JP2010035867A - Connection cable - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection cable capable of avoiding the necessity of newly purchasing and creating a cable as far as possible even when a new model is introduced, and capable of easily connecting communication terminals of game machines and a relay terminal of a repeater over relatively wide range of manufacturer and models. <P>SOLUTION: The connection cable can connect communication terminals of respective game machines having different shapes according to models and the relay terminal connected to a host computer for executing a central control of a game hall via a communication wire which is provided with connectors at both ends thereof. One end of the communication wire is connected to the relay terminal and the other end of the communication wire is branched into a plurality of wires, and the connectors according to models which are fitted with the communication terminals are connected to respective tip parts of the branched communication wires. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection cable that connects a communication terminal of a gaming machine and a relay terminal to a host computer that performs centralized management of a game arcade.

  Conventionally, in amusement halls such as pachinko and pachislot stores, a large number of game machines of a plurality of types are prepared to allow players to play.

  In recent years, in particular, there are many game halls equipped with a host computer that centrally manages each gaming machine, and this host computer manages the number of balls played and jackpots of each gaming machine, the number of times of entering the starting gate, and the like. ing.

  Communication between this host computer and each gaming machine is performed via a relay installed on the amusement island, and the relay terminal provided on this relay is connected to the communication terminal of the gaming machine with a connection cable. It is connected by doing.

  By the way, new models of gaming machines are being provided one after another by manufacturers. In the game hall, new machines can be introduced according to the needs of the players, or existing machines can be moved to other locations. Must be installed (replacement of gaming machines).

  However, the introduction and replacement work for this new model involves the wiring work of removing the installed gaming machine and replacing it with a new gaming machine, and from the closing of the amusement hall until the next morning. Since it takes place within a limited time, it is extremely busy.

  Among them, one of the reasons for complicating the work is that the cable connection work for communication between the host computer and each gaming machine is complicated.

  For example, when performing replacement work, disconnect the connection cable in the state where the gaming machine is connected in the middle, and connect the lead wire extending from the connector in the state of being fitted to the communication terminal of another new gaming machine to the gaming machine It was necessary to connect to the connection cable from which the cable was disconnected by soldering or crimping with crimp terminals.

  Therefore, in order to eliminate this troublesome work, a male and female that are provided with a cable that is connected in advance to the gaming machine side and a cable that is connected in advance to the relay terminal, and that connects both cables to the tip of each cable. A connection cable provided with a connector is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

According to this connection cable, in the game table replacement work, the game table moved from another location is also provided with a cable having a connector at the tip, so that soldering and caulking work can be performed. Eliminate work easily.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-51983

  However, with the conventional connection cable, for example, when introducing a new model that has never been installed in a certain amusement hall, a new cable is purchased or created for connecting to the new model in advance. There was a need.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even when a new model is introduced, the need to newly purchase or create a cable can be avoided as much as possible. Provided is a connection cable that can easily connect a communication terminal of a game machine and a relay terminal of a repeater over a wide range of manufacturers and models.

  In order to solve the above conventional problems, in the connection cable according to the present invention, the communication terminal of each gaming machine having a different shape depending on the model and the relay terminal to the host computer that performs centralized management of the game hall are provided at both ends. A connection cable that can be connected via a communication line provided with a connector, one end of which is connected to the relay terminal, the other end of the communication line is branched into a plurality of ends, and each end of the branched communication line The model-specific connector that fits the communication terminal is connected to the part.

  In addition, the connection cable according to the present invention is also characterized by the following points.

(1) A male and female connection connector is interposed between the branched communication line and the model-specific connector.
(2) A model identification tag is attached to the branched communication line.
(3) A bundling tool for bundling the branched communication line is provided.
(4) The gaming machine is a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication line in which a communication terminal of each gaming machine having a different shape depending on the model and a relay terminal to a host computer that performs centralized management of the game hall are provided with connectors at both ends. A connection cable that can be connected via a branch line, one end of which is connected to the relay terminal, the other end of the communication line is branched into a plurality of branches, and the communication terminal is connected to each end of the branched communication line. Because it is decided to connect the connector for each model to be fitted, even if a new model is introduced, the need to purchase or create a new cable can be avoided as much as possible. In addition, it is possible to provide a connection cable that can easily connect the communication terminal of the game machine and the relay terminal of the repeater over various models.

  According to the present invention described in claim 2, since the male and female connection connectors are interposed between the branched communication line and the model-specific connector, each branched communication line (hereinafter, Even if a gaming machine that requires a type of connector that is not included in each connector arranged on the branch line) is introduced, a connector that is less frequently used can be easily removed from the middle part of the branch line, It can be made to respond | correspond by connecting the conducting wire provided with the connector for new game machines to the connection connector after removing.

  Further, according to the present invention of claim 3, since a model identification tag is attached to the branched communication line, when connecting the connection cable to the communication terminal of the gaming machine, an operator mistakenly wires Can be prevented.

  According to the present invention described in claim 4, since the bundling tool for bundling the communication lines after the branching is provided, the branch lines can be gathered together, and the wiring work can be understood more easily. It can be made easier.

  Further, according to the present invention described in claim 5, since the gaming machine is a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine, a new cable is introduced even when a new model of a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine is introduced. The connection cable that can easily connect the communication terminal of the game stand and the relay terminal of the repeater over a relatively wide range of manufacturers and models It can be.

  The present invention is a connection that enables connection of communication terminals of gaming machines having different shapes depending on the model and a relay terminal to a host computer that performs centralized management of the game hall via communication lines provided with connectors at both ends thereof. It is a cable, and one end of the communication line whose one end is connected to the relay terminal is branched into a plurality, and a model-specific connector that fits the communication terminal at each end of the branched communication line. A connection cable characterized by being connected is provided.

  Communication terminals of gaming machines have various shapes depending on manufacturers and models, but generally have the following tendencies.

  First, paying attention to the communication terminal of the game machine for each manufacturer, in principle, different communication terminals (usually female terminals of male and female connectors) are employed. However, some manufacturers may have communication terminals that are accidentally or inevitably compatible.

  Further, focusing on each model provided by a predetermined manufacturer, in principle, the same manufacturer often has the same communication terminal even if different models. However, different communication terminals may be provided depending on the release time, specifications, and the like.

  In addition, focusing on each model of a certain manufacturer's series, if there is a minor change in the specifications of the model (partial or small changes in product design or performance), there are some exceptions but new Many models and older models have the same communication terminal. On the other hand, when a large-scale model change is performed, the new model and the old model often have different communication terminals.

  Under such circumstances, considering the connection cable from the viewpoint of the amusement hall, in the case of introducing a new model that has never been installed in the connection cable as previously described in Patent Document 1, the new model Since it is necessary to purchase or create a new cable for connecting to the cable in advance, the cost increases each time.

  In other words, the connection cable described in Patent Document 1 is compatible with the above-mentioned manufacturers, and even though the newly introduced model is a manufacturer or series that has been introduced before, the new model Therefore, it is necessary to purchase or create a new cable for connecting to the cable in advance.

  On the other hand, according to the connection cable according to the present invention, since each branch line is provided with various connectors, there is a manufacturer that is compatible with the above-mentioned some manufacturers, or has introduced a new model before. Even if a new model that has never been installed before is introduced, avoid purchasing or creating a new cable as much as possible. The communication terminal and the relay terminal of the repeater can be connected, and the expenses required for the introduction work and replacement work can be drastically reduced.

  In the connection cable according to the present invention, a male and female connection connector may be interposed between the branched communication line and the model-specific connector.

  Even if the newly introduced model has never been installed and has a communication terminal that is not compatible with the previously installed model, a branch with a connector that is infrequently used is installed. The communication terminal connector is separated from the wire connection connector, and the communication terminal connector corresponding to the model to be newly introduced into the connection connector portion after the separation can be disposed and used.

  In addition, a model identification tag may be attached to the communication line after the branch. Here, the tag does not necessarily have to be in a tag shape, and may be in a tube shape through which a branch line can be inserted.

  Moreover, it is preferable to provide a binding tool for binding the branched communication line. As this binding tool, for example, a soft synthetic resin tube, a wiring binding material generally called a spiral obtained by spirally cutting a soft synthetic resin tube, a binding band, a binding tape, or the like can be used.

  The gaming machine using the connection cable according to the present invention is preferably a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine. As mentioned above, since pachinko machines or pachislot machines will be introduced and new models will be replaced, the use of the connection cable according to the present invention will greatly improve the efficiency of these operations. Can do.

  Hereinafter, the connection cable according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a game hall H having a pachinko gaming machine 13. As shown in FIG. 1, the game hall H includes a hall computer P as a host computer, and the number of balls and jackpots of each pachinko gaming machine 13, 13... (Hereinafter also referred to as game information).

  More specifically, the game hall H is provided with a plurality of (three in this embodiment) gaming islands 12 in which a predetermined number of pachinko gaming machines 13 are arranged side by side. It is possible to play by facing the machine 13.

  In addition, each game island 12, 12, 12 is provided with a totaling device 11 that aggregates the game information of the pachinko gaming machines 13, 13,... Provided in the respective game islands 12, 12, 12 for each island. .

  These totaling devices 11, 11, and 11 are connected to the above-described hall computer P by the communication cable 10, and the hall computer P is configured to be able to browse game information of each pachinko gaming machine 13, 13,. Has been.

  Further, the totaling device 11 and each pachinko gaming machine 13, 13... Arranged for each gaming island 12 are connected to the inside of the gaming island 12, that is, on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine 13, 13. It is connected so that it can communicate.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a repeater 20 is provided for each pachinko gaming machine 13, 13... Near the inner upper portion of the game island 12. Connected to the tally device 11. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 13 inside the game island 12.

  Each repeater 20 and pachinko gaming machine 13 are connected to each other by a connection cable A, which is the main part of the present invention, and game information can be communicated with the hall computer P via the connection cable A. It is said.

  That is, an extension cable 22 for data communication extends from the repeater 20, and the end of the extension cable 22 has a relay terminal 24 on the surface of the display plate 23 as shown in FIG. A relay terminal portion 21 formed by exposing (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e) is disposed.

  2A and 2C are disposed on the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 13, and the pachinko gaming machine 13 transmits and receives game information on the board 25. Communication terminals 26 (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e) are provided.

  In the connection cable A, the relay terminal 24 and the communication terminal 26 are connected one-on-one, such as 24a and 26a, 24b and 26b, 24c and 26c, 24d and 26d, and 24e and 26e.

  Next, a specific configuration of the connection cable A will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the connection cable A according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the connection cable A according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the connection cable A includes a two-pole relay terminal side connector 30 that can be connected to the relay terminal 24 (in this embodiment, the relay terminal 24d for the special prize 2). Two conducting wires 31 (31a and 31b) as communication wires having one end connected to the connector 30 extend.

  On the other end side of the conducting wire 31, a branching portion 32 that branches for each conducting wire 31 is formed. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in the connection cable A according to the present embodiment, the conducting wire 31a is branched into nine branching wires 33a as communication lines at the branching portion 32, and the conducting wire 31b is branched into the branching portion. 32 branches to nine branch lines 33b as communication lines.

  And the male connector 34a which forms the below-mentioned connection connector 34 is connected to the front-end | tip of a pair of branch line 33a, 33b, In this embodiment, a total of nine pairs of male connectors 34a are provided. 3 and 4, reference numeral 40 denotes a male and female connector portion formed by assembling the connection connector 34 and the male connector 34a.

  A female connector 34b is connected to a part of the plurality of male connectors 34a (seven male connectors 34a in this embodiment), and a pair of branch lines 33a extending from the female connector 34b, A communication terminal side connector 38 to be fitted to the communication terminal 26 disposed on the substrate 25 of the pachinko gaming machine 13 is connected to the tip of 33b.

  Further, the branch lines 33, 33... Connecting the male and female connector portions 40 and the communication terminal side connectors 38, 38... Are covered with a spiral 37 formed in a spiral shape from a soft synthetic resin, and a plurality of branch lines are formed. A bundling portion 36 is configured by collectively 33, 33.

  The connection cable A according to the present embodiment also includes a male connector 34a to which the female connector 34b is not connected. The male connector 34a to which the female connector 34b is not connected functions as a spare connector.

  That is, when a pachinko gaming machine 13 having a communication terminal 26 that cannot be handled by the communication terminal side connector 38 provided in the connection cable A is introduced, the communication terminal side connector 38 that can be fitted to the communication terminal of the pachinko gaming machine 13 is provided. A cable including the female connector 34b provided can be connected to a spare connector to increase the number of compatible models of the connection cable A.

  As one characteristic configuration of the connection cable A according to the present embodiment, the communication terminal side connectors 38, 38,...

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, in this embodiment, communication terminal side connectors 38, 38,.

  These connectors A to G are communication terminal side connectors 38 that can be fitted to the communication terminals 26 of pachinko gaming machines 13 that are widely introduced in game halls H throughout the country. It is possible to connect the communication terminals 26 of the models of ◯ to XX% to the relay terminal 24.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, when introducing a pachinko gaming machine 13 having a communication terminal in the shape of “E ′”, the newly introduced model of the pachinko gaming machine to be introduced previously introduced If it is of a certain manufacturer or series, or if it is compatible with a pachinko machine that has been introduced before, the connection cable A is prepared even if it is a model that has not been introduced so far. By selecting and connecting the “E” connector among the communication terminal side connectors 38, 38... Of A to G, the communication terminal 26 of the pachinko machine 13 is not required to purchase or create a new cable. And the relay terminal 24 of the repeater 20 can be easily connected.

  In other words, according to the connection cable A according to the present embodiment, even when a pachinko gaming machine 13 that has not been introduced into the game hall H until now is introduced, it can be connected to a plurality of models that are connected in advance. By selecting and connecting from the connectors, the need to purchase or create a new cable can be avoided as much as possible, and communication terminals of pachinko machines 13 can be used over a relatively wide range of manufacturers and models. 26 and the relay terminal 24 of the repeater 20 can be easily connected.

  In addition, when the pachinko machine 13 has not been introduced so far, the communication terminal 26 of the pachinko machine 13 cannot be supported by a connector that can be connected to a plurality of models that are connected to the connection cable A in advance. Even if it exists, the cable which connected the new communication terminal side connector 38 and female connector 34b which are shown to Fig.5 (a) and (b) by branch line 33a, 33b is connected to the male connector 34a of the connection cable A Thus, the communication terminal 26 and the relay terminal 24 can be connected easily and inexpensively as compared with the conventional connection cable described in Patent Document 1.

  The male connector 34a to be connected may be a male connector 34a as a spare connector, and is generated by removing the female connector 34b to which the communication terminal side connector 38 that is less frequently used is connected. Alternatively, the male connector 34a may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a tag 39 indicating the type of signal communicated to the conducting wire 31 of the connection cable A is attached, and a model identification tag 39 is attached to the branched communication line.

  With such a configuration, connection mistakes during work can be greatly reduced, and work burdens and working hours can be reduced.

  As described above, the connection cable according to the present embodiment has a communication terminal (for example, the communication terminal 26) and a game room (for example, a game field) of each gaming machine (for example, pachinko gaming machine 13) having different shapes depending on the model. H) A relay terminal (for example, relay terminal 24) to a host computer (for example, hall computer P) that performs centralized management, and connectors (for example, communication terminal side connector 38 and relay terminal side connector 30) at both ends thereof. A connection cable that can be connected via a provided communication line (for example, a conducting wire 31 or a branch line 33), one end of which is connected to the relay terminal, and the other end side of the communication line is branched into a plurality of cables. This is a case where a new model is introduced because a model-specific connector (for example, communication terminal side connector 38) to be fitted to the communication terminal is connected to each tip of the branched communication line (for example, branch line 33). It is possible to avoid the need to purchase or create a new cable as much as possible, and to easily connect the communication terminal of the game stand and the relay terminal of the repeater over a relatively wide range of manufacturers and models Can be provided.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, connection cables according to other embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a connection cable according to another embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an electrical configuration of the connection cable according to another embodiment. For convenience, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the above-described embodiment, and detailed description may be omitted.

  The connection cable B shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 has substantially the same configuration as the connection cable A described above, but the first connection between the relay terminal side connector 30 and the communication terminal side connectors 38, 38. This is characterized in that the branch portion 50 and the second branch portion 51 are formed.

  The connection cable B will be described in detail. The connection cable B includes a two-pole relay terminal side connector 30 that can be connected to the relay terminal 24 described above, and one end of the connection cable B is connected to the relay terminal side connector 30. Two conducting wires 31 (31a and 31b) as wires extend.

  A first branch portion 50 is provided in the vicinity of the other end side of the middle portion of the conducting wire 31, and the conducting wires 31a and 31b are branched by three, and the first branch wires 52, 52 are combined in pairs. , 52.

  The first branch portion 50 is covered with a heat shrinkable tube 55 to protect the branch wiring from fraying due to external friction or the like.

  Male connectors 34a are respectively disposed at the distal ends of the first branch lines 52, 52, 52 to form male and female connector portions 40.

  The male and female connector section 40 functions as the connection connector 34 by inserting the female connector 34b into the male connector 34a connected to the first branch lines 52, 52, 52, respectively.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the female connector 34b is connected to one of the three male connectors 34a, 34a, 34a to form the male and female connector portion 40, and the first branch line 52 is further extended. .

  The first branch line 52 is further branched into a plurality of pairs (six pairs in the present embodiment) of second branch lines 53, 53,.

  In the second branch portion 51, six communication lines 52a and 52b constituting the first branch line 52 are branched by six, and a pair of pairs is extended to form second branch lines 53, 53,. .

  In addition, communication terminal side connectors 38, 38,... Are arranged at the respective distal ends of the second branch lines 53, 53,.

  These communication terminal side connectors 38, 38... Are communication terminal side connectors 38 that can be fitted to the communication terminals 26 of the pachinko gaming machines 13 that are widely introduced in the game halls nationwide as in the above-described embodiment. . In other words, the communication terminal side connectors 38, 38,... Are provided with communication terminal side connectors 38, 38,.

  In the connection cable B according to the present embodiment, the second branch lines 53, 53,... Are arranged in the vicinity of the communication terminal side connectors 38, 38, instead of the band-shaped tags 39, 39,. A tube-shaped tag 54, 54,. That is, the tags 54, 54,... Are arranged with the second branch lines 53, 53,.

  Also with such tube-shaped tags 54, 54,..., The manufacturer and model of each of the communication terminal side connectors 38, 38,... Can be specified, and erroneous wiring and the like can be prevented as much as possible.

  Further, the connection cable B according to the present embodiment also includes a male connector 34a to which the female connector 34b is not connected in the first branch portion 50. The male connector 34a to which the female connector 34b is not connected functions as a spare connector.

  That is, when a pachinko gaming machine 13 having a communication terminal 26 that cannot be supported by the communication terminal side connector 38 provided in the connection cable B is introduced, the communication terminal side connector 38 that can be fitted to the communication terminal of the pachinko gaming machine 13 is provided. A cable including the female connector 34b provided can be connected to a spare connector to increase the number of compatible models of the connection cable B.

  Even with the connection cable B according to the other embodiments described above, the communication terminal (for example, the communication terminal 26) of each gaming machine (for example, the pachinko gaming machine 13) having a different shape depending on the model, and the game field (for example, the gaming field) H) A relay terminal (for example, relay terminal 24) to a host computer (for example, hall computer P) that performs centralized management, and connectors (for example, communication terminal side connector 38 and relay terminal side connector 30) at both ends thereof. A connection cable that can be connected via a provided communication line (for example, a conducting wire 31, a first branch line 52, 52, 52, or a second branch line 53, 53,...), One end connected to the relay terminal The other end side of the communication line to be branched into a plurality of branches, and a model-specific connector that fits the communication terminal at each tip of the branched communication line (for example, the second branch line 53, 53,...) (For example, communication terminal side connector 38) Therefore, even when a new model is introduced, the need to purchase or create a new cable can be avoided as much as possible. A connection cable that can be easily connected to the relay terminal of the repeater can be provided.

  Finally, the description of each embodiment described above is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For this reason, it is a matter of course that various modifications other than the above-described embodiments can be made according to the design and the like as long as they do not depart from the technical idea according to the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment described above, the gaming machine has been described as the pachinko gaming machine 13, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and the gaming machine may be a pachislot machine.

  That is, the relay terminal 24 provided in the repeater 20 of the game island 12 and the communication terminal provided in the pachislot machine may be connected by the connection cable according to the present invention.

  In the embodiment described above, the shape of the connector has been specifically shown and described. However, this shape is easy to explain, and does not limit the present invention at all. Needless to say, it can be appropriately changed.

  Also, the male and female connectors and terminals may be used in an inverted manner as long as the target communication lines can be connected to each other.

  In the first embodiment, the number of branches of the branch lines 33a, 33b is nine, and in the second embodiment, the number of branches of the second branch lines 53, 53,... Is six. Instead, the number of branches may be increased or decreased as appropriate according to the market trend or the trend of the game machine H introduction model.

It is the perspective view which showed the game hall provided with a pachinko gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing which showed the back surface of the pachinko game machine inside an amusement island. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the connection cable which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the electrical structure of the connection cable which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the connector which can be connected to the connection cable which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the connection cable which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the electrical structure of the connection cable which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

13 Pachinko machines
24 Relay terminal
26 Communication terminal
30 Relay terminal side connector
31 conductor
32 junction
33 branch line
34a male connector
34b female connector
34 Termination connector
36 Bundling part
37 spiral
38 Communication terminal side connector
39 tags
40 Male and female connectors
50 First branch
51 Second branch
52a, 52b Communication line
52 First branch line
53 Second branch line
54 tags
55 Heat Shrink Tube A Connection Cable B Connection Cable H Amusement Park P Hall Computer

Claims (5)

A connection cable that can connect the communication terminal of each gaming machine having a different shape depending on the model and the relay terminal to the host computer that performs centralized management of the game hall via a communication line provided with connectors at both ends. ,
The other end of the communication line whose one end is connected to the relay terminal is branched into a plurality of branches, and a model-specific connector that fits the communication terminal is connected to each tip of the branched communication line. Connect cable.   The connection cable according to claim 1, wherein a male and female connection connector is interposed between the branched communication line and the model-specific connector.   The connection cable according to claim 1, wherein a model identification tag is attached to the branched communication line.   The connection cable according to claim 1, further comprising a binding tool that binds the branched communication line.   The connection cable according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine.

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