JP4297523B2 - Game machine management device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention centrally manages a large number of gaming machines of the same type or different types installed in gaming facilities such as pachinko halls and game centers, grasps the operating state of each gaming machine in real time, and stores the status information. The present invention relates to a gaming machine management apparatus that collects and analyzes and outputs various management materials necessary for store operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the old days, management of amusement facilities such as pachinko halls and game centers was directly handled by store clerk. For example, in pachinko halls, all the management such as the management of balls, the detection of unauthorized customers, and the tabulation of sales were performed manually, but recently there are no such facilities, and many facilities Has introduced a modern gaming machine management device applying network technology and computer technology.
[0003]
In view of such circumstances, the applicant of the present invention has previously proposed a state-of-the-art gaming machine management system applying network technology and computer technology, which is shown in FIG. The embodiments described below are based on this state-of-the-art gaming machine management system proposed by the applicant of the present invention.
In FIG. 6, 1 is a so-called pachinko island in which several pachinko gaming machines (hereinafter also referred to as “P”) are combined, and a plurality of pachinko islands 1 are often provided for convenience of layout and management. . In most cases, one pachinko island 1 includes several to a dozen or more P units, each P unit having a gaming machine main body 3 with a game control base 2 mounted on the back surface and dedicated or To replenish the ball lending device 4 that also serves as an adjoining table and the number of possessed balls (held in the tank located on the back of the gaming machine) that has decreased due to the awarding of the prize balls by the gaming machine, A ball cutting device 5 for supplying a predetermined number of balls and a pulse tank 6 for counting the number of balls recovered from the table are provided, and an information collection box 7 for each vehicle is provided.
[0004]
Here, the information collection box 7 has various signals (Note 1) output from the P components, that is, the game control board 2, the gaming machine body 3, the ball lending device 4, the ball cutting device 5 and the pulse tank 6. ) Are collected, converted into a predetermined format, and sent to a network called LON (Note 2), including a distribution circuit 7a and a first information collection device 7b for handling a first group of signals, which will be described later, And a second information collecting device 7c for handling the second group of signals.
[0005]
Note 1: For example, there is a high degree of urgency such as a power-off signal, an abnormal signal such as a magnet or electromagnetic wave fraud, an empty pan signal indicating that the ball has run out, an open / close signal indicating the opening / closing of a wooden frame or a metal frame of the gaming machine body 3 1st group signal, probability variation signal, special figure rotation signal (a signal indicating that the variation of the special symbol is completed when the platform is the first type), jackpot signal, number of balls recovered, replenishment number signal, sales This is a second group of signals relating to the performance of the gaming machine such as signals and sales information. Needless to say, these signals are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
Note 2: LON is an abbreviation for Local Operating Network. Like LANs such as Ethernet, various information devices are organically connected to share information, but LANs are data files. However, LON differs in that it employs an architecture specialized for small-capacity information transfer. LON can use twisted cables for signal paths (generally, cables for telephones and Ethernet cables are often used), and can easily manufacture interface boards. In addition to management devices, it is used for collecting and managing equipment operation status, production quantities, and quality control data at various production sites.
[0006]
The LON in FIG. 6 includes the first and second information collection devices 7b and 7c of the information collection box 7 for each P, the router 8 provided for each pachinko island 1, and the first and second information of each information collection box 7. The signal path 9 connects between the collecting devices 7b and 7c and the router 8, and the signal path 11 connects between the router 8 on each pachinko island 1 and the various device groups 10 in the hall.
[0007]
The combination of the various device groups 10 varies depending on the size and management policy of the hall. For example, the information change regarding the P units sent from the information collection box 7 (first and second information collection devices 7b and 7c). In addition to a status change recording device 12 that records and manages change information indicating the status, a backup device (auxiliary status change information recording device) 13 thereof, a history processing device 14 that collects and records error information of each LON node, and a counter in the store And a computer 15 installed at the office (referred to as counter computer) and an office computer 16 (also provided as an office computer referred to as office computer), A facsimile device 17 and a printer 18 connected to these computers 15 and 16 are provided, and communication control devices 19 to Ball counting machine 23 is connected to the LON through 2, island safe 24 comprises a like surveillance camera system 25 and the announcement system 26.
[0008]
Here, the counter computer 15 and the office computer 16 are connected to each other via a network 27 such as Ethernet, but their roles are different. In other words, the former mainly handles information necessary for management and customer service of gaming machines in the hall, and the latter mainly handles information necessary for hall management. Therefore, since the counter computer 15 is mainly operated by a store clerk and the office computer 16 is mainly operated by a manager or a person equivalent thereto, each display screen, output form, etc. is most suitable for the application. Designed.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the usability of the counter computer 15 and the office computer 16 may be good or bad depending on the design of the management program installed in each computer, but it is not possible to design a perfect program acceptable to everyone. Even if the best design is possible, there is often a request for customization to display information specific to the hall, and the program must be improved as the hall is renovated or replaced with a new platform. Therefore, the management program must have a structure that can be corrected as easily as possible.
[0010]
In this regard, the operating system (OS) of the counter computer 15 and the office computer 16 is made general-purpose, for example, Windows 95 or Windows NT, and the above management is performed with a simple language (for example, Visual Basic) that operates on the OS. By designing the program, it is possible to modify the program without having any special advanced technology, so it is possible to improve usability and ensure customization. Windows 95, Windows NT, and Visual Basic are registered trademarks of each company.
[0011]
However, even if such a simple language was used, the actual refurbishment was quite difficult, and it was not so much that an amateur (for example, a store clerk or manager of the hall) could reach out. The reason is that it is necessary to be familiar with the structure of the entire system including LON, and such human resources exist only in the system design company.
[0012]
Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform the required screen design and output design by using the minimum data known to the store clerk such as the number of the gaming machine and the type of information from the gaming machine. The purpose is to ensure customization.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Claim 1The described invention is connected to a gaming machine via a signal path,Status information on the performance of the gaming machine and the sales of the gaming store generated based on various signals output from the gaming machineIn a gaming machine management device that collects and analyzes and outputs various management materials necessary for store operation,
  With the program module that is made into a component using the inter-process communication function of the operating system,Game machineThe function to acquire the status information of
  The program module includes
  At the specified time, the specified number of gaming machinesCurrent status informationAnd a first program module having a function of passing the acquired information to the application,
  In the form that responds to the request from the application, the game machine of the specified numberCurrent status informationAnd a second program module having a function of passing the acquired information to the application,
  Gaming machineState informationAnd a third program module having a function of notifying the application of the number of the gaming machine in which the change is detected;
  It is characterized by including.
  Claim 2In the invention described in claim 1, in the invention described in claim 1, the program module is VBX, DLL, OCX, class library, or ActiveX.
  Claim 3The invention described isClaim 1 or claim 2The described program module is stored in a storage medium.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as examples applied to pachinko halls. Note that FIG. 6 is appropriately referred to for the overall system configuration of the gaming machine management device according to the present embodiment.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a main part of a counter computer 30 or an office computer 31 of the gaming machine management apparatus according to the present embodiment. The counter computer 30 or the office computer 31 (hereinafter represented by the counter computer 30) includes a communication interface unit 32 connected to each pachinko island 1 and other device groups 10 via the LON signal path 11, With this communication interface unit 32 as the lowest physical layer, the inter-process communication unit 33 located in the data link layer to session layer of the upper layer (layers refer to each layer of the OSI hierarchical model), and the uppermost application And a management program 34 located in the layer.
[0016]
For example, when the OS is Windows 95 / NT, the inter-process communication unit 33 may be constructed using the application programming interface (API), or may be a dynamic data exchange (DDE) or an object. It may be constructed using an appropriate application program having a server function of library exchange (OLE) automation.
[0017]
The management program 34 in the present embodiment includes a control group 34a including several custom controls (five C1 to C5 in the figure), and some of the controls designed to be able to use these custom controls C1 to C5. A user process group 34b including user processes (four P1 to P4 in the figure) and a data table (or database) 34c designed to be accessed from the required user processes (P1 and P2 in the figure) are provided. is doing.
[0018]
Here, the custom controls C1 to C5 are called Visual Basic Extension (VBX), Dynamic Link Library (DLL), OLE Custom Control (OCX), Class Library, ActiveX, etc. By using the inter-process communication function, software componentization (program module that can be reused as an independent component) is achieved. All of them have skeletons called “properties”, “events”, and “methods” in so-called object orientation.
[0019]
For example, the preferred skeletons of the first to third custom controls C1, C2, and C3 in the present embodiment are as shown in FIGS. First, the first custom control C1 has a function of acquiring information on the current state of P units of a specified number (P_Number) for each specified time (Cycle) and passing the information to the application. As shown in FIG. 2, an OnComm event (exactly a custom event) that has a Cycle property (specifically, a custom property: property) and a P_Number property and is generated when information on the P devices is acquired. : An event), a Start method for starting the information acquisition operation (specifically, a custom method: hereinafter, a method) and a Stop method for stopping the operation. The Dais property is for referring to a collection of objects, the ErrorMsg property is for acquiring an error message, the OnCommEnabled property is for allowing the occurrence of an OnComm event, and the OnError event is for indicating an error occurrence. Is.
[0020]
Next, the second custom control C2 has a function of acquiring information on the current state of the P units of the designated number (P_Number) and passing the information to the application. This is performed in response to a request from the application. As shown in FIG. 3, it has a P_Number property and a Data property for referring to the acquired information, and is generated when information on the P devices is acquired. And a Request method for requesting acquisition of information of P devices designated by P_Number. Note that the CommEvent property indicates the type of the OnComm event, the TimeOut property specifies the maximum waiting time from when the Request method is started until the result is obtained, and the others are the same as C1.
[0021]
Finally, the third custom control C3 has a function of detecting a change in the current state of the P units and notifying the application of the number of the P units (P_Number) and the changed information type (CommEvent). As shown in FIG. 4, it has a P_Number property and a CommEvent property, has an OnComm event that occurs in response to information changes in P devices, and has a Start method for information notification. Yes. Other properties and events are the same as C1 and C2.
[0022]
In the properties shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, “Setting”, “Reference”, or “None” at the time of design and execution indicate that a form is designed using these custom controls, or the designed form. When a value can be set to the property, “setting” is set, “reference” is set when the value can be read, and “none” is set when neither can be set nor read. For example, the P_Number of C1 and C2 can be set and read at the time of design and at the time of execution, while the P_Number of C3 can only be referenced at the time of execution. This is because the designation of P_Number is indispensable in C1 and C2, whereas it is only necessary to be able to notify the number of P units (P_Number) whose state has changed in C3.
[0023]
FIG. 5A shows a format example of a P-unit current value data request in the C2 custom control, and FIG. 5B shows a format example of a P-unit current value data response in the control. In this figure, the type is a field for storing an identification code of a data request and a data response, the request source subnet number is a field for storing the subnet number of the data request source (usually one number in the store), and the request source node number is the data request The field that stores the original node number, the request destination (or response source) subnet number is the field that stores the subnet number of the data request destination (or response source), and the request destination (or response source) node number is the data request destination (or response source) ) Field for storing node number, request (or response) counter is a field for storing a unique (one and only) number for identifying a single request and response operation, time is a field for storing response time, response The information includes, for example, the total number of safes, the total number of outs, the total number of special prizes, the total number of probable changes, the total number of start times , Cumulative Special Award Start Count, Cumulative Probability Safe Count, Cumulative Probability Out Count, Cumulative Probability Start Count, Special Award Out, Special Award Punch, Number of Special Hands, Number of Operations, Final Start Count, Final Out Count, In the field to hold the target value, the number of hands to stop, the number of times to stop, the number of times the gold frame has been opened, the number of times the fraud has occurred, the number of fraud occurrences, cumulative cash sales, cumulative card sales, cumulative cash sales disconnection count, cumulative card sales disconnection count, etc. is there.
[0024]
Here, a method using VisualC ++ (registered trademark) among methods for creating a custom control will be described. This method is one of the simplest. In the following description, the screen layout related to VisualC ++ is not particularly illustrated. This is because it is sufficiently disclosed by various commercially available reference books. There are two types of VisualC ++, for 32-bit platforms and 16-bit platforms, but they are not distinguished in the following description.
[0025]
First, Visual C ++ (hereinafter abbreviated as C ++) is activated, and the tool “Control Wizard” is selected. This “Control Wizard” is a wizard function for easily creating a skeleton of a custom control, and automatically generates basic codes necessary for the custom control. Next, after setting the name of the folder for creating the custom control and the name of the custom control (for convenience, C2) in the “Directory” list box and “ProjectName” of “Control Wizard”, each option of the C2 project is set. .
[0026]
First, the “ProjectOptions” button is clicked to display a “ProjectOptions” dialog box. Then, “SourceComments” is checked, and a comment is automatically attached to a code to be created.
Next, the “ControlOptions” button is clicked to display the “ControlOptions” dialog box. Then, check “ActivateWhenVisible” and “AboutBox”, and click the “OK” button.
[0027]
Next, click the “Controls” button to display the “Controls” dialog box. The “Controls” dialog box displays a list of class names and file names of custom controls to be created. Each setting value is a default value and is not changed. After confirmation, click the “OK” button to return to the wizard, and click the “OK” button of the wizard. Then, a “NewControlInformation” dialog box is displayed. Click the “Create” button. As a result, a C2 custom control project file and several skeleton files are created. Thereafter, C2 custom controls having desired functions are created while modifying these files.
[0028]
Usually, at this stage, it is compiled once and an operation test is performed, but here it is omitted and desired properties, events and methods are added.
Custom properties can be added by directly writing code, but it is easy to use C ++ “Class Wizard”. That is, select “Class Wizard”, click the “OLE Automation” tab, and click the “Add Property” button. Then, enter the name of the property you want to add to the C2 custom control as the external name (for example, P_Number), set the property type (for example, integer type: Int for P_Number), and then click the “OK” button. click. Repeat this procedure for the remaining properties.
[0029]
Next, to add a custom event, first, the “OLE event” tab of “Class Wizard” is selected, and the “add event” button is clicked to display the “add event” dialog box. Then, after inputting an event name (for example, OnComm) to be added to the external name list box, an “OK” button is clicked. This procedure can be repeated for the remaining events.
[0030]
Finally, to add a custom method, first, select the “OLE Automation” tab of “Class Wizard” and click the “Add Method” button to display the “Add Method” dialog box. Then, input the method name (for example, Request) to be added to the external name list box, set the return type if necessary, and then click the “OK” button.
[0031]
With the above operations, skeleton files for the added property, event, and method are created, and code may be written in these files to satisfy the required functions. For example, the function of the C2 custom control is to acquire information on the current state of P units with a specified number and pass the information to the application, and the data transfer is in response to a request from the application. In the skeleton file of the Request method, a part for converting the contents of P_Number into an actual number of P units (LON node number), a part for issuing an information acquisition request to the node number, What is necessary is just to write in the part which takes in the information from the node number, and the part which passes the taken in information to the user process which is performing the said custom control.
[0032]
As described above, the creation of the custom control can be performed relatively easily by using the development support software excellent in user friendliness such as C ++, but the code language is still C ++ and the object such as the concept of the class is used. It's hard to say that anyone can easily design because they have to understand the orientation. Therefore, the custom controls C1 to C5 in the present embodiment should be provided by a system construction company (engineer) including LON. This is because the engineer is familiar with the entire system and is naturally familiar with C ++.
[0033]
The user (or an engineer who is not familiar with the system including LON: hereinafter represented by the user) only needs to use the properties, events, and methods of the custom control.
In the case of the present embodiment, the user can design some or all of the user processes P1 to P3 shown in FIG. For example, P process information collection processing is performed at process P1, P unit status display and stop / release operation process is performed at process P2, various setting change operation processes are performed at process P3, and operation is performed at process P4 ( If state (status) status display processing is performed, the user can design a program necessary for these processing. In designing such a program, a simple language such as Visual Basic (hereinafter referred to as VB) that is simpler than the above-described C ++ can be used. In particular, VB corresponds to OLE2, and the above-described VBX, OCX, DLL, and class library are used. In addition, it is a development tool that has a high affinity with the custom control of the present embodiment and is preferably used because it can directly use ActiveX and the like.
[0034]
The actual use procedure of the custom control in the present embodiment is extremely simple. When designing a form using VB, it is only necessary to paste custom controls at appropriate locations on the form. Then, open the property sheet of the custom control, set the required values (which can be set at design time), design the procedure for the required event, and execute the method from the appropriate procedure.
For example, if the C2 custom control is pasted to the process P2 (individual status display and stop / release operation processing for P units), any P units in response to the C2 custom control click event (one of the standard events) The procedure is designed so that the number can be entered, the number is set to P_Number (setting during execution), the Start method is invoked, and the Data property is referenced in response to the OnComm event, and is specified by P_Number For example, information from the P platform may be displayed on the form of the process P2.
[0035]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the structure peculiar to the system including LON is absorbed by the custom controls C1 to C5, the user can select the number of P units and the type of information to be acquired from the P units. Just knowing, you can design your favorite user process freely. Therefore, an easy-to-use management program can be easily constructed, and store renovation and replacement with a new stand can be handled at low cost, and it is not affected by the structure of the system including the LON. Since the computer 15 and the office computer 16 can be updated to a wide variety of computers including general-purpose products, it is possible to provide useful technology that is extremely flexible in store management.
[0036]
A specific effect of the present embodiment is, in particular, the ease of designing the output screen and output form of the counter computer 15 and the office computer 16. In other words, it is possible for a person who does not have special skills to easily design an optimal screen and form suitable for the amusement store, rather than wearing a manufacturer. This is an improvement in customizability, suggesting the possibility of being able to design what was previously ordered from the manufacturer, and can achieve a significant cost reduction with a flexible design. In addition, since such customization can be performed without changing hardware such as LON, it is not necessary to replace all or part of the management system, thus eliminating unnecessary construction holidays and improving operating revenue. The special effect that you can do is obtained.
[0037]
Note that the custom control of the above embodiment is an independent program itself, and can be distributed (distributed) in various storage media. Then, when the data is read from the storage medium and loaded into the main memory of the computer, the custom control function can be realized on the computer. Therefore, as a matter of course, a storage medium such as a floppy disk, an MO, a CD, a hard disk, a semiconductor memory or the like containing the custom control disclosed in the above embodiment or a custom control having the same principle (regardless of portability). For example, a storage medium connected to a network) is in accordance with the intention of the present invention.
[0038]
  According to the invention of claim 1,A function that acquires the status information of the gaming machine by a program module that is made into a component by using the inter-process communication function of the operating system is configured. Further, the program module has a gaming machine having a designated number for each designated time. ofCurrent status informationA first program module having a function of acquiring and passing it to the application, and a game machine with a designated number in a form that responds to a request from the application.Current status informationA second program module having a function of passingState informationAnd a third program module having a function of notifying the application of the number of the gaming machine in which the change has been detected.State informationIt is possible to easily design a program for performing scheduled collection processing, individual status display of game machines, and stop / release operation processing.
  Claim 2According to the described invention, since the program module is realized by VBX, DLL, OCX, class library, or ActiveX, for example, VisualBasic that is compatible with these controls can be used, and the efficiency of user process development / renovation is improved. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram of a counter (or office) computer according to the present embodiment;
FIG. 2 is an assignment diagram of properties of a custom control C1.
FIG. 3 is a property assignment diagram of a custom control C2.
FIG. 4 is a property allocation diagram of a custom control C3.
FIG. 5 is a format diagram of a data request and a data response.
[Fig. 6] Game machine management deviceDiagram showing the configuration ofIt is.
[Fig. 7]  It is a figure which shows the structure of a gaming machine management apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
3 gaming machine body (game machine)
C1-C5 program module

Claims (3)

Various managements necessary for store operation by collecting and analyzing information on the performance of gaming machines and state of sales of gaming machines that are connected to gaming machines via signal paths and generated based on various signals output from gaming machines In a gaming machine management device that outputs data,
A program module that uses the inter-process communication function of the operating system as a component, and configures a function to acquire gaming machine status information.
The program module includes
A first program module having a function of acquiring current state information of a specified number of gaming machines at a specified time and passing the acquired information to an application;
A second program module having a function of acquiring current state information of a designated number of gaming machines in a form responding to a request from an application and passing the acquired information to the application;
A third program module having a function of detecting a change in the state information of the gaming machine and notifying the application of the number of the gaming machine in which the change is detected;
A gaming machine management device comprising: 2. The gaming machine management device according to claim 1, wherein the program module is VBX, DLL, OCX, class library, or ActiveX. A storage medium storing the program module according to claim 1 .

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