GB2255666A

GB2255666A - Data aggregation apparatus for coin-operated machines

Info

Publication number: GB2255666A
Application number: GB9209150A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yoeno Hayashi; Syun Ito
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-04-30
Filing date: 1992-04-28
Publication date: 1992-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 2012-04-28
Also published as: CA2067591A1; AU643612B2; GB2255666B; AU1519792A; GB9209150D0

Abstract

An aggregation apparatus for sale data of coin-operated machines comprises a plurality of such machines 10a-10u connected in series by a communication circuit each machine including terminal equipment 2a-2u having end setting means, aggregation value memory means for a coin counter of each machine, control means for controlling the end setting means and the aggregation value memory means and a host machine 1 which checks the state of connection of the communication circuit L, counts the contents of the memory of each of the aggregation value memory means and resets the counter of each of the coin-operated machines. <IMAGE>

Description

Aggregation Apparatus for Sale Data of Coin Selling Machines Background of the Invention (1) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an aggregation apparatus for sale data of a plurality of coin selling machines and more particularly to an aggregation apparatus or system for sale d.lta of coin game machines.

( ) Prior Art Co in selling machines such as game machines for selling services or goods by using coins, are popularized widely and a number of Dame machines (the same type or different kinds of game machines) are arranged in amusement places for pla > ers.

These oame machines are constructed such that a are may start by depositing a coin or coins in a coin depos i I n machine. The proper body of the game machine provides a counter which is associated with the coin depositing machine so that the counter may indicate the contents of count by means of a display or an indicator.

The coins deposited in the coin depositing machine in such a manner, are collected periodically, and at the time it is recognaized whether or not the indication of the display is equal to the number of the deposited coins. Namely, if the indication of the display shows the number of the coins which is greater than the deposited coins, it means that the coins would be stolen between the last count and the count of this time.

Such a count operatiion is carried out normally with manual operations, but the count operation with manual operations necessitates a lot of time and increases a probability of occurring an error.

Then, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-47478 has proposed an apparatus for aggregating sale data, which apparatus is assembled in each of game machines, for carrying out an aggregation operation for the game machines. Further, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-47480 has proposed an apparatus for aggregating sale data in such a manner that a coin detecting section and a data forming section are assembled in the proper of a game machine and that a movable data reading section is connected to the data forming section.

The construction disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-47478 provides the aggregation apparatus with each of the game machines and therefore the aggregated data cannot be obtained individually even if a plurality of game machines are installed.

Accordingly, it is necessary to mannually totalize the data which are obtained from each of the game machines and therefore such a construction is not sufficient in considering necessity of a lot of time for culculation and lack of accuracy.

The construction of Japanese Utility Model Publication No.

58-47480 has an advantage that the movable data reading section may read the data and edit same for print-out. However, it is necessary to aggregate the date of the next game machine after finishing an aggregation of the data of a game machine in such a manner that the data reading section has to change its connection to the data forming section assembled in each of the game machines. Therefore, such a construction necessitates a lot of time in aggregation.

Summary of the Invention The present invention is proposed in view of the problems of the above mentioned prior art and has an object to provide an aggregation apparatus or system for sale data of coin selling machines which may accurately aggregate coins of a coin selling machine for a plurality of game machines or vending machines for a short time.

To achieve the above object, the aggregation apparatus for sale data of coin selling machines comprises a plurality of coin selling machines, each including a terminal equipment 2, said terminal equipment 2 having end setting means 241 for setting a flag as to whether or not one among the coin selling machines is positioned at end when they are connected to one another in serial by means of a communicatioin circuit L, aggregation value memory means 242 for memorizing count values of a counter of a coin depositing machine, control means 20 for controlling the end setting means 241 and the aggregation value memory means 242 and for communication with a host machine 1, each of said control means 20 being connected to one another in serial, wherein the host machine 1 checks a state of connection of the communication circuit on the basis of a set value of each of the end setting means 241 of the coin selling machines, counts the contents of the memory of each of the aggregation value memory means 242 and resets the counter of each of the coin depositing machines, in a state that the host machine 1 for controlling each of the control means 20 is connected to a terminal of the communication circuit L.

In the above-mentioned construction, each of the terminal equipment 2k may recognize whether or not itself is the end terminal equipment, by using a flag which is set in the end setting means 241.

First, when the host machine 1 outputs a circuit check instruction, the control means 20 of the first terminal equipment 2k in serial connection receives the instruction and then transferrs same to the control means 20 of the end terminal equipment 2k in order. The end control means 20 outputs a reply of receiving the instruction to the upper control means 20, and then the reply is transferred to the host machine 1 via the control means 20 of the upper terminal equipment 2k in order. As the result, it is recognized that the circuit has no trouble.

When the circuit has a trouble, the above-mentioned reply cannot return within a predetermined period and therefore the terminal equipment transmits to the host machine 1 via the control means 20 of the upper terminal equipment 2k a reply that there is no reply to the control means 20 of the terminal equipment 2k which is positioned preceding a troubling point of the circuit. As the result, it is possible to check where the trouble occurrs.

Next, the host machine 1 instructs to output the aggregated data from the first control means 20 in order. The control means 20 receiving the instruction transferrs the aggregated data from the aggregation value memory means 242 to the host machine 1 via the upper control means 20 in order. The control means 20 is the end one, the end flag "1 is also returned simultaneously and finishes its transfer of the aggregated data.

Further, the host machine 1 outputs a reset requirement from the upper control means 20 in order, and thereby the counter controlled by each of the control means 20 is reset.

By the way, a memory such as a RAM may be used as the aggregation value memory means 242.

As mentioned above, the present invention has no apprehension for occurring a mistake in reading the aggregated data since it is possible to automatically aggregate the count value of a counter which value is corresponding to the sale data from the coin selling machine of a plurality of game machines or the like, and it is possible to take care for sale of coins for a very short time.

Further, it is possible to check the circuit connecting the coin selling machines preceding aggregation of the sale data and therefore it has an advantage of checking a trobling point in the circuit. Moreover, it is possible to reset the counter of each of the coin selling machines after aggregation and therefore it has advantage of achieving elimination of labor.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description of the following embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings The drawings show an embodiment of an aggregation apparatus or system for sale data of coin selling machines according to the present invention in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire construction of the apparatus, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a construction of a terminal equipment, Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a host machine, Fig. 4 is a flow chart of the host machine for checking a circuit, Fig. 5 is a flow chart of aggregation of the host machine, Fig. 6 is a flow chart of reset of the host machine, Fig. 7 is a flow chart of the terminal equipment, Fig. 8 is a flow chart of the terminal equipment for checking the circuit, Fig. 9 is a flow chart of aggregation of the terminal equipment, and Fig. 10 is a flow chart of reset of the terminal equipment.

Fig. il is a flow chart of aggregation while playing a game.

Detailed Description of the Embodiment Fig. 1 shows a conceptional view showing a basic construction of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing each of aggregation devices 2k which is shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 through 10 are flow charts showing steps of the present invention.

An aggregation terminal equipment 2k (k:a...n) is built in each of a game machine 10k (k:a. . .n) respectively and each of the aggregation terminal equipments 2k is connected to one another in serial and a host machine 1 is connected to a terminal of a communication circuit L.

The aggregation terminal equipment 2k is provided with a CPU 20 as control means and this is operated with a program memorized in a ROM 21.

The data from a counter of a coin depositing machine, which is provided with a game machine 10, is transmitted to the CPU 20 via a terminal P,o of an interface 21 and the aggregated data are read at any time by a ROM 24 as aggregation memory means 242 (F30 in Fig. 7), and the result is indicated by an LED display 25. Further, a communication circuit L of the terminal equipment 2k of an upper rank or positioned game machine, is connected to a terminal PzO of a communication I/O 22. The terminal equipment 2k is closer to the host machine than its own machine.

The communication circuit L of a game machine of lower rank is connected to another terminal Pzx of the communication I/O 22 and the communication I/O 22 is, of course, connected to the CPU 20.

The display of the host machine 1 is capable of displaying a menue and an operator may designate one from the menue (See F1 and F2 of Fig. 3).

Prior to an aggregating operation, the operator first gives a circuit-check instruction to the host machine in order to check whether the communication circuit L is normal or not (See F1~F2 bF3 in Fig. 3 and F60 in Fig. 7). When this instruction is given, the host machine 1 first outputs a circuit-check instruction to the first terminal equipment 2a (See f14 in Fig.

4). By means of an operating switch 26, a flag is set in end setting means 241 of each of the terminal equipments 2k ("0' is given where the terminal is not positioned at end, and "1" is given where it is positioned at end.) in order to check wheter or not its game machine is positioned at end in the circuit connection.

When the first terminal equipment 2a receives the circuitcheck instruction from the host machine 1. the terminal equipment 2a reads the flag and confirms that its game machine does not have the terminal equipment 2n which is positioned at end, and the circuit check instruction is transferred to the second terminal equipment 2k and then the circuit check instruction is transferred to the terminal equipment 2k of lower rank in order (See F111 by112 in Fig. 8).

Since the flag "1" is set in the end setting means 241 of the lowermost or end terminal equipment 2n in order to show that its terminal equipment is the end one, the end terminal equipment 2n transferrs to the upper terminal equipment 2k a reply that its game machine has received the circuit-check instruction (See Fllle F117).

The confirmation of receiving the circuit-check instruction is transferred to the host machine 1 via the upper terminal equipment 2k (F113F116). With this transfer, the host machie 1 indicates a "normal ending" which confirms that the circuit is in normal state (See Fig, 4, F15 bF18 F19).

Where a trouble occurrs in the circuit, there is no reply of receiving confirmation from the terminal equipment 2n which is positioned at end. Therefore, when the state of having no confirmation is continued for a predetermined time, the terminal equipment 2k preceding one having the trouble, transfers an instruction of *time-out" to the host machine 1 which is positioned upper than the terminal equipment 2k (FlIS).

With this transfer, the host machine 1 may check the troubling point of the circuit and indicate the time-out (F15F16 F17).

Next, when the operator outputs an instructon of aggregation, the host machine 1 requires the first terminal equipment 2a to transfer the date of aggregation (See F4 of Fig. 3, F70 of Fig. 7 and F25 b F26 of Fig 5). The first terminal equipment 2a receiving the requirement, judges whether or or not the requirement is directed to itself and then if the requirement is directed to itself, the aggregated data memorized in the aggregation value memory means 242 could be transmitted to the host machine 1 (See F121-F130 of Fig. 9). At the time, if its terminal equipment is not the end terminal equipment 2n, an end flag *0" could be transmitted simultaneously (See F128).

Thus, the aggregated data transferred to the host machine 1 are indicated by means of a display of the host machine 1 and also input in a memory such as a floppy disc. The host machine 1, which has recognized the end flag "0*, outputs an instruction of requirement for transferring the aggregated data, to the next terminal equipment 2k (the second terminal equipment 2b) (See Fig. 5; F27 P30 -32 F33 tF34 #F36 #F26) Although this requirement of transfer is, of course, received initially by the first terminal equipment 2a, the first terminal equipment transmits the requirement to the lower positioned terminal equipment since the requirement is not one which is directed to itself (See F121 oF122 of Fig. 9).

The iower positioned terminal equipment 2k (the second terminal equipment 2b) transferrs the aggregated data as the first terminal equipment has done, and also transferrs the end flag "0 (See F121 ~ F127 tF128 F130). The upper positoned terminal equipment (the first terminal equipment) receiving the transfer becomes to return the received data to the upper positioned terminal equipment 2k (or the host machine 1) (P123 b F126).

At the time, when the circuit has a trouble, the aggregated data cannot be returned from the lower positioned terminal equipment and such a situation continues for a predetermined time, the upper positioned terminal equipment 2k returns an instruction of the "time-out" to the host machine 1 via the upper positioned terminal equipment 2k. In this case, the first terminal equipment 2a returns the instruction directly to the host machine 1 (F124 F125). The host machine 1 receiving the instruction of the "time-out*, indicates an massage of time-out by means of a display (F31 of Fig. 5). According to these steps, the aggregated data are transferred to the host machine 1 in order.

When the requirement for transferring the aggregated data is output toward the end terminal equipment 2n, the abovementioned end flag is set to be "1" and then the host machine 1 does not output further requirements.

In the above operation, where the circuit has a trouble, an aggregation cannot be carried out from the terminal equipment 2k which is positioned lower than its troubling point. Therefore, when the operation is finished, the host machine 1 is connected again to the terminal equipment 2k which is positioined lower than its troubling point and then the above-mentioned operation is repeated. By the way, the aggregated data obtained in the above-mentioned manner are compiled or printed out with the host machine by means of another program.

Further, when the operator outputs a reset instruction (See F5 of Fig. 3 and F80 of Fig. 7), the host machine 1 first requires the first terminal equipment to reset a counter to be zero (See F45 of Fig. 6). The first terminal equipment receiving this requirement judges whether or not it is directed to itself and then if the requirement is directed to itself, the first terminal equipment could reset the counter to be zero (See F137 of Fig. 10). Thereafter, the return data indicating the reset of the counter are transmitted to the host machine (F138 eF139~F141). At the time, where this terminal equipment is not the end equipment, the end flag "0" is transmitted simultaneously (F139).

Thus, the reset data transferred to the host machine is indicated by the display of the host machine 1. The host machine 1, which has recognized the end flag "0*, resets the counter of the next terminal equipment 2k (the second terminal equipment 2b) to be zero ( See Fig. 6; F46-*F49 -;F51 ~ F52 F54). The reset instruction is, of course, received by the first terminal equipment 2a, but the instruction is transmitted to the lower positioned terminal equipment since the instructin is not the requirement for itself (See F131 of132 of Fig. 10).

The lower positioned terminal equipment 2k (the second terminal equipment 2b) resets the counter as the first terminal equipment has done, and then transferrs the response data of reset of the counter to the upper positioned terminal equipment 2k and also transferrs the end flag "0,, (F131 eF137~F139 F141). Then, the terminal of the upper positioned terminal equipment 2k (the first terminal equipment) returns the received reset data to the upper positioned terminal equipment 2k (or the host machine 1) (F133 elf136).

At the time, when the circuit has a trouble, the reset data cannot be returned from the lower positioned terminal equipment and such a situation continues for a predetermined time, the upper positioned terminal equipment returns an instruction of the time-outw to the host machine 1 via the upper positioned terminal equipment 2k. In this case, the first terminal equipment 2a returns the reset data directly to the host machine 1 (F134-F135). The host machine 1 receiving the instruction of the "time-out*, indicates an communication-error massage by means of a display (F50 of Fig. 6). According to these steps, the aggregated data are transferred to the host machine 1 in order.

When the reset instruction is output to the end terminal equipment 2n, the end flag is set to be "1" and the host machine 1 does not output further instructions.

In the above operation, where the circuit has a trouble, reset cannot be carried out from the terminal equipment 2k which is positioned lower than its troubling point. Therefore, when the operation is finished, the host machine 1 is connected again to the terminal equipment 2k which is positioned lower than its troubling point and then the above-mentioned operation is repeated.

By the way, in the checking operation of the circuit, aggregation and reset, if communication cannot be carried out or stopped due to noises or the like in the way of communication, a communication-error massage could be indicated by the host machine.

With reference to Fig. 2, the present invention provides a relay switch 30 between the terminals PZO and Pz,. When the terminal equipment 2k is turned on, the relay switch 30 is OFF and the terminal equipment 2k ( such as the terminal equipment 2b ) is connected to the adiacent terminal equipments 20k in serial, which adjacent terminal equipments 20k will be the preceding terminal equipments 20a and 20c with respect to the terminal equipment 2b. On the other hand, when the terminal equipment 2k is turned off, the relay switch 30 is ON and the terminal equipment 2k ( such as the terminal equipment 2b ) is omitted in aggregation.As the result, it is possible to carry out an aggregation by omitting the game machine having the specified terminal equipment 2k in the event that the specified terminal equipment 2k is turned off due to for instance troubles.

By the way, a saving switch 40 is connected to the terminal on, it is possible to carry out an aggregation as shown in Fig.

11, even if the player is playing its game.

Namely, when the saving switch 40 is turned on, the contents oc of the counter of a coin depositing machine is registered in a saving register ( for example a specific area of the above mentioned RAM 24 ), which is provided independently (F151: Y F152). Thereafter, it is carried out a circuit check as shown in Fig. 8 (F153), an aggregation as shown in Fig. 9 (F154), and a reset as shown in Fig. 10 (F155). Where the reset has taken place as shown in Fig. 10, the con ten ts ct of the saving register is subtracted from the present contents ss of the counter of the coin depositing machine (F156) and the value of the difference between ss - er, is then set in the counter of the coin depositing machine (F157) ( Regarding the present contents ss, , there is such a case that a count further goes on during the operation of the above-mentioned aggregation. ).

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An aggregation apparatus for sale data of coin selling machines comprising; a plurality of coin selling machines, each including a terminal equipment 2, said terminal equipment 2 having end setting means 241 for setting a flag as to whether or not one among the coin selling machines is positioned at end when they are connected to one another in serial by means of a communicatioin circuit L, aggregation value memory means 242 for memorizing count values of a counter of a coin depositing machine, control means 20 for controlling the end setting means 241 and the aggregation value memory means 242 and for communication with a host machine 1, each of said control means 20 being connected to one another in serial, wherein:: the host machine 1 checks a state of connection of the communication circuit on the basis of a set value of each of the end setting means 241 of the coin selling machines, counts the contents of the memory of each of the aggregation value memory means 242 and resets the counter of each of the coin depositing machines, in a state that the host machine 1 for controlling each of the control means 20 is connected to a terminal of the communication circuit L.

2. An aggregation system of sale data of coin selling machines comprising; a plurality of coin selling machines, each including a terminal equipment 2, said terminal equipment 2 having end setting means 241 for setting a flag as to whether or not one among the coin selling machines is positioned at end when they are connected to one another in serial by means of a communicatioin circuit L, aggregation value memory means 242 for memorizing count values of a counter of a coin depositing machine, control means 20 for controlling the end setting means 241 and the aggregation value memory means 242 and for communication with a host machine 1, said control means 20 being connected to one another in serial, and the contents of the memory of each of the aggregation value memory means 242being counted by means of the host machine 1 in a state that the host machine 1 for controlling each of the control means 20 is connected to a terminal of the communication circuit L.

3. The aggregation system of sale data of coin selling machines as claimed in claim 2 wherein a state of connection of the communication circuit is checked by means of the host machine on the basis of a set value of each of the end setting means 241 of the coin selling machines prior to the count operation.

4. The aggregation system of sale data of coin selling machines as claimed in claim 2 wherein the counter of each of the coin selling machines is reset by means of the host machine after the count operation.

5. An aggregating system of sale data of coin selling machines comprising; a terminal equipment 2 disposed in each of a plurality of coin selling machines, said terminal equipment being provided with control means for controlling a communication with a host machine 1 for controlling a counter of a coin depositing machine, each of the control means 20 being connected to one another in serial by means of a communication circuit L, said host machine being constructed to reset the counter in a state that the host machine controlling each of the control means 20 is connected to a terminal of the communication circuit L.