JP2013056069A - Game parlor management system and device information setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game parlor management system and a device information setting method by which a game machine management device can be used efficiently on management of game-related devices, such as a game machine and a sandwiched dispensing machine which are installed in a game parlor.SOLUTION: The management device 30 includes: a storage unit for associating and storing at least game-related device specifying information, game machine management device specifying information, and connection port specifying information; and a control unit for assigning head game-related device specifying information from which assignment is started and game-related device specifying information assigned in a predetermined order from the head game-related device specifying information, corresponding to each connection port of the machine management device 10, from one end side to the other side of a range where the game-related device specifying information is assigned, in a game-related device being the same kind of a game-related device from which the assignment is started, and for associating the assigned game-related device specifying information, game machine management device specifying information, and connection port specifying information and storing the associated information in the storage unit.

Description

The present invention relates to a game hall management system and a device information setting method.

In amusement arcades that operate by installing pachinko machines such as CR machines and cash machines, manage various information in the amusement hall in order to improve operational efficiency and meet customer demands. Yes. For example, operation information (operation data) such as the number of games and the number of jackpots of each gaming machine is totaled and managed by a hall computer (management device), which is useful for daily sales. In particular, operation information related to jackpots, such as so-called hitting balls, playing balls, and number of jackpot occurrences, is regarded as important in the sales strategy of amusement halls. For example, the nail adjustment of the pachinko machine is performed based on the number of balls, difference balls, or jackpot occurrences during one jackpot occurrence period.

On the other hand, in addition to gaming machines, there are a plurality of bay machines that rent out game media, a safe that collects cash inserted into the bay machine, and a counter that counts game media. Installed. In addition, a plurality of ticket machines for selling prepaid cards storing valuable values that can be used for games are installed in the game hall.

Operation information based on sales signals, replay signals, counting signals, and other signals output from game-related devices such as inter-machines is also collected and managed by the hall computer.

In general, game-related equipment installed in a game hall such as a game machine or a machine between machines is not directly connected to a hall computer, but is connected via a table management device and an island management device. Therefore, the operation signal output from the gaming machine, the machine between the machines, etc. is relayed by the machine management device or the island management device and transmitted to the hall computer. Therefore, for example, conventionally, for example, four connection units are provided in the table management device, and a maximum of four game machines and inter-game machines are connected to one table management device, and the operation output from each device A configuration in which signals are output together by a stand management device has been adopted.

For example, in the invention shown in Patent Document 1, a plurality of (2 to 4) gaming machines are connected to a base unit (= stand management device), and signals such as a safe signal and an out signal are received from the gaming machine. Thus, there is shown a configuration for transmitting information relating to the safe signal and the out signal to the management device (= hall computer).
JP 2005-152140 A

However, since only one type of device can be recognized for one stand management device on the hall computer side, four game machines, four sets are required to use all the connections of the stand management device. There was nothing other than connecting the same type of equipment as an intercom.

For this reason, for example, if the gaming machine with the machine number 1 is sequentially connected to the machine management device, and finally two gaming machines are left, only the two remaining gaming machines are connected to the machine management device, The remaining connections of the management device had to be unused. This is also the case with game-related devices other than gaming machines, and there is a problem in that the use of the base management device is wasted due to the presence of unused connection portions, making it impossible to use them effectively.

Also, in general, the correspondence between game-related equipment and the table management device is set and stored in the management device, but conventionally, the setting work is complicated, and setting mistakes are constantly made. There has been a situation in which the output operation signal is not properly processed in the management device.

Therefore, in order to deal with the above-described problems, the present invention can effectively use the table management device in managing game-related equipment such as gaming machines and inter-table machines installed in the game hall, It is an object of the present invention to provide a game hall management system and a device information setting method capable of reducing setting mistakes in a setting operation for associating related devices with stand terminal devices.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is a game-related device that is installed in a game hall and outputs an operation signal indicating its own operation status, and a management capable of receiving an operation signal output from the game-related device. A game hall management system comprising: a device, and a table management device provided with a plurality of connection ports so as to be compatible with at least a plurality of the game-related devices as a device that relays between the game-related devices and the management device Because
The management device
Selection of a range for allocating the game-related device identification information, a type of game-related device for starting allocation, and input means for receiving input of the first game-related device identification information for starting allocation;
Storage means for associating and storing game-related device identification information, table management device identification information capable of identifying a table management device, and connection port identification information capable of identifying a connection port;
Based on the range to which the game related device identification information is allocated, the type of game related device to start allocation, and the game related device of the same type as the game related device to start allocation based on the first game related device identification information to start allocation From the one end side of the range to which the game related device specifying information is allocated to the other end side of the range to which the game related device specifying information is allocated, the first game related device specifying information and the first game related device specifying information for starting the allocation Assigning the game-related device identification information allocated in a predetermined order from the corresponding to each connection port of the stand management device,
The game center management system has a control unit that associates and stores the assigned game-related device identification information, the base management device identification information, and the connection port identification information in the storage unit.

The invention of claim 2 is a game-related device that is installed in a game arcade and outputs an operation signal indicating its own operation status, and an operation signal output from the game-related device is used using a connection port provided in itself. In the device information setting method for setting the correspondence with the table management device that receives and outputs to the management device,
A step of accepting creation of a layout of a table management device indicated to have a plurality of connection ports for assigning game-related device identification information;
Selection of a range for allocating game-related device information, a type of game-related device for starting allocation, and receiving input of first game-related device identification information for starting allocation;
One end side of the range in which the selected game-related device information is allocated based on the range in which the game-related device information is received, the type of game-related device to start allocation, and the first game-related device identification information to start allocation To the other end of the range to which the selected game-related device information is allocated, the first game-related device specifying information for starting the allocation and the game-related devices allocated in a predetermined order from the first game-related device specifying information Assigning specific information;
At least storing the allocated game-related device identification information, the device management device identification information capable of identifying the device management device, and the connection port identification information capable of identifying the connection port in the storage means;
It was set as the apparatus information setting method.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the device information setting method according to the second aspect, further comprising a step of sending the table management device specifying information stored in the storage means to the table management device.

The present invention can effectively use a table management device in managing game-related equipment such as gaming machines and inter-table machines installed in a game hall. In addition, a game-related device of the same type as the game-related device that starts allocation simply by a user such as a game hall employee entering game-related device identification information at the top of the game-related device arranged on the game island From the one end side of the range to which the game related device specifying information is allocated to the other end side of the range to which the game related device specifying information is allocated, the first game related device specifying information to start the allocation and the first game related device specifying information Since the game-related device identification information allocated in this order is assigned, the processing performed by the game hall employees and the like is simplified.

A game-related device that is installed in a game hall and outputs an operation signal indicating its own operation status, a management device that can receive an operation signal output from the game-related device, and the game-related device and the management device are relayed A game center management system comprising a table management device provided with a plurality of connection ports so as to be compatible with at least a plurality of the game-related devices,
The management device
Selection of a range for allocating the game-related device identification information, a type of game-related device for starting allocation, and input means for receiving input of the first game-related device identification information for starting allocation;
Storage means for associating and storing game-related device identification information, table management device identification information capable of identifying a table management device, and connection port identification information capable of identifying a connection port;
Based on the range to which the game related device identification information is allocated, the type of game related device to start allocation, and the game related device of the same type as the game related device to start allocation based on the first game related device identification information to start allocation From the one end side of the range to which the game related device specifying information is allocated to the other end side of the range to which the game related device specifying information is allocated, the first game related device specifying information and the first game related device specifying information for starting the allocation Assigning the game-related device identification information allocated in a predetermined order from the corresponding to each connection port of the stand management device,
A gaming machine or table installed in the game hall by having a control unit that associates and stores the assigned game-related device identification information, table management device identification information, and connection port identification information in the storage unit. In managing game-related equipment such as a machine, effective use of the stand management device can be achieved.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

<Arrangement of game-related equipment>
FIG. 1 is an arrangement diagram showing an arrangement of game-related devices such as gaming machines, inter-table machines and safes installed in a game arcade, and a connection example between these devices and a table management device.

As shown in FIG. 1, a gaming machine 1 such as a plurality of pachinko machines and slot machines is arranged in a game hall with a table machine 2 provided corresponding to each gaming machine 1. A and B are constituted. The game islands A and B are both provided with game machines 1 on both sides of the island. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, when the island is formed facing the wall of the game hall, etc. The gaming machine 1 may be configured to have only one side. In addition, each gaming machine 1 has a machine number that is an example of game-related device identification information that identifies each gaming machine 1 (for example, the gaming machine 1 at the left end of FIG. , 6, 7 etc.).

<Configuration of gaming machine 1>
The gaming machine 1 will be described by taking as an example a pachinko machine that pays out pachinko balls that are gaming media in response to the occurrence of a predetermined winning event.

The configuration of the gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the outline of the external configuration of the gaming machine 100.

The gaming machine 1 is provided with a board surface 111. On the board surface 111, a symbol display device 113, a start winning port 114, a jackpot winning port 115, an out port 116, a normal winning port (not shown), and a number of game nails (not shown). Etc.) are provided.

The symbol display device 113 is, for example, a CRT or a liquid crystal that displays a lottery result or an effect display by a symbol combination or a demo display. The symbol display device 113 scrolls and displays a plurality of types of symbols variably from the top to the bottom on the condition that the pachinko ball has passed through the start winning opening 114 and the start winning has occurred. In addition, when the lottery is completed, the symbol display device 113 displays any one of a plurality of specific symbols determined in advance according to the lottery result. For example, if the winner of the lottery is selected, a jackpot symbol such as “777” or “333” is displayed.

When the pachinko ball launched into the gaming machine 1 by operating the handle (not shown) or the like wins, the start winning opening 114 detects the winning of the pachinko ball. As a result, a start prize is generated and a lottery is performed on a game control board (not shown) provided inside the gaming machine 1. When winning (as described above, a specific symbol is confirmed in the symbol display device 113), a jackpot state occurs. When the jackpot state occurs, the gaming machine 1 starts sending the jackpot signal to the outside (= the jackpot signal rises), and when the gaming machine 1 finishes the jackpot state, the gaming machine 1 stops sending the jackpot signal (= The jackpot signal falls).

The jackpot winning opening 115 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 115, a considerable number of pachinko balls (for example, 15 for each winning pachinko ball) are paid out.

The out port 116 is a collection port that collects the game medium when the game medium launched into the gaming machine 1 does not win any of the winning winning ports such as the start winning port 113 and the jackpot winning port 114. .

The gaming machine 1 also includes an interface (not shown) for sending an operation signal indicating the operation status of the gaming machine 1 to an external device.

The operation signal sent to the outside from the gaming machine 1 includes a ball signal that can specify the number of game media (= balls) discharged from the game machine 1 and a game medium that is paid out from the game machine 1 (= A ball signal indicating the number of balls) and a jackpot signal indicating that the gaming machine 1 is in a jackpot state. As will be described later, the hitting signal is not strictly a signal transmitted from the gaming machine 1 to the outside, but in this specification, it is treated as an operation signal output from the gaming machine 1. For example, the hitting signal can be configured to output a pulse in accordance with the discharge of the game medium from the gaming machine 1. This will be specifically described below.

A gaming medium that has passed through any prize opening, such as the start prize opening 114 provided in the gaming machine 1, and a gaming medium that has not passed through any prize opening and has passed through the outlet 116 of the gaming machine 1, 1 is discharged to the outside of the gaming machine 1 through a game medium discharge port (not shown) provided at the lower back of the game machine 1. A so-called out box (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the game medium outlet. The outbox is provided with a receiving tray for receiving game media and counting means for counting the game media. The outbox receives the game media discharged from the gaming machine 1 in a receiving tray, counts these game media as game media (= hit balls) launched into the gaming machine 1 and counts them with a counting means. (Not shown) and collected. Then, the counting means outputs one pulse of the hitting signal for 10 counted game media.

In addition, the payout signal can be configured to output a pulse in accordance with the payout of the game medium from the gaming machine 1 accompanying the winning. In other words, the game machine main body 1 is provided with a payout detection means for detecting the payout of game media (not shown), and when the payout detection means detects the payout of game media, it outputs a one-ball signal for every 10 payouts. .

Further, in this embodiment, one pulse output signal is output for every 10 discharges and one output signal is output for every 10 payouts. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A single ball signal may be output for each one, and a single ball signal may be output for each payout number, or the number of game media units that output one pulse may be other than that.

In addition, when the management system in the present embodiment has a configuration as illustrated in FIG. 3 described later, for example, these signals are transmitted from the gaming machine 1 to the management device via the table management device 10 and the island management device 20. 30. Alternatively, for example, in the case of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 to be described later, the data is transferred from the gaming machine 1 to the management device 30 via the table management device 10.

In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a configuration in which a ball signal, a hit signal, and a jackpot signal are used as operation signals sent from the gaming machine 1 to the outside is shown, but the operation signals are limited to these signals. However, for example, a probability variation signal indicating that the gaming machine 1 is in the probability variation state, a signal indicating that the symbol has been determined, or the like may be included.

<Configuration of inter-machine 2>
The inter-machine 2 is a ball lending machine or a medal lending machine, and is provided corresponding to the gaming machine 1. This intermediary machine 2 accepts a prepaid card or the like in which a player inserts cash or stores a valuable value that can be used for a game, pays out a predetermined amount of game media such as pachinko balls and medals, and the game played by the player The game with machine 1 is enabled.

Also, the number of stored balls related to the game medium deposited by the player at the amusement hall is received from the management device 30 (described later), and based on the received number of stored balls, a predetermined amount of pachinko balls and medals according to the replay operation by the player The game medium such as is paid back to the player.

Further, the inter-machine 2 is connected to the management device 30 and can be used to identify a sales signal that can specify the number of game media lent to the player and a re-use that can specify the number of game media paid back to the player from the stored ball. The play signal is output to the management device 30. For example, a 1-pulse sales signal is output every time 25 game media are lent out, and a 1-pulse replay signal is output every time 25 game media are paid out.

Note that display means (not shown) may be further provided to display various game-related information generated in connection with the game on the gaming machine 1. Of course, the intermediary machine 2 may be a so-called CR unit that can instruct the gaming machine 1 to pay out gaming media when lending balls.

<Configuration of other game-related equipment>
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a safe 3 for collecting and storing cash inserted into the inter-machine 2 is disposed at one end of the game islands A and B. Further, a counter 4 for counting game media such as pachinko balls acquired as a result of a player playing a game with the game machine 1 is disposed at the other ends of the game islands A and B and at the wall of the game hall. In addition, a ticket vending machine 5 for selling a prepaid card for a game in which a valuable value used for the game is stored is disposed near the wall of the game hall.

All of the game-related devices such as the gaming machine 1, the intercom machine 2, the safe 3, and the counter 4 are connected to the base management device 10. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 and the inter-table machine 2 are connected to the base management device 10 via a call lamp 7 incorporating a relay board (not shown) for relaying signals. ing. On the other hand, the safe 3, the counter 4, and the ticket vending machine 5 are directly connected to the table management device 10. In addition, in FIG. 1, it is an example of the connection of the stand management apparatus 10, Comprising: Of course, the connection method is not limited to this.

<Configuration of management system>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram exemplarily showing the system configuration of the management system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the management system includes a game-related device such as the gaming machine 1, a table management device 10, an island management device 20, a management device 30, and a network 41 that connects these devices. Each device will be described in detail below.

The configuration of the management system illustrated in FIG. 3 is a basic one for explaining the configuration according to the present embodiment. When the management system is operated in an actual game arcade, if the management device 30 can obtain an operation signal related to the operation status of each game-related device from the table management device 10, the usage, purpose, arrangement of the device, etc. Various configurations can be made based on the constraints. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the table management device 10 may be connected to the management device 30, and the management device 500 may be configured to acquire an operation signal related to the operation status directly from the table management device 10. In the case of the configuration as shown in FIG. 3, the relay device such as the table management device 10 or the island management device 20 performs processing for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, processing for converting the signal into a packet of a predetermined format, and the like. There is a case. Since these processes are obvious to those skilled in the art, description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.

<Configuration of stand management device 10>
The table management device 10 acquires an operation signal related to the operation status from the game-related equipment installed in the game arcade such as the connected gaming machine 1 or the machine between the machines 2, and sends it to the island management device 20, the management device 30 and the like. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, four game-related devices are connected to one table management device 10. However, in other embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which two game-related devices are connected to one device management apparatus 10 or a configuration in which more game-related devices are connected may be possible. . In this embodiment, in the case of a combination in which one gaming machine 1 and one inter-table machine 2 are combined, description will be made as one gaming-related device. Further, each game-related device and the table management device 10 are connected using a connection port (not shown) provided in the table management device 10. Further, in this embodiment, when the table management apparatus 10 acquires an operation signal from a game-related device such as the connected gaming machine 1, a port number set in advance corresponding to each game-related device connection port, The management apparatus 10 itself is added with the base management apparatus specifying information set by a rotary switch or the like, and the operation signal is sent to the island management apparatus 20.

The storage management device 10 is provided with storage means (not shown) to accumulate operation information based on the operation signal received from the game-related device and requested from the operation signal received from the game-related device or the management device 30. Alternatively, a configuration for sending predetermined operation information may be used. If comprised in this way, it can function as backup, such as when acquisition of a signal fails or information is lost in the management device 30 or the island management device 20. Further, if the operation management information is stored in the base management device 10, the load on the management device 30 and the island management device 20 can be reduced.

<Configuration of Island Management Device 20>
The island management device 20 is an information processing device that mediates the connection between the table management device 10 and the management device 30. In the management system of the present embodiment, the plurality of table management devices 10 are classified into one or more groups, and the island management device 20 manages the table management device 10 for each group. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the island management device 20 is connected to a plurality of table management devices 10. However, it is a matter of course that other embodiments are not limited to this. In addition, each stand management apparatus 10 and the island management apparatus 20 are connected using a port (not shown) provided in the island management apparatus 20. Further, in this embodiment, when the island management device 20 acquires the operation signal transmitted from the connected base management device 10, the island management device identification information set by a rotary switch or the like provided in the island management device 20 itself is obtained. In addition, the operation signal is transmitted to the management device 30.

The storage unit (not shown) is provided in the island management device 20 to accumulate operation information based on the operation signal received from the table management device 10, and from the operation signal received from the table management device 10 or the management device 30. A configuration may be adopted in which requested predetermined operation information is transmitted. With this configuration, the management device 30 can function as a backup in the case where signal acquisition fails or information is lost. Further, if the island management device 20 is configured to accumulate operation information, the load on the management device 30 can be reduced.

In addition, as a method for specifying the base management device 10 and the island management device 20, the configuration of transmitting the base management device specifying information and the island management device specifying information that can identify itself is illustrated, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, an IP address may be assigned to the base management device 10 or the island management device 20 in advance, and the base management device 10 or the island management device 20 may be specified based on the IP address.

<Configuration of Management Device 30>
The management device 30 is an information processing device that manages the entire management system and counts and manages operation signals output from each game-related device such as the gaming machine 1 or the inter-vehicle machine 2. The management device 30 is realized by, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a workstation (WS).

Next, the hardware configuration of the management apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the management apparatus 30. As shown in FIG.

The external recording medium connection unit 303 is for realizing access to a medium, and can load a program or the like stored in the medium (recording medium) 304 into the management apparatus 30. The medium 304 includes, for example, a flexible disk (FD), CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, PC card, DVD, IC memory card, MO, memory stick, and the like.

The storage unit 305 has, for example, an HDD (= hard disk drive) that functions as a large-capacity memory. The storage unit 305 stores application programs, OS, control programs, related programs, and the like.

The storage unit 305 is provided with an operation information storage area 351 and a device information storage area 352. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the operation information storage area 351 and the device information storage area 352 may be provided in the medium 304.

The operation information storage area 351 stores operation information for each game-related device installed in the game hall. In other words, the game-related device identification information that can identify each game-related device is divided into pieces of operation information. In addition, the operation information is calculated based on, for example, the number of hitting balls, the number of hitting balls, the number of jackpots calculated based on the operation signal output from the gaming machine 1 and the operation signal output from the inter-machine 2. The number of game media sold (= the number of game media lent out by the player) and the number of replays (= the number of game media paid out from the player's so-called savings) are included.

In addition, the storage unit 305 associates island management device identification information, platform management device identification information and port numbers (an example of connection port identification information) with game-related device identification information that can identify each game-related device. A stored device information storage area 352 is provided. Thus, for example, the gaming machine 1 connected to the port 1 of the first stand management apparatus 20 connected to the first island management apparatus 20 is the gaming machine 1 having the first stand number. It becomes possible to specify game-related equipment such as.

The storage unit 305 may have a configuration in which a program such as a basic I / O program and various data used in basic processing are stored, for example, a ROM (= Read Only Memory). Further, the storage unit 305 may have, for example, a RAM (= Random Access Memory) that functions as a main memory, a work area, or the like of the control unit 310 for temporarily storing various data.

The input unit 306 is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse), or a touch panel. Using the input means 306, an employee of the game hall instructs the management device 30 to input a command or the like for controlling the management device 30.

The display unit 307 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and displays a command input from the input unit 306, a response output of the management apparatus 30 for the command, and the like.

The bus 309 controls the flow of data in the management device 30 and is a signal line that connects each device such as the control unit 310 and the storage unit 305 in the management device 30. A communication unit 308 exchanges data with an external device via the communication unit 308.

The control unit 310 is, for example, a CPU (= Central Processing Unit), and executes an application program, an operating system (OS), a control program, and the like stored in the storage unit 305, and is necessary for executing the program in the storage unit 305. Control to temporarily store information, files, etc.

In addition, the control unit 310 divides the operation information into game-related device specifying information that can specify each game-related device based on the operation signal received from the game-related device such as the gaming machine 1, and the operation of the storage unit 305 is performed. Control to be stored in the information storage area 351 is performed.

The control means 310 operates the operation information that is sent from the gaming machine 1 at any time, in association with the game-related device identification information, cumulatively for each gaming state, or cumulatively regardless of the gaming state. It is good also as a structure which performs control memorize | stored in the information storage area 351. FIG. Further, it is also possible to store the operation information during the jackpot period and during the period that is not in the jackpot period in time series in association with the occurrence / end time of the jackpot.

In addition, the control unit 310 performs control to display a game island addition screen on the display unit 307 such as a display. Further, the control unit 310 performs a control for creating a layout of the game island based on the input information and displaying the layout on the display unit 307.

Further, the control means 310 performs control for identifying the type of game-related equipment to be assigned to the table management device 10 based on the input information and assigning game-related equipment identification information to each of the game-related equipment. At the same time, control for displaying the allocation result on the display means 307 is performed. Further, the control means 310 performs control to store the game related device specifying information assigned to each game related device, the island management device specifying information, the base management device specifying information, and the port number in the device information storage area 352 in association with each other.

In addition, it can also comprise as a substitute of a hardware apparatus with the software which implement | achieves a function equivalent to the above each means.

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 304 into the RAM or the like of the storage unit 305 and executed, but in addition to this, the program according to the present embodiment is also executed. Each time the operation is performed, the program may be loaded from the HDD or the like of the storage unit 305 in which the program is already installed into the RAM or the like of the storage unit 305. It is also possible to store the program according to the present embodiment in the ROM or the like of the storage unit 305, configure it as a part of the memory map, and execute it directly by the control unit 310.

In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a configuration in which the management device 30 is realized by a single device will be described. However, the management device 30 may be realized by a configuration in which resources are distributed to a plurality of devices. 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 30 and parallel processing may be performed.

<Network configuration>
The network 41 is typically a LAN (Local Area Network), but may have any configuration as long as it 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), serial connection, etc. may be used. As a communication protocol on the network 41, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) can be adopted.

<Processing flow of the game hall management system>
Next, processing executed by the game hall management system in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

When a user such as a game hall employee operates the input unit 306 such as a keyboard or a pointing device of the management apparatus 30, the control unit 310 causes the display unit 307 such as a display to display a game island addition screen as shown in FIG. Control is performed (step S601). While viewing the displayed game island addition screen, a user such as an amusement hall employee displays the number of the game island to be added, the safe 3 of the game island (in FIG. 7, the safe 3 is displayed as an island safe). If there is a safe 3 on the island, the number of the safe (this is an example of game-related device identification information, and the number of the safe is shown as the device number in FIG. 9), the game Whether the gaming machine 1 is arranged on both sides or one side on the island, the number of gaming machines 1 per side (in FIG. 7, the gaming machine 1 is indicated as a game table), on one side. Of the gaming machines 1 to be arranged, the machine number of the first gaming machine 1 (an example of gaming-related equipment specifying information), and when the gaming machine 1 is arranged on both sides of the gaming island, the gaming machine arranged on the other side 1, information such as the machine number of the first gaming machine 1 is input using the input means 306 (step S602). In this embodiment, when the machine number of the first gaming machine 1 is input, the machine number of the terminal gaming machine 1 is automatically calculated and displayed based on the inputted number of gaming machines 1 per side. . FIG. 7 shows an example in which the terminal number of the terminal gaming machine 1 is calculated and displayed as “23”. This is the machine number of the terminal game machine 1 when the machine number is assigned with a so-called 49 without (a number containing at least one of “4” and “9” is not used as the machine number). In the example, the machine number is set in advance so as to be assigned without 49. In addition, in this embodiment, in addition to the number of gaming machines 1 per one side, the game machine 1 arranged on one side is configured to input the number of the first gaming machine 1 (game number). Only the number of winning gaming machines 1 may be input.

Then, when the input information 306 is confirmed using the input means 306, the control means 310 creates a layout of the game island based on the input information and displays the layout on the display means 307 as shown in FIG. The display control is performed (step S603).

In FIG. 8, the game related apparatus specific information allocation screen displayed on the display means 307 is shown. In the upper left of this allocation screen, a menu 802 for displaying a list of game-related devices to be allocated and specific information of the first game-related device among the game-related devices to be allocated (the start number is displayed in FIG. 8). )), A radio button 804 for receiving an input of an allocation direction of the game-related device identification information, an execution button 805 for accepting an operation for confirming the input information, and adding a game-related device to the menu 802 An add button 806 for accepting an operation is displayed.

In the lower part of the assignment screen, a layout of the game island created based on the input information is displayed in a cell 801. In addition, a text box 807 that accepts an input of the number of table management devices 10 arranged on the island and a plurality of push buttons 808 that accept an operation of confirming the number of entered table management devices 10 are displayed on the upper right of the allocation screen. Has been. The text box 807 and the push button 808 are used when adding or deleting the gaming machine 1 from the layout in units of table management devices after creating the layout of the game island. Furthermore, at the lower right of the assignment screen, a confirmation button 809 for accepting an operation for storing the input information in the device information storage area 352 and a cancel operation for canceling the content entered on the screen without confirming the content are displayed. A button 810 is displayed. When the confirm button 809 is pressed, the game related device specifying information assigned to each game related device, the island management device specifying information, the table management device specifying information, and the port number are stored in the device information storage area 352 in association with each other.

In the input example shown in FIG. 7, the gaming machines 1 are arranged on both sides on the gaming island, and the number of gaming machines 1 per side is 19, so in FIG. 8, the gaming machines 1 are arranged on both sides. The layout of amusement islands showing the number of terminal devices 10 corresponding to the number of 1 and their connection ports is displayed. In FIG. 8, the island management device 20 having “island 1” (indicating that the island number as an example of the island management device identification information is “1”) includes an “L” port and an “R” port. Are provided, and the table management devices 10 each having the table management device identification information “2” to “6” are identified as five on the upper side (“L” port side), and the table management devices “2” to “6” are identified. A total of 10 base management apparatuses 10 each having information are connected to the lower side ("R" port side), and four connections from "1" to "4" are connected to each base management apparatus 10 A configuration with ports is shown. In FIG. 7 to FIG. 11, for example, the base management device specifying information of the second terminal device 10 on the L port side is displayed as “L-2”, but this is for easy viewing by the user. For example, the base management device identification information of the second terminal device 10 on the L port side is stored in the device information storage area 352 as “2” as shown in FIG. This is expressed as “L-2” or the like as the base management device specifying information of the terminal device 10). Further, in this embodiment, the island management device identification information such as “Island 1” of the island management device 20 and the platform management device identification information such as “L-2” of the platform management device 10 are stored in the gaming machines 1 on both sides of the island. When the number is input, the control unit 310 automatically assigns the number.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, a user such as a game hall employee uses the input means 306 such as a pointing device to designate a range in which game-related device identification information is assigned (step S604). In FIG. 9, a blank cell 801 on the upper stage side (“L” side) of the game island is designated. Furthermore, a user such as a game hall employee selects the type of game-related equipment to be assigned (a pachinko machine as an example of the gaming machine 1 is selected in FIG. 9), and the game-related equipment of the first game-related equipment. Information such as specific information (“start number” in FIG. 9), game-related device identification information allocation direction (= from which direction in the specified range the game-related device identification information is allocated), etc. Input (step S605). Then, when a confirmation operation (depressing the execution button 805) of the information input using the input unit 306 is performed, the control unit 310, based on the input information, the type of game-related equipment to be assigned for the specified range. And assigning game-related device identification information to each of these game-related devices (step S606). Then, as shown in FIG. 10, control is performed to display the assignment result on the display means 307.

Further, when a user such as a game hall employee performs the operations of steps S604 to S605 described above for the safe 3, the control unit 310 also assigns game-related device specifying information for the safe 3.

As a result, it is displayed on the display means 307 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, “P” in the upper part of the cell 801 indicates that the type of device assigned to the connection port is a pachinko machine, and “safe” in the upper part of the cell 801 is assigned to the connection port. It shows that the device type is the safe 3. The numbers at the bottom of the cell 801 indicate the machine number of the pachinko machine or the device number of the safe 3 (an example of game-related device identification information). Thus, for example, the second connection port of the “L-2” base management device 10 connected to the island management device 20 of “Island 1” indicates that the pachinko machine having the number 1 is assigned, This indicates that the island safe 3 having the device number 2001 is assigned to the first connection port of the “L-2” base management apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, the machine number is indicated by so-called 49, but it is natural that the serial number may be displayed without performing so-called 49 removal.

In addition, when a user such as a game hall employee performs the above-described steps S604 to S605 in order to assign game-related equipment to the lower side of “Island 1”, the control means 310 displays the lower side of “Island 1”. Similarly, the game-related equipment identification information is assigned to the game-related equipment on the side, and control is performed to display the assignment result on the display means 307 as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the fourth connection port of the “R-6” base management apparatus 10 connected to the island management apparatus 20 of “Island 1” is an example of the counter 4 with the device number 3001. It is shown that a pachinko counter is assigned.

Then, when a user such as an amusement hall employee pushes down the confirm button 809 using the input means 306, the control means 310 causes the game related equipment specifying information and island management device specifying information assigned to each game related equipment, Control for storing the base management device specifying information and the connection port number in the device information storage area 352 is performed (step S607). It should be noted that employees of the game hall are assigned to the management device by operating a rotary switch provided on each island management device 20 or a rotary switch (not shown) provided on each stand management device 10. The numbers of the island management device 20 and the table management device 10 are set so as to match the specific information. Alternatively, when the island management device 20 and the base management device 10 have storage means (not shown), each island management device 20 and the base management device 10 is based on the information stored in the device information storage area 352. The management device 30 transmits each island management device identification information, platform management device identification information, etc., and each island management device 20 and platform management device 10 receives their own island management device identification information and platform management device identification information. May be stored in the storage means. When the island management device identification information and the table management device identification information stored in the device information storage area 352 are transmitted to the island management device 20 and the table management device 10 and stored in this manner, for example, every business day of the game hall The management device 30 may be configured to send it out when the store is opened, or may be sent out whenever there is a registration / change or the like.

An example of game-related device specifying information stored in the device information storage area 352 by the control means 310 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the island management device number (= island management device specifying information) and its port (“L port” to “R port”), the stand management device number (= stand management device specifying information) and its port number (1 to 2). 4) The device number (including the machine number) as the game-related device specifying information and the type of the device are stored in association with each other.

As described above, when game-related device identification information is assigned to a game-related device, the game-related device needs to be registered in the menu 802 in advance. Therefore, a flow when registering / adding a game-related device to the menu 802 will be described below. When a game-related device to which game-related device identification information is to be assigned is not registered in the menu 802 in which the device list is displayed, a user such as a game hall employee uses the input means 306. Then, an add button 806 is pressed. Then, a game-related device registration / addition screen is displayed on the display means 307 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13B, a game-related device to be registered / added is selected using a pull-down menu 1201 for selecting a game-related device, and the specific information of the device (displayed as a device number and a display in FIG. 13). Is entered.) Then, using the setting button 1203, the input information is confirmed. As a result, the registered / added game-related device is registered in the menu 802.

As described above, the game-related device specifying information, the base management device specifying information, and the island management device specifying information are stored in association with each other, so that, for example, the operation signal output from the gaming machine 1 is sent to the second port via the second port. When the base management device 10 receives the information, the base management device 10 receives information corresponding to its own base management device setting information (“2”) set by a rotary switch or the like and information corresponding to the received port number (second port). And an operation signal is output to the island management device 20. The first island management device 20 that has received this via the L port receives information corresponding to its own island management device identification information (“1”) set by a rotary switch or the like and the received port number (L port). ) Is added and sent to the management apparatus 30. The management device 30 that has received this information receives the island management device identification information, the port number of the island management device 20, the table management device identification information and the port number of the table management device 10, and the corresponding storage in the device information storage area 352. By checking the information, the device number (unit number) 1 is associated with the second port of the second unit management device 10 connected to the L port of the first island management device 20. It will be specified that it is a gaming machine 1 (pachinko machine). When the output source of the operation signal is specified in this way, operation information is calculated by a predetermined method, and the operation information is stored in the operation information storage area 351 for each gaming machine 1 or each model of the gaming machine 1. Accumulate.

By configuring the game hall management system as described above, it is possible to effectively use the table management device in managing game-related equipment such as game machines and inter-table machines installed in the game hall. That is, a plurality of types of game-related devices (for example, a gaming machine and a safe) can be assigned to one terminal device, and the connection port of the table management device can be used without waste. In addition, a game-related device of the same type as the game-related device that starts allocation simply by a user such as a game hall employee entering game-related device identification information at the top of the game-related device arranged on the game island From the one end side of the range to which the game related device specifying information is allocated to the other end side of the range to which the game related device specifying information is allocated, the first game related device specifying information to start the allocation and the first game related device specifying information Since the game-related device identification information allocated in this order is assigned, the processing performed by the game hall employees and the like is simplified. In addition, the game hall employees can work while viewing the display of the amusement islands imaged based on the actual arrangement of the equipment. Work can be performed in an atmosphere close to the equipment layout of the amusement hall, and work errors can be reduced.

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.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows illustratively arrangement | positioning of the game related apparatus installed in the game arcade of one Example of this invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily showing an overall configuration of a gaming machine of a game hall management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily showing an overall configuration of a game hall management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily showing an overall configuration of a game hall management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows illustartively the hardware constitutions of the management apparatus of the game hall management system of one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the game hall management system of one Example of this invention performs. It is a schematic diagram which shows illustratively the screen of the management apparatus of one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows illustratively the screen of the management apparatus of one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows illustratively the screen of the management apparatus of one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows illustratively the screen of the management apparatus of one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows illustratively the screen of the management apparatus of one Example of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the information memorize | stored in the apparatus information storage area of one Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows illustratively the screen of the management apparatus of one Example of this invention.

A: Amusement Island, B: Amusement Island,
1: gaming machine, 111: board surface, 113: symbol display device, 114: start winning port, 115: jackpot winning port, 116: out port,
2: stand machine,
3: Safe,
4: Counter,
5: Ticket vending machine 7: Call lamp 10: Stand management device,
20: Island management device,
30: Management device, 303: External storage medium connection means, 304: Media, 305: Storage means, 306: Input means, 307: Display means, 308: Communication means, 309: Bus, 310: Control means, 351: Operation information Storage area 352: Device information storage area 41: Network 801: Cell, 802: Menu, 803: Text box, 804: Radio button, 805: Execution button, 806: Add button, 807: Text box, 808: Push button, 809: Confirm button, 810: Cancel button 1201: Pull down menu, 1202: Text box, 1203: Setting button

Claims (3)

A game-related device that is installed in a game hall and outputs an operation signal indicating its own operation status, a management device that can receive an operation signal output from the game-related device, and the game-related device and the management device are relayed A game center management system comprising a table management device provided with a plurality of connection ports so as to be compatible with at least a plurality of the game-related devices,
The management device
Selection of a range for allocating the game-related device identification information, a type of game-related device for starting allocation, and input means for receiving input of the first game-related device identification information for starting allocation;
Storage means for associating and storing game-related device identification information, table management device identification information capable of identifying a table management device, and connection port identification information capable of identifying a connection port;
Based on the range to which the game related device identification information is allocated, the type of game related device to start allocation, and the game related device of the same type as the game related device to start allocation based on the first game related device identification information to start allocation From the one end side of the range to which the game related device specifying information is allocated to the other end side of the range to which the game related device specifying information is allocated, the first game related device specifying information and the first game related device specifying information for starting the allocation Assigning the game-related device identification information allocated in a predetermined order from the corresponding to each connection port of the stand management device,
A game place management system comprising: a control means for associating and assigning the assigned game-related equipment specification information, the base management device specification information and the connection port specification information to the storage means. A game-related device that is installed in the game hall and outputs an operation signal indicating its own operation status, and a table that receives the operation signal output from the game-related device using the connection port provided in itself and outputs it to the management device In the device information setting method for setting the correspondence with the management device,
A step of accepting creation of a layout of a table management device indicated to have a plurality of connection ports for assigning game-related device identification information;
Selection of a range for allocating game-related device information, a type of game-related device for starting allocation, and receiving input of first game-related device identification information for starting allocation;
One end side of the range in which the selected game-related device information is allocated based on the range in which the game-related device information is received, the type of game-related device to start allocation, and the first game-related device identification information to start allocation To the other end of the range to which the selected game-related device information is allocated, the first game-related device specifying information for starting the allocation and the game-related devices allocated in a predetermined order from the first game-related device specifying information Assigning specific information;
At least storing the allocated game-related device identification information, the device management device identification information capable of identifying the device management device, and the connection port identification information capable of identifying the connection port in the storage means;
A device information setting method characterized by comprising: The apparatus information setting method according to claim 2, further comprising a step of sending the table management device specifying information stored in the storage unit to the table management device.