JP6534595B2 - Game arcade management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game arcade management system that manages game devices of a game arcade.

  Conventionally, a game arcade management device is used in a game arcade (in a store) as a device for managing the state of a game device in a game arcade, but primary of game information sent from the game device to the game arcade management device (in store) As a receiving device, there is a game information collecting device (a unit (rental machine) or a lamp may be used in addition to a so-called base controller). In the game arcade (game arcade), hundreds to thousands of game information have been updated, and ideally, it is desirable that the game information update the data of the game arcade management device in the game arcade in real time.

  Now, on the gaming island where the gaming apparatus is installed, besides the signal lines for acquiring gaming information, power cables (200 V, 100 V), transformer devices, security-related signal lines, and information signal lines of other facility equipment Such cables are wired, and unexpected communication failure (delay, poor response, noise, etc.) may occur.

  Although real-time communication processing is desirable, simultaneous processing of a large amount of data causes a communication failure, so the gaming information collection device measures the timing of transmitting data to the game arcade management device (within the store). Alternatively, the game information collecting device is devised to temporarily store data in order to transmit data at an appropriate timing. In addition, some gaming information collecting devices assume a function stoppage problem of the device and incorporate a watchdog timer (restart function).

  As described above, it is important for the game arcade management device to have both real-timeness and accuracy of collected data in view of the characteristics as a data management device.

  On the other hand, when considering utilization of game information, the manager of the store acquires the same information as the game arcade management device in the store even from outside the store, and a management system for the game arcade where the operating status of the store can be confirmed. Was requested. In particular, for a manager who has to manage a large number of game arcades, such as chain development, a game arcade management system for managing information only in the store is insufficient.

  In order to meet such a demand, a game arcade management system for storing game information stored in a game arcade management device in a store in a game arcade management device (server) outside the store using a public line is also available. Yes, game information can be confirmed from outside the store, and game information can be backed up outside the store (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-49482

  However, when the game arcade management system in a cloud environment using a public line is constructed as described above, the communication speed is unstable due to the characteristics of the system using the public line. For this reason, there are cases where data inconsistencies such as timing deviation of data collection to a data storage destination (server) in a cloud environment or data omission may occur.

  Then, in order to execute data correction in the case of data inconsistency, it is necessary to execute data correction after closing processing of the game arcade without update of the game information. However, it is difficult to process the huge amount of game information of all the gaming devices in the time from the closing process to the opening process. Further, the communication speed may be delayed due to the use of a public line, and a time for correcting data within a predetermined time (the time from the closing process to the opening process) can not be secured sufficiently.

  That is, in order to use the game information in the data storage destination (server) in the cloud environment, the data integrity can only be used in an uncertain situation, and is stored in the data storage destination (server) in the cloud environment It has been desired to further improve the reliability of data related to gaming information.

  An object of the present invention is to increase the reliability of data relating to game information in a game arcade management system using a public line.

  In one representative form of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of game information collecting means, each provided corresponding to each game device installed in a game arcade, for collecting and storing game information for each game device, and a plurality of the plurality of game information collecting means. In a game arcade management system including a game arcade server under a cloud environment capable of communicating via a public line to game information collecting means, the game arcade server is individually connected to the plurality of game information collecting means. An individual storage means for storing the game information in association with each other is provided, and the individual storage means stores unique information that can be associated with the game information collected by the game information collection means and can identify the game information. The game information collecting means reads the unique information stored in the individual storage means corresponding to the game information collecting means from the game arcade server, and reads the unique information stored in itself and the unique information. The integrity of the unique information is determined, and if the integrity is not obtained, game information corresponding to the unique information stored in the game arcade is transmitted to the game arcade server, and the game arcade server transmits the game information When the game information is received from the collection means, the storage content of the individual storage means corresponding to the game information collection means is updated based on the received game information.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the reliability of data relating to game information in a game arcade management system using a public line.

It is a figure showing an example of composition of a management system for play areas concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the management system for game arcades which concerns on a prior art. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the management system for game arcades which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of composition of a large-scale game arcade management system concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example in case an operation terminal device is a tablet. It is a block diagram showing the circuit composition of a game information gathering device. It is a figure explaining the mode of the data communication performed as a process at any time in the management system for game arcades which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining how data communication as interrupt processing is executed when the operation terminal device issues an information disclosure request in the gaming arcade management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of an occasional process which is executed as needed in the game arcade management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an interrupt process when the operation terminal device issues an information disclosure request in the gaming arcade management system according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the outline of the data which the operation terminal in the management system for game arcades which concerns on 1st Embodiment, the server for game arcades, and a game information gathering apparatus preserve | save. It is a figure which shows the other example of the outline of the data which the operating terminal device in the game arcade management system which concerns on 1st Embodiment, the server for game arcades, and a game information gathering apparatus preserve | save. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing processing executed before the operation terminal device receives an information disclosure service from the game arcade server in the game arcade management system according to the first embodiment. When generating an information disclosure request and collecting information, it is a figure which shows the example 1 of a display of the touch panel (operation input part) of an operating terminal apparatus. When generating an information disclosure request and collecting information, it is a figure showing example 2 of a display of a touch panel (operation input part) of an operating terminal device. When generating an information disclosure request and collecting information, it is a figure which shows the example 3 of a display of the touch panel (operation input part) of an operating terminal apparatus. When generating an information disclosure request and collecting information, it is a figure which shows the example 4 of a display of the touch panel (operation input part) of an operating terminal device. When displaying game result data as a request result (information disclosure result), it is a figure showing example 1 of a display of a touch panel of an operating terminal device. When displaying game result data as a request result (information disclosure result), it is a figure showing example 2 of a display of a touch panel of an operating terminal device. FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a stored data deletion process of deleting (erasing) stored data in the data storage area of the gaming information collection device. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing another example of stored data deletion processing for deleting (erasing) stored data in the data storage area of the gaming information collection device. It is a figure explaining the mode of the data communication performed as backup processing in the management system for game arcades. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the backup process in the management system for game arcades. It is a figure which shows the concept of data preservation of a backup server. It is a figure explaining the mode of the data communication performed as a process at any time in the management system for game arcades which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the mode of the data communication performed as an interruption process in the management system for game arcades which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of an occasional process (an occasional operation) which is executed as needed in the game arcade management system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an interrupt process (interrupt operation) when the operation terminal device issues an information disclosure request in the arcade game management system according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline of the data which the control terminal device in the management system for game arcades which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, the server for game arcades, and a game information gathering apparatus preserve | saves. It is a figure explaining the mode of the data communication performed at any time as a process at any time in the game arcade management system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the mode of the data communication performed as a consistency check process in the management system for game arcades which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the occasional process (anytime operation | movement) performed at any time in the game arcade management system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the procedure of the consistency check process performed in the management system for game arcades which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the other example of the procedure of the consistency check process performed in the management system for game arcades which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of data storage of the game information gathering apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows a procedure of preservation data deletion processing performed when a game information gathering device concerning a 3rd embodiment completes consistency check processing. It is a figure explaining the mode of the data communication performed at any time as a process at any time in the management system for game arcades which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the mode of the data communication performed as a data missing check process in the management system for game arcades which concerns on 4th Embodiment. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of an occasional process (an occasional operation) which is executed as needed in the game arcade management system according to the fourth embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the procedure of the data omission check process performed in the management system for game arcades which concerns on 4th Embodiment.

First Embodiment
[Configuration of the game arcade management system]
FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration example of a game arcade management system according to the first embodiment. The game arcade management system 100 includes an operation terminal device (information terminal) 10, a game arcade server 12 installed outside the game arcade (outside the store), and a plurality of game information collections installed inside the game arcade (within the store) It comprises an apparatus 20 and a network 14 connecting them to one another. The network 14 includes a public line 16 (public communication network) shared and used by an unspecified number of users. In the present embodiment, the public line 16 is the Internet.

  The operation terminal device 10 includes a communication interface that enables communication on the network 14, a processor (information processing unit) such as a CPU (central processing unit), and a memory for storing work memory (RAM), programs, and the like. A storage unit including (ROM), a display unit 17 (display screen) for displaying information, and a touch panel 19 for receiving an input by an operation of a user (user), and an operation input unit such as an operation button. When the operation input unit is the touch panel 19, the touch panel 19 is integrally formed with the display unit 17 (see FIG. 5). The operation terminal device 10 is, for example, a tablet or a smartphone (mobile phone). The operation terminal apparatus 10 is connected to the public line 16 via an access point, for example, by a wireless LAN. When the operation terminal device 10 is a smartphone, it is connected to the public line 16 via a mobile phone network (a mobile phone network may be included in the public line 16).

  The game room server 12 is a memory including a communication interface enabling communication on the network 14, a processor such as a CPU as an information processing unit, and a memory (ROM) for storing work memory (RAM) and programs etc. It has a department. The game arcade server 12 may be a plurality of servers, or may be virtual servers that can be realized by virtualization technology as well as physical servers. The game arcade server 12 may be called a cloud server because it is in a cloud environment that can provide various services (cloud service) via the public line 16 (the Internet, the cloud). For example, the game arcade server 12 may perform a service (SaaS: Software as a service) for providing software to the operation terminal device 10 or the like.

  A plurality n of gaming information collecting devices 20-1, 20-2, ..., 20-n can communicate with the gaming devices 25-1, 25-2, ..., 25-n, respectively. Are electrically connected by cables, and can collect game information (game result data and attribute information described later) of the game apparatus 25 respectively. The gaming information collecting devices 20-1, 20-2, ..., 20-n are collectively called the gaming information collecting device 20, and the gaming devices 25-1, 25-2, ..., 25-n. Are generically called a game apparatus 25. The gaming information collection device 20 connects to the public line 16 via an access point, for example, by a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. The detailed configuration of the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The gaming device 25 is, for example, a pachinko machine or a slot machine (pachislot machine). The gaming device 25 is a gaming control device (a main board equipped with a CPU and a memory, etc.) for controlling the game in an integrated manner, and effect control for controlling an effect on a display device or a feature according to an instruction from the gaming control device. A device (a sub board on which a CPU, a memory, etc. are mounted), and various detection means (sensors, switches) for detecting information necessary for control of these and information to be transmitted to the game information collecting device 20 Good gaming devices. The gaming device 25 can transmit a signal regarding gaming information of the gaming device 25 to the gaming information collecting device 20 via an external information terminal or the like of the gaming control device. Then, the gaming information collecting device 20 stores the gaming information on the gaming device 25. In the present embodiment, the gaming apparatus 25 also includes a rental machine (each-unit counting device) for lending game media (game balls, medals, etc.) upon payment of a player. The game information is, for example, information on balls inserted, balls out, number of prizes (number of big hits or number of bonus), payment, and the like.

  Unlike the prior art (FIG. 2), the gaming information collecting device 20 directly connects to the public line 16 (the Internet) without via the gaming management device (hall computer) in the gaming arcade (in the store). That is, in the present embodiment, since there is no gaming management apparatus (hall computer) in the game arcade (in the store), the apparatus cost can be reduced.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing another configuration example of the game arcade management system 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the gaming management apparatus (hall computer) of the prior art in the game arcade (in the store) is also used as the gaming information collecting apparatus 20-0. The gaming information collecting device 20-0 is only for the attribute information (described later) of the gaming device 25 collected from the other gaming information collecting devices 20-1, 20-2,. Can be sent to the server 12). Similarly to FIG. 1, the other gaming information collecting devices 20-1, 20-2,..., 20-n are directly connected to the public line 16 without the intervention of the gaming management device (hall computer). Do. In addition, if attribute information is collected in one place (game information collection device 20-0) and data transmission processing to the network 14 is performed, the authentication processing of the game information collection device performed by the game arcade server 12 or the like is completed by one. The large number of authentication processes in data transmission from the large number of gaming information collecting devices 20-1, 20-2, ..., 20-n become unnecessary, and high speed data transmission can be realized.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a game system management system 100 on a larger scale. The game arcade management system 100 installed outside the game arcade (outside the store) manages a plurality of stores A and B (chain stores), and the respective game information collecting devices 20 in the stores A and B are connected to the network 14. It is connected to the. As the operation terminal device 10, the operation terminal device 10-1 for the owner of the store A, B, the operation terminal device 10-2 for the store manager of each store A, B, the operation terminal device 10 for the store (for hall) The operation terminal device 10-4 for members, and the operation terminal device 10-5 for general users are connected to the network 14. Further, in addition to the game arcade server 12, a backup server 15 for backing up information (data) of the game information collecting apparatus 20 is connected to the network 14. That is, the backup server 15 can provide a storage service as a cloud service. In the store B, a game information display 27 for displaying the game information collected from the game information collection device 20 is also connected to the network 14.

[Operation terminal]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example where the operation terminal device 10 is a tablet. The operation terminal device 10 may have a notification lamp 18 including a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes), in addition to the display unit 17 (display screen) such as a liquid crystal monitor. In the present embodiment, the display unit 17 (display screen) also serves as the touch panel 19 as an operation input unit. In addition, the operation terminal device 10 has functions such as voice input / output, vibration, GPS, camera shooting (video shooting), which are functions generally possessed by smartphones and tablets, and the notification lamp 18 as a notification output stage. Besides, you may use functions such as voice input / output and vibration.

[Game information collecting device]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the gaming information collecting apparatus 20. As shown in FIG. The game information collecting apparatus 20 includes an arithmetic processing unit 30 for performing arithmetic processing, a processing result storage unit 31 (processing result storage means) for storing a processing result corresponding to a request, and an attribute for storing attribute information described later. Information storage unit 32 (attribute information storage means), game result data storage unit 33 (game result data storage means) for storing game result data of gaming device 25, communication processing unit 34 for performing communication processing, wireless processing The wireless processing unit 35 includes a wireless processing unit 35, a power supply unit 36 that supplies power to each unit, and a bus 37 that mutually connects these units.

  The arithmetic processing unit 30 can be used as a working memory, a CPU 30a (central processing unit) that performs various operations for information processing, etc., a ROM 30b (read only memory) that stores programs used by the CPU 30a, etc. It has a RAM 30c (random access memory), an RTC 30d (real time clock) for measuring current time, and an LSI 30e (integrated circuit) for performing various kinds of dedicated processing.

  The game information collection device 20 receives a request for transmission of information (data) from the game arcade server 12, but the processing unit 30 acquires the request via the communication processing unit 34 and processes it. Game information stored in various storage units in response to the request can be acquired (extracted) as a processing result. As described later, in the present embodiment, the request is a game result data request for requesting transmission of the game result data of the game apparatus 25, and the processing unit 30 responds to the game result data request, and the game result data is The game result data (numerical data) stored from the storage unit 33 can be acquired as game information. The arithmetic processing unit 30 can also process the acquired (extracted) game information.

  The processing result storage unit 31 is a buffer (primary buffer) that temporarily stores information. The processing result storage unit 31 can temporarily store the processing result (acquired game information) in the arithmetic processing unit 30 in response to the request from the game arcade server 12. Therefore, even when the load on the network 14 is high due to access from a large number of game information collection devices 20 and transmission in real time can not be performed, processing results can be temporarily stored and then transmitted. The game information stored in the processing result storage unit 31 is transmitted as display game information (game information itself or game information processed) on the operation terminal device 10 through the communication processing unit 34. The processing result storage unit 31 can also be used to temporarily store the received request (request).

  The attribute information storage unit 32 is a storage area for storing attribute information on the gaming device 25. The attribute information storage unit 32 may be a physical memory. In the present embodiment, the attribute information includes state information, timing information, and unique information (see also FIG. 11).

  The state information is information on the state of the gaming device 25 (such as the gaming state). The state information is information on the state (gaming state, etc.) or state change of the gaming device 25 determined by the arithmetic processing unit 30 based on the signal received from the gaming device 25 or the game achievement data of the gaming performance data storage unit 33 or the like. . The state information includes information in which the gaming state can not be grasped from a simple signal or game result data (numerical data), and also includes information such as “in operation” as the state of the gaming device 25, for example. Arithmetic processing unit 30 can detect, for example, a case where reception of an out count signal from game device 25 continues for a predetermined period of time, set an operation flag value, and save the information as "in operation" in attribute information storage unit 32. . Note that the out count signal detected by the count switch of the gaming apparatus 25 is a signal for counting the number of gaming media inserted into the gaming apparatus 25 (out, inserted balls).

  The timing information is information regarding the acquisition time of the game information (approximately equal to the generation time of the game information) measured by the RTC 30 d of the arithmetic processing unit 30. The timing information is obtained by associating (linking) the time (timing) acquired by the RTC 30 d of the processing unit 30 with the stored game information, and which game information is associated with the time (which game information Also indicates whether it is the acquisition time of

  The unique information is information on the machine number, model, store information and the like of the gaming device 25 to which the gaming information collecting device 20 is connected, and is information which does not change depending on the state of the gaming device 25. The unique information is received through the communication processing unit 34, which is set by another device (which may be the gaming device 25 or the game arcade server 12), and is received when the gaming information collecting device 20 is installed. May be information that is initially set.

  The game result data storage unit 33 is a storage area for storing game result data generated by the operation of the gaming device 25. The attribute information storage unit 32 may be a physical memory. The game result data storage unit 33 stores, as the game result data of the game apparatus 25, information on the ball entry (out), the ball out (safe), the number of prizes, the deposit, etc. (see also FIG. 11). The gaming information collecting device 20 acquires a signal concerning gaming achievement data from the gaming device 25 and processes (counting, processing, etc.) as it is or in the arithmetic processing unit 30, and raw data of gaming achievement data in the gaming achievement data storage unit 33. Save as.

  For example, if the game result data is a coin, every time an out count signal is detected, the arithmetic processing unit 30 adds and updates the numerical data of the balls stored in the game result data storage unit 33 by one. And store it again in the game result data storage unit 33 (count the number of occurrences of the out count signal). Similarly, if the game record data is the number of prizes, the arithmetic processing unit 30 stores the number of prizes stored in the game record data storage unit 33 each time a prize generation signal (big hit occurrence signal, bonus occurrence signal) is detected. The numerical data of 1 is added and updated by 1 and stored again in the game result data storage unit 33 (counting the number of generation times of the special prize generation signal). For example, if the game result data is received, the arithmetic processing unit 30 detects the deposit data stored in the game result data storage unit 33 each time it detects a deposit signal from the rental machine of the game apparatus 25 this time. The amount is added, updated, and stored in the game result data storage unit 33 again.

  When the gaming device 25 (including a rental machine) directly counts the number of inserted balls, the number of prizes, the deposit, etc., as the gaming performance data, the gaming device 25 proceeds with the gaming performance data as it is. The game information collecting apparatus 20 may store the game result data as it is in the game result data storage unit 33.

  As described above, the gaming information of the gaming device 25 collected and stored by the gaming information gathering device 20 (game information gathering means) is based on the attribute information of the attribute information storage unit 32 and the game performance data of the gaming performance data storage unit 33 Become.

  The communication processing unit 34 includes communication interface (s) for performing communication processing, and enables transmission and reception of data with the network 14 and the gaming device 25. The communication processing unit 34 (or the arithmetic processing unit 30) may encrypt or decrypt transmission / reception data. The wireless processing unit 35 is provided to wirelessly connect the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 to the network 14, and includes an antenna, a modulator / demodulator, and the like. By making the communication method between the game information collection device 20 and the network 14 wireless by the wireless processing unit 35, wiring processing in the store for connecting to the network 14 becomes unnecessary, and the burden of facility construction in the store becomes It can be mitigated and construction can be done more inexpensively.

  The power supply unit 36 supplies necessary power to the arithmetic processing unit 30, the processing result storage unit 31, the attribute information storage unit 32, the game record data storage unit 33, the communication processing unit 34, and the wireless processing unit 35. The bus 37 electrically connects the arithmetic processing unit 30, the processing result storage unit 31, the attribute information storage unit 32, the game record data storage unit 33, and the communication processing unit 34 to each other, and exchanges data among these units. Make it possible.

[Process (operation) of the game arcade management system]
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the state of data communication executed as a process at any time in the game arcade management system 100. As shown in FIG. Here, as a representative, data communication of the game arcade management system 100 of FIG. 1 will be described.

  The game device 25 transmits a signal regarding the game result data to the game information collecting device 20 whenever necessary, whenever information about the game result data to be transmitted is generated (# 1 in FIG. 7). The signal related to the game result data is a signal corresponding to the game result data itself or a signal for the game information collecting device 20 to obtain game result data (such as balls, balls, number of prizes, deposit, etc.). As signals for obtaining game result data, there are an out count signal, a payout signal, a special prize occurrence signal (big hit occurrence signal, bonus occurrence signal), a payment amount signal, and the like. The game apparatus 25 (including a rental machine) includes various detection means (sensors, switches) required to generate a signal related to game result data.

  The gaming information collecting apparatus 20 updates the gaming achievement data in the arithmetic processing unit 30 based on the signal regarding the gaming achievement data received from the gaming device 25 and stores the same in the gaming achievement data storage unit 33. Furthermore, the gaming information collecting device 20 stores / updates in the attribute information storage unit 32 as attribute information on the gaming device 25 the gaming state or the like determined from the signal relating to the gaming achievement data and the stored gaming achievement data.

  After updating the attribute information, the gaming information collecting device 20 transmits the updated attribute information (updated attribute information) to the gaming site server 12 as needed (# 2 in FIG. 7). The updated attribute information is transmitted (associated with) identification information (such as a game information collection device ID) of the gaming information collection device 20 that stores and transmits the updated attribute information, together with the identification information.

  Among the attribute information, the unique information is set (updated) at the time of installation of the gaming information collecting device 20, so the status information and timing information of the gaming device 25 are transmitted to the gaming site server 12 each time they are updated. It will be. It should be noted that the gaming information collecting device 20 does not transmit to the gaming site server 12 even if it receives a signal related to gaming achievement data in order to reduce the communication load of the network 14. That is, as occasional processing, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 transmits only the updated attribute information to the gaming room server 12. Then, the game arcade server 12 stores the received attribute information (updated attribute information) in the storage unit (see FIG. 11).

  FIG. 8 shows that data communication as interrupt processing is executed when the operation terminal device 10 issues an information disclosure request for receiving an information disclosure service (cloud service) in the game arcade management system 100. It is a figure explaining. Here, as a representative, data communication of the game arcade management system 100 of FIG. 1 will be described.

  First, the operation terminal device 10 transmits an information disclosure request to the game arcade server 12 (# 3 in FIG. 8). The information disclosure request includes, as request information for requesting information disclosure, an index (identification information such as a number and a symbol) indicating the request information. In the present embodiment, the request information indicates any one of the attribute information in the gaming information collecting device 20 which requests the transmission of gaming record data. Based on the index included in the information disclosure request, the game arcade server 12 searches for attribute information (updated attribute information) related to the game device 25 stored in the storage unit. Then, the game arcade server 12 specifies the gaming information collecting device 20 having attribute information that matches (corresponds to) the index among the stored attribute information, and acquires the gaming information collecting device ID. In addition, the storage unit (updated attribute information storage means) of the game room server 12 is associated with the identification information (game information collection device ID) of the game information collection device 20 by the occasional processing of FIG. Since attribute information is stored for each 20, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 can be specified (see FIG. 11).

  For example, when the index (item identification information) indicates "in operation", the game server 12 has the game information collection device 20 (that is, the in-operation game device 25) having attribute information of "in operation". The game information collection device 20) connected is specified, and the game information collection device ID is acquired (see FIG. 11). In addition, when the index (item identification information) indicates "base number 542", the game arcade server 12 specifies the gaming information collecting device 20 having attribute information of "base number 542", and collects gaming information. The device ID is acquired (see FIG. 11).

  Then, the game arcade server 12 requests the game result data for requesting the game result data to the game information collecting device 20 (s) corresponding to the obtained game information collecting device ID (s) The result data request is transmitted (# 4 in FIG. 8). Upon receiving the game result data request, the game information collection device 20 acquires the requested game result data from the game result data storage unit 33 and sends it back to the game arcade server 12 (# 5 in FIG. 8). Then, the game arcade server 12 transfers the game result data received from the game information collection device 20 or the processed game result data to the operation terminal device 10 as a request result (# 6 in FIG. 8).

  As described above, first, the operation terminal device 10 requests the gaming site server 12 to transmit the game performance data from the gaming information collecting device 20 storing the attribute information corresponding to the index. Then, only the gaming information collecting device 20 requested to transmit the gaming achievement data from the gaming place server 12 transmits the gaming achievement data to the gaming place server 12. Therefore, the number of times of communication between the gaming information collecting device 20 and the game arcade server 12 is reduced, and the communication load of the network 14 and the time loss required for communication by the gaming information collecting device 20 are reduced. In addition, the ability of the game arcade server 12 does not have to be high, which leads to cost reduction.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of an occasional process (an occasional operation) which is executed as needed in the game arcade management system 100. In the sequence diagram, the symbol "S" means a step.

  In S <b> 1, the gaming device 25 transmits a signal related to the gaming performance data to the gaming information collecting device 20 in accordance with the operation of the gaming device 25 and the change in the device state of the gaming device 25. Next, in S2, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 receives and updates gaming result data.

  Thereafter, in S3, the gaming information collection device 20 executes threshold determination processing on the gaming achievement data (numerical data), and flag information indicating that the type (item) of the particular gaming achievement data becomes equal to or more than the threshold. , It transmits to server 12 for game halls. The flag information is transmitted in association with (in association with) information (such as a game information collection device ID) of the game information collection device 20 that transmits the flag information. The transmission of the flag information is performed only when the predetermined condition that the game achievement data is equal to or more than the threshold value is satisfied, unlike the configuration where the game achievement data is transmitted as needed, and thus the communication load does not become. Subsequently, in S4, the game arcade server 12 stores the received flag information (game result data threshold determination flag) in the storage unit. The processes of S3 and S4 are performed as options, and can be omitted.

  In S5, the gaming information collection device 20 updates the attribute information on the gaming device 25 based on the received gaming result data. The gaming information collecting device 20 executes a process (monitoring means) for monitoring the updated state of the attribute information, and when the updated attribute information is detected, the updated attribute information (updated attribute information) is used for the game arcade Send to server 12 Note that updating of attribute information means updating of state information and recording of timing information.

  Next, in S6, the game arcade server 12 receives the updated attribute information from the game information collecting apparatus 20, and stores it in the storage unit. As a result, the attribute information stored in the game arcade server 12 is updated. Note that the updated attribute information is stored in association with information (such as a game information collection device ID) of the game information collection device 20 that has stored and transmitted the attribute information. For example, the gaming site server 12 stores the updated attribute information in the storage area corresponding to the gaming information collecting device ID for each gaming information collecting device 20, or stores it in combination with the gaming information collecting device ID By storing in the unit, the updated attribute information can be associated (linked) with the game information collection device ID.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing interrupt processing (interruption operation) when the operation terminal device 10 issues an information disclosure request for receiving an information disclosure service in the gaming arcade management system 100.

  In S11, the operation terminal apparatus 10 selects at least one item (request item) of the request information displayed on the menu or the like in response to the input by the user operation to the operation input unit. The item (request item) of the request information indicates any of the attribute information stored in the game information collecting device 20 for which the information disclosure is requested. Then, the operation terminal device 10 generates an information disclosure request including an index associated with the selected request information, and transmits the generated information disclosure request to the game arcade server 12. The request information can identify the type of information disclosure request.

  Next, in S12, the game arcade server 12 selects a game information collecting device 20 (corresponding collecting device) that stores attribute information corresponding (adapted) to the request information indicated by the index. Then, the game arcade server 12 requests game result data only from the selected game information collecting apparatus 20 (target device) (transmits a game result data request). Subsequently, in S13, the selected gaming information collecting apparatus 20 acquires the stored gaming result data in the processing result storage unit 31 (buffer), and sends it back to the gaming site server 12.

  In the present embodiment, the request for information disclosure includes the request information converted into an index (identification information such as a number and a symbol) and may be included as it is. Then, the game arcade server 12 may select the game information collecting apparatus 20 which stores attribute information corresponding (adapted) to the request information.

  Then, in S14, the game arcade server 12 processes the game performance data (game information) by the processor and generates display data of a predetermined display format that can be displayed on the display unit 17 of the operation terminal device 10. Then, the game arcade server 12 transmits the processing result of the processing, that is, the display data to the operation terminal device 10. Next, in S15, the operation terminal apparatus 10 displays the received display data on the display unit 17 as a request result. As a result, the operation terminal device 10 can display the game performance data (game information) without special processing by simply receiving the display data from the game arcade server 12 as it is, and the data as the operation terminal device 10 You can use one with low processing power. The processes of S14 and S15 correspond to display control means for performing control for displaying game result data on the operation terminal device 10 in a predetermined display format.

  Alternatively, the game arcade server 12 may transmit the game result data (game information) to the operation terminal device 10 as it is without performing the processing at S14. In this case, the operation terminal device 10 performs data processing processing of the game result data by the terminal-specific application (software) installed. As a result, not only the load on the game arcade server 12 is reduced, but also the operation terminal device 10 can display game result data (game information) in accordance with the specifications, and the user of the operation terminal device 10 can The game result data (game information) can be checked in a form that is easy to understand.

  By the processes of S11 to S15 of FIG. 10, game information (particularly, game result data) meeting the request from the operation terminal device 10 can be promptly transmitted to the operation terminal device 10 and displayed.

[Summary of stored data]
FIG. 11 shows data stored by the operation terminal device 10, the game arcade server 12, and the game information collecting device 20 in the game arcade management system 100 in relation to the occasional process and the interrupt process of FIGS. It is a figure showing an outline. Note that, in FIG. 11, the flag information and the flag information index related to the optional processes S3 and S4 in FIG. 9 are excluded.

  The gaming information collecting device 20 stores its own gaming information collecting device ID (for example, A001) in a memory such as the ROM 30b of the arithmetic processing unit 30. For example, the game information collection device ID is a chip number of the CPU 30 a of the arithmetic processing unit 30.

  The game result data stored in the game result data storage unit 33 of the game information collection device 20 is simple numerical data collected from the game device 25, and the numerical data changes as needed according to the change of the state of the game device 25. . The game performance data is data such as ball entry (out), ball withdrawal (safe), start, number of prizes, number of probability variations, number of injustices, deposit, holding balls (held balls) and the like. Although not described in FIG. 11, the game result data may also include information on counting balls counted by the rental machine (each counting device) of the gaming apparatus 25 and information on the rental balls lent out from the rental machines. For example, when the gaming device 25 is a pachinko machine, the counting ball is the number of gaming balls discharged from the lower tray, and is added to the holding ball information of the member card inserted into the rental machine.

The ball entry indicates the number of game media (game balls, medals) inserted into the game device 25. The payout (safe) indicates the number of game media (game balls, medals) paid out from the game device 25. The start indicates the number of times of execution of the variable display game at the normal time (the special symbol, the number of rotations of the reel). The number of prizes indicates the number of jackpots and bonuses. The number of definite variations indicates the number of rushes to the probability variation state in which the jackpot probability becomes high (only when the gaming device 25 is a pachinko machine). When the gaming device 25 is a slot machine, the ART (AT) number can be used instead of the definite variation number. The incorrect number indicates the number of times the frame of the gaming device 25 has been opened. The payment represents the total amount (sales) received to the rental machine (each counting device). The holding ball (holding ball) indicates the player's holding ball which can be known by the information of the membership card inserted into the rental machine (or even the holding medal may be). Besides, as the game result data, there is a division number calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 30 based on the deposit, the ball, and the ball by the following formula.
Number of divisions = [{Creed- (Carry-in-the-ball) × (Cost per game medium)} ÷ Deposit ÷ 10

  Among the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit 32 of the gaming information collection device 20, the state information is based on the signal from the gaming device 25 or the gaming performance data of the gaming performance data storage unit 33, etc. The information is information relating to the operating state or the state change of the gaming apparatus 25. The state information is information indicating that the gaming apparatus 25 is in operation, is in operation (empty or resting), is in a special prize, is in a definite change, is in an incorrect state, is in a deposit game, is in a holding game.

  When the reception of the out count signal from the gaming device 25 continues for a predetermined time as described above, the gaming information collecting device 20 can determine that the gaming device 25 is in operation (operation start). When the out count signal does not exist for a predetermined period, it can be determined that the gaming device 25 is in the operation stop state (empty or resting). When the special prize occurrence signal (big hit occurrence signal, bonus occurrence signal) is being detected, it can be determined that the gaming apparatus 25 is under the special prize. When the probability variation signal is being detected, it can be determined that the gaming device 25 is in probability variation. When an unauthorized signal is being detected by the frame opening detection switch or the like of the gaming apparatus 25, it can be determined that the gaming apparatus 25 is in an unauthorized state. When the deposit signal from the rental machine of the gaming apparatus 25 is being detected, it can be determined that the deposit game is in progress. When the ball stored as the game result data of the game result data storage unit 33 is changing, it can be determined that the ball is being played.

  Among the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit 32 of the gaming information collecting apparatus 20, the timing information is for storing the time (timing) recognized by the RTC 30d of the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 and playing certain gaming information The timing stored in the information collecting apparatus 20 (equal to the timing at which the game information is generated) is shown. The timing information is associated with the stored game information.

  Of the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit 32 of the gaming information collection device 20, the unique information is the platform classification, platform type, platform model name, store information, platform of the gaming device 25 to which the gaming information collection device 20 is connected. It is information such as a number. For example, as the specific information, the machine classification "pachinko machine", the machine type "sweet digital (digital pachinko machine with high jackpot probability)", machine model name "A pachi", store information "store A", machine number "542", etc. Information is stored.

  The game arcade server 12 stores the same attribute information as the attribute information stored in the gaming information collection device 20 in the storage area (individual storage means, individual storage place) of each gaming information collection device 20. For example, the game arcade server 12 stores attribute information in a storage area associated with an ID (game information collection device ID) of the game information collection device 20 that stores the attribute information. Among the attribute information in the gaming information collecting device 20, the state information and the timing information are transmitted to the gaming site server 12 each time the processing is updated (FIG. 7, FIG. 9). In addition, of the attribute information of the gaming information collection device 20, the unique information is transmitted to the game arcade server 12 when the gaming information collection device 20 is installed. In addition, since the game performance data is not transmitted from the game information collecting device 20, the game arcade server 12 does not store the game performance data. Therefore, the storage capacity of the game arcade server 12 can be reduced, and the device cost can be reduced.

  The game arcade server 12 stores in advance a table (association information) that associates an index with attribute information as information related to an index in a memory (ROM or the like). Therefore, when the game arcade server 12 receives the index as the request information from the operation terminal device 10, it can recognize the index and the attribute information that conforms to the index, and further, the game information having this attribute information It is possible to identify the collection device 20 (or a plurality).

  On the other hand, the operation terminal apparatus 10 stores in advance a table (association information) that associates request information (request item) with an index as information related to an index in a memory (ROM or the like). It is possible to convert the request information (request item) selected by the above into an index and include it in the information disclosure request to the game arcade server 12.

  Among the attribute information related to the gaming machine 25, the index includes a state index corresponding to the state information, a timing index corresponding to the timing information, and a unique information index corresponding to the unique information. The timing index may indicate not only the time (timing) itself but also a time range before 15:00, 15:00 or later, 15:00 to 21:00, or the like.

  12 shows the operation terminal device 10, the game arcade server 12, and the game information collecting device 20 in the game arcade management system 100, including the flag information and the flag information index related to the optional processes S3 and S4 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the outline of the data which B stores.

  In FIG. 12, the data stored by the gaming information collecting device 20 is the same as the data stored by the gaming information collecting device 20 of FIG. 11, but the gaming information collecting device 20 compares the game performance data (numerical data) The threshold processing is executed, and flag information indicating that the game achievement data becomes equal to or more than the threshold is transmitted to the game arcade server 12 (S3).

  Therefore, in FIG. 12, the game arcade server 12 stores flag information in the storage unit in addition to the attribute information (state information, timing information, unique information) stored in the game information collecting apparatus 20 of FIG. ing. Note that the flag information is associated with the information (game information collection device ID etc.) of the game information collection device 20 that transmitted it, and the game arcade server 12 can save the flag information for each game information collection device 20.

  The flag information is "2000 2000 pieces of balls" "20000 pieces of balls" "1000 times of start" "50 times of special awards" "30 times of probability variation" "1 time of incorrect number of times" "50000 yen of deposit" "2000 balls" Etc., the type (item) of game result data and the threshold value are set. A plurality of pieces of flag information may be generated by performing threshold determination processing on the same type (item) of the game achievement data using a plurality of thresholds. For example, for the same type (start) of game result data, a plurality of threshold values of 200 times, 400 times and 600 times are prepared, and a plurality of "start 200 times" "start 400 times" "start 600 times" etc. Flag information may be generated.

  The game arcade server 12 stores in advance a table (association information) that associates the index with attribute information and flag information as information related to the index in a memory (ROM or the like). When the game arcade server 12 receives an index as request information for requesting information disclosure from the operation terminal device 10, it can recognize the index and recognize attribute information and flag information that conforms (corresponds) to the index. In addition, it is possible to specify the gaming information collecting device 20 (s) having the attribute information and the flag information. Then, the game arcade server 12 accesses only the specified game information collecting apparatus 20 to acquire game result data. As game achievement data to be acquired, only game achievement data of a type (for example, ball entry) related to the flag information may be used. For example, the game arcade server 12 having received the flag information index of the content of "more than 20000 pieces of balls" accesses the game information collecting apparatus 20 having the flag information of "more than 20000 pieces of balls" and makes the game result data get.

  On the other hand, the operation terminal apparatus 10 stores in advance a table (association information) that associates request information (request item) with an index in a memory (ROM or the like), and the request selected by the input from the operation input unit Information (required items) can be converted into an index and included in an information disclosure request to the game arcade server 12.

  In addition to the state index, the timing index, and the unique information index, the index includes a flag information index corresponding to flag information. The flag information index is provided only for the type (item) of game result data to be subjected to threshold value determination processing.

[Preprocessing]
FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a process performed before the operation terminal device 10 receives the information disclosure service from the game arcade server 12. The process of FIG. 13 is executed when the information disclosure application (information disclosure software) is activated on the operation terminal device 10, and shows a procedure for recognizing an item of request information on the operation terminal device 10.

  In S21, the operation terminal apparatus 10 starts an information disclosure application. In the present embodiment, the information disclosure application is stored in a storage unit (ROM or the like) in the operation terminal device 10, but the game arcade server 12 provides the information disclosure application to the operation terminal device 10 Services (SaaS) may be provided. At the time of activation of the information disclosure application, the operation terminal device 10 transmits the necessary information such as the authority information of the operation terminal device 10 and the item request of the request information to the game arcade server 12. The item request of request information is information for requesting an item of request information to be displayed on the operation terminal device 10. The necessary information also includes, for example, a password.

  Next, in S22, the game arcade server 12 having received the authority information and the item request confirms the information disclosure authority of the operation terminal apparatus 10. If the authority information is the user ID of the operation terminal device 10 (user identification information), the game arcade server 12 may confirm the information disclosure authority from the user ID. The types of information disclosure authority include owner's authority, store manager's authority, member's authority, general user's authority, and information disclosed on the operation terminal device 10 side via the game arcade server 12 The scope of disclosure of the above becomes narrower in this order (the amount of disclosed information decreases).

  Subsequently, in S23, the game arcade server 12 selects request information (s) within the disclosure range of the information disclosure authority. That is, the request information in the disclosure range by the information disclosure authority is extracted. Then, the selected item of request information (ie, the type of request information) is transmitted to the operation terminal apparatus 10. For example, in the general user authority, the number of request information to be selected is reduced in the time zone where there are many accesses to the game arcade server 12 within the disclosure range of the information disclosure authority, and is selected in the time zone where the access is small. It is also possible to increase the number of required information. For example, the number of accesses may be increased by, for example, providing a part of information disclosed by member's authority or recommended information to general users only during a time zone in which the number of accesses to the game arcade server 12 decreases. It is also possible to more effectively utilize the device performance of the server 12.

  Next, in S24, the operation terminal apparatus 10 that has received the item of request information (type of request information) executes a process of incorporating the item of request information in the information disclosure application. Thereafter, in S25, the operation terminal apparatus 10 displays on the display unit 17 a selection screen on which the item (type of request information) of the incorporated request information can be displayed as a menu, and shifts to the selection screen. When the operation terminal device 10 stores the items of all the request information in the storage unit in advance, there is no need to incorporate the process, and instead, the menu is simply displayed based on the items of the received request information.

[Display example of operation terminal device]
FIGS. 14 to 17 illustrate the procedure for inputting an operation to the touch panel 19 (operation input unit) of the operation terminal device 10 when the information disclosure request is generated to collect information (# 3 in FIG. 8 and S11 in FIG. 10). FIG.

  In FIG. 14, the selection screen is displayed on the touch panel 19 which doubles as the display unit 17 (S 25 in FIG. 13). In the selection screen of the touch panel 19, items are displayed in a menu regarding state information, unique information, and time information (timing information) of the attribute information related to the gaming apparatus 25. The user of the operation terminal device 10 can touch an item displayed on the touch panel 19 to display a menu of choices of the contents regarding any of state information, unique information, and time information (timing information).

  In FIG. 15, when the user touches the item “state information” on the touch panel 19, the contents of the “state information” are displayed as a plurality of items. Then, when the user touches “in operation” among the plurality of items “in operation”, “in operation (open space or break)”, “special award in progress” and “during change” displayed by the user, the operation terminal device 10 "In operation" is selected as the item (request item) of the request information. Then, "in operation" is displayed in the field of the request information content on the selection screen.

  Subsequently, in FIG. 16, when the user touches the item “specific information” on the touch panel 19, the fine classification item “store name (store information)” “model classification (base classification)” of “specific information” (major classification) “ The model name (model name) and "model type (model type)" are displayed. Furthermore, when the user touches the item "model type", the contents of "model type" are displayed as a plurality of items. When the user touches "sweet sweet" of the displayed plurality of items "feather mono", "sweet sweet", "middle", and "max", the operation terminal apparatus 10 sets the item (request item) of the request information as the request information. Select "sweet sweet". Then, it is added to "in operation" and displayed as "sweet digital" in the field of request information contents on the selection screen.

  Subsequently, in FIG. 17, when the user touches the item “time information (timing information)” on the touch panel 19, the fine classification items “before”, “after” and “from (from)” of “time information” (large classification) Is displayed. Furthermore, when the user touches the item "(from)", the contents of the "start time" and the "end time" are displayed as a plurality of items. Then, when the user touches “18:00” of the plurality of items displayed for “end time” at “15:00” among the plurality of items displayed for “start time”, the operation terminal apparatus 10 selects "15: 00-18: 00" as an item (request item) of request information. Then, in the field of request information contents on the selection screen, “15:00 to 18:00” is displayed in addition to “in operation” and “sweet digital”.

  After that, when the user touches the button display of “acquisition of information” on the touch panel 19, the operation terminal apparatus 10 sets “in operation”, “sweet”, and “15: 00-18” as three items of request information (request items). It is decided to select “00”. Then, the operation terminal device 10 generates an information disclosure request including an index associated with the three request information “in operation”, “sweet digital” and “15:00 to 18:00”, and plays the generated information disclosure request It transmits to the for-use server 12.

  FIGS. 18 and 19 show a table of the touch panel 19 (display unit 17) of the operation terminal device 10 when the game result data is displayed as a request result (information collection result) (# 6 in FIG. 8, S15 in FIG. 10). It is a figure showing an example of indication.

  FIG. 18 is a display example of game result data (information collection result) when the operation terminal device 10 accesses the game arcade server 12 with the store manager authority. FIG. 19 is a display example of game result data (information collection result) when the operation terminal device 10 accesses the game arcade server 12 by the member authority. The game result data is displayed in the form of a table, and at the same time, data extraction conditions (that is, selected request information) "in operation", "sweet digital" and "15: 00-18: 00" are simultaneously displayed. As described above, the disclosure range of information disclosed (displayed) on the operation terminal device 10 is expanded (disclosed) when the game arcade server 12 is accessed by the store manager authority rather than the member authority. There is a lot of information).

[Saved data deletion process]
FIGS. 20 and 21 are sequence diagrams showing a procedure of stored data deletion processing for deleting (erasing) stored data in the data storage area of the gaming information collection device 20. FIG. The deletion process of FIG. 20 is executed when the data amount of the data storage area of the gaming information collection device 20 exceeds a predetermined amount. The deletion process of FIG. 21 is executed when the data amount of the data storage area of the gaming information collection device 20 exceeds the limit amount (maximum capacity). Note that the data storage area (data storage area) may mean an individual storage unit (attribute information storage unit 32, game result data storage unit 33), and if each storage unit is a memory storage area It may mean the entire storage area.

  In S31 of FIG. 20, the gaming information collection device 20 determines whether the data amount of the data storage area exceeds a predetermined amount, and when the data amount exceeds the predetermined amount, the free space of the data storage area is small. The game room server 12 is notified that the data storage area is compressed (data storage area compression information is transmitted). For example, when the amount of data in the gaming record data storage unit 33 exceeds a predetermined amount, the gaming information collection device 20 combines data storage area compression information indicating that the data storage area is compressed with the gaming information collection device ID. It is transmitted to the game arcade server 12. The predetermined amount may be an amount of data to be stored for several weeks to several months when it is determined as a specific amount of data, or when it is determined according to the maximum capacity of the data storage area. May be about 90% of the maximum capacity.

  Then, the game arcade server 12 transfers the received data storage area compression information to the operation terminal device 10. The transfer destination operation terminal device 10 is, in particular, an operation terminal device 10-2 for a store manager and an operation terminal device 10-3 for a store (for a hall).

  Next, in S32, the operation terminal apparatus 10 that has received the data storage area compression information turns on or blinks the notification lamp 18. Then, in S33, the operation terminal device 10 transmits a data area release instruction to the game center server 12 based on the user's input to the operation input unit (the touch panel 19 or the like). Then, the game arcade server 12 transfers the received data area release instruction to the game information collecting apparatus 20 that has transmitted the data storage area compression information.

  Thereafter, in S34, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 that has received the data area release instruction deletes at least a part of the data of the data storage area and releases (releases) at least a part of the data storage area. Thereby, the capacity of the data storage area of the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 can be secured. Although the data in the data storage area is game information such as attribute information and game result data, the unique information in the attribute information may not be deleted because it may cause a problem.

  In S41 of FIG. 21, the gaming information collecting device 20 determines whether the data amount of the data storage area exceeds the limit amount (maximum capacity) and releases the data storage area to the game room server 12 Broadcast (transmit data area release information). For example, when the amount of data in the gaming record data storage unit 33 exceeds the limit amount (maximum capacity), the gaming information collection device 20 may use data area release information indicating that the data storage area is released to the game room server 12. Send to Then, in S42, the gaming information collection device 20 deletes (deletes) at least a part of the data of the data storage area and releases at least a part of the data storage area.

  Then, the game arcade server 12 transfers the received data area release information to the operation terminal device 10. The transfer destination operation terminal device 10 is, in particular, an operation terminal device 10-2 for a store manager and an operation terminal device 10-3 for a store (for a hall).

  Next, in S43, the operation terminal apparatus 10 that has received the data storage area compression information turns on or blinks the notification lamp 18. Thereby, the user of the operation terminal device 10 can know that the data storage area of the gaming information collecting device 20 has been released.

Backup processing
FIGS. 22 to 24 are diagrams for explaining backup processing in the game arcade management system 100 (see FIG. 4) provided with the backup server 15 capable of providing a storage service (cloud service).

  FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining how data communication is performed as backup processing in the game arcade management system 100. As shown in FIG.

  First, the operation terminal apparatus 10 transmits a backup instruction for instructing backup to the backup server 15 (# 11 in FIG. 22). Here, the operation terminal device 10 is an operation terminal device 10-2 for a store manager. Then, the backup server 15 having received the backup instruction simultaneously transmits a data collection instruction for instructing data collection to all the gaming information collecting devices 20 (# 12 in FIG. 22).

  Among the gaming information collecting devices 20, those having data satisfying the collecting condition collect the data and transmit it as backup data to the backup server 15 (# 13 in FIG. 22). The backup server 15, after receiving and storing data satisfying the collection condition from the gaming information collection device 20, notifies the operation terminal device 10 which has transmitted the backup instruction of the completion of the backup processing (# 14 in FIG. 22). ).

  FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of backup processing in the gaming arcade management system 100. As shown in FIG.

  In S51, the operation terminal apparatus 10 generates and transmits a backup instruction based on the user's input to the operation input unit (the touch panel 19 or the like) (# 11 in FIG. 22). The backup instruction includes conditions (collection conditions) of game information to be collected for backup. For example, the collection condition is a range (predetermined range) of game information to be collected, and is determined and input by the user. The range of the game information to be collected is the range of the acquired date and time (as understood from the timing information), the type of the game information, and the like (attribute information, game performance data, etc.). In addition, although the range of game information to be collected is generally set so as to exclude from the backup object for the day when data fluctuates, when collected data of the day is divided by date and time etc. If it is the range of data which does not fluctuate, it is possible to set it as a predetermined range. Then, the backup server 15 having received the backup instruction transmits the data collection instruction including the information of the collection condition at the same time to simultaneously transmit the information of the collection condition to all the gaming information collecting devices 20.

  In S52, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 which has received the information of the collecting condition determines whether or not the game information collecting apparatus 20 itself stores the gaming information meeting the collecting condition. Then, the gaming information collecting device 20 (corresponding device) storing gaming information (collection condition data) conforming to the collection condition has the gaming information as backup data and the ID of the gaming information collecting device 20 (gaming information collection device The virtual game information collecting apparatus ID (backup ID) associated with the ID) is transmitted to the backup server 15.

  In S53, the backup server 15 stores the received backup data (collection condition data) in a predetermined storage area. Thereafter, the backup server 15 sends back to the game information collection device 20 a data reception completion response indicating that the reception of the backup data has been completed.

  In S54, the gaming information collection device 20 erases (deletes) the collection condition data from the data storage area storing the collection condition data (backup data) for which data transmission has been completed, and releases the data storage area (releases the data storage area). ). Then, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 transmits backup processing completion information indicating that the backup processing is completed to the backup server 15, and the backup server 15 transmits the backup processing completion information to the operation terminal apparatus 10. In S55, the operation terminal apparatus 10 that has received the backup processing completion information turns on or blinks the notification lamp 18.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the concept of data storage of the backup server 15. As shown in FIG. The backup server 15 includes a communication interface that enables communication on the network 14, a processor such as a CPU as an information processing unit, and a storage unit including a work memory (RAM) and a memory (ROM) for storing programs and the like. And a large capacity storage device (such as a hard disk) for data backup.

  In the data storage area in the storage device of the backup server 15, a storage area for each store is provided, such as a store A data storage area, a store B data storage area, a store C data storage area, and the like. For example, in the store A data storage area, backup data from the gaming information collection apparatus 20 in the store A is stored in a storage area (corresponding to a predetermined storage area of S53) for each gaming information collection apparatus 20. Therefore, from the outside of the backup server 15, it appears that backup data is stored in the virtual game information collecting device 22 corresponding to each of the game information collecting devices 20 in the data storage area.

  The backup data is stored in a storage area associated (associated) with the ID (virtual gaming information collecting device ID) of the virtual gaming information collecting device 22, and it is virtual from outside of the backup server 15 (for example, the operation terminal device 10) By designating the game information collection device ID, it becomes possible to obtain backup data in the virtual game information collection device 22 having the virtual game information collection device ID via the network 14.

  If the virtual game information collecting device 22 has the same ID as the ID of the corresponding game information collecting device 20, there are two devices with the same ID when viewed from the outside of the backup server 15 (for example, the operation terminal device 10) It will Therefore, the ID (virtual game information collection device ID) of the virtual game information collection device 22 is different from the ID (game information collection device ID) of the game information collection device 20 corresponding to this. In the reference table or the like stored in the backup server 15, if the ID of the virtual game information collecting device 22 is associated (associated) with the ID of the game information collecting device 20 corresponding thereto, the backup server 15 By specifying the virtual gaming information collecting device ID from the outside (for example, the operation terminal device 10), it is also possible to perform data backup (data collecting and storing processing) from the specific gaming information collecting device 20.

  According to the first embodiment described above, in the game arcade management system 100, the game arcade server 12 under the cloud environment is connected to the plurality of game information collecting means (game information collecting device 20) and the operation terminal device 10 through the public line 16 It is possible to communicate via A plurality of game information collection means are provided corresponding to the respective game devices 25 installed in the game arcade, and collect and store game result data generated by the operation of each game device 25. The operation terminal device 10 can execute display based on game result data.

  The game information collecting means (the game information collecting device 20) includes a game achievement data storage means (the game achievement data storage unit 33), an attribute information storage means (the attribute information storage unit 32), and a transmission means (the arithmetic processing unit 30 and the communication processing unit). 34 etc.). The game result data storage means stores the collected game result data. The attribute information storage means attributes at least one of the state information indicating the state of the gaming device, the timing information indicating the generation time (occurrence time) of the occurrence of the state information, and the unique information capable of identifying the gaming device. It can be stored as information. When the attribute information stored in the attribute information storage unit is updated, the transmission unit is associated with the game information collection unit (game information collection device 20) that stores the updated attribute information in the game room server 12 And transmit the updated attribute information (# 2 in FIG. 7, S5 and S6 in FIG. 9).

  Operation terminal device 10 receives an input by the user's operation, transmits request information (request information which is an instruction corresponding to the input) for requesting information disclosure in response to the input to server for game arcade 12 As a result of transmitting the request information, the game result data or the processed game result data is received from the game arcade server 12, and the display based on the game result data is executed (FIG. 10).

  The game arcade server 12 includes updated attribute information storage means, search means, and game result data acquisition means (FIGS. 8 and 10 to 12). The updated attribute information storage unit stores the updated attribute information transmitted from the transmission unit for each game information collection unit (FIG. 11, FIG. 12). The search means specifies game information collection means for storing updated attribute information that matches the request information (S12 in FIG. 10). The game achievement data acquisition means accesses only the game information collection means specified by the search means, and acquires the game achievement data stored in the game information collection means (S12, S14 in FIG. 10).

[Operation and effect of the first embodiment]
According to the first embodiment, the game arcade server 12 in the cloud environment can communicate with a plurality of game information collecting means (game information collecting devices 20) via the public line 16. Therefore, in the game arcade (in the store), the game management device becomes unnecessary, and the game arcade management system 100 can be constructed inexpensively.

  According to the first embodiment, the game arcade server 12 can specify game information collecting means for storing updated attribute information conforming to the request information for requesting information disclosure, and only to the specified game information collecting means. It is possible to access and obtain the game result data stored in the game information collecting means. Therefore, the game result data is stored only in the game information collecting means (the game information collecting device 20) in the game arcade (in the store), and is transmitted from the game information collecting means to the game server 12 only when necessary. It is possible to construct a game arcade management system 100 which has a small communication load and is suitable for operation. In addition, the capacity of the storage unit of the game arcade server 12 can be small, and the device cost can be reduced. Thus, in the game arcade management system 100, the communication load can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  According to the first embodiment, the game arcade server 12 processes the game performance data acquired from the game information collecting means (game information collecting device 20) to generate display data of a predetermined display format, and the operation terminal The device 10 may execute display based on the game result data by receiving display data from the game arcade server 12. In this case, the operation terminal device 10 can acquire the information corresponding to the information disclosure request (request information) simply by receiving the display data, and the operation terminal device 10 has a high-performance data processing function. There is no need.

  According to the first embodiment, the game arcade server 12 transmits the game result data acquired from the game information collecting means (game information collecting device 20) as it is to the operation terminal device 10, and the operation terminal device 10 is for the game arcade A display based on the game result data may be executed by generating display data of a predetermined display format from the game result data received from the server. In this case, not only the load on the game arcade server 12 is reduced, but also by installing a terminal-dedicated application corresponding to information disclosure on the operation terminal device 10 side, display conforming to the specifications of the operation terminal device 10 is executed. It is possible for the user (user) to receive information disclosure in a form that makes the information easier to understand.

  According to the first embodiment, the gaming information collecting means (the gaming information collecting device 20) can be communicably connected to the public line 16 by the wireless method. Accordingly, wiring processing in the gaming island and the store where the gaming information collecting means is installed becomes unnecessary, and the facility construction becomes inexpensive.

  According to the first embodiment, the game information collection means (game information collection device 20) includes a storage area (data storage area) capable of storing game information including at least one of game result data and attribute information Figure 6). The game information collection means (game information collection device 20) has notification means for notifying the operation terminal device 10 when the game information stored in the storage area exceeds a predetermined amount, and the instruction from the operation terminal device 10 Based on the game information stored in the storage area may be at least partially deleted to release the storage area (FIG. 20). In addition, even when there is no instruction from operation terminal device 10, when the game information stored in the storage area reaches the limit amount, at least a part of the game information stored in the storage area is deleted, and the storage area is May be released (FIG. 21). In this case, it is not necessary to secure the storage area (data storage area) of the gaming information collection means more than necessary, and the storage capacity of the storage area can be saved, so the cost of the gaming information collection means can be reduced. In addition, since the data storage area can be automatically secured even when there is no instruction for securing the storage area from the operation terminal device 10, it is possible not only to continue the system operation but also to save the user's time and effort.

  According to the first embodiment, the operation terminal device 10 stores game information of a predetermined range which can be stored in the storage area of the game information collecting means (game information collecting device 20) based on the user operation input. And may be determined (S51 in FIG. 23). Then, the game information collection means includes game information of a predetermined range and backup identification information (virtual game information collection device ID) associated with identification information (game information collection device ID) of the game information collection means. It may be transmitted to the backup storage destination (backup server 15) under the cloud environment via the public line 16 (S52 in FIG. 23, S24 in FIG. 23), and after transmission is completed, gaming information in a predetermined range may be deleted from the storage area (FIG. 23 S54). In this case, since the gaming information and the backup identification information are moved to the backup storage destination (backup server 15) in the cloud environment, the data of the backup storage destination is not used and stored in the gaming information collecting means. Data can also be acquired for past game information. In addition, since it is common to separate the day data and the past data, an example is shown where the predetermined range is determined (set) excluding the day, but collected data of the day is classified and stored according to the date and time etc. In the case where the data is present, it is possible to partially set the data of the day to a predetermined range, as long as the data belongs to a divided storage area in which the data does not change.

Second Embodiment
In FIG. 25 to FIG. 29, a game arcade management system 100 and its processing according to the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the game server 12 does not store attribute information (state information, timing information, unique information). Therefore, the storage capacity of the game arcade server 12 can be further reduced, and the cost of the apparatus can be further reduced. The configuration other than that described below may be the same as that of the first embodiment. For example, even in the second embodiment, the stored data deletion process and the backup process described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 25 is a view for explaining an aspect of data communication executed as occasional processing in the arcade game management system 100 according to the second embodiment.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the gaming device 25 transmits a signal regarding the gaming result data to the gaming information collecting device 20 whenever necessary, each time information about the gaming result data to be transmitted is generated (# 21 in FIG. 25). The game room server 12 does not store the attribute information on the game apparatus 25, so unlike the first embodiment (# 2 in FIG. 7), the game server 12 for attribute information is an occasional process to be executed as needed. Do not send to

  FIG. 26 is a view for explaining the state of data communication executed as an interrupt process in the arcade game management system 100 according to the second embodiment.

  First, the operation terminal apparatus 10 transmits an information disclosure request including the request information itself or an index indicating the request information to the game arcade server 12 (# 22 in FIG. 26). In the second embodiment, the request information for identifying the type of the information disclosure request indicates the type of information requested to the game information collecting apparatus 20 and corresponds to any game information of the game information collecting apparatus 20. The game information includes attribute information on the game device 25 and game result data. Then, the game arcade server 12 simultaneously (simultaneously) transmits the request information to all the game information collecting apparatuses 20 (# 23 in FIG. 26). For example, the request information is transmitted to the game information collecting device 20 as an index corresponding to the request information.

  When receiving the request information, the game information collection device 20 determines whether or not the game information collection device 20 itself has game information corresponding to (adapted to) the request information (index). Then, the corresponding gaming information collecting device 20 (corresponding device) that has determined that it has gaming information corresponding (adapted) to the request information (index) transmits the gaming information to the game server 12 (FIG. 26). # 24). As described above, since the gaming information collecting device 20 does not transmit gaming information to the gaming site server 12 unless the gaming information collecting device 20 receives the request information, the data transmission amount of the gaming information collecting device 20 is reduced.

  The game arcade server 12 that has received the game information from the game information collecting device 20 (corresponding device) processes the game information and transmits it as a result of the request to the operation terminal device 10 (# 25 in FIG. 26).

  FIG. 27 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of an occasional process (an occasional operation) which is executed as needed in the game arcade management system 100 of the second embodiment.

  In S61, the gaming device 25 transmits a signal related to the game performance data to the gaming information collecting device 20 in accordance with the operation of the gaming device 25 and the change in the state of the gaming device 25. The signal related to the game result data is a signal corresponding to the game result data itself or a signal for the game information collecting device 20 to obtain game result data (such as balls, balls, number of prizes, deposit, etc.).

  Next, in S62, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 receives a signal related to the gaming result data, and executes updating of the gaming information. The update of the game information means update of the game result data and the state information, and recording of the timing information.

  FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram showing interrupt processing (interruption operation) when the operation terminal device 10 issues an information disclosure request for receiving an information disclosure service in the game arcade management system 100 of the second embodiment. is there.

  In S71, the operation terminal apparatus 10 selects at least one of the items (request items) of the request information displayed on the menu in response to the input by the user operation to the operation input unit. The item (request item) of the request information corresponds to any one of the game information. Then, the operation terminal device 10 generates an information disclosure request including the request information itself or an index associated with the request information, and transmits the generated information disclosure request to the game arcade server 12. Then, the game arcade server 12 simultaneously (simultaneously) sends an information disclosure request including request information (which may be an index) to all the game information collecting devices 20.

  In S72, when receiving the request information (index), the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 determines whether or not the game information collecting apparatus 20 itself has gaming information corresponding to (conforming to) the request information. The gaming information collecting apparatus 20 which does not have gaming information corresponding to the request information does not respond and ends the processing. On the other hand, the gaming information collecting device 20 (corresponding device) which has determined that it has gaming information corresponding to the request information returns the gaming information to the gaming site server 12.

  In S73, when the game arcade server 12 receives game information from the game information collecting device 20 (corresponding device), it determines that the response is a normal response and executes processing. Also, if there is no response, it prompts the retransmission of data, but checks the passage of a predetermined time by timer check or the like. This predetermined time is a time of timeout processing. If the game room server 12 does not receive the game information within the predetermined time due to the time-out process, it terminates the process received from the game information collecting device 20. Then, the game arcade server 12 transmits the processing result of the received game information to the operation terminal apparatus 10 as a request result. Here, as the processing of the game information, there is a process of processing the game information into display data that can be displayed on the display unit 17 of the operation terminal device 10.

  In S74, the operation terminal device 10 displays the processed game information on the display unit 17 (display screen) as a request result.

  FIG. 29 shows data stored by the operation terminal device 10, the game arcade server 12, and the game information collecting device 20 in the game arcade management system 100 in relation to the occasional process and the interrupt process of FIGS. It is a figure showing an outline. Hereinafter, differences from FIG. 11 of the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The operation terminal apparatus 10 stores in advance a table (association information) in which request information (request item) is associated with the index as information on the index in a memory (ROM or the like). Note that, unlike FIG. 11, the operation terminal device 10 stores in advance a table (association information) that associates request information related to game achievement data with an index (game achievement data index) in a memory (ROM or the like).

  The game arcade server 12 stores in advance a table (association information) that associates the index with the request information as information related to the index in a memory (ROM or the like). Therefore, when the game arcade server 12 receives request information from the operation terminal device 10, it can be recognized as an index. Unlike the game room server 12, the game room server 12 stores in advance a table (association information) for correlating request information on game achievement data with an index (game achievement data index) in a memory (ROM or the like). . On the other hand, unlike the case of FIG. 11, the game arcade server 12 does not store the same attribute information (attribute information on the gaming device 25) as the gaming information collecting device 20 stores.

  For example, the game arcade server 12 can request game information from the game information collecting apparatus 20 using an index corresponding to the request information. The game information collecting apparatus 20 determines whether or not the game information collecting apparatus 20 has game information corresponding to (matching with) the index. Then, the gaming information collecting device 20 determines that the gaming information collecting device 20 itself has gaming information corresponding to (conforming to) the index, and transmits the gaming information to the gaming site server 12.

  As described above, the operation terminal device 10 and the game arcade server 12 efficiently have the game information collecting device by having not only the request information (index) on the attribute information but also the request information (index) on the game performance data. Information can be acquired from 20.

[Operation and effect of the second embodiment]
According to the second embodiment, the operation terminal device 10, the game arcade server 12, and the plurality of game information collecting means recognize request information for identifying the type of the information disclosure request by the input to the operation terminal device 10 ( Figure 29). The game arcade server 12 simultaneously transmits the request information received from the operation terminal device 10 to a plurality of game information collecting means (game information collecting devices 20) (FIG. 26, FIG. 28). When it is determined that the game information collecting means stores game information compatible with the request information, of the game information stored by the game information collecting means, game information compatible with the request information for the game arcade It transmits to the server 12 (FIG. 26, FIG. 28).

  Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, since communication processing via the network 14 is not performed except when the operation terminal device 10 collects game information by transmitting request information (information disclosure request), The communication load is extremely reduced. In addition, since only the game information collecting means storing game information compatible with the request information transmits the game information, the communication load is extremely reduced, and data communication is promptly performed to the operation terminal device 10 side.

  Further, the configuration of the second embodiment other than the one described above may be the same as that of the first embodiment, so the effects and advantages of the first embodiment are also achieved.

Third Embodiment
In FIG. 30 to FIG. 36, a game arcade management system 100 and its processing according to the third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the game environment server 12 in the cloud environment has the same game information data as the game information collection device 20 (for example, attribute information data (timing information and state information) related to the game device 25 and game performance data, sales) The present invention relates to a technique for checking and correcting data inconsistencies due to missing data, data errors, etc. when it is intended to save information). That is, there is a possibility that data inconsistency may occur when transmitting game information from the game information collection device 20 to the game arcade server 12 via the cloud (public line 16, the Internet), but in the third embodiment, The integrity of the game information data stored in the game information collecting apparatus 20 and the game arcade server 12 can be maintained. The configuration other than that described below may be the same as that of the first embodiment. The third embodiment can also be applied to maintaining the consistency of the game information data stored in the game information collecting apparatus 20 and the backup server 15 by using the backup server 15 instead of the game arcade server 12.

  FIG. 30 is a view for explaining an aspect of data communication that is executed as needed as a process in the game arcade management system 100 according to the third embodiment.

  Each time the operating gaming device 25 in which information on gaming information to be transmitted (such as gaming result data) is generated, transmits a signal on gaming information to the gaming information collecting device 20 each time (# 31 in FIG. 30). Then, the gaming information collecting device 20 transmits gaming information (attribute information and gaming result data) to the gaming site server 12 (# 32 in FIG. 30). The game arcade server 12 stores the transmitted game information in the storage unit. Note that, unlike the first embodiment, the game arcade server 12 also stores game result data.

  FIG. 31 is a view for explaining how data communication is executed as consistency check processing in the game arcade management system 100 according to the third embodiment. The gaming information collecting apparatus 20 may perform the consistency check process each time the gaming information is transmitted to the game arcade server 12, or may periodically perform the consistency check process at predetermined time intervals.

  The gaming information collecting device 20 (the gaming information collecting device 20 which has been in operation) which has transmitted the gaming information to the gaming place server 12 reads gaming information of a predetermined range from the gaming place server 12 (# 33 in FIG. 31). Subsequently, the gaming information collection device 20 determines whether the gaming information read from the gaming site server 12 matches the gaming information stored by the gaming information collection device 20 (whether or not they match).

  When it is determined that the game information read from the game arcade server 12 and the game information stored by the game information gatherer 20 do not match, the game information collecting device 20 re-executes mismatching game information to the game arcade server 12. Send (# 34 in FIG. 31).

  FIG. 32 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of an occasional process (an occasional operation) which is executed as needed in the game arcade management system 100 according to the third embodiment.

  In S81, the gaming device 25 transmits a signal regarding gaming information to the gaming information collecting device 20 along with the operation of the gaming device 25 and the change of the device state of the gaming device 25. Next, in S82, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 receives the gaming information, processes it if necessary, and stores and updates the gaming information in various storage units. Furthermore, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 transmits gaming information to the gaming site server 12. Next, in S83, the game arcade server 12 receives the game information, and stores and updates the game information in the storage area corresponding to the ID of the game information collecting apparatus 20 that has transmitted the game information. If there is no data omission or error, the game arcade server 12 will store the same game information as that stored by the game information collecting device 20.

  FIG. 33 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure of the consistency check process executed in the game arcade management system 100 according to the third embodiment. In this example, the integrity of data of each game information in a predetermined range is checked.

  In S91, the gaming information collection device 20 starts a data check to check the integrity of the data. In S92, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 determines whether or not the gaming information has been updated. When the update process of S82 is executed, it can be determined that the game information has been updated. Then, when the game information is updated, the game information collection device 20 requests the game room server 12 to transmit the game information of a predetermined range among the game information corresponding to the ID of the game information collection device 20. Do.

  Next, in S93, in response to the request from the gaming information collection device 20, the gaming room server 12 prepares the gaming information in the predetermined range described above, and transmits the gaming information to the gaming information collection device 20. Then, in S94, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 compares the transmitted gaming information of the predetermined range with the gaming information of the predetermined range stored by itself. Here, individual game information is compared one by one. For example, the predetermined range is the latest game information for one day that can be extracted by timing information etc., and includes updated game information. When there is a difference between the gaming information of the predetermined range read from the server for gaming arcade 12 and the gaming information of the predetermined range stored in the gaming information collecting device 20 (if not matched), the gaming information collecting device 20 is The game information of the predetermined range stored by the player is retransmitted to the game arcade server 12.

  Next, in S95, the game arcade server 12 stores the game information of the predetermined range retransmitted from the game information collecting device 20 in the storage area corresponding to the ID of the game information collecting device 20 which has transmitted the game information. And updating the storage contents of the storage area. In this manner, the consistency between the game information stored by the game information collecting apparatus 20 and the game information stored by the game arcade server 12 can be maintained.

  FIG. 34 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the procedure of the consistency check process executed in the game arcade management system 100 according to the third embodiment. In this example, the consistency of the data of the game information is easily checked by calculating an error detection value (error detection code) such as a checksum for a predetermined range.

  In S101, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 which has updated the gaming information starts a data check for checking the consistency of the data. Then, the gaming information collection device 20 requests the gaming site server 12 to transmit an error detection value for gaming information in a predetermined range among the gaming information corresponding to the ID of the gaming information collection device 20. The error detection value (detection value for check) is an error detection code calculated according to a predetermined rule from data values of gaming information in a predetermined range for data error detection (data check), and is, for example, a checksum. Subsequently, in S102, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 calculates an error detection value (error detection code) from the data value of the gaming information of the predetermined range stored by itself.

  Next, in S103, the game arcade server 12 calculates an error detection value from the data value of the game information of the predetermined range described above in response to the request from the game information collecting device 20, and transmits it to the game information collecting device 20. Do. Then, in S104, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 compares the error detection value transmitted from the game arcade server 12 with the error detection value calculated as described above for the predetermined range of game information stored therein. . For example, the predetermined range is the latest game information for one day that can be extracted by the timing information. When there is a difference between the error detection value transmitted from the game arcade server 12 and the error detection value calculated by the game information collecting device 20 (if not matched), the game information collecting device 20 stores itself The game information of the predetermined range is retransmitted to the game arcade server 12.

  Next, in S105, the game arcade server 12 stores the game information of the predetermined range retransmitted from the game information collecting device 20 in the storage area corresponding to the ID of the game information collecting device 20 which has transmitted the game information. And update the storage content of the storage area. In this manner, the consistency between the game information stored by the game information collecting apparatus 20 and the game information stored by the game arcade server 12 can be maintained.

  Since the data transmitted and received between the gaming information collecting device 20 and the gaming place server 12 is not individual gaming information data but an error detection value (error detection code), the gaming information collecting device 20 and the gaming place server 12 As the amount of data communication between them decreases, the consistency check process can be performed at high speed.

  FIG. 35 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of data storage of the gaming information collecting device 20, and among the gaming information stored in the gaming information collecting device 20, the above-described predetermined range to be subjected to the consistency check process is R1 ( It is illustrated as a dotted box on the right). The game information here includes attribute information (timing information and state information), game performance data, and sales information. In addition, the sales information includes mode types according to the store operation of the game arcade, such as a sales mode in business, a closing mode at closing, and a test mode in testing. The predetermined range R1 is a part of the game performance data stored in the game information collecting device 20, and is the latest game performance data for one day which can be extracted by the timing information.

  FIG. 36 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the stored data deletion process executed when the gaming information collection device 20 completes the consistency check process (FIG. 33, FIG. 34).

  In S111, it is determined whether the free space of the data storage area of the gaming information collection device 20 is less than a predetermined value. The data storage area may mean an individual storage unit (attribute information storage unit 32, game result data storage unit 33), or if each storage unit is a storage area of one memory, the entire storage area is used. It may mean.

  In S112, a data storage area to be released by the game information collection device 20 is designated. The data storage area to be released is a data storage area that stores game information in a predetermined range that has been subjected to the consistency check process. Then, in S113, the game information (data) in the predetermined range of the data storage area is deleted and released.

  After the consistency check processing, since the gaming information of the predetermined range transmitted (re-sent) from the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 is stored in the state without error in the game room server 12, the predetermined range which has become unnecessary The game information of is deleted (erased). Then, the data storage area of the game information collection device 20 can be used effectively.

[Operation and effect of the third embodiment]
According to the third embodiment, the game arcade server 12 includes individual storage means for storing game information in association with the plurality of game information collection means (game information collection device 20) individually (FIG. 11, FIG. 12). . The game information collecting means reads the game information stored in the individual storage means (FIGS. 11 and 12) corresponding to the game information collecting means from the game arcade server 12, and the game information stored therein and the read game information The consistency is determined (S94 in FIG. 33). The game information collecting means transmits the game information stored in itself to the game arcade server 12 when the consistency is not obtained (FIG. 31, FIG. 33). When receiving the game information from the game information collecting means, the game arcade server 12 updates the storage contents of the individual storage means corresponding to the game information collecting means based on the received game information (S95 in FIG. 33).

  Therefore, even when the game information collection means (game information collection device 20) and the game information data of the game arcade server 12 do not have the consistency, it is possible to perform the treatment having the consistency. And, in the game arcade management system 100 using the public line 16, it is possible to improve the reliability of the data regarding the game information.

  According to the third embodiment, unlike the prior art, the gaming management apparatus is not required in the gaming arcade (in the store), and the gaming arcade management system 100 can be constructed inexpensively. And, even when the gaming management device does not exist in the gaming facility (in the store), the gaming information collecting device (the gaming information collecting device 20) has the gaming information stored therein, so the gaming information collecting device and the game server The consistency of the game information data can be confirmed with the T.12.

  According to the third embodiment, the game arcade server 12 itself does not determine the data consistency, and the plurality of game information collecting means (game information collecting apparatus 20) divide the data consistency by the distributed processing method. Perform processing when it is determined that the consistency is not obtained. For this reason, the processing speed of the consistency check processing is improved as the whole game arcade management system 100.

  According to the third embodiment, the gaming information collecting means (the gaming information collecting device 20) performs the consistency check such as the determination of the consistency only when the gaming information is updated (S92 in FIG. 33). For example, when the gaming device 25 is not in operation, the gaming information collecting device connected to the gaming device 25 does not update the gaming information, so the gaming information collecting device connected to the gaming device 25 activated on the day It is only necessary to confirm the integrity of the game information data with the server 12. As described above, data transmission and reception between the game information collecting means and the game arcade server 12 only requires the necessary amount of data, the load on the network 14 is reduced, and even in a cloud environment using the public line 16 The consistency check process can be completed in time. If the consistency check process is performed in a predetermined range including the updated game information, the amount of data transmitted and received between the game information collecting means and the game arcade server 12 can be further reduced, and the load on the network 14 can be further reduced. .

  According to the third embodiment, the gaming information collecting means (the gaming information collecting device 20) receives the gaming information of the predetermined range from the gaming information stored in the individual storage means corresponding to the gaming information collecting means from the gaming room server 12 The error detection value may be read. Then, the game information collection means calculates an error detection value for game information in a predetermined range stored by itself, compares the calculated error detection value with the read error detection value, and the two error detection values are different. The game information may be transmitted to the game arcade server in a predetermined range stored by itself. In this case, since the game information data itself is not compared, the amount of data communication between the game information collecting means and the game arcade server 12 becomes very small. Therefore, it is possible to perform communication processing commensurate with practical use even in a cloud environment, and further realize high-speed consistency check processing.

  According to the third embodiment, the gaming information collecting means (the gaming information collecting device 20) may delete the gaming information after transmitting the gaming information stored therein to the gaming site server 12 (FIG. 36). In this case, the storage area (data storage area) of the game information collection means can be used effectively.

Fourth Embodiment
A game arcade management system 100 and its processing according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the game arcade server 12 under the cloud environment stores the same game information data (for example, attribute information data and game result data regarding the game apparatus 25) as the game information collecting apparatus 20. The present invention relates to a technique for taking measures against missing data when trying to do so. That is, there is a possibility that data omission may occur when transmitting game information from the game information collecting apparatus 20 to the game arcade server 12 via the cloud (public line 16 or the Internet), but in the fourth embodiment, the data is By correcting (repairing) the omission, the consistency of the game information data stored in the game information collecting device 20 and the game arcade server 12 is maintained. The configuration other than that described below may be the same as that of the first embodiment or the third embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the backup server 15 is used instead of the game arcade server 12 to correct (repair) missing data of game information data stored by the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 and the backup server 15. Applicable

  FIG. 37 is a view for explaining an aspect of data communication that is executed as needed as a process in the game arcade management system 100 according to the fourth embodiment.

  Each time the operating gaming device 25 in which information on gaming information (game outcome data etc.) to be transmitted is generated transmits a signal on gaming information to the gaming information collecting device 20 (# 41 in FIG. 37). Then, the gaming information collecting device 20 transmits the gaming information (attribute information and gaming result data) and the unique information associated with the gaming information to the gaming site server 12 (# 42 in FIG. 37). The game arcade server 12 stores the transmitted game information and unique information in the storage unit. Note that, unlike the first embodiment, the game arcade server 12 also stores game result data.

  The unique information is information that is associated with the game information collected by the game information collection device 20 and can identify the game information. The unique information includes the ID of the game information collection device 20 (game information collection device ID) and other information. For example, the unique information is a combination of the ID of the gaming information collecting device 20 and timing information (acquisition time of the gaming information), or the ID of the gaming information collecting device 20 and a serial number (number attached in the order of acquiring the gaming information) In combination with

  FIG. 38 is a view for explaining how data communication is executed as data missing check processing in the game arcade management system 100 according to the fourth embodiment. The gaming information collecting apparatus 20 may perform the data omission check process every time the gaming information is transmitted to the game arcade server 12, or may periodically perform the data omission checking process at predetermined time intervals.

  The gaming information collecting apparatus 20 (the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 which has been in operation) which has transmitted the gaming information to the gaming site server 12 reads the unique information from the gaming site server 12 (# 43 in FIG. 38). Subsequently, the gaming information collection device 20 determines whether the unique information read from the game arcade server 12 matches the unique information stored in the gaming information collection device 20 (whether or not they match).

  When it is determined that the unique information read from the game arcade server 12 and the unique information stored by the gaming information collection device 20 do not match (do not match), the game information collection device 20 is associated with the unique information which does not match. The game information is retransmitted to the game arcade server 12 (# 44 in FIG. 38).

  FIG. 39 is a sequence diagram showing a procedure of an occasional process (an occasional operation) which is executed as needed in the game arcade management system 100 according to the fourth embodiment.

  In S121, the gaming device 25 transmits a signal regarding gaming information to the gaming information collecting device 20 along with the operation of the gaming device 25 and the change of the state of the gaming device 25. Next, in S122, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 receives the gaming information, executes predetermined processing if necessary, and stores and updates the gaming information in various storage units. Furthermore, in S123, the gaming information collection device 20 generates unique information, and transmits gaming information and unique information to the game arcade server 12. Next, the game arcade server 12 receives the game information and the unique information, and stores and updates the game information in a storage area corresponding to the ID of the game information collecting apparatus 20 that has transmitted the game information. If there is no data omission or error, the game arcade server 12 will store the same unique information as that stored by the game information collecting device 20.

  FIG. 40 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure of the data omission check process executed in the game arcade management system 100 according to the fourth embodiment. In this example, the unique information is used to check for missing data in the game arcade server 12 for game information in a predetermined range.

  In S131, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 starts a data check for checking a missing data. In S132, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 determines whether the gaming information has been updated. When the update process of S122 is executed, it can be determined that the game information has been updated. Then, when the gaming information is updated, the gaming information collecting device 20 requests the gaming room server 12 to transmit the unique information of the predetermined range among the unique information corresponding to the ID of the gaming information collecting device 20. Do.

  Next, in S133, in response to the request from the gaming information collecting device 20, the gaming room server 12 prepares the unique information in the above-mentioned predetermined range, and transmits it to the gaming information collecting device 20. Then, in S134, the gaming information collecting apparatus 20 compares the transmitted unique information of the predetermined range with the unique information of the predetermined range to be stored by itself. Here, individual unique information is compared one by one. For example, the predetermined range is the latest one-day unique information. When there is a difference between the unique information of the predetermined range read from the game arcade server 12 and the unique information of the predetermined range stored in the gaming information collection device 20 (in the case of noncoincidence), the gaming information collection device 20 The game information of the predetermined range stored by the player is retransmitted to the game arcade server 12. The unique information corresponding to the game information may be re-sent.

  Next, in S135, the game arcade server 12 stores the game information of the predetermined range retransmitted from the game information collecting apparatus 20 in the storage area corresponding to the ID of the game information collecting apparatus 20 which has transmitted the game information. . In this manner, it is possible to correct (repair) missing data of game information stored in the game arcade server 12.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, when the gaming information collection device 20 completes the data omission check process (FIG. 40), the stored data deletion process of FIG. 36 is executed. However, in S113 of FIG. 36, the data storage area to be deleted (released) of the gaming information collecting device 20 is unique information of the predetermined range subjected to the missing data check processing and gaming information associated with the unique information. And data storage area.

[Operation and effect of the fourth embodiment]
According to the fourth embodiment, the game arcade server 12 includes individual storage means for storing game information in association with the plurality of game information collection means (game information collection device 20) individually (FIG. 11, FIG. 12). . The individual storage means stores unique information that can be associated with the game information collected by the game information collection means and can identify the game information (S124 in FIG. 39). The game information collecting means reads the unique information stored by the individual storage means corresponding to the game information collecting means from the game arcade server 12 and determines the consistency between the unique information stored by itself and the read unique information (FIG. 40 S134). The game information collecting means transmits the game information corresponding to the unique information stored in the game arcade server (S134 in FIG. 40) when the consistency is not obtained (S134 in FIG. 40).

  Therefore, in the determination of the integrity, only the unique information from the game arcade server 12 and the unique information stored in the gaming information collecting means can be compared to confirm the data omission, so the data of the information to be compared in the determination of the integrity The amount is small. For this reason, it is possible to execute the data loss check process very quickly.

  Further, the configuration of the fourth embodiment may be the same as that of the third embodiment except for the configuration described above, and thus the operation and effect of the third embodiment can be achieved.

[Modification]
In each of the first to fourth embodiments, a modification is possible in which the function of the game arcade server 12 is incorporated in the operation terminal device (information terminal) 10. That is, when the operation terminal device 10 has a high performance, the data processing of the game arcade server 12 may be executed by the operation terminal device 10.

  In particular, in a small and medium-sized game arcade (store), there is no need to manage data of a plurality of shops, and such a simple game arcade management system 100 is desired. In addition, if such a small-to-medium-sized store is changed to a management form of multiple store sales, providing a wider management form by transferring data of the operation terminal device 10 to a newly provided server is also possible. It will be possible.

  Specifically, in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 7 to FIG. 10, FIG. 13, FIG. 20 to FIG. 22, FIG. The game room server 12 is replaced with the operation terminal device 10, and a signal (information disclosure request (request information) between the operation terminal device 10 and the game arcade server 12 via the public line 16 in these drawings (processing information ( This modification can be realized by regarding the signal of the request result) and the like as the internal signal of the operation terminal device 10.

  In this modification, since the game arcade server 12 is not required, a simpler game arcade management system can be constructed. In addition, since the execution means of data processing related to game information is the data processing side (such as the operation terminal device 10) via the cloud, there is no need for the gaming shop (store) side to be particularly aware of system changes on the cloud side. Cloud operators can select more optimal system changes.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the technical idea, and it is apparent that they are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. It is. For example, a combination of the embodiments is included in the technical scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 operation terminal device 12 server for game arcades 14 network 15 backup server 16 public line 18 notification lamp 19 touch panel 20 game information collecting device 22 virtual game information collecting device 25 game device 100 game arcade management system

Claims (2)

A plurality of game information collecting means, provided corresponding to each game device installed in the game arcade, for collecting and storing game information of each game device;
A game arcade management system comprising: a game arcade server under a cloud environment capable of communicating with the plurality of game information collecting means via a public line;
The game server is
It comprises individual storage means for storing the game information in association with the plurality of game information collecting means individually,
The individual storage means stores unique information that can be associated with the game information collected by the game information collection means and can identify the game information.
The gaming information collecting means
The unique information stored in the individual storage means corresponding to the game information collecting means is read from the game arcade server,
The consistency between the unique information stored by the player and the read unique information is determined, and if the consistency is not obtained, game information corresponding to the unique information stored by the player is transmitted to the game server.
The game server is
A game arcade management system, which, when receiving game information from the game information collecting means, updates the storage contents of the individual storage means corresponding to the game information collecting means based on the received game information. The gaming information collecting means
2. The game arcade management system according to claim 1, wherein the game information can be deleted after transmitting the game information stored therein to the game arcade server.

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