Gaming facility management system

Abstract

A gaming facility management section 1 is provided with a game medium lending device 20 , a management server 5 , a first line 120 a and a second line 120 b and a communication management controller. The game medium lending device 20 includes a data processor unit that manages game medium lend-out data generated following a lend-out of a game medium and game data regarding a game in a gaming machine. The management server 5 includes a data processor unit that stores the various data in memory and manages the above data. The management server 5 is connected to the game medium lending device 20 through networks 100 and 120 . The first line 120 a and the second line 120 b are installed inside the networks 100 and 120 and operate to transmit and receive game medium lend-out data and game data. The communication management controller carries out transmission of game medium lend-out data and game data through the second line 120 b in parallel with the transmission of game medium lend-out data and game data through the first line 120 a.

1 . A gaming facility management system, comprising:
 (a) a game medium lending device including a data processor unit that manages a game medium lend-out data item generated with lend-out of a game medium and a game data item relating to a game in a gaming machine;   (b) a management server that includes a data processor unit that operates to store and manage various data items in a memory, and is connected to the game medium lending device through a network;   (c) a first line and a second line that are disposed inside the network and operate to transmit and receive the game medium lend-out data item and the game data item; and   (d) a communication management unit operable to transmit the game medium lend-out data item and the game data item through the first line in parallel with transmitting the game medium lend-out data item and the game data item through the second line.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming facility management system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the game medium lending device includes an image processor unit that operates to process an image data item; and   the communication management unit is operable to transmit and receive the image data item through the second line.   
     
     
         3 . The gaming facility management system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the management server is made up of a plurality of management servers, and   at least one management server from amongst the plurality of management servers is connected to another management server so as to have the function of a management unit, and   said at least one management server includes a memory and a data processor unit, the memory being operable to store the game medium lend-out data item and the game data item transmitted from a plurality of game medium lending devices, the data processor unit being operable to manage said game medium lend-out data item and game data item.   
     
     
         4 . The gaming facility management system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the game medium lending device is made up of a plurality of game medium lending devices and   at least one game medium lending device from amongst the plurality of game medium lending devices includes a memory and a data processor unit so as to have a function of a management unit, the memory being operable to store the game medium lend-out data item and the game data item transmitted from other game medium lending devices, the data processor unit being operable to manage said game medium lend-out data item and game data item.   
     
     
         5 . The gaming facility management system according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the game medium lend-out data item is transmitted, the game medium lend-out data item is subjected to predetermined security processing. 
     
     
         6 . A gaming facility management system, comprising:
 (a) a game medium lending device operable to store a gaming value data item obtained by conversion from a value to a gaming value for performing a game, and a game data item relating to a game in a gaming machine;   (b) a management unit operable to manage the game medium lending device and relay, through a network, between the game medium lending device and a management server connected to the network;   (c) a first line and a second line that connect the management unit with the game medium lending device; and   (d) a communication management unit that is provided in the game medium lending device and is operable to transmit the game value data item and the game data item in parallel to the management unit, through the first line and the second line.   
     
     
         7 . The gaming facility management system according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the communication management unit in the game medium lending device makes an inquiry on whether to permit transmission of the game value data item and game data item to the management unit, and after receiving a transmit enable signal from the management unit, the communication management unit transmits the game value data item and the game data item in parallel to the management unit, through the first line and the second line.   
     
     
         8 . The gaming facility management system according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the management unit transmits to the management server an abnormality notification signal, in case where reception of the game value data item and game data item from the communication management unit of the game medium lending device is not verified within a predetermined time after transmitting a transmit enable signal to the communication management unit in response to an inquiry from the communication management unit of the game medium lending device on whether or not transmission is permitted.   
     
     
         9 . The gaming facility management system according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the management unit includes a controller,   wherein, after receiving the game value data item and the game data item from the game medium lending device through the first line and the second line, the controller stores said data item previously received from one line and deletes said data item received afterwards from the other line.   
     
     
         10 . The gaming facility management system according to  claim 6 , wherein
 the game medium lending device is made up of a plurality of game medium lending devices; and   the first line and the second line connect the management unit with the plurality of game medium lending devices.   
     
     
         11 . A gaming facility management method comprising the steps of:
 (a) storing a game value data item obtained by conversion from a value to a gaming value for performing a game and a game data item relating to a game in a gaming machine, in a game medium lending device;   (b) performing relay between the game medium lending device and a management server through a management unit operable to manage the game medium lending device, and transmitting and receiving a predetermined data item to the management server through a network; and   (c) transmitting the game value data item and the game data item in parallel from the game medium lending device to the management unit through a first line and a second line that connect the management unit with the game medium lending device.   
     
     
         12 . The gaming facility management method according to  claim 11 , wherein at step (c), the game medium lending device transmits the game value data item and the game data item in parallel to the management unit through the first line and the second line, after a communication connection is established between the game medium lending device and the management unit. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming facility management method according to  claim 11 , further including the step of the management unit transmitting an abnormality notification signal to the management server in a case where reception of the game value data item and game data item from the game medium lending device is not verified within a predetermined time after a communication connection has been established between the game medium lending device and the management unit. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming facility management method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of, after receiving the game value data item and the game data item from the game medium lending device through the first line and the second line, the management unit storing said data item previously received from one line and deleting said data item received afterwards from the other line. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming facility management method according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the game medium lending device is made up of a plurality of game medium lending devices; and   the first line and the second line connect the management unit with the plurality of game medium lending devices.