JP2016120340A - Management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management device capable of suppressing the workload of game parlors' employees as much as possible.SOLUTION: A management device 100 connected to inter-game-machine devices 500 provided adjacently to a plurality of game machines 200 installed in a game parlor and an indicator 1000 arranged in the vicinity of a game machine 200 includes mode control means which can switch operation modes of an inter-game-machine device 500, switching operation means to be used for a switching operation of operation modes of the inter-game-machine device 500, and command means for transmitting a payout request signal for requesting payout of game media to the inter-game-machine device 500 when receiving a prescribed signal from the indicator 1000 while the mode control means switches the operation mode of the inter-game-machine device 500 to a test mode different from a normal operation mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a management apparatus for paying out game media.

In amusement halls, for example, when a new store is opened, a free opening service for gaming machines may be provided for the purpose of getting close to neighboring residents and the like. In the case of a free opening service, for example, a player receives a recording medium in which money amount data or a ball is stored at the reception of the game hall, inserts this recording medium into the inter-table device, receives a ball rental, and plays a game. It is something to enjoy.

In such a case, the employee needs to distribute the recording medium to the player who enters the store, and the work load increases. In addition, when the player loses the recording medium, it is necessary to go to the reception of the recording medium again until reception of the game hall, which is complicated.

In general, when a gaming machine is introduced into a game arcade, first, a test is performed to confirm a malfunction of the gaming machine. This test hitting is to operate the gaming machine in an environment close to that the player normally plays, and is also performed in order to confirm the adjustment when the nail of the gaming machine is adjusted. At the time of test hitting, conventionally, a game hall employee put a game medium such as a pachinko ball into the upper plate of the game machine and fixes the handle of the game machine.

However, in this method, when there is a shortage of game media on the upper plate, it is necessary for the employee to carry the game media and put it into the upper plate, which increases the work burden on the employee. Moreover, since there are usually a plurality of gaming machines that are introduced into the amusement hall at a time, for example, when there are a large number of gaming machines that perform test hits, such as when opening a new store, the work burden of test hits is enormous. Become. In order to reduce such a work burden, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1. This is to provide a tray at the bottom of the gaming machine and a lifting device for feeding the game medium flowing down from the tray to the upper tray of the gaming machine. The medium is input.

JP 2006-175171 A

However, in the apparatus, the employee must first put the game medium into the receiving tray, and further, the employee needs to put the gaming medium into the receiving tray even when the game medium is insufficient in the receiving tray. The work burden on employees remains large. In addition, when the devices disclosed in Patent Document 1 are provided in each gaming machine, the cost becomes enormous. In addition, when the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used in a plurality of gaming machines in a single test, it is necessary to move the device, creating a new work burden on the employee, The burden is not alleviated.

Then, in view of the said subject, this invention aims at providing the management apparatus which can suppress the work burden of the employee of a game hall as much as possible.

The invention of claim 1
A management device connected to an inter-unit device provided adjacent to a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game arcade, and a display arranged in the vicinity of the gaming machine,
Mode control means capable of switching the operation mode of the inter-device,
Switching operation means used for switching operation mode of the inter-device,
When the mode control means receives a predetermined signal from the display in a state where the operation mode of the inter-device is switched to a test mode different from the normal operation mode, a payout request signal for requesting payout of game media And a command means for sending the information to the inter-device.

The invention of claim 2
A management device connected to an inter-unit device provided adjacent to a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game arcade, and a display arranged in the vicinity of the gaming machine,
Mode control means capable of switching the operation mode of the inter-device,
Switching operation means used for switching operation mode of the inter-device,
When the mode control means receives a predetermined signal from the display in a state where the operation mode of the inter-device is switched to a test mode different from the normal operation mode, a payout request signal for requesting payout of game media Is continuously sent to the inter-device.
When the predetermined signal is received from the display in a state where the payout request signal is continuously sent, the management device includes command means for stopping the payout request signal.

The invention of claim 3
A management device connected to an inter-unit device provided adjacent to a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game arcade, and a display arranged in the vicinity of the gaming machine,
Mode control means capable of switching the operation mode of the inter-device,
Switching operation means used for switching operation mode of the inter-device,
While the operation mode of the inter-device is switched to the test mode different from the normal operation mode by the mode control means, the game medium is requested to be paid out while receiving a predetermined signal from the display. And a command unit that stops sending out the payout request signal when the predetermined signal is not received from the display device.

The invention of claim 4
The mode control means further rewrites mode information indicating an operation mode of the inter-vehicle device when receiving a switch completion signal indicating that the operation mode has been switched from the inter-device. It was set as the management apparatus as described in.

According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the management device is configured to send a payout request signal for requesting payout of the game medium to the inter-device when receiving a predetermined signal from the display. For example, when the burden on the amusement hall employees is generally heavy, such as a free opening service for gaming machines that is performed when a new game hall is opened, or test hits that are performed to check for malfunctions in gaming machines, etc. The work burden on the employee can be reduced.

In particular, according to the second and third aspects of the invention, the amount of game media to be paid out from the inter-device is adjustable, which is convenient.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 4, since the management device can grasp and manage the mode information indicating the operation mode of the inter-device device, it is convenient.

1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily illustrating an overall configuration of a management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic diagram which illustrated the outline of the external appearance structure of the game machine of Example 1 which concerns on this invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily illustrating an overall configuration of a management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the conceptual diagram which showed typically the hardware constitutions of the management apparatus of Example 1 which concerns on this invention. It is the conceptual diagram which showed typically the hardware constitutions of the inter-station apparatus of Example 1 which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of Example 1 which concerns on this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of Example 1 which concerns on this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the game media payout process of Example 1 which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of another Example which concerns on this invention performs. It is the schematic diagram which illustrated the outline of the external appearance structure of the game machine of another Example which concerns on this invention, and each counter. It is a conceptual diagram which shows illustartively the whole structure of the management system of another Example which concerns on this invention.

A management device connected to an inter-unit device provided adjacent to a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game arcade and a display device arranged in the vicinity of the gaming machine, and switches an operation mode of the inter-device device The operation mode of the inter-device is switched to a test mode different from the normal operation mode by the possible mode control means, the switching operation means used for the operation of switching the operation mode of the inter-device, and the mode control means. In a state, when a predetermined signal is received from the display unit, a command requesting means for sending a payout request signal for requesting payout of the game medium to the inter-device is provided, so that when the game hall is newly opened It is possible to reduce the work load of the game hall employees at the time of the free opening service of the gaming machine performed at the time of testing, etc., or at the time of the test hitting performed for checking the malfunction of the gaming machine.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily showing the configuration of the management system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the management system includes a management device 100, a gaming machine 200, a table management device 300, an island management device 400, an inter-device device 500, a display 1000, and networks 601 and 602 connecting these devices. It is configured.

The management device 100 is an information processing device that manages the entire management system and operates and manages the operation mode of each inter-device device 500. The management device 100 is realized by, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a workstation (WS). The management device 100 includes a user interface such as an instruction input device 106 that receives an instruction input from a game hall employee to the management device 100 and a display 107 that displays a failure detection or the like. In addition, the management device 100 aggregates and manages signals related to operation information such as the number of games, the number of jackpots, the number of balls played, the number of hits, etc. of each gaming machine 200.

Next, the configuration of the gaming machine 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the outline of the external configuration of the gaming machine 200 and the display device 1000.

In FIG. 2, a pachinko machine is shown as the gaming machine 200, and a pachinko machine 500 that pays out pachinko balls as an example of a gaming medium is shown, but the gaming machine 200 in this embodiment is a pachinko machine. In addition to slot machines, parrots, etc. are included as long as they are arranged in a game arcade. Therefore, the type of game medium paid out by the inter-table device 500 is not limited to a pachinko ball and may be a coin.

The gaming machine 200 pays out a pachinko ball as a gaming medium in response to the occurrence of a predetermined winning event. The gaming machine 200 is provided with a board surface 211, and on the board surface 211, there are provided a symbol display device 212, a start winning port 213, a jackpot winning port 214, a normal winning port (not shown), and the like. Further, at the lower part of the gaming machine 200, an upper plate 221 for storing a pachinko ball to be driven in or a paid-out pachinko ball, a handle 222 for adjusting the strength of the pachinko ball driving, and the like are provided. Then, when the game medium passes through the start winning opening 213 and the like, and a predetermined number of game media are paid out, one pulse is output from the gaming machine 200 to the outside as a ball signal for every 10 paid out game media. Output. Based on this output signal, the management device 100 calculates the number of output. In addition, when the jackpot is won, a jackpot signal is output from the gaming machine 200 to the outside when the symbol is confirmed in the symbol display device 212. In the management apparatus 100, the number of games is calculated based on the number of times the start signal is received.

Further, a ball hitting signal is sent from a hitting ball number counting means (out box) (not shown) that is installed below the gaming machine 200 and counts the number of game media driven into the board surface 211 described later. Yes. Based on this hitting signal, the management device 100 calculates the hitting number.

A display 1000 is disposed above the gaming machine 200. The display 1000 is a call lamp that performs a predetermined display in response to the occurrence of an event such as a prize. The display 1000 is not a special one but a very general one. As shown in FIG. 2, the display 1000 according to the present embodiment includes a lamp unit 1001 having various predetermined color lenses, and various types. An LED display 1002 for displaying messages and information, and a call switch 1003 for notifying a game hall employee when a trouble occurs in the gaming machine 200 are provided. When pressed down, the lamp unit 1001 has a function of a normal calling lamp that is lit or the like to notify an employee or the like.

The call switch 1003 is configured to trigger a game medium payout in the test mode. Details will be described later. Further, in this embodiment, as the instruction input means, a configuration is shown in which a call switch 1003 that receives an instruction input when an employee of the game hall presses down is used, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Any instruction input means may be used as long as it can receive an instruction input. For example, a payout lever or a touch panel can be used.

The stand management device 300 acquires a mode switching signal for switching the operation mode of the inter-device 500 from the connected management device 100, and a payout request signal for requesting payout of the game medium, and sends the information to the inter-device 500 It is. Also, a switching completion signal is acquired from the connected inter-device device 500 and sent to the island management device 400. In addition, a signal related to operation information such as a batting signal and a ball signal is acquired from the connected gaming machine 200 and sent to the island management device 400.

The island management device 400 is an information processing device that mediates the connection between the platform management device 300 and the management device 100. In the management system of the present embodiment, the plurality of table management devices 300 are classified into one or more groups, and the island management device 400 manages the table management device 300 for each group. Then, the signal received from the management device 100 is sent to the table management device 300, and the signal received from the table management device 300 is sent to the management device 100.

The inter-device 500 is provided corresponding to the gaming machine 200 as shown in FIG. 2, and has a game medium payout function in this embodiment. The inter-table device 500 is a general inter-table machine installed in the game hall, and is not a special one. The inter-device 500 accepts cash from the player and plays game media ( In addition to having a function as a ball lending machine that rents pachinko balls and medals, etc., it is a device equipped with a predetermined detection function, reading function and communication function, from a member who is a player to a recording medium such as a membership card ( When the (not shown) is inserted, the insertion of the recording medium is detected, the information stored in the recording medium is read, and the read information is sent to the management apparatus 100.

The networks 601 and 602 are typically local area networks (LANs), but may have any configuration as long as they can transmit and receive data regardless of wired / wireless. For example, a public line (analog line, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network, etc.)), WAN (Wide Area Network), wireless LAN, etc. may be used. For example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) can be adopted as a communication protocol on the networks 601 and 602.

The configuration of the management system illustrated in FIG. 1 is basic for explaining the operation and effect of the configuration according to the present embodiment. When the management system is operated in an actual game arcade, if the management device 100 can operate and manage the operation mode of each inter-device device 500, it is subject to constraints such as usage, purpose, or device arrangement. Based on this, various configurations can be taken. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the inter-device device 500 may be connected to the management device 100, and the management device 100 may be configured to directly operate the operation mode for the inter-device device 500.

Next, the hardware configuration of the management apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the management apparatus 100.

In FIG. 4, a CPU 110 (= Central Processing Unit) executes an application program, an operating system (OS), a control program, and the like stored in the HD 105, which will be described later, and stores information, files, and the like necessary for executing the program in a RAM 102. Control to store temporarily.

The CPU 110 serves as mode control means for switching its own operation mode. The mode control means also has a function of giving a command to the inter-device 500 from the management device 100 side in order to switch the operation mode of the inter-device 500. Specifically, the CPU 110 designates a mode switching signal for instructing switching to the test mode, which is a mode different from the normal operation mode, and a mode switching signal for switching the operation mode to the normal operation mode. To each inter-unit device 500. Specifically, the CPU 110 refers to the identification information stored in advance associated with the number of the designated inter-device 500, and sends a mode switching signal to the designated inter-device 500 through the communication line. Is sent out. In addition, when the switching completion signal indicating that the switching of the operation mode is completed is received from the inter-device 500, the CPU 110 changes the operation mode of the inter-device 500 stored in a mode information storage area 151 in the HD 105 described later. , Rewrite and update to the operation mode after switching.

In addition, when the management device 100 and the inter-device 500 are switched to a test mode to be described later and the call switch 1003 of the display unit 1000 is pressed, the management device 100 that has received the call signal transmits to the inter-device 500. A payout request signal for instructing payout of game media is transmitted.

The ROM 101 stores programs such as basic I / O programs and various data used in basic processing. The RAM 102 is for temporarily storing various data, and functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 110.

The external storage drive 103 is for realizing access to a recording medium, and can load a program or the like recorded on the medium (recording medium) 104 into the management apparatus 100. The medium 104 includes, for example, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a PC card, a DVD, an IC memory card, an MO, a memory stick, and the like.

An HD (= hard disk) 105 is an external storage device and functions as a large-capacity memory. The HD 105 stores application programs, OS, control programs, related programs, and the like. A mode information storage area 151 is provided in the HD 105, and mode information of each inter-device 500 disposed in the game hall is stored in association with identification information of each inter-device 500. That is, when the operation mode of a certain inter-device 500 is switched to, for example, the test mode and a switching completion signal is received from the inter-device 500, the CPU 110 is stored in the mode information storage area 151 based on that signal. The mode information of the inter-device apparatus 500 is rewritten to the test mode.

The instruction input device 106 is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse), a touch panel, a button, or a lever. Using the instruction input device 106, an employee of the game hall etc. instructs the management device 100 to input a command or the like for controlling the management device 100.

In addition, the instruction input device 106 is used when a game room employee or the like designates the inter-device 500 to switch the operation mode from among the inter-devices 500 arranged in the amusement hall, and the designated inter-device. It plays a role as a switching operation means used when switching the operation mode of the apparatus 500.

The display 107 serves as a display means, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and displays a command input from the instruction input device 106, a response output of the management device 100 for the command, and the like. .

It should be noted that an employee or the like of the game hall designates the table device 500 for switching the operation mode from the table devices 500 arranged in the game hall, and switches the operation mode of the specified table device 500. When executing, necessary information may be input using the instruction input device 106 while referring to the display 107.

The system bus 109 manages the data flow in the management apparatus 100. Reference numeral 108 denotes an interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F), which exchanges data with an external device via the I / F 108.

In addition, it can also be comprised as an alternative of a hardware apparatus with the software which implement | achieves a function equivalent to the above each apparatus.

In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the program and related data according to the present embodiment are directly loaded from the medium 104 into the RAM 102 and executed. However, every time the program according to the present embodiment is operated, You may make it load into RAM102 from HD105 by which the program is already installed. It is also possible to record the program according to the present embodiment in the ROM 101, configure it as a part of the memory map, and execute it directly by the CPU 110.

In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a configuration in which the management apparatus 100 is realized by one apparatus will be described. However, the management apparatus 100 may be realized by a configuration in which resources are distributed to a plurality of apparatuses. For example, storage and calculation resources may be distributed in a plurality of devices. Alternatively, resources may be distributed for each component virtually realized on the management apparatus 100, and parallel processing may be performed.

Next, the hardware configuration of the inter-station apparatus 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration of the inter-device apparatus 500.

The CPU 510 (= Central Processing Unit) executes an application program, an operating system (OS), a control program, and the like stored in the HD 505 described later, and temporarily stores information, files, and the like necessary for executing the program in the RAM 502. Control.

When the CPU 510 serves as a switching unit and receives a mode switching signal that instructs switching of its own operation mode, the CPU 510 switches its own operation mode from the normal operation mode to a test mode different from the normal operation mode. . Alternatively, the test mode different from the normal operation mode is switched to the normal operation mode. When this switching is completed, a switching completion signal is sent to the management apparatus 100. At this time, identification information for identifying itself may be transmitted together with the switching completion signal.

In the present embodiment, the management device 100 and the inter-device device 500 have at least a test mode, a normal store mode used after the game hall is closed, and a normal business mode used when the game hall is operated as the operation mode. ing. It is operated in the normal business mode during the business hours of the amusement hall, and is operated in the normal closed mode after the store closing process is performed outside the business hours. In the present embodiment, the normal business mode and the normal closing mode are collectively referred to as a normal operation mode. As will be described later, the operation mode of the inter-device apparatus 500 is switched when an employee of the game hall performs a predetermined switching operation using the switching operation means. However, the configuration is not necessarily limited to this, and at least the operation mode corresponding to the test mode in this embodiment and the operation mode corresponding to the normal operation mode used during the business hours of the game hall are in the inter-device 500. It only has to exist. Therefore, the processing in the present embodiment may be enabled in the normal closing mode without distinguishing between the normal closing mode and the test mode.

The normal closing mode is a mode in which a part of the functions that are possible in the normal business mode (for example, depositing cash into the inter-device 500) is prohibited in the inter-device 500. In addition, the management device 100 is an operation mode used for so-called “tightening processing” in which operating data of the gaming machines 200 of the day is totaled and business data is created after the business hours of the game hall are over. In general, the “tightening process” means that the management device 100 collects data such as the number of hits and the number of payouts of game media of the day from each gaming machine 200, and the number of difference balls, This refers to processing for creating a winning probability or the like as sales data and storing it in the storage means of the management apparatus 100.

Further, when receiving a payout request signal from the management apparatus 100, the CPU 510 plays a role of sending a payout signal to the control mechanism 513 described later. Further, the CPU 510 starts timing with reference to a real time clock 512 described later when the payout signal is transmitted, and functions as a payout control means for transmitting a payout signal to the control mechanism 513 described later when a predetermined time elapses. Fulfill.

The ROM 501 stores therein a program such as a basic I / O program and various data used in basic processing. A RAM 502 is for temporarily storing various data, and functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 510.

An HD (= hard disk) 505 is an external storage device and functions as a large capacity memory. The HD 505 stores application programs, OS, control programs, related programs, and the like.

The instruction input device 506 is, for example, a button, a lever, a numeric keypad, or a touch panel. Using the instruction input device 506, an employee of the game hall instructs the inter-device 500 to input a command or the like for controlling the inter-device 500.

The display 507 serves as a display means, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and displays a command input from the instruction input device 506, a response output of the inter-device device 500 in response thereto, and the like. is there.

A system bus 509 controls the flow of data in the inter-device apparatus 500. Reference numeral 508 denotes an interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F), which exchanges data with an external device via the I / F 508.

The real time clock 512 serves as a time measuring means, and measures the current time.

The control mechanism 513 is a control mechanism that, when receiving a payout signal, pays out a predetermined amount of game media and supplies it to the gaming machine 200.

In addition, it can also be comprised as an alternative of a hardware apparatus with the software which implement | achieves a function equivalent to the above each apparatus.

Further, in the case where the management system has the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, each signal is transmitted from the management device 100 to the inter-device device 500 via the pedestal management device 300 and the island management device 400 or between the pedestals. The data is transferred from the device 500 and the gaming machine 200 to the management device 100. Alternatively, for example, in the case of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, the information is transferred from the management device 100 to the inter-device 500 or from the inter-device 500 or the gaming machine 200 to the management device 100. In the case of the configuration as shown in FIG. 1, processing for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, processing for converting a signal into a packet of a predetermined format, and the like are performed in a relay device such as the base management device 300 or the island management device 400. There is a case. Since these processes are obvious to those skilled in the art, description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.

Next, a specific processing flow of the management system will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the management apparatus 100 switches its own operation mode to the test mode by performing a predetermined mode switching operation when its own operation mode is the normal closing mode. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, an employee of the game hall uses the instruction input device 106 of the management device 100 to specify the inter-device 500 for switching the operation mode, and the specified inter-device 500 A switching operation for switching the operation mode to the test mode is executed (step S601).

Then, the CPU 110 sends a mode switching signal for instructing switching to the test mode to each designated inter-unit device 500 (step S602).

The inter-device device 500 that has received the mode switching signal, when switching its own operation mode to the test mode (step S603), sends a switching completion signal to the management device 100 (step S604). When receiving this switching completion signal, the management device 100 rewrites the mode information of the inter-device 500 stored in the mode information storage area 151 to the test mode (step S605). At this time, it may be displayed on the display 107 that the operation mode of the designated inter-device apparatus 500 has been switched to the test mode. This completes the switching of the inter-device apparatus 500 to the test mode.

As shown in FIG. 7, the call switch 1003 of the display device 1000 provided at the upper part of the gaming machine 200 provided corresponding to the inter-table device 500 in the state switched to the test mode is used for the employee of the game hall. When the button is depressed, the call switch 1003 that detects the depression (step S701) sends a call signal (step S702). The management device 100 that has received this calling signal sends out a payout request signal to the inter-device device 500 provided adjacent to the gaming machine 200 (step S703). When a payout request signal is received from the management device 100 (step S704), the inter-device device 500 performs a game medium payout process (step S705).

FIG. 8 shows a process flow of the CPU 510 in the game medium payout process. When the payout request signal is received from the management device 100 (step S801), the CPU 510 of the inter-device 500 transmits a payout signal to the control mechanism 513 (step S802). Upon receiving this payout signal, the control mechanism 513 pays out a predetermined amount of game media to the upper plate 221 or the like of the gaming machine 200. In addition, when sending out the payout signal, the CPU 510 refers to the real time clock 512 and starts measuring time (step S803). When a predetermined time set in advance has elapsed (YES in step S804), a payout signal is transmitted (step S802). When the management device 100 performs a payout stop process in the middle of the above process, a payout process stop signal is sent from the management device 100 to the inter-device 500, and the inter-car that has received this payout processing stop signal The device 500 stops the game medium payout process. Also, for example, when the call switch 1003 is pressed separately while waiting for a predetermined time, the timing is stopped, and when the call switch 1003 is pressed again, the processing after step S701 is performed again. It is good also as a structure.

In the above embodiment, when the CPU 510 of the inter-device 500 receives a payout request signal from the management device 100 or sends out a payout signal as a payout control means, time measurement is started with reference to a real-time clock 512 described later. And although the structure which sends out the payment signal with respect to the control mechanism 513 when predetermined time passed was shown, it is not limited to this structure. For example, the CPU 110 of the management apparatus 100 may serve as a payout control unit, and the management apparatus 100 may be provided with a real-time clock (not shown) that measures the current time. This will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 9, the call switch 1003 of the display unit 1000 provided at the upper part of the gaming machine 200 provided corresponding to the inter-table device 500 in the state switched to the test mode is used for the employee of the game hall. When the switch is depressed, the call switch 1003 that detects the depression (step S901) sends a call signal (step S902). Receiving the calling signal, the CPU 110 starts payout control (step S903), and sends a payout request signal requesting payout of game media to the inter-device 500 (step S904). Receiving the payout request signal, the CPU 510 sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 513, and the control mechanism 513 pays out a predetermined amount of game media to the upper plate 221 of the gaming machine 200 (step S905).

Further, when the CPU 110 sends out the payout request signal, the CPU 110 starts measuring time with reference to a real time clock (not shown) (step S906). When a predetermined time set in advance elapses (step S907), the CPU 110 sends a payout request signal to the inter-device 500 (step S904), and the CPU 510 receiving the payout request signal pays out to the control mechanism 513. The control mechanism 513 sends out a predetermined amount of game media to the upper plate 221 or the like of the gaming machine 200 (step S905). Steps S904 to S907 are repeatedly executed.

Next, a case where the test mode is terminated will be described. The flow for ending the test mode is the same as the flow for switching from the normal operation mode to the test mode, and will be described with reference to FIG.

When ending the test mode, as shown in FIG. 6, an employee of the game hall or the like uses the instruction input device 106 of the management device 100 to designate the inter-device device 500 for switching the operation mode, An operation for switching the operation mode of the specified inter-device device 500 is executed (step S601).

Thereafter, the CPU 110 sends a mode switching signal for instructing switching to the normal operation mode to each designated inter-unit device 500 (step S602).

The inter-device device 500 that has received the mode switching signal, when switching its own operation mode to the normal operation mode (step S603), sends a switching completion signal to the management device 100 (step S604). When receiving this switching completion signal, the management device 100 rewrites the mode information of the inter-device device 500 stored in the mode information storage area 151 to the normal operation mode (step S605). At this time, it may be displayed on the display 107 that the operation mode of the designated inter-device apparatus 500 has been switched to the normal operation mode. This completes the switching of the inter-device device 500 to the normal operation mode. Note that the switching operation for switching the operation mode of the management apparatus 100 from the test mode to the normal closing mode is performed separately from the mode switching operation of the inter-device apparatus 500.

As described above, by configuring the management system, it is possible to suppress the work burden of employees of the game hall.

It should be noted that the management system can be applied at the time of test hitting performed for confirmation of a malfunction of the gaming machine 200 or at the time of a free opening service performed at the time of new opening of a game hall.

In addition, if the management system is used, it is possible to perform a free opening service of the gaming machine 200 and a test hitting while suppressing the work load of the employees of the game hall. Therefore, it becomes easy to implement a free opening service and a test hitting of the gaming machine 200 as a game hall. Accordingly, if the management device 100 aggregates and manages signals related to operation information such as a ball signal sent out from the gaming machine 200 during a free opening service of the gaming machine 200 or a test hit, it is beneficial for the management of the gaming hall. Information can be easily obtained.

In addition, since the employees of the game hall need only operate the management device 100 to switch the operation mode of each inter-device 500 disposed in the game hall, the operations can be unified, which is convenient. . In addition, since the CPU 510 is configured to send a payout signal to the control mechanism 513 every time a predetermined time has elapsed and to automatically pay out additional game media. It is not necessary to perform a new operation on the inter-device 500, and the work load on the free opening service of the gaming machine 200 and the game hall employees at the time of test hitting can be further suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 510 sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 513 every time a predetermined time elapses, and an additional payout of game media is automatically performed. However, the present invention is limited to this configuration. is not. For example, when the game medium to be used is no longer automatically dispensed from the upper plate 221 of the gaming machine 200, the player, the employee, and the like again display the display 1000. A configuration in which a game medium is additionally paid out by depressing the call switch 1003 may be employed.

In the present embodiment, the game medium is paid out when the call switch 1003 is pushed down while the operation mode of the inter-device 500 is switched to the test mode. A payout switch (not shown) for paying out the game medium may be provided separately from the call switch 1003, and the game medium may be paid out by depressing the payout switch. By configuring in this way, for example, at the time of a free opening service of a game hall, it is possible to perform both an operation of calling an employee and an operation of paying out game media, which is convenient.

Further, a modified example of additional payout of game media will be described. For example, a hit ball number counting means (not shown) is provided below the gaming machine 200 of this embodiment, and a hit ball signal is sent from the hit ball number counting means.

Therefore, the CPU 110 of the management apparatus 100 counts the hitting signals as payout control means instead of the elapse of a predetermined time as shown in FIG. 9, and when the hitting number reaches a predetermined amount, A configuration may be adopted in which additional payout of game media is automatically performed from the inter-device device 500 provided corresponding to the gaming machine 200.

Further, as a further modification of the additional payout of game media, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the number of game media paid out from the gaming machine 200 is counted and a count signal corresponding to the count is sent. A machine 650 is provided corresponding to the gaming machine 200.

Then, the CPU 110 of the management apparatus 100 counts the count signals sent from each counter 650 as a payout control means instead of the elapse of a predetermined time as shown in FIG. When the amount is reached, an additional payout of game media may be automatically performed from the inter-device device 500 provided corresponding to the gaming machine 200.

Further, a further modification of the additional payout of game media will be described. The game machine 200 according to the present embodiment sends out a ball signal as described above, and the number of balls calculated based on this ball signal is tabulated and managed by the management device 100. On the other hand, the storage device 500 is provided with storage means for storing the number of game media paid out from the storage device 500 (including the number of payouts) (including the time of ball lending / ball payout), and the storage means stores the storage medium. The management device 100 collects and manages the number of payouts.

Then, the CPU 110 of the management apparatus 100 serves as a payout control means in place of the elapse of a predetermined time as shown in FIG. 9, the ball signal, the hitting signal described above, the counting signal sent from each counter 650, and The number of payouts sent from the inter-device device 500 is totaled, and the number of hitting balls and the number of game media counted by each stand counter 650 are subtracted from the value obtained by adding the number of payouts and the number of balls to be played out. When the calculated value is smaller than the predetermined value by comparing the value with a predetermined value, an additional payout of game media is automatically performed from the inter-device 500 provided corresponding to the gaming machine 200 It is good also as a structure to carry out automatically. Accordingly, if it is determined that the number of game media existing on the upper plate of the gaming machine 200 is less than a predetermined value set in advance, the game media is automatically paid out. Note that, as the predetermined value set in advance, an appropriate number of game media that should exist on the upper plate of the gaming machine 200 is set.

Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration is shown in which the operation mode of the inter-device device 500 is switched when a player or the like inputs necessary information using the instruction input device 106. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

The modification regarding the switching method of an operation mode is demonstrated using FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, an employee recording medium 700 such as an IC tag in which identification information is stored is distributed in advance to employees of the game hall. The management apparatus 100 is provided with a card reader 111 as a reading unit that reads identification information from the employee recording medium 700. Also, an identification information storage area 152 is provided in the HD 105 as identification information storage means for storing each identification information of the employee recording medium 700. When the CPU 110 receives the identification information from the employee recording medium 700, the CPU 110 calls each identification information stored in the identification information storage area 152, compares it with the received identification information, and authenticates whether or not they match. It plays a role as an authentication means.

And it is good also as a structure which the operation mode of the inter-device apparatus 500 switches on condition that the authentication using this identification information is successful. Further, the success of authentication using this identification information and the input of necessary information using the instruction input device 106 may be used as conditions for switching the operation mode of the inter-device apparatus 500.

As a method of switching from the test mode different from the normal operation mode to the normal operation mode, a mode switching signal is transmitted from the management device 100, and a plurality of inter-device devices 500 arranged in the game hall are transmitted. In addition to the method of this embodiment in which the operation mode is changed collectively, for example, a cancel button or the like (not shown) is provided for each inter-device 500, and when the cancel button is pressed, the operation of the inter-device 500 is operated. The mode may be switched from the test mode to the normal operation mode, and a switching completion signal may be sent to the management apparatus 100. By configuring in this way, it is possible to easily switch from the test mode to the normal operation mode even when the game hall employee is not in the vicinity of the management apparatus 100, which is convenient.

Moreover, the further modification regarding the switching method of management mode is demonstrated. In the present embodiment, a configuration is shown in which when the call switch 1003 of the display device 1000 is pressed down, the game medium is paid out by the inter-device device 500 via the management device 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation mode of the inter-device 500 is changed to an operation on the inter-device 500 (for example, a card in which a command for switching to the test mode is recorded is inserted into the inter-device 500, or the inter-device 500 is provided. It is possible by inserting and rotating a key into a key hole (not shown), and by directly connecting a payout switch (not shown) provided on the display 1000 and the inter-device 500, The operation mode of the device 500 may be switched to the test mode, and the payout switch may be pushed down to pay out the game media.

Further, in this embodiment, a configuration is shown in which a predetermined amount of game media is paid out from the control mechanism 513 of the inter-device device 500 via the management device 100 when the call switch 1003 of the display device 1000 is depressed. It is not limited to. For example, when the call switch 1003 is pushed down, payout of game media is started from the control mechanism 513 of the inter-device 500, and when the call switch 1003 is pushed down again, payout of game media may be completed. Further, for example, the game medium may be continuously paid out while the call switch 1003 is depressed, and the game medium may be discharged when the finger is released from the call switch 1003.

Moreover, in the said Example, although the structure which the game machine 500 pays out game media was shown in the said Example, it is not limited to this structure. The gaming machine 200 may be configured to pay out gaming media. For example, the gaming machine 200 may include a control mechanism. In that case, the CPU 510 sends a payout signal to the gaming machine 200. The gaming machine 200 that has received the payout signal pays out a predetermined amount of game media.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like.

The present invention can also be achieved by supplying a program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and reading and executing the program code supplied by the computer of the system or apparatus. Including the case.

Therefore, in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention on a computer, the program itself installed in this computer is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention. In this case, the program providing method includes a method of providing using a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and a DVD, a method of providing via a telecommunication line, and the like.

100: management device, 101: ROM, 102: RAM, 103: external storage drive, 104: media, 105: HD, 106: instruction input device, 107: display, 108: I / F, 109: system bus, 110: CPU, 151: mode information storage area, 152: identification information storage area, 200: gaming machine, 211: board surface, 212: symbol display device, 213: start winning opening, 214: jackpot winning opening, 221: upper plate, 222: Handle: 300: stand management device, 400: island management device, 500: inter-device device, 501: ROM, 502: RAM, 505: HD, 506: instruction input device, 507: display, 508: I / F, 509: System bus, 510: CPU, 512: Real time clock, 513: Control mechanism, 601: Network, 602: Ttowaku, 650: each base counting machine, 700: Employee recording medium, 1000: display 1001: lamp unit, 1002: LED Display, 1003: call switch

Claims (4)

A management device connected to an inter-unit device provided adjacent to a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game arcade, and a display arranged in the vicinity of the gaming machine,
Mode control means capable of switching the operation mode of the inter-device,
Switching operation means used for switching operation mode of the inter-device,
When the mode control means receives a predetermined signal from the display in a state where the operation mode of the inter-device is switched to a test mode different from the normal operation mode, a payout request signal for requesting payout of game media Commanding means for sending the information to the inter-device. A management device connected to an inter-unit device provided adjacent to a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game arcade, and a display arranged in the vicinity of the gaming machine,
Mode control means capable of switching the operation mode of the inter-device,
Switching operation means used for switching operation mode of the inter-device,
When the mode control means receives a predetermined signal from the display in a state where the operation mode of the inter-device is switched to a test mode different from the normal operation mode, a payout request signal for requesting payout of game media Is continuously sent to the inter-device.
And a command unit that stops sending the payout request signal when the predetermined signal is received from the display while the payout request signal is continuously sent. . A management device connected to an inter-unit device provided adjacent to a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game arcade, and a display arranged in the vicinity of the gaming machine,
Mode control means capable of switching the operation mode of the inter-device,
Switching operation means used for switching operation mode of the inter-device,
While the operation mode of the inter-device is switched to the test mode different from the normal operation mode by the mode control means, the game medium is requested to be paid out while receiving a predetermined signal from the display. And a command unit that stops sending out the payout request signal when the payout request signal is sent to the inter-device and the predetermined signal is no longer received from the display device. . The mode control means further rewrites mode information indicating an operation mode of the inter-device when receiving a switch completion signal indicating that the operation mode has been switched from the inter-device. The management apparatus in any one of -3.