JP7819842B2 - Gaming device - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a gaming device that is installed in correspondence with a gaming machine.

Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming device that allows a user to play on a gaming machine. When the gaming points stored in the gaming machine are 0 and the user performs an operation to suspend play, the gaming device ejects the recording medium and enters a suspended state.

Patent No. 6148823

With the gaming device described in Patent Document 1, if a user wishes to discontinue play, the gaming points stored in the gaming machine must be settled in advance to zero. However, it is cumbersome for users to have to settle their gaming points each time they leave their seat for a short period of time. There is a need for new technology that allows users to leave their seat while still having access to the gaming machine, without having to settle their gaming media each time.

This specification discloses technology that allows a user to leave a gaming machine while still having the machine reserved, without having to settle for gaming media.

The gaming device disclosed in this specification is a gaming device installed in correspondence with a gaming machine that increases or decreases gaming media depending on the game content, and is equipped with a first communication unit for communicating with the gaming machine, a recording medium processing unit that performs processing related to a recording medium that can identify gaming value owned by the user, a display unit, and a control unit. The control unit is capable of converting the gaming value into the gaming medium used for playing on the gaming machine, and is also capable of converting the gaming medium stored in the gaming machine into a retained medium included in the gaming value. In a first case in which a specific user issues a medium ejection instruction to the recording medium processing unit to eject the recording medium while the recording medium processing unit is operating in a normal state and the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine is equal to or greater than a specific value of one, the control unit causes the recording medium processing unit to eject a specific recording medium on which specific identification information associated with a specific gaming value owned by the specific user is recorded, transitions the recording medium processing unit to a prohibited state in which acceptance of recording media other than the specific recording medium is prohibited, and displays an interruption message on the display unit while the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state, related to the prohibition of acceptance of recording media other than the specific recording medium.

The above-mentioned "gaming device" includes any device installed in association with a gaming machine. For example, "gaming device" may include various gaming parlor facilities, such as units (sandbox units, card units) installed in association with a gaming machine, other information collection devices (machine units, island units), individual machine display devices installed in association with a gaming machine (machine lamps, call devices, call push buttons, etc.), management devices that manage the gaming parlor (hall computers, member servers, etc.), various effects and display devices, etc. The above-mentioned "gaming machine" is primarily a pachinko machine, but may also include any gaming machine, such as a slot machine. "Gaming machine" is primarily a so-called sealed-type managed gaming machine that does not dispense gaming media such as pachinko balls or medals. "Gaming value" includes any value that can be converted into gaming media that can be used to play on a gaming machine. "Gaming value" includes, for example, remaining money, retained media (retained balls, retained medals), and saved media (saved balls, saved medals). A "gaming medium" is a medium that can be used to play on a gaming machine. "Gaming medium" can also be called gaming balls, gaming medals, gaming points, or gaming value. "Recording medium" includes any medium that can record information, such as a membership card or visitor card. Recording media are not limited to card-type, and can also be coin-type, etc.

With the above configuration, if the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine is equal to or greater than a specific value, a specific user can eject a specific recording medium without paying for the gaming media in advance (i.e., without resetting it to zero). Once the recording medium processing unit has transitioned to a prohibited state, third parties other than the specific user will no longer be able to insert a recording medium and play on the gaming machine. A specific user can suspend play and leave their seat without paying for the gaming media. This means that a specific user does not have to pay for the gaming media each time they leave their seat, nor does it require the calling of a store clerk. The above gaming device provides high convenience for both users and store clerks.

Furthermore, with the above configuration, the interruption message on the display unit can inform those nearby that the acceptance of recording media other than the specified recording media is prohibited. By looking at the display unit, nearby third parties can see that the gaming machine is reserved for a specific user, even while the specific user is away.

The control unit may transition the recording medium processing unit to the normal state when the specific recording medium is accepted by the recording medium processing unit while the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state.

With this configuration, a specific user can cancel the prohibited state by having the recording medium processing unit accept the specific recording medium. Therefore, in principle, only the specific user who issued the medium ejection instruction can cancel the prohibited state. By having the recording medium processing unit accept the specific recording medium, the specific user can easily return to playing on the gaming machine.

When a counting operation to convert the gaming media into the retained media is performed in the gaming machine while the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state, the control unit may perform an addition process to add the number of the gaming media as the number of retained media to the specific gaming value corresponding to the specific identification information.

Here, "held media" refers to media acquired by a user on the day, and includes not only media acquired through gaming, but also media acquired through payouts of remaining balances or payouts of saved balls. "Hold media" can also be referred to as held balls, held medals, held points, or held value. With the above configuration, even if a third party performs a counting operation while the recording medium processing unit is operating in a prohibited state, it is possible to prevent a specific user's gaming media from falling into the hands of a third party. Gaming media are processed as held media linked to specific identification information (i.e., the identification information of a specific recording medium owned by a specific user who is the true owner of the gaming media). Therefore, a specific user who is away from their seat will not suffer any disadvantages and can leave their seat with peace of mind.

When the control unit receives a signal from the gaming machine indicating that a game using the gaming medium is in progress while the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state, the control unit may cause the display unit to display a warning message related to the need to accept the specific recording medium.

Depending on the characteristics of the gaming machine, even if the recording medium processing unit is operating in a prohibited state, a third party may be able to use the gaming medium by operating the gaming machine. By providing this configuration, a warning message can be displayed on the display unit in such cases, preventing a third party from playing games without permission using the gaming medium.

When the specific recording medium is accepted by the recording medium processing unit while the warning message is being displayed on the display unit, the control unit may terminate the display of the warning message on the display unit and terminate the prohibited state of the recording medium processing unit.

With this configuration, even if a specific user who has returned from an absence starts playing without accepting a specific recording medium, a warning message will be displayed on the display unit. However, even in this case, once the specific user accepts the specific recording medium, the warning message will cease to be displayed, the prohibited state of the recording medium processing unit will be lifted, and the machine will return to its normal state. This allows the specific user to be appropriately prompted to accept the specific recording medium.

When a counting operation to convert the gaming media into the retained media is performed in the gaming machine after a specific period of time has elapsed since the recording medium processing unit transitioned to the prohibited state, the control unit may perform an addition process to add the number of the gaming media as the retained media to the specific gaming value corresponding to the specific identification information, and may also transition the recording medium processing unit to the normal state.

After a specific period of time has passed since the recording medium processing unit transitioned to a prohibited state (i.e., after the gaming machine has been reserved for a specific user for a specific period of time), it is preferable for other users and gaming establishments to have the gaming machine released and in operation. With this configuration, after a specific period of time has passed since the recording medium processing unit transitioned to a prohibited state, the recording medium processing unit can be returned to its normal state by performing a counting operation. Since the gaming medium is also added to the specific gaming value as a specific user's owned medium, a specific user who is away from their seat will not suffer any disadvantages.

The control unit may cause the display unit to display an interruption completion message indicating that the prohibited state can be released when a specific period of time has elapsed since the recording medium processing unit transitioned to the prohibited state.

This configuration allows those around to know that the prohibited state of the recording medium processing unit can be lifted. In other words, it allows those around to know that the state in which the gaming machine is reserved for a specific user can be resolved. This can encourage a transition to a normal state. It can prevent a gaming machine from being reserved for an excessively long period of time by a specific user.

The control unit may cause the recording medium processing unit to eject the specific recording medium and transition the recording medium processing unit to the prohibited state in the first case where, while the recording medium processing unit is operating in a normal state and the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine is equal to or greater than the specific value, the specific user issues an interruption instruction related to interrupting play on the gaming machine using the gaming media, along with the medium ejection instruction; and may cause the recording medium processing unit to eject the specific recording medium in the second case where, while the recording medium processing unit is operating in a normal state and the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine is equal to or greater than the specific value, the specific user issues an assignment instruction related to transferring ownership of the gaming media to another user and ending play on the gaming machine.

With this configuration, in the second case, a specific user can transfer ownership of the gaming medium to a third party without putting the recording medium processing unit into a prohibited state. This makes it possible to handle gaming media according to the needs of the specific user, further improving user convenience.

In a third case in which the specific user issues a media ejection instruction while the recording medium processing unit is operating in a normal state and the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine is less than the specific value, the control unit may perform an addition process to add the number of gaming media as the number of held media to the specific gaming value corresponding to the specific identification information, and may also cause the recording medium processing unit to eject the specific recording medium.

With this configuration, when gaming media are relatively scarce, the gaming machine can be released by settling the gaming media without allowing the gaming machine to be secured (i.e., without allowing the recording medium processing unit to transition to a prohibited state). This can improve the utilization rate of the gaming machine.

The gaming device may further include a second communication unit capable of communicating with a management device. If, while the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state, the control unit receives a notification from the management device that the specific recording medium has been accepted by another gaming device that is capable of communicating with other gaming machines, and when a counting operation is performed in the gaming machine to convert the gaming medium into the retained media, the control unit may perform an addition process to add the number of gaming media as the retained media to the specific gaming value corresponding to the specific identification information, and transition the recording medium processing unit to the normal state.

When a specific recording medium ejected from a gaming device is accepted by another gaming device, it means that the specific user has switched from the gaming machine they reserved to another gaming machine and begun playing on that other machine. In this case, there is little need to continue reserving the original gaming machine for the specific user. With this configuration, in such a situation, the reservation of the original gaming machine can be terminated and the gaming machine can be released. Furthermore, since the gaming medium remaining in the gaming machine is counted and added to the specific user's owned medium, the specific user will not suffer any disadvantages.

The control method and computer program for implementing the above gaming device, as well as the computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, are also novel and useful. The gaming system including the above gaming device and management device is also novel and useful.

1 shows an overview of a gaming system 2 according to a first embodiment. A block diagram of unit 20 is shown. An example of a card data table 84 is shown below. 10 shows a flowchart of an interruption management process (normal mode) executed by the control unit 40 of the unit 20. 5 shows a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 4 (interrupt mode). 10 shows examples of messages displayed on the touch panel 22. 5 shows a continuation of the flowchart (interruption completion mode) of FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a management device-side process executed by a control unit 80 of the management device 70. Specific examples (Cases A to C) of the operation of the gaming system 2 will be shown. 10 shows a flowchart (transfer mode) of a part of the interruption management process of the second embodiment.

(First Example)
(System overview: Figure 1)
The gaming system 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for managing the operating status of each gaming machine in a gaming establishment such as a pachinko parlor. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming system 2 of this embodiment includes a management device 70 and multiple gaming machines 90A and 90B installed within the gaming establishment. Each of the gaming machines 90A and 90B includes a gaming machine 10, a unit 20, and a call lamp 50. Hereinafter, the gaming machines 90A and 90B will be collectively referred to as "gaming machines 90" without distinction. The unit 20 is wired to the gaming machine 10 and the call lamp 50, allowing them to communicate with each other. Furthermore, both the unit 20 and the management device 70 are connected to a LAN 4, allowing them to communicate with each other via the LAN 4. While only the gaming machines 90A and 90B are shown in the example of FIG. 1, many other gaming machines 90 are actually installed within a gaming establishment.

Amusement machine 90A is assigned a device ID "D1" to identify gaming machine 90A. Gaming machine 90B is assigned a device ID "D2". In this embodiment, the device ID is stored in unit 20. The device ID may be stored in one or more of the gaming machine 10 and the call lamp 50.

(Configuration of gaming machine 10)
The gaming machine 10 is a sealed-in ball circulation type pachinko machine, a so-called managed gaming machine. The gaming machine 10 includes a gaming board 11, a ball-hitting handle 12, a game ball count display unit 13, a counting button 14, and a control unit 15. The gaming board 11 is formed with a game area including a symbol display area and various winning slots. The ball-hitting handle 12 is an operating handle that allows the user to shoot game balls to play. When the user operates the ball-hitting handle 12, sealed balls are shot into the gaming board 11 one by one. When a sealed ball is shot, the number of game balls is decremented. The game ball count display unit 13 is a display that displays the number of game balls currently stored in the gaming machine 10 in real time. The game ball count display unit 13 is, for example, a seven-segment display. The counting button 14 is an operating button for starting the counting process from game balls to held balls. The control unit 15 is built into the gaming machine 10 and controls the operation of each component of the gaming machine 10 .

An overview of the operation of the gaming machine 10 will be described below. When the unit 20 performs a conversion process to convert the held or saved balls into a predetermined number of gaming balls, the number of gaming balls stored in the gaming machine 10 is increased by a predetermined number. When the user operates the ball-hitting handle 12 to fire a sealed ball, the number of gaming balls is decreased accordingly. The number of gaming balls is increased according to the winning balls. During play, the number of gaming balls increases or decreases according to the game situation. The number of gaming balls is constantly displayed on the gaming ball number display unit 13. The number of shots, the number of winning balls, the number of gaming balls, etc. are periodically transmitted to the unit 20. Furthermore, when the user operates the counting button 14, the number of gaming balls is transmitted to the unit 20. Hereinafter, operating the counting button 14 will be referred to as a "counting operation." When a counting operation is performed, the number of gaming balls stored in the gaming machine 10 becomes 0 (settled).

Here, "game balls" are balls that can be inserted into the gaming machine 10. "Reserved balls" are balls that the user has acquired on the same day and have not been deposited at the gaming parlor. "Saved balls" are balls that the user has acquired before the current day and have been deposited in the gaming points. In this embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is illustrated as a pachinko machine, so the terms "game balls," "reserved balls," and "saved balls" are used, but the terms "game balls," "reserved balls," and "saved balls" may also be referred to by more general terms such as "game medium," "reserved medium," and "saved medium."

(Configuration of call lamp 50)
The call lamp 50 is a device provided on the top of the gaming machine 10. Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the call lamp 50 includes a call button, a lighting unit, a display unit, etc. The call button is a button that a user operating the gaming machine 10 operates to call an attendant at the gaming facility. The lighting unit lights up when the call button is operated. The lit lighting unit is turned off when an attendant approaches the call lamp 50 and performs an operation to turn it off. The display unit displays various information on the display unit in response to a user's operation or an instruction from the unit 20.

(Configuration of unit 20)
The unit 20 is a device provided on the side of the gaming machine 10. The unit 20 may also be called a "sand unit (sand)" or a "card unit." The unit 20 is a terminal device for providing various services to users, such as accepting banknotes, paying out game balls (for example, converting from remaining balance, converted from held balls, or converted from saved balls), processing cards, and processing for securing the gaming machine 10 when play is interrupted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the unit 20 includes a touch panel 22, a bill processing section 30, a card processing section 32, a call lamp interface 34, a gaming machine interface 36, an external I/F 38, a control section 40, and a memory 42. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I/F."

The touch panel 22 functions as a display unit 24 for displaying various information, and as an operation unit 26 that allows the user to input various instructions by touching the panel. In a variant, the display unit 24 and operation unit 26 may be provided separately. The banknote processing unit 30 accepts banknotes inserted by the user and performs various processes. The card processing unit 32 performs various processes related to visitor cards, such as dispensing, reading, and collecting visitor cards, and various processes related to membership cards, such as issuing, dispensing, reading, and collecting membership cards.

The visitor card is a recording medium stored in advance within the unit 20. A visitor card ID for identifying the card is recorded on the visitor card. A membership card is a card issued when a user operates the touch panel 22 to perform a predetermined membership registration process. A membership ID, which is identification information for identifying the user as a member, is recorded on the membership card. The visitor card ID recorded on the visitor card and the membership ID recorded on the membership card are associated with the gaming value (held balls, saved balls, remaining money) owned by the user. The management device 70 can identify the gaming value (held balls, saved balls, remaining money) for each user associated with the visitor card ID and the membership ID. In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the recording medium handled by the unit 20 is card-shaped, but this is not limited to this, and the recording medium handled by the unit 20 may be a recording medium of any form, such as a coin-shaped one.

The call lamp I/F 34 is an I/F for communicating with the corresponding call lamp 50. The gaming machine I/F 36 is an I/F for communicating with the corresponding gaming machine 10. The external I/F 38 is connected to the LAN 4. The external I/F 38 is an I/F for communicating with an external device (e.g., the management device 70) via the LAN 4.

The control unit 40 executes various processes, including the interruption management process (see Figures 4, 5, and 7) described below, in accordance with the programs stored in the memory 42. The memory 42 stores a device ID (such as "D1") that indicates the gaming machine 90 that includes the unit 20. The memory 42 also has a storage area for storing information obtained by the control unit 40 executing various processes (for example, the number of game balls counted by the gaming machine 10, the ID of the card dispensed when game play is interrupted (interrupted card ID), etc.).

(Configuration of management device 70)
The management device 70 shown in FIG. 1 is a management server installed by an amusement facility. The management device 70 manages various information within the amusement facility. The management device 70 is installed in an area that is not visible to players and is mainly operated by the manager of the amusement facility. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the management device 70 is actually composed of a hall computer, a member server, a ball storage server, and a ball holding server. The hall computer, member server, ball storage server, and ball holding server can communicate with each other. Below, the configuration and operation of the management device 70 will be explained assuming the entire management device 70 composed of the hall computer, member server, ball storage server, and ball holding server.

The management device 70 comprises a display unit 72, an operation unit 74, a communication I/F 76, a control unit 80, and a memory 82. The display unit 72 is a display for displaying various information. The operation unit 74 includes a mouse and keyboard. A user (mainly an amusement facility manager, etc.) can input various instructions into the management device 70 by operating the operation unit 74. The communication I/F 76 is connected to the LAN 4. The communication I/F 76 is an I/F for communicating with external devices (e.g., each unit 20) via the LAN 4.

The control unit 80 executes various processes, including the management device-side processes described below (see Figure 8), in accordance with the programs stored in the memory 82. The memory 82 also has a storage area for storing information obtained by the control unit 80 executing various processes. The memory 82 also has a storage area (which may be called a database area) for storing various signals and information output by each gaming machine 10 and unit 20 within the gaming facility, for each device ID. The memory 82 also stores a card data table 84 for storing information regarding gaming value (held balls, saved balls, and remaining balance) for each card ID (visitor card ID and member ID).

As shown in FIG. 3, card data table 84 includes multiple card data 100a and 100b. Card data table 84 also includes card data other than card data 100a and 100b. Hereinafter, when referring to card data including card data 100a and 100b, it will be referred to as "card data 100." Card data 100 is data in which various information, such as card ID, held balls, saved balls, remaining balance, interruption ID, and number of game balls at the time of interruption, is associated. Card data 100 may also include information (not shown) other than card ID, held balls, saved balls, remaining balance, interruption ID, and number of game balls at the time of interruption. Of the information included in card data 100, card ID indicates a member ID (such as "MC1") or a visitor card ID (such as "VC1"). Held balls, saved balls, and remaining balance indicate the number of held balls, saved balls, and remaining balance owned by the user corresponding to the card ID, respectively. The interruption ID and the number of game balls at the time of interruption respectively indicate the device ID (such as "D1") included in the interruption notification received from the gaming machines 90 in the management device-side processing described below (see Figure 8), and the number of game balls at the time the interruption notification was received on the gaming machine 10 corresponding to that device ID.

For example, the card data 100a in Figure 3 includes card ID "MC1," held balls "1000," saved balls "500," remaining balance "500," suspension ID "D1," and number of game balls at time of suspension "500." Card data 100a indicates that a user with member ID "MC1" has 1000 held balls, 500 saved balls, and a remaining balance of 500 yen, has currently secured a gaming machine 10 with machine ID "D1" and is suspending play, and has 500 game balls remaining in the gaming machine 10 with machine ID "D1." The contents of the card data 100 contained in the card data table 84 are changed in real time as the control unit 80 executes management device-side processing (see Figure 8).

(Interruption management process: Figures 4, 5, and 7)
4, 5, and 7, the interruption management process executed by the control unit 40 of the unit 20 will be described. The interruption management process is a process for managing the interruption state (secured, released, etc.) of the gaming machine 10 when a user playing on the gaming machine 10 corresponding to the unit 20 interrupts play for a short period of time, such as for a break.

When the gaming machine 90 including the unit 20 is powered on, the control unit 40 of the unit 20 communicates with the corresponding gaming machine 10 and call lamp 50. That is, the control unit 40 periodically receives data related to the gaming status from the gaming machine 10. The control unit 40 then performs monitoring of S10 and S16. At this point, the control unit 40 operates the card processing unit 32 in a state in which any card can be accepted (hereinafter referred to as the "normal state"). The operating mode of the unit 20 at this point may also be referred to as the "normal mode."

In S10, the control unit 40 monitors whether a card is inserted into the card processing unit 32. Any user within the gaming facility can insert their own membership card or visitor card into the card processing unit 32 of the unit 20. When a card is inserted into the card processing unit 32, the control unit 40 determines YES in S10 and proceeds to S12. On the other hand, while no card is inserted into the card processing unit 32, the control unit 40 determines NO in S10 and skips S12 and S14.

In S12, the control unit 40 reads the card ID (member ID or visitor card ID) of the inserted card via the card processing unit 32. In the following S14, the control unit 40 sends an interruption confirmation request including the card ID read in S12 to the management device 70. The interruption confirmation request is a signal requesting confirmation of whether the card data 100 (Figure 3) containing the read card ID contains an interruption ID. After completing S14, the control unit 40 proceeds to S16.

In S16, the control unit 40 monitors whether a card ejection command has been issued. The user can operate the touch panel 22 to input a specific card ejection command. When a card ejection command has been input, the control unit 40 determines YES in S16 and proceeds to S18.

In S18, the control unit 40 determines whether the current number of gaming balls in the gaming machine 10 is equal to or greater than a specific value. The current number of gaming balls in the gaming machine 10 is the number of gaming balls stored in the gaming machine 10 at the time of S18 (i.e., the number displayed on the gaming ball count display unit 13). The specific value is a predetermined number, for example 100. The specific value may be any number that the gaming facility deems necessary to allow the gaming machine 10 to be secured following a game interruption. However, the specific value is an integer of 1 or greater. If the number of gaming balls is equal to or greater than the specific value, the control unit 40 determines YES in S18 and proceeds to S22. On the other hand, if the number of gaming balls is less than the specific value, the control unit 40 determines NO in S18 and proceeds to S20.

In S20, the control unit 40 settles the game balls and causes the card processing unit 32 to dispense the card. Specifically, the control unit 40 first sends a settlement instruction to the gaming machine 10. Upon receiving the settlement instruction, the gaming machine 10 notifies the unit 20 of the current number of game balls and subtracts the number of game balls to 0. The control unit 40 then sends an addition request to the management device 70, including the notified number of game balls and the card ID of the card to be dispensed (i.e., the card currently accepted by the card processing unit 32). Note that "the card currently accepted by the card processing unit 32" refers to a membership card or visitor card inserted by the user. If the user has not inserted any card (for example, if the user has inserted banknotes on the day and started playing), it refers to a visitor card pre-stored in the card processing unit 32.

When the management device 70 receives an addition request from the unit 20, it adds the number of game balls included in the addition request to the "held balls" in the card data 100 (Figure 3) that has the card ID included in the addition request. Meanwhile, the control unit 40 causes the card processing unit 32 to eject the card after sending the addition request. When processing S20 is performed, the card processing unit 32 continues operating in its normal state. That is, even after processing S20, the card processing unit 32 can accept any card. In this case, the gaming machine 10 will not be reserved for the user who issued the card ejection instruction (S16). The user cannot interrupt play while the gaming machine 10 is reserved.

On the other hand, in S22, the control unit 40 stores the card ID of the card to be discharged (i.e., the card currently being accepted by the card processing unit 32) in memory 42. The card ID stored in S22 will be referred to below as the "interrupted card ID."

In S24, the control unit 40 sends a suspension notice to the management device 70, including the suspended card ID, the machine ID of the gaming machine (gaming machine 90), and the number of game balls currently being played on the gaming machine 10. The suspension notice is a signal that notifies the management device 70 that the card processing unit 32 of the unit 20 with that machine ID will transition to a prohibited state in which it will not accept any cards other than the card with the suspended card ID.

In S26, the control unit 40 causes the card processing unit 32 to eject the card. In S28, the control unit 40 starts counting a timer for a predetermined interruption time. After completing the processing of S28, the card processing unit 32 transitions to a prohibited state in which it does not accept any cards other than the card with the interrupted card ID. At the same time, the control unit 40 also prohibits the banknote processing unit 30 from accepting new banknotes. A card with a recorded interrupted card ID may be referred to as an "interrupted card" below. The operating mode of the unit 20 at the time of completing S28 may also be referred to as an "interruption mode." After completing the processing of S28, the control unit 40 proceeds to S40 in Figure 5.

In S40 of FIG. 5, the control unit 40 displays a predetermined interruption message on the touch panel 22. FIG. 6(a) shows an example of the interruption message displayed in S40. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the interruption message explains that play on the gaming machine 10 has been interrupted, the remaining time of the interruption, that only the user who ejected the card (hereinafter referred to as the "interrupted user") can resume play, and that the interrupted card must be inserted to resume play. Displaying the interruption message makes those around aware that the acceptance of cards other than the interrupted card is prohibited. By looking at the touch panel 22, nearby third parties can see that the gaming machine 10 is reserved for the interrupted user even while the interrupted user is away. After completing S40, the control unit 40 performs monitoring of S42, S44, S46, S48, and S50.

In S42, the control unit 40 monitors to detect the progress of play on the gaming machine 10. In this embodiment, even if the card processing unit 32 of the unit 20 is operating in a prohibited state, if the ball-hitting handle 12 of the gaming machine 10 is operated by someone, game balls stored in the gaming machine 10 may be shot out. In this case, the control unit 40 receives signals related to games using game balls on the gaming machine 10 (e.g., the number of winning prizes, the number of winning balls, the number of game balls) from the gaming machine 10 via the gaming machine I/F 36. If the control unit 40 detects that a game is progressing on the gaming machine 10 (e.g., an increase in the number of winning prizes or the number of winning balls, or a change in the number of game balls), it determines YES in S42 and proceeds to S52.

In S52, the control unit 40 displays a predetermined warning message on the touch panel 22. FIG. 6(b) shows an example of the warning message displayed in S52. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the warning message explains that the act of operating the gaming machine 10 is subject to the warning, that only the suspended user can resume play, and that the suspended card must be inserted to resume play. In the following S54, the control unit 40 turns on the illumination unit of the call lamp 50. After completing S54, the control unit 40 returns to monitoring S42, S44, S46, S48, and S50. Note that in another example, in addition to processing S52 and S54, the control unit 40 may output a warning sound from one or both of the call lamp 50 and the unit 20. In yet another example, the warning message displayed on the touch panel 22 in S52 may be reverted to the suspended message (FIG. 6(a)) after the end of the predetermined display period.

In S44, the control unit 40 monitors whether a predetermined interruption time has elapsed. If the timer that started counting in S28 of FIG. 4 reaches the predetermined interruption time (e.g., 15 minutes), the control unit 40 determines YES in S44 and proceeds to S55. In S55, the control unit 40 ends the timer count. The counted timer is reset. After S55 is completed, the control unit 40 proceeds to S70 of FIG. 7. The processing from S70 onwards will be explained later.

In S46, the control unit 40 monitors whether a suspended card use notification has been received from the management device 70. When it detects that a suspended card ejected from a specific unit 20 has been inserted into another unit 20, the management device 70 sends a suspended card use notification to the specific unit 20 indicating that the suspended card has been inserted into the other unit 20 (see S116 in FIG. 8). When the control unit 40 receives a suspended card use notification from the management device 70, it determines YES in S46 and proceeds to S45. When the control unit 40 ends the timer count in S45, it proceeds to S70 in FIG. 7.

In S48, the control unit 40 monitors whether a card is inserted into the card processing unit 32. Even if the card processing unit 32 is operating in a prohibited state, any user in the gaming facility, including the suspended user, can insert their own membership card or visitor card into the card processing unit 32 of the unit 20. When a card is inserted into the card processing unit 32, the control unit 40 determines YES in S48 and proceeds to S56.

In S56, the control unit 40 reads the card ID of the inserted card. In the following S57, the control unit 40 determines whether the card ID read in S56 matches the suspended card ID stored in memory 42. If the card inserted into the card processing unit 32 is a suspended card (i.e., if the suspended user returns from being away from their desk and reinserts the suspended card into the unit 20), the card ID read in S56 matches the suspended card ID stored in memory 42. In that case, the control unit 40 determines YES in S57 and proceeds to S58.

In S58, the control unit 40 sends a suspension release notification including the suspended card ID to the management device 70. The suspension release notification is a signal for notifying that the prohibited state of the card processing unit 32 of the unit 20 with the relevant device ID will be released. In another example, the suspension release notification may include the device ID of the own machine (the gaming machine 90 including the unit 20) instead of the suspended card ID, or may include both the suspended card ID and the device ID of the own machine.

In the following S59, the control unit 40 ends the timer count and terminates the display of the message being displayed on the touch panel 22 (the interrupted message in FIG. 6(a) or the warning message in FIG. 6(b)). Furthermore, the control unit 40 erases the interrupted card ID from the memory 42. After completing S59, the control unit 40 returns to the monitoring of S10 and S16 in FIG. 4. At the same time, the control unit 40 returns the card processing unit 32 to the normal state. The control unit 40 resumes the acceptance of banknotes by the banknote processing unit 30. The unit 20 returns to normal mode again.

On the other hand, if the card ID read in S56 differs from the interrupted card ID stored in memory 42 (for example, if a card other than the interrupted card has been inserted by mistake), the control unit 40 determines NO in S57 and proceeds to S60.

In S60, the control unit 40 causes the card processing unit 32 to eject the inserted card. In the following S62, the control unit 40 causes the touch panel 22 to display a predetermined card confirmation message. FIG. 6(d) shows an example of the card confirmation message displayed in S62. As shown in FIG. 6(d), the card confirmation message explains that the inserted card is not a suspended card, that only the suspended user can resume play, and that the suspended card must be inserted to resume play. After S62 ends, the control unit 40 returns to monitoring S42, S44, S46, S48, and S50. Note that the card confirmation message displayed on the touch panel 22 in S62 reverts to the suspended message (FIG. 6(a)) after a predetermined display period (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed. In another example, the card confirmation message may continue to be displayed on the touch panel 22.

In S50, the control unit 40 monitors whether a counting operation is being performed on the gaming machine 10. When a counting operation (operating the counting button 14) is performed on the gaming machine 10, the gaming machine 10 notifies the unit 20 of the number of gaming balls at that time and resets the number of gaming balls to 0 (settles the account). When the control unit 40 receives the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 10 via the gaming machine I/F 36, it determines YES in S50 and proceeds to S64.

In S64, the control unit 40 sends an addition request to the management device 70, including the number of game balls notified from the gaming machine 10 and the suspended card ID stored in memory 42. As a result, the management device 70 adds the number of game balls included in the addition request to the "held balls" of the card data 100 (see Figure 3) that has the suspended card ID (see S118 in Figure 8). After completing S64, the control unit 40 returns to monitoring S42, S44, S46, S48, and S50.

Next, the processing from S70 onwards in Figure 7 after S55 will be described. The operating mode of the unit 20 at the time of S70 (when S55 is completed) may be called the "interruption completion mode." At S70, the control unit 40 causes a predetermined interruption completion message to be displayed on the touch panel 22. Figure 6(c) shows an example of the interruption completion message displayed at S70. As shown in Figure 6(c), the interruption completion message explains that anyone can play as long as the counting operation is performed on the gaming machine 10. After completing S70, the control unit 40 begins monitoring S72, S76, and S78.

In S72, it is monitored whether a counting operation has been performed on the gaming machine 10. When a counting operation (operating the counting button 14) is performed on the gaming machine 10, the gaming machine 10 notifies the unit 20 of the number of gaming balls at that time and resets the number of gaming balls to 0 (settles). When the control unit 40 receives the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 10 via the gaming machine I/F 36, it judges YES in S72 and proceeds to S74. On the other hand, if the control unit 40 has not received the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 10 at this time, it judges NO in S72, skips S74, and proceeds to S76.

In S74, the control unit 40 sends an addition request to the management device 70, including the number of game balls notified from the gaming machine 10 and the suspended card ID stored in memory 42. As a result, the management device 70 adds the number of game balls included in the addition request to the "held balls" of the card data 100 (Figure 3) that has the suspended card ID (see S118 in Figure 8). After completing S74, the control unit 40 proceeds to S76.

In S76, the control unit 40 monitors whether the number of game balls in the gaming machine 10 has reached 0. For example, if a counting operation has already been performed on the gaming machine 10, the number of game balls in the gaming machine 10 is 0 at this point. In this case, the control unit 40 determines YES in S76 and proceeds to S88. The processing from S88 onwards will be explained later. On the other hand, if the number of game balls is not 0 at this point, the control unit 40 determines NO in S76 and proceeds to S78.

In S78, the control unit 40 monitors whether a card has been inserted into the card processing unit 32. If a card has been inserted into the card processing unit 32, the control unit 40 determines YES in S78 and proceeds to S80. On the other hand, if no card has been inserted at this point, the control unit 40 determines NO in S78 and returns to S72.

In S80, the control unit 40 reads the card ID of the inserted card. In the following S82, the control unit 40 determines whether the card ID read in S80 matches the interrupted card ID stored in memory 42. If the card ID read in S80 matches the interrupted card ID stored in memory 42, the control unit 40 determines YES in S82 and proceeds to S88.

In S88, the control unit 40 sends a suspension release notification including the suspended card ID to the management device 70. The suspension release notification is the same as the notification sent in S58 of FIG. 5. The suspension release notification may include the device ID of the own device instead of the suspended card ID, or may include both the suspended card ID and the device ID of the own device.

In the following S90, the control unit 40 ends the display of the interruption completion message (Figure 6(c)) currently being displayed on the touch panel 22. Furthermore, the control unit 40 erases the interrupted card ID from the memory 42. After completing S90, the control unit 40 returns to monitoring S10 and S16 in Figure 4. At the same time, the control unit 40 returns the card processing unit 32 to its normal state. The control unit 40 resumes the acceptance of banknotes by the banknote processing unit 30. The unit 20 returns to normal mode again.

On the other hand, if the card ID read in S80 is different from the interrupted card ID, the control unit 40 determines NO in S82 and proceeds to S84.

In S84, the control unit 40 causes the card processing unit 32 to eject the inserted card. In the following S86, the control unit 40 causes the touch panel 22 to display a predetermined card confirmation message (Figure 6(d)). Note that the card confirmation message displayed on the touch panel 22 in S84 is returned to an interruption completion message (Figure 6(c)) after a predetermined display period (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed. In another example, the card confirmation message may continue to be displayed on the touch panel 22. After S86 is completed, the control unit 40 returns to S72.

The above describes the interruption management process executed by the control unit 40. While the gaming machine 90 is powered on, the control unit 40 continues to execute the interruption management process shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7.

(Processing on the management device side: FIG. 8)
Next, referring to Fig. 8, a description will be given of management device-side processing executed by the control unit 80 of the management device 70. The management device-side processing is processing performed on the management device 70 side to manage the interruption status (secure, release, etc.) of each gaming machine 10 in response to each unit 20 in the gaming store executing the interruption management processing (Figs. 4, 5, and 7).

As shown in Figure 8, the control unit 80 of the management device 70 constantly monitors S100, S102, S104, and S106.

In S100, the control unit 80 monitors whether an interruption notification (S24 in FIG. 4) has been received from any of the units 20. As described above, when a unit 20 ejects a card (S26), it sends an interruption notification including the interrupted card ID, the device ID, and the number of game balls to the management device 70 (S24). When the control unit 80 receives an interruption notification from a specific unit 20, it determines YES in S100 and proceeds to S110.

In S110, the control unit 80 records the device ID (e.g., "D1") included in the interruption notification in the "Interruption ID" field of the card data 100 (Figure 3) that has the interrupted card ID included in the interruption notification, and records the number of game balls (e.g., "500") in the "Number of game balls at interruption." After completing S110, the control unit 80 returns to monitoring S100 to S106.

In S102, the control unit 80 monitors whether an interruption release notification (S58 in FIG. 5, S88 in FIG. 7) has been received from any of the units 20. As described above, when the prohibited state of the card processing unit 32 is released, the unit 20 sends an interruption release notification including the interrupted card ID to the management device 70 (S58, S88). When the control unit 80 receives an interruption release notification from a specific unit 20, it determines YES in S102 and proceeds to S112.

In S112, the control unit 80 erases the "interruption ID" (e.g., "D1") of the card data 100a, etc. that has the interrupted card ID included in the interruption release notice, and erases the "number of balls played at interruption" (e.g., "500"). In another example, if the interruption release notice includes a machine ID instead of (or in addition to) the interrupted card ID, the control unit 80 refers to the card data table 84, searches for card data 100 in which the machine ID (e.g., "D1") is recorded as the interruption ID, and erases the "interruption ID" etc.

In S104, the control unit 80 monitors whether an interruption confirmation request (S14 in Figure 4) is received from any of the units 20. As described above, when a card is inserted while the card processing unit 32 is in the normal state, the unit 20 sends an interruption confirmation request including the card ID to the management device 70 (S14). When the control unit 80 receives an interruption confirmation request from a specific unit 20, it determines YES in S104 and proceeds to S114.

In S114, the control unit 80 determines whether a pause ID corresponding to the card ID included in the pause confirmation request exists. Specifically, the control unit 80 references the card data table 84 (Figure 3) and identifies the card data 100 having the card ID included in the pause confirmation request. The control unit 80 then determines whether a machine ID (e.g., "D1") is recorded in the "pause ID" of the identified card data 100. If a machine ID is recorded in the "pause ID," the control unit 80 determines YES in S114 and proceeds to S116. In this case, the card corresponding to the card ID is a paused card. This means that the unit 20 identified by the "pause ID" is currently in a prohibited state. This means that the paused user who possesses the paused card has already secured the gaming machine 10 identified by the "pause ID." On the other hand, if a machine ID is not recorded in the "pause ID" of the identified card data 100, the control unit 80 determines NO in S114 and returns to monitoring steps S100 to S106. In this case, it means that the user who holds the card has not secured any gaming machines 10.

In S116, the control unit 80 sends a suspended card usage notification (S46 in Figure 5) to the unit 20 corresponding to the device ID of the "suspended ID." The suspended card usage notification is a notification indicating that a suspended card has been inserted into another unit 20. After completing S116, the control unit 80 returns to monitoring S100 to S106.

In S106, the control unit 80 monitors whether an addition request (S20 in FIG. 4, S64 in FIG. 5, S74 in FIG. 7) has been received from any of the units 20. As described above, when the game balls are settled (S20) or when a counting operation is performed on the gaming machine 10 (S50, S72), the unit 20 sends an addition request including the number of game balls and the card ID (interrupted card ID) to the management device 70 (S20, S64, S74). When the control unit 80 receives an addition request from a specific unit 20, it determines YES in S106 and proceeds to S118.

In S118, the control unit 80 adds the number of game balls included in the addition request to the "held balls" in the card data 100 (Figure 3) that has the card ID included in the addition request. After completing S118, the control unit 80 returns to monitoring S100 to S106.

The above describes the management device-side processing executed by the control unit 80. While the management device 70 is operating, the control unit 80 continues to execute the management device-side processing shown in Figure 8.

(Specific example of operation of gaming system 2: FIG. 9)
Next, a specific example of the operation of the gaming system 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 shows the sequence of events that occur in the unit 20 of the gaming machine 90A in three operation patterns, Cases A to C.

(Case A)
Case A is an example in which a third party operates the gaming machine 10 (playing and counting operations) after the suspended user leaves the seat, and then the suspended user returns. In A01, the unit 20 is operating in normal mode. At this point, the number of game balls is 500. In A02, the user inputs a card ejection command (YES in S16 and S18 of FIG. 4), and the suspended card is ejected (S26). This causes the card processing unit 32 to transition to a prohibited state, and the unit 20 transitions to interrupted mode. The unit 20 starts counting a timer and displays an interrupted message (FIG. 6(a)) (S40 of FIG. 5). The user (the suspended user) interrupts play on the gaming machine 10 and leaves the seat. In the following A03, a third party mistakenly operates the ball-hitting handle 12 of the gaming machine 10, causing game play using game balls to proceed on the gaming machine 10. As a result, the number of game balls decreases to 490. The unit 20 detects the progress of the game (YES in S42). In A04, the unit 20 displays a warning message (FIG. 6(b)) (S52). Thereafter, in A05, a third party performs a counting operation on the gaming machine 10 (YES in S50). The number of game balls decreases from 490 to 0. The unit 20 sends an addition request to the management device 70 (S64). The counted game balls are added to the "held balls" included in the card data 100 (FIG. 3) corresponding to the suspended card ID (S118 in FIG. 8). Thereafter, in A06, the suspended user returns from being away from his seat and inserts the suspended card into the unit 20 (YES in S48 and S57). As a result, in A07, the card processing unit 32 returns to its normal state. The unit 20 returns to normal mode.

(Case B)
Case B is an example in which the suspended user leaves the seat, a suspension period elapses, and then a third party performs a counting operation, thereby releasing the prohibited state of the card processing unit 32. B01 and B02 are the same as A01 and A02 described above. In B03, a predetermined suspension period elapses after the unit 20 transitions to the suspension mode (YES in S44 of FIG. 5). In B04, the unit 20 displays a suspension completion message (FIG. 6(c)) (S70 of FIG. 7). The unit 20 transitions to the suspension completion mode. Then, in B05, a third party performs a counting operation on the gaming machine 10 (YES in S72). The number of game balls decreases from 500 to 0. The unit 20 sends an addition request to the management device 70 (S74). The counted game balls are added to the "held balls" included in the card data 100 (FIG. 3) corresponding to the suspended card ID (S118 of FIG. 8). As a result, in B06, the card processing section 32 returns to the normal state, and the unit 20 returns to the normal mode.

(Case C)
Case C is an example in which, after the suspended user leaves the seat, the suspended user inserts the suspended card ejected from a specific unit 20 (the unit 20 of the gaming machine 90A) into another unit 20 (e.g., the unit 20 of the gaming machine 90B), and then a third party performs a counting operation, thereby canceling the prohibited state of the card processing unit 32. Cases C01 and C02 are similar to A01 and A02 described above. In case C03, the suspended user inserts the suspended card ejected from the specific unit 20 into another unit 20 (e.g., the unit 20 of the gaming machine 90B). In this case, the other unit 20 sends a suspension confirmation request to the management device 70 (S14 in FIG. 4). The management device 70 determines that the card ID included in the suspension confirmation request is the suspended card ID (YES in S114 in FIG. 8) and sends a suspended card use notification to the specific unit 20 (S116). In case C04, the specific unit 20 receives the suspended card use notification (S46 in FIG. 5). In C05, the unit 20 displays a suspension completion message (FIG. 6(c)) (S70 in FIG. 7). The unit 20 transitions to suspension completion mode. In C06, a third party performs a counting operation on the gaming machine 10 (YES in S72). The number of game balls decreases from 500 to 0. The unit 20 sends an addition request to the management device 70 (S74). The counted game balls are added to the "held balls" included in the card data 100 (FIG. 3) corresponding to the suspended card ID (S118 in FIG. 8). In C07, the card processing unit 32 returns to its normal state. The unit 20 returns to normal mode. In the above example, if the suspended card is inserted into another unit, the suspension is canceled. On the other hand, it is assumed that the suspended card is inserted into another unit by mistake. In another example, if the suspended card is inserted into another unit, a message "This is not the gaming machine currently suspended. Do you want to cancel the suspension?" is displayed on the touch panel 22. If the player chooses not to cancel the game, the card may be ejected and the player may resume the game on the gaming machine where the game was suspended. The suspended card may also be made unavailable for use in other units or for exchange for prizes.

The configuration and operation of the gaming system 2 have been described above. According to the unit 20 of this embodiment, if the number of gaming balls stored in the gaming machine 10 is equal to or greater than a specific value, the suspended user can eject the suspended card without settling the gaming balls (i.e., without resetting the number to zero) (YES in S18, S26 in FIG. 4). Once the card processing unit 32 of the unit 20 has transitioned to the prohibited state, a third party other than the suspended user will no longer be able to insert a card other than the suspended card and play on the gaming machine 10 (NO in S57, S60 in FIG. 5). The suspended user can suspend play and leave their seat without settling the gaming balls. The user does not need to settle the gaming balls or call a store clerk each time they leave their seat. Therefore, the unit 20 of this embodiment provides high convenience for both the user and the store clerk.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a suspended card is inserted into the card processing unit 32 while the card processing unit 32 is operating in a prohibited state (i.e., while the unit 20 is operating in the suspended mode or the suspended completion mode) (YES in S57 of FIG. 5, YES in S82 of FIG. 7), the control unit 40 of the unit 20 returns the card processing unit 32 to the normal state (S59, S90). The suspended user can cancel the prohibited state by having the card processing unit 32 accept the suspended card. Therefore, in principle, only the suspended user who has issued the card ejection instruction (S16 of FIG. 4) can cancel the prohibited state. On the other hand, the suspended user can easily return to play on the gaming machine 10 by having the card processing unit 32 accept the suspended card.

Furthermore, if a counting operation is performed on the gaming machine 10 while the card processing unit 32 is operating in the prohibited state (YES in S50 of FIG. 5, YES in S72 of FIG. 7), the control unit 40 sends an addition request including the number of game balls and the suspended card ID to the management device 70 (S64, S74). As a result, the management device 70 adds the number of game balls included in the addition request to the "held balls" of the card data 100 (FIG. 3) containing the suspended card ID (see S118 of FIG. 8). In other words, even if a third party performs a counting operation on the gaming machine 10 while the suspended user is away from their seat, the game balls are prevented from falling into the hands of a third party other than the intended owner (the suspended user). The suspended user will not suffer any disadvantages while away from their seat. This allows the suspended user to safely leave their seat temporarily to use the restroom, smoke a cigarette, etc. In addition, for long breaks such as meals, another method involving staff intervention may be provided.

When the control unit 40 detects that a game is progressing on the gaming machine 10 while the card processing unit 32 is operating in the prohibited state (YES in S42 of FIG. 5), it displays a warning message on the touch panel 22 (S52). Displaying the warning message can prevent a third party from playing games without permission using game balls. Furthermore, if a suspending card is inserted into the card processing unit 32 while the warning message is being displayed (YES in S57 of FIG. 5), the control unit 40 terminates the display of the warning message and returns the card processing unit 32 to its normal state (S59). In other words, even if a suspended user who returns from being away from their seat forgets to insert the suspending card and continues playing, the warning message is displayed on the touch panel 22. Even in this case, if the suspended user accepts the suspending card, the display of the warning message terminates and the card processing unit 32 returns to its normal state. The suspended user can be appropriately prompted to insert the suspending card.

When the timer (S28 in FIG. 4) reaches a predetermined interruption time (e.g., 15 minutes) (YES in S44 in FIG. 5), the control unit 40 displays a predetermined interruption completion message on the touch panel 22 (S70 in FIG. 7). The unit 20 transitions to the interruption completion mode. When a counting operation is performed (YES in S72 and S76), the control unit 40 returns the card processing unit 32 to its normal state. After a predetermined interruption period has elapsed since the card processing unit 32 transitioned to the prohibited state (i.e., after the gaming machine 10 has been reserved for the suspended user during the interruption period), it is preferable for other users and the gaming facility that the gaming machine 10 be released and operated. This configuration of the present embodiment improves the convenience of other users and game points. Furthermore, since game balls are added to the suspended user's ball holdings, the suspended user is not disadvantaged while away from their seat. Displaying the interruption completion message on the touch panel 22 also notifies those around them that the prohibited state of the card processing unit 32 can be lifted, encouraging them to transition to the normal mode. This prevents a suspended user from reserving a gaming machine 10 for an excessively long period of time.

When a card ejection command is issued (YES in S16 of FIG. 4), if the number of gaming balls is less than a specific value (NO in S18), the control unit 40 settles the gaming balls and causes the card processing unit 32 to eject the cards. In this case, the card processing unit 32 continues operating in its normal state. If there are relatively few gaming balls, it is possible to settle the gaming balls and release the gaming machine 10 without allowing the gaming machine 10 to be secured (i.e., the card processing unit 32 to transition to a prohibited state). This can improve the operating rate of the gaming machine 10.

Furthermore, when the suspended user inserts the suspension card into another unit 20 (YES in S46 of FIG. 5), the control unit 40 forcibly transitions the unit 20 to suspension completion mode (S70 of FIG. 7). Inserting the suspension card into another unit 20 means that the suspended user has switched from the gaming machine 10 they reserved to another gaming machine 10 and started playing there. In such a case, there is little need to continue reserving the original gaming machine 10 for the suspended user. According to this embodiment, in such a situation, the reservation of the original gaming machine 10 can be terminated and the gaming machine 10 can be released. Since the gaming balls remaining in the gaming machine 10 are counted and added to the suspended user's balls, the suspended user will not suffer any disadvantages.

The correspondence between the embodiments and the claims will now be explained. The unit 20 is an example of a "gaming device." The gaming machine I/F 36 is an example of a "first communication unit." The external I/F 38 is an example of a "second communication unit." The card processing unit 32 is an example of a "recording medium processing unit." The suspended card ID is an example of "specific identification information." The suspended user is an example of a "specific user." The suspended card is an example of a "specific recording medium." S64 in Figure 5 and S74 in Figure 7 are examples of "addition processing." YES at S18 in Figure 4 is an example of a "first case," and NO at S18 is an example of a "third case."

(Second Example)
The gaming system 2 of the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. The gaming system 2 of the second embodiment also shares its basic configuration and the operation of each component with the first embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 10, part of the interruption management process executed by the control unit 40 of the unit 20 differs from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, the difference from the first embodiment is that the user can transfer game balls (relinquish ownership) at the user's request when ejecting cards.

The interruption management process of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4, 5, 7, and 10. As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the control unit 40 proceeds to S21 when a card ejection instruction is received (YES in S16 of Figure 4) and the number of game balls is equal to or greater than a set value (S18). In S21, the control unit 40 determines whether the user has performed a transfer operation. Specifically, in S21, the control unit 40 first displays a message on the touch panel 22 prompting the user to select either a transfer or an interruption. The user can perform an operation to select either a transfer or an interruption. If the user selects an interruption, the control unit 40 determines NO in S21 and proceeds to S22. The process from S22 onwards is the same as in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, if the user selects transfer, the control unit 40 determines YES in S21 and proceeds to S200 in Figure 10. In S200, the control unit 40 ejects the card currently accepted by the card processing unit 32. Note that the control unit 40 may not eject the card if the number of balls held and the remaining balance associated with the card ID of the card currently accepted by the card processing unit 32 (hereinafter referred to as the "current card ID") are both 0, and the currently accepted card is a visitor card.

Next, in S202, the control unit 40 displays a predetermined transfer message on the touch panel 22. The operating mode of the unit 20 at the time of S202 may be referred to as the "transfer mode." Figure 6(e) shows an example of the transfer message displayed in S202. As shown in Figure 6(e), the transfer message explains that the gaming machine 10 is in a state where anyone can play, and that any game balls remaining in the gaming machine 10 can be used. After completing S202, the control unit 40 begins monitoring S204 and S208.

In S204, it is monitored whether a counting operation has been performed on the gaming machine 10. When a counting operation is performed on the gaming machine 10, the gaming machine 10 notifies the unit 20 of the number of gaming balls at that time and resets the number of gaming balls to 0 (settles). When the control unit 40 receives the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 10 via the gaming machine I/F 36, it determines YES in S204 and proceeds to S206. On the other hand, if the control unit 40 has not received the number of gaming balls from the gaming machine 10 at this time, it determines NO in S204, skips S206, and proceeds to S208.

In S206, the control unit 40 sends an addition request to the management device 70, which request includes the number of game balls notified by the gaming machine 10 and the card ID (current card ID) of the card currently accepted by the card processing unit 32. As a result, the management device 70 adds the number of game balls included in the addition request to the number of "held balls" of the card data 100a, etc. (see Figure 3) that has the current card ID. After completing S206, the control unit 40 proceeds to S208.

In S208, the control unit 40 monitors whether the number of game balls in the gaming machine 10 has reached 0. For example, if a counting operation has already been performed on the gaming machine 10, the number of game balls in the gaming machine 10 is 0 at this point. The number of game balls is also 0 if all game balls have been used up as a result of playing on the gaming machine 10. In this case, the control unit 40 determines YES in S208 and returns to monitoring S10 and S16 in Figure 4. The unit 20 then returns to normal mode.

The gaming system 2 of this embodiment has been described above. As described above, in this embodiment, when a card ejection instruction is given (YES in S16 of FIG. 4), the number of game balls is equal to or greater than the set value (S18), and a transfer instruction is given (YES in S21), the control unit 40 can cause the card processing unit 32 to eject cards without switching the card processing unit 32 to a prohibited state (S200 of FIG. 10). When a user wishes to transfer game balls when leaving their seat, ownership of the game balls can be transferred to a third party, etc., without switching the card processing unit 32 to a prohibited state. Game balls can be handled according to the user's needs. User convenience is further improved. In this embodiment, NO in S21 of FIG. 4 is an example of the "first case," and YES in S21 is an example of the "second case."

The above describes the embodiments in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples given above. For example, the following modifications may be adopted:

(Variation 1) In each of the above embodiments, it is assumed that the gaming machine 10 is a sealed circulation type pachinko machine. This is not limited to this, and the gaming machine 10 may also be a type of slot machine that does not pay out medals. In that case, terms such as "game balls" and "held balls" may be referred to as "game medium" and "held medium", etc.

(Variant 2) With the technology disclosed in the above embodiment, when a user wishes to finish playing on the gaming machine 10 and leave the seat, it is assumed that the user will perform a counting operation on the gaming machine 10 to convert the gaming balls into held balls (settling the gaming balls to zero), and then input a card ejection command to the unit 20 to eject the cards. In a variant example, when a user wishes to finish playing on the gaming machine 10 and leave the seat, the user may simply perform a counting operation on the gaming machine 10 (pressing the counting button 14), and the cards may be automatically ejected from the unit 20.

More specifically, when a user performs a counting operation on the gaming machine 10 (by pressing the count button 14), the control unit 40 of the unit 20 may settle the game balls to zero and perform an addition process to add the counted game balls to the balls in hand. The control unit 40 may then eject cards from the card processing unit 32. According to this modified example, the user can settle the account and eject cards from the unit 20 simply by performing the counting operation on the gaming machine 10, which is highly convenient for the user.

Generally speaking, the gaming device of this variant may have the following features.
"A gaming device that is installed in correspondence with a gaming machine that increases or decreases game media depending on the game content,
a communication unit for communicating with the gaming machine;
a recording medium processing unit that performs processing related to a recording medium capable of identifying a gaming value owned by a user;
a control unit,
The control unit
The gaming value can be converted into the gaming medium used for playing games on the gaming machine, and the gaming medium stored in the gaming machine can be converted into a holding medium included in the gaming value;
When a request for conversion of the gaming medium into a retainable medium is received from the communication unit, the gaming medium is converted into a retainable medium included in the gaming value, and then the presence or absence of the gaming medium in the gaming machine is determined, and if not, a storage medium capable of identifying the retainable medium is ejected.
Gaming device."

(Variant 3) In the above embodiment, even if the card processing unit 32 of the unit 20 is operating in a prohibited state, if the ball-hitting handle 12 of the gaming machine 10 is operated by someone, game balls stored in the gaming machine 10 may be shot out (the number of game balls may decrease). In a variant, game balls that would have been shot out when the card processing unit 32 was operating in a prohibited state may be guaranteed to replace the game balls that were lost. For example, the management device 70 may send an instruction to the gaming machine 10 having the device ID (such as "D1") indicated by the "interruption ID" in the card data 100a, etc. (see Figure 3) to maintain the number of game balls indicated in the "number of game balls at interruption" (such as "500").

(Variation 4) In the above embodiment, when the timer (S28 in FIG. 4) reaches a predetermined interruption time (e.g., 15 minutes) (YES in S44 in FIG. 5), the control unit 40 displays a predetermined interruption completion message on the touch panel 22 (S70 in FIG. 7). That is, the unit 20 transitions to the interruption completion mode. In a variation, when the timer reaches a predetermined interruption time (e.g., 15 minutes), the control unit 40 may transition the unit 20 to a predetermined grace period mode before transitioning to the interruption completion mode. In that case, the control unit 40 may display a predetermined grace period message on the touch panel 22. The grace period message may explain that the predetermined interruption time has already elapsed and that the gaming machine 10 will soon be able to be opened. When the predetermined grace period elapses after the predetermined grace period message is displayed on the touch panel 22, the control unit 40 may display a predetermined interruption completion message on the touch panel 22 and transition the unit 20 to the interruption completion mode.

Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving any one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

2: Gaming system 10: Gaming machine 20: Unit 22: Touch panel 32: Card processing unit 36: Gaming machine I/F
38: External I/F
40: Control unit 42: Memory 50: Call lamp 70: Management device 84: Card data table 90A, 90B: Gaming machines

Claims (9)

A gaming device that is installed in correspondence with a gaming machine that increases or decreases game media according to game content,
a first communication unit for communicating with the gaming machine;
a recording medium processing unit that performs processing related to a recording medium capable of identifying a gaming value owned by a user;
A display unit;
a control unit,
The control unit
The gaming value can be converted into the gaming medium used for playing games on the gaming machine, and the gaming medium stored in the gaming machine can be converted into a holding medium included in the gaming value;
In a first case in which a specific user issues a medium ejection instruction to the recording medium processing unit to eject the recording medium while the recording medium processing unit is operating in a normal state and the number of the gaming media stored in the gaming machine is equal to or greater than a specific value of 1, the recording medium processing unit is caused to eject a specific recording medium on which specific identification information associated with a specific gaming value owned by the specific user is recorded, and the recording medium processing unit is shifted to a prohibited state in which it is prohibited from accepting any recording medium other than the specific recording medium;
While the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state, displaying an interruption message on the display unit relating to the prohibition of reception of recording media other than the specific recording medium ,
When a counting operation for converting the game media into the retained media is performed in the gaming machine while the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state, an addition process is performed in which the number of the game media is added as the number of the retained media to the specific game value corresponding to the specific identification information.
Gaming device. A gaming device that is installed in correspondence with a gaming machine that increases or decreases game media according to game content,
a first communication unit for communicating with the gaming machine;
a recording medium processing unit that performs processing related to a recording medium capable of identifying a gaming value owned by a user;
A display unit;
a control unit,
The control unit
The gaming value can be converted into the gaming medium used for playing games on the gaming machine, and the gaming medium stored in the gaming machine can be converted into a holding medium included in the gaming value;
In a first case in which a specific user issues a medium ejection instruction to the recording medium processing unit to eject the recording medium while the recording medium processing unit is operating in a normal state and the number of the gaming media stored in the gaming machine is equal to or greater than a specific value of 1, the recording medium processing unit is caused to eject a specific recording medium on which specific identification information associated with a specific gaming value owned by the specific user is recorded, and the recording medium processing unit is shifted to a prohibited state in which it is prohibited from accepting any recording medium other than the specific recording medium;
While the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state, displaying an interruption message on the display unit relating to the prohibition of reception of recording media other than the specific recording medium ,
When a signal indicating that a game using the game medium is in progress is received from the gaming machine while the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state, a warning message relating to the need to accept the specific recording medium is displayed on the display unit.
Gaming device. The gaming device described in claim 2, wherein when the specific recording medium is accepted in the recording medium processing unit while the warning message is displayed on the display unit, the control unit terminates the display of the warning message on the display unit and terminates the prohibited state of the recording medium processing unit. A gaming device that is installed in correspondence with a gaming machine that increases or decreases game media according to game content,
a first communication unit for communicating with the gaming machine;
a recording medium processing unit that performs processing related to a recording medium capable of identifying a gaming value owned by a user;
A display unit;
a control unit,
The control unit
The gaming value can be converted into the gaming medium used for playing games on the gaming machine, and the gaming medium stored in the gaming machine can be converted into a holding medium included in the gaming value;
In a first case in which a specific user issues a medium ejection instruction to the recording medium processing unit to eject the recording medium while the recording medium processing unit is operating in a normal state and the number of the gaming media stored in the gaming machine is equal to or greater than a specific value of 1, the recording medium processing unit is caused to eject a specific recording medium on which specific identification information associated with a specific gaming value owned by the specific user is recorded, and the recording medium processing unit is shifted to a prohibited state in which it is prohibited from accepting any recording medium other than the specific recording medium;
While the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state, displaying an interruption message on the display unit relating to the prohibition of reception of recording media other than the specific recording medium ,
when a counting operation for converting the gaming media into the retained media is performed in the gaming machine after a specific period of time has elapsed since the recording medium processing unit was shifted to the prohibited state, performing an addition process for adding the number of the gaming media as the number of retained media to the specific gaming value corresponding to the specific identification information, and shifting the recording medium processing unit to the normal state;
Gaming device. A gaming device that is installed in correspondence with a gaming machine that increases or decreases game media according to game content,
a first communication unit for communicating with the gaming machine;
a second communication unit capable of communicating with the management device;
a recording medium processing unit that performs processing related to a recording medium capable of identifying a gaming value owned by a user;
A display unit;
a control unit,
The control unit
The gaming value can be converted into the gaming medium used for playing games on the gaming machine, and the gaming medium stored in the gaming machine can be converted into a holding medium included in the gaming value;
In a first case in which a specific user issues a medium ejection instruction to the recording medium processing unit to eject the recording medium while the recording medium processing unit is operating in a normal state and the number of the gaming media stored in the gaming machine is equal to or greater than a specific value of 1, the recording medium processing unit is caused to eject a specific recording medium on which specific identification information associated with a specific gaming value owned by the specific user is recorded, and the recording medium processing unit is shifted to a prohibited state in which it is prohibited from accepting any recording medium other than the specific recording medium;
While the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state, displaying an interruption message on the display unit relating to the prohibition of reception of recording media other than the specific recording medium ,
while the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state, if a notification relating to the acceptance of the specific recording medium in another gaming device that is provided so as to be able to communicate with other gaming machines is received from the management device, when a counting operation for converting the gaming media into the retained media is performed in the gaming machine, an addition process is performed in which the number of the gaming media is added as the number of retained media to the specific gaming value corresponding to the specific identification information, and the recording medium processing unit is transitioned to the normal state;
Gaming device. A gaming device described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit transitions the recording medium processing unit to a normal state when the specific recording medium is accepted in the recording medium processing unit while the recording medium processing unit is operating in the prohibited state .
A gaming device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display an interruption completion message indicating that the prohibited state can be released when a specific period of time has elapsed since the recording medium processing unit transitioned to the prohibited state. The control unit
in the first case in which, while the recording medium processing unit is operating in a normal state and the number of the gaming media stored in the gaming machine is equal to or greater than the specific value, the specific user issues a pause instruction related to pausing play on the gaming machine using the gaming media along with the medium ejection instruction, causing the recording medium processing unit to eject the specific recording medium and transitioning the recording medium processing unit to the prohibited state;
A gaming device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, which causes the recording medium processing unit to eject a specific recording medium in a second case in which, while the recording medium processing unit is operating in a normal state and the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine is equal to or greater than the specific value, the specific user issues a transfer instruction related to transferring ownership of the gaming media to another user and ending play on the gaming machine, along with the medium ejection instruction. A gaming device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein in a third case in which the specific user issues a media ejection instruction while the recording medium processing unit is operating in a normal state and the number of gaming media stored in the gaming machine is less than the specific value, the control unit performs an addition process to add the number of gaming media as the number of retained media to the specific gaming value corresponding to the specific identification information, and causes the recording medium processing unit to eject the specific recording medium.