JP2008027075A - Game system, and coin information transmitting apparatus for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system and a coin information transmitting apparatus for a game machine, reducing man-hours without causing malfunction of the game machine. <P>SOLUTION: Electric power is generated by a coin 2 which is thrown into a coin slot 12 by providing a power generation unit 21 composed of a piezo-electric element 21B, a vibrator 21A, etc. in the game machine 10. Coin detection information which is detected by a coin sensor 23 is transmitted to an income tabulation terminal 50 by radio by driving a transmission device control unit 24, and a transmission circuit 25 using this electric power. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system for collecting billing information and operation information of a game machine, and a coin information transmission device for a game machine.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game machines have been provided with a billing information counting device for counting billing information.
However, the conventional billing information totaling apparatus has the following problems.
(1) A conventional billing information totaling apparatus is supplied with power from a game machine. When the power supply capacity of the game machine is small, a separate power supply is separately provided to prevent malfunction of the game machine due to insufficient power supply capacity. (For example, AC adapter etc.) had to be prepared.
(2) When the conventional billing information totalizing apparatus is arranged away from the electric board or the like of the game machine, it takes time for wiring and man-hours for wiring.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-282091

  An object of the present invention is to provide a game system and a coin information transmission device for a game machine that can reduce man-hours without causing a game machine to malfunction.

The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to the Example of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.
The invention of claim 1 is provided in the game machine (10, 110), and a coin insertion slot (12) for inserting a coin (2), and a power generation unit for generating electric power by the inserted coin (2) ( 21), a detection unit (23) that detects the inserted coin (2), and the detection information by the detection unit (23) that is driven by the generated electric power, and the detection information is transmitted wirelessly. It is a game system provided with the transmission part (24-26,124-126) which can be transmitted by this, and the receiving part (50,130) which receives the said detection information transmitted.

A second aspect of the present invention is the game system according to the first aspect, wherein the receiving unit (130) is provided inside the game machine (110).
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game system according to the first or second aspect, the receiving unit (130) is provided in the game machine (110) and controls the game machine (110). (132) comprising a game system.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is the game system according to the first aspect, wherein the receiving unit (50) is provided outside the game machine (10).
The invention of claim 5 is the game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the receiving unit (50) is a counting terminal (50) for counting the detection information, It is a game system characterized by.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the game system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the power generation unit (21) includes the coin (2) inserted into the coin (2) slot. A vibration generating unit (21A) that generates vibrations by dropping, and a piezoelectric element (21B) that is vibrated by the vibration generating unit (21A) and generates electric power by a piezoelectric effect. is there.

  The invention of claim 7 is used in the game system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the power generation unit (21), the detection unit (23), and the transmission unit (24 -26, 124-126), a coin information transmitting device for game machines.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the present invention drives the transmission unit using the power generated by the inserted coin and transmits the coin detection information to the reception unit wirelessly, the reception unit can be provided without providing a power source. The coin detection information can be transmitted wirelessly.

(2) In the present invention, the receiving unit is provided inside the game machine, and it is not necessary to connect the receiving unit and the coin detecting unit with an electric cable or the like. can do.

(3) Since the present invention controls the game machine and wirelessly connects the control unit which is a receiving unit and the coin detection unit, it is not necessary to connect them with an electric cable or the like, so that the man-hours can be reduced. it can.

(4) In the present invention, since the receiving unit is provided outside the game machine, it is not necessary to supply power from the game machine to the receiving unit, and thus it is possible to prevent malfunction of the game machine due to insufficient power capacity. .

(5) According to the present invention, since the counting device as the receiving unit can be arranged at a location away from the coin slot, the degree of freedom of the location of the counting device can be improved.

(6) Since this invention generates electric power using a piezoelectric element, the structure for generating electric power can be simplified.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a game system and a coin information transmission device for a game machine that can reduce the man-hours without causing the game machine to malfunction, and a power generation unit that includes a piezoelectric element or the like in the game machine. To generate electric power with the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot, drive the transmission device control unit and the transmission circuit using the electric power, and transmit the coin detection information to the income totaling terminal wirelessly. Realized by that.

Hereinafter, with reference to drawings etc., Example 1 of the game system of the present invention will be described in more detail.
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a game machine 10 used in the game system 1 of this embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a coin information transmission device for game machines (hereinafter referred to as “coin information transmission device”). .) Is a cross-sectional view showing the structure 20.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the game machine 10 is a video game machine installed in a game center or the like, and includes a case 11, a coin insertion slot 12, a coin return slot 13, a monitor 14, and a speaker 15. And an operation unit 16.

Case 11 is a housing of game machine 10.
The coin insertion slot 12 is an insertion slot for inserting a coin 2 for the player to play. The coin 2 inserted into the coin insertion slot 12 is guided to a coin information transmitting device 20 described later.
The coin return port 13 is a return port for returning this coin when an unspecified coin is inserted into the coin insertion port 12.

The monitor 14 is a display device for displaying the progress of the game or the like, and is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device). The monitor 14 is installed so that its screen faces the front so that the player can easily recognize it.
The speaker 15 is a member for generating sound effects, BGM, and the like as the game progresses.
The operation unit 16 is a panel for arranging operation buttons 16A and 16B for the player to play a game, and is provided in front of the case 11 so that the player can easily operate the operation unit 16.

Next, the coin information transmitting device 20 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the coin information transmitting device 20 is a device for wirelessly transmitting the detection information of the inserted coin 2 housed in the case 11. As shown in FIG. 1B, the coin information transmitting device 20 includes a power generation unit 21, a coin discriminator 22, a coin sensor 23 (detection unit), a transmission device control unit 24, a transmission circuit 25, and a transmission antenna 26. And a coin collection box 27.

The power generation unit 21 is a device for generating electric power using coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 12. The power generation unit 21 includes a vibrator 21A (vibration generator), a piezoelectric element 21B, and a sponge 21C.
The vibrator 21 </ b> A is a member for generating vibrations when the coin 2 inserted into the coin insertion slot 12 is dropped. The vibrator 21A has a T-shaped cross section, its legs 21a are fixed to the case 11, and spherical hammer portions 21c are provided at both ends of the arms 21b.
The arm 21b is arranged so that the coin 2 that has been inserted and dropped into the coin insertion slot 12 will hit, and when the coin 2 hits, the arm 21b vibrates and the hammer portion 21c vibrates (see arrow θ1).
The piezoelectric element 21B is an electrical component that is vibrated by being repeatedly hit by the vibrating hammer portion 21c and generates power by the piezoelectric effect.
The sponge 21C is an elastic member for elastically holding the piezoelectric element 21B. The reason why the piezoelectric element 21B is elastically held is to prevent the piezoelectric element 21B from being mechanically destroyed by dispersing energy when the piezoelectric element 21B is continuously hit by the hammer portion 21c.
Thus, the game machine 10 can generate electric power with a simple configuration by using the energy when the coin 2 falls by using the piezoelectric element 21B.

The coin discriminator 22 is a device for determining whether or not the coin 2 inserted into the coin insertion slot 12 is a prescribed coin, that is, whether or not the coin 2 is for the game machine 10. The coin discriminator 22 discriminates the inserted coin 2 based on the size, weight, etc. of the coin. When the coin 2 is within the regulation, the coin 2 is sent to the coin collection box 27, and when it is determined that the coin 2 is out of the regulation, this coin 2 (denoted as “coin 2a” in the figure) is returned to the coin return slot. Send to 13. That is, for example, when the game machine 10 can be played by inserting 100 yen coins, the coin discriminator 22 sends out to the coin collection box 27 when 100 coins are inserted, and coins when 10 yen coins are inserted. Send it to the return port 13.
The coin sensor 23 is a sensor for detecting the coin 2 sent out from the coin discriminator 22 to the coin collection box 27, and is a micro switch or the like, for example. When the coin sensor 23 detects the coin 2, the electrical contact is turned on and the coin detection information is output to the transmission device control unit 24.

The transmission device control unit 24 is a control unit for controlling the coin information transmission device 20 in an integrated manner, and includes, for example, a CPU. The transmission device control unit 24 is driven by the power generated by the power generation unit 21. Coin detection information is input from the coin sensor 23 to the transmission device control unit 24.
The transmission circuit 25 is an RF circuit for receiving coin detection information of the coin sensor 23 via the transmission device control unit 24 and transmitting the coin detection information on radio waves. The transmission circuit 25 is controlled by the transmission device control unit 24, and is driven by the power generated by the power generation unit 21, similarly to the transmission device control unit 24.
The transmission antenna 26 is a member that is electrically connected to the transmission circuit 25 and that actually transmits radio waves (see arrow A).
The coin recovery box 27 is a container for storing the coins 2 that have been determined by the coin discriminator 22 to be within regulation and sent out.

  With the above configuration, the coin information transmitting device 20 can generate power using the inserted coins 2 to generate power for driving the transmitting device control unit 24 and the transmitting circuit 25. Thereby, the coin information transmission device 20 can wirelessly transmit the coin detection information to the income tabulation terminal 50 (reception unit) described later without receiving power supply. Moreover, since it is not necessary to wire the coin sensor 23 and the income totaling terminal 50 with an electric cable etc., man-hours can be reduced.

Next, a block diagram of this game system will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the game system 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the game system 1 includes the above-described game machine 10, an income totaling terminal 50, and an income data totaling device 60.

The game machine 10 includes a game control board 30, a power supply unit 40, the above-described coin information transmission device 20, a monitor 14, and a speaker 15.
The game control board 30 is an electric board on which electric parts necessary for the game machine 10 are mounted, and is electrically connected to the coin information transmitting apparatus 20 with an electric cable 29 or the like. The game control board 30 includes a storage unit 31, a game control unit 32, and a drive circuit 33.
The storage unit 31 is a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory element for storing game programs and the like. The storage unit 31 stores, for example, game video data, sound data such as sound effects, and the like.

The game control unit 32 is a control unit for controlling the game machine 10 in an integrated manner, and includes, for example, a CPU (central processing unit). When the coin detection information is input from the coin information transmitting device 20, the game control unit 32 performs a process for starting the game.
The drive circuit 33 is an electric circuit controlled by the game control unit 32, and includes a drive circuit for driving the monitor 14, a drive circuit for driving the speaker 15, and the like. In response to a command from the game control unit 32, the drive circuit 33 outputs audio such as video and BGM stored in the storage unit 31 to the monitor 14 and the speaker 15.

The power supply unit 40 is a device for supplying power to the game control board 30 and is electrically connected to the game control board 30 with an electric cable 39 or the like. The power supply unit 40 includes, for example, a transformer, is connected to a power outlet such as a game center, converts power from AC 100 V to DC 5 V, and supplies the converted power to the game control board 30.
The power supply unit 40 does not need to supply power to the coin information transmitting device 20. This is because, as described above, the coin information transmitting apparatus 20 can generate power itself.

  The income totaling terminal 50 is arranged outside the game machine 10, receives coin detection information transmitted by the coin information transmitting device 20, and totals the coin detection information, so that the coin 2 insertion state of the game machine 10, That is, it is a terminal for counting billing information and operation information. The income totaling terminal 50 is electrically connected to the income data totaling device 60 via a LAN cable 55. The income totaling terminal 50 includes a receiving antenna 51, a receiving circuit 52, and a terminal control unit 53.

The receiving antenna 51 is an antenna for receiving the coin detection information transmitted by the transmitting antenna 26 of the coin information transmitting apparatus 20.
The reception circuit 52 is an RF circuit that is electrically connected to the reception antenna 51, processes the coin detection information received by the reception antenna 51, and outputs it to the terminal control unit 53. The receiving circuit 52 is controlled by the terminal control unit 53.
The terminal control unit 53 is a control unit for comprehensively controlling the income totaling terminal 50, and includes, for example, a CPU. The terminal control unit 53 outputs the coin detection information input from the receiving circuit 52 to the income data totaling device 60 via the LAN cable 55.

  With the above configuration, the game system 1 transmits and receives coin detection information between the income totaling terminal 50 and the game machine 10 wirelessly. For this reason, since the game system 1 can separate the income totaling terminal 50 and the game machine 10 and use them as separate power sources, it is not necessary to supply power from the game machine 10 to the income totaling terminal 50. Thereby, the game system 1 can prevent malfunction of the game machine 10 due to insufficient power supply capacity.

  The income data totaling device 60 is a computer for totalizing billing information of game machines arranged in a game center or the like. The income data totaling device 60 is connected to the income totaling devices of other plural game machines in addition to the income totaling terminal 50 by a LAN cable, and transmits information.

Next, the operation of the game system 1 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game system 1 of the present embodiment.
First, the operation of the coin information transmitting device 20 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3A, when the power switch (not shown) of the game machine 10 is turned on in step S1, the transmission device control unit 24 becomes ready for processing.
When the player inserts the coin 2 into the coin insertion slot 12 (see FIG. 1A), the coin 2 is guided to the coin information transmitting device 20 and falls onto the arm 21b of the vibrator 21A of the power generation unit 21, Vibration is generated in the vibrator 21A (see FIG. 1B). The piezoelectric element 21B is vibrated and generates electric power by being continuously hit by the hammer portion 21c of the vibrator 21A. This power is supplied, and the transmission device control unit 24 and the transmission circuit 25 are driven.
The dropped coin 2 is discriminated by the coin discriminator 22, and if it falls within the regulation, it is sent out to the coin collection box 27 and detected by the coin sensor 23. The coin sensor 23 outputs coin detection information to the transmission device control unit 24.

In step S2, when coin detection information is input (step S2: YES), the transmission device control unit 24 proceeds to step S3, outputs the coin detection information to the transmission circuit 25, and further controls the transmission circuit 25. Then, the coin detection information is transmitted wirelessly.
In step S <b> 4, the transmission device control unit 24 outputs coin detection information to the game control board 30 via the electric cable 29.
Thus, the operation of the coin information transmission device 20 is completed.

Next, the operation of the income totaling terminal 50 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3B, when a power switch (not shown) of the income totaling terminal 50 is turned on in step S11, the terminal control unit 53 starts a series of processes.
In step S <b> 12, when the reception antenna 51 receives coin detection information from the coin information transmission device 20, the reception circuit 52 outputs the coin detection information to the terminal control unit 53. Based on the output of the receiving circuit 52, the terminal control unit 53 determines that the coin detection information has been received (step S12: YES), proceeds to step S13, and receives the coin detection information via the LAN cable 55. The data is output to the data totaling device 60.
Thus, the process of the income totaling terminal 50 ends. The income data totaling device 60 records the date and time when coin detection information is output from the income totaling terminal 50, and totals billing information and operation information of the game machine 10.

Next, the operation of the game control board 30 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3C, when the power switch of the game machine 10 is turned on in step S21, the game control unit 32 starts a series of processes.
In step S22, when the coin detection information is input from the coin information transmitting device 20 (step S22: YES), the game control unit 32 proceeds to step S23 and starts the game.
As described above, the game can be actually played on the game machine 10 and the player can play.

As described above, in the game system 1 according to the present embodiment, the coin information transmitting device 20 generates electricity with the coin 2 inserted into the game machine 10, and the coin detection information is provided outside the game machine 10. It can be transmitted to the totaling terminal 50.
Thereby, since the game system 1 does not need to connect the income totaling terminal 50 (reception part) and the coin sensor 23 (detection part) with an electric cable etc., it does not require the effort of wiring and can reduce a man-hour. can do. Further, since it is not necessary to supply power from the game machine 10 to the income totaling terminal 50 (reception unit), it is possible to prevent malfunction of the game machine 10 due to insufficient power capacity.

Next, a second embodiment of the game system to which the present invention is applied will be described.
Note that, in the following description, parts that perform the same functions as those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals at the end, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the game system 101 of this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the game system 101 is obtained by connecting a coin information transmitting device 120 provided inside the game machine 110 and a game control board 130 (receiving unit) by radio (see arrow B).

Next, the operation of the game system 101 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game system 101 of this embodiment.
First, the operation of the coin information transmitting apparatus 120 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the coin detection information is input from the coin sensor 23 in step S102 (step S2: YES), the transmission device control unit 124 controls the transmission circuit 125 in step S103. The coin detection information is transmitted wirelessly (see arrows A and B).

Next, the operation of the game control board 130 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5C, when the power switch of the game machine 10 is turned on in step S121, the game control unit 130 starts a series of processes.
In step S122, when the reception antenna 134 receives the coin detection information, the reception circuit 135 outputs the coin detection information to the game control unit 132. Based on the output of the receiving circuit 135, the game control unit 132 determines that the coin detection information has been received (step S122: YES), proceeds to step S123, and starts a game start process. As described above, the game can be actually played on the game machine 110.
Note that the operation of the income tabulation terminal 50 shown in FIG. 5B is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in the game system 101 according to the present embodiment, the coin information transmission device 120 includes a game control unit 132 that controls the game machine 110 by providing the coin detection information inside the game machine 110. It transmits to control board 130 (reception part) by radio. Thereby, since it is not necessary to connect the coin sensor 23 (coin detection part) and the game control board 130 with an electric cable etc., a man-hour can be reduced.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the equivalent scope of the present invention.
(1) In each embodiment, the game system has shown an example in which the income totaling device (reception unit) is provided outside the game machine, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the game system may be provided inside the game machine. In this case, the game system does not need to connect the income totalization device and the coin sensor (coin detection unit) using an electric cable or the like inside the game machine, so that it does not take time for wiring and man-hours. Reductions can be made.

(2) In each embodiment, the game machine has shown an example in which coins are inserted into the coin insertion slot, but the present invention is not limited to this. The coin of the present invention is a concept including medals used in, for example, a game center. Thereby, the game system can total the operation information of the game machine and the like based on the medal detection information.

(3) In each embodiment, the game system has shown an example in which coin detection information is transmitted and received by radio waves, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the game system may transmit and receive coin detection information by infrared rays or the like.

It is a perspective view of a game machine used for Example 1 of a game system to which the present invention is applied, and a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a coin information transmitting device. It is a block diagram of the game system of Example 1. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game system of the first embodiment. It is a block diagram of Example 2 of the game system to which the present invention is applied. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game system of the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,101 Game system 2 Coin 10,110 Game machine 12 Coin slot 20,120 Coin information transmitter 21 Power generation unit 21B Piezoelectric element 23 Coin sensor 24,124 Transmitter control part 25,125 Transmitter circuit 26,126 Transmitting antenna 29 Electric cable 30, 130 Game control board 32, 132 Game control unit 40 Power supply unit 50 Income totaling terminal 51 Reception antenna 52 Reception circuit 53 Terminal control unit 60 Income data totaling device 134 Reception antenna 135 Reception circuit

Claims (7)

A coin slot provided in the game machine to insert coins,
A power generation unit that generates electric power by the inserted coin;
A detection unit for detecting the inserted coin;
Driven by the generated power, detection information from the detection unit is input, and the transmission unit capable of transmitting the detection information wirelessly;
A receiving unit for receiving the transmitted detection information;
A game system with The game system according to claim 1,
The receiving unit is provided inside the game machine;
A game system characterized by In the game system according to claim 1 or 2,
The receiving unit is provided in the game machine and includes a control unit for controlling the game machine;
A game system characterized by The game system according to claim 1,
The receiving unit is provided outside the game machine;
A game system characterized by In the game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The receiving unit is a counting terminal for counting the detection information;
A game system characterized by In the game system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The power generation unit is
A vibration generating unit that generates vibration by dropping the coin inserted into the coin insertion slot;
A piezoelectric element that is vibrated by the vibration generating unit and generates power by a piezoelectric effect;
A game system characterized by It is used for the game system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Comprising the power generation unit, the detection unit, and the transmission unit;
A coin information transmitting device for a game machine.

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