Unit device and gaming system

Abstract

To provide a unit device, when a disaster occurs during a game through a game machine, making a player quickly recognize it and facilitating quick evacuation.SOLUTION: Counting management means updates point information relating to points from a game machine, in prescribed storage means to manage the points. When information received through reception means is disaster notification information, forced stop processing means executes processing to forcibly stop the game on the game machine. Simultaneously, calculation means calculates owned points of the player based on the point information recorded in the storage means, and recording processing means records the calculated owned points in a prescribed recording medium for the player, so that it becomes possible for the player to take them out.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a unit device that is connected to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a pachinko-type slot machine, and to a gaming system that is constituted by the gaming machine and the unit device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a so-called pachinko parlor, a large number of gaming machines such as pachinko machines (pachinko gaming machines) and pachinko-type slot machines are arranged to form a so-called island, so that the passageways through which players (customers) who use the gaming machines can move are limited. Since many players are present in the pachinko parlor during business hours, it is desirable to enable players to evacuate safely in the event of an earthquake or fire. For example, Patent Document 1 described later discloses an invention relating to a disaster prevention device for a pachinko parlor that collects game balls scattered on the evacuation passageway in the event of an earthquake or fire, and prevents pedestrians from falling. In addition, Patent Document 2 described later discloses an invention relating to evacuation equipment for an amusement parlor that can ensure a quick and safe evacuation route by increasing the illuminance of the evacuation route in the amusement parlor in the event of a power outage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3519400 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5748459 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the event of a disaster, it is important for a pachinko parlor to have a mechanism that can promote rapid evacuation, as well as to secure a safe evacuation route. The gaming machines installed in large numbers in a pachinko parlor output various display effects and sound effects so that players can enjoy playing. In addition, the sounds of refilling the gaming machines with pachinko balls and slot medals and the sounds of the pachinko balls and slot medals circulating in the gaming machines also echo throughout the parlor. In this way, in a pachinko parlor, the volume of the sound effects from the gaming machines and the sounds of the pachinko balls and slot medals circulating are very loud. Therefore, when a disaster such as a fire, flooding, or gas leak occurs, even if a disaster detector detects it and sounds an alarm, it is difficult for the alarm to be heard, and players may not be able to quickly notice the occurrence of the disaster, which may delay evacuation.

[0005] In recent years, pachinko machines and pachinko-type slot machines have been developed that allow players to play without ever touching the pachinko balls (small hard balls) or slot medals. Such machines are called managed gaming machines (enclosed gaming machines). In the case of managed gaming machines, players cannot touch the pachinko balls or slot medals, and cannot take them out, so it seems possible to escape immediately. However, in the case of managed gaming machines, information about the balls and medals held must be recorded on a card medium.

[0006] That is, each managed gaming machine is provided with a unit device (inter-machine device) as in the case of conventional gaming machines, and processes such as dispensing pachinko balls or slot medals are performed in response to the player's operation. When evacuating in the event of a disaster, the player counts the balls or medals held by pressing a counting button on the unit device and records the data on a card medium, and further presses a card ejection button on the unit device to eject the card medium. The player then pulls out the card medium and evacuates. There is a concern that such processing of recording and ejecting the card medium takes time, which may further delay evacuation.

[0007] This problem occurs not only in pachinko machines and pachinko-type slot machines, but also in game arcades and the like where various gaming machines are installed as gaming machines that execute games in which points increase or decrease according to the player's operation. Note that gaming machines include various types of gaming machines, such as mahjong and card games, fighting game machines, and the like.

[0008] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to enable players to quickly recognize the occurrence of a disaster while playing on a gaming machine, and to promote rapid evacuation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the unit device of the invention described in claim 1 comprises: A unit device connected to a gaming machine that executes a game in response to an operation by a player and generates an increase or decrease in points, A counting management means for updating information regarding the points in a predetermined storage means; A receiving means for receiving information from the disaster detector; a forced stop processing means for processing to forcibly stop a game on the gaming machine when the information received through the receiving means is disaster notification information; The information received through the receiving means The above a calculation processing means for calculating the points owned by the player based on the information on the points recorded in the storage means when the information is disaster notification information; providing means for providing the possession points calculated by the calculation processing means to a host server device connected to a network so that the possession points can be managed; A means for recording point information relating to a game on a predetermined recording medium for a player during normal times when the receiving means does not receive the disaster notification information, and when the information received through the receiving means is the disaster notification information, the means does not record the point information on the recording medium, but immediately A recording processing means that the player can take out; The present invention is characterized by comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to this invention, when a disaster occurs during play on a gaming machine, play on the gaming machine is forcibly stopped, so that the player can quickly recognize the occurrence of the disaster. Also, when a disaster occurs, the player can automatically take out the recording medium on which the points he or she owns, which can promote the player's quick evacuation. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of a hall system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of a unit device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 10 is a diagram for explaining game information managed by a unit device of an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of a managed gaming machine according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed in a unit device of an embodiment and a process executed in a managed gaming machine of an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining another configuration example of the managed gaming machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining another configuration example of the managed gaming machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 7 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed in the unit device of the embodiment and a process executed in the managed gaming machine shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] 8 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed in the unit device of the embodiment and a process executed in the managed gaming machine shown in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a unit device and a gaming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The unit device of the embodiment described below is connected to a gaming machine, and constitutes a gaming system together with the gaming machine. In this specification, a gaming machine executes a game in response to a player's operation, and generates an increase or decrease in points. Gaming machines include pachinko machines (automatic ball players), pachinko-type slot machines (reel-type gaming machines), and various gaming machines installed in so-called game centers. Pachinko machines are sometimes called pachinko gaming machines.

[0014] Therefore, the points that cause an increase or decrease in a gaming machine are the number of balls held (the number of so-called pachinko balls (small steel balls)) if the gaming machine is a pachinko machine, and the number of medals held (the number of so-called slot medals) if the gaming machine is a pachinko type slot machine. Also, when the gaming machine is any of various game machines, the points that cause an increase or decrease in a gaming machine are the points (scores) or level values ​​that increase or decrease in each game machine, or they may be functions or items that are acquired or lost.

[0015] In the following embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the gaming machine is a pachinko machine installed in a pachinko parlor. The pachinko machine in the following embodiment allows the player to play pachinko in the same way as a conventional pachinko machine, without touching the pachinko balls. In other words, the pachinko machine in the following embodiment is a managed gaming machine that can properly count and manage the number of balls held in cooperation with a unit device that is connected to the pachinko machine and forms a gaming system together with the pachinko machine.

[0016] Although the pachinko machine is a managed gaming machine, it outputs various effects displays and sounds like a conventional pachinko machine, and pachinko balls actually circulate. Therefore, even in the embodiment described below, the effects sounds of the pachinko machine, the sound of refilling the pachinko machine with pachinko balls, and the sound of the pachinko balls circulating inside the pachinko machine echo throughout the pachinko hall. For this reason, the inside of a pachinko hall in the embodiment where many pachinko machines that are managed gaming machines are installed is a space with a high noise level, like a conventional pachinko hall.

[0017] [Hall system configuration example] Fig. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a hall system according to an embodiment. In a pachinko hall, the hall system is constructed with a number of game systems 1(1), 1(2), ..., a disaster detector 2, an information management device 3, a money management device 4, and a LAN 5. The hall system is also connected to a higher-level server device 7 via a wide area network 6. In this embodiment, the wide area network 6 is mainly the Internet, but also includes various networks such as a general public telephone network and a mobile phone network.

[0018] Each of the gaming systems 1(1), 1(2), ... is used by one player and consists of two devices, as described below. Here, the gaming system 1(1) will be described as an example, but the gaming systems 1(2), 1(3), ... are configured in the same way. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming system 1(1) consists of a unit device 100(1) and a pachinko machine 200(1), which is a managed gaming machine. In FIG. 1, the "pachinko machine" is simply written as "pachinko."

[0019] The unit device 100(1), which will be described in detail later, accepts coins and lends pachinko balls, accepts membership cards and general cards, and cooperates with the pachinko machine 200(1) to manage the balls held. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the only coins that can be inserted into the unit device 100(1) are 1000 yen notes (1000 yen bills).

[0020] The pachinko machine 200(1) is a gaming machine in which, by operating a handle (operating part), pachinko balls are flicked, for example, from the bottom left of the board onto a board covered with a glass plate and with many nails driven into it, and when the pachinko balls fall along the nails and enter a prize hole, a prize ball is obtained. However, as described above, the pachinko machine 200(1) is a managed gaming machine, so the player cannot touch the pachinko balls, but can manage the balls he owns in cooperation with the unit device 100(1).

[0021] The disaster detector 2 is equipped with a fire sensor consisting of a heat sensor, a smoke sensor, a flood sensor, a gas leak sensor, a vibration sensor, etc., and can detect disasters such as fire, flood, gas leak, and earthquake. When the disaster detector 2 detects the occurrence of a disaster, it forms disaster occurrence information and transmits this to the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... of each gaming system 1(1), 1(2), ... to notify the occurrence of a disaster. The disaster detector 2 can also emit an alarm sound or a voice message encouraging evacuation.

[0022] 1, the disaster detector 2 can be connected to the wide area network 6 via the LAN 5 or directly, thereby communicating with an external information source via the wide area network 6. For this reason, the disaster detector 2 can receive notification from a predetermined information source that a tsunami warning, evacuation order, or the like has been issued, form disaster occurrence information, and transmit this information to the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... to notify them.

[0023] 1, the information management device 3 is connected to the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... and the pachinko machines 200(1), 200(2), ... of each gaming system 1(1), 1(2), ... and is capable of communicating with each other. The information management device 3 collects and manages information on loaned balls and dispensed balls from the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... and the pachinko machines 200(1), 200(2), ... and controls the supply of pachinko balls to each pachinko machine.

[0024] That is, the information management device 3 receives notifications from the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... of the number of balls lent out according to the inserted bills, the number of balls put into the pachinko machine from the lent balls, etc. The information management device 3 also receives notifications from the pachinko machines 200(1), 200(2), ... of the number of prize balls (number of balls dispensed) provided to the player when pachinko balls enter the winning slots, and the number of balls used that are ejected onto the board. Based on this information, the information management device 3 controls a pachinko ball supply system (not shown) so that the supply of pachinko balls to each of the pachinko machines 200(1), 200(2), ... is not interrupted.

[0025] 1, the money management device 4 is connected to the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... of each gaming system 1(1), 1(2), ... and is capable of communicating with each other. The information management device 3 receives information about inserted banknotes from the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... and manages how many banknotes have been inserted and stored in each of the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ....

[0026] In the case of the hall system shown in FIG. 1, the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... of the gaming systems 1(1), 1(2), ..., the information management device 3, and the money management device 4 are connected to a higher-level server device 7 through a LAN (Local Area Network) 5 and a wide area network 6. The higher-level server device 7 manages information such as balls held and saved balls of members who hold membership cards and information such as balls held by general customers who hold general cards, based on information from the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), .... Furthermore, the higher-level server device 7 can also manage the supply status of pachinko balls to each pachinko machine 200(1), 200(2), ... based on information from the information management device 3. The higher-level server device 7 can also manage information on bills inserted and stored in each unit device 100(1), 100(2), ... based on information from the money management device 4.

[0027] The membership card is given to players (customers) who frequently play at the pachinko parlor and who have been registered as members (members), and records information about the member such as the member's name and phone number, as well as information about the balls held, which the member can take home. The general card is temporarily loaned to players (customers) who are not members, such as those who occasionally use the pachinko parlor or those who happen to drop by the pachinko parlor. The general card can be moved to other gaming systems 1(1), 1(2), ... in the pachinko parlor and used there, as long as the number of loaned balls and the number of balls held are not 0 (zero), but it must basically be returned on the day it was loaned, after settling the account and exchanging for prizes.

[0028] In addition, the number of balls stored may be recorded and managed on the member card. Stored balls refer to balls obtained from a jackpot or other win that are not exchanged for prizes and are deposited in the pachinko parlor as is. In this way, the number of stored balls is information recorded on the member card as fixed information at that point in time, so the following explanation will focus on the management of balls stored during play, which may change.

[0029] In the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... of the gaming system 1(1), 1(2), ... of this embodiment, both the membership card and the general card can be used. In the embodiment described below, for the sake of simplicity, the membership card and the general card are not provided with a prepaid card function, and the entire amount of the inserted bill is converted into the corresponding number of lent balls, and this number of lent balls and the number of balls in hand are managed. Details of the number of lent balls and the number of balls in hand will be described later.

[0030] As described above, the hall system of this embodiment is characterized in that when the disaster detector 2 detects the occurrence of a disaster, disaster occurrence information is provided to the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... of the gaming systems 1(1), 1(2), .... The unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... that receive the disaster occurrence information process to forcibly stop the execution of games on the corresponding pachinko machines 200(1), 200(2), .... The players of the pachinko machines 200(1), 200(2), ... who are unable to play games will notice the occurrence of some kind of abnormality, and as a result, they will be able to notice the occurrence of a disaster as soon as possible.

[0031] Furthermore, the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... cooperate with the corresponding pachinko machines 200(1), 200(2), ... to count and manage the number of balls held. For this reason, when the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... receive disaster occurrence information, they automatically write out and eject the number of balls held on a membership card or general card without any operation by the player, so that the player can immediately pull it out and take it with them. This can promote the quick evacuation of players.

[0032] In the following, configuration examples of the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... of the gaming system 1(1), 1(2), ... of this embodiment and configuration examples of the pachinko machines 200(1), 200(2), ... will be described. Note that the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... are all configured in the same way. For this reason, in the following, the unit devices 100(1), 100(2), ... will be collectively referred to as the unit devices 100, unless it is necessary to distinguish them from one another. Similarly, the pachinko machines 200(1), 200(2), ... will be collectively referred to as the pachinko machines 200, unless it is necessary to distinguish them from one another.

[0033] [Configuration example of unit device 100] Fig. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the unit device 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the unit device 100 includes a control unit 120 including a central processing unit (CPU) 121, a read only memory (ROM) 122, a random access memory (RAM) 123, and a non-volatile memory 124. The control unit 120 controls each part of the unit device 100.

[0034] The disaster detector communication unit 101 functions as a receiving means for receiving disaster notification information from the disaster detector 2, and provides the received disaster notification information to the control unit 120. As described above, the disaster notification information notifies of the occurrence of a fire, flood, gas leak, earthquake, etc. If the disaster detector 2 is connected via the wide area network 6 to a predetermined information source that provides information indicating that a tsunami warning or evacuation order has been issued, the disaster notification information may notify that a tsunami warning or evacuation order has been issued.

[0035] The control unit 120 can also request the disaster detector 2 to notify the current disaster occurrence status through the disaster detector communication unit 101, and receive notification of the disaster occurrence status at that time. This allows the control unit 120 to check the current disaster occurrence status, the operating status of the disaster detector 2, and whether the communication path between the disaster detector 2 and the unit device 100 is normal or not. In this way, the disaster detector communication unit 101 can also function as a transmission and reception means.

[0036] The display unit 102 is configured using display elements such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and displays various display messages such as guidance messages. For example, a display message indicating that a disaster has occurred is also displayed on the display unit 102 when a disaster occurs. The operation unit 103 is configured with several operation button switches (hereinafter simply referred to as buttons) that accept pressing operation inputs from the player. The operation unit 103 is provided with, for example, a counting button, a card ejection button, a loan ball insertion button, and the like.

[0037] The counting button is for counting the number of balls held at the end of a game, and the card ejection button is for ejecting a membership card, loaned balls, or a general card with remaining balls. The loaned ball insertion button is a button for inserting loaned balls borrowed by inserting bills into the corresponding pachinko machine 200. In this embodiment, it is assumed that each time the loaned ball insertion button is pressed, an instruction is given to insert, for example, 50 pachinko balls into the corresponding pachinko machine 200.

[0038] The bill processing unit 104 is configured to include a mechanism for inserting and ejecting bills that are the price for receiving the loan balls, and a mechanism for storing the inserted bills. In the unit device 100 of this embodiment, as described above, the bill processing unit 104 is configured to accept only 1000 yen bills and eject other bills without accepting them. When the bill processing unit 104 accepts an insertion of a 1000 yen bill, it stores and holds it, and notifies the counting management unit 109, which will be described later, that it has accepted the insertion of the 1000 yen bill. As a result, the counting management unit 109 lends balls worth 1000 yen to the player. That is, the counting management unit 109 updates the number of loan balls worth 1000 yen in the non-volatile memory 124, and makes it possible to insert pachinko balls into the pachinko machine 200 from this number of loan balls.

[0039] Card processing unit 105 is configured with a mechanism for inserting and ejecting membership cards and general cards, a mechanism for reading information from cards and recording information to cards (reader / writer mechanism), etc. The membership cards and general cards can be configured as IC (Integrated Circuit) cards or magnetic cards. However, in this embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, both the membership cards and general cards are assumed to be IC cards.

[0040] When starting a game, a player who has a membership card or a general card inserts the card into the card processing unit 105 of the unit device 100. The card processing unit 105 reads necessary information such as the card ID and the number of balls held from the inserted card, supplies it to the control unit 120, and records it in, for example, non-volatile memory 124 so that it can be updated. If it is before starting a game, by pressing the card ejection button on the operation unit 103, the inserted card can be ejected and the player can move to another pachinko machine.

[0041] Furthermore, when ending play on the pachinko machine after starting play, the count button on the operation unit 103 is pressed. As a result, the ball count process is executed based on the game information updated according to the game in the non-volatile memory 124, and the counted number of balls and other information is recorded on the inserted card, as will be described in detail later. After this, the inserted card is ejected by pressing the card eject button on the operation unit 103, and the player can move to another pachinko machine, for example.

[0042] A player who does not have a card can create a membership card at a predetermined location such as a service counter and use it to play (pachinko). As described above, a player can insert a 1000 yen bill into the bill processor 104 to receive loaned balls and play a game. In the latter case, if there are any remaining loaned balls or remaining balls at the end of the game, they are recorded on a general card that is held in an unrecorded state. After that, by pressing the card eject button of the operation unit 103, the player can receive the ejection of the general card and move to another pachinko machine or exchange it for a prize through the POS terminal of the service counter. That is, the card processor 105 of the unit device 100 also has a general card creation function for creating a general card and providing it to the player.

[0043] In addition, when a player who does not have a card inserts a bill into the unit device 100 and receives loaned balls to play a game, if the balance of loaned balls and owned balls runs out, a general card will not be created. In addition, when a game is played by inserting an already created general card and the balance of loaned balls and owned balls runs out, the general card is collected by the unit device 100 and is not returned to the player.

[0044] Furthermore, as a rule, general cards cannot be taken home, and when play is over, they must be returned by completing the process to exchange them for prizes that same day. For general cards, information such as the number of balls held can be transferred to the member card by carrying out the procedure to change the card to a member card at a specified location, such as a service counter, making it possible to use the number of balls held the following day and thereafter. In contrast, in the case of a member card, even if there are no loaned or loaned balls left, it is ejected from the unit device 100 and returned to the player, and loaned balls can be provided by inserting a bill (the number of loaned balls is updated), allowing continued use.

[0045] The information management device communication unit 106 realizes a function of communicating with the information management device 3 under the control of the control unit 120. The information management device communication unit 106 notifies the information management device 3 of the number of balls to be lent when lending balls is executed according to the amount of balls inserted, and the number of balls to be inserted when pachinko balls are inserted from the lent balls into the pachinko machine according to the operation of the lending ball insertion button of the operation unit 103. In addition, the information management device communication unit 106 receives a request for providing game information such as the number of balls held from the information management device 3, and notifies the control unit 120 of this. In this case, the control unit 120 reads out the game information managed in the non-volatile memory 124 and notifies the information management device 3 through the information management device communication unit 106.

[0046] The pachinko machine communication unit 107 realizes a function of communicating with the pachinko machine 200. Under the control of the control unit 120, when pachinko balls are inserted from the loaned balls into the pachinko machine in response to the operation of the loaned ball insertion button of the operation unit 103, the pachinko machine communication unit 107 notifies the pachinko machine 200 of the number of balls inserted. This allows the pachinko machine 200 to insert the number of pachinko balls instructed by the pachinko ball supply system, and the number of balls held can be displayed on the display unit of the pachinko machine 200 to present to the player.

[0047] Also, under the control of the control unit 120, the pachinko machine communication unit 107 receives notifications of the number of used balls and the number of winning balls from the pachinko machine 200, and notifies the counting management unit 109, which will be described later, of this information. In this embodiment, the counting management unit 109 updates the game information formed in the non-volatile memory 124. Also, in the case of the unit device 100, a power supply circuit 114 is provided, which supplies power to each unit of the unit device 100 and also supplies drive power (drive electricity) to the pachinko machine 200 through a power I / F connected to the pachinko machine communication unit 107. Therefore, when the supply of drive power to the pachinko machine 200 is stopped through a power I / F connected to the pachinko machine communication unit 107, the pachinko machine 200 is forcibly stopped.

[0048] The money management device communication unit 108 realizes a function of communicating with the money management device 4. It is assumed that a 1000 yen bill is accepted through the banknote processing unit 104 of the unit device 100, 1000 yen worth of balls are lent, and the 1000 yen bill is stored in a predetermined storage location. In this case, under the control of the control unit 120, the fact that the 1000 yen bill has been stored is transmitted to the money management device 4 through the money management device communication unit 108. This allows the money management device 4 to manage the number of 1000 yen bills inserted and stored in each unit device 100. It is assumed that the money management device 4 transmits a request for the number of 1000 yen bills stored in the unit device 100, and the control unit 120 receives the request through the money management device communication unit 108. In this case, the control unit 120 can also transmit the management status of the 1000 yen bills in the banknote processing unit 104 to the money management device 4 through the money management device communication unit 108.

[0049] In the unit device 100 of this embodiment, the counting management unit 109 performs a process of updating the game information formed in the non-volatile memory 124 at any time. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of game information formed and managed in the non-volatile memory 124 of the unit device 100. As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, the game information is configured with storage columns for each piece of information on the card ID, the remaining loan balls, the number of balls inserted, the number of balls dispensed, the number of balls used, and the number of balls held.

[0050] When a 1000 yen bill is inserted into the bill processing unit 104 without inserting a membership card or a general card, the control unit 120 acquires (numbers) the card ID, creates gaming information in which each ball number column is set to 0 (zero), and records this in the non-volatile memory 124. At this point, only a storage area for the gaming information has been created. After this, when the counting management unit 109 is notified by the control unit 120 via the bill processing unit 104 that a 1000 yen bill has been accepted, it performs a process of adding the number of lent balls worth 1000 yen to the lent ball balance column of the gaming information.

[0051] In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that one pachinko ball is lent out for 4 yen. In this case, the counting management unit 109 adds 250 balls to the loan ball balance column of the game information when a 1000 yen note is inserted. After this, when the loan ball insertion button of the operation unit 103 is operated, the counting management unit 109 is notified of the information. In this case, the counting management unit 109 subtracts 50 balls from the loan ball balance column and adds 50 balls to the number of inserted balls column for each operation of the loan ball insertion button. This information is also notified to the corresponding pachinko machine 200, and pachinko balls are inserted into the pachinko machine 200, making it possible to play pachinko (game).

[0052] Furthermore, when a membership card or a general card is inserted into the card processing unit 105, the game information shown in Fig. 3 read from the inserted card in the card processing unit 105 is supplied to the control unit 120 and recorded in the non-volatile memory 124. In this case, since the game is played on a new pachinko machine, the loan ball balance and the number of balls held become values ​​corresponding to the actual number of balls, and the number of balls inserted, the number of balls dispensed, and the number of balls used are all cleared to 0 (zero). The number of balls held is also notified to the corresponding pachinko machine 200, and pachinko balls are inserted into the pachinko machine 200, making it possible to play pachinko (game).

[0053] In this way, when pachinko (game) is started, information indicating the number of balls dispensed and the number of balls used is transmitted from the pachinko machine 200 as the game progresses, and this information is received through the pachinko machine communication unit 107 and notified to the counting management unit 109. As described above, the number of balls dispensed is the number of pachinko balls that are awarded by the pachinko balls shot onto the face of the pachinko machine 200 entering the winning slots, and the number of balls used is the number of pachinko balls shot onto the face of the pachinko machine 200.

[0054] Therefore, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 3, suppose that a 1000 yen note is inserted, 250 loaned balls are received, and 50 pachinko balls are inserted into the pachinko machine 200. In this case, the remaining loaned balls are 200. If pachinko (play) is started from this state, 100 prize balls are received, and 50 are ejected (used), the number of balls held by this pachinko machine 200 can be understood to be 100. In this way, the game information in the non-volatile memory 124 of the unit device 200 can be used to manage the total number of balls held, which is made up of the remaining loaned balls and the number of balls held.

[0055] The counting management unit 109 adds the number of balls dispensed from the pachinko machine 200 to the number of balls dispensed column of the game information (Fig. 3) in the non-volatile memory 124, and adds the number of balls used from the pachinko machine 200 to the number of balls used column of the game information in the non-volatile memory 124. In this way, the counting management unit 109 of the unit device 100 updates the increase or decrease in pachinko balls as the game status in the game information (Fig. 3) formed in the non-volatile memory 124 in almost real time while a game is being played using the pachinko machine 200, making it possible to grasp the game status.

[0056] When the counting button of the operation unit 103 is operated, the held ball calculation processing unit 110, under the control of the control unit 120, calculates the number of held balls in the game information shown in Fig. 3 using the formula "(number of balls inserted + number of balls dispensed) - number of balls used" and records it in the number of held balls column. In addition, when the held ball calculation processing unit 110 records the number of held balls in the number of held balls column of the game information, it performs a process of clearing the number of balls inserted column, number of balls dispensed column, and number of balls used column of the game information.

[0057] Furthermore, when a card ejection button of the operation unit 103 is operated, the card recording processing unit 111, under the control of the control unit 120, supplies the game information (FIG. 3) in the non-volatile memory 124 to the card processing unit 105 and performs processing to record the game information on the card inserted in the card processing unit 105. Thereafter, the card recording processing unit 111 controls the card processing unit 105 to eject the card from the card processing unit 105.

[0058] The forced stop processing unit 112 receives disaster notification information through the disaster detector communication unit 101, and when this information is notified to the control unit 120, under the control of the control unit 120, controls the pachinko machine communication unit 107 to stop the supply of drive power to the pachinko machine 200 through the power I / F. As a result, drive power is no longer supplied to the pachinko machine 200, and it is possible to forcibly stop the execution of the game on the pachinko machine 200. This allows the player to notice some kind of abnormality, which leads to the player noticing the occurrence of a disaster.

[0059] Also, when disaster notification information is received through the disaster detector communication unit 101 and notified to the control unit 120, the control unit 120 controls the ball holding calculation processing unit 110 and the card recording processing unit 111 to record the balls held on the card and eject the card. In other words, it is assumed that disaster notification information from the disaster detector 2 is notified to the unit device 100. In this case, even if the count button of the operation unit 103 is not pressed, the ball holding calculation processing unit 110, under the control of the control unit 120, calculates the number of balls held, updates the number of balls held column of the game information, and performs processing to clear the number of balls inserted column, the number of balls dispensed column, and the number of balls used column of the game information.

[0060] Furthermore, even if the card eject button of the operation unit 103 is not pressed, the card record processing unit 111, under the control of the control unit 120, supplies the game information in the non-volatile memory 124 to the card processing unit 105 and performs processing to record it on the card inserted in the card processing unit 105. After that, the card record processing unit 111 controls the card processing unit to eject the card from the card processing unit 105. Through a series of processes by the ball holding calculation processing unit 110 and the card record processing unit 111, the number of lent balls and the number of balls held are recorded without the player having to perform any operation, and it becomes possible for the player to quickly evacuate with the automatically ejected card.

[0061] In addition, the unit device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a clock circuit 113 that provides the current date, current day of the week, and current time. Therefore, if the current date and time are recorded when recording the remaining loaned balls and the number of balls held on the card, they can be used for later confirmation. Since the date and time of the disaster are known, cards recorded at the time of the disaster can be subject to compensation after the disaster has subsided, even if they are general cards.

[0062] In addition, based on the same concept, cards that have been forcibly recorded with the remaining balls or the number of balls held at the time of the disaster as described above may be configured to record information indicating that the records were made at the time of the disaster. Cards with such records can be subject to compensation after the disaster has subsided, even if they are ordinary cards.

[0063] [Example of configuration of managed gaming machine (pachinko machine) 200] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the pachinko machine 200 of the embodiment. The unit device communication unit 201 enables mutual communication with the unit device 100 connected to the machine itself. As a result, as described above, it becomes possible to receive a notification of the number of inserted balls from the unit device 100, and to notify the unit device 100 of the number of balls generated in the machine itself and the number of balls used. As described above, the power supply circuit 202 receives the supply of drive power from the unit device 100, forms a power supply to be supplied to each part, and supplies it to each part. The control unit 203 is a microprocessor equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and non-volatile memory, not shown, and controls each part of the pachinko machine 200.

[0064] The operation unit 204 is a part equipped with a handle that can be rotated to instruct the balls held to be ejected onto the board. The number of balls held (the number of pachinko balls that can be ejected) is displayed on the display unit 207 described later. The game function unit 205 is a mechanism unit for executing pachinko as a game, such as a board on which many nails are driven, a pachinko ball ejection mechanism, a prize ball mechanism, and a pachinko ball supply mechanism linked to a pachinko ball supply system. The control unit 203 controls the game function unit 205, and can insert pachinko balls in response to an instruction from the unit device 100 to insert loan balls, making them usable in the machine. In addition, the control unit 203 can grasp the number of pachinko balls that have received prize balls (the number of balls ejected) and the number of pachinko balls that have been ejected onto the board (the number of balls used) based on information from the game function unit 205.

[0065] The communication unit 206 with the information management device enables mutual communication with the information management device 3. For example, it notifies the information management device 3 of information such as the number of balls inserted, the number of balls dispensed, and the number of balls used. This allows the information management device 3 to grasp the number of pachinko balls held by the pachinko machine 200, and by controlling the pachinko ball supply system accordingly, it is possible to prevent a shortage of dispensed balls in the pachinko machine 200. The display unit 207 functions as a held ball display unit that displays the number of held balls.

[0066] As described above, when disaster notification information is supplied from the disaster detector 2 to the unit device 100, the function of the forced stop processing unit 112 of the unit device 100 stops the supply of driving power to the pachinko machine 200. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 200 having the configuration shown in Fig. 4, power cannot be supplied to each part of the pachinko machine 200 through the power supply circuit 202, so play on the pachinko machine 200 is forced to stop. In this way, by being completely unable to play (play pachinko), the player can be sure to notice any abnormality (fault).

[0067] [Processing of the unit device 100 and processing of the pachinko machine 200] Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the processing executed by the unit device 100 and the pachinko machine 200 when a disaster occurs. In Fig. 5, Fig. 5(A) is a flowchart showing the processing of the unit device 100, and Fig. 5(B) is a flowchart showing the processing of the pachinko machine 200. As shown in Fig. 5(B), it is assumed that a pachinko game is being played (in progress) by inserting a membership card or a general card into the unit device 100, or by inserting a 1000 yen note into the unit device 100 (step S201).

[0068] In this case, the unit device 100 receives disaster notification information from the disaster detector 2 through the disaster detector communication unit 101 under the control of the control unit 120 (step S101), and the control unit 120 determines whether or not the disaster notification information has been received (step S102). When it is determined in the determination process of step S102 that the disaster notification information has not been received, the process from step S101 is repeated.

[0069] When it is determined in the determination process of step S102 that disaster notification information has been received, the control unit 120 controls the forced stop processing unit 112 to execute a process of forcibly stopping the pachinko machine 200. In this embodiment, the forced stop processing unit 112 controls the pachinko machine communication unit 107 to stop the supply of driving power to the pachinko machine 200 through the power I / F (step S103). As a result, the supply of driving power to the pachinko machine 200 is stopped and the execution of the game on the pachinko machine 200 is forcibly stopped (step S202), so that the player can quickly notice the abnormality.

[0070] Furthermore, the control unit 120 of the unit device 100 controls the display unit 102 to display a screen (display message) notifying the occurrence of a disaster (step S104). For example, if the property disaster that has occurred is a fire, a display message such as "Fire has occurred. Please evacuate immediately" will be displayed on the display unit 102. In this way, the display message displayed on the display unit 102 allows the player to directly recognize the occurrence of a disaster. After this, the control unit 120 controls the ball holding calculation processing unit 110 to calculate the number of balls held based on the game information (FIG. 3) in the non-volatile memory 124, which is the unit-retained information, and updates the number of balls held in the game information (step S105).

[0071] After that, the control unit 120 controls the card record processing unit 111 to execute a process of recording the calculated held ball information as counting information on the member card or general card (step S106). In this case, the number of lent balls is also recorded. This is because there may be cases where lent balls remain. Furthermore, under the control of the control unit 120, the card record processing unit 111 controls the card processing unit 105 to eject from the card processing unit a card on which game information, i.e., the total number of held balls consisting of the number of lent balls and the number of held balls, is recorded (step S107), and the process shown in FIG. 5(A) is terminated.

[0072] In this way, the number of loaned balls and the number of balls in hand are accurately grasped, recorded on a member's card or a general card, and the process from discharging the card is carried out automatically and quickly. This allows players to pull out the card that records the remaining loaned balls and the number of balls in hand and evacuate quickly. If players have the card, they will be able to claim compensation after the disaster has ended.

[0073] [Another example of forced pachinko machine stop processing] In the above-described embodiment, the pachinko machine 200 was supplied with driving power from the unit device 100, and therefore the pachinko machine 200 could be forcibly stopped by stopping the supply of driving power from the unit device 100. However, there are also cases where the pachinko machine is supplied with driving power via a route different from that of the unit device 100. For this reason, another mode can be used as a mode for forcibly stopping the pachinko machine. In the following, two modes will be described in which the pachinko machine itself forcibly stops playing in response to a request from the unit device.

[0074] <When the pachinko machine controls the power supply> FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining a pachinko machine 200A, which is another example of the configuration of a pachinko machine. In the pachinko machine 200A shown in FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are given to the parts configured similarly to the pachinko machine 200 shown in FIG. 4, and detailed explanations of the parts are omitted to avoid duplication. In the case of the pachinko machine 200A shown in FIG. 6, a power supply circuit 202A is provided that receives a supply of a driving power source from a path other than the connection path with the unit device, rather than receiving a supply of driving power from the unit device. This power supply circuit 202A can control the start and stop of the supply of driving power to each part under the control of the control unit 203A. In other words, the control unit 203A has a function as a power supply control unit.

[0075] In order to accommodate such a pachinko machine 200A, the unit device 100 described with reference to Fig. 2 differs only in the function of the forced stop processing unit 112. In this case, the forced stop processing unit 112 of the unit device 100 creates a power supply stop request based on the control of the control unit 120 that has received a disaster occurrence notification, and transmits the request to the pachinko machine 200A via the pachinko machine communication unit 107.

[0076] When the control unit 203A of the pachinko machine 200A receives a power supply stop request from the unit device 100 through the unit device communication unit 201, it controls the power supply circuit 202A to stop the supply of drive power to each part of the pachinko machine 200A. This allows the pachinko machine 200A to forcibly stop the execution of the game on its own machine.

[0077] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing executed by the unit device 100 of this example and the pachinko machine 200A shown in FIG. 6 when a disaster occurs. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the steps in which the same processing as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is performed are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations of the steps are omitted to avoid duplication. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 4(A) with FIG. 8(A), the processing of step S103 in FIG. 4(A) is different from the processing of step S103A in FIG. 8(A). Also, the processing from step S202 onward in FIG. 5(B) is different from the processing from step S301 onward in FIG. 8(B).

[0078] 8(A), it is assumed that the control unit 120 has determined that it has received disaster notification information from the disaster detector 2. In this case, the control unit 120 controls the forced stop processing unit 112 to form a power supply stop request and transmits it to the pachinko machine 200A via the pachinko machine communication unit 107 (step S103A). The process of step S103A instructs the pachinko machine 200A to stop the power supply.

[0079] The pachinko machine 200A receives a signal (information) from the unit device 100 through the unit device communication section 201 (step S301), and the control section 203A determines whether or not a power supply stop request has been received (step S302). If it is determined in the determination process of step S302 that a power supply stop request has not been received, the process from step S301 is repeated. If it is determined in the determination process of step S302 that a power supply stop request has been received, the control section 203A controls the power supply circuit 202A to stop the supply of drive power to each section of the pachinko machine 200A (step S303). This makes it possible to forcibly stop the execution of a game on the pachinko machine 200A.

[0080] <When counting the number of balls in a pachinko machine> FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a pachinko machine 200B, which is another example of the configuration of a pachinko machine. In the pachinko machine 200B shown in FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to the parts configured similarly to the pachinko machine 200 shown in FIG. 4, and detailed explanations of the parts are omitted to avoid duplication. The control unit of the pachinko machine is capable of grasping the number of inserted balls, the number of dispensed balls, and the number of used balls in real time and notifying the unit device 100, but the control unit 203B of the pachinko machine 200B shown in FIG. 7 has a function as a counting control unit that performs counting processing of the number of held balls. In FIG. 7, the power supply circuit 202 is shown as receiving the supply of driving power from the unit device 100, but as in the case of the power supply circuit 202A shown in FIG. 6, it may be supplied with driving power through a path other than from the unit device 100.

[0081] The control unit 203B of the pachinko machine 200B can forcibly count the number of balls held by the machine, and set the number of balls held by the machine to 0 (zero). Here, counting the number of balls held means the process of setting the number of balls held to 0 (zero). When the number of balls held becomes 0 (zero), the number of pachinko balls that can be ejected becomes 0 (zero), and pachinko cannot be played.

[0082] In order to accommodate such a pachinko machine 200B, the unit device 100 described with reference to Fig. 2 differs only in the function of the forced stop processing unit 112. In this case, the forced stop processing unit 112 of the unit device 100 forms a request to count the number of balls held based on the control of the control unit 120 that has received a disaster occurrence notification, and transmits the request to the pachinko machine 200B via the pachinko machine communication unit 107.

[0083] When the control unit 203B of the pachinko machine 200B receives a request to count the number of balls held from the unit device 100 through the unit device communication unit 201, the control unit 203B forcibly sets the number of balls held in the pachinko machine to 0 (zero) and forcibly disables the execution of pachinko. This makes it possible to forcibly stop the execution of a game in the pachinko machine 200B.

[0084] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the processing executed by the unit device 100 of this example and the pachinko machine 200B shown in FIG. 7 when a disaster occurs. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the steps in which the same processing as in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is performed are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations of the steps are omitted to avoid duplication. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 5(A) with FIG. 9(A), the processing of step S103 in FIG. 5(A) is different from the processing of step S103B in FIG. 9(A). Also, the processing after step S202 in FIG. 5(B) is different from the processing after step S401 in FIG. 9(B).

[0085] 9(A), it is assumed that the control unit 120 has determined that it has received disaster notification information from the disaster detector 2. In this case, the control unit 120 controls the forced stop processing unit 112 to form a request to count the number of balls held, and transmits the request to the pachinko machine 200B via the pachinko machine communication unit 107 (step S103B). The process of step S103B instructs the pachinko machine 200B to count the number of balls held.

[0086] The pachinko machine 200B receives a signal (information) from the unit device 100 through the unit device communication section 201 (step S401), and the control section 203B determines whether or not a request to count balls has been received (step S402). If it is determined in the determination process of step S402 that a request to count balls has not been received, the process from step S401 is repeated. If it is determined in the determination process of step S402 that a request to count balls has been received, the control section 203B sets the number of balls held by the machine to 0 (zero) (step S403). This makes it impossible to play the game on the pachinko machine 200A. In other words, it is possible to forcibly stop the play on the pachinko machine 200A.

[0087] <Other methods of forcibly stopping> As described above, various methods can be used to stop the execution of the game on the pachinko machine by stopping the supply of the driving power or counting the number of balls held. For example, a mechanism for suppressing the ejection of pachinko balls onto the surface of the board may be provided in the pachinko machine, and the ejection of pachinko balls may be prevented in response to a request from the unit device 100 to suppress the ejection of pachinko balls in the event of a disaster. A handle fixing mechanism may be provided, and the handle may be fixed in response to a request from the unit device 100 to fix the handle in the event of a disaster, so that the ejection of pachinko balls may be prevented. In this way, various methods can be used to forcibly stop the execution of the game on the pachinko machine. In short, various methods can be used to forcibly stop the game on the pachinko machine in response to a request from the unit device 100.

[0088] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the above-mentioned embodiment of the unit device and game system, when a disaster occurs, the game on the pachinko machine is forcibly stopped, so that the player notices something unusual, which leads to a quick recognition of the occurrence of the disaster. Also, when a disaster occurs, the number of loaned balls and the number of balls in possession are automatically counted without the player having to perform any operation, and the number is recorded on a member card or a general card and then discharged, so that the player can take the card with him / her, which promotes the quick evacuation of the player.

[0089] [Variations] 1 shows a case where the devices constituting the hall system of one pachinko hall are connected to the host server device 7, but the present invention is not limited to this. The host server device 7 can also be connected to the devices constituting the hall systems of multiple pachinko halls and perform the above-mentioned various management functions for the multiple pachinko halls.

[0090] In the above embodiment, when a 1000 yen bill is inserted into the unit device 100, the unit device 100 is automatically provided with 1000 yen worth of loan balls, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation unit 103 of the unit device 100 is provided with a bill return button for returning the inserted bill and a loan ball confirmation button for receiving loan balls for the inserted bill. This allows the inserted 1000 yen bill to be returned until the loan ball confirmation button is pressed, even if the 1000 yen bill is inserted, and makes it easy to change the selected pachinko machine.

[0091] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment of the unit device 100, it has been described that only 1000 yen bills can be inserted to receive the provision of loan balls, but this is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure it so that 5000 yen bills and 10000 yen bills can be inserted and change can be received. It is also possible to make it possible to use coins such as 100 yen coins and 500 yen coins.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the disaster detector 2 notifies the unit device 100 of disaster occurrence information, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the disaster occurrence information from the disaster detector may be notified to the unit device through the pachinko machine. Also, the disaster detector may notify both the unit device and the pachinko machine of disaster detection information. In these cases, if the pachinko machine is of the self-control type described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9, the pachinko machine itself can forcibly stop the execution of the game on its own machine based on the disaster occurrence information from the disaster detector.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the disaster detector 2 notifies each unit device 100(1), 100(2), ... of disaster detection information, but this is not limited to the above. A method of notifying that a disaster has been detected from another device can also be used for similar control. Specifically, the money management device 4 may receive disaster detection information from a number of disaster detectors arranged in various locations, and the money management device 4 may notify each unit device of the disaster detection information. Furthermore, the upper server device 7 may receive notification that a tsunami warning or evacuation instruction has been issued from a predetermined information source, form disaster occurrence information, and notify each unit device and each pachinko machine of the disaster occurrence information. That is, the disaster detection device may be a device having a function of detecting and notifying a disaster, or may be various devices having a function of forming disaster notification information and notifying the unit device, etc., when a notification of the occurrence of a disaster is received.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the counted ball information is recorded on a card, but this is not limited to the above. The counted ball information (number of loaned balls and number of balls in possession) may be managed by the upper server device if the LAN 5, wide area network 6, and upper server device 7 are operating normally. In this case, the member card or general card on which the card ID is recorded can be immediately ejected and the person can take this card with them and evacuate. In this case, the number of loaned balls and number of balls in possession can be provided at a later date based on the card ID of the card in possession, and recorded on the card, and compensation can be requested based on this.

[0095] In the above embodiment, 1000 yen worth of loan balls are provided by inserting a 1000 yen bill, and 50 pachinko balls can be inserted in response to one operation of the loan ball insertion button. However, this is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured to receive 1000 yen worth of loan balls by inserting a 1000 yen bill, and insert all of them into the pachinko machine. In this case, there is no loan ball balance, and the number of loan balls becomes the number of inserted balls, and can be considered as part of the balls in hand. In this way, the unit device 100 only needs to manage the number of balls in hand (number of inserted balls + number of dispensed balls - number of used balls), which is the number of pachinko balls that can be used in the pachinko machine. In this case, the number of inserted balls can be grasped by the unit device 100, and the number of balls in hand can be grasped by receiving the number of dispensed balls and number of used balls from the pachinko machine 200.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the player is provided with 1000 yen worth of loaned balls by inserting a 1000 yen bill, and can insert pachinko balls according to the player's instructions, so that the "loaned ball balance" can be managed. This "loaned ball balance" may be processed as a "balance". If the "loaned ball balance" is treated as the "balance", the player can receive a refund of the loaned ball balance at the settlement machine. For example, if one pachinko ball is loaned for 4 yen, 250 balls can be loaned by inserting a 1000 yen bill. In this case, if 125 pachinko balls (worth 500 yen) can be inserted with one instruction, the "loaned ball balance" is 125 balls. If these 125 pachinko balls are treated as the "balance" and refunded at 4 yen each, the player can receive a refund of 500 yen at the settlement machine.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the unit device 100 and the pachinko machine 200 are described as separate devices, but this is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure an integrated gaming system in which the unit device 100 and the pachinko machine 200 are mounted in a single housing.

[0098] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the remaining number of loaned balls and the number of balls held are described as being recorded on a member card or a general card and provided to the player. However, this is not limited to this. For example, by installing a specific application on a mobile terminal held by a player, such as a smartphone, it is possible to record the remaining number of loaned balls and the number of balls held in the memory of the mobile terminal. In this case, it is sufficient to provide the unit device 100 with a short-range wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the mobile terminal of the player, so that information can be transmitted and received between the unit device 100 and the mobile terminal of the player. This allows the mobile terminal of the player to be used as a device that realizes the same functions as the above-mentioned member card or general card.

[0099] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the member card and the general card are described as not having a prepaid function, but this is not limited thereto. The member card and the general card may of course have a prepaid function. If they have a prepaid function, it is sufficient if the balance of the prepaid amount can also be managed. In other words, while there is a prepaid balance, it is possible to receive loan balls for the selected amount by selecting an amount within the range of the balance. The prepaid balance is reduced when loan balls are received, so it is sufficient to manage it in the non-volatile memory 124 of the control unit 120 of the unit device 100, and record it together with the number of balls held in the event of a disaster.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the gaming machine is described as a pachinko machine, but the present invention is not limited to this. The gaming machine may be a pachinko type slot machine. The gaming machine may be various gaming machines such as mahjong games, card games, and competitive games that are installed in game arcades. In other words, the gaming machine may be a gaming machine in which points are increased or decreased by playing a game.

[0101] [others] As can be seen from the above description of the embodiment, the function of the claimed counting management means is realized by the counting management unit 109 of the embodiment, and the function of the claimed receiving means is realized by the disaster detector communication unit 101 of the embodiment. Also, the function of the claimed forced stop processing means is realized by the forced stop processing unit 112 of the embodiment, and the function of the claimed calculation processing means is realized by the held ball calculation processing unit 110. Also, the function of the claimed recording processing means is realized by the card recording processing unit 111 of the embodiment. The function of the claimed driving power supply means is realized by the power supply circuit 114 of the embodiment, the pachinko machine communication unit 107, and the power I / F.

[0102] In addition, the functions of the counting management unit 109, the ball holding calculation processing unit 110, the card recording processing unit 111, and the forced stop processing unit 112 of the unit device 100 can also be realized as functions of the control unit 120 by a program executed by the control unit 120. Therefore, by forming the programs shown in Figures 5(A), 8(A), and 9(A) and installing them in the unit device, the unit device according to the present invention can be realized. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] Reference Signs List 1(1), 1(2), ... gaming system, 2... disaster detector, 3... information management device, 4... money management device, 5... LAN, 6... wide area network, 7... upper server device, 100, 100(1), 100(2), ... unit device, 101... communication unit for disaster detector, 102... display unit, 103... operation unit, 104... banknote processing unit, 105... card processing unit, 106... communication unit for information management device, 107... communication unit for pachinko machine, 108... communication unit for money management device, 109... counting management unit, 110... ball holding calculation processing processing unit, 111...card recording processing unit, 112...forced stop processing unit, 113...clock circuit, 114...power supply circuit, 120...control unit, 121...CPU, 122...ROM, 123...RAM, 124...non-volatile memory, 200, 200(1), 200(2), ...pachinko machine, 200A, 200B...pachinko machine, 201...unit device communication unit, 202, 202A...power supply circuit, 203, 203A, 203B...control unit, 204...operation unit, 205...game function unit, 206...information management device communication unit

Claims

1. A unit device connected to a gaming machine that executes a game in response to an operation by a player and generates an increase or decrease in points, A counting management means for updating information regarding the points in a predetermined storage means; A receiving means for receiving information from the disaster detector; a forced stop processing means for processing to forcibly stop a game on the gaming machine when the information received through the receiving means is disaster notification information; a calculation processing means for calculating points owned by the player based on information regarding the points recorded in the storage means when the information received through the receiving means is the disaster notification information; providing means for providing the possession points calculated by the calculation processing means to a host server device connected to a network so that the possession points can be managed; a recording processing means for recording point information relating to a game on a predetermined recording medium for a player during normal times when the receiving means does not receive the disaster notification information, and for allowing the player to immediately take out the recording medium without recording the point information on the recording medium when the information received through the receiving means is the disaster notification information; A unit device comprising:

2. The unit device according to claim 1, The forced stop processing means controls a power supply means for the gaming machine included in the own machine to stop the supply of the power to the gaming machine, thereby forcibly stopping the gaming machine, or transmits a power supply stop request to the gaming machine, thereby forcibly stopping the gaming machine. A unit device characterized by:

3. The unit device according to claim 1, The forced stop processing means forcibly stops the gaming machine by transmitting to the gaming machine a request to execute a counting process for setting the points owned by the player to 0 (zero). A unit device characterized by:

4. A gaming system including a gaming machine that executes a game and increases or decreases points in response to a player's operation, and a unit device that is connected to the gaming machine, The gaming machine includes: The unit device can forcibly stop a game on the game machine in response to a process from the unit device. The unit device includes: A counting management means for updating information regarding the points in a predetermined storage means; A receiving means for receiving information from the disaster detector; a forced stop processing means for processing to forcibly stop a game on the gaming machine when the information received through the receiving means is disaster notification information; a calculation processing means for calculating points owned by the player based on information on the points stored in the storage means when the information received through the receiving means is the disaster notification information; providing means for providing the possession points calculated by the calculation processing means to a host server device connected to a network so that the possession points can be managed; a recording processing means for recording point information relating to a game on a predetermined recording medium for a player during normal times when the receiving means does not receive the disaster notification information, and for allowing the player to immediately take out the recording medium without recording the point information on the recording medium when the information received through the receiving means is the disaster notification information; A gaming system comprising:

Images