JP7466343B2 - Gaming management system and gaming management method - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a gaming management system and gaming management method that are installed in gaming establishments and accept value for use in gaming.

Traditionally, pachinko parlors and other gaming establishments have provided gaming devices that accept currency and other valuables as value to be used in gaming, and allow players to play on the gaming machines by lending gaming media corresponding to the valuables from the gaming devices. Such valuables can be associated with recording media such as cards, and players can move machines by inserting the recording media issued from one gaming device into another gaming device.

In recent years, systems have been considered that would improve convenience for players by enabling cashless payments that allow gaming media to be lent without the use of currency, using cards issued by financial institutions or mobile terminals with gaming applications installed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses technology that improves convenience for players by enabling both cash and cashless payments.

By using such cashless payment , players can reduce the amount of cash they carry and can easily check the amount used. In addition, the payment history is clear for the gaming establishment, which helps to reduce problems with players.

JP 2003-154150 A

However, because the above-mentioned conventional technology allows both cash and cashless payment, if the amount of currency inserted or the value of the currency changes while a cashless payment is being processed, it is difficult to know whether the change is due to the cashless payment or a different operation, which may confuse players.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the present invention provides a currency processing system having a currency processing device and a management device capable of communicating with the currency processing device, the management device comprising: a setting information storage means for storing setting information including at least one or more discrepancy errors related to the occurrence of the discrepancy; and a setting information distribution means for distributing the setting information in response to a request from the currency processing device, and the currency processing device comprising: a discrepancy error detection means for detecting the occurrence of a discrepancy error related to the occurrence of the discrepancy; a reconciliation process setting means for setting a reconciliation process in response to the discrepancy error detected by the discrepancy error detection means; and a reconciliation process execution means for executing a reconciliation process in response to the setting by the reconciliation process setting means.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a gaming system having a gaming machine that stores the number of gaming media used in a game and plays a game using the gaming media, a gaming device that is attached to the gaming machine and stores the number of held gaming media counted by the gaming machine, and a management device that manages a value associated with a recording medium that can be accepted by the gaming device, wherein the gaming device has a payment request means for making a payment request for a payment request amount designated by a player to a predetermined payment server device, and the management device, when the payment request is accepted by the payment server device, processes the gaming device that made the payment request with the value equivalent to the payment request amount. the gaming device is characterized by comprising an updating means for updating a value corresponding to the recording medium to be processed; a limiting means for restricting, when the gaming device is performing an update process of the value in response to the payment request, a process involving an increase or decrease in the value , a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine, or a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of possessed gaming media stored in the gaming device; a special gaming state occurrence identifying means for identifying the occurrence of a special gaming state that is more advantageous to a player than a normal gaming state in play on the gaming machine; and a limit releasing means for releasing the restriction imposed by the limiting means when the occurrence of the special gaming state is identified by the special gaming state occurrence identifying means .
The present invention also provides a gaming system having a gaming machine that stores the number of gaming media used in a game and plays a game using the gaming media, a gaming device that is attached to the gaming machine and stores the number of held gaming media counted by the gaming machine, and a management device that manages a value associated with a recording medium that can be accepted by the gaming device, wherein the gaming device has a payment request means for making a payment request for a payment request amount designated by a player to a predetermined payment server device, and when the payment request is accepted by the payment server device, the management device issues a payment for the recording medium to be processed by the gaming device that issued the payment request with a value equivalent to the payment request amount. the gaming machine includes an updating means for updating the corresponding value; a limiting means for limiting, when the gaming device is performing an update process of the value associated with the payment request, a process involving an increase or decrease in the value, a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine, or a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of possessed gaming media stored in the gaming device; a usage unit storage means for storing units of value that can be used for playing on the gaming machine; and a payment request limiting means for limiting the payment request when the sum of the value managed by the management device and the value equivalent to the payment request amount specified by the player falls below the gaming value stored in the usage unit storage means.

In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the restriction means restricts processing involving an increase or decrease in the value, processing involving an increase or decrease in the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine, or processing involving an increase or decrease in the number of held gaming media stored in the gaming device, from the time the payment operation is accepted in the gaming device to the time the value is updated by the update means .

The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, the limiting means limits the gaming device's lending process of gaming media from the time the gaming device accepts a payment operation until the value is updated by the updating means.

The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, the limiting means limits the acceptance of currency by the gaming device from the time the gaming device accepts a payment operation until the update means updates the value.

The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, the limiting means limits the process of adding up the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine from the time the gaming device accepts a payment operation until the value is updated by the updating means.

The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above invention, the limiting means limits the process of adding up the number of held gaming media stored in the gaming device from the time the gaming device accepts a payment operation until the value is updated by the updating means.

The present invention also provides a method for managing games in a gaming system having a gaming machine that stores the number of gaming media used in a game and plays a game using the gaming media, a gaming device that is attached to the gaming machine and stores the number of held gaming media counted by the gaming machine, and a management device that manages a valuable associated with a recording medium that can be accepted by the gaming device, the method comprising: a payment request step in which the gaming device makes a payment request for a payment request amount designated by a player to a predetermined payment server device; and when the payment request is accepted by the payment server device, the management device pays the gaming device that made the payment request with the valuable equivalent to the payment request amount. The gaming device includes an update process for updating a value corresponding to the recording medium to be processed; a restriction process for restricting, when the gaming device is performing an update process of the value in response to the payment request, a process involving an increase or decrease in the value, a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine, or a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of held gaming media stored in the gaming device; a special gaming state occurrence identification process for identifying the occurrence of a special gaming state that is more advantageous to the player than a normal gaming state in playing on the gaming machine; and a restriction release process for releasing the restriction imposed by the restriction process when the occurrence of the special gaming state is identified by the special gaming state occurrence identification process.
The present invention also provides a game management method for a gaming system having a gaming machine that stores the number of gaming media used in a game and plays a game using the gaming media, a gaming device that is attached to the gaming machine and stores the number of held gaming media counted by the gaming machine, and a management device that manages a valuable associated with a recording medium that can be accepted by the gaming device, the method comprising: a payment request step in which the gaming device makes a payment request for a payment request amount designated by a player to a predetermined payment server device; and when the payment request is accepted by the payment server device, the management device makes a payment to the gaming device that made the payment request with the valuable equivalent to the payment request amount. The gaming device includes an updating step for updating a value corresponding to the recording medium, a limiting step for limiting, when the gaming device is performing an update process of the value associated with the payment request, a process involving an increase or decrease in the value, a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine, or a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of possessed gaming media stored in the gaming device, a usage unit storage means for storing units of value that can be used for playing on the gaming machine, and a payment request limiting means for limiting the payment request when the sum of the value managed by the management device and the value equivalent to the payment request amount specified by the player falls below the game value stored in the usage unit storage means.

According to the present invention, by restricting the acceptance of currency while a cashless payment is being made, confusion such as the simultaneous occurrence of cashless payment and cash payment can be eliminated, and the prepaid value can be managed smoothly while increasing convenience for players.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of a game management system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the game management system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processor and the gaming machine shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the device status data, the card data, the payment request data, and the function restriction status data shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the gaming machine shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the card management device shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the game type setting data, the card management data, and the device management data shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the payment processing data shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the member management device shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the member management data shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the portable terminal shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the payment management data shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the minimum settlement amount limit during cashless transaction operation. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the manner in which the payment device responds to generalized functions during cashless transaction operations. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the manner in which payment processing is centrally managed during cashless transaction operations.

Below, a preferred embodiment of the gaming management system and gaming management method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

In this specification, "held balls" refers to data indicating game media acquired by a player while playing a game, which can only be used again on the same day (before the closing time of the gaming establishment). "Number of held balls" refers to the number of game media acquired by a player while playing a game. "Saved balls" refers to data indicating game media deposited by a player at a gaming establishment, which can also be used again on the following day (after the closing time of the gaming establishment). "Number of saved balls" refers to the number of game media deposited by a player at a gaming establishment. Both general and member players can use held balls, and are used when a gaming machine is moved, etc. In principle, only member players can use saved balls, and are used when acquired game media are used to play a gaming machine on the following day or later.

The number of held balls is stored in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and when the card is returned, it is managed by the card management device 40 in association with the card ID. The number of game balls is also stored in the gaming machine 20. This number of game balls is used for playing on the gaming machine 20, and when game balls are shot onto the game board, the number of game balls is subtracted from the number of game balls, and when a prize is won, a predetermined number is added to the number of game balls. A counting operation can be used to transfer some or all of the number of game balls to the number of held balls, and a held ball replay operation can be used to transfer some or all of the number of held balls to the number of game balls.

<Overview of the gaming management system>
First, an overview of the gaming management system according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the gaming management system according to this embodiment. A gaming establishment is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20, and each gaming machine 20 is provided with an inter-machine card processing machine 10, which is a machine device.

Based on the player's operation, the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 performs various processes such as a game ball lending process, a held ball replay process that adds some or all of the held balls to the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20, and a saved ball replay process that adds some or all of the saved balls to the number of game balls of the gaming machine 20. When the player finishes playing, he or she operates a return button on the gaming machine, and the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 associates the held balls and other information 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 the number of balls held and prepaid value with the cards. Prepaid value is a valuable value that can be used to lend game balls (i.e., to add to the number of game balls), and is added by depositing money and subtracted by lending balls.

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 shown in Fig. 1, prepaid value can be added by cashless payment. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a cashless transaction operation by a player, it restricts the acceptance of currency, etc. (S1). If currency is accepted while a cashless payment is being made, the prepaid value associated with the cashless payment and the prepaid value associated with the deposit of currency will be added at the same time. As a result, it will be unclear whether the increase in prepaid value is due to the cashless payment or the acceptance of currency, which will cause confusion for the player.

When the player specifies the transaction amount, payment request data including a payment ID and the requested payment amount is generated, and a two-dimensional code (e.g., a QR code (registered trademark)) including the payment request data, card ID, store data, and machine data is displayed on the display operation unit (S2). The payment ID is data that uniquely identifies the payment, and the requested payment amount is the transaction amount specified by the player. The store data also includes a card ID, which is identification information for the card used in the machine-to-machine card processing device 10.

The mobile terminal 110 carried by the player uses a camera to capture the two-dimensional code displayed by the machine-to-machine card processor 10, and obtains the payment request data, card ID, store data, and machine data by decrypting and reading the two-dimensional code (S3). The mobile terminal 110 makes a payment request including the obtained payment request data, card ID, store data, and machine data to the payment device 100 (S4).

The payment device 100 that has accepted the payment request executes the payment by subtracting the requested payment amount from the account indicated in the payment request data of the payment request, and notifies the completion of the payment. The notification of the completion of the payment is sent to the mobile terminal 110 that made the request (S5) and to the card management device 40 of the gaming store indicated in the store data of the payment request (S5'). The notification of the completion of the payment sent to the card management device 40 includes the card ID.

When the card management device 40 receives a payment completion notification from the payment device 100, it performs the deposit process and adds the prepaid value (S6), and notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the addition of the prepaid value (S7).

The inter-machine card processing device 10 displays the received prepaid value on the display operation unit and lifts restrictions on the acceptance of currency, etc. (S8).

In this way, the gaming management system according to this embodiment limits the acceptance of currency while a cashless payment is being made, eliminating confusion caused by simultaneous cashless and cash payments, and allowing for smooth management of prepaid value while increasing convenience for players.

In the above series of explanations, we have shown a case where restrictions on the acceptance of currency, etc. begin when a cashless payment operation is performed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the system to begin restrictions on the acceptance of currency, etc. from the time a payment request is made to the payment device 100.

In addition, in the above series of explanations, we have shown a case where the acceptance of currency is restricted while cashless payment is being made, but the present invention does not only restrict the acceptance of currency, but can also restrict the lending of balls using prepaid value, restrict the addition of the number of game balls, and restrict the addition of the number of balls held. Furthermore, such restrictions can be lifted when a jackpot is hit.

<System Configuration>
Next, the system configuration of the gaming management system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming management system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, a gaming establishment is provided with a plurality of gaming machines 20 and a machine-to-machine card processor 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20. The machine-to-machine card processor 10 is connected to a communication line, which is a network within the establishment, via an island controller 30. The island controller 30, a card management device 40, a member management device 50, a prize management device 60, and a settlement machine 70 are connected to the communication line. In addition, a settlement device 100 installed outside the establishment is connected to the card management device 40 and a mobile terminal 110 via an external network, and is also connected to a server device of a specified financial institution.

The gaming machine 20 is a device that plays games by shooting gaming balls enclosed inside the device onto the gaming board. The gaming balls are physical "balls" used in the game, and are different from the "game balls" that the gaming machine 20 treats as data. The gaming board of the gaming machine 20 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 the winning area. The gaming board is also provided with a predetermined number of starting areas (starting holes), and a predetermined lottery is held based on the passing of the starting area. If the lottery results in a jackpot, a predetermined movable member or the like is operated to increase the probability of the gaming ball passing through the winning area or another starting area, thereby providing an advantage in the game. An area may serve as both a starting area and a winning area.

The winning areas are provided with winning sensors to detect the passage of game balls into the winning areas, and the winning sensors detect the passage (winning) of game balls shot into the winning areas. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also has a prize ball memory that stores the number of game balls to be awarded as prize balls for each winning area, and a playable number memory that stores the number of game balls that a player can use for playing (playable number).

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts money from a player, it notifies the card management device 40 to add a prepaid value corresponding to the amount of the money to the prepaid value corresponding to the card ID of the card stored inside the machine. This prepaid value can be used to add game balls when lending balls. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 can also accept the insertion of a card associated with a prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, etc. Then, at the end of the game, it ejects the card associated with the prepaid value, held balls, etc. and returns it to the player. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 also transmits a history of operations such as depositing money, inserting a card, and ejecting a card to the member management device 50.

The gaming machine 20 transmits out data to the inter-machine card processor 10 each time a predetermined number of gaming balls are discharged from the gaming board. The gaming machine 20 also transmits safe data to the inter-machine card processor 10 each time a predetermined number of prize balls are added to the number of gaming balls based on the passing of a gaming ball through a winning area (a so-called winning). Furthermore, if a special state such as a jackpot occurs during play, special prize data indicating the occurrence of such state is transmitted to the inter-machine card processor 10.

The out data corresponds to the number of balls that the player has shot onto the game board. The safe data corresponds to the number of balls won as a result of winning. The special prize data indicates the status of the gaming machine 20, such as a jackpot. Each piece of data is transmitted to the member management device 50 via the machine-to-machine card processing device 10, and the member management device 50 can obtain the operation history of the gaming machine 20 by accumulating the out data, safe data, and special prize data.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts monetary deposits, issues instructions to add the number of game balls, communicates with the card management device 40, communicates with the member management device 50, and communicates with the gaming machines 20. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts currency inserted by a player, it sends a deposit notification including the amount of the deposit to the card management device 40, thereby adding the prepaid value equivalent to the amount of the deposit to the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40. Then, when a specified ball lending operation is performed, it sends a ball lending request to the card management device 40, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the card management device 40, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value, which is added to the number of game balls.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a card, it sends a card insertion notification to the card management device 40. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the prepaid value, the balance of held balls, or the balance of saved balls from the card management device 40, it stores the balance. When it receives and stores the balance of held balls, it sends a request to subtract held balls to the card management device 40, thereby clearing the balance of held balls (number of held balls) managed by the card management device 40 to zero.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a held ball replay operation, it subtracts a predetermined number from the number of held balls managed by its own device, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted number of held balls, and adds it to the number of game balls. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a saved ball replay operation, it sends a saved ball replay request to the card management device 40, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the number of saved balls managed by the member management device 50, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the subtracted number of saved balls, and adds it to the number of game balls.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a card return operation, it sends a ball addition request including the number of balls held to the card management device 40, and after having the card management device 40 add the number of balls held, it sends a card ejection notification to the card management device 40 and controls the ejection of the card. Note that if a counting operation is received from the gaming machine 20 before the card return operation, the number of game balls is added to the number of balls held.

The inter-machine card processing device 10 also has the function of acquiring a gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 and authenticating the gaming machine 20 using the acquired gaming machine ID and an authentication key received from the card management device 40. This authentication is performed during the opening process, etc., and the gaming machine 20 becomes available for play if the authentication is successful.

The inter-machine card processing device 10 also performs various display controls based on the status of the gaming machine 20 and transmits the status of the gaming machine 20 to the member management device 50.

In addition, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a transaction start operation for cashless payment, it restricts the acceptance of currency to prevent confusion caused by payment that accompanies the acceptance of currency. It is also possible to restrict the lending of balls using prepaid value, the addition of the number of game balls, the addition of balls to the number of balls held, etc.

When the inter-machine card processing device 10 receives an operation to specify the transaction amount for cashless payment, it generates payment request data including a payment ID and the requested payment amount, and displays a two-dimensional code including the payment request data, card ID, store data, and machine data on the display operation unit.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a notification from the card management device 40 that the prepaid value has been granted, it displays the received prepaid value on the display operation unit and lifts restrictions on the acceptance of currency, etc. Furthermore, if a jackpot occurs while restrictions on the acceptance of currency, etc. are in place, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 lifts the function restrictions.

The island controller 30 is a device that bundles a group of gaming machines 20 and inter-machine card processing machines 10 installed on the gaming island, and relays various information to the card management device 40.

When the card management device 40 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it transmits the prepaid value and ball balance associated with the card ID of the inserted card to the inter-machine card processing device 10. Also, if the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of a member card, it transmits a card insertion notification to the member management device 50 and transmits the stored ball replay data received from the member management device 50 to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

In addition, when the card management device 40 receives a request to subtract balls from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it clears the balance of held balls to zero, and when it receives a request to add balls from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it adds the number of held balls indicated in the request to add balls to the balance of held balls.

When the card management device 40 receives a ball lending request 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 lending permission to the machine-to-machine card processing device 10. When the card management device 40 receives a saved ball replay request, it transmits the saved ball replay request 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 70, it notifies the settlement machine 70 of the prepaid value that is associated with this card ID.

The card management device 40 also obtains gaming machine IDs from the inter-machine card processing device 10 and manages the gaming machines 20 installed in its own arcade. It also obtains authentication keys for authenticating the gaming machines 20 set up in its own arcade from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the arcade, and distributes them to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

In addition, when the card management device 40 receives a payment completion notification from the payment device 100, it performs a deposit process related to the payment completion notification, grants prepaid value, and notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the granting of the prepaid value.

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 name, number of balls saved, etc., in association 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 for won balls, saved balls, and held balls. This prize management device 60 is connected to a card reader that reads the card ID of the card, and a prize payout device that pays out prizes. When the prize management device 60 reads the card ID from a general card or a member card (or when it reads identification information corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal, etc.), it sends the card ID to the card management device 40 and requests the remaining balance of held balls for that card ID. In addition, when saving balls are to be exchanged for a prize, it requests the remaining balance of saved balls from the member management device 50.

When a card associated with a prepaid value is inserted, the settlement machine 70 transmits the card ID of the card to the card management device 40, obtains the prepaid value associated with the card, and dispenses cash equivalent to the obtained prepaid value.

The payment device 100 is a server device that performs cashless payments, and is connected to a server device of a financial institution, etc. When the payment device 100 receives payment request data from the mobile terminal 110, it executes the payment by subtracting the requested payment amount from the account indicated in the payment request data. When the payment device 100 completes the payment, it notifies the requesting mobile terminal 110 and the card management device 40 of the gaming facility indicated in the store data of the payment request of a payment completion notification including store data, machine data, and card ID.

The mobile terminal 110 is connected to the payment device 100 via an external network and issues a payment request to the payment device 100. When the mobile terminal 110 receives a payment completion notification from the payment device 100, it displays the completion of the payment on the display operation unit.

Next, the ball lending process in the gaming management system according to this embodiment will be described. When a player performs a ball lending operation on the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends a message addressed to the card management device 40. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, identification information of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that sent the message, and a ball lending request.

When the card management device 40 receives a message including a ball lending request, it subtracts a predetermined value (e.g., 5 units, which represents 500 yen when 1 unit is 100 yen) from the prepaid value associated with the card ID in the message, updates the card management data 45b, and transmits ball lending permission to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that sent the message. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 that has received the ball lending permission transmits an addition signal to the gaming machine 20 requesting the addition of a number corresponding to the subtracted prepaid value (e.g., "125") to the number of playing balls.

The gaming machine 20 that receives the addition signal adds up the number of gaming balls and transmits the added number of gaming balls to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 compares the sum of the number of gaming balls before the addition and the number of balls lent with the number of gaming balls after the addition to determine whether the addition of the number of gaming balls was performed appropriately.

Next, the ball replay processing in the game management system according to this embodiment will be described. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts the insertion of a general card or a membership card, it sends a message addressed to the card management device 40. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, identification information of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

When the card management device 40 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it notifies the inter-machine card processing device 10 of the balance of the balls held at the rate specified by the message, among the balls held associated with the card ID in the message.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 stores the balance of held balls received from the card management device 40. It then transmits a message to the card management device 40, including information identifying the card ID and rate, and a request to subtract held balls. When the card management device 40 receives a request to subtract held balls, it clears the balance of held balls identified by the card ID and rate to zero. In addition, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a request to replay held balls, it subtracts a fixed number from the balance of held balls, notifies the gaming machine 20 of the corresponding number, and adds it to the number of game balls.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives a management transfer request from the gaming machine 20 to transfer management by making the number of gaming balls of the gaming machine 20 the balls held by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the number of gaming balls indicated in the management transfer request to the number of balls held by its own machine. After that, when it accepts a card return operation, it sends a message including a request to add held balls to the card management device 40. This message includes the card ID of the card to be discharged, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that sent it, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the balance of held balls, and a request to add held balls.

When the card management device 40 receives a request to add balls in hand, it updates the balance (number of balls in hand) of the balls in hand associated with the card ID in the message, at the rate specified by the message, to the received value. After that, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sends a card ejection notification to the card management device 40 and controls the ejection of the card.

Next, the stored ball replay process in the game management system according to this embodiment will be described. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a membership card or reads identification information corresponding to the card ID from a mobile terminal that can be used as a membership card, it sends a message addressed to the card management device 40. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 (or identification information corresponding to the card ID read from the mobile terminal), an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a card insertion notification.

The card management device 40 transmits a card insertion notification message to the member management device 50. When the member management device 50 receives the card insertion notification message, it transmits stored ball replay data including the PIN number associated with the card ID in the message and the remaining balls at the rate specified by the message to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

The inter-machine card processing device 10 stores the received saved ball replay data, and if the balance of saved balls indicated in the saved ball replay data is equal to or greater than the number of payout units of game balls in saved ball replay (number of saved ball replay units, for example "125 balls"), it is able to accept 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 checks 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 sends a message addressed to the card management device 40. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted in the inter-machine card processing machine 10, identification information of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that sent the message, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and a request to replay the saved balls.

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

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the stored ball replay data, updates the stored ball balance, and notifies the gaming machine 20 of the number corresponding to the number of stored ball replay units to add it to the number of game balls. It also determines whether the updated stored ball balance is less than the number of stored ball replay units. If the updated balance of the stored ball data is equal to or greater than the number of stored ball replay units, it is possible to accept a stored ball replay operation again, and if a stored ball replay operation is accepted, a stored ball replay request is sent. For the second or subsequent stored ball replay operations, there is no need to confirm the PIN number. If the updated balance of the stored ball data is less than the number of stored ball replay units, it is not possible to accept a stored ball replay operation.

Next, the transition from held balls to saved balls during the store closing process will be explained. During the store closing process, the card management device 40 checks the balance of held balls in the card management data 45b, and if there are held balls whose balance is greater than "0", it notifies the member management device 50 of the balance of held balls along with the card ID and rate. The member management device 50 adds the notified balance of held balls to the balance of saved balls specified by the card ID and rate to update it. The card management device 40 then clears the balance of held balls to zero.

<External configuration of the inter-machine card processing device 10 and the gaming machine 20>
Next, the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. In the figure, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that accepts only paper money is shown, but a unit that can accept electronic money can also be provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is provided with a status display unit 11 that displays the status of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 by turning on or blinking lamps of a predetermined color, a bill insertion slot 12a that accepts various types of bills, a display operation unit 13 such as a touch panel display, and a card insertion slot 14a that accepts cards associated with a card ID.

The gaming machine 20 is provided with a gaming board, a handle 21 used to release enclosed gaming balls onto the gaming board, and a counting button 22.

The count button 22 is an operation button for performing a management transfer, which transfers management of the number of balls that can be dispensed from the gaming machine 20 to the inter-machine card processor 10 by subtracting the number of gaming balls in the gaming machine 20 and adding the corresponding number to the balls held by the inter-machine card processor 10. In an open gaming machine 20 where actual gaming balls are dispensed upon winning, this management transfer corresponds to a counting process in which the inter-machine card processor 10 counts the dispensed gaming balls and adds them to the balls held.

<Internal configuration of inter-machine card processing machine 10>
Next, an explanation will be given of the internal configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has a bill transport unit 12, a display operation unit 13, a reader/writer 14, a communication unit 15, a memory unit 16, a control unit 17, and a game management unit 18.

The banknote transport unit 12 is a transport unit that transports the banknotes inserted through the banknote insertion port 12a to a banknote storage unit (not shown) while determining the denomination and authenticity of the banknotes. The display operation unit 13 is an input/output device such as a touch panel display that displays various information such as value and accepts various operations such as ball lending operations.

The reader/writer 14 is a reading unit 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 unit (not shown) via the reader/writer 14. The communication unit 15 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the card management device 40 via the island controller 30.

The memory unit 16 is a storage device consisting of a hard disk drive, non-volatile memory, etc. The memory unit 16 stores device status data 16a, card data 16b, payment request data 16c, and function restriction status data 16d.

The machine status data 16a is data indicating the status of the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10. The machine status data 16a includes the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID, the game machine ID, the game type, etc. The machine-to-machine card processing machine ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 within the game establishment. The game type is data indicating the rate set in the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10. When game balls of multiple rates are handled within the game establishment, game type names are 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 machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 selects a rate to be used for a game from these game types and stores it as the game type. The game type may be a fixed game type for each section in which the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 is installed, or may be changeable by the player's operation.

Card data 16b is data related to the card being used by the player. Card data 16b includes card ID, PIN, prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, etc. Card ID is the card ID read by reader/writer 14. When a card is transported from a card storage section (not shown) to card insertion port 14a and then ejected, card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by reader/writer 14 during this transport. Also, when a card is transported from card insertion port 14a to a card storage section (not shown), card data 16b is updated by the card ID read by reader/writer 14 during this transport. Prepaid value indicates the balance of prepaid value that can be used for ball lending, and held balls and saved balls indicate their respective balances.

Payment request data 16c is data related to the payment request, such as the payment ID and the requested payment amount. Functionality restriction status data 16d is data indicating whether or not functions such as currency acceptance are restricted.

The gaming management unit 18 is a processing unit that performs processing related to authentication and communication with the gaming machine 20. It is preferable that the gaming management unit 18 is formed on a different board from the control unit 17. The gaming management unit 18 has an authentication processing unit 18a, an authentication key management unit 18b, and a gaming machine status management unit 18c. In practice, these programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed, causing the authentication processing unit 18a, the authentication key management unit 18b, and the gaming machine status management unit 18c to execute processes corresponding to each of them.

The authentication processing unit 18a uses the authentication key received from the card management device 40 to authenticate the gaming machine 20. If the authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 18a transmits an operation permission to the gaming machine 20. If the authentication is unsuccessful, the authentication processing unit 18a prohibits the use of the gaming machine 20. Note that even if the authentication fails, the authentication processing unit 18a may be configured to transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 if it is within a predetermined period of time since the last successful authentication, and not transmit an operation permission to the gaming machine 20 after the predetermined period of time has elapsed since the last successful authentication, and to prohibit the use of the gaming machine 20.

The authentication key management unit 18b is a processing unit that manages the authentication key. A usage time is set for the authentication key, and when the cumulative operating time of the gaming machine 20 reaches the usage time of the authentication key, the authentication key becomes unusable. Specifically, the authentication key management unit 18b uses the power-on time of the board on which the game management unit 18 is formed as the operating time of the gaming machine 20 to manage the usage time of the authentication key. When the authentication key becomes unusable, the authentication key management unit 18b obtains a new authentication key from an authentication key management center outside the store via the card management device 40, and updates the authentication key.

The gaming machine status management unit 18c is a processing unit that communicates with the gaming machine 20 and manages the status of the gaming machine 20. Specifically, the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20, transmits a request to add to the number of gaming balls by ball lending, transmits a request to switch management from held balls to the number of gaming balls by replaying held balls, transmits a request to add to the number of gaming balls by replaying saved balls, receives game results such as the number of balls inserted and the number of winning balls in the gaming machine 20, and receives a request to switch management from the number of gaming balls to held balls by counting. The communication between the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and the gaming machine 20 is encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

The gaming machine status management unit 18c also acquires the status set for the game, such as the current number of game balls, start, jackpot, jackpot type, and number of lotteries in the gaming machine 20. It is desirable to set the time interval at which the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the status of the gaming machine 20 to be shorter than the interval at which game balls are shot (used) in the gaming machine 20.

The timing when the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires a new gaming machine ID from the gaming machine 20 is not limited to before the store opens. The gaming machine status management unit 18c can acquire a gaming machine ID or determine whether to replace the gaming machine 20 when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is turned on or off, during regular communication, when processing related to the number of gaming balls (ball lending, replay, counting, etc.) is performed, when returning from an offline state, etc. Also, a combination of these timings may be used.

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 payment request data generation unit 17b, an encoding processing unit 17c, a payment request data output processing unit 17d, a refund processing unit 17e, a function restriction unit 17f, and a function restriction determination unit 17g. In reality, by loading these programs into the CPU and executing them, the data management unit 17a, the payment request data generation unit 17b, the encoding processing unit 17c, the payment request data output processing unit 17d, the refund processing unit 17e, the function restriction unit 17f, and the function restriction determination unit 17g are caused to execute processes corresponding to each of them.

When a card is inserted, the data management unit 17a sends a card insertion notification including the card ID and the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID to the card management device 40. When the data management unit 17a receives data including a value (at least one of prepaid value, held balls, and saved balls) from the card management device 40, it updates the card data 16b with the received value.

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

When a ball lending operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a sends a ball lending request including the card ID and the inter-machine card processing machine ID to the card management device 40. If permission to lend balls is received in response to this ball lending request, the data management unit 17a instructs the game management unit 18 to subtract the prepaid value of the card data 16b and add a predetermined number of balls to the number of game balls in the gaming machine 20.

In addition, when the data management unit 17a receives a held ball replay operation, it instructs the game management unit 18 to subtract and update the held balls in the card data 16b and add the corresponding number of balls to the number of game balls in the gaming machine 20.

When the balance of the balls shown in the card data 16b is equal to or greater than the number of ball replay units, the data management unit 17a displays a ball replay button on the display operation unit 13, making it possible to accept a ball replay operation. When a ball replay operation is performed by a player, the data management unit 17a transmits a ball replay request including the card ID and the machine-to-machine card processor ID to the card management device 40. When ball replay data is received in response to the ball replay request, the data management unit 17a updates the ball balance in the card data 16b and instructs the game management unit 18 to add the number of balls corresponding to the number of ball replay units to the number of game balls in the gaming machine 20. When a ball replay operation is performed for the first time, the data management unit 17a requests the input of a PIN number, and the condition for transmitting a ball replay request is that the PIN number matches the PIN number shown in the card data 16b.

In addition, when the game management unit 18 receives a request to transfer game balls from the gaming machine 20, the data management unit 17a adds the number of balls instructed by the game management unit 18 to the held balls in the card data 16b to update it.

When the data management unit 17a receives a card return operation, it sends a request to add balls to the card management device 40, including the card ID, the inter-machine card processing machine ID, and the remaining balls. Then, after clearing the card data 16b, it sends a card ejection notification to the card management device 40 and ejects the card.

The payment request data generating unit 17b is a processing unit that generates payment request data indicating information related to a payment. The payment request data includes a payment ID and a payment request amount. The payment ID is data that uniquely identifies a payment. The payment request amount indicates the transaction amount by cashless payment.

When the payment request data generation unit 17b receives an operation requesting a deposit by cashless payment, it determines a payment ID, generates payment request data 16c with the deposit amount specified by the player as the payment request amount, and stores the data in the memory unit 16.

The encoding processing unit 17c is a processing unit that encodes the payment request data 16c, store data, machine data, and card ID into a two-dimensional code. 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. As the machine data, for example, the machine ID from the machine status data 16a may be used.

The payment request data output processing unit 17d displays and outputs the two-dimensional code generated by the encoding processing unit 17c on the display operation unit 13. That is, the payment request data output processing unit 17d outputs the store data and machine data together with the payment request data 16c.

The refund processing unit 17e is a processing unit that refunds the prepaid value by cashless payment. When the refund processing unit 17e receives a refund operation requesting a refund by cashless payment, it sets the amount corresponding to the prepaid value indicated in the card data 16b as the refund request amount. It then determines a payment ID, encodes the refund request data including the payment ID and the refund request amount into a two-dimensional code and displays it on the display operation unit 13, and clears the prepaid value to zero. The player can receive a refund for the cleared prepaid value by reading the two-dimensional code with the mobile terminal 110 to obtain the refund request data and executing the refund process.

The function restriction unit 17f is a processing unit that manages the function restriction status data 16d that indicates whether or not functions such as accepting currency are restricted when cashless payment is being performed. When the function restriction unit 17f receives an operation to start a transaction using cashless payment, it restricts functions such as accepting currency, and sets the function restriction status data 16d to "Yes."

Furthermore, when the function restriction unit 17f receives special prize data of a jackpot from the gaming machine 20, it notifies the function restriction judgment unit 17g of a function restriction judgment instruction. When the function restriction unit 17f receives "function restricted" from the function restriction judgment unit 17g, it releases the function restriction and sets the function restriction status data 16d to "none". When the function restriction unit 17f receives "no function restriction" from the function restriction judgment unit 17g, it does not perform any processing.

When the function restriction determination unit 17g receives a function restriction determination instruction from the function restriction unit 17f, it checks the contents of the function restriction status data 16d, and if "Yes" is set, it notifies the function restriction unit 17f that "Function is restricted" and if "No" is set, it notifies the function restriction unit 17f that "Function is not restricted."

Next, an example of the device status data 16a, the card data 16b, the payment request data 16c, and the function restriction status data 16d shown in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the device status data 16a, the card data 16b, the payment request data 16c, and the function restriction status data 16d shown in FIG. 4.

The own device status data 16a shown in FIG. 5(a) indicates a state in which the ID of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 is "A101", the gaming machine ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", and "Ball 1" is set as the game type of the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

The card data 16b shown in FIG. 5(b) indicates that the ID of the card inserted into the machine-to-machine card processing device 10 is "2002." Note that here, the first digit of the card ID indicates the type of card, with a card whose first digit is "1" being a general card and a card whose first digit is "2" being a membership card. Additionally, the card data 16b indicates that the PIN code for replaying saved balls is "7777" and the prepaid value is "2000" yen.

In addition, card data 16b indicates that, in terms of held balls, the balance of held balls for ball 1 is "500" balls, the balance of held balls for ball 2 is "0" balls, and the balance of held balls for ball 3 is "130" balls, and, in terms of saved balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 1 is "1000" balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 2 is "0" balls, and the balance of saved balls for ball 3 is "0" balls.

The payment request data 16c shown in FIG. 5(c) indicates that the payment ID, which is identification information that uniquely identifies the payment, is "A0001" and the payment request amount is "10,000" yen.

The function restriction status data 16d shown in FIG. 5(d) indicates that the function restriction status is "Yes." In other words, this indicates that a cashless payment transaction has started, and functions such as accepting currency are restricted.

<Internal configuration of gaming machine 20>
Next, the internal configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the gaming machine 20 has a communication control unit 23, a performance control unit 24, a game control unit 25, and a game ball control unit 26. The communication control unit 23 is a control unit for controlling data communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10. Communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 uses encrypted communication using a predetermined encryption method.

When the gaming machine 20 is started, the communication control unit 23 reads the identification information from the control CPU provided in the gaming control unit 25 and/or gaming ball control unit 26, checks whether the identification information is appropriate, and if it is appropriate, establishes communication with the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and goes into standby mode. In the standby mode, if operation permission is received from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it starts the performance control unit 24, gaming control unit 25, and gaming ball control unit 26, making the machine ready for play.

The game control unit 25 is a control unit that controls the game played by the gaming machine 20. In practice, a program corresponding to the game control unit 25 is loaded into the CPU and executed to execute the process.

Specifically, the game control unit 25 controls the launch of game balls onto the game board by detecting handle operation, detects game balls that have entered the winning hole on the game board, obtains random numbers (random numbers from 0 to 65535, with numbers assigned to big wins, small wins, and losses within a predetermined range) using game balls that have entered the starting hole and draws lots (special and normal symbols), controls movable members (tulips, etc.) on the game board, controls the display of a special symbol display device on the game board, detects abnormalities that may be fraudulent (front frame open, vibration detected, etc.) and notifies the host device, etc.

A large number of obstacle pins are set on the game board, and game balls that are launched onto the game board by operating the handle fall between the obstacle pins and either enter a prize hole or a starting hole, or are ejected from the game board through an outlet hole on the game board without entering a prize. When a game ball enters a starting hole, a lottery is held, and if a jackpot is awarded, a jackpot game is played in which a specific prize hole on the game board is controlled to be open multiple times, and by making it easier for game balls to enter these prize holes, prize balls are awarded to the player.

In addition, there is a special jackpot game that gives the player a special bonus game after the jackpot game ends. The special jackpot game includes a probability-varying jackpot and a time-saving jackpot. The probability-varying jackpot and the time-saving jackpot give the probability-varying game and the time-saving game as bonus games after the jackpot, respectively. The time-saving game is a bonus game that increases the number of lotteries per unit time by shortening the fluctuation time (the time from the start of the lottery process to the display of the result) of the normal pattern lottery (the lottery for opening and closing the movable member described above) and/or the special pattern lottery (the lottery for the jackpot lottery by the winning game ball described above), thereby increasing the probability of winning the jackpot per unit time. This bonus game may include a normal pattern probability fluctuation that increases the probability of winning the normal pattern. The time-saving game due to the time-saving jackpot ends when the number of lotteries for the special pattern lottery has been performed a predetermined number of times after the jackpot. We'll discuss probability-varying games later.

The game control unit 25 has a probability fluctuation function. The probability fluctuation function is a function that controls the change of the random number range of the jackpot used in the next lottery (generally to about 10 times) when the lottery result is a jackpot that falls within a specially determined random number range. The probability fluctuation game is a game in which a special symbol is drawn using the changed probability. The probability fluctuation game continues until the next jackpot is won. In addition, the probability fluctuation game and the time-saving game may be granted at the same time. However, in order to prevent unexpected losses to the gaming facility, if a player acquires a certain number of game media after the probability fluctuation game or the time-saving game has started, a process of stopping the game (removing the card once and requesting a prize exchange or a machine move) may be performed. In this case, the number of game media after the probability fluctuation game state is entered is counted by the gaming machine 20, and when this count value reaches a predetermined value, game stop control such as stopping the release of game balls is performed.

The effect control unit 24 is a control unit that controls the effects during play, and has an effect pattern selection unit 24a and an effect selection unit 24b. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the effect pattern selection unit 24a and the effect selection unit 24b to execute processes corresponding to each of them.

The effect symbol selection unit 24a selects effect symbols (symbols to be displayed on effect symbol display devices such as display devices on the game board) based on the special symbol selection by the game control unit 25 (specifically, whether or not the display should ultimately stop at 7, 7, 7, etc.).

The effect selection unit 24b selects the type of effect to be performed before the result of the selection based on the effect pattern is displayed (such as a character appearing to perform a reach effect). Such effects are set so that the effect selected differs depending on the main selection result.

The performance control unit 24 stores performance data for each performance. Furthermore, the performance control unit 24 controls the display of the performance pattern display device, and when a performance is executed, the performance data is superimposed on the background pattern data to display the performance. Furthermore, when the probability fluctuates, background color data different from the normal state is set.

The game ball control unit 26 is a control unit that controls the number of game balls. In practice, a program corresponding to the game ball control unit 26 is loaded into the CPU and executed to execute the process.

Specifically, the game ball control unit 26 stores the number of game balls in a playable number memory, subtracts "1" from the number of game balls each time a game ball is released, and adds the number of prize balls acquired by winning to the number of game balls. Furthermore, when the number of balls is notified by the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it adds the notified number of balls to the number of game balls and sends a confirmation signal to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 indicating that the number of game balls has been added. The game ball control unit 26 can also perform cleaning control of the game balls (circulating balls) enclosed in the game machine 20.

The game ball control unit 26 also periodically transmits the number of game balls stored in the playable number memory to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10. In this case, the game ball control unit 26 continues to update the number of game balls depending on the game status without clearing the contents of the playable number memory to zero, and transmits the number of game balls at the time of data acquisition to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

The gaming machine 20 is also provided with a counting button 22, and a signal indicating that the counting button 22 has been pressed is input to the gaming ball control unit 26. The gaming ball control unit 26 detects the pressing of the counting button 22, and if the detection signal rises and falls within a certain time, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 along with data on the number of gaming balls by a certain number (for example, 100 balls per operation). Then, it subtracts (invalidates) the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 from the number of gaming balls. Also, if it detects the pressing of the counting button 22 and does not detect a fall for a certain time or more after the detection signal rises, it transmits a management transfer request to the inter-machine card processing machine 10 along with data on the number of gaming balls by a certain number (for example, 200 balls per 5 seconds) each time the detection signal rises and continues for a certain time. Then, it subtracts (invalidates) the number of balls transferred to the management of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 from the number of gaming balls. When subtracting from the number of game balls, possible methods include decrementing the value to be subtracted from the value of 1 stored in memory, or updating the value stored in memory with the value after the subtraction and deleting or logically deleting the value before the subtraction to invalidate it, but there are no particular limitations as long as the value after the subtraction is identifiable.

The game control unit 25 and the game ball control unit 26 are each configured on a separate board. The game control board on which the game control unit 25 is configured and the game ball control board on which the game ball control unit 26 is configured each have their own unique ID. The gaming machine 20 combines the ID of the game control board and the ID of the game ball control board and uses this as the gaming machine ID.

<Internal Configuration of Card Management Device 40>
Next, a description will be given of the internal configuration of card management device 40 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of card management device 40 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 7, card management device 40 is connected to a display unit 41 and an input unit 42, and has an external network communication unit 43, a store network communication unit 44, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 46.

The display unit 41 is an LCD panel, a display device, etc. The input unit 42 is a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The external network communication unit 43 is an interface unit for communicating with a payment device 100 outside the store. The store network communication unit 44 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the member management device 50, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 via a communication line within the gaming store.

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 payment processing 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 card ID with the remaining prepaid value and the remaining balls held. The device management data 45c is data related to the devices installed in the gaming facility. This device management data 45c includes the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID, the address of the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, the installation location, the gaming machine ID, the model data of the gaming machine 20, etc.

Payment processing data 45d is data that manages deposits made through cashless payments at gaming establishments and the provision of prepaid value. Specifically, payment processing data 45d is data that associates a payment ID, a requested payment amount, machine data, the date and time of notification of payment completion, and the date and time of value provision.

The control unit 46 is a control unit that performs overall control of the card management device 40, and has a game type setting management unit 46a, a card management unit 46b, a device management unit 46c, and a value granting unit 46d. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed to execute processes that correspond to the game type setting management unit 46a, the card management unit 46b, the device management unit 46c, and the value granting unit 46d.

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. The card management unit 46b communicates with the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 to update the prepaid value and the balance of held balls associated with the card ID. In addition, when the card management unit 46b receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it notifies the valuable value and the balance of held balls associated with the card.

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 inter-machine card processing machine ID, the address of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the installation location, and the gaming machine ID obtained from the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

The value granting unit 46d is a processing unit that grants (adds) a prepaid value equivalent to the payment request amount based on cashless payment to the prepaid value of the card ID included in the payment request. When the value granting unit 46d receives a payment completion notification from the payment device 100, it registers the payment ID, payment request amount, and machine data of the payment completion notification in the payment processing data 45d. After that, the value granting unit 46d notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the prepaid value grant.

Next, an example of the game type setting data 45a, the card management data 45b, the device management data 45c, and the payment processing data 45d shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrams showing an example of the game type setting data 45a, the card management data 45b, the device management data 45c, and the payment processing data 45d shown in FIG. 7.

In the game type setting data 45a shown in FIG. 8(a), the game type name "Ball 1" is associated with the rate "4 yen" and the display name "4 Pachi". In addition, the game type name "Ball 2" is associated with the rate "2 yen" and the display name "2 Pachi", and the game type name "Ball 3" is associated with the rate "1 yen" and the display name "1 Pachi".

In the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 8(b), the card ID "1001" is associated with a prepaid value of "0" points, a balance of held balls for each rate of "0", and a destination ID of use of "A101". In other words, the card with card ID "1001" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with device ID "A101", and management of held balls has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. For this reason, the balance of held balls for each rate is zero.

In addition, in the card management data 45b shown in FIG. 8(b), the card ID "2001" is associated with a prepaid value of "3000" points, and the remaining balls for ball 1 are "1500", "2500", and "0" for ball 3, but is not associated with a usage ID. In other words, the card with the card ID "2001" is not inserted into the inter-machine card processing device 10, and the balls are managed by the card management device 40.

The device management data 45c shown in FIG. 8(c) indicates that the location of the inter-machine card processing device 10 with ID "A101" is "Island 1-1", the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B201", the game type is "Ball 1", the model of the connected gaming machine 20 is "EV01", and the serial number is "a". It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

The device management data 45c also indicates that the location of the inter-machine card processing device 10 with ID "A201" is "Island 2-1," the ID of the connected gaming machine 20 is "B506," the game type is "Ball 3," the model of the connected gaming machine 20 is "DK03," and the serial number is "g." It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

The payment processing data 45d shown in FIG. 9 is data that associates a payment ID, a payment request amount, a card ID, machine data, a payment completion notification date and time, and a value grant date and time. Specifically, the payment processing data 45d associates a payment ID "A0001" with a payment request amount of "10,000" yen, a card ID "2001", machine data "device ID: A101", a payment completion notification date and time "2020/03/01 13:33", and a value grant date and time "2020/03/01 13:34".

<Internal configuration of member management device 50>
Next, we will explain the internal configuration of the member management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the member management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 10, the member management device 50 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52, and has a store network communication unit 53, a memory unit 54, and a control unit 55.

The display unit 51 is a liquid crystal panel, a display device, etc. The input unit 52 is a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The store network communication unit 53 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the card management device 40, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 via a communication line within the gaming facility.

The memory unit 54 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or non-volatile memory, and stores member management data 54a. The member management data 54a is data that associates the member's name, balls, etc. with the card ID.

The control unit 55 is a control unit that performs overall control of the member management device 50, and has a member management unit 55a. In practice, a program corresponding to the control unit 55 is loaded into the CPU and executed to execute the process.

The member management unit 55a is a processing unit that manages the member management data 54a. The member management unit 55a communicates with the card management device 40 and the prize management device 60 to update the balance of balls associated with the card ID. In addition, when the member management unit 55a receives a member registration request, it updates the member management data 54a to add the member.

Here, the stored ball replay processing by the member management unit 55a will be explained. When the member management unit 55a receives stored ball replay request data from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10, it deducts the remaining number of stored balls at the payout rate from among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the stored ball replay request data by the payout unit number, and recalculates the number of stored balls that can be replayed. It then transmits stored ball replay data including the remaining balance after subtraction and the number of stored balls that can be replayed to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

Next, the data stored in the memory unit 54 of the member management device 50 shown in FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the member management data 54a shown in FIG. 10.

The member management data 54a shown in FIG. 11 shows that the name "Yuugi Taro", the balance of balls for each game type, and the mobile IDm "IDmX1" are associated with the card ID "2001". Although not shown here, the member management data 54a can also store the member's points, number of visits, gaming history, PIN number, etc. in association with the card ID. The mobile IDm is identification data that can identify a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, and is used when the mobile terminal is used as a member card.

The member management data 54a also shows a case where saved balls for three game types, "Ball 1," "Ball 2," and "Ball 3," are stored. Here, the saved ball balance for "Ball 1" of card ID "2001" is "250" balls, the saved ball balance for "Ball 2" is "1000" balls, and the saved ball balance for "Ball 3" is "4000" balls.

<Internal configuration of mobile terminal 110>
Next, a description will be given of the internal configuration of the mobile terminal 110 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the mobile terminal 110 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 12, the mobile terminal 110 has a display operation unit 111, a speaker 112, a camera 113, a communication unit 114, a storage unit 115, and a control unit 116.

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

The memory unit 115 is a storage device such as a non-volatile memory, and stores user data 115a and payment management data 115b. The user data 115a is various data related to the user of the mobile terminal 110, and can include the name, address, email address, and financial institution account. The payment management data 115b is data that manages cashless payments, and associates the processing status with various information obtained from the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

The control unit 116 is a control unit that performs overall control of the mobile terminal 110, and includes a decryption processing unit 116a and a payment processing unit 116b. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the decryption processing unit 116a, the payment processing unit 116b, etc. to execute the processes corresponding thereto.

When the camera 113 captures a two-dimensional code, the decoding processing unit 116a decodes the two-dimensional code to acquire payment request data, card ID, store data, and machine data. The decoding processing unit 116a associates processing data with the payment request data, card ID, store data, and machine data acquired by decoding, and registers them in the payment management data 115b. The processing data includes a reading date and time indicating the date and time when the two-dimensional code was read, a payment request date and time indicating the date and time when a payment request was sent to the payment device 100, and a payment completion date and time indicating the date and time when a notification of payment completion was received from the payment device 100. Note that at the time of registration by the decoding processing unit 116a, only the reading date and time is registered, and the payment request date and time and payment completion date and time are appropriately registered by the payment processing unit 116b.

The payment processing unit 116b is a processing unit that executes payment processing based on the payment request data. When the payment management data 115b is registered, the payment processing unit 116b adds information necessary for payment, such as the account used for payment, to the payment request data, and transmits a payment request including the payment request data, card ID, store data, and machine data to the payment device 100, thereby executing the payment processing.

When the payment processing unit 116b sends a payment request, it registers the payment request date and time in the payment management data 115b. Thereafter, when a notification of payment completion is received from the payment device 100, the payment processing unit 116b identifies the corresponding payment management data 115b based on the payment ID included in the payment completion notification, and registers the payment completion date and time of the identified payment management data 115b.

When a payment request is made for a payment related to a refund, the payment processing unit 116b registers the date and time of payment completion, notifies the user that the refund has been completed by displaying the display operation unit 111, etc., and ends the process.

Here, we will explain how to determine the account to be used for payment. The account to be used for payment may be, for example, an account stored in user data 115a. If there are multiple accounts available for use, the account may be determined by the player's selection operation, or the account to be used may be set in advance. It is also possible to set conditions to select the account to be used.

Next, we will explain the data stored in the memory unit 115 of the mobile terminal 110 shown in Figure 12. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the payment management data 115b shown in Figure 12.

The payment management data 115b shown in FIG. 13 associates payment request data, card ID, store data, machine data, and processing data. The payment request data includes a payment ID, payment request amount, account, etc. The processing data includes the reading date and time, payment request date and time, and payment completion date and time.

Specifically, the payment management data 115b associates the payment request amount "10,000" yen, the account "Bank B Branch C Ordinary Account 1234567", the card ID "2001", the store data "Store ID: Y012", and the machine data "Device ID: A101" with the payment ID "A0001" in the payment request data. In addition, it associates the read date and time "2020/03/01 13:31", the payment request date and time "2020/03/01 13:32", and the payment completion date and time "2020/03/01 13:33" as processing data.

<Processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine 10>
Next, a processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 will be described. Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine 10. First, when a cashless transaction start operation is accepted by a player through a touch operation on the display operation unit 13 (step S101), the acceptance of currency, etc. is restricted (step S102).

If the jackpot prize data is received (step S103; Yes), the function restriction is released (step S104). If the jackpot prize data is not received (step S103; No), the process proceeds to step S105.

When the player specifies the amount of the cashless transaction (step S105), the payment request data, etc. are encoded into a two-dimensional code and displayed on the display operation unit 13 (step S106).

If the jackpot prize data is received (step S107; Yes) and the function is restricted (step S108; Yes), the function restriction is lifted (step S109). If the jackpot prize data is not received (step S107; No), or if the jackpot prize data is received (step S107; Yes) but the function is not restricted (step S108; No), proceed to step S110.

When a prepaid value is received from the card management device 40 (step S110), the prepaid value is displayed on the display operation unit 13 (step S111). If the function is restricted (step S112; Yes), the function restriction is lifted (step S113) and the process ends. If the function is not restricted (step S112; No), the process ends as it is.

In this way, the gaming management system according to this embodiment prevents problems caused by simultaneous cashless and cash payments by restricting the acceptance of currency during cashless payment operations, and allows for smooth management of prepaid value while increasing convenience for players.

In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a two-dimensional code is generated by the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to install a two-dimensional code server outside the gaming facility and configure the two-dimensional codes to be generated in a batch by the two-dimensional code server.

Specifically, when the amount of a cashless transaction is input to the inter-machine card processing device 10, the amount and other information are notified as payment request data to the two-dimensional code server via the card management device 40. The two-dimensional code server generates a two-dimensional code from the payment request data and notifies the card management device 40 and the payment device 100.

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives the two-dimensional code from the card management device 40 and displays it on the display operation unit 13. The mobile terminal 110 captures an image of the displayed two-dimensional code and notifies the payment device 100 of the two-dimensional code. If the two-dimensional code server and the two-dimensional code received from the mobile terminal 110 match, the payment device 100 makes a payment based on the information in the two-dimensional code.

In this way, by installing a two-dimensional code server outside the gaming facility and generating two-dimensional codes in bulk using the two-dimensional code server, it is possible to smoothly manage valuable assets while increasing convenience for players.

<Minimum settlement amount limit guidelines for cashless transactions>
In addition, in the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the cashless transaction amount can be freely specified by the player, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the transaction to be conducted for an amount equal to or greater than a set minimum payment request amount.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, when a player selects a cashless transaction on the display operation unit 13 of the inter-machine card processing device 10, a screen for inputting the purchase amount is displayed (S21). When the player inputs 500 yen as the purchase amount (S22), the player is notified to input an amount equal to or greater than 1000 yen, which is the minimum purchase amount set in advance (S23).

When the player re-enters 1,000 yen, which is more than the minimum purchase amount (S24), a two-dimensional code for payment is displayed (S25).

In this way, by configuring transactions to be made for amounts equal to or greater than the minimum payment amount set, it is possible to prevent players from making unnecessary payment transactions.

In the above embodiment, we have described a case where the system is configured to perform transactions with a minimum payment request amount or more, but it can also be configured to allow cashless payment when the sum of the current prepaid balance and the payment request amount is equal to or greater than the minimum payment request amount.

In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the minimum purchase amount can be freely set, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the minimum purchase amount to be automatically set to the amount that is the minimum insertion unit (for example, if the minimum insertion unit of 25 balls is 100 yen, then the minimum payment request amount is 100 yen).

In the above embodiment, the configuration was described in which the purchase amount is input on the display operation unit 13 of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. Even in the case of a method in which the purchase amount is input on the mobile terminal 110 to generate a two-dimensional code and the inter-machine card processing machine 10 reads the two-dimensional code, if the purchase amount specified in the two-dimensional code is less than the minimum purchase amount, it is also possible to configure the display operation unit 13 to display a message prompting the user to re-enter the purchase amount.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the player can freely specify the purchase amount, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to set a fixed amount (e.g., 400 yen) by reading the two-dimensional code once, settle the payment, and lend balls up to the set amount.

In addition, in the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which balls are lent at a fixed unit price regardless of the payment method, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be configured to lend balls in a preset amount depending on the payment method (for example, in the case of cash payment, 200 yen worth of balls are lent when the 1 ball lend button is pressed, and in the case of cashless payment, 400 yen worth of balls are lent when payment is completed).

<Guidelines for generalizing the functionality of payment devices when operating cashless transactions>
In addition, in the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which payment request data including machine data is notified to the payment device 100 to perform payment processing, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to make the card ID and machine data unnecessary in the payment device 100.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, a two-dimensional code including a payment ID, deposit amount, card ID, store data, and machine data is displayed on the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10 (S31). The mobile terminal 110 reads the two-dimensional code (S32) and notifies the payment device 100 of a payment request including the payment ID, deposit amount, and store data (S33), and notifies the card management device 40 of the payment ID, card ID, and machine data (S34). The mobile terminal 110 and card management device 40 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other, for example by setting up a wireless communication network in the gaming facility.

The payment device 100 performs payment processing based on the received payment request, and notifies the mobile terminal 110 of the completion of payment (S35), and also notifies the card management device 40 (S35').

The card management device 40 performs the deposit process and grants the prepaid value based on the payment completion notification received from the payment device 100 and the payment ID, card ID, and machine data received from the mobile terminal 110 (S36). The card management device 40 notifies the inter-machine card processing device 10 of the granting of the prepaid value (S37).

In this way, by notifying the card management device 40 of the card ID and machine data from the mobile terminal 110, the payment device 100 can be configured to eliminate the need for the card ID and machine data.

<Guidelines for centralized management of payment processing during cashless transaction operations>
In addition, in the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which payment processing is centrally managed by payment device 100, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure card management device 40 to centrally manage payment processing by assigning and managing transaction serial numbers in card management device 40.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the player specifies the amount of the cashless transaction in the inter-machine card processing machine 10 (S41). The inter-machine card processing machine 10 requests a transaction serial number from the card management device 40 (S42), and the card management device 40 issues a transaction serial number (S43) and notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the transaction serial number (S44).

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 generates and displays a two-dimensional code including the received transaction serial number (S45). The mobile terminal 110 reads the two-dimensional code (S46) and notifies the payment device 100 of a payment request including the transaction serial number (S47).

The payment device 100 performs payment processing based on the received payment request, and notifies the mobile terminal 110 of a payment completion notification including the transaction serial number (S48), and also notifies the card management device 40 (S48').

The card management device 40 performs the deposit process and grants the prepaid value based on the payment completion notification including the transaction serial number received from the payment device 100 (S49). The card management device 40 notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the granting of the prepaid value (S50).

In this way, by managing transaction serial numbers in the card management device 40, it is possible to configure the card management device 40 to centrally manage payment processing.

In addition, the configurations illustrated in the above embodiments are merely functional schematics, and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

The gaming management system and gaming management method of the present invention are suitable for smoothly managing valuable assets while increasing convenience for players by restricting some functions such as deposits during cashless payment operations.

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 15 Communication unit 16 Memory unit 16a Own machine status data 16b Card data 16c Settlement request data 16d Function restriction status data 17 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Settlement request data generation unit 17c Encoding processing unit 17d Settlement request data output processing unit 17e Refund processing unit 17f Function restriction unit 17g Function restriction judgment unit 18 Game management unit 18a Authentication processing unit 18b Authentication key management unit 18c Gaming machine status management unit 20 Gaming machine 21 Handle 22 Counting button 23 Communication control unit 24 Performance control unit 24a Performance pattern lottery unit 24b Performance lottery unit 25 Game control unit 26 Game ball control unit 26a Playable number management unit 30 Island controller 40 Card management device 41 Display unit 42 Input unit 43 External network communication unit 44 Store network communication unit 45 Memory unit 45a Game type setting data 45b Card management data 45c Device management data 45d Payment processing data 46 Control unit 46a Game type setting management unit 46b Card management unit 46c Device management unit 46d Value imparting unit 50 Member management device 51 Display unit 52 Input unit 53 Store network communication unit 54 Memory unit 54a Member management data 55 Control unit 55a Member management unit 60 Prize management device 70 Settlement machine 100 Payment device 110 Mobile terminal 111 Display operation unit 112 Speaker 113 Camera 114 Communication unit 115 Storage unit 115a User data 115b Payment management data 116 Control unit 116a Decryption processing unit 116b Payment processing unit

Claims (9)

A gaming system comprising: a gaming machine that stores the number of gaming media used in a game and plays a game using the gaming media; a gaming device that is provided in association with the gaming machine and stores the number of owned gaming media counted by the gaming machine; and a management device that manages a negotiable value associated with a recording medium that can be accepted by the gaming device,
a payment request means for making a payment request for the amount of payment requested by the player to a predetermined payment server device;
an updating means for updating a value corresponding to a recording medium to be processed by the gaming device which has made the payment request with a value equivalent to the payment request amount when the payment request is accepted by the payment server device;
a limiting means for limiting a process involving an increase or decrease in the value, a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of game media stored in the gaming machine, or a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of owned game media stored in the gaming device, when the game device is performing an update process of the value associated with the settlement request ;
A special game state occurrence specifying means for specifying the occurrence of a special game state which is more advantageous to a player than a normal game state in a game on the gaming machine;
a restriction release means for releasing the restriction imposed by the restriction means when the occurrence of the special game state is identified by the special game state occurrence identification means;
A gaming management system comprising: A gaming system comprising: a gaming machine that stores the number of gaming media used in a game and plays a game using the gaming media; a gaming device that is provided in association with the gaming machine and stores the number of owned gaming media counted by the gaming machine; and a management device that manages a negotiable value associated with a recording medium that can be accepted by the gaming device,
a payment request means for making a payment request for the amount of payment requested by the player to a predetermined payment server device;
an updating means for updating a value corresponding to a recording medium to be processed by the gaming device which has made the payment request with a value equivalent to the payment request amount when the payment request is accepted by the payment server device;
a limiting means for limiting a process involving an increase or decrease in the value, a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of game media stored in the gaming machine, or a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of owned game media stored in the gaming device, when the game device is performing an update process of the value associated with the settlement request;
a unit of use storage means for storing a unit of value that can be used for playing on the gaming machine;
a payment request limiting means for limiting the payment request when the sum of the value managed by the management device and the value equivalent to the payment request amount designated by the player falls below the game value stored in the use unit storage means;
A gaming management system comprising: The limiting means is
A gaming management system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, from the time a payment operation is accepted in the gaming device to the time the value is updated by the update means, processes involving an increase or decrease in the value, processes involving an increase or decrease in the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine, or processes involving an increase or decrease in the number of held gaming media stored in the gaming device are restricted. The limiting means is
4. The gaming management system according to claim 3 , characterized in that the gaming device is restricted from processing the rental of gaming media during the period from the time a payment operation is accepted at the gaming device until the value is updated by the update means. The limiting means is
4. The gaming management system according to claim 3, further comprising a step of restricting the gaming device from accepting currency during the period from the time a settlement operation is accepted in said gaming device until the value is updated by said update means. The limiting means is
The gaming management system according to claim 3, characterized in that the process of adding up the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine is restricted from the time a payment operation is accepted in the gaming device until the value is updated by the update means. The limiting means is
The gaming management system described in claim 3, characterized in that the process of adding up the number of gaming media stored in the gaming device is restricted from the time a payment operation is accepted in the gaming device to the time the value is updated by the update means. A game management method for a game system having a game machine that stores the number of game media used in a game and plays a game using the game media, a game device that is provided in association with the game machine and stores the number of owned game media counted by the game machine, and a management device that manages a valuable item associated with a recording medium that can be accepted by the game device, comprising:
a payment request step in which the gaming device makes a payment request for the amount of payment requested by the player to a predetermined payment server device;
an updating step of updating, by the management device, a value corresponding to the recording medium to be processed by the gaming device which has made the payment request, with a value equivalent to the payment request amount, when the payment request is accepted by the payment server device;
a limiting step of limiting a process involving an increase or decrease in the value, a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of game media stored in the gaming machine, or a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of owned game media stored in the gaming device, when the game device is performing an update process of the value associated with the settlement request;
a special game state occurrence identification step of identifying the occurrence of a special game state that is more advantageous to a player than a normal game state in a game on the gaming machine;
a restriction release step of releasing the restriction imposed by the restriction step when the occurrence of the special game state is identified by the special game state occurrence identification step. A game management method for a game system having a game machine that stores the number of game media used in a game and plays a game using the game media, a game device that is provided in association with the game machine and stores the number of owned game media counted by the game machine, and a management device that manages a valuable item associated with a recording medium that can be accepted by the game device, comprising:
a payment request step in which the gaming device makes a payment request for the amount of payment requested by the player to a predetermined payment server device;
an updating step of updating, by the management device, a value corresponding to the recording medium to be processed by the gaming device which has made the payment request, with a value equivalent to the payment request amount, when the payment request is accepted by the payment server device;
a limiting step of limiting a process involving an increase or decrease in the value, a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of game media stored in the gaming machine, or a process involving an increase or decrease in the number of owned game media stored in the gaming device, when the game device is performing an update process of the value associated with the settlement request;
a unit of use storage means for storing a unit of value that can be used for playing on the gaming machine;
a payment request limiting means for limiting the payment request when the sum of the value managed by the management device and the value equivalent to the payment request amount designated by the player falls below the game value stored in the use unit storage means;
A game management method comprising:

Images