JP2010125038A - Game medium dispensing device and game parlor management system including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game medium dispensing device effective in energy saving. <P>SOLUTION: A CR unit 10 for the game medium dispensing control in a corresponding CR game machine 20 shifts itself to a power saving mode to suppress the power consumption if conditions for the shift to the power saving mode such as the absence of a player detected by an area sensor 16, no loading of money detected by a loaded money detecting part 17 and absence of valuable value recording medium C detected by a loaded medium detecting part 18 are satisfied. At the same time, generation of power for the game machine by a game machine power generating part 10d is stopped and the corresponding CR game machine 20 is also stopped. If any one of conditions for returning to the regular mode such as presence of a player detected by the area sensor 16, presence of loaded money M detected by the loaded money detecting part 17 or presence of the valuable value recording medium C detected by the loaded medium detecting part 18 is satisfied during the power saving mode, the CR unit returns itself to the regular mode. At the same time, generation of the power for the game machine by the game machine power generating part 10d is restarted and the corresponding CR game machine 20 is restarted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium lending device capable of reducing power consumption of a gaming machine in a game store and a game hall management system including the game medium lending device.

  Conventionally, game machines used in game stores have been decorated with various gaming devices and lamps even when no games are being played, and wasteful power consumption is a problem. There has been proposed a pachinko gaming machine that is provided with a detecting means so that when there is no player, the power saving mode is set to suppress power consumption.

JP 2000-271324 A

  However, the invention described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is one in which the pachinko gaming machine itself is in the power saving mode, and does not disclose a technique for reducing the power consumption of the game medium lending device. Moreover, if a power saving means is provided in a pachinko machine that is frequently replaced, this increases the cost, which is not necessarily a realistic energy saving measure.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention suppresses power consumption of a game medium lending device that is used continuously for a long time once introduced, and a game medium lending device effective for energy saving measures. An object is to provide a game hall management system including a medium lending device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the game medium lending device according to claim 1 is provided corresponding to each of the game machines installed in the game store, and performs the lending control of the game media used in the corresponding game machine. Judgment of whether or not there is a highly probable player presence state in which a player is present at a position directly facing the gaming machine or a high probability that there is no player present at a position facing the gaming machine in the gaming medium lending device Player presence / absence information acquisition means for acquiring player presence / absence information used in the game, and player presence / absence information acquired by the player presence / absence information acquisition means is determined as a player presence state by satisfying a predetermined player presence determination condition. A player absence state that is determined by the player presence state determination means and the player presence / absence information acquired by the player presence / absence information acquisition means satisfying a predetermined player absence determination condition. And a power saving operation by operating only a predetermined power saving operation function group on the condition that the player absence state is determined by the player absence state determination unit during normal operation. A power saving mode transition means for shifting to the power mode and a first return condition or a player determined by the player presence state determination means as a player presence state during the power saving mode shifted by the power saving mode transition means Normal mode return means for returning to the normal mode in which the normal operation function group operates based on the fact that any of the second return conditions in which a predetermined operation is performed among the operations to be performed is achieved; It is characterized by providing.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game medium lending device according to the first aspect, wherein a money insertion sensor that detects that money has been inserted from the money insertion slot and information from the information recording medium insertion / extraction slot. An information recording medium insertion sensor for detecting that a recording medium has been inserted, and the player presence / absence information acquisition means receives detection information from an area sensor for detecting a shield in the front side space of the gaming machine. According to the player presence / absence information from the player presence / absence information acquisition means, the player absence state determination means continues the predetermined absence determination time continuously in the space on the front side of the gaming machine. When the player does not exist, it is determined that the player is absent, and the player presence state determination means determines the presence determination time determined in advance based on the player presence / absence information from the player presence / absence information acquisition means. Subsequently, when there is an obstacle in the front side space of the gaming machine, it is determined that the player is present, and the power saving mode transition means is the first in which the money insertion by the money insertion sensor is not detected. When the additional condition and the second additional condition in which the information recording medium input by the information recording medium input sensor is not detected are satisfied, the player absence state determination means determines that the player is absent. Thus, the second return condition determined by the normal mode return means is the first player operation when the money insertion by the money insertion sensor is detected, or the information recording medium insertion sensor. It is characterized in that the second player's operation is detected when the information recording medium input by is detected.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game medium lending device according to the second aspect, the power saving mode transition means includes a money insertion sensor, an information recording medium insertion sensor, Only the area sensor is operated, and the power supply and pulse supply to the other operation function groups are stopped to shift to the power saving mode. It is characterized by returning to the normal mode by restarting the supply.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the gaming medium renting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a power supply means for a gaming machine for operating the gaming machine, wherein the saving The power mode shift means is characterized in that, when shifting to the power saving mode, the power supply to the gaming machine by the gaming machine power supply means is stopped.

  Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the gaming medium lending device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power supply means for the gaming machine for operating the gaming machine is connected to the gaming machine. Power output instruction means for instructing power supply / stop to an output control means for controlling power supply / stop, wherein the power saving mode transition means is configured to output the power supply instruction when shifting to the power saving mode. The power supply instruction signal is output from the means to the output control means, and the power supply from the gaming machine power supply means to the gaming machine is stopped.

  A game hall management system according to claim 6 is provided with a mode status transmission means for outputting the mode status of the normal mode and the power saving mode to the outside in the game medium lending device according to claim 4 or 5, The mode status is transmitted from the game medium lending device to the management server connected by the line, and the mode status received from the game medium lending device at the management server is set as the mode status of the gaming machine corresponding to the game medium lending device. It is characterized by management.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the game hall management system according to claim 6, wherein the game medium lending device receives a normal mode return command signal from the management server during the power saving mode. When the game medium lending device having a predetermined specific number shifts to the normal mode, the management server plays a game belonging to a specific set linked to the game medium lending device having the specific number A normal mode return command signal is sent to the medium lending device.

  According to the gaming medium lending device according to claim 1, a highly probable player presence state in which a player is present at a position directly facing the gaming machine or a highly probable game in which no player is present at a position facing the gaming machine. A player presence / absence information acquisition unit for acquiring player presence / absence information used for determining whether or not a player is absent, and the player presence / absence information acquired by the player presence / absence information acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined player presence determination condition. The player presence state determination means for determining the presence state of the player and the player presence / absence information acquired by the player presence / absence information acquisition means satisfy a predetermined player absence determination condition. Only a predetermined power-saving operating function group is operated on the condition that the player absent state determination means and the player absent state determination means determine that the player is absent during normal operation. Power saving mode transition means for shifting to a power saving mode for reducing power consumption and power saving mode shifted by the power saving mode transition means, and the player presence state determination means determines that the player is present Based on the achievement of either the first return condition or the second return condition in which a predetermined operation is performed from among the operations performed by the player, the normal function mode in which the normal operation function group operates is restored. Normal mode return means, so that when there is no player in a highly probable state where there is no player at the position directly facing the gaming machine, the game medium lending device automatically enters the power saving mode. Power consumption can be reduced, and when the player comes to the position facing the gaming machine or performs a game operation, it automatically returns to the normal mode, which may confuse the player There.

  According to the gaming medium lending device of the second aspect, the money insertion sensor that detects that money is inserted from the money insertion slot, and the information recording medium is inserted from the information recording medium insertion / extraction slot. An information recording medium insertion sensor for detecting, and the player presence / absence information acquisition means acquires detection information of an area sensor that detects a shield in the front side space of the gaming machine as player presence / absence information, The player absence state determination means is based on the player presence / absence information from the player presence / absence information acquisition means, when there is no shielding in the space on the front side of the gaming machine continuously for a predetermined absence determination time, It is determined that the player is absent, and the player presence state determination means continues in the space on the front side of the gaming machine for a predetermined presence determination time based on the player presence / absence information from the player presence / absence information acquisition means. When there is a cover, it is determined that a player is present, and the power saving mode transition means includes a first additional condition in which no money insertion is detected by the money insertion sensor, and the information recording medium insertion sensor. When the second additional condition in which the insertion of the information recording medium by the player is not detected is satisfied, the player absence state determination means determines that the player is absent, thereby shifting to the power saving mode. The second return condition determined by the normal mode return means is a first player operation in which the insertion of money by the money insertion sensor is detected, or an information recording medium insertion detected by the information recording medium insertion sensor. Since the two-player operation is performed, it is possible to prevent a malfunction that causes the player to shift to the power saving mode only by temporarily deviating from the detection range of the area sensor. Only by closing operation of money charged or information recording medium even if they are out of the detection range of the area sensor in can be restored to the normal mode, it becomes highly convenient.

  According to the gaming medium lending device according to claim 3, the power saving mode transition means operates only the money insertion sensor, the information recording medium insertion sensor and the area sensor determined as the power saving operation function group. The operation mode is shifted to the power saving mode by stopping the power supply and the pulse supply to the operation function group, and the normal mode return means resumes the power supply and the pulse supply to the operation function group at the normal time. Therefore, power consumption in the power saving mode can be suppressed as much as possible.

  According to the gaming medium renting apparatus according to claim 4, the gaming machine power supply means for operating the gaming machine is provided, and when the power saving mode transition means shifts to the power saving mode, the gaming machine Since the power supply to the gaming machine by the machine power supply means is stopped, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the corresponding gaming machine, and further increase the power saving effect.

  In addition, according to the gaming medium renting apparatus according to claim 5, power is supplied to the output control means for controlling power supply / stop from the gaming machine power supply means for operating the gaming machine to the gaming machine. Power supply instructing means for instructing the stop, wherein the power saving mode transition means causes the power control instruction means to output an instruction signal for power supply to the output control means when shifting to the power saving mode, Since the power supply from the gaming machine power supply means to the gaming machine is stopped, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the corresponding gaming machine, thereby further enhancing the power saving effect.

  According to the game hall management system according to claim 6, the game medium lending device is provided with mode status transmission means for outputting the mode status of the normal mode and the power saving mode to the outside, and the management server connected by a communication line is connected to the management server. Since the mode status is transmitted from the game medium lending device, the mode status received from the game medium lending device is managed as the mode status of the gaming machine corresponding to the game medium lending device by the management server. Can provide significant management information.

  Further, according to the gaming hall management system according to claim 7, the gaming medium lending device returns to the normal mode by receiving a normal mode return command signal from the management server during the power saving mode, When the game medium lending device having a predetermined specific number shifts to the normal mode, the management server returns to the normal mode to the game medium lending device belonging to the specific set linked to the game medium lending device having the specific number Since the command signal is transmitted, all the game medium lending devices belonging to the specific group can be returned to the normal mode in synchronization with the normal mode return of the game medium lending device having the specific machine number.

  Next, the best embodiment of the game medium lending device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The game medium lending device shown as the present embodiment is applied to a ball lending device that lends a game ball as a game medium, but can also be applied to a medal lending device that lends a coin-shaped game medal as a game medium.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a CR unit 10 that is a gaming medium lending device having a gaming ball lending control function that is a gaming medium, and a prepaid medium (for example, a magnetic medium) by means of money M inserted from a money insertion slot 10a. A valuable recording medium C such as a card-shaped prepaid card in which a valuable value is recorded in a recording unit or a coin-shaped prepaid coin having an IC built therein, or a valuable recording medium C inserted from the medium insertion / extraction port 10b. The lending control of the game ball is performed based on the remaining valuable value.

  Note that the CR unit 10 can be used for renting game balls, not limited to prepaid media in which the value according to the purchase amount is recorded, but a storage system that can store game balls acquired in games. It is also possible to rent a game ball so as to accept a member card that can be used from the medium insertion / extraction port 10b and withdraw a stored ball corresponding to a customer number specified by the member card.

  Further, the CR unit 10 is connected to the CR gaming machine 20, the hall computer 30, the customer management system server 40, the prepaid system management computer 50, etc. via the external device connection relay board 10c.

  The CR gaming machine 20 is connected to the CR unit 10 on a one-to-one basis. Upon receiving a gaming ball lending signal from the CR unit 10, the CR gaming machine 20 receives a predetermined number from the gaming ball discharge device in response to a lending request. Pay out the game balls. Further, the CR gaming machine 20 operates upon receiving the supply of the gaming machine power supply (AC24V) generated by the gaming machine power generation unit 10d of the CR unit 10, and the power supply from the gaming machine power generation unit 10d When the supply is cut off, the CR gaming machine 20 stops operating.

  The hall computer 30 receives various sales signals such as valuable value information of the valuable value recording medium C consumed for lending game balls by the CR unit 10 and amount information of the newly issued valuable value recording medium C. The customer management system server 40 transmits customer data and the like regarding the membership card when a membership card having a prepaid function or a savings function is inserted into the CR unit 10. The prepaid system management computer receives transaction data such as issuance information of the valuable value recording medium C newly issued in the CR unit 10 and valuable value consumption information associated with the rental of the game medium, and this collected information is stored in the prepaid system. Managed by a management company.

  The CR unit 10 which is a game medium lending device has a main control circuit 11 (for example, a computer configuration including a CPU 11a) that performs main operation control, and a currency identification unit 12 that identifies the authenticity and amount of the inserted money M, A display / operation unit 13 including a display panel and operation buttons, a recording medium holding unit 14 for holding the valuable recording medium C inserted from the medium insertion / extraction port 10b (reading / reading of recording information recorded on the valuable recording medium C) The medium R / W unit 14a for rewriting is connected to a power supply unit 15 that receives power from the outside and supplies necessary power to the main control circuit 11, the power generation unit 10d for gaming machines, and the like. .

  In addition, the CR unit 10 is “a player with a high probability that a player is present at a position directly facing the gaming machine, or a player who is not likely to be present at a position directly facing the gaming machine. As a “player presence / absence information acquisition means for acquiring player presence / absence information used for determination”, an area sensor 16 that detects a shield in the front side space of the CR gaming machine 20 is provided, and according to the presence or absence of an obstacle in the detection range The obstacle detection signal (or a detection signal having an intensity corresponding to the separation distance of the obstacle) is supplied to the main control circuit 11 as player presence / absence information.

  The CR unit 10 has a money insertion detection unit 17 including a money insertion sensor for detecting that money is inserted from the money insertion slot 10a, and a valuable value recording medium C from the medium insertion / ejection slot 10b. A medium insertion detection unit 18 including a value recording medium insertion sensor for detecting this, and the money insertion detection signal from the money insertion detection unit 17 and the medium insertion detection signal from the medium insertion detection unit 18 are sent to the main control circuit 11. Supplied.

  Further, the CR unit 10 includes an interrupt signal generation circuit 19 during the power saving mode. During the power saving mode (described in detail later), the obstacle detection signal from the area sensor 16 and the money from the money insertion detection unit 17 are displayed. An interrupt signal is generated by detecting either the input detection signal or the medium detection signal from the medium input detection unit 18. The interrupt signal input from the interrupt signal generation circuit 19 to the main control circuit 11 during the power saving mode is input to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 11a, and serves as a trigger for the CPU 11a in the sleep mode to return to the normal mode. Recently, CPUs equipped with such an interrupt terminal as a standard are commercially available. By using the function of this interrupt terminal, a sleep mode CPU that operates only a limited part of the functions can be quickly and normally used. Return to mode. Needless to say, a CPU that does not have an interrupt terminal can be used as long as the return to the normal mode is performed by using an interrupt signal as a normal mode return condition as a trigger.

  When the CPU 11a is in the normal mode, since the interrupt invalid signal is input from the main control circuit 11 to the interrupt signal generation circuit 19 during the power saving mode, the obstacle detection signal from the area sensor 16, the money insertion detection unit Even if either the money insertion detection signal from 17 or the medium detection signal from the medium insertion detection unit 18 is detected, the interrupt signal generation circuit 19 during the power saving mode does not generate an interrupt signal. Since the interrupt invalid signal is not output from the main control circuit 11 while the CPU 11a is in the power saving mode from the normal mode to the sleep mode, the obstacle detection signal from the area sensor 16 and the money insertion from the money insertion detection unit 17 When either the detection signal or the medium detection signal from the medium input detection unit 18 is detected, the interrupt signal generation circuit 19 in the power saving mode generates an interrupt signal. It is.

  Further, in the power saving mode in which the CPU 11a shifts to the sleep mode, power supply and pulse supply are performed from the main control circuit 11 to the area sensor 16, the money insertion detection unit 17, and the medium insertion detection unit 18, and other operating function groups By stopping the power supply and pulse supply to the power supply, the power consumption is suppressed, and when the normal mode is restored, the power supply and pulse supply to the operation function group at the normal time are resumed.

  In addition, at the time of shifting to the power saving mode, the main control circuit 11 instructs the stop of the gaming machine power generation unit 10d, thereby turning off the supply of gaming machine power and stopping the CR gaming machine 20 at the same time. It is also possible to save power. In such a case, the CR gaming machine 20 is simultaneously supplied to the CR gaming machine 20 from the gaming machine power generation unit 10d when returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode. Reboot.

  Since a general CR gaming machine 20 takes a considerable amount of time to restart after a power interruption, a CR gaming machine 20 capable of shifting to a power saving mode similar to the power saving mode of the CR unit 10 is used. The power saving mode may be instantaneously returned to the normal mode. As a method of such power saving mode transition control of the CR gaming machine 20, a mode transition command signal is transmitted from the CR unit 10 so that the CR gaming machine 20 shifts to the power saving mode under its own control. Or, when the power source for the gaming machine supplied from the CR unit 10 is changed to a specific voltage range (for example, 5 to 12V, etc.) that is less than the normal operation voltage (AC24V), the CR gaming machine 20 is forced. It is also possible to shift to a power saving standby state (for example, a state in which only memory backup is performed).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the above-described CR unit 10 is installed in the island facility 60 as a pair with the CR gaming machine 20, and includes an area above the chair 70 facing the CR gaming machine 20 as a detection area A. 16 (for example, a light sensor that receives light reflected from the object at the light receiving unit at the light receiving unit), whether or not a person is sitting on the chair 70 (or the CR game machine 20 is touched). Whether or not the player is approaching the front of the gaming machine 20).

  In addition, it is desirable that the detection area A of the area sensor 16 can be adjusted in angle up, down, left and right, and can be set so that the most appropriate player presence / absence information can be acquired according to the installation status of the CR unit 10. Further, a filter capable of adjusting the transmittance may be provided in the light receiving portion of the sensor to physically adjust the detection distance so that a player who is behind the chair 70 is not erroneously detected as seated.

  Then, the main control circuit 11 of the CR unit 10 determines that “the player presence state is determined by the player presence / absence information acquired by the player presence / absence information acquiring means satisfying a predetermined player presence determination condition. `` Determining means '', `` player absence status determining means for determining a player absent state by the player presence / absence information acquired by the player presence / absence information acquiring means satisfying a predetermined player absence determination condition '', and `` normally At the time of operation, on the condition that it is determined that the player is absent by the player absent state determination means, only a predetermined power saving operation function group is operated to shift to a power saving mode that reduces power consumption. It has a function as “power saving mode transition means”, and the main control circuit 11 and the interrupt signal generation circuit 19 during power saving mode cooperate with each other, Either the first return condition for determining the player presence state by the player presence state determination means or the second return condition for executing a predetermined operation from the operations performed by the player in the power saving mode performed. Is achieved, the function as “normal mode return means for returning to the normal mode in which the normal operation function group operates” is realized.

  That is, according to the CR unit 10 according to the present embodiment, the CR unit 10 is automatically operated when there is no player at a position facing the CR gaming machine 20 and there is no possibility that the player is absent. In the power saving mode, power consumption can be suppressed, and when the player comes to a position facing the CR gaming machine 20 or performs a game operation, the player automatically returns to the normal mode, so the player is confused. Nor.

  Next, the power saving mode transition process performed by the main control circuit 11 of the CR unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not the valuable recording medium C is being loaded by the medium loading detector 18 (step S01). If the valuable recording medium C has not been loaded, the detection from the area sensor 16 is performed. Information is acquired (step S02), and it is determined whether a shielding object is detected (step S03). If it is determined in step S01 that the valuable value recording medium C has been inserted, and if the area sensor 16 has detected a shield in step S03, the probability that the player is playing is high. The processing from step S01 is repeated again.

  On the other hand, if the area sensor 16 has not detected the shielding object in step S03, the absence timer for counting a predetermined absence determination time is reset (step S04), and the player can be detected temporarily. Time is taken to determine whether there is no player or the player is absent.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a money insertion is detected by the money insertion detection unit 17 (step S05). If no money insertion is detected, the medium insertion detection unit 18 detects the insertion of the valuable value recording medium C. (Step S06), and if the insertion of the valuable recording medium C is not detected, it is determined whether or not the area sensor 16 has detected a shielding object (Step S07).

  When the insertion of money is detected in the above step S05, the insertion of the valuable value recording medium C is detected in step S06, or the shielding object is detected by the area sensor 16 in step S06, the player Since there is a high probability that the game has been resumed, the processing from step S01 is repeated again.

  That is, in the CR unit 10 of the present embodiment, when shifting to the power saving mode, not only the absence time based on the player presence / absence information from the area sensor 16 is determined, but also the money insertion detection unit 17 inserts money. A first additional condition that is not detected and a second additional condition in which the insertion of the valuable recording medium C is not detected by the medium insertion detection unit 18 are set, and when all of these three conditions are satisfied, By determining that the person is absent, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode. In this way, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in which the player shifts to the power saving mode only by temporarily picking up a ball that has fallen on the floor, for example, by simply going out of the detection range of the area sensor 16.

  However, if neither the insertion of money nor the insertion of the valuable value recording medium C is detected, and there is no detection of the shielding object by the area sensor 16, there is a high probability that the player is absent. The absence timer for the word is incremented (step S08). Then, it is determined whether or not the absence timer has exceeded a threshold equal to the passage of a predetermined absence determination time (step S09). If the absence determination time has not yet elapsed, the processes of steps S05 to S08 are repeated again. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S09 that the absence timer exceeds the threshold and the absence determination time has elapsed, the current state parameter is saved (step S10), and the output of the gaming machine power supply is stopped. (Step S11), only the area sensor 16, the money insertion detection unit 17, the medium insertion detection unit 18, and the power saving mode interrupt signal generation circuit 19 that are defined as the power saving operation function group are operated, and other operation functions The power supply mode and the pulse supply are stopped to shift to the power saving mode (step S12). Since the interrupt signal generation circuit 19 during the power saving mode can also be realized in the main control circuit 11, it is not always necessary to include the interrupt signal generation circuit 19 during the power saving mode in the power saving operation function group. In addition, if a power saving mode display unit capable of displaying that the CR unit 10 is in the power saving mode is provided, and this power saving mode display unit is also included in the power saving operation function group, the power saving mode is displayed even in the power saving mode. It is possible to effectively display such as “in power”.

  The normal mode return process performed by the main control circuit 11 after the CR unit 10 has shifted to the power saving mode as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not an interrupt signal has been received from the interrupt signal generation circuit 19 during the power saving mode (step S21). If no interrupt signal has been received, the determination process of step S21 is repeated again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that an interrupt signal has been received, the normal mode is restored by restarting the power supply and pulse supply to the operating function group that was stopped when the mode was shifted to the power saving mode ( In step S22), the state is restored based on the parameters saved during the shift to the power saving mode (step S23), and the output of the power supply for the gaming machine is resumed (step S24).

  In the CR unit 10 according to the present embodiment, the interrupt signal generation circuit 19 during the power saving mode receives the player presence / absence information from the area sensor 16 when generating an interrupt signal serving as a trigger for returning to the normal mode. In addition to the first return condition that is the player's presence determination based on the above, in addition to a predetermined operation among the operations performed by the player (the first player operation or medium in which the insertion of money is detected by the money insertion detection unit 17) When the player is outside the detection range of the area sensor 16 because the second return condition for executing the second player operation in which the insertion of the valuable value recording medium C is detected by the insertion detection unit 18 is set as the determination target. However, the CR unit 10 and the CR gaming machine 20 can be returned to the normal mode simply by inserting money or the valuable value recording medium C in order to start the game. It becomes high.

  As described above, the CR unit 10 that can automatically switch between the normal mode and the power saving mode synchronizes its mode change and the mode change of the CR gaming machine 20, so that it knows the mode status of the CR unit 10. If it is possible, the mode status of the CR gaming machine 20 can be known. Therefore, in the CR unit 10 according to the present embodiment, the main control circuit 11 realizes the function of “mode status transmission means for outputting the mode status of the normal mode and the power saving mode to the outside”, and the mode status is external (hall computer). 30, the customer management system server 40 or the prepaid system management computer 50).

  Then, the management server (for example, the prepaid system management computer 50) that has received the mode status from each CR unit 10 in the game arcade as the mode status of the CR gaming machine 20 corresponding to the CR unit 10 that has transmitted the mode status. By managing it, it is possible to provide the management with significant management information such as good or bad with customers.

  Further, the prepaid system management computer 50 may be provided with a function that allows not only the collection and management of the mode status but also the setting to each CR unit 10. For example, if the prepaid system management computer 50 shown in FIG. 4 is connected to each CR unit 10 via the in-store LAN line 80 and setting information is transmitted from the prepaid system management computer 50 to each CR unit 10, efficient setting is possible. The operation can be performed.

  Items that can be set by the prepaid system management computer 50 are not particularly limited. For example, a power saving mode transition condition (a player absence determination based on player presence / absence information from the area sensor 16, a money insertion detection unit) 13 is a combination of determining whether or not money is inserted by 13 and determining whether or not the valuable recording medium C is present by the medium insertion detecting unit 18), and a power saving transition margin used as a player absence determination time, and the CR unit 10 shifts to a power saving mode. You can also specify a time zone. In addition, it can also be set whether or not to perform power supply control of the CR gaming machine 20 corresponding to each CR unit 10.

  Further, a normal mode return command signal for forcibly returning the CR unit 10 in the power saving mode to the normal mode may be transmitted from the prepaid system management computer 50 to any CR unit 10. That is, when the CR unit 10 in the power saving mode receives the normal mode return command signal from the prepaid system management server 50, the main unit in the power saving mode 19 generates the interrupt signal as in the case where the interrupt signal generation circuit 19 generates an interrupt signal. The CPU 11a of the control circuit 11 returns to the normal mode, the power supply to the corresponding CR gaming machine 20 is resumed, and the CR gaming machine 20 also returns to the normal operation. In the case of a system configuration in which the normal mode return command signal from the prepaid system management computer 50 is input to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 11a in the CR unit 10 to return to the normal mode, the prepaid system management computer 50 and the CR unit 10 are set in the normal mode. It is necessary to have a system configuration in which a dedicated line for return command is connected or a normal mode return command signal is input to the corresponding CR unit 10 via a relay station. When a message transmitted via the LAN line 80 is input to the CR unit 10, the CPU 11a shifts to a mode in which the minimum function necessary for decoding the message is enabled, and the received message Decides whether or not the machine is in normal recovery and then shifts to the power saving mode again. Ri may be or to return to the normal mode.

  When the game room system is configured in this way, the prepaid system management computer 50 starts the CR unit 10 with the specific unit number with respect to the CR unit 10 with the specific unit number when the CR unit 10 with the predetermined specific unit number shifts to the normal mode. If the normal mode return command signal is sent to the CR units 10 belonging to the specific set linked, all the CR units 10 belonging to the specific group are synchronized with the normal mode return of the CR unit 10 of the specific unit number in the normal mode. Can be restored. For example, when a customer comes to an amusement island where all the units are in the power saving mode because there is no person, the CR unit 10 and the CR gaming machine 20 of the amusement island are returned to the normal mode all at once, thereby The convenience of selecting a table can be improved. Of course, only the bases located on both sides of the base that the player has shown an interest in may be returned to the normal mode.

  Next, a CR unit 10 'according to a second embodiment using a plurality of area sensors as player presence / absence information acquisition means will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same structure as CR unit 10 of 1st Embodiment attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits description.

  The CR unit 10 'according to the present embodiment includes a first area sensor 16a and a second area sensor 16b having different detection ranges, and based on detection information from the first and second area sensors 16a and 16b, The main control circuit 11 ′ performs transition control to the power saving mode based on the power saving mode transition condition. During the power saving mode, the power saving mode interrupt signal generator 11b in the main control circuit 11 'performs return control to normal mode (generation of interrupt signal) based on the normal mode return condition. .

  When the second return condition (insertion of money or insertion of valuable value recording medium C) is used as the normal mode return condition, a signal from the money identifying unit 12 that can detect the insertion of money or the valuable value recording medium C The signal from the medium R / W 14a that can detect the input of the power is supplied to the interrupt signal generating unit 11b during the power saving mode, and the interrupt signal generating unit 11b during the power saving mode interrupts even when the second return condition is achieved. A configuration for generating a signal may be used.

  Further, in the CR unit 10 'of the present embodiment, the power supply for the gaming machine, which is a power supply means for the gaming machine provided outside, is not controlled to supply / stop the power for the gaming machine to the CR gaming machine 20. A power supply instruction signal for instructing power supply / stop is output to the output control means 91 for controlling power supply / stop from the generator 90 to the CR gaming machine 20 to stop the CR gaming machine 20 indirectly. / Control restart. The function as the power supply instructing means for outputting the power supply instructing signal is realized by the main control circuit 11 ′. When shifting to the power saving mode, the power supply instructing means supplies power to the output control means 91. Is output by stopping the power supply from the gaming machine power supply means 90 to the CR gaming machine 20, and when returning to the normal mode, the power supply instruction means outputs the output control means 91. Output the instruction signal to start the power supply to the CR gaming machine 20 from the gaming machine power supply means 90 to start the CR unit 10 'mode and the CR gaming machine 20 mode. Synchronize.

  The first and second area sensors 16a and 16b used in the CR unit 10 ′ according to the present embodiment not only determine the presence or absence of a shielding object in the detection area, but also determine the intensity from the reflection intensity from the shielding object to the shielding object. The separation distance can be determined. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the detection area A1 of the first area sensor 16a covers the upper body when a player sits on the chair 70 as a detection range (range B to C), and the second area The detection area A2 of the sensor 16b is set so as to cover the lower limb when the player sits on the chair 70 as a detection range (range of E to F). That is, when the first seating determination condition in which the output of the first area sensor 16a is in the range of B to C and the second seating determination condition in which the output of the second area sensor 16b is in the range of E to F are achieved simultaneously. Since the seating state can be accurately determined, it is possible to prevent a malfunction such as returning to the normal mode when the game is not started just by looking into the chair 70 temporarily.

  There is a possibility that the first seating determination condition and the second seating determination condition may be achieved instantaneously by chance, and after such a momentary accident is mistaken as a seating state and returned to the normal mode, It is assumed that there is a problem that shifts to the power mode. In order to eliminate such a malfunction, the first and second seating determination conditions continue for a predetermined seating determination time T1 without returning to the normal mode immediately after the first and second seating determination conditions are achieved. It may be determined that the player is in an additional condition.

  A specific determination example will be described based on the time chart of FIG. When the output values of the first area sensor 16a and the second area sensor 16b both satisfy the seating determination condition, timing of the seating determination time T1 is started. However, when Δt1 less than the seating determination time T1 has elapsed, When the two-area sensor 16b does not satisfy the second seating determination condition, it is not determined to be seated and the shift to the power saving mode is not performed. On the other hand, when Δt2 elapses after the output values of the first area sensor 16a and the second area sensor 16b both satisfy the seating determination condition and the seating determination time T1 is reached, the player presence state (seat state) ) And the return processing to the normal mode is performed.

  Further, when determining whether or not the player has stopped the game and left the seat, determination of the absence state of the player by imposing an additional condition based on the leaving determination time T2 so that the same misidentification does not occur. I do. If the output value of the second area sensor 16b does not satisfy the second seating determination condition from the seating state in which the output values of the first area sensor 16a and the second area sensor 16b both satisfy the seating determination condition, the seat is withdrawn from this time. When the determination time T2 is started and Δt3 has elapsed since the second area sensor 16b no longer satisfies the second seating condition, and the departure determination time T2 is reached, it is determined that there is no player. Thus, the process of shifting to the power saving mode is performed.

  As described above, when the mode transition condition is determined by measuring the seating determination time T1 or the leaving determination time T2, a timer function is necessary for monitoring, but timer monitoring by software can be performed during the power saving mode. Therefore, it is desirable to configure the interrupt signal generator 11b during the power saving mode with an appropriate hardware logic circuit. FIG. 8A shows a circuit configuration example of a main part in the interrupt signal generation unit 11b during the power saving mode. In this circuit configuration example, it is necessary to set the withdrawal determination time T2 longer than the seating determination time T1.

  The detection signal from the first area sensor 16a is input to the first comparator 101a and is compared with a preset reference value, so that the output A1 is ON when the detection level is equal to the detection range of B to C. Become. Similarly, the detection signal from the second area sensor 16b is input to the second comparator 101b, and is compared with a reference value set in advance, so that the output A2 is output when the detection level is equal to the detection range of E to F. Is turned on. The outputs A1 and A2 of the first and second comparators 101a and 101b are input to the AND circuit 102, and the sum is obtained as the output X.

  The output X of the AND circuit 102 is input to the first delay circuit 103a and the second delay circuit 103b, respectively, the output of the first delay circuit 103a is input to the first Schmitt trigger circuit 104a, and the second delay circuit 103b The output is input to the second Schmitt trigger circuit 104b.

  The first delay circuit 103a is constituted by a CR filter, for example, so that when the input X rises, the delay time until the first Schmitt trigger circuit 104a rises to the level H1 at which the first Schmitt trigger circuit 104a is turned on is equal to the seating determination time T1. When the input X falls, the delay time until the first Schmitt trigger circuit 104a is lowered to the level L1 at which the first Schmitt trigger circuit 104a is turned off is set equal to the seating determination time T1. With such a configuration, the first Schmitt trigger circuit 104a receives from the first delay circuit 103a signals that become levels H1 and L1 delayed by T1 from the rise timing and fall timing of the output X of the AND circuit 102. Will be. That is, if the signal level of the AND circuit 102 changes from L to H or from H to L and continues for more than the seating determination time T1, the output x1 of the first Schmitt trigger circuit 104a is output when T1 elapses. The signal level also changes.

  Similarly, the second delay circuit 103b is also configured by a CR filter or the like, so that when the input X rises, the delay time until the second Schmitt trigger circuit 104b rises to the level H2 at which the second Schmitt trigger circuit 104b is turned on is the withdrawal determination time. It is equal to T2, and when the input X falls, the delay time until the second Schmitt trigger circuit 104b is lowered to the level L2 at which the second Schmitt trigger circuit 104b is turned off is set equal to the withdrawal determination time T2. With this configuration, the second Schmitt trigger circuit 104b receives from the second delay circuit 103a a signal that becomes levels H2 and L2 delayed by T2 from the rising timing and falling timing of the output X of the AND circuit 102. Will be. That is, if the signal level of the AND circuit 102 changes from L to H or from H to L and continues for the withdrawal determination time T2, the output x2 of the second Schmitt trigger circuit 104b is reached when T2 has elapsed. This also changes the signal level.

  The output x1 of the first Schmitt trigger circuit 104a and the output x2 of the second Schmitt trigger circuit 104b are input to the OR circuit 107, and the output Y of the OR circuit 107 can be used as an interrupt signal.

  Here, FIG. 8B is a timing chart of the output signal in the main part in the interrupt signal generating unit 11b during the power saving mode, and as can be seen with reference to this figure, the output of the first AND circuit 102 is shown in FIG. Using the rise and fall of X as a trigger, the signal level of the output x1 changes after being delayed by the seating determination time T1, and the signal level of the output x2 changes after being delayed by the withdrawal determination time T2. If the level change continuation time of the output X of the AND circuit 102 does not reach T1, the signal levels of the outputs x1 and x2 do not change, and the level change continuation time of the output X of the AND circuit 102 is longer than T2. For example, both the signal levels of the outputs x1 and x2 change. Further, if the level change duration of the output X of the AND circuit 102 is longer than T1 and shorter than T2, only the signal level of the output x1 changes, and the signal level of the output x2 does not change.

  When the output X of the AND circuit 102 changes to H level and continues for the seating determination time T1, the output x1 of the first Schmitt trigger circuit 104a changes to H level, and the output Y of the OR circuit 105 also becomes L level. Changes from H to H level. Therefore, the rise of the output Y of the OR circuit 105 indicates the achievement of the transition condition from the power saving mode to the normal mode. When a predetermined time (T2-T1) elapses after the output x1 of the first Schmitt trigger circuit 104a changes to H level, the output x2 of the second Schmitt trigger circuit 104b also changes to H level. The output Y of the circuit 105 does not change.

  On the other hand, when the output X of the AND circuit 102 changes to the L level and continues for the seating determination time T1, the output x1 of the first Schmitt trigger circuit 104a changes to the L level, but the second Schmitt trigger circuit 104b Since the output x2 remains at the H level, the output Y of the OR circuit 105 does not change. However, if the output X of the AND circuit 102 changes to the L level and continues for the withdrawal determination time T2, the output x2 of the second Schmitt trigger circuit 104b also changes to the L level, so the output Y of the OR circuit 105 becomes It changes from H level to L level. Therefore, the fall of the output Y of the OR circuit 105 indicates that the transition condition from the normal mode to the power saving mode has been achieved.

  That is, the output Y of the OR circuit 105 is a pulse signal that rises when the normal mode return condition during power saving is achieved and falls when the power saving mode transition condition during normal time is achieved.

  Therefore, if the rising edge of the output Y of the OR circuit 105 is input to the interrupt terminal of the CPU 11a as a transition trigger from the power saving mode to the normal mode, the return from the power saving mode to the normal mode can be performed. In the above-described circuit configuration example of the interrupt signal generation unit 11b during the power saving mode, the falling edge of the output Y of the OR circuit 105 can be used as a transition trigger from the normal mode to the power saving mode. If the CPU 11a is supplied as a transition signal to the CPU 11a, it is not necessary for the CPU 11a operating in the normal mode to monitor the power saving mode transition condition by itself, so that the load on the CPU 11a can be reduced accordingly.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of the game media rental apparatus based on this invention was described based on the accompanying drawing, the inclusion range of this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A well-known existing method is diverted suitably. It may be realized.

It is a CR unit schematic block diagram concerning a 1st embodiment. It is detection area explanatory drawing of the area sensor in CR unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A) is a flowchart which shows a power saving mode transfer process. (B) is a flowchart showing normal mode return processing. It is explanatory drawing of setting operation to CR unit by a prepaid system management computer. It is CR unit schematic block diagram concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is detection area explanatory drawing of the 1st area sensor and 2nd area sensor in CR unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a time chart of the 1st area sensor and the 2nd area sensor used for judgment of a player presence state and a player absence state. (A) is an example of a circuit structure of the principal part in the interruption signal generation part in power saving mode. FIG. 8B is a timing chart showing an interrupt signal generation process in the circuit of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game medium rental apparatus 10a Money insertion slot 10b Medium insertion / extraction port 11 Main control circuit 11a CPU
16 Area sensor 17 Money insertion detection unit 18 Medium insertion detection unit 19 Interrupt signal generation circuit during power saving mode C Value recording medium

Claims (7)

In a game medium lending device that is provided corresponding to each game machine installed in a game store and performs lending control of game media used in the corresponding game machine,
Player presence / absence information used to determine whether there is a highly probable player present state where a player is present at a position directly opposite the gaming machine or a highly probable player absent state where no player is present directly at the gaming machine. A player presence / absence information acquisition means for acquiring
A player presence state determination unit that determines that a player presence state is satisfied when the player presence information acquired by the player presence information acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined player presence determination condition;
A player absence state determination unit that determines that a player absence state is satisfied by the player presence / absence information acquired by the player presence / absence information acquisition unit satisfying a predetermined player absence determination condition;
Shifting to a power saving mode that reduces power consumption by operating only a predetermined power saving operating function group under the condition that the player absent state determination means determines that the player is absent during normal operation. Power saving mode transition means for causing
In the power saving mode shifted by the power saving mode shifting means, a predetermined operation is executed from the first return condition determined by the player presence state determining means as the player presence state or the operation performed by the player. Normal mode return means for returning to the normal mode in which the normal operation function group operates based on the fact that any one of the second return conditions is achieved,
A game medium lending device comprising: A money insertion sensor for detecting that money has been inserted from the money insertion slot;
An information recording medium insertion sensor for detecting that an information recording medium is inserted from the information recording medium insertion / extraction port;
With
The player presence / absence information acquisition means acquires detection information of an area sensor that detects a shield in the front side space of the gaming machine as player presence / absence information,
The player absence state determination means is based on the player presence / absence information from the player presence / absence information acquisition means, when there is no shielding in the space on the front side of the gaming machine continuously for a predetermined absence determination time, To determine that the player is absent,
According to the player presence / absence information from the player presence / absence information acquisition unit, the player presence state determination unit is configured to detect the presence of a player when there is a shield in the space on the front side of the gaming machine continuously for a predetermined presence determination time. To determine the state,
The power saving mode transition means satisfies both a first additional condition in which money insertion by the money insertion sensor is not detected and a second additional condition in which information recording medium insertion by the information recording medium insertion sensor is not detected. When the player is absent, the player absence state determination means determines that the player is absent, so as to shift to the power saving mode,
The second return condition determined by the normal mode return means is the first player operation in which the insertion of money by the money insertion sensor is detected or the second in which the insertion of the information recording medium by the information recording medium insertion sensor is detected. The game medium lending device according to claim 1, wherein a player operation is performed. The power saving mode transition means operates only the money insertion sensor, the information recording medium insertion sensor and the area sensor defined as the power saving operation function group, and stops power supply and pulse supply to other operation function groups. To shift to power saving mode,
3. The game medium lending device according to claim 2, wherein the normal mode return means is configured to return to the normal mode by restarting power supply and pulse supply to the normal operation function group. A power supply means for the gaming machine for operating the gaming machine;
The power saving mode transition means stops power supply to the gaming machine by the gaming machine power supply means when shifting to the power saving mode. The game medium lending device according to any one of the above. A power supply instructing means for instructing power supply / stop to an output control means for controlling power supply / stop from the power supply means for gaming machines to operate the gaming machine;
The power saving mode transition means, when shifting to the power saving mode, causes the power supply instruction means to output an instruction signal for power supply to the output control means, and power from the gaming machine power supply means to the gaming machine. The game medium lending device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein supply is stopped. The game medium lending device according to claim 4 or 5 is provided with mode status transmission means for outputting the mode status of the normal mode and the power saving mode to the outside.
Send the mode status from the game medium lending device to the management server connected by the communication line,
A game hall management system characterized in that the management server manages a mode situation received from a game medium lending device as a mode situation of a gaming machine corresponding to the game medium lending device. The gaming medium lending device returns to the normal mode by receiving a normal mode return command signal from the management server during the power saving mode,
When the game medium lending device having a predetermined specific number shifts to the normal mode, the management server returns to the normal mode to the game medium lending device belonging to the specific set linked to the game medium lending device having the specific number The game hall management system according to claim 6, wherein a command signal is transmitted.

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