JP2003135811A - Game machine management unit and game information management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine management unit and a game machine information management system capable of simplifying structure and reducing a cost by managing a controller function for controlling information about a game machine by means of a superior information management apparatus allowing omission of a great number of controllers installed in every game machine and every island. SOLUTION: This game machine management unit is arranged adjacently to each of multiple game machines arranged in a game parlor for allowing receipt of a money value medium and lending of a game medium. The game machine management unit is connected so that game management information such as money value receiving information, game medium lending information, and game medium putout information upon playing usage of the game machine by a player can be transmitted to a plurality of superior management means via a communication network.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game table management unit adjacent to a pachinko machine or a pachi-slot machine in a pachinko game hall (game shop), for example, and more specifically to centralize information management for a large number of game machines. The present invention relates to a game table management unit and a game information management system in which the number of parts is reduced and wiring is simplified.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in this type of game information management system, data management is performed by communicatively connecting to a host controller for each game table and game table management unit. A gaming table used in such a system, for example, a pachinko machine gaming table 61, as shown in FIG. 6, will be described. A platform controller 62, a call lamp 63, and a carry 64 for controlling and managing the gaming table 61. , A game system for monitoring signals from the outbox 65 and the gaming machine management unit 66.

The pachinko machine game table 61 permits output of game signals required for game operations such as a start signal, a big hit signal, an error signal, a door opening signal, and a launch signal.

The base controller 62 controls each unit used for playing a game, stores the control data thereof, and is communicatively connected to a host controller.

When the call button is pressed, the call lamp 63 outputs a call signal to the attendant and a lighting display signal.

The carrier 64 outputs a supply ball signal to the game table.

The out box 65 outputs an out ball signal.

The gaming table management unit 66 outputs a sales output and an error occurrence signal associated with the game use of the valuable medium.

Next, a description will be given with reference to FIG. 7 showing a communication connection state of the entire configuration of the game information management system in the game store.

1. A controller 71 for a gaming table management unit, which is installed beside a gaming table and is capable of paying out a rental game medium according to information from a gaming table management unit having a function of accepting a card having rental ball information. 2. A game information management device 72 that collects and manages entry / exit information of a game medium such as a pachinko ball. 3. A prize management device 73 that exchanges a prize ball from a game stand for a prize. A prize ball is a temporary game store. It is configured by combining a system such as a ball-storing system (not shown).

However, such a game information management system requires the same number of console controllers 62 as the number of games, and as a whole, a large number of game stands 61 ... For each island (game table group area) 75, a valuable information relay controller 76 and a large number of mixed wirings 76a are required.

Similarly, for each island 75, a game information relay controller 77 for a game information management device and a complicatedly mixed wiring 77a are required. Furthermore, for each island 75, a counter 78 for a prize management system and its complexity. The wiring 78a mixed with the above, and a device for a coin-collecting system and wiring (not shown) were required.

However, as a game store, the width of the island 75 is narrowed in order to increase the number of game machines installed, and the number of islands 75 installed in the game store is increased. However, in this case, the number of devices and wiring to be installed in the island 75 is increased, and a sufficient installation space cannot be taken when many devices are installed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the controller function for managing the information of the gaming table is managed by the upper information management device,
An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine management unit and a gaming information management system that realize a simplified structure and cost reduction by omitting many controllers arranged for each gaming machine and each island.

[0014]

According to the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine management unit which is provided adjacent to each of a large number of gaming machines installed in a gaming shop, and which accepts valuable media and lends game media. It is possible to transmit game management information such as acceptance information of valuable media, lending information of game media and payout information of game media when a player uses the game table to a plurality of upper management means via a communication network. It is characterized by being connected to.

The amusement store is a gaming facility such as a pachinko gaming hall or a pachislot gaming hall. Similarly, the gaming table is a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a pachislot gaming machine.

[0016] The valuable media are cash currency, prepaid cards, and other cards having value information.

The game medium is a pachinko ball in the case of a pachinko machine and a game medal in the case of a pachi-slot machine.

The game stand management unit has a function of receiving a valuable medium and a function of lending a game medium. When a valuable medium is inserted, the amount of game medium designated in the value information is lent out. Have a configuration. For example, it can be arranged as a pachinko ball lending device (bench machine) that is provided next to each pachinko gaming machine installed in a game store and lends pachinko balls.

The communication network is, for example, a local area network which permits communication with each device in a game shop.
(LAN).

The management means can be composed of a higher-level information management device. For example, a valuable information management device that collects and manages sales information of valuable media, a game information management device that collects and manages game usage information for each gaming machine, and a prize information management device that collects and manages prize exchange information corresponding to the number of game media. It can be configured by a higher-level control management device.

In addition to this, it is possible to add another management device such as a stored-ball information management device that stores the collected-ball information and carries it forward so that it can be collected and managed for the next game.

According to the present invention, since the controller function for managing the game use information of the game table can be managed by the higher-level information management device, the game machine management unit omitting the controller provided for each game machine and each island. It is possible to configure a simplified game information management system by reducing the number of parts provided and reducing the number of parts.

In addition, a communication network such as a LAN, which simplifies the wiring due to the reduction of the number of controllers, makes the signal cable single and clear, and there is no room for illegal lines to be mixed, so that a fraud prevention function can be obtained at the same time. . Further, cost reduction can be realized along with simplification of wiring.

Therefore, in a game store, a new installation space can be taken in the island by reducing the number of parts, and the number of game machines installed in each island can be increased.
In particular, in a large number of gaming machine management units installed in pairs with a gaming machine like a game store, it is possible to reduce the same number of controller units as all these units, resulting in a great reduction in the number of parts. Therefore, it is possible to surely reduce the time-consuming wiring work at the time of construction. In addition, wiring does not interfere with inspection, adjustment, repair work, etc. of the gaming table management unit,
You can achieve simple and efficient work.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The drawings show a game information management system constructed in a game entertainment facility such as a pachinko game hall (game store),
The game table managed by this game information management system is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a pachinko machine game stand 11 and a game stand management unit (between machine) 12 that is adjacent to and paired with the pachinko machine
Installed as a set.

In this case, the output signal of the call lamp 13, the output signal of the carrier 14, the output signal of the game table 11, and the output signal of the outbox 15 are output from the pachinko machine game table 11 to the game table management unit 12. After being collected in
As a result, the data is transmitted to a higher-level information management device or the like via a local area network (LAN) 16 which is communicatively connected to the game store.

The above-mentioned output signals are the same as the signals described in FIG. 6, and game signals necessary for the game operation such as a start signal, a big hit signal, an error signal, a door opening signal and a launch signal are sent from the game table 11. It outputs and outputs a sales output and an error occurrence signal associated with the use of a valuable medium such as a prepaid card from the gaming machine management unit 12, and a call lamp 13
When the call button is pressed, the call signal and the lighting signal to the clerk are output, the carrier 14 outputs the supply ball signal to the game table 11, and the out box 15 outputs the out ball signal.

By the way, the gaming table management unit 12 is arranged in a vertically long standing state to form a pair with the gaming table 11, and on the front surface thereof, a power lamp 17, a card insertion slot 18, a display 19, and a pachinko machine. A ball pay-out cylinder 20, a maintenance key 21 and the like are provided so that the player can lend out a pachinko ball.

Among these, the above-mentioned power lamp 17 is turned on and off to display and guide the present availability status of the gaming machine management unit 12.

The card insertion slot 18 is provided with a card reader (not shown) disposed inside the card when the card in which the monetary value information is recorded, such as a prepaid card or a registered valuable card, is inserted. And monetary value information is read.

The display unit 19 displays the read determination result of the inserted card and the information of the effective residual number of monetary value. By providing this display function, the player can clearly understand the game usage status and enhance the serviceability to the player.

The pachinko ball payout cylinder 20 ejects a specified number of pachinko balls from the pachinko ball payout cylinder 20 when the amount of game media (pachinko balls) specified by the player is paid out.

The maintenance key 21 is provided exclusively for a staff member and is used for opening and closing the inner recovery box.

Although an example of using cards as the valuable medium for inputting the above-mentioned monetary value information has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, cash such as banknotes and coins may be used, and valuable information is stored. It can also be applied using IC coins.

At the time of communication control of the gaming table management unit 12, as shown in FIG. 2, the gaming table 11 is paired with the gaming table 11 and arranged laterally at regular intervals. The reference numeral 12 stores the game data of the adjacent game table 11, and has a controller function for controlling the transmission of the game data to a higher level via the LAN 16.

Therefore, the game stand management unit 12 serves as a controller function of the game stand 11, which enables a system configuration without the stand controller. In addition, the prize exchange information corresponding to the number of pachinko balls is similarly transmitted to the higher order via the LAN 16 in the counter 22 for outputting the prize exchange information arranged at the end of the island 21.

The calling lamp 13 provided on the gaming table 11 may be arranged on the gaming table management unit 12 side to manage the calling lamp 13 on the gaming table 11 side.

FIG. 3 shows the overall structure of the game information management system. The upper device for managing the game information is a game table management unit controller 31 and a game information management device 32.
And a prize management system 33, and these game table management unit controller 31 and game information management device 3 are provided.
2. Island 21 via LAN 16 to the prize management system 33
Each of the counters 22 ... And the gaming table management unit 12 ...

The above-mentioned gaming machine management unit controller 31 collects and manages sales information, for example, when a prepaid card is used, via the gaming machine management unit 12 and the LAN 16, and the gaming information management device 32 puts in and out pachinko balls. The game information such as information and calling information is collected and managed via the game stand management unit 12 and the LAN 16, and the prize management system 33 provides prize exchange information corresponding to the number of pachinko balls exchanged by the counter 22 to the game stand management unit 12. And the collection and management via the LAN 16.

In this case, since the controller function for managing the information of the gaming table can be managed by the controller 31 for the gaming table management unit, the gaming information management device 32, and the prize management system 33, each gaming table 11 ... And each island 21. By omitting the controller provided for each unit, simplification of wiring and cost reduction can be achieved with a reduction in the number of parts.

By the way, when sorting the above-mentioned plurality of upper data, the gaming machine management unit controller 31,
ID for each game information management device 32 and prize management system 33
Set and send the data. For example, in the gaming machine management unit controller 31, "ID (unique certification information) number:
1 "is set, and in the game information management device 32," ID number:
2 ”is set, and in the premium management system 33,“ ID number:
3 ”is set. Also, when other information management device or system is added, the ID number can be similarly set and the data can be identified and managed.

Further, regarding the standardized communication protection management of the LAN 16, if the encrypted communication in which the information is run by using the dedicated encryption is performed, the information leakage can be dealt with. Also, by using the LAN wiring, standardized cable wiring for one LAN is enough, and since many lines do not enter, there is no room for illegal lines to mix, and a highly reliable open that can simultaneously provide a fraud prevention function. The wiring is suitable for computerized systems.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a control circuit of the gaming machine management unit 12. The control section 41 for driving and controlling the gaming machine management unit 12 causes the CPU 42 to execute various control processing and arithmetic processing, and each processing. A non-volatile flash ROM 43 storing a program, security data, volatile RAM 44 that stores data necessary for processing operations, and erases stored information when the power is turned off, controller 31 for a higher-level gaming machine management unit, A communication interface 45 for communicatively connecting the game information management device 32, the prize management system 33, and the counter 22 via the LAN 16, and an input / output I for connecting to each circuit device.
An / O interface 46 is provided.

A power supply lamp 17, a card reader 47, a display device 19, a ball payout device 48, and a power supply device 49 are electrically connected to the control section 41.

The card reader 47 reads and writes the inserted card data, determines the validity of the card inserted therein, and if valid, reduces the game usage amount from the value information of the card. If it is invalid, it will be sent back and returned. When the card cannot be accepted, the CPU 42 controls the CPU 42 so that the insertion port shutter (not shown) is closed and the acceptance of the card is restricted.

The ball payout device 48 receives the pachinko ball payout signal from the CPU 42 and receives the pachinko ball payout tube 20.
Pay out the specified number of pachinko balls.

The power supply device 49 converts the power supplied from the outside into operating power and supplies it to each circuit device.

The control processing operation of the game information management system thus configured will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Now, when the pachinko machine game table 11 is used for a game (step n1), the CPU 42 pays out the number of pachinko balls corresponding to the amount information designated by the player from the prepaid card inserted by the player, and the amount information thereof is paid out. Reduced from prepaid cards. The sales data of the card at that time is the controller 31 for the high-ranked gaming machine management unit
Via the LAN 16 to store and manage sales data (steps n2 to n3).

The machine number data used for the game at that time is transmitted to the higher order game information management device 32 via the game stand management unit 12 (step n4), and the subsequent pachinko ball entry / exit information is the higher order game information. The access information is transmitted to the management device 32, and the entry / exit information is stored and managed there (step n5).

When the player performs a calling operation during a game, a calling signal is output to call a staff member, and the gaming information and calling information at that time are stored in the higher gaming information management device 32.
Each time it is transmitted (steps n6 to n7).

When the player stops the game, for example, when the CPU 42 does not receive the game signal even after a certain period of time, it is determined that the game is stopped (step n8).

When the player uses the counter 22 to exchange pachinko balls for prizes (step n9), a ticket or card recording the prize data is issued, and the prize data at that time is a higher prize management. It is transmitted to the system 33 via the LAN 16 and is stored and managed here (step n1).
0).

After that, the player goes to the prize exchange place to exchange the prizes, and one game process ends (step n).
11).

As described above, since the controller function for managing the game use information of the game table can be managed by the controller for the higher game table management unit, the game information management device, and the prize management system, it is arranged for each game table and each island. By omitting the controller to be installed, the wiring can be simplified and the cost can be reduced as the number of components is reduced. For this reason, in a game store, a new installation space can be taken on the island by reducing the number of parts, and therefore the number of game machines installed on the island can be increased.

In particular, when a large number of game stand management units are installed as in a game store, the same number of stand controllers as all of these units can be reduced, resulting in a great reduction in the number of parts and wiring work. In addition, it is possible to reliably reduce the labor labor required for construction. Also, the wiring does not get in the way when inspecting and repairing the gaming table management unit,
You can achieve simple and efficient work.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described one embodiment, the game table of the present invention corresponds to the pachinko machine game table 11 of one embodiment. Similarly, the valuable medium is the prepaid card. It corresponds to the card, the game medium corresponds to the pachinko ball, the communication network corresponds to the LAN 16, and the management means is the game console management unit controller 3
1, a game information management device 32, and a prize management system 33
However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described one embodiment, and many embodiments can be obtained.

[0059]

According to the present invention, since the controller provided for each game table and each island can be omitted, it is possible to efficiently achieve simplification of wiring and cost reduction with a reduction in the number of parts.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko machine gaming table and a gaming table management unit.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a main part of the game information management system.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the game information management system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit of a gaming table management unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the game information management system.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a control state of a conventional pachinko machine gaming table and gaming table management unit.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a conventional game information management system.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Pachinko machine game stand 12 ... Gaming stand management unit 16 ... LAN 31 ... Controller for gaming machine management unit 32 ... Game information management device 33 ... Premium management system

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Ryosei Hori             46 Oguro, Okumachi, Ichinomiya-shi, Aichi Omron             Ichinomiya Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C088 BB07 BB31 BC77 CA04 CA31                       CA35

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A game stand management unit, which is provided adjacent to each of a large number of game stands installed in a game shop and allows receipt of valuable media and rental of game media, wherein the player plays a game on the game stand. It is characterized in that game management information such as acceptance information of valuable medium, rental information of game medium and payout information of game medium when used is connected to a plurality of upper management means via a communication network so as to be transmittable. Playground management unit. 2. A large number of game machines installed in a game shop and used for playing games, and a game machine management system adjacent to the game machines for accepting valuable media and permitting rental of game media. A game information management system comprising a unit and a communication network for transmitting game usage information from the game table management unit and prize exchange information from a counter to a higher-level management device. 3. A large number of game stands installed in a game shop and used for playing game media, and a game stand management adjoining the game stand for accepting valuable media and permitting rental of game media. A gaming information management system that controls and manages a unit and a prize counter that is installed in a game store and gives prize information, and collects sales information of valuable media from the gaming machine management unit via a local area network. A valuable information management device to be managed, a game information management device that collects and manages game usage information for each of the gaming machines from the gaming machine management unit via a local area network, and a prize exchange device installed in the gaming shop. A game information management including a prize management device that collects and manages prize exchange information corresponding to the number of game media from a counter via a local area network. Stem.