JP2954874B2 - Central control device for ball-and-ball game machines - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a centralized management system for ball game machines, and more particularly to a system for centrally managing a large number of ball game machines installed in each game hall via a telephone line. It was done.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A ball game machine such as a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine and the like has a terminal board for taking out various kinds of information such as out-of-ball information, winning information and jackpot information. Therefore, in each game hall, a management means such as a personal computer is installed at an appropriate place such as a service counter, and the management means and each ball game machine are connected via a terminal board. It employs a method of managing all ball and ball machines collectively.

[0003] Therefore, each of the ball game machines is provided with a function of monitoring the presence or absence of its own abnormality, and the presence or absence of the abnormality of each of the ball game machines is simultaneously managed using a centralized management system by a management means. In the event that an abnormality has occurred in a ball game machine in a game hall, it has been considered that the abnormality can be promptly dealt with.

[0004]

The conventional centralized management system using the management means targets each ball-and-ball game machine in a game hall, and employs an independent management system for each game hall. For this reason, for example, if the variable symbol display means for displaying the variable symbol, the ball payout means for paying out prize balls, etc. fail, the variable symbol display means, the ball payout means, etc. It is possible to immediately grasp the fact that the error has occurred.

[0005] However, in the case where replacement is required due to a failure in the variable symbol display means, the ball payout means, etc., the manager of the game hall goes to the installation location of the ball game machine to find out the fact of the failure and the exchange. After confirming the necessity, the manufacturer of the ball game machine will arrange replacement of parts. Therefore, the fact that a failure has occurred cannot be immediately reported to the manufacturer, and after the manufacturer has been notified, it will be necessary to arrange necessary parts, etc., and it will not be possible to respond quickly from the occurrence of a failure to replacement of parts. In addition, there is a drawback that confusion due to a communication error or the like is caused.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems,
A large number of ball game machines installed in a plurality of gaming halls are collectively managed via telephone lines, and when an error occurs in a ball game machine, depending on the location of the abnormality, the content of the abnormality, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a centralized management device for a ball game machine which can easily and quickly respond appropriately.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a large number of ball game machines 5 installed in each of the game halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 are connected to the telephone line 3. A centralized management device for a ball game machine, which is collectively managed via a computer, and sends a monitoring signal to a monitoring target portion of the ball game machine 5 at predetermined time intervals to monitor for abnormality. Abnormality monitoring means 32, and when the abnormality monitoring means 32 detects the occurrence of an abnormality, a game hall 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 for installing the ball game machine 5, the ball game machine 5 and Abnormality specifying means 34 for specifying an abnormal location, abnormal information storing means 36 for storing the abnormal information from the abnormal specifying means 34, and a game hall 2-1, 2-2, 2 stored in the abnormal information storing means 36. -3, the ball game machine 5 and abnormal information output means 37 for outputting abnormal information for specifying an abnormal place.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, each of the ball game machines 5 is provided with an abnormality monitoring means 32, and each of the game halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 is provided. Multiple ball game machines in
The abnormality identification means 34 is set to each game hall 2-
Prepared for 1,2-2,2-3.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a centralized management means 1 is provided independently of each of the game halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3. Centralized management means 1
And an abnormality information storage means 36 and an abnormality information output means 37.

The present invention described in claim 4 is the first and second aspects of the present invention.
Or in the invention described in 3, each of the game halls 2-1 2-2 2-2
The centralized management means 1 is provided independently of the centralized control means 3, and the centralized management means 1 includes an abnormality monitoring means 32, an abnormality identification means 34, an abnormality information storage means 36, and an abnormality information output means 37.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows an overview of the entire system. 1 is a centralized management means such as a personal computer. This centralized management means 1 is independent of each gaming hall 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, and is a centralized manager such as a manufacturer. It is provided in. The centralized management means 1 is connected to the in-hall management means 4 installed in each of the gaming halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 via a telephone line 3. Management means in each hall
4 consists of PCs, etc.
Each of them is connected to a plurality of ball game machines 5 installed in 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ball game machine 5 has a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 6 and a front frame 7 pivotally connected to the outer frame 6 so as to be openable and closable. On the front frame 7, a glass door 9 pivotally attached to the game board 8 so as to be openable and closable is disposed on an upper side, and an upper plate 10 and a lower plate 11 are disposed below the glass door 9. Further, a firing handle 13 of the firing means 12 is provided on one side of the occasional lower plate 11.

The game board 8 is detachably mounted on the front frame 7 from the back side, and is pressed by a back mechanism plate 14 detachably mounted on the back side of the front frame 7 as shown in FIG.
An opening 15 is formed in the center of the back mechanism plate 14, and a winning ball tank 16, a winning ball tank rail 17, a terminal board 18
However, ball dispensing means 19 is provided on one side, and a passage unit 20 and the like are provided on the lower side. The opening 15 is configured so that a winning cover tank 22 and a back cover 21 mounted vertically close to the back side of the game board 8 are fitted. A control box 24 containing a control board 23 is detachably attached to the back cover 21 from the back side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the game board 8 has guide rails 25 for guiding the shot game balls, winning means 26 for the game balls to be won, starting means 27 for the game balls to pass, and starting means.
A variable symbol display means 28 for changing the symbol for a predetermined time when the game ball 27 is detected, a specific prize means 2 which is activated effectively after the stop symbol of the variable symbol display means 28 becomes a big hit symbol.
9. The special prize means 29 is provided with a special prize means 30 for a jackpot which is operated intermittently a predetermined number of times each time a game ball wins.

The control board 23 includes a CPU, a ROM and an RA
A game control means for controlling a game operation by a prize means 26, a start means 27, a variable symbol display means 28, etc. of the game board 8, as shown in FIG.
31 and abnormality monitoring means 32 for monitoring the presence or absence of an abnormality in each part of the ball game machine 5.

The abnormality monitoring means 32, according to the abnormality monitoring program recorded in the ROM, the prize means 26 on the game board 8 side,
A monitoring signal is sequentially transmitted to the monitoring target parts such as the starting means 27, the changing symbol display means 28, the specific winning means 29, the special winning means 30, the ball payout means 19, etc., and the presence or absence of an abnormality is monitored.
When there is any abnormality on the 5 side, an abnormality signal specifying the abnormality location and the abnormality content is stored in the RAM,
The information is sent from the terminal board 18 to the inside management means 4 such as a personal computer.

The abnormality signal transmitted at this time is stored in advance in the ROM as appropriate data corresponding to the abnormality location and the content of the abnormality for each monitoring target portion, and the abnormality monitoring means 32 stores the data stored in the ROM. An abnormal signal is sent in accordance with.

The in-hall management means 4 is a game hall 2-1,2-
In addition to configuring the sales management means 33 for managing normal winning information, jackpot information, out-of-ball information, etc. of each ball game machine 5 in 2, 2-3, the abnormality monitoring means 32 of each ball game machine 5 When the occurrence of an abnormality is detected, the gaming holes 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, the ball game machine 5 in which the abnormality has occurred, the abnormality identifying means 34 for identifying the abnormal location and the content of the abnormality are configured. Ori, game hall 2-1 and 2-
When there is an abnormality in any of the ball game machines 5 in 2,2-3,
The game halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, the ball-and-ball game machine 5, and the abnormal information for specifying the abnormal location and the content of the abnormality are transmitted to the centralized management means 1 via the telephone line 3.

The in-hall management means 4 can also display or record the ball game machine 5 in which the abnormality has occurred, the location of the abnormality, the content of the abnormality, and the like. Centralized management
1 is an abnormality information receiving means 35 for receiving abnormality information transmitted via the telephone line 3 from the abnormality identification means 34 of each of the gaming halls 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3; Anomaly information storage means 36 for storing the anomaly information received at 35, game halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 stored by the anomaly information storage means 36, the ball game machine 5 and the location of the anomaly are specified. Abnormality information output means 37 for outputting abnormality information.

The abnormality information output means 37 is composed of a display means 38 such as a cathode ray tube for displaying the abnormality information on a screen and a printing means 39 such as a printer for printing the abnormality information on recording paper. At times, an image is first displayed on the display means 38, and thereafter, when a print command button is operated, the printing means 39 prints out the abnormality information.

The display means 38 and the printing means 39 display abnormality information in the order of the date, time, game hall name, telephone number, number of the ball-and-ball game machine 5, abnormality location, and abnormality content of the abnormality occurrence. Or printing. Therefore, if an abnormality occurs in the ball game machine 5 in any of the game halls 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, if the display on the display means 38 or the printing on the printing means 39 is checked, At what time, what day, what time, what time, where, what number of ball game machine 5 in game hall 2-1, 2-2, 2-3
It is possible to immediately grasp where and what kind of abnormality has occurred.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Each game hall 2-
At 1,2-2,2-3, when the power is turned on (step S
1), control board for the hall management means 4 and the ball and ball game machine 5
Each of the 23 sides is initialized (step S2). Thereafter, in the ball game machine 5, when the player fires the game ball by the firing means 12 to start the game operation, the game proceeds under the control of the game control means 31.

For example, when a game ball falling from the upper part of the game board 8 wins the prize means 26, the large prize means 30, etc., the ball payout means 19 is operated in accordance with the number of the prize, and the specified number of game Dispense the ball to the upper plate 10 side. Also, when the game ball passes the starting means 27, the symbol of the variable symbol display means 28 fluctuates for a certain period of time, and if the stopped symbol after the fluctuation becomes a predetermined big hit symbol, a profit state advantageous to the player is generated. . Then, after the occurrence of this profit state, the specific winning means
Each time a game ball wins at 29, the big prize winning means 30 for big hits opens and closes a plurality of times intermittently, returning a great profit to the player.

On the other hand, after the power is turned on, regardless of whether the game is in progress or not, the abnormality monitoring means 32 sends a monitoring signal to the monitoring target portion of the ball game machine 5 at predetermined time intervals in accordance with the abnormality monitoring program in the ROM. To monitor for the occurrence of an abnormality (step S3). Then, if an abnormality occurs in any part of the ball game machine 5, for example, in the ball payout means 19, a confirmation process is performed to confirm what kind of abnormality has occurred in which part of the ball payout means 19 (step). S4) If the game is in progress and the continuation of the game is not appropriate, the game is stopped (step S5), and then an abnormal signal is sent to the in-hall management means 4 via the terminal board 18 (step S5).
6).

The in-hall management means 4 always manages various kinds of business information such as winning information and jackpot information from each of the ball game machines 5 in the gaming halls 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3. Means33
At the same time as receiving and managing the abnormality, the abnormality identification means 34 operates to receive an abnormality signal from each of the ball game machines 5 in the game halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3. Then, if an abnormality occurs in the ball payout means 19 or the like in a certain specific ball game machine 5, the abnormality specifying means 34 responds to the abnormal signal from the abnormality monitoring means 32 to the gaming holes 2-1 and 2-2. , 2-3, the ball game machine 5 in which the abnormality has occurred, and the abnormality information for specifying the abnormality location and the abnormality content are transmitted to the central management means 1 via the telephone line 3.

On the side of the central manager, the central manager 1 receives and manages all the abnormal information from the in-hall management means 4 of each of the game halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 via the telephone line 3. ing. Therefore, for example, in the fifth ball game machine 5 of the A game hall 2-1, if there is abnormality information indicating that the ball payout means 19 has an abnormality, the abnormality information receiving means 35 of the central management means 1 transmits the information. Receiving the abnormality information and receiving the abnormality information
The abnormality information received at 35 is sequentially stored in the abnormality information storage means 36, and is aggregated together with the past abnormality information.

At the same time, the display means 38 of the abnormality information output means 37 displays the fifth ball game machine 5 in the A game hall 2-1.
Is displayed along with the date, time,
The abnormal location is the ball payout means 19, and the type of the abnormal status is displayed.

Therefore, on the central manager side, each game hall
If the ball game machine 5 in any of the game halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 fails even though it is located away from 2-1,2-2,2-3, From the display contents of the display means 38, it is possible to immediately and accurately determine where and what kind of abnormality has occurred in what number of the ball game machine 5 of the game hall 2-1, 2-2, 2-3. I can understand. In the case of a repairable abnormality in the gaming halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, the central management means 1 issues a repair instruction to the management means 4 in the hall via the telephone line 3, etc. Appropriate measures can be taken easily and quickly for the occurrence of abnormalities.

When the abnormality of the ball game machine 5 requires replacement of parts, an instruction for replacement of parts is issued to a repair staff such as a sales office or a service center of the manufacturer. At this time, central management means 1
If there is a repair staff near the printer, the user presses the print button, prints on the recording paper by the printing means 39, and issues an instruction in accordance with the recording on the recording paper. Therefore, even when parts are replaced, the processing can be easily and quickly and accurately performed, and the time delay of the transmission, the transmission error, and the like can be reliably prevented.

Further, since the abnormality information of all the ball game machines 5 in each of the game halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 can be collectively managed by the centralized management means 1, the whole can be easily managed, and in particular, each Game Hall 2-
There is no need to arrange repair staff for each 1,2-2,2-3, and efficient repair of each ball game machine 5 in different gaming halls 2-1,2-2,2-3 Is possible.

In addition, since the centralized control means 1 collectively manages the abnormality information of all the ball game machines 5 in each of the gaming holes 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, each of the gaming holes 2-1, 2, -The number of samples of the ball game machine 5 increases compared to the case of managing every -2,2-3,
Reliable data such as what kind of abnormality started to appear in which part of which type of ball game machine 5 can be collected and the tendency can be reliably determined, making it easy to take the following countermeasures. Can be taken.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention,
The abnormality monitoring means 32 is separated from the ball game machine 5 and the centralized management means 1 is provided with an abnormality monitoring means 32, an abnormality identification means 34, an abnormality information storage means 36, and an abnormality information output means 37. Gaming halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 via telephone line 3
This is connected to the in-hall management means 4.

In this case, each of the balls in each of the game halls 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3 are constantly transmitted from the abnormality monitoring means 32 of the centralized management means 1 via the telephone line 3 and the in-hall management means 4. A monitoring signal is sequentially transmitted to the gaming machines 5 to monitor each of the ball gaming machines 5 in each of the gaming halls 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 for abnormalities. If there is an abnormal signal from the ball game machine 5, the central control means 1 performs the same processing as described above. Also in the case of this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.
The monitoring target site, the monitoring method, and the like of the ball game machine 5 of the embodiment are merely examples, and can be freely changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, all electric components of the ball game machine 5 or all of the harnesses and the like connecting the electric components may be evenly monitored,
Particularly important parts may be selected and monitored.

[0035]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a large number of ball game machines 5 installed in each of the game halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 are connected via the telephone line 3. This is a centralized management device for a ball-and-game machine that is collectively managed in a centralized manner. The abnormality is monitored by sending a monitoring signal to a monitoring target portion of the ball-and-ball game machine 5 at predetermined time intervals to monitor for abnormalities. Means 32, and when the abnormality monitoring means 32 detects the occurrence of an abnormality, the ball game machine 5
Game halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 where the ball game machine 5 is installed
Abnormality specifying means 34 for specifying an abnormal location, and abnormality information storing means 36 for storing abnormality information from the abnormality specifying means 34.
And the game hall 2-1 stored by the abnormality information storage means 36,
2-2, 2-3, the ball game machine 5 and the abnormal information output means 37 for outputting abnormal information for specifying the abnormal part, so that each gaming hall 2-1, 2-2, 2- 3) Each ball game machine 5 can be managed efficiently, and when an error occurs in the ball game machine 5, repair or replacement of parts in accordance with the fault location and contents, etc. Therefore, appropriate measures can be taken easily and quickly according to the contents. Therefore,
The game interruption time can be reduced and the ball game machine 5
For example, there is an advantage that a decrease in the operation rate due to the failure of the ball game machine 5 can be minimized, for example, the time during which the game machine cannot be used can be reduced.

According to the present invention described in claim 2, in the invention described in claim 1, the abnormality monitoring means 32 is provided in each of the ball game machines 5, and each of the game holes 2-1, 2-2, 2 -3 is provided in each of the gaming halls 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 so as to cover a plurality of ball game machines 5 in the game machine -3. By monitoring the presence / absence of an error, abnormal information can be transmitted via the telephone line 3 when an error occurs, and the use time of the telephone line 3 can be reduced.

According to the present invention described in claim 3, according to the invention described in claim 1 or 2, each of the game halls 2-1 and 2-2,
The centralized management means 1 is provided independently of 2-3, and the centralized management means 1 includes the abnormal information storage means 36 and the abnormal information output means 37. -3, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the ball game machine 5 in each of the game halls 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 can be managed.

According to the present invention described in claim 4, in the invention described in claim 1, 2, or 3, each of the game halls 2-1 and
Central management means 1 is provided independently of 2-2 and 2-3, and this central management means 1 includes an abnormality monitoring means 32, an abnormality identification means 34, an abnormality information storage means 36, and an abnormality information output means 37. In addition, the configuration of each ball game machine 5 can be simplified as compared with the case where each ball game machine 5 is provided with the abnormality monitoring means 32 and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front side of the ball game machine showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rear side of the ball game machine showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the game board according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Central management means 2-1,2-2,2-3 Game hall 3 Telephone line 5 Ball game machine 32 Abnormality monitoring means 34 Abnormality specifying means 36 Abnormality information storage means 37 Abnormality information output means

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] A large number of ball game machines (5) installed in each of the game halls (2-1) (2-2) (2-3) are centralized through a telephone line (3). A centralized control device for a ball-gaming machine, wherein the monitoring device sends a monitoring signal to a monitoring target portion of the ball-gaming machine (5) at a predetermined time interval to monitor for an abnormality. 32), and when the abnormality monitoring means (32) detects the occurrence of an abnormality, the gaming hall (2-1) (2-2) (2-3) where the ball game machine (5) is to be installed. A ball-and-ball game machine (5) and an abnormality identifying means (34) for identifying an abnormal location;
Abnormality information storage means (36) for storing abnormality information from 4),
Game hall (2-1) stored by this abnormal information storage means (36)
(2-2) (2-3), a ball game machine characterized by comprising the ball game machine (5) and abnormality information output means (37) for outputting abnormality information for specifying an abnormal point. Centralized control equipment. 2. An anomaly monitoring means (32) is provided in each ball game machine (5), and a plurality of ball game machines (2) in each game hall (2-1) (2-2) (2-3) are provided. The ball game according to claim 1, characterized in that an abnormality specifying means (34) is provided in each of the game halls (2-1), (2-2), and (2-3) so as to cover (5). Central control device for the machine. 3. A centralized management means (1) is provided independently of each of the game halls (2-1), (2-2), (2-3), and the centralized management means (1) has an abnormal information storage means (36). 3) and an abnormal information output means (37). 4. A centralized management means (1) is provided independently of each of the game halls (2-1), (2-2) and (2-3), and the centralized management means (1) has an abnormality monitoring means (32). 4. The centralized management device for a ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising an abnormality specifying unit (34), an abnormality information storage unit (36), and an abnormality information output unit (37).