JP2020031709A - Object replacement supporting method, object replacement supporting device, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique for efficiently removing an existing object, moving an existing object to another fixed position, and installing a new object in a fixed position when objects installed in each of a number of fixed positions exist.SOLUTION: First, initial state data before replacing an object, and completion state data after replacing an object in which identifiers for identifying each object are arranged in a number of fixed positions are generated. Then, an identifier of an object to be removed is extracted from the initial state data and the completion state data. An identifier of an object to be arranged next in a fixed position in which the identifier of the removed object existed is extracted, and the identifier is tied to the identifier of the object that existed in the fixed position originally. The work is performed continuously.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for supporting replacement of an object.

There are cases where a large number of objects need to be replaced.
For example, such a demand may occur in a game arcade (game hall) where a large number of gaming machines exist. A large number of gaming machines are arranged in a game arcade. Gaming machines are typically installed in each of a number of fixed locations where gaming machines are to be placed.
A large number of gaming machines arranged in a game arcade are replaced every predetermined period. As gaming machine manufacturers release new gaming machines one after another, the gaming arcade manager installs new gaming machines in the gaming arcade and removes the gaming machines installed in the gaming arcade. In addition, the administrator of the game arcade also performs the work of moving the location of the existing game machine installed in the game arcade when installing a new game machine and removing the existing game machine. Is customary. This is because the location of the gaming machine is moved and the same type of gaming machine is solidified in the game hall to improve the convenience of the user, or by changing the pattern to prevent the user from getting bored.

If you do not care about the place for performing such work, the time for performing such work, the cost for performing such work, etc., theoretically remove all existing gaming machines from all fixed positions and remove them. If you remove all the gaming machines that were to be removed, and install the remaining existing gaming machines and newly installed gaming machines in all the fixed positions, The above operation can be completed.
However, there is no place in the amusement arcade where all the gaming machines removed from the home position are temporarily stored, and the time for performing such an operation is limited to the time when the amusement arcade is closed. In addition, the cost that can be used is limited in the severe competition of survival in recent amusement arcades.
As a result, the work described above should proceed efficiently, but it is not easy.
For example, when performing the above-mentioned operations including the removal of an existing gaming machine, the installation of a new gaming machine, and the movement of an existing gaming machine, the existing gaming machine to be moved with the new gaming machine will be replaced by the existing gaming machine. The gaming machine is newly installed at the home position after the machine is removed or at the home position where the existing gaming machine once removed for movement is originally installed. The problem is how to perform this work efficiently.
For example, when the existing gaming machines A to C are installed in fixed positions, the gaming machine A is removed, and the gaming machine D is newly installed, the gaming machine A is removed and vacated. A gaming machine of B is installed in a fixed position, a gaming machine of C is installed in a fixed position where the gaming machine of B is removed, and a gaming machine of D is newly loaded in a fixed position where the gaming machine of C is removed. It may be that installing a machine is the most efficient. In such a case, if there is a boring operation, the efficiency increases if the operation is performed in the order described above, but if the operation is performed out of the order described above, the gaming machine once removed from the home position may be In some cases, such a situation may occur that the operation is left to the end. As is well known, in a game arcade, for example, passages between islands are narrow. Therefore, if the number of abandoned gaming machines increases, it becomes a hindrance, and the work efficiency further decreases.

For the reasons described above, it is extremely difficult to efficiently perform operations including removal of existing gaming machines, loading of new gaming machines, and movement of installed gaming machines. Generally, an initial state diagram showing existing gaming machines existing at each fixed position before the start of work, and an end state diagram showing gaming machines existing at each fixed position after the work is completed, and from both figures, In order to determine the order of the most efficient work, the work is manually performed. Then, when actually performing the work, next, the manager of the work gives an instruction such as `` Remove the game machine of No. ○ and install the game machine of No. ○ there '' to each worker. It is done by telling on site each time.
However, the work of determining the most efficient work order from the initial state diagram and the end state diagram is extremely complicated. In recent years when the amusement arcade has become huge, the number of the game machines installed in the amusement arcade generally exceeds 500, and in some cases, the number of the game arcades exceeds 2000. Under such circumstances, for example, more than 100 gaming machines are removed, the same number of gaming machines are newly installed, and in addition to removing gaming machines and installing new gaming machines, more than 100 gaming machines are removed. When a game machine is moved, it is almost impossible to determine the order for performing the work most efficiently, at least by manual work. Also, it is extremely inefficient that the manager verbally instructs each worker about the order.

  Such a problem does not exist only in a game arcade. For example, a similar problem may occur when exchanging products displayed at a retail store.

  The invention of the present application is to remove an existing object, move an existing object to another fixed position, and move to a new object fixed position when there are objects installed at each of a large number of fixed positions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology for efficiently installing a device, that is, a technology for supporting replacement of an object.

In order to solve the above problems, the present inventor proposes the following invention.
The invention of the present application is an operation of removing a plurality of the previously arranged objects from an initial state in which the objects are arranged in advance at each of a large number of fixed positions which are determined positions. Move a plurality of the objects that have been moved to the other fixed positions, and also empty the same number of newly introduced objects as the removed ones of the previously arranged objects. And performing the work of arranging the object at the fixed position, thereby supporting an object replacement operation in which the object is arranged in an end state in a combination different from the initial state at each of the fixed positions. The present invention provides a method for supporting replacement of an object, which includes a computer, and is performed by the computer. The hardware configuration of the computer may be unchanged. A commercially available computer is sufficient, and a computer such as a desktop type or a notebook type may be a tablet or a smartphone regardless of its type.
The object replacement support method (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as “method”) executes the computer and executes the object, which is arranged at each of the fixed positions in the initial state, by the computer. While receiving data for generating initial state data, which is data specified by a mutually unique identifier allocated to each of the objects, an initial state data generating step of generating the initial state data, and An end state data generating step of generating the end state data while receiving data for generating end state data that is data for specifying the target object arranged at each of the fixed positions by the identifier; and The initial state data generated by the initial state data generating step; Based on the end state data generated by the state data generation step, among all the identifiers allocated to the object existing in the initial state, not present in the end state, the object to be removed Extracting the identifiers allocated to the objects placed in the end state at each of the fixed positions where the objects were placed in the initial state, and extracting each of the extracted identifiers A primary assignment step of associating each of the identifiers assigned to the object arranged in the initial state at the fixed position where the object to which the assigned identifier is assigned is arranged in the end state; The initial state data generated by the initial state data generating step, and the end state data generating step Thus, based on the generated end state data and the data of the identifier extracted in the primary assignment step, a new one of the objects to which the identifier extracted in the primary assignment step has been allocated is assigned. Newly extracting the identifier allocated to the object arranged in the end state at each of the fixed positions in which the objects other than the object carried into the initial state are arranged in the initial state. Along with each of the newly extracted identifiers, the object placed in the initial state at the home position where the object to which the newly extracted identifier is assigned is placed in the end state. A secondary assignment step of associating each of the identifiers assigned to Based on the initial state data generated as described above, the end state data generated in the end state data generation step, and the data of the identifier further extracted in the immediately preceding step, Of the objects to which the extracted identifiers have been allocated, each of the objects other than the newly imported object is arranged in the end state at each of the fixed positions arranged in the initial state. And further extracting the identifiers allocated to the object to be processed, and further extracting each of the extracted identifiers, wherein the object to which the further extracted identifiers are allocated is arranged in the end state. Tying each of the identifiers assigned to the object placed in the initial state to the position, And repeating the same process as the next assignment process until all of the objects to which the extracted identifiers are assigned become the newly imported objects among the objects. .

In this method, the objects arranged at each of the fixed positions in the initial state where the objects are arranged at each of a number of fixed positions, which are predetermined positions, are mutually allocated to each of the objects. It includes an initial state data generation step of receiving data for generating initial state data, which is data specified by a unique identifier, and generating initial state data. The initial state data generated thereby substantially corresponds to the initial state diagram described in the background art. That is, in the method of the present invention, initial state data that is data corresponding to the initial state diagram is generated. “Data for generating initial state data” includes the initial state data itself. Further, the mutually unique identifier is the same in the following, but may be, for example, a continuous natural number.
Further, in this method, in the end state in which the objects are arranged in a different combination from the initial state in each of the fixed positions, the end data which is the data for specifying the objects arranged in each of the fixed positions by the identifier in the end state. The method includes accepting data for generating state data and generating end state data for generating end state data. The end state data generated thereby substantially corresponds to the end state diagram described in the background art. That is, in the method of the present invention, end state data that is data corresponding to the end state diagram is generated. “Data for generating end state data” includes the end state data itself. Either the generation of the initial state data or the generation of the end state data may be performed first, or they may be performed simultaneously.
The object replacement support method of the present invention basically generates data useful for supporting the object replacement work based on the initial state data and the end state data.
In this method, the computer, based on the initial state data and the end state data, among all the identifiers assigned to the object existing in the initial state, does not exist in the end state, and is to be removed. Extracting the identifiers allocated to the objects placed in the end state at each of the fixed positions where each of the objects was placed in the initial state, and extracting each of the extracted identifiers with the extracted identifier A primary assignment process is executed in which the assigned objects are assigned to the respective identifiers assigned to the objects arranged in the initial state at the fixed positions arranged in the end state.
In the primary assignment process, in simple terms, a removed object is specified from, for example, a difference between the initial state data and the end state data, and a plurality of removed objects are installed in the initial state. In addition to specifying an object to be installed at the end position in the end state at the specified position, data is generated in which the identifiers of the object removed at the same fixed position and the object to be newly installed are linked. For example, when it is assumed that the identifier is a natural number, when focusing on a certain fixed position, an object with an identifier “2” assigned in an initial state is set at the fixed position, and the object is If an object with an identifier of “100” is placed in its end position after being removed in the end state, for example, a column of identifiers of “2, 100” is generated. . In the primary assignment process, such a sequence of identifiers is generated by the number of all the fixed positions where the removed objects are installed. Although it is related to the processing of the secondary allocation process, the object to be set in the end position at the fixed position where the removed object was set in the initial state is the newly imported object. , Or may be an object placed at another fixed position in the initial state.
Next, the computer determines, based on the initial state data, the end state data, and the data of the identifier extracted in the primary assignment process, the object to which the identifier extracted in the primary assignment process has been assigned. Each of the objects other than the newly brought in object is newly assigned an identifier assigned to the object arranged in the end state at each of the fixed positions arranged in the initial state, and newly extracted. Secondary assignment in which each of the identifiers assigned to the newly allocated identifier is associated with each of the identifiers assigned to the object that was initially allocated at the fixed position where the object to which the newly extracted identifier was allocated is located at the end state. Perform the process.
In the secondary assignment process, first, the initial state data, the end state data, and the identifier extracted by the primary assignment process (the object is set in the fixed position where the removed object was set in the end state). From the identifiers of the objects, the identifiers for which a sequence of identifiers are to be created in the primary allocation process (the removed objects are to be installed in the final position at the fixed positions where they were initially installed. Of the target object), the target object that is not a newly-received target object (that is, an object that is installed at another fixed position in the initial state and is moved from there to the fixed position and installed). Is newly extracted. As described above, the object to be installed in the end state at the fixed position where the removed object was installed in the initial state may be a newly imported object, or the initial state. In some cases, the object may have been installed at another fixed position. In all of these cases, in the primary assignment process, a sequence of identifiers is created, but the removed objects will be placed in the end position at the fixed position where they were originally placed, In the case where the object is carried into the space, no empty space is generated at other fixed positions, and therefore, the object such as the “thrusting” described in the background art does not move. On the other hand, if the removed object is to be installed in the end position at the fixed position where it was installed in the initial state, and the removed object is an object that was installed in another fixed position in the initial state. When an object existing at a fixed position from the initial state moves, an empty space is created in the above-mentioned "other fixed position". In the fixed position, a newly imported object or an object from another fixed position will be installed, so in this case, the movement of the object such as a “throwing head” will occur Become. The above-described processing in the secondary allocation process has a meaning of finding an object that generates such a “thrust” from the objects to which the identifier extracted in the primary allocation process is allocated. Next, in the secondary allocation process, each of the identifiers newly extracted in the secondary allocation process is arranged in the initial state at a fixed position where the object to which the newly extracted identifier is allocated is arranged in the end state. Associated with each of the identifiers assigned to the target object. This has the same meaning as the association of the identifier performed in the first assignment process. To illustrate the example used in the primary assignment process, an object having an identifier “2” assigned in an initial state is set at a certain fixed position, and after the object is removed, the fixed position is determined. In the end state, if an object with an identifier of “100” is set, a column of identifiers of “2, 100” is generated in the primary assignment process as described above. In the initial position, the object assigned the identifier of 100 was set in the initial state, and the object assigned the identifier of 100 was moved to the fixed position of the object assigned the identifier of 2. Therefore, if an object to which an identifier of 200 is to be allocated in the end state in the vacant home position, the identifier of 200 is linked to the identifier of 100. , The column of the identifier of "2,100,200" is generated. In the primary allocation process, the same number of "identifier columns" as the number of objects to be removed will be created. In the secondary allocation process, the number of the identifier columns corresponds to the number of objects that cause a collision as described above. The identifier is added to the “sequence of identifiers”.
After the secondary assignment process, an iterative process is performed. The repetition process is based on the initial state data, the end state data, and the data of the identifier further extracted in the immediately preceding process, and newly newly selected objects to which the identifier further extracted in the immediately preceding process has been allocated. Each of the identifiers assigned to the objects placed in the end state at each of the fixed positions where the objects other than the carried-in object are arranged in the initial state is further extracted, and each of the further extracted identifiers is also assigned. Is associated with each of the identifiers assigned to the objects that were initially allocated to the fixed positions where the objects to which the extracted identifiers were allocated in the end state are the same as the secondary allocation process. The process is repeated until all of the objects to which the extracted identifiers are assigned are all newly imported objects. Is Umono. Briefly, the iterative process is to repeatedly execute a secondary assignment process. The “immediately preceding process” in the repetition process is a secondary assignment process or a process subsequent thereto (a tertiary assignment process, a fourth assignment process...). In the secondary assignment process, a sequence of identifiers generated in the primary assignment process in which the above-mentioned “thrust” occurs (in the above example, two identifiers such as “2, 100”, etc.) The third identifier is added to the second identifier in the case where the second identifier is an identifier that has moved from another fixed position instead of a newly imported target object). . In the repetition process, the same process is repeatedly performed, for example, if the process corresponds to the tertiary allocation process, a fourth identifier is added to the column of identifiers, and the process corresponding to the quaternary allocation process is performed. If so, the fifth identifier is added to the identifier column, and the same processing is repeated thereafter. Then, it is not known how many times the processing has been performed, but as a result, a state appears in which all of the added identifiers become identifiers of objects to be newly carried in. When such a condition appears, no further “throw” occurs in all identifier columns.
The number of “identifier rows” equal to the number of removed objects obtained as described above reflects an efficient method of moving the objects when the objects are replaced.
The data in the identifier column can be recorded in the above-described recording device inside or outside the computer and used as appropriate, or can be output outside the computer. For example, the object replacement support method of the present application may include a step in which the computer outputs data of a series of a series of identifiers linked by two or more generated by performing the repetition process. Good. In the invention of the present application, “the data of a series of a series of identifiers linked by two or more generated by the computer executing the repetitive process” output from the computer may be the data itself, The data may be, for example, image data or text data so that a worker or the like can visually recognize the contents of the data. The output destination is, for example, a printer which is a general printing device. For example, by distributing a sequence of identifiers output to a printer and printed on paper by a printer to a large number of workers, each worker can copy the paper to a process schedule even if the manager does not give verbal instructions to the workers. By doing so, it is possible to efficiently perform the object replacement work. The content described on the paper distributed to each worker may or may not be the same. For example, in the identifier column, only a portion corresponding to the work in charge of each worker can be reflected in the process chart for each worker. According to such a process chart, each worker can know only the contents of the work to be in charge of himself without being distracted by unnecessary information. When distributing a sequence of identifiers to each worker, the method of distribution does not need to use paper as a medium. While distributing the data of the identifier column or the image data of the identifier column to each user in a known or well-known manner, each worker, for example, uses his / her own portable device (smartphone, tablet, etc.) A sequence of identifiers may be referred to. Also in this case, the data of the column of the identifier distributed to each worker does not need to be the same.
Further, the object may be a gaming machine installed in a game arcade, and the fixed position may be an installation location of the gaming machine. Of course, the object and the fixed position may be other things.

In the object replacement support method according to the present application, the computer generates all of the data of a series of identifier strings linked by two or more generated by executing the repetition process, and stores the length of the identifier row. It may include a step of sorting in ascending or descending order based on the degree.
As described above, the number of identifier columns generated by the computer by executing the object replacement support method of the present application is equal to the number of removed objects. The number of identifiers included in each identifier column is at least two. If the number is long, the number of identifiers is, for example, 10 or more, depending on the complexity of replacement of the object. By sorting the identifier columns according to the length of the identifier columns (the number of identifiers included in the identifier columns), it is possible to intuitively understand how many identifier columns of what length exist and how many. It becomes easier to understand. The length of the identifier column corresponds to the amount of work. For example, if work corresponding to a combination of a long identifier column and a short identifier column is allocated to each worker, the amount of work can be fairly allocated to each worker. there is a possibility.
In the method according to the present invention, the data of the series of two or more strings of identifiers generated by the computer performing the iterative process are, of course, based on the length of the identifier rows. And outputting the data generated by sorting in ascending or descending order. In the invention of the present application, "all of the data of the series of identifiers linked by two or more generated by the computer executing the iterative process, The data generated by sorting in ascending or descending order with reference to the data may be the data itself, for example, image data or text to enable workers and the like to visually recognize the contents of the data. It can be data.
The object replacement support method of the present application is characterized in that the computer specifies the data from each of a series of two or more strings of identifier strings generated by executing the iterative process, the data being associated with the data. And generating data extracted as a pair of two consecutive identifiers in a series of identifiers.
As described above, at least two strings of a series of identifiers are linked. For example, referring to the column of the identifiers “2, 100” cited in the above example, the worker places the initial position of the object with the identifier 2 in the initial state at the initial position. It can be intuitively understood that the object to which the identifier of 100 is attached in the state may be installed. On the other hand, if the identifier is “2, 100, 200”, “the object with the identifier 100 in the initial state at the fixed position where the object with the identifier 2 in the initial state exists” "Installing an object" and "installing an object with an identifier of 200 in the initial state at a fixed position where an object with an identifier of 100 in the initial state was present". Although two operations are required, an error may occur if the operator is left to interpret the identifier column, especially when the identifier column becomes long. Therefore, for example, if there is a column of identifiers “2, 100, 200”, two consecutive identifiers of a series of identifiers “2, 100” and “100, 200” are extracted as a pair. Generating the data eliminates the need for the worker to interpret the series of identifiers, thereby reducing the possibility that the worker may misunderstand the order of the work. In any of the above two cases, it is necessary to remove the object to which the identifier 2 is assigned. In this manner, the computer may also generate data indicating that the object to which the identifier at the head of the identifier column is assigned is removed.
The method of the present application is, of course, a series of identifiers identified by the data from each of the series of two or more strings of identifiers generated by the computer performing the iterative process. And outputting data extracted as a pair of two consecutive identifiers among the two. Note that, in the present invention, “each of the data of a series of identifier strings in which two or more are linked, generated by the computer executing the repetitive process, specified by the data, is specified by the data. The data extracted as a pair of two consecutive identifiers in a series of identifiers may be the data itself, but may be, for example, image data for allowing workers or the like to visually recognize the contents of the data. Or text data.

The inventor of the present application also proposes, as one embodiment of the present invention, an object replacement support device that executes the above-described object replacement support method. The effect of such a device is equivalent to the effect of the object replacement support method according to the present invention.
An example of the apparatus is an operation of removing a plurality of the previously arranged objects from an initial state in which the objects are arranged in advance at each of a large number of fixed positions that are determined positions. A plurality of the previously arranged objects are moved to the other fixed positions, and the same number of newly introduced objects as the removed ones of the previously arranged objects are removed. The work of arranging the object in the vacant home position, by performing, the end state in which the object is arranged in a combination different from the initial state in each of the home position, the object replacement work, This is an object replacement support device for supporting the object.
Then, the object replacement support apparatus is an initial state which is data that specifies the objects arranged at the respective fixed positions in the initial state by mutually unique identifiers allocated to the respective objects. Data for accepting data for generating state data and for generating end state data that is data for specifying the object located at each of the fixed positions in the end state by the identifier. Receiving means for receiving the initial state data, initial state data generating means for generating the initial state data based on the data for generating the initial state data, and the end state data based on the data for generating the end state data Generated by the end state data generating means and the initial state data generating means. Based on the initial state data and the end state data generated by the end state data generation means, among all the identifiers allocated to the object existing in the initial state, The identifiers assigned to the objects that are not present and that are to be removed are each assigned to the objects that are arranged in the end state at each of the fixed positions where the objects to be removed are arranged in the initial state. Each of the identified identifiers, the extracted identifiers of the identifiers allocated to the objects that were allocated in the initial state at the home positions where the objects allocated in the end state were allocated in the initial state. A primary allocating means for associating the initial state data with the initial state data generated by the initial state data generating means; Allocating the identifier extracted by the primary allocating means based on the data, the end state data generated by the ending state data generating means, and the data of the identifier extracted by the primary allocating means. Allocated to the objects arranged in the end state at each of the fixed positions arranged in the initial state, each of the objects other than the object newly carried in among the arranged objects. The newly extracted identifiers are newly extracted, and each of the newly extracted identifiers is initialized at the home position where the object to which the newly extracted identifiers are allocated is arranged in the end state. Secondary allocating means for associating with each of the identifiers allocated to the object placed in the state, Based on the initial state data generated by the generating means, the end state data generated by the end state data generating means, and the data of the identifier further extracted immediately before, The objects arranged in the end state at the respective fixed positions where the respective objects other than the newly introduced objects are arranged in the initial state among the objects to which the identifiers are allocated. While further extracting the identifiers allocated to the object, each of the further extracted identifiers is placed in the home position where the object to which the further extracted identifiers are allocated is arranged in the end state. Executing by the secondary allocating means of associating with each of the identifiers allocated to the object arranged in the state Repetition means for repeating the same processing as described above, until all of the objects to which the extracted identifiers are assigned are the newly imported objects among the objects. .
Note that, as described in the description of the object replacement support method, the secondary assignment unit and the repetition unit repeatedly perform substantially the same processing. Therefore, one of the secondary assignment unit and the repetition unit that virtually performs these processes in the object replacement support apparatus may be configured to also serve as the other.

The inventor of the present application also proposes, as one embodiment of the present invention, a computer program for causing a predetermined, for example, general-purpose computer to function as a device that executes the object replacement support method. The effect of such a computer program is equivalent to the effect of the object replacement support method according to the present invention, and it is also possible that a predetermined computer can function as a device that executes the object replacement support method according to the present invention. The effect is.
An example of the computer program is an operation of removing a plurality of the previously arranged objects from an initial state in which the objects are arranged in advance at each of a number of fixed positions which are determined positions. Moving a plurality of the pre-arranged objects to the other fixed positions, and the same number of newly carried objects as the removed ones of the pre-arranged objects. And performing an operation of arranging an object at the vacant home position, thereby performing an object exchanging operation in which the home object is placed in an end state in a combination different from the initial state at each of the home positions. Is a computer program for causing a computer to function as an object replacement support device for supporting a computer.
Then, the computer program stores, in the computer, initial data as data that specifies the objects arranged at the respective fixed positions in the initial state by mutually unique identifiers assigned to the respective objects. Receiving data for generating state data, and specifying, by the identifier, the initial state data generating step of generating the initial state data, and the objects arranged at the fixed positions in the end state. Receiving the data for generating the end state data that is data for generating the end state data, generating the end state data, the initial state data generated by the initial state data generation step, The end state generated by the state data generation process Out of all the identifiers assigned to the object existing in the initial state based on the data, the objects to be removed that do not exist in the end state and are to be removed are arranged in the initial state. Extracting the identifiers allocated to the objects placed in the end state at the respective fixed positions, and extracting each of the extracted identifiers to the object to which the extracted identifiers are allocated. A primary assignment step of associating each of the identifiers assigned to the object arranged in the initial state at the fixed position where the object is arranged in the end state with the initial state data generation step; Said initial state data, said end state data generated by said end state data generation step, Based on the data of the identifier extracted in this process, the identifiers extracted in the primary assignment process are allocated to the objects other than the newly imported objects among the objects to which the identifiers are allocated. Along with newly extracting the identifier allocated to the object placed in the end state at each of the fixed positions each placed in the initial state, each of the newly extracted identifiers is Secondary associated with each of the identifiers assigned to the object that was allocated in the initial state at the fixed position where the object to which the newly extracted identifier is allocated is arranged in the end state. An allocating step, the initial state data generated by the initial state data generating step after the secondary allocating step, and the end state Based on the end state data generated in the data generation process and the data of the identifier extracted in the immediately preceding process, based on the object to which the identifier further extracted in the immediately preceding process is allocated Each of the objects other than the newly carried object is further extracted with the identifier allocated to the object arranged in the end state at each of the fixed positions arranged in the initial state in the end state. And allocating each of the further extracted identifiers to the object located in the initial state at the home position where the object to which the further extracted identifier is allocated is located in the end state. The same processing as in the secondary allocation step of associating with each of the obtained identifiers is performed. All swung said object, a computer program for executing a repetitive process is repeated until the object newly carried out of the object.

The figure which shows the external appearance of the replacement support apparatus of the target object by one Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the support device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functional blocks generated inside the support device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing contents of initial state data and end state data generated by the support device shown in FIG. 1. The figure which shows notionally the content of the optimal data produced | generated by the assistance apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing the contents of changed optimal data generated by the support device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process table output from the support device illustrated in FIG. 1 via a printer.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an appearance of an object replacement support device (hereinafter, simply referred to as “support device”) of the present invention.
The support device in this embodiment is a work of removing a plurality of previously arranged objects from an initial state in which the objects are previously arranged at each of a large number of fixed positions that are determined positions, Move a plurality of the pre-arranged objects to another fixed position, and empty the same number of newly-arrived objects as the removed ones of the pre-arranged objects. It is intended to support the work of exchanging objects, by performing the work of arranging the objects in the fixed position and the end position where the objects are arranged in a combination different from the initial state at each of the fixed positions. is there. Here, the target object in this embodiment is a gaming machine that is installed in a large number in a game arcade or is newly loaded and installed. In addition, the fixed position in this embodiment is a number of positions where gaming machines are scheduled to be installed in a game arcade, and is generally a plurality of structures called islands built in the game arcade. It is a predetermined position. However, the object and the fixed position are merely examples, and the object and the fixed position may be different from each other.
The support device 100 in this embodiment is configured by a general-purpose computer, rather than including a computer.

Next, the configuration of the support device 100 will be described.
The support device 100 is a general-purpose computer as described above, and can be configured by a smartphone, a tablet, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, or the like.
The support device 100 is also required to generate a functional block described below by installing a computer program described below, and to be capable of executing a process described below. Other specifications do not matter. A commercially available computer is sufficient for the computer constituting the support device 100.
For example, if the support device 100 is a smartphone or a tablet, the support device 100 as a smartphone may be, for example, an iPhone manufactured and sold by Apple Japan LLC, and the support device 100 as a tablet may be, for example, an Apple Japan LLC. May be an iPad that manufactures and sells. If the support device 100 is configured by a notebook personal computer, a desktop personal computer, or the like, all of them may be commercially available. Hereinafter, although not limited thereto, the description will proceed assuming that the support device 100 is a tablet.

As shown in FIG. 1, the support device 100 includes a display 101 attached to a housing. The display 101 is for displaying a still image or a moving image, and a known or well-known display can be used. The display 101 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display 101 may be external to the support device 100. For example, if the support device 100 is a desktop personal computer, the display 101 will be an external type.
The support device 100 also includes an input device 102. The input device 102 is for a user to perform a desired input to the support device 100. A known or well-known input device can be used. The input device 102 of the support device 100 in this embodiment is of a button type, but is not limited thereto, and may use a well-known voice input using a numeric keypad, a keyboard, a trackball, a mouse, a microphone terminal, or the like. Is also possible. In particular, if the support device 100 is a notebook computer or a desktop computer, the input device 102 will be a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. When the display 101 is a touch panel, the display 101 also functions as the input device 102, which is the case in this embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the support apparatus 100.
The hardware includes a CPU (central processing unit) 111, a ROM (read only memory) 112, a RAM (random access memory) 113, and an interface 114, which are interconnected by a bus 116.
The CPU 111 is an arithmetic device that performs an arithmetic operation. The CPU 111 executes processing described later, for example, by executing a computer program recorded in the ROM 112 or the RAM 113. Although not shown, the hardware may include a hard disk drive (HDD) or another large-capacity recording device, and the computer program may be recorded in the large-capacity recording device.
The computer program referred to here is for causing the support device 100 to execute a process described below (for example, a process of displaying an image described below on the display 101 or a process of a primary allocation process and a secondary allocation process described below). At least a computer program is included. This computer program may be pre-installed in the support device 100 or may be installed afterward. The installation of the computer program into the support device 100 may be performed via a predetermined recording medium such as a memory card, or may be performed via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.
The ROM 112 records computer programs and data necessary for the CPU 111 to execute processing described later. The computer program recorded in the ROM 112 is not limited to this. For example, an OS and other computer programs may be stored in the ROM 112.
The RAM 113 provides a work area necessary for the CPU 111 to perform a process. In some cases, (part of) the computer programs and data described above may be recorded.
The interface 114 exchanges data between the CPU 111 and the RAM 113 connected via the bus 116 and the outside. The display 101 and the input device 102 described above are connected to the interface 114. The operation content input from the input device 102 is input to the bus 116 from the interface 114. As is well known, image data for displaying an image on the display 101 is sent from the bus 116 to the interface 114, and is output from the interface 114 to the display 101. The interface 114 is also connected to an output terminal (not shown), for example, a USB port. The output terminal can be connected to a predetermined external device, and can be connected to, for example, a known or well-known printer that is a printing device. Although not limited to this, in this embodiment, the output terminal is connected to the printer via a known or well-known cable. The optimum data described later may be sent from the bus 116 to the interface 114, and upon receiving the optimum data, the interface 114 sends the optimum data (such that the contents of the optimum data can be visually grasped) to the output terminal. The data may be, but is not limited to, this is the case in this embodiment.). Then, the optimum data is sent from the output terminal to the printer. Note that the connection between the support device 100 and the printer does not need to be made by wire, but may be made by wireless. In this case, the output terminal is configured as a communication device that performs wireless communication according to, for example, the Bluetooth (trademark) standard.

When the CPU 111 executes the computer program, functional blocks as shown in FIG. 3 are generated inside the support device 100. Note that the following functional blocks may be generated by the functions of the above-described computer program alone for causing the support device 100 to execute the processing described below. It may be generated in cooperation with the specified OS or other computer programs.
In the support apparatus 100, an input unit 121, a main control unit 122, a state data generation unit 123, a primary allocation processing unit 124, a secondary allocation processing unit 125, and an output unit 126 are generated in relation to the functions of the present invention. Is done.

The input unit 121 receives an input from the interface 114.
What is input from the interface 114 to the input unit 121 is an input from the input device 102. The input from the input device 102 will be described in detail later. There is some end data. Further, the number of workers data and the worker data, which will be described later, are input from the input device 102 to the input unit 121 as needed. When receiving initial data, end data, headcount data, and worker data from the input device 102 via the interface 114, the input unit 121 sends them to the main control unit 122.

The main control unit 122 controls the entire function blocks generated in the support device 100 and has a function of executing processing as described later.
As described above, the main control unit 122 may receive initial data and end data from the input unit 121 in some cases. When receiving these, the main controller 122 sends them to the state data generator 123.
As described above, the main control unit 122 may receive the number-of-person data and the worker data from the input unit 121 in some cases. When receiving these, the main control unit 122 holds them.
The main control unit 122 may also receive optimum data described later from the secondary allocation processing unit 125 as described later. When receiving the optimal data from the secondary allocation processing unit 125, the main control unit 122 sends the optimal data to the output unit 126. Note that the main control unit 122 may send the optimum data to the output unit 126 as it is, but in this embodiment, after performing a sorting process or a dividing process described below on the optimum data, It is sent to the output unit 126. When performing the sorting process and the dividing process, the main control unit 122 may use the held number data and worker data. Also, the optimal data that the main control unit 122 sends to the output unit 126 may be a part of the optimal data. This point will also be described later.

As described above, the state data generator 123 may receive initial data. When receiving the initial data, the state data generator 123 generates the initial state data. The details of the initial state data and the method of generating the initial state data will be described later.
As described above, the state data generating unit 123 may receive end data. When receiving the end data, the state data generating unit 123 generates end state data. Details of the end state data and a method of generating the end state data will be described later.
The state data generation unit 123 sends the generated initial state data and end state data to the primary assignment processing unit 124.

As described above, the primary assignment processing unit 124 may receive the initial state data and the end state data from the state data generation unit 123. When both of them are received, the primary assignment processing unit 124 generates a part of the optimal data based on them. The contents of a part of the optimal data generated by the primary allocation processing unit 124 and the details of the generation method will be described later.
The primary assignment processing unit 124 sends a part of the generated optimum data, initial state data, and end state data to the secondary assignment processing unit 125.

As described above, the secondary allocation processing unit 125 may receive a part of the optimum data, the initial state data, and the end state data from the primary allocation processing unit 124 in some cases. When receiving these three data, the secondary assignment processing unit 125 generates optimal data based on the three data. The details of the optimal data generated by the secondary allocation processing unit 125 and the generation method thereof will be described later.
The secondary allocation processing unit 125 sends the generated optimal data to the main control unit 122.

The output unit 126 receives the optimum data from the main control unit 122 as described above. The output unit 126 outputs the optimal data to the interface 114. In this embodiment, the output unit 126 generates image data, which is data that allows the contents of the optimal data to be visually understood, and sends the image data to the interface 114. The image data is transmitted from the interface 114 to the display 101, and an image described later based on the image data is displayed on the display 101. The display 101 may also display other data as described later.
The image data sent from the output unit 126 to the interface 114 may be sent to a printer via an output terminal. Upon receiving such image data, the printer prints an image based on the image data on paper.

The method of use and operation of the support device 100 described above will be described below.
When the support device 100 is used, first, the support device 100 generates initial state data and end state data.
The initial state data is data for specifying an initial state in which a target object (game machine) is previously installed at each of a number of fixed positions that are determined positions. In short, this is data that specifies which objects are installed at many fixed positions before the object replacement work is performed.
On the other hand, the end state data is data for specifying which object is installed at each of a number of fixed positions, which are determined positions, when the object replacement work is completed.
Either the initial state data or the end state data may be generated first. There is no particular need to do so, but they may be generated at the same time. In order for the support device 100 to generate the initial state data, a user (for example, a manager of a gaming machine replacement operation) inputs the initial data, and in order for the support device 100 to generate the end state data, the user inputs the end data. input. The user inputs these data by operating the input device 102.
In order to generate the initial state data, it is necessary to specify the position of the fixed position and which object exists at each fixed position. A set of data indicating the position of the fixed position and data specifying which object exists at each fixed position is the initial data. The user operates the input device 102 to input all the fixed positions. Further, the user performs an input for specifying which object is present at each fixed position. In that case, each of the objects installed at each fixed position must be distinguished. Since each object has a unique identifier assigned to it, the user inputs the identifier assigned to the object installed at each fixed position to each fixed position.
When the initial data is input, even during the input of the initial data, the initial data is sent from the input device 102 to the input unit 121 via the interface 114. The initial data is sent from the input unit 121 to the main control unit 122. The main control unit 122 sends to the output unit 126 an instruction to generate an image according to the initial data input from the input device 102. The output unit 126 generates image data for an image according to the instruction. The output unit 126 sends the image data to the display 101 via the interface 114. The display 101 displays an image corresponding to the image data. The user can input initial data while viewing the image.
FIG. 4 conceptually shows an example of initial state data generated based on the initial data. As shown in FIG. 4, the initial state data includes a number of fixed positions (each of the hatched square frames located in the horizontal direction in the figure of the character “Initial state column”) and the inside thereof. It consists of the described identifier. In this embodiment, the mutual positional relationship of a large number of fixed positions shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the mutual positional relationship of a large number of fixed positions where gaming machines are arranged in an actual game arcade when viewed in a plan view. It is assumed. Among the fixed positions, for example, a series of fixed positions arranged side by side is a fixed position included in one “island” in the game arcade. Although not limited to this, in this embodiment, the number of fixed positions is 640 in both the initial state and the end state. The identifier is not limited to this, but is a natural number of a serial number in this embodiment. Although not necessarily limited to this, in this embodiment, it is assumed that 640 objects are installed at each of the 640 fixed positions, and identifiers 1 to 640 are assigned to each object. On the other hand, identifiers 701 to 720 are respectively assigned to objects which are not present at the initial positions but are newly carried in. Each of the identifiers assigned to the newly brought in objects is different from each of the identifiers assigned to each of the objects existing at the fixed positions in the initial state.
The generated initial state data is sent from the state data generation unit 123 to the primary assignment processing unit 124.
The same applies to the method of generating the end state data. Even in the case of generating the end state data, it is necessary to specify the position of the fixed position and which object exists at each fixed position. Since the home position does not change between the initial state and the end state, once data for the home position is generated, it can be reused thereafter. A set of data indicating the position of the fixed position in the end state and data specifying which object exists at each fixed position is end data. The user operates the input device 102 to input data specifying the position of the fixed position and an object to be set at each fixed position in the end state. The identification of the object is performed by the identifier as in the case of the initial state data.
When the end data is input, the contents of the end data are displayed on the display 101 during the period from the input to the end of the input, similarly to the case where the initial data is input. The user can input end data while watching the image.
An example of the end state data generated based on the end data is also conceptually shown in FIG. The fixed position in the end data is a square positioned in the horizontal direction of the character “end state column”, which is arranged adjacent to the above or below the fixed position positioned in the horizontal direction of the character “initial state column”. Each of the frames. The fixed position in the end state and the fixed position adjacent to any one of the upper and lower sides thereof indicate the same fixed position, and more specifically, the same position. Also in the end data, an identifier is described at each fixed position according to the same rule as the initial state. However, regarding the fixed position where the object to which the same identifier is assigned in both the end state and the initial state is set, the end state identifier is omitted. In this embodiment, 20 of the objects existing in the initial state are removed, 20 objects that did not exist in the initial state are newly loaded, and many of the objects that existed in the initial state are removed. It is moved from one fixed position to another fixed position. The identifiers described in the 640 fixed positions in the initial state are 1 to 640, but each of the 640 fixed positions in the finished state has 620 descriptions of the identifiers. That is, 20 of the 640 objects are removed. On the other hand, the same number of objects as the objects to be removed are newly imported, but the newly introduced objects are different from those allocated to the objects existing in the initial state, 701. To 720 are assigned.
The generated end state data is sent from the state data generation unit 123 to the primary assignment processing unit 124.
In FIG. 4 used in this embodiment, the same fixed position in the initial state and the end state is described vertically adjacently on the initial state data and the end state data. This makes it possible to understand at a glance whether or not the object has changed. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the description has been made as if the initial state data and the end state data are one set of data. However, the initial state data and the end state data may of course be two separate data. In that case, in the end state data, the identifiers of the objects installed in the end state will be described in the respective frames indicating the fixed positions arranged in the same manner as the initial state data. In the end state data generated in such a manner, it is usual that the above-described omission of the identifier is not performed.
In this embodiment, the function block that generates the initial state data and the function block that generates the end state data are one function block called the state data generation unit 123, but the function block that generates the initial state data The function block for generating the end state data may be divided.

The primary assignment processing unit 124 performs a primary assignment process.
The primary assignment processing unit 124 receives the initial state data and the end state data from the state data generation unit 123 as described above. The primary assignment processing unit 124 executes a primary assignment process using the both data. Both the initial state data and the end state data need to be sent from the state data generation unit 123 to the primary allocation processing unit 124 before the primary allocation processing is executed, and either of them must be transmitted first. It does not matter whether the data is sent to the state data generating unit 123 or simultaneously.
FIG. 5 conceptually shows the contents of the primary allocation processing, including the contents of the secondary allocation processing and the repetition processing described later. The contents of the primary assignment processing will be described with reference to FIG.
In the primary assignment processing, first, an object to be removed is specified. An object to be removed is an object that exists in the initial state but does not exist in the end state. Therefore, the object to be removed is an object to which an identifier that is no longer present in the end state among the identifiers existing in the initial state data is allocated. These objects can be specified by comparing the initial state data and the end state data. In this embodiment, among the identifiers included in the initial state data, 151, 193, 220, 254, 255, 257, 258, 259, 260, 491, 492, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 500, 562 , 563, and 590 are no longer present in the end state data, so that it is possible to specify from the initial state data and the end state data that the object with these identifiers is the object to be removed. is there. Incidentally, all of the identifiers of the objects to be removed are described below the column "Removal stand" in FIG. In addition, in the column on the left side of the column in which the identifier assigned to the object to be removed, which is arranged below the character "Removal stand", is described the character "BY". This data indicates that the object to which the identifier below the word "Removal stand" is assigned is removed (conveyed to the backyard). However, since it is possible to grasp that the object to which the identifiers listed below the letters "Removal stand" are assigned corresponds to the object to be removed without this data, this data is not necessarily necessary. Absent. In FIG. 5, for easy understanding, a code assigned to the object to be removed and a code assigned to the object to be newly carried in are shaded.
In the primary assignment process, the identifiers assigned to the objects placed in the end state at each of the fixed positions where the removed objects are placed in the initial state are further extracted. Then, each of the extracted identifiers is associated with each of the identifiers assigned to the object that was initially allocated at the fixed position where the object to which the extracted identifier was allocated was arranged in the end state. . For example, comparing the initial state data and the end state data shown in FIG. 4, one of the objects to be removed, to which the identifier 151 is assigned, is located at the home position where the object was installed in the initial state. Indicates that in the end state, an object to which an identifier 706 is assigned is installed. Therefore, the identifier 706 is linked to the identifier 151. Similarly, in the end position, the object to which the identifier of 188 is allocated is installed in the fixed position where the object to be removed is assigned the identifier of 220 in the initial state. I understand. Therefore, the identifier of 188 is linked to the identifier of 220. In this way, the identifier of the object to be newly installed at the fixed position is linked to the identifier assigned to the object to be removed that was installed in the initial state at a certain fixed position. To go. In the primary assignment process, a new identifier to be linked is applied below the column described as “primary”. Each identifier described below the column labeled "Primary" is linked to each of the left-side identifiers described in each column below the column labeled "Removal stand".
When the primary assignment processing is completed, the primary assignment processing unit 124 sets the identifier data extracted by the primary assignment processing (each data described below the column described as “primary”) and the initial state The data and the end state data are sent to the secondary assignment processing unit 125. Although not limited to this in the present embodiment, the primary assignment processing unit 124 outputs the identifier data extracted by the primary assignment process (each data described below the column described as “primary”). And the respective data described below the column labeled “Removal stand” associated with them, and the respective data “BY” associated with these data, in the secondary allocation process It is sent to the unit 125. That is, in this embodiment, the primary assignment processing unit 124 sends the secondary assignment processing unit 125 a left side (including a “primary” column) of the “primary” column shown in FIG. All the data in the column below are sent while maintaining the linked state of each data. This means that the primary assignment processing unit 124 sends to the secondary assignment processing unit 125 the data of the 20 sets of two connected identifier columns starting from the data “BY”.

When receiving the data, the secondary assignment processing unit 125 executes a secondary assignment process. When performing the secondary allocation processing, the secondary allocation processing unit 125 sets the initial state data, the end state data, and the data (minimum of the minimum) in the column on the left side of the “primary” column illustrated in FIG. In this case, each identifier described below the column described as “primary” is used.
In the secondary assignment process, first, among the objects to which the identifiers extracted in the primary assignment process (each identifier listed below the column described as “primary” in FIG. 5) are assigned, An object other than the object carried in is specified. That is, in the secondary assignment processing, first, among the objects to which the identifiers extracted by the primary assignment processing have been assigned, the objects which are set at some fixed position in the initial state and have moved from the fixed position. Identify things. It is identified from the data sent from the primary assignment processing unit 124 from the data in the column on the left side of the column “primary” shown in FIG. 5, the initial state data, and the end state data. be able to. The identifier included in the end state data but not included in the initial state data (as described above, in this embodiment, it is an identifier in the 700s) is the identifier assigned to the newly imported object. It is. Therefore, in FIG. 5 extracted by the primary assignment process, identifiers obtained by excluding identifiers assigned to newly imported objects from the identifiers listed below the column labeled “primary” Is an object other than the newly imported object among the objects to which the identifier extracted by the primary assignment process has been allocated. In the secondary assignment processing, such an object is specified because the identifier extracted by the primary assignment processing is newly loaded into the fixed position where the object to which the identifier was assigned was installed. This is because, at the fixed position where the target object is set, the collision (continuous movement of another target object) as described in the section of the background art does not occur. That is, the identifier of the newly imported object is a signal for terminating the sequence of identifiers in the case where the identifiers are continuously linked as described above. In this embodiment, since the identifier 706 is an identifier assigned to the newly imported object, the identifier is excluded from the processing after the secondary assignment processing, and the identifier column including the identifier at the end includes , And no identifier is linked.
On the other hand, “the object other than the newly imported object among the objects to which the identifier extracted by the primary assignment process has been allocated” is described as “primary” in FIG. Secondary assignment processing is continued for the second and lower identifiers from the top below the column. In the secondary assignment processing to be continued, each of the "objects to which the identifier extracted by the primary assignment processing has been assigned, other than the newly imported object" has been arranged in the initial state. This is to newly extract an identifier assigned to an object placed in the end state at each of the fixed positions. For example, when focusing on the identifier 188 linked to the identifier 220 extracted by the primary assignment process, the object allocated with the identifier 188 is located at the fixed position where it was arranged in the initial state, and 483 in the end state. The installation of the object to which the identifier is assigned can be specified from the initial state data and the end state data. Similarly, paying attention to the identifier 371 associated with the identifier 491 extracted by the primary assignment processing, the object to which the identifier 371 is allocated is located at the fixed position where the object 371 was allocated in the initial state and 291 in the end state. It can be understood that the object to which the identifier is assigned is installed.
Each of the newly extracted identifiers is assigned to an object that was initially allocated at a fixed position where the object to which the newly extracted identifier was allocated is positioned at the end state. To each of In the above example, the identifier 188 is linked to the identifier 483, and the identifier 371 is linked to the identifier 291. In the secondary assignment processing, a new identifier to be linked is applied below the column described as “secondary” in FIG. Each identifier described below the column described as “secondary” is linked to each of the left-side identifiers described in each column below the column described as “primary”.

When the secondary assignment processing ends, the secondary assignment processing unit 125 starts the repetition processing. The repetition process is a process executed after the secondary allocation excess process. The repetitive processing is based on the initial state data, the end state data, and the data of the identifier further extracted by the immediately preceding processing (the processing of the second allocation, the third allocation, the fourth allocation, etc. performed immediately before). Done. The tertiary assignment process is performed at the beginning of the repetition process. In the tertiary assignment process, a newly imported target object to which an identifier further extracted by the immediately preceding secondary assignment process is assigned is newly assigned. Each of the objects other than the target object is further extracted with the identifier allocated to the object arranged in the end state at each of the fixed positions arranged in the initial state, and each of the extracted identifiers is further extracted. Further, a process of linking each of the identifiers assigned to the objects arranged in the initial state in the initial position at the fixed position where the object to which the extracted identifier is assigned is arranged in the end state is repeatedly performed. . This process is repeated until all of the objects to which the extracted identifiers are further assigned become newly imported objects among the objects. In simple terms, the repetition processing means that the same processing as the secondary allocation processing is repeatedly performed until all of the further extracted identifiers become the identifiers allocated to the newly-imported object. It is.
In the tertiary assignment process, first, among the objects to which the identifiers extracted by the secondary assignment process (each identifier described below the column labeled “secondary” in FIG. 5) are assigned, An object other than the object carried in is specified. This processing is substantially the same as the processing described at the beginning of the secondary assignment processing. By this processing, among the objects to which the identifier newly extracted by the secondary allocation processing has been allocated, the object which is installed at some fixed position in the initial state and has moved from the fixed position is specified. . As in the case of the secondary assignment processing, such an object can be specified by the data in the column on the left side of the column “secondary” shown in FIG. 5, the initial state data, and the end state data. Identifiers (identifiers in the 700s) that are included in the end state data but not included in the initial state data are the identifiers allocated to the newly imported objects. Therefore, the identifiers assigned to the newly imported objects are excluded from the identifiers listed below the “secondary” column in FIG. 5 newly extracted by the secondary assignment processing. The object to which the assigned identifier has been assigned is “an object other than the newly imported object among the objects to which the identifier extracted by the secondary assignment process has been assigned”. In this embodiment, below the column of "secondary", there is no identifier in the 700s assigned to the newly imported object. Therefore, all the objects to which the identifiers described below the column of “secondary” are allocated are not identifiers of the objects newly carried in, but are initially set at some fixed positions in the initial state. It can be seen that the object has moved from the fixed position. Therefore, the subsequent processing is continued for all the identifiers described below the “secondary” column.
The tertiary allocation process to be continued is referred to as ““ secondary ””, which corresponds to “an object other than the newly imported object among the objects to which the identifier extracted by the secondary allocation process has been allocated”. Each of the "objects to which the identifier described in the lower part of the column is allocated" is further extracted from the identifier allocated to the object arranged in the end state at each of the fixed positions arranged in the initial state. is there. For example, paying attention to the identifier 483 newly extracted by the secondary assignment processing, the object to which the identifier 363 is allocated in the end state at the fixed position where the object allocated with the identifier 483 is arranged in the initial state. The installation of the object can be specified from the initial state data and the end state data. Similarly, focusing on the identifier 291 newly extracted by the secondary assignment processing, the identifier 715 is assigned in the end state to the fixed position where the object to which the identifier 291 is assigned was arranged in the initial state. It can be seen that the object is set.
Each of the identifiers further extracted in this manner is assigned to each of the identifiers assigned to the object that was initially allocated at the fixed position where the object to which the further extracted identifier was allocated was located at the end state. Connect with In the above example, an identifier of 483 is further associated with an identifier of 363, and an identifier of 291 is associated with an identifier of 715. In the tertiary assignment process, a new identifier to be linked is applied below the column described as “tertiary” in FIG. Each identifier described below the column described as “tertiary” is linked to each of the left-side identifiers described in each column below the column described as “secondary”.

In the repetitive process, a fourth assignment process is then performed. The quaternary assignment process is basically the same as the tertiary assignment process described above.
In the fourth assignment process, first, among the objects to which the identifiers further extracted by the third assignment process (each identifier described below the column described as “tertiary” in FIG. 5) are allocated. Identify objects other than the newly imported objects. By this processing, among the objects to which the identifier newly extracted by the tertiary allocation process is allocated, the object which is installed at a certain fixed position in the initial state and has moved from the fixed position is specified. . Such an object can be specified based on the data in the column on the left side of the “tertiary” column shown in FIG. 5, the initial state data, and the end state data. Identifiers (identifiers in the 700s) that are included in the end state data but not included in the initial state data are the identifiers allocated to the newly imported objects. Therefore, the identifiers assigned to the newly imported objects are excluded from the identifiers listed below the “tertiary” column in FIG. 5 further extracted by the tertiary assignment process. The object to which the identifier has been assigned is “an object other than the newly imported object among the objects to which the identifier extracted by the tertiary assignment process has been assigned”. In this embodiment, among the identifiers below the “tertiary” column, identifiers in the 700s, such as 715, 716, 717, 718, and 720, are identifiers that have been allocated to newly imported objects. is there. Therefore, the subsequent processing is continued for all the other identifiers described below the “tertiary” column.
The continued quaternary assignment process is referred to as “tertiary”, which is equivalent to “objects other than newly imported objects among the objects to which the identifier extracted by the tertiary assignment process has been assigned”. Each of the "objects to which the identifier described in the lower part of the column is allocated" is further extracted from the identifier allocated to the object arranged in the end state at each of the fixed positions arranged in the initial state. is there. For example, paying attention to the identifier 363 newly extracted by the tertiary allocation process, the object to which the identifier 283 is allocated in the end state at the fixed position where the object to which the identifier 363 is allocated is located in the initial state. The installation of the object can be specified from the initial state data and the end state data.
Each of the identifiers further extracted in this manner is assigned to each of the identifiers assigned to the object that was initially allocated at the fixed position where the object to which the further extracted identifier was allocated was located at the end state. Connect with In the above example, the identifier 363 is further linked to the identifier 283. In the quaternary assignment process, a new identifier to be linked is applied below the column described as “quaternary”. Each identifier described below the column “fourth order” is linked to each of the left-side identifiers described in each column below the “third order” column.

In this embodiment, the fifth-order assignment process, the sixth-order assignment process, and the seventh-order assignment process are executed in this way. Until the sixth allocation process, the “further extracted identifiers” include the identifiers (ie, identifiers other than 700s) assigned to the objects that are not newly carried in and are not the objects. On the other hand, in the seventh assignment process, the “further extracted identifiers” are 704, 707, and 713, all of which correspond to the identifiers assigned to the newly imported objects.
As described above, the repetition process is repeated until all of the objects to which the extracted identifiers are further assigned become newly imported objects among the objects. In other words, the repetition processing ends when all of the objects to which the extracted identifiers are further assigned become newly imported objects among the objects.
As a result, data as shown in FIG. 5 is completed. This is the optimal data.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the repetitive processing is completed, data of a column of 20 identifiers, which is the same as the number of objects to be removed, is completed. Each of these identifier columns has the identifier of the object to be removed at the top and the identifier of the object to be newly carried in at the end if the symbol "BY" is ignored. The two consecutive identifiers on the left and right mean that the object to which the previous identifier was assigned may be set at the fixed position where it existed in the initial state, and the object to which the latter identifier is assigned may be set in the end state. Will do. Based on such an understanding, the column of identifiers shown in FIG. 5 indicates the most efficient method of replacing objects.
Although arrows are shown in FIG. 5 for easy understanding, such data is not necessarily required. The data in the column of identifiers may be, for example, “193 217 561 391 351 351 719” in the second row from the top.
All of the data in these identifier columns are sent from the secondary assignment processing unit 125 to the main control unit 122. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the data included in the table shown in FIG. 5 is sent as it is to the main control unit 122 as optimum data.

The main control unit 122 receives the optimal data which is the data of the column of the identifier.
The main control unit 122 sends the optimal data that is the data of the column of identifiers to the output unit 126. The data that the main control unit 122 sends to the output unit 126 may be, for example, the data itself shown in FIG. The output unit 126 may output the optimum data to a recording medium (such as the RAM 113) included in the support device 100 and cause the data to be recorded. The output unit 126 may output the optimal data to a printer (not shown) via the interface 114, for example. In this case, the output unit 126 generates, for example, image data corresponding to the table itself shown in FIG. 5 and outputs the data to the printer. The printer receiving such image data prints the table itself shown in FIG. 5 on paper. The paper can be used as a process chart for a worker who performs a replacement operation of a gaming machine in a game arcade. By distributing paper as such a process chart to each worker, the administrator of the replacement work of the gaming machine needs to sequentially give each worker a verbal instruction on the work such as moving the gaming machine. Disappears. The identifier printed on each sheet may correspond to a part of the table shown in FIG. In this case, the contents of the identifier printed on each sheet may correspond to different portions of the table shown in FIG. By doing so, the content of the paper as a process chart given to each worker can be made different according to the content of the work allocated to each worker.
What kind of process table is to be printed by the printer can be determined by the main control unit 122 based on, for example, the number of people data input by the user of the support device 100 using the input device 102 and the worker data. . For example, according to the number of workers identified based on the number data, the set of identifier columns shown in the table of FIG. 5 can be divided into a plurality. Further, it is also possible to print, for example, the name of each worker specified by the worker data on a part of paper serving as a process chart for each worker.

The main control unit 122 does not always send the optimum data, which is the data of the set of identifier columns, to the output unit 126 as it is. For example, the main control unit 122 can execute the following processing on the optimal data.
For example, the main control unit 122 converts the optimal data having the content shown in FIG. 5 into all of the data of the series of identifiers linked with two or more of the optimal data included in the optimal data. Sorting may be performed in ascending or descending order based on the length. The resulting data is, for example, as shown in FIG. In this case, the main control unit 122 sends this data to the output unit 126. The output unit 126 may record the corrected optimal data as described above on a recording medium provided in the support device 100, or may output the optimal data to a printer (not shown) via the interface 114. When the corrected optimal data is output to the printer, the printer prints, for example, the table itself shown in FIG. 6 on paper. However, the paper which can be used as the process chart printed by the printer may be a sheet corresponding to a part of the table shown in FIG. The contents of the identifiers may correspond to different parts of the table shown in FIG.
The main control unit 122 also associates the optimal data having the contents shown in FIG. 5 with two consecutive identifiers in a series of a series of identifiers associated with two or more contained in the optimal data. The data may be changed to the extracted data. For example, the identifier in the second row from the top of the identifiers shown in FIG. 5 is “BY ← 193 ← 217 ← 561 ← 391 ← 351 ← 719”. To “BY ← 193 (or“ BY193 ”, the same applies hereinafter)”, “193 ← 217”, “217 ← 561”, “561 ← 391”, “391 ← 351”, “351” ← 719 ”. Of course, the main control unit 122 can change such data for all of the identifier columns. Each of the data “BY ← 193”, “193 ← 217”, “217 ← 561”, “561 ← 391”, “391 ← 351”, and “351 ← 719” is the “object” performed by the worker. Removal, "moving the object between fixed positions," and "loading and installing the object." The optimal data changed in this way is a one-to-one correspondence between each pair of two works paired with each work during the replacement work of the object to be performed by the worker. Make it easier to understand the content. The output unit 126 may record the corrected optimal data as described above on a recording medium provided in the support device 100, or may output the optimal data to a printer (not shown) via the interface 114. When the corrected optimal data is output to the printer, the printer prints, for example, a table as shown in FIG. 7 on paper. The table shown in FIG. 7 is a process chart for a specific worker, and includes only a part of all two identifier pairs that can be created from the column of identifiers included in the optimal data. I have. Of course, the paper as the process chart to be printed may include all pairs of the two identifiers.

The worker performs the work while referring to the paper as the process chart described above. When performing such work, the worker showed the relationship between the initial state, the fixed position in at least the initial state of the end state, and the identifier allocated to the object installed at each fixed position, For example, a “map” of a game hall as shown in FIG. 4 should be distributed. In addition, it is preferable to attach a sticker on which the identifier assigned to the target object, for example, a sticker on which the identifier is printed, is attached to each target object. The sticker should be affixed to the incoming object.
If the worker performs the work under such a situation, the worker may perform the work of moving the object with which identifier in which fixed position to which fixed position or backyard. The operation can be performed while confirming whether or not the information is obtained from the sticker, the map, and the above-described process chart. The work performed in this way is efficient without waste and error-free.

Note that the support device 100 in this embodiment is realized by a so-called stand-alone computer that is out of a network environment including the Internet. On the other hand, the support device 100 can be realized by, for example, a cloud server connected to the Internet.
In that case, the configuration of the support device 100 and the processing executed therein can basically follow those of the support device 100 according to the above-described embodiment. However, in the support device 100 realized by the cloud server, the input device 102 provided in the support device 100 in the above-described embodiment is changed to the input device provided in the terminal owned by the user. That is, the operation content input from the input device of the terminal will be transmitted to the support device 100 which is a cloud server via a network such as the Internet. In that case, for example, the initial data and the end data are sent from the terminal to the support device 100 via the network.

100 support devices
Reference Signs List 101 display 102 input device 121 input unit 122 main control unit 123 state data generation unit 124 primary allocation processing unit 125 secondary allocation processing unit 126 output unit

Claims (9)

From the initial state in which the objects are arranged in advance at each of a number of fixed positions that are determined positions, an operation of removing a plurality of the objects arranged in advance and the object arranged in advance A plurality of the objects are moved to the other fixed positions, and the same number of newly introduced objects as the removed ones of the previously arranged objects are replaced with the empty fixed objects. By performing the operation of arranging the object at a position, the object is placed in an end state in which the object is arranged in a combination different from the initial state at each of the fixed positions. A device for supporting the replacement of objects, including a computer,
An object replacement support method executed by the computer of the above,
Executed by the computer,
In the initial state, receiving the data for generating the initial state data, which is data that specifies the object arranged at each of the fixed positions by mutually unique identifiers allocated to each of the objects, An initial state data generating step of generating the initial state data;
In the end state, data for generating end state data, which is data for specifying the target object arranged at each of the fixed positions by the identifier, and generating the end state data State data generation process,
Based on the initial state data generated by the initial state data generation step and the end state data generated by the end state data generation step, all of the objects allocated to the object existing in the initial state are determined. Of the identifiers, not present in the end state, each of the objects to be removed is allocated to the object arranged in the end state at each of the fixed positions arranged in the initial state. While extracting the identifiers, each of the extracted identifiers was arranged in the initial state at the fixed position where the object to which the extracted identifiers were allocated was arranged in the end state. A primary assignment step of associating with each of the identifiers assigned to the object;
Based on the initial state data generated by the initial state data generation step, the end state data generated by the end state data generation step, and the data of the identifier extracted by the primary allocation step, Each of the fixed positions in which the respective objects other than the newly introduced objects among the objects to which the identifiers extracted by the primary assignment process are allocated are arranged in the initial state. A new extraction of the identifier allocated to the object placed in the end state is performed, and each of the newly extracted identifiers is assigned to the object to which the newly extracted identifier is allocated. The knowledge allocated to the object arranged in the initial state at the fixed position arranged in the end state. And a secondary allocation process to give each a string of child,
After the secondary allocation step, the initial state data generated by the initial state data generation step, the end state data generated by the end state data generation step, and the identifier further extracted by the immediately preceding step Based on the data, each of the objects other than the newly imported object among the objects to which the identifier further extracted in the immediately preceding process has been allocated is arranged in the initial state. And further extracting the identifiers allocated to the objects placed in the end state at the respective fixed positions, and further extracting each of the extracted identifiers. The object that is arranged in the initial state at the fixed position where the object is arranged in the end state The same processing as in the secondary assignment step of associating with each of the assigned identifiers, further, all of the objects to which the extracted identifiers are assigned are all newly imported among the objects. An iterative process that repeats until it becomes an object,
An object replacement support method that includes Said computer,
Sorting all of the data of the series of identifier columns to which two or more are linked, generated by performing the iterative process, in ascending or descending order based on the length of the identifier columns,
The method for supporting replacement of an object according to claim 1. Said computer,
From each of the data of the series of identifiers linked by two or more generated by performing the above-mentioned iterative process, two consecutive identifiers of the series of identifiers specified by the data are paired. Including the step of generating data extracted as
The method for supporting replacement of an object according to claim 1. Said computer,
Outputting a data of a series of identifiers associated with two or more generated by performing the iterative process.
The method for supporting replacement of an object according to claim 1. Said computer,
Generated by sorting all data of a series of identifier columns associated with two or more generated by performing the iterative process in ascending or descending order based on the length of the identifier column. Including outputting the data
3. The method for supporting replacement of an object according to claim 2. Said computer,
From each of the data of the series of identifiers linked by two or more generated by performing the above-mentioned iterative process, two consecutive identifiers of the series of identifiers specified by the data are paired. Including outputting the extracted data as
The method for supporting replacement of an object according to claim 3. The target object is a gaming machine installed in a game arcade, the fixed position is an installation location of the gaming machine,
The method for supporting replacement of an object according to claim 1. From the initial state in which the objects are arranged in advance at each of a number of fixed positions that are determined positions, an operation of removing a plurality of the objects arranged in advance and the object arranged in advance A plurality of the objects are moved to the other fixed positions, and the same number of newly introduced objects as the removed ones of the previously arranged objects are replaced with the empty fixed objects. By performing the operation of arranging the object at a position, the object is placed in an end state in which the object is arranged in a combination different from the initial state at each of the fixed positions. A device for supporting replacement of objects,
In the initial state, receiving the data for generating the initial state data, which is data that specifies the object arranged at each of the fixed positions by mutually unique identifiers allocated to each of the objects, Receiving means for receiving data for generating end state data, which is data for specifying the target object arranged at each of the fixed positions in the end state by the identifier,
Initial state data generating means for generating the initial state data based on data for generating the initial state data,
End state data generation means for generating the end state data based on data for generating the end state data,
Based on the initial state data generated by the initial state data generation means and the end state data generated by the end state data generation means, all of the objects allocated to the object existing in the initial state Of the identifiers, not present in the end state, each of the objects to be removed is allocated to the object arranged in the end state at each of the fixed positions arranged in the initial state. While extracting the identifiers, each of the extracted identifiers was arranged in the initial state at the fixed position where the object to which the extracted identifiers were allocated was arranged in the end state. Primary assigning means for associating with each of the identifiers assigned to the object,
Based on the initial state data generated by the initial state data generation means, the end state data generated by the end state data generation means, and the data of the identifier extracted by the primary allocation means, Each of the fixed positions where each of the objects other than the newly brought-in object among the objects to which the identifier extracted by the primary allocating means is allocated is arranged in the initial state. A new extraction of the identifier allocated to the object placed in the end state is performed, and each of the newly extracted identifiers is assigned to the object to which the newly extracted identifier is allocated. The knowledge allocated to the object arranged in the initial state at the fixed position arranged in the end state. A secondary allocation means to give each a string of child,
Based on the initial state data generated by the initial state data generating means, the end state data generated by the end state data generating means, and the data of the identifier further extracted immediately before, Of the objects to which the extracted identifiers have been allocated, each of the objects other than the newly brought in object is arranged in each of the home positions in the initial state in the end state. And further extracting the identifiers allocated to the object to be processed, and further extracting each of the extracted identifiers, wherein the object to which the further extracted identifiers are allocated is arranged in the end state. Before associating with each of the identifiers allocated to the object placed in the initial state at the position Repeating means for repeating the same processing as performed by the secondary allocating means until all of the objects to which the extracted identifiers have been assigned become the newly imported objects among the objects. When,
An object replacement support device that includes: From the initial state in which the objects are arranged in advance at each of a number of fixed positions that are determined positions, an operation of removing a plurality of the objects arranged in advance and the object arranged in advance A plurality of the objects are moved to the other fixed positions, and the same number of newly introduced objects as the removed ones of the previously arranged objects are replaced with the empty fixed objects. By performing the work of arranging the objects at the positions, the object is replaced with an end state in which the objects are arranged in a combination different from the initial state at each of the fixed positions. A computer program for causing a computer to function as a device replacement support device,
On the computer,
In the initial state, receiving the data for generating the initial state data, which is data that specifies the object arranged at each of the fixed positions by mutually unique identifiers allocated to each of the objects, An initial state data generating step of generating the initial state data;
In the end state, data for generating end state data, which is data for specifying the target object arranged at each of the fixed positions by the identifier, and generating the end state data State data generation process,
Based on the initial state data generated by the initial state data generation step and the end state data generated by the end state data generation step, all of the objects allocated to the object existing in the initial state are determined. Of the identifiers, not present in the end state, each of the objects to be removed is allocated to the object arranged in the end state at each of the fixed positions arranged in the initial state. While extracting the identifiers, each of the extracted identifiers was arranged in the initial state at the fixed position where the object to which the extracted identifiers were allocated was arranged in the end state. A primary assignment step of associating with each of the identifiers assigned to the object;
Based on the initial state data generated by the initial state data generation step, the end state data generated by the end state data generation step, and the data of the identifier extracted by the primary allocation step, Each of the fixed positions in which the respective objects other than the newly introduced objects among the objects to which the identifiers extracted by the primary assignment process are allocated are arranged in the initial state. A new extraction of the identifier allocated to the object placed in the end state is performed, and each of the newly extracted identifiers is assigned to the object to which the newly extracted identifier is allocated. The knowledge allocated to the object arranged in the initial state at the fixed position arranged in the end state. And a secondary allocation process to give each a string of child,
After the secondary allocation step, the initial state data generated by the initial state data generation step, the end state data generated by the end state data generation step, and the identifier of the identifier extracted by the immediately preceding step Based on the data, each of the objects other than the newly imported object among the objects to which the identifier further extracted in the immediately preceding process has been allocated is arranged in the initial state. And further extracting the identifiers assigned to the objects placed in the end state at each of the fixed positions, and further extracting each of the identifiers, wherein the extracted identifiers are further assigned. The object is placed at the fixed position where the object is arranged in the end state and is divided into the object arranged in the initial state. The same processing as in the secondary allocation step of associating with each of the identified identifiers is performed, and all of the identified objects to which the extracted identifiers are assigned are all the newly imported objects of the identified objects. An iterative process that repeats until something
Computer program for executing

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