JP2938621B2 - Gaming equipment trouble management device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine such as a pachinko hall and the like. A trouble management device for a game facility, which is capable of taking measures for the trouble, specifically, a trouble detection means for detecting the occurrence of a trouble in the game equipment, and a trouble occurrence portion based on a trouble detection result by the trouble detection means. Data processing means for outputting data, an image display device for displaying game equipment in a graphic mode image, and a transparent touch panel switch provided on a screen of the image display device, wherein the data from the data processing means is The trouble occurrence part is displayed in the graphic mode image by being input to the image display device, and the graphic mode is displayed. By specifying the trouble occurrence location displayed in the game image by operating the touch panel switch, a detailed image relating to the game facility at the trouble occurrence location is displayed as a next image in a graphic mode image. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a trouble management apparatus for game equipment, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 3-49787 discloses a trouble management apparatus provided with a display device for displaying a trouble occurrence location in a specific color in a graphic mode image of the game equipment. It has been disclosed. When the trouble occurrence location displayed in the graphic mode image is designated by operating the touch panel switch, the trouble management apparatus displays a detailed image of the gaming facility at the trouble occurrence location as a next image in the graphic mode image. When the switch image portion in the image is designated by operating the touch panel switch, the screen of the display device returns to the initial display image displaying the entire game facility.

[0003]

In the conventional trouble management apparatus, a display device is used for displaying a trouble occurrence location on a screen of the trouble management apparatus. It is necessary to go to the location where the trouble occurred in the equipment and consider the cause of the trouble and the means to resolve it, so even if the administrator who is not experienced in the game equipment knows where the trouble occurred, it can not respond quickly to the trouble There is a risk. In addition, since the screen of the display device can be switched to the initial display image by operating the touch panel switch, if the administrator neglects to switch to the initial display image, even after the trouble has been resolved, the game where the trouble has occurred can be played. There is a disadvantage that the detailed image about the equipment is still displayed, and even if a trouble occurs in another part of the game equipment, it is easy to overlook. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a game facility trouble management device that can easily manage trouble occurrences by effectively utilizing an image display device.

[0004]

According to a first feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, a trouble management apparatus for a gaming machine described above includes: Is provided with an image control means for displaying information for solving the trouble at the trouble occurrence location as a character mode image by designating the trouble occurrence location displayed by the touch panel switch. A second characteristic configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is that, in the trouble management apparatus for amusement facilities described above, when a plurality of trouble occurrence places are displayed in the graphic mode image, one of the trouble occurrence parts is displayed. The image switching control means for automatically switching the image displayed on the image display device to the graphic mode image displaying the remaining trouble occurrence points when the trouble resolution at the two trouble occurrence points is detected. is there.

[0005]

According to the first characteristic configuration, information for solving the trouble, such as the cause of the trouble and the means for solving the trouble, is displayed on the image display device in a character mode image, and the manager is not skilled in the game equipment. However, by reading the displayed contents, it is possible to quickly cope with the trouble. According to the second characteristic configuration, when a trouble at one trouble occurrence location is eliminated, the remaining trouble occurrence locations are automatically displayed in a graphic mode image, and there is little possibility that the trouble occurrence location is overlooked.

[0006]

The trouble management apparatus for a game facility according to the first aspect and the trouble management apparatus for a game facility according to the second aspect can easily manage trouble occurrence.

[0007]

FIG. 7 shows a gaming machine for a slot machine in which a number of slot machines A are arranged in a hall.
This gaming facility includes a plurality of gaming islands C each having a slot machine A and a medal lending machine B for the slot machine arranged side by side.
(Only one gaming island is shown in the figure), a main hopper D1 for storing medals, and a sub-hopper for storing medals that is located higher than the gaming island C by sandwiching the medals in the main hopper D1. A lifting device E for discharging to D2,
A medal supply device G that supplies the medals in the sub hopper D2 to a medal replenishment hopper D3 provided at the island end of each gaming island C via a medal payout device F1, and a medal in the replenishing hopper D3 is stored in the gaming island. A medal replenishing device H for replenishing the slot machine A and the medal lending machine B of C via the medal payout devices F2 and F3 is provided.

The main hopper D1, the sub hopper D
2 and the supply hopper D3 each have an electric motor J
Belt conveyors K1, K2, K3 for discharging stored medals by driving 1, J2, J3, and magnetic level sensors L1, L2, L3 for detecting whether medals are stored in a predetermined storage level range. , Belt conveyor K1, K
2, K3, and optical rotation sensors M1, M2, M3 for detecting whether or not the belt conveyor K1,
Magnetic medal presence / absence sensors N1, N2, N3 for detecting whether or not there is a medal on K2, K3 are provided.

The lifting device E drives and rotates a pair of endless belts E1 by an electric motor J4 to transfer medals discharged from the main hopper D1 to the pair of endless belts E1.
Endless belt E1
An optical rotation sensor M4 for detecting whether or not is driven and rotated, and a magnetic medal retention sensor P1 for detecting retention of medals discharged from the main hopper D1 are provided.

The medal supply device G and the medal supply device H are each configured to drive a belt conveyor by electric motors J5 and J6 to place and convey medals discharged from the sub hopper D2 or the supply hopper D3. And magnetic medal retention sensors P2 and P3 for detecting the retention of medals discharged from the sub hopper D2 or the replenishment hopper D3.

Each of the medal payout devices F1, F2, and F3 has a swinging plate (not shown) that can swing between a payout posture that traverses the conveyance path of the belt conveyor and a standby posture that retreats from the conveyance path. By switching the solenoids Q1, Q2, and Q3 to the payout position, the medals placed and conveyed are received by the rocking plate and dropped to one side of the belt conveyor,
Proximity sensors R1, R2, and R3 are provided to guide and discharge the supply hopper D3, the medal hopper D4 of the slot machine A, and the medal hopper D5 of the medal lending machine B, and detect a change in attitude of the swinging plate to the payout attitude. Have been.

The slot machine A has a magnetic level sensor L4 for detecting whether or not medals are stored in a medal hopper D4 within a predetermined storage level range, and an optical system for detecting medal feeding from the medal hopper D4. A medal extension sensor T1 is provided.

When the inserted bill is recognized as a genuine bill by the bill validator 1, the medal lending machine B discharges the bill to a bill transporting device (not shown) on the rear side of the lending machine and outputs a predetermined number of bills. An optical bill sensor S configured to pay out the medal from the medal hopper D5 and return the bill when identified as a counterfeit note, and to detect the movement of the bill sent to the bill validator 1. A magnetic level sensor L5 for detecting whether or not medals are stored in the medal hopper D5 within a predetermined storage level range, and an optical medal feeding sensor T2 for detecting medal feeding from the medal hopper D5. Is provided.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are block diagrams for explaining the operation control of the game equipment. The main hopper D1, the sub hopper D2, the lifting device E, the medal payout device F1, and the medal supply device G are the main control device 2. The slot machine A, the medal lending machine B, the replenishing hopper D3, the medal payout devices F2, F3, and the medal replenishment device H which constitute the gaming island C are controlled by the sub-control device 3 for each gaming island C. Thus, the main control device 2 and the sub control device 3 are connected. FIG.
Although one sub-control device 3 and one medal payout device F1 are shown for simplicity, they are actually connected by the number of game islands C. In FIG. 9, one slot machine A, one medal lending machine B, and one medal payout device F2, F3 are shown for simplicity. All the machines B and the corresponding number of medal payout devices F2 and F3 are connected.

In the sub-controller 2, the slot machine A
Alternatively, when a medal request signal is output from the level sensors L4 and L5 of the medal lending machine B, the medal payout devices F2 and F corresponding to the slot machine A or the medal lending machine B.
3, the energizing signal is output to the solenoids Q2 and Q3, and the swinging plate is switched to the dispensing posture. At the same time, the start signal is output to the electric motor J6 to drive the medal replenishing device H, and thereafter the start signal is sent to the electric motor J3. Is output to drive the belt conveyor K3 of the supply hopper D3,
Medals are supplied to the medal hoppers D4 and D5 of the slot machine A or the medal lending machine B. Level sensor L
4, when the output of the medal request signal from L5 is stopped, the output of the start signal to the electric motor J3 is stopped, the belt conveyor K3 of the supply hopper D3 is stopped, and the distance from the supply hopper D3 to the medal payout devices F2, F3. After a lapse of a predetermined time according to the above, the output of the start signal to the electric motor J6 is stopped, and the medal supply device H stops, and
The output of the energization signal to the solenoids Q2 and Q3 is stopped, the swinging plate is switched to the standby position, and all the medals discharged from the supply hopper D3 to the medal supply device H are supplied to the medal hoppers D4 and D5.

In the main controller 2, when a medal request signal is output from the level sensor L3 of the replenishing hopper D3 via the sub-controller 3, the solenoid Q1 of the medal payout device F1 corresponding to the replenishing hopper D3 is energized. A signal is output to switch the swinging plate to the payout position, and a start signal is output to the electric motor J5 to drive the medal supply device G. Thereafter, a start signal is output to the electric motor J2 and the sub-hopper D2 is driven. The belt conveyor K2 is driven, and medals are supplied to the supply hopper D3. When the output of the medal request signal from the level sensor L3 is stopped, the output of the start signal to the electric motor J2 is stopped, the belt conveyor K2 of the sub hopper D2 is stopped, and according to the distance from the sub hopper D2 to the medal payout device F1. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the output of the start signal to the electric motor J5 is stopped, the medal supply device G is stopped, and the output of the energization signal to the solenoid Q1 is stopped, and the swing plate is switched to the standby position, and All the medals discharged from the hopper D2 to the medal supply device G are supplied to the supply hopper D3. When a medal request signal is output from the level sensor L2 of the sub hopper D2,
An activation signal is output to the electric motor J4 to drive the lifting device E. Thereafter, an activation signal is output to the electric motor J1 to drive the belt conveyor K1 of the main hopper D1, and medals are supplied to the sub hopper D2. . When the output of the medal request signal from the level sensor L2 stops, the output of the start signal to the electric motor J1 stops, the belt conveyor K1 of the main hopper D1 stops, and the lifting distance from the main hopper D1 to the sub hopper D2 increases. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the output of the start signal to the electric motor J4 is stopped, the lifting device E stops, and all the medals discharged from the main hopper D1 to the lifting device E are supplied to the sub hopper D2. . The main hopper D1
When the medal request signal is output from the level sensor L1, the shortage of medals in the main hopper D1 is displayed on the hall monitoring panel 4, and the medals are artificially conveyed or conveyed from a medal washing machine (not shown). Medals will be replenished.

Next, a description will be given of a trouble management apparatus for managing troubles occurring in the gaming facility. As shown in FIG. 1, the trouble management device includes a trouble detection device V for detecting occurrence of a trouble in the game equipment, and a maintenance checker 5 to which a detection result by the trouble detection device V is input via the main control device 2. It is provided and configured.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the trouble detecting device V is composed of trouble detecting units V1 to V15 arranged at predetermined places of the game facility. V1 is a medal in the medal hopper D4 of the slot machine A. Despite the payout signal being output, the medal payout sensor T1
Is a medal jam detector that detects that a medal jam is occurring in the medal hopper D4 when no medal advance is detected, and V2 is the bill validator 1 of the medal lending machine B.
Despite the fact that the bills inserted into
When the bill sensor S does not detect the movement of the bill, a bill jam detector that detects that the bill has been jammed in the bill discriminating machine 1, V 3 outputs a medal payout signal to the medal hopper D 5 of the medal lending machine B. When the medal advance sensor T2 does not detect the medal advance despite the output, the medal jam detector detects that the medal hopper D5 is jammed.
4 indicates that when the rotation sensor M3 does not detect the driving of the belt conveyor K3 even though the start signal is output to the electric motor J3 of the supply hopper D3, an abnormality occurs in the driving system of the belt conveyor K3. The conveyor abnormality detection unit V5 detects that the medal presence / absence sensor N3 detects the belt conveyor K3 despite the start signal being output to the electric motor J3 of the supply hopper D3.
The medal jam detectors V6 and V7, which detect that a medal jam has occurred in the supply hopper D3 when no medal is detected above, output energization signals to the solenoids Q2 and Q3 of the medal payout devices F2 and F3. When the proximity sensors R2 and R3 do not detect a change in the attitude of the rocking plate, the solenoid abnormality detection unit detects that an abnormality has occurred in the solenoids Q2 and Q3.
8 indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the transport system of the medal supply device H when the medal retention sensor P3 detects the retention of medals even though the start signal is output to the electric motor J6 of the medal supply device H. The conveyance abnormality detection units V9 and V11 detect that the start signals are output to the electric motors J1 and J2 of the main hopper D1 and the sub hopper D2, respectively.
Not detecting the driving of the belt conveyors K1 and K2, a conveyor error detecting unit for detecting that an abnormality has occurred in the drive system of the belt conveyors K1 and K2, V10 and V
12, when the medal presence / absence sensors N1 and N2 do not detect medals on the belt conveyors K1 and K2, even though the start signals are output to the electric motors J1 and J2 of the main hopper D1 and the sub hopper D2, A medal clogging detector that detects that a medal clogging trouble has occurred in the main hopper D1 and the sub hopper D2, the V13 detects that a start signal has been output to the electric motor J4 of the lifting device E, Rotation sensor M4
Is a lifting abnormality detecting device that detects that an abnormality has occurred in the drive system of the endless belt E1 when the driving of the endless belt E1 is not detected. When the medal retention sensor P1 detects the retention of medals, In addition, a medal jam detector that detects that a medal jam has occurred,
An abnormality has occurred in the transport system of the medal supply device G when the medal retention sensor P2 detects the retention of the medal even though the start signal is output to the electric motor J5 of the medal supply device G. The transport abnormality detecting unit V16 detects the solenoid Q1 of the medal payout device F1.
This is a solenoid abnormality detection unit that detects that an abnormality has occurred in the solenoid Q1 when the proximity sensor R1 does not detect a change in the attitude of the rocking plate even though an energization signal is output to the solenoid Q1.

The maintenance checker 5 includes a data processing unit 6 for processing data input from the trouble detection device V via the main control device 2, and a display device for displaying game equipment as graphic mode images U1, U2, U3. 7
And a transparent touch panel switch 8 provided on the screen of the display device 7 and an image switching control unit 9 for automatically switching the display image on the display device 7 in a unit form. Is
An image control unit 11 that controls the content of an image displayed on the screen 10 based on signals input from the data processing unit 6, the touch panel switch 8, and the image switching control unit 9 is provided.

The data processing section 6 compares whether or not the data signal input from the trouble detection device V has changed, for example, whether or not the data signal input at low level has changed to high level. When there is a change, the trouble detection units V1 to V15 corresponding to the data signal
Determines that a trouble occurrence has been detected, inputs data such as the trouble occurrence location and character information for solving the trouble to the image control unit 11, and solves the trouble when the data signal changes conversely. Judge that

The display device 7 normally displays a schematic diagram of the entire game facility as a first graphic mode image U1, and touches a touch panel switch portion located above a desired location in the first graphic mode image U1 with a fingertip. By touching the desired location, the detailed image relating to the gaming facility at the desired location and character information for solving the trouble are sequentially displayed as the next image in the second and third graphic mode images U2, U
3. Displayed as character mode image U4. Next, a management method by the maintenance checker 5 will be described based on a flowchart of FIG. When the power is turned on, the first layout as shown in FIG. 3 is used as an initial screen, with the general layout of the entire game facility, for example, the layout of the main hopper D1, the lifting device E, the sub hopper D2, the medal supply device G, and the game island C. It is displayed as the mode image U1. In addition, fD1 is an image showing the main hopper D1, fE is an image showing the lifting device E, f
D2 is an image showing the sub hopper D2, fG is an image showing the medal supply device G, and fC1, fC2, and fC3 are images showing three gaming islands C.

Thereafter, one of the trouble detecting units V1 to V15 detects the occurrence of the trouble and inputs data such as the trouble occurrence location and character information for solving the trouble from the data processing unit 6 to the image control unit 11. When done
Those trouble occurrence locations are displayed in the first graphic mode image U1. For example, if any trouble occurs in a plurality of game islands C, the game island images fC1 and fC2 in which the trouble has occurred blink or are displayed in different colors. Is done.

When the manager designates a trouble occurrence location displayed in the first graphic mode image U1 with the touch panel switch 8, a detailed image relating to the game facility at the trouble occurrence location is displayed as the next image in the second graphic mode image U2. Second graphic mode image U2 displayed and displayed as the next image
The trouble occurrence location is displayed in more detail. For example, when the game island image fC1 is designated, as shown in FIG.
Slot machine A, medal rental machine B, supply hopper D3,
The arrangement of the medal supply device H and the medal dispensing devices F2 and F3 is displayed in the second graphic mode image U2. For example, when a trouble occurs in the medal lending machine B, the image fB indicating the medal lending machine B blinks or is colored. Is displayed. still,
fA is an image showing the slot machine A, fD3 is an image showing the supply hopper D3, fH is an image showing the medal supply device H, fF2 and fF3 are images showing the medal payout devices F2 and F3.

Further, when a trouble occurrence location in the second graphic mode image U2 displayed as the next image is designated by the touch panel switch 8 in the same manner as described above, a more detailed image of the trouble occurrence location is displayed as the next image in the third image. The third image displayed as the graphic mode image U3 and displayed as the next image
When the trouble occurrence location is displayed in more detail in the graphic mode image U3, and, for example, the medal lending machine image fB is designated,
As shown in FIG. 5, the bill validator image f1 and the medal hopper image fD5 are displayed in a manner resembling the shape of the actual medal lending machine B. For example, when both the bill validator 1 and the medal hopper D5 have trouble, Banknote recognition machine image f1
And the medal hopper image fD5 are blinked or displayed in different colors.

When the trouble location displayed in the final graphic mode image U3, which is the most detailed image, is designated by the touch panel switch 8, the character information for solving the trouble at the trouble location is displayed in the character mode. Displayed as the next image in the image U4, for example, when the bill discriminating machine image f1 is designated, as shown in FIG. 6, the trouble has occurred in the bill discriminating machine 1, the cause is that the bill is jammed, and the trouble solving procedure. Is displayed in the character mode image U4 to open the case of the medal lending machine B to remove a jammed banknote.

When the trouble is eliminated, the data signal from the trouble detection units V1 to V15 at the trouble occurrence location changes. Therefore, the data processing unit 6 determines that the trouble at the trouble occurrence location has been solved, and When a trouble occurrence location is not detected in the first game mode, a first graphic mode image U1 indicating a schematic arrangement of the entire game facility is displayed. If one trouble has been resolved and another trouble location remains, the data processing unit 6 outputs a signal indicating the remaining trouble location to the image switching control unit 9,
The image switching control unit 9 controls the graphic mode image U to be displayed next.
1, U2, and U3 are output to the image control unit 11, and the graphic mode images U1, U2, and U3, for example, the trouble that has already been solved is a paper jam in the bill validator 1, and the remaining trouble occurs. A medal hopper D5 of a medal lending machine B whose location is the same as that of the bill validator 1.
In the case of, the third graphic mode image U3 is displayed, and only the medal hopper image fD5 blinks or is displayed in different colors.

[Another embodiment] a. Character information, such as to help understanding, may be included in the graphic mode image displaying the game facility. I. The character mode image indicating the character information for solving the trouble may include graphic information for assisting understanding. C. The number of detailed images that are sequentially switched according to designation by the touch panel switch is not particularly limited. D. The graphic mode image that displays the remaining trouble occurrence points may be an image that displays the trouble occurrence points in an initial display image that is normally displayed. E. The trouble management apparatus for a game facility according to the present invention is not necessarily limited to the apparatus for managing the trouble of the entire game facility, and may be a device for managing a trouble in a specific portion or a specific range in the game facility. F. The concept of a trouble managed by the trouble management apparatus for a game facility according to the present invention also includes whether or not the replacement time of a component constituting the game facility is near or has passed. G. Depending on the nature of the trouble, priorities are assigned in the order of urgency to clear the trouble, and when multiple troubles occur simultaneously, or when another trouble occurs while the trouble occurrence is being displayed, the trouble with the highest priority is displayed with priority May be provided and implemented. K. The game equipment is not limited to the slot machine, but may be a game equipment for a pachinko game, a game equipment for a video game, a vehicle game equipment for an amusement park, or the like.

In the claims, reference numerals are provided for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the attached drawings.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a trouble management device.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a management method.

FIG. 3 is an image displayed by an image display device.

FIG. 4 is an image displayed by an image display device.

FIG. 5 is an image displayed by an image display device.

FIG. 6 is an image displayed by an image display device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a game facility.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining operation control of the game facility.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining operation control of the game facility;

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 Data processing means 7 Image display device 8 Touch panel switch 9 Image switching control means 11 Image control means U1 Graphic mode image U2 Graphic mode image U3 Graphic mode image U4 Character mode image V Trouble detecting means

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A trouble detecting means (V) for detecting occurrence of a trouble in a game facility, and a data processing means (6) for outputting data relating to a trouble occurrence part based on a trouble detection result by the trouble detecting means (V). An image display device (7) for displaying game equipment in a graphic mode image (U1, U2, U3); and a transparent touch panel switch (8) provided on a screen of the image display device (7). Data from the data processing means (6) is input to the image display device (7), and the graphics mode image (U1,
U2 and U3), the trouble occurrence location is displayed in the graphic mode image (U1, U2, U3), and the trouble occurrence location is displayed on the touch panel switch (8).
In the trouble management apparatus for game equipment in which the detailed image relating to the game equipment at the trouble occurrence location is displayed as the next image in the graphic mode image (U2, U3), the graphic mode image (U1, U2, By specifying the trouble occurrence position displayed in the final image (U3) of the images displayed in U3) by operating the touch panel switch (8), information for solving the trouble at the trouble occurrence position is obtained. A trouble management device for a game facility, comprising an image control means (11) for displaying a character mode image (U4). 2. A trouble detecting means (V) for detecting the occurrence of a trouble in the game equipment, and a data processing means (6) for outputting data relating to a trouble occurrence location based on a trouble detection result by the trouble detecting means (V). An image display device (7) for displaying game equipment in a graphic mode image (U1, U2, U3); and a transparent touch panel switch (8) provided on a screen of the image display device (7). Data from the data processing means (6) is input to the image display device (7), and the graphics mode image (U1,
U2 and U3), the trouble occurrence location is displayed in the graphic mode image (U1, U2, U3), and the trouble occurrence location is displayed on the touch panel switch (8).
In the trouble management apparatus for game equipment in which the detailed image relating to the game equipment at the trouble occurrence location is displayed as the next image in the graphic mode image (U2, U3), the graphic mode image (U1, U2, When there are a plurality of trouble occurrence locations displayed in U3), if it is detected that one of the trouble occurrence locations has resolved the trouble, the image displayed on the image display device (7) is used to display the remaining trouble occurrences. Figure mode image (U
A trouble management apparatus for a game facility, comprising: an image switching control means (9) for automatically switching the image switching to (1, U2, U3).