JP7466279B2 - Gaming management system and gaming management method - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a gaming management system and a gaming management method that are attached to gaming machines that play games using gaming media and have individual machine devices that perform processing related to the gaming media.

Conventionally, gaming establishments offer games that involve gaming media. For example, in pachinko games, gaming balls are used as gaming media, and the game is played by shooting the gaming balls into the gaming board. The gaming board is provided with a number of winning areas (winning holes), and a predetermined number of gaming balls are awarded as prize balls based on the passing of a gaming ball through a winning area. In this way, the number of gaming media increases or decreases depending on the outcome of the game, and players can exchange the gaming media they have won for prizes.

It is common for gaming machines to be equipped with individual machine devices. Each machine device accepts deposits and performs a process of lending out gaming media. In addition, each machine device manages the number of gaming media acquired through play as the number of owned gaming media, and performs a replay process in which the number of owned gaming media is subtracted and gaming media is paid out (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

When a player finishes playing, he or she presses the return button on the gaming machine, and each machine associates the number of gaming media held by that machine with the card and then dispenses it. By presenting this card at a prize counter, the player can exchange it for a prize corresponding to the associated number of gaming media held. The card is also associated with a value that can be used to lend out gaming media. Any remaining value at the end of the game can be settled at the settlement machine.

It is also being considered to provide value that can be used to lend gaming media through various cashless payments, in addition to cash.

JP 2011-131037 A

However, when value can be assigned in multiple ways, such as through cash and cashless payment, the question arises of how to settle unused value. If value was purchased with cash payment, the remainder is usually returned in cash, and if value was purchased with cashless payment, the remainder is returned to the original cashless payment balance. However, when value was purchased with multiple methods, there may be a demand to settle it all together in a specific method. There may also be a demand to settle it using a method other than the method used for purchase.

Furthermore, fees may be required when making cashless payments or settlements, but there is a problem of how to collect fees when value can be purchased in multiple ways, especially when the method of purchase and settlement are different.

For these reasons, an important issue was how to realize a gaming management system and gaming management method that could appropriately handle multiple payment methods at gaming establishments.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a gaming management system and a gaming management method that can appropriately handle multiple payment methods in an amusement facility.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a gaming management system that is attached to a gaming machine for playing games using a gaming medium and has each machine device that performs processing related to the gaming medium, and is characterized in that it comprises a value assignment means that is capable of assigning value related to the gaming medium using a cash payment or cashless payment payment method, a value management means that associates and manages the balance of the value with the payment method, a settlement means that is capable of settling the balance of the value using a cash settlement method for returning cash or a cashless settlement method for adding a balance for cashless payment, and a setting means that sets a settlement fee for each combination of the cash payment and cashless payment method and the cash settlement or cashless settlement method corresponding to each payment method .

In addition, the present invention, in the above invention, is characterized in that it further comprises a setting means for setting a settlement fee for the combination of the payment method and the settlement method.

Furthermore, in the above invention, the value management means manages the balance of value when the value granted through the cash payment and the cashless payment is used, assuming that the value granted first was used first.

Furthermore, in the above invention, the value management means manages the balance of the value by assuming that, when the value granted by the cash payment and the cashless payment is used, the value paid by a payment method having a high priority that is designated in advance has been used first.

Furthermore, in the above invention, the settlement means is characterized in that, when settling the balance of value granted through cash payment and cashless payment , the value is used in such a way that the settlement fee is minimized.

The present invention also provides a gaming management method in a gaming management system that is attached to a gaming machine for playing games using a gaming medium and has each machine device that performs processing related to the gaming medium, and is characterized in including a value assignment step of assigning value to the gaming medium using a cash payment or cashless payment payment method, a value management step of managing the balance of the value in association with the payment method, a settlement step of settling the balance of the value using a cash settlement method for returning cash or a cashless settlement method for adding a balance for cashless payment, and a setting step of setting a settlement fee for each combination of the cash payment and cashless payment method and the cash settlement or cashless settlement method corresponding to each payment method .

The present invention allows gaming establishments to appropriately handle multiple payment methods.

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 an amusement arcade. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the memory unit of the inter-machine card processing machine. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the card management device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of data stored in the storage unit of the card management device (part 2). FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the settlement machine shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the settlement machine. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the purchase of prepaid value by cashless payment. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the settlement of prepaid value by cashless payment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of purchasing prepaid value. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of settlement of prepaid value.

Below, a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the gaming management system and gaming management method according to the present invention will be given with reference to the attached drawings.

In this specification, retained balls refer to data indicating game media or the number of game media acquired by a player in a game, which can be used again for play only on that day (before closing time). Saved balls refer to data indicating game media or the number of game media acquired by a player in a game, which can be used again for play on the following day (after closing time). Retained balls can be used by both general players and member players, and are used when the gaming machine used for play is changed (so-called machine transfer). Saved balls are usually only available to member players, and are used when acquired game media are used for play on the following day or later. A specified fee may be charged for the use of saved balls.

First, the concept of the gaming management system according to this embodiment will be explained. Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the concept of the gaming management system according to this embodiment. A gaming establishment is equipped with multiple gaming machines 20, and each gaming machine 20 is equipped with an inter-machine card processing machine 10, which is an individual machine device.

Based on the player's operation, the between-machine card processing machine 10 performs various processes related to game balls, such as the lending process of game balls, the replay process of held and saved balls, and the counting process of counting acquired game balls and adding them to the held balls. When the player finishes playing and operates the return button on the gaming machine, the between-machine card processing machine 10 associates the number of held balls managed by the machine with the card and then ejects it.

The card management device 40 can communicate with multiple inter-machine card processing machines 10 in the gaming facility, and manages cards by associating them with balls held and prepaid value. Prepaid value is a valuable value that can be used to lend game balls, and is added when a player deposits money and subtracted when a ball is lent.

Specifically, when the inter-machine card processing device 10 accepts the insertion of a bill, it transmits deposit notification data including the amount of the bill to the card management device 40, and causes the card management device 40 to add a number corresponding to the amount to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Then, when a specified ball lending operation is performed, it transmits a ball lending request to the card management device 40, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40, and performs a payout process for the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

Furthermore, in the gaming management system according to this embodiment, prepaid value can be added by cashless payment. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts an operation requesting a deposit by cashless payment, it generates payment data, encodes it into a two-dimensional code, and displays it. The terminal device 110 carried by the player uses a camera to capture the two-dimensional code displayed by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and decodes and reads the two-dimensional code, thereby reading the payment data and making the payment. Details will be described later, but the completion of the payment by the terminal device 110 is notified to the card management device 40, and the payment amount is added to the prepaid value.

Since prepaid value can be purchased in multiple ways, such as cash payment and cashless payment, the card management device 40 manages the prepaid value balance in association with the purchase method.

Prepaid value remaining unused for ball lending can be settled. Specifically, the unused prepaid value can be settled by ejecting the card associated with the prepaid value from the inter-machine card processing device 10 and having the settlement machine 80 read it. Unused prepaid value can be settled by cash settlement by dispensing cash, or cashless settlement by adding the balance for cashless payment. Cashless settlement can be performed by encoding information related to the settlement into a two-dimensional code and displaying it on the settlement machine 80, and the terminal device 110 capturing an image of the two-dimensional code and reading it.

The card management device 40 sets and manages settlement fees for combinations of purchase method and settlement method. Figure 1 shows a case where three types of payment are supported: cash, cashless P1, and cashless P2.

Specifically, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with cash with cash is "none," the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with cash with Cashless P1 is "1%," and the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with cash with Cashless P2 is "2%."

In addition, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with cash is 2%, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with Cashless P1 is none, and the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with Cashless Payment P2 is 3%.

In addition, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P2 with cash is 2%, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P2 with Cashless P1 is 4%, and the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with Cashless Payment P2 is 1%.

In this way, by allowing prepaid value to be granted using multiple purchase methods, the card management device 40 managing the prepaid value balance in association with the purchase method, and allowing the prepaid value balance to be settled using multiple settlement methods, it is possible to appropriately handle multiple payment methods. In addition, by setting settlement fees for combinations of purchase methods and settlement methods, it is possible to charge appropriate fees.

Next, the system configuration of an amusement store will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of an amusement store. As shown in Figure 2, amusement stores are equipped with multiple gaming machines 20 and inter-machine card processing machines 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20. The inter-machine card processing machines 10 are connected to a communication line, which is a network within the store, via an island controller 30. The island controller 30, card management device 40, member management device 50, prize management device 60, and settlement machine 80 are connected to the communication line.

The gaming machine 20 is a device for playing games by shooting gaming balls into the gaming board. The gaming board of this gaming machine 20 is provided with a plurality of winning areas (winning holes), and a predetermined number of gaming balls are awarded as prize balls based on the passing of the gaming balls through the winning areas. In addition, the gaming board is provided with a predetermined number of starting areas (starting holes), and a predetermined lottery is held based on the passing of the gaming balls through the starting areas. If the lottery is a big win, a predetermined movable member or the like is operated to increase the probability of the gaming ball passing through the winning areas or other starting areas, and other operations that are advantageous in the game are performed. The result of the lottery based on the passing of the balls through the starting holes is displayed on a special pattern display device that displays the result of the lottery. The display of the lottery result on this special pattern display device is performed in a manner that displays a fixed result after a predetermined period of variable display. The game board is also provided with a decorative pattern display device that variably displays decorative patterns such as predetermined numbers based on the results of the lottery, and when the lottery results in a jackpot, a matching pattern such as (7, 7, 7) is displayed to notify the player. It is also possible to provide an area that serves both as a starting area and a winning area.

The winning area is provided with a winning sensor for detecting the passage of a game ball into the winning area, and this winning sensor detects the passage (winning) of a game ball shot into the winning area. In addition, the control unit of the gaming machine 20 has a prize ball memory that stores the number of game balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area.

Therefore, when the winning sensor detects the passage of a inserted game ball into a specific winning area, the gaming machine 20 can determine the number of prize balls to be awarded based on the contents of the prize ball memory and the number of game balls that have passed through the winning area, and perform a payout process for the determined number of prize balls. In addition, the inserted game balls are ultimately ejected from the back of the gaming board to the outside of the gaming machine, regardless of whether they have passed through the winning area or not. The game balls ejected to the outside of the gaming machine are detected by an out ball detection device attached to each gaming machine.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts deposits, lends game balls, and communicates with the card management device 40. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a bill inserted by a player, it transmits deposit notification data including the amount of the bill to the card management device 40, and adds a number corresponding to the amount to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Then, when a specified ball lending operation is performed, it transmits a ball lending request to the card management device 40, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40, and performs a payout process of the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a card, it sends card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives data including the prepaid value, number of held balls, and number of saved balls from the card management device 40, it stores the received prepaid value, number of held balls, and number of saved balls. Then, once the number of held balls has been stored, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 clears the number of held balls managed by the card management device 40 to zero by sending held ball subtraction request data to the card management device 40.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a held ball replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the held ball count stored in its own machine, and performs a payout process for the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted held ball count. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a saved ball replay operation, it sends saved ball replay request data to the card management device 40, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the saved ball count managed by the member management device 50, and performs a payout process for the number of game balls corresponding to the subtracted saved ball count.

When the inter-machine card processing device 10 accepts a card return operation, it transmits held ball addition request data, including the number of held balls managed by the device, to the card management device 40, and after having the card management device 40 add the number of held balls, it transmits card ejection notification data to the card management device 40 and controls the ejection of the card.

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

The card management device 40 is a device that manages the prepaid value and number of balls held of the card as card data. When the card management device 40 receives card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it manages the card ID of the inserted card in association with the device ID of the inter-machine card processing device 10, and transmits the prepaid value and number of balls associated with the card ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Furthermore, if the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data is the card ID of a member card, the card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data to the member management device 50, and transmits the saved ball replay data received from the member management device 50 to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

When the card management device 40 receives held ball subtraction request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the number of held balls to zero. When the card management device 40 receives held ball addition request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the number of held balls included in the held ball addition request data to the number of held balls managed by the card management device 40.

When the card management device 40 receives ball loan request data from the machine-to-machine card processing device 10, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID and transmits ball loan permission data to the machine-to-machine card processing device 10. When the card management device 40 receives saved ball replay request data, it transmits the saved ball replay request data to the member management device 50, and when the member management device 50 outputs saved ball replay data, it transmits the saved ball replay data to the machine-to-machine card processing device 10.

When the card management device 40 receives a card ID from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held that is associated with this card ID. Furthermore, when the card management device 40 receives a card ID from the settlement machine 80, it notifies the settlement machine 80 of the prepaid value that is associated with this card ID.

The member management device 50 is a management device that manages the member management data of members who are registered with the gaming establishment. Specifically, it manages the number of balls, points, PIN number, name, etc., associated with the member card ID issued to the member.

When the member management device 50 receives card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it transmits stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls and the PIN number associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When the member management device 50 receives stored ball replay request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of stored balls associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request data, and transmits stored ball replay data including the number of stored balls after subtraction to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Note that communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the member management device 50 is performed via the card management device 40.

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

The prize management device 60 is a terminal device for prize exchange that is attached to the prize exchange counter in the gaming facility, and performs the prize exchange process of exchanging acquired balls, number of saved balls, and number of held balls for prizes. A card reader that reads the card ID from the card, and a prize payout device that pays out prizes are connected to this prize management device 60. When the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from a general card or a member card (or when it reads identification data corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal, etc.), it sends the card ID to the card management device 40 and requests the number of held balls for that card ID. In addition, when the number of saved balls is to be exchanged for a prize, it requests the number of saved balls from the member management device 50.

When a card associated with a prepaid value is inserted, the settlement machine 80 transmits the card ID of the card to the card management device 40 and receives the response data, thereby obtaining the prepaid value associated with the card and dispensing money according to the obtained prepaid value.

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

When the card management device 40 receives the ball lending request data, it subtracts a predetermined value from the prepaid value associated with the card ID in the ball lending request data. The card management device 40 then transmits the ball lending permission data to the inter-machine card processing device 10 that sent the data. The inter-machine card processing device 10 that has received the ball lending permission data performs a payout process for the number of game balls that corresponds to the subtracted prepaid value.

Next, the held ball replay process when holding balls are replayed in the gaming system shown in Figure 2 will be explained. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. This card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and data for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

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

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the number of held balls received from the card management device 40. It then transmits to the card management device 40 the card ID, data specifying the rate, and held ball subtraction request data indicating that the number of held balls should be cleared to zero. When the card management device 40 receives the held ball subtraction request data, it clears to zero the number of held balls for each rate specified by the card ID. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a held ball replay operation and performs held ball replay, it subtracts a predetermined number from the stored held ball number and performs a payout process for the corresponding number of game balls. When performing a payout process, it performs a payout process by sending a payout command to the gaming machine for a multiple of the unit that the gaming machine can payout (e.g., 25 balls), and performs a payout process for the remainder (e.g., less than 25 balls) by paying out from the nozzle unit 18a of its own machine.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation, it transmits held ball addition request data to the card management device 40. This held ball addition request data includes the card ID of the card to be returned, an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that sent the data, and the number of held balls for each rate.

When the card management device 40 receives the ball addition request data, it adds the number of balls contained in the ball addition request data to the number of balls for each rate associated with the card ID. After that, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends card ejection notification data to the card management device 40 and controls the ejection of the card.

Next, the stored ball replay process in the gaming system shown in Figure 2 will be explained. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 reads the card ID from a membership card or a mobile terminal that can be used as a membership card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the card management device 40. This card insertion notification data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and data for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

The card management device 40 transmits the card insertion notification data received from the machine-to-machine card processing device 10 to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification data, it transmits the stored ball replay data including the PIN associated with the card ID in the card insertion notification data, the number of stored balls at the rate specified by the card insertion notification data, and the possible number of stored ball replays to the machine-to-machine card processing device 10. The possible number of stored ball replays indicates the number of balls that can be replayed. This possible number of stored ball replays is a multiple of the number of payout units of game balls in the stored ball replay. If an upper limit is set for the stored ball replay, the maximum value within the range of the number of stored balls and the upper limit becomes the possible number of stored ball replays. Note that the possible number of times stored ball replays can be performed may be used as the number of stored ball replays instead of the possible number of stored ball replays. The number of stored ball replays is the quotient obtained by dividing the number of stored balls by the number of payout units of game balls in the stored ball replay. However, if a limit is set for the number of times you can replay saved balls, this limit will limit the number of times you can replay saved balls.

The inter-machine card processing device 10 stores the received saved ball replay data, and if the number of saved ball replays possible indicated in the saved ball replay data is 1 or more, it becomes capable of accepting a saved ball replay operation.

When the inter-machine card processing device 10 receives the first saved ball replay operation after storing the saved ball replay data, it asks the player to input a PIN number and determines whether the input PIN number matches the PIN number shown in the saved ball replay data.

If the PIN numbers match, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits saved ball replay request data to the card management device 40. This saved ball replay request data includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that sent the data, and data for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

The card management device 40 transmits the saved ball replay request data to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the saved ball replay request data, it subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of saved balls at the rate specified by the message among the saved balls associated with the card ID in the saved ball replay request data, and recalculates the number of saved balls that can be replayed. It then transmits saved ball replay data including the balance after subtraction and the number of saved balls that can be replayed to the machine-to-machine card processing device 10.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 updates the number of stored balls stored and performs a payout process for the number of game balls equal to the payout unit number of the stored ball replay. It also determines whether the updated number of possible stored ball replays is 1 or more. If the number of possible stored ball replays is 0, the stored ball replay operation cannot be accepted. If the updated number of possible stored ball replays is 1 or more, the stored ball replay operation can be accepted again. For the second and subsequent stored ball replays, it is not necessary to confirm the PIN. Note that the PIN may be confirmed each time. In addition, here, an example is given of the case where the member management device 50 subtracts the balance of the stored balls and then the inter-machine card processing machine 10 performs the payout process for the game balls, but the balance of the stored balls may be subtracted after the payout process for the game balls is performed based on the stored ball replay request. This is because the number of possible stored ball replays is indicated in the stored ball replay data before the stored ball replay request, and a situation in which a balance shortage is found after the stored ball replay request is accepted does not occur.

Next, the transition from held balls to saved balls during the store closing process will be explained. The card management device 40 checks the number of held balls in the card management data during store closing process, and if a record exists that is associated with a number of held balls greater than zero, it notifies the member management device 50 of the number of held balls in that record along with the card ID and rate. The member management device 50 adds the number of held balls notified by the card management device 40 to the number of saved balls specified by the card ID and rate. The card management device 40 then clears the number of held balls to zero.

Next, the external appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Figure 2 will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Note that in Figure 3, the external appearance of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 connected to the gaming machine 20 is shown as the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The gaming machine 20 that is attached to it is also shown with a dashed line. Also, while Figure 3 shows an inter-machine card processing machine 10 that only accepts paper money, it is also possible to provide a unit that has the function of accepting electronic money and coins associated with a mobile terminal or card.

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

The status display unit 11 is, for example, composed of a multi-color LED, and displays the device status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by lighting or blinking a predetermined color. The bill insertion slot 12a is an insertion slot for various bills required for lending game balls. The display operation unit 13 is, for example, composed of a full-color touch panel type liquid crystal display, and is a device that displays operation buttons and accepts input operations via the operation buttons. Although detailed illustration of the display operation unit 13 is omitted in Figure 3, it has a flat shape with the long side on the corresponding gaming machine 20 side pivoted and attached to the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and is configured so that the angle between 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 held by a player. The holding section 14b is a section for holding a mobile terminal used for membership registration. When the mobile terminal is held over the holding section 14b, data such as the mobile terminal's unique ID (e.g., IDm) is read from the mobile terminal. The nozzle unit 18a is a mechanism for dispensing game balls into the gaming machine 20. The nozzle unit 18a is composed of a cylindrical nozzle that is horizontally rotatably provided on the front side of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the tip of the nozzle can be positioned in the storage section of the gaming machine. The nozzle is supplied with game media from a ball supply device in the inter-machine card processing machine that receives game media from a supply mechanism in the island where the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is installed. The counting unit 18b is a mechanism for counting game balls dropped from the lower tray of the gaming machine 20. The counting unit 18b consists of a tray that receives game balls, a counting section that is located at the bottom of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and counts the game balls using a counting sensor, and a counting passage section that passes the game media from the tray to the counting section. The tray and counting passage section can be removed as a unit from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 based on a predetermined operation (for example, an employee's remote control operation). The counting section has a unit structure, and by removing the counting section, tray, and counting passage section, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 can be operated without the counting function.

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

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

The reader/writer 14 is a device that reads the card ID from the card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a. The card inserted into the card insertion slot 14a is stored in a card storage section (not shown) through the reader/writer 14. The holding section 14b is an interface section that reads various information such as the unique ID (e.g., IDm) of the mobile terminal by short-range wireless communication when a mobile terminal or the like is held over it. The reader/writer 14 also has the function of associating value data such as the balls held and prepaid value shown in the card data 16b with the card stored in the card storage section in response to the player's return operation, and issuing it as a new card. 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 balls held), the card is controlled not to be returned even if a return operation is performed. This is a control to prevent losses to the amusement facility caused by discarding cards associated with a small number of balls, and applies not only to cards stored inside in advance, but also to cards received from outside (excluding membership cards). The fixed number can be set, for example, so that the value of the card or the lowest priced prize in the amusement facility is the number of balls held multiplied by the rental price per ball, but it is not limited to this and can be freely set according to the policy of the amusement facility. Also, when controlling so that the card is not returned even if a return operation is performed, the stored balls can be paid out, but a message may be displayed to the effect that the card cannot be returned and/or a message urging the user to replay the balls held.

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 gaming balls when they are paid out through ball lending or replay. The counting unit 18b is a unit that counts the gaming balls.

The memory unit 16 is a storage device consisting of a hard disk drive, non-volatile memory, etc. The memory unit 16 stores the device status data 16a and card data 16b.

The own device status data 16a is data indicating the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. This own 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 processing machine is identification data for uniquely identifying the inter-machine card processing machine 10 within the game establishment. The game type setting is data indicating the game type set in the inter-machine card processing machine 10. When game balls of multiple rates are handled within the game establishment, a game type name is set and managed for each rate, such as "Ball 1" for game balls with a 4 yen rate, "Ball 2" for game balls with a 2 yen rate, and "Ball 3" for game balls with a 1 yen rate. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 selects the rate to be used for the game from these game types and stores it as the game type setting.

Card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. Card data 16b includes the card ID, prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, the number of saved balls that can be replayed, etc. Data on held balls and saved balls exists for each type of game (rate). The card ID is the card ID read by the reader/writer 14. When a card is transported from a card storage section (not shown) to the card insertion port 14a and then ejected, the card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader/writer 14 during this transport. Also, when a card is transported from the card insertion port 14a to a card storage section (not shown), the card data 16b is updated with the card ID read by the reader/writer 14 during this transport.

The control unit 17 is a control unit that controls the entire inter-machine card processing machine 10, and has a data management unit 17a, a counting processing unit 17b, a cashless payment processing unit 17c, and a cashless settlement processing unit 17d.

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

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

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

In addition, when a player performs an operation to replay held balls, the data management unit 17a subtracts a predetermined number from the number of held balls indicated in the card data 16b and performs a payout process for the corresponding number of game balls.

When the number of possible saved ball replays indicated in the card data 16b is 1 or more, the data management unit 17a displays a saved ball replay button on the display operation unit 13, and allows the saved ball replay operation to be accepted. When a saved ball replay operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits saved ball replay request data including the card ID and the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID to the member management device 50. When saved ball replay data is received as a response to this saved ball replay request data, the number of saved balls in the card data 16b is updated, and a payout process is performed for the number of game balls to be paid out for the saved ball replay. When a saved ball replay operation is performed for the first time, the data management unit 17a requests the input of a PIN number, and transmits the saved ball replay request data on the condition that the PIN number matches the PIN number indicated in the card data 16b.

In addition, when a player performs a card return operation, the data management unit 17a sends held ball addition request data, including the card ID, device ID, and number of held balls, to the card management device 40, clears the number of held balls in the card data 16b to zero, and then sends card ejection notification data to the card management device 40 and ejects the card.

In addition, when a player performs a ball transfer operation with a member card inserted, the data management unit 17a subtracts the number of balls held indicated in the card data 16b and transfers the held balls to the saved balls by sending saved ball addition request data to the member management unit 50 via the card management unit 40. It should be noted that saved ball transfer can also be performed using a mobile terminal instead of a member card. Specifically, when 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, the data management unit 17a subtracts the number of balls held indicated in the card data 16b and transfers the held balls to the saved balls by sending saved ball addition request data including the IDm read by the holding unit 14b.

The data management unit 17a can also perform processing related to the wagon service. The wagon service is a service in which an amusement store clerk places products such as drinks and cigarettes in a wagon and travels around the amusement store to sell them to players who are playing. In such a wagon service, payment can be made with owned balls or saved balls in addition to payment with cash or the like. When paying for the wagon service with owned balls or saved balls, the amusement store clerk issues instructions to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 through a store clerk terminal (e.g., a remote control terminal) to make the inter-machine card processing machine 10 in a state where the wagon service can be paid for. Then, information that can identify the number of owned balls or saved balls to be subtracted as compensation is input to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. This input processing is performed by inputting a numerical value on the display operation unit 13 of the inter-machine card processing machine or the operation unit of the store clerk terminal. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the input, it waits for the acceptance of an employee recording medium (e.g., 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 held or stored from the number indicated by the card data 16b, and discharges the balls in association with the employee recording medium. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the employee recording medium without accepting input of information that can identify the number of balls held or stored to be subtracted as payment, it returns the employee recording medium without making a payment for the wagon service. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts input of information that can identify the number of balls held or stored to be subtracted as payment during payment for the wagon service, if a replay operation for the held or stored balls or a return operation for the recording medium is accepted, the replay operation or return operation is rejected or the payment for the wagon service is cancelled, thereby preventing the two processes from competing with each other.

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

The cashless payment processing unit 17c performs the processes required for cashless payment. Specifically, when the cashless payment processing unit 17c receives an operation to request a deposit by cashless payment, it generates payment data including a payment ID that uniquely identifies the payment and the payment amount, encodes the payment data, store data, and machine data into a two-dimensional code, and displays it on the display operation unit 13. Here, the store data is data that identifies the gaming store, and the machine data is data that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10. For example, the machine ID in the own machine status data 16a may be used as the machine data. The terminal device 110 carried by the player uses a camera to capture the two-dimensional code displayed on the display operation unit 13, decodes and reads the two-dimensional code, and reads the payment data to make the payment.

The cashless settlement processing unit 17d performs the processes required for cashless settlement. Specifically, when the cashless settlement processing unit 17d receives an operation requesting cashless settlement, it receives the selection of a settlement method from the cashless payment and calculates a settlement fee from the selected settlement method and the balance of the prepaid value. It then generates settlement data indicating various information related to the settlement, encodes the settlement data into a two-dimensional code, and displays it on the display operation unit 13. The terminal device 110 carried by the player uses a camera to capture the two-dimensional code displayed on the display operation unit 13, and decodes and reads the two-dimensional code to perform cashless settlement. The result of the cashless settlement is notified to the card management device 40, which then deducts the prepaid value.

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

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

Card data 16b shown in FIG. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "1001". Note that here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, with a card with the first digit "1" being a general card and a card with the first digit "2" being a membership card. Card data 16b also indicates that the prepaid value is "2000 points". Note that here, 1 point of the prepaid value is equivalent to 1 yen. Card data 16b also 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".

In addition, the card data 16b can store the PIN number, the number of replayable balls, and the number of balls for each game type as data related to the saved balls, but since FIG. 5(b) shows a state in which a general card has been accepted, these data are displayed as "-" to indicate that they are not applicable. Note that, although the configuration in which the number of replayable balls is stored as the number of replays possible is shown here, the number of replays possible may also be stored as the replay frequency. In addition, although not shown, the card management device 40 stores the ON/OFF status of a "lock" flag indicating whether the card is valid or invalid, in addition to the balls held, saved balls, and prepaid value, in association with the card ID, and is turned ON by an employee when the card is discovered to be stolen. These data are also stored in the card data 16b. Furthermore, this "lock" flag can be set for each function (such as "use saved balls" and "entering"), and for example, it is possible to use the "lock" flag to prevent erroneous operation by locking only the "entering" function at the request of the player. In this specification, "joining" refers to converting the number of gaming media at one rate into the number of gaming media at another rate based on the ratio of the unit price of the gaming media, and using that. As a specific example, in an inter-machine card processing device 10 associated with a 4 yen rate, the number of balls X at a 1 yen rate is used to process the payout of X x (1 yen/4 yen) = X/4. This "joining" function can be enabled/disabled by the member management device 50 according to the store's management policy.

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

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

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

The game type setting data 45a is data that associates the lending rate and display name with the game type. The card management data 45b is data that associates the prepaid value, the number of balls held for each game type, and the destination device ID that indicates the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 into which the card is inserted, with the card ID. The device management data 45c is data related to the devices installed in the gaming facility. This device management data 45c includes the device ID of the inter-machine card processing machine, the address of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the installation location, the gaming machine ID and model data of the gaming machine installed.

The settlement fee setting data 45d is data that manages the settings related to the fee when settling the prepaid value. Specifically, the settlement fee setting data 45d indicates the fee set for the combination of the prepaid value purchase method and settlement method.

The control unit 46 is a control unit that controls the entire card management device 40, and has a game type setting management unit 46a, a card management unit 46b, a device management unit 46c, a value granting unit 46d, and a setting unit 46e. In practice, the programs corresponding to these functional units are stored in a ROM or non-volatile memory (not shown), and these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, thereby causing the processes corresponding to the game type setting management unit 46a, the card management unit 46b, the device management unit 46c, the value granting unit 46d, and the setting unit 46e to be executed.

The game type setting management unit 46a is a processing unit that associates the game types, rates, and display names used in the gaming establishment 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 card insertion notification data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it sets the destination device ID of the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data to the device ID also indicated in the card insertion notification data. It also notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the prepaid value associated with the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification data and the number of balls held for each rate as value data. In addition, if the inserted card is a member card, it transmits card insertion notification data to the member management device. When the card management unit 46b receives held ball subtraction request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it clears the number of balls held for the rate indicated in the held ball subtraction request data to zero.

When the card management unit 46b receives ball lending request data including a card ID from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it determines whether the prepaid value associated with the card ID is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If 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 transmits ball lending permission data including the updated prepaid value to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. On the other hand, if the prepaid value is less than the predetermined value, the card management unit 46b notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of ball lending disallowance data.

In addition, when the card management unit 46b receives deposit notification data including the amount of the inserted coins, the card ID, and the device ID from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it adds the prepaid value indicated in the deposit notification to the prepaid value associated with the card ID.

When the card management unit 46b receives saved ball replay request data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it transfers the saved ball replay request data to the member management device 50. It also transfers the response data from the member management device 50 to the saved ball replay request data to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

When the card management unit 46b receives held ball addition request data, it adds the number of held balls included in the held ball addition request data to the number of held balls for the corresponding rate. When the card management unit 46b receives card ejection notification data, it erases the destination device ID of the card ID.

When the card management unit 46b receives a card ID from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the number of balls held for each rate associated with this card ID. When the card management unit 46b receives a card ID from the settlement machine 80, it notifies the settlement 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 processing machine 10, the address of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID.

The value granting unit 46d is a processing unit that purchases and settles prepaid value based on cashless payment. When the value granting unit 46d receives a payment completion notice from an external device that manages cashless payment, it identifies the card to which the money is to be deposited from various information indicated in the payment completion notice, and grants the prepaid value. In addition, when the value granting unit 46d receives a settlement completion notice from an external device that manages cashless payment, it identifies the card to be settled from various information indicated in the settlement completion notice, and settles the prepaid value.

The setting unit 46e is a processing unit that sets the fees for settling the prepaid value and registers them in the settlement fee setting data 45d. The setting unit 46e can set whether or not settlement is possible for a combination of a purchase method that can be used to purchase the prepaid value and a settlement method that can be used to settle the prepaid value, and can set a settlement fee for a combination that can be settled and register the fee in the settlement fee setting data 45d. In addition, when the setting unit 46e receives an inquiry from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 or the settlement machine 80, it responds with the fee set for the combination of the specified purchase method and settlement method.

Next, an example of data stored in the memory unit 45 of the card management device 40 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of data stored in the memory unit 45 of the card management device 40.

The game type setting data 45a shown in FIG. 7(a) associates the game type name "Ball 1" with the rate "4 yen" and the display name "4 Pachi". The game type setting data 45a also associates the game type name "Ball 2" with the rate "2 yen" and the display name "2 Pachi". The game type setting data 45a also 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. 7(b), the card ID "1001" is associated with a prepaid value of "2500", the number of held balls for ball 1 "1500", the number of held balls for ball 2 "2300", and the number of held balls for ball 3 "0". In other words, the card with card ID "1001" is not inserted into the inter-machine card processing device 10, and the management of the held balls is performed by the card management device 40.

In addition, in the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7(b), the card ID "1002" is associated with a prepaid value of "0", the number of balls held for each rate of "0", and the destination device ID of "3004". In other words, the card with card ID "1002" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with device ID "3004", and management of the number of balls held has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. For this reason, the number of balls held for each rate is zero.

In addition, in the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7(b), the card ID "2002" is associated with a prepaid value of "2000", the number of balls held for each rate of "0", and the destination device ID of "3001". In other words, the card with card ID "2002" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing device 10 with device ID "3001", and management of the held balls has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing device 10. For this reason, the number of balls held for each rate is zero.

Furthermore, the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 7(b) associates the prepaid value with the purchase method and shows the balance for each purchase method. Specifically, the prepaid value for card ID "1001" is "2500", which is the sum of the cash purchase amount of "1000" and the Cashless P1 purchase amount of "1500". Similarly, the prepaid value for card ID "2002" is "2000", which is the sum of the Cashless P1 purchase amount of "1000" and the Cashless P2 purchase amount of "1000".

The device management data 45c shown in FIG. 7(c) indicates that the network address of the inter-machine card processing device 10 with ID "3001" is "AB.CD.EF.GH", 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 settlement fee setting data 45d shown in FIG. 8 indicates cash, cashless P1, and cashless P2 as the purchase method and settlement method. Specifically, the settlement fee when a prepaid value purchased with cash is settled with cash is "none," the settlement fee when a prepaid value purchased with cash is settled with cashless P1 is "1%," and the settlement fee when a prepaid value purchased with cash is settled with cashless P2 is "2%."

In addition, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with cash is 2%, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with Cashless P1 is none, and the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with Cashless Payment P2 is 3%.

In addition, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P2 with cash is 2%, the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P2 with Cashless P1 is 4%, and the settlement fee when settling prepaid value purchased with Cashless P1 with Cashless Payment P2 is 1%.

Next, the configuration of the settlement machine 80 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the settlement machine 80 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 9, the settlement machine 80 has a display unit 81, an operation unit 82, a card reader 83, a currency storage unit 84, a communication unit 85, and a control unit 86.

The display unit 81 is a display output device such as a liquid crystal display. The operation unit 82 is an input device such as an operation button. Alternatively, a touch panel display that serves as both the display unit 81 and the operation unit 82 may be used.

The card reader 83 accepts general cards and membership cards and reads the card ID. The currency storage unit 84 stores currency by denomination and dispenses currency upon instruction from the control unit 86. The communication unit 85 is an interface unit for data communication with the card management device 40.

The control unit 86 is a control unit that controls the entire settlement machine 80, and has a settlement content determination unit 86a, a cash settlement processing unit 86b, and a cashless settlement processing unit 86c. The settlement content determination unit 86a transmits the card ID read by the card reader 83 to the card management device 40, and acquires the prepaid value balance and the purchase method from the card management device 40. Furthermore, the settlement content determination unit 86a accepts the selection of the settlement method, transmits the combination of the purchase method and the settlement method to the card management device 40, and acquires the settlement fee setting. Then, the settlement amount, settlement fee, etc. are determined as the settlement content from the prepaid value balance and the settlement fee setting.

When the selected settlement method is cash settlement, the cash settlement processing unit 86b causes the currency storage unit 84 to dispense currency according to the settlement details determined by the settlement details determination unit 86a.

When the selected settlement method is cashless settlement, the cashless settlement processing unit 86c generates settlement data indicating the settlement details determined by the settlement details determination unit 86a, encodes the settlement data into a two-dimensional code, and displays it on the display unit 81. The terminal device 110 carried by the player uses a camera to capture the two-dimensional code displayed on the display unit 81, and decodes and reads the two-dimensional code to perform cashless settlement. The result of the cashless settlement is notified to the card management device 40, which then deducts the prepaid value.

Next, the processing procedure of the settlement machine 80 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the settlement machine 80. First, the card reader 83 of the settlement machine 80 accepts a card and reads the card ID (step S101).

The settlement details determination unit 86a transmits the card ID read by the card reader 83 to the card management device 40, and acquires card data including the prepaid value balance and the purchase method from the card management device 40 (step S102). Furthermore, the settlement details determination unit 86a accepts the selection of the settlement method (step S103), transmits the combination of the purchase method and the settlement method to the card management device 40, and acquires the settlement fee setting (step S104). Then, the settlement amount and settlement fee are calculated from the prepaid value balance and the settlement fee setting (step S105).

If the settlement method is cash settlement (step S106; Yes), the cash settlement processing unit 86b executes cash settlement by having the currency storage unit 84 dispense currency according to the settlement details (step S107), and ends the process.

If the settlement method is not cash settlement (step S106; No), the cashless settlement processing unit 86c displays the settlement details as a two-dimensional code, has the code read by the terminal device 110, and adds the balance for cashless payment (step S108) to execute the cashless settlement, and ends the process.

Next, the purchase of prepaid value by cashless payment will be explained. Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram of the purchase of prepaid value by cashless payment. When purchasing prepaid value by cashless payment at the inter-machine card processing machine 10, there are cases where both the amount is selected and the payment is made at the inter-machine card processing machine 10, cases where the amount is selected at the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the payment is made at the player's terminal device 110, and cases where both the amount is selected and the payment is made at the player's terminal device 110.

In the case where both the selection of the amount and the settlement are performed by the inter-machine card processing device 10, the following operations are performed.
(1) Select the deposit amount on the inter-machine card processing machine 10. (2) Activate the code reader of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. (3) Display the two-dimensional code on the player's terminal device 110 and hold it over the inter-machine card processing machine. (4) Complete the payment and deposit at the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

In addition, in the case where the amount is selected at the inter-machine card processing device 10 and payment is made at the player's terminal device 110, the following operations are carried out.
(1) The deposit amount is selected on the inter-machine card processing machine 10. (2) A two-dimensional code is displayed on the inter-machine card processing machine 10. (3) The two-dimensional code is read by the customer's terminal device 110. (4) The deposit operation is accepted by the customer's terminal device 110. (5) The customer's terminal device 110 is settled and the amount is deposited in the inter-machine card processing machine.

In addition, in the case where both the selection of the amount and the payment are performed on the terminal device 110, the following operation is performed.
(1) A two-dimensional code is displayed on the inter-machine card processing device 10 and read by the customer's terminal device 110. (2) The customer selects the deposit amount on the terminal device 110. (3) The customer's terminal device 110 accepts the deposit operation. (4) The customer completes the payment on the terminal device 110 and deposits the amount into the inter-machine card processing device.

Prepaid value can also be purchased through cashless payment at a ticket machine installed inside an amusement facility. When purchasing prepaid value through cashless payment at a ticket machine, there are three cases: the amount is selected and payment is made at the ticket machine, the amount is selected at the ticket machine and payment is made at the player's terminal device 110, and the amount is selected and payment is made at the player's terminal device 110.

In the case where both the amount selection and payment are performed on the ticket machine, the following operations are performed.
(1) Select the amount to be deposited on the ticket vending machine. (2) Activate the code reader on the ticket vending machine. (3) Display the two-dimensional code on the customer's terminal device 110 and hold it over the ticket vending machine. (4) Make the payment at the ticket vending machine. (5) Issue a prepaid card at the ticket vending machine.

In addition, in the case where the amount is selected at the ticket machine and payment is made at the player's terminal device 110, the following operations are carried out.
(1) Select the amount to be deposited on the ticket vending machine. (2) Display the two-dimensional code on the ticket vending machine. (3) Read the two-dimensional code with the customer's terminal device 110. (4) The customer's terminal device 110 accepts the deposit operation. (5) Payment is made on the customer's terminal device 110. (6) The ticket vending machine issues a prepaid card.

In addition, in the case where both the selection of the amount and the payment are performed on the terminal device 110, the following operation is performed.
(1) A two-dimensional code is displayed on the ticket vending machine and read by the customer's terminal device 110. (2) The customer selects the amount to be deposited on the terminal device 110. (3) The customer's terminal device 110 accepts the deposit operation. (4) The customer's terminal device 110 makes the payment. (5) The ticket vending machine issues a prepaid card.

Next, the settlement of prepaid value by cashless payment will be explained. Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram of the settlement of prepaid value by cashless payment. When the settlement of prepaid value by cashless payment is performed by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, there are cases where the settlement itself is performed by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, cases where the settlement itself is performed by the player's terminal device 110, and cases where it is performed via the settlement machine 80.

In the case where the settlement itself is performed by the inter-machine card processing device 10, the following operations will be performed.
(1) The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the settlement operation. (2) The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the selection of the settlement method. (3) The code reader of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is activated. (4) The two-dimensional code is displayed on the player's terminal device 110 and held up to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. (5) The inter-machine card processing machine 10 settles the amount and adds it to the balance for cashless payment.

In the case where the settlement itself is carried out on the player's terminal device 110, the following operations are carried out.
(1) The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the settlement operation. (2) The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the selection of the settlement method. (3) The inter-machine card processing machine 10 displays a two-dimensional code. (4) The two-dimensional code is read by the player's terminal device 110. (5) The settlement operation is accepted by the player's terminal device 110. (6) The settlement is made by the player's terminal device 110 and added to the balance for cashless payment.

In the case where the transaction goes through the settlement machine 80, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 will first perform the following operations.
(1) The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the card return operation. (2) The inter-machine card processing machine 10 ejects the card. After that, when the ejected card is used to settle the account at the settlement machine 80, there are cases where the settlement itself is done at the settlement machine 80 and cases where the settlement itself is done at the player's terminal device 110.

In the case where the settlement itself is performed by the settlement machine 80, the following operations are performed.
(1) The settlement machine 80 accepts the card. (2) The settlement machine 80 accepts the selection of the settlement method. (3) The settlement machine 80's code reader is activated. (4) The two-dimensional code is displayed on the player's terminal device 110 and held up to the settlement machine 80. (5) The payment is settled on the player's terminal device 110, and the amount is added to the balance for cashless payment.

In the case where the settlement of the card accepted by the settlement machine 80 is carried out by the player's terminal device 110, the following operations are carried out.
(1) The payment machine 80 accepts the card. (2) The payment machine 80 accepts the selection of payment method. (3) The payment machine 80 displays a two-dimensional code. (4) The two-dimensional code is read by the player's terminal device 110. (5) The payment operation is accepted by the player's terminal device 110. (6) The payment is settled by the player's terminal device 110 and added to the balance for cashless payment.

Next, a specific example of purchasing prepaid value will be described. Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of purchasing prepaid value. First, as shown in Figure 13(a), the player operates the display operation unit 13 of the inter-machine card processing device 10 to input the deposit amount. Figure 13(a) shows the state in which the player has input "10,000 yen."

After that, as shown in FIG. 13(b), a two-dimensional code is displayed on the customer's terminal device 110, which is then held up to the inter-machine card processing device 10. This two-dimensional code contains information that identifies the cashless payment account to be used, etc.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 executes the cashless payment using the cashless payment account identified by the two-dimensional code and the input deposit amount, and adds 10,000 yen to the prepaid value. Then, as shown in FIG. 13(c), the display operation unit 13 displays that the deposit has been completed. The completion of the deposit is also notified to the customer's terminal device 110.

After a player has made a deposit, he or she can use the prepaid value to lend balls. Furthermore, even if there is remaining prepaid value, the player can make an additional deposit using cash or a cashless payment to add to the prepaid value, as shown in FIG. 13(d).

Next, a specific example of prepaid value settlement will be described. Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram of a specific example of prepaid value settlement. First, as shown in Figure 14(a), a player operates the display operation unit 13 of the inter-machine card processing device 10 to select a settlement method. Figure 14(a) shows the state in which the player has selected "P1" from "Cash", "P1", and "P2".

Then, as shown in FIG. 14(b), a two-dimensional code is displayed on the customer's terminal device 110, which is then held up to the inter-machine card processor 10. This two-dimensional code contains information that identifies the cashless payment account to be used for settlement.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 obtains the settlement fee setting from the prepaid value purchase method and settlement method, and calculates the settlement fee amount and settlement amount using the remaining prepaid value and the settlement fee setting. The remaining prepaid value, the settlement fee amount, and the settlement amount are then displayed on the display operation unit 13 as the settlement details. In FIG. 14(c), the remaining prepaid value of "6,000 yen," the settlement fee amount of "10 yen," and the settlement amount of "5,990 yen" are displayed as the settlement details. The settlement details are also notified to the player's terminal device 110.

When the player confirms the settlement details and performs the settlement execution operation, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 executes the cashless settlement using the cashless payment account identified by the two-dimensional code and the settlement details, adds the settlement amount to the cashless payment balance, and sets the prepaid value to zero. Then, as shown in FIG. 14(d), the display operation unit 13 displays the completion of settlement. The completion of settlement is also notified to the player's terminal device 110.

Next, we will explain how to use prepaid value. In this embodiment, the total amount of prepaid value and the balance for each purchase method are managed. In this state, when a ball is lent, the question arises as to which purchase method's balance to deduct from.

The first method for determining which purchase method's balance to subtract from is based on the purchase order. In other words, when prepaid value provided by multiple purchase methods is used, the balance is managed assuming that the value purchased first was used first.

The second method for determining which purchasing method's balance to subtract from is based on a pre-specified priority. In other words, when pre-paid value provided by multiple purchasing methods is used, the balance is managed assuming that the value purchased by the purchasing method with the highest pre-specified priority was used first. The priority may be specified by the gaming facility or by the player.

In addition, instead of managing the balance for each purchase method, when settling the balance of the value granted by multiple purchase methods, the prepaid value may be used so that the settlement fee is the smallest. For example, when a purchase of 1000 yen is made with cash and a purchase of 1000 yen is made with cashless payment P1, the total prepaid value is equivalent to 2000 yen. If balls are then lent for 1500 yen, the balance of the prepaid value becomes equivalent to 500 yen, but at this point it is not specified whether it is a cash purchase or a purchase with cashless payment P1, and if the settlement is made with cash, it is assumed that the cash purchase amount is equivalent to 500 yen, and if the settlement is made with cashless payment P1, it is assumed that the purchase with cashless payment P1 amount is equivalent to 500 yen. Here, the settlement amount is limited by the original purchase amount. In other words, if a prepaid value equivalent to 1500 yen is settled with cash, the cash purchase amount is equivalent to 1000 yen, and the purchase with cashless payment P1 is equivalent to 500 yen.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to provide prepaid value, which is value related to gaming media, using multiple purchase methods, the balance of the prepaid value is managed in association with the purchase method, and the balance of the value can be settled using multiple settlement methods, so that it is possible to appropriately handle multiple payment methods.

Here, the multiple purchasing methods can include purchasing with cash and purchasing with cashless payment without using cash.

The multiple settlement methods may also include cash settlement, in which cash is returned, and cashless settlement, in which a balance for cashless payment is added.

In addition, by setting settlement fees for combinations of prepaid value purchase methods and settlement methods, appropriate fees can be charged.

In addition, when value granted through multiple purchase methods is used, the value balance can be managed assuming that the value purchased first was used first. In addition, when value granted through multiple purchase methods is used, the value balance can be managed assuming that the value purchased through a purchase method with a high pre-specified priority was used first.

In addition, when settling the balance of value granted through multiple purchase methods, the value can be used in a way that minimizes the settlement fee.

In the above embodiment, the case has been described where prepaid value purchased with cash payment or prepaid value purchased with cashless payment can be settled by any method, but the settlement methods that can be used may be restricted. For example, settlement of prepaid value purchased with a specific cashless payment may be prohibited. Prepaid value that is prohibited from being settled will be used for ball lending or used up by exchanging for prizes.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which information related to cashless payment is exchanged using a two-dimensional code has been described as an example, but information related to cashless payment may also be exchanged using short-range wireless communication, etc.

In addition, in the above embodiment, detailed explanation of the form of the card, which is the medium to which the number of game media is associated, is omitted, but such cards include magnetic cards, IC cards, etc. Also, for the sake of convenience, a "card" has been used as an example here, but the present invention can also be applied when using chips, sticks, mobile terminals, etc. in addition to cards.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was given in which game balls are used as the game medium, but the invention can also be applied to the case in which medals for slot machines are used.

In addition, each configuration shown in the figure is a functional schematic, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

As described above, the gaming management system and gaming management method of the present invention are suitable for appropriately handling multiple payment methods in gaming establishments.

10 Inter-machine card processing device 11 Status display unit 12 Bill transport unit 12a Bill insertion slot 13 Display operation unit 14 Reader/writer 14a Card insertion slot 14b Hold unit 15, 85 Communication unit 16, 45 Memory unit 16a Own machine status data 16b Card data 17, 46, 86 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Counting unit 17c Cashless payment processing unit 17d, 86c Cashless settlement processing unit 18a Nozzle unit 18b Counting unit 20 Gaming machine 30 Island controller 40 Card management device 41, 81 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 Machine management data 45d Settlement fee setting data 46a Game type setting management section 46b Card management section 46c Device management section 46d Value imparting section 46e Setting section 50 Member management device 60 Prize management device 80 Settlement machine 82 Operation section 83 Card reader 84 Money storage section 86a Settlement content determination section 86b Cash settlement processing section 110 Terminal device

Claims (5)

A gaming management system is provided for a gaming machine that uses a gaming medium and has a machine device that processes the gaming medium,
A value providing means capable of providing value to the gaming medium by a payment method such as cash payment or cashless payment ;
a value management means for managing the balance of the value and the payment method in association with each other;
A settlement method for cash settlement in which cash is returned or cashless settlement in which a balance for cashless payment is added, comprising: a settlement means capable of settling the balance of the value ;
a setting means for setting a settlement fee for each combination of the payment method of the cash payment and the cashless payment and the settlement method of the cash settlement or the cashless settlement corresponding to each payment method;
A gaming management system comprising: The gaming management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the value provided by the cash payment and the cashless payment is used, the value management means manages the balance of the value by assuming that the value provided first has been used first . The gaming management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the value provided by the cash payment and the cashless payment is used, the value management means manages the balance of the value by assuming that the value paid by a payment method with a high pre-specified priority has been used first . The gaming management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, when settling the balance of value granted through cash payment and cashless payment, the settlement means determines that the value has been used in such a way that the settlement fee is minimized. A game management method in a game management system having a game machine that is provided with a game machine for playing a game using a game medium and each machine device that performs processing related to the game medium, comprising:
a value imparting step of imparting value to the gaming medium by a payment method such as cash payment or cashless payment;
a value management step of managing the balance of the value and the payment method in association with each other;
A settlement method for cash settlement in which cash is returned or cashless settlement in which a balance for cashless payment is added, comprising: a settlement step of settling the balance of the value ;
a setting step of setting a settlement fee for each combination of the payment method of the cash settlement and the cashless payment and the settlement method of the cash settlement or the cashless settlement corresponding to each payment method;
A game management method comprising:

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