JP2012110604A - Management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management system for suppressing a workload of a worker in a game parlor as much as possible.SOLUTION: A management system 100 includes a mode control means of switching an operation mode of a vending device 500 between game machines, a change operation means used for the change operation of the operation mode of the vending device 500 between game machines, and a put-out control command means of sending out a put-out request signal for requesting the put-out of a game medium, and sending out a put-out stop request signal for requesting the stop of the put-out of the game medium in the recognition of the satisfaction of prescribed conditions. The vending device 500 between game machines includes: a switching means of changing its own operation mode; and a put-out means of putting out the game medium upon the reception of the put-out request signal on condition that the operation mode of the vending device 500 between machines has been changed to a mode different from a normal operation mode, and stopping the put-out of the game medium upon the reception of the put-out stop request signal.

Description

The present invention relates to a management system for paying out game media.

In general, when a gaming machine is introduced into a game arcade, first, a test is performed to confirm a malfunction of the gaming machine. This test hitting is to operate the gaming machine in an environment close to that the player normally plays, and is also performed in order to confirm the adjustment when the nail of the gaming machine is adjusted. At the time of test hitting, conventionally, a game hall employee put a game medium such as a pachinko ball into the upper plate of the game machine and fixes the handle of the game machine.

However, in this method, when there is a shortage of game media on the upper plate, it is necessary for the employee to carry the game media and put it into the upper plate, which increases the work burden on the employee. Moreover, since there are usually a plurality of gaming machines that are introduced into the amusement hall at a time, for example, when there are a large number of gaming machines that perform test hits, such as when opening a new store, the work burden of test hits is enormous. Become. In order to reduce such a work burden, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1. This is to provide a tray at the bottom of the gaming machine and a lifting device for feeding the game medium flowing down from the tray to the upper tray of the gaming machine. The medium is input.
JP 2006-175171 A

However, in the apparatus, the employee must first put the game medium into the receiving tray, and further, the employee needs to put the gaming medium into the receiving tray even when the game medium is insufficient in the receiving tray. The work burden on employees remains large. In addition, when the devices disclosed in Patent Document 1 are provided in each gaming machine, the cost becomes enormous. In addition, when the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used in a plurality of gaming machines in a single test, it is necessary to move the device, creating a new work burden on the employee, The burden is not alleviated. In addition, since the device shown in Patent Document 1 cannot be linked to the operation information output from the gaming machine, the operation information desired in the test hit (for example, operation information for 1000 balls) is appropriately acquired. I can't.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a management system that can suppress the work burden of an employee of a game hall as much as possible and can appropriately acquire desired operation information.

The invention of claim 1 comprises an inter-device provided corresponding to a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game hall, and a management device connected to the inter-device.
The management device
Mode control means for switching the operation mode of the inter-device,
Switching operation means used for switching the operation mode of the inter-device,
A payout control command means for sending out a payout stop request signal for requesting stop of payout of the game medium when recognizing the establishment of a predetermined condition while sending out a payout request signal requesting payout of the game medium,
The inter-device is
A switching means for switching own operation mode;
The game medium is paid out when the payout request signal is received, and the game medium is paid out when the payout stop request signal is received, provided that the operation mode of the inter-device is switched to a mode different from the normal operation mode. And a payout means for stopping the control system.

The invention of claim 2 is configured such that the gaming machine can output at least a play signal relating to the number of game media paid out in accordance with winning of the game media,
The management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a case where the number of balls calculated based on the ball output signal reaches a predetermined number.

The invention of claim 3 is a configuration in which the gaming machine can output at least a jackpot signal indicating that the gaming state is a jackpot state,
The management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a case where the number of jackpots indicating the number of receptions of the jackpot signal reaches a predetermined number.

Invention of Claim 4 is the structure which can output the probability fluctuation signal which shows that the said gaming machine is a probability fluctuation state at least.
The management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a case where the number of probability fluctuations indicating the number of receptions of the probability fluctuation signal reaches a predetermined number.

The invention of claim 5 is a configuration in which the gaming machine includes a symbol display device, and can output a symbol confirmation signal when a symbol is confirmed at least in the symbol display device.
The management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a case where the number of symbol determinations based on the symbol determination signal reaches a predetermined number.

The invention of claim 6 further includes hitting number counting means capable of counting the number of game media driven into the gaming machine and outputting a hitting signal related to the hitting number,
2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a case where the number of hitting balls calculated based on a hitting ball signal output from the hitting ball number counting unit reaches a predetermined number.

According to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, when a payout request signal is sent from the management device, the game medium is paid out from the inter-device, and when the management device recognizes that the predetermined condition is met, In the case where the burden of the employee of the amusement hall is generally heavy, such as a test hit for confirming a malfunction of a gaming machine, etc. The work burden can be suppressed as much as possible.

A mode control device comprising a table device provided corresponding to a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game hall, and a management device connected to the table device, wherein the management device switches an operation mode of the table device. And a switching operation means used for switching the operation mode of the inter-unit device, and a payout request signal for requesting payout of the game medium, while when a predetermined condition is recognized, stop payout of the game medium Payout control command means for sending out a payout stop request signal for requesting, and the inter-device is different from the normal operation mode in switching means for switching its operation mode and the operation mode of the inter-device. If the payout request signal is received, the game medium is paid out when the mode is switched to the mode, and the game medium payout is stopped when the payout stop request signal is received. With the structure having a means to, for example, it is possible to suppress the workload of the game arcade of employees test beating performed for confirmation of the gaming machine malfunction.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily showing a configuration of a management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the management system includes a management device 100, a gaming device 200, a table management device 300, an island management device 400, an inter-device device 500, and networks 601 and 602 that connect these devices. .

The management device 100 is an information processing device that manages the entire management system and operates / manages the operation mode and the payout of each inter-device device 500. The management device 100 is realized by, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a workstation (WS). The management device 100 includes a user interface such as an instruction input device 106 that receives an instruction input from a game hall employee to the management device 100 and a display 107 that displays a failure detection or the like. In addition, the management device 100 receives a signal related to operation information such as a ball signal and a jackpot signal from each gaming device 200, and is installed at the lower portion of the gaming device 200 and is the number of game media that are driven into a board surface 211 described later The number of hits of each gaming device 200 is calculated based on the hitting signal sent from the hitting number counting means (out box) (not shown) for counting the number of hits, and calculated based on the signal related to the operation information and the hitting signal Calculating and managing operational information such as the number of hits. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the hitting number counting means is included in the gaming apparatus 200, and the hitting signal output from the hitting number counting means is included in the signal related to the operation information.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming device 200 according to the present embodiment includes a gaming machine 210 and a display 230. The gaming machine 210 pays out pachinko balls, which are game media, in response to the occurrence of a predetermined winning event. The general gaming machine 210 has a normal winning opening (not shown) through which a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out in accordance with the winning of a pachinko ball, a starting winning opening 213 in which a lottery process is started in accordance with the winning of the pachinko ball, A jackpot winning hole 214 that is normally closed but opened when a lottery is won is provided. Details will be described later.

The stand management device 300 transmits a mode switching signal for switching the operation mode of the inter-device device 500 from the connected management device 100 via the island management device 400, a payout request signal for requesting payout of game media, This is an information processing apparatus that acquires a payout stop request signal for requesting stoppage of payout and sends it to the inter-device 500. In addition, a signal related to operation information such as a batting signal and a ball signal is acquired from the connected gaming device 200 and sent to the island management device 400.

The island management device 400 is an information processing device that mediates the connection between the platform management device 300 and the management device 100. In the management system of the present embodiment, the plurality of table management devices 300 are classified into one or more groups, and the island management device 400 manages the table management device 300 for each group.

The inter-device 500 is provided corresponding to the gaming device 200 as shown in FIG. 2, and has a gaming medium payout function in this embodiment. The inter-table device 500 is a general inter-table machine installed in the game hall, and is not a special one. The inter-device 500 accepts cash from the player and plays game media ( In addition to having a function as a ball lending machine that rents pachinko balls and medals, etc., it is a device equipped with a predetermined detection function, reading function and communication function, from a member who is a player to a recording medium such as a membership card ( When the (not shown) is inserted, the insertion of the recording medium is detected, the information stored in the recording medium is read, and the read information is sent to the management apparatus 100.

The networks 601 and 602 are typically LANs (Local Area Networks), but may have any configuration as long as they can transmit and receive data regardless of wired / wireless. For example, a public line (analog line, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network, etc.)), WAN (Wide Area Network), wireless LAN, etc. may be used. For example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) can be adopted as a communication protocol on the networks 601 and 602.

The configuration of the management system illustrated in FIG. 1 is basic for explaining the operation and effect of the configuration according to the present embodiment. When the management system is operated in an actual game arcade, if the management device 100 can operate and manage the operation mode and the payout of each inter-device device 500, restrictions such as use and purpose, or arrangement of equipment, etc. Various configurations can be made based on conditions. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the inter-device device 500 may be connected to the management device 100, and the management device 100 may be configured to directly operate the operation mode for the inter-device device 500.

Next, the hardware configuration of the management apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the management apparatus 100.

In FIG. 4, a CPU 110 (= Central Processing Unit) executes an application program, an operating system (OS), a control program, and the like stored in the HD 105, which will be described later, and stores information, files, and the like necessary for executing the program in a RAM 102. Control to store temporarily.

The CPU 110 serves as mode control means for switching its own operation mode. The mode control means also has a function of giving a command to the inter-device 500 from the management device 100 side in order to switch the operation mode of the inter-device 500. Specifically, the CPU 110 designates a mode switching signal for instructing switching to a test mode different from the normal operation mode and a mode switching signal for switching the operation mode to the normal operation mode. The data is sent to the inter-device 500. Specifically, the CPU 110 refers to the identification information stored in advance associated with the number of the designated inter-device 500, and sends a mode switching signal to the designated inter-device 500 through the communication line. Is sent out. In addition, when the switching completion signal indicating that the switching of the operation mode is completed is received from the inter-device 500, the CPU 110 switches the operation mode of the inter-device 500 stored in the mode information storage area 151 in the HD 105. Rewrite update to later operation mode.

Further, the CPU 110 plays a role as a payout control command means for instructing payout control. In other words, the CPU 110 sends a payout request signal for requesting payout of game media to each designated inter-device device 500. When the CPU 110 recognizes that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the CPU 110 sends a payout stop request signal for requesting the stop of payout of the game medium to each designated inter-unit device 500.

Here, the predetermined condition described above will be described. The management device 100 acquires at least signals related to operation information such as a jackpot signal, a jackpot signal, a probability variation signal, a symbol confirmation signal, a ball signal, a batting signal, and the like from each gaming device 200. Operation information such as the number of jackpots, the number of jackpots, the number of probability fluctuations, the number of symbol determinations, the number of balls to be played, the number of hits, etc. of each gaming device 200 calculated based on the signal related to is managed / aggregated.

The predetermined condition is, for example, a case where the number of balls in the gaming machine 210 reaches a predetermined number (for example, an arbitrary set number such as 10,000). However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the number of hit balls reaches a predetermined number, when the number of big hits reaches a predetermined number, when the number of small hits reaches a predetermined number, the number of probability changes When the predetermined number of times is reached, the number of symbol determinations may be a predetermined number of times.

The ROM 101 stores programs such as basic I / O programs and various data used in basic processing. The RAM 102 is for temporarily storing various data, and functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 110.

The external storage drive 103 is for realizing access to a recording medium, and can load a program or the like stored in the medium (recording medium) 104 into the management apparatus 100. The medium 104 includes, for example, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a PC card, a DVD, an IC memory card, an MO, a memory stick, and the like.

An HD (= hard disk) 105 is an external storage device and functions as a large-capacity memory. The HD 105 stores application programs, OS, control programs, related programs, and the like. A mode information storage area 151 is provided in the HD 105, and mode information of each inter-device 500 disposed in the game hall is stored in association with identification information of each inter-device 500. For example, when the operation mode of a certain inter-device 500 is switched to the test mode and a switching completion signal is received from the inter-device 500, the CPU 110 is stored in the mode information storage area 151 based on the signal. The mode information of the inter-device apparatus 500 is rewritten to the test mode. The HD 105 is provided with an operation information storage area 152 for storing operation information based on the operation signal received from the gaming device 200 for each gaming device 200. As an example, when a ball is output as an example, when a ball signal is received from a gaming device 200, the number of balls is calculated based on the ball signal, and the number of balls is associated with the identification information of the gaming device 200. Are stored in the operation information storage area 152 cumulatively.

The instruction input device 106 is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse), a touch panel, a button, or a lever. Using the instruction input device 106, an employee of the game hall etc. instructs the management device 100 to input a command or the like for controlling the management device 100.

In addition, the instruction input device 106 is used when a game room employee or the like designates the inter-device 500 to switch the operation mode from among the inter-devices 500 arranged in the amusement hall, and the designated inter-device. It plays a role as a switching operation means used when switching the operation mode of the apparatus 500. In addition, it plays a role as a payout operation means used when paying out game media from the inter-device device 500 switched to the test mode different from the normal operation mode.

The display 107 serves as a display means, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and displays a command input from the instruction input device 106, a response output of the management device 100 for the command, and the like. .

It should be noted that an employee or the like of the game hall designates the table device 500 for switching the operation mode from the table devices 500 arranged in the game hall, and switches the operation mode of the specified table device 500. When executing, or when paying out game media from the inter-table device 500 that has been switched to the test mode different from the normal operation mode, it is necessary to use the instruction input device 106 while referring to the display 107 on the display 107. It is good also as a structure which inputs various information.

The system bus 109 manages the data flow in the management apparatus 100. Reference numeral 108 denotes an interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F), which exchanges data with an external device via the I / F 108.

In addition, it can also be comprised as an alternative of a hardware apparatus with the software which implement | achieves a function equivalent to the above each apparatus.

In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the program and related data according to the present embodiment are directly loaded from the medium 104 into the RAM 102 and executed. However, every time the program according to the present embodiment is operated, You may make it load into RAM102 from HD105 by which the program is already installed. It is also possible to record the program according to the present embodiment in the ROM 101, configure it as a part of the memory map, and execute it directly by the CPU 110.

In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a configuration in which the management apparatus 100 is realized by one apparatus will be described. However, the management apparatus 100 may be realized by a configuration in which resources are distributed to a plurality of apparatuses. For example, storage and calculation resources may be distributed in a plurality of devices. Alternatively, resources may be distributed for each component virtually realized on the management apparatus 100, and parallel processing may be performed.

Next, the configuration of the gaming device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an outline of an external configuration of the gaming apparatus 200.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming device 200 includes a gaming machine 210 and a display 230.

In FIG. 2, a pachinko machine is shown as the gaming machine 210, and a pachinko machine 500 that pays out pachinko balls as an example of a gaming medium is shown, but the gaming machine 210 in this embodiment is a pachinko machine. Not only the machines, but also any slot machines, parrots, etc. are included as long as they are arranged in the game hall. Therefore, the type of game medium paid out by the inter-table device 500 is not limited to a pachinko ball and may be a coin.

The gaming machine 210 is provided with a board surface 211, on which a symbol display device 212, a start winning port 213, a jackpot winning port 214, a normal winning port (not shown), and the like are provided. In addition, a lower plate of the gaming machine 210 is provided with an upper plate 221 for storing a pachinko ball to be driven in or a paid-out pachinko ball, a handle 222 for adjusting the strength of the pachinko ball driving, and the like. The display 230 performs a predetermined display in response to the occurrence of an event such as a prize.

The symbol display device 212 is a display device that performs symbol effect display related to lottery or the like, and is configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, a drum, or the like, for example. For example, the symbol display device 212 displays a plurality of symbols such as numbers and figures in a variable manner or displays a demonstration screen related to a lottery.

The start winning port 213 detects the winning of the pachinko ball when the pachinko ball hit by the operation of the handle 222 or the like wins. When this pachinko ball is detected, an internal lottery is performed. In addition, the symbol display device 212 displays a plurality of symbols such as a number and a figure in a variable manner in response to the winning of a pachinko ball in the start winning port 213. The symbol display device 212 stops the symbol variation display when a predetermined variation time has elapsed after the start of the variation display, and performs a lottery result notification and an effect display by a combination of symbols, a demonstration display, or the like.

The jackpot winning opening 214 is normally closed so that the pachinko ball does not win, but is opened when the jackpot is won. When a pachinko ball wins the jackpot winning opening 214, a considerable number of pachinko balls (for example, 15 for each winning pachinko ball) are paid out. The opening of the jackpot winning opening 214 is continued until a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses after the jackpot is generated, or until a predetermined number of pachinko balls win the winning jackpot 214. This single opening is called a round. In general, since the jackpot winning opening 214 is provided at a position where the pachinko balls easily pass, a large amount of pachinko balls are paid out during the jackpot occurrence period (during the round). In addition, during the jackpot, the symbol display device 212 performs an effect display during the jackpot with a combination of symbols, a demo display, and the like, and the display unit 230 displays the cumulative number of jackpots, an effect image, and the like.

In addition, the gaming device 200 has a specific area (V zone) (not shown) to which the right to generate the next round is given when one or more pachinko balls pass during the round on the board surface 211. For this reason, in the gaming device 200, the pachinko ball passes through the V zone during the round, so that the jackpot winning opening 214 is continuously opened. Note that the maximum number of consecutive rounds (for example, 15 times) is set in advance, and when the round continues for the maximum number of times, the opening of the jackpot winning opening 214 ends.

The gaming device 200 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of types of jackpots, each of which has a different number of pachinko balls to be paid out for each pachinko ball won in the jackpot winning opening 214, the duration of one round, the maximum number of consecutive rounds, and the like. Have a state. Next, the probability variation state will be described.

The probability fluctuation state is a state in which the winning probability of jackpot is changed to a higher value than usual. The probability of winning a jackpot with the winning of a pachinko ball at the start winning opening 213 is set to a low value (for example, 1/500 to 1/300) in advance. However, if the probability of winning the jackpot does not change with a low probability, the game of the gaming device 200 becomes monotonous. Therefore, in order to increase the excitement of gaming, many of recent gaming machines change the winning probability to a higher value than usual (for example, 1/50 to 1/30) triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event. It has a function of probability variation. The state of probability variation (probability variation state) occurs when, for example, a lottery related to the occurrence of probability variation that is triggered by the passing of a pachinko ball through the start prize opening 213 or other predetermined area is won, and the probability variation When the state occurs, a probability variation signal is sent to the outside. The probability variation state generally continues until the next jackpot occurs. In the probability change state, for example, the background color of the symbol display device 212 or the display device 230 is changed to a color different from the normal color to notify the player that the probability change is in progress.

The gaming device 200 includes an interface (not shown) for sending a signal related to operation information of the gaming device 200 to an external device.

The signal relating to the operation information includes a jackpot signal indicating that the gaming device 200 is in a jackpot state, a jackpot signal indicating that the gaming device 200 is in a jackpot state, and a probability that the jackpot probability is higher than that in normal gaming. A probability variation signal indicating a variation state, a ball signal relating to the number of gaming media (= balls) paid out from the gaming machine 210 to the upper plate 221 due to winning, and a number of gaming media driven into the gaming machine 210 A hitting signal and a symbol confirmation signal indicating that the symbol of the symbol display device 212 has been confirmed are included. These signals can be configured to output pulses in accordance with, for example, payout of game media or winnings. The output signal is configured so that one pulse is output every time ten game media are paid out to the upper plate 221.

Specifically, the start winning opening 213 detects the passage of the pachinko ball when the pachinko ball launched by the operation of the handle 222 or the like passes. When the passage of the pachinko ball is detected, an internal lottery is performed. When a win is made, a small hit state or a big hit state is generated, and a pulse that is a small hit signal or a big hit signal is output. In addition, when a lottery related to the occurrence of probability variation is won, a probability variation state occurs, and a pulse that is a probability variation signal is output. Also, triggered by the passage of the pachinko ball at the start winning opening 213, the symbol display device 212 displays a plurality of symbols such as numbers and figures in a variable manner, and stops changing the symbol when a predetermined variation time has elapsed. The pulse which is a symbol determination signal is output. Further, the hitting number counting means outputs a pulse as a hitting signal every time ten game media are counted.

Further, a payout detecting means (not shown) for detecting the payout of the pachinko balls of the gaming apparatus 200 outputs a pulse as a payout signal when detecting the payout of the pachinko balls. Since the signal related to the operation information is transmitted in response to the request signal from the management device 100, the management device 100 can identify the gaming device 200 based on the reception timing of the signal. It is obvious that identification information for identifying the gaming device 200 may be included in the signal related to the operation information. The identification information is made up of numbers, characters, or combinations thereof that identify each gaming device 200.

Next, the hardware configuration of the inter-station apparatus 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration of the inter-device apparatus 500.

The CPU 510 (= Central Processing Unit) executes an application program, an operating system (OS), a control program, and the like stored in the HD 505 described later, and temporarily stores information, files, and the like necessary for executing the program in the RAM 502. Take control.

When the CPU 510 serves as a switching unit and receives a mode switching signal for instructing switching of its own operation mode from the management device 100, the CPU 510 changes its own operation mode from the normal operation mode to the normal operation mode. Switch to test mode. Alternatively, the test mode different from the normal operation mode is switched to the normal operation mode. When this switching is completed, a switching completion signal is sent to the management apparatus 100. At this time, identification information for identifying itself may be transmitted together with the switching completion signal.

In the present embodiment, the management device 100 and the inter-device device 500 have at least a test mode, a normal store mode used after the game hall is closed, and a normal business mode used when the game hall is operated as the operation mode. ing. It is operated in the normal business mode during the business hours of the amusement hall, and is operated in the normal closed mode after the store closing process is performed outside the business hours. In the present embodiment, the normal business mode and the normal closing mode are collectively referred to as a normal operation mode. As will be described later, the operation mode of the inter-device apparatus 500 is switched by, for example, a predetermined switching operation using an instruction input device 106 by an employee of the game hall or the like. However, it is not necessarily limited to this configuration, and at least the operation mode corresponding to the test mode in the present embodiment and the operation mode corresponding to the normal operation mode used during the business hours of the game hall exist in the inter-device. do it. Therefore, the processing in the present embodiment may be enabled in the normal closing mode without distinguishing between the normal closing mode and the test mode.

In addition, the normal closing mode is an operation mode used in the management device 100 for so-called “closing process” in which the operation information of the gaming device 200 of the day is totaled to create sales data after the business hours of the game hall end. . In general, the “tightening process” means that the management device 100 collects data such as the number of hits and the number of played balls of the game medium of the day from each gaming device 200, and the number of difference balls, This refers to processing for creating a winning probability or the like as sales data and storing it in the storage means of the management apparatus 100. The inter-device 500 is a mode in which some of the functions that are possible in the normal business mode (for example, depositing cash into the inter-device) are prohibited.

Further, when receiving a payout request signal from the management apparatus 100, the CPU 510 plays a role of sending a payout signal to the control means 513 described later. Further, the CPU 510 refers to a real-time clock 512 to be described later when the payout signal is transmitted, and starts a time measurement. When a predetermined time elapses, the CPU 510 serves as a payout control unit that transmits a payout signal to the control mechanism 513. Fulfill. Further, when receiving a payout stop request signal from the management apparatus 100, the CPU 510 plays a role of sending a payout stop signal to the control means 513 described later.

The ROM 501 stores therein a program such as a basic I / O program and various data used in basic processing. A RAM 502 is for temporarily storing various data, and functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 510.

An HD (= hard disk) 505 is an external storage device and functions as a large capacity memory. The HD 505 stores application programs, OS, control programs, related programs, and the like.

The instruction input device 506 is, for example, a button, a lever, a numeric keypad, or a touch panel. Using the instruction input device 506, an employee of the game hall instructs the inter-device 500 to input a command or the like for controlling the inter-device 500.

The display 507 serves as a display means, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and displays a command input from the instruction input device 506, a response output of the inter-device device 500 in response thereto, and the like. is there.

A system bus 509 controls the flow of data in the inter-device apparatus 500. Reference numeral 508 denotes an interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F), which exchanges data with an external device via the I / F 508.

The real time clock 512 serves as a time measuring means, and measures the current time.

The control mechanism 513 is a control mechanism that, when receiving a payout signal, pays out a predetermined amount of game media and supplies it to the game apparatus 200. In addition, when the control mechanism 513 receives a payout stop signal while paying out the game medium, the control mechanism 513 stops paying out the game medium.

In addition, it can also be comprised as an alternative of a hardware apparatus with the software which implement | achieves a function equivalent to the above each apparatus.

Further, in the case where the management system has the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, each signal is transmitted from the management device 100 to the inter-device device 500 via the pedestal management device 300 and the island management device 400 or between the pedestals. The data is transferred from the device 500 and the gaming device 200 to the management device 100. Alternatively, for example, in the case of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, the data is transferred from the management device 100 to the inter-device 500 or from the inter-device 500 or the gaming device 200 to the management device 100. In the case of the configuration as shown in FIG. 1, processing for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, processing for converting a signal into a packet of a predetermined format, and the like are performed in a relay device such as the base management device 300 or the island management device 400. There is a case. Since these processes are obvious to those skilled in the art, description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.

Next, a specific processing flow of the management system will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the management apparatus 100 switches its own operation mode to the test mode by performing a predetermined mode switching operation when its own operation mode is the normal closing mode. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, an employee of the game hall uses the instruction input device 106 of the management device 100 to specify the inter-device 500 for switching the operation mode, and the specified inter-device 500 A switching operation for switching the operation mode to the test mode is executed (step S601).

Then, the CPU 110 sends a mode switching signal for instructing switching to the test mode to each designated inter-unit device 500 (step S602).

The inter-device device 500 that has received the mode switching signal, when switching its own operation mode to the test mode (step S603), sends a switching completion signal to the management device 100 (step S604). When receiving this switching completion signal, the management device 100 rewrites the mode information of the inter-device 500 stored in the mode information storage area 151 to the test mode (step S605). At this time, it may be displayed on the display 107 that the operation mode of the designated inter-device apparatus 500 has been switched to the test mode. This completes the switching of the inter-device apparatus 500 to the test mode.

As shown in FIG. 7, when an employee or the like of the game hall uses the instruction input device 106 of the management device 100 to execute a payout operation on the inter-device device 500 that has been switched to the test mode (step S701), the CPU 110 Sends out a payout request signal requesting payout of game media to the inter-device device 500 (step S702). In the inter-device device 500 that has received the payout request signal, the CPU 510 sends out a payout signal for instructing the control mechanism 513 to pay out the game medium, and the control mechanism 513 that has received this payout signal receives a predetermined amount of game media. The game device 200 is paid out to the upper plate 221 or the like (step S703).

Further, when the CPU 510 sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 513, the CPU 510 refers to the real time clock 512 and starts measuring time (step S704). When the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S705), the CPU 510 sends out a payout signal instructing the control mechanism 513 to pay out a predetermined amount of game media. The above process is repeated. On the other hand, until the predetermined time elapses (NO in step S705), the standby state is entered.

Also, as shown in FIG. 8, when a game is played in the gaming device 200 and a game medium wins the start winning port 213 or the big win winning port 214, a game signal is sent from the gaming device 200. The management device 100 receives this output signal, calculates the number of output based on this output signal, and cumulatively stores it in a storage device such as the HD 105 for each gaming device 200. If this cumulative number of balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined value set in advance (step S801), a payout stop request signal for instructing stop of payout of game media is sent to the inter-unit device 500 (step S801). S802). Receiving this payout stop request signal, the CPU 510 of the inter-device 500 transmits a payout stop signal for stopping the payout of game media to the control mechanism 513. Upon receiving this payout stop signal, the control mechanism 513 stops paying out the game media (step S803). When the control mechanism 513 receives the payout stop signal, if the predetermined amount of game media is currently being paid out, the predetermined amount of game media may be continuously paid out, or may be stopped during the payout. It is good also as a structure made to do.

When the test mode ends, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation mode of the inter-device apparatus 500 is switched from the test mode to the normal operation mode. Specifically, an employee of the game hall uses the instruction input device 106 of the management device 100 to specify the inter-device 500 for switching the operation mode, and switches the operation mode of the specified inter-device 500 The operation is executed (step S901).

Thereafter, the CPU 110 sends a mode switching signal instructing switching to the normal operation mode to each designated inter-unit device 500 (step S902).

The inter-device device 500 that has received the mode switching signal, when switching its own operation mode to the normal operation mode (step S903), sends a switching completion signal to the management device 100 (step S904). When receiving this switching completion signal, the management device 100 rewrites the mode information of the inter-device device 500 stored in the mode information storage area 151 to the normal operation mode (step S905). At this time, it may be displayed on the display 107 that the operation mode of the designated inter-device apparatus 500 has been switched to the normal operation mode. This completes the switching of the inter-device device 500 to the normal operation mode.

As described above, by configuring the management system, it is possible to suppress the work burden of the game hall employees as much as possible.

It should be noted that the management system can be applied at the time of a test hit performed for confirming a defect of the gaming apparatus 200 or the like. If the inter-device 500 provided corresponding to the gaming device 200 to be tested is designated and the management device 100 performs the switching operation and the payout operation of the inter-device 500, the inter-device Since game media is paid out from 500, the work burden on employees and the like can be suppressed as much as possible.

In addition, if the management system is used, it is possible to perform test hitting of the gaming machine while suppressing the work load of the employees of the game hall, so that it is easy to perform the test hitting. Further, if the management apparatus 100 aggregates and manages signals related to operation information such as a ball signal sent out from a gaming machine at the time of a test hit, it is possible to obtain information useful for the management of the game hall.

In particular, when the management device 100 recognizes that a predetermined condition has been established, such as the number of balls in the gaming device 200 reaching a predetermined number, the space provided corresponding to the gaming device 200 Since the apparatus 500 is configured to stop paying out the game media, it is possible to obtain operation information of the gaming apparatus 200 until a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, a predetermined number of balls has been reached. Therefore, as a predetermined condition, when the number of balls as shown in the present embodiment reaches a predetermined number, when the number of hit balls reaches a predetermined number, when the number of big hits reaches a predetermined number, If various states are set and a test is performed, such as when the number of probability fluctuations reaches a predetermined number, operation information of the gaming device 200 in various game situations can be obtained, and management of the game center Can provide useful information.

In addition, since the employees of the game hall need only operate the management apparatus 100 for switching the operation mode of each inter-device 500 and the payout of the game media disposed in the game hall, Centralized and convenient. Further, the CPU 510 is configured to send a payout signal to the payout mechanism 513 every time a predetermined time elapses, so that an additional payout of game media is automatically performed. It is not necessary to perform a new operation on the inter-device 500, and the work burden on the game hall employees at the time of test hitting can be further suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 510 sends a payout signal to the payout mechanism 513 every time a predetermined time elapses, and an additional payout of game media is automatically performed. However, the present invention is limited to this configuration. is not. For example, when the game medium to be used has disappeared from the upper plate 221 of the gaming apparatus 200, an employee or the like may perform a payout operation again using the management apparatus 100.

Further, a modified example of additional payout of game media will be described. As described above, the CPU 110 of the management device 100 manages and counts the number of hit balls calculated based on the hit ball signal sent from the hit ball counting means (not shown) of the gaming device 200. Therefore, as the payout control means, the CPU 110 automatically issues an additional payout of game media from the inter-device 500 provided corresponding to the game device 200 when the number of hit balls reaches a predetermined amount. It is good also as a structure to perform.

Further, as a further modification of the additional payout of game media, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, each counter counter that counts game media paid out from the game machine and sends a count signal corresponding to the count 650 is provided corresponding to the gaming device 200.

Then, the CPU 110 of the management apparatus 100 counts the count signals sent from the respective counters 650 as payout control means, and is provided corresponding to the gaming apparatus 200 when the counted gaming media reaches a predetermined amount. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which an additional payout of game media is automatically performed from the inter-bed apparatus 500.

Further, a further modification of the additional payout of game media will be described. As described above, the CPU 110 of the management device 100 is based on the ball signal sent from the payout detection means (not shown) of the gaming apparatus 200 and the ball signal sent from the shot number counting means (not shown). Manages and aggregates the calculated number of hits and hits. Further, the inter-device 500 is provided with storage means (not shown) for storing the number of game media paid out from the inter-device 500 (the number of payouts) (including ball lending / ball paying out). The number of payouts stored in the means is collected and managed by the management device.

Then, the CPU 110 of the management apparatus 100 aggregates the payout signal, the hitting signal, the count signal sent from each counter 650, and the payout number sent from the inter-device 500 as payout control means. The number of hitting balls and the number of game media counted by each counter 650 are subtracted from the value obtained by adding the number and the number of balls to be played, and the calculated value is compared with a predetermined value set in advance. In the case where it is smaller than the predetermined value, a configuration may be adopted in which additional payout of game media is automatically performed from the inter-device 500 provided corresponding to the gaming device 200. As a result, if it is determined that the number of game media existing on the upper plate of the gaming machine is less than a predetermined value set in advance, the game media is automatically paid out. As the predetermined value set in advance, an appropriate number of game media that should exist on the upper plate of the gaming machine is set.

Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration is shown in which, when a player or the like inputs necessary information using the instruction input device 106, the operation mode of the inter-device device 500 is switched and the payout is performed, but this configuration is limited. Is not to be done.

The modification regarding the switching method of an operation mode is demonstrated using FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, an employee recording medium 700 such as an IC tag in which identification information is stored is distributed in advance to employees of the game hall. The management apparatus 100 is provided with a card reader 111 as a reading unit that reads identification information from the employee recording medium 700. Further, an identification information storage area 153 is provided in the HD 105 as identification information storage means for storing each identification information of the employee recording medium 700. When the CPU 110 receives the identification information from the employee recording medium 700, the CPU 110 calls each identification information stored in the identification information storage area 153, compares it with the received identification information, and authenticates whether or not they match. It plays a role as an authentication means.

The operation mode of the inter-device apparatus 500 may be switched or paid out on the condition that the authentication using the identification information is successful. Also, the success of authentication using this identification information and the input of necessary information using the instruction input device 106 are the conditions for switching the operation mode of the inter-tablet device 500 and for paying out. good. In addition, success of authentication using the identification information may be used as a condition for switching the operation mode of the inter-device 500, and input of necessary information using the instruction input device 106 may be used as a condition for payout. . Further, input of necessary information using the instruction input device 106 may be used as a condition for switching the operation mode of the inter-device apparatus 500, and success of authentication using the identification information may be used as a condition for payout. .

As a method of switching from the test mode different from the normal operation mode to the normal operation mode, a mode switching signal is transmitted from the management device 100, and a plurality of inter-device devices 500 arranged in the game hall are transmitted. In addition to the method of this embodiment for changing the operation mode in a batch, for example, a cancel button (not shown) is provided in each inter-device 500, and when the cancel button is pressed, the operation mode of the inter-device 500 However, the test mode may be switched to the normal operation mode, and a switching completion signal may be sent to the management apparatus 100. By configuring in this way, it is possible to easily switch from the test mode to the normal operation mode even when the game hall employee is not in the vicinity of the management apparatus 100, which is convenient.

Further, as a configuration for paying out from the payout mechanism 513 of the inter-device 500, for example, the inter-device 500 provided corresponding to the gaming device 200 is switched to a test mode different from the normal operation mode. In this state, a payout may be made when an employee of a game hall presses down a call switch provided on the display unit 230. In addition, a human sensor (not shown) that detects the presence of a person is provided in the inter-device 500, and the inter-device 500 provided corresponding to the gaming device 200 enters a test mode that is different from the normal operation mode. In the state of switching, if the presence sensor detects the presence of a person, a payout may be performed.

In the present embodiment, the small hit signal indicating that the gaming device 200 is in the big hit state and the big hit signal indicating that the gaming device 200 is in the big hit state are one of the signals related to the operation information. Although the configuration in which each is sent from 200 is shown, it is not limited to this configuration.

In general, the jackpot duration depends on the type of jackpot. In addition, in the jackpot state, the ball or difference ball (= hit ball-hit ball) generally tends to be within a certain range based on a predetermined probability distribution for each type of jackpot.

Thus, for example, the game device 200 is configured to send a jackpot signal indicating a plurality of types of jackpot states in common to the management device 100, including a jackpot or a jackpot generated in the gaming device 200. . Then, in the management device 100 that has received the jackpot signal that indicates a plurality of types of jackpot states in common, occurrence of any one of jackpots, jackpots, etc., based on the duration of the jackpot, the number of balls in the jackpot state or the number of difference balls It is good also as a structure which determines.

Moreover, in the said Example, although the structure which the game machine 500 pays out game media was shown in the said Example, it is not limited to this structure. The gaming device 200 may be configured to pay out game media. For example, the gaming device 200 may include a payout mechanism. In that case, the CPU 510 sends a payout signal to the gaming device 200. The gaming device 200 that has received the payout signal pays out a predetermined amount of game media.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the management device 100 recognizes that the predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, the number of balls of the gaming device 200 has reached a predetermined number, the management device 100 causes the inter-device 500 to On the other hand, the configuration for sending the payout stop request signal is shown, but the configuration is not limited to this configuration.

For example, when the management device 100 recognizes that a predetermined condition is satisfied, for example, the number of games played by the gaming device 200 has reached a predetermined number, the CPU 110 responds to the gaming device 200 with a mode switching signal. It is good also as a structure which transmits to the inter-device apparatus 500 provided in this and switches the said inter-device apparatus 500 from a test mode to a normal closing mode.

In the above-described embodiment, as the predetermined condition, when the number of balls to be reached reaches a predetermined number, the number of hit balls reaches a predetermined number, the number of hits reaches a predetermined number, the number of small hits is predetermined. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the management apparatus 100 is provided with a real-time clock 112 that measures the current time. Further, when the CPU 110 sends a mode switching signal or a payout signal, the CPU 110 refers to the real time clock 112 and starts measuring time. When a predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 110 sends a payout stop request signal and a mode switch signal to the inter-device 500. Any one of the above signals may be transmitted. Further, the CPU 110 may be configured to send either a payout stop request signal or a mode switching signal to the inter-device device 500 at a predetermined time with reference to the real time clock 112.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like.

The present invention can also be achieved by supplying a program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and reading and executing the program code supplied by the computer of the system or apparatus. Including the case.

Therefore, in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention on a computer, the program itself installed in this computer is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention. In this case, the program providing method includes a method of providing using a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and a DVD, a method of providing via a telecommunication line, and the like.

1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily illustrating an overall configuration of a management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic diagram which illustrated the outline of the external appearance structure of the game device of Example 1 which concerns on this invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily illustrating an overall configuration of a management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the conceptual diagram which showed typically the hardware constitutions of the management apparatus of Example 1 which concerns on this invention. It is the conceptual diagram which showed typically the hardware constitutions of the inter-station apparatus of Example 1 which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of Example 1 which concerns on this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of Example 1 which concerns on this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of Example 1 which concerns on this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of Example 1 which concerns on this invention performs. It is the schematic diagram which illustrated the outline of the external appearance structure of the game device of another Example which concerns on this invention, and each counter. It is the conceptual diagram which showed typically the hardware constitutions of the management apparatus of another Example which concerns on this invention. It is the conceptual diagram which showed typically the hardware constitutions of the management apparatus of another Example which concerns on this invention.

100: management device, 101: ROM, 102: RAM, 103: external storage drive, 104: media, 105: HD, 106: instruction input device, 107: display, 108: I / F, 109: system bus, 110: CPU: 112: Real-time clock, 151: Mode information storage area, 152: Operation information storage area, 153: Identification information storage area, 200: Game device, 210: Game machine, 211: Board surface, 212: Symbol display device, 213: Start winning port, 214: jackpot winning port, 221: upper plate, 222: handle, 230: indicator, 300: stand management device, 400: island management device, 500: inter-device device, 501: ROM, 502: RAM, 505: HD, 506: Instruction input device, 507: Display, 508: I / F, 509: System bus, 51 : CPU, 512: real-time clock 513: control mechanism 601: the network, 602: network 650: the base counting machine, 700: Employee recording medium

Claims (6)

It consists of an inter-device that is provided corresponding to a plurality of gaming machines installed in the game hall, and a management device that is connected to the inter-device.
The management device
Mode control means for switching the operation mode of the inter-device,
Switching operation means used for switching the operation mode of the inter-device,
A payout control command means for sending out a payout stop request signal for requesting stop of payout of the game medium when recognizing the establishment of a predetermined condition while sending out a payout request signal requesting payout of the game medium,
The inter-device is
A switching means for switching own operation mode;
The game medium is paid out when the payout request signal is received, and the game medium is paid out when the payout stop request signal is received, provided that the operation mode of the inter-device is switched to a mode different from the normal operation mode. And a payout means for stopping the management. The gaming machine is configured to output at least a play signal relating to the number of game media paid out in accordance with the winning of the game media,
The management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a case where the number of balls calculated based on the ball output signal reaches a predetermined number. The gaming machine is configured to output at least a jackpot signal indicating that the gaming state is a jackpot state,
The management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a case where the number of jackpots indicating the number of receptions of the jackpot signal has reached a predetermined number. The gaming machine is configured to output at least a probability variation signal indicating that the gaming state is a probability variation state,
2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a case where the number of probability fluctuations indicating the number of receptions of the probability fluctuation signal reaches a predetermined number of times. The gaming machine includes a symbol display device, and is configured to output a symbol confirmation signal when a symbol is confirmed at least in the symbol display device;
The management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a case where the number of symbol determinations based on the symbol determination signal reaches a predetermined number of times. In addition to counting the number of game media that have been driven into the gaming machine, it further comprises hitting number counting means capable of outputting a hitting signal related to the hitting number,
2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a case where the number of hitting balls calculated based on a hitting ball signal output from the hitting ball number counting means reaches a predetermined number. 3. .