JP5046265B2 - Amusement hall monitoring system and gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game hall monitoring system and a gaming machine, and more particularly to a game hall monitoring system that reduces a load on a hall computer and a gaming machine monitored by the gaming hall monitoring system.

  Conventionally, a dedicated-type hall computer has been used to manage various types of information on gaming machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines installed in amusement halls. This hall computer collects information by directly connecting each gaming machine with a cable. Also, this information includes the number of game media that have been operated, the number of game media that have been paid out, the number of game balls that have entered the various winning openings if it is a pachinko machine, the number of game balls that have entered the symbol start port, Information on whether or not the player is in a jackpot gaming state in which the player can increase the game ball due to the establishment of the jackpot condition, information on whether or not the game is in a probability variation gaming state in which the jackpot condition is easily established, etc. The game information is mainly stored in the hall computer, displayed on a display, printed on paper, or displayed on a display device in a game hall. Also, the dedicated hall computer is expensive. Normally, the hall computer is turned off when the attendant at the game hall returns home, and is not operated at night, but is operated by an attendant on the morning of a business day.

  Conventionally, in pachinko machines among gaming machines, fraudulent acts of unjustly acquiring game balls are always followed, and various preventive measures have been taken. In particular, in order to prevent unauthorized modification of the control board that controls the gaming machine, for example, replacement with an unauthorized ROM, various measures have been applied to the control board storage box for storing the control board. For example, a seal seal is provided on the control board storage box, or in the control board storage box of the pachinko machine described in Patent Document 1, the control board storage box is closed only in the caulking direction so as not to touch the main control board. The rotating sealing screw makes it difficult to open the control board storage box. Furthermore, in the pachinko machine described in Patent Document 2, the opening / closing of the storage box is detected using a movable contact, the detection signal is stored, and the light emitting diode informs it. Further, in the gaming apparatus described in Patent Document 3, an IC tag is attached to the surface of the control board storage box, and the identification information stored in the ID is stored from the IC tag in response to a transmission request from the ID reader. By transmitting the information to the reading device and confirming the identification information, it is determined whether or not the control board has been replaced for each control board storage box.

  However, in the case of using a seal sticker, if the control board storage box is opened and closed after the control board storage box is opened and the replacement with the illegal ROM is completed, it is determined whether the control board storage box has been opened or closed. It was difficult to do. In addition, in the case of using a sealing screw like the control board box of the pachinko machine of the invention described in Patent Document 1, a special tool is used to forcibly turn the sealing screw in the opening direction to open the control board storage box. In some cases, the ROM was replaced. Furthermore, in the case of detecting the opening and closing of the control board storage box using a movable contact like the pachinko machine of the invention described in Patent Document 2, the control board storage box is usually formed of a transparent resin. It has been visually observed that a movable contact for detecting opening and closing of the storage box is used, and the movable contact may be prevented from moving by inserting a piano wire or the like through a gap in the substrate storage box. In this case, there is a problem that it is impossible to detect opening and closing of the control board storage box. Furthermore, in the conventional technology as described above, there is a problem that whether or not the control board storage box is opened or closed cannot be determined without looking at the control board, and such fraud is often performed at night. It was cumbersome to check and check hundreds of gaming machines every morning in the amusement hall. Further, in the case of monitoring the replacement of the control board storage box by the identification of the IC tag as in the invention described in Patent Document 3, since the ID reader is arranged outside the control board storage box, It is possible to open the control board storage box without changing the relative position of the ID reader, and to replace the ROM on the stored control board.

Therefore, the present applicant installs an IC tag and an antenna for calling the IC tag in the board box, and continuously monitors the board box and the attacker member in the IC tag monitoring apparatus connected to the antenna, and the board box is opened. In the management machine, data on the occurrence or recovery of errors (cannot communicate with the IC tag normally) is stored, and the contents of the abnormality are displayed on the display machine, or a warning lamp is lit. Thus, a monitoring system for notifying the occurrence of an abnormality has been proposed (see Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-232193, Patent Document 4).
JP-A-10-216324 JP 9-34365 A JP 2000-288218 A JP 2004-066581 A

  In the monitoring system of the invention described in Patent Document 4 by the applicant of the present invention, an error occurrence and recovery data is stored in a management machine that is a dedicated machine, and the occurrence of an error is notified. As described above, it is conceivable to transmit error data not only to the management machine but also to the hall computer. It is also conceivable that the contents of error data are stored or notified in the hall computer. In the notification in this hall computer, a method of popping up a warning screen describing the contents of error data on the foreground of the display and informing the staff of the occurrence of the error can be considered. Further, as a modified example of Patent Document 4, there is a description that an IC tag is installed at a place other than the board box or the attacker member to perform monitoring.

  Here, consider a case where maintenance work of a gaming machine is performed at night when the hall computer is not in operation. In such a case, depending on the work contents, normal communication with the IC tag cannot be performed, and error data may be created. In particular, when an IC tag is installed on the door of the gaming machine and the opening of the door is monitored, a large amount of data is created. Therefore, if the hall computer is started up the next morning, a large amount of data will continue to be received. Here, if not only data storage but also notification is performed in the hall computer, screens for reporting the occurrence of errors will be displayed one after another.

  However, since the hall computer is not a dedicated machine for monitoring the gaming machine using the IC tag, operations other than the reception and notification of the contents of the abnormality of the gaming machine using the IC tag, such as browsing of gaming information relating to the gaming state of the gaming machine, are also performed. When the staff starts up the hall computer and tries to do some work on the hall computer, if the error notification screens are displayed one after another, some screen input is performed with the mouse or keyboard, Even if an icon or window is selected, there is a problem in that an error notification screen that is displayed one after another is selected, and an operation desired by the user cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a game hall monitoring system that reduces the load on the hall computer and a gaming machine monitored by the game hall monitoring system. .

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the gaming field monitoring system according to the first aspect of the present invention, a monitoring tag storing unique identification information is used to monitor a gaming machine installed on a gaming island in the gaming field. A monitoring control device connected to a monitoring antenna installed at a position communicable with the monitoring tag, a management device connected to a plurality of the monitoring control devices, and the management device. A gaming hall monitoring system including a hall computer connected to and managing a gaming hall, wherein the monitoring control device performs RFID communication between the monitoring tag and the monitoring antenna to monitor a communication state, An abnormality information creation for creating an abnormality information indicating that it is determined to be abnormal when it is determined to be abnormal by the determination means and an abnormality information indicating that it is determined to be abnormal when the determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred. Means a first abnormality information transmitting means for transmitting the abnormality information generated by the abnormality information creating means to the management device, if it can not send the abnormality information to the management apparatus by the first abnormality information transmitting unit to, an abnormality information retransmission control means for transmitting said anomaly information that could not be transmitted to the management apparatus again when the communication with the management device is established, the management device, before Symbol first abnormality information transmission First abnormality information receiving means for receiving the abnormality information transmitted from the means, and second abnormality information transmitting means for transmitting the abnormality information received by the first abnormality information receiving means to the hall computer, The hall computer includes a second abnormality information receiving unit that receives the abnormality information transmitted from the second abnormality information transmitting unit, and the abnormality received by the second abnormality information receiving unit. Between the abnormality informing means for informing the content of the information, and a notification prohibiting means for prohibiting the notification of the contents of the abnormality information according to the abnormality notification unit, from said been communicating with the management apparatus started until a predetermined time has elapsed A notification prohibition control unit that prohibits the notification of the content of the abnormality information by the abnormality notification unit by the notification prohibition unit ; an abnormality information storage unit that stores the abnormality information received by the second abnormality information reception unit; An abnormality information storage control means for storing the abnormality information received by the second abnormality information receiving means in the abnormality information storage means, even if notification by the abnormality notification means is prohibited by the notification prohibition control means, and the abnormality information A receiving unit that receives an input of an instruction to display the abnormality information stored in the storage unit; and an input of the instruction by the receiving unit And an abnormality information display means for displaying the abnormality information stored in the abnormality information storage means .

Further, from the game arcade monitoring system of the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the configuration of the invention according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring control unit sends the abnormality information by the first abnormality information transmitting unit A continuation information creation unit that creates continuation information indicating that an abnormality has occurred continuously when the determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the continuation information creation unit First continuation information transmitting means for transmitting the continuation information to the management apparatus, and the management apparatus receives first continuation information receiving means transmitted from the first continuation information transmission means, Second continuation information transmitting means for transmitting the continuation information received by the first continuation information receiving means to the hall computer, wherein the hall computer includes the second continuation information transmitting means. Second continuation information receiving means for receiving the continuation information transmitted from the continuation information and continuation notification for notifying that an abnormality has occurred continuously when the continuation information is received by the second continuation information receiving means. The notification prohibition control unit is configured to control the content of the continuation information by the continuation notification unit by the notification prohibition unit until a predetermined time elapses after the communication with the management apparatus is started. Notification is also prohibited.

In the gaming machine according to the third aspect of the present invention, the game machine is monitored by the game hall monitoring system according to the first or second aspect .

In the game hall monitoring system according to the first aspect of the invention, the notification prohibiting means of the hall computer prohibits the notification of the content of the abnormality information by the abnormality notification means, and the notification prohibition control means is configured to start communication with the management device. Until the predetermined time elapses, the notification prohibiting unit can prohibit the notification of the content of the abnormality information by the abnormality notification unit. Therefore, since the connection between the hall computer and the management apparatus is started, even if the hall computer receives a large amount of abnormality information from the management apparatus, the notification is prohibited. A large amount of notification is not performed. Therefore, an excessive load is not applied to the hall computer with a large amount of notification. In addition, a large amount of notification does not disturb the work performed by the hall computer by the hall computer.
Further, the abnormality information storage control means of the hall computer may store the abnormality information received by the second abnormality information receiving means in the abnormality information storage means even if the notification prohibition control means prohibits notification by the abnormality notification means. it can. Accordingly, since the received abnormality information is stored in the abnormality information storage means, the contents can be displayed by the abnormality information display means. Therefore, even if the notification is not performed, the staff can know the content of the abnormality information.
In addition, the abnormality information retransmission control unit of the monitoring control device, when the abnormality information could not be transmitted to the management device by the first abnormality information transmission unit, when the abnormality information that could not be transmitted was established with the management device Can be sent to the management device again. Therefore, abnormality information created in a state where communication with the management apparatus is not established can also be reliably transmitted to the management apparatus. Then, since it is transmitted from the management device to the hall computer, even if the abnormality information cannot be transmitted from the monitoring and control device, it is stored in the abnormality information storage means in the hall computer thereafter, so that the clerk knows the contents of the abnormality information. Can do.

Further, in the game arcade monitoring system of the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, continuation information creating means of the monitoring control apparatus transmits abnormality information by the first abnormality information transmitting unit If the determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred after a lapse of a predetermined time, the continuation information indicating that an abnormality has occurred continuously is created. The created continuation information can be transmitted to the management device. The first continuation information receiving unit of the management apparatus receives the continuation information transmitted from the first continuation information transmitting unit, and the second continuation information transmitting unit stores the continuation information received by the first continuation information receiving unit. Can be sent to a computer. The second continuation information receiving unit of the hall computer receives the continuation information transmitted from the second continuation information transmitting unit, and the continuation notification unit continues when the second continuation information receiving unit receives the continuation information. The notification prohibition control means notifies the content of the continuation information from the continuation notification means until the predetermined time elapses after the communication with the management apparatus is started. This notification can also be prohibited. Therefore, the attendant can know that the abnormality continues to occur. And even if a large amount of continuation information generated in a state where communication between the hall computer and the management device is not established, a large amount of information is received at the start of communication, after communication with the management device is started by the notification prohibition means Since the notification of the continuation of the abnormality is not performed until the predetermined time elapses, an excessive load is not applied to the hall computer due to a large amount of notification. In addition, a large amount of notification does not disturb the work performed by the hall computer by the hall computer.

Further, in the gaming machine of the invention according to claim 3 , since it is monitored by the game hall monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2 , an abnormality that has occurred in a state where communication between the management device and the hall computer is not established. The staff can also know the contents. Therefore, the gaming machine can receive treatment by an attendant even for an abnormality in which the management device is not in communication with the hall computer.

In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in the following order with reference to the drawings.
1. 1. Outline of system configuration 2. Explanation of pachinko machine and pachinko machine accessories 3. Explanation of island management device 4. Explanation of hall computer Explanation of IC tag and antenna 6. Description of monitoring information 7. Explanation of RW operation 8. Explanation of operation of island management device 9. Explanation of operation of hall computer 11. Comparison with claims Description of modification

1. First, an overall configuration of the game hall monitoring system will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a game hall monitoring system. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance inside the game hall where the game hall monitoring system is introduced.

  In the amusement hall, a plurality of amusement islands 200 that are installation bases on which the pachinko machines 1 are installed are installed. On the amusement island 200, the pachinko machines 1 are arranged in two rows back to back. Inside each amusement island 200, one reader / writer (hereinafter referred to as RW) 30 that is a monitoring control device for monitoring the pachinko machine 1 is installed in one pachinko machine 1. . The RW 30 includes a communication unit 300 and is installed on the outer surface of the amusement island 200 and on the front upper portion of the pachinko machine 1. The communication unit 300 includes various antennas for the RW 30 to communicate with the outside. On the upper side of each communication unit 300, an information display 201 is installed for the player to obtain information on the game contents (such as the number of hits of the day) of each pachinko machine 1.

  Further, one island management device 100 is installed on each of the game islands 200. This island management apparatus 100 is connected to an in-store network 650 that is a wireless LAN, and also has a function as an access point for the RW 30 to connect to the in-store network 650. In the island management apparatus 100, a display 107 for displaying the monitoring information received from the RW 30, a warning lamp 108 that is turned on based on the monitoring information, a display on the display 107 is erased, and the warning lamp 108 is turned off. A clear button 109 is provided. A player terminal 400 and a hall computer 600 are also connected to the in-store network 650.

  In such a game hall monitoring system, each RW 30 makes use of RFID communication between a later-described monitoring tag 86 and a monitoring antenna 68 (see FIGS. 3 to 5) installed in each pachinko machine 1, The opening / closing state of the opening / closing member is monitored based on the above. The RW 30 continuously transmits a calling wave that calls the monitoring tag 86 from the monitoring antenna 68, and RFID communication with the monitoring tag 86 that transmits a reflected wave including an ID code registered in advance in the RW 30 is established. In the state where it is, it is determined that the monitoring place is closed (normal). When the RFID communication between the monitoring tag 86 and the monitoring antenna 68 is interrupted or when RFID communication is performed with an IC tag that is not registered in the RW 30 in advance, it is determined that there is an abnormality. “Abnormal information” is transmitted to 100.

  In addition, the attendant of the game hall has an attendant card 510. The attendant card 510 is a card for proving the identity of the attendant. The staff opens the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 (see FIG. 3) of the pachinko machine 1 when performing operations such as removal of clogging of the pachinko machine 1. However, the opening by the staff is an opening for work, not an unauthorized opening by an unauthorized person. Therefore, the clerk uses the clerk card 510 to cause the RW 30 to recognize that the work is to be performed (“authenticated state”).

  This clerk card 510 incorporates an authentication tag 511 that is an IC tag storing an ID code (identification code unique to the IC tag) that can identify the clerk, and the RW 30 is for communicating with this authentication tag 511. An authentication antenna 301 is provided and built in the communication unit 300 (see FIG. 5). Therefore, the clerk puts the clerk card 510 on the communication unit 300 before working. Then, since the RFID communication between the authentication antenna 301 and the authentication tag 511 is established, the RW 30 is set to the “authentication state”, and even if the RFID communication between the monitoring tag 86 and the monitoring antenna 68 is cut off, the clerk is “working”. It is judged that there is. Then, not “abnormal information” but “work information” is transmitted to the island management apparatus 100. This “authentication state” is canceled when the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 of the pachinko machine 1 are closed.

  In the present embodiment, “continuation information” is created when the abnormality continues even after a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed since the occurrence of the abnormality. This is information for notifying the island management device 100 and the hall computer 600 that an abnormality has occurred continuously.

  Further, the island management apparatus 100 that has received “abnormal information”, “continuation information”, and “work information” from the RW 30 transmits the information to the hall computer 600. The “abnormal information”, “continuation information”, and “work information” for each pachinko machine 1 are tabulated and stored in the hall computer 600. Furthermore, when unauthorized opening is performed, the staff must deal with the act. Therefore, the island management apparatus 100 that has received the “abnormal information” or “continuation information” turns on a lamp (not shown) provided to the island management apparatus 100 to notify the staff of the occurrence of the abnormality. When “work information” is received, notification is not performed. Furthermore, when the hall computer 600 receives “abnormal information” and “continuation information”, an emergency message screen 500 (see FIG. 12) is displayed to notify the staff of the occurrence of the illegal act. Further, when the “work information” is received, the notification operation is not performed. In the present embodiment, “abnormal information”, “continuation information”, and “work information” are collectively referred to as “monitoring information”.

  The control relating to the notification of “abnormal information” and “continuation information” in the hall computer 600 is a main part of the present invention. In the game hall monitoring system of the present invention, the RW 30 continues to operate at night and on holidays to monitor the pachinko machine 1. However, the hall computer 600 and the island management device 100 do not operate at night or on holidays.

  Therefore, when an abnormality occurs at night or on holidays, when the hall computer 600 starts to operate, “abnormal information” and “continuation information” are transmitted from the RW 30 via the island management device 100. Become. In the hall computer 600 that has received these “monitoring information”, the received “monitoring information is stored and notified. However, since“ continuation information ”is created every minute, a large amount of“ continuation information ”is generated. A large amount of emergency message screen 500 is displayed, and an excessive load is applied. In such a case, the emergency message screen 500 will be displayed in succession even if an attendant tries to perform some work on the hall computer 600, so that the input to the hall computer 600 cannot be performed. End up. In addition, when a clerk performs work on a plurality of pachinko machines 1 installed in the amusement hall at night, it is troublesome to perform authentication processing by putting the clerk card 510 against one pachinko machine 1. For this reason, there are cases where work is performed without being in an authenticated state. Even in such a case, a large amount of “abnormal information” and “continuation information” are created.

  Therefore, in the game hall monitoring system of the present invention, the hall computer 600 sets the “notification prohibited state” for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) after the communication with the island management device 100 is started. In this notification prohibition state, even if “abnormal information” and “continuation information” are received, only notification is performed and notification by the emergency message screen 500 is not performed. As described above, since the notification is not performed for a predetermined time from the start of communication, the “abnormal information” and the “continuation information” created by the RW 30 are not performed while the hall computer 600 is not operating. Even if “abnormal information” and “continuation information” are created, a large amount of emergency message screen 500 does not continue to be displayed, an excessive load on hall computer 600 is not applied, It becomes possible to perform the work. Although the emergency message screen 500 is not displayed, the received “abnormal information” and “continuation information” are stored in the monitoring information storage area 681 (see FIGS. 7 and 11), so the emergency data screen 501 is displayed. The contents can be browsed in (see FIG. 13).

  Note that the player has a player card 410 containing a player tag 411 that is an IC tag storing an ID code that can identify the player. The player tag 411 stores past game information of the player in addition to an ID code that can identify the player. The player sets the player card 410 in the communication unit 300 before starting the game. The communication unit 300 includes a player antenna 302 (see FIG. 5) for the RW 30 to perform RFID communication with the player tag 411. And in RW30, the call wave which repeatedly calls the player tag 411 is transmitted, RFID communication with the player tag 411 is established, and when the player is recognized, the game information of the subsequent pachinko machine 1 (the number of shot balls) , The number of balls to be paid out, the number of jackpot lotteries, the number of jackpots, etc.) are transmitted to the player tag 411 every predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) and written to the EEPROM (not shown) of the player tag 411. Further, the game information written in the player tag 411 is transmitted from the RW 30 to the hall computer 600 via the island management device 100, and totalized and stored.

  The player terminal 400 is also provided with an antenna for RFID communication with the player tag 411, and the player terminal 400 reads out the game information stored in the player card 410 (player tag 411). be able to. Therefore, the player can browse the stored game information by setting the player card 410 to the player terminal.

2. Description of Pachinko Machine and Pachinko Machine Attached Equipment Next, the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the state in which the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 of the pachinko machine 1 are opened as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the pachinko machine 1 includes a machine frame 12, a main body frame 10, and a front frame 11. The machine frame 12 is for fixing the pachinko machine 1 to the game island 200. The main body frame 10 includes a game board 2 having a game area 4 on the front side, an upper plate 5 and a lower plate 6 for storing game balls, and the like, a mechanism plate as a mechanism unit on the back side, and a pachinko machine. Various substrates for controlling 1 are installed. The front frame 11 holds a glass plate for covering the game board. Further, the game area 4 is provided with a symbol display device, various winning awards and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, at the lower part of the back of the pachinko machine 1, a main board case 81 that houses a main board 41 that controls the main control of the pachinko machine 1, and a payout that contains a payout control board 45 that controls the payout of game balls. A control board case 82 and the like are arranged. Further, the mechanism plate includes a payout device 67 for paying out game balls.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the main components of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a main board 41 that controls the main control of the pachinko machine 1 and a payout control board 45 that controls the payout of game balls. The main board 41 is provided with a CPU 51 for performing various arithmetic processes, a RAM 52 for storing flags, counter values and data, a control program, various initial value data, and a symbol display provided in the game area 4. And a ROM 53 that stores data of contents displayed on the apparatus. The CPU 51 is connected to an I / O interface 54, and a payout control board 45 and an output port 55 for outputting game information are connected to the I / O interface 54. Although not shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the main board 41 and the payout control board 45, the pachinko machine 1 includes a power board, a sound board, a symbol display board, an electrical board, a relay board, a launch board, a sub board, An integrated substrate or the like is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, monitoring tags 86 a to 86 c are attached to the main board case 81, the machine frame 12, and the front frame 11. The main board case 81, the machine casing 12 and the main body frame 10, and the opening and closing of the main body frame 10 and the front frame 11 are monitored. In a state where each monitoring place is closed, a monitoring antenna 68 is provided at a position facing the monitoring tag 86 and capable of RFID communication. Therefore, the monitoring tag 86 attached to the main board case 81 is the case tag 86a, the monitoring tag 86 attached to the machine frame 12 is the machine frame tag 86b, and the monitoring tag 86 attached to the front frame 11 is the front frame. The tag 86c is assumed. Note that the monitoring antenna 68 communicating with the case tag 86a is the case antenna 68a (see FIG. 5), the monitoring antenna 68 communicating with the machine frame tag 86b is the machine frame antenna 68b, and the monitoring antenna 68 communicating with the front frame tag 86c is the front frame. It is assumed that the antenna 68c. The main board case 81 in which the main board 41 is accommodated is the first monitoring place, the main body frame 10 and the machine frame 12 are the second monitoring place, and the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 are the third monitoring place.

  Next, the RW 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The RW 30 is provided with a CPU 32 that controls the RW 30. The CPU 32 includes a RAM 34 that temporarily stores flags, data, and the like, and a ROM 33 that stores control programs and various initial value data. The CPU 32 transmits a paging wave to the EEPROM 35 for storing monitoring information and the like, and a radio frequency circuit (hereinafter referred to as an RF circuit) 38 for receiving a reflected wave and receiving a reflected wave, and a real time for performing time management. A Clock (hereinafter referred to as RTC) 71 and an I / O interface 37 are connected. The I / O interface 37 is connected to an input port 39 connected to the output port 55 of the main board 41 of the pachinko machine 1 and a communication circuit 36 for connection to the in-store network 650 via the island management device 100.

  The RF circuit 38 is connected with an authentication antenna 301 for RFID communication with the authentication tag 511 of the attendant card 510 and a player antenna 302 for RFID communication with the player tag 411 of the player card 410 by cables. It is provided in the communication unit 300 installed on the front surface of the pachinko machine 1. In addition, monitoring antennas 68 a to 68 c for performing RFID communication with the monitoring tags 86 a to 86 c attached to the respective monitoring locations of the pachinko machine 1 are also connected to the RF circuit 38.

3. Description of Island Management Device Next, the island management device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the island management apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the island management device 100 includes a CPU 101 that performs various calculations, a RAM 102 that temporarily stores various flags and data, and a ROM 103 that stores control programs and various initial value data. , The EEPROM 104 storing the monitoring information received from the RW 30, registration information such as the machine number of the pachinko machine 1, the I / O interface 105 for transferring data, the communication circuit 106 for connecting to the in-store network 650, A display 107 for displaying monitoring information received from the RW 30, a warning lamp 108 that is turned on based on the monitoring information, and a clear button 109 for erasing the display of the display 107 and turning off the warning lamp 108. It consists of and.

  The main function of the island management apparatus 100 is notification of monitoring information. When monitoring information is received from the RW 30 by the control program stored in the ROM 103, a failure such as “101 series, the front frame is illegally opened! (14:45:03)” or A notification message indicating recovery is displayed, and a warning lamp 108 is turned on to attract the attention of the attendant at the game hall. When the clear button 109 is pressed by the staff, the notification message is turned off and the warning lamp 108 is turned off. The received monitoring information is used as data for notification by itself and is transmitted to the hall computer 600 every time it is received. The island management device 100 is activated before the game hall business is started, and is powered off after the game hall business ends.

4). Description of Hall Computer Next, the hall computer 600 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the hall computer 600. As shown in FIG. 7, the hall computer 600 is provided with a CPU 601 that controls the hall computer 600. The CPU 601 includes a RAM 602 that temporarily stores various data, a ROM 603 that stores BIOS and the like, and data Is connected to an I / O interface 604 that mediates the delivery of. A hard disk device 680 is connected to the I / O interface 604, and the hard disk device 680 includes a monitoring information storage area 681, a game information storage area 682, a program storage area 683, and other information storage areas 684. Is provided.

  The monitoring information storage area 681 stores monitoring information of all pachinko machines 1 in the game hall (see FIG. 11), and the game information storage area 682 stores games of all pachinko machines 1 in the game hall. Information is stored, the program storage area 683 stores a program executed by the CPU 601, and the other information storage area 684 stores various setting information related to monitoring, information related to the pachinko machine 1, and the like. Has been.

  In addition, a communication device 608, a mouse 633, a video controller 614, a key controller 615, a CD-ROM drive 616, and an FD drive 617 are connected to the I / O interface 604. A display 634 is connected, and a keyboard 635 is connected to the key controller 615. The communication device 608 can be connected to the in-store network 650. The CD-ROM 636 inserted into the CD-ROM drive 616 stores a control program. At the time of introduction, a print data editing program is set up from the CD-ROM 636 to the hard disk device 680 and stored in the program storage area 683. It has come to be remembered. Further, the FD drive 617 can read and write the flexible disk 637.

5. Description of IC Tag and Antenna Next, the monitoring tag 86, the player tag 411, and the authentication tag 511 will be described. The monitoring tag 86, the player tag 411, and the authentication tag 511 are IC tags that perform RFID communication in a 13.56 MHz short wave band.

  For example, the main substrate case 81 has the main substrate 41 accommodated in an upper lid portion and a lower lid portion, and is caulked so that the upper lid portion and the lower lid portion do not open. The case antenna 68a is installed on the lower lid of the main board case 81, and the case tag 86a is installed on the upper lid. The distance between the case antenna 68a and the case tag 86a is arranged to be about 3 mm when the upper lid portion and the lower lid portion of the main board case 81 are assembled. RFID communication is possible between these distances, and communication is disabled when the distance between the case antenna 68a and the case tag 86a exceeds about 5 mm. This communicable distance can be adjusted by the number of turns of the coil of the monitoring antenna 68 and the reactance value. By setting the communicable distance in this way, it is possible to detect even a slight opening of the upper lid portion, and adjustment is made so that communication is not disabled by slight vibration due to vibration or the like.

  Further, the communicable distance between the machine frame tag 86b and the machine frame antenna 68b is also communicable when the machine frame 12 and the main body frame 10 are closed, and is in an opened state (for example, a state exceeding 5 mm). ), The number of turns of the coil of the machine frame antenna 68b and the reactance value are adjusted so that communication is disabled. The communicable distance between the front frame tag 86c and the front frame antenna 68c can be communicated when the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 are closed, and can be opened even slightly (for example, a state exceeding 3 mm). ), The number of turns of the coil of the front frame antenna 68c and the reactance value are adjusted so that communication is disabled.

  Further, the authentication antenna 301 and the player antenna 302 are installed inside the communication unit 300. When the clerk holds the clerk card 510, RFID communication is performed with the authentication tag 511. Further, the communication unit 300 is provided with a card insertion slot on the upper surface so that the player card 410 can be held. Then, the number of turns of the coil and the reactance value are adjusted so that RFID communication is possible in a state where the player card 410 is inserted into the card insertion slot.

6). Description of Monitoring Information Next, monitoring information will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. FIG. 8 shows monitoring information 351 of the RW 30 installed in the pachinko machine 1 with the machine number 528 on August 10, 2005, and FIG. 9 shows the pachinko machine 1 with the machine number 802 on August 10, 2005. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the monitoring information storage area 1041 provided in the EEPROM 104 of the island management apparatus 100. FIG. 11 shows the monitoring information of the hall computer 600. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an information storage area 681. FIG. The monitoring information created by the RW 30 is transmitted to the island management device 100 and further transmitted to the hall computer 600. Then, in the island management device 100 and the hall computer 600, if the monitoring information is abnormality information or continuation information, the occurrence of the abnormality is notified.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the monitoring information storage areas 351, 1041, and 681 include an island number column, a unit number column, a date column, a time column, a segment column, a monitoring location column, a content column, a status column, an ID A code field is provided, and a transmission field is also provided in the monitoring information storage area 351 of the RW 30 and the monitoring information storage area 1041 of the island management apparatus 100.

  In the island number column, the number of the gaming island 200 where the pachinko machine 1 where the abnormality has occurred is set, and in the unit number column, the unit number of the pachinko machine 1 where the abnormality occurred is set, the date column and the time column Is set with the date and time when the abnormality occurred. A code indicating the type of monitoring information is set in the section field. In this embodiment, the abnormality information is “1”, the work information is “2”, and the continuation information is “3”. In the monitoring place column, a code indicating the monitoring place where the abnormality has occurred is set. In the present embodiment, the main board case 81 (first monitoring place) in which the main board 41 is accommodated is “1”, the main body frame 10 and the machine frame 12 (second monitoring place) are “2”, and the front frame 11. And the body frame 10 (third monitoring place) is “3”. Then, the type of abnormality is set in the content column. It is “1” for a “response error” in which a monitoring tag does not respond, and “2” for a monitoring tag with a different ID and an updated “ID error”. In the status column, a code indicating whether an abnormality has occurred or recovery has been set. In the present embodiment, occurrence is “1” and recovery is “2”. In the ID code column, the ID of the authentication tag 511 in the authentication state is set.

  In the transmission column, a code indicating whether or not the transmission of the monitoring information (transmission to the island management device 100 if RW30, transmission to the hall computer 600 if the island management device 100) is normally performed. Set. In this embodiment, “1” is set when transmission is performed normally, and “0” is set when transmission is not performed normally and retransmission is necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the monitoring information storage area 351 of the RW 30 installed in the pachinko machine 1 with the machine number 528, the pachinko machine 1 with the island number “1” and the machine number “528” Work information indicating that a response error has occurred in the third monitoring location (front frame 11 and main body frame 10) is created at 19:08:46 on the day, and the second monitoring location is created at 19:09:32. Work information indicating that a response error has occurred in (main body frame 10 and machine frame 12) is created, and work information indicating that the response error has been recovered at the second monitoring location at 19:11:14. Work information indicating that the response error has been recovered at the third monitoring location is created at 19:11:16. These operations are performed by the staff of the authentication tag 511 having the ID code “84T6R8546R84R59T”. Since this time zone is still within the business hours of the amusement hall, the island management device 100 is in operation, and communication between the RW 30 and the island management device 100 is established. Therefore, the transmission column of these work information is “1”, and it can be seen that transmission to the island management apparatus 100 was normally performed. Note that monitoring information before 19:08:46 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the monitoring information storage area 351 of the RW 30 installed in the pachinko machine 1 with the machine number 802, the pachinko machine 1 with the island number “15” and the machine number “802” Work information indicating that a response error has occurred at the third monitoring location at 22:23:08 on March 10 was created, and a response error occurred at the second monitoring location at 22:23:11 Work information indicating that a response error has occurred at the third monitoring location at 22:24:08, and second monitoring at 22:24:11. Continuation information indicating that a response error has occurred at the location has been created, and continuation information indicating that a response error has occurred at the third monitoring location has been created at 22:25:08. : 25: 11 Continuation information indicating that a response error has occurred at the monitoring location is created, and work information indicating that the response error has been recovered at the second monitoring location is created at 22:25:31. Work information indicating that the response error has been recovered at the third monitoring location is created at 25:35. These operations are performed by the staff of the authentication tag 511 having the ID code “1T5ERT8ER7TE5565”. However, since this time period is outside the business hours of the amusement hall, the island management apparatus 100 is not operating. Therefore, communication between the RW 30 and the island management apparatus 100 is not established, and the transmission column of these work information is “0”, which indicates that transmission to the island management apparatus 100 is not performed. Note that monitoring information before 22:23:08 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the monitoring information storage area 1041 of the island management device 100, the pachinko machine 1 having the island number “1” and the machine number “528” up to 19:11:16 on August 10, 2005 is displayed. Monitoring information is stored, but the pachinko machine with the island number “15” and the machine number “802” from 22:23:08 work information on August 10, 2005 to 22:25:35 work information. The monitoring information of 1 is not stored. This is because the island management apparatus 100 has not been received from the RW 30 since the monitoring information is generated at the time when the monitoring information is generated.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, in the monitoring information storage area 681 of the hall computer 600, similarly, the pachinko machines having the island numbers “1” and the machine numbers “528” up to 19:11:16 on August 10, 2005. Although the monitoring information of the machine 1 is stored, the island number “15” and the unit number “802” from the work information of 22:23:08 on August 10, 2005 to the work information of 22:25:35 The monitoring information of the pachinko machine 1 is not stored. This is because the island management apparatus 100 is not in operation, and thus the monitoring information is not received from the RW 30 and is therefore not transmitted to the hall computer 600. The monitoring information is transmitted from the RW 30 to the island management device 100 when the operation of the island management device 100 is started and communication between the RW 30 and the island management device 100 is established. Then, it is transmitted from the island management device 100 to the hall computer 600.

  Next, a notification screen displayed on the hall computer 600 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 is an image diagram of the emergency message screen 500, and FIG. 13 is an image diagram of the emergency data screen 501.

  The emergency message screen 500 is a screen that pops up when the abnormality information or the continuation information is received, and is a screen for notifying the staff of the occurrence of the abnormality or the continuation of the abnormality. As shown in FIG. 12, the machine number of the pachinko machine 1 where the abnormality has occurred, the date and time of occurrence, and the content of the abnormality are displayed. In addition, a return button is provided for selecting when the abnormality of the pachinko machine 1 is recovered, and the emergency message screen 500 is closed when the return button is selected. The emergency message screen 500 is not displayed even when monitoring information is received in the notification prohibited state. In the example shown in FIG. 12, in the pachinko machine 1 with the machine number 101, it is reported that an abnormality has occurred in the front frame 11 at 14:45:03 on August 10, 2005.

  The emergency data screen 501 is a screen showing a list of monitoring information. As shown in FIG. 13, an island number selection combo box, a unit number selection combo box, a display button, an end button, and a list display column are provided. Yes. In the list display column, monitoring information stored in the monitoring information storage area 681 is displayed. Then, when the island number is selected in the island number selection combo box, only the monitoring information of the pachinko machine 1 installed on the amusement island 200 of that island number is displayed. When the unit number is selected in the unit number selection combo box, Only the monitoring information of the pachinko machine 1 with the machine number is displayed. Further, when one row in the list display column is selected and the display button is selected, other information related to the pachinko machine 1 of the monitoring information is displayed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 13, since the island number and the machine number are not selected, the abnormality information and work information of all the pachinko machines 1 in the game hall are displayed. In the first and second lines of the list display column, it can be seen that the classification column is “1” and that it is abnormal information. Furthermore, since the ID code of the authentication tag 511 is not registered in the tag ID column, it is understood that the information is not work information but abnormal information, and the front frame 11 is attached to the pachinko machine 1 having the island number 3 and the machine number 156. It can be seen that it was opened at 14:45:03 and closed at 14:45:15. Since the information in the third and subsequent lines is “2” in the classification column, it is known that the information is work information, and the front frame of the pachinko machine 1 with the island number 1 and the machine number 528 is 19:08:46. 11 is opened, the main body frame 10 is opened at 19:09:32, the main body frame 10 is closed at 19:11:14, and the front frame 11 is closed at 19:11:16. 84T6R8546R84R59T "is understood to have been performed by a staff member who possesses the authentication tag 511. Then, the front frame 11 is opened at 22:23:08, the main body frame 10 is opened at 22:23:11, and the main body frame at 22:25:31 with the pachinko machine 1 with the island number 15 and the machine number 802. It can be seen that the work of closing the front frame 11 at 22:25:35 was performed by a staff member having the authentication tag 511 with the tag ID “1T5ERT8ER7TE5565”.

7). Next, the operation of the RW 30 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 to 17. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of main processing performed in the RW 30, FIG. 15 is a flowchart of monitoring processing performed in the main processing, and FIG. 16 is a flowchart of generation processing performed in the monitoring processing. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the recovery process performed in the monitoring process.

  As shown in FIG. 14, first, initial processing is performed such that initial values “0” are set in each error flag and elapsed time counter (S1). The error flag indicates that the communication with the monitoring tag 86 is normally performed when “0” is stored, and the communication with the monitoring tag 86 is normally performed when “1” is stored. This indicates that there is no error, that is, an abnormality has occurred. A response error flag and an ID error flag are provided for each of the first monitoring location to the third monitoring location. The response error indicates a case where the monitoring tag 86 does not return a reflected wave with respect to the ringing wave transmitted from the monitoring antenna 68, and the ID error includes an ID code included in the reflected wave in advance. The case where it is different from what is shown is shown. The elapsed time counter is a time counter for measuring the elapsed time after the occurrence of an abnormality and monitoring information is transmitted. When the value is greater than 0, the elapsed time counter is set every predetermined time (for example, 0.2 ms). Subtracted and the elapsed time is measured.

  And the confirmation process of whether it is in the state which can communicate with the island management apparatus 100 is performed (S2). If communication is established (S3: YES), it is determined whether there is monitoring information that has not been transmitted (S4). If there is data in which the transmission column of the monitoring information storage area 351 is “0”, there is untransmitted monitoring information (S4: YES), and these untransmitted monitoring information is transmitted to the island management device 100. (S5). If communication is not established (S3: NO), transmission of untransmitted monitoring information is not performed, and transmission of untransmitted monitoring information is performed even when there is no untransmitted monitoring information (S4: NO). If not, the process proceeds to S8.

  Then, an authentication process is performed (S8). In this authentication process, a call wave is transmitted from the authentication antenna 301, and when RFID communication with the attendant card 510 is established, the authentication state is set. Further, when the authentication state is set, after a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) elapses, the front frame 11, the main body frame 10, and the wooden frame 12 are closed (if the second monitoring place 3 is normal). The authentication state is released. Next, the main board case 81 (first monitoring location) (S9), the main body frame 10 and the machine frame 12 (second monitoring location) (S10), the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 (third monitoring location) (S11). Monitoring is performed in order. In this monitoring process, information about which monitoring place is to be monitored is instructed to the monitoring process using a number indicating the monitoring place. Then, the process returns to S2, and processing for transmitting untransmitted monitoring information (S2 to S5), authentication processing (S8), and monitoring processing (S9 to S11) are repeated.

  Next, the monitoring process will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. In this monitoring process, if a ringing wave is transmitted from the monitoring antenna 68 at the monitoring location designated by the main processing and RFID communication is established with the monitoring tag 86 of the ID code registered in advance, the monitoring location is “normal”. If RFID communication is not established, it is determined as “abnormal”. When “abnormal” is determined, “abnormal information” is created and measurement of elapsed time is started. Further, when the “abnormality” is recovered, “abnormal information” indicating recovery of the abnormality is created and transmitted. Further, even if it is determined as “abnormal”, if it is “authenticated”, it is determined that the work is performed by a staff member, and “work information” is created. Similarly, in the recovery of “abnormal”, “work information” is created if it is “authentication state”. In addition, even if a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed since the transmission of the abnormality information, if “abnormality” is not designated for recovery, “continuation information” indicating that “abnormality” continues is transmitted. Is done.

  First, a ringing wave is transmitted from the monitoring antenna 68 (S41). Then, it is determined whether or not the reflected wave is received from the monitoring tag 86 within a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) (S42). When the reflected wave is received (S42: YES), it is determined whether or not the ID code matches the ID code stored in the monitoring ID code storage area of the EEPROM 35 in advance (S44). If the ID codes match (S44: YES), it is determined as “normal”. Therefore, since it is necessary to perform recovery processing if an error is currently occurring, it is determined whether or not the response error flag is ON (S46) and whether or not the ID error flag is ON (S48). Done. If neither a response error nor an ID error is present (S46: NO, S48: NO), the normal state continues, and the process directly returns to the main process.

  Further, if an abnormality (opening) has occurred and no reflected wave is returned from the monitoring tag 86 (S42: NO), it is determined as “abnormal” and a “response error” occurs. Therefore, generation processing is performed (S43). In this generation process, as shown in FIG. 16, it is first determined whether or not a response error has already occurred based on whether or not the response error flag is ON (S61). If no response error has already occurred (S61: NO), it is necessary to perform processing for the response error. Therefore, the response error flag is turned on (S62). Then, it is determined whether or not it is in an authentication state depending on whether or not the authentication flag is ON (S63). If it is in the authentication state (S63: YES), work information indicating that work is in progress is created and stored in the monitoring information storage area 351 (S65). If it is not in the authentication state (S63: NO), an abnormality occurs. Abnormal information indicating that it is in the middle is created and stored in the monitoring information storage area 351 (S64).

  Then, the abnormality information or work information created in S64 and S65 is transmitted to the island management apparatus 100 as monitoring information (S69). When an acknowledgment (reception completion signal) is transmitted from the island management device 100, the monitoring information has been normally transmitted to the island management device 100 (S70: YES), so “1” is set in the transmission field of the monitoring information. (S71). If no acknowledge has been transmitted, the monitoring information has not been transmitted normally (S70: NO), and “0” is set in the transmission field (S72). Then, a value for measuring one minute is set in the elapsed time counter (300,000 when 1 is subtracted every 0.2 ms) (S73), the process returns to the monitoring process, and the process returns to the main process.

  When the monitoring process for the monitoring location (see FIG. 15) is performed again and the abnormality (opening) continues, even if a ringing wave is transmitted from the monitoring antenna 68 (S41), the response of the reflected wave (S42: NO). Therefore, in the generation process (see FIG. 16), it is determined that the response error flag is ON (S61: YES). Since one minute has not yet passed (S66: NO), the process returns to the monitoring process and returns to the main process.

  Then, when the main process (see FIG. 14) is repeatedly performed and one minute has passed with the abnormality (opening) continuing, even if a ringing wave is transmitted from the monitoring antenna 68 in the monitoring process (S41) In the generation process, the response error flag is ON (S61: YES), and it is determined that one minute has passed (S66: YES). Therefore, if the authentication state is not set (S67: NO), the continuation information is created and stored in the monitoring information storage area 351 (S68), and the continuation information is transmitted as monitoring information to the island management apparatus 100 (S69). When an acknowledgment (reception completion signal) is transmitted from the island management device 100, the monitoring information has been normally transmitted to the island management device 100 (S70: YES), so “1” is set in the transmission field of the monitoring information. (S71). If no acknowledge has been transmitted, the monitoring information has not been transmitted normally (S70: NO), and “0” is set in the transmission field (S72). In addition, if it is an authentication state (S67: YES), since an attendant is working, continuation information is not produced. Therefore, the process proceeds to S73 as it is. Then, a value indicating 1 minute is set in the elapsed time counter (S73), the process returns to the monitoring process, and the process returns to the main process.

  If the response error is restored to “normal” (S41, S42: YES, S44: YES), the response error flag is ON (S46: YES). Therefore, recovery processing is performed (S47). As shown in FIG. 17, in the recovery process, first, the response error flag is turned off (S81), and it is determined whether or not the authentication state is in accordance with whether or not the authentication flag is ON (S82). ). If it is in the authentication state (S82: YES), work information indicating that the work has been completed is created and stored in the monitoring information storage area 351 (S84). If it is not in the authentication state (S82: NO), the abnormality is recovered. Abnormal information indicating that this has occurred is created and stored in the monitoring information storage area 351 (S83). Then, the abnormality information or work information created in S83 and S84 is transmitted to the island management device 100 as monitoring information (S85). When an acknowledgment (reception completion signal) is transmitted from the island management device 100, the monitoring information is normally transmitted to the island management device 100 (S86: YES), so “1” is displayed in the transmission field of the monitoring information. Is set (S87). If the acknowledge is not transmitted, the monitoring information has not been transmitted normally (S86: NO), so “0” is set in the transmission field (S88). Then, the process returns to the monitoring process and returns to the main process.

  In this way, when a response error occurs, abnormal information or work information indicating the occurrence is created and transmitted. If the abnormality continues for 1 minute or longer, continuous information is created and transmitted, and the response error is recovered. In this case, abnormal information or work information indicating recovery is created and transmitted. When the monitoring information cannot be normally transmitted to the island management device 100, the retransmission is performed when communication with the island management device 100 is established.

  In addition, for the transmission of the ringing wave from the monitoring antenna 68 (S41), even if the reflected wave is received (S42: YES), the ID code included in the reflected wave is not registered in advance. In this case (S44: NO), it is determined as “abnormal” and an “ID error” is generated. Therefore, generation processing is performed (S45). As shown in FIG. 16, in the generation process, whether or not an ID error has already occurred is determined based on whether or not the ID error flag is ON (S61). If no ID error has already occurred (S61: NO), it is necessary to perform processing for the ID error. Therefore, the ID error flag is set to ON (S62), and it is determined whether or not the authentication state is in accordance with whether or not the authentication flag is ON (S63). If it is in the authentication state (S63: YES), work information indicating that work is in progress is created and stored in the monitoring information storage area 351 (S65). If it is not in the authentication state (S63: NO), an abnormality occurs. Abnormal information indicating that it is in the middle is created and stored in the monitoring information storage area 351 (S64).

  Then, the abnormality information or work information created in S64 and S65 is transmitted to the island management apparatus 100 as monitoring information (S69). When an acknowledgment (reception completion signal) is transmitted from the island management device 100, the monitoring information has been normally transmitted to the island management device 100 (S70: YES), so “1” is set in the transmission field of the monitoring information. (S71). If no acknowledge has been transmitted, the monitoring information has not been transmitted normally (S70: NO), and “0” is set in the transmission field (S72). Then, a value for measuring one minute is set in the elapsed time counter (S73), the process returns to the monitoring process, and the process returns to the main process.

  Then, when the monitoring process of the monitoring place is performed again and the abnormality (ID difference) continues, a ringing wave is transmitted from the monitoring antenna 68 (S41) and a reflected wave is received (S42: YES), it is determined that the ID code included in the reflected wave is not registered in advance (S44: NO). Therefore, in the generation process (see FIG. 16), it is determined that the ID error flag is ON (S61: YES). Since one minute has not yet passed (S66: NO), the process returns to the monitoring process and returns to the main process.

  If the main process is repeated and abnormality (ID difference) continues, a ringing wave is transmitted from the monitoring antenna 68 (S41), and even if a reflected wave is received (S42: YES), the reflected wave Is not registered in advance (S44: NO), and in the generation process, the ID error flag is ON (S61: YES), and it is determined that one minute has passed (S66). : YES). Therefore, if it is not in the authentication state (S67: NO), continuation information is created and stored in the monitoring information storage area 351 (S68), and the continuation information is transmitted as monitoring information to the island management device 100 (S69). If an acknowledgment (reception completion signal) is transmitted from the device 100, the monitoring information has been transmitted normally to the island management device 100 (S70: YES), so “1” is set in the transmission field of the monitoring information. (S71). If no acknowledge has been transmitted, the monitoring information has not been transmitted normally (S70: NO), and “0” is set in the transmission field (S72). In addition, if it is an authentication state (S67: YES), since an attendant is working, continuation information is not produced. Therefore, the process proceeds to S73 as it is. Then, a value indicating 1 minute is set in the elapsed time counter (S73), the process returns to the monitoring process, and the process returns to the main process.

  Further, when the state is recovered to “normal” during the ID error (S41, S42: YES, S44: YES, S46: NO), the ID error flag is ON (S48: YES). Therefore, a recovery process is performed (S49). As shown in FIG. 17, in the recovery process, first, the ID error flag is turned off (S81), and it is determined whether or not the authentication state is in accordance with whether or not the authentication flag is on (S82). ). If it is in the authentication state (S82: YES), work information indicating that the work has been completed is created and stored in the monitoring information storage area 351 (S84). If it is not in the authentication state (S82: NO), the abnormality is recovered. Abnormal information indicating that this has occurred is created and stored in the monitoring information storage area 351 (S83). Then, the abnormality information or work information created in S83 and S84 is transmitted to the island management device 100 as monitoring information (S85). When an acknowledgment (reception completion signal) is transmitted from the island management device 100, the monitoring information is normally transmitted to the island management device 100 (S86: YES), so “1” is displayed in the transmission field of the monitoring information. Is set (S87). If the acknowledge is not transmitted, the monitoring information has not been transmitted normally (S86: NO), so “0” is set in the transmission field (S88). Then, the process returns to the monitoring process and returns to the main process.

  In this way, when an ID error occurs, abnormal information or work information indicating the occurrence is created and transmitted, and when abnormality continues for one minute or longer, continuation information is created and transmitted, and the response error is recovered. In this case, abnormal information or work information indicating recovery is created and transmitted. When the monitoring information cannot be normally transmitted to the island management device 100, the retransmission is performed when communication with the island management device 100 is established.

8). Description of Operation of Island Management Device Next, an island management device process performed by the island management device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of island management apparatus processing. The process shown in FIG. 18 is started when the island management apparatus 100 is activated and the initial process and the like are completed.

  First, it is confirmed whether or not communication with the hall computer 600 is established (S101). If communication is established (S101: YES), it is determined whether there is monitoring information that has not been transmitted (S102). If there is data in which the transmission column of the monitoring information storage area 1041 is “0”, there is untransmitted monitoring information (S102: YES), and these untransmitted monitoring information is transmitted to the hall computer 600 ( S103). If communication is not established (S101: NO), untransmitted monitoring information is not transmitted. If there is no untransmitted monitoring information (S102: NO), the untransmitted monitoring information is not transmitted.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the monitoring information is received from the island management device 100 (S104). When the monitoring information is received (S104: YES), if the received monitoring information classification column is “1” and abnormal information (S105: YES), the monitoring information is stored in the monitoring information storage area 1041 ( S107), the display 107 and the warning lamp 108 are notified of the occurrence of abnormality (S108). In addition, if the received monitoring information classification field is “2” and work information (S105: NO, S106: YES), only the monitoring information is stored in the monitoring information storage area 1041 (S109), and the notification is made. Not done. If the received monitoring information classification field is “3” and continuation information (S105: NO, S106: NO), the monitoring information is not stored in the monitoring information storage area 1041, and the display 107 and the warning lamp 108 are displayed. Only the notification of the occurrence of an abnormality is performed (S110).

  Then, monitoring information is transmitted to the hall computer 600 (S111). When an acknowledge (reception completion signal) is transmitted from the hall computer 600, the monitoring information is normally transmitted to the hall computer 600 (S112: YES), so “1” is set in the transmission field of the monitoring information. (S113). Then, the process returns to S101. Further, when the acknowledgment is not transmitted, the monitoring information has not been transmitted normally (S112: NO), it is necessary to retransmit this monitoring information later. Therefore, when the monitoring information received in S104 is continuation information (S114: YES), the continuation information is stored in the monitoring information storage area 1041 because no information is stored in the monitoring information storage area 1041 (S115). ). However, if it is not continuation information (114: NO), nothing is done because the information is already stored in the monitoring information storage area 1031. Then, regardless of the monitoring information, “0” is set in the transmission column of the monitoring information storage area 1041 (S116). Then, the process returns to S101.

  If the monitoring information has not been received (S104: NO), other island management device 100 processing (for example, notification stop processing and various setting processing) is performed (S117), and the process returns to S101.

  Thus, when the monitoring information is received from the RW 30, the island management device 100 transmits the received monitoring information to the hall computer 600 and performs notification when the information is abnormal information or work information. Further, when communication with the hall computer 600 is not established, it is managed as untransmitted monitoring information, and retransmission is performed when communication with the hall computer 600 is established.

9. Explanation of Operation of Hall Computer Next, processing performed by the hall computer 600 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the hall computer process, and FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the reception process performed in the hall computer process. The process shown in FIG. 19 is started when the hall computer 600 is activated.

  In this process, a notification prohibition state flag and an elapsed time counter are used. The notification prohibition state flag sets the notification prohibition state for a predetermined time (1 minute in the present embodiment) after the communication with the island management device 100 is established, and even if monitoring information is received during this period, the emergency message The screen 500 is popped up and no abnormality is notified. The notification prohibition state flag is “1” stored and turned ON in the notification prohibition state, and “0” is stored and turned OFF in the notification prohibition state. The elapsed time counter is a timer counter for measuring the elapsed time in the notification prohibition state, and is subtracted one by one every 0.2 ms by a time management program (not shown) to become “0”. The initial value of the notification prohibition state flag is OFF, and the initial value of the elapsed time counter is “0”.

  First, a value for measuring 10 seconds is set in the elapsed time counter (S201), and the notification prohibition state flag is turned ON (S202). And the process which starts communication with each island management apparatus 100 installed in the game hall is performed (S203). And it is judged whether it is a notification prohibition state (S204). Here, since the notification prohibition flag is set to ON in S202, it is determined that the notification prohibition state is set (S204: YES). Therefore, in order to determine whether or not to terminate the notification prohibition state, it is determined whether or not 10 seconds have elapsed based on the value of the elapsed time counter (S205). Since one minute has not yet elapsed (S205), the process directly proceeds to S207.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the monitoring information is received from the island management device 100 (S207). If the monitoring information is received from the island management device 100 (S207: YES), a reception process is performed (S208). As shown in FIG. 20, in the reception process, it is first determined whether or not the monitoring information is continuation information (S251). If it is not continuation information (S251: NO), the received monitoring information is abnormal information. Or it is memorize | stored in the monitoring information storage area 681 only when it is work information (S252). The continuation information (S251: YES) is not stored in the monitoring information storage area 681. And since it is an alerting | reporting prohibition state (S253: YES), the emergency message screen 500 is not displayed but it progresses to S256. If the notification is not prohibited (S253: NO), it is determined whether the received monitoring information is work information (S254). If it is work information (S254: NO), an emergency message is displayed. Since it is not necessary to display the screen 500, the process proceeds to S256 as it is. On the other hand, if it is not work information (S254: NO), since it is monitoring information (abnormality information and continuation information), an emergency message screen 500 is displayed (S255). Then, the process proceeds to S256.

  If the emergency data screen 501 is displayed (S256: YES), the contents of the monitoring information stored in the monitoring information storage area 681 in S252 are reflected in the emergency data screen 501. The display is updated (S257). Then, the process returns to S204. If the emergency data screen 501 is not displayed (S256: NO), the reception process is terminated, and the process returns to S204 of the hall computer process.

  If the monitoring information has not been received (S207: NO), it is determined whether or not the display of the emergency data screen 501 has been instructed (S209). If an instruction to display the emergency data screen 501 is given (S209: YES), the emergency data screen 501 (see FIG. 13) displaying the monitoring information stored in the monitoring information storage area 681 is displayed. It is displayed (S210). Then, the process returns to S204. If the instruction to display the emergency data screen 501 has not been issued (S209: NO), it is determined whether or not an end instruction has been issued (S211). If an end instruction is issued (S211: YES), communication with the island management device 100 is disconnected (S213), a process for the end is performed (S214), and this process ends. If no termination instruction has been issued (S211: NO), other hall computer 600 processing (processing for closing the emergency message screen 500 and emergency data screen 501, viewing of game information, etc.) is performed. (S212), the process returns to S204.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the notification is prohibited (S204), and it is still determined that the notification is prohibited (S204: YES). Therefore, in order to determine whether or not to terminate the notification prohibition state, it is determined whether or not 10 seconds have elapsed based on the value of the elapsed time counter (S205). If 1 minute has not elapsed (S205: NO), the process directly proceeds to S207, and any one of S207 and S208 to S212 is performed, and the process returns to S204. When one of the processes of S204, S205, S207, S208 to S212 is repeated and one minute has passed, it is determined that one minute has passed in S205 (S205: YES), and the notification prohibition state is terminated. Then, the notification prohibition state flag is turned off (S206). Then, the process proceeds to S207.

  When the termination instruction is given (S211: YES), the communication with the island management device 100 is terminated (S213), and various processes for terminating the processing of the hall computer 600 are performed (S214). ), This process is terminated.

  As described above, when the hall computer 600 receives the monitoring information (abnormality information and continuation information), the emergency message screen 500 notifies the occurrence of the abnormality, but the communication with the island management device 100 is established for one minute. Is in a notification prohibition state, notification is not performed, and only storage in the monitoring information storage area 681 is performed.

  For example, when a large amount of monitoring information (abnormality information and continuation information) is created at night, a large amount of monitoring information is transmitted from the island management device 100 when the hall computer 600 starts communication with the island management device 100. Will receive. In the case where a clerk works on a large number of pachinko machines 1 at night, it takes time to put the clerk card 510 in one unit and put it into an authenticated state. It may go. In such a case, since the work is often performed with the front frame 11 and the machine frame 10 of all the pachinko machines 1 being opened, a lot of continuation information is created. However, in the gaming hall monitoring system according to the present embodiment, after communication with the island management device 100 is started, the notification is prohibited for one minute, and no notification is performed even if monitoring information is received, and abnormality information is displayed. It is only stored in the monitoring information storage area 681. Therefore, even if a large amount of monitoring information is received, an excessive load is applied to the hall computer 600 in an attempt to display a large amount of emergency message screen 500, or the emergency message screen 500 continues to be displayed. Does not fall into a state where other operations cannot be performed.

  However, even the abnormality information received during the notification prohibition state is stored in the monitoring information storage area 681 and displayed on the emergency data screen 501, so that an abnormality has occurred or has been recovered. You can know its contents.

10. In the above embodiment, the monitoring information storage area 681 of the hard disk device 680 corresponds to “abnormal information storage means”. Then, the display 634 of the hall computer 600 and the CPU 601 that performs the process of S220 of the hall computer process (see FIG. 19) for displaying the emergency data screen 501 (see FIG. 19) on the display 634 are “abnormal information display means”. The CPU 601 that performs the process of S255 of the hall computer process (see FIG. 19) that displays the emergency message screen 500 (see FIG. 12) on the display 634 of the hall computer 600 and the display 634 is “abnormal notification means”. "And" continuous notification means ".

  The CPU 32 of the RW 30 that performs the processing of S42 and S44 of the monitoring processing shown in FIG. 15 functions as “determination means”, and the RW 30 that performs the processing of S64 of the generation processing shown in FIG. 16 and the processing of S83 of the recovery processing shown in FIG. The CPU 32 functions as “abnormal information creation means”. Then, the CPU 32 of the RW 30 that performs the processing of the communication circuit 36 and S69 of the generation process shown in FIG. 16 and S85 of the recovery process shown in FIG. 17 functions as the “first abnormality information transmission unit”. The CPU 32 of the RW 30 that performs the processing of S70 to S72 of the generation processing shown in FIG. 16, the processing of S86 to S88 of the recovery processing shown in FIG. 17, and the processing of S4 and S5 of the main processing shown in FIG. The CPU 32 of the RW 30 that functions and performs the processing of S66 and S68 of the generation processing shown in FIG. 16 functions as the “continuation information creation means”, and the CPU 32 of the RW 30 that performs the processing of S69 of the generation processing shown in FIG. Functions as “first continuation information transmitting means”.

  Then, the CPU 101 of the island management device 100 that performs the processing of S104 and S105 of the island management device processing illustrated in FIG. 18 functions as the “first abnormality information receiving unit” and performs the processing of the communication circuit 106 and S111. The CPU 101 of the island management apparatus 100 functions as a “second abnormality information transmission unit”, and the CPU 101 of the island management apparatus 100 that performs the processing of the communication circuit 106 and S104 to S106 functions as a “first continuation information reception unit”. The CPU 101 of the island management apparatus 100 that performs the processing of the circuit 106 and S111 functions as a “second continuation information transmitting unit”.

Then, the CPU 601 of the hall computer 600 that performs the process of S253 of the reception process shown in FIG. 20 functions as “notification prohibiting means”, and the hall computer 600 that performs the processes of S202 and S204 to S206 of the hall computer process shown in FIG. The CPU 601 functions as “notification prohibition control means”, and the CPU 601 of the hall computer 600 that performs the processing of S252 of the reception process shown in FIG. 20 functions as “abnormal information storage control means”.
Then, the communication device 608 and the CPU 601 of the hall computer 600 that performs the processing of S207 of the hall computer processing shown in FIG. 19 function as “second abnormality information receiving means” and “second continuation information receiving means”.

11. Description of Modifications The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above, and various modifications can be made. Below, the modification of embodiment which applies this invention is demonstrated. First, in this embodiment, as a device that performs a predetermined operation, a pachinko machine that is a kind of gaming machine is given as an example, but a device that performs a predetermined operation is not limited to a pachinko machine that is a gaming machine, but a pachinko machine, It can be applied to various game machines such as pachislot machines.

  In the embodiment described above, the work information is not notified by the emergency message screen 500, but the work information may be notified as abnormality information. In the above embodiment, the continuation information is not stored in the monitoring information storage area 681, but may be stored.

  In the above embodiment, the notification prohibition state is 1 minute. However, this time is not limited to this, and it may be longer or shorter, and is determined according to the number of gaming machines installed in the game hall. That's fine. Also, instead of ending the notification prohibition state after a predetermined time has elapsed, the hall computer 600 is provided with a menu or button for performing an input to end the notification prohibition state on the screen for accepting input of various operations. The notification prohibition state may be terminated by receiving the input.

  The gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the pachinko machine 1 and can be applied to various gaming machines such as a pachikon machine and a pachislot machine.

It is a block diagram which shows a game hall monitoring system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance in the game hall which introduced the game hall monitoring system. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state in which the front frame 11 and the main body frame 10 of the pachinko machine 1 are opened as viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the island management device 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a hall computer 600. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring information 351 of RW30 installed in the pachinko machine 1 of the machine number 528 of August 10, 2005. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring information 351 of RW30 installed in the pachinko machine 1 of the machine number 802 on August 10, 2005. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring information storage area 1041 provided in the EEPROM 104 of the island management apparatus 100. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the monitoring information storage area 681 of the hall computer 600. FIG. It is an image figure of the emergency message screen 500. It is an image figure of the emergency data screen 501. It is a flowchart of the main process performed by RW30. It is a flowchart of the monitoring process performed in the main process. It is a flowchart of the generation | occurrence | production process performed in the monitoring process. It is a flowchart of the recovery process performed in the monitoring process. It is a flowchart of an island management apparatus process. It is a flowchart of hall computer processing. It is a flowchart of the reception process performed in a hall computer process.

1 Pachinko machine 30 RW (leader rider)
32 CPU
68 Monitoring antenna 86 Monitoring tag 100 Island management device 500 Emergency message screen 501 Emergency data screen 600 Hall computer 601 CPU
634 Display 680 Hard disk device 681 Monitoring information storage area

Claims (3)

In order to monitor the gaming machine installed on the gaming island in the gaming hall, a monitoring tag storing unique identification information is installed at a predetermined position of the gaming machine,
A monitoring control device connected to a monitoring antenna installed at a position communicable with the monitoring tag, a management device connected to the plurality of monitoring control devices, and a hall connected to the management device and managing a game arcade A game hall monitoring system comprising a computer,
The monitoring and control device includes:
The monitoring tag and the monitoring antenna repeatedly perform RFID communication to monitor the communication state, and when it becomes a predetermined state, a determination unit that determines an abnormality,
Abnormality information creating means for creating abnormality information indicating that it is determined as abnormal when it is determined as abnormal by the determination means;
First abnormality information transmitting means for transmitting the abnormality information created by the abnormality information creating means to a management device ;
When the abnormality information cannot be transmitted to the management apparatus by the first abnormality information transmission means, the abnormality information that could not be transmitted is transmitted to the management apparatus again when communication with the management apparatus is established. Abnormal information retransmission control means ,
Said management device,
A first abnormality information reception means for receiving the abnormality information transmitted from the previous SL first abnormality information transmitting unit,
A second abnormality information transmitting means for transmitting the abnormality information received by the first abnormality information receiving means to the hall computer;
The hall computer
Second abnormality information receiving means for receiving the abnormality information transmitted from the second abnormality information transmitting means;
Abnormality notification means for notifying the content of the abnormality information received by the second abnormality information receiving means ;
And a notification prohibiting means for prohibiting the notification of the contents of the abnormality information according to the abnormality notification means,
A notification prohibition control means for prohibiting the notification of the content of the abnormality information by the abnormality notification means by the notification prohibition means until a predetermined time elapses after the communication with the management device is started ;
Abnormality information storage means for storing the abnormality information received by the second abnormality information receiving means;
An abnormality information storage control means for storing the abnormality information received by the second abnormality information receiving means in the abnormality information storage means even when the notification by the abnormality notification means is prohibited by the notification prohibition control means;
Receiving means for receiving an instruction to display the abnormality information stored in the abnormality information storage means;
An amusement hall monitoring system comprising: an abnormality information display means for displaying the abnormality information stored in the abnormality information storage means when the input of the instruction is accepted by the acceptance means . The monitoring and control device includes:
Continuation information indicating that an abnormality has continuously occurred when the determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the abnormality information by the first abnormality information transmission means Continuation information creation means,
A first continuation information transmission unit that transmits the continuation information created by the continuation information creation unit to the management device;
The management device
First continuation information receiving means for receiving the continuation information transmitted from the first continuation information transmitting means;
Second continuation information transmitting means for transmitting the continuation information received by the first continuation information receiving means to the hall computer,
The hall computer is
Second continuation information receiving means for receiving the continuation information transmitted from the second continuation information transmitting means;
When the continuation information is received by the second continuation information receiving means, the continuation notification means for notifying that an abnormality has occurred continuously is provided,
The notification prohibition control unit prohibits the notification of the content of the continuation information by the continuation notification unit by the notification prohibition unit until a predetermined time elapses after the communication with the management apparatus is started. The game hall monitoring system according to claim 1 . Gaming machine monitored by the game arcade monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2.

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