JP3054945U - Variable price devices such as paid game machines - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To automatically change the usage fee, the usage time, the required number of coins and / or the number of games of a pay game machine at the game time, and to set the game machine according to the individual game machine. Kind Code: A1 A charge variable device connected to a pay game machine or the like that can play until a game is over by inserting coins. The charge variable device has a coin slot and a coin storage unit, and the game is performed based on input data. The usage fee, the usage time, the required number of coins and / or the number of times of use of the machine are set for each predetermined time.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

 The present invention can automatically change the usage fee, usage time, required number of coins and / or the number of games for a paid game machine provided in a game arcade such as a game center at the game time, It relates to a variable price device that can be set individually for a game machine.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 A game arcade, which is generally called a game center, has many game machines of various types called arcade games. In these game machines, when coins such as 100 yen coins or medals unique to each game center are inserted into the attached coin insertion slot, the game machines are activated until the game is over. In each game center, the usage fee is generally unified irrespective of the new or old or type of each game console.

[0003] In addition, a game center in an urban area generally opens from noon and is open until midnight, and the business hours often reach 12 hours or more. It is natural that such long hours of operation will result in variations in the number of customers, and in some hours the full capacity will be used and most of the game machines will be used, but in other times the number of customers will be small. In addition, there may be a case where there are many game machines that are not in use. Most game arcades do not have to deal with this situation, and the fees and hours of use of each game console remain constant at all times, as before.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

 At present, arcades in urban areas are overcrowded, and it is no surprise that there are several arcades in the red-light district, and a playground is needed to survive with appropriate profits as arcades. It is imperative that stores be managed efficiently so that even one unit is reduced. In this store management, measures should be taken not only to introduce many popular game consoles quickly but also to keep the number of customers as constant as possible.

[0005] The present invention is effective as one of the store management methods in a game center, and has been proposed in order to keep the number of customers as constant as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide a variable fee apparatus in which the required number of coins and the number of games are set in advance, so that the content is automatically changed to the preset content in a predetermined game time. It is another object of the present invention to provide a variable fee apparatus which can set the use time of the game machine, the required number of coins and / or the number of times at each game machine at each game time. Another object of the present invention is to provide a CPU board that is incorporated in a variable price device or the game machine itself in order to set the usage fee of the game machine according to each game machine.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above object, the fee variable device according to the present invention is connected to a pay game machine that can play until the game is over when a coin is inserted, is provided with a coin slot and a coin storage portion, The usage time, the required number of coins and / or the number of times can be automatically changed at predetermined time intervals based on input data, and can be set individually for each game machine. This variable fee device mainly sets the usage fee of the game machine until the game is over, but when it is unavoidable to change the usage fee, the usage time, the required number of coins and / or the number of coins depend on the type of the game. Alternatively, the number of games and the like may be set, and a combination of these settings is also possible.

The pay game machine to which the present invention can be applied may be any game machine that uses coins. For example, a TV game machine that is a normal arcade game, a driving game machine, It is a game machine or a game machine such as a simulation game machine, a fortune telling machine, or a UFO catcher. In addition, the fee-changing device of the present invention can be applied to a toll-paying machine in a parking lot, a vending machine, a medal change machine in a game center, and the like.

[0008] It is preferable that the fee changing device of the present invention has a display unit for displaying the set usage fee, usage time, the required number of coins and / or the number of games. The display unit displays the usage fee, usage time, number of required coins and / or the number of games in a single or multiple display, as well as instructions on the usable side of the game machines installed on the left and right, the amount of coins inserted. , Game elapsed time, and the like.

The fee variable device of the present invention is preferably narrow so that it can be arranged between one or a plurality of game machines, and has a function of controlling the use of a plurality of game machines with one device. Have. The variable fee device can be configured to manage the use of only one game machine as desired, or can be arranged so that one machine manages the use of three or more game machines. .

[0010] Further, the fee varying device of the present invention includes a microprocessor for creating predetermined diagram data based on data from the data input unit, a memory unit for storing the created diagram data, and transmitting a reference time. And a clock section. These parts are usually mounted on a CPU board, and it is preferable that the CPU board be incorporated in the fee varying device or the game machine itself.

[0011] In the charge variable device of the present invention, further, a data input section for sending change data relating to a charge, a use time, the required number of coins and / or the number of games, a coin insertion slot for outputting a coin detection signal, and And a coin storage unit. Preferably, the charge variable device of the present invention includes a display unit for displaying a charge at a predetermined time, a use time, a required number of coins and / or the number of times, and a coin detection signal output from a coin insertion slot is provided. When it reaches the usable value, it outputs a start signal to the game machine.

The data input unit used in the present invention can be used for direct input or remote operation as long as change data relating to usage fee, usage time, required coin count, and / or game count can be sent to the CPU board. Absent. In other words, even if the data input unit was manually input directly to each variable rate device using a numeric keypad or a personal computer attached to the variable rate device, it was connected to multiple variable rate devices via wireless, wired, or telephone lines. The data may be collectively managed by the personal computer or the management device of all other game machines as the data input unit.

[0013]

[Embodiment of the invention]

 As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, the fee varying device 1 of the present invention is constituted by a narrow box-shaped casing 2 and has a coin slot 3 on the front surface thereof. The coin insertion slot 3 may be provided by installing and attaching a coin insertion device dedicated to the device, or a commercially available coin electronic sorter 5 (FIG. 4) or a coin processing device may be incorporated in the housing 2. The coins that can be inserted are all the currency currently accepted and medals unique to the center, and a bill insertion slot can be installed if desired.

The variable fee device 1 is connected to a game machine 6 that allows a player to insert coins and play until the game is over. In general, the variable fee device 1 is provided with a display unit 7 above the coin insertion slot 3. Examples of the display unit 7 include a liquid crystal display, a light emitting LED, and a small CRT. In the case of a TV game machine, if an indication of the usable side, the amount of coins inserted, the elapsed time of the game, and the like are displayed in one corner of the monitor, a display unit is not required for the variable price device.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fee varying device 1 includes a microprocessor 10 that creates predetermined diagram data based on data from a data input unit, a memory unit 12 that stores the created diagram data, And a clock section 14 for transmitting a reference time, and these are connected via a control / data bus 18. These are assembled on a single CPU board 16 (see FIG. 4) and incorporated into the fee-variable device 1 or an existing game machine. The memory unit 12 uses a RAM that can read and write data, a PROM that can be written by a ROM writer, and the like, and an electrically erasable and rewritable EEPROM or EPROM can be exemplified as the PROM.

The CPU board 16 including the microprocessor 10 and the memory unit 12 further includes a coin counting function for counting a detection signal upon coin insertion, a memory function for storing coin count data, and a start function for the game machine 6. It has a function of clearing coin count data by outputting a signal and a memory function of storing the ID number of the game machine 6 and the like. The counting of the detection signal at the time of coin insertion can also be performed in the coin electronic sorter 5 or the like.

The data input unit is, for example, a numeric keypad 20 installed in the fee varying device 1, and the numeric keypad is attached to a lower part of a front surface of the housing. In the case of setting the numeric keypad, the usage fee, the usage time, the required number of coins and / or the number of coins may be manually input and changed for each game machine 6.

When the data input unit is a centrally-managed personal computer, a general wireless device is used for the variable rate device in order to perform data transmission with each variable rate device 1 via a wireless, wired or telephone line. For example, a subcarrier MKS modem IC or the like is attached, and data in the microprocessor 10 and the memory unit 12 is transmitted wirelessly or by wire. This personal computer usually has a data collection program and a totaling program by wireless, wired or telephone line for each variable rate device 1. In addition, a communication modem for transmission with the master management device is provided. Once connected, you can connect online with the master management device.

[0019]

【Example】

 Next, the present invention will be described based on embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the variable fee apparatus 1 of the present invention is constituted by an elongated and narrow box-shaped housing 2 and a plurality of (for example, two) game machines 6, 6 as shown in FIG. And the devices are connected to each other, and one device manages the use of two game machines 6 and 6. A large-area support plate 22 is fixed to the lower end of the fee varying device 1 to stably support the device.

The variable fee device 1 has coin insertion slots 3, 3 arranged side by side at a position slightly above the intermediate height on the front surface thereof. Each coin insertion slot 3 can be installed by incorporating a coin electronic sorter (trade name: AF-954, manufactured by Asahi Seiko) 5 into the housing 2, and the coins that can be inserted are all coins currently accepted. In the fee varying device 1, display portions 7, 7 of light emitting LEDs are installed above the coin insertion slots 3, 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fee varying device 1 includes a microprocessor 10 for creating predetermined diagram data based on data from a data input unit, a memory unit 12 for storing the created diagram data, And a clock section 14 for transmitting a reference time, and these are connected via a control / data bus 18. The clock unit 14 is driven by a battery (not shown). These are assembled on a single CPU board 16 and incorporated into the fee varying device 1.

The CPU board 16 is connected to two sets of the coin electronic sorter 5 and the LED display unit 7, and is further connected to two game machines 6 and 6 whose use can be managed. The CPU board 16 is connected to a numeric keypad 20 installed on the fee varying device 1 as a data input unit, or has a data input mechanism described below.

The variable fee device 17 shown in FIG. 3 is constituted by a box-shaped casing 2 which is elongated and narrow like FIG. 1, and is arranged and connected to the side of one game machine 6. One device manages the use of one game machine 6. A large-area support plate 22 is also fixed to the lower end of the fee varying device 17.

The microprocessor 10 creates diagram data based on the reference values stored in the memory unit 12 and stores the data in the memory unit 12. In the following setting example, the usage fee, the usage time, the required number of coins, and the number of games are all assumed values for a game center that is open for 13 hours.

Setting Example 1 Change in usage fee 10:00 am to 12:00 am 100 yen 0:00 pm to 1 am 180 yen 1:00 pm to 5:00 am 150 yen 5:00 pm to 7:00 200 yen 7:00 pm to 9:00 180 Yen 9: 00-11: 00 pm 150 yen Generally, the usage fee is highest from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm when the customer enters most, and the rest is divided into two or three steps.

Setting Example 2 If the game machine can be played for a certain period of time, it is possible to set the usage time. Change in usage time 10:00 am to 12:00 40 minutes 0:00 pm to 1:25 minutes 1:00 pm to 5:30 minutes 5:00 pm to 7:00 20 minutes 7:00 pm to 9:25 minutes 9:00 pm to 1:00 Hour 30 minutes The usage time is preferable because the change is less noticeable than the usage fee. In this case, the microprocessor 10 reads the time from the clock section, and outputs an end signal to the game machine 6 when the use time of the game machine 6 reaches the use completion value. The microprocessor 10 has a time count function for reading the time from the clock unit 14, a memory function for storing the time count data, and a function for clearing the time count data by outputting an end signal to the game machine 6.

Setting Example 3 This is a composite setting example of a game machine that can be played for a certain period of time. Change in usage fee and usage time 10: 00-12: 00 100 yen for 40 minutes 0: 00-1: 140 yen for 30 minutes 1-5: 00 pm 120 yen for 35 minutes 35-5: 00 7: 00-150 yen 25 minutes 7:00 pm to 9:00 140 yen for 30 minutes 9:00 pm to 11:00 35 minutes at 120 yen It is preferable to combine the usage time and the usage time because it is less noticeable than the usage fee or the usage time alone.

Setting Example 4 Change in Required Number of Coins 10:00 am to 12:00 2 pm 1:00 pm to 4 pm 1 pm to 5:00 3 pm 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm 5 pm 7:00 pm to 9:00 4 pm 9: 00-11: 00 3 pcs Changes in the number of coins required for the game often have a noticeable difference.

Setting Example 5 In the case of a gaming machine such as a UFO catcher, the number of games is changed, and one or two service counts are added to the basic count during a time period when there are few customers. Changes in the number of games 10: 00-12: 00 5 times (2 times of service) 0: 00-1: 30 times 3 pm 1-5: 00 pm 4 times (1 time of services) 5-7 hours 3 pm From 7:00 to 9:00, three times From 9:00 to 11:00, four times (one service) In this case, the microprocessor 10 reads the number of games in the game machine 6, and when the number reaches the use completion value, the microprocessor 10 Output an end signal to the game machine.

For example, if the usage fee, the usage time, the required number of coins and / or the number of times of use of the game machine are set in units of one month, it is automatically changed for each day of the week to increase Saturday and Sunday, May be set slightly higher immediately after the 25th.

Next, the operation of the fee varying device 1 connected to the game machine 6 will be described. The customer who came to the game center checks on the display unit 7 of the fee variable device 1 that the usage fee of the game machine 6 differs depending on the time of arrival, and then inserts a coin such as a 100 yen coin into the coin on the front of the variable fee device. Put into mouth 3. The amount of the inserted coin is identified by the coin electronic sorter 5, the coin detection signal is counted by the microprocessor 10, and when the total amount reaches the usable value, a start signal is output to the game machine 6, and the game machine 6 outputs a start signal. It becomes playable at 6.

In the fee varying device 1, the microprocessor 10 always reads the time from the clock unit, and automatically changes the usage fee when the time reaches the change time (usually 00 minutes or 30 minutes).

When the data input unit is a transmitter and is connected to the fee varying device 1 via a lead wire, the transmitter includes data such as the number of coins stored in the fee varying device 1 and the amount of money. And the ID number of the game machine 6 is transmitted, and the information is stored in the memory unit of the transmitter. The data stored in the memory unit is converted into a signal suitable for optical communication by the signal generation unit and transmitted to the transmission unit. The transmission unit transmits the signal to the relay device by optical communication. To the management devices of all game consoles. Further, the information transmitted in this manner is transmitted on-line from the management devices of all the game machines to the center management device as required, whereby information such as the sales amount of each game center can be collectively managed.

On the other hand, the management device of all game machines obtains data on coins of each game machine 6 and transmits an optical signal of charge change to the transmitter via the relay device by optical communication at regular intervals. . The fee change signal from the management device of all game machines is received by the receiving section of the transmitter, and the receiving section is constituted by a light receiving element such as a photodiode for converting an optical signal into an electric signal. After converting the charge change signal received in step 1 into an electric signal, the signal is transmitted to the memory section of the transmitter via the signal generation section. By transmitting a charge change signal from the transmitter to the charge variable device 1 via a lead wire, the charge, use time, required number of coins and / or the number of individual game machines 6 are determined at regular intervals. Can be changed automatically.

[0035]

[Effect of the invention]

 The fee variable device according to the present invention automatically changes the content of the game machine to the preset content at a predetermined game time by setting the usage fee of the game machine, the usage time, the required number of coins, and the number of games in advance. It is effective as one of the store management laws in Japan. By using the variable price device of the present invention, the usage fee of the fixed game machine can be changed automatically, and when the number of customers is small, the service time can be reduced and the game fee can be reduced. Come.

The use of the fee varying device according to the present invention makes it possible to achieve differentiation from other stores as a game center and maintain the uniqueness of the store. In addition, if the CPU board used in the present invention is incorporated in the game machine itself, the usage fee of the game machine can be easily set according to each game machine, and furthermore, since a variable price device is not required, the cost is reduced. It is also a target.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a variable charge device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the fee varying device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a modification of the fee varying device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of the fee varying device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a CPU board used in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Charge variable device 2 Housing 3 Coin insertion slot 5 Coin electronic sorter 6 Game machine 7 Display unit 10 Microprocessor 12 Memory unit 14 Clock unit 16 CPU board

Claims (6)

[Utility model registration claims] 1. Connected to a paid game machine or the like that can be played until game over by inserting coins, provided with a coin insertion slot and a coin storage section, and based on input data, the usage fee of the game machine, the usage time, the required number of coins And / or a variable charge device that automatically changes the number of times at predetermined intervals. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for displaying the set usage fee, usage time, required coin count, and / or game count. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is narrow so as to be arranged between one or more game machines, and has a function of managing use of a plurality of game machines by one. 4. A data input unit for connecting to one or more pay game machines and sending change data relating to a usage fee, a usage time, a required number of coins and / or the number of games, and a data input unit. A microprocessor that creates predetermined diagram data based on the data, a memory unit that stores the created diagram data,
It has a clock section that transmits the reference time, a coin slot and a coin storage section that outputs a coin detection signal, and sends a start signal to the game machine when the coin detection signal output from the coin slot reaches a usable value. Variable output device to output. 5. A data input unit connected to one or a plurality of pay game machines and for sending data relating to a usage fee, a usage time, a required number of coins and / or the number of games per predetermined time, and a data input unit. A microprocessor that creates predetermined diagram data based on the data of the above, a memory unit that stores the created diagram data, a clock unit that transmits a reference time, a coin slot and a coin storage unit that outputs a coin detection signal And a display unit for displaying a usage fee, a usage time, a required number of coins and / or the number of times at a predetermined time, and the game machine is started when a coin detection signal output from a coin slot reaches a usable value. Variable charge device that outputs a signal. 6. A microprocessor for paying for a paid game machine capable of playing until a game is over when a coin is inserted, and a microprocessor for creating predetermined diagram data based on data from a data input unit, and storing the created diagram data. A CPU board having a memory section and a clock section for transmitting a reference time, and being built in the fee varying device or the game machine itself.