JP2006247252A - Controller for game medium lending system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a controller 12 for a game medium lending system which can easily be adapted to the number of game medium lending units and extension of the game medium lending units and can control the two or more game medium lending units from one place. <P>SOLUTION: The controller 12 is divided into a base unit 21 and expansion units which can be connected to the base unit 21. Both the base unit 21 and the expansion units 22 are equipped with communication ports 38 to which two or more game medium lending units are connected. The base unit 21 is used as a simple unit or the base unit 21 is used in combination with the one or plural expansion units 22 corresponding to the number of the game medium lending units or the expansion of the game medium lending units. The base unit 21 controls the game medium lending units connected to the base unit 21 and when it is connected to the expansion units 22, it also administrates the the game medium lending units connected to the expansion units 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a management device for a game medium lending system that manages information of a plurality of game medium lending devices.

  Conventionally, a plurality of game islands have been installed in a game store, and each game island has a plurality of game machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines arranged side by side, and lending game media to the side of each game machine A game medium lending device called a pedestal machine is installed.

In order to manage the lending information of each game medium lending device, one island controller is installed on each game island, and a plurality of game medium lending devices on the game island are connected to this island controller. Various types of information such as a card ID and a loan amount (frequency) read by the medium lending device are acquired and managed. Further, the plurality of island controllers are connected to a terminal controller, and information is acquired from the plurality of island controllers by the terminal controller and managed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-301260 A (4th and 7th pages, FIG. 1)

  However, since an island controller is installed on each amusement island, if the amusement store is large and there are many amusement islands, a large number of island controllers must be installed. Even when an amusement island is added, there is a problem that an island controller must be installed on the added amusement island.

  In addition, the game media lending device for each gaming island is managed by the island controller, and the plurality of island controllers are managed by the terminal controller. For example, when a failure such as disconnection of communication with the game media lending device occurs, the terminal The island controller is specified by the controller, and the game medium lending device is specified by the island controller. Thus, there is a problem that a plurality of game medium lending devices cannot be managed at one place of the terminal controller, and management is not efficient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can easily cope with the scale of a game store and can easily deal with an increase in the number of game medium lending devices. In addition, a plurality of game medium lending devices can be provided at one place. It is an object of the present invention to provide a management device for a game medium lending system that can be managed and can be managed efficiently.

  The management device of the game medium lending system according to claim 1 includes a base unit for connecting the game medium lending device, and a game medium lending device different from the game medium lending device connected to the base unit for the base unit. A management device for a gaming medium lending system that allows expansion units to be connected, wherein the base unit is connected to a communication port to which the gaming medium lending device is connected, and the expansion unit is connected when the expansion unit is added. And managing the game medium lending device connected to the communication port and lending the game medium connected to the expansion unit when an expansion unit is connected to the connection for expansion And a control unit that manages the apparatus.

  In addition, by providing a base unit for connecting the game medium lending device, an extension unit for connecting a game medium lending device different from the game medium lending device connected to the base unit can be added to the base unit. In addition, it is possible to easily cope with the size of the game store, and it is also possible to easily cope with the expansion of the game media lending device, and more than one game medium lending device is managed in one place of the base unit, and management efficiency is increased. Can be achieved.

  The management device for the game medium lending system according to claim 2 is the management device for the game medium lending system according to claim 1, wherein the base unit has a control board having a control unit, a communication port, and an expansion connection unit. And a communication board having an upper connection portion connected to the control board.

  Then, by separating the control board and the communication board of the base unit, the communication board can be shared with the extension unit.

  The management device for the game medium lending system according to claim 3 is the management device for the game medium lending system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a game medium lending device different from the game medium lending device connected to the base unit is connected. The expansion unit includes an expansion unit, the communication port to which the game medium lending device is connected, the upper connection unit connected to either the base unit or the upper expansion unit connected to the base unit, This is provided with an extension connection section to which an extension unit connected to the lower side is connected, and an identification information setting section for setting identification information of the own extension unit.

  By adding the expansion unit to the base unit, it is possible to easily cope with the size of the game store and the expansion of the game media lending device, and the identification information setting unit provided for the expansion unit can identify the identification information of its own expansion unit. Thus, even if a plurality of extension units are added, it becomes possible to specify each extension unit and the game medium lending device connected to each extension unit.

  The management device for the game medium lending system according to claim 4 is the management device for the game medium lending system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base unit is connected to all of the base units connected through the extension connection section. A power supply unit for supplying power to the extension unit is provided.

  The base unit is provided with a power supply unit that supplies power to all the expansion units connected through the base unit and the extension connection unit. Simplified.

  According to the management device for the game medium lending system according to claim 1, the game medium is provided with a base unit for connecting the game medium lending device, and the game medium is different from the game medium lending device connected to the base unit. By making it possible to increase the number of expansion units that connect lending devices, it is possible to easily accommodate the size of game stores and to easily increase the number of gaming medium lending devices, and it is also based on multiple gaming medium lending devices. Management can be performed at one location of the unit, and management efficiency can be improved.

  According to the management device for the game medium lending system according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the management device for the game medium lending system according to claim 1, by separating the control board and the communication board of the base unit. The communication board can be shared with the expansion unit.

  According to the management device for the game medium lending system according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the management device for the game medium lending system according to claim 1 or 2, by adding an expansion unit to the base unit, It can easily cope with the expansion of the scale and game media lending device, and by setting the identification information of its own expansion unit in the identification information setting section provided for the expansion unit, It is possible to specify the expansion unit and the game medium lending device connected to each expansion unit.

  According to the management device for the game medium lending system according to claim 4, in addition to the effect of the management device for the game medium lending system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the base unit includes the base unit and the extension connection portion. By providing a power supply unit that supplies power to all the expansion units connected through the expansion unit, the expansion unit can be omitted from the power supply unit, and the configuration of the expansion unit can be simplified.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A plurality of game islands are installed in the game store according to the scale, and each game island has a plurality of game machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines arranged side by side, and a pachinko ball, for example, on the side of each game machine. A game medium lending device, which is a table machine that controls lending of game media such as medals and medals, is provided.

  FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of the game medium lending system.

  11 is a game medium lending device, and this game medium lending device 11 is installed for each game machine (game table) such as a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine arranged in parallel on the game island 2 of the game store. Accepts money such as banknotes and coins or accepts a card having a monetary value and lends game media. The gaming medium lending device 11 is a so-called CR unit that is communicably connected to the gaming machine and instructs the gaming machine to throw out the rented gaming medium. The rental game medium is paid out from the gaming machine.

  Reference numeral 12 denotes a management device, and this management device 12 is a store controller that manages information of all the game medium lending devices 11 installed in the game store. While communication lines can be connected, a plurality of communication medium lending devices 11 can be connected in series, for example, up to 31 in each communication line. Then, the management device 12 acquires and manages various information such as sales information at the time of game medium lending processing transmitted from each game medium lending device 11 of each communication line, card ID, and loan amount (frequency). .

  The management device 12 is connected to the operation terminal 14 and the card management center 15 via the hub 13. The operation terminal 14 is installed at a prize management counter of the amusement store, and is also used as a prize management machine for prize exchange processing, and functions as an operation unit and a display unit of the management apparatus. The card management center 15 manages the card ID and the loan amount (frequency).

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the management apparatus, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base unit and the extension unit of the management apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view in which a plurality of extension units are added to the base unit of the management apparatus.

  The management device 12 includes a base unit 21 having a control function and a communication function, and an extension unit 22 having a communication function. The base unit 21 is used as a base, and the scale of the game store and the game medium lending device 11 are increased. Depending on the situation, one or a plurality of extension units 22 are used.

  The base unit 21 has a box-shaped case 25, and a control function unit 26 and a communication board 27 are accommodated in the case 25 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the control function unit 26 includes a control board 29 having a control unit 28 constituted by a CPU, a display unit 30 for displaying the state of the management device 12, and setting of the game medium lending device 11. And an operation unit 31 for setting the base unit 21 and the like, a storage unit 32 composed of a removable memory medium on the control board 29 for backup or version upgrade of information stored in the control unit 28, A power supply unit 33 that supplies power to the base unit 21 and all the added extension units 22, a connector 34 that is connected to the communication board 27 on the control board 29, and a hub that is on the control board 29 13 includes a host communication unit 35 connected to the host device through 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a plurality of communication lines 27, for example, a maximum of 31 game medium lending devices 11 connected in series are connected to the communication board 27. Identification information of the communication port 38, the connection connector 39 as an upper connection part connected to the control board 29, the connection connector 40 as an extension connection part connected to the extension unit 22, and the own communication board 27 A setting switch 41 is provided as an identification information setting unit to be set. The communication port 38, the connection connector 39, the connection connector 40, and the setting switch 41 are arranged on the peripheral portion of the communication board 27.

  The display unit 30 and the operation unit 31 are arranged so as to be visible and operable so as to face the upper surface of the case 25. On one side surface of the case 25, the memory medium of the storage unit 32 is detachably disposed, and the upper communication unit 35 and the communication port 38 are disposed so that a connection cable can be connected thereto. As shown in FIG. 7, a recess 44 is formed on the other side of the case 25, and the connection connector 39 and the connection connector 40 of the communication board 27 are disposed in the recess 44 so that a connection cable can be connected. . Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an operation hole 45 is formed on one end surface of the case 25 so that the setting switch 41 can be operated. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the other end surface of the case 25 has a power switch 46 for turning on / off the power of the management device 12, a fuse box 47 for protecting the circuit from overcurrent, and a power connector 48 for connecting a power line. Has been placed. A cover 49 is detachably attached to the upper surface of the case 25 so as to cover the operation unit 31.

  2, 3, 6, and 7, the extension unit 22 has a box-shaped case that matches the bottom shape of the case 25 of the base unit 21 and is thinner than the case 25. 51. In this case 51, the same communication substrate 27 as the communication substrate 27 of the base unit 21 is accommodated. The upper communication unit 35 and the communication port 38 are arranged on one side surface of the case 51 so that a connection cable can be connected, and a concave portion 52 is formed on the other side surface of the case 51. The connection connector 39 and the connection connector are formed in the concave portion 52. 40 is arranged so that a connection cable can be connected, and an operation hole 45 is formed on one end surface of the case 51 so that the setting switch 41 can be operated.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when adding the extension unit 22, the base unit 21 and the extension unit 22 are overlapped with each other, and the fixing bracket 53 is screwed to the other side of the base unit 21 to add the extension unit 22. The unit 22 can be connected and fixed.

  The extension unit 22 added below the base unit 21 is set as the first stage, and a plurality of extension units 22 are added below the first stage extension unit 22 such as the second stage and the third stage. it can.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the setting switch 41 includes a rotary switch 56 and includes a switching unit 57 that can be rotated with a tool such as a Phillips screwdriver. By switching to each switching position displayed as 3... F, identification information unique to the communication board 27 can be set. For example, the setting switch 41 of the communication board 27 of the base unit 21 is set to the 0 switching position at the time of shipment from the factory, and the setting switch 41 of the communication board 27 of the first extension unit 22 is set to the 1 switching position. After that, the second stage is set to a different switching position such that the second stage is a switching position of 2, and the third stage is a switching position of 3, so that each communication board 27 is set to have unique identification information.

  The control unit 28 of the base unit 21 manages the game medium lending device 11 connected to the communication port 38 of the base unit 21, and the expansion unit 22 is added when the expansion unit 22 is added to the base unit 21. It has a function of managing the game medium lending device 11 connected to the 22 communication ports 38.

  Next, the operation of the management device 12 will be described.

  When up to 31 game media lending devices 11 are connected to one communication port 38 to the base unit 21 and the extension unit 22 of the management device 12, up to 248 units to 8 communication ports 38 The game medium lending device 11 can be connected.

  When the management device 12 is installed, if the game medium lending device 11 is a game store of up to 248 (31 units × 8 lines), only the base unit 21 is installed, and the game medium lending device 11 is 249 to 496 units. In the case of a game store up to (31 units × 16 lines), one additional unit 22 is added to the base unit 21 and installed, and the number of game medium lending devices 11 is from 497 to 744 units (31 units × 24 lines). In the case of a game store, the game medium lending apparatus 11 may be installed by installing additional units 22 according to the number of units, such as adding two additional units 22 to the base unit 21 and installing them. As described above, if n extension units 22 are added, up to [31 units × (n + 1) lines] game medium lending devices 11 can be connected.

  When only the base unit 21 is installed, a communication line connecting a plurality of game medium lending devices 11 is connected to each communication port 38 of the base unit 21, respectively.

  Then, the control unit 28 of the base unit 21 obtains various information at the time of game medium lending processing transmitted from each game medium lending device 11 connected to each communication port 38 of the base unit 21, and the information is higher The data is transmitted to the operation terminal 14 and the card management center 15 of the device.

  When one or a plurality of extension units 22 are installed in the base unit 21 and installed, the lower extension unit 22 is connected to the connection connector 40 of the base unit 21 or the connection connector 40 of the upper extension unit 22. The connection connector 39 is electrically connected with a connection cable, and the case 52 of the lower extension unit 22 is coupled and fixed to the case 25 of the base unit 21 or the case 51 of the upper extension unit 22 by the fixing bracket 53. The expanded expansion unit 22 sets the setting switch 41 according to the number of expansion stages and assigns unique identification information.

  By connecting the connection connector 39 of the lower extension unit 22 to the connection connector 40 of the base unit 21 or the connection connector 40 of the upper extension unit 22 with a connection cable, all the connections to the base unit 21 are made. The extension units 22 can communicate with each other, and power is supplied to all the extension units 22 from the power supply unit 33 of the base unit 21.

  Communication lines connecting the plurality of game medium lending devices 11 are connected to the communication ports 38 of the base unit 21 and the communication ports 38 of the extension unit 22, respectively.

  Then, the control unit 28 of the base unit 21 performs various processing at the time of game medium lending processing transmitted from each game medium lending device 11 connected to each communication port 38 of the base unit 21 and each communication port 38 of the extension unit 22. Is transmitted to the operation terminal 14 and the card management center 15 of the host device.

  In addition, the number of game media lending devices 11 has increased due to renovation of game stores, etc., and the current management device 12 (base unit 21 alone, combination of base unit 21 and extension unit 22) has insufficient number of connectable devices In this case, as described above, it can be easily handled by adding the required number of extension units 22.

  As described above, the base unit 21 for connecting the game medium lending device 11 is provided, and the base unit 21 is connected to the game medium lending device 11 different from the game medium lending device 11 connected to the base unit 21. By making it possible to increase the number of units 22, it is possible to easily cope with the size of the game store and also to increase the number of game medium lending devices 11.

  In addition, a plurality of game medium lending devices 11 can be managed at one location of the base unit 21. For example, even if a failure such as disconnection of communication with the game medium lending device 11 occurs, the gaming medium lending in which the failure has occurred The device 11 can be specified, and management efficiency can be improved.

  Further, by separating the control board 29 and the communication board 27 of the base unit 21, the communication board 27 of the base unit 21 can be shared with the communication board 27 of the extension unit 22.

  In addition, by adding the expansion unit 22 to the base unit 21, it is possible to easily cope with the scale of the game store and the expansion of the game medium lending device 11, and the setting unit 41 provided in the expansion unit 22 can be used to increase its own expansion unit. By setting the identification information 22, each expansion unit 22 and the game medium lending device 11 connected to each expansion unit 22 can be specified even if a plurality of expansion units 22 are added.

  In addition, since the base unit 21 includes the power supply unit 33 that supplies power to the base unit 21 and all the expansion units 22 connected to the base unit 21, the expansion unit 22 does not include the power supply unit 33. The configuration of the extension unit 22 can be simplified.

  In the above embodiment, a so-called CR unit is used as an example of the game medium lending device. However, the game medium lending device itself includes a game medium dispensing mechanism, and a device for paying out lending game media may be connected. Good.

It is a block diagram of the management apparatus of the game medium rental system which shows one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the base unit and extension unit of a management apparatus same as the above. It is the perspective view which added the some extension unit to the base unit of the management apparatus same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the base unit of a management apparatus same as the above. It is a perspective view of the board | substrate for communication of the base unit of a management apparatus same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the extension unit of a management apparatus same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment method of the base unit and extension unit of a management apparatus same as the above. It is a front view which shows the identification information setting part of a management apparatus same as the above. It is a block diagram of a game media rental system same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

11 Game media lending device
12 Management device
21 Base unit
22 Expansion unit
27 Communication board
28 Control unit
29 Control board
33 Power supply
38 Communication port
39 Connector for upper connection
40 Connector for connection as an extension connection
41 Setting switch as identification information setting section

Claims (4)

A game medium lending system comprising a base unit for connecting a game medium lending device, and an extension unit for connecting a game medium lending device different from the game medium lending device connected to the base unit to the base unit. Management device,
The base unit is
A communication port to which the game medium lending device is connected;
An extension connection part to which the extension unit is connected when the extension unit is added;
A control unit that manages the game medium lending device connected to the communication port and manages the game medium lending device connected to the expansion unit when the expansion unit is connected to the expansion connection unit; A management device for a game media lending system, comprising: The base unit includes a control board having a control unit, and a communication board having a communication port and an extension connection part and having an upper connection part connected to the control board. The management apparatus of the game medium rental system described. An expansion unit for connecting a game medium lending device different from the game medium lending device connected to the base unit;
This expansion unit is
A communication port to which the game medium lending device is connected;
An upper connection portion connected to either the base unit or an upper extension unit connected to the base unit;
An extension connection to which an extension unit connected to the lower side is connected;
The management apparatus for a game medium lending system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an identification information setting unit that sets identification information of its own extension unit. The management system for a game medium lending system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base unit includes a power supply unit that supplies power to all of the expansion units connected through the base unit and the expansion connection unit. apparatus.

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