JP6006114B2 - Management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a management system used in a game arcade.

Conventionally, a guide passage for game media has been formed inside a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, and the game media that has entered the gaming machine from an upper plate or the like is driven into the board according to this guide passage. It is discharged from the back.

However, when the game is repeated, the guide passage becomes dirty with paint, dust, etc. peeled off from the board surface. The dirt, for example, accumulates at the launch port of the game medium and may cause a malfunction of the game machine such that the game medium cannot be launched. In addition, the dirt adheres to the game medium, and the dirt-attached game medium is clogged in the game machine, or the game medium discharged from the game machine is collected, and the game medium is used as a game machine or a table machine. There is a possibility of clogging at any point of the game medium circulation system for replenishing. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the guide path of the game medium of the gaming machine periodically or appropriately.

For example, in Patent Document 1, there is a configuration of a cleaning tool for a gaming machine that can easily clean a narrow passage or the like that is bent at an angle larger than 90 degrees or has a step in a guide passage or the like of a gaming machine. It is disclosed.

Utility Model Registration No. 3163908

The actual situation is that the guide passage of the game medium of the gaming machine is appropriately treated on the closing day, etc., which does not hinder the operation of the game hall. In other words, the treatment was performed without any basis.

However, this makes it impossible to take advance measures based on an accurate theory, and as a result, unexpected troubles caused by clogging of game media are frequently involved, and game hall personnel have their heads. This is due to the fact that the condition (dirty condition, etc.) of the guide path of the gaming medium of the gaming machine cannot be accurately grasped, and until now there has been no quantified data without clear standards and indicators.

In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a management system capable of quantifying the condition of a guide path of a game medium of a gaming machine and acquiring information useful for management of a game hall.

In order to achieve the object, in the invention of claim 1,
A management system in an amusement hall,
A first detecting means for detecting a game medium installed in a first discharge bin for receiving the game medium discharged from the gaming machine ;
A second detection means for detecting the game medium, installed on a second discharge bowl for receiving the game medium flowing down from the supply bowl for supplying the game machine with the game medium ;
The management system includes a control unit that calculates a flow rate of the game medium detected by the first detection unit and a flow rate of the game medium detected by the second detection unit .

In the invention of claim 2,
A management system in an amusement hall,
A first detecting means for detecting a game medium installed in a first discharge bin for receiving the game medium discharged from the gaming machine ;
A second detection means for detecting the game medium, installed on a second discharge bowl for receiving the game medium flowing down from the supply bowl for supplying the game machine with the game medium ;
The control system includes a control unit that calculates the number of game media detected by the first detection unit and the number of game media detected by the second detection unit within a preset time.

In the invention of claim 3,
A management system in an amusement hall,
A first detecting means for detecting a game medium installed in a first discharge bin for receiving the game medium discharged from the gaming machine ;
A second detection means for detecting the game medium, installed on a second discharge bowl for receiving the game medium flowing down from the supply bowl for supplying the game machine with the game medium ;
A control system for calculating an elapsed time until a preset number of game media are detected by the first detection means and an elapsed time until the second detection means detects the management medium ; did.

In the invention of claim 4 ,
The control means detects the flow velocity of the game medium detected by the first detection means, the flow velocity of the game medium detected by the second detection means, and the game detected by the first detection means within a preset time. The number of media and the number of game media detected by the second detection means , or the elapsed time until a preset number of game media are detected by the first detection means and until the second detection means detects cormorant further line control to output an elapsed time, and a management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

According to the present invention, it becomes possible to quantify the condition (cleanliness, etc.) of the guide channel of game media of the gaming machine by calculating the flow velocity of the game medium, information useful in the management of the game arcade Can be obtained.

The present invention is a management system in a game arcade, which is installed in a first discharge bin for receiving game media discharged from a gaming machine, and supplies the game media to the first detection means for detecting the gaming media. The second detection means for detecting the game medium , the flow rate of the game medium detected by the first detection means , and the second detection means are installed in a second discharge basket that receives the game medium flowing down from the supply bowl to be detected. with the structure and a control means for calculating the flow rate of the game media is, since it is possible to quantify the condition of the guide passage of game media of the gaming machine, information useful in the management of the game arcade Can be obtained.

1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily illustrating an overall configuration of a management system according to a first embodiment which is an embodiment of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a conceptual diagram which shows illustartively the whole structure of the game machine island of Example 1 which is one Example of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which illustrated the outline of the external appearance structure of the game machine of Example 1 which is one Example of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which illustrated the outline of the external appearance structure of the game machine of Example 1 which is one Example of this invention. It is the conceptual diagram which showed typically the hardware constitutions of the management apparatus of Example 1 which is one Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed typically the structure of the detection signal reception log | history storage area of the management apparatus of Example 1 which is one Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed typically the structure of the flow-velocity information storage area | region of the management apparatus of Example 1 which is one Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed typically the structure of the state judgment value storage area of the management apparatus of Example 1 which is one Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed typically the structure of the corresponding | compatible information storage area | region of the management apparatus of Example 1 which is one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which the management apparatus of Example 1 which is one Example of this invention performs. It is the figure which showed typically the structure of the state judgment value storage area of the management apparatus of the other Example which is one Example of this invention. It is the figure which showed typically the structure of the state judgment value storage area of the management apparatus of the other Example which is one Example of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

<Configuration of management system>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram exemplarily showing a system configuration on the network of the management system according to the present embodiment. The management system includes a detection unit 95, a gaming machine 100, a pedestrian machine 200, a repeater 350, a pedestal management device 400, an island management device 500, a management device 600, and a network 801 that connects these devices. Specifically, a plurality of gaming machines 100 are installed, and a pedestal machine 200 is installed corresponding to each gaming machine 100. The gaming machine 100 and the inter-machine 200 are connected to a management device 600 and a network 801 that manage and supervise each device installed in the game hall via the repeater 350, the base management device 400, and the island management device 500. Connected through.

Moreover, as a device included in the gaming machine island 10 (described later), as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1, the detection means 95, the gaming machine 100, the inter-machine 200, the repeater 350, the base management device 400, and the island management device There are 500. Each device will be described in detail below.

The configuration of the management system on the network illustrated in FIG. 1 is a basic configuration for explaining the configuration according to the present embodiment. When the management system is operated in an actual game arcade, the management device 600 can acquire a detection signal from the detection means 95 such as an optical sensor installed in the discharge rod 20 and the discharge rod 25 associated with each gaming machine island 10, and If the hitting signal can be acquired from the gaming machine 100, various configurations can be taken based on the application and purpose, or the constraint conditions such as the arrangement of the devices.

<Configuration of the gaming machine island 10>
In the gaming machine island 10, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of gaming machines 100 are usually arranged back to back and side by side along the longitudinal direction of the rectangular parallelepiped gaming machine island 10. In addition, on the gaming machine island 10, a pedestrian machine 200 is arranged corresponding to each gaming machine 100. In the present embodiment, a configuration of a so-called double-sided island in which a plurality of gaming machines 100 are installed in two rows back to back is shown as the gaming machine island 10, but the gaming machine island 10 is limited to the configuration of the double-sided island. is not. A configuration of a so-called wall island in which a plurality of gaming machines 100 are installed in a row with the wall of the game hall in the back, or an island configuration of another shape may be used.

In addition, the gaming machine island 10 is provided with a gaming medium circulation system for collecting gaming media discharged from the gaming machine 100 and resupplying the gaming media to the gaming machine 100 and the inter-machine 200. . In the present embodiment, the detecting means 95 for detecting the flowing game medium is installed in each of the discharge rod 20 and the discharge rod 25 (described later) of the game medium circulation system.

<Configuration of detection means 95>
The detection means 95 detects the flowing game medium, and outputs a detection signal to the management apparatus 600 together with detection means identification information for identifying each detection means 95, for example, every time ten game media are detected. As the detection means 95, for example, a configuration in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are opposed to each other with a certain interval, and an object passes between them to block light from the light emitting element, thereby detecting the presence or absence of the object between them. Or a light sensor configured to reflect light emitted from a light emitting element to an object and detect the reflected light by the light receiving element. Can be used. The detection means 95 is not limited to an optical sensor, and has, for example, a gear having 10 recesses (a gear that rotates once with 10 game media), and the received game media is transmitted to the gear. It is good also as a structure which outputs a detection signal from a connector, when counting by rotation and the magnet which interlock | cooperates by rotation of a gear pass on a reed switch by 1 rotation of a gear.

<Configuration of gaming machine 100>
The gaming machine 100 installed on the gaming machine island 10 is a device in which a player plays a game using a game medium, and in particular, uses a pachinko ball as the game medium. Specifically, a pachinko machine, a slot machine using a pachinko ball (so-called parrot), an arrangement ball, and the like are exemplified. Here, a pachinko machine will be described as an example of the gaming machine 100.

A configuration of the gaming machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the outline of the external configuration of the gaming machine 100. Of course, the pachinko machine is not limited to the one described later and in FIG.

The gaming machine 100 is provided with a board surface 111 on which a symbol display device 113, a start winning port 114, a jackpot winning port 115, an out port 116, a normal winning port (not shown), and a change in the flow of gaming media. A number of game nails (not shown) such as valley nails 117 are provided. Further, at the lower part of the gaming machine 100, an upper plate 121 and a lower plate 122 for storing game media to be driven into the board surface 111 and paid-out game media, a handle 123 for adjusting the strength of game media driving, and the like are provided. It has been. When a user such as a player operates the handle 123 to drive a game medium into the board surface 111, the game medium that has reached the upper part of the board surface 111 falls downward while changing the advancing direction by a game nail or the like, and the start prize is received. The winning opening such as the opening 114 or the jackpot winning opening 115 is won, or the winning opening 116 is reached and collected without winning any of the winning openings. When game media wins the jackpot winning opening 115, a considerable number of game media (for example, 15 per winning game media) is paid out from the game media payout opening 120 onto the upper plate 121 as a ball. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the game machine 100 normally pays not only the game medium payout outlet 120 for paying out the game medium onto the upper plate 121 but also the game medium for paying out the game medium onto the lower plate 122. A medium outlet (not shown) is provided. When the upper plate 121 is filled with game media, the fact is detected and the game media is paid out onto the lower plate 122 from the game media payout port.

<Supply of game media to the gaming machine 100>
By the way, normally, the gaming machine 100 stores game media therein for use as a ball rental or as a payout ball to be paid out in accordance with winning. Further, the gaming machine 100 is connected to the replenishment bowl 60, and when the game media stored in the game machine 100 are reduced by payout, a predetermined amount of gaming media is replenished from the replenishment bowl 60 into the gaming machine 100.

This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. Above the gaming machine 100, a replenishment basket 60 for replenishing the game medium by natural flow from an upper tank 50 that stores a game medium lifted from a lifting device 40 described later is passed. The branched lead-out path 70 extends to a prize ball tank 63 disposed on the upper back surface of the gaming machine 100. In the middle of the lead-out path 70, replenishing means 64 for controlling whether or not the game medium is replenished from the replenishing bowl 60 to the prize ball tank 63 is attached. When the game medium is paid out from the prize ball tank 63 due to winning or the like and the amount of game media in the prize ball tank 63 decreases, the supply means 64 supplies the game medium from the supply basket 60 to the prize ball tank 63. At this time, the replenishing means 64 counts the number of game media that have been replenished, and sends a replenishment ball signal related to the counted value to the management device 600.

<Discharge of gaming media from the gaming machine 100>
The out port 116 is a collection port that collects the game medium when the game medium launched into the gaming machine 100 does not win any of the winning winning ports such as the start winning port 114 and the jackpot winning port 115. .

FIG. 4 shows a game medium that has passed through any one of the winning prize openings 114 such as the start prize opening 114 provided in the gaming machine 100, and a game medium that has not passed through any of the prize winning openings and has passed through the out port 116 of the gaming machine 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the game machine 100 is discharged to the outside of the game machine 100 through a game medium discharge port 125 provided at the lower back of the game machine 100 or the like. A so-called out box 130 is provided near the game medium outlet 125. The outbox 130 is provided with a tray 131 for receiving the discharged game media and a counting means 132 for counting the game media. The outbox 130 receives the game media discharged from the gaming machine 100 by the receiving tray 131 and counts these game media as the game media (= ball hitting) launched in the gaming machine 100 by the counting means 132. At the same time, it is guided to the discharge basket 20 and collected. The counting means 132 outputs, for example, one pulse of a hitting signal for 10 counted game media. The hitting signal may be output from an interface (not shown) provided in the gaming machine 100.

<Configuration of inter-machine 200>
The inter-machine 200 installed corresponding to each gaming machine 100 is a ball lending machine. This intermediary machine 200 accepts a player recording medium (not shown) in which cash information by a player is recorded and information on the balance as a value that can be used for the game, and pays out a predetermined amount of the game medium. A game on the gaming machine 100 is made possible.

It should be noted that the inter-machine 200 may be a so-called CR unit that can instruct the gaming machine 100 to pay out gaming media when lending balls.

<Configuration of repeater 350>
In this embodiment, the repeater 350 is arranged corresponding to each gaming machine 100 and displays various information related to the corresponding gaming machine 100 and calls from the player. That is, the repeater 350 indicates that when a trouble or the like occurs in the game and the player presses a call button (not shown) or a big hit occurs in the corresponding gaming machine 100, or the like. It informs employees and surrounding players. Further, the repeater 350 displays information related to the gaming machine 100 such as the number of jackpots and the number of start times of the corresponding gaming machine 100 such as today, the previous day, and the day before two days ago. Further, the repeater 350 includes a relay board (not shown) in order to receive signals output from the gaming machine 100 and the inter-table machine 200 and send them to the stand management device 400 or the like.

<Configuration of stand management device 400>
The stand management device 400 is an information processing device that mediates connection between the gaming machine 100 or the inter-table machine 200 and the management device 600. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, two sets of gaming machines 100 and inter-machines 200 are connected to one unit management device 400. However, in another embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which more gaming machines 100 are connected to one unit management device 400 may be used. It is good also as a structure connected by. In this embodiment, when the base management device 400 acquires a hitting signal from the connected gaming machine 100, the port number set in advance corresponding to the connection port with each gaming machine 100, and the base management device 400 The base management device specifying information set by a rotary switch or the like provided in itself is added, and the hitting signal is sent to the island management device 500.

<Configuration of Island Management Device 500>
The island management device 500 is an information processing device that mediates the connection between the platform management device 400 and the management device 600. In the management system of this embodiment, the island management device 500 manages a plurality of table management devices 400. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the island management device 500 is configured to be connected to a plurality of table management devices 400. However, it goes without saying that in other embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this. In this embodiment, when the island management device 500 acquires a hitting signal transmitted from the connected platform management device 400, the island management device specified by the rotary switch or the like provided in the island management device 500 itself is specified. Information is added and the hitting signal is sent to the management device 600.

<Configuration of game media circulation system>
In addition, on the gaming machine island 10, a gaming medium circulation system for collecting gaming media discharged from the gaming machine 100 and replenishing the gaming media to the gaming machine 100 and the inter-machine 200 is installed. As shown in FIG. 2, this circulation system mainly includes a gaming machine 100, an inter-machine 200, a discharge rod 20 (an example of a first discharge rod), a discharge rod 25 (an example of a second discharge rod), and a lower tank. 30, a lifting device 40, an upper tank 50, a replenishment basket 60, and a game medium reservoir 90. Since the gaming machine 100 and the inter-vehicle machine 200 have already been described, description thereof will be omitted below.

In the game medium circulation system according to the present embodiment, the game medium discharged from the gaming machine 100 and the discharge rod 20 for guiding the game medium to the lower tank 30 and the game discharged from the game medium reservoir 90 are provided. Two discharge rods 25 for receiving the medium and guiding the game medium to the lower tank 30 are installed.

<Configuration of the discharge rod 20, the discharge rod 25, and the supply rod 60>
The discharge rod 20, the discharge rod 25, and the replenishment rod 60 are, for example, a flat bottom surface in a plan view where the game medium rolls down, and a side surface that prevents the game medium from falling and rises to the left and right of the bottom surface. An aluminum square rod having a U-shaped cross-section with an open top surface (not shown). Normally, in order to prevent dust and debris from adhering to the bottom surface of the discharge rod 20, the discharge rod 25, and the replenishment rod 60, and to prevent external access to the rolling game media, Opened upper surfaces of the tub 20, the discharge tub 25, and the supply tub 60 are covered with a lid or the like. The discharge rod 20, the discharge rod 25, and the replenishment rod 60 are given a predetermined gradient in the longitudinal direction on their bottom surfaces so that the game medium can roll down. Such a gradient may be uniform in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface or may vary depending on the location. Further, the discharge rod 20, the discharge rod 25, and the replenishment rod 60 may be configured such that a heater (not shown) for heating the rod is installed. For example, as the heater, a heating wire type installed along the ridge can be used. The place where the heater is installed is not limited to the eaves. In short, any place where the circulating game media can be heated is acceptable.

In addition, a rectangular side opening having a height dimension slightly larger than the diameter of the game medium and a width that allows a plurality of game media to flow out in parallel is provided on the side surface of the replenishing bowl 60. Opened corresponding to the inter-machine 200 (not shown). Accordingly, by providing a supply chute 80 so as to face each side opening, game media can be simultaneously supplied from one supply basket 60 to the gaming machines 100 and the inter-machines 200 arranged in the gaming machine island 10. can do.

<Configuration of lower tank 30>
The lower tank 30 is provided at a lower position of the gaming machine island 10 in order to collect and store gaming media discharged from each gaming machine 100. The upper tank 50 and the lower tank 30 are connected by an overflow hose 51 that guides excess game media to the lower tank 30 when the inside of the upper tank 50 is sufficiently filled with game media.

<Configuration of lifting device 40>
The lifting device 40 includes a lifting belt that moves in the lifting direction and a polishing belt that is disposed at a lifting position opposite to the lifting belt (not shown), and between the lifting belt and the polishing belt. Is a device that holds the game medium between the two and lifts it while polishing and carries the game medium to an upper tank 50 described later. At this time, the polishing belt that polishes the game medium becomes conspicuous with time, so if it is left as it is, the ability to polish the game medium will be reduced. Therefore, in the game hall, the polishing ability is maintained by appropriately replacing the polishing belt with a new polishing belt, and the condition of the game medium is maintained. The lifting device 40 includes not only an abrasive belt method but also a method of lifting and polishing granular abrasives and game media while rubbing each other. In the case of a method using a granular abrasive, a powdery antistatic agent may be introduced so that static electricity is not charged to the game medium when the game medium and the abrasive are agitated. Specifically, when the antistatic agent adheres to the game medium, it has an action of slipping and reducing friction to suppress generation of static electricity, or forming a film that easily absorbs water on the surface to release static electricity. Moreover, as an antistatic agent, what processed glycerin fatty acid ester into white bead-like powder as surfactant can be used, for example.

<Configuration of upper tank 50>
The upper tank 50 is a tank that stores game media to be supplied to the gaming machine 100 and the platform machine 200, and is provided on the upper part of the lifting device 40.

<Configuration of game medium reservoir 90>
The game medium reservoir 90 is a box that temporarily holds a game medium that has not been supplied to the game machine 100 and the inter-machine 200 and that has flowed down from the supply basket 60. In addition, a shutter is provided at the outlet of the game medium reservoir 90 (not shown), and the shutter can be opened and closed in accordance with a command from the management device 600 (not shown), and the shutter is opened. Then, the game medium retained in the game medium reservoir 90 flows toward the discharge basket 25.

<Flow of game media in the game media circulation system>
Next, the flow of game media circulating in the game media circulation system will be described. When supplying the game medium stored in the upper tank 50 to the gaming machine 100 or the like, first, the game medium is supplied from the upper tank 50 to the supply basket 60. The game media discharged from the replenishment basket 60 to the replenishment chute 80 is supplied to the gaming machine 100 and the like via the lead-out path 70. The game medium supplied to the gaming machine 100 or supplied to the player via the inter-table machine 200 and used for the game is discharged from the game medium discharge port 125 on the back of the gaming machine 100. The discharged game media are collected in the lower tank 30 via the discharge basket 20. The game medium stored in the lower tank 30 is polished by the transporting device 40 and is transported to the upper tank 50 and supplied again to the gaming machine 100 and the like through the replenishment basket 60. If the game medium is lifted by the lifting device 40 and the upper tank 50 is already fully filled with the game medium, the excess game medium is returned to the lower tank 30 through the overflow hose 51.

On the other hand, game media that have not been discharged from the supply basket 60 to the supply chute 80 and that have not been supplied to the gaming machine 100 or the like flow down from the supply basket 60 into the game medium reservoir 90. When the shutter of the game medium reservoir 90 is opened, the game medium flows toward the discharge basket 25 and is collected in the lower tank 30 via the discharge basket 25. Specifically, when the game medium is not consumed by the gaming machine 100 and the replenishment basket 60 is filled with the game medium, the lifting device 40 automatically stops. In this state, when the shutter of the game medium reservoir 90 is opened, the game media which have been stored in the game medium reservoir 90 is collected in the lower tank 30 through the discharge trough 2 5, also game media was in replenishing gutter 60 It passes through the game medium reservoir 90 and is collected in the lower tank 30 through the discharge basket 25 . When the game medium of the replenishment basket 60 is reduced, the lifting device 40 starts operation, starts to lift the game medium, and the game medium circulates.

<Configuration of Management Device 600>
The management device 600 is an information processing device that manages the entire management system and counts and manages the detection signals output from the detection means 95, the hitting signals output from the gaming machines 100, and the like. The management device 600 is realized by, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a workstation (WS).

Next, the hardware configuration of the management apparatus 600 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the management apparatus 600. As shown in FIG.

The time measuring means 602 includes a real time clock for measuring the current time and a timer for measuring the elapsed time. This time measuring means 602 operates based on, for example, a crystal resonator.

External recording medium connecting means 603 is for realizing the access to the medium, it is possible to load media (recording medium) 604 recorded program or the like to the management device 600.

The storage unit 605 has, for example, an HDD (hard disk drive) that functions as a large-capacity memory, and the storage unit 605 stores application programs, OS, control programs, related programs, and the like.

Further, the storage means 605 includes a detection signal reception history storage area 651, a flow rate information storage area 652, a state determination value storage area 653, a correspondence information storage area 654, an operating gaming machine identification information storage area 655, and a device information storage area 656. Is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the detection signal reception history storage area 651, the flow velocity information storage area 652, the state determination value storage area 653, the correspondence information storage area 654, the operating gaming machine identification information storage area 655, The device information storage area 656 may be provided in the medium 604.

<Configuration of Detection Signal Reception History Storage Area 651>
In the detection signal reception history storage area 651, as shown in FIG. 6, a discharge basket 20 associated with the gaming machine island 10 of the gaming machine 100 in association with gaming machine identification information (gaming machine ID) for identifying the gaming machine 100. The reception histories of the detection signals output from the detection means 95 installed in the first and the detection means 95 installed in the discharge basket 25 are stored. Specifically, the reception date and time of the detection signal output from the detection means 95 installed in the discharge basket 20 and the reception date and time of the detection signal output from the detection means 95 installed in the discharge basket 25 are respectively in time series. Is memorized along. Therefore, when receiving the detection signal from each detection means 95, the control means 610 refers to the current time from the time measuring means 602 and stores the time in the detection signal reception history storage area 651 as the reception time of the detection signal. Take control.

<Configuration of flow velocity information storage area 652>
In the flow velocity information storage area 652, as shown in FIG. 7, in association with the gaming machine identification information (gaming machine ID) for identifying the gaming machine 100, it is installed in the discharge rod 20 related to the gaming machine island 10 of the gaming machine 100. The flow rate of the game medium calculated based on the reception history of the detection signal output from the detection means 95 is stored. Similarly, the flow speed of the game medium calculated based on the reception history of the detection signal output from the detection means 95 installed in the discharge basket 25 is stored. Specifically, it is divided into a detection means 95 installed in the discharge basket 20 and a detection means 95 installed in the discharge bowl 25, and the calculated flow velocity of the game medium and the calculation date and time of the flow velocity are stored. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the flow speed (as of November 5) of the game medium flowing through the discharge bin 20 of the gaming machine island 10 of the gaming machine 100 with the gaming machine identification information “Y001” is “14.2 pieces”. / Second ", and the flow speed of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 25 is" 15.2 pieces / second ". Therefore, the control unit 610 performs control to calculate the flow velocity of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 20 and the discharge rod 25 based on the reception history of the detection signal stored in the detection signal reception history storage area 651.

In the present embodiment, the flow rate of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 20 and the flow rate of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 25 are stored in the flow rate information storage area 652 as an index indicating the condition of the guide path of the gaming machine 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. A configuration in which the number of gaming media detected within a preset time is stored in the storage area as an index indicating the condition of the guide path of the gaming machine 100, or until a preset number of gaming media are detected. The elapsed time may be stored in the storage area.

<Configuration of State Determination Value Storage Area 653>
In the state determination value storage area 653, a difference value (state) between the flow velocity of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 20 and the flow velocity of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 25, which serves as a reference for determining the condition of the guide path of the gaming machine 100. Judgment value) is stored. Therefore, the control means 610 determines the condition of the guide passage of the gaming machine 100 by determining which state determination value includes the calculated flow velocity difference. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the flow velocity difference (state determination value) is “5 or more / second”, the condition of the guide path of the gaming machine 100 is determined as “abnormal”. In the case of “1.6 to 4.9 pieces / second”, the condition of the guide passage is determined as “caution”. In the case of “1.5 pieces / second or less”, the condition of the guide passage is determined as “good”. The “state determination value” includes both a specific value and a specific range.

<Configuration of Corresponding Information Storage Area 654>
In the correspondence information storage area 654, as shown in FIG. 9, detection means identification information (detection means ID) for identifying the detection means 95, gaming machine identification information (game machine ID) for identifying the gaming machine 100, detection means 95 installation locations (discharge basket 20 or discharge basket 25) are stored correspondingly. Therefore, the control unit 610 refers to the correspondence information storage area 654 and determines the corresponding gaming machine 100 and the installation location of the detection unit 95 based on the detection unit identification information of the detection unit 95 that has output the detection signal. Can be identified.

<Configuration of the operating gaming machine identification information storage area 655>
In the operating gaming machine identification information storage area 655, gaming machine identification information related to the gaming machine 100 that is operating or is operating to determine the condition of the guide passage is stored. Therefore, the control unit 610 refers to the operating gaming machine identification information storage area 655 to determine the condition of the guide path of the gaming medium from the gaming machine 100 corresponding to the detecting unit 95 that has output the detection signal. Therefore, the gaming machine 100 that is operating or is operating can be specified.

<Configuration of Device Information Storage Area 656>
In the device information storage area 656, island management device identification information, stand management device identification information and port numbers, and gaming machine identification information are stored correspondingly. Thereby, for example, the gaming machine 100 can be specified such that the gaming machine 100 with the device number 1 is connected to the port 4 of the first management device of the first island management device. Further, based on the island management device identification information, the platform management device identification information and the port number received together with the batting signal from the gaming machine 100, the gaming machine 100 that has output the batting signal can be identified.

The storage unit 605 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs such as a basic I / O program and various types of information used in basic processing. The storage unit 605 may include a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the control unit 610 for temporarily storing various types of information.

The input unit 606 is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse), or a touch panel. Using this input means 606, a user such as a game hall employee instructs the management apparatus 600 to input a command or the like for controlling the management apparatus 600. In particular, a user such as a game hall employee uses the input unit 606 to perform an operation for storing the state determination value in the state determination value storage area 653. In addition, a user such as a game hall employee performs an operation of opening the shutter of the game medium reservoir 90 using the input means 606.

The display unit 607 (an example of an output unit) is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and displays a command input from the input unit 606, a response output of the management apparatus 600 for the command, and the like.

The bus 609 controls the flow of information in the management apparatus 600, and is a signal line that connects each device such as the control unit 610 and the storage unit 605 in the management apparatus 600. Reference numeral 608 denotes a communication unit, and exchanges information with an external device via the communication unit 608.

The control unit 610 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), executes an application program, an operating system (OS), a control program, and the like stored in the storage unit 605, and is necessary for the storage unit 605 to execute the program. Control to temporarily store information, files, etc.

Further, when receiving the hitting signal from the gaming machine 100, the control means 610 refers to the device information storage area 656 and identifies the gaming machine 100 that has output the hitting signal. Then, control is performed to store the gaming machine identification information related to the identified gaming machine 100 in the operating gaming machine identification information storage area 655.

In addition, the control means 610 opens a shutter of the game medium reservoir 90 related to the gaming machine island 10 where the operating gaming machine 100 is installed through the input means 606 from a user such as a game hall employee. When the operation is recognized, a command to that effect is output to the game medium storage device 90 associated with the gaming machine island 10 through the communication means 608.

Further, upon receiving the detection signal and the detection means identification information from each detection means 95, the control means 610 refers to the current time from the correspondence information storage area 654, the operating gaming machine identification information storage area 655, and the timing means 602. Thus, the detection signal reception history storage area 651 is associated with the gaming machine identification information related to the operating gaming machine 100 in operation corresponding to the detection means identification information received as the reception time of the detection signal and the installation location of the detection means 95. Control to be stored in

For example, the detection signal and the detection means identification information “A001” are received from the detection means 95, the reception time is “November 10, 11:23:11”, and the operation gaming machine identification information storage area 655 is stored. When the stored gaming machine identification information is “Y001”, the control means 610 detects the detection signal in the detection signal reception history storage area 651 in association with the gaming machine identification information “Y001” and the installation location “discharge bin 20”. Control is performed to store the reception time of the signal “November 10, 11:23:11”.

<Calculation of flow velocity of game media>
Further, the control means 610 flows through the discharge rod 20 and the discharge rod 25 related to the gaming machine island 10 of the operating gaming machine 100 based on the detection signal reception history stored in the detection signal reception history storage area 651. Control is performed to calculate the flow velocity of the game medium and to store the calculated flow velocity of the game medium in the flow velocity information storage area 652.

Specifically, the above-described control for calculating the flow velocity of the game medium calculates an elapsed time from when the first detection signal is received until the detection signal corresponding to the preset number of game media is received. And it is good also as a structure which divides the preset number of game media by elapsed time, and calculates the flow velocity of a game media.
Pre-set number of game media / elapsed time = flow velocity of game media For example, when it takes 60 seconds from receiving the first detection signal to receiving detection signals for 1000 game media, the flow velocity of the game media is It is calculated as 16.7 pieces / second.
1000 pieces / 60 seconds = 16.7 pieces / second

In addition, the control for calculating the flow velocity of the game medium is specifically based on the detection signal based on the number of game media detected from when the first detection signal is received until a preset time elapses. To calculate. Then, the flow rate of the game medium may be calculated by dividing the detected number of game media by a preset time.
Number of detected game media / preset time = flow velocity of game media For example, when 900 game media are detected in 60 seconds, the flow velocity of game media is calculated as 15 / sec.
900/60 seconds = 15 / second

In the present embodiment, the reception date and time of the first detection signal is used for calculating the flow velocity of the game medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the date and time when a command for opening the shutter of the game medium reservoir 90 is output may be used to calculate the flow rate of the game medium. In this case, when the control unit 610 performs control to output the command, the control unit 610 refers to the current time from the time measuring unit 602 and performs control to store the time in the detection signal reception history storage area 651.

<Use of calculated flow velocity>
In addition, the control unit 610 displays on the display unit 607 the flow rate of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 20 and the flow rate of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 25 related to the gaming machine island 10 of the operating gaming machine 100. It is good also as a structure which performs control. As a display method, for example, the flow velocity of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 20 and the flow velocity of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 25 related to the gaming machine island 10 in which the operating gaming machine 100 is installed is time-sequentially. There is a method of displaying them in a list along with them, or displaying them in a line graph or the like.

In addition, the control means 610 calculates the difference between the flow velocity of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 20 and the flow velocity of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 25 related to the gaming machine island 10 of the operating gaming machine 100, and the flow velocity. It is good also as a structure which performs control which displays the difference of this on the display means 607. FIG.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 610 is configured to display the calculated flow rate of the game medium on the display unit 607 as the configuration to output, but the output configuration is not limited to this configuration. . For example, the calculated flow speed of the game medium may be printed using printing means such as a printer (an example of output means). In short, any configuration that can recognize that the calculated flow speed of the game medium has been output from the management device 600 to the outside is sufficient.

In addition, the control means 610 determines the condition of the guide path of the operating gaming machine 100 by determining which state determination value stored in the state determination value storage area 653 includes the difference in the flow velocity. It is good also as a structure which performs control to determine.

For example, when the difference in the calculated flow velocity is “6.3 pieces / second” (in contrast to the flow velocity “11.4 pieces / second” of the discharge rod 20 as of November 1, FIG. And the condition of the guide path of the game medium is determined as “abnormal”. On the other hand, for example, when the calculated flow rate difference is “1.0 pieces / second” (the discharge flow rate of the discharge rod 20 on November 7 in FIG. 7 is “14.2 pieces / second”) The flow rate of the heel 25 is “15.2 pieces / second”), and the condition of the guide path of the game medium is determined as “good”.

And it is good also as a structure which controls alerting | reporting process according to the result of determination. For example, when it is determined as “caution” or “abnormal”, a notification process is performed.

In this notification process, for example, the control unit 610 performs control for causing the identification information of the gaming machine 100 to blink on the display unit 607, or an income (not shown) worn by each employee of the game hall. Control to output to. Alternatively, a control for causing the gaming machine 100 to issue a warning sound or blinking a display for notifying abnormality may be performed, or a control for recording in a form at the time of closing processing of a game hall may be performed. As described above, various types of notification processing can be performed, but these notification processing is not limited to the above example.

It can also be configured as an alternative to a hardware device by software that realizes functions equivalent to those of the above means.

In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the program according to the present embodiment and related information are directly loaded from the medium 604 to the RAM or the like of the storage unit 605 and executed. However, in addition to this, the program according to the present embodiment is also illustrated. May be loaded into the RAM or the like of the storage means 605 from the HDD or the like of the storage means 605 where the program is already installed. In addition, the program according to the present embodiment can be stored in the ROM or the like of the storage unit 605, configured so as to form a part of the memory map, and directly executed by the control unit 610.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a configuration in which the management device 600 is realized by one device is described, but it may be realized by a configuration in which resources are distributed to a plurality of devices. For example, storage and calculation resources may be distributed in a plurality of devices. Alternatively, resources may be distributed for each component virtually realized on the management apparatus 600 and parallel processing may be performed.

<Configuration of network 801>
The network 801 is typically a LAN (Local Area Network), but may have any configuration as long as it can transmit and receive information regardless of wired / wireless. For example, a public line (analog line, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network, etc.)), WAN (Wide Area Network), wireless LAN, etc. may be used. Note that, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) or the like can be adopted as a communication protocol on the network 801.

<Flow of processing executed by the management system>
Next, the flow of processing executed by the management system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the following processing is executed independently for each gaming machine 100 that determines the condition of the guide path of the game medium.

A user such as a game hall employee operates the gaming machine 100 by playing a game on the gaming machine 100 that determines the condition of the guide path of the game medium. As a result, a hitting signal is output from the gaming machine 100. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, when receiving the hitting signal from the gaming machine 100, the management device 600 refers to the device information storage area 656 and identifies the gaming machine 100 that has output the hitting signal. Then, the gaming machine identification information related to the identified gaming machine 100 is stored in the operating gaming machine identification information storage area 655 (step S1001). Further, a user such as a game hall employee uses the input means 606 such as a keyboard and a pointing device to release the shutter of the game medium reservoir 90 related to the gaming machine island 10 where the operating gaming machine 100 is installed. An operation for opening is performed (step S1002). Then, the management device 600 outputs a command to that effect to the game medium storage device 90 (step S1003). The game media reservoir 90 that has received the command opens its shutter. Then, the game medium retained in the game medium reservoir 90 flows toward the discharge bowl 25, and a detection signal or the like is output from each detection means 95 that detects the flowing game medium. On the other hand, the game medium discharged from the game machine 100 in operation flows through the discharge rod 20, and a detection signal or the like is output from each detection means 95 that detects the flowing game medium. When receiving the detection signal, the management device 600 refers to the current time from the time measuring unit 602 and stores the time in the detection signal reception history storage area 651 as the reception time of the detection signal (step S1004). Based on the detection signal reception history stored in the detection signal reception history storage area 651, the management device 600 calculates the flow velocity of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 20 and the discharge rod 25 (step S1005).

By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to quantify the condition (dirt condition, etc.) of the guide path of the game medium of the gaming machine 100, so that it is possible to acquire useful information in the management of the game hall. . In addition, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of malfunctions in the gaming machine 100 due to dirty game media guide paths of the gaming machine 100.

In the processing flow executed by the management system described above, for convenience of explanation, after the gaming machine 100 for determining the condition of the guide path of the gaming medium is specified by the management device 600, the shutter of the gaming medium reservoir 90 is opened. Although the configuration is shown, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the management device 600 identifies the gaming machine 100 that determines the condition of the guide path of the gaming medium after the shutter of the gaming medium reservoir 90 is opened. Also good.

Further, the flow rate of the game medium can be calculated with higher accuracy if the number of game media to be flown when the detection means 95 is made to detect it is unified. Therefore, when the detection means 95 is made to detect, the same number of game media (for example, 1000) is stored in advance in the game media reservoir 90 each time. Then, it is good also as a structure which opens the shutter of the game media storage device 90, and starts a detection.

In addition, the detection of the game medium flowing by the detection means 95 and the calculation of the flow speed of the game medium are performed several times at predetermined times (for example, 11:00 am, 3 pm, 11:30 pm), and the flow speed of the game medium is determined. The average may be calculated. By calculating the average of multiple times, the accuracy of the calculated flow velocity can be increased, and by calculating the flow velocity at regular times, more accurate, highly reliable, and extremely useful data can be obtained. effective.

<Modification: About the structure which specifies the game machine 100 in operation>
In the present embodiment, a configuration is shown in which the management device 600 identifies the operating gaming machine 100 in order to determine the condition of the guide path of the gaming medium based on the hitting signal output from the gaming machine 100. . However, the operation signal indicating that the gaming machine 100 is in operation is not limited to the batting signal, and any signal output from the gaming machine 100 such as a ball signal, a start signal, a jackpot signal, or the like. good.

In addition, the management device 600 is not configured to identify the gaming machine 100 that is operating based on the batting signal output from the gaming machine 100, and a user such as a game hall employee uses the input unit 606 to operate the gaming machine 100. The gaming machine identification information storage area 655 may be configured to store gaming machine identification information related to the gaming machine 100 that operates to determine the condition of the guide path of the gaming medium.

<Modification: About Opening and Closing of Game Medium Reservoir 90>
Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the shutter of the game medium storage device 90 is opened and closed in accordance with a command from the management device 600 is shown, but the configuration is not limited to this configuration. For example, the shutter of the game medium reservoir 90 may be configured to open and close by a user such as a game hall employee operating an open / close switch (not shown) provided in the game medium reservoir 90. That is, the opening / closing of the shutter may be automatic or manual.

<Modification: About an index for determining the condition of the guide path of the game medium of the gaming machine 100>
In the present embodiment, the configuration using the difference in the flow speed of the game media as an index for determining the condition of the guide path of the game media is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Specifically, a configuration may be used in which a difference in the number of game media detected within a preset time is used as an index. In that case, as shown in FIG. 11, the detected difference in the number of game media is compared with a state determination value indicated by a preset difference in the number of game media. For example, when the preset time is “60 seconds” and the difference in the number of game media detected within the time is “80”, the condition of the guide path of the game media is determined as “good”. .

Specifically, a configuration may be used in which a difference in elapsed time until a preset number of game media are detected is used as an index. In that case, the difference in elapsed time as shown in FIG. 12 is compared with a state determination value indicated by a preset difference in elapsed time. For example, if the preset number of game media is “1000” and the difference in elapsed time until the game media are detected is “15 seconds”, the condition of the guide path of the game media is changed to “Caution”. Is determined.

<Modification: About the number of installed detection means 95>
Further, in this embodiment, in order to calculate the flow velocity of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 20 and the flow velocity of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 25, the detection means 95 is respectively provided at appropriate locations on the discharge rod 20 and the discharge rod 25. Although the structure to provide is shown, the number of installation of the detection means 95 is not limited to one. For example, it is good also as a structure which installs the detection means 95 in the some place of the discharge rod 20 and the discharge rod 25, respectively. With such a configuration, it is possible to calculate the flow velocity of the flowing game medium with higher accuracy, which is convenient.

<Variation: Installation location of the detection means 95>
Further, in this embodiment, in order to quantify the condition (dirt condition, etc.) of the guide path of the game medium of the gaming machine 100, detection means 95 are installed at appropriate locations on the discharge rod 20 and the discharge rod 25, respectively. Although the configuration for calculating the flow velocity of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 20 and the flow velocity of the game medium flowing through the discharge rod 25 is shown, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. In short, the flow rate of the game medium until it is discharged from the gaming machine 100 and is lifted by the lifting device 40, and the flow rate of the game medium until it is discharged from the transfer device 40 and enters the gaming machine 100 As long as it is a configuration that calculates. Therefore, an appropriate place in the flow path of the game medium from the time when it is discharged from the game medium discharge port 125 of the gaming machine 100 to the time when it is transferred by the lifting device 40, and after being discharged by the lifting device 40, the gaming machine 100 Any structure may be used as long as the detecting means 95 is installed at an appropriate location in the flow path of the game medium until it enters.

<Modification: Information Processing Device that Performs Control to Calculate the Flow Rate of a Game Medium>
In the above embodiment, the management device 600 receives the detection signal from each detection means 95 and executes the control for calculating the flow velocity of the game medium. However, the information processing device that executes this control is the management device. It is not limited to 600. Another information processing apparatus (for example, the island management apparatus 500) installed in the game hall may be configured to execute this control.

<Variation: Device that performs control to display the calculated flow velocity>
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration for executing the control for displaying the flow velocity calculated by the management device 600 is shown, but the device for executing this control is not limited to the management device 600. Another device (for example, the repeater 350) that is installed in the game hall and has a display unit may execute this control.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like.

Further, the present invention supplies a program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus. And the case where it is achieved by reading and executing the program code from the program supplied by the computer of the system or apparatus is included.

Therefore, in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention on a computer, the program itself installed in this computer is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention. In this case, the program providing method includes a method of providing using a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and a DVD, a method of providing via a telecommunication line, and the like.

10: Game machine island, 20: Discharge basin, 25: Discharge basin, 30: Lower tank, 40: Lifting device, 50: Upper tank, 51: Overflow hose, 60: Supply basin, 63: Prize ball tank, 64: Replenishment means, 70: lead-out path, 80: replenishment chute, 90: game medium reservoir, 95: detection means,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Game machine, 111: Board surface, 113: Symbol display device, 114: Start winning opening, 115: Outlet winning opening, 116: Out opening, 117: Valley nail, 120: Game media payout opening, 121: Top plate, 122 : Lower plate, 123: handle, 125: game medium outlet, 130: out box, 131: saucer, 132: counting means,
200: stand machine,
350: Repeater,
400: stand management device,
500: Island management device,
600: management apparatus, 602: total time unit, 603: External Symbol recording medium connecting means 604: Media, 605: storage unit, 606: input means, 607: display unit, 608: communication unit, 609: bus, 610: Control means, 651: detection signal reception history storage area, 652: flow velocity information storage area, 653: state determination value storage area, 654: correspondence information storage area, 655: operating gaming machine identification information storage area, 656: equipment information storage area ,
801: Network

Claims (4)

A management system in an amusement hall,
A first detecting means for detecting a game medium installed in a first discharge bin for receiving the game medium discharged from the gaming machine ;
A second detection means for detecting the game medium, installed on a second discharge bowl for receiving the game medium flowing down from the supply bowl for supplying the game machine with the game medium ;
And having a control means for calculating the flow rate of the sensed game medium by the flow rate and the second detecting means of the game media which has been detected by said first detection means, management system. A management system in an amusement hall,
A first detecting means for detecting a game medium installed in a first discharge bin for receiving the game medium discharged from the gaming machine ;
A second detection means for detecting the game medium, installed on a second discharge bowl for receiving the game medium flowing down from the supply bowl for supplying the game machine with the game medium ;
Within a preset time, and having a control means for calculating the number of sensed game media to said game medium speed is detected in the first detection means and the second detecting means, the management system . A management system in an amusement hall,
A first detecting means for detecting a game medium installed in a first discharge bin for receiving the game medium discharged from the gaming machine ;
A second detection means for detecting the game medium, installed on a second discharge bowl for receiving the game medium flowing down from the supply bowl for supplying the game machine with the game medium ;
Preset number of game media, and characterized by having a control means for calculating the elapsed time until the detected elapsed time and said second detecting means until it is detected in the first detection means Management system. The control means detects the flow velocity of the game medium detected by the first detection means, the flow velocity of the game medium detected by the second detection means, and the game detected by the first detection means within a preset time. The number of media and the number of game media detected by the second detection means , or the elapsed time until a preset number of game media are detected by the first detection means and until the second detection means detects management system of the elapsed time, characterized in that intends further line control to output, according to any one of claims 1 to 3.