JP5061056B2 - Polling communication system and polling control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a polling communication system of a network system using PLC communication, and more particularly, a polling communication system in which a PLC master unit polls a large number of PLC slave modems connected to terminal devices, and a polling control method therefor It is about.

  A network system using a so-called PLC (Power Line Communication) technology that performs communication by superimposing a signal for data transmission on a power line that supplies power has been put into practical use. The basic technology of communication using PLC is to modulate a digital signal for data transmission into an analog high-frequency signal, and superimpose the analog high-frequency signal obtained by this modulation process on the power line through which AC power is supplied. There is a process of separating the analog high-frequency signal superimposed on the power line serving as a transmission path and demodulating it into a digital signal, and sending the digital signal to a terminal device or the like. A PLC modem is used as a communication device for performing these processes. Various network systems in which various terminal devices are connected to the PLC modem have been proposed and put into practical use.

  For a network system using a PLC modem, particularly a system in which a large number of terminal devices are connected, as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 below, each terminal device constituting the network has a PLC modem (hereinafter referred to as a PLC modem). , "PLC cordless handset modem" and a PLC modem for controlling the operation of the PLC cordless handset modem (hereinafter referred to as "PLC master phone modem") via a power line has been proposed. Yes.

  Non-Patent Document 1 describes a network system example using a PLC modem in an apartment building. In this system example, the PLC main unit modem is connected to the transformer that constitutes the power receiving equipment of the apartment house, and the power line wired from this transformer to each house is connected to the distribution board installed in each house. An example is shown in which a PLC cordless handset modem is connected to a power line wired from the distribution board to each room.

  Further, as a technique for ensuring communication reliability in a network system using PLC communication, for example, as described in Patent Document 3 below, a PLC repeater is arranged in the network system, and this PLC It has been proposed to connect a PLC slave modem via a repeater.

  Patent Document 4 discloses an island network that transmits and receives information in each gaming hall as a centralized monitoring and management system for gaming halls, each gaming hall, various management terminals (server / client), certificate authority terminal (server / client). 2 layer network composed of a global network outside the game hall that transmits and receives mutual information. Further, Patent Document 4 discloses information in which an information signal is superimposed as a high frequency signal on a commercial 100V or 200V power line supplied to the gaming machine and the island computer connected to the island network, and is superimposed on the power line. The addition of power line superimposed signal modulation / demodulation means for separating signals is described.

  In general, in a network system in which a large number of terminal devices are connected, in order to improve the efficiency of data transmission between networks, for example, the control station inquires each terminal device about the presence or absence of data transmission at a constant time period, When the data exists, the terminal device performs polling control for transmitting this data to a server or the like. As a technique for improving the data transmission efficiency in the network by this polling method, for example, the following Patent Document 5 proposes.

  In Patent Document 5, when performing communication control between a plurality of communication stations based on polling by a control station, a frame period is defined by a synchronization signal transmitted from a predetermined station. A polling control method is described in which a management data transmission area and a data transfer area are set and data is transmitted to determine the polling control state in the management data transmission area. Further, Patent Document 5 describes that data communication between a plurality of communication stations is performed by polling control of a control station using a data transfer area based on data transmitted in the management data transmission area. Yes.

JP 2008-42623 A JP 2008-72579 A JP-A-2005-286631 JP 2007-44217 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-252092 Ohm Co., Ltd., High Speed Power Line Communication System (PLC) and EMC, pages 26-27, Figure 2.5, issued on November 20, 2007

  Build a network system using PLC communication in one building or building, and connect a large number of terminal devices to this network system, for example, more than 2000 (up to about 2400) terminal devices. In order to operate the network system stably, it is necessary to solve the following problems.

  That is, when a large number of terminal devices are connected to a network system using PLC communication, it is necessary to branch a large number of transmission paths for performing data transmission including power lines. Therefore, it is important to employ a polling method that ensures that the polling control is executed even if the transmission path is branched into a large number.

  In order to solve this problem, as described in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3, a method for controlling the operation of the PLC slave unit based on the control of the PLC master unit modem, or a PLC master unit modem and It is desirable to interpose a PLC repeater between the PLC slave modem. However, in a network system having a large number of terminal devices via such a PLC repeater, the polling control performed by the PLC master modem for a number of PLC slave modems is performed by the PLC master modem. The issue is whether the PLC repeater and the PLC slave modem will establish synchronization on the same time axis to perform polling control and improve the reliability and efficiency of data transmission for the synchronization signal to be sent. Become.

  In addition, when polling a terminal device at a predetermined polling cycle, the polling cycle at which one terminal device is polled depends on the number of terminal devices and the polling cycle, but when the number of terminal devices increases, for example, a maximum of 2400 hours The maximum is about 3 minutes. However, when performing such polling control, if any abnormality occurs in the terminal device, for example, if the terminal device is a gaming machine, when an illegal act occurs in the gaming machine and the detection signal is input, It is necessary to immediately report the information related to the fraudulent action to an upper management system such as a server and take appropriate measures.

  In the above-mentioned Patent Literature 1 to Patent Literature 4 and Non-Patent Literature, the reliability of this polling control and the improvement of data transmission are implemented for a network system using PLC communication in which a large number of 2400 terminal devices are connected. No means for this is disclosed. In addition, measures against the above emergency call are not disclosed.

  The invention described in Patent Document 5 is a polling control method that improves the transmission efficiency of a network by setting a management data transmission area and a data transfer area in a frame for performing data transmission. However, it is not a network having a configuration in which a relay station is provided between a control station and a plurality of communication stations, and a polling control method via the relay station is not disclosed. Furthermore, the countermeasures for the above emergency call are not disclosed.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to connect a terminal device via a PLC repeater to a PLC master modem in a network system using PLC communication in which a large number of terminal devices of 2000 or more (up to about 2400) are connected. When polling control is performed on the PLC slave unit modem, when information related to an emergency call is input from the terminal device to the PLC slave unit modem, the information on the emergency call can be immediately transmitted to the PLC master unit modem. It is an object of the present invention to provide a polling communication system and a polling control method thereof.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the polling communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a master frame set based on a first synchronization signal transmitted at a predetermined time interval by the PLC master unit modem. A polling communication system using PLC communication for polling a plurality of PLC repeaters and a PLC slave modem connected to a terminal device under the control of the PLC repeater in a predetermined order,
The master frame includes a first synchronization signal transmission band used for the PLC master modem to transmit the first synchronization signal to the PLC repeater, and the PLC repeater synchronized with the first synchronization signal. The second synchronization signal transmission band used for transmitting the second synchronization signal to the PLC slave modem under control, the specific repeater bandwidth, and the emergency obtained by the PLC slave modem from the terminal device An emergency report band used for transmitting event flag information related to the report to the PLC repeater, and a user data transmission band used for transmitting user data,
The PLC master modem uses the first synchronization signal transmission band as means for transmitting the first synchronization signal added with address information for performing the polling control to the PLC repeater,
The PLC repeater uses the specific repeater band as means for transmitting the address information transmitted from the PLC master modem to the PLC slave modem under the control of the PLC repeater,
When the PLC slave modem determines that the user data transmission band has acquired a transmission right based on the address information transmitted from the PLC repeater, the PLC slave modem transmits the user data acquired from the terminal device to the PLC relay Used as a means to transmit to the machine,
The PLC repeater receives the user data received from the PLC slave modem when the user data transmission band is acquired from the address information transmitted based on the first synchronization signal transmission band. As a means for transmitting to the PLC master modem,
It is characterized by that.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 relates to the polling communication system according to claim 1, wherein the PLC repeater uses the event flag information transmitted from the PLC slave modem as the specific repeater band. It is characterized by being used as means for transmitting to the PLC master modem.

The invention according to claim 3 relates to the polling communication system according to claim 1, wherein the emergency call band is composed of a band divided into a plurality on the time axis,
The PLC slave modem has means for selecting any one of the plurality of divided bands;
A means for transmitting the event flag information to the PLC repeater using the selected band is provided.

  The invention according to claim 4 relates to the polling communication system according to claim 1, wherein the second synchronization signal transmission band is OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) in which code multiplexing means is added to frequency multiplexing transmission. ) Method, it is a band for transmitting the second synchronization signal.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 relates to the polling communication system according to claim 1, wherein the PLC master unit modem polls the PLC repeater and the PLC slave modem in a predetermined order. The storage means includes a polling table to be referred to
The polling table is data in which unique identification information having a predetermined data length for identifying each of the PLC master unit modem, the PLC repeater unit, and the slave unit modem is arranged in correspondence with the predetermined polling order. It is characterized by having a configuration.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the polling communication system according to the first aspect, wherein the terminal device includes a gaming machine.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 7 relates to a polling control method, and the polling control method is based on a master frame set based on a first synchronization signal transmitted by a PLC master unit modem at a predetermined time interval. A polling control method using PLC communication for polling a plurality of PLC repeaters and a PLC slave modem connected to a terminal device under the control of the PLC repeater in a predetermined order,
Based on the first synchronization signal, a first synchronization signal transmission band used by the PLC master modem to transmit the first synchronization signal to the PLC repeater, and the PLC repeater transmits the first synchronization signal to the first repeater. The second synchronization signal transmission band used for transmitting the second synchronization signal to the PLC slave modem under control of the second synchronization signal, the specific repeater band, and the PLC slave modem are connected to the terminal. The master frame comprising: an emergency call band used for transmitting event flag information related to an emergency call acquired from a device to the PLC repeater; and a user data transmission band used for transmitting user data is set. ,
The PLC master modem transmits information in which address information for performing the polling control is added to the first synchronization signal using the first synchronization signal transmission band,
The PLC repeater transmits the address information transmitted from the PLC master modem to the PLC slave modem under control using the specific repeater band,
When the PLC slave modem acquires a transmission right based on the address information transmitted from the PLC repeater, user data acquired from the terminal device is transmitted to the PLC repeater using the user data transmission band. Transmit
The PLC repeater transmits the user data received from the PLC slave modem when the transmission right is acquired based on the address information transmitted based on the first synchronization signal transmission band. And transmit to the PLC master modem using
It is characterized by that.

  The invention according to claim 8 relates to the polling control method according to claim 7, wherein the PLC repeater transmits the event flag information transmitted from the PLC slave modem to the specific repeater band. And transmitted to the PLC master modem.

  The invention according to claim 9 relates to the polling control method according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the PLC slave modem is one of the emergency call bands divided into a plurality of parts on a time axis. The event flag information is transmitted to the PLC repeater using the selected band.

  The invention according to claim 10 relates to the polling control method according to claim 7, wherein the PLC repeater transmits the second synchronization signal to the PLC slave modem under control by the OFDM method. It is characterized by doing.

According to the present invention, the PLC repeater establishes synchronization based on the first synchronization signal transmitted from the PLC master unit modem, and establishes synchronization with the PLC master unit modem, and then establishes the second synchronization signal. Is transmitted to the PLC slave unit modem, and the PLC slave unit modem performs polling control while receiving synchronization with the PLC relay unit by receiving the second synchronization signal. Then, the PLC relay device and the PLC slave modem acquire the transmission right based on the address information received by the polling control in a state in which the synchronization is established with the synchronization signal of the PLC master modem, and set the user data in the master frame. Transmission is performed in the upstream or downstream direction using a shared user data transmission band.
As a result, even if a large number of PLC slave modems are connected via a transmission line under the control of a plurality of PLC relay devices, data communication by highly reliable polling control can be performed.

In addition, since the emergency call band is provided in the master frame set based on the first synchronization signal, the event flag relating to the emergency call from the terminal device connected to the PLC slave modem. When the information is received, the event flag information can be immediately transmitted to the PLC repeater using the emergency call band in synchronization with the synchronization signal transmitted by the PLC master modem. When the PLC repeater receives this event flag information, it synchronizes with the synchronization signal transmitted by the PLC master unit modem, and immediately uses this event flag information by using the specific repeater band of the master frame. Can be sent to.
As a result, a large number of terminal devices are connected to a network system using PLC communication. For example, even if terminal devices such as a maximum of 2400 gaming machines are connected, the store server 12 or the like serving as a higher-level management system of this network system is connected. The jackpot or unauthorized information (emergency call) can be transmitted from the PLC slave modem 9 within 2 to 3 seconds.

  The present invention can be effectively applied to a network system using PLC communication provided with a large number of terminal devices, for example, 1000 to 2000 or more (up to about 2400) terminal devices. As a network system using PLC communication equipped with a large number of terminal devices to which the present invention can be applied, for example, a large-scale game hall in which a terminal device is a pachinko gaming machine or a pachinko gaming machine and a pachislot gaming machine, or , Production management system of production line using terminal equipment as various manufacturing equipment and inspection equipment of large-scale production line, information collection using personal computer and inspection equipment installed in large-scale hospitals and various laboratories as terminal equipment System, etc. can be considered.

  The embodiment of the present invention described below will be described by taking the case where the present invention is applied to a large-scale game hall as an example. In the following description, the terminal device connected to the PLC slave modem will be described as a pachinko gaming machine or a pachislot gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as “gaming machine”).

  A network system for a game hall using PLC communication according to the present invention includes a plurality of PLC relay devices between one PLC master modem and a PLC slave modem connected to the communication port of each gaming machine. The transmission path connecting the PLC master unit modem, the PLC repeater unit, and the PLC slave unit modem has a network configuration using a power line or a communication line. Furthermore, this network configuration has a configuration in which a plurality of PLC repeaters are installed under the control of a single PLC master modem, and a large number of PLC slave modems are installed under the control of this PLC repeater. The base unit modem is configured to be connectable to an existing or new host management system equipped with a server.

  Thus, in order to realize a network system in which a large number of gaming machines are connected, the communication line connection port of the PLC master modem is connected to the pre-branch port of the first branch adapter, and each of the first branch adapters is connected. The configuration is such that the communication line connection port of the PLC repeater is connected to the post-branch port. Further, a second branch adapter is provided in the transmission line connecting the power line connection port of the PLC repeater and the PLC slave modem, and the PLC slave unit connected to the gaming machine is connected to each post-branch port of the second branch adapter. By using a configuration in which a modem is connected, a maximum of 2400 gaming machines can be connected to the network. Further, the PLC master modem transmits a master clock signal (hereinafter referred to as “synchronization signal”) as a reference to the PLC repeater at a predetermined time interval, for example, 10 ms to 50 ms in order to perform polling control. It has a function.

  In the network system for the game hall using the PLC communication having the above-described configuration, the PLC master unit modem, the PLC relay unit, and the PLC slave unit modem are described in the following 1) to 4) based on the control of the PLC master unit modem. Perform polling control according to the procedure.

  1) The PLC master modem sends (transmits) a reference synchronization signal (first synchronization signal) to the PLC repeater at a predetermined time interval. Then, the PLC repeater synchronizes with the first synchronization signal, and transmits a new second synchronization signal to the PLC slave modem under the control in a state where synchronization is established with the PLC master modem. The PLC slave modem receives this second synchronization signal and synchronizes with the PLC repeater. Thus, since the PLC repeater is already synchronized with the PLC master modem, the PLC master device, the PLC repeater, and the PLC slave modem are all the first synchronization signals that serve as reference signals for the PLC master modem. Synchronize with As described above, each PLC repeater and the PLC slave modem operate in accordance with the polling control of the PLC master modem while being synchronized with the first synchronization signal of the PLC master modem.

  2) For performing data transmission based on the condition that all of the PLC master modem, the PLC repeater, and the PLC slave modem described in 1) are synchronized with the first synchronization signal of the PLC master modem. Set the master frame. In this master frame, a first synchronization signal transmission band (first transmission right transmission time slot) for transmitting the first synchronization signal, a second synchronization signal transmission band for transmitting the second synchronization signal, The specific repeater band (second transmission right transmission time slot) and the emergency call band (emergency call time slot and user data transmission band for the PLC slave modem to transmit information related to the emergency call to the PLC repeater It is set.

This first synchronization signal transmission band includes the first synchronization signal and transmission right information (specific identification of 2 bytes described later) for performing the polling control determined by the PLC master modem with reference to the polling table. Information) is transferred from the PLC master modem to the PLC repeater modem. The specific repeater band is used by the PLC repeater to transfer the transmission right information received from the PLC master modem to the PLC slave modem.
Thereby, the PLC master unit modem, the PLC relay unit, and the PLC slave unit modem can share the same transmission right information on the same time axis.

  The transmission right information described above indicates, for example, the right (transmission right) to perform data transmission when communication (transmission) is performed between the PLC master modem and the PLC relay machine.

  3) Further, the user data transmission band set in the master frame is a common band for the PLC master modem, the PLC repeater, and the PLC slave unit to transmit user data. The user data refers to information obtained from the gaming machine by the PLC slave modem connected to the gaming machine, for example, information relating to performance information transmitted from the gaming machine, information relating to jackpot (for example, jackpot symbol) Information). Furthermore, as this user data, the downlink user data transmitted to the PLC master modem from the server or the like provided in the host management (upper network) system connected to the network system using PLC communication, for example, Control data for operating the surveillance camera can also be included.

  4) Communication between the PLC master modem and the PLC relay is a communication means for polling the PLC relay by referring to a polling table preset by the PLC master modem in synchronization with the first synchronization signal. Is adopted. Further, the communication between the PLC repeater and the PLC slave modem connected to the PLC repeater is performed by generating a second synchronization signal generated in synchronization with the first synchronization signal transmitted from the PLC master modem. Transmission to a PLC slave modem is possible by an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method in which code multiplexing means is added to frequency multiplexing transmission. Thus, the PLC master modem, the PLC repeater, and the PLC slave modem communicate with each other while establishing synchronization with the first synchronization signal transmitted by the PLC master modem on the same time axis.

  Then, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated. The present invention is for a large number of gaming machines, for example, a large-scale gaming hall, for example, a gaming hall in which 2000 or more (up to about 2400) pachinko gaming machines or pachinko gaming machines and pachislot gaming machines are connected as terminal devices. The network system can be effective. In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a case where the present invention is applied to a large-scale game hall will be described as an example.

  In such a large-scale game hall, a monitoring room for monitoring the status of each floor is installed, and a LAN (local area network) system including a server (store server) is arranged in this monitoring room. It is installed. The network system using the PLC communication of the present invention can be connected to a LAN system (higher management system) provided with this server. In the following description, the gaming machine connected to the PLC slave modem is described as a pachinko gaming machine or a pachislot gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as “gaming machine”), but the terminal device is limited to only these gaming machines. It is not something. For example, a game medium lending machine for lending game media, a monitoring camera for monitoring a floor, or the like can be connected.

[System configuration]
Next, a configuration example of a network system for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 to 3 are diagrams showing a system configuration example when the present invention is applied to a game hall in which a large number of gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines are installed. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall system configuration, and FIG. 2 is a power line route from a power receiving facility in a game hall to a distribution board for each floor (hereinafter referred to as “floor entrance distribution board”), FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a route example of a transmission path including a power line from a floor entrance distribution board to a gaming machine, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a network system when a game hall is a three-story building.

  Large-scale game halls, for example, game halls with more than 2000 pachinko and pachislot machines (up to about 2400) are buildings with multiple floors (3-5 floors). May consist of: On each floor, a large number of pachinko machines are arranged in rows, in units of so-called “gaming machine islands”, and the “gaming machine islands” are arranged in a plurality of rows in the horizontal or vertical direction of the floor. In such a building, a power receiving facility (A) for supplying power to a large number of gaming machines and various facilities and lighting devices installed on each floor is installed on the roof (or basement).

  As shown in FIG. 1, AC 6.6 KV is guided to the power receiving facility (A) by a high voltage line, and is converted to AC 100 V (or 200 V) by the transformer 1. Then, the converted AC 100 V power supply is branched by, for example, a six-branch distribution board 2 and supplied to a plurality of floor entrance distribution boards 3a, 3b, 3c,... Via a power line 4a. The plurality of floor entrance distribution boards 3a, 3b, 3c,... Are provided in a distribution board room (for example, the distribution board shown in FIG. 3) provided on a predetermined floor (floor (BI) in the example shown in FIG. 1). In the board room (F)). These floor entrance distribution boards 3a, 3b, 3c,... Are composed of, for example, 32 branch distribution boards. In addition, the floor entrance distribution boards 3a, 3b, 3c,... Are used as distribution boards for supplying power to the gaming machines, lighting equipment and other equipment installed on each floor. In some cases, it is installed separately.

  The building example of the game hall shown in FIG. 3 shows an example in which a distribution board room (F) and a monitoring room in the hall (D) are installed on the floor (B1). In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, on the floor where the gaming machines are installed in a normal gaming hall, two gaming machines are placed facing each other with a predetermined interval (hereinafter referred to as “intra-island gap”). In addition, a plurality of gaming machines arranged opposite to each other are arranged in the horizontal direction to form a so-called “gaming machine island”, and the plurality of gaming machine islands C1, C2, C3,. ) Or a plurality of layouts arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions through the passages. A device for supplying a game ball to the gaming machine 8 shown in FIG.

  For example, a 32-branch island distribution board 5 is installed in the gap between the islands of the gaming machine islands C1, C2, C3,. Each of these island distribution boards is connected by a power line 4b from the floor entrance distribution boards 3b, 3c,... Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the power line 4c branched from the island distribution board 5 installed in each gaming machine island C1 etc. is an outlet installed with a predetermined interval in the gap in the island of each gaming machine island. Connect to Cn1, Cn2,.

  2, for example, the outlet ports Cn1, Cn2,... Installed in the gaming machine island are connected to the pre-branch port of the second branch adapter 7 via the power line 4c. Further, the communication line connection port of the PLC slave modem 9 is connected to the post-branch port of the second branch adapter via the communication line 10d. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the second branch adapter 7 is a four-branch adapter having four post-branch ports, and one PLC slave modem 9 is connected to each post-branch port. Show.

  Furthermore, the terminal device connection port (for example, RS232CI / F port) of the PLC slave modem 9 is connected to one of the gaming machines 8 constituting the gaming machine island, as shown in FIG. 1 (FIG. 2). In addition, RS232CI / F etc. are used for the communication port of the game machine 8 connected with the PLC cordless handset modem 9, for example. In addition, the PLC slave device modem 9 connected to each gaming machine 8 is a gap in the island of the gaming machine island, and is installed as equipment in the gaming machine island away from the casing of each gaming machine 8.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a conversion transformer 6 that converts AC100V to AC24V is connected to an outlet Cn4 or the like connected from the other branch point of the island distribution board 5 via the power line 4c. The conversion transformer 6 is a transformer for supplying AC 24V serving as drive power for the gaming machine 8, and for example, the drive power of AC 24V is supplied from one conversion transformer 6 to four to five game machines 8 through the power line 4d. To do. Therefore, the number of conversion transformers 6 is set to an appropriate number according to the number of gaming machines 8 constituting the gaming machine island.

In this way, the transmission path (power line 4c → communication line 10d) connecting the island distribution board 5 and the gaming machine 8 and the path 4c → 4d of the power line supplied from the island distribution board 5 to the gaming machine 8 another system, i.e., a path 4c → conversion transformer 6 → 4d of the power supply line supplied to the game machine 8 from the island distribution board 5 is so as to constitute a bypass path.

  The second branch adapter 7 includes means for branching the transmission path into a large number, reduction of branch loss associated with the multiple branches of the high-frequency signal superimposed on the power line, and matching of impedances in the upstream and downstream directions in the transmission path. This is an adapter for branching provided for the purpose.

  Subsequently, based on FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the PLC master unit modem (first unit) that transmits the first synchronization signal to the floor entrance distribution boards 3 b, 3 c,... Connected to the island distribution board 5. (1 PLC master modem) 13 will be described.

  As described above, in the distribution board room (F), a large number of floor entrance distribution boards 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d,... Are installed to supply power to each floor. Among these, several different floor entrance distribution boards, for example, the floor entrance distribution boards 3b, 3c,..., Etc., supply power to the island distribution boards 5 installed on each floor (B2) and (B3). Used to supply. Then, an AC100V (power line) connection port (line side) of the PLC relay 16 is connected to a power line at the midpoint of the branch point of the floor entrance distribution boards 3b, 3c,. Connect via 4e. Further, the communication line connection port of the PLC repeater 16 is connected to the post-branch port of the first branch adapter 15 via the communication line 10c. As a result, the PLC repeater 16 is connected to each post-branch port of the first branch adapter 15, and the PLC repeater 16 is connected to any one of the floor entrance distribution boards 3b, 3c,. become. The configuration of the first and second branch adapters 7 and 15 will be described later.

  Further, the pre-branch port of the first branch adapter 15 is connected to the line side (communication line) port of the PLC master modem 13 in the communication mode via the communication line 10b. Thus, the first synchronization signal generated by the PLC master unit modem 13 is transmitted to the PLC slave unit modem 9 under the control of the PLC relay unit 16 via the PLC relay unit 16 in the downlink direction by PLC communication. Is possible. Also, the user data in the upward direction, that is, general presentation information displayed on the gaming machine 8, information on the big hits generated on the gaming machine 8, information related to detection signals such as fraudulent activity, etc. are transmitted from the PLC slave unit modem 9. It becomes possible to transmit to the PLC master unit modem 13 via the PLC repeater 16 and further from the PLC master unit modem 13 to the store server 12 or the like.

  As described above, in the present invention, the PLC master modem 13 is connected to the pre-branch port of the first branch adapter 15, and the communication line connection port of the PLC repeater 16 is connected to the post-branch port of the first branch adapter 15. , And the power line connection port of the PLC repeater 16 is connected to any one of the floor entrance distribution boards 3b, 3c,... Via the power line 4e. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the floor entrance distribution board 3b and the like are connected to the island distribution board 5 installed on the gaming machine island C1 and the like via the power line 4b. Further, a network port in which the pre-branch port of the second branch adapter 7 is connected to the island distribution board 5 and the PLC slave unit modem 9 is connected to the post-branch port of the second branch adapter 7 via the communication line 10d. It has a configuration.

In a multi-storey building, in general, a large number of the above-mentioned floor entrance distribution boards are often installed in the distribution board room (F). Is an independent power line system. However, in the network configuration adopted in the present invention, as described above, the PLC master unit modem 13 and the floor entrance distribution board 3b are connected via the first branch adapter 15 and the PLC repeater 16. In addition, the floor entrance distribution board 3b and the like and the PLC slave unit modem 9 are connected via the island distribution board 5 and the second branch adapter 7. As a result, communication data between the PLC master modem 13 and the PLC slave modem 9 can be reliably transmitted via the communication line or the power line even if the transmission path is branched into a large number, thereby reducing the branch loss. Is possible.
When the number of gaming machines 8 arranged such as the gaming machine island C1 is small, the island distribution board 5 may not be installed.

  Generally, a large-scale game hall is provided with a monitoring room (D) in the hall for monitoring the status of each floor with a monitoring camera. In the gaming hall, a high-level management system using the LAN 11 in the hall is established in order to grasp information on the operating status of each gaming machine 8, the status of the game, the number of occurrences of jackpots, and the like in the monitoring room (D) in the hall. A terminal device (hereinafter referred to as “PC terminal”) 19 including a store server (hall computer) 12 and a personal computer connected to the LAN 11 is installed.

  The network using PLC communication according to the present invention can be connected to a higher-level network system using the existing intra-hall LAN 11. A method of connecting to the LAN 11 system in the hall to the network using the PLC communication will be described as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an Ethernet (registered trademark) connection port serving as a LAN connection port of the first PLC master modem 13 is connected to an Ethernet (registered trademark) connection port of the second PLC master modem 14. Connect through. Further, the power line connection port of the second PLC master modem 14 is connected to the power line 4f (see FIG. 1) branched from the floor entrance distribution board 3a. This floor entrance distribution board 3a is a floor entrance distribution board different from the distribution board to which the island distribution board 5 is connected, such as an outlet 17 disposed on the wall of the monitoring room (D) in the hall, etc. In addition, a floor entrance distribution board that supplies AC100V through a power line 4g branched from the power line 4f.

  And as shown in FIG. 3, while connecting the power line connection (AC100V) port of the PLC cordless handset modem 18 to the outlet 17 already arranged on the wall of the monitoring room (D) in the hall, etc., the PLC cordless handset modem The Ethernet (registered trademark) connection port, which is the 18 LAN connection ports, is connected to the LAN 11 in the hall via a LAN cable.

The outlet 17 shown in FIG. 1 (FIG. 3) includes a wall of the monitoring room (D) in the hall from the existing power line 4g branched from the power line 4f that connects the second master modem 14 and the distribution board 3a. It is an existing outlet installed at. Then, the PLC slave unit modem 18 is connected to the outlet 17, and the PLC slave unit modem 18 is connected to the LAN 11 in the hall via a LAN cable.
The power line 4g connecting the outlet 17 from the distribution board 3a may be distributed via another distribution board (see FIG. 3) as long as it is independent of the island distribution board. The communication lines 10b and 10c can be twisted pair cables, and the LAN cable 10a can be a 100BASE-TX cable.

  The first PLC master unit modem 13, the second PLC master unit modem 14, the first branch adapter 15, and the plurality of PLC repeaters 16 are connected to the floor entrance distribution board distribution boards 3a, 3b, 3c,. -Install in the floor distribution panel room (F) where are concentrated. As a result, the wiring work for connecting these devices becomes easy and the length of the wiring can be shortened, so that the transmission loss can also be reduced. The line (transmission path) connecting the PLC master modem to the PLC repeater 16 to the PLC slave modem 9 and the line (transmission path) connecting the PLC master modem 14 to the PLC slave modem 18 are controlled for data transmission. It is an independent line.

  Furthermore, the intra-hall LAN 11 may be configured to be connected to the center server 21 of the central monitoring center (E) via the WAN 20. The center server 21 is provided, for example, for centrally monitoring a plurality of stores (game halls).

[Configuration of PLC modem]
Next, a configuration example of the PLC modem used in the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a block diagram showing a basic circuit configuration example of the PLC master modems 13 and 14, FIG. 5-1 is also a PLC slave modem 9, and FIG. 5-2 is a circuit configuration example of the PLC slave modem 18. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the PLC repeater 16.

(Configuration of PLC main unit modem)
As shown in FIG. 4, the PLC master modem 13 (14) includes an Ethernet PHY unit 31, an Ethernet MAC unit 32, a PLC connected to an Ethernet (registered trademark) LAN cable (100BASE-TX) on the LAN connection port side. MAC section 33, PLC / TX-PHY section 34, D / A conversion section 35, low-pass filter (LPF) section 36, driver (DV) section 37, line coupling section 38 connected to the AC100V power line, gain switch ( GSW) unit 39, band-pass filter (BPF) unit 40, AD conversion unit 41, PLC / RX-PHY unit 42, PLL control unit 43, control unit 44, power supply unit 45, and the like. The control unit 44 described above includes a CPU 44a, a ROM 44b serving as storage means, and a RAM 44c.

  The above-described control unit 44 controls the overall operation of the PLC master modem 13 (14) and the operations of the Ethernet MAC unit 32 and the PLC / MAC unit 33 by various control programs stored in the ROM 44b. To do. Further, the power supply unit 45 includes an AC-DC converter or the like for supplying a direct-current power source such as DC 5 V to each circuit unit described above.

  The Ethernet PHY unit 31 described above is a circuit unit that manages a PHY layer (Physical layer) of transmission or reception data. The Ether MAC unit 32 is a circuit unit that manages the MAC layer (Media Access Control layer) of transmission or reception data based on the control of the control unit 44, and the PLC / MAC unit 33 is transmitted or received based on the control of the control unit 44 It is a circuit unit that manages the MAC layer of the PLC for data.

  The PLC / TX-PHY unit 34 is a circuit unit that processes data processed by the PLC / MAC unit 33 as data for transmission, and the D / A conversion unit 35 is processed by the PLC / TX-PHY unit 34. The LPF unit 36 is a filter circuit unit that removes unnecessary bands from the data converted into high-frequency analog signals by the D / A conversion unit 35. The data of the high frequency analog signal from which the unnecessary band is removed by the LPF unit 36 is sent to the line coupling unit 38 by the DV unit 37, and the line coupling unit 38 performs a process of superimposing it on the power line. In this way, digital signal data input from the LAN cable line (100BASE-TX) to the Ethernet PHY unit 31 is converted into a high-frequency analog signal, which is superimposed on the power line that passes AC 100 V from the line coupling unit 38 and transmitted. Is done.

  On the other hand, when the high frequency analog signal superimposed on the power line is input from the power line connection port to the line coupling unit 38 in the PLC master modem 13 (14), the line coupling unit 38 performs a process of separating the high frequency analog signal. The separated high-frequency analog signal is sent to the GSW unit 39. The GSW unit 39 is a circuit unit that performs gain adjustment (amplification processing or the like) of an input high-frequency analog signal. The high frequency analog signal whose gain has been adjusted by the GSW unit 39 is sent to the BPF unit 40 that removes unnecessary bands, and the unnecessary bands of frequencies are removed. The high frequency analog signal from which the unnecessary band is removed by the BPF unit 40 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 41. The digital signal converted into the digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 41 is processed as PLC reception data by the PLC / RX-PHY unit 42, and the PLC / MAC unit 33, the Ethernet MAC unit 32, and the Ethernet PHY unit 31 are processed. Is sent from the LAN connection port to the LAN base 100BASE-TX (10a).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the line coupling unit 38 serving as a line side port includes two terminals (ports) of a communication line connection port and a power line connection port for connecting AC100V, and any of these terminals is set by an internal switch. Can be switched or used together.

The ROM 44b of the PLC master modem 13 includes various programs for performing the following processing.
1) A process of transmitting the first synchronization signal to each PLC repeater 16 at a predetermined time interval, for example, an interval of 10 ms to 50 ms is performed. Upon receiving this synchronization signal, each PLC repeater 16 immediately establishes synchronization with this synchronization signal and performs processing for transmitting the second synchronization signal to the PLC slave modem 9 under the control of the PLC repeater 16.

  2) When user data transmitted from the server 12 or the like, for example, control information of the surveillance camera installed on the floor is stored in the RAM 44c, the user data is instructed from the server 12 or the like based on polling control. The transmission to the PLC slave unit modem 9 is performed. In this transmission process, user data is transmitted to the instructed PLC slave modem 9 via the PLC repeater 16 with reference to the polling table PT (see FIG. 15B) stored in advance in the ROM 44b. . In addition, it receives user data transmitted from the PLC relay device 16 as uplink user data, and performs control for transmitting the received data to the server 12 or the like.

  3) Polling control, that is, polling the PLC slave modem 9 that relays the PLC repeater 16 in synchronization with the first synchronization signal, that is, data transmission when making a request for data transmission to the PLC slave modem 9 Control (transmission right control) is performed to avoid collisions. In this polling control, for example, when the PLC master modem 13 transmits the first synchronization signal to the PLC relay 16, the beacon information (BC1) in which the address information of the transmission right is added to the synchronization signal is transmitted to the PLC relay. 16 is provided with a program serving as a means for transmitting to the program. This address information becomes information indicating the transmission right of the transmission path.

(Configuration of PLC slave unit modem)
The circuit configuration of the PLC slave unit modem 9 shown in FIG. 5A is basically the same as that of the PLC master unit modem 13 (14) shown in FIG. 4, but performs serial communication with the terminal device (game machine 8). An RS232 I / F (interface) unit 46 serving as a terminal device connection port. The line coupling unit 38 on the line side includes a communication line connection port for connecting to the second branch adapter 7 via the communication line 10d.
The circuit configuration of the PLC slave unit modem 18 shown in FIG. 5B is a configuration in which the RS232 I / F (interface) 46 in the circuit configuration of the PLC slave unit modem 9 shown in FIG. At the same time, an AC 100V connection (power line connection) port is provided on the line side.

  The ROM 44b of the PLC slave modem 9 includes a program for performing the following processing. That is, when receiving the second synchronization signal (beacon BC2 signal) transmitted from the PLC repeater 16 and receiving the address information transmitted from the PLC repeater 16 and determining that the own station has the transmission right. When the user data transmitted from the terminal device (gaming machine 8) is stored in the RAM 44c, the program serving as means for transmitting the user data to the PLC relay device 16 in synchronization with the second synchronization signal It has. As described above, when the terminal device is the gaming machine 8, the user data is information from the gaming machine 8 such as information related to the jackpot generated in the gaming machine 8 or information related to an abnormality detection signal such as fraud. Indicates the transmitted information.

  Further, when information relating to an emergency call is transmitted from the gaming machine 8 connected to the PLC slave modem 9, a first emergency call means for performing a process of immediately transmitting this information as an event flag to the PLC relay unit 16; The program which becomes.

(Configuration of PLC repeater)
The circuit configuration of the PLC repeater 16 shown in FIG. 6 is substantially the same as that of the PLC master modem 13 (14) shown in FIG. 4, but the line coupling unit 38 serving as a line side port is a communication for connecting to a communication line. Two terminals of a line connection port and an AC100V (power line) connection port are provided, and any one of these terminals can be switched or mixedly used by an internal switch.

The ROM 44b of the PLC relay machine 16 includes various programs that perform the following processing.
1) Synchronization is established based on the first synchronization signal (beacon BC1 signal) received from the PLC master modem 13, and a new second synchronization signal (beacon BC2 signal) is sent to the PLC slave modem 9 under control. ) Is provided as a means for transmitting.
2) A process of transmitting information (address information) related to the transmission right received from the PLC master unit modem 13 to the PLC slave unit modem 9 using a specific repeater band of a master frame described later.

3) A process for transmitting the user data received from the PLC slave modem 9 to the PLC master modem 13 is performed.
4) Further, a program serving as a second emergency call means for performing processing for transmitting information related to the emergency call received from the PLC slave unit modem 9 to the PLC master unit modem 13 is provided. The processing relating to the second emergency call means is performed using the specific repeater band of the master frame.

[Branch adapter configuration]
Then, the structure of the 1st branch adapter 15 and the 2nd branch adapter 7 is demonstrated. Conventionally, a high-frequency transformer that branches in two directions is used as a means for branching a transmission line. However, in order to connect a large number of gaming machines 8 on a network as in the present invention, for example, four transmission lines are used. There arises a need to use a branch adapter having means for branching more than branching. Furthermore, such a branch adapter needs to have a function for satisfying the requirements described in 1) to 3) below.

  1) Bidirectional branch loss increases because the transmission path is branched into a large number, but this is minimized. Furthermore, bidirectional impedance matching is taken.

  2) AC 100V as a power line can be coupled, and when a branch adapter composed of a high-frequency transformer is realized, insulation between the primary and the ground and between the primary and secondary is ensured. Furthermore, when the PLC modem (or PLC relay machine) is connected to all the post-branch ports of the branch adapter, and when the PLC modem (or PLC relay machine) is not connected to a part of the post-branch port Thus, the termination resistor can be automatically or manually opened or connected, and the above-described bidirectional impedance (downward and upward) can be matched.

  3) Since this is a network connecting a large number of gaming machines of 2400 at the maximum, one transmission path is configured to be capable of multi-branching so that a maximum of 16 branches can be performed.

  The first and second branch adapters 15 and 7 employed in the present invention are branch adapters manufactured by forming a bridge-structured circuit from a plurality of small high-frequency transformer elements composed of ferrite cores. Can be used.

FIG. 7 shows a circuit configuration example in which the branch adapter 15 (7) employed in the system of the present invention has a four-branch configuration. Each high-frequency transformer shown in FIG. 7 can be manufactured in a small shape of about 1 cm ³ , and furthermore, a single branch adapter is formed by arranging a plurality of these high-frequency transformers on a substrate to form a circuit. Can be unitized.

  In the branch adapter shown in FIG. 7, five transformer elements (51-1) to (51-5) are connected so as to constitute a circuit having a bridge structure, and four branch output terminals (post-branch ports). It is set as the structure provided with. The embodiment of the branch adapter shown in FIG. 7 shows an example used as the second branch adapter 7 shown in FIG. 1, and each of the four transformer elements (51-2) to (51-5). The PLC slave unit modem 9 is connected to the post-branch port on the primary side.

  The configuration of the four-branch branch adapter shown in FIG. 7 is as follows. That is, the primary side of the transformer element (51-1) constituting this branch adapter is connected to one branch terminal of the distribution board 5 as a pre-branch port. Then, one of the secondary sides of the transformer element (51-1) is connected as a connection point 52a to a conductive wire connecting the transformer element (51-2) and one of the secondary sides of the transformer element (51-4). To do. Further, the other secondary side of the transformer element (51-1) is connected as a connection point 52b to a conducting wire connecting the transformer element (51-3) and one secondary side of the transformer element (51-5).

  Furthermore, the other secondary side of the transformer element (51-2) and the transformer element (51-4) is connected to the other secondary side of the transformer element (51-3) and the transformer element (51-5). The points 53a and 53b are connected, and the connecting points 53a and 53b are connected via a 50Ω resistor 54. Further, a capacitor 55 is connected to the primary side of the transformer element (51-1) connected to the distribution board 5, and the primary side of the transformer elements (51-2) to (51-5) is also connected to the PLC via the capacitor 55. The handset modem 9 is connected.

  In the branch adapter having the configuration shown in FIG. 7, even if the primary side of the transformer element (51-1) is connected to the power line 4c from the island distribution board 5 that supplies AC100V using the pre-branch port, Since only the high-frequency signal that is cut and becomes transmission data flows through the branch adapter, loss due to branching is reduced. Furthermore, since the transformer elements (51-1) to (51-5) are connected to form a bridge configuration, the secondary side of the transformer elements (51-2) to (51-5) constituting the branch adapter. The primary side of the transformer element (51-1) has the same impedance in the upstream direction and the downstream direction, that is, impedance matching can be achieved both in the downstream and upstream directions of the transmission path. As a result, even if the transmission path is branched into four, it is possible to minimize the loss at the branch. In addition, since the capacitor 55 is connected to the primary side of each transformer element (51-1) to (51-5) and the primary side is connected to an external device or the like, the transformer primary and secondary insulation and branching It becomes possible to secure the withstand voltage of the adapter.

FIG. 8 shows the branch adapter shown in FIG. 7, when it is not necessary to connect the PLC slave modem 9 to one of the primary sides of the transformer element, for example, the transformer element (51-5). ) Shows an example in which a 50Ω termination resistor 56 is connected to the primary side to match the impedance described above.
Note that a 16-branch branch adapter can be manufactured by arranging the circuit having the bridge structure shown in FIG. 7 as one unit and arranging four of these units so as to form a bridge structure.

[Master frame configuration]
Next, the configuration of a master frame set for executing polling control in the present invention will be described.

  As described above, the PLC master modem 13 has the first synchronization signals T1, T2, which become clock pulses at a predetermined time interval, for example, at a specific time interval within a range of 10 ms to 50 ms (for example, 16 ms). Are transmitted to each PLC relay 16. Then, the PLC repeater 16 establishes synchronization based on the first synchronization signal received from the PLC master modem 13 and transmits a beacon BC2 signal that becomes a new second synchronization signal to the PLC slave modem 9. Perform the process. At this time, the new second synchronization signal is transmitted by orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). In this OFDM system, for example, the frequency is divided into 16 and the code is divided into 4.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a master frame transmitted and received in the network system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the master frame includes a synchronization signal transmission band, a specific repeater band, an emergency call band (event flag (IF) transmission band) used for an emergency call, and a user data transmission band (user data). (UD) transmission band).

  The synchronization signal transmission band is composed of first and second synchronization signal transmission bands used for transmission / reception of beacon signals BC1 and BC2 as synchronization signals, a specific repeater band, and the like. The beacon BC1 signal as the first synchronization signal is used for transmission / reception of control data between the PLC master modem 13 and the PLC relay 16, and the beacon signal BC2 as the second synchronization signal is transmitted between the PLC relay 16 and the PLC child. It is used to transmit a synchronization signal that serves as a reference for transmitting and receiving control data between the modems 9.

The beacon signal BC1 includes, in addition to the first synchronization signal, information related to the transmission right set by the PLC master modem 13, that is, address information for performing polling control. The address information included in the beacon BC1 signal becomes address information for the PLC master modem 13 to transmit to the PLC repeater 16, and the band for transmitting the beacon signal BC1 and the address information is the first synchronization signal transmission band. (Transmission right time slot).
In addition, the beacon signal BC2 is synchronized with the PLC relay unit 16 based on the first synchronization signal received from the PLC master unit modem 13, and is synchronized with the PLC master unit modem 13 in the new synchronization state. A signal (second synchronization signal) is used for transmitting to the PLC slave modem 9. The band for transmitting the second synchronization signal is the second synchronization signal transmission band.

  Further, the specific repeater band shown in FIG. 9 includes information on the transmission right between the PLC repeater 16 and the PLC slave modem 9. That is, the control program of the PLC repeater 16 uses this specific repeater band as a band for transmitting the address information transmitted from the PLC master modem 13 to the PLC slave modem 9. This specific repeater band becomes the second transmission right time slot.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the beacon signal BC2 is divided into four parts as shown in FIG. 9. The beacon signal BC2A, the beacon signal BC2B (not shown), the beacon signal BC2C (not shown), and the beacon are four different beacon signals. The signal BC2D is transmitted and received, and 16 types of beacon signals BC2A (# 1) to BC2A (# 16) and BC2B (# 1) to BC2B are provided for each beacon signal BC2A, BC2B, BC2C, and BC2D as the frequency is divided into 16. (# 16), BC2C (# 1) to BC2C (# 16), and BC2D (# 1) to BC2D (# 16) are transmitted and received.

  In this way, the beacon signal BC2 as the second synchronization signal is simultaneously transmitted to the PLC slave modem 9 under the control of all the PLC repeaters 16, so that frequency division and code division can be performed even if multiplexed. Are multiplexed. However, since the transmission right information transmitted from the PLC master device modem 13 can be transmitted only by a specific PLC relay device 16, the signals of all the PLC relay devices 16 do not collide by providing a specific relay device band. I have to.

  The specific repeater band is used when transmission right information from the PLC master modem 13 is transferred to the PLC slave modem 9 and when event information is transferred from the PLC slave modem 9 to the PLC master modem 13. The

  The emergency call band (event flag (IF) transmission band) shown in FIG. 9 is for the PLC slave unit modem 9 to send emergency information to the PLC relay unit 16 from the PLC slave unit modem 9 for event information (information related to the emergency call). This band is provided exclusively for the PLC slave modem 9. This emergency call band becomes an emergency call time slot.

  When the PLC relay unit 16 receives the event flag (IF) transmitted by the PLC slave unit modem 9, the PLC relay unit 16 transmits this event information to the PLC base unit modem 13 using the specific relay unit band. The event information is, for example, information related to a big hit when a big hit has occurred in the gaming machine 8, or various abnormalities (for example, information related to fraudulent behavior) by various sensors provided in the gaming machine 8. When it is detected, it is desirable to shorten the data length of information relating to the abnormality detection signal, such as several bytes.

  In addition, the detection of the information regarding this fraudulent act is a sensor installed in the gaming machine 8, for example, a photoelectric or contact detection sensor that detects that the door of the gaming machine 8 is opened, or a magnetism that detects the magnetic force of the magnet. A detection signal detected by a vibration detection sensor such as a sensor or a triaxial acceleration sensor that detects vibration of the gaming machine can be used.

  The shared band for data transmission shown in FIG. 9 is obtained by sending user data (UD) requested to be transmitted from the store server 12 or the PC terminal 19 from the store server 12 (PC terminal 19) in the down direction to the PLC slave unit modem 18, This is a band for transmitting user data (UD) received via the second PLC master modem 14 to the PLC slave modem 9 via the PLC master modem 13 and the PLC relay modem 16.

  Also, the user data (UD) received by the PLC slave modem 9 from the gaming machine 8 also uses the shared bandwidth for data transmission of the master frame to be in the upstream direction, the PLC repeater 16 → the PLC master modem 13 → the second Is transmitted to the parent machine modem 14 → the PLC slave modem 18 → the intra-hall LAN 11. Therefore, the shared band for data transmission of the master frame is a shared band that is used in common when user data (UD) is transmitted in the downlink direction and the uplink direction between the PLC master modem 13 and the PLC slave modem 9. Is provided. This makes it possible to improve the effective speed of data transmission. Bands for transmitting user data (UD) of the PLC master modem 13 and the second PLC master modem 14 are physically independent.

[Polling table configuration]
The polling control method employed by the present invention is based on the first repeater signals T1, T2, T3,... Transmitted by the PLC master modem 13 at predetermined time intervals, and the PLC repeater 16 and the PLC child. It is executed in a state where synchronization with the machine modem 9 is established. And in order to perform this polling control, the information which set the order (order) in which the PLC main | base station modem 13 polls the PLC subunit | mobile_unit modem 9 is required. The PLC master modem 13 is provided with unique identification information (16 bits / 1 record) preset in the polling order as a polling table. Hereinafter, the configuration of this polling table will be described.

  FIG. 10 shows a network system using PLC communication provided in the system of the present invention for identifying the PLC master modem 13, the plurality of PLC repeaters 16, and the plurality of PLC slave modems 9 constituting the network. Indicates unique identification information set in advance. The data structure of the unique identification information shown in FIG. 10 will be described as follows.

As shown in FIG. 10, as the PLC model identification information (at1) consisting of 2 bits for identifying the three types of the PLC master modem 13, the PLC repeater 16, and the PLC slave modem 9, the PLC master modem 13 has [ 00], [01] is set in the PLC repeater 16, and [10] is set in the PLC slave modem 9.
Further, since a plurality of PLC repeaters 16 are installed, one of the identification information (at2) in (01) to (3F) is displayed on each PLC repeater 16 in hexadecimal notation in accordance with the installed number. It is set. Accordingly, it is indicated that a maximum of 63 PLC repeaters 16 can be installed, and the identification information (at2) is represented by 6 bits.

  Similarly, since many PLC slave modems 9 are installed under the control of the PLC repeater 16, each PLC slave 9 is displayed in hexadecimal notation (00)-( Any identification information (at3) in FF) is set. Therefore, the PLC slave unit 9 indicates that a maximum of 256 units can be installed for one PLC relay unit 16, and the identification information (at3) is represented by 8 bits.

  As described above, when identification information is set in the PLC master modem 13, the PLC repeater 16, and the PLC slave modem 9, the PLC slave modem whose identification information (at2) of the PLC repeater 16 is under the control of [01]. 9, when the identification information (at 3) of the PLC slave modem 9 is “00”, the connection between the PLC master modem 13, the PLC relay device 16, and the PLC slave modem 9 is regarded as one device. Since one PLC master unit modem 13 has 2-bit [00] as the model identification information of the PLC master unit modem, 16 bits (2) in which 6 bits [0000001] and 8 bits [00000000] are arranged. Byte: 1 word) can be expressed as unique identification information ([0100] in hexadecimal notation). This 2-byte identification information is shown as unique identification information of the PLC master modem in the column of order 1 of the polling table PT shown in FIG.

  Similarly, the unique identification information of the PLC relay 16 represented by 6-bit identification information [000001] (PLC relay # 1) is 6 because the model identification information of the PLC relay is [01]. 16 bits (2 bytes: 1 word) in which bit identification information [000001] and 8-bit [00000000] are arranged can be expressed as unique identification information ([4100] in hexadecimal notation). This 2-byte identification information is shown as unique identification information of the PLC relay machine # 1 in the column of order 2 of the polling table PT shown in FIG.

  Similarly, the unique identification information of the PLC slave unit modem 9 (PLC slave unit modem # 0) which is under the control of the PLC relay unit # 1 and is represented by 8-bit identification information [00000000] is the PLC slave unit modem. Since the model identification information of 9 is [10], it is 16 bits (2 indicating 6-bit identification information [000001] (indicating that it is under the control of PLC relay # 1) and 8 bits [00000000]. It can be expressed as unique identification information ([8100] in hexadecimal notation) consisting of 1 byte). This 2-byte identification information is indicated as unique identification information of the PLC slave unit # 0 in the column of the order 3 in the polling table PT shown in FIG.

  The polling table PT referred to by the PLC master modem 13 to execute polling control is stored in each of the PLC master modems 13. Identification information consisting of two unique bytes of the PLC repeater 16 and the PLC slave modem 9 arranged as a data table in the order in which polling is executed and registered in the ROM 44b of the PLC master modem 13 in advance It is. FIG. 11B shows an example of the data configuration of this polling table PT. This 2-byte unique identification information indicates address information for executing polling control.

  As described above, the unique information for identifying one PLC master modem 13, a plurality of PLC repeaters 16, and a large number of PLC slave modems 9 using PLC communication is 2-bit model identification information. For example, even if a maximum of 2400 PLC slave modems 9 are installed on the network, one unique identification information is as small as 16 bits. Can be expressed as As a result, the data capacity of the polling table PT referred to by the PLC master modem 13 for polling control can be reduced.

As described above, in the polling table PT shown in FIG. 11B, unique identification information (address information) expressed in 2 bytes is set for the PLC master modem 13 to perform the polling control. It becomes a data table.
FIG. 11B includes, for example, one PLC master unit modem 13 and two PLC relay units 16 as shown in FIG. 11A, and two units under the control of each PLC relay unit 16. Shows an example of a polling table PT to which the control program of the PLC master unit modem 13 refers in order to perform polling control in the case of a network configuration in which the PLC slave units 9 (four PLC slave units in total) are connected. Yes.

  A procedure example in which the PLC master modem 13 performs polling control based on the polling table PT shown in FIG. 11B will be described as follows.

  1) First, 2-byte address information (specific identification information of the PLC master modem 13) shown in order 1 shown in FIG. 11B is transmitted to the PLC repeater 16 together with the beacon BC1 signal. When receiving the address information, the PLC repeater 16 transmits a beacon BC2 signal to the PLC slave modem 9 under control.

  2) Subsequently, the PLC master modem 13 sends the 2-byte address information (identification information unique to the PLC repeater # 1) indicated by the order 2 shown in FIG. 11B together with the beacon BC1 signal to the PLC repeater. 16 is transmitted. When receiving the address information, the PLC repeater 16 transmits a beacon BC2 signal to the PLC slave modem 9 under control.

  3) Subsequently, the PLC master device modem 13 relays the 2-byte address information (specific identification information of the PLC slave device # 0) shown in the order 3 shown in FIG. To the machine 16. And PLC relay machine 16 will transmit beacon BC2 signal to a PLC cordless handset modem, if this address information is received. At this time, the PLC repeater 16 determines whether or not the upper 8 bits of the received address information correspond to the upper 8 bits of the unique identification information of the own station, and if so, uses the specific repeater band. Then, the 16-bit address information received from the PLC master modem 13 is transmitted to the PLC slave modem 9 under control. When receiving the address information, the PLC slave modem 9 under the control of the PLC repeater 16 determines whether or not the received address information matches the 16 bits of its own identification information by the control program. . If they match in this determination processing, the PLC slave modem 9 determines that the transmission right has been granted to the local station, receives the user data received from the gaming machine 8 (terminal device) and stored in the RAM 44c, and the user data Processing to transmit to the PLC repeater 16 is performed using the data transmission band.

  4) Subsequently, the PLC master modem 13 sends the 2-byte address information (specific identification information of the PLC repeater # 1) indicated by the order 4 shown in FIG. 11B together with the beacon BC1 signal to the PLC repeater. 16 is transmitted. And PLC relay machine 16 will transmit beacon BC2 signal to a PLC cordless handset modem, if this address information is received. At this time, the PLC repeater 16 determines whether or not the 16 bits of the received address information match the 16 bits of the identification information unique to the own station, and if they match, determines that the transmission right has been granted. The user data received from the PLC slave modem 9 is transmitted to the PLC master 13 using the transmission band of the user data. When receiving the user data, the PLC master device 13 immediately transmits the user data to the second PLC master device modem 14.

  5) Hereinafter, the PLC master modem 13 repeats polling control according to the order set by the polling table PT shown in FIG. In the polling table PT shown in FIG. 11 (b), the 2-bit model identification information (at1) of the identification information represented by 16 bits is an example of the most significant position, but 6 bits You may arrange | position between the model identification information (at2) of a PLC repeater of this, and the model identification information (at3) of an 8-bit PLC cordless handset modem.

[Polling control procedure]
Next, the procedure of the polling control of the present invention will be described based on the time chart shown in FIG. FIG. 12 shows the establishment of synchronization based on the first synchronization signals T1, T2, T3,... Sent by the PLC master modem 13 at predetermined time intervals, and the PLC master modem 13 and a plurality of PLC relays. 10 is a diagram showing a data transmission flow as a time chart by the PLC relay device 16a of the device 16 and the PLC slave modems 9a and 9b under the control of the PLC relay device 16a according to the master frame shown in FIG.

  The PLC master modem 13 refers to the preset polling table PT (see FIG. 11B) based on the first synchronization signals T1, T2, T3,. The user data transmission polling control is sequentially performed on all the PLC slave units 9 via the relay unit 16. The processing procedure for implementing this polling control method can be carried out, for example, according to the procedure described in (Procedure 1) to (Procedure 6) below. This polling control is executed according to the control of the control program stored in each ROM 44b of the PLC master device modem 13, the PLC relay device 16, and the PLC relay device 16.

(Procedure 1)
The PLC master modem 13 performs a process of transmitting the synchronization signal T1 serving as the first synchronization signal as a beacon BC1 signal to each PLC relay modem 16. At this time, the PLC master modem 13 includes the address information obtained by referring to the above-described polling table PT in the beacon BC1 signal and transmits it to the PLC repeater 16 (P1 shown in FIG. 12).

  The time chart example shown in FIG. 12 shows an example in which the PLC master device modem 13 relays the PLC repeater 16a and polls the PLC slave device modem 9a, so that the PLC master device modem 13 is synchronized with the synchronization signal T1. Then, using this synchronization signal T1 and the address (transmission right) information obtained in the above processing as a beacon BC1 signal, a time slot (first transmission right time slot) for transmitting the beacon BC1 signal of the master frame is used. Processing to transmit to all PLC repeater modems 16 is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 12, a transmission request for user data (UD) to the gaming machine 8, that is, a transmission request for user data (UD) has occurred in the PLC slave modem 9a connected to the gaming machine 8. Shows the case.

(Procedure 2)
When receiving the beacon signal BC1 from the PLC master modem 13, the PLC repeater modem 16a establishes synchronization based on the first synchronization signal T1 as shown in (P2) of FIG. A second synchronization signal (beacon signal BC2) is transmitted to the slave modems 9a and 9b. As described above, the beacon signal BC2 is code division multiplexed and frequency division multiplexed by the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and transmitted to the PLC slave modems 9a and 9b. Further, the transmission right information received from the PLC master modem 13 is transmitted to the PLC slave modem 9a by using the specific repeater band of the master frame (indicated as “specific relay” in FIG. 12). As a result, the PLC master modem 13, the PLC repeater 16a, and the PLC slave modems 9a and 9b can share the same transmission right information on the same time axis. Further, when user data (UD) is transmitted from the PLC master modem 13, the PLC repeater modem 16a performs reception processing of the user data (UD).

In the processing of (procedure 2) described above, the transmission right information received from the PLC master modem 13 using the beacon BC1 band is transmitted to the PLC slave modem 9a by the specific relay 16a using the specific relay band. The processing to be performed may be performed as follows.
That is, the control program for the PLC repeater modem 16a is that the transmission right information transmitted from the master modem PLC 13 (the unique identification information of the 16-bit PLC slave modem 9a) is itself and the PLC slave under control. Since it is possible to determine whether or not it corresponds to a modem, if it is determined that it corresponds, the received address information is transmitted as it is to the corresponding PLC slave unit modem using a specific repeater band. . On the other hand, if not applicable, the specific repeater band is not used and no processing is performed.

(Procedure 3)
The PLC repeater modem 16 establishes synchronization based on the reception of the next synchronization signal T2, and transmits a beacon signal BC2 serving as a new synchronization signal to the PLC slave modems 9a and 9b (P3). The PLC slave modems 9a and 9b establish synchronization by this beacon signal BC2. Further, the PLC repeater modem 16a transmits the address information to the PLC slave modem 9a under the control using the time slot of the specific repeater band.

(Procedure 4)
In (P4) shown in FIG. 12, when receiving the address information included in the specific repeater band from the PLC repeater modem 16a, the PLC slave unit 9a stores the received address information in the ROM 44b or the like. It is determined whether or not the address information matches. If it is determined that they match, it is determined that a transmission right has been given to the user, and whether or not any user data (UD) is received from the gaming machine 8 and stored (acquired) in the RAM 44c. judge. As a result of this determination, if user data (UD) has been received from the gaming machine 8, this user data (UD) is based on the beacon BC2 signal established by the next synchronization signal T3 (P5), A process of transmitting to the PLC repeater 16 is performed using a transmission band of user data (UD). The user data (UD) includes the IP address of the PLC slave modem 9 stored in advance in the ROM 44b and the store server 12 of the higher-level management system serving as a transmission destination for transmitting the user data (UD), or For example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) LAN data transfer data format including the IP address of the PLC terminal 19 is used.

(Procedure 5)
When the PLC repeater modem 16 receives the uplink user data (UD) from the PLC slave modem 9a based on the above (procedure 4) (P6), the user data (UD) received according to the instruction of the PLC master modem 13 Is synchronized with the next synchronization signal T4 and transmitted to the PLC master modem 13 (P7).

(Procedure 6)
When receiving the upstream user data (UD) by the process of (Procedure 5), the PLC master device modem 13 immediately receives the received user data (UD) to the second PLC master device modem 14 and sends it to the PLC master device. Transmission processing is performed at a master frame timing different from 13 (P8). When the second PLC master modem 14 receives user data (UD) from the PLC master modem 13, the second PLC master modem 14 transmits a synchronization signal (second signal) transmitted to the PLC slave modem 18. The received user data (UD) is transmitted to the PLC slave modem 18 in synchronization with the beacon BC1 signal of the PLC master modem 14. The PLC slave modem 18 performs processing to immediately transmit the received uplink user data (UD) to the intra-hall LAN 11.

By the processing of (procedure 6), the store server 12 or the PC terminal 19 installed in the monitoring room (D) in the hall can acquire user data (UD) from the gaming machine 8.
The PLC master modem 13 refers to the polling table PT based on the next synchronization signal T5, and executes polling control for the PLC slave modem corresponding to the next polling order, for example, the PLC slave modem 9b. . In this way, the PLC master modem 13 performs a process of repeatedly executing polling control for the PLC slave modems 9a and 9b in accordance with the polling order registered in the polling table PT.

  In the above-described polling control method of the present invention, the PLC repeater 16 establishes synchronization based on the synchronization signal transmitted from one PLC master modem 13 and establishes synchronization with the PLC master modem 13 The second synchronization signal is transmitted to the PLC slave modem 9 under control, and the PLC slave modem 9 receives the second synchronization signal, and is set in a control state in which synchronization with the PLC repeater 16 is established. Based on the master frame, communication by polling control is performed. That is, since the PLC repeater 16 and the PLC slave modem 9 perform polling control in a state in which synchronization is established with the PLC master modem 13 on the time axis, more than 2000 units in a network system using PLC communication. Stable polling control can be performed even when (up to about 2400) terminal devices are connected.

[Emergency call procedure]
Next, the emergency call means provided in the present invention will be described. The emergency notification means is the above-described polling control, that is, when the PLC master device modem 13 performs polling control of the PLC slave device modem 9 via the PLC relay device 16 in a predetermined order with reference to the polling table PT. In addition, when the PLC handset modem 9 receives the information on the emergency call from the terminal device (the gaming machine 8), the control information of the PLC handset modem 9 is immediately updated by the control program of the PLC handset modem 9 without the transmission right. A means for making an emergency call to the PLC master modem 13 by relaying the PLC repeater modem 16 positioned higher on the network is shown. Furthermore, the PLC master modem 13 indicates that the received information related to the emergency call is immediately transmitted to the upper management system including the store server 12 and the like.

  The information related to the emergency call is information when a big hit occurs in the gaming machine 8, or information related to some abnormal signal (event flag (IF) information), for example, an illegal act is performed on the gaming machine 8. The detection signal indicating that this is information set in advance, such as information input from the gaming machine 8 to the PLC slave modem 9, and information that needs to be notified to the higher-level management system.

  FIG. 13 shows that information (K) relating to an emergency call is input from the gaming machine 8 after receiving the beacon BC2 signal (second synchronization signal) based on the first synchronization signal T10 to the PLC slave modem 9a. Is shown. Hereinafter, an example of the processing procedure of the emergency notification means will be described with reference to FIG. 13. The procedure is as described in (Procedure 10) to (Procedure 15) below.

  When the information about the jackpot, the information about the abnormal signal, or other information is transferred from the gaming machine 8 together with the information type code, the control program for the PLC slave modem 9a temporarily stores the received information in the RAM 44c. It is determined whether or not the information is an emergency call to the server 12 or the PC terminal 19. It is possible to determine whether or not the information (K) is an emergency call by determining the information type code transmitted from the gaming machine 8. Examples of the information type code to be urgently notified include, for example, a jackpot identification code indicating the occurrence of a jackpot, an abnormality identification code for determining detection signals detected by various sensors for detecting fraudulent behavior provided in the gaming machine 8, Etc. are included.

(Procedure 10)
If the control program of the PLC slave unit modem 9a determines that the information received from the gaming machine 8 is the information (K) to be notified urgently, it performs processing for creating data relating to the event flag (IF) information shown in FIG. ((K1) shown in FIG. 13). Among these, as the event flag (IF) information, the information type code such as the jackpot identification code or the abnormality identification code described above, the IP address of the PLC slave modem 9a that is the transmission source of this information, and the final of this information The IP address of the store server 12 or the PC terminal 19 that is the transmission destination is included.

(Procedure 11)
The PLC slave unit modem 9a immediately transmits the data related to the event flag (IF) information created in the above-described process (procedure 10) in (K1) shown in FIG. 13 (master flag emergency report band (event flag (IF) band). ) To transmit to the PLC repeater 16a using the time slot. The event flag (IF) information preferably has a data capacity as small as possible by using only the above-described information type code and IP address.
At this time, depending on the timing at which the emergency notification information (K) is received from the gaming machine 8, the PLC slave modem 9a synchronizes with this BC2 signal based on the next synchronization signal T11 (not shown). (IF) Information is transmitted to the PLC repeater 16a using the emergency call band.

(Procedure 12)
When the PLC repeater modem 16a receives the event flag (IF) information from the PLC slave modem 9a (K2), the timing for the time slot of the specific repeater band to the next local station (PLC repeater modem 16a) The event flag (IF) information received from the PLC slave modem 9a is transmitted to the PLC master modem 13 using the specific repeater band of the master frame shown in FIG. 9 (K3). In this transmission process, the information transmitted from the PLC repeater 16a to the PLC master modem 13 is also transmitted to the PLC slave modem 9a under the control of the PLC repeater 16 at the same time. As a result, the control program of the PLC slave unit modem 9a that has transmitted the event flag (IF) information to the PLC repeater modem 16a has transmitted the event flag (IF) information to the PLC master unit modem 13 by the PLC repeater 16a. That is, it can be determined that the ACK (Acknowledgement) of the PLC repeater 16a has been received.

(Procedure 13)
When receiving the event flag (IF) information from the PLC repeater 16a based on the above-described specific repeater band (K4), the PLC master device modem 13 immediately receives the received event flag (IF) information as the second PLC master device. Transmit to the modem 14. The second PLC master modem 14 transmits the received event flag (IF) information to the PLC slave modem 18 in synchronization with the BC1 signal of the second PLC master modem 14. Then, the PLC slave modem 18 performs a process of immediately transmitting the received event flag (IF) information to the store server 12 or the PC terminal 19 of the higher management system.

(Procedure 14)
When the store server 12 or the PC terminal 19 of the host management system receives the data related to the event flag (IF), the control program analyzes the received data and transfers the detailed user data (detailed user data (UD)). It is determined whether or not it is necessary to perform. In this transfer request determination process, the data related to the event flag (IF) includes the IP address information of the PLC slave modem 9a that transferred the event flag (IF) information, information related to the jackpot, or a detection signal related to fraud. Since it is included, it becomes possible by determining the type of the information. If it is determined that a detailed user data (UD) transfer request is necessary, the transfer request command and the IP address information of the PLC slave modem 9 are sent to the PLC slave modem 18 and the second PLC master. Processing to transmit to the PLC master modem 13 via the modem 14 is performed.

(Procedure 15)
When receiving the detailed user data (UD) transfer request by the above (procedure 14), the PLC master modem 13 changes the order of polling control as shown in (K5) of FIG. Polling control is performed on the PLC slave modem 9a to which the (IF) information has been transferred, and a transfer request for user data (detailed user data (UD)) related to the event flag (IF) information is made. In this processing, in order to change the order of polling control, the PLC master modem 13 stores in advance in the ROM 44b a data table in which the unique identification information of the PLC slave modem 9 is associated with the IP address.

  Thereby, when the store server 12 or the PC terminal 19 requests the detailed user data (UD) related to the emergency call, the PLC master modem 13 changes the order of the normal polling control, and the user related to this emergency call. Data (UD) can be acquired. In addition, the process of acquiring user data (UD) related to an emergency call can be performed by concentrating polling slave modems 9a to be polled for a predetermined time based on an instruction from the store server 12, for example. become.

  As described above, if the store server 12 or the PC terminal 19 performs a process of analyzing the received emergency call (event flag (IF)), if it is determined that some sort of fraud occurs, monitoring in the hall The supervisor of the room (D) operates a surveillance camera or the like to take measures for grasping in detail the abnormality occurrence state.

  Further, as a means for grasping in detail this abnormality occurrence state, it becomes possible to grasp using the network system using the above-described PLC communication.

  For example, one or more surveillance cameras are installed on the gaming machine island (C1), and the surveillance cameras are connected to the PLC slave device modem 9 to which the gaming machine 8 is not connected. When the information on the emergency call is transmitted to the supervisor in the monitoring room (D) in the hall, a signal for operating the PC terminal 19 or the like to drive the corresponding surveillance camera, for example, an imaging direction or a zoom function The control information regarding is transmitted to the PLC slave modem 9 using the network system described above. As a result, the surveillance camera can take a detailed image of the situation where the abnormality has occurred. Further, the image data captured by the monitoring camera is transmitted to the PC terminal 19 in the monitoring room (D) in the hall using the transmission band of the user data (UD) shown in FIG. 9, and the received image data is displayed in real time. It is possible to grasp the details of the abnormality occurrence status by performing the process of storing the above.

  As described above, an event flag (IF) transmission band is provided in the master frame for data transmission shown in FIG. 9 in order for the PLC slave modem 9 to make a big hit or to make an emergency call such as illegal information. However, there is a possibility that a large number of gaming machines 8 may be hit at the same time or abnormalities may occur due to fraud. Each PLC relay modem 16 is connected to a plurality of PLC slave modems 9. Therefore, when a big hit or abnormality occurs simultaneously in a plurality of gaming machines 8, there may be a transmission collision in the emergency call transmitted from the PLC slave modem 9 to the PLC repeater modem 16. In order to avoid this transmission collision, the present invention can employ the following collision avoidance method.

  That is, the emergency call band (event flag (IF) transmission band) for making an emergency call in the master frame for data transmission described above is composed of a structure in which the time axis is divided, for example, a band in which the time axis is divided into five. Using these bands, for example, a maximum of five emergency calls can be transmitted simultaneously.

  In order to avoid the collision of transmission with respect to the emergency call described above, the control program of the PLC slave modem 9 is based on the value set as the initial value of the contention window size (CW: Contention Window), for example, “5”. , “1” to “5” are selected by lottery by means of random number generating means. Then, the event flag (IF) data is transmitted as an emergency call to the PLC repeater modem 16 by using a preset event flag (IF) transmission time band in association with the selected integer value. .

  Further, even if an emergency call employing the above-described random number generating means is performed, there is a possibility that a transmission collision occurs between the PLC slave modems 9. In order to avoid a collision between the PLC slave modems 9, when a collision occurs, a process of retransmitting (retransmitting) event flag (IF) information to the PLC repeater modem 16 a predetermined number of times is performed. Like that.

  Also, when retransmitting, the CW size is set from “5” to “10” that is doubled, and when retransmitting, the method that is set to “20” that is doubled is adopted. To avoid. Thus, when the CW size is set to double, ten emergency calls using two master frame time axes can be transmitted as the master frame time axis shown in FIG. In this way, if the CW size is set twice each time it is retransmitted, the retransmission time interval becomes longer, so it is possible to avoid transmission collision.

  Note that, as described above, the PLC slave unit modem 9 determines whether or not an emergency call collision has occurred between the PLC slave unit modems 9 according to the control program of the PLC slave unit modem 9. When the machine 16 transmits information related to the event flag (IF) to the PLC master modem 13, this information can be received simultaneously. Therefore, the control program of the PLC slave modem 9 can determine whether or not an emergency notification collision has occurred between the PLC slave modems 9 by using this as an ACK.

  By using the above-mentioned means for emergency notification from the PLC slave modem 9, even if a maximum of 2400 gaming machines 8 are connected to the PLC network, the jackpot or unauthorized information (emergency notification) is sent to the PLC slave modem 9. To the store server 12 within 2 to 3 seconds.

  In the above description of the embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device has been described by taking a gaming machine in a large-scale game hall as an example. The present invention can also be applied to a production line at a manufacturing site where a computer is installed, a hospital, a school, or a laboratory network system where a large number of measuring devices and personal computers are installed.

It is a figure for demonstrating the system configuration example which concerns on the embodiment about the polling communication system of this invention. In FIG. 1, it is a figure for demonstrating the example of the path | route of the electric power line from a power receiving installation to a floor entrance distribution board, and the transmission path from this flow floor entrance distribution board to a game machine. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of arrangement | positioning of a network when the system configuration | structure shown in FIG. 1 is applied to a three-story game hall. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control circuit for the PLC master modem shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, it is the block diagram which shows the structural example of the control circuit about the PLC cordless handset modem connected to the gaming machine shown in FIG. Similarly, it is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control circuit about the PLC cordless handset modem connected to LAN in a hall | hole shown in FIG. Similarly, it is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control circuit about the PLC repeater shown in FIG. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the circuit structural example of a 4-branch branch adapter about the branch adapter shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage example about the branch adapter of 4 branches shown in FIG. In this invention, it is a figure for demonstrating the structural example of the master frame set in order to transmit data. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the specific identification information for identifying the PLC main | base station modem, PLC relay machine, and PLC subunit | mobile_unit modem which are shown in FIG. (A) is a figure for demonstrating the connection relation about the PLC main | base station modem, a PLC relay machine, and the PLC subunit | mobile_unit modem under control of a PLC relay machine. (B) is a figure for demonstrating an example of the data structure of the polling table PT referred when a PLC main | base station modem implements polling control about the network which has the connection relationship shown to (a). It is a time chart for demonstrating the control method about the polling control method of this invention. In this invention, it is a time chart for demonstrating an example of the procedure of the emergency call which a PLC cordless handset modem implements.

Explanation of symbols

2: Distribution board 3a, 3b, 3c, ...: Floor entrance distribution board 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4g, 4f: Power line 5: Island distribution board 6: Conversion transformer 7: Second Branch adapter 8: Terminal device (game machine)
9: PLC cordless handset modem 10: Communication line 10a: LAN cable 11: LAN in the hall
12: Server (store server)
13: PLC main unit modem 14: Second PLC main unit modem 15: First branch adapter 16, 16a, ...: PLC repeater 17: Outlet 18: PLC slave unit modem 19: Personal computer (PC terminal)
21: Center server 44: Control unit 44a: ROM
PT: Polling table C1, C2, c3, ...: Amusement machine island Cn1, Cn2, Cn3, ...: Outlet

Claims (10)

In accordance with a master frame set based on the first synchronization signal transmitted by the PLC master modem at predetermined time intervals, a plurality of PLC repeaters and a number of terminals connected to the terminal devices under the control of the PLC repeater A polling communication system using PLC communication for polling a PLC slave unit modem in a predetermined order,
The master frame includes a first synchronization signal transmission band used for the PLC master modem to transmit the first synchronization signal to the PLC repeater, and the PLC repeater synchronized with the first synchronization signal. The second synchronization signal transmission band used for transmitting the second synchronization signal to the PLC slave modem under control, the specific repeater bandwidth, and the emergency obtained by the PLC slave modem from the terminal device An emergency report band used for transmitting event flag information related to the report to the PLC repeater, and a user data transmission band used for transmitting user data,
The PLC master modem uses the first synchronization signal transmission band as means for transmitting the first synchronization signal added with address information for performing the polling control to the PLC repeater,
The PLC repeater uses the specific repeater band as means for transmitting the address information transmitted from the PLC master modem to the PLC slave modem under the control of the PLC repeater,
The PLC slave modem transmits the user data acquired from the terminal device to the PLC relay when the transmission right of the user data transmission band is acquired by the address information transmitted from the PLC relay. Used as a means to
The PLC repeater receives the user data received from the PLC slave modem when the user data transmission band is acquired from the address information transmitted based on the first synchronization signal transmission band. As a means for transmitting to the PLC master modem,
A polling communication system characterized by the above.   The polling according to claim 1, wherein the PLC repeater uses the specific repeater band as means for transmitting the event flag information transmitted from the PLC slave modem to the PLC master modem. Communications system. The emergency call band is composed of a band divided into a plurality on the time axis,
The PLC slave modem has means for selecting any one of the plurality of divided bands;
The polling communication system according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting the event flag information to the PLC repeater using the selected band.   The second synchronization signal transmission band is a band for transmitting the second synchronization signal by an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method in which code multiplexing means is added to frequency multiplexing transmission. Item 10. A polling communication system according to Item 1. The PLC main unit modem includes a polling table in which the control program refers to polling the PLC repeater and the PLC sub unit modem in a predetermined order in a storage unit,
The polling table is data in which unique identification information having a predetermined data length for identifying each of the PLC master unit modem, the PLC repeater unit, and the slave unit modem is arranged in correspondence with the predetermined polling order. The polling communication system according to claim 1, comprising a configuration.   The polling communication system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device includes a gaming machine. In accordance with a master frame set based on a first synchronization signal transmitted by the PLC master modem at a predetermined time interval, a PLC child connected to a plurality of PLC repeaters and terminal devices under the control of the PLC repeater A polling control method using PLC communication for polling a modem in a predetermined order,
Based on the first synchronization signal, a first synchronization signal transmission band used by the PLC master modem to transmit the first synchronization signal to the PLC repeater, and the PLC repeater transmits the first synchronization signal to the first repeater. The second synchronization signal transmission band used for transmitting the second synchronization signal to the PLC slave modem under control of the second synchronization signal, the specific repeater band, and the PLC slave modem are connected to the terminal. The master frame comprising: an emergency call band used for transmitting event flag information related to an emergency call acquired from a device to the PLC repeater; and a user data transmission band used for transmitting user data is set. ,
The PLC master modem transmits information in which address information for performing the polling control is added to the first synchronization signal using the first synchronization signal transmission band,
The PLC repeater transmits the address information transmitted from the PLC master modem to the PLC slave modem under control using the specific repeater band,
When the PLC slave modem acquires a transmission right based on the address information transmitted from the PLC repeater, user data acquired from the terminal device is transmitted to the PLC repeater using the user data transmission band. Transmit
The PLC repeater transmits the user data received from the PLC slave modem when the transmission right is acquired based on the address information transmitted based on the first synchronization signal transmission band. And transmit to the PLC master modem using
A polling control method characterized by the above. The polling control according to claim 7, wherein the PLC repeater transmits the event flag information transmitted from the PLC slave modem to the PLC master modem using the specific repeater band. Way .   The PLC slave modem selects any one of the emergency call bands divided into a plurality of parts on a time axis, and transmits the event flag information to the PLC repeater using the selected band. The polling control method according to claim 7 or 8.   The polling control method according to claim 7, wherein the PLC repeater transmits the second synchronization signal to the PLC slave modem under control by the OFDM method.

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