JP2006280822A - Game parlor monitoring system and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring system which can respond to a game parlor clerk's error in operation and a game machine to be monitored by the monitoring system. <P>SOLUTION: The game parlor monitoring system sends "abnormality information" to an island management device when RFID communication between a monitoring tag and a monitoring antenna is not established and judged to be abnormal. When, however, the island management device detects a clerk card and the island management device is in an "authentication status", the system sends "work information" on the grounds of being under work. Even when the island management device is not in the "authentication status" at the time when an abnormality occurs, if the system detects a clerk card within a prescribed period (10 seconds for example) and judges that the status is the "authenticated status", the system sends "detection information" to the island management device. When receiving the "abnormality information", the island management device turns on a warning lamp, and announces the occurrence of an abnormality by displaying the detail of the abnormality on a display device. When receiving "detection information" during announcement, the island management device automatically stops the announcement of the occurrence of the abnormality. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game hall monitoring system and a gaming machine monitored by the game hall monitoring system, and more particularly to notification of fraud occurrence in the game hall monitoring system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in gaming machines, a variety of preventive measures have been taken in order to prevent illegal acts in which a player unfairly acquires game media. For example, various countermeasures have been applied to the board box that houses the control board for illegal actions that favor the gaming situation by exchanging the control board or the built-in ROM for controlling the gaming machine with an unauthorized one. . 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.

  In view of this, a system has been proposed for monitoring illegal acts on gaming machines using IC tags (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a monitoring system, an IC tag is affixed to a predetermined position of the gaming machine, a ringing wave for calling these IC tags is transmitted by the IC tag monitoring device, and an IC tag of identification data registered in advance is transmitted. When the reflected wave for the ringing 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 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 device. In the monitoring system described in Patent Document 1, when an abnormality occurs, the warning lamp of the management machine provided on the gaming island where the gaming machine is installed is turned on to Information is being given.

In a gaming machine monitored by such a monitoring system, if the front door of the gaming machine is opened when an attendant is working, communication with the IC tag is cut off and an abnormality has occurred. Accordingly, the present applicant causes an attendant of the game hall to have an IC tag for authentication (authentication tag), and stores the ID code of the IC tag for authentication in the monitoring control device, If communication is established, even if communication with the IC tag for monitoring is disconnected as the authentication mode, monitoring information is not left as an abnormality, but work history information is left as work is performed. A monitoring system for gaming machines is also proposed in which abnormal information is not notified when history information is created (Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-161989).
JP 2002-232193 A

  However, even in the gaming machine monitoring system proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-161989, the clerk forgot to make the authentication IC tag communicate with the monitoring control device and worked. In some cases, there is a problem in that, although an actual operation is being performed, an abnormality occurrence is notified when an abnormality has occurred. If this abnormality occurrence is notified, there is a problem that a staff member who needs to perform notification stop processing must interrupt the work.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game hall monitoring system that can cope with an operation error of a game hall staff and a gaming machine monitored by the monitoring system. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, in the gaming hall monitoring system according to the first aspect of the present invention, a monitoring control device for monitoring a gaming machine installed on a gaming machine installation island in the gaming hall, and the monitoring control device is connected. A monitoring tag that stores unique identification information and is installed at a monitoring target location of the gaming machine, the monitoring control device repeats RFID communication between the monitoring antenna and the monitoring tag, A gaming site monitoring system that monitors a gaming machine by determining that it is abnormal when it becomes a state, and transmits abnormal information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality to an external device connected to the monitoring control device. The control device stores identification information of the monitoring tag in association with the monitoring tag and an antenna for performing wireless communication in association with each other, and performs RFID communication with the monitoring tag. When the RFID tag communication means and the monitoring tag communication means cannot perform RFID communication with the monitoring tag, or the IC tag of the identification information different from the identification information stored in the identification information storage means and the monitoring tag communication means An abnormality determination means for determining an abnormality when RFID communication is performed by the method, and when the abnormality determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred, an abnormality information indicating that the abnormality is determined is created and Abnormal information transmission means for transmitting information, clerk identification information storage means for storing identification information of a clerk tag possessed by the clerk in the game hall and storing unique identification information, and a clerk tag for performing RFID communication with the clerk tag RFID communication is performed by the communication means and the clerk tag communication means, and the clerk tag and the RFID having identification information stored in the clerk identification information storage means When the communication is performed, an attendant tag detecting unit that detects the attendant tag as being present, and an elapsed time measuring unit that measures an elapse of a predetermined time from the time when the abnormality is determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determining unit When the clerk tag is detected by the clerk tag detecting means while measuring the lapse of the predetermined time by the elapsed time measuring means, the fact that the clerk tag has been detected after the abnormality judgment by the abnormality judging means Detection information transmission means for generating detection information that is information indicating the error information and transmitting the detection information to the external device, and the external device includes abnormality information reception means for receiving the abnormality information transmitted from the abnormality information transmission means. When the abnormality information is received by the abnormality information receiving means, a notification means for notifying the occurrence of abnormality and the detection information transmitted from the detection information transmitting means are received. Detection information report receiving means, and when the detection information receiving means receives the detection information, a notification stop control means for stopping notification by the abnormality information about the abnormality that is the basis for creating the detection information; It has.

  A gaming machine according to a second aspect of the invention is monitored by the game hall monitoring system according to the first aspect.

  In the game hall monitoring system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the identification information storage means of the monitoring control device stores the identification information of the monitoring tag in association with the monitoring tag and an antenna for performing wireless communication. The communication means performs RFID communication with the monitoring tag, and the abnormality determination means performs identification information different from the identification information stored in the identification information storage means when the monitoring tag communication means cannot perform RFID communication with the monitoring tag. When RFID communication is performed by the IC tag and the monitoring tag communication means, it is determined that there is an abnormality. When the abnormality information transmitting means determines that there is an abnormality, the abnormality information indicating that the abnormality is determined is displayed. The clerk identification information storage means stores the identification information of the clerk tag that the clerk possesses in the amusement hall and stores the unique identification information. The means performs RFID communication with the clerk tag, the clerk tag detection means performs RFID communication by the clerk tag communication means, and the RFID tag communicates with the clerk tag having identification information stored in the clerk identification information storage means. If the clerk tag is present, the clerk tag is detected, the elapsed time measuring means measures the lapse of a predetermined time from when it is determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determining means, and the detection information transmitting means is the elapsed time measuring means. When the clerk tag is detected by the clerk tag detecting means while measuring the passage of the predetermined time, the detection information is created to indicate that the clerk tag is detected after the abnormality judgment by the abnormality judging means, Can be sent to an external device. The abnormality information receiving means of the external device receives the abnormality information transmitted from the abnormality information transmitting means, and the notifying means notifies and detects the occurrence of abnormality when the abnormality information is received by the abnormality information receiving means. The information report receiving means receives the detection information transmitted from the detection information transmitting means, and the notification stop control means becomes the basis for creating the detection information when the detection information receiving means receives the detection information. It is possible to stop the notification by the abnormality information about the abnormality. Therefore, even if an abnormality is detected due to a clerk's mistake, if the clerk tag is detected by the monitoring control device within a predetermined time, the notification by the external device can be automatically canceled, so the clerk is working There is no need to continue to be notified during the process, or, conversely, it is not necessary to interrupt the work in order to cancel the notification, and the staff can concentrate on the work.

  A gaming machine according to a second aspect of the invention is monitored by the game hall monitoring system according to the first aspect.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order with reference to the drawings.
1. 1. Outline of system configuration 2. Explanation of pachinko machine and pachinko machine accessories 3. Description of IC tag and antenna 4. Island management device description 5. Explanation of RW operation 6. Explanation of operation of island management device Contrast with claim 8. Description of modification

1. Description of Outline of System Configuration First, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an overall configuration of a game hall monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a game hall monitoring system. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance inside the game hall where the game hall monitoring system is introduced.

  In the amusement hall, a plurality of amusement islands 200, which are installation bases on which the pachinko machines 1 are installed, are installed. On the amusement island 200, the pachinko machines 1 are arranged in two rows back to back. Inside each amusement island 200, one reader / writer (hereinafter referred to as RW) 30 that is a monitoring control device for monitoring the pachinko machine 1 is installed in one pachinko machine 1. . The RW 30 includes a communication unit 300 and is installed on the outer surface of the amusement island 200 and on the front upper portion of the pachinko machine 1. The communication unit 300 includes various antennas for the RW 30 to communicate with the outside. On the upper side of each communication unit 300, an information display 201 is installed for the player to obtain information on the game contents (such as the number of hits of the day) of each pachinko machine 1.

  In addition, one island management device 100 is installed in each of the game islands 200, one player terminal 400 used by the player is installed in the game hall, and there is a hall in the office room outside the game hall. One computer 600 is installed. The RW 30, the island management device 100, the player terminal 400, and the hall computer 600 are connected to the in-store network 150.

  In such a game hall monitoring system, each RW 30 makes use of RFID communication between a later-described monitoring tag 86 and a monitoring antenna 68 (see FIGS. 3 to 5) installed in each pachinko machine 1, The opening / closing state of the opening / closing member is monitored based on the above. The RW 30 continuously transmits a calling wave that calls the monitoring tag 86 from the monitoring antenna 68, and RFID communication with the monitoring tag 86 that transmits a reflected wave including an ID code registered in advance in the RW 30 is established. In the state where it is, it is determined that the monitoring place is closed (normal). When the RFID communication between the monitoring tag 86 and the monitoring antenna 68 is interrupted or when RFID communication is performed with an IC tag that is not registered in the RW 30 in advance, it is determined that there is an abnormality. “Abnormal information” is transmitted to 100.

  In addition, the attendant of the game hall has an attendant card 510. The attendant card 510 is a card-type IC tag and is a card for verifying the identity of the attendant. The staff opens the front surface of the pachinko machine 1 and the main body frame 10 (see FIG. 3) when performing operations such as removal of clogging of the pachinko machine 1. However, the opening by the staff is an opening for work, not an unauthorized opening by an unauthorized person. Therefore, the clerk uses the clerk card 510 to cause the RW 30 to recognize that the work is to be performed (“authenticated state”).

  The clerk card 510 stores an ID code (identification code unique to the IC tag) that can identify the clerk. The RW 30 is provided with an authentication antenna 301 for communicating with the clerk card 510, and the communication unit 300. (See FIG. 5). Therefore, the clerk holds the clerk card 510 over the communication unit 300 before performing the work. Then, since the RFID communication between the authentication antenna 301 and the attendant card 510 is established, the RW 30 is set to the “authenticated state”, and even if the RFID communication between the monitoring tag 86 and the monitoring antenna 68 is cut off, the clerk is “working”. It is judged that there is. Then, not “abnormal information” but “work information” is transmitted to the island management apparatus 100. This “authentication state” is canceled if all monitoring locations are closed after 10 seconds. If there is even one monitoring location that is open after 10 seconds, all monitoring locations are closed and then released.

  In addition, the island management apparatus 100 that has received “abnormal information” and “work information” from the RW 30 transmits the information to the hall computer 600. The “abnormal information” for each pachinko machine 1 is totaled and stored in the hall computer 600. However, when unauthorized opening is performed, the staff must deal with the act. Therefore, the island management apparatus 100 that has received the “abnormal information” turns on the warning lamp 106 and displays the content of the abnormality on the display 107 to notify the staff in the game hall of the occurrence of the abnormality. This notification is stopped by pressing the stop button 108. In addition, when “work information” is received, not “abnormality” has occurred but “work” is being performed, so no notification is given.

  Further, in the game hall monitoring system of the present invention, when the RFID communication between the monitoring tag 86 and the monitoring antenna 68 is not established and it is determined that there is an abnormality, the “abnormal information” is sent to the island management device 100 as described above. Then, when the clerk card 510 is detected within a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) and set to “authenticated state”, “detection information” is transmitted to the island management apparatus 100. On the other hand, when the island management apparatus 100 receives “abnormal information”, it notifies the occurrence of abnormality, but when it receives “detection information” there, it stops reporting the occurrence of abnormality.

  This is to cope with a case where the attendant forgets to put the attendant card 510 over the “authentication state” and opens the front frame 11 or the main body frame 10. If the user forgets to hold the attendant card 510, the opening of the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 is determined to be “illegal”, and the island management device 100 is notified of the occurrence of an abnormality. However, in actuality, it is an opening made for the staff to perform work, and is not due to cheating. However, since the notification of the occurrence of abnormality is performed, the staff member who is going to work needs to cancel the notification of the occurrence of abnormality and continue the work, or continue the work while notifying the occurrence of the abnormality There is. In the former case, if there is a player in the pachinko machine 1, there is a problem that the player is kept waiting, and in the former case, other personnel will deal with the notification of the occurrence of the abnormality. As well as causing the player to be suspicious.

  Therefore, in the game hall monitoring system of the present invention, when it is determined that there is an abnormality, if the attendant card 510 is detected within a predetermined time and is set to “authenticated state”, “detection information” is transmitted to the island management device 100. To do. As a result, even if you accidentally forget to hold the clerk card 510 and open the front frame 11 or the main body frame 10, if you hold the clerk card 510 within a predetermined time, "detection information" is automatically sent to the island management device 100 Since the notification is automatically stopped, the clerk does not need to interrupt the work, and the other clerk does not rush to cope.

  The player owns a player card 410 that is a card-type IC tag storing an ID code that can identify the player. The player card 410 stores past game information of the player in addition to an ID code that can identify the player. The player sets the player card 410 in the communication unit 300 before starting the game. The communication unit 300 includes a player antenna 302 (see FIG. 5) for the RW 30 to perform RFID communication with the player card 410. And in RW30, the call wave which repeatedly calls the player card 410 is transmitted, RFID communication with the player card 410 is established, and when the player is recognized, the game information (number of shot balls) of the subsequent pachinko machine 1 , The number of balls to be paid out, the number of lottery wins, the number of jackpots, etc.) are transmitted to the player card 410 every predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) and written in the EEPROM (not shown) of the player card 410. The game information written in the player card 410 is transmitted from the RW 30 to the hall computer 600 via the island management device 100, and is totalized and stored.

  The player terminal 400 is also provided with an antenna for RFID communication with the player card 410, and the player terminal 400 can read out the game information stored in the player card 410. Therefore, the player can browse the stored game information by setting the player card 410 to the player terminal.

2. Description of Pachinko Machine and Pachinko Machine Attached Equipment Next, the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the state in which the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 of the pachinko machine 1 are opened as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a storage area of the EEPROM 35 of the RW 30.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pachinko machine 1 includes a machine frame 12, a main body frame 10, and a front frame 11. The machine frame 12 is for fixing the pachinko machine 1 to the game island 200. The main body frame 10 includes a game board 2 having a game area 4 on the front side, an upper plate 5 and a lower plate 6 for storing game balls, and the like, a mechanism plate as a mechanism unit on the back side, and a pachinko machine. Various substrates for controlling 1 are installed. The front frame 11 holds a glass plate for covering the game board. Further, the game area 4 is provided with a symbol display device, various winning awards and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, at the lower part of the back of the pachinko machine 1, a main board case 81 that houses a main board 41 that controls the main control of the pachinko machine 1, and a payout that contains a payout control board 45 that controls the payout of game balls. A control board case 82 and the like are arranged. Further, the mechanism plate includes a payout device 67 for paying out game balls.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the main components of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a main board 41, a payout control board 45, a power supply board (not shown), a sound board, a symbol display board, an electrical decoration board, a relay board, a launch board, a sub-integrated board, and the like. 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. And a ROM 53 that stores data of contents displayed on the apparatus. The CPU 51 is connected to an I / O interface 54, and a payout control board 45 and an output port 55 are connected to the I / O interface 54. The pachinko machine 1 is supplied with power from a power source provided on the amusement island 200.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, monitoring tags 86 a to 86 c are attached to the main board case 81, the machine frame 12, and the front frame 11. The main board case 81, the machine casing 12 and the main body frame 10, and the opening and closing of the main body frame 10 and the front frame 11 are monitored. In a state where each monitoring place is closed, a monitoring antenna 68 is provided at a position facing the monitoring tag 86 and capable of RFID communication. Therefore, the monitoring tag 86 attached to the main board case 81 is the case tag 86a, the monitoring tag 86 attached to the machine frame 12 is the machine frame tag 86b, and the monitoring tag 86 attached to the front frame 11 is the front frame. The tag 86c is assumed. The monitoring antenna 68 that communicates with the case tag 86a is referred to as a case antenna 68a, the monitoring antenna 68 that communicates with the machine frame tag 86b is referred to as a machine frame antenna 68b, and the monitoring antenna 68 that communicates with the front frame tag 86c is referred to as a front frame antenna 68c. The main board case 81 in which the main board 41 is accommodated is the monitoring place 1, the main body frame 10 and the machine frame 12 are the monitoring place 2, and the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 are the monitoring place 3.

  Next, the RW 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The RW 30 is provided with a CPU 32 that controls the RW 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. Then, the CPU 32 transmits a paging wave to the EEPROM 35 for storing monitoring information and the like, and a radio tag circuit (hereinafter referred to as an RF circuit) 38 for receiving a reflected wave and receiving a reflected wave, and an RTC (for managing time). (Hereinafter referred to as Real Time Clock) 71 and I / O interface 37 are connected. The I / O interface 37 is connected to an input port 39 connected to the output port 55 of the main board 41 of the pachinko machine 1 and a communication circuit 36 for connection to the in-store network 150 via the island management device 100.

  An authentication antenna 301 for RFID communication with the attendant card 510 and a player antenna 302 for RFID communication with the player card 410 are connected to the RF circuit 38 by cables, and the pachinko machine 1 It is provided in the communication unit 300 installed on the front surface. In addition, monitoring antennas 68 a to 68 c for performing RFID communication with the monitoring tags 86 a to 86 c attached to the respective monitoring locations of the pachinko machine 1 are also connected to the RF circuit 38.

  Next, information stored in the EEPROM 35 will be described with reference to FIG. The EEPROM 35 is provided with a monitoring information storage area 351, an authentication information storage area 352, a monitoring ID code storage area 353, an authentication ID code storage area 354, and the like. The monitoring information storage area 351 stores “monitoring information”, “abnormal information” when an abnormality occurs and “work information” when a work is performed. The authentication information storage area 352 stores “authentication information” including an ID code in “authentication state”, its date and time, and the date and time of cancellation. In the monitoring ID code storage area 353, the ID code of the monitoring tag 86 is stored for each monitoring place. In the authentication ID code storage area 354, the ID code of the attendant card 510 is stored.

3. Description of IC Tag and Antenna Next, the monitoring tag 86, the player card 410, and the attendant card 510 will be described. The monitoring tag 86, the player card 410, and the attendant card 510 are IC tags that perform RFID communication in a 13.56 MHz short wave band.

  For example, in the main board case 81 in which the case tag 86a is attached and the opening thereof is monitored, the main board 41 is accommodated in the upper lid part and the lower lid part so that the upper lid part and the lower lid part do not open. It is caulked. The case antenna 68a is installed on the lower lid of the main board case 81, and the case tag 86a is installed on the upper lid. The distance between the case antenna 68a and the case tag 86a is arranged to be about 3 mm when the upper lid portion and the lower lid portion of the main board case 81 are assembled. RFID communication is possible between these distances, and communication is disabled when the distance between the case antenna 68a and the case tag 86a exceeds about 5 mm. 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, and adjustment is made so that communication is not disabled by slight vibration due to vibration or the like.

  Further, the communicable distance between the machine frame tag 86b and the machine frame antenna 68b is also communicable when the machine frame 12 and the main body frame 10 are closed, and is in an opened state (for example, a state exceeding 5 mm). ), The number of turns of the coil of the machine frame antenna 68b and the reactance value are adjusted so that communication is disabled. The communicable distance between the front frame tag 86c and the front frame antenna 68c is also communicable when the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 are closed, and is in a slightly opened state (for example, a state exceeding 3 mm). ), The number of turns of the coil of the front frame antenna 68c and the reactance value are adjusted so that communication is disabled.

  The authentication antenna 301 that communicates with the attendant card 510 and the player antenna 302 that communicates with the player card 410 are installed inside the communication unit 300. The communication unit 300 is provided with a card slot on the upper surface so that the player card 410 or the attendant card 510 can be held. Then, the number of turns of the coil and the reactance value are adjusted so that communication is possible with the player card 410 or the attendant card 510 being inserted into the card insertion slot. The authentication antenna 301 is installed on the front side of the communication unit, and the clerk card 510 performs RFID communication with the authentication antenna 301 while being held in front of the communication unit 300 without being inserted into the card slot. be able to.

4). Description of Island Management Device Next, the island management device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the island management device 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the island management apparatus 100 includes a CPU 101, and a RAM 102, a ROM 103, an EEPROM 104, an I / O interface 105, and an RTC 117 are connected to the CPU 101. The I / O interface 105 includes a communication circuit 109 for the RW 30 to connect to the in-store network 150, a display 107 for displaying a message indicating a monitoring state of the game island 200, and the like to notify the occurrence of an abnormality. The warning lamp 106 and a stop button 108 for stopping the notification are connected.

5. Next, the operation of the RW 30 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 is a flowchart of main processing performed in the RW 30, FIG. 9 is a flowchart of authentication processing performed in the main processing, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart of monitoring processing performed in the main processing. 11 is a flowchart of the generation process performed in the monitoring process, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the recovery process performed in the monitoring process.

  As shown in FIG. 8, first, initial processing is performed such that initial values “0” are set in each error flag and authentication waiting flag (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 a case where the monitoring tag 86 does not return a reflected wave with respect to the ringing wave transmitted from the monitoring antenna 68, and 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. In addition, the authentication waiting flag is stored as “1” and “ON” if it is within a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) after the occurrence of abnormality, and when the predetermined time has elapsed or when no abnormality has occurred. “0” is stored in “OFF”.

  Then, an authentication process is performed (S2, see FIG. 9). This authentication process will be described in detail later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9. When a call wave is transmitted from the authentication antenna 301 and RFID communication with the attendant card 510 is established, the authentication process is set to “authentication state”. The If it is within a predetermined time from the occurrence of the abnormality, “detection information” is transmitted to the island management device 100.

  Next, the main board case 81 (monitoring location 1) (S3), the main body frame 10 and the machine frame 12 (monitoring location 2) (S4), the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 (monitoring location 3) (S5) are monitored in this order. Is done. This monitoring process will be described in detail later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10. Information on which monitoring location is to be monitored is instructed to the monitoring process using a number indicating the monitoring location. And it returns to S2 and an authentication process (S2) and a monitoring process (S3-S5) are performed repeatedly.

  Next, the authentication process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the authentication process, when the RFID communication with the attendant card 510 having the ID code registered in the authentication ID code storage area 354 is established, the authentication state is set. If all monitoring locations are closed (no response error has occurred) when 10 seconds have elapsed, the “authentication state” is cancelled. Further, if there is even one monitoring place that has been opened after 10 seconds has elapsed (if a response error has occurred), the “authentication state” is canceled after all the monitoring places have been closed. In this authentication process, an authentication flag, an ID code during authentication, and an authentication time counter stored in the RAM 34 are used. The authentication flag is a flag indicating whether or not it is “authentication state”. In the “authentication state”, “1” is set to ON, and when it is not “authentication state”, “0” is set. Has been turned OFF. Further, the ID code of the clerk card 510 in the “authenticated state” is set in the ID code during authentication. The authentication time counter is a timer counter for measuring the time in the “authentication state”, and is counted up by a timer interrupt from the RTC 71.

  First, a call wave is transmitted from the authentication antenna 301 (S21). Then, it is determined whether or not the reflected wave is received within a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) (S22). If the reflected wave is received (S22: YES), it is determined whether or not the ID code included in the received reflected wave is previously stored in the authentication ID code storage area 354 (S23). If it is a registered ID code stored in the authentication ID code storage area 354 (S23: YES), it is determined whether or not it is “authentication state” (S24), and the authentication state flag is ON. If it is not in the “authentication state” (S24: YES), “1” is stored in the authentication flag and the “authentication state” is set (S25). Then, the ID code is stored in the RAM 34 as an “authenticating ID code” (S26). Next, information indicating that the “authentication state” is set, the current time, and the ID code during authentication are stored in the authentication information storage area 352 (S27). Then, measurement of the authentication time is started (S28), and the authentication lamp provided in the communication unit 300 is turned on (S29).

  Then, depending on whether or not the authentication waiting flag is ON, it is determined whether or not it is within a predetermined time after the occurrence of the abnormality (S30). If it is within a predetermined time after the occurrence of an abnormality (S30: YES), it is necessary to transmit “detection information” to the island management device 100. Therefore, “detection information” is created (S31), and the created “detection information” is transmitted to the island management apparatus 100 (S32). Then, the process returns to the main process. The “detection information” includes a “classification” column, a “date / time” column, and a “unit number” column, and a code indicating “detection information” (in this embodiment, “3”). The date and time (current date and time) when the attendant card 510 is detected, and the machine number of the pachinko machine 1 in which the RW 30 is installed are set.

  If it is not within the predetermined time after the occurrence of the abnormality (S30: NO), it is not necessary to transmit “detection information” to the island management apparatus 100, and the process returns to the main process.

  Further, when RFID communication with the attendant card 510 is established (S21, S22: YES, S23: YES), if “authentication state” is in progress (S24: YES), the “authentication state” start of S25 to S32 is started. Since there is no need to perform the process, the process returns to the main process.

  When a ringing wave is transmitted (S21), a reflected wave is not received (S22: NO), or a reflected wave from an IC tag with an unregistered ID code is received (S23: NO) First, it is determined whether or not the current state is “authentication state” (S34). If it is not currently in the “authentication state” (S34: NO), the process directly returns to the main process. If it is “authentication state” (S34: YES), it is determined whether or not to end the “authentication state” (S35, S36), and the process of “authentication state” end is performed (S37 to S39). . First, it is determined whether or not the authentication time has passed 10 seconds (S35). If the authentication time has not passed 10 seconds (S35: NO), the “authentication state” is still continued, and the process directly returns to the main process.

  If the authentication time has passed 10 seconds (S35: YES), it is determined whether or not a response error is occurring (S36). If the response error is in progress (S36: YES), the “authentication state” is not released. Therefore, the process returns to the main process as it is. If the response error is not in progress (S36: NO), “0” is set in the authentication flag and the “authentication state” is canceled (S37). Then, the ID code during authentication is cleared (S38), and the authentication time measurement is stopped (S39). Then, the process returns to the main process.

  Next, the monitoring process will be described with reference to FIG. In this monitoring process, if a ringing wave is transmitted from the monitoring antenna 68 at the monitoring location designated by the main processing and RFID communication is established with the monitoring tag 86 of the ID code registered in advance, the monitoring location is “normal”. If RFID communication is not established, it is determined as “abnormal”. When “abnormal” is determined, “abnormal information” is created and measurement of elapsed time is started. Further, when the “abnormality” is recovered, “abnormal information” indicating recovery of the abnormality is created and transmitted. Further, even if it is determined as “abnormal”, if it is “authenticated”, it is determined that the work is performed by a staff member, and “work information” is created. Similarly, in the recovery of “abnormal”, “work information” is created if it is “authentication state”.

  First, a ringing wave is transmitted from the monitoring antenna 68 (S41). Then, it is determined whether or not the reflected wave is received from the monitoring tag 86 within a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) (S42). When the reflected wave is received (S42: YES), it is determined whether or not the ID code matches the ID code stored in the monitoring ID code storage area 353 in advance (S46). If the ID codes match (S46: YES), it is determined as “normal”. Therefore, since it is necessary to perform a recovery process if an error is currently occurring, it is determined whether the response error flag is ON (S51) and whether the ID error flag is ON (S55). Done. If neither the response error nor the ID error is present (S51: NO, S55: NO), the normal state continues and the process returns to the main process.

  If no reflected wave is returned from the monitoring tag 86 (S42: NO), it is determined as “abnormal” and a “response error” occurs. Therefore, whether or not a response error has already occurred is determined based on whether or not the response error flag is ON (S43). If no response error has already occurred (S43: NO), it is necessary to perform processing for the response error. Therefore, the response error flag is set to ON (S44), and generation processing is performed (S45, see FIG. 11).

  In this generation process, as shown in FIG. 11, it is first determined whether or not it is in the “authentication state” (S71). If the authentication status flag is ON and the status is “authentication status” (S71: YES), the operation is not started but “abnormality” is generated. Therefore, since it is not the generation process performed due to the ID error (S72: NO), work information is immediately created and stored in the monitoring information storage area 351 (S74), and the created work information is transmitted to the island management apparatus 100. (S75). Then, the process returns to the monitoring process and returns to the main process.

  The work information includes a “category” column, a “date and time” column, a “monitoring location” column, a “content” column, a “status” column, and an “ID code” column. In the “category” column, a code (“1” in the present embodiment) indicating that the monitoring information is “work information” is set. In addition, the date and time (current date and time) when the work information is created is set in the “date and time” column, and a number indicating the monitoring location where the work is performed is set in the “monitoring location” column. In the present embodiment, “1” indicates the monitoring place 1 (the main board case 81 in which the main board 41 is accommodated), “2” indicates the monitoring place 2 (the main body frame 10 and the machine casing 12), and “ “3” indicates the monitoring place 3 (the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10).

  In the “content” column, information indicating whether the content of the abnormality is “ID error (ID code change)” or “response error (open)” is set. When the ID code is changed due to RFID communication with an IC tag with an ID code not registered in advance, “1” is set, and there is no response of the reflected wave from the IC tag to the calling wave, and the monitoring location “0” is set when is opened. In the “status” column, information indicating whether the operation is “start” or “end” is set. “Start” is set to “1”, and “End” is set to “0”. In the “ID code” column, information indicating the worker who performed the work, that is, the ID code of the worker card 510 in the authenticated state is set. In addition, in the work information transmitted to the island management device 100, a machine number is added to these information.

  Specifically, “1” indicating “work information” is set in the “category” column, the current date and time is set in the “date and time” column, and the monitoring location is displayed in the “monitoring location” column. “0” indicating a response error (open) is set in the “content” column, “1” indicating occurrence is set in the “status” column, and “ID code” column is set in the RAM 34. A value stored as “authenticating ID code” is set.

  If the authentication status flag is OFF and not the “authentication status” (S71: NO), measurement of elapsed time is started to measure the monitoring information transmission standby time (S77), and the authentication standby flag is set to ON. (S78). Then, abnormality information is created and stored in the monitoring information storage area 351 (S79) and transmitted to the island management device 100 (S80). Then, the process returns to the monitoring process and returns to the main process. The elapsed time is measured by an elapsed time counter that is a timer counter that is counted up by a timer interrupt from the RTC 71.

  The abnormality information includes a “category” column, a “date and time” column, a “monitoring location” column, a “content” column, and a “status” column. In the “category” column, a code (“2” in this embodiment) indicating that the monitoring information is “abnormal information” is set. In addition, the date and time (current date and time) when the monitoring information is created is set in the “date and time” column, and a number indicating the monitoring location where the abnormality has occurred / recovered is set in the “monitoring location” column. In the present embodiment, like the work information, “1” indicates the monitoring location 1 (main substrate case 81 in which the main substrate 41 is accommodated), and “2” indicates the monitoring location 2 (main body frame 10 and machine frame 12). "3" indicates the monitoring place 3 (front frame 11 and main body frame 10). In addition, in the abnormality information transmitted to the island management apparatus 100, a machine number is added to these information.

  In the “content” column, information indicating whether the content of the abnormality is “ID error” or “response error” is set. “1” is set for “ID error” due to RFID communication with an IC tag with an ID code not registered in advance, and “0” for “response error” where there is no response from the IC tag to the ringing wave. Is set. In the “status” column, information indicating whether the abnormality is “occurrence” or “recovery” is set. In “occurrence”, “1” is set, and in “recovery”, “0” is set.

  Specifically, “0” indicating “abnormal information” is set in the “category” column, the current date and time are set in the “date and time” column, and the monitoring location is displayed in the “monitoring location” column. “0” indicating a response error is set in the “content” column, and “1” indicating occurrence is set in the “status” column.

  In the monitoring process (FIG. 10), if a response error has already occurred (S43: YES), there is no need to perform any particular process, and the process returns to the main process.

  In the monitoring process (FIG. 10), even if the reflected wave is received (S42: YES) with respect to the transmission of the ringing wave from the monitoring antenna 68 (S42: YES), the ID code included in the reflected wave is previously stored. If it is not registered (S46: NO), it is determined as “abnormal” and an “ID error” is generated. Therefore, whether or not an ID error has already occurred is determined based on whether or not the ID error flag is ON (S47). If no ID error has already occurred (S47: NO), it is necessary to perform processing for the ID error. Therefore, the ID error flag is turned ON (S48), and the generation process is performed (S49, see FIG. 11).

  In this generation process, a process substantially similar to the generation process that is performed when the above-described response error occurs (S42: NO, S43: NO) is performed, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, in S72, it is determined that there is an ID error (S72: YES), and the ID code in the monitoring ID code storage area 353 is changed to the ID code included in the reflected wave (S73). Further, in the work information created in S74, “1” indicating an ID error (monitor ID code change) is set in the “content” column. Further, in the abnormality information created in S79 and the work information created in S74, “1” indicating an ID error is set in the “content” column.

  In the monitoring process (FIG. 10), if an ID error has already occurred (S47: YES), there is no need to perform any particular process, and the process returns to the main process.

  Further, in the monitoring process (FIG. 10), when the response error is restored to “normal” (SS41, S42: YES, S46: YES), the response error flag is ON (S51: YES). Therefore, the response error flag is turned off (S52), and the recovery process is performed (S53, see FIG. 12).

  In the recovery process, as shown in FIG. 12, it is first determined whether or not it is in the “authentication state” (S81). If the authentication status flag is ON and “authentication status” (S81: YES), the work has been completed, so work information indicating completion is created (S86) and transmitted to the island management device 100. (S87). Specifically, “1” indicating “work information” is set in the “category” field, the current date and time is set in the “date and time” field, and the start of work is indicated in the “monitoring place” field. The same number as the monitoring location of the work information is set, “0” indicating a response error is set in the “content” column, “0” indicating recovery is set in the “status” column, and “ID code” column is set in the “ID code” column Is set to a value stored in the RAM 34 as an “authenticating ID code”.

  If the authentication flag is OFF and not in the “authentication state” (S81: NO), the “abnormality” has been recovered, so that abnormal information indicating the recovery of the abnormality is created in the monitoring information storage area 351. Stored (S82). Specifically, “0” indicating “abnormal information” is set in the “category” column, the current date and time is set in the “date and time” column, and a number indicating the monitoring location in the “monitoring location” column Is set, “0” indicating a response error is set in the “content” column, and “0” indicating recovery is set in the “status” column. Then, abnormality information indicating the recovery is transmitted to the island management device 100 (S83).

  If the authentication standby flag is ON and authentication standby is in progress (S84: YES), after the measurement of elapsed time is stopped (S85), the process returns to the monitoring process and returns to the main process. If the authentication standby flag is OFF and authentication standby is not in progress (S84: NO), the process returns to the monitoring process and returns to the main process.

  Further, in the monitoring process (FIG. 10), when the state is recovered to “normal” during the ID error (SS41, S42: YES, S46: YES, S51: NO), the ID error flag is ON (S55). : YES). Therefore, the ID error flag is turned off (S56), and a recovery process is performed (S57, see FIG. 12). In the recovery process, the same process as when the response error is recovered is performed, and the description is omitted here. However, “1” indicating an ID error is set in the “content” column of the abnormality information created in S82 and the work information created in S86. Then, the process returns to the monitoring process and returns to the main process.

  As described above, each monitoring place is monitored, and when the abnormality is detected by the clerk card 510 within 10 seconds after the occurrence of the abnormality, it is determined that the work is performed by the clerk and the “detection information” is managed by the island management. Transmitted to the device 100. Therefore, even if the clerk forgets to enter the “authentication state” using the clerk card 510 and starts work, if the RW 30 recognizes the clerk card 510 within 10 seconds, the “detection information” Since it is transmitted to the island management device 100, the notification of the occurrence of abnormality is automatically stopped. Therefore, the operation is not interrupted to stop the notification, or the operation is performed while the notification is made, and other staff members do not rush.

6). Description of Operation of Island Management Device Next, the operation of the island management device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 13 is a control flowchart of the island management apparatus 100. In the island management device 100, when “abnormal information” is received from the RW 30 (S100: YES), the content of the received abnormal information is displayed on the display 107, and the warning lamp 106 is turned on to notify the occurrence of the abnormality ( S105). Then, abnormality information is transmitted to the hall computer 600 (S106). Then, the process returns to S100. If “work information” is received (S100: NO, S101: YES), the received work information is transmitted to the hall computer 600 (S108). Then, the process returns to S100.

  Further, when “detection information” is received (S100: NO, S101: NO, S102: YES), or when the stop button 108 is pressed (S100: NO, S101: NO, S102: NO, (S103: YES), the warning lamp 106 is turned off, the content of the abnormality information displayed on the display 107 is deleted, and the notification of the occurrence of the abnormality is canceled (S109). Then, the process returns to S100. Further, when neither “abnormal information”, “work information” nor “detection information” is received and the stop button 108 is not pressed (S100: NO, S101: NO, S102: NO, S103: NO), Other processing in the island management apparatus 100 is performed (S110).

  As described above, when the island management apparatus 100 receives the “detection information”, the notification of the occurrence of the abnormality is stopped. Therefore, even if the clerk forgets to enter the “authentication state” with the clerk card 510 and starts the work, if the clerk card 510 is held over the authentication antenna 301 within the predetermined time to be in the “authentication state”. Since the notification of the occurrence of abnormality is stopped immediately, the work does not have to be interrupted.

7). Comparison with Claims The monitoring ID code storage area 353 of the EEPROM 35 of the RW 30 corresponds to “identification information storage means”, and the authentication ID code storage area 354 of the EEPROM 35 of the RW 30 corresponds to “personnel identification information storage means”. The RF circuit 38 and the monitoring antenna 68 correspond to “monitor tag communication means”, and the RF circuit 38 and the authentication antenna 301 correspond to “personnel tag communication means”.

  The CPU 32 of the RW 30 that performs the processing of S42 and S46 of the monitoring process shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to “abnormality determination means”, and the CPU 32 that performs the processing of S79 and S80 of the generation process shown in FIG. The CPU 32 that performs the processes of S21 to S23 of the authentication process shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to “the clerk tag detecting means”, and the CPU 32 and the RTC 71 that perform the process of S77 of the generation process shown in FIG. The CPU 32 that corresponds to “measuring means” and performs the processing of S30 to S32 of the authentication processing shown in FIG.

  The island management apparatus 100 corresponds to the “external apparatus”, and the CPU 101 of the island management apparatus 100 that performs the process of S105 of the island management apparatus process illustrated in FIG. 16 corresponds to the “notification unit”, and the CPU 101 that performs the process of S100. Corresponds to “abnormal information receiving means”, the CPU 101 that performs the processing of S102 corresponds to “detection information report receiving means”, and the CPU 101 that performs the processing of S102 and S109 corresponds to “notification stop control means”.

8). Description of Modifications It should be noted that the game hall monitoring system of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. 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 case 81 of the pachinko machine 1, the main body frame 10 and the machine frame 12, the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10, and the big prize opening as monitored members, The member to be monitored is not limited to this, and may be installed at a winning opening such as another board storage box or a normal symbol starting gate, and its open / closed state may be monitored.

  In the above embodiment, the time for waiting for authentication of the attendant card 510 after an abnormality has occurred is 10 seconds. However, this time is not limited to 10 seconds, and may be longer or shorter. . In the above embodiment, “abnormal information” and “work information” are stored as “monitoring information” in one storage area in the RW 30, but “abnormal information” and “work information” are stored separately. It may be stored and managed in the area. In the above embodiment, the monitoring information is not stored in the island management device 100, but may be stored in the EEPROM 104 or the like.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the abnormality occurrence is notified only in the island management device 100, but the notification may be performed also in the hall computer 600. In this case, the “detection information” is also transmitted to the hall computer 600.

  The gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the pachinko machine 1 and can be applied to various gaming machines such as a pachikon machine and a pachislot machine.

It is a block diagram which shows a game hall monitoring system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance in the game hall which introduced the game hall monitoring system. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state in which the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 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 block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. It is the schematic diagram which showed the storage area of EEPROM35 of RW30. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the island management device 100. FIG. It is a flowchart of the main process performed by RW30. It is a flowchart of the authentication process performed in the main process. It is a flowchart of the monitoring process performed in the main process. It is a flowchart of the generation | occurrence | production process performed in the monitoring process. It is a flowchart of the recovery process performed in the monitoring process. 3 is a control flowchart of the island management apparatus 100.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine 10 Body frame 11 Front frame 12 Machine frame 30 RW
32 CPU
35 EEPROM
36 Communication circuit 38 RF circuit 68 Monitoring antenna 68a Case antenna 68b Machine frame antenna 68c Front frame antenna 71 RTC
81 Main board case 82 Discharge control board case 86 Monitoring tag 86a Case tag 86b Machine frame tag 86c Front frame tag 100 Island management device 101 CPU
104 EEPROM
106 Warning lamp 107 Display 108 Stop button 150 In-store network 301 Authentication antenna 351 Monitoring information storage area 510 Staff card 600 Hall computer

Claims (2)

A monitoring control device for monitoring a gaming machine installed on a gaming machine installation island in the gaming hall, a monitoring antenna connected to the monitoring control device, and unique identification information are stored in a monitoring target location of the gaming machine. A monitoring tag installed, the monitoring control device repeats RFID communication between the monitoring antenna and the monitoring tag, and when it becomes a predetermined state, it monitors the gaming machine by determining that it is abnormal, A game hall monitoring system that transmits abnormality information indicating the occurrence of an abnormality to an external device connected to the monitoring control device,
The monitoring and control device includes:
Identification information storage means for storing the identification information of the monitoring tag in association with the monitoring tag and an antenna for performing wireless communication;
Monitoring tag communication means for performing RFID communication with the monitoring tag;
When the monitoring tag communication unit cannot perform RFID communication with the monitoring tag, or RFID communication is performed by the IC tag having identification information different from the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit and the monitoring tag communication unit. An abnormality determination means for determining an abnormality in a case,
When the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred, it creates abnormality information indicating that the abnormality has been determined, and transmits abnormality information to the external device.
Clerk identification information storage means for storing the identification information of the clerk tag possessed by the clerk in the game hall and storing unique identification information;
Clerk tag communication means for performing RFID communication with the clerk tag;
RFID communication is performed by the staff tag communication means, and when the RFID tag communication is performed with the staff tag having the identification information stored in the staff identification information storage means, the staff tag is determined to be present. Clerk tag detecting means for detecting;
An elapsed time measuring means for measuring an elapse of a predetermined time from the time when the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred;
When the clerk tag is detected by the clerk tag detecting means while measuring the elapsed time by the elapsed time measuring means, it indicates that the clerk tag has been detected after the abnormality judgment by the abnormality judging means. A detection information transmitting means for generating detection information as information and transmitting the detection information to the external device;
The external device is
Abnormality information receiving means for receiving the abnormality information transmitted from the abnormality information transmitting means;
Informing means for notifying the occurrence of abnormality when the abnormality information is received by the abnormality information receiving means;
Detection information report receiving means for receiving the detection information transmitted from the detection information transmitting means;
When the detection information is received by the detection information receiving means, it is provided with a notification stop control means for stopping notification by the abnormality information about the abnormality that is the basis for creating the detection information. Amusement hall monitoring system.   A gaming machine monitored by the game hall monitoring system according to claim 1.

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