Abstract:
A system for settling accounts at a casino includes a card issuing terminal, a credit writing device, a gaming machine, a card checkout terminal, and a card data management server. The card issuing terminal, the credit writing device, the gaming machine and the card checkout management server are communicatively connected with the card data management server, respectively. The card checkout terminal is configured to: perform a comparison between a first set of player identification and credit amount data included in card data received from the card data management server and a second set of player identification and credit amount data stored in a card; and when matching between the first set and the second set is confirmed, settle accounts.

Description:
[0001]    This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-143189, filed on 30 May 2007, the content of which is incorporated. herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a gaming system allowing purchase of credit using a card. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    Conventionally, a slot machine, which is a type of gaming machine, is configured so as to: start a game upon insertion of gaming media such as coins; display columns of symbols variably in a predetermined region of the gaming machine and then statically after a predetermined amount of time; and provide an award in accordance with a combination of symbols statically displayed. A combination is typically regarded as entitled to an award, in cases in which a predetermined number of the same symbols (for example, “CHERRY” or “7”) are aligned on a predetermined winning line. A player is required to purchase credit to play a game. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0135246 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses a slot machine which allows a player to purchase of credit by inserting a coin into a coin insertion slot. 
         [0006]    However, with the slot machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, the player must insert coins one by one. Moreover, since the player must carry coins to another gaming machine to play a game therewith, she feels inconvenience. Additionally, the player, who must carry cash in a casino to purchase the coins, might possibly encounter a robbery. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a casino checkout machine with a gaming machine and the like, which provide improved entertainment properties. 
         [0008]    In an aspect of the present invention, a system for settling accounts at a casino is provided, which includes a card issuing terminal, a credit writing device, a gaming machine, a card checkout terminal, and a card data management server. The card issuing terminal issues a card. The credit writing device, the gaming machine, and the card checkout terminal are communicable with the card. The card issuing terminal, the credit writing device, the gaming machine and the card checkout management server are communicatively connected with the card data management server, respectively. The card has a memory area sufficient for storing at least a player identification to identify a player and credit amount data corresponding to the player identification. The card issuing terminal is configured to: cause the card to store information related to card identification including at least the player identification; issue the stored card; and transmit the information related to card identification to the card data management sever. The card writing device is configured to: receive the player identification from the card; write credit amount data into the card, the credit amount data being entered by a player or being in accordance with an amount of money provided by the player; and transmit the received player identification and the written credit amount data to the card data management server. The card data management server is configured to: have a first memory for storing card data that includes at least the player identification and the credit amount data; receive the information related to card identification from the card issuing terminal and cause the first memory to store the received information related to card identification; and receive the player identification and the credit amount data from the credit writing device and cause the first memory to store the received player identification and the received credit amount data. The gaming machine includes: a display device; a second memory for storing the credit amount data; a communication interface circuit configured to communicate with the card; an input device configured to allow a game to start in response to manipulation by a player; and a controller configured to: (a) determine whether communication is available with the card via the communication interface circuit; (b) when the communication is available, receive the player identification and the credit amount data and cause the second memory to store the received player identification and the received credit amount data; (c) start a game in response to manipulation applied to the input device by the player; (d) determine whether or not to provide an award according to a result of the game; (e) when an award is determined to be provided, perform an addition of an amount of credit in accordance with the award to the credit amount data stored in the second memory; (f) terminate the game in response to manipulation by the player and transmit the credit amount data stored in the second memory at a time of termination of the game to the card so as to update the credit amount data stored in the card; and (g) transmit the player identification and the credit amount data stored in the second memory at the time of the termination of the game to the card data management server. The card data management server is further configured to: receive the player identification and the credit amount data from the gaming machine and cause the first memory to store the received player identification and the received credit amount data; and transmit the card data to the card checkout terminal in response to an instruction to send the card data from the card checkout terminal. The card checkout terminal is configured to: perform a comparison between a first set of the player identification and the credit amount data included in the card data received from the card data management server and a second set of the player identification and the credit amount data stored in the card; and when matching between the first set and the second set is confirmed, settle accounts. 
         [0009]    The system described above, which includes the credit writing device, allows the player to purchase credit with the card. In this way, since the system does not require the player to insert coins into the gaming machine, it allows her not to carry money with her. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the present invention, the system further includes an electrical locking device that is attached to a door of a guest room and communicable with the card. The electrical locking device performs locking and unlocking receiving a signal indicating the information related to card identification from the card. 
         [0011]    The system described above, which has the electrical locking device, allows the player to purchase credit with the card that is used as a key (room key card). 
         [0012]    In still another aspect of the present invention, the system further includes a product vending terminal communicable with the card. The product vending terminal is configured to: receive the player identification from the card; transmit an amount of credit consumed for purchase of a product by the player to the card so as to update the credit amount data stored in the card; and transmit the received player identification and the consumed amount of credit to the card data management server. The card data management server causes the first memory to store the player identification and the consumed amount of credit received from the product vending terminal. 
         [0013]    The system described above, which has the product vending terminal, allows the player to purchase credit and products with the card that is used as a key (room key card). 
         [0014]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, a system for settling accounts at a casino is provided, which includes a card issuing terminal, a credit writing device, a gaming machine, a card checkout terminal, a card data management server, and an order data management terminal. The card issuing terminal issues a card. The credit writing device, the gaming machine, and the card checkout terminal are communicable with the card. The card issuing terminal, the credit writing device, the gaming machine and the card checkout management server are communicatively connected with the card data management server and an order data management terminal, respectively. The card has a memory area sufficient for storing at least a player identification to identify a player and credit amount data corresponding to the player identification. The card issuing terminal is configured to: cause the card to store information related to card identification including at least the player identification; issue the stored card; and transmit the information related to card identification to the card data management sever. The card writing device is configured to: receive the player identification from the card; write credit amount data into the card, the credit amount data being entered by a player or being in accordance with an amount of money provided by the player; and transmit the received player identification and the written credit amount data to the card data management server. The card data management server is configured to: have a first memory for storing card data that includes at least the player identification and the credit amount data; receive the information related to card identification from the card issuing terminal and cause the first memory to store the received information related to card identification; and receive the player identification and the credit amount data from the credit writing device and cause the first memory to store the received player identification and the received credit amount data. The gaming machine includes: a display device; a first input device that transmits product data corresponding to an image of a product selected by a player from a plurality of images depicting a plurality of products displayed on the display device; a second memory for storing the credit amount data; a communication interface circuit. configured to communicate with the card; a second input device configured to allow a game to start in response to manipulation by a player; and a controller configured to: (a) determine whether communication is available with the card via the communication interface circuit; (b) when the communication is available, receive the player identification and the credit amount data and cause the second memory to store the received player identification and the received credit amount data; (c) start a game in response to manipulation applied to the second input device by the player; (d) determine whether or not to provide an award according to a result of the game; (e) when an award is determined to be provided, perform an addition of an amount of credit in accordance with the award to the credit amount data stored in the second memory; (f) cause the display device to display the image depicting the plurality of products at predetermined timing after a start of the game; (g) transmit order data including at least a machine identification to identify the gaming machine and the product data to the order data management terminal in response to reception of the product data from the first input device; (h) subtract an amount of credit corresponding to the received product data from the credit amount data stored in the second memory; (i) terminate the game in response to manipulation by the player and transmit the credit amount data stored in the second memory at a time of termination of the game to the card so as to update the credit amount data stored in the card; and (j) transmit the player identification and the credit amount data stored in the second-memory at the time of the termination of the game to the card data management server. The order data management terminal has a display device and causes the display device to display contents of the order data while receiving the order data from the gaming machine. The card data management server is further configured to: receive the player identification and the credit amount data from the gaming machine and cause the first memory to store the received player identification and the received credit amount data; and transmit the card data to the card checkout terminal in response to an instruction to send the card data from the card checkout terminal. The card checkout terminal is configured to: perform a comparison between a first set of the player identification and the credit amount data included in the card data received from the card data management server and a second set of the player identification and the credit amount data stored in the card; and when matching between the first set and the second set is confirmed, settle accounts. 
         [0015]    The system described above allows the player to order her desired product by displaying an order window on the display device where the images of products are depicted, when she feels hungry or thirsty. In this way, since the player can eat or drink without leaving the gaming machine, the system allows her to have more enjoyable time. 
         [0016]    In a further aspect of the present invention, the system further includes an electrical locking device that is attached to a door of a guest room and communicable with the card. The electrical locking device performs locking and unlocking, receiving a signal indicating the information related to card identification from the card. 
         [0017]    The system described above allows the player to purchase credit for the game with a room key card. In addition, the system allows the player to order her desired product by displaying an order window where images of products are depicted when she feels hungry or thirsty. Since she can eat or drink without leaving the gaming machine on which she is playing a game, she has a chance to have a more enjoyable time. 
         [0018]    The present invention provides a casino checkout machine with a gaming machine and the like with improved entertainment properties. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a casino checkout system according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a table showing contents of data stored in a card according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a table showing contents of data stored in a card data management server according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a table showing contents of data stored in a card according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a table showing contents of data stored in a card data management server according to the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the appearance of the gaming machine according to the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged front view showing a display area of the gaming machine according to the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a controller of the gaming machine according to the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a display/input controller of the gaming machine according to the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a diagram showing a flow of processing executed in the gaming machine according to the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a diagram showing a flow of processing executed in the gaming machine according to the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a table showing contents of order data according to the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of a display window according to the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of a display window according to the present invention; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating an example of a display window according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]    An embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to the drawings. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a casino checkout system  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The casino checkout system  1  is installed in a hotel. In  FIG. 1 , the casino checkout system  1  has a front desk  300 , a casino  400 , accommodations  500 , a store  600 , a card data management server  710 , an order data management terminal  720  and a card  180 . In addition, in the casino checkout system  1 , the card data management server  710 , the order data management terminal  720 , a card issuing terminal  310 , a card checkout terminal  320 , a plurality of product vending terminals  610  and a plurality of gaming machines  13  are connected via a network  250 . Furthermore, the card issuing terminal  310  and the card checkout terminal  320  are installed in the front desk  300 ; the plurality of product vending terminals  610  are installed in the store  600 ; and the plurality of gaming machines  13  are installed in the casino  400 . 
         [0036]    Each gaming machine  13  has a plurality of credit writing devices  410 . In addition, the accommodations  500  include a plurality of guest rooms  510 , which include a plurality of electrical locking devices  520 , respectively. 
         [0037]    A card  180  is issued by the card issuing terminal  310 . Carrying the card  180 , a player can play a game in the casino  400  and purchase products in the store  600 . 
         [0038]    Each time credit amount data stored in the card  180  is rewritten, the gaming machine  13  in the casino  400  and the product vending terminal  610  in the store  600  transmit the credit amount data to the card data management server  710 . Accordingly, the card data management server  710  stores, for each player ID, the same credit amount data as is stored in the card  180 . 
         [0039]    The player can settle an account for the card  180  with the card checkout terminal  320 . The card checkout terminal  320  compares the credit amount data stored in the card  180  to the credit amount data stored in the card data management server  710  corresponding to the player ID, and proceeds to checkout if the two data sets are identical. This can prevent damage caused by the falsified credit amount data in the card  180 . 
         [0040]    Components of the casino checkout system  1  are hereinafter described, respectively. 
         [0041]    The card issuing terminal  310  issues the card  180 . After issuing the card  180 , the card issuing terminal  310  sends data (later described in  FIG. 2 ) to the card data management server  710 . 
         [0042]    The card checkout terminal  320  compares the player ID and the credit amount data stored in the card  180  to those received from the card data management server  710 , and proceeds to checkout if the two data sets are identical. 
         [0043]    The gaming machine  13  installed in the casino  400  has a card slot  170  (see  FIG. 6 .). The player can communicably connect the card  180  to the gaming machine  13  via the card slot  170 . Since the gaming machine  13  includes a credit writing device  410 , the player can also communicate with the credit writing device  410  so as to download the credit amount data into a memory in the card  180 . 
         [0044]    It should be noted that, the credit writing device  410  may alternatively be separated from the gaming machine  13  as long as it has a card slot  170 . 
         [0045]    The product vending terminal  610  installed in the store  600  has a card slot (not shown). Insertion of the card  180  into the card slot allows the product vending terminal  610  to be communicable with the card  180 . The product vending terminal  610  can thus write the credit amount data of the product into the memory in the card  180 . 
         [0046]    A guest room  510  in the accommodations  500  has an electrical locking device  520 . The player can lock and unlock the electrical locking device  520  by way of the card  180 . 
         [0047]    The card data management server  710 , which stores the same credit amount data as is stored in the card  180 , receives the credit amount data associated with the player ID from the gaming machine  13 , the credit writing device  410 , and the product vending terminal  610 . The card data management server  710  also sends the credit amount data associated with the player ID to the card checkout terminal  320 . 
         [0048]    The order data management terminal  720  receives order data including at least a machine ID and product data from the gaming machine  13 , and displays contents of the received order data on a display device. This allows for identification of the machine used by a player playing the game and delivery of the ordered product to the player. 
         [0049]      FIG. 2  is a table showing contents of the data stored in the card  180  at a time of issuance by the card issuing terminal  310 . According to  FIG. 2 , the card  180  has a storage area sufficient for storing at least a player ID, a room number for identifying a guest room, a player&#39;s name, a player&#39;s age, and credit amount data. For example, the player ID is “A0001”; the room number is “1018”; the player&#39;s name is “Ichiro Yamamura”; the player&#39;s age is “23”; and the credit amount is “0”. The credit amount is “0” because no credit amount data has been written at the time of issuance. In addition, after issuing the card  180 , the card issuing terminal  310  sends data including at least the player ID, the room number, the player&#39;s name, the player&#39;s age, and the credit amount data to the card data management server  710 . Here, key data for locking and unlocking the electrical locking device  520  is a combination of the player ID and the room number. The key data may alternatively be the room number alone. 
         [0050]      FIG. 3  shows a table that depicts contents of data stored in the card data management server  710  at a time of issuance of a card  180 , in which the card issuing terminal  310  stores a player ID “A0001”. According to  FIG. 3 , the card data management server  710  stores data for each player ID including at least a room number, a player&#39;s name, a player&#39;s age, and credit amount data. Since the card issuing terminal  310  has sent data including at least the player ID, the room number, the player&#39;s name, the player&#39;s age, and the credit amount data to the card data management server  710  at the time of issuance of the card  180 , data corresponding to the player ID “A0001” has been added. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4  is a table showing contents of the data stored in the card  180  storing the player ID “A0001”, at a time of the credit amount data being written by the credit writing device  410 . The credit amount of “0” in  FIG. 2  has changed to “3000” in  FIG. 4 . A credit amount input device (not shown), which is attached to the credit writing device  410 , allows the player to input a desired amount of credit to purchase. Since a cash slot (not shown) is also attached to the credit writing device  410 , it can write credit amount data into the card  180  in accordance with the amount of cash inserted by the player through the cash slot. 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  is a table showing contents of the data stored in the card data management server  710 , at a time of the credit amount data being written into the card  180  storing the player ID “A0001” by the credit writing device  410 . Since the credit writing device  410  sends data including at least the player ID, the room number, the player&#39;s name, the player&#39;s age, and the credit amount data to the card data management server  710  at the time of the credit amount data being written into the card  180 , data corresponding to the player ID “A0001” has been added. 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the gaming machine  13  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The gaming machine  13  includes a cabinet  20 . A surface of the cabinet  20 , which faces the player, is made to be open. The cabinet  20  houses various components including a controller  100  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) for electrically controlling the slot machine  13 , and a hopper  44  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) for controlling the insertion, storage, and payout of coins (game media), and the like. The game media are not limited to coins, and for example, may include medals, tokens, electronic money, or information of electronic value (credit) equivalent thereto. 
         [0054]    A liquid crystal display  30  is disposed at substantially the center of the front face of the cabinet  20 , and a liquid crystal display  40  is disposed above the display  30 . 
         [0055]    The liquid crystal display  30  realizes a display device for displaying a variety of images related to the game, including rendered images and the like. The player advances the game while visually recognizing the variety of images displayed on the liquid crystal display  30 . In such a game, the liquid crystal display  30  displays a slot game. 
         [0056]    The gaming machine  13 , which employs video reels, causes the liquid crystal display  30  to display five virtual reels. It should be noted that the video reels are reels to be displayed as images on the liquid crystal display  30  in place of mechanical reels. As a plurality of types of necessary symbols for the game, the following symbols are displayed as imaginarily spinning images: “BONUS”, “WILD”, “TREASURE BOX”, “GOLDEN MASK”, “HOLY GRAIL”; “COMPASS&amp;MAP”, “SNAKE”, “A”, “K”, “Q”, “J”, and “10”. 
         [0057]    The other liquid crystal display  40  above the liquid crystal display  30  serves as a sub display for displaying the: rules of the game, demonstration screens, and the like. 
         [0058]    Sound permeable openings  29   a  and  29   b , through which sound effects emitted from a speaker  41  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) contained inside the cabinet  20  are propagated outside the cabinet  20 , are disposed on the upper right and left sides of the liquid crystal display  40 , respectively. The sound effects can be emitted through the sound permeable openings  29   a  and  29   b  in accordance with the progress of the game or the like. Decorative lamps  42   a  and  42   b  are disposed on the right and left sides in the middle of the gaming machine  13 , respectively. The decorative lamps  42   a  and  42   b  emit light in accordance with the progress of the game. 
         [0059]    The card slot  170  is provided below an operation unit  21  below the liquid crystal display  30 . The card slot  170  is configured so as to be connectable to the card  180 . 
         [0060]    Additionally, a substantially horizontal operation unit  21  is provided below the liquid crystal display  30 . Disposed on the right side of the operation unit  21  is a coin slot  22  through which coins are inserted into the gaming machine  13 . On the other hand, the components provided on the left side of the operation unit  21  include: a BET switch  23  that allows a player to determine which lines are to be activated, among nine lines L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , L 4 , L 5 , L 6 , L 7 , L 8 , and L 9 , for providing an award described later (which will simply be referred to as “winning lines” hereafter), and which allows the player to select the number of coins as gaming media which are to be bet on the aforementioned active pay lines; a spin repeat bet switch  24  that allows the player to play the game again without changing the number of coins bet on the aforementioned active pay lines from that in the immediately prior game. The number of coins to be bet on the abovementioned winning lines can be decided by pressing the BET switch  23  or the spin repeat bet switch  24 . 
         [0061]    On the operation unit  21 , a start switch  25  for accepting each game with the player&#39;s operation for starting a game is disposed on the left side of the bet switch  23 . Pressing either the start switch  25  or the spin repeat bet switch  24  triggers the start of the game, and then an image in which the aforementioned five image reels  3 A to  3 E start to spin is displayed. 
         [0062]    On the other hand, a cash out switch  26  is provided near the coin slot  22  in the aforementioned operation unit  21 . When the player presses the cash out switch  26 , the inserted coins are discharged from a coin discharge slot  27 , which is an opening located in a lower part of the front face of the cabinet  20 . The discharged coins are accumulated on a coin tray  28 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the display area of the gaming machine  13 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the gaming machine  13  has the lines L 1  to L 9  for providing nine awards. The lines L 1  to L 9  extend so as to pass through a symbol on each of the video reels  3 A to  3 E when the images of the spinning five video reels  3 A to  3 E come to a stop. 
         [0064]    When the above-described BET switch  23  is pressed once, for example, the line L 3  for providing the third award, the line L 5  for giving the fifth award, and the line L 7  for giving the seventh award are validated, and one coin is received as a credit medal. 
         [0065]    When the above-described BET switch  23  is pressed twice, in addition to the above-described three lines, for example, the line L 1  for giving the first award, the line L 4  for giving the fourth award, and the line L 8  for giving the eighth award are validated, and two coins are collected as credit medals. When the above-described BET switch  23  is pressed three times, in addition to the above-described six lines, for example, the line L 2  for giving the second award, the line L 6  for giving the sixth award, and the line L 9  for giving the ninth award are validated, and three coins are collected as the credit medals. 
         [0066]    Any type of game is available in the present embodiment as long as a game employs predetermined combinations of symbols arranged along winning lines. 
         [0067]    A payout number display portion  48 , a bet number display portion  50 , and a credit number display portion  49  are configured to be displayed in this order from the left on the upper portion of the liquid crystal display  30 . The payout number display portion  48  displays the payout number of coins when a combination for providing an award is achieved along a winning line. The credit number display portion  49  displays the credit number of coins stored in the gaming, machine  13 . The bet number display portion  50  displays the bet number indicating the number of coins bet on the winning lines. 
         [0068]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the game controller  100  of the gaming machine  13 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , the game controller  100  of the gaming machine  13  is a microcomputer including an interface circuit group  102 , an input-output bus  104 , a CPU  106 , ROM  108 , RAM  110 , an interface circuit  111  for communication, a random number generator  112 , a speaker driving circuit  122 , a hopper driving circuit  124 , a lamp driving circuit  126 , and a display/input controller  140 . 
         [0069]    The interface circuit group  102  is connected with the input/output bus  104 , which inputs and outputs data signals and address signals to the CPU  106 . 
         [0070]    The start switch  25  is connected with the interface circuit group  102 . A start signal output from the start switch  25  is converted into a predetermined form of signal in the interface circuit group  102 , and is then supplied to the input/output bus  104 . 
         [0071]    The BET switch  23 , the spin repeat bet switch  24 , and the cash out switch  26  are also connected to the interface circuit group  102 . Each of the switching signals output from these switches  23 ,  24 , and  26  is also supplied to the interface circuit group  102  and converted into a predetermined form of signal by the interface circuit group  102 , and is then supplied to the input/output bus  104 . 
         [0072]    A coin sensor  43  is also connected to the interface circuit group  102 . The coin sensor  43  is a sensor for detecting coins inserted into the coin slot  22 , and is provided in association with the coin slot  22 . A sensing signal output from the coin sensor  43  is also supplied to the interface circuit group  102 , converted into a predetermined signal by the interface circuit group  102 , and is then supplied to the input/output bus  104 . 
         [0073]    The card slot  170  is also connected to the interface circuit group  102 . The connection between the card slot  170  and the card  180  allows for communication between the card  180  and the gaming machine  13 . 
         [0074]    The ROM  108  and RAM  110  are connected to the input/output bus  104 . 
         [0075]    Upon acceptance of the start operation of a game through the start switch  25 , the CPU  106  reads a game program to execute the game. The game program is programmed so as to: start displaying the scrolling of the symbols on the five video reels on the liquid crystal display  30  via the display/input controller  140 , and display the five video reels statically, thereby rearranging the five video reels; and, if a combination of the stationary symbols is displayed along a winning line and the combination corresponds to a specific combination for providing an award, pay out an amount of coins corresponding to the specific combination. 
         [0076]    The ROM  108  stores a control program for comprehensively controlling the gaming machine  13 , a program for executing routines shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  (hereinafter referred to as a “routine execution program”), and initialization data for executing the control program, and various data tables used in decision processes. The routine execution program includes the abovementioned game program. The RAM  110  temporarily stores flags, values of variables and the like used in the abovementioned control program. 
         [0077]    The communication interface circuit  111  is also connected to the input/output bus  104 . The communication interface circuit  111  is a circuit for communicating with a central controller  11  and the like via a network  12  including various kinds of networks such as LAN. 
         [0078]    The random number generator  112  is also connected to the input/output bus  104 . The random number generator  112  generates random numbers in a predetermined range of numeric values, for example 0 to 65535 (2 16 −1). Alternatively, the CPU  106  may generate random numbers by computation. 
         [0079]    A speaker driving circuit  122  for driving a speaker  41  is also connected to the input/output bus  104 . The CPU  106  reads out sound data stored in the ROM  108  and transmits the sound data to the speaker driving circuit  122  via the input/output bus  104 . In this way, the speaker  41  generates sound effects. 
         [0080]    A hopper driving circuit  124  for driving the hopper  44  is also connected to the input/output bus  104 . Upon receiving a cash out signal input by the cash out switch  26 , the CPU  106  outputs a drive signal to the hopper driving circuit  124  via the input/output bus  104 . The hopper  44  thus pays out an amount of coins corresponding to the current remaining credit as stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM  110 . 
         [0081]    Alternatively, the payout of the coins may be performed through storing the credit amount data in a data card, instead of using physical coins. That is, the player may carry a card functioning as a recording medium, and store the data related to the credit by inserting the card into the gaming machine  13 . 
         [0082]    The lamp driving circuit  126  for driving the decorative lamps  42   a  and  42   b  is also connected to the input-output bus  104 . The CPU  106  sends a signal for driving the lamps to the lamp driving circuit  126  under a predetermined condition, based on the program stored in the ROM  108 . In this way, the decorative lamps  42   a  and  42   b  flicker. 
         [0083]    The display/input controller  140  is also connected to the input/output bus  104 . The CPU  106  generates an image display instruction in accordance with the game state and the result of the game, and outputs the generated image display instructions to the display/input controller  140  via the input-output bus  104 . Upon receiving the image display instruction from the CPU  106 , the display/input controller  140  generates a drive signal for driving the liquid crystal display  30  based on the image display instruction thus received, and outputs the generated drive signal to the liquid crystal display  30 . A predetermined image is thus displayed on the liquid crystal display  30 . In addition, the display/input controller  140  transmits the signal, which is input through the touch panel  32  provided on the liquid crystal display  30 , to the CPU  106  via the input/output bus  104  as an input signal. The image display instruction also includes instructions in accordance with the payout number display portion  48 , the credit number display portion  49 , and the bet number display portion  50 . 
         [0084]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the display/input controller  140  of the gaming machine  13 . The display/input controller  140  of the gaming machine  13  is a sub-microcomputer for performing image display processing and input control for the touch panel  32 . The display/input controller  140  includes an interface circuit  142 , an input/output bus  144 , a CPU  146 , ROM  148 , RAM  150 , a VDP  152 , video RAM  154 , image data ROM  156 , a driving circuit  158 , and a touch panel control circuit  160 . 
         [0085]    The interface circuit  142  is connected to the input/output bus  144 . An image display instruction output from the CPU  106  on the abovementioned game controller  100  is supplied to the input/output bus  144  via the interface circuit  142 . The input/output bus  144  receives and outputs a data signal or an address signal from and to the CPU  146 . 
         [0086]    The ROM  148  and the RAM  150  are connected to the input/output bus  144 . The ROM  148  stores a display control program for generating a driving signal, which is to be supplied to the liquid crystal display  30 , according to an image display instruction received from the CPU  106  of the aforementioned game controller  100 . On the other hand, in the RAM  150 , flags, values of variables, and the like for use in the abovementioned display control program are stored. 
         [0087]    The VDP  152  is also connected to the input/output bus  144 . The VDP  152  is a processing device including a so-called sprite circuit, a screen circuit, a palette circuit and the like, and is capable of performing a various kinds of processing for displaying an image on the liquid crystal display  30 . The video RAM  154  and the image data ROM  156  are connected to the VDP  152 . The video RAM  154  stores image data based on the image display instructions from the CPU  106  on the game controller  100 . The image data ROM  156  stores various kinds of image data including the abovementioned effect image data and the like. Moreover, the VDP  152  is also connected to the driving circuit  158  outputting a drive signal for driving the liquid crystal display  30 . 
         [0088]    By reading and executing the display control program stored in the ROM  148 , the CPU  146  instructs the video RAM  154  to store image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display  30  in response to the image display instruction from the CPU  106  on the abovementioned game controller  100 . The image display instruction includes various kinds of image display instructions, including an instruction for displaying the abovementioned rendered image. 
         [0089]    The image data ROM  156  stores a variety of image data including the data of the abovementioned rendered image and the like. 
         [0090]    The touch panel control circuit  160  transmits a signal being input on the touch panel  32  on the liquid crystal display  30 , as an input signal, to the CPU  106  via the input/output bus  144 . 
         [0091]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating a flow of the processing operation of the gaming machine  13 , which is executed by the game controller  100  of the gaming machine  13 . 
         [0092]    In Step S 1 , the CPU  106  determines whether communication with the card is possible. More specifically, the CPU  106  determines whether the communication with the card  180  is possible via the card slot  170 . When the communication is possible, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 2 . If not, the CPU  106  returns the processing to Step S 1 . 
         [0093]    In Step S 2 , the CPU  106  receives the player ID and the credit amount data from the card  180 , and stores them in the memory. More specifically, the CPU  106  receives the player ID and the credit amount data from a storage area in the card  180 , and stores them in a predetermined area in the RAM  110 . The CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 3 . 
         [0094]    In Step S 3 , the CPU  106  starts a casino game, and advances the processing to Step S 4 . More specifically, the CPU  106  starts the casino game in response to detection of pressing of the start switch  25 . The casino game includes, for example, a slot game. 
         [0095]    In Step S 4 , the CPU  106  determines whether an award is to be provided in accordance with a play result of the casino game. More specifically, the CPU  106  determines, for example, whether a predetermined number of symbols are aligned on a winning line. When the CPU  106  determines an award to be provided, it advances the processing to Step S 5 . If not, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 6 . 
         [0096]    In Step  5 , the CPU  106  accumulates the credit amount data. More specifically, the CPU  106  adds an amount of credit corresponding to the award to the credit amount data stored in the RAM  110 . 
         [0097]    In Step S 6 , the CPU  106  terminates the casino game, and advances the processing to Step S 7 . More specifically, the CPU  106  terminates the casino game in response to detection of pressing of the termination switch (not shown). 
         [0098]    In Step S 7 , the CPU  106  transmits the credit amount data to the card  180 . More specifically, the CPU  106  transmits the credit amount data stored in the RAM  110  to the card  180  at a time of terminating the casino game. This processing allows the credit amount data stored in the card  180  to be updated. Afterwards, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 8 . 
         [0099]    In Step S 8 , the CPU  106  transmits the player ID and the credit amount data to the card data management server  710 . More specifically, the CPU  106  transmits the player ID and the credit amount data stored in the RAM  110  to the card data management server  710  at the time of terminating the casino game. This processing allows the credit amount data, which corresponds to the player ID in the card data management server  710 , not only to be updated but also to be synchronized with the credit amount data in the card  180 . Upon finishing this processing, the CPU  106  terminates the routine. 
         [0100]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating a flow of product order processing in the gaming machine  13 , which is executed by the game controller  100  of the gaming machine  13 . The product order processing is executed at predetermined timing between the beginning of the casino game (Step S 3  in  FIG. 10 ) and the end of the casino game (Step S 6  in  FIG. 10 ). The predetermined timing is a moment at which an operation is detected via the touch panel  32  for a button for calling a window to order products (not shown) or a button for calling a window to request music (not shown) on the liquid crystal display  30 . 
         [0101]    In Step S 11 , the CPU  106  performs processing for displaying product images. More specifically, the CPU  106  causes the liquid crystal display  30  to display the window for ordering products (see  FIG. 13 ) or the window for requesting music (see  FIG. 14 ) via the display/input controller  140 . Afterwards, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 12 . 
         [0102]    In Step S 12 , the CPU  106  determines whether product data has been received. More specifically, the CPU  106  determines whether product data has been received corresponding to an order button  81  (see  FIG. 14 ) or a request button  82  (see  FIG. 15 ), that has been operated via the touch panel  32 . When the CPU  106  recognizes reception of the product, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 13 . If not, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 12 . 
         [0103]    In Step S 13 , the CPU  106  transmits the order data to an order data management terminal  720 . More specifically, the CPU  106  transmits the order data (see  FIG. 12 ), including a machine ID and product data at the minimum, to the order data management terminal  720 . Afterwards, the CPU  106  advances the processing to Step S 14 . 
         [0104]    In Step S 14 , the CPU  106  performs processing for subtraction of credit amount data. More specifically, the CPU  106  subtracts the credit amount data corresponding to the product data from the credit amount data stored in the RAM  110 . Upon finishing this processing, the CPU  106  terminates the routine. 
         [0105]      FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating order data. The order data, which the order data management terminal  720  has received from the gaming machine  13 , is displayed on a display device (not shown) provided in the order data management terminal  720 . According to  FIG. 12 , the order data includes at least a machine ID and product data. In this way, the data displayed on the display device allows a casino to know which product is ordered in conjunction with identification of a machine.  FIG. 12  shows that “coffee” has been ordered from a gaming machine with a machine ID “ 71 ”. 
         [0106]    Therefore, a player can be free from inconveniences caused by leaving the machine or waiting for a food cart to pass by while placing an order. In addition, since this can allow the casino to prepare the product after confirming the order data, it is possible to avoid waste such as preparing food and drinks ahead of time. 
         [0107]      FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating the window for ordering products. According to  FIG. 13 , product images and credit amounts are related to each other, and order buttons  81  are related to the product images. For example, “coffee” is related to “50 credits”. 
         [0108]      FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating the window for requesting music. According to  FIG. 14 , music titles and credit amounts are related to each other, and request buttons  82  are related to the music titles. For example, “Music  1 ” is related to “20 credits”. Moreover, by operating a button  83  for a request sequence window, the request sequence window as shown in  FIG. 15  is displayed. 
         [0109]      FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating the request sequence window. According to  FIG. 15 , a sequence of requested music titles is displayed. For example, Music  1  is in the third place. This window allows the player to know when the music requested will be played. In addition, by operating a button  84  for a music request window, the music request window is displayed. 
         [0110]    The gaming machine  13  and the card  180  can communicate with each other via the card slot  170  in the present embodiment; however, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited thereto, and a wireless transmission/reception part can be provided to the gaming machine  13  and the gaming machine  13  can thereby communicate with the card  180  via the wireless transmission/reception part. 
         [0111]    It may alternatively be possible that an upper limit is set for the credit amount data, which is stored in the card  180  by the credit writing device  410 . This can prevent the transfer of credit amount data exceeding the upper limit. 
         [0112]    In addition, although a description has been provided regarding a slot game as the casino game in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. The casino game can also be a card game, roulette, or the like. 
         [0113]    While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it is apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the amended claims.