JP5089283B2 - Game media supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium supply device that is used on a gaming machine island and supplies a game medium to a game medium using machine that constitutes the gaming machine island.

  The gaming machine island installed in the amusement hall has a plurality of gaming medium use machines (for example, gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines, and gaming media lending machines such as medal lending machines and ball lending machines attached thereto). Although it is configured in parallel, game media (medals, pachinko balls, etc.) must be replenished as needed to each game media use machine as needed, so supply of game media to each game media use machine A game medium supply device for performing the game. As the game medium supply device, the game medium is lifted at one end of the gaming machine island and discharged by a predetermined amount, and the discharged game medium is supplied by a game medium using machine to be supplied by some method (for example, using a conveyor). Generally, it is configured such that it is transported to the installation location.

  By the way, the game media using machine constituting the gaming machine island is usually provided with display means such as a liquid crystal panel. For this reason, some game media use machines are configured to display and output information on the occurrence of an error, information prompting maintenance, and the like using a display output function of information by a display means (for example, patents) Reference 1). In addition, some game medium supply devices include a display unit and are configured to display the state of the medium supply operation and the like (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-801 Japanese Patent No. 3729768

As described above, when display means such as a liquid crystal panel is used, it is possible to display and output various contents of information.
However, it is desirable that the display output contents be different between the business hours and the hours outside the game hall. For example, an immediate action is required when an error occurs, but maintenance cannot be performed until it is out of business hours, so information that prompts maintenance is meaningless even if displayed during business hours. Because it becomes.
However, the conventional information display output is performed irrespective of the business hours of the game hall, for example, when the number of processed game media reaches a predetermined amount, the information that prompts maintenance is displayed and output. Therefore, it is not necessarily preferable from the viewpoint of eliminating meaningless output contents and performing efficient display output.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a game medium supply capable of eliminating the meaningless output contents and performing efficient display output even when information display output is performed using a display means such as a liquid crystal panel. An object is to provide an apparatus.

The present invention is a game medium supply device devised to achieve the above object.
The invention according to claim 1 is a game medium supply device for supplying game media to the game medium using machine in response to a request from the game medium using machine, and a time measuring means for acquiring current date and time information; Display means for displaying and outputting information relating to the replenishment of the game medium, and the display output contents on the display means are determined, and the game medium use machine is within the operating hours based on the date and time information acquired by the timing means Display control means for determining whether the display output content is switched between the business operation time and the business operation time, and a display control means required for the game medium replenishment operation. Operating means for inputting completion information on maintenance information of the mechanism unit, and the display control means provides information on the replenishment operation state of the game medium within the business operation time. The maintenance information included in the maintenance information is determined to be the display output content outside the business operation hours and is determined to be the display output content outside the business operation time. Regarding the matter, the game medium supply device is characterized in that alarm processing is performed unless the completion information is input by the operation means until the maintenance information is switched to the display output contents within the business hours .

  In the game medium supply device configured as described above, the display output contents on the display means are switched depending on whether the current date and time is within the business operation time of the game medium using machine or outside the business operation time. Displays information that directly affects the business operation of the game media using machine (for example, information related to the status of the game media supply operation and information that requires immediate action), while the business operation time is displayed. It is possible to display information that has an indirect effect on the business operation of game media using machines (for example, information on preparations and measures for ensuring smooth game media supply operations). It becomes. That is, display output suitable for each time zone can be performed by switching display output contents by the display control means.

In the game medium supply device having the above-described configuration, information about the supply operation state of the game medium is displayed and output within the business operation time. Therefore, by referring to the display output result, it is possible to directly operate the game medium using machine. It is possible to grasp the state of the game medium replenishment operation that has a significant influence. In addition, since maintenance information of the mechanism required for game media replenishment operations is displayed and output outside business hours, referencing the display output results can have an indirect effect on the business operations of game media using machines. It is possible to grasp the maintenance status of the affected mechanical part.
Further, in the game medium supply device configured as described above, an alarm process is performed if no completion information is input by the operation means. Here, the alarm processing is to notify the store clerk of the game hall, the maintenance staff of the game medium supply device, or the like that the completion information is not input, that is, the maintenance for the displayed maintenance item is not performed. Process. Specifically, it is a device that displays information indicating that maintenance is not being performed regardless of whether the game media use machine is in business hours or not on the display means, or a device that connects an alarm output equivalent to this to the game media supply device. It is possible to go. By performing such alarm processing, even if the display output content is automatically switched within and outside the business operation hours of the game media using machine, it is clearly indicated that maintenance is not being performed, so there is no such implementation It is possible to prevent the occurrence of errors due to this.

In the invention according to claim 2 , the display control means selectively extracts maintenance items to be displayed and output as the maintenance information from a plurality of preset items, and the items to be selectively extracted are 2. The game medium supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the game medium supply device is determined based on date and time information acquired by the time measuring means.

  In the game medium supply device configured as described above, when a plurality of maintenance items are set, items to be selected and extracted are determined based on the date and time information. For example, certain maintenance items are selected and extracted every day, and other maintenance items are selected. Can be selected and extracted every few days. That is, even when maintenance items that should be frequently performed and maintenance items that are not frequently exist, display output suitable for each maintenance item can be performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game medium supply device according to the second aspect, further comprising setting means for setting date and time information relating to the maintenance items and the extraction timing of the maintenance items.

  In the game medium replenishing device having the above-described configuration, it is possible to selectively display various maintenance items at timings suitable for each by setting the setting means. Versatility and flexibility can be sufficiently secured.

  In the game medium supply device configured as described above, an alarm process is performed if no completion information is input by the operation means. Here, the alarm processing is to notify the store clerk of the game hall, the maintenance staff of the game medium supply device, or the like that the completion information is not input, that is, the maintenance for the displayed maintenance item is not performed. Process. Specifically, it is a device that displays information indicating that maintenance is not being performed regardless of whether the game media use machine is in business hours or not on the display means, or a device that connects an alarm output equivalent to this to the game media supply device. It is possible to go. By performing such alarm processing, even if the display output content is automatically switched within and outside the business operation hours of the game media using machine, it is clearly indicated that maintenance is not being performed, so there is no such implementation It is possible to prevent the occurrence of errors due to this.

  According to the present invention, since the display output contents are automatically switched within and outside the business operation hours of the game medium using machine, it is possible to make the display output contents different between the business operation hours and the non-business operation hours. Therefore, even when displaying and outputting information of various contents using the display means, it is possible to eliminate meaningless output contents such as displaying and prompting information for maintenance during business hours, for example. , Efficient display output suitable for each time zone can be performed.

  Hereinafter, a game medium supply device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the case where the present invention is applied to a medal replenishing device used on a gaming machine island in which a plurality of pachislot machines are arranged side by side will be described as an example.

[Schematic configuration of amusement machine island]
First, prior to the description of the game medium supply device according to the present invention, a gaming machine island in which the game medium supply device is used will be briefly described.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a gaming machine island. As shown in the figure, the gaming machine island 1 is composed of a plurality of pachislot machines 11 and a medal lending machine 12 attached thereto. In addition to these, a medal counter 13 may be provided in the gaming machine island 1. Each of these devices 11 to 13 functions as a game medium using machine that uses medals as game media.

A supply conveyor 14 for supplying medals to the pachislot machine 11 and the medal lending machine 12 is provided above the pachislot machine 11 and the medal lending machine 12. The replenishment conveyor 14 is arranged to extend along the direction in which the pachislot machine 11 and the medal lending machine 12 are arranged side by side. Along the horizontal direction.
On the replenishment conveyor 14, shutter mechanisms 15 are provided at positions corresponding to the pachislot machine 11 and the medal lending machine 12, that is, at each of a plurality of replenishment locations set on the replenishment conveyor 14. The shutter mechanism 15 receives a medal conveyed by the replenishment conveyor 14 from the replenishment conveyor 14 and supplies the medal to the pachislot machine 11 or the medal lending machine 12, or allows the replenishment conveyor 14 to convey the medal as it is downstream in the conveying direction. Switching is performed. Since the shutter mechanism 15 may be realized by using a known technique such as flapper switching by an electromagnetic solenoid, detailed description thereof is omitted here. A collecting chute 16 is provided at the downstream end of the supply conveyor 14 in the medal conveyance direction to collect medals that have been conveyed without being supplied to the pachislot machine 11 or the medal lending machine 12.

  On the other hand, on the lower side of the pachislot machine 11 and the medal lending machine 12, a collection conveyor 17 that collects medals from the pachislot machine 11, the medal lending machine 12, the counter 13, or the collection chute 16 is provided. The collection conveyor 17 is arranged so as to extend along the juxtaposition direction of the pachislot machine 11 and the medal lending machine 12, and for example, medals and counters discharged from each pachislot machine 11 or each medal lending machine 12 due to overflow, for example. After receiving the medals after being inserted into the counter 13 and counted, or the medals recovered by the recovery chute 16, the pachislot machine 11 and the medal lending machine 12 are arranged in a horizontal direction opposite to the supply conveyor 14. It is intended to be conveyed.

  Further, the gaming machine island 1 is provided with a medal lifting device 20 for lifting medals from the lower side to the upper side on one end side thereof, more specifically on the medal supply end side on the supply conveyor 14. ing. With such a configuration, in the gaming machine island 1, medals are supplied to the pachislot machine 11 or the medal lending machine 12 through the medal conveyance by the supply conveyor 14, and the collection medals from the pachislot machine 11 and the like are conveyed by the collection conveyor 17. Then, a medal circulation operation is performed in which the medal lifting device 20 lifts the medal upward.

  In the gaming machine island 1 configured as described above, the replenishment conveyor 14, the shutter mechanism 15, and the medal lifting device 20 function as a mechanism unit of a medal replenishment device that replenishes medals to the pachislot machine 11 and the like. That is, when there is a medal replenishment request from either the pachislot machine 11 or the medal lending machine 12, the medal lifting device 20 discharges a medal group consisting of a predetermined amount of medals onto the replenishment conveyor 14, The supply conveyor 14 transports the discharged medals, and the shutter mechanism 15 corresponding to the request source switches the transport direction. As a result, the pachislot machine 11 or the medal lending machine 12 as the request source is replenished with a predetermined amount of medals.

[Configuration of the entire game system]
Next, a gaming system configured with a plurality of gaming machine islands 1 configured as described above will be described.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the gaming system. As shown in the figure, the gaming system includes a plurality of gaming machine islands 1a, 1b, and 1c, and an island conveyor 2 for transferring medals between the islands between the gaming machine islands 1a, 1b, and 1c. It is configured. The island conveyor 2 is provided with two systems in which the transport directions are opposite to each other so that bi-directional medal transport can be performed, or in the case of one system, it can cope with reversal switching of the medal transport direction. It is assumed that
The gaming machine islands 1a, 1b, and 1c are communicably connected by a communication cable (not shown).
In the illustrated example, three gaming machine islands 1a, 1b, and 1c are shown, but the number is not particularly limited.

  Among these gaming machine islands 1a, 1b, and 1c, at least one gaming machine island 1c is provided with a function of washing medals. More specifically, in the medal lifting device 20 constituting the gaming machine island 1c, the first lifting conveyor 21 for lifting the medals recovered by the recovery conveyor 17 and the first lifting conveyor 21 are lifted. A second tank 22 that receives and stores medals or medals transported from other islands through the island transfer conveyor 2, a washing machine 23 that cleans medals discharged from the second tank 22, and a medal that has been washed by the washing machine 23 A second transporting conveyor 24 that lifts the sword upward, a replenishment tank 25 that stores washed medals to be discharged onto the replenishing conveyor 14, and a medal that is transported by the second transporting conveyor 24. And a switching mechanism (not shown) for switching between discharging into the replenishing tank 25 or discharging onto the island-passing conveyor 2 for transport to another island. There.

  In the gaming machine island 1c having a medal washing function with such a configuration, the islands 1c that need to be washed by the collection conveyor 17 on the own island (hereinafter referred to as “unwashed medals”) and other islands through the island transfer conveyor 2 are used. The unwashed medals transported from the second tank 22 are stored in the second tank 22. Then, after the washing machine 23 performs the washing process on the medals discharged from the second tank 22, the washed medals (hereinafter referred to as “washed medals”) are lifted by the second conveyor 24. And is discharged to either the replenishment tank 25 or the island-carrying conveyor 2. The washed medals in the replenishment tank 25 are discharged onto the replenishment conveyor 14 as necessary, and replenished to the pachislot machine 11 or the medal lending machine 12. In addition, the washed medals on the island transfer conveyor 2 are conveyed toward the other gaming machine islands 1a and 1b.

On the other hand, the other gaming machine islands 1a and 1b may not have a function of cleaning medals.
For example, the medal lifting device 20 constituting the gaming machine island 1b is not provided with the washing machine 23, and the first transporting conveyor 21 collects the unwashed medals recovered by the recovery conveyor 17 up to the island transfer conveyor 2. It is transported to the gaming machine island 1c having a medal washing function by transporting the island transfer conveyor 2. Further, when a cleaned medal is received from the gaming machine island 1c having a medal cleaning function through the island transfer conveyor 2, the cleaned medal is stored in the second tank 22, and the cleaned medal discharged from the second tank 22 is stored. Is transported by the second transport conveyor 24 and discharged into the supply tank 25. Then, the washed medals in the replenishment tank 25 are discharged onto the replenishment conveyor 14 as necessary, and replenished to the pachislot machine 11 or the medal lending machine 12.

  In addition, one of the gaming machine islands 1a and 1b that do not have a medal washing function, for example, the gaming machine island 1a located at one end edge in the direction in which the island delivery conveyor 2 extends, It is conceivable that this type is referred to as “MT”. The MT type only receives washed medals through the island transfer conveyor 2, and does not send medals to the other gaming machine islands 1b and 1c. Therefore, the MT type gaming machine island 1a does not necessarily include both the second tank 22 and the supply tank 25, and may include only one of them. However, this MT type is not an essential configuration, and may be replaced with the above-described type with a cleaning function or the type without a cleaning function.

  In addition, each component of the medal lifting device 20 in each gaming machine island 1a, 1b, and 1c may be configured using a known technique with or without a cleaning function. Detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The medal lifting device 20 in each of the gaming machine islands 1a, 1b, and 1c configured as described above controls the processing operation of the medal lifting device 20 regardless of whether it has a cleaning function or not. And a liquid crystal panel 40 for displaying and outputting information related to the processing operation.

  The control unit has a function as a computer that executes a predetermined program by combining a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. Thus, the processing operation of the medal lifting device 20 is controlled.

  The liquid crystal panel 40 is arranged at a position where it can be visually recognized from the outside through a transparent resin window 27 provided on the exterior panel 26 of the medal lifting device 20, and is a game shop clerk or a game system maintenance person (hereinafter referred to as a game system maintenance staff). Information relating to the processing operation of the medal lifting device 20 is simply output as an image to “medical staff”. Furthermore, it is a thing which a shop clerk etc. operate as needed and inputs information, ie, the thing which has the function as a touch panel.

[Functional configuration of medal supply device]
Here, the functional configuration realized by the control unit and the liquid crystal panel 40, that is, the functional configuration of the medal replenishing device will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the medal supply device.

  As shown in the figure, the liquid crystal panel 40 has a function as the display means 41. The display means 41 is a function for realizing information display output by the liquid crystal panel 40. The information displayed and output by the liquid crystal panel 40 is information related to the processing operation of the medal lifting device 20, more specifically information related to the medal supply to the pachislot machine 11 or the medal lending machine 12.

  On the other hand, the control unit 30 has functions as a time measuring means 31, a display control means 32, a storage means 33, a setting means 34, and an operation means 35.

  The time measuring means 31 acquires the current date and time information. The date / time information is information including date and time, and may include information on the month and day of the week. The clock means 31 can be realized by using a known clock function or calendar function.

The display control means 32 controls the display output contents by the display means 41. More specifically, the display means 41 determines what kind of display output is to be performed by the display means 41, and displays the determination result as the display means 41. Is directed to.
However, in the display control means 32, when the display output contents are determined by the display means 41, the display output contents are switched between the business hours of the game hall and other times. Specifically, based on the date and time information acquired by the time measuring means 31, it is determined whether or not it is within the business hours of the game hall, and the display output contents are switched between the business hours and outside the business hours. As will be described in detail later, the information about the medal replenishment operation state is displayed during the business hours, while the maintenance information of the mechanism necessary for the medal replenishment operation is displayed during the business hours. And
The display control means 32 displays and outputs the maintenance information as the maintenance information. The display control means 32 selectively extracts items from a plurality of preset items, and is necessary after the maintenance information is displayed and output. It also has a function to perform alarm processing in response.

  The storage unit 33 stores and holds information necessary for switching the display output contents in the display control unit 32. For example, the storage unit 33 stores and holds information on the game hall business hours and information (contents to be described later, maintenance items and information on the execution timing thereof) that are displayed on the display unit 41. It has become.

  The setting means 34 is used for a store clerk or the like to input settings for information stored and held in the storage means 33. That is, the store clerk and the like can set information or the like that is the display output content on the display unit 41 from the setting unit 34. The setting means 34 may be realized by using various operation switches provided in the medal replenishing device, or realized by a peripheral device (keyboard device or the like) connected to the medal replenishing device. It may be a thing.

  The operation means 35 is realized by using a touch panel function attached to the liquid crystal panel 40, and is used for a store clerk and the like to input information as necessary. The information input by the operating means 35 includes, for example, completion information on maintenance items whose details will be described later.

  Each of these means 31 to 35 and 41 is realized by executing a predetermined program for a function as a computer in the control unit 30 or a function in the liquid crystal panel 40. In this case, the predetermined program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium prior to installation in the control unit 30 or the like, or distributed via wired or wireless communication means. It may be a thing.

[Specific examples of stored information]
Here, the information stored and held by the storage unit 33 will be described with a specific example.

  As an example of the information stored and held by the storage means 33, there is information about business hours of a game arcade. The operating hours of the game hall means the operating hours of the pachislot machine 11 and the medal lending machine 12 installed in the game hall. Further, the information on the business hours refers to information for specifying the time to start business and the time to end business, such as from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. This information is preliminarily set and input through operation of the setting means 34 by a store clerk or the like.

  Another example of the information stored and held by the storage means 33 is one of the information that is displayed on the display means 41 and includes maintenance information on the mechanism necessary for the medal replenishment operation.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of maintenance information.
As shown in the figure, the maintenance information is composed of “maintenance matters” covering a plurality of items and information on “execution timing”. “Maintenance matters” specifies maintenance work items that are considered necessary for maintaining a normal medal replenishment operation for a medal replenishment mechanism such as the replenishment conveyor 14, the shutter mechanism 15, or the medal lifting device 20. The “execution timing” specifies the timing (timing) at which each maintenance operation should be performed. The “maintenance items” and “execution timing” in the example are only specific examples. That is, the content of the maintenance information is not necessarily limited to the content of the example in the figure, and may be determined as appropriate according to the configuration of the mechanism unit that replenishes medals.

Such maintenance information is also set and inputted in advance through the operation of the setting means 34.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a maintenance information setting input screen.
As shown in the figure, the maintenance information setting input may be performed using functions as the setting unit 34 and the display unit 41 using a known GUI (Graphical User Interface). Specifically, information on all maintenance items assumed based on the configuration of the gaming machine islands 1a, 1b, and 1c is registered in advance, and the registered contents are displayed and output by the display means 41, and the setting is performed. The setting means 34 inputs the necessity / unnecessity and the execution timing to the store clerk. Through such a procedure, the storage unit 33 stores and holds the maintenance information set and input by the setting unit 34.

[Example of processing operation of medal supply device]
Next, a processing operation example in the medal supply device as described above will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the control processing operation regarding the display output contents related to the medal supply operation, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of an output image displayed and output through the example of the control processing operation.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the control unit 30, the display control unit 32 constantly monitors the current date and time information acquired by the time measuring unit 31. Then, the display control unit 32 compares the current date and time information with the information about the business hours stored and held in the storage unit 33, and when the time when the pachislot machine 11, the medal lending machine 12, etc. start the business operation, It is determined that it is within the business hours of the amusement hall (step 101; hereinafter, step is abbreviated as “S”).

  When it is within the business hours of the game hall, the display control means 32 decides to display and output information about the medal replenishment operation state as the display output content by the display means 41, and the decision result is displayed to the display means 41. Instruct. As a result, information about the medal supply operation state is displayed and output from the liquid crystal panel 40 (S102).

As information about the medal replenishment operation state, which is the display output content at this time, for example, the information shown in FIG. That is, a schematic diagram showing the operation state of a mechanism unit for supplying medals such as the supply conveyor 14, the shutter mechanism 15 or the medal lifting device 20, and other operation information (error history and various settings). Etc.) which illustrate icons for referring to the above.
It should be noted that the display output content at this time may be general information as information on the medal replenishment operation state, and is of course not limited to that shown in FIG. That is, information that directly affects the business operation of the pachislot machine 11 or the like may be used as the display output content during business hours. As such information, in addition to the information regarding the status of the medal replenishment operation described above, error information and the like that require immediate action are included.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the display control means 32 performs a setting process for items to be displayed outside business hours, together with the display output of information about the medal replenishment operation state (S102). Specifically, the display control unit 32 determines the current date or day of the week based on the date information (or day of the week information) in the current date and time information acquired by the time measuring unit 31 and the maintenance information stored in the storage unit 33. It is determined whether or not maintenance items with matching execution timing are stored and held in the storage means 33, and if they are stored and held, the maintenance items are extracted as maintenance items to be executed on the current date or day of the week. select. If there are a plurality of maintenance items with matching execution timing, all of the plurality of maintenance items are selected. Then, the maintenance items selectively extracted are stored in a predetermined storage area (for example, a storage area accessible by the display control means 32 such as a predetermined register area) as maintenance items constituting maintenance information for the current date or day of the week. Set it. That is, the display control unit 32 selectively extracts maintenance items to be displayed and output as maintenance information from a plurality of preset items, and the time measuring unit 31 acquires the items to be selectively extracted. It is determined based on the date information.

  After that, when the current date and time information acquired by the time measuring means 31 is the time when the pachislot machine 11, the medal lending machine 12 and the like end the business operation, the display control means 32 determines that it is outside the game hall business hours. (S103). Then, the display control means 32 confirms the set contents in the predetermined storage area, and determines whether there is any set as a maintenance item to be displayed and output outside business hours (S104).

  As a result, if there is a maintenance item set in the predetermined storage area, the display control unit 32 determines to display and output maintenance information constituted by the maintenance item as display output content by the display unit 41, The determination result is instructed to the display means 41. As a result, maintenance information for the current date or day of the week is displayed and output from the liquid crystal panel 40 (S105).

  As the maintenance information that is the display output content at this time, for example, the information shown in FIG. That is, all items selectively extracted as maintenance items constituting maintenance information on the current date or day of the week are displayed and output in a list format, for example. However, the format of the display output is not limited to the list format, and other formats may be used.

  Thus, outside business hours, unlike during business hours, information that indirectly affects the business operation of the pachislot machine 11, that is, information on preparations and measures for ensuring a smooth medal replenishment operation. Some maintenance information is used as display output contents.

  By the way, the display control means 32 also has a specific button 42 for inputting completion information about maintenance items in addition to maintenance information composed of selectively extracted maintenance items, outside the business hours of the game hall. Decide to use display contents. That is, outside the business hours of the game hall, as shown in FIG. 7B, the liquid crystal panel 40 also displays and outputs a specific button 42 in addition to, for example, maintenance information in a list format.

The specific button 42 constitutes a part of the function as the operation means 35. That is, when a store clerk or the like presses the display location of the specific button 42 using the touch panel function attached to the liquid crystal panel 40, the operation means 35 recognizes that information input by the specific button 42 has been performed. This is notified to the display control means 32.
The specific button 42 is used to input completion information about maintenance items. The completion information on the maintenance item is information indicating that the operation on the maintenance item has been performed. Therefore, when the completion information is input by the specific button 42, the display control unit 32 determines that the work on the maintenance item is completed.
The specific button 42 may be provided individually for each maintenance item when the maintenance information is composed of a plurality of maintenance items, or the completion information for all of the plurality of maintenance items may be collectively displayed. Only one item for input may be provided.

  After the maintenance information and the display of the specific button 42 are output, as shown in FIG. 6, when the specific button 42 is pressed by a store clerk or the like (S106), the display control means 32 notified to that effect displays the display means. It is determined to switch the display output contents by 41 (S107). Specifically, at the time of receiving notification that the completion information has been input from the operation means 35, it is determined to switch the display output contents by the display means 41 to those within the business hours of the game hall. However, the actual screen switching may be performed after the current date and time information becomes the business start time (S101). In that case, it is possible to continue outputting the display output contents outside business hours as it is until the business start time is reached, or to display and output a standby screen indicating that the business start time is waiting. .

  On the other hand, when the specific button 42 is not pressed by a store clerk (S106), the maintenance information and the display output of the specific button 42 are continued. That is, if the specific button 42 is not pressed, the power supply to the medal replenishing device or the gaming machine islands 1a, 1b, and 1c including the medal replenishing device is cut off and then re-entered as long as it is outside the game hall business hours. Even if there is, the maintenance information and the display of the specific button 42 are output.

  Then, when the time has passed and the current date and time information acquired by the time measuring means 31 is the time when the pachislot machine 11 and the medal lending machine 12 start operating (S108), this is a maintenance item. Since it means that the game has been completed within the business hours in a state where the work has not been completed, that is, the completion information is not input before switching to the display output contents within the business hours, the display control means 32 Then, it is determined to perform alarm processing (S109).

  The alarm process refers to a process for notifying a clerk or the like that no completion information has been input, that is, that maintenance for the displayed maintenance item has not been performed. Specifically, there is a process of displaying and outputting information (alarm screen) indicating that maintenance is not performed regardless of whether it is within business hours or not. Further, for example, a process of outputting an alarm signal to, for example, a host device that manages the entire system and causing the host device to output an alarm is also included. Furthermore, it is also conceivable to take measures (for example, shut off the power supply) such that the mechanism unit for supplying medals such as the supply conveyor 14, the shutter mechanism 15 or the medal lifting device 20 does not operate.

  After such an alarm process is performed, for example, when a predetermined operation for canceling the cause of the alarm by a store clerk or the like is performed, or when a predetermined time elapses after the alarm is output, the normal processing operation is resumed. From the output instruction of the display output contents during business hours (S102), the processing operation described above is repeated thereafter.

  As described above, in the medal replenishing device according to the present embodiment, the display control means 32 performs display output by the display means 41 depending on whether the current date and time is within the business hours or outside the business hours. Since the contents are switched, information that directly affects the business operation of the pachislot machine 11 and the like is displayed during business hours, while information that indirectly affects the business operation of the pachislot machine 11 during business hours. It is feasible to display only. Therefore, by automatically switching the display output contents between the business hours and outside the business hours of the amusement hall and making the display output contents different in each case, various contents can be obtained using the display means 41. Even when information is displayed and output, meaningless output contents such as display and output of maintenance information during business hours can be eliminated. That is, by switching the display output contents by the display control means 32, display output suitable for each time zone can be performed, and meaningless output contents can be eliminated and efficient display output can be performed. It becomes possible.

  Further, in the medal replenishing device according to the present embodiment, information about the medal replenishment operation state is displayed and output during business hours, so that by referring to the display output result, the pachislot machine 11 and the like can be directly operated. It is possible to grasp the state of the medal replenishment operation that has an effect. On the other hand, since the maintenance information of the mechanism part necessary for the medal replenishment operation is displayed and output outside the business hours, referring to the display output result indirectly affects the business operation of the pachislot machine 11 and the like. The maintenance status of the mechanism can be grasped. In other words, important maintenance items that may hinder business operations of the pachislot machine 11 and the like can be visually confirmed by the store clerk and the presence / absence of the implementation, so that the pachislot machine 11 and the like are in good working condition. In this case, it is very suitable.

  Further, in the medal replenishing device according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of maintenance items are set, items to be selected and extracted are determined based on the date and time information. For example, certain maintenance items are selected and extracted every day, and other maintenance items are selected. Items can be selected and extracted every few days. In other words, even when maintenance items that should be frequently performed and maintenance items that are not frequently exist, display output suitable for each maintenance item can be performed. In this respect as well, a good operating state of the pachislot machine 11 and the like is ensured. It is very suitable for the above.

  Further, in the medal replenishing device according to the present embodiment, it is possible that a store clerk or the like performs setting by the setting means 34 so that various maintenance items can be selectively displayed and output at a timing suitable for each. Become. The versatility and flexibility of the maintenance information display output outside the business hours can be sufficiently ensured, and as a result, any configuration of the gaming system can be flexibly and appropriately handled.

  Further, in the medal replenishing device according to the present embodiment, if the store clerk or the like does not input the completion information with the operation means 35, the alarm processing is performed, so the display output contents are automatically switched within and outside business hours. Even in this case, it is clearly indicated that the maintenance is not performed, and it is possible to prevent an error from occurring due to the absence of the maintenance.

In the above-described embodiment, the preferred specific example of the present invention has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the content, and may be appropriately changed without departing from the gist thereof. It is possible.
For example, the items listed as maintenance items in the present embodiment are merely a specific example, and may be set as appropriate according to the system configuration, operating conditions, and the like.
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the game medium is a medal used in the pachislot machine 11 is described as an example. However, the present invention is applied to other game media such as a pachinko ball in exactly the same manner. It is possible to do.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a gaming machine island. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game media conveyance system comprised including a plurality of game machine islands. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of the medal supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example of the maintenance information which the medal supply apparatus which concerns on this invention makes display output content. It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example of the setting input screen of the maintenance information in the medal supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing operation example in the medal supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the output image displayed and output through the control processing operation example of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1a, 1b, 1c ... Game machine island, 11 ... Pachi-slot machine, 12 ... Medal lending machine, 13 ... Counting machine, 14 ... Supply conveyor, 15 ... Shutter mechanism, 16 ... Collection chute, 17 ... Collection conveyor, 20 ... Medal lifting device, 30 ... control unit, 31 ... timing means, 32 ... display control means, 33 ... storage means, 34 ... setting means, 35 ... operation means, 40 ... liquid crystal panel, 41 ... display means, 42 ... specific button

Claims (3)

A game medium supply device for supplying game media to the game medium using machine in response to a request from the game medium using machine,
A timekeeping means for obtaining current date and time information;
Display means for displaying and outputting information relating to the supply of the game medium;
Determine the display output content on the display means, and determine whether the game medium using machine is within business hours or outside the business hours based on the date and time information acquired by the time measuring means, Display control means for switching the display output contents between the business hours and outside the business hours ;
Operating means for inputting completion information about maintenance information of a mechanism part necessary for the replenishment operation of the game medium,
The display control means includes
During the business operation hours, it is determined that the information about the replenishment operation state of the game medium is the display output content,
It is determined that the maintenance information is the display output content outside the business hours,
For maintenance items included in maintenance information to be displayed and output outside the business hours, there is no need to input completion information in the operation means until the maintenance information is switched to display contents within the business hours. A game medium supply device characterized by performing an alarm process . The display control unit selectively extracts maintenance items to be displayed and output as the maintenance information from a plurality of preset items, and the date and time information acquired by the time measuring unit is selectively extracted. The game medium supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the game medium supply device is determined based on the determination. The game medium supply device according to claim 2, further comprising setting means for setting date and time information relating to the maintenance items and the extraction timing of the maintenance items.

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