JP2016158783A - Data transfer system for game house and display device for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience for managers and employees of a game house.SOLUTION: A display device for a game machine 6 includes a display part 61, a display image storage part 64, an update image storage part 65, and a control part 60 for executing control to display a display image of the display image storage part 64 in the display part. The control part 60 executes control to write an update image received from a management computer 1 in the update image storage part 65 before an image update condition is established, and execute control to replace the display image of the display image storage part 64 with the update image stored in the update image storage part 65 when the image update condition is established and writing of the update image in the update image storage part 65 is completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device for gaming machines installed for each gaming machine and a data transfer system for a game hall that transfers data to the display devices for gaming machines.

  Conventionally, as a display device for gaming machines, historical data such as the number of games on the previous day or the day of gaming machines, the number of jackpots, the number of jackpots, character information such as news and announcements from halls, relatively data such as dot images, graphs, etc. Some display data with small capacity.

  On the other hand, in recent years, display devices for gaming machines are equipped with a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal monitor) configured to be capable of various displays of images, moving images, and the like (hereinafter also simply referred to as images) ( For example, Patent Document 1). Thereby, for example, the display device for each gaming machine is displayed with an image corresponding to the gaming machine connected thereto, for example, how to play the gaming machine, or the image related to the gaming machine is a background image of the jackpot image. It is possible to display the game as a user, and it is possible to improve the convenience of the player and enhance the feeling of lifting. Furthermore, for the purpose of making it easy to see images and the like, and enhancing the production effect, the display section has been increased in size and the display image quality has been improved.

  Generally, in a display device for a gaming machine, the display control unit reads image data stored in a storage unit such as a ROM and displays the image data on the display unit, and an image to be displayed on the display device for the gaming machine. Such data (hereinafter also referred to as image data) is transferred from the management computer to each display device for gaming machines via a repeater such as a hub.

JP 2014-94231 A

  By the way, when displaying an image corresponding to a gaming machine on each gaming machine display device, for example, when replacing a gaming machine, an image corresponding to the gaming machine after replacement is displayed on each gaming machine display device. Need to be transferred to. During the business hours of the game hall, since the player is playing with the gaming machine before the exchange, data such as an image corresponding to the gaming machine after the exchange cannot be rewritten in the storage unit. Therefore, conventionally, when replacing the gaming machine, it has been necessary to transfer an image corresponding to the replaced gaming machine from the management computer to each gaming machine display device after the business hours.

  Here, the image data of the display device for each gaming machine is transferred from the management computer for each predetermined group of gaming machines that perform the replacement work (for example, for each so-called gaming island in which a plurality of gaming machines are installed adjacent to each other). Or for each of a plurality of gaming machine groups in the gaming island), the data capacity of the image data to be transferred increases with the increase in the size of the display unit and the increase in the display image quality. In some cases, it takes several hours to transfer the group data (rewrite the image data stored in the storage unit). The gaming machine replacement work is generally performed for a plurality of groups (amusement islands, gaming machine groups), and the data transfer may take up to the last business hours of the next day. As a result, in order to perform verification work after image data transfer, it is necessary for the game hall manager or employees to wait until the end of the transfer time, or human error or network failure occurs in image data transfer. There is a problem that the back man-hours increase in the case of.

  In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to improve convenience for game hall managers, employees, and the like by optimizing control of a display device for gaming machines.

  In the display device for gaming machines according to the present invention, the control unit performs control to write the update image received from the management computer into the update image storage unit before the image update condition is satisfied, and the image update condition is satisfied, and When the update image is written into the update image storage unit, the display image in the display image storage unit is replaced with the update image stored in the update image storage unit.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the display device for gaming machines connected to each of the management computer for the gaming hall and the gaming machine so that bidirectional communication is possible, the operation data of the gaming machine and the gaming machine A display unit that displays at least one of the images corresponding to the machine, a display image storage unit that stores a display image to be displayed on the display unit, an update image storage unit that stores an update image to be displayed on the display unit, and A control unit that performs control to display the image stored in the display image storage unit on the display unit, and the control unit receives the update image from the management computer before a predetermined image update condition is satisfied. Receiving and starting writing control to the updated image storage unit, the image update condition is satisfied, and writing of the updated image to the updated image storage unit is completed If it is, and to perform control to replace the display image of the display image storing unit on the updated image stored in the update image storage unit.

  According to this aspect, the control unit receives an update image (for example, an image corresponding to a gaming machine installed after replacement work) from the management computer before the image update condition is satisfied (for example, before the end of business), In addition to performing control for writing to the update image storage unit, when the image update condition is satisfied (for example, the business hours end), and writing of the update image to the update image storage unit is completed, the update is stored in the display image storage unit. Control is performed to replace a display image (for example, an image corresponding to a gaming machine installed before replacement work) with the updated image. Thus, for example, when writing of the update image to the update image storage unit is completed before the image update condition is satisfied, the image in the display image storage unit is replaced from the display image to the update image when the image update condition is satisfied. It is done. Therefore, for example, even when it is necessary to transmit separate images to a plurality of display devices for gaming machines, the display devices for each gaming machine can replace the images from the update image storage unit to the display image storage unit. Since it can be performed in parallel, the time can be significantly shortened as compared with the case where image transfer is started after the end of business hours. In a general game arcade, the communication speed of the network between the management computer and the display device for gaming machines (for example, RS485 communication according to EIA (Electronic Industries Association) standard) is the communication speed in the display device for gaming machines. Compared to speed, it may be significantly slower, in which case a particularly significant effect is obtained. In addition, since the image memorize | stored in the display image memory | storage part is displayed on a display part, the display image of the said display part is influenced by writing of the update image to the update image memory | storage part before establishment of image update conditions. There is nothing.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, in the display device for gaming machine connected to the gaming machine management computer and the gaming machine so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, the operation data of the gaming machine and the image corresponding to the gaming machine are displayed. A display unit that displays at least one, a display image storage unit that stores a display image to be displayed on the display unit, an update image storage unit that stores an update image to be displayed on the display unit, and the display image storage unit or update A control unit that performs control to display the image stored in the image storage unit on the display unit, and the control unit displays the display image on the display unit before a predetermined image update condition is satisfied. Control to receive the updated image from the management computer and write to the updated image storage unit, while the image update condition is satisfied, and When the writing to the update image storage section of the updated image has been completed, and the image stored in the update image storage section to perform a control to display on the display unit.

  According to this aspect, as in the first aspect, since it becomes possible to write an image to the display device for gaming machines before the establishment of the image update condition, compared to the case of starting the image transfer after the end of business hours, The data transfer time can be greatly shortened.

  Further, when the image update condition is satisfied and the writing of the update image to the update image storage unit is completed, the image stored in the update image storage unit is controlled to be displayed on the display unit. It is not necessary to replace (for example, overwrite or replace), and the data transfer time can be further reduced.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game hall data transfer system for transferring an image to a display device for a gaming machine connected to the gaming machine management computer and the gaming machine so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, the game The machine display device includes a display unit that displays at least one of operation data of the gaming machine and an image corresponding to the gaming machine, a display image storage unit that stores a display image to be displayed on the display unit, and the display unit An update image storage unit that stores an update image to be displayed on the display unit, and a control unit that performs control to display the image stored in the display image storage unit on the display unit. Transfer of the updated image to the gaming machine display device is started before the update condition is satisfied, and the control unit of the gaming machine display device writes the transferred updated image to the updated image storage unit. The display image storage unit when the control unit of the display device for gaming machines satisfies the image update condition and the writing of the update image to the update image storage unit is completed. The display image is controlled to be replaced with the updated image stored in the updated image storage unit.

  According to this aspect, as in the first aspect, since it becomes possible to write an image to the display device for gaming machines before the establishment of the image update condition, compared to the case of starting the image transfer after the end of business hours, The data transfer time can be greatly shortened.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the game hall data transfer system according to the third aspect, the gaming machine data transfer system is connected to the plurality of gaming machine display devices and receives operating data of the gaming machine from each of the gaming machine display devices. A plurality of island management units that aggregate the operation data, and the management computer collects the operation data from each island management unit during business hours of the game hall before the establishment of the image update condition. The update image to be acquired on the display device for gaming machine between two predetermined acquisition periods of the operation data acquisition periods from the island management units. The transfer was done.

  According to this aspect, the management computer transfers the update image to the display device for gaming machines between two predetermined acquisition periods of the operation data acquisition periods from each island management unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the management computer from acquiring the game table information.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game hall data transfer system for transferring an image from a game hall management computer to a display device for a gaming machine provided corresponding to each gaming machine. An island management unit having an update image storage unit that is connected to the display devices for gaming machines and stores an update image to be displayed on the display devices for gaming machines, and the display device for gaming machines includes the gaming machine A display unit that displays at least one of machine operation data and an image corresponding to the gaming machine, a display image storage unit that stores a display image to be displayed on the display unit, and an image stored in the display image storage unit. A control unit that performs control to display on the display unit, the management computer starts transfer of the updated image to the island management unit before the establishment of a predetermined image update condition, The management unit performs control to write the transferred update image to the update image storage unit, and the island management unit satisfies the image update condition and writes the update image to the update image storage unit. Is transferred to the gaming machine display device, and the control unit of the gaming machine display device transfers the display image in the display image storage unit from the island management unit. Control is performed to replace the updated image.

  According to this aspect, since it becomes possible to write an image to the island management unit before the image update condition is satisfied, the data transfer time is greatly shortened compared to the case where the image transfer is started after the business hours are over. Can be achieved.

  Since it is possible to write an image to the display device for gaming machines before the image update condition is satisfied, it is possible to significantly shorten the time compared to the case where the image transfer is started after the end of business hours. .

  Furthermore, in the case where there are a plurality of display devices for gaming machines, the replacement of images from the updated image storage unit to the display image storage unit can be performed in parallel between the plurality of display devices for gaming machines. Compared with the case where image transfer is started after the end of business hours, the time can be further shortened. As a result, it is possible to improve convenience for game hall managers and employees.

It is a whole lineblock diagram showing the data transfer system for game halls. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the display apparatus for game machines. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process during business hours and after business hours. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process by the control part of the display apparatus for game machines. It is a front view which shows an example of the display apparatus for game machines. It is the figure which showed an example of the image corresponding to a game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the display apparatus for game machines. It is a whole lineblock diagram showing the data transfer system for game halls. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the display apparatus for game machines. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process during business hours and after business hours. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process by the control part of the display apparatus for game machines.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention, its scope of application, or its application.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a game hall data transfer system according to an embodiment. In a game hall such as a pachinko hall, there are a management computer 1 for managing the game hall, a relay 2 connected to the management computer 1 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and the management computer 1 via the relay 2. Are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other, and game islands G1, G2, G3,... Provided corresponding to the island management units 31, 32, 33,. Yes. Each island management unit 31, 32, 33,... Includes storage units 31a, 32a, 33a,... For storing operation data of gaming machines 7 in each gaming island G1, G2, G3. .

  Each of the gaming islands G1, G2, G3 (hereinafter also simply referred to as islands) includes a plurality of gaming machine units 4, and the gaming machine units 4 are arranged back to back in pairs, A plurality of pairs of gaming machine units 4 are arranged side by side.

  The gaming machine unit 4 includes a gaming machine 7 (for example, a pachinko machine or a pachislot machine), a gaming machine display device 6 for displaying operation data of the gaming machine 7 and an image corresponding to the gaming machine 7, and a gaming machine 7. And an input / output box 5 provided between the display device 6 for gaming machines and the island management units 31, 32, 33,. The gaming machine information such as operation data output from the gaming machine 7 is input to the gaming machine display device 6 via the input / output box 5. Here, N41 is a signal line that connects the input / output box 5 and the display device 6 for gaming machines, and N42 is a signal line that connects the input / output box 5 and gaming machines 7.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine display device 6 includes a display unit 61 that displays operation data of the gaming machine 7, an image corresponding to the gaming machine 7, and a display image that stores an image to be displayed on the display unit 61. Storage unit 64 (for example, ROM (Read Only Memory)) and updated image storage unit 65 (for example, SD memory card), display control unit 62 for controlling display of display unit 61, and input / output via signal line N41 A central processing unit 63 connected to the box 5 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication is provided.

  The central processing unit 63 includes a ROM 63a in which a control program is stored, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 63b as a work memory for executing the control program. In response, the data is stored in a gaming machine information storage unit (not shown) built in or externally attached to the central processing unit 63.

  The operation data of the gaming machine 7 includes number-of-times data, graph data, jackpot information, payout information, and the like. Specifically, the operation data includes information necessary for display on the display unit 61 as shown in FIG. 5, for example. In FIG. 5, each numerical value related to the operation data is displayed in a portion indicated by “*”.

  Further, the images corresponding to the gaming machine 7 include, for example, an image explaining how to play the gaming machine 7 as shown in FIG. 6, an effect image (not shown) customized to the big hitting time unique to the gaming machine 7, and the like. It is. The effect image at the time of the big hit may not be customized to the gaming machine 7, and may be an image related to the category of the gaming machine 7 (for example, battle system, horror system, etc.).

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the display device 6 for gaming machines is provided on the right lower end portion of the call button 66 for calling up the staff of the game hall provided on the lower left end portion of the front view. A data button 67 for switching display data on the display unit 61 and a light emitting unit 68 for various effects such as jackpots are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the gaming machine display device 6 and the input / output box 5 are configured separately, but the gaming machine display device 6 may also have the function of the input / output box 5. In this case, the gaming machine display device 6 and the island management units 31, 32, 33,... Are connected, and the gaming machine display device 6 and the gaming machine 7 are connected. The gaming machine information such as data is directly input to the gaming machine display device 6.

  In the present embodiment, the display control unit 62 and the central processing unit 63 are different from each other. However, both functions may be realized by one LSI or element, and the control unit 60 according to the present invention includes: A display control unit 62 and a central processing unit 63 are provided.

<Data transfer during normal business operation>
The data transfer process during normal business will be described in detail according to the flow of FIG.

  In this embodiment, the signal line N11 that connects the management computer 1 and the relay 2 and the communication line N21 that connects the relay 2 and the island management units 31, 32, 33,. While being a communication line (for example, LAN), the communication line N31 connecting each island management unit 31, 32, 33,... And the input / output box of each game island G1, G2, G3,. It is assumed that it is a line (for example, RS485 standard). Here, the island management units 31, 32, 33,... And the input / output boxes of the game islands G1, G2, G3,... May be connected by a LAN, but the number of wires becomes enormous. As a result, there is a problem that the wiring space is increased and the labor of construction increases, and if the number of hubs is increased, the problem of data delay occurs. Therefore, the RS485 standard or CAN (Controller Area Network) may be adopted.

  When the operation of the game hall is started, the display control unit 62 stores the operation data (see FIG. 5) of the gaming machine 7 stored in the gaming machine information storage unit and the gaming machine 7 stored in the display image storage unit 64. A corresponding image (see FIG. 6) is displayed on the display unit 61 (S11). When the player starts playing on the gaming machine 7, the gaming machine 7 transmits operation data to the gaming machine display device 6 via the signal line N42, the input / output box 5 and the signal line N41 (S21). The central processing unit 63 of the gaming machine display device 6 receives the operating data transmitted from the gaming machine 7 and updates the operating data stored in the gaming machine information storage unit, and via the display control unit 62. The updated operation data is displayed on the display unit 61 (S22). For example, when the number of games is increased by one by the player's play, the numerical values and graphs relating to the number of games such as “current start” number, “total start” number, “history graph”, etc. in FIG. Also, for example, when a jackpot occurs, numerical values and graphs related to the jackpot, such as “BB” times, “combination probability”, “history graph”, and the like are updated. Further, the central processing unit 63 is connected to the island management unit 31 through the communication line N31, and the game machine such as the updated operation data and the operation information of the display device 6 for the gaming machine that the player is pressing the call button 66. Unit information is transmitted (S23).

  The island management unit 31 receives the gaming machine unit information transmitted from each gaming machine display device 6 in the gaming island G1, and accumulates (stores) the operation data in the storage unit 31a (S25). Similarly, the island management units 32, 33,... Store the operation data transmitted from the gaming machine display devices 6 of the gaming islands G2, G3,.

  The management computer 1 acquires the gaming machine unit information sequentially and cyclically from the island management units 31, 32, 33,. Specifically, when the game hall business starts, first, the management computer 1 makes a transmission request for gaming machine unit information to the island management unit 31 (S24). The island management unit 31 that has received this transmission request transmits the gaming machine unit information about the gaming island G1 to the management computer 1, so that the management computer 1 acquires the gaming machine unit information about the gaming island G1 (S26). ). Similarly, the management computer 1 makes a transmission request for the gaming machine unit information to all the island management units 31, 32, 33,... Sequentially and cyclically (S24), and each island management unit 31, 32,. The processing of acquiring gaming machine unit information about the gaming islands G1, G2, G3,... Via S33,... (S26) is repeatedly performed until the business hours end. In addition, acquisition of the said cyclic | annular game machine unit information by the management computer 1 is implemented in a several second cycle, for example.

Furthermore, the management computer 1 performs necessary control based on the acquired gaming machine unit information. Specifically, for example, when a call button 66 is pressed on a display device 6 for a gaming machine, control is performed to transmit the information to hall staff or the like via an intercom or a transceiver, etc. Control to distribute the gaming machine unit information to the information terminal or the mobile device of the player.
<Data transfer when replacing the display image>
Next, data transfer control when the display image is replaced (for example, when replacement work of the gaming machine 7 is performed after the end of business hours) will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  For S11, S21 to S26, after the same control as “data transfer at normal time” is performed, that is, after acquiring gaming machine unit information for all the gaming islands G1, G2, G3,. Through the island management units 31, 32, 33,..., The computer 1 operates the next day with respect to the display device 6 for the gaming machine installed corresponding to the gaming machine 7 (new stand) performing the replacement work. An updated image corresponding to the gaming machine 7 (new machine) used from the start is transmitted (S31). The central processing unit 63 of the gaming machine display device 6 that has received the updated image stores the updated image in the updated image storage unit 65 (S32). The management computer 1 preferably divides the update image to be transmitted into a plurality of packets and transmits the packets for each packet. Thus, the update image is divided and sent using the time between the above cyclic information acquisition without interfering with the cyclic acquisition of the gaming machine unit information for the gaming islands G1, G2, G3,. Will be able to.

  Even during transfer of the updated image (S31, S32), transmission of operation data from the gaming machine 7 to the display device 6 for gaming machines (S21), display of updated operation data on the display unit 61 (S22), Transmission of operation data from the display device 6 for gaming machines to the island management units 31, 32, 33,... (S23) and accumulation of data in the island management units 31, 32, 33,. To be implemented.

  Then, when the transmission of the update image (packet) is completed, the management computer 1 sequentially issues a transmission request for the gaming machine unit information to all the island management units 31, 32, 33,... (S24). The gaming machine unit information about the game islands G1, G2, G3,... Is acquired via the management units 31, 32, 33,.

  In this way, the management computer 1 transfers the update image (S31, S32) between the acquisition of the gaming machine unit information (S24, S26) until the transmission of all the packets of the update image is completed. Control.

  Next, data transfer control after the end of business hours will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Note that the display device 6 for gaming machines described in the following description is a device installed corresponding to the gaming machine 7 (new stand) that performs replacement work.

  When the business hours of the game hall are over, the management computer 1 has ended the business hours of the display devices 6 for each gaming machine via the island management units 31, 32, 33,. ) Is notified (S41). As shown in FIG. 4, when the image update condition is satisfied (YES in S51), the central processing unit 63 stops the display (display image) on the display unit 61 via the display control unit 62 (S52).

  Next, when transmission of the update image from the management computer 1 to the gaming machine display device 6 has been completed (YES in S53), the central processing unit 63 updates the display image stored in the display image storage unit 64 as an update image. Control to replace the updated image stored in the storage unit 65 is performed (S54). Specifically, for example, control is performed to overwrite (rewrite) the update image stored in the update image storage unit 65 with the display image in the display image storage unit 64. On the other hand, when the transmission of the update image from the management computer 1 to the display device 6 for gaming machines has not been completed (NO in S53), the central processing unit 63 waits until the transmission of the update image is completed.

  When the image in the display image storage unit 64 is replaced from the display image to the update image (YES in S55), the central processing unit 63 displays the image (update image) in the display image storage unit 64 on the display unit 61. (S56). Thereafter, when the next business hours are started, the display control unit 62 displays the image (updated image) in the display image storage unit 64 on the display unit 61. The determination of the end of transfer of the update image is made by the central processing unit 63 based on information in a transmission packet transmitted from the management computer 1 together with the update image, for example.

  The flow after the start of the next business day is the same as the “data transfer during normal business” described above.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the update image can be written to the display device 6 (update image storage unit) for gaming machines during business hours, for example, the image update condition If the writing of the update image to the update image storage unit 65 has been completed before the establishment of, the update image of the update image storage unit 65 is displayed in the display image storage unit 64 at the end of business hours (the establishment of the image update condition). The display image can be overwritten (rewritten). Thereby, for example, even when it is necessary to transmit different images to the plurality of display devices 6 for gaming machines, the update image storage unit 65 to the display image storage unit 64 in each display device 6 for gaming machines. Since the image replacement can be performed in parallel, the time required for the image replacement can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where the image transfer is started after the end of the business hours. Even if the writing of the updated image to the updated image storage unit 65 is not completed before the image update condition is satisfied, the image transfer is started during the business hours. Compared to the case of starting, it is possible to shorten the time required for replacing the image.

  Further, since the updated image storage unit 65 is connected to the central processing unit 63, the central processing unit 63 stores the updated image without the signal line between the display control unit 62 and the central processing unit 63. Part 65 can be written. That is, when the central processing unit 63 writes the updated image in the updated image storage unit 65, the transmission speed of operation data, operation information of the gaming machine display device 6 and the like between the display control unit 62 and the central processing unit 63 Etc. are not affected.

  Note that the data transfer at the time of replacing the display image in the above embodiment is not limited to the case where the replacement work of the gaming machine is performed after the business hours are over. For example, when the game machine replacement work is not performed, but the image corresponding to the game machine is to be updated, the same data transfer control is performed.

  In the above embodiment, the image update condition is satisfied when the management computer 1 determines the end of business hours and notifies the display device 6 for each gaming machine to that effect. It is not limited to. For example, the image update condition may be satisfied when the management computer 1 determines that a predetermined time (for example, a time set by a game hall employee in advance) has elapsed after the end of business hours. Further, it is not always necessary to determine whether the management computer 1 image update condition is satisfied. For example, the end of business hours may be determined in each island management unit 31, 32, 33,... Or each display device 6 for gaming machines, and the image update condition may be satisfied based on the determination. In addition, for example, an image update condition may be satisfied by a game hall employee operating with a remote controller or the like. For example, when the display device 6 for each gaming machine is turned off and turned on again. The image update condition may be satisfied.

  In the above embodiment, the transfer of the update image is started after the business hours are started, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image transfer may be started at business hours before two days before the previous day, or the update image transfer may be started at a time between the end of business hours of the previous day and the start of business on the current day.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of a display device for gaming machines according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the gaming machine display device 6 includes a storage device 69 (for example, an SD memory card) that is connected to the display control unit 62 and stores an image to be displayed on the display unit. A display image storage unit 69a that stores images and an update image storage unit 69b that stores update images are included. In FIG. 7, the storage device 69 is connected to the display control unit 62, but may be connected to the central processing unit 63.

  In the mode shown in FIG. 7, the display image storage unit 69a has, for example, a display image A (file name: image A) that flows (displays) at the time of a big hit and a display image B (file name: how to play the gaming machine 7). The image B) is stored, and the display control unit 62 determines the image to be displayed on the display unit 61 based on the file name given to the image.

  Further, in this aspect, the central processing unit 63 of the display device 6 for gaming machine sets the file name of the updated image A1 that flows at the time of the big hit to “image A1” when the updated image is stored in the updated image storage unit 69b, and the gaming machine 7 The file name of the updated image B1 of how to play is saved as “image B1”.

  Then, when the image update condition is satisfied (for example, when business hours are ended), the update image (image A1, image A2) is updated when writing to the update image storage unit 69b is completed or completed. While the file name of the image A1 is changed to “image A” and the file name of the updated image B1 is changed to “image B” (rename processing is executed), the file names of the images A and B are changed to different names. . Since the display control unit 62 determines the image to be displayed on the display unit 61 based on the file name given to the image, the update image A1 and the update image B1 are displayed on the display unit after the name change. 61. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible for the central processing unit 63 to switch the display image by the rename process without rewriting the image. As a result, the time required for the central processing unit 63 to replace the image can be shortened. That is, the time required for transferring image data and replacing images can be further reduced. Moreover, since the number of storage devices (for example, SD cards) connected to the control unit 60 can be reduced as compared with the first embodiment, the cost can be reduced.

  When the central processing unit 63 writes the update images A1 and A2 in the update image storage unit 69b, when the game machine unit information and the like are transmitted and received between the display control unit 62 and the central processing unit 63. Alternatively, a process of waiting for writing of the update images A1 and A2 until the transmission / reception is completed may be performed. Thereby, the update images A1 and A2 can be written to the update image storage unit 69b without affecting the transmission speed of the operation data and the operation information.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram showing a game hall data transfer system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 shows an example configuration of a display device for gaming machines. In this embodiment, each island management unit 31, 32, 33,... Has update image storage units 31b, 32b, 33b,... That store update images to be displayed on the display device 6 for gaming machines. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, in the display device 6 for gaming machines, the updated image storage unit 65 is omitted from FIG. The configuration other than the above and “data transfer during normal business” are the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

<Data transfer when replacing the display image>
Next, data transfer control when the display image is replaced will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  For S11, S21 to S26, after the same control as the “data transfer at normal time” in the first embodiment is performed, that is, the gaming machine unit information for all the gaming islands G1, G2, G3,. , The management computer 1 performs the following operations on the island management units 31, 32, 33,... Of the game islands G1, G2, G3,. An updated image corresponding to the gaming machine 7 (new machine) used from the start of business the next day is transmitted (S31). Each of the island management units 31, 32, 33,... That has received the updated image stores the updated image in the updated image storage units 31b, 32b, 33b,. Note that, similarly to the first embodiment, the management computer 1 preferably divides an update image to be transmitted into a plurality of packets and transmits the packets for each packet. Thereby, the effect similar to 1st Embodiment is acquired.

  Thereafter, as in the first embodiment, the management computer 1 transfers the update image between the acquisition of the gaming machine unit information (S24, S26) until transmission of all the packets of the update image is completed (S24, S26). Control for carrying out S31, S60) is performed.

  Next, data transfer control after the end of business hours will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the gaming machine 7 (new stand) on the gaming island G1 is the object of replacement work, and the gaming machine display device 6 to be described is a device installed corresponding to the gaming machine 7 And

  When the business hours of the amusement hall are over, the management computer 1 notifies the island management units 31, 32, 33,... That the business hours are over (the image update condition is satisfied) (S41). As shown in FIG. 11, the island management unit 31 is satisfied when the image update condition is satisfied (YES in S71) and the transmission of the update image from the management computer 1 to the island management unit 31 is completed (YES in S72). ), Transfer of the updated image stored in the updated image storage unit 31b to the display device 6 for gaming machines is started (S73).

  When the display device 6 for gaming machines receives the updated image from the island management unit 31, the central processing unit 63 stops the display (display image) of the display unit 61 via the display control unit 62 (S81), and stores the display image. Control is performed to replace the display image stored in the unit 64 with the updated image transferred from the island management unit 31 (S82).

  After that, when the island management unit 31 finishes transmitting the update image to the gaming machine display device 6 (YES in S74), the island management unit 31 transmits an end flag to the gaming machine display device 6 for processing. Is finished (S75). The island management unit 31 sets a predetermined flag in the final packet of the update image instead of transmitting the end flag (S75), and displays the end of the update image transmission with the predetermined flag for the gaming machine. You may make it transmit to the apparatus 6. FIG.

  In the display device 6 for gaming machines, when the image in the display image storage unit 64 is replaced from the display image to the update image (YES in S83), the central processing unit 63 displays the image (update image) in the display image storage unit 64. It is determined that it can be displayed on the display unit 61 (S84). Thereafter, when the next business hours are started, the display control unit 62 displays the image (updated image) in the display image storage unit 64 on the display unit 61 as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the update image is written in the update image storage unit 31b of the island management unit 31 before the image update condition is satisfied, the image transfer is started after the business hours are over. Thus, the data transfer time can be greatly shortened. For example, when the display image is updated on the display device 6 for gaming machines connected to the plurality of island management units 31, 32, 33,..., Each island management unit 31, 32, 33 is established before the image update condition is satisfied. ,... Can be written to the updated image storage units 31b, 32b, 33b,..., And after the image update conditions are satisfied, the island management units 31, 32, 33,. Image transfer to will be possible.

  Further, before the image update condition is established, the update image is not transmitted between the island management units 31, 32, 33,... And the display device 6 for gaming machines. When it is during business hours, the transmission of the update image does not affect the communication between the island management units 31, 32, 33,... And the display device 6 for gaming machines.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications can be made.

(Other embodiments)
For example, in the second embodiment, the image in the storage device 69 is renamed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display control unit 62 may determine an image to be displayed on the display unit 61 based on a file name given to the image, and the file name to be determined may be changed.

  Thus, for example, in FIG. 7, before the image update condition is satisfied, the display control unit 62 determines the file names of “image A” and “image B” in the storage device 69 and displays them on the display unit 61. On the other hand, the display control unit 62 determines the file names of “image A1” and “image B1” in the storage device 69 when the image update condition is satisfied and writing of the updated image is completed. To. Thereby, when the image update condition is satisfied and the writing of the updated image is finished, “image A1” and “image B1” are displayed on the display unit 61.

  Thus, the display image can be switched without the central processing unit 63 replacing (rewriting or renaming) the image, and the time required for the central processing unit 63 to replace the image can be shortened. . That is, the time required for transferring image data and replacing images can be further reduced. Note that the change of the reference file name by the display control unit 62 can be applied also in the first embodiment (FIG. 2), and the same effect can be obtained in that case.

  Since the present invention can greatly reduce the data transfer time compared to the case of transferring images for each predetermined gaming machine group after the end of business hours, the present invention is extremely useful and has no industrial applicability. high.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Management computer 31,32,33 Island management unit 31b, 32b, 33b Update image memory | storage part 6 Display apparatus for game machines 60 Control part 61 Display part 64 Display image memory | storage part 65 Update image memory | storage part 69a Display image memory | storage part 69b Update image Memory part 7 game machine

Claims (5)

A display device for a gaming machine connected to the gaming machine management computer and the gaming machine so as to be capable of bidirectional communication,
A display unit for displaying at least one of operation data of the gaming machine and an image corresponding to the gaming machine;
A display image storage unit for storing a display image to be displayed on the display unit;
An update image storage unit for storing an update image to be displayed on the display unit;
A control unit that performs control to display the image stored in the display image storage unit on the display unit,
The controller is
Before establishing a predetermined image update condition, while starting the control to receive the updated image from the management computer and write to the updated image storage unit,
When the image update condition is satisfied and writing of the update image to the update image storage unit is completed, the display image of the display image storage unit is stored in the update image storage unit. A display device for a gaming machine that performs control to replace the updated image. A display device for a gaming machine connected to the gaming machine management computer and the gaming machine so as to be capable of bidirectional communication,
A display unit for displaying at least one of operation data of the gaming machine and an image corresponding to the gaming machine;
A display image storage unit for storing a display image to be displayed on the display unit;
An update image storage unit for storing an update image to be displayed on the display unit;
A control unit that performs control to display the image stored in the display image storage unit or the update image storage unit on the display unit,
The controller is
Before the predetermined image update condition is satisfied, control is performed to display the display image on the display unit, and control to receive the update image from the management computer and to write to the update image storage unit is started. on the other hand,
When the image update condition is satisfied and writing of the update image to the update image storage unit is completed, control is performed to display the image stored in the update image storage unit on the display unit. A display device for gaming machines characterized by the above. A game hall data transfer system for transferring an image to a display device for a gaming machine connected to the gaming machine management computer and the gaming machine so as to be capable of bidirectional communication,
The display device for gaming machines is
A display unit for displaying at least one of operation data of the gaming machine and an image corresponding to the gaming machine;
A display image storage unit for storing a display image to be displayed on the display unit;
An update image storage unit for storing an update image to be displayed on the display unit;
A control unit that performs control to display the image stored in the display image storage unit on the display unit,
The management computer starts transfer of the updated image to the display device for gaming machines before the establishment of a predetermined image update condition,
The control unit of the display device for gaming machines performs control to write the transferred update image in the update image storage unit,
When the control unit of the display device for gaming machines satisfies the image update condition and the writing of the update image to the update image storage unit is completed, the display image of the display image storage unit The game field data transfer system is characterized in that control is performed to replace the updated image stored in the updated image storage unit with the updated image. The game hall data transfer system according to claim 3,
A plurality of island management units connected to a plurality of display devices for gaming machines, receiving operating data of the gaming machines from the display devices for gaming machines, and aggregating the operating data;
The management computer sequentially and cyclically acquires the operation data from the island management units during business hours of the game hall before the establishment of the image update condition. A game data transfer system, wherein the update image is transferred to the game machine display device during two predetermined acquisition periods of the operation data acquisition period. A game hall data transfer system for transferring an image from a game hall management computer to a display device for a gaming machine provided corresponding to each gaming machine,
An island management unit having an update image storage unit connected to a plurality of display devices for gaming machines and storing update images to be displayed on the display devices for gaming machines;
The display device for gaming machines is
A display unit for displaying at least one of operation data of the gaming machine and an image corresponding to the gaming machine;
A display image storage unit for storing a display image to be displayed on the display unit;
A control unit that performs control to display the image stored in the display image storage unit on the display unit,
The management computer starts transferring the updated image to the island management unit before a predetermined image update condition is satisfied,
The island management unit performs control to write the transferred update image in the update image storage unit,
The island management unit transfers the update image to the display device for gaming machine when the image update condition is satisfied and writing of the update image to the update image storage unit is completed,
The game area data transfer system, wherein the control unit of the display device for gaming machines performs control to replace the display image of the display image storage unit with the updated image transferred from the island management unit.

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