JP2005348828A - Monitoring system and game medium dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring system and a game medium dispenser which enable the monitoring of the game machine using an IC tag regardless of the space of the game machine island. <P>SOLUTION: A token 20 as a token type IC tag is used for dispensing the game media. The dispenser 30 is equipped with an RF circuit 38 and when the token 20 is fed, the counts of the value information of the token 20 is read. The direction of putting out the game balls is given to the pachinko game machine 1 by depressing a dispensing button 75 and the counts undergo a subtraction to be loaded into the token 20. A monitoring tag 86 is set up at the monitoring location such as that of the main board box of the pachinko game machine 1, the RF circuit 38 has an monitoring antenna 68 connected thereto for the communication with the monitoring tag 86 and carries out the communication with the monitoring tag 86. When the identifying information contained in the reflected wave from the monitoring tag 86 is identical to the identifying information previously registered in the dispenser 30, the member where the monitoring tag 86 is set up is judged to be normal thereby monitoring the movement of the member of the pachinko game machine 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a monitoring system and a game medium lending device, and more particularly to a monitoring system and a game medium lending device that monitor a gaming machine using an IC tag.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in gaming machines, a variety of preventive measures have been taken without undue acts of illegally acquiring a game medium by a player. For example, in a control board that controls a gaming machine, an illegal act that an illegal control program changed so that an illegal person can illegally acquire a game ball is replaced with a control board having a ROM that stores the ROM In order to prevent the illegal ROM from being replaced with the control board, various measures have been applied to the board box that houses the control board. In addition, in a pachinko machine that is a type of gaming machine, a thin board such as a celluloid board is inserted through a gap in the front door that covers the gaming area to unreasonably open a winning opening that can acquire a large number of gaming media. There is also an illegal act of allowing a game medium to win a prize opening, and various measures are taken to prevent insertion of illegal members from the front door.

  Therefore, the present applicant has proposed a system for monitoring fraudulent acts on gaming machines using IC tags (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In these monitoring systems, an IC tag is attached to a predetermined position of the gaming machine, and a ringing wave for calling these IC tags is transmitted by the IC tag monitoring device, and calling is performed from the IC tag of identification data registered in advance. When the reflected wave with respect to the wave is returned, it is assumed that the member being monitored is normal, the reflected wave is not returned, or the reflected wave from the IC tag of the identification data not registered in advance is received. In such a case, information indicating that there is an abnormality in the monitoring location is stored in the IC tag monitoring apparatus. And in patent document 1, when abnormality arises, abnormality is alert | reported by the management machine provided in the game hall. Moreover, in patent document 2, the monitoring log | history memorize | stored in the IC tag monitoring apparatus is read and browsed using the portable reader. Here, the communication between the IC tag monitoring device and the reading device is performed via a management IC tag connected to the IC tag monitoring device and installed on the front surface of the gaming machine.

Conventionally, a game medium lending device is used for borrowing game media used by a player in a gaming machine. This gaming medium lending device is connected to the gaming machine and is installed on the gaming machine installation island adjacent to the gaming machine. Then, when the player inserts a prepaid card or cash issued by the game hall into the game medium lending device and presses a lending button provided in the game medium lending device or game machine, a predetermined amount of game media is lent. In addition, valuable information is not stored magnetically like a prepaid card, but a game room issues a medium having valuable information in an IC tag and performs RF communication with the IC tag of the medium to obtain valuable information. There has also been proposed a game medium lending device that reads and lends game media (for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2004-066581 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-081463 JP 2002-35400 A

  Thus, in order to monitor using an IC tag, it is necessary to install an IC tag monitoring device near the gaming machine. However, on the gaming machine installation island where the gaming machine is installed, a gaming medium lending device is installed in addition to the gaming machine, and a device for supplying and collecting gaming media is installed on the back side of the gaming machine. In some cases, a space for installing the IC tag monitoring device cannot be secured. Further, as in Patent Document 2, when the monitoring history of the IC tag monitoring device is read by the reading device via the management IC tag, the management IC tag cannot always be installed at the same position. Therefore, there is a problem in that the installation position of the management IC tag is different, which is inconvenient for the staff of the game hall.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a monitoring system and a game medium lending device for monitoring a gaming machine using an IC tag without depending on the space of the gaming machine installation island. It is something to be offered.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the monitoring system of the invention according to claim 1, a gaming machine in which a monitoring tag, which is an IC tag storing identification information for distinguishing from other IC tags, is installed on a predetermined member; In a monitoring system comprising a monitoring device that communicates with the IC tag and monitors predetermined members of the gaming machine, the gaming machine is connected to a gaming medium lending device that lends gaming media used in the gaming machine. The gaming medium lending device includes a first call wave transmission unit that transmits a call wave for calling an IC tag, a first reflected wave reception unit that receives a reflected wave returned from the IC tag, and the first call wave transmission. And communication with the valuable information tag in the passage route of the valuable information tag, which is an IC tag connected to the first reflected wave receiving means and storing valuable information showing value exchangeable with the game medium. A valuable information antenna installed at an effective position, and the first reflected wave receiving means sends the valuable information within a predetermined time after the first calling wave transmitting means transmits the calling wave via the valuable information antenna. When receiving the reflected wave via an antenna, the valuable information reading means for reading the valuable information stored in the valuable information tag, and the valuable information read by the valuable information reading means based on the valuable information A game medium lending unit for lending game media; and a slot for inserting the valuable information tag; and connected to the first call wave transmitting unit and the first reflected wave receiving unit, The monitoring tag includes a monitoring antenna installed at a position where it can communicate with the monitoring tag when the member on which the tag is installed is located at a predetermined position, and identification information of the monitoring tag. Monitoring identification information storing means for storing each position, and the first reflected wave receiving means within the predetermined time after the first calling wave transmitting means transmits the calling wave via the monitoring antenna. When the reflected wave is not received via the antenna and communication is disabled, or the identification information included in the reflected wave is different from the identification information stored in the monitoring identification information storage unit in advance. And a monitoring information storage means for storing the determination result by the determination means as monitoring information, and the game medium lending device functions as the monitoring device. It has become.

  Further, in the monitoring system of the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the configuration of the invention of claim 1, the portable information terminal, which is a portable terminal, transmits the second call wave for calling the IC tag. A transmitting means; a second reflected wave receiving means for receiving a reflected wave returned from the IC tag; and a second antenna connected to the second ringing wave transmitting means and the second reflected wave receiving means, The gaming medium lending device includes a relay tag that is an IC tag for communicating with the portable information terminal, a first receiving unit that receives information output from the relay tag, and a first that outputs information to the relay tag. The relay tag is included in the call wave receiving means for receiving the call wave transmitted from the first call wave transmitting means and the call wave received by the call wave receiving means. Based on the information A second output means for outputting information to the receiving means; a second receiving means for receiving the information output from the first output means; and transmitting the information received by the second receiving means on the reflected wave Reflected wave transmission means, and the relay tag is installed in front of the game medium lending device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect of the invention, the monitoring system includes a management terminal in which a plurality of the game medium lending devices are connected via a communication network. The medium lending device includes monitoring information transmitting means for transmitting the monitoring information to the management terminal, and the management terminal receives monitoring information transmitted from the gaming medium lending device, and the monitoring information The monitoring information storage means for storing the monitoring information received by the information receiving means for each gaming machine is provided.

  Further, in the monitoring system of the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the valuable information tag is in the form of a coin or a card. It has a configuration.

  In the game medium lending device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, first call wave transmitting means for transmitting a call wave for calling the IC tag, and first reflected wave reception for receiving the reflected wave returned from the IC tag. And a passage route of a valuable information tag, which is an IC tag that is connected to the first ringing wave transmitting means and the first reflected wave receiving means and stores valuable information showing value exchangeable with the game medium, A valuable information antenna installed at a position communicable with the valuable information tag, and the first reflected wave within a predetermined time after the first call wave transmitting means transmits the call wave via the valuable information antenna. When the receiving means receives the reflected wave via the valuable information antenna, the valuable information reading means for reading the valuable information stored in the valuable information tag, and reading to the valuable information reading means A game medium lending device for lending the game medium based on the valuable information, and a game medium lending device connected to the game machine, wherein a predetermined member of the game machine has another IC A monitoring tag, which is an IC tag storing identification information for distinguishing from a tag, is installed. The gaming medium lending device is connected to an insertion port for inserting the valuable information tag, the first ringing wave transmitting unit, and the first reflected wave receiving unit, and the member on which the monitoring tag is installed includes A monitoring antenna installed at a position where it can communicate with the monitoring tag when present at a predetermined position, and monitoring identification information storage means for storing identification information of the monitoring tag for each position where the monitoring tag is provided; The first reflected wave receiving means does not receive the reflected wave via the monitoring antenna and cannot communicate within a predetermined time after the first calling wave transmitting means transmits the calling wave via the monitoring antenna. A monitoring determination unit that determines that an abnormality occurs when the identification information included in the reflected wave is different from the identification information stored in advance in the monitoring identification information storage unit, It has a structure which is characterized in that a monitoring information storage means for storing the determination result of the cross section as the monitoring information.

  In addition to the configuration of the invention according to claim 5, the game medium lending device of the invention according to claim 6 is a second call wave transmission for transmitting a call wave for calling the IC tag. And a second reflected wave receiving means for receiving the reflected wave returned from the IC tag, and a second antenna connected to the second ringing wave transmitting means and the second reflected wave receiving means. A relay tag that is an IC tag that receives the ringing wave transmitted from the information terminal and returns a reflected wave, first receiving means that receives information output from the relay tag, and transmits information to the relay tag The relay tag is included in the ringing wave reception unit that receives the ringing wave transmitted from the second ringing wave transmission unit, and the ringing wave received by the ringing wave reception unit Based on the information The second output means for outputting information to the first receiving means, the second receiving means for receiving information output from the first transmitting means, and the information received by the second receiving means are placed on the reflected wave. Reflected wave transmission means, and the relay tag is installed on the front surface of the game medium lending device.

  In addition to the configuration of the invention according to claim 5 or 6, the game medium lending device of the invention according to claim 7 provides the monitoring to a management terminal in which a plurality of the game medium lending devices are connected via a communication network. It has a configuration characterized by comprising monitoring information transmitting means for transmitting information.

  In addition, in the game medium lending device of the invention according to claim 8, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to any of claims 5 to 7, the valuable information tag is in the form of a coin or a card. It has a characteristic configuration.

  In the monitoring system of the invention according to claim 1, the first call wave transmitting means of the game medium lending device transmits the call wave for calling the IC tag, and the first reflected wave receiving means is the reflected wave returned from the IC tag. Receive. The valuable information antenna is connected to the first ringing wave transmitting means and the first reflected wave receiving means, and passes through a valuable information tag passing path which is an IC tag storing valuable information that is exchangeable with a game medium. It is installed at a position where it can communicate with the valuable information tag. Further, the valuable information reading means receives the reflected wave via the valuable information antenna within a predetermined time after the first calling wave transmitting means transmits the calling wave via the valuable information antenna. In this case, when the valuable information stored in the valuable information tag is read, the game medium lending means can lend the game medium based on the valuable information read by the valuable information reading means. The valuable information tag is inserted into the insertion slot. Further, the monitoring antenna is connected to the first ringing wave transmitting unit and the first reflected wave receiving unit, and is installed at a position where the monitoring tag can communicate with the monitoring tag when the member on which the monitoring tag is installed exists at a predetermined position. ing. The monitoring identification information storage means stores the identification information of the monitoring tag for each position where the monitoring tag is provided, and the monitoring judgment means transmits the call wave through the monitoring antenna by the first call wave transmission means. If the first reflected wave receiving means does not receive the reflected wave via the monitoring antenna and becomes unable to communicate within a predetermined time, or the identification information included in the reflected wave is stored in the monitoring identification information storing means in advance. If the identification information is different from the identification information, the monitoring information storage means can store the determination result by the determination means as monitoring information, and the game medium lending device functions as the monitoring device. Therefore, it is possible to monitor the gaming machine by communicating with the monitoring tag using the first ringing wave transmitting unit and the first reflected wave transmitting unit of the gaming medium lending device conventionally installed on the gaming machine installation island. Therefore, it is possible to monitor the gaming machine with the IC tag even if there is no space for installing a separate monitoring device on the gaming machine installation island.

  In the monitoring system of the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the second call wave transmitting means of the portable information terminal transmits a call wave for calling the IC tag, The reflected wave receiving means can receive the reflected wave returned from the IC tag, and the second antenna is connected to the second ringing wave transmitting means and the second reflected wave receiving means. The relay tag of the game medium lending device is an IC tag that can communicate with the portable information terminal, and the first receiving means of the game medium lending device receives the information output from the relay tag and outputs the first output. The means can output information to the relay tag. The relay tag call wave receiving means receives the call wave transmitted from the second call wave transmitting means, and the relay tag second output means is included in the call wave received by the call wave receiving means. Based on the information, the information is output to the first receiving means, the second receiving means receives the information output from the first output means, and the reflected wave transmitting means reflects the information received by the second receiving means. Can be sent on the wave. Accordingly, by communicating with the relay tag, the monitoring information can be viewed on the portable information terminal, and various instructions can be given from the portable information terminal to the game medium lending device. Moreover, it is desirable that the relay tag be installed at a position where a game hall staff can easily point the second antenna of the portable information terminal. Therefore, since the relay tag is installed in front of the game medium lending device, it is easy to communicate between the portable information terminal and the relay tag. In the game hall, the gaming machine is frequently exchanged for a new gaming machine in order to attract the interest of the customer, but the frequency of changing the model of the gaming medium lending device is low. Therefore, a relay tag is installed in a gaming machine lending device with a low frequency of model exchange rather than being installed in a gaming machine where model exchange is frequently performed, and the position changes every time the model is exchanged. The tag position is fixed, making it easy for the attendant at the game hall to understand.

  In the monitoring system of the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the monitoring information transmitting means of the game medium lending device can transmit the monitoring information to the management terminal. . The monitoring information receiving means of the management terminal receives the monitoring information transmitted from the gaming medium lending device, and the comprehensive monitoring information storage means can store the monitoring information received by the monitoring information receiving means for each gaming machine. it can. Therefore, monitoring information for monitoring gaming machines using IC tags in the gaming medium lending device can be collected and stored in the management terminal.

  Further, in the monitoring system of the invention according to claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, valuable information in the form of coins or cards that are easy to handle and familiar to the player. Tags can be used.

  In the game medium lending device of the invention according to claim 5, the first call wave transmitting means transmits the call wave for calling the IC tag, and the first reflected wave receiving means receives the reflected wave returned from the IC tag. Receive. The valuable information antenna is connected to the first ringing wave transmitting means and the first reflected wave receiving means, and passes through a valuable information tag passing path which is an IC tag storing valuable information that is exchangeable with a game medium. It is installed at a position where it can communicate with the valuable information tag. Further, the valuable information reading means receives the reflected wave via the valuable information antenna within a predetermined time after the first calling wave transmitting means transmits the calling wave via the valuable information antenna. In this case, the valuable information stored in the valuable information tag is read, and the game medium lending unit can lend the game medium based on the valuable information read by the valuable information reading unit. Further, the valuable information tag can be inserted into the insertion slot, the monitoring antenna is connected to the first ringing wave transmitting means and the first reflected wave receiving means, and the member on which the monitoring tag is installed is at a predetermined position. The monitoring identification information storage means stores the identification information of the monitoring tag for each position where the monitoring tag is provided, and the monitoring judgment means When the first reflected wave receiving means does not receive the reflected wave via the monitoring antenna and becomes unable to communicate within a predetermined time after the calling wave transmitting means transmits the calling wave via the monitoring antenna, When the identification information included in the wave is different from the identification information stored in advance in the monitoring identification information storage means, it is determined as abnormal, and the monitoring information storage means can store the determination result by the determination means as monitoring information. it canTherefore, in a gaming medium lending device that lends gaming media using an IC tag, it is possible to monitor gaming machines using the IC tag.

  In addition, in the game medium lending device of the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 5, the relay tag of the game medium lending device receives a call wave transmitted from the portable information terminal, The IC tag can return a reflected wave. The first receiving unit can receive information output from the relay tag, and the first transmitting unit can transmit information to the relay tag. The relay tag call wave receiving means receives the call wave transmitted from the second call wave transmitting means, and the second output means is based on information contained in the call wave received by the call wave receiving means. The information is output to the first receiving means, the second receiving means receives the information output from the first transmitting means, and the reflected wave transmitting means places the information received by the second receiving means on the reflected wave. Can be sent. Therefore, since it is possible to provide various support from the portable information terminal to the gaming medium lending device that monitors the gaming machine using the IC tag, a call wave including an instruction to obtain monitoring information from the portable information terminal is generated. The game medium lending device transmits the call wave including the instruction to acquire the monitoring information from the game medium lending device, browse the monitoring information on the portable information terminal, or change the setting of the game medium lending device. You can change the settings. Moreover, since the relay tag is installed in front of the game medium lending device, communication with the portable information terminal is easily performed.

  Moreover, in the game medium lending device of the invention according to claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 5 or 6, the monitoring information transmitting means connects a plurality of game medium lending devices through a communication network. Send monitoring information to the management terminal. Therefore, the monitoring information obtained by monitoring the gaming machine using the IC tag in the gaming medium lending device can be used in the management terminal.

  In addition, in the game medium lending device of the invention according to claim 8, in addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 5 to 7, the game medium lending device has a coin or card shape that is easy to handle and familiar to the player. Valuable information tags can be used.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in the following order with reference to the drawings.
1． Overview of system configuration
2． Explanation of pachinko machine and lending device
3． Monitoring location description
Four. IC tag description
Five. Explanation of island management terminal
6． Explanation of game hall management terminal
7． Explanation of portable information terminal
8． Description of monitoring information
9． Explanation of lending device processing
Ten. Comparison between the embodiment and the claims
11． Effects of the embodiment
12． Description of modification

1． Outline of System Configuration FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a monitoring system according to the present embodiment. The pachinko machine 1, which is a kind of gaming machine, is connected to a lending device 30 that lends a game ball as a game medium to the pachinko machine 1, and a plurality of pachinko machines 1 in the game hall are arranged in two rows back to back. An island management terminal 100 is installed on each of the installed gaming machine installation islands 200. Further, the lending device 30 is connected to the island management terminal 100 via the in-store network 150. Further, the island management terminal 100 is connected to a game hall management terminal 300 that manages the entire game hall, and the game hall management terminal 300 collectively manages each island management terminal 100.

  The lending device 30 lends a game ball using the coin 20 (see FIG. 10), which is a coin-type IC tag in which valuable information is stored. The coin 20 is issued by a coin issuing machine (not shown) installed in the game hall. For example, when 1000 yen is inserted into the coin issuing machine, the frequency of the valuable information is stored in the coin 20 and “1000” is issued. When the player inserts the coin 20 into the lending device 30 and presses the lending button 75 (see FIG. 4), a game ball is obtained on the upper plate 5 (see FIG. 2) of the pachinko machine 1. In the present embodiment, the frequency is equivalent to 1 yen, and the value of 500 degrees is consumed by pressing the lending button 75 once, and 125 gaming balls are lent out.

  The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a monitoring tag 86 (IC tag) at a place where monitoring is performed, and a monitoring antenna 68 at a position where it can communicate with the monitoring tag 86 when normally installed. In the present embodiment, a total of three places such as a substrate box are provided, but specific installation places will be described later with reference to FIGS. If an abnormality occurs or the abnormality is recovered as a result of monitoring, the information is stored as monitoring information in the EEPROM 35 and the RAM 34 (see FIG. 5) of the lending device 30. Further, these pieces of information are transmitted to the island management terminal 100 and further transmitted to the game hall management terminal 300. The island management terminal 100 is configured to notify the received monitoring information, and an attendant can respond to the monitoring information in the game hall. In the game hall management terminal 300, all of the connections to the in-store network 150 are configured. The monitor information of the pachinko machine 1 can be collected and accumulated. The handy terminal (hereinafter referred to as “HT”) 400 is a portable terminal that can communicate with the lending device 30 via the relay tag 90 (see FIG. 5). An instruction can be given and monitoring information can be viewed.

2． Description of Pachinko Machine and Lending Device Next, the pachinko machine 1 and the lending device 30 connected to the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the state in which the front frame 111 and the main body frame 110 of the pachinko machine 1 are opened as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 4 is a front view of the lending device 30. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 and the lending device 30 connected to the pachinko machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pachinko machine 1 includes a machine frame 112, a main body frame 110, and a front frame 111. The machine frame 112 is for fixing the pachinko machine 1 to the gaming machine installation island 200. The main body frame 110 is supplied with various boards for controlling the pachinko machine 1, game balls are supplied to a launcher (not shown), and an upper plate 5 for receiving prize balls, a lower plate 6 for receiving prize balls, A main body 113 including a launching handle 7 for launching a ball, a speaker 48 that emits sound, and a game board 2 are fitted. Various substrates are provided on the back surface of the main body frame 110. Further, the substantially square game board 2 is provided in the upper half of the front surface of the main body 113, the upper plate 5 is provided in the lower part of the game board 2, and the lower plate 6 is provided directly below the upper plate 5. A firing handle 7 is provided on the right side of the lower plate 6, and a speaker 48 is provided between the upper plate 5 and the lower plate 6. And the front frame 111 hold | maintains the transparent glass plate 111a, and has covered the game board 2 for protection. In addition, the game board 2 is provided with a substantially circular game area 4 surrounded by the guide rail 3, and a game ball launched by operating the launch handle 7 is guided to the guide rail 3 to play a game. It enters area 4 and flows down. In the lower part of the game area 4, a grand prize opening 16 is provided, and further, various prize openings, an electric lamp, a windmill, an obstacle nail, a symbol display device, and the like are provided.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko machine 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1. As shown in FIG. 3, a transparent resin main board box 81 that houses a main board 41 that controls the main control of the pachinko machine 1 is provided on the lower left rear surface of the pachinko machine 1. The sound board 43 is placed next to the sound board 43 and the power board 42 is placed above the right side of the sound board 43 in a transparent resin box, and the delivery control board 45 is placed below the transparent resin delivery control board box. 82. In addition, a payout device 67 is provided at the right center of the back of the pachinko machine 1 and at the top of the power supply board 42. The payout device 67 serves to pay out the game balls stored in the game ball tank 65 provided at the upper back of the pachinko machine 1 to the upper plate 5 or the lower plate 6. Further, a center cover 80 that protects the back surface of the game board and covers various wirings is disposed above the main board box 81. The power supply of the lending device 30 is not supplied from the power supply board 42 but from the power supply device (not shown) of the gaming machine installation island 200.

  Next, the lending device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a display unit 77, a coin insertion slot 92, a lending button 75, a return button 76, and a coin return slot 93 are provided on the front surface of the lending device 30 from above. The display unit 77 is a liquid crystal panel, and displays the value of the valuable information of the coin 20 inserted from the coin insertion slot 92 and a message to the player. A coin holding portion 94 (not shown in FIG. 4) is provided inside the coin insertion slot 92, and the coin 20 inserted from the coin insertion slot 92 is held. The coin holding unit 94 is provided with a valuable information antenna 39 (not shown in FIG. 4) for communicating with the coin 20, and the lending device 30 communicates with the coin 20 with the coin 20 inserted. Designed to be able to.

  When the lending button 75 is pressed, a predetermined frequency is subtracted from the frequency of the valuable information of the coin 20, a game ball payout instruction signal is output to the payout control board 45 of the pachinko machine 1, and the payout device 67 is activated to operate the pachinko machine. A game ball is lent out on the upper plate 5. When the return button 76 is pressed, the coin 20 is returned from the coin return port 93. Further, a relay tag 90 is affixed to the inner upper portion of the front surface of the lending device 30. The relay tag 90 is connected to the I / O interface 37 (see FIG. 5) of the lending device 30 by a cable 90k (see FIG. 5).

  Next, an electrical configuration of main components of the pachinko machine 1 and the lending device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a main board 41, a power board 42, a sound board 43, a symbol display board 44, a payout control board 45, an electrical decoration board 46, a relay board 47, a launch board 66, a sub-integrated board 58, and the like. Yes. The main board 41 is provided with a CPU 51 for performing various arithmetic processes, a RAM 52 for storing flags, counter values and data, a control program, various initial value data, and a symbol display provided in the game area 4. A ROM 53 that stores data of contents displayed on the apparatus is connected. The CPU 51 is connected to an I / O interface 54, and a sub-integrated board 58, a payout control board 45, and a relay board 47 are connected to the I / O interface 54. Further, a symbol display board 44, an electrical decoration board 46, and a sound board 43 are connected to the sub-integrated board 58, and a launch board 66 and a payout device 67 are connected to the payout control board 45. The power supply board 42 is supplied with power from a power supply provided on the gaming machine installation island, and supplies power to the main board 41, the sub-integrated board 58, the payout control board 45, and the launch board 66.

  The lending device 30 is provided with a CPU 32 that controls the lending device 30. The CPU 32 includes a RAM 34 that temporarily stores flags, data, and the like, and a ROM 33 that stores control programs and various initial value data. A radio frequency circuit (hereinafter referred to as an RF circuit) for transmitting a calling wave to the EEPROM 35 for storing monitoring information and the like, a monitoring tag 86a, a monitoring tag 86b, and a monitoring tag 86c and receiving a reflected wave. 38, an RTC 71 for time management and an I / O interface 37 are connected. Further, the RF circuit 38 is connected to the monitoring tag 86a, the monitoring tag 86b, and the monitoring tag 86c, the monitoring antenna 68a, the monitoring antenna 68b, the monitoring antenna 68c, and the valuable information antenna installed in the coin holding unit 94 that holds the coin 20. 39 is connected.

  The I / O interface 37 is provided on the front of the lending device 30 and a communication circuit 36 for communicating with the island management terminal 100 via the in-store network 150, and is pressed when the player rents a game ball. A loan button 75 to be returned, a return button 76 to be pressed when requesting the return of the coin 20 inserted by the player, a display unit 77 for displaying valuable information of the inserted coin 20, and a relay tag for communicating with the HT 400 90 etc. are connected. The I / O interface 37 is connected to the I / O interface 54 of the pachinko machine 1, and game information of the pachinko machine 1 is output from the main board 41 to the lending device 30. In addition, the payout control board 45 is also connected, and when the lending button 75 is pressed and the game ball is lent out, a signal instructing the payout of the game ball is transmitted to the payout control board.

  The monitoring tag 86a, the monitoring tag 86b, and the monitoring tag 86c are attached to each monitoring location of the pachinko machine 1, and each monitoring tag 86a, the monitoring tag 86b, and the monitoring tag are in a state where each monitoring location is closed. A monitoring antenna 68a, a monitoring antenna 68b, and a monitoring antenna 68c are installed at positions where they can communicate with 86c. The monitoring antenna 68a communicates with the monitoring tag 86a, the monitoring antenna 68b communicates with the monitoring tag 86b, and the monitoring antenna 68c communicates with the monitoring tag 86c.

3． Description of Monitoring Location Next, with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 6, the monitoring location provided with the monitoring tags 86a to 86c will be described. Three monitoring locations are the main substrate box 81 (monitoring location 1) in which the main substrate 41 is accommodated, the main body frame 110 and the machine frame 112 (monitoring location 2), and the front frame 111 and the main body frame 110 (monitoring location 3). The opening and closing is monitored. Note that the monitoring tag 86a and the monitoring antenna 68a are used to monitor the main board box 81 which is the monitoring location 1, and the monitoring tag 86b and the machine casing 112 which are the monitoring location 2 are monitored. The monitoring antenna 68b is used, and the monitoring tag 86c and the monitoring antenna 68c are used to monitor the front frame 111 and the main body frame 110 which are the monitoring location 3.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a monitoring tag 86a is affixed to the inner surface of the main board box 81 at the lower right side when viewed from the front in FIG. Here, the monitoring of the main board box 81 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the main board box 81. As shown in FIG. 6, the main board box 81 is composed of a transparent resin-made substantially rectangular upper cover part 81a in plan view and a transparent resin-made substantially rectangular lower cover part 81c in plan view. In addition, a main board 41 that performs main control of the pachinko machine 1 is disposed on the lower lid portion 81c facing the upper lid portion 81a. And the small and rectangular monitoring tag 86a is adhere | attached with the adhesive agent etc. on the back surface side of the upper cover part 81a. A cutout is provided at the lower right end of the main board 41, and a coiled monitoring antenna 68a for performing RF transmission / reception with the monitoring tag 86 and electromagnetic waves is provided in the lower lid 81c at the cutout position. The antenna 68a is connected to the RF circuit 38 of the lending device 30 by a coaxial cable.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a monitoring tag 86b is attached to the inner surface of the right frame in FIG. 2 of the machine casing 112, and a monitoring antenna 68b is provided on the right side surface of the main body 113. Note that the monitoring tag 86b and the monitoring antenna 68b are arranged at positions facing each other when the main body frame 110 and the machine frame 112 are closed. When the main body frame 110 and the machine casing 112 are closed (normal state), the monitoring tag 86b and the monitoring antenna 68b can communicate with each other, and the main body frame 110 and the machine casing 112 are opened ( In an abnormal state), the monitoring tag 86b and the monitoring antenna 68b cannot communicate. In addition, a monitoring tag 86c is affixed to a rear surface (a surface facing the main body frame 110) at the upper right of the front frame 111 when the front frame 111 and the main body frame 110 are closed. A monitoring antenna 68c is provided on the surface of the upper frame of the main body frame 110 (the surface facing the front frame 111). Note that the monitoring tag 86c and the monitoring antenna 68c are arranged at positions facing each other when the front frame 111 and the main body frame 110 are closed. When the front frame 111 and the main body frame 110 are closed (normal state), the monitoring tag 86c and the monitoring antenna 68c can communicate with each other, and the front frame 111 and the main body frame 110 are opened ( In an abnormal state), the monitoring tag 86c and the monitoring antenna 68c cannot communicate.

  In this embodiment, the monitoring tag 86 and the monitoring antenna 68 communicate with each other in the 13.56 MHz short wave band. Since communication at this frequency is relatively insensitive to noise, it is suitable for the installation environment of the pachinko machine 1. The distance between the monitoring antenna 68a and the monitoring tag 86a is arranged to be about 3 mm when the upper lid portion 81a and the lower lid portion 81c are assembled. RF transmission / reception is possible between these distances, and the monitoring tag 86a can respond to a call from the lending device 30 via the monitoring antenna 68a. If the distance between the monitoring antenna 68a and the monitoring tag 86a exceeds about 5 mm, communication is performed. It is set to be impossible. This communicable distance can be adjusted by the number of turns of the coil of the monitoring antenna 68 and the reactance value. By setting the communicable distance in this way, it is possible to detect even a slight opening of the upper lid portion 81a, and it is adjusted so that communication is not disabled by a slight fluctuation due to vibration or the like. . In addition, as described above, communication in this frequency band is relatively less susceptible to noise, but in order to prevent any malfunction caused by the influence of noise from members using other electromagnetic waves, the monitoring tag 86 and the monitoring antenna Reference numeral 68 denotes a right lower end portion of the main board 41 which is a position away from the dispensing device 67 using the solenoid and the firing motor of the launch board 66.

Four. Description of IC Tag Next, the structure of the monitoring tags 86a to 86c will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the monitoring tags 86a to 86c. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical circuit configuration of the monitoring tags 86a to 86c. The monitoring tags 86a to 86c have the same structure. As shown in FIG. 8, an RF circuit 861 that emits a reflected wave in response to a calling wave from the lending device 30, an antenna 862, and an EEPROM 863 are mounted. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the monitoring tag 86 is provided with an antenna 862 and an IC chip 864 on a thin flexible printed circuit board, and the IC circuit 864 includes an RF circuit 861 and an EEPROM 863 that are integrated. Has been. Further, in the EEPROM 863, an ID code which is identification information for identifying the monitoring tag 86 from other monitoring tags is stored in the overwriting erasure prohibited area.

  The monitoring tag 86 receives a ringing wave from the lending device 30 via the monitoring antenna 68, and the antenna 862 receives it. This ringing wave includes a carrier wave component and receives this. Then, the RF circuit 861 rectifies to obtain a DC voltage. Therefore, the monitoring tag 86 can transmit data whenever necessary without using a battery or an external power source. For data transmission, the ID code is read out from the EEPROM 863, placed on the reflected wave, and transmitted from the RF circuit 861 toward the monitoring antenna 68.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an electrical circuit configuration of the relay tag 90. Similarly to the monitoring tags 86 a to 86 c shown in FIG. 7, the relay tag 90 is provided with an antenna 90 b and an IC chip 90 d on a thin flexible printed board, and further provided with a cable 90 k for connection to the lending device 30. ing. The IC chip 90d includes not only the RF circuit 90a and the EEPROM 90c, but also a CPU 90f and a ROM 90e with a built-in RAM 90g. Similarly to the monitoring tags 86a to 86c, the EEPROM 90c stores an ID code, which is identification information for identifying the relay tag 90 from other IC tags, in the overwriting erasure prohibited area.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view of the coin 20, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the coin 20. As shown in FIG. 10, an antenna 22 and an IC chip 24 are embedded in a coin, and an RF circuit 21 and an EEPROM 23 are integrated into the IC chip 24 shown in FIG. Further, the EEPROM 23 stores an ID code, which is identification information for identifying the coin 20 from other IC tags, and a code indicating that it is a coin that can be used in the game arcade in the overwriting erasure prohibited area. Further, the frequency as valuable information is stored in a rewritable area. Similarly to the monitoring tag 86, the coin 20 also rectifies the carrier wave component contained in the ringing wave transmitted from the valuable information antenna 39 by the RF circuit 21 to obtain a DC voltage. Therefore, the coin 20 can transmit data whenever necessary without using a battery or an external power source.

Five. Description of Island Management Terminal Next, the island management terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the island management terminal 100. As shown in FIG. 12, the island management terminal 100 includes a CPU 101 that performs various calculations, a RAM 102 that temporarily stores monitoring information, various flags, data, and the like received from the lending device 30, a control program, and various initial values. ROM 103 that stores value data, EEPROM 104 that stores registration information such as the machine number of pachinko machine 1, I / O interface 105 that transfers data, and communication circuit 106 that connects to in-store network 150 A display 107 for displaying the monitoring information received from the lending device 30; a warning lamp 108 that is turned on based on the monitoring information; and a display on the display 107 is erased and the warning lamp 108 is turned off. Clear button 109.

  The main function of the island management terminal 100 is notification of monitoring information. When monitoring information is received from the lending device 30 by the control program stored in the ROM 103, the occurrence or recovery of a failure such as “001 series, illegally opened! (11:21:56)” is displayed on the display 107. Is displayed, and a warning lamp 108 is turned on to attract the attention of the game hall staff. When the clear button 109 is pressed by the staff, the notification message is turned off and the warning lamp 108 is turned off. The received monitoring information is used as data for notification by itself, and is also transmitted to the game hall management terminal 300 every time it is received.

6． Description of Game Hall Management Terminal Next, the game hall management terminal 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the game hall management terminal 300. As shown in FIG. 13, the game hall management terminal 300 is provided with a CPU 301 for controlling the game hall management terminal 300. The CPU 301 stores a RAM 302 for temporarily storing various data, a BIOS, and the like. A ROM 303 is connected to an I / O interface 304 that mediates data transfer. A hard disk device 360 is connected to the I / O interface 304, and monitoring information collected from each lending device 30 and transmitted from the island management terminal 100 is stored in the hard disk device 360 for each pachinko machine 1. An information storage area 361, a program storage area 362 that stores programs executed by the CPU 301, and other information storage areas 363 are provided.

  In addition, a video controller 305, a key controller 306, a CD-ROM drive 307, and a communication circuit 308 are connected to the I / O interface 304, and a display 309 is connected to the video controller 305. Is connected to the keyboard 310, and the communication circuit 308 can be connected to the in-store network 150. The CD-ROM 312 inserted into the CD-ROM drive 307 stores a control program for the game hall management terminal 300. At the time of introduction, the control program is set up from the CD-ROM 312 to the hard disk device 360. It is stored in the program storage area 362.

  The main function of the game hall management terminal 300 is the storage management of monitoring information. When monitoring information transmitted from each lending device 30 via the island management terminal 100 is received (corresponding to “monitoring information receiving means”), it is accumulated in the monitoring information storage area 361 (see FIG. 18). Such information can be browsed on the display 309 or can be printed by connecting a printer.

7． Description of Portable Information Terminal Next, the HT 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. The HT 400 communicates with a relay tag 90 (see FIG. 4) provided at the upper part of the opening / closing axis inside the front frame 111 of the pachinko machine 1, and acquires and browses monitoring information stored in the lending device 30. Or changing the ID code associated with the replacement of the monitoring tag. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of HT400. FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the electrical configuration of the HT 400.

  First, the shape of the HT 400 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the HT 400 is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), which is a well-known portable information terminal, and has a memory card such as an SD memory card (Secure Digital Memory Card) or MMC (Multi Media Card) on the top, Alternatively, a card slot for inserting a small flash memory card, a PC card type PHS adapter or the like is provided, and a reading unit 401 including an antenna 402 and an RF circuit 410 (see FIG. 15) is inserted into the card slot. . The reading unit 401 is configured to be able to be refracted in a range of 90 degrees around the rotation shaft 406 so that the antenna 402 is directed to the relay tag 90 at an appropriate angle. Further, a menu screen, a display panel 403 for displaying received monitoring information, a cursor displayed on the display panel 403, direction keys 405 for moving the display contents up and down, left and right, and a screen of the display panel 403 are displayed on the front of the HT 400. A menu key 404 for operation is provided. Further, an infrared communication port (not shown) for infrared communication is provided on the side surface of the HT400, and a connector (not shown) is connected to an external device such as a personal computer from the input / output port (not shown) via the cradle on the bottom surface. Outside).

  Next, the electrical configuration of the HT 400 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the HT 400 is provided with a CPU 411 that controls the HT 400. The CPU 411 includes a RAM 413 that temporarily stores various data, a control program executed by the CPU 411, and an operation on the display panel 403. A ROM 412 that stores screen information for displaying a screen, a flash memory 414 that is a kind of nonvolatile memory, and an I / O interface 409 that mediates data transfer are connected. The flash memory 414 stores monitoring information acquired from the pachinko machine 1, an ID code of the relay tag 90 for each pachinko machine, and the like. The reading unit 401 includes an antenna 402 that communicates with the relay tag 90, and an RF circuit 410 that is a transmission circuit and a reception circuit. The antenna 402 is connected to the RF circuit 410, and the RF circuit 410 is an I / O interface. It is connected to the face 409. In addition, a display panel 403, an input / output circuit 407 for exchanging data with an external device, an infrared communication circuit 408, menu keys 404 and direction keys 405 as input keys are connected to the I / O interface 409. Yes.

  The main function of the HT 400 is to browse monitoring information immediately before the pachinko machine 1 and the lending device 30. When the antenna 402 of the HT 400 is directed to the front upper part (relay tag 90) of the lending device 30 and a monitoring information reading operation is performed, a ringing wave including information on an instruction to acquire monitoring information is transmitted from the RF circuit 410 via the antenna 402. Sent. Then, since the reflected wave including the monitoring information is returned from the relay tag 90, the RF circuit 410 receives it via the antenna 402, and the content of the monitoring information is displayed on the display panel 403. In addition to browsing monitoring information, various settings such as changing the ID code and adding a monitoring location associated with the replacement of the monitoring tag can be performed.

8． Description of Monitoring Information Next, with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18, monitoring results obtained by monitoring the monitoring tags 86 a to 86 c attached to the pachinko machine 1 by the lending device 30 will be described. The monitoring results are stored in the following three locations. These are the EEPROM 35 of the lending device 30, the RAM 34 of the lending device 30, and the hard disk device 360 of the game hall management terminal 300. The EEPROM 35 of the lending device 30 stores the latest information regarding the abnormality that has occurred in the pachinko machine 1 provided with the lending device 30 for each monitoring place (see FIG. 16). The RAM 34 of the lending device 30 stores information for one day related to the abnormality that has occurred in the pachinko machine 1 provided with the lending device 30 in time series (see FIG. 17). Further, these pieces of information are transmitted to the game hall management terminal 300 via the island management terminal 100, and all of the monitoring information of the pachinko machine 1 connected to the in-store network 150 is stored in the game hall management terminal 300 ( (See FIG. 18).

  FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram of the latest monitoring information storage area 351 of the EEPROM 35 of the lending device 30 in which the latest monitoring information of each monitoring place is stored. FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram of the history monitoring information storage area 341 of the RAM 34 of the lending device 30 in which monitoring information for one day is stored. FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram of the monitoring information storage area 361 of the game hall management terminal 300 in which the monitoring information of all pachinko machines 1 is stored.

  First, the latest monitoring information storage area 351 of the EEPROM 35 of the lending device 30 in which the latest monitoring information of each monitoring place is stored will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the latest monitoring information storage area 351 stores occurrence date, occurrence time, return date, return time, and ID error information for each of the monitoring locations 1 to 3. “Occurrence date” and “occurrence time” store the date and time when the abnormality occurred, respectively. “Return date” and “recovery time” store the date and time when the abnormality recovered, respectively, and “ID error” Stores information on whether or not the abnormality is an ID error due to mismatch of ID codes. When “1” is stored in the “ID error”, it indicates that the content of the abnormality that has occurred is caused by the mismatch of the ID codes. When a value other than “1” is stored, it indicates that the abnormality is not caused by the mismatch of the ID codes, that is, the response error is that there is no response from the monitoring tag 86.

  In the example shown in FIG. 16, the occurrence date of the monitoring place 1 is stored as May 3, 2004, the occurrence time is 22:19:21, the ID error is “1”, and the return date is Nothing is stored in the return time. That is, an abnormality due to the ID code mismatch is occurring at the monitoring location 1 and has not yet returned to the normal state. The occurrence date of monitoring place 2 is May 3, 2004, the occurrence time is 22:16:10, the return date is May 3, 2004, the return time is 22:19:50, ID error Stores “0”. That is, a response error has occurred at the monitoring location 2 and has already been restored. The occurrence date of monitoring place 3 is May 3, 2004, the occurrence time is 11:21:56, the return date is May 3, 2004, the return time is 11:22:40, ID error Stores “0”. That is, a response error has occurred at the monitoring location 3 and has already been restored.

  Next, the history monitoring information storage area 341 of the RAM 34 of the lending device 30 in which monitoring information for one day is stored will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, the history monitoring information storage area 341 stores time, monitoring location, status, and ID error information in time series. “Time” stores the time when the abnormality occurred or returned, “Monitoring location” stores a number indicating the place where the abnormality occurred or returned, and “Status” indicates whether the abnormality occurred or returned. A code indicating whether or not an error has occurred is stored, and “ID error” stores information indicating whether or not the abnormality is an ID error due to a mismatch of ID codes. When “1” is stored in the “state”, it indicates that an abnormality has occurred. When “2” is stored, it indicates that the abnormality has been recovered. Further, when “1” is stored in the “ID error”, it indicates that the content of the abnormality that has occurred is caused by the mismatch of the ID codes. When a value other than “1” is stored, it indicates that the abnormality is not caused by the mismatch of the ID codes, that is, the response error is that there is no response from the monitoring tag 86.

  In the example shown in FIG. 17, a response error has occurred in the monitoring location 3 at 11:21:56, and the response error in the monitoring location 3 has recovered at 11:22:40. Then, a response error occurs at the monitoring location 2 at 22:16:10, a response error at the monitoring location 1 occurs at 22:16:13, and a response error at the monitoring location 1 occurs at 22:19:20. The ID error at the monitoring location 1 occurred at 22:19:21, and the response error at the monitoring location 2 recovered at 22:19:50.

  Next, the monitoring information storage area 361 of the HDD 360 of the game hall management terminal 300 in which all the monitoring information of the pachinko machine 1 connected to the in-store network 150 is stored will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, in the monitoring information storage area 361, monitoring information is stored in time series for each machine number of the pachinko machine 1 and for each date. The monitoring information is the same as the contents of the history monitoring information storage area 341 shown in FIG. 17, and information on time, monitoring location, state, and ID error is stored.

  In the example shown in FIG. 18, the monitoring information of the machine number 001 prior to May 1, 2004 is omitted, but on May 1, 2004, the response to the monitoring place 3 is made at 17:26:53. An error occurred and the response error was restored at 17:28:11. Also, on May 3, 2004, as in the history monitoring information storage area 341 shown in FIG. 17, a response error occurred at the monitoring location 3 at 11:21:56, and 11:22:40 The response error at the monitoring location 3 is restored. Then, a response error occurs at the monitoring location 2 at 22:16:10, a response error at the monitoring location 1 occurs at 22:16:13, and a response error at the monitoring location 1 occurs at 22:19:20. The ID error at the monitoring location 1 occurred at 22:19:21, and the response error at the monitoring location 2 recovered at 22:19:50. Although the data after the machine number 002 is omitted, monitoring information is stored in time series for each date as in the machine number 001.

9． Description of Lending Device Processing Here, the processing of the lending device 30 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When power is supplied to the lending device 30, the CPU 32 executes main processing. In the main processing, monitoring processing at each monitoring place, gaming ball lending processing, and HT processing, which is processing by communication with the HT 400, are repeatedly performed. FIG. 19 is a flowchart of main processing performed by the CPU 32 of the lending device 30. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a monitoring process for monitoring a monitoring place performed in the main process. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the lending process performed in the main process.

  First, the main process will be described with reference to a flowchart with reference to FIG. This process is performed when power is supplied to the lending device 30. First, initial processes such as setting an initial value “0” in each error flag are performed (S1). The error flag indicates that the communication with the monitoring tag 86 is normally performed when “0” is stored, and the communication with the monitoring tag 86 is normally performed when “1” is stored. This indicates that there is no error, that is, an abnormality has occurred. A response error flag and an ID error flag are provided for each of the monitoring locations 1 to 3. The response error indicates that the monitoring tag 86 has not returned a reflected wave in response to the ringing wave transmitted from the monitoring antenna 68. The ID error includes an ID code included in the reflected wave in advance. The case where it is different from what is shown is shown.

  Next, the main board box 81 (monitoring location 1) (S2), the main body frame 110 and the machine frame 112 (monitoring location 2) (S3), the front frame 111 and the main body frame 110 (monitoring location 3) (S4) are monitored in this order. Is done. This monitoring process will be described in detail later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 20. Information on which monitoring location is to be monitored is instructed to the monitoring process using a number indicating the monitoring location.

  Next, a lending process is performed (S5). This lending process will be described in detail later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, HT processing is performed (S6). When the relay tag 90 receives the ringing wave transmitted from the HT 400 by the antenna 90b connected to the RF circuit 90a (corresponding to “calling wave receiving means”), the relay tag 90 transmits the information contained in the ringing wave to the I / O interface 37. To the CPU 32 (corresponding to “second output means”). Therefore, when this information is received in the HT process (corresponding to “first receiving means”), the process indicated by the information (for example, transmission of monitoring information, change of ID code, etc.) is performed, and the result Is transmitted to the relay tag 90 via the I / O interface 37 (corresponding to “first output means”). When the relay tag 90 receives the result (corresponding to “second receiving means”), the result is included in the reflected wave and transmitted from the antenna 90b connected to the RF circuit 90a (“reflected wave transmitting means”). ”).

  Next, the monitoring process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. A ringing wave is transmitted from the monitoring antenna 68 at the monitoring location designated by the main process (S41). Then, it is determined whether or not a reflected wave is returned from the monitoring tag 86 (S42). If there is no return of the reflected wave (S42: NO), a response error has occurred. However, when a response error has already occurred and the response error flag is “ON”, the monitoring information is not stored because the monitoring information of the response error has already been stored. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the response error flag is “ON” (S43).

  If the response error flag is “ON” (S43: YES), the process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the main process. If it is not “ON” (S43: NO), “1” is stored in the response error flag of the monitoring location and is “ON” (S44). Then, the monitoring information is stored in the latest monitoring information storage area 351 of the EEPROM 35 of the lending device 30 and the history monitoring information storage area 341 of the RAM 34 (S45). Specifically, the monitoring location area in the latest monitoring information storage area 351 is cleared, the current date and time are stored as the occurrence date and time, and “0” indicating a response error is stored in the ID error. . In the history monitoring information storage area 341, new data is added to the current time as the time, the number of the monitoring location as the monitoring location, “1” indicating occurrence in the status, and “0” indicating a response error as the ID error. Remembered. Then, data indicating the occurrence of a response error is transmitted to the island management terminal 100 (S46), the process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process.

  If the reflected wave is returned from the monitoring tag 86 (S42: YES), it is determined whether or not the ID code included in the reflected wave matches that registered in advance. (S51). The ID code of the monitoring tag 86 provided at each monitoring location is stored in the EEPROM 35 of the lending device 30 corresponding to the code indicating the monitoring location. If the ID codes do not match (S51: NO), an ID error has occurred. However, if an ID error has already occurred and the ID error flag is “ON”, the monitoring information for the ID error has already been stored, and thus the monitoring information is not stored. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the ID error flag is “ON” (S52).

  When the ID error flag is “ON” (S52: YES), since the monitoring information is not stored, the process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the main process. When it is not “ON” (S52: NO), “1” is stored in the ID error flag of the monitoring location and is set to “ON” (S53). Then, the monitoring information is stored in the latest monitoring information storage area 351 and the history monitoring information storage area 341 (S54). Specifically, the area of the monitoring location in the latest monitoring information storage area 351 is cleared, the current date and time are stored as the occurrence date and time, and “1” indicating an ID error is stored in the ID error. . In the history monitoring information storage area 341, new data is added to the current time as the time, the number of the monitoring location as the monitoring location, “1” indicating occurrence in the status, and “1” indicating the ID error as the ID error. Remembered. Then, data indicating the occurrence of an ID error is transmitted to the island management terminal 100 (S55), the process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process.

  If the ID code included in the reflected wave matches the ID code registered in advance (S51: YES), communication with the monitoring tag 86 is normally performed, and the monitoring tag 86 Is not illegal, that is, the monitoring location is normal. Therefore, it is confirmed whether the response error flag and the ID error flag are “ON”. If it is “ON”, an error has occurred and it has recovered and is now normal, so it is necessary to clear each error flag and store monitoring information indicating that it has returned .

  Therefore, first, it is determined whether or not the response error flag is “ON” (S61). When the response error flag is “ON” (S61: YES), “0” is stored in the response error flag at the monitoring location and is set to “OFF” (S62). Then, the monitoring information is stored in the latest monitoring information storage area 351 and the history monitoring information storage area 341 (S63). Specifically, the area of the monitoring location in the latest monitoring information storage area 351 is cleared, the current date and time are stored as the return date and return time, and “0” indicating a response error is stored in the ID error. . In the history monitoring information storage area 341, new data of “2” indicating the current time as the time, the number of the monitoring location as the monitoring location, “2” indicating the return as the status, and “0” indicating the response error as the ID error is newly added. Remembered. Then, data indicating response error return is transmitted to the island management terminal 100 (S64), the process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process.

  If the response error flag is not “ON” (S61: NO), it is determined whether the ID error flag is “ON” (S65). If the ID error flag is “ON” (S65: YES), “0” is stored in the ID error flag of the monitoring location and is set to “OFF” (S66). Then, the monitoring information is stored in the latest monitoring information storage area 351 and the history monitoring information storage area 341 (S67). Specifically, the area of the monitoring location in the latest monitoring information storage area 351 is cleared, the current date and time are stored as the return date and return time, and “1” indicating an ID error is stored in the ID error. . In the history monitoring information storage area 341, data of “2” indicating the current time as the time, the number of the monitoring location as the monitoring location, “2” indicating the return as the status, and “1” indicating the ID error as the ID error are newly added. Remembered. Then, data indicating ID error return is transmitted to the island management terminal 100 (S68), the process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process.

  If the ID error flag is not “ON” (S65: NO), it indicates that the normal state continues from the previous monitoring, so the process is terminated as it is and returns to the main process. As described above, the monitoring locations 1 to 3 are monitored.

  Next, the lending process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, an input balance frequency storage area (not shown) provided in the RAM 34 is used. In the inserted balance frequency storage area, the frequency of the valuable information of the coin 20 is stored.

  First, a ringing wave is transmitted from the valuable information antenna 39 (S81). It is determined whether or not a reflected wave is returned from the coin 20 (S82). If no coin 20 is inserted, no reflected wave is returned (S82: NO), and the process proceeds to S86. If a coin 20 is inserted, a reflected wave is returned (S82: YES), and it is determined whether or not the coin 20 is a usable coin (S83). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the code stored in the EEPROM 21 of the coin 20 and placed on the reflected wave is a code that can be used in the game hall. If the coin is usable (S83: YES), it is stored in the EEPROM 21 of the coin 20, and the balance frequency placed on the reflected wave is stored in the inserted balance frequency storage area (S84), and the display unit 77 is displayed. The frequency is displayed in (S85). Then, the lending process is terminated and the process returns to the main process.

  If the coin is not usable (S83: NO), the coin cannot be used and nothing is done. Then, it is determined whether or not the lending button 75 has been pressed (S86). If the lending button 75 is pressed (S86: YES), it is determined whether or not the input balance frequency is a predetermined number (for example, 500) or more (S87). If the inserted balance frequency is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (S87: YES), a predetermined number of frequencies (for example, 500) is subtracted from the value of the input balance frequency storage area (S90), and the input balance frequency after subtraction to the coin 20 is It is written (S91). Then, the value of the input balance frequency storage area is displayed on the display unit 77 (S92), and a payout signal for paying out a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 125 balls) is output to the payout control board 45 of the pachinko machine 1 ( S93). Then, the lending process is terminated and the process returns to the main process. If the input balance frequency is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number (S87: NO), the game medium cannot be rented, so an error process such as generating an error sound or displaying a message “insufficient balance” on the display unit 77 is performed. This is done (S88), the lending process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process.

  If the lending button 75 is not pressed (S86: NO), it is determined whether or not the return button 76 is pressed (S94). If the return button 76 is pressed (S94: YES), The value of the inserted balance frequency storage area is cleared (S95), a message indicating that no coin 20 such as “no coin” is inserted is displayed on the display unit 77 (S96), and the coin 20 is inserted into the coin return slot 93. (S97). Then, the lending process is terminated and the process returns to the main process. If the return button 76 is not pressed (S94: NO), nothing is done and the lending process is terminated and the process returns to the main process.

  In this way, by repeating the main process, the lending device 30 that lends a game ball using a coin-type IC tag transmits a ringing wave to the monitoring tags 86a to 86c, thereby monitoring tags 86a to 86c. Movement, replacement, that is, unauthorized opening of members at the place where the monitoring tag 86 is installed is monitored. Further, by communicating with the HT 400, monitoring information can be output and various settings can be performed in accordance with instructions from the HT 400.

Ten. In the above embodiment, the upper lid portion 81a, the machine casing 112, and the front frame 111 of the main board box 81 correspond to “predetermined members”, and the upper lid portion 81a and the lower lid portion. 81c is closed, the main body frame 110 and the machine frame 112 are closed, and the front frame 111 and the main body frame 110 are closed "in place". It corresponds to. Further, the coin 20 corresponds to a “valuable information tag”, the lending device 30 corresponds to a “monitoring device” and a “game medium lending device”, and the HT 400 corresponds to a “portable information terminal”. Further, the antenna 402 of the HT 400 corresponds to the “second antenna”, and the game hall management terminal 300 corresponds to the “management terminal”.

  The RF circuit 38 of the lending device 30 corresponds to “first call wave transmission means” and “first reflected wave reception means”, and the RF circuit 410 of the HT 400 corresponds to “second call wave transmission means” and “second reflection wave”. Corresponds to “wave receiving means”. 16 corresponds to the latest monitoring information storage area 351 of the EEPROM 35 of the lending device 30 shown in FIG. 16 and the history monitoring information storage area 341 “monitoring information storage means” of the RAM 34 of the lending device 30 shown in FIG. The area in which the 86 ID code is stored corresponds to “monitoring identification information storage means”. Further, the monitoring information storage area 361 of the game hall management terminal 300 corresponds to the “total monitoring information storage area”.

  Further, the CPU 32 that performs the processes of S42 and S51 in the flowchart of the monitoring process shown in FIG. 20 corresponds to “monitoring determination means”, and the CPU 32 that performs the processes of S46, S55, S64, and S68 corresponds to “monitoring information transmission means”. To do. Further, the CPU 32 performing the processes of S81 and S82 in the flowchart of the lending process shown in FIG. 21 corresponds to “valuable information reading means”, and the CPU 32 performing the processes of S86 to S93 corresponds to “valuable information lending means”.

11． Effects of Embodiment As described above, in the lending device 30 of the above-described embodiment, the main board box 81, the main body frame 110 and the machine frame 112, the front frame 111 and the main body of the pachinko machine 1 by the monitoring tags 86a to 86c. The opening of the frame 110 can be monitored, and the monitoring information can be stored in the lending device 30. Further, the monitoring information stored in the lending device 30 is transmitted to the island management terminal 100 installed in the amusement hall to notify the occurrence of a failure. And the monitoring information of the pachinko machine 1 in the game hall is centrally managed by the game hall management terminal 300. Furthermore, by using the HT 400 to communicate with the relay tag 90 of the lending device 30, the monitoring information can be browsed and monitoring can be set. Therefore, since it is possible to monitor gaming machines using IC tags in the lending device 30 that has been installed on the gaming machine installation island 200 in the past, for the purpose of monitoring when introducing a monitoring system using IC tags. It is not necessary to secure a space for installing another device.

12． Description of Modifications The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above, and various modifications can be made. Below, the modification of embodiment which applies this invention is demonstrated. First, in this embodiment, as a device that performs a predetermined operation, a pachinko machine that is a kind of gaming machine is given as an example, but a device that performs a predetermined operation is not limited to a pachinko machine that is a gaming machine, but a pachinko machine, It can be applied to various game machines such as pachislot machines.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the monitoring tag was installed in the main board box 81 of the pachinko machine 1, the main body frame 110 and the machine frame 112, the front frame 111 and the main body frame 110 as the monitored members, The members to be monitored are not limited to this, and may be installed in other board storage boxes, prize winning openings such as large prize winning openings and normal symbol starting gates, and the open / closed state thereof may be monitored. Moreover, the place where the monitoring tag is installed does not need to be one place for each member, and may be installed at a plurality of positions. Further, when the gaming machine is not the pachinko machine 1, the members whose movement is monitored are not limited to the members of the above-described embodiment, and the opening / closing members and the constituent members constituting the device that are provided in the gaming machine and are opened and closed. In order to monitor the opening / closing of the opening / closing member and the location of the constituent member, one or a plurality of monitoring tags may be installed on the opening / closing member or the constituent member, and the movement of the member may be monitored.

  In the above embodiment, a terminal device having a PDA shape is used as the HT 400. However, this is not limited to a PDA, and may be a mobile phone, another portable information terminal, or a dedicated device. It is sufficient if it is provided and can communicate with the relay tag 90 of the lending device 30. Further, the installation position of the relay tag 90 is not limited to the upper part of the front surface of the lending device 30, but may be a position where the relay tag 90 can be easily communicated when the antenna 402 of the HT 400 is directed. Further, the cable 90k may be extended and installed near the front surface of the pachinko machine 1 or the pachinko machine 1 and the lending device 30 on the gaming machine installation island 200.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, it is comprised so that monitoring information may be alert | reported in the island management terminal 100, and an attendant can respond with respect to the monitoring information in a game hall. The monitoring information of all pachinko machines 1 connected to the in-store network 150 via the network can be collected and stored. However, the monitoring information may be transmitted directly to the game hall management terminal 300 without going through the island management terminal 100. Also, without installing the island management terminal 100 for each gaming machine installation island 200, all the pachinko machines 1 are connected to the game hall management terminal 300, and the game hall management terminal 300 also notifies monitoring information. Also good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the coin 20 has been described as an example of the “value information tag”. However, the value information tag does not necessarily have to be a coin type, and has other shapes such as a card type and a stick type. Needless to say. In the above embodiment, the coin 20 is issued by a coin issuing machine (not shown) provided in the game hall. However, the lending device 30 may issue the coin 20. Further, in the above embodiment, the lending button 75, the return button 76, and the display unit 77 are provided in the lending device 30, but this is the front of the gaming machine such as the upper plate 5 or the lower plate 6 of the pachinko machine 1 or the game. It may be provided on the machine installation island and connected to the lending device 30.

It is a block diagram of the monitoring system of this Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state in which a front frame 111 and a main body frame 110 of the pachinko machine 1 are opened as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 2 is a front view of a lending device 30. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the lending apparatus 30 connected to the pachinko machine 1 and the pachinko machine. 4 is a perspective view of a main board box 81. FIG. It is a top view of monitoring tags 86a-86c. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical circuit structure of the monitoring tags 86a-86c. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical circuit configuration of a relay tag 90. FIG. 2 is a front view of a coin 20. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a coin 20. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the island management terminal 100. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a game hall management terminal 300. FIG. It is a perspective view of HT400. It is a block diagram of the electric constitution of HT400. It is a conceptual diagram of the latest monitoring information storage area 351 of the EEPROM 35 of the lending device 30 in which the latest monitoring information of each monitoring place is stored. It is a conceptual diagram of the history monitoring information storage area 341 of the RAM 34 of the lending device 30 in which monitoring information for one day is stored. It is a conceptual diagram of the monitoring information storage area 361 of the game hall management terminal 300 in which the monitoring information of all the pachinko machines 1 is stored. It is a flowchart of a main process. It is a flowchart of the monitoring process performed in the main process. It is a flowchart of the lending process performed in the main process.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine 20 Coin 21 RF circuit 22 Antenna 24 IC chip 30 Lending device 34 RAM
35 EEPROM
36 Communication Circuit 37 I / O Interface 38 RF Circuit 39 Valuable Information Antenna 45 Delivery Control Board 54 I / O Interface 67 Delivery Device 68a Monitoring Antenna 68b Monitoring Antenna 68c Monitoring Antenna 75 Lending Button 76 Return Button 77 Display Unit 81 Main Board Box 81a Upper lid portion 81c Lower lid portion 86a Monitoring tag 86b Monitoring tag 86c Monitoring tag 90 Relay tag 90a RF circuit 90b Antenna 90f CPU
100 island management terminal 101 CPU
110 Main body frame 111 Front frame 112 Machine frame 113 Main body 150 In-store network 200 Game machine installation island 300 Amusement center management terminal 301 CPU
341 History monitoring information storage area 351 Latest monitoring information storage area 360 Hard disk device 361 Monitoring information storage area 402 Antenna 410 RF circuit 411 CPU

Claims (8)

A gaming machine, which is an IC tag storing identification information for distinguishing from other IC tags, communicates with the IC tag and monitors the predetermined member of the gaming machine. In a monitoring system consisting of a monitoring device,
The gaming machine is
A game media lending device that lends game media used in the gaming machine is connected,
The game media lending device
First call wave transmitting means for transmitting a call wave for calling an IC tag;
First reflected wave receiving means for receiving the reflected wave returned from the IC tag;
In the passage route of the valuable information tag, which is an IC tag that is connected to the first calling wave transmitting means and the first reflected wave receiving means and stores valuable information that is exchangeable with the game medium, the valuable information A valuable information antenna installed in a position where it can communicate with the tag;
When the first reflected wave receiving means receives the reflected wave via the valuable information antenna within a predetermined time after the first calling wave transmitting means transmits the call wave via the valuable information antenna. , Valuable information reading means for reading the valuable information stored in the valuable information tag,
Gaming medium lending means for lending the gaming medium based on the valuable information read by the valuable information reading means;
An inlet for inserting the valuable information tag,
Furthermore, it is connected to the first ringing wave transmitting means and the first reflected wave receiving means, and is installed at a position where it can communicate with the monitoring tag when the member where the monitoring tag is installed exists at a predetermined position. Monitoring antennas,
Monitoring identification information storage means for storing the identification information of the monitoring tag for each position where the monitoring tag is provided;
Communication is impossible because the first reflected wave receiving means does not receive the reflected wave via the monitoring antenna within a predetermined time after the first calling wave transmitting means transmits the calling wave via the monitoring antenna. Or a monitoring determination unit that determines that an abnormality occurs when the identification information included in the reflected wave is different from the identification information stored in advance in the monitoring identification information storage unit,
Monitoring information storage means for storing the determination result by the determination means as monitoring information,
The game system lending device functions as the monitoring device. Portable information terminals, which are portable devices,
Second call wave transmission means for transmitting a call wave for calling an IC tag;
Second reflected wave receiving means for receiving the reflected wave returned from the IC tag;
A second antenna connected to the second ringing wave transmitting means and the second reflected wave receiving means,
The gaming medium lending device
A relay tag that is an IC tag for communicating with the portable information terminal;
First receiving means for receiving information output from the relay tag;
First output means for outputting information to the relay tag,
The relay tag is
Call wave receiving means for receiving the call wave transmitted from the second call wave transmitting means;
Second output means for outputting information to the first receiving means based on information contained in the ringing wave received by the ringing wave receiving means;
Second receiving means for receiving information output from the first output means;
A reflected wave transmitting means for transmitting the information received by the second receiving means on the reflected wave; and
The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the relay tag is installed on a front surface of the game medium lending device. A management terminal in which a plurality of the game medium lending devices are connected via a communication network,
The gaming medium lending device
Comprising monitoring information transmitting means for transmitting the monitoring information to the management terminal;
The management terminal
Monitoring information receiving means for receiving the monitoring information transmitted from the game medium lending device;
The monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: comprehensive monitoring information storage means for storing the monitoring information received by the monitoring information receiving means for each gaming machine.   4. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the valuable information tag is in the form of a coin or a card. First call wave transmitting means for transmitting a call wave for calling the IC tag;
First reflected wave receiving means for receiving a reflected wave returned from the IC tag;
In the passage route of the valuable information tag, which is an IC tag that is connected to the first calling wave transmitting means and the first reflected wave receiving means and stores valuable information that is exchangeable with the game medium, the valuable information A valuable information antenna installed in a position where it can communicate with the tag;
When the first reflected wave receiving means receives the reflected wave via the valuable information antenna within a predetermined time after the first calling wave transmitting means transmits the call wave via the valuable information antenna. , Valuable information reading means for reading the valuable information stored in the valuable information tag,
A game medium lending device for lending the game medium based on the value information read by the value information reading means, and connected to a gaming machine,
The predetermined member of the gaming machine is provided with a monitoring tag that is an IC tag storing identification information for distinguishing from other IC tags,
The gaming medium lending device
A slot for loading the valuable information tag;
Connected to the first ringing wave transmitting means and the first reflected wave receiving means, and installed at a position where the monitoring tag can communicate with the monitoring tag when the member where the monitoring tag is installed exists at a predetermined position. A surveillance antenna;
Monitoring identification information storage means for storing the identification information of the monitoring tag for each position where the monitoring tag is provided;
Communication is impossible because the first reflected wave receiving means does not receive the reflected wave via the monitoring antenna within a predetermined time after the first calling wave transmitting means transmits the calling wave via the monitoring antenna. Or a monitoring determination unit that determines that an abnormality occurs when the identification information included in the reflected wave is different from the identification information stored in advance in the monitoring identification information storage unit,
A game medium lending device comprising: monitoring information storage means for storing the determination result by the determination means as monitoring information. The gaming medium lending device
Second call wave transmitting means for transmitting a call wave for calling the IC tag, second reflected wave receiving means for receiving a reflected wave returned from the IC tag, second call wave transmitting means, and second reflection A relay tag that is an IC tag that receives the ringing wave transmitted from a portable information terminal having a second antenna connected to the wave receiving means and returns a reflected wave;
First receiving means for receiving information output from the relay tag;
First transmission means for transmitting information to the relay tag,
The relay tag is
Call wave receiving means for receiving the call wave transmitted from the second call wave transmitting means;
Second output means for outputting information to the first receiving means based on information contained in the ringing wave received by the ringing wave receiving means;
Second receiving means for receiving information output from the first transmitting means;
A reflected wave transmitting means for transmitting the information received by the second receiving means on the reflected wave; and
6. The game medium lending device according to claim 5, wherein the relay tag is installed on a front surface of the game medium lending device.   The game medium lending device according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising monitoring information transmitting means for transmitting the monitoring information to a management terminal in which a plurality of the game medium lending devices are connected via a communication network.   The game medium lending device according to claim 5, wherein the valuable information tag is in the form of a coin or a card.

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