16b includes a card ID, a prepaid value, owned balls, accumulated balls, the number of accumulated balls that can be replayed, and the like. There is data for each game type (rate) for the balls held and stored. The card ID is the card ID read by the reader/writer 14 . When a card is transported from a card storage unit (not shown) to the card insertion slot 14a and ejected, the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader/writer 14 during transport. Also, when the card is conveyed from the card insertion slot 14a to a card storage section (not shown), the card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by the reader/writer 14 during this conveyance.

The payment data 16c is data acquired from the terminal device 110 and stored. Specifically, various information obtained by decoding the two-dimensional code imaged by the camera 13a (information necessary for payment such as payment ID, payment amount, and account used for payment) is shown.

The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-machine card processing machine 10, and includes a data management unit 17a, a counting processing unit 17b, a payment data acquisition unit 17c, a correspondence processing unit 17d, a restriction processing unit 17e, and a refund processing. It has a portion 17f.

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

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

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

Further, when the player replays the balls held, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number from the number of balls held indicated in the card data 16b, and performs payout processing of the corresponding number of game balls. conduct.

Further, when the possible number of accumulated balls replay indicated in the card data 16b is 1 or more, the data management unit 17a displays a accumulated balls replay button on the display operation unit 13, and can accept the accumulated balls replay operation. and The data management unit 17a transmits accumulated ball replay request data including the card ID and the inter-machine card processing machine ID to the member management device 50 when the player performs the accumulated ball replay operation. When the accumulated ball replay data is received as a response to the accumulated ball replay request data, the number of accumulated balls in the card data 16b is updated, and the game ball payout process of the payout unit number of the accumulated ball replay is performed. At the time of the first accumulated ball replay operation, the input of the personal identification number is requested, and the accumulated ball replay request data is transmitted on the condition that the personal identification number matches the personal identification number indicated in the card data 16b.

Further, when the player performs a card return operation, the data management unit 17a transmits to the card management device 40 ball-in-hand addition request data including the card ID, the device ID, and the number of balls-in-hand, and collects the card data 16b. is cleared to zero, card discharge notification data is transmitted to the card management device 40, and the card is discharged.

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

The data management unit 17a can also perform processing related to the wagon service. The wagon service is a service in which a game clerk puts goods such as drinks and cigarettes in a wagon and goes around the amusement arcade to sell them to players who are playing games. In this wagon service, it is possible to pay with cash or the like, as well as with balls held or saved. When paying for the wagon service with balls or stored balls, a game clerk can issue an instruction to the inter-stand card processor 10 through a clerk terminal (for example, a remote control terminal), and the inter-stand card processor 10 can be used to settle the wagon service. state. Then, information capable of specifying the number of owned balls and stored balls to be subtracted as consideration is input to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 . This input processing is performed by inputting numerical values through the display/operation unit 13 of the inter-machine card processing machine or the operation unit of the clerk's terminal. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the input, it waits for an employee recording medium (for example, a wagon card) to be used for the wagon service. When the wagon card is accepted, the data management unit 17a subtracts the input number of balls and stored balls from the number indicated by the card data 16b, and discharges it in association with the employee recording medium. In addition, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives an employee recording medium without receiving an input of information that can specify the number of held balls or stored balls to be subtracted as consideration, settlement of the wagon service is performed. A process of returning the employee recording medium is performed without doing so. In addition, when accepting input of information that can specify the number of balls and accumulated balls to be subtracted as consideration during payment for the wagon service, the operation of replaying the held balls and accumulated balls and the operation of returning the recording medium are accepted. In that case, conflict between the two processes is suppressed by restricting the replay operation/return operation by rejecting it, or by canceling the settlement of the wagon service.

When game balls are thrown into the counting unit 18b, the counting processing unit 17b causes the counting unit 18b to count the game balls, and performs a process of adding the counting result to the number of balls in the card data 16b.

The payment data acquisition unit 17c is a processing unit that decodes the two-dimensional code and acquires payment data when the camera 13a captures an image of the two-dimensional code. The payment data is data indicating various information related to payment, such as payment ID, payment amount, and account used for payment. The payment data obtaining unit 17c stores the various information obtained by decryption in the storage unit 16 as the payment data 16c.

The association processing unit 17d associates the machine identification information for identifying the own device with the payment data,
A process of transmitting to the card management device 40 is performed. As the machine identification information, the device ID of the device status data 16a may be used.

The restriction processing unit 17e performs processing for restricting the operations of the players. Specifically, a personal identification number or the like can be requested for a specific operation such as card return, and the card can be returned on the condition that the correct personal identification number is accepted. Also, when the player leaves the seat, it is possible to shift to a rest mode in which all operations are temporarily prohibited, and to cancel the rest mode on the condition that the correct personal identification number is accepted.

Here, the restriction processing unit 17e can cancel the restriction using the payment data instead of the personal identification number. The payment data acquired by the payment data acquisition unit 17c is transmitted to the card management device 40 together with the table data, and used for payment by cashless payment. The used payment data 16c cannot be used again for payment. can be used as

That is, a player who displays a two-dimensional code on the terminal device 110 and holds it up to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 to make a cashless payment can return the card or cancel the rest mode by holding up the same two-dimensional code. will be performed.

The refund processing unit 17f is a processing unit that refunds the prepaid value by cashless payment. When the refund processing unit 17f receives a refund operation requesting a refund by cashless payment while the payment data 16c is stored in the storage unit 16, the refund processing unit 17f settles the amount corresponding to the prepaid value indicated in the card data 16b. Refund data is generated using the account indicated in the settlement data 16c as the remittance destination account.

The refund processing unit 17 f transmits the generated refund data to the card management device 40 . The card management device 40 executes settlement processing based on the received refund data, clears the prepaid value of the card being used in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the transmission source to zero, and completes the refund.

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

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

The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "1001". Here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, a card with the first digit "1" is a general card, and a card with the first digit "2" is a membership card. Also, the card data 16b indicates a state where the prepaid value is "2000 points". Here, one degree of the prepaid value is equivalent to 1 yen. Further, the card data 16b indicates that the number of balls held by ball 1 is "375 balls", the number of balls held by ball 2 is "500 balls", and the number of balls held by ball 3 is "2000 balls". showing.

The card data 16b can store a personal identification number, the number of replayable accumulated balls, and the number of accumulated balls of each game type as data related to accumulated balls. Therefore, these data are marked with "-" to indicate not applicable. Although the number of replayable balls is stored as the replayable number here, the number of replayable balls may be stored as the replay frequency. Although not shown, the card management device 40 also stores ON/OFF of a "lock" flag indicating validity/invalidity of the card in addition to the balls held, stored balls, and prepaid value in association with the card ID. , is turned ON by an employee's operation when the theft of the card is discovered. These data are also included in the card data 16b and stored. Furthermore, this "lock" flag can be set for each function ("use of accumulated balls", "boarding", etc.). , can also be used to prevent erroneous operations. In this specification, the term "entering" means converting the number of game media at a certain rate into the number of game media at another rate based on the ratio of the unit price of the game media. In a specific example, in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 associated with the 4-yen rate, using the number of balls X of the 1-yen rate, the number of balls X×(1-yen/4-yen)=X/4 can be exemplified. This "boarding" function can be enabled/disabled by the member management device 50 according to the management policy of the store.

In the payment data 16c shown in FIG. 5(c), the payment ID, which is identification information that uniquely identifies the payment, is "A001", the account used for payment is "B bank C branch ordinary 123456", and the amount is A state of "10000" is shown.

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

The display operation unit 111 is an input/output interface such as a touch panel display that performs display output and operation input. A speaker 112 is an output interface that outputs audio. The camera 113 is an imaging device used for capturing still images and moving images. The communication unit 114 is a communication interface for data communication with the card management device 40, the payment device 100, etc. via a predetermined network such as the Internet.

The storage unit 115 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory, and stores user data 115a, payment data 115b, etc. in addition to various programs. The user data 115a is various data related to the user of the terminal device 110, and can include name, address, e-mail address, financial institution account, and the like. The payment data 115b indicates information necessary for payment, such as the payment amount and the account used for payment.

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

The payment data generation unit 116a is a processing unit that generates information necessary for payment as payment data 115b. The payment data 115b includes a payment ID that uniquely identifies a payment, a payment amount, an account used for payment, and the like. The payment ID is determined by the payment data generator 116a. The settlement amount is determined by the operation of the player who is the operator. The account to be used for payment is determined by accepting a selection from, for example, accounts stored in the user data 115a. The payment data generation unit 116 a stores the generated payment data 115 b in the storage unit 115 .

The encoding processing unit 116b encodes the payment data 115b into a two-dimensional code and performs processing for controlling display on the display operation unit 111. FIG. The encoding and display of the two-dimensional code can be performed when the payment data generation unit 116a generates the payment data 115b, or can be performed at any timing based on the player's operation. It is also possible to store the two-dimensional code in association with the payment data 115b, read it out as appropriate, and display it.

Next, the configuration of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of card management device 40 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7 , the card management device 40 has a display section 41 , an input section 42 , an external network communication section 43 , a store network communication section 44 , a storage section 45 and a control section 46 .

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

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

The game type setting data 45a is data in which the lending rate and the display name are associated with the game type. The card management data 45b is data that associates the prepaid value, the number of balls for each game type, and the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 into which the card is inserted with the card ID. be. The device management data 45c is data relating to the devices arranged in the amusement arcade. The device management data 45c includes the device ID of the inter-machine card processor, the address of the inter-machine card processor 10, the installation location, the gaming machine ID of the installed gaming machine, and model data.

The payment management data 45d is data for managing cashless payment at the amusement arcade. Specifically, the payment management data 45d is data in which the payment data is associated with the table data and the processing data. The processing data indicates the processing status of the payment data, such as the date and time when the payment data was received, the date and time when the payment was processed, and the date and time when the prepaid value was added.

The control unit 46 is a control unit that controls the entire card management device 40, and includes a game type setting management unit 46a, a card management unit 46b, a device management unit 46c, a payment processing unit 46d, a value addition unit 46e, and a completion notification unit 46f. have In practice, programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed. 46a, the card management unit 46b, the device management unit 46c, the settlement processing unit 46d, the value adding unit 46e, and the completion notification unit 46f are caused to execute corresponding processes.

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

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

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

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

When the card management unit 46b receives the accumulated ball replay request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the card management unit 46b transfers the accumulated ball replay request data to the member management device 50. FIG. In addition, the response data from the member management device 50 to the stored ball replay request data is also transferred to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 .

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

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

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

The settlement processing unit 46 d is a processing unit that executes settlement processing based on the settlement data received from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 . Upon receiving the payment data and the machine data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the payment processing unit 46d associates the payment data with the machine data, associates the new processing data, and stores it in the storage unit 45 as the payment management data 45d. do. In the newly processed data, the date and time of reception is the date and time of receipt of the payment data and the table data, and other dates and times are blank.

The payment processing unit 46d also performs payment processing by transmitting payment data to the payment device 100 provided outside the amusement arcade. After that, upon receiving a payment completion notice from the payment apparatus 100, the payment processing unit 46d updates the payment date and time of the payment management data 45d with the reception date and time of the payment completion notice.

The value giving unit 46e is a processing unit that gives a prepaid value when the payment processing unit 46d receives a payment completion notice and the payment processing is completed. Specifically, when the settlement process is completed, the value adding unit 46e identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by the corresponding machine data. If the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is specified, the card ID in use is specified by the card management data 45b. Therefore, assuming that payment processing for the settlement amount has occurred in the specified inter-machine card processing machine 10, the prepaid value for the settlement amount is added to the prepaid value for the specified card ID to give the prepaid value. When the value giving unit 46e gives the prepaid value, it updates the given date and time of the payment management data 45d with the given date and time.

Although a detailed description is omitted here, in the case of accumulating and managing the history of deposits in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the history of deposits by cashless payment is the same as the history of deposits by inserting money. to manage.

The completion notification unit 46f is a processing unit that notifies completion of payment processing and provision of prepaid value. The completion notifying unit 46f notifies the corresponding inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the completion of the payment when the settlement processing is completed and the payment is made. Also, when the provision of the prepaid value is completed, the corresponding inter-machine card processing machine 10 is notified of the completion of payment. Note that when the prepaid value is completed within a predetermined time after the payment is completed, the completion of the payment and the completion of the prepaid value may be notified collectively. Moreover, if the address of the terminal device 110 is included in the payment data, the completion notification unit 46f can also notify the terminal device 110 of the completion of payment.

Next, an example of data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 7 will be described. 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit 45 of the card management device 40. FIG.

The game type setting data 45a shown in FIG. 8A associates the game type name "ball 1" with the rate "4 yen" and the display name "4 pachi". The game type setting data 45a associates the game type name "ball 2" with the rate "2 yen" and the display name "2 pachi". The game type setting data 45a associates the game type name "ball 3" with the rate "1 yen" and the display name "1 pachi".

In the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 8(b), the card ID "1001" has a prepaid value of "2500", the number of balls held by ball 1 is "1500", the number of balls held by ball 2 is "2300", and the number of balls held by ball 3 is "2300". is associated with the number of possession balls "0". That is, the card with the card ID "1001" is not inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the card management device 40 manages the balls in hand.

In the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 8(b), the card ID "1002" is associated with the prepaid value "500", the number of balls at each rate "0", and the device ID "3004". That is, the card with the card ID "1002" is inserted into the inter-machine card processor 10 with the device ID "3004", and the management of the number of balls held is transferred to the inter-machine card processor 10. FIG. Therefore, the number of balls at each rate is zero.

In the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 8(b), the card ID "2002" is associated with the prepaid value "2000", the number of balls held at each rate "0", and the destination device ID "3001". That is, the card with the card ID "2002" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the device ID "3001", and the management of the ball is transferred to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. FIG. Therefore, the number of balls at each rate is zero.

In the device management data 45c shown in FIG. 8(c), the address on the network of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the ID "3001" is "AB.CD.EF.GH" and the installation location is "Island 1-1. ”, the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is “P001”, the game type is “BALL 3”, and the model of the connected gaming machine 20 is “EV01”. It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

The payment management data 45d shown in FIG. 9(d) associates payment data, machine data, and processing data. The payment data includes payment ID, account, amount, and the like. The processing data includes date and time of reception, date and time of payment, and date and time of grant.

FIG. 9D shows a state in which the payment ID of the payment data is "A001", the account is "B bank C branch ordinary 123456", and the amount is "10000". In addition, the machine data is "device ID: 3001", the reception date and time of the processing data is "2019/01/10 13:31", and the processing data payment date and time is "2019/01/10 13:32". and the date and time of processing data is "2019/01/10 13:33".

Next, a processing procedure for cashless payment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for cashless payment. First, the payment data generation unit 116a of the terminal device 110 generates payment data indicating information necessary for payment (step S101), the encoding processing unit 116b encodes the payment data into a two-dimensional code (step S102), and displays the data. Display control is performed on the operation unit 111 (step S103).

When the camera 13a of the inter-stand card processing machine 10 captures the two-dimensional code displayed on the display operation unit 111 of the terminal device 110, the payment data acquisition unit 17c of the inter-stand card processing machine 10 reads the two-dimensional code (step S201), decodes the read two-dimensional code (step S202), and acquires payment data (step S203).

The association processing unit 17d of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sets the device ID of its own device as machine data, associates it with the acquired payment data (step S204), and transmits it to the card management device 40 (step S205).

When the payment processing unit 46d of the card management device 40 receives the payment data and the card data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the payment processing unit 46d associates the new processing data with the new processing data and stores them in the storage unit 45 as the payment management data 45d (step S301). . Further, the payment processing unit 46d performs payment processing by transmitting payment data to the payment device 100 provided outside the amusement arcade (step S302).

After that, upon receiving a payment completion notification from the payment apparatus 100 (step S303), the value adding section 46e of the card management apparatus 40 identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by the corresponding machine data (step S304). Then, assuming that the specified inter-machine card processing machine 10 has received payment for the settlement amount, a prepaid value for the settlement amount is given (step S305).

The completion notification unit 46f of the card management device 40 notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the completion of the payment and the completion of the provision of the prepaid value (step S306). Also, if the address of the terminal device 110 is included in the payment data, the completion notification unit 46f notifies the terminal device 110 of the completion of payment (step S307), and terminates the process.

Next, refund processing by cashless payment will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of refund processing by cashless payment. When the refund processing unit 17f of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a refund operation for requesting a refund by cashless payment while the payment data 16c is stored in the storage unit 16 (s21), The amount corresponding to the received prepaid value is set as the payment amount, and refund data is generated using the account indicated in the past payment data 16c as the remittance destination account (s22).

The refund processing unit 17f transmits the generated refund data to the card management device 40 (s23). The card management device 40 performs payment processing by transmitting the received refund data to the payment device 100 (s24).

The payment apparatus 100 executes payment for the refund by adding the payment amount to the account indicated in the received refund data, and transmits payment completion to the card management apparatus 40 (s25). The card management device 40 that has received the settlement completion notification clears the prepaid value of the card being used in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, which is the source of the refund data, to zero (s26), and completes the refund and prepaid value. is notified to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 (s27).

It is also possible to notify the terminal device 110 of the completion of the refund (s28). For example, by including the address of the terminal device 110 in the refund data, the terminal device 110 can be notified when the settlement device 100 completes the settlement. Similarly, it is also possible for the card management device 40 to read out the address of the terminal device 110 included in the refund data and make a notification.

Next, a modified example of giving prepaid value will be described. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a modification relating to the provision of prepaid value. When an upper limit is set for the prepaid value that can be associated with one card, adding the prepaid value for the payment settlement amount may exceed the upper limit of the prepaid value.

In such a case, the value adding unit 46e of the card management device 40 performs control based on the balance of the prepaid value of the card ID in use or the presence or absence of the prepaid value of the card ID in use.

FIG. 12(a) shows control based on the prepaid value balance. In this control, if the sum of the prepaid value balance and the value corresponding to the deposited amount is less than the upper limit (for example, 11000 yen), the deposited amount is added to the prepaid value balance of the card currently in use. On the other hand, if the sum of the prepaid value balance and the value corresponding to the deposited amount exceeds the upper limit (for example, 11000 yen), the card currently in use is discharged, and the deposited amount is added to the prepaid value balance of the next card. . Alternatively, the card management device 40 may manage the deposited amount and wait until the balance of the prepaid value of the card currently in use decreases and the addition becomes possible within the upper limit.

FIG. 12(b) shows control based on the presence or absence of prepaid value. In this control, if the balance of the prepaid value is "none", that is, if the balance of the prepaid value is zero, the prepaid value of the card currently in use is added to the amount of the deposit. On the other hand, if there is a prepaid value, that is, if the balance of the prepaid value is not zero, the card that is currently in use is discharged, and the prepaid value is added to the next card for the amount that has been charged. Alternatively, the card management device 40 may manage the deposited amount and wait until the balance of the prepaid value of the card currently in use becomes "none".

As described above, in the present embodiment, the inter-machine card processing machine 10, which is an apparatus attached to the gaming machine 20, acquires payment data indicating information related to payment from the terminal device 110 carried by the player. Then, the machine data for identifying each machine and the payment data are associated with each other. Then, the card management device 40 executes payment processing based on the payment data, and gives a prepaid value based on the corresponding stand data. With such a configuration, the card management device 40 manages the cashless payment and the provision of prepaid value in a large number of inter-machine card processing machines 10 in an integrated manner, instead of each inter-machine card processing machine 10 performing cashless payment. can be done. Therefore, it is possible to cope with cashless settlement while suppressing the burden on the amusement arcade.

In addition, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 can acquire payment data by optically reading and decoding the code displayed by the terminal device.

In addition, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 can restrict the operation of the player, and can release the restriction on the condition that the code is read.

It is also possible for the card management device 40 or the payment device 100 to notify the terminal device 110 of the completion of payment processing.

It is also possible for the inter-machine card processing machine 10 to hold payment data for which payment processing has been completed, and to specify a refund destination based on the payment data when returning the prepaid value.

It is also possible to add value to a new storage medium if the inter-machine card processing machine 10 exceeds the upper limit of the value that can be associated with the storage medium in use.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 exceeds the upper limit of the value that can be associated with the storage medium in use, the addition of the value related to the payment processing is put in a standby state, and the storage medium in use is placed within the upper limit. It is also possible to execute the value giving in the waiting state when it becomes possible to give the value in .

In this embodiment, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 associates the payment data with the machine data. may be associated with each other.

Also, in this embodiment, the card management device 40 performs the payment processing, but it is also possible to configure another device to perform the payment processing, such as providing a dedicated device for payment.

Also, in this embodiment, the terminal device 110 generates payment data and encodes it into a two-dimensional code, but the terminal device 110 requests another device such as the payment device 100 to perform these processes. may be configured.

In this embodiment, the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is used as the machine data. can. Also, the information specifying the store and the gaming machine may be input by the player to the terminal device 110 as machine data.

In addition, in this embodiment, the account of the past payment data is used as the account of the refund destination. good.

In this embodiment, the prepaid value is refunded by cashless payment. , the settlement machine 80 can be used for settlement.

Also, in the present embodiment, the case where cashless payment is used for the purchase of prepaid value in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has been described, but other devices may be configured to carry out cashless payment. For example, a ticket vending machine that sells cards to which a prepaid value is added by money or debit settlement may be configured to support cashless settlement. Also, the prize management device 60 may be configured to support cashless settlement.

Also, a minimum amount may be set for the use of cashless payment, and the use of cashless payment may be restricted if the amount is less than the minimum amount.

In addition, in this embodiment, the configuration for exchanging information related to cashless payment using a two-dimensional code has been described as an example. may be configured to perform

In the above-described embodiment, a detailed description of the form of the card, which is the medium associated with the number of game media, has been omitted, but such cards include magnetic cards, IC cards, and the like. In addition, although the "card" is used as an example for convenience of explanation, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a chip, a stick, a portable terminal, or the like is used other than such a card.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case of using game balls as game media has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to the case of using medals for slot machines.

Also, each configuration illustrated is a functional schematic, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of distribution/integration of each device is not limited to the illustrated one, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed/integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the game management system and game management method according to the present invention are suitable for dealing with cashless payments while reducing the burden on game parlors.

10 inter-machine card processing machine 11 status display unit 12 banknote transport unit 12a banknote insertion slot 13, 111 display operation unit 13a, 113 camera 14 reader/writer 14a card insertion slot 14b holding unit 15, 114 communication unit 16, 45, 115 storage unit 16a own device state data 16b card data 16c, 115b payment data 17, 46, 116 control unit 17a data management unit 17b counting processing unit 17c payment data acquisition unit 17d correspondence processing unit 17e restriction processing unit 17f refund processing unit 18a nozzle unit 18b Counting unit 20 Game machine 30 Island controller 40 Card management device 41 Display unit 42 Input unit 43 External network communication unit 44 Store network communication unit 45a Game type setting data 45b Card management data 45c Device management data 45d Settlement management data 46a Game type setting Management unit 46b Card management unit 46c Device management unit 46d Payment processing unit 46e Value addition unit 46f Completion notification unit 50 Membership management device 60 Prize management device 80 Payment machine 100 Payment device 110 Terminal device 112 Speaker 115a User data 115b Payment data 116a Payment data Generation unit 116b Encoding processing unit

Claims (8)

A game management system that is installed alongside a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium, and that has each machine device that performs processing related to the game medium,
payment information acquisition means for acquiring payment information indicating information related to payment from a terminal device carried by a player;
means for associating machine identification information for identifying each machine with the payment information;
payment processing means for executing payment processing based on the payment information;
a granting means that grants a value related to the game medium based on the corresponding machine identification information when the settlement process is performed ,
The granting means grants a value to a new storage medium when the upper limit of value that each of the devices can associate with the storage medium in use is exceeded.
A game management system characterized by : A game management system that is installed alongside a gaming machine that performs a game using a game medium, and that has each machine device that performs processing related to the game medium,
payment information acquisition means for acquiring payment information indicating information related to payment from a terminal device carried by a player;
means for associating machine identification information for identifying each machine with the payment information;
payment processing means for executing payment processing based on the payment information;
granting means for granting a value related to the game medium based on the corresponding machine identification information when the payment processing is performed;
with
When the upper limit of the value that can be associated with the storage medium in use by each of the devices exceeds the upper limit of the value that can be associated with the storage medium in use, the provision means puts the provision of value related to the payment processing into a standby state, and the storage medium in use reaches the upper limit. Execute the above-mentioned waiting state value grant when it becomes possible to grant value within the range
A game management system characterized by: 3. The game management system according to claim 1, wherein said payment information obtaining means obtains said payment information by optically reading and decoding a code displayed by said terminal device. Each of the machine devices further comprises limiting means for limiting the operation of the player,
4. A game management system according to claim 3 , wherein said restriction means cancels said restriction on condition that said code is read. The correspondence means is provided in each of the table devices,
5. The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein said payment processing means is provided in a management device that receives notification of said machine identification information and said payment information from each of said machine devices. 6. The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising notifying means for notifying said terminal device of the completion of said payment processing. 7. The game management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein payment information of completed payment processing is held, and a refund destination is specified based on the payment information when returning the value. A game management method in a game management system that is installed alongside a game machine that performs a game using a game medium and has each machine that performs processing related to the game medium,
a payment information acquisition step of acquiring payment information indicating information related to payment from a terminal device carried by a player;
an associating step of associating machine identification information for identifying each machine with the payment information;
a payment processing step of executing payment processing based on the payment information;
a granting step of granting a value related to the game medium based on the corresponding machine identification information when the settlement process is performed ;
The granting step grants a value to a new storage medium if the respective machine exceeds an upper limit of value that can be associated with the storage medium in use.
A game management method characterized by :

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