JP7630033B2 - Gaming device, gaming system, and gaming management method - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a gaming device, a gaming system, and a gaming management method that can efficiently prevent the ejection of a recording medium even when gaming balls are present in an enclosed gaming machine.

Traditionally, at gaming establishments such as pachinko parlors, players are loaned recording media such as cards (hereinafter simply referred to as "cards") to be used in playing games on gaming machines. When a player performs a loan operation by inserting coins into an inter-machine card processing machine that is attached and capable of communicating with the gaming machine, each machine performs a loan process of gaming media within the range of a prepaid value equivalent to the coins. When a player performs a card return operation, a card associated with the number of gaming media acquired by the player is returned.

If a player leaves the game without taking any precautions, a malicious third party may return the card and steal it. For this reason, technology is known to prevent such theft by third parties.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a player is playing on a gaming machine that uses a counting system and wishes to stop playing and leave the machine, the player is made to carry out a card theft lock operation, including inputting a PIN into a card processing machine between machines, thereby locking the gaming machine. When the player subsequently wishes to resume playing, the card theft lock is released by having the player input the PIN into the card processing machine between machines. With this technology, a third party who does not know the PIN cannot return a card that is associated with a prepaid value and the number of gaming media (number of balls held), and the card cannot be stolen illegally.

JP 2020-022636 A

However, the above conventional technology is based on gaming machines that count each machine, and problems may arise when the above conventional technology is applied to enclosed gaming machines that do not throw physical gaming balls outside the machine. This is because, with the above conventional technology, even if data on the number of gaming media called gaming balls is stored inside an enclosed gaming machine, if there is no prepaid value and the number of balls held, the card cannot be locked to prevent theft.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional gaming machine, and aims to provide a gaming device, gaming system, and gaming management method that can efficiently prevent the ejection of a recording medium even when gaming balls are present in an enclosed gaming machine.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a gaming device that is attached to an enclosed gaming machine that stores a first number of gaming media used in a game and provides a game using the first number of gaming media, stores a second number of gaming media that can be transferred to the first number of gaming media, and lends out gaming media using a prepaid value associated with a general-use recording medium, the gaming device comprising: a reception means for receiving a predetermined locking operation that restricts the return of the general-use recording medium; and an acquisition means for acquiring the first number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine, the reception means being capable of accepting the predetermined locking operation when the prepaid value and the number of second gaming media associated with the general -use recording medium are 0 and the number of first gaming media acquired by the acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

In the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, when the predetermined lock operation is accepted by the accepting unit, the return of the general-purpose recording medium is suppressed.

In the above invention, when the predetermined lock operation is accepted by the accepting means, the device enters a waiting state for accepting an input operation of authentication information, and the accepted authentication information is stored in a predetermined storage unit.

In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that, when the return of the general-use recording medium is inhibited by the specified locking operation, if the prepaid value, the number of second gaming media, and the number of first gaming media associated with the general-use recording medium become less than a specified number, the inhibition of the return of the general-use recording medium is lifted.

The present invention also provides a gaming system having an enclosed gaming machine that stores a first number of gaming media to be used for a game and provides a game using the first number of gaming media, a gaming device that is attached to the gaming machine and stores a second number of gaming media that can be transferred to the first number of gaming media and lends out gaming media using a prepaid value associated with a general-use recording medium, and a management device that manages a valuable value associated with a general-use recording medium that can be accepted by the gaming device, the system comprising: a reception means that receives a predetermined lock operation that restricts the return of the general-use recording medium from the gaming device; and an acquisition means that acquires the first number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine, the reception means being capable of accepting the predetermined lock operation when the prepaid value and the number of second gaming media associated with the general-use recording medium are 0 and the number of first gaming media acquired by the acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

The present invention also provides a game management method for a game system having an enclosed game machine that stores a first number of game media to be used for a game and provides a game using the first number of game media, a game device that is attached to the game machine, stores a second number of game media that can be transferred to the first number of game media, and lends out game media using a prepaid value associated with a general-use recording medium, and a management device that manages a valuable value associated with a general-use recording medium that can be accepted by the game device, the method including a reception step of accepting a predetermined lock operation that restricts the return of the general -use recording medium from the game device, and an acquisition step of acquiring the first number of game media stored in the game machine, the reception step being characterized in that the predetermined lock operation can be accepted when the prepaid value and the number of second game media associated with the general-use recording medium are 0 and the number of first game media acquired by the acquisition step is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

According to the present invention, even if game balls are present in an enclosed gaming machine, it is possible to efficiently prevent the recording medium from being ejected.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an outline of a gaming system according to the prior art and the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming system according to the first 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 configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the device status data, card data, number of game balls data, and PIN data shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the gaming machine shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management device shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the game type setting data, the card management data, the device management data, and the member management data shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of an inter-machine card processing machine according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of a gaming system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an overview of a gaming system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the ticket vending machine, management device, and inter-machine card processing machine according to the third embodiment.

[Embodiment 1]
The gaming device, gaming system, and gaming management method according to the first embodiment will be described in detail below.

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

Overview of the gaming system according to the first embodiment
First, an outline of the gaming system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the gaming system according to the prior art and the present embodiment 1. The inter-machine card processing machine is provided with a card theft lock function to prevent the theft of an inserted card.

In gaming systems according to the conventional technology, if the balance of the prepaid value associated with the card in the inter-machine card processing machine (hereinafter simply referred to as the "prepaid balance") and the number of balls held stored on the inter-machine card are both not "0", it is possible to set a card theft lock that blocks the return of the card. This is because in conventional gaming machines that use counting on each machine, it was sufficient to protect the value of the prepaid balance and the number of balls held. In addition, for saved balls, the player must enter a password set by the player when registering as a member, so fraudulent use by card thieves is restricted.

However, recently, enclosed gaming machines have appeared in which gaming balls are enclosed within the machine and are not ejected outside the machine. In these enclosed gaming machines, data on the number of gaming media available for the machine, called gaming balls, is stored, and games are provided using these gaming balls. When a gaming ball is shot onto the game board, the number of gaming balls is subtracted, and if a prize ball is generated, the number of gaming balls is added. In this way, in the case of enclosed gaming machines, a new value exists in the form of "game balls."

If the above card theft lock were simply applied to an enclosed gaming machine, as shown in FIG. 1(a), if the prepaid balance and the number of balls held are both "0", the card theft lock cannot be set even if there are gaming balls in the gaming machine. As a result, players cannot set the card theft lock, which reduces convenience for players. Note that players may continue to play using gaming balls with the card theft lock set to prevent forgetting to take the card, but this action will no longer be possible.

Therefore, the gaming system according to this embodiment 1 is configured so that the card theft lock can be set if at least one of the prepaid balance, the number of balls held, and the number of game balls is not "0."

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1(b), when the prepaid balance and the number of balls held are both "0" and there are "500 balls" in play (S1), the card theft lock can be selected (S2) and a PIN number set (S3), enabling the card theft lock to be set.

After the card theft lock is set, the player can continue to play using game balls. As a result, when the number of game balls "500 balls" is used up, the card theft lock is automatically released (S4). This is because the prepaid balance, the number of balls held, and the value of the number of game balls are all "0", and there is no need to set the card theft lock. If the card theft lock is not released, problems will occur. If a new player B increases the prepaid balance by inserting coins when the number of game balls "500 balls" has been used up by player A, the card theft lock function set by the previous player A will be maintained. Since the new player B does not know the password set by the previous player A, he cannot return the card even if he performs the card return operation. As a result, the new player B must call an attendant and have the attendant return the card, which reduces the operation rate of the gaming machine and hinders the smooth play of the players. For this reason, the gaming system according to this embodiment 1 is configured to automatically release the card theft lock if the prepaid balance, number of balls held, and value of the number of game balls all become "0."

For ease of explanation, it has been stated here that the card theft lock can be set when any of the prepaid balance, number of balls held, and value of the number of game balls is not "0." However, it can also be configured so that the card theft lock can be set when any of the prepaid balance, number of balls held, and value of the number of game balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. It can also be configured so that the card theft lock can be released when the prepaid balance, number of balls held, and value of the number of game balls all fall below a predetermined value.

In addition, here, the inter-machine card processing machine is responsible for setting and releasing the card theft lock, but it is also possible to configure the management device to determine whether the conditions for setting the card theft lock are met and whether the conditions for releasing the card theft lock are met, and to give instructions to the inter-machine card processing machine from the management device.

<System Configuration>
Next, the system configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the gaming system according to the present embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 2, a gaming establishment is equipped with a plurality of gaming machines 20 and an inter-machine card processor 10 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 20. The inter-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 management device 50, a prize management device 60, and a settlement machine 70 are connected to the communication line.

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 game ball through 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 game 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 indicates the number of game balls. The control unit of the gaming machine 20 also periodically transmits the number of game balls to the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives and stores the number of game balls stored in the gaming machine 20.

When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a deposit from a player, it associates a prepaid value corresponding to the amount of the deposit with the identification information (card ID) of the card stored inside the machine. This prepaid value can be used to lend out game 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 a game, it ejects the card associated with the prepaid value, held balls, saved balls, etc. and returns it to the player. The inter-machine card processing machine 10 also transmits a history of operations such as deposits, card insertion, and card ejection to the management device 50.

When a predetermined number of game balls are shot onto the game board, the gaming machine 20 transmits out data to the inter-machine card processor 10. In addition, when a game ball passes through a winning area (a so-called winning) and a predetermined number of prize balls are added to the game balls, the gaming machine 20 transmits safe data to the inter-machine card processor 10. Furthermore, when 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 management device 50 via the machine-to-machine card processing device 10, and the 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 deposits, lends game balls, and communicates with the management device 50 and the gaming machines 20. When the inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts bills inserted by a player, it sends a deposit notification including the amount of the deposit to the management device 50, thereby adding the prepaid value equivalent to the amount of the deposit to the prepaid value managed by the management device 50. Then, when a specified ball lending operation is performed, it sends a ball lending request to the management device 50, subtracts the prepaid value managed by the management device 50, 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 management device 50. In addition, 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 management device 50, it stores the balance. Then, when the inter-machine card processing machine 10 receives and stores the balance of held balls, it sends a request to subtract held balls to the management device 50, thereby clearing the balance of held balls (number of held balls) managed by the management device 50 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 management device 50, thereby subtracting a predetermined number from the number of saved balls managed by the 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 accepts a card return operation, it sends a ball addition request including the number of held balls to the management device 50, and after having the management device 50 add the number of held balls, it sends a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and controls the ejection of the card. Note that if a counting operation is accepted from the gaming machine 20 before the card return operation, the number of game balls is added to the number of held balls.

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

The inter-machine card processing machine 10 accepts a card theft lock operation if there is value in any of the prepaid value, held balls, and game balls (i.e., if they are not "0"). In addition, if the inter-machine card processing machine 10 has set a card theft lock, it automatically releases the card theft lock when it accepts an operation to release the card theft lock (including input of a PIN number), or when the prepaid value, held balls, and game balls all become "0".

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 management device 50.

When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing device 10, it manages the identification information of the inserted card (hereinafter referred to as the "card ID") in association with the inter-machine card processing device 10, and transmits the prepaid value and ball balance associated with the card ID to the inter-machine card processing device 10. In addition, if the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification is the card ID of a membership card, it transmits stored ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

In addition, when the management device 50 receives a request to subtract balls from the inter-machine card processing machine 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 machine 10, it adds the number of held balls indicated in the request to add balls to the balance of held balls.

When the management device 50 receives a ball lending request from the inter-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 inter-machine card processing device 10. When the management device 50 receives a request to replay saved balls, it transmits saved ball replay data to the inter-machine card processing device 10.

When the management device 50 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 management device 50 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 management device 50 also obtains gaming machine IDs from the inter-machine card processing machine 10 and manages the gaming machines 20 installed in its own arcade. It also obtains authentication keys for authenticating the gaming machines 20 set in its own arcade from an authentication key management center (not shown) outside the arcade, and distributes them to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

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

When the management device 50 receives a card insertion notification from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it transmits stored ball replay data including the remaining ball balance and PIN number corresponding to the card ID indicated in the card insertion notification to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. In addition, when the management device 50 receives a stored ball replay request from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, it subtracts a predetermined number from the remaining ball balance associated with the card ID indicated in the stored ball replay request, and transmits stored ball replay data including the remaining ball balance after subtraction to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

In addition, when the management device 50 receives an inquiry about the number of saved balls from the prize management device 60, it notifies the prize management device 60 of the remaining balance of saved balls 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 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 management device 50 and requests the remaining balance of held balls for that card ID. In addition, when saved balls are to be exchanged for a prize, it requests the remaining balance of saved balls from the 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 management device 50, obtains the prepaid value associated with the card, and dispenses cash equivalent to the obtained prepaid value.

Next, the ball lending process in the gaming system according to the first 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 local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, an address or any identification information that identifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 that is the sender, and a ball lending request.

When the management device 50 receives a message including a ball lending request, it updates the card management data by subtracting a predetermined value (for example, 5 units, which represents 500 yen when 1 unit is 100 yen) from the prepaid value associated with the card ID in the message, 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 (for example, "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 number of gaming balls after the addition 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 process in the gaming system according to this embodiment 1 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 local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, 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.

When the management device 50 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 management device 50. It then transmits a message to the management device 50, including information identifying the card ID and rate, and a request to subtract held balls. When the management device 50 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, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 adds the number of gaming balls indicated in the management transfer request to the balls held by the gaming machine 20. After that, when the card return operation is accepted, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 transmits a message including a request to add balls held to the management device 50. 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 the message, information for identifying the rate of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, the balance of balls held, and a request to add balls held.

When the management device 50 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 management device 50 and controls the ejection of the card.

Next, the stored ball replay process in the gaming system according to the first 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 local address of the management device 50. 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 management device 50 transmits stored ball replay data, including the PIN number associated with the card ID in the message and the remaining balance of stored balls at the rate specified by the message, to the inter-machine card processing device 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 local address of the management device 50. This message includes the card ID of the card inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10, 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 request to replay the saved balls.

The management device 50 subtracts a predetermined value from the balance of the stored balls at the rate specified by the message among the stored balls associated with the card ID in the message, and transmits stored ball replay data including the balance after the subtraction to the inter-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, we will explain the transition from held balls to saved balls during the store closing process. The management device 50 checks the balance of held balls in the card management data during the store closing process, and if there are held balls whose balance is greater than "0", it adds the balance of the held balls to the saved ball balance to update it. The management device 50 then clears the balance of the 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 throw 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 game 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-type gaming machine 20 in which actual game balls are dispensed upon winning, this management transfer corresponds to a counting process in which the inter-machine card processor 10 counts the dispensed game balls and adds them to the balls held.

<Configuration of inter-machine card processing machine 10>
Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the 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 a 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 management device 50 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 the device status data 16a, card data 16b, number of game balls data 16c, and PIN 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 gaming 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 gaming 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.

The number of game balls data 16c is data indicating the number of game balls stored in the gaming machine 20. The PIN data 16d is data indicating the PIN that is registered when the card theft lock is set.

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 management device 50 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 management device 50, 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 gaming balls in the gaming machine 20, start, jackpot, jackpot type, and number of lottery draws. 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 shorter than the interval at which gaming balls are shot (used) in the gaming machine 20. Furthermore, once the gaming machine status management unit 18c acquires the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 20, it passes the number of gaming balls to the control unit 17.

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 performs overall control of the inter-machine card processing machine 10, and has a data management unit 17a, a number of game balls management unit 17b, a card theft lock display unit 17c, and a card theft lock control unit 17d. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed, causing the data management unit 17a, the number of game balls management unit 17b, the card theft lock display unit 17c, and the card theft lock control unit 17d to execute processes that correspond 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 management device 50. In addition, when the data management unit 17a receives data including a value (at least one of prepaid value, held balls, and saved balls) from the management device 50, 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 management device 50, 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 machine-to-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. If permission to lend balls is received in response to this ball lending request, the data management unit 17a instructs the gaming 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 a card ID and a machine-to-machine card processor ID to the management device 50. 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 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 ball addition request including the card ID, the inter-machine card processing machine ID, and the remaining balls to the management device 50. After clearing the card data 16b, it sends a card ejection notification to the management device 50 and ejects the card.

The game ball count management unit 17b is a processing unit that manages the game ball count data 16c indicating the number of game balls held by the game machine 20. The game ball count management unit 17b stores the number of game balls received from the game machine 20 in the game ball count data 16c. Furthermore, if the number of game balls received from the game machine 20 is 0 and the game ball count data 16c at that time is not 0, the game ball count management unit 17b passes information of "0" game balls to the card theft lock control unit 17d.

The card theft lock display unit 17c is a control unit that displays a card theft lock selection button on the menu display of the display operation unit 13. If any of the prepaid value, held balls, and game balls in the card data 16b and game ball count data 16c is not "0", the card theft lock display unit 17c displays a card theft lock selection button on the menu display of the display operation unit 13.

The card theft lock control unit 17d is a processing unit that controls the setting and release of the card theft lock. When the card theft lock control unit 17d receives an instruction to set the card theft lock, it accepts input of a PIN from the display operation unit 13 and stores the accepted PIN in the PIN data 16d.

The card theft lock control unit 17d accepts an instruction to release the card theft lock and input of a PIN number, and releases the card theft lock if the input PIN number matches the PIN number data 16d. The card theft lock control unit 17d also receives a no game balls from the game ball count management unit 17b, and releases the card theft lock if both the prepaid value and the number of balls held in the card data 16b are "0".

Next, a specific example of data stored in the memory unit 16 of the machine-to-machine card processing device 10 shown in Figure 4 will be described. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the machine status data 16a, card data 16b, number of game balls data 16c, and PIN data 16d shown in Figure 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 "1001." 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. The card data 16b also indicates that the PIN code for replaying saved balls is "-", which is not set because it is a general card. The card data 16b also indicates that the prepaid value is "0 yen."

In addition, card data 16b indicates that, in terms of held balls, the balance of held balls for ball 1 is "0", the balance of held balls for ball 2 is "400", and the balance of held balls for ball 3 is "300", and, in terms of saved balls, the balance of saved balls for ball 1 is "0", the balance of saved balls for ball 2 is "0", and the balance of saved balls for ball 3 is "0".

The number of game balls data 16c shown in FIG. 5(c) indicates that the number of game balls is 500. The PIN code data 16d shown in FIG. 5(d) indicates that the PIN code for the card theft lock is set to 1234.

<Configuration of Gaming Machine 20>
Next, the configuration of the gaming machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 will be described. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the 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 held a specified 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 particularly specified random number range. The probability fluctuation game is a game in which a special pattern is drawn using this 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 (discharging 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 according to 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 playable number management unit 26a manages the number of game balls stored in the playable number memory as the playable number.

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 period of 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 period of 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 period of 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 can be identified.

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.

<Configuration of management device 50>
Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the management device 50 shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 7, the management device 50 is connected to a display unit 51 and an input unit 52, and has an external network communication unit 53, a store network communication unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56.

The display unit 51 is an LCD panel, a display device, etc. The input unit 52 is a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The external network communication unit 53 is an interface unit for data communication with an authentication key management center via an external network. The store network communication unit 54 is an interface unit for data communication with the island controller 30, the prize management device 60, and the settlement machine 70 via a communication line within the gaming facility.

The memory unit 55 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive or non-volatile memory, and stores game type setting data 55a, card management data 55b, device management data 55c, and member management data 55d.

Game type setting data 55a is data that associates the lending rate and display name with the game type. Card management data 55b is data that associates the card ID with the prepaid value balance, the ball balance, etc.

The device management data 55c is data related to the devices installed in the gaming establishment. This device management data 55c includes the machine-to-machine card processing machine ID, the installation location, the gaming machine ID, the model data of the gaming machine 20, etc. The member management data 55d is data that associates the card ID of the member card issued to the member with the member's name, ball storage information, etc.

The control unit 56 is a control unit that performs overall control of the management device 50, and has a game type setting management unit 56a, a card management unit 56b, a device management unit 56c, and a member management unit 56d. In practice, these programs are loaded into the CPU and executed to execute processes corresponding to the game type setting management unit 56a, the card management unit 56b, the device management unit 56c, and the member management unit 56d.

The game type setting management unit 56a 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 55a.

The card management unit 56b is a processing unit that manages the card management data 55b. The card management unit 56b 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 56b 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 56c is a processing unit that manages the device management data 55c. The device management unit 56c generates and updates the device management data 55c based on the inter-machine card processing machine ID, installation location, and gaming machine ID obtained from the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

The member management unit 56d is a processing unit that manages the member management data 55d. The member management unit 56d communicates with the prize management device 60 to update the balance of balls associated with the card ID. In addition, when the member management unit 56d receives a member registration request, it updates the member management data 55d to add the member.

Here, the stored ball replay processing by the member management unit 56d will be explained. When the member management unit 56d 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 the deduction and the number of stored balls that can be replayed to the machine-to-machine card processing machine 10.

Next, a specific example of data stored in the memory unit 55 of the management device 50 shown in FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the game type setting data 55a, the card management data 55b, the device management data 55c, and the member management data 55d shown in FIG. 7.

In the game type setting data 55a 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 55b shown in FIG. 8(b), the card ID "1001" is associated with a prepaid value of "0" points, a balance of balls held for each rate of "0", and a destination ID of use of "A101". In other words, the card with the card ID "1001" is inserted into the inter-machine card processing machine 10 with the device ID "A101", and management of the balls held has been transferred to the inter-machine card processing machine 10. For this reason, the balance of balls held for each rate is zero.

In addition, in the card management data 55b 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", the remaining balls for ball 2 are "2500", and the remaining balls for ball 3 are "0", 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 machine 10, and the management of the remaining balls is performed by the management device 50.

The device management data 55c 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 55c 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 "DX03," and the serial number is "g." It also indicates that this gaming machine 20 is in use.

Member management data 55d shown in FIG. 8(d) indicates the name, balls, email address, etc. associated with the card ID. Specifically, member management data 55d associates the name "Takken Taro," the balance of balls saved for "Ball 1" of "1500," the balance of balls saved for "Ball 2" of "200," the balance of balls saved for "Ball 3" of "0," and the email address "Abc123@△△△.co.jp" with the card ID "2005."

<Processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the first embodiment>
Next, the processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the present embodiment 1 will be described. Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the present embodiment 1. First, if any of the prepaid value, held balls, and game balls is not "0" (step S101; No), and an instruction to set the card theft lock is received (step S102; Yes), input of a PIN is accepted, the input PIN is stored in the PIN data 16d (step S103), and the card theft lock is set.

If an operation to release the card theft lock (release instruction) is received (Step S104; Yes), the PIN is confirmed to release the card theft lock (Step S105), the PIN data 16d is erased (Step S106), and the process ends.

In this way, the gaming system according to this embodiment 1 can improve convenience for players by enabling the card to be locked against card theft if the value of any of the prepaid balance (prepaid value), number of balls held, or game balls is not "0."

The flowchart in Figure 9 shows a case where a player receives an instruction to release the card theft lock, but there are also cases where the card theft lock is automatically released when the prepaid balance, number of balls in hand, and number of game balls all reach "0" rather than receiving such an instruction to release the card. Such a case will be explained below.

If any of the prepaid balance, number of balls in hand, and number of game balls is not "0", the card theft lock is set upon receiving an instruction to do so. If the player continues playing and the prepaid balance, number of balls in hand, and number of game balls all become "0", the card theft lock is automatically released.

Next, the processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to a modified example of this embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to a modified example of this embodiment 1. First, if any of the prepaid balance, number of balls held, and number of game balls is not "0" (step S201; No), and an instruction to set the card theft lock is received (step S202; Yes), the input of a PIN is accepted, the input PIN is stored in the PIN data 16d (step S203), and the card theft lock is set.

When the prepaid balance, number of balls held, and number of game balls all become "0" (Step S204; Yes), the card theft lock is automatically released (Step S205), the PIN data 16d is erased (Step S206), and the process ends.

As described above, the gaming system of this embodiment 1 enables the card theft lock when any of the prepaid balance, number of balls held, and number of game balls is not "0," and automatically releases the card theft lock when the prepaid balance, number of balls held, and number of game balls all become "0," thereby improving convenience for players.

In the above embodiment 1, the card theft lock can be set when any of the prepaid balance, the number of balls held, and the value of the number of game balls is not "0". However, it can also be configured to set the card theft lock when any of the prepaid balance, the number of balls held, and the value of the number of game balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., prepaid balance "100 yen", number of balls held "24 balls", number of game balls "24 balls"). It can also be configured to release the card theft lock when all of the values of the prepaid balance, the number of balls held, and the number of game balls are less than a predetermined value. It can also be configured to set the card theft lock when any of the prepaid balance, the number of balls held, and the value of the number of game balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., prepaid balance "100 yen", number of balls held "24 balls", number of game balls "24 balls").

In addition, in the above embodiment 1, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 sets and releases the card theft lock, but the management device 50 can also be configured to acquire data from the inter-machine card processing machine 10, determine whether the conditions for setting the card theft lock are met, and whether the conditions for releasing the card theft lock are met, and instruct the management device 50 to set and release the card theft lock to the inter-machine card processing machine 10.

In addition, in the above embodiment 1, a PIN code is input when setting the card theft lock, but the present invention is not limited to this, and personal biometric information (fingerprint, etc.) authentication information can also be input.

In addition, in the above embodiment 1, a configuration was described in which the card theft lock is automatically released when the prepaid balance, number of balls held, and number of game balls all become "0", but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be configured to maintain the card theft lock if coins or a card are inserted within a certain period of time after the prepaid balance, number of balls held, and number of game balls all become "0". This is because the same player may insert coins or a card to continue playing.

[Embodiment 2]
In the above embodiment 1, the card theft lock is released when the release operation (release instruction) is received, and the card theft lock is automatically released when the prepaid balance, the number of balls held, and the number of game balls all become "0". However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the card theft lock can be configured to be maintained after the balls are divided. In this embodiment 2, a configuration for maintaining the card theft lock after the balls are divided will be described.

Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of the gaming system according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, after the card theft lock is set (S21), when splitting held balls is selected (S22), the card theft lock is temporarily maintained and an instruction to insert the card to be split is displayed (S23). Once the card to be split is inserted, the card theft lock is maintained for the inserted card (S24).

Next, the processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to this embodiment 2 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to this embodiment 2. First, if there is any value of prepaid value, held balls, or game balls (step S301; No), and an instruction to set the card theft lock is received (step S302; Yes), the input of a PIN is accepted, the input PIN is stored in the PIN data 16d (step S303), and the card theft lock is set.

If an instruction to split the balls is received (step S304; Yes), the card theft lock is maintained for a while, the balls are split, and the card to be split and the card to be split are discharged (step S305). If the card to be split is inserted (step S306; Yes), the card theft lock is maintained for the inserted card (step S307).

If an instruction to release the card theft lock is received (step S308; Yes), the PIN is confirmed and the card theft lock is released (step S309), the PIN data 16d is erased (step S310), and the process ends.

In this way, the gaming system according to the second embodiment can improve the security of the value held by the player by maintaining the card theft lock after the balls are divided.

[Embodiment 3]
In the above embodiment 1, the card theft lock is released when the release operation (release instruction) is received, and the card theft lock is automatically released when the prepaid balance, the number of balls held, and the number of game balls all become "0". However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if an issued card is lost, the card can be reissued using information (hereinafter referred to as "smartphone information") from a registered smartphone (hereinafter simply referred to as "smartphone"). In this embodiment 3, a case where a card is reissued using registered smartphone information will be described.

Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of the gaming system according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 13, a smartphone is held over the ticket vending machine 100 to register smartphone information and purchase a card (S31). At this time, the management device 50 stores the card ID, purchase time, purchase amount, linked medium, and card balance.

The player uses the card balance to play (S32), and the management device 50 subtracts the amount used by the player from the card balance.

If a player loses or damages a card (S33), the player holds the smartphone over the ticket vending machine 100 to reissue the card (S34). At this time, the management device 50 authenticates the smartphone information with the ticket vending machine 100 and stores the reissued card ID and the reissue time.

Next, the processing procedures of the ticket vending machine 100, the management device 50, and the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing procedures of the ticket vending machine 100, the management device 50, and the inter-machine card processing machine 10 according to the third embodiment.

First, the ticket vending machine 100 accepts the purchase amount and smartphone information and issues a card (step S401), and notifies the management device 50 of the card information and smartphone information (step S402). The management device 50 stores the received card information and smartphone information in the card management data 55b (step S403).

When a card is inserted, the inter-machine card processing machine 10 requests the management device 50 to notify the card information (step S404), and the management device 50 notifies the inter-machine card processing machine 10 of the card information (step S405).

The inter-machine card processing device 10 notifies the management device 50 of the amount used with the card (step S406), and the management device 50 subtracts the received amount from the card management data 55b (step S407).

When the ticket vending machine 100 accepts the card reissue operation and the smartphone information, it notifies the management device 50 of the smartphone information (step S408). The management device 50 uses the received smartphone information to search the card management data 55b and identify the card information to be reissued (step S409).

The management device 50 notifies the ticket vending machine 100 of the identified card information (step S410), and the ticket vending machine 100 reissues the card using the received card information (step S411), and ends the process.

In this way, the gaming system according to the third embodiment can improve the security of the value held by a player by reissuing the card using the registered smartphone information if the card is lost or the like.

In the above embodiment 3, a configuration was described in which smartphone information is registered when a card is issued, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the smartphone information to be registered when, for example, a deposit is made into the inter-machine card processing device 10.

In addition, in the above embodiment 3, a configuration was described in which smartphone information is registered when the card is issued, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the card to allow deposits within a certain period of time after the card has lost its value, and to register smartphone information at that time.

In the above embodiment 3, we have described a configuration in which the player himself reissues the card, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it can also be configured so that only employees are allowed to reissue cards.

In the above embodiment 3, we have described a configuration in which smartphone information is registered and a card is issued, but the present invention is not limited to this. When playing a game, a player can hold his or her smartphone over the machine-to-machine card processing device 10 to identify the player using the registered smartphone information, allowing the player to play without issuing a card.

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 device, gaming system, and gaming management method according to the present invention are suitable for efficiently suppressing the ejection of a recording medium when gaming balls are present in an enclosed gaming machine.

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 Machine status data 16b Card data 16c Number of game balls data 16d PIN code data 17 Control unit 17a Data management unit 17b Number of game balls management unit 17c Card theft lock display unit 17d Card theft lock control unit 18 Game management unit 18a Authentication processing unit 18b Authentication key management unit 18c Game machine status management unit 20 Game 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 50 Management device 51 Display unit 52 Input unit 53 External network communication unit 54 Store network communication unit 55 Memory unit 55a Game type setting data 55b Card management data 55c Device management data 55d Member management data 56 Control unit 56a Game type setting management unit 56b Card management unit 56c Device management unit 56d Member management unit 60 Prize management device 70 Payment machine 100 Ticket vending machine

Claims (6)

A gaming device that is attached to an enclosed gaming machine that stores a first number of gaming media used in a game and provides a game using the first number of gaming media, stores a second number of gaming media that can be transferred to the first number of gaming media, and lends out gaming media using a prepaid value associated with a general-use recording medium,
a reception unit for receiving a predetermined lock operation for restricting the return of the general-purpose recording medium;
and acquiring means for acquiring a number of first game media stored in the gaming machine,
The receiving means is
A gaming device characterized in that when the prepaid value and the number of second gaming media associated with the general recording medium are 0 and the number of first gaming media acquired by the acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, a predetermined locking operation can be accepted. 2. The gaming device according to claim 1, wherein, when the predetermined lock operation is accepted by the accepting means, the return of the general-purpose recording medium is suppressed. The gaming device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the predetermined lock operation is accepted by the accepting means, the device enters a waiting state for accepting an input operation of authentication information, and the accepted authentication information is stored in a predetermined storage unit. A gaming device as described in claim 2, characterized in that when the return of the general -purpose recording medium is restricted by the specified locking operation, if the prepaid value, the number of second gaming media, and the number of first gaming media associated with the general-purpose recording medium become less than a specified number, the restriction on the return of the general-purpose recording medium is lifted. A gaming system comprising: an enclosed gaming machine that stores a first number of gaming media to be used in a game and provides a game using the first number of gaming media; a gaming device that is attached to the gaming machine, stores a second number of gaming media that can be transferred to the first number of gaming media, and lends out gaming media using a prepaid value associated with a general-purpose recording medium; and a management device that manages a negotiable value associated with a general-purpose recording medium that can be received by the gaming device,
a reception means for receiving a predetermined lock operation for restricting the return of the general-use recording medium from the gaming device;
and acquiring means for acquiring a number of first game media stored in the gaming machine,
The receiving means is
A gaming system characterized in that a predetermined locking operation can be accepted when the prepaid value and the number of second gaming media associated with the general recording medium are 0 and the number of first gaming media acquired by the acquisition means is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. A game management method for a game system having an enclosed game machine that stores a first number of game media used in a game and provides a game using the first number of game media, a game device that is attached to the game machine, stores a second number of game media that can be transferred to the first number of game media, and lends out game media using a prepaid value associated with a general-use recording medium, and a management device that manages a negotiable value associated with a general-use recording medium that can be received by the game device, comprising:
a receiving step of receiving a predetermined lock operation for restricting the return of the general-use recording medium from the gaming device;
and acquiring a number of first game media stored in the gaming machine,
The receiving step includes:
A game management method characterized in that when the prepaid value and the number of second game media associated with the general recording medium are 0, and when the number of first game media acquired by the acquisition process is a predetermined number or more, a predetermined lock operation can be accepted.

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