JP2008264350A - Game machine and locking management system for managing locking state of a plurality of game machines - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of securing the safety equivalent to the safety of a game machine requiring input of employees' personal identification numbers, authentication of fingerprints and input of the serial number of a game machine to be unlocked, and capable of unlocking a front door in a short period of time while reducing the workload applied to an employee when the employee joins a company or retires, or the stress in memorizing the employee's personal identification number. <P>SOLUTION: In the game machine 1, a locking device control circuit 20 receives an authentication signal output from an IC card and determines whether the authentication signal is valid or not. Then, the locking device control circuit transmits an unlocking signal for unlocking the front door to a solenoid driver 25 to permit the driving of a solenoid 26 on condition that the authentication signal is determined as valid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a locking management system that manages a locking state of a plurality of gaming machines.

  In the game hall, there are many pachinko and pachislot machines equipped with a box-shaped cabinet, a front door that opens and closes the cabinet, and a locking device that locks or unlocks the front door. . Conventional gaming machines often use a locking device that unlocks the front door by rotating a physical key. In such a locking device, in order to attach an unauthorized device such as a so-called back ROM. There are cases where fraud such as picking is performed. Therefore, there is a need to provide a gaming machine that can prevent fraud by locking with a means different from a physical key.

In such a gaming machine, an island code controller provided for each of a plurality of gaming machines is used to input an employee password, fingerprint authentication, and a gaming machine number to be unlocked. A gaming machine that can unlock the front door is proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). According to this gaming machine, since it is difficult to unlock the front door by an unauthorized act compared to the case of locking using a physical key, it is possible to improve the safety against opening and closing the front door.
JP 2002-136743 A

  However, when entering an employee password, it is necessary to change the employee password every time an employee leaves the company in order to ensure safety. For this reason, the player's password is wrongly changed due to frequent changes, and it takes time to unlock the front door. Locks can be frustrating late. In addition, when it is necessary to unlock a large number of front doors outside business hours, there is a possibility that work efficiency may be reduced by increasing the opening time per unit. In addition, when performing fingerprint authentication, it is necessary to register a fingerprint every time an employee entering the company leaves and delete the registered fingerprint every time an employee leaves the company. Therefore, while reducing the work burden when employees enter or leave the company and the burden of employees storing their passwords, they can enter their passwords, authenticate their fingerprints, and enter the number of the gaming machine that they want to unlock. There is a need to provide a gaming machine that can ensure the same safety as a gaming machine that performs input and that can unlock the front door in a short time.

  The purpose of the present invention is to enter the employee PIN code, authenticate the fingerprint, and unlock the game while reducing the work burden when the employee joins or leaves the company and the burden of storing the PIN code. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can ensure the same safety as a gaming machine that inputs a machine number and can unlock a front door in a short time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in gaming machines, authentication signal receiving means for receiving an authentication signal output from an IC card, and whether or not this authentication signal is valid. Discriminating means for discriminating, and unlocking signal transmitting means for transmitting an unlocking signal for unlocking the front door to the locking device on the condition that the discriminating means is judged to be effective. It is characterized by.

  More specifically, the present invention provides the following.

  (1) A gaming machine (e.g., a cabinet having a box-like cabinet (e.g., cabinet 10), a front door that opens and closes the cabinet, and a locking device (e.g., locking device 3) that locks or unlocks the front door. , A gaming machine 1), an authentication signal receiving means for receiving an authentication signal output from an IC card (for example, a locking device control circuit 20 for receiving a first authentication signal from the authentication device control circuit 15), and the authentication It is effective by the determination means (for example, the locking device control circuit 20 for performing the process of step S62 in FIG. 17 described later) and the determination means for determining whether or not the authentication signal received by the signal receiving means is valid. The unlocking signal generating means for generating the unlocking signal for unlocking the front door (for example, the locking device control circuit 20 for generating the unlocking signal), Unlocking signal transmitting means for transmitting the unlocking signal generated by the unlocking signal generating means to the locking device (for example, a locking device control circuit 20 for transmitting the unlocking signal to the solenoid driver 25), and The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking device unlocks the front door in response to receiving the unlocking signal.

  According to the gaming machine described in (1), safety can be ensured only by returning the IC card to the retired employee even when the employee who retires appears. Even if the retired person does not return the IC card or an employee who has lost the IC card comes out, safety can be ensured only by invalidating the authentication signal output from the IC card. Further, since the employee can unlock the front door simply by having the authentication signal receiving means receive the authentication signal output from the IC card, the time required for unlocking the front door can be shortened and the password is stored. Such as the burden of authenticating a fingerprint in advance. Therefore, while reducing the work burden when employees enter or leave the company and the burden of employees storing their passwords, they can enter their passwords, authenticate their fingerprints, and enter the number of the gaming machine that they want to unlock. It is possible to provide a gaming machine that can ensure the same safety as a gaming machine that performs input and can unlock the front door in a short time.

  (2) In the gaming machine according to (1), the authentication signal includes holder identification information for identifying a holder of the IC card, a timer for measuring time (for example, timer 23), and the authentication signal receiving means. Storage means (for example, a locking device information storage area according to a modified example) in which the owner identification information and the information of the time when the authentication signal is received are stored in response to the reception of the authentication signal. A gaming machine characterized by that.

  (2) According to the gaming machine described above, even if an employee commits cheating, the inside of the gaming machine is inspected outside business hours, and the employee is unlocked between the previous inspection and the current inspection. By investigating the time, it may be possible to identify employees who have committed fraud, and the safety of the gaming machine can be further enhanced.

  (3) A plurality of games including a box-shaped cabinet (for example, cabinet 10), a front door for opening and closing the cabinet, and a locking device (for example, locking device 3) for locking or unlocking the front door. A lock management system (for example, lock management system 2) for managing a lock state of a machine (for example, gaming machine 1), wherein the gaming machine receives a first authentication signal output from an IC card. In response to the reception of the first authentication signal by the signal receiving means (for example, the locking device control circuit 20 that receives the first authentication signal from the authentication device control circuit 15) and the first authentication signal receiving means. Second authentication signal generating means for generating a second authentication signal including gaming machine identification information for identifying a gaming machine that has received one authentication signal (for example, transmitting the first authentication signal in addition to the owner identification information) A locking device control circuit 20 for generating a second authentication signal including gaming machine identification information for specifying the gaming machine 1 and a second authentication signal generated by the second authentication signal generating means. 2 authentication signal transmission means (for example, the locking device control circuit 20 for transmitting the generated second authentication signal), and a second authentication signal for receiving the second authentication signal transmitted by the second authentication signal transmission means Whether the receiving means (for example, the island management computer control circuit 30 that receives the second authentication signal from the locking device control circuit 20) and the second authentication signal received by the second authentication signal receiving means are valid. On the condition that the determining means (for example, an island management computer control circuit 30 for performing the processing of step S52 in FIG. 14 described later) and the determining means determine that the front door is effective, An unlocking signal generating means for generating an unlocking signal for unlocking (for example, an island management computer control circuit 30 for generating an unlocking signal), and an unlocking signal generated by the unlocking signal generating means, Unlocking signal transmitting means for transmitting to the locking device of the gaming machine that transmitted the second authentication signal (for example, the island management computer control circuit 30 for transmitting the unlocking signal to the locking device control circuit 20), The gaming machine that has transmitted the authentication signal unlocks the front door in response to receiving the unlocking signal (for example, the unlocking signal is transmitted to the solenoid driver 25 to drive the solenoid 26). Locking management system.

  (3) According to the lock management system described above, safety can be ensured only by returning the IC card to the retired employee even if the employee who retires appears. Even if the retired person does not return the IC card or an employee who has lost the IC card comes out, safety can be ensured only by invalidating the authentication signal output from the IC card. Further, since the employee can unlock the front door simply by having the authentication signal receiving means receive the authentication signal output from the IC card, the time required for unlocking the front door can be shortened and the password is stored. Such as the burden of authenticating a fingerprint in advance. Therefore, while reducing the work burden when employees enter or leave the company and the burden of employees storing their passwords, they can enter their passwords, authenticate their fingerprints, and enter the number of the gaming machine that they want to unlock. It is possible to provide a locking management system that can ensure the same safety as a locking management system that performs input and can unlock the front door in a short time.

  (4) In the gaming machine according to (3), the first authentication signal includes holder identification information for identifying an IC card holder, and the second authentication signal includes the owner identification information and the gaming machine. A timer for measuring time (for example, timer 35) including both identification information and the second authentication signal received by the second authentication signal receiving means, the owner identification information and the gaming machine A locking management system comprising storage means (for example, a locking device information storage area) in which identification information and information on the time when the second authentication signal is received are stored.

  (4) According to the lock management system described, even if an employee commits an illegal act, the inside of the gaming machine is inspected outside business hours, and the front door of the gaming machine that has been illegally used is checked from the previous inspection. By investigating the employee who unlocked by the time of this inspection and the employee who did the fraud by investigating the time, it is possible to further increase the safety of the lock management system.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to input an employee PIN code, authenticate a fingerprint, and unlock a game while reducing the work load when the employee enters or leaves the company or the burden of storing the PIN code. It is possible to provide a gaming machine that can ensure the same safety as a gaming machine that inputs a machine number and can unlock the front door in a short time.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a locking management system 2 that manages the locking state of a plurality of gaming machines 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. The type of gaming machine 1 used in this embodiment is not limited, but in consideration of simplification of description, the following description will be made assuming that it is a so-called “pachislot machine”.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the locking management system 2. The locking management system 2 includes locking devices 3-11 to 3-1 N and 3-21 to 2-2 N provided in each of a plurality of gaming machines 1-11 to 1-1 N and 1-21 to 1-2 N. The island management computer 4 is connected to each of the locking devices 3-11 to 31-N and 3-21 to 2-3N via a communication line.

  The gaming machine 1 includes a box-shaped cabinet 10 (see FIG. 3) and a front door (not shown) that opens and closes the cabinet 10, and the locking device 3 locks or unlocks the front door. Is provided to do.

  The island management computer 4 is a computer for managing the states of the locking devices 3-11 to 31 -N and 3-21 to 3 -2N, and the locking devices 3-11 to 3-1 N and 3-21 to 3- Not only 2N but also a printer 5 as an output device and a host computer 6 such as a hall computer are connected via a communication line.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of installation positions of the island management computer 4 and the plurality of locking devices 3-11 to 3-1 N and 3-21 to 3-2 N.

  The locking devices 3-11 to 31-N and 3-21 to 2-2N are provided in the cabinets 10 of the gaming machines 1-11 to 1-1N and 21-21 to 1-2N, respectively. In the present embodiment, one gaming island is configured by the plurality of gaming machines 1-11 to 1-1N and 21-21 to 1-2N, and a plurality of such gaming islands are provided. One island management computer 4 is provided for one gaming island, and one prepaid card issuing machine 7 for gaming is also provided for one gaming island.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the island management computer 4 is connected in a bus-like manner to the locking devices 3-11 to 3-1 N of a plurality of gaming machines 1-11 to 1-1 N on one side of the gaming island in charge. In addition, the plurality of gaming machines 1-21 to 1-2N on the other surface of the gaming island are connected in a bus-like manner by a bus different from the above.

  It should be noted that all the gaming machines 1-11 to 1-1N, 1-21 to 1-2N locking devices 3-11 to 31-N and 3-21 to 2-2N on the game island are connected by one bus to the island management computer. 4 may be connected.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the locking device 3 (3-11-1 to 3N, 3-21 to 2-3N).

  The locking device 3 includes a unit body 11 having a generally box shape and a cylinder lock 12. The unit main body 11 is provided on the back surface of the cabinet 10 and is arranged so that the tip side of the cylinder lock 12 passes through the through hole of the cabinet 10.

  It should be noted that the locking device 3 may not only be attached to a new gaming machine but also be a shape that can be attached in place of the cylinder lock portion of the gaming machine already installed in the game arcade at the gaming machine manufacturer. preferable.

  The unit main body 11 is provided with an electronic lock mechanism (solenoid or the like), which will be described later, which can control the permission (unlocking) and prohibition (locking) of the rotation of the cylinder lock 12. In the unlocked state of the electronic lock mechanism, when a key (not shown) that is physically present is inserted into the cylinder lock 12 and rotated, the engaging member in the unit body 11 and the front door of the gaming machine 1 The engagement with the engagement member (not shown) is released, and the front door can be opened. The island management computer 4 controls the locking and unlocking of the locking device 3 (the electronic lock mechanism).

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the authentication device 13 provided in each of the gaming machines 1-11 to 1-1N, 1-21 to 1-2N.

  The authentication device 13 has a substantially elliptic flat plate shape, and a contact electrode 14 is provided on one surface. On the surface of the contact electrode 14, a letter “Please place an IC card” is written. The authentication device 13 is arranged so that the characters “Please put an IC card” are visible when viewed from the game surface (the surface on which the reel design in the gaming machine 1 is displayed).

  FIG. 5 shows an authentication device control circuit 15 provided inside the authentication device 13 for controlling the operation of the authentication device 13, and a lock provided inside the locking device 3 for controlling the operation of the locking device 3. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a device control circuit 20. FIG.

  The authentication device control circuit 15 is electrically connected to a contact electrode 14 for placing an IC card. In this embodiment, the IC card stores in advance holder identification information for identifying the holder of the IC card. When the IC card touches the contact electrode 14, the first authentication signal including the holder identification information is stored. Is transmitted to the authentication device control circuit 15. The authentication device control circuit 15 is provided with a microcomputer for receiving the first authentication signal and transmitting the received first authentication signal to the locking device control circuit 20.

  The locking device control circuit 20 includes a microcomputer 21, an interface circuit 22, a timer 23, a secondary battery 24, a solenoid driver 25, a solenoid 26, an open detection sensor 27, and a unit ID setting switch 28 as electrical configurations.

  The microcomputer 21 is, for example, one in which the entire CPU, ROM, and RAM are configured as one chip. The microcomputer 21 controls each part of the locking device 3 and appropriately communicates with the island management computer control circuit 30. In the microcomputer 21, in response to receiving the first authentication signal transmitted from the authentication device control circuit 15, in addition to the owner identification information, the first information including the gaming machine identification information for identifying the type of the gaming machine 1 is included. 2 authentication signal is generated, and the generated second authentication signal is transmitted to the island management computer control circuit 30. The microcomputer 21 also has a role of receiving the unlocking signal and the locking signal generated by the island management computer control circuit 30 and controlling the locking and unlocking of the front door.

  The interface circuit 22 accommodates a communication line (communication bus: composed of a pair line) L1 with the island management computer 4 and performs a communication interface under the control of the microcomputer 21. The interface circuit 22 includes, for example, an RS485 driver and an RS485 receiver. For example, the serial transfer conforms to RS485. For example, it is preferable that the transfer rate is slightly different from that specified in RS485, and from this point, it is preferable to ensure communication safety.

  The timer 23 measures time. For example, the time information is used when the microcomputer 21 stores a journal such as the unlocking time and locking time of the front door of the gaming machine 1. The time of the timer 23 can be set or adjusted based on, for example, an instruction from the island management computer 4, thereby enabling time adjustment of the entire system.

  When the secondary battery 24 is not supplied with power (for example, AC 24V) via a power line (configured with a pair of wires including a ground line) L2, the locking device control circuit 20 except for the solenoid 26 is used. The power is supplied to each part of the locking device, and when the power is supplied through the power line L2, the power is supplied to each part of the locking device control circuit 20 while performing the charging operation. Here, the secondary battery 24 also has the function of a converter for supplying direct current power to direct current. The capacity of the secondary battery 24 is selected in accordance with the maximum non-business hours taking into account a playground holiday.

  Note that the timer 23 and the secondary battery 24 exist in a single chip, and these may be used.

  The solenoid driver 25 drives the solenoid 26 under the control of the microcomputer 21.

  Here, it is preferable to mount the microcomputer 21, the interface circuit 22, the timer 23, the secondary battery 24, and the solenoid driver 25 on the same substrate 29 and to seal (harden) the mounting portion with resin from the viewpoint of preventing fraud.

  The solenoid 26 is a central component of the electronic lock mechanism. The cylinder lock 12 is locked or unlocked by changing the position of the solenoid operator when the solenoid 26 is driven or not driven. The driving power for the solenoid 26 is supplied only via the power line L2. Applying a solenoid 26 that has an operating element positioned at a position where the cylinder lock 12 is locked when not driven and an operating element positioned where the cylinder lock 12 is unlocked when driven is highly effective in preventing fraud. Moreover, it is preferable also from the surface of power consumption.

  The opening detection sensor 27 detects that the front door of the gaming machine is open, and gives a detection signal to the microcomputer 21. This detection signal is used as a trigger when the microcomputer 21 stores a journal. Note that another sensor such as an impact sensor that detects an impact when the front door is opened can be provided, and a detection signal of the sensor may be given to the microcomputer 21.

  The unit ID setting switch 28 is constituted by, for example, a dip switch, and sets the identification number (ID) of the locking device 3. This setting may be performed after being installed in the amusement hall, but it is preferable that the setting is performed at the time of shipment from the gaming machine manufacturer from the viewpoint of detecting fraud during transportation, which will be described later.

  The ID of the locking device 3 set by the unit ID setting switch 28 is fixed (hereinafter referred to as “fixed ID”). , Also called a secret key number). The personal identification key number serves as a key for changing the locking / unlocking state of the electronic lock mechanism in the locking device 3.

  Although omitted in FIG. 5, the locking device 3 may be provided with a means for driving an abnormality notification means such as a buzzer or an abnormality notification means provided in the gaming machine main body.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an island management computer control circuit 30 provided in the island management computer 4 in order to control the operation of the island management computer 4.

  The island management computer control circuit 30 includes a microcomputer 31, a unit interface circuit 32, a host interface circuit 33, a printer interface circuit 34, a timer 35, a secondary battery 36, an island ID setting switch 37, a key input device 38, and a liquid crystal display device 39. Have.

  The microcomputer 31 is, for example, one in which the entire CPU, ROM, and RAM are configured as one chip. In the microcomputer 31, in response to receiving the second authentication signal transmitted from the locking device control circuit 20, the locking signal for locking the front door with the locking device control circuit 20 that transmitted the second authentication signal, The unlocking signal for unlocking the front door is generated, and the generated signal is transmitted again to the locking device control circuit 20 that has transmitted the second authentication signal. The microcomputer 31 also has a role of controlling each part of the island management computer 4 and a role of communicating with the locking device 3 and the host computer 6 as appropriate.

  The unit interface circuit 32 accommodates communication lines L1-A and L1-B with the locking device 3 (3-11-1 to 3N, 3-21 to 2N), and under the control of the microcomputer 31, A communication interface with the locking device 3 is performed. The unit interface circuit 32 includes, for example, an RS485 driver and an RS485 receiver. For example, the serial transfer conforms to RS485. The unit interface circuit 32 is opposed to the interface circuit 22 of the locking device 3 described above.

  One communication line L1-A is connected to the locking devices 3-11 to 31-N on one side of the game island, and the other communication line L1-B is the locking device 3 on the other side of the game island. -21 to 3-2N.

  The host interface circuit 33 performs a communication interface with the host computer 6 under the control of the microcomputer 31. The upper interface circuit 33 includes a connector 32a, and a communication line with the upper computer 6 is appropriately connected to the connector 32a. The upper interface circuit 33 includes, for example, an RS232 driver and an RS232 receiver. For example, the serial transfer conforms to RS232.

  The printer interface circuit 34 performs a transmission interface to the printer 5 under the control of the microcomputer 31. The printer interface circuit 34 includes a connector 33a, and a communication line to the printer 5 is appropriately connected to the connector 33a.

  The printer 5 is mainly used for printing journal data related to the island management computer 4 and the locking device 3, and the size of the printer 5 is not limited as long as it can be achieved. For example, a dedicated configuration for the system may be used, or a general-purpose device may be used.

  The timer 35 measures time. For example, the time information is used when the microcomputer 31 stores a journal such as the time when the electronic lock mechanism of the locking device 3 is operated. The time of the timer 35 can be set and adjusted by setting and adjusting operations using the key input device 38, or can be set and adjusted by a command from the host computer 6. In addition, when the time of the timer 35 is changed, the microcomputer 31 has the time at all the locking devices 3-11 to 31-N and 3-21 to 3-2N connected to the island management computer 4. Are also updated.

  The secondary battery 36 supplies power to each part of the island management computer 4 excluding the key input device 38 and the liquid crystal display device 39 when power is not supplied through the power line L2. When power is supplied via the line L2, a charging operation is performed and power is supplied to all the parts of the island management computer 4. Here, the secondary battery 36 also has a function of a converter for converting the supplied AC power source to DC. The capacity of the secondary battery 36 is selected in accordance with the maximum non-business hours taking into account a playground holiday.

  In addition, the timer 35 and the secondary battery 36 exist in one chip, and these may be used.

  Here, the microcomputer 31, the unit interface circuit 32, the upper interface circuit 33, the printer interface circuit 34, the timer 35, and the secondary battery 36 are mounted on the same substrate 40, and the mounting portions are sealed (hardened) with resin. It is preferable from the viewpoint of fraud prevention.

  The island ID setting switch 37 is constituted by, for example, a dip switch, and sets the identification number (ID) of the island management computer 4, in other words, the ID of the game island. This setting may be performed after being installed in the amusement hall, but it is preferable that the setting is performed at the time of shipment from the gaming machine manufacturer from the viewpoint of detecting fraud during transportation, which will be described later. The island ID setting switch 37 may be omitted, and the identification number (ID) of the island management computer 4 may be set using a key input device 38 described later.

  The key input device 38 is for setting the operation mode of the island management computer 4, inputting information for specifying the lock device 3 to be controlled, inputting a personal identification number for operator confirmation, etc. Is provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the key input device 38 preferably has a small number of keys such as ten keys “0” to “9”, “*” key, and “#” key.

  The liquid crystal display device 39 displays information such as the operation mode state of the island management computer 4, various guidance messages, and the state of the electronic lock mechanism of the locking device 3 under the control of the microcomputer 31.

  Although omitted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the island management computer 4 may be provided with an abnormality notification means such as a buzzer or a means (for example, a connector) for driving an external abnormality notification means.

  A storage area provided in a predetermined area of the RAM of the microcomputer 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a holder identification information storage area for storing holder identification information for identifying the holder of the ID card, and FIG. 8 shows a locked or unlocked state in each locking device 3. This is a locking device information storage area for storing locking device information.

  First, FIG. 7 will be described. The holder identification information storage area stores information such as a holder number and a name, address, and telephone number corresponding to the owner number. When an ID card is issued to an amusement hall employee, information such as the employee's name, address, and telephone number, and information on the owner number for associating these information with the number, are stored on the ID card. Store in the storage area. At this time, the same information as the information stored in the ID card is also stored in the owner identification information storage area.

  Next, FIG. 8 will be described. The locking device information storage area is an area for managing the ID of the locking device 3 (3-11-1 to 3N, 3-21 to 2-3N). This area includes serial number information for identifying the locking device 3 to be locked or unlocked, time information for locking or unlocking the locking device 3 and owner number information, and a secret key of the locking device 3 Information on the number and information on a lock flag for identifying whether or not the lock is currently performed are stored.

  First, serial number information will be described. In the present embodiment, serial numbers that distinguish the two communication lines L1-A and L1-B extended from the island management computer 4 are given. The serial number information is stored in the locking device information storage area, and in the case of this embodiment, the maximum value n of the serial numbers is the maximum of the locking device 3 that can be connected to one communication line L1-A, L1-B. It is a number (for example, 32).

  Next, information on the time at which the locking device 3 is to be locked or unlocked will be described. In the present embodiment, the island management computer control circuit 30 is provided with a timer 35. When the microcomputer 31 receives a predetermined signal (second authentication signal) in response to the contact of the IC card with the contact electrode 14, the timer 35 measures the received time, and stores information on the measured time in the lock device information. Store in the area.

  Next, information on the holder number for locking or unlocking the locking device 3 will be described. The microcomputer 31 receives a predetermined signal (second authentication signal) in response to the contact of the IC card with the contact electrode 14, and this signal includes the owner identification information described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the holder number information is stored in the locking device information storage area based on the holder identification information.

  Next, information on the secret key number of the locking device 3 will be described. The personal identification key number is first written in the microcomputer 21 of the locking device control circuit 20 at the time of factory shipment. Thereafter, when the locking device 3 is installed in the amusement hall, the written secret key number is stored in a locking device information storage area provided in the microcomputer 31 of the island management computer 4. Once the personal identification key number is stored in the locking device information storage area, it is appropriately updated by the random number generation function (random number generation program) of the microcomputer 31.

  Next, information on the locking flag will be described. The locking flag is provided to identify whether or not the locking device 3 corresponding to the serial number is currently locked, and is set to ON when locked, and set to OFF when not locked. The In the locking device information storage area, information on whether this is on or off is stored.

  The operation of the locking management system 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  First, with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the flow of processing until the lock management system 2 of the present embodiment can be operated in the game hall will be described.

  First, the locking device 3 in the initial state is attached to the cabinet 10 (step S1), and the operation of the entire gaming machine is checked (step S2). Subsequently, the personal identification key number as the factory shipment value is written in the locking device control circuit 20 (step S3), and the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, a list obtained by further encrypting the written secret key number is created, and the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the created list is printed for each production lot, and the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the gaming machine 1 and the island management computer 4 provided with the locking device 3 are shipped from the factory, transported to a delivery destination (game room), and the process proceeds to step S7. In the present embodiment, since the locking device control circuit 20 is provided with the secondary battery 24, when the front door is opened or is being opened while the gaming machine 1 is being transported, the sensor detection signal is generated by the impact. The generated sensor detection signal can be stored in the microcomputer 21. In addition, the electronic lock mechanism of the locking device 3 can be changed to the unlocked state only by a command from the island management computer 4, but the locking device 3 and the island management computer 4 are not electrically connected during transport. The front door of the gaming machine 1 will not be unlocked during transportation.

  In step S7, the gaming machine 1 provided with the locking device 3 and the island management computer 4 are installed at the delivery destination, and the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the locking device 3 and the island management computer 4 are connected via the communication lines L1-A and L1-B, and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the main power supply at the game hall is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the island management computer control circuit 30 receives the data of the respective secret key numbers written in the locking device control circuit 20, and proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the microcomputer 31 provided in the island management computer control circuit 30 causes the printer 5 to print the content of the received data, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not the content printed before shipment (the content printed in step S5) matches the content printed after delivery (the content printed in step S11). When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S14, and when NO, the process proceeds to step S13. Specifically, a list of encrypted secret key numbers handed in advance with the gaming machine and contents printed by collection are checked, and those with an abnormal record of opening the front door are illegal. There is a possibility that it has been done, so the installation worker confirms the contents.

  In step S13, since there is a possibility that fraud has been performed, the status of the gaming machine 1 is confirmed, and the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the holder identification information is stored in a predetermined storage area of the IC card and in the holder identification information storage area (FIG. 7) provided in the microcomputer 31 of the island management computer control circuit 30, and in step S15 of FIG. Move.

  In step S15 of FIG. 10, the microcomputer 31 creates a new secret key number for all the locking devices 3, and the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the new password is stored in the lock device information storage area (FIG. 8) provided in the microcomputer 31 of the island management computer control circuit 30, and the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the time of the timer 35 provided in the island management computer control circuit 30 is set, and the process proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the set time information is transmitted to each locking device control circuit 20, and the process proceeds to step S19. By this step S18, the employee can set the time of the timer 23 provided in all the locking devices 3-11 to 31-N and 3-21 to 3-2N only by setting the time on the island management computer 4. Can be set.

  From this point on, management is performed on the game hall side (step S19).

  As described above, fraud at the time of transportation can be detected. If the locking device 3 and the island management computer 4 are connected by the communication line L1 during transportation, the microcomputer 31 provided in the island management computer control circuit 30 will counter the fraud during transportation. Can be collected in the state.

  Next, an IC card control operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not the IC card is in contact with the contact electrode 14 (step S21). When this process is YES, the process proceeds to step S22, and when it is NO, step S21 is repeated. In step S22, the 1st authentication signal containing owner identification information is transmitted to the authentication apparatus control circuit 15, and it moves to step S21. The owner identification information is stored in advance in step S14 of FIG.

  Next, the control operation of the authentication device control circuit 15 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the microcomputer provided in the authentication device control circuit 15 determines whether or not the first authentication signal is received from the IC card (step S31). When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S32, and when NO, the process of step S31 is repeated. In step S32, the received first authentication signal is transmitted to the locking device control circuit 20, and the process proceeds to step S31.

  Next, the control operation of the locking device control circuit 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the microcomputer 21 provided in the locking device control circuit 20 determines whether or not the first authentication signal has been received from the authentication device control circuit 15 (step S41). When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S42, and when this determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S43. In step S42, in addition to the owner identification information, a second authentication signal including game machine identification information for identifying the gaming machine 1 that transmitted the first authentication signal is generated, and the generated second authentication signal is used as the island authentication information. The data is transmitted to the management computer control circuit 30, and the process proceeds to step S43.

  In step S43, it is determined whether an unlocking signal has been received from the island management computer control circuit 30 or not. When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S44, and when NO, the process proceeds to step S45. In step S44, the received unlocking signal is transmitted to the solenoid driver 25, and the process proceeds to step S41. By performing this process, the solenoid 26 is activated and the front door is unlocked.

  In step S45, it is determined whether or not a lock signal has been received from the island management computer control circuit 30. When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S46, and when it is NO, the process proceeds to step S41. In step S46, the received locking signal is transmitted to the solenoid driver 25, and the process proceeds to step S41. By performing this process, the solenoid 26 is activated and the front door is locked.

  Next, the control operation of the island management computer control circuit 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the microcomputer 31 provided in the island management computer control circuit 30 determines whether or not the second authentication signal has been received from the locking device control circuit 20 (step S51). When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S52, and when NO, step S51 is repeated.

  In step S52, it is determined whether or not the received second authentication signal is valid. In this process, it is determined whether or not the owner identification information included in the second authentication signal matches the owner identification information stored in the owner identification information storage area (FIG. 7). Further, it is determined whether or not the received second authentication signal is compatible with the secret key number stored in the locking device information storage area (FIG. 8). When this process is YES, the process proceeds to step S54, and when this process is NO, the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, an abnormality notification process is performed, and the process proceeds to step S51. In this process, a video display and a buzzer also inform the user that the received second authentication signal is not valid by sound output. The employee can check the gaming machine 1 related to the unauthorized locking device 3 by this notification.

  In step S54, with reference to the locking device information storage area (FIG. 8), it is determined whether or not the locking flag of the locking device 3 that has transmitted the second authentication signal is ON. When this determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S55, and when NO, the process proceeds to step S58. In step S55, the locking flag of the corresponding locking device 3 is set to OFF, and the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S56, the time information acquired from the timer 35, the owner identification information acquired from the second authentication signal, and the information that the locking flag is set to OFF are stored in the locking device information storage area (FIG. 8). In step S57. In step S57, an unlocking signal for unlocking the front door of the gaming machine 1 is generated, and the locking device control circuit 20 that has transmitted the second authentication signal based on the gaming machine identification information acquired from the second authentication signal. An unlock signal is transmitted to step S51, and the process proceeds to step S51.

  In step S58, the locking flag of the corresponding locking device 3 is set to ON, and the process proceeds to step S59. In step S59, the time information acquired from the timer 35, the owner identification information acquired from the second authentication signal, and the information that the locking flag is set to OFF are stored in the locking device information storage area (FIG. 8). In step S60, and the process proceeds to step S60. In step S60, a locking signal for locking the front door of the gaming machine 1 is generated, and based on the gaming machine identification information acquired from the second authentication signal, the locking device control circuit 20 that has transmitted the second authentication signal. The lock signal is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S51.

  According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  Even if employees leave the company, safety can be ensured by simply returning the retired IC card. Even when the retired person does not return the IC card or when an employee who has lost the IC card comes out, safety can be ensured only by invalidating the first authentication signal output from the IC card. Further, the employee can unlock the front door of the gaming machine 1 simply by causing the authentication device control circuit 15 to receive the first authentication signal output from the IC card. Therefore, the time required for unlocking the front door can be shortened, the burden of storing the password required when the password input device is used, the burden of previously authenticating the fingerprint required when using the fingerprint authentication device, etc. Can be reduced. Therefore, while reducing the work burden when employees enter or leave the company and the burden of employees storing their passwords, they can enter their passwords, authenticate their fingerprints, and enter the number of the gaming machine that they want to unlock. It is possible to provide the locking management system 2 that can ensure the same safety as the locking management system that performs input and can unlock the front door in a short time.

  In addition, a timer 35 is provided in the island management computer control circuit 30 so that the time when the employee has brought the IC card into contact with the contact electrode 14 is stored in the locking device information storage area (FIG. 8). Therefore, even if an employee commits cheating, the inside of the gaming machine 1 is inspected and the front door of the gaming machine that has been cheated is unlocked from the previous inspection to the current inspection. In some cases, it is possible to grasp the employee who has performed the illegal act, and the safety of the lock management system 2 can be further enhanced.

  Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the present embodiment, the locking and unlocking of the locking device 3 is controlled using an IC card. Conventionally, a contact type and a non-contact type are known as IC cards, but in this embodiment, the type of IC card is not questioned, and any IC card may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the owner identification information storage area (FIG. 7) and the locking device information storage area (FIG. 8) are provided in the island management computer control circuit 30, and the front door of the gaming machine 1 is locked and unlocked. The management computer control circuit 30 makes the determination, but is not limited to this. For example, the configuration of the locking device control circuit 20 is configured as shown in FIG. 15, and the locking device control circuit 20 includes the owner identification information storage region of FIG. 7 and the locking device information storage region according to the modification shown in FIG. You may make it provide. By doing so, the control of the locking device control circuit can be performed as shown in FIG. 17, and as a result, the front door is locked and unlocked by the gaming machine 1 alone without using the island management computer 4. Can do. In addition, since the locking and unlocking of the front door of the gaming machine 1 can be determined by the locking device control circuit 20, while reducing the work burden when the employee enters or leaves the company or the burden of storing the personal identification number. It is possible to secure the same safety as a gaming machine that inputs the employee PIN, fingerprint authentication, and the number of the gaming machine to be unlocked, and unlocks the front door in a short time. A gaming machine 1 can be provided.

  Further, the lock and unlocking of the front door of the gaming machine 1 may be determined by the host computer 6 instead of being determined by the island management computer control circuit 30.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to determine only whether the locking device 3 is in the locked state or the unlocked state using the locking flag, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, lock identifiers “0”, “1”, “2” are provided, “0” is set to the locked state, “1” is unlocked but the front door is closed, and “2” is set. ”May be unlocked and the front door may be open, so that the unlocked state can be determined more precisely.

  In the abnormality notification process, the data stored in the locking device information storage area (FIG. 8) may be printed by the printer 5 or may be notified to the host computer 6. In the case of anomaly notification, if the unauthorized locking device 3 is in the locked state, an instruction to change to the unlocked state may be sent so that the employee can check the inside of the gaming machine. Further, the notification to the host computer 6 may be performed only in the confirmation mode when the host computer 6 is activated.

  Further, the number of locking devices 3 controlled by the island management computer 4 is not limited to that of the above embodiment. For example, one island management computer 4 may control the locking devices 3 of a plurality of islands, or it controls one division when the island is divided into three, four,... There may be.

  Further, the island management computer 4 may simply function as a relay device, and all the state change and confirmation of the locking device 3 may be controlled by the host computer 6.

  Further, the island management computer 4 may be capable of controlling not only the state of the electronic lock mechanism of the locking device 3 but also the opening and closing of the front door itself. For example, the elastic member may be actually opened and closed by applying a driving force to the elastic member.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the control object of the controller was the locking device 3 provided in the gaming machine 1, the locking device 3 provided in another device may be used. For example, the prepaid card issuing device may be provided with the locking device 3 as in the above embodiment, and the electronic lock mechanism may be controlled by a computer.

  In addition, the command for switching between the locked state and the unlocked state has been shown to be sent when an employee (operator) requests to switch the state. However, the command is automatically sent under a predetermined condition. May be. For example, if the island management computer 4 is provided with a main power on / off key, an instruction to lock all the locking devices 3 may be sent when the key is turned off.

  Moreover, the structure which carries out lock control of the front door of the gaming machine 1 by electronic control may be provided outside the gaming machine. For example, as shown in the schematic side view shown in FIG. 18, the locking device 3 is provided in the cabinet 51 itself to which the gaming machine 1 is attached, and the front door of the gaming machine 1 is opened when the shaft member 52 of the locking device 3 protrudes. It may be such that the front door of the gaming machine 1 is allowed to open when the shaft member 52 of the locking device 3 is retracted.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the communication line was provided between the island management computer 4 and the locking device 3, it is not restricted to this, You may make it connect electrically by radio | wireless.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the gaming machine is a pachislot machine is shown, but it is needless to say that the gaming machine may be other gaming machines such as a pachinko gaming machine.

The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the locking management system of this embodiment. The figure which shows the example of an installation position of the island management computer of this embodiment, and a some locking device. The schematic perspective view of the locking device of this embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram of an authentication apparatus according to the present embodiment. The block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the authentication apparatus and locking device of this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of the island management computer of this embodiment. The figure which shows the holder identification information storage area | region of this embodiment. The figure which shows the locking device information storage area | region of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow until the locking management system of this embodiment comes to be able to operate in a game arcade. The flowchart following FIG. The flowchart of an IC card. The flowchart of an authentication apparatus control circuit. The flowchart of a locking device control circuit. The flowchart of an island management computer control circuit. The block diagram which shows the electrical structure which concerns on the modification of an authentication apparatus and a locking device. The figure which shows the locking device information storage area which concerns on a modification. The flowchart which concerns on the modification of a locking device control circuit. The figure which shows the example of installation of the locking device which concerns on a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2 Locking management system 3 Locking apparatus 10 Cabinet 15 Authentication apparatus control circuit 20 Locking apparatus control circuit 25 Solenoid driver 26 Solenoid

Claims (4)

A gaming machine comprising a box-shaped cabinet, a front door that opens and closes the cabinet, and a locking device that locks or unlocks the front door,
An authentication signal receiving means for receiving an authentication signal output from the IC card;
Determining means for determining whether the authentication signal received by the authentication signal receiving means is valid;
An unlocking signal generating means for generating an unlocking signal for unlocking the front door on the condition that it is determined that the determining means is effective,
An unlocking signal transmitting means for transmitting the unlocking signal generated by the unlocking signal generating means to the locking device;
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the locking device unlocks the front door in response to receiving the unlocking signal. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
The authentication signal includes owner identification information for identifying the owner of the IC card,
A timer for measuring time,
A gaming machine comprising: storage means for storing the owner identification information and information on the time when the authentication signal was received in response to the authentication signal being received by the authentication signal receiving means. A locking management system for managing the locking state of a plurality of gaming machines including a box-shaped cabinet, a front door that opens and closes the cabinet, and a locking device that locks or unlocks the front door,
The gaming machine is
First authentication signal receiving means for receiving a first authentication signal output from the IC card;
In response to receiving the first authentication signal by the first authentication signal receiving means, a second authentication signal including a gaming machine identification information for identifying a gaming machine that has received the first authentication signal is generated. 2 authentication signal generating means;
Second authentication signal transmitting means for transmitting the second authentication signal generated by the second authentication signal generating means,
Second authentication signal receiving means for receiving the second authentication signal transmitted by the second authentication signal transmitting means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the second authentication signal received by the second authentication signal receiving means is valid;
An unlocking signal generating means for generating an unlocking signal for unlocking the front door, on the condition that it is determined that the determining means is effective,
An unlocking signal transmitting means for transmitting the unlocking signal generated by the unlocking signal generating means to the locking device of the gaming machine that transmitted the second authentication signal;
The gaming machine that has transmitted the second authentication signal unlocks the front door in response to receiving the unlocking signal. The gaming machine according to claim 3,
The first authentication signal includes owner identification information for identifying the owner of the IC card,
The second authentication signal includes both the owner identification information and the gaming machine identification information,
A timer for measuring time,
In response to the second authentication signal received by the second authentication signal receiving means, the owner identification information, the gaming machine identification information, and information on the time when the second authentication signal was received are stored. A locking management system comprising storage means.

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