JP2003135694A - Power source managing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extend the life of power source units by determining output states of the power source units installed in electronic equipment under commercial application environments represented by game machines. SOLUTION: The system is provided with a power source unit 11 for supplying power to game apparatuses 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d, a power consumption detecting part 111 for detecting the output quantity of the power source unit 11 and a communication part 112 for transmitting the results of detection with the power consumption detecting part 111.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power management system for an electronic device having a power supply unit such as a power supply unit, and particularly for a game machine such as a pachinko machine or a spinning machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the recycling of each product in various fields has become important, and the recycling of power supply units used in electronic equipment is also required. Further, a game machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine is also provided with a power supply unit, and development for enhancing the possibility of recycling thereof is desired.

Since the power supply unit is in a high temperature state due to continuous use and its life is shortened, it is preferable to avoid continuous use in which the high temperature state continues for a long time.

[0004]

However, considering the utilization efficiency of the power supply unit, it is required to maximize the output of the power supply unit, and as a result, the life of the power supply unit is shortened. .

Particularly, in the power supply unit of the gaming machine,
Since it is operated under a commercial use environment, it is difficult to grasp the use environment during business hours, and the high temperature tends to continue due to excessive output, resulting in a shorter life.

The present invention solves such a problem, and the life of the power supply unit is grasped by grasping the output state of the power supply unit provided in the electronic equipment under the commercial use environment represented by the gaming machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power management system capable of extending power consumption.

[0007]

The invention according to the present application has been made to solve the above problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is a power supply means for supplying power to an electronic device, and the power supply. It has a power consumption detecting means for detecting the output amount of the supply means, and a communication means for transmitting the detection result by the power consumption detecting means.

According to the invention of claim 1,
Since the communication means transmits the output amount of the power supply means detected by the power consumption detection means to the outside, the user of the electronic device is
It is possible to easily understand how much power consumption of the electronic device is at present.

As a result, an electronic device that consumes a large amount of power consumes a large amount of heat, and if it is used as it is, it may be in a dangerous state such as melting of wiring. The user can take a measure to stop the electronic device based on the detection result obtained from the communication means, and as a result, the life of the electronic device can be extended.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the electronic device is
The gaming machine is characterized by paying out a prize ball or a medal according to a condition input according to an operation of a player.

According to the invention of claim 2 as described above,
Since the electronic device is also a gaming machine that discharges prize balls or prize medals according to the conditions input according to the operation of the player, the clerk at the gaming hall easily identifies the gaming machine with high power consumption. be able to. Further, if there is a gaming machine that consumes much more power than usual, the clerk at the gaming hall can determine that the gaming machine is in a dangerous state, and take measures such as stopping the gaming machine. Through this, the life of the gaming machine can be extended.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving means for receiving the detection result from the communication means, and a threshold value for storing a threshold value for defining a caution range and a dangerous range of the operating state of the electronic device. Storage means, comparing means for comparing the detection result received by the receiving means with the threshold value stored by the threshold value storing means, and determining an operating state based on the comparison result by the comparing means, And an operation control unit that changes an operation state of the electronic device.

According to the invention of claim 3 as described above,
Since the operation control means automatically determines the operation state of the electronic device (whether it is in the caution range or in the dangerous range) based on the comparison result by the comparison device, and changes the operation state of the electronic device, Even if the electronic device is used by the user of the electronic device such that an excessive load is applied (use in which the operating state of the electronic device is in the caution range or the dangerous range), the operation control means is Since the operating state of the electronic device is automatically changed (for example, the caution state is changed to the normal state), it is possible to avoid a situation where the electronic device is largely damaged.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the operation control means stops the operation of the power supply means when the operation state is judged to be within a dangerous range.

According to the invention of claim 4 as described above,
When the operation control means determines that the operating state of the electronic device is within the dangerous range, the operation of the power supply means can be stopped, and the electronic device avoids the operating state within the dangerous range. Therefore, for example, by cutting off the power supplied to the power supply means through the operation control means,
It is possible to prevent melting of wiring inside the electronic device, and as a result, extend the operating life of the electronic device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the operation control hand determines that the operation state of the electronic device is within the caution range, the operation control hand operates the cooling means provided in the vicinity of the power supply means. It is characterized by.

According to the invention of claim 5 as described above,
When the cooling means receives an instruction from the operation control means and the operating state of the electronic device is within the caution range, for example, the cooling device operates a fan that blows air. Even if there is, by operating the fan or the like, it is possible to easily avoid an operating state within the caution range.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the operation control means has a notification means for notifying the operation state of the electronic device when the operation state is judged to be within the caution range. Is.

According to the invention of claim 6 as described above,
Since the notifying means notifies the operating state of the electronic device in response to the instruction from the operation controlling means, the user of the electronic device receives the operating state of the electronic device (whether within the caution range, or Whether it is within the dangerous range) can be easily grasped.

In the invention according to claim 7, the notifying means is:
The display device is provided outside the electronic device.

According to the invention of claim 7 as described above,
Since the notification unit is the display unit provided outside the electronic device, the user of the electronic device can easily grasp the operating state of the electronic device through the display unit.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the display means is
It is characterized in that it is an electric decoration provided outside the gaming machine.

According to the invention of claim 8 as described above,
Since the display means is an electric decoration provided outside the game device, the clerk at the game hall can easily grasp the internal state of the game device through the electric decoration.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided setting means for setting the priority of processing by the electronic device, and when the operation control means determines that the operation state is within the caution range, It is characterized in that processing with a low priority is stopped based on the setting by the setting means.

According to the invention of claim 9 as described above,
When the operation control means determines that the operation state of the electronic device is within the caution range, based on the setting by the setting means,
Since the process with the low priority can be stopped, the electronic device can stop the process with the low priority by the operation control means even if the operation state of the electronic device is within the caution range (for example, stop of the illumination). ), It is possible to avoid an operating state within the range of attention without significantly affecting the operation of the electronic device.

The invention according to claim 10 is the one according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by further comprising recording means for recording the detection result.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, since the recording means records the detection result, the user of the electronic device can easily grasp the past operating state of the electronic device.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the operation control means determines whether or not the power supply means needs to be replaced, based on the history of the operation state accumulated in the recording means. It is characterized by having a judging means.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the replacement judging means judges whether or not the power supply means needs to be replaced, based on the history of the operating states accumulated in the recording means. Therefore, the user of the electronic device can easily determine whether or not the power supply unit in the electronic device needs to be replaced, based on the result of the determination by the replacement determining unit.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [Basic Configuration of Power Management System]
An embodiment in which a power management system according to the present invention is applied to management of a game device will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a power management system according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the power management system is
It is composed of pachinko machines 1a to 1d and rotary gaming machines 2a to 2d (gaming devices), which are electronic devices, and a gaming machine management device 3 connected thereto via a communication line.

The pachinko machines 1a to 1d are gaming machines for discharging prize balls or prize medals according to the conditions input according to the operation of the player, and as shown in FIG. Control board 12, firing control board 14, vocalization control board 15, ball separating device 16, and lamp control 1
7, symbol display device 19, main substrate 18, cooling unit 20
And have.

The prize ball control board 12 pays out the prize balls on the basis of an operation signal input when a game ball launched in response to a player's operation is inserted into an insertion opening on the game plate. The control signal for controlling the operation of the ball separating device 16 is generated, and the generated control signal is output to the ball separating device 16.

The ball separating device 16 is a device for causing the prize balls filled in the prize ball tank to flow out to a payout opening provided on the game plate side, and according to a control signal input from the prize ball control board 12. The payout opening is opened and closed, and a predetermined number of game balls corresponding to the control signal are paid out.

The firing control board 14 controls the operation of the electric game ball ejecting device, and adjusts the output of the game ball ejecting device according to the operation of the player to change the strength of the game ball to be launched. Let The voicing control board 15 outputs voice, music, and sound effects in accordance with the operation of the electric decoration and the pattern display device provided on the game version.

The lamp control 17 is for controlling the lighting of the electric decoration provided on the game plate, and is controlled by the main board 18, the voice output by the vocalization control board 15 and the prize ball by the prize ball control board 12. The lighting pattern of the illumination is changed according to the payout of. The symbol display device 19 is a main substrate 18
It is controlled by, and displays an image or a moving image on a liquid crystal display or the like provided on the game version. The main board 18 comprehensively controls the operation of each part of the game device 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the spinning drum type gaming machines 2a to 2d are, in the present embodiment, a cooling unit 20, a spinning drum central substrate 22, an external centralized terminal plate 221, and a game medal paying substrate 222. , A rotating body motor / display board 223, a game status display board 24, a main board 25, and a wiring relay lamp board 26
A lamp substrate 261, various sensors 262, and a switch substrate 263.

The rotating body central board 22 is an external centralized terminal board 2
21, a game medal payout device board 222, a spinning motor display board 223, and a board for connecting wiring between the game status display board 24 and the main board 25.

The external centralized terminal board 221 is a board having terminals for notifying the outside of the internal processing state of the spinning-roller type gaming machines 2a to 2d. Here, the internal processing state is, for example, the number of game medals paid out via the game medal payout device substrate 222, the game state displayed via the game state display substrate 24 (for example, a profit state advantageous to the player). "Reach") and the operating state of the power supply unit 21 (information such as "normal range", "caution range", "danger range", etc., which will be described later).

The game medal payout board 222 causes the player to press an operation button installed on the rotating-body type gaming machines 2a to 2d, and based on an operation signal generated from the operation button (operation means), It is a substrate for paying out game medals.

Specifically, the main board 25 to which an operation signal is input from the operation button (operation means) generates a payout signal for paying out a game medal based on the input operation signal, and generates the payout signal. The payout signal is output to the game medal payout board 222 and the rotating cylinder motor display board 223. Game medal payout board 2 to which payout signal is inputted from main board 25
22 performs a process of paying out a game medal corresponding to the payout signal based on the input payout signal.

The rotating drum motor / display board 223 is the main board 2
This is a substrate for arranging a predetermined numerical value (for example, "777") or the like on a display unit (not shown) in accordance with a control signal from 5. Here, the display unit (not shown) for displaying a predetermined numerical value, for example, rotates the rotating body (not shown) by an electric motor, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, displays the rotating body. Examples thereof include a method of stopping the number, or a method of changing a plurality of numerical values on the liquid crystal screen and stopping the numerical value on the liquid crystal screen after a predetermined time has passed.

Specifically, the rotary drum motor / display board 223 to which the payout signal is input from the main board 25, based on the input payout signal, has a numerical value (eg, "777") corresponding to the payout signal. Is displayed on the display.

The game status display board 24 is a board for displaying the game status of the player. Game status display board 2
4 has a display unit (not shown) for displaying the game state of the player. Here, the game state includes, for example, a state advantageous to the player (for example, a so-called "reach state") or a state disadvantageous to the player (for example, a so-called "no reach" state).

Specifically, the game status display board 24 to which a game status signal (a signal for displaying a specific game status) is input from the main board 25 is based on the input game status signal and is in the game status. A game state (for example, "reach state" or "no reach") corresponding to the signal is displayed on the display unit.

The wiring relay lamp board 26 is the lamp board 2
61, various sensors 262, a switch board 263, and a board used to connect wiring to the power supply unit 21. The lamp board 261 is a board that controls lighting of an electric decoration provided on the game board, is controlled by the main board 25, and has a lighting pattern of the electric decoration according to the payout of the game medal by the game medal payout device 222. It is for controlling, for example, for controlling the color arrangement pattern of the LED or the like installed on the game board.

Various sensors 262 and switch board 263
Has a game medal detection unit that detects how many game medals have been inserted, an operation unit that allows the player to determine a predetermined game state, and the like, and the game medal detection unit and the operation unit have detected it. The detection signal is output to the main board 22.

The main board 25 to which the detection signals detected by the game medal detection section, the operation section, etc. are inputted, the game medal ejecting apparatus board 222, the spinning motor display board 223, the game state based on the inputted detection signals. The display substrate 24 is controlled. The main board 25 controls the operation of each part of the rotating body type gaming machine 2.

The power supply units 11 and 21 are the gaming machine 1
Alternatively, it is a power supply means for supplying power to the respective units provided in the unit 2, specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the power consumption detecting unit 111 (or 211) for detecting the output amount of each power unit. And these power consumption detection units 111 (or 21
1) the communication unit 112 (or 21) that transmits the detection result
2) and AC24 that supplies 24V AC to the power supply unit
A switch 114 for supplying V (113) and AC 24V (113), an input unit 115, a rectifying unit 116 that rectifies the input AC voltage, and a comparator unit 117.
And have.

The power consumption detector 111 (or 211) is
Power consumption detecting means for detecting the output amount of the power supply means (power supply unit 11), and in the present embodiment, the input unit 11
5. Each voltage output from the rectification unit 116 and the converter unit 117 is measured and output to the communication unit 112 as a detection result.

The communication section 112 includes a power consumption detecting section 111.
(Or 212) is a communication means for transmitting the detection result, and in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the UART 1 for transmitting / receiving data (detection result) to / from the gaming machine management device 3.
12a, a timer 112b that measures the timing of data transmission / reception and the elapsed time of power saving processing, and a CPU 112c that controls the overall operation of the communication unit 112.

The gaming machine management device 3, as shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, the pachinko machines 1a to 1d and the rotary game machines 2a to 1d are connected via a communication means such as a wired LAN or a wireless LAN.
2d, and is realized by executing a dedicated program described in a predetermined programming language on a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer in the present embodiment.

Specifically, the gaming machine management device 3 includes a transmitting / receiving unit 31 which receives the detection results of the power consumption detecting units 111a to 111d and 211a to 211d from the communication units 112a to 112d and 212a to 212d, and various arithmetic processes. CPU 34 for performing data, a hard disk 32 for storing data, and data and C read from the hard disk 32.
Memory 33 for temporarily storing the calculation result by PU 34
And a bus 35 that connects these devices to each other.

The transmission / reception unit 31 includes the communication unit 112 (or 21).
1) is a receiving means for receiving the detection result, for example, L
It is a communication device that transmits and receives data via a communication line such as an AN. As the transmitting / receiving unit 31, a wireless communication means such as a wireless LAN can be used.

The hard disk 32 stores the above-mentioned dedicated program, and in the present embodiment, serves as a threshold value storage section for storing threshold values for defining a caution range and a dangerous range of the operating state in each gaming machine. Function. Specifically, this threshold value is stored in the hard disk 32 as table data in which the output amount of the power supply unit and the range defining the operating state are associated with each other, and the first threshold value defining the caution range is set. And a second threshold value that defines a dangerous area are set. In addition, the hard disk 32
Is also a storage means for accumulating the detection results received by the transmission / reception unit 31.

As shown in FIG. 7, the table data includes a normal range indicating a range in which the power supply unit 11 (or 21) is normally used, and a first threshold value in which the power supply unit 11 (or 21) is set. It can be broadly divided into a caution range indicating that the power supply unit 11 (or 21) is in a dangerous state when it exceeds, and a danger range indicating that the power supply unit 11 (or 21) may be damaged when exceeding the set second threshold value. .

In the present embodiment, these normal range, caution range, and dangerous range are used temperature (° C.) indicating the temperature inside the power supply unit 11 (or 21), as shown in FIG.
The operating voltage indicating the voltage used by the power supply unit 11 (or 21), the operating current indicating the current used by the power supply unit 11 (or 21), and the time during which the value in the caution range / danger range continues. It consists of the indicated duration.

The CPU 34 functions as various processing units by activating the dedicated program installed in the hard disk 32. Specifically C
The PU 34 compares the detection result received by the transmission / reception unit 31 with a threshold value (first threshold value or second threshold value) stored in the hard disk 32, and a comparison by the comparison unit 34a. An operation control unit 34b that determines the operation state based on the result and changes the operation state of the gaming machine,
An operating state notifying unit 34c for notifying the operating state to the administrator,
The priority processing determination unit 34d that changes the processing performed by the gaming devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d and the detection result received by the transmission / reception unit 31 are acquired, and the acquired detection result is regularly recorded on the hard disk 32 as log information. Log recording unit 3 to store
It functions as 4e.

The comparison section 34a is a comparison means for comparing the detection result received by the transmission / reception section 31 with the threshold value stored in the hard disk 32 (threshold value storage section). Specifically, the comparison unit 34a acquires the operation state data (detection result) acquired by the transmission / reception unit 31 from the log storage unit 34e, collates the table data held in the hard disk 32, and detects the threshold values. The magnitude of the result is compared, and the comparison result is temporarily stored in the memory 33.

The operation control section 34b is an operation control means for determining the operation state based on the comparison result by the comparison section 34a and changing the operation state of the electronic device. Specifically, the operation control unit 34b calls the comparison result stored in the memory 33, determines which operating state each gaming machine is in, and performs processing according to the operating state.

That is, in this embodiment, the operation controller 34b
When the game devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d determine that the operating state is within the dangerous range, the stop process (danger avoiding process) for stopping the operation of the gaming device within the dangerous range is performed. When it is determined that the gaming device is within the range, the power saving process is performed on the gaming device within the caution range. The operation control unit 34b can also store the determined operation state in the hard disk 32 as log information.

As the power saving process and the stopping process (danger avoidance process), the following processes are set in this embodiment.

Cooling process The cooling process is to cool (or stop) the operation of the power supply unit 11 (or 21) when the operation control unit 34b determines that the operating state of the electronic device is within the caution range. Means processing. Here, the cooling unit 20 means that the power supply unit 11 (or 2) when the gaming device (pachinko machine 1, rotating body type gaming machine 2) is within the caution range due to temperature rise.
By cooling 1), it is possible to avoid a state of being in the caution range, and for example, a fan or the like that blows ambient air to a heat generating portion can be cited.

Specifically, when the operation control unit 34b calls the comparison result stored in the memory 33 and determines that the called comparison result is within the caution range, the operation control unit 34b determines that the power saving process is performed. A power saving processing signal for causing the transmission / reception is output to the transmission / reception unit 31.

The transmission / reception unit 31 to which the power saving processing signal is input from the operation control unit 34b receives the input power saving processing signal
The game devices 1a to 1d, 2a to 2d within the range of "attention" are transmitted. The game devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d which have received the power saving processing signal from the transmitting / receiving unit 31 are based on the received power saving processing signal and the power supply unit. The cooling unit 20 (for example, a fan) in 11 (or 21) is operated, and the gaming devices 1a to which have received the power-saving processing signal from the transmission / reception unit 31.
1d, 2a to 2d perform notification processing described later based on the received power saving processing signal.

Notification processing Notification processing means processing for notifying the operating state when the operating state notifying section 34c determines that the operating state of the electronic device is within the caution range. Further, the operating state notifying unit 34c may be a unit for notifying the operating state to a display means (not shown) provided outside the electronic device. For example, the monitor 36 may display characters or symbols, and / or a voice. Or an alarm is output, and the lighting pattern of the electric decoration provided in the game device is changed using the lamp control 17 or the wiring relay lamp board 26.

Process order change process The process order change process means a process for the priority process determining section 34d (setting means) to set the order of the processes (priority order) by the gaming devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d. To do. Specifically, when the operation control unit 34b calls the comparison result stored in the memory 33 and determines that the called comparison result is within the caution range, the operation control unit 34b determines that the gaming devices 1a to 1d. 2a to 2d are in the attention range, the attention signal indicating that the priority processing determination unit 34d
Output to.

The priority processing determining section 34d to which the caution signal is input from the operation control section 34b outputs a processing order signal indicating the set processing order to the operation control means based on the input caution signal. The operation control unit 34b to which the processing order signal is input from the priority processing determination unit 34d is based on the processing order in the gaming devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d corresponding to the input priority order signal, the gaming devices 1a to 1d, 2a
A load reduction signal for reducing the load of 2d is output to the transmission / reception unit 31.

Here, the load reduction signal is a process having a low priority (for example, the utterance control board 15, the symbol display device 1) based on the priority set by the priority process determining section 34d.
9, a lamp control 17, a game state display board 24, a spinning motor display board 223, and other processing operations that do not significantly affect the processing of the gaming device).

The gaming devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d which have received the load reduction signal from the transmission / reception unit 31, based on the received load reduction signal, in accordance with the processing order corresponding to the load reduction signal, the game devices 1a to 1d, The loads of 2a to 2d are reduced.

For example, the load reduction signal is output by the utterance control board 1
5 → symbol display device 19 → lamp control 17 → gaming state display board 24 → spindle motor display board 223 If the signal is a signal for not operating the respective parts, the gaming machines 1a to 1d, 2a to 2d are , Based on the input load reduction signal, in accordance with the processing order corresponding to the load reduction signal, gradually prevent the above-mentioned parts from operating, so that the gaming devices 1a to 1d, 2a to 2d do not stop within the caution range. To do.

Danger Avoidance Processing Danger avoidance processing means the operation of the power supply unit 11 (or 21) when the operation control unit 34b determines that the operating state of the power supply unit 11 (or 21) is within the dangerous range. It means a process for stopping. Specifically, when the operation control unit 34b calls the comparison result stored in the memory 33 and determines that the called comparison result is within the dangerous range, the operation control unit 34b determines that the gaming device 1a to
A danger avoidance signal for preventing 1d, 2a to 2d from staying within the dangerous range is output to the transmitting / receiving unit 31.

The transmission / reception unit 31 to which the danger avoidance signal is input from the operation control unit 34b notifies the input danger avoidance signal to the game devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d within the danger range. The gaming devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d to which the danger avoidance signal is input from the transmission / reception unit 31 perform risk avoidance processing corresponding to the danger avoidance signal based on the input danger avoidance signal. Here, the danger avoidance processing includes, for example, processing for stopping the power supply of the power supply unit 11 (or 21).

[Power Management Method Using Power Management System] The power management method using the power management system having the above configuration can be implemented by the following procedure. Figure 8
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a power management method according to this embodiment. First, the communication unit 112 uses the power consumption detection unit 11
The step of transmitting the detection result detected in 1 to the transmitting / receiving unit 31 is performed (S101).

Specifically, the power consumption detecting unit 111 measures each voltage output from the input unit 115, the rectifying unit 116, and the converter unit 117, and as a detection result, the communication unit 112.
Output to. The communication unit 112 to which the detection result has been input from the power consumption detection unit 111 transmits the input detection result to the transmission / reception unit 31. The transmission / reception unit 31 that has received the detection result from the communication unit 112 stores the received detection result in the log storage unit 34e as log information.

Next, the comparison section 24a collates the table data (see FIG. 7) held in the hard disk 32 with the operation state data (detection result) acquired by the transmission / reception section 31, and detects the detection result for each threshold value. Is compared and the comparison result is temporarily stored in the memory 33 (S102).

Thereafter, the operation controller 34b causes the memory 33 to
The comparison result stored in is called, and each gaming device 1a-1
Then, a step of deciding which operating state of d, 2a to 2d is performed is performed (S103). And the gaming devices 1a to
Steps 1d, 2a to 2d perform power saving processing based on the operation state determined by the operation control unit 34b (S10).
4).

Specifically, when the operation control unit 34b calls the comparison result recorded in the memory 33 and determines that the called comparison result is within the caution range, the operation control unit 34b determines that the power saving process is performed. A power saving processing signal for causing the transmission / reception is output to the transmission / reception unit 31.

Then, the transmission / reception unit 31 to which the power-saving processing signal is input from the operation control unit 34b receives the input power-saving processing signal from the gaming devices 1a to 1d, 2a to 2 which are within the caution range.
Send to d. The gaming devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d that have received the power saving processing signal from the transmission / reception unit 31 operate the cooling unit 20 (for example, a fan) in the power supply unit 11 (or 21) based on the received power saving processing signal. Let

Further, the gaming devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d which have received the power saving processing signal from the transmitting / receiving unit 31 perform a notification process for notifying that the gaming device is in the caution range based on the received power saving processing signal. To do.

For example, in the notification process, characters or symbols are displayed on the monitor 36, a voice or an alarm is output, and the lamp control 17 or the wiring relay lamp board 26 is used to display the lights provided on the game machine. Change the lighting pattern.

Further, when the operation control unit 34b calls the comparison result stored in the memory 33 and determines that the called comparison result is within the caution range, the operation control unit 34b causes the game devices 1a to 1d. , 2a to 2d are output to the priority processing determination unit 34d as a caution signal indicating that they are within the caution range.

The priority process determining section 34d to which the caution signal is input from the operation control section 34b outputs a processing order signal indicating the set processing order to the operation control means based on the input caution signal. The operation control unit 34b to which the processing order signal is input from the priority processing determination unit 34d is based on the processing order corresponding to the input priority order signal and the gaming device 1a.
The load reduction signals for reducing the loads of 1d and 2a to 2d are output to the transmission / reception unit 31.

The game devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d which have received the load reduction signal from the transmission / reception unit 31 are based on the received load reduction signal and follow the processing order corresponding to the load reduction signal. The loads of 1d, 2a to 2d are reduced.

For example, the load reduction signal is output by the utterance control board 1
5 → symbol display device 19 → lamp control 17 → gaming state display board 24 → spindle motor display board 223 If the signal is a signal for not operating the respective parts, the gaming machines 1a to 1d, 2a to 2d are , Based on the input load reduction signal, in accordance with the processing order corresponding to the load reduction signal, gradually prevent the above-mentioned parts from operating, so that the gaming devices 1a to 1d, 2a to 2d do not stop within the caution range. Yes (power saving process).

On the other hand, the gaming machines 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d perform a step for risk avoidance processing based on the operation state determined by the operation control section 34b (S105). Specifically, when the operation control unit 34b calls the comparison result stored in the memory 33 and determines that the called comparison result is within the dangerous range, the operation control unit 34b determines that the gaming device 1a to A danger avoidance signal for preventing 1d, 2a to 2d from staying within the dangerous range is output to the transmitting / receiving unit 31.

Then, the transmission / reception unit 31 to which the danger avoidance signal is input from the operation control unit 34b outputs the input danger avoidance signal to the game devices 1a to 1d, 2a to 2 within the danger range.
Notify d. After that, the game devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d to which the danger avoidance signal is input from the transmission / reception unit 31 are, based on the input danger avoidance signal, the danger avoidance processing corresponding to the danger avoidance signal (the power supply unit 11 (or 21 )) For stopping the power supply).

[Operation and Effect of Power Management System and Power Management Method] According to the power management system and power management method of this embodiment, the communication unit 112 (or 212) causes the power consumption detection unit 111 ( Or, the output amount of the power supply unit 11 (or 21) detected in 211) is transmitted to the outside, so that the user of the electronic device can easily grasp how much power the gaming device 1 (or 2) consumes at the present time. can do.

As a result, the gaming machine 1 (or 2), which consumes a large amount of power, generates a large amount of heat, and if it continues to be used as it is, it may be in a dangerous state such as melting of wiring. Therefore, the user of the gaming device 1 (or 2) can take a measure to stop the gaming device 1 (or 2) based on the detection result acquired from the communication unit 112 (or 212). Therefore, the life of the gaming device 1 (or 2) can be extended.

In addition, the operation control section 34b has the comparison section 34a.
Based on the result of the comparison, the operating state of the gaming device 1 (or 2) (whether it is within the caution range or the dangerous range) is automatically determined, and the operating state of the gaming device 1 (or 2) is changed. Therefore, the game device 1 (or 2) is used by a user of the game arcade such that an excessive load is applied (use in which the operating state of the game device 1 (or 2) is in a caution range or a dangerous range). Even when the operation is performed, the operation control unit 3
4b can automatically change the operating state of the gaming device 1 (or 2), and can avoid a situation in which the gaming device 1 (or 2) is greatly damaged.

Further, the operation control section 34b has the game device 1
When it is determined that the operating state of (or 2) is within the dangerous range, the operation of the power supply unit 11 (or 21) can be stopped, so that the gaming device 1 (or 2) is within the dangerous range. In order to avoid the operation state, the operation control unit 3
By disconnecting the power supplied to the power supply unit 11 (or 21) through 4b, it is possible to prevent melting of the wiring inside the gaming device 1 (or 2), and as a result, the gaming device 1 (or The operation life of 2) can be extended.

When the operating state of the gaming machine 1 (or 2) is within the caution range according to the command from the operation control means, for example, the cooling unit 20 operates a fan for blowing air, so that the cooling is performed. Even if the operating state of the gaming device 1 (or 2) is in the caution range, the unit 20 can easily avoid the operating state in the caution range by operating the fan or the like.

Further, since the operation state notifying section 34c notifies the operation state of the gaming apparatus 1 (or 2) by a command from the operation control section 34b, the user of the gaming apparatus 1 (or 2) notifies the notifying means. From the notification from, it is possible to easily grasp the operating state of the game device 1 (or 2) (whether within the caution range or within the danger range).

Further, since the display section is an electric decoration provided outside the game apparatus 1 (or 2), the clerk at the game hall can easily grasp the internal state of the game apparatus through the electric decoration. .

Further, the operation control section 34b has the game device 1
When it is determined that the operation state of (or 2) is within the caution range, the process with the lower priority can be stopped based on the setting by the priority process determination unit 34d, and thus the gaming device 1 (or 2). Even if the operating state of the gaming device 1 (or 2) is within the caution range, the operation control unit 34b can stop the processing with a low priority (for example, stop lighting), and the gaming device 1 (Or 2) It is possible to avoid the operation state that is within the caution range without significantly affecting the operation. In addition, since the log storage unit 34e records the detection result, the clerk at the game arcade is required to play the game device 1 in the past.
The operation state of (or 2) can be easily grasped.

[Modification] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the log information stored in the hard disk 32 is stored in the storage unit (not shown) in the power supply unit 11. It may be. Operation control unit 34b
Has a replacement determination unit (not shown) that determines whether or not the power supply unit 11 needs to be replaced, based on the history of operating states included in the log information accumulated in the storage unit. May be. The gaming machine management device 3 may be installed in a manufacturing factory that manufactures the gaming devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d. Here, with the history of the operating state, in the present embodiment, the gaming devices 1a to 1d, 2a to 2d
The operating state, the gaming devices 1a to 1d, 2a to
2d means a history such as an accumulated time obtained by accumulating the time of the operating state.

Specifically, the exchange judgment section acquires the log information accumulated in the recording section through the transmission / reception section 31 and the communication section 112. The exchange determination unit that has acquired this log information has the gaming devices 1a to 1d and 2a included in the acquired log information.
It is determined whether or not the power supply unit 11 needs to be replaced based on the history of the operating state of 2d (state indicating that the power supply unit 11 is in the normal range, the caution range, or the dangerous range), and the result of the determination Is displayed on the monitor 36 (for example, "the power supply unit 11 does not need to be replaced").

For example, the exchange judging section determines, based on the cumulative time of the operating states within the “caution range” or “dangerous range” of the history of the log information acquired through the transmitting / receiving section 31, that cumulative time. Is over the preset cumulative time (for example, 100 hours), it is determined that the power supply unit 11 needs to be replaced.

On the other hand, the exchange judging section determines the cumulative time based on the cumulative time of the operating states within the "caution range" or "danger range" of the log information history acquired through the transmitting / receiving section 31. Does not exceed a preset cumulative time (for example, 100 hours), it is determined that it is not necessary to replace the power supply unit 11.

According to the invention according to such a modification, for example, the replacement judging section in the gaming machine management apparatus 3 installed in the manufacturing factory is operated based on the history of the log information accumulated in the storage section to supply the power. Since it is determined whether or not the unit 11 needs to be replaced, the worker who manufactures the gaming devices 1a to 1d and 2a to 2d can use the gaming device 1a that has been used based on the result determined by the replacement determination unit. It is possible to easily determine whether or not the power supply unit 11 installed in ~ 1d, 2a to 2d can be reused.

[0101]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By grasping the output state of the power supply unit provided in the electronic device under the commercial use environment represented by the game machine, the life of the power supply unit can be extended.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power management system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structure of a pachinko machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structure of a rotating type gaming machine in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a structure of a power supply unit in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a structure of a communication unit in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a structure of a gaming machine management device in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing table data stored in a hard disk according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a power management method according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a to 1d ... Pachinko machines, 2a to 2d ... Spindle-type gaming machines,
3 ... Gaming machine management device, 11 ... Power supply unit, 111 ... Power consumption detection unit, 112 ... Communication unit, 112a ... UART,
112b ... timer function, 112c ... CPU, 113 ...
AC24V, 114 ... Switch, 115 ... Input section, 11
6 ... Rectifier, 117 ... Comparator, 12 ... Award ball control board, 13 ... Power supply connector, 14 ... Launch control board, 15
... Voice control board, 16 ... Ball separating device, 17 ... Lamp control, 18 ... Main board, 19 ... Symbol display device, 20 ... Cooling section, 21 ... Power supply unit, 22 ... Rotating body relay board, 22
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... External centralized terminal board, 222 ... Game medal payout device board, 223 ... Spindle motor display board, 23 ... Power supply connector, 24 ... Game status display device, 25 ... Main board, 26 ... Wiring relay lamp board, 261 ... Lamp Substrate, 262 ... Various sensors, 263 ... Switch substrate, 31 ... Transceiver, 32
... hard disk, 33 ... memory, 34 ... CPU, 34
a ... Comparison unit, 34b ... Operation control unit, 34c ... Operation state notification unit, 34b ... Priority processing determination unit, 34e ... Log recording unit,
35 ... bus, 36 ... monitor

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masayuki Nonaka             25, Ariake 3-1, Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo             Frontier building F term (reference) 2C088 BC23 CA14 CA28 EA09                 5B011 DA01 DB00 DC06 EA10 GG02                       HH07 JA12

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A power supply means for supplying power to an electronic device, a power consumption detection means for detecting an output amount of the power supply means, and a communication means for transmitting a detection result by the power consumption detection means. A power management system having. 2. The power management according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a gaming machine that pays out prize balls or prize medals according to a condition input according to an operation of a player. system. 3. Receiving means for receiving a detection result from the communication means, threshold value storing means for storing a threshold value for defining a caution range and a dangerous range of an operating state of the electronic device, and the receiving part. Comparing means for comparing the detection result received by the means with the threshold value stored in the threshold value storing means; and an operating state based on the comparison result by the comparing means, and determining the operating state of the electronic device. The power management system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an operation control unit that changes the operation control unit. 4. The power management system according to claim 3, wherein the operation control means stops the operation of the power supply means when it is determined that the operation state is within a dangerous range. 5. The operation control means activates a cooling means provided in the vicinity of the power supply means when it is determined that the operation state is within a caution range. The power management system according to 4. 6. The power management according to claim 3, wherein the operation control means has a notification means for notifying the operation state when it is determined that the operation state is within a caution range. system. 7. The power management system according to claim 6, wherein the notification unit is a display unit provided outside the electronic device. 8. The power management system according to claim 7, wherein the display means is an electric decoration provided outside the gaming device. 9. A setting means for setting a priority order of processing by the electronic device, wherein the operation control means is based on the setting by the setting means when it is determined that the operation state is within a caution range. 9. The power management system according to claim 3, further comprising: stopping a process having a lower priority. 10. A recording means for recording the detection result or the operation state, according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
Power management system described in. 11. The operation control means includes an exchange determination means for determining whether or not the power supply means needs to be exchanged, based on a history of the operation states accumulated in the recording means. The power management system according to claim 10, wherein the power management system is a power management system.