JP6082134B2 - Inter-device and management device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inter-unit device and a management device according to a management system for paying out game media.

In amusement halls, for example, when a new store is opened, a free opening service for gaming machines may be provided for the purpose of getting close to neighboring residents and the like. In the case of a free opening service, for example, a player receives a recording medium on which money amount data or a ball is recorded at the reception of the amusement hall, and inserts this recording medium into the inter-table device to lend or pay out a ball. And enjoy playing games.

In such a case, the employee needs to distribute the recording medium to the player who enters the store, and the work load increases. In addition, when the player loses the recording medium, it is necessary to go to the reception of the recording medium again until reception of the game hall, which is complicated.

In general, when a gaming machine is introduced into a game arcade, first, a test is performed to confirm a malfunction of the gaming machine. This test hitting is to operate the gaming machine in an environment close to that the player normally plays, and is also performed in order to confirm the adjustment when the nail of the gaming machine is adjusted. At the time of test hitting, conventionally, a game hall employee put a game medium such as a pachinko ball into the upper plate of the game machine and fixes the handle of the game machine.

However, in this method, when there is a shortage of game media on the upper plate, it is necessary for the employee to carry the game media and put it into the upper plate, which increases the work burden on the employee. Moreover, since there are usually a plurality of gaming machines that are introduced into the amusement hall at a time, for example, when there are a large number of gaming machines that perform test hits, such as when opening a new store, the work burden of test hits is enormous. Become. In order to reduce such a work burden, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1. This is to provide a tray at the bottom of the gaming machine and a lifting device for feeding the game medium flowing down from the tray to the upper tray of the gaming machine. The medium is input.

JP 2006-175171 A

However, in the apparatus, the employee must first put the game medium into the receiving tray, and further, the employee needs to put the gaming medium into the receiving tray even when the game medium is insufficient in the receiving tray. The work burden on employees remains large. In addition, when the devices disclosed in Patent Document 1 are provided in each gaming machine, the cost becomes enormous. In addition, when the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used in a plurality of gaming machines in a single test, it is necessary to move the device, creating a new work burden on the employee, The burden is not alleviated.

Then, in view of the said subject, this invention aims at providing the stand apparatus and management apparatus which concern on the management system which can suppress the work burden of the employee of a game hall as much as possible.

The invention of claim 1 is an inter-device device provided corresponding to a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game hall,
When detecting the presence of a person, it is connected to detection means for transmitting a detection signal indicating that and a management device for transmitting a mode switching signal for switching the operation mode of the inter-device.
When receiving the mode switching signal, switching means for switching the operation mode,
A payout means for paying out game media;
On the condition that the operation mode is switched to a mode different from the normal operation mode, an inter-device device is provided that allows the payout means to pay out the game medium when the detection signal is received.

The invention of claim 2 is a time measuring means for measuring time,
The inter-unit device according to claim 1, further comprising payout control means for sending a payout signal to the payout means every predetermined time with reference to the time measuring means.

The invention of claim 3 is a management device for managing the inter-device provided corresponding to a plurality of gaming machines installed in the game hall,
When detecting the presence of a person, it is connected to detection means for sending a signal indicating that, and to the inter-device.
Mode control means for sending a mode switching signal for switching the operation mode of the inter-device to the inter-device;
Switching operation means usable for switching operation of the operation mode of the inter-device,
A payout control means for sending out a payout request signal for requesting payout of game media to the inter-device when receiving a signal that the presence of the person is detected;
The management apparatus is configured to allow the inter-device to pay out game media on condition that the operation mode of the inter-device is switched to a mode different from the normal operation mode.

The invention of claim 4 further comprises time measuring means for measuring time,
The management device according to claim 3, wherein the payout control unit sends the payout request signal to the inter-unit device every predetermined time with reference to the time measuring unit.

According to the inventions of claims 1 to 4, since the game medium is paid out when the presence of a person is detected, for example, a free opening service of a gaming machine performed when a game hall is newly opened, or the like In general, when the burden on an amusement hall employee is large, such as test hitting for checking a malfunction of a gaming machine, the work burden on the employee can be suppressed as much as possible.

In particular, according to the second and fourth aspects of the present invention, a payout signal is sent to the payout means or a payout request signal is sent to the inter-unit device every predetermined time, so that additional payout of game media can be performed. Because it is configured automatically, it is no longer necessary for the game hall employees to perform new operations on the inter-device to make additional payouts. It is possible to further reduce the work load of the game hall employees at the time of test hitting.

1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily illustrating an overall configuration of a management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic diagram which illustrated the outline of the external appearance structure of the game machine of Example 1 which concerns on this invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily illustrating an overall configuration of a management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the conceptual diagram which showed typically the hardware constitutions of the management apparatus of Example 1 which concerns on this invention. It is the conceptual diagram which showed typically the hardware constitutions of the inter-station apparatus of Example 1 which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of Example 1 which concerns on this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of Example 1 which concerns on this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of another Example which concerns on this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of Example 1 which concerns on this invention performs. It is the schematic diagram which illustrated the outline of the external appearance structure of the game machine of another Example which concerns on this invention, and each counter. It is a conceptual diagram which shows illustartively the whole structure of the management system of another Example which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows illustartively the whole structure of the management system of Example 2 which concerns on this invention. It is the conceptual diagram which showed typically the hardware constitutions of the stand apparatus of Example 2 which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of Example 2 which concerns on this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the management system of Example 2 which concerns on this invention performs.

A stand device provided in correspondence with a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game hall, and when detecting the presence of a person, a detection means for sending a detection signal indicating that and a management mode of the stand device are switched. Is connected to a management device that sends a mode switching signal to the effect, and when receiving the mode switching signal, it has switching means for switching the operating mode and paying means for paying out game media, and the operating mode is normal. On the condition that the mode is switched to a mode different from the operation mode of the above, when the detection signal is received, the payout means is capable of paying out the game medium. As much as possible, the work load of the game hall employees at the time of the free opening service of the gaming machine performed at the time of testing etc. Can.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily showing the configuration of the management system A.

As shown in FIG. 1, the management system A includes a management device 100, a gaming machine 200, a table management device 300, an island management device 400, an inter-device device 500, and networks 601 and 602 connecting these devices. Yes.

The management device 100 is an information processing device that manages the entire management system A and operates and manages the operation mode of each inter-device 500. The management device 100 is realized by, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a workstation (WS). The management device 100 includes a user interface such as an instruction input device 106 that receives an instruction input from a game hall employee to the management device 100 and a display 107 that displays a failure detection or the like. In addition, the management device 100 aggregates and manages signals related to operation information such as the number of games, the number of jackpots, the number of balls played, the number of hits, etc. of each gaming machine 200.

Next, the configuration of the gaming machine 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the outline of the external configuration of the gaming machine 200.

The gaming machine 200 pays out a pachinko ball as a gaming medium in response to the occurrence of a predetermined winning event.

The gaming machine 200 is provided with a board surface 211, and on the board surface 211, there are provided a symbol display device 212, a start winning port 213, a jackpot winning port 214, a normal winning port (not shown), and the like. Further, at the lower part of the gaming machine 200, an upper plate 221 for storing a pachinko ball to be driven in or a paid-out pachinko ball, a handle 222 for adjusting the strength of the pachinko ball driving, and the like are provided. Then, when the game medium passes through the start winning opening 213 and the like, and a predetermined number of game media are paid out, one pulse is output from the gaming machine 200 to the outside as a ball signal for every 10 paid out game media. Output. Based on this output signal, the management device 100 calculates the number of output. In addition, when the jackpot is won, a jackpot signal is output from the gaming machine 200 to the outside when the symbol is confirmed in the symbol display device 212. In the management apparatus 100, the number of games is calculated based on the number of times the start signal is received.

Further, a ball hitting signal is sent from a hitting ball number counting means (out box) (not shown) that is installed below the gaming machine 200 and counts the number of game media driven into the board surface 211 described later. Yes. Based on this hitting signal, the management device 100 calculates the hitting number.

The stand management device 300 is an information processing device that acquires a mode switching signal, which is a command for switching the operation mode of the inter-device 500, from the connected management device 100, and sends the mode switching signal to the inter-device 500. In addition, a switching completion signal is acquired from the inter-station device 500 and sent to the island management device 400. In addition, a signal related to operation information such as a batting signal and a ball signal is acquired from the connected gaming machine 200 and sent to the island management device 400.

The island management device 400 is an information processing device that mediates the connection between the platform management device 300 and the management device 100. In the management system A of the present embodiment, the plurality of table management devices 300 are classified into one or more groups, and the island management device 400 manages the table management device 300 for each group.

The inter-device 500 is provided corresponding to the gaming machine 200 as shown in FIG. 2, and has a game medium payout function in this embodiment. The inter-table device 500 is a general inter-table machine installed in the game hall, and is not a special one. The inter-device 500 accepts cash from the player and plays game media ( In addition to having a function as a ball lending machine that rents pachinko balls and medals, etc., it is a device equipped with a predetermined detection function, reading function and communication function, from a member who is a player to a recording medium such as a membership card ( When the (not shown) is inserted, the insertion of the recording medium is detected, the information stored in the recording medium is read, and the read information is sent to the management apparatus 100.

In FIG. 2, a pachinko machine is shown as the gaming machine 200, and a pachinko machine 500 that pays out pachinko balls as an example of a gaming medium is shown, but the gaming machine 200 in this embodiment is a pachinko machine. In addition to slot machines, parrots, etc. are included as long as they are arranged in a game arcade. Therefore, the type of game medium paid out by the inter-table device 500 is not limited to a pachinko ball and may be a coin.

The networks 601 and 602 are typically local area networks (LANs), but may have any configuration as long as they can transmit and receive data 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. For example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) can be adopted as a communication protocol on the networks 601 and 602.

The configuration of the management system A illustrated in FIG. 1 is basic for explaining the operation and effect of the configuration according to the present embodiment. When the management system A is operated in an actual game arcade, if the management device 100 can operate and manage the operation mode of each inter-device device 500, constraints such as use and purpose or arrangement of equipment Based on the above, various configurations can be taken. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the inter-device device 500 may be connected to the management device 100, and the management device 100 may be configured to directly operate the operation mode for the inter-device device 500.

Next, the hardware configuration of the management apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the management apparatus 100.

In FIG. 4, a CPU 110 (= Central Processing Unit) executes an application program, an operating system (OS), a control program, and the like stored in the HD 105, which will be described later, and stores information, files, and the like necessary for executing the program in a RAM 102. Control to store temporarily.

The CPU 110 serves as mode control means for switching its own operation mode. The mode control means also has a function of giving a command to the inter-device 500 from the management device 100 side in order to switch the operation mode of the inter-device 500. Specifically, the CPU 110 designates a mode switching signal for instructing switching to the test mode, which is a mode different from the normal operation mode, and a mode switching signal for switching the operation mode to the normal operation mode. To each inter-unit device 500. Specifically, the CPU 110 refers to the identification information stored in advance associated with the number of the designated inter-device 500, and sends a mode switching signal to the designated inter-device 500 through the communication line. Is sent out. In addition, when the switching completion signal indicating that the switching of the operation mode is completed is received from the inter-device 500, the CPU 110 changes the operation mode of the inter-device 500 stored in a mode information storage area 151 in the HD 105 described later. , Rewrite and update to the operation mode after switching.

The ROM 101 stores programs such as basic I / O programs and various data used in basic processing. The RAM 102 is for temporarily storing various data, and functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 110.

The external storage drive 103 is for realizing access to a recording medium, and can load a program or the like recorded on the medium (recording medium) 104 into the management apparatus 100. The medium 104 includes, for example, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a PC card, a DVD, an IC memory card, an MO, a memory stick, and the like.

An HD (= hard disk) 105 is an external storage device and functions as a large-capacity memory. The HD 105 stores application programs, OS, control programs, related programs, and the like. A mode information storage area 151 is provided in the HD 105, and mode information of each inter-device 500 disposed in the game hall is stored in association with identification information of each inter-device 500. That is, when the operation mode of a certain inter-device 500 is switched to, for example, the test mode and a signal indicating completion of switching is received from the inter-device 500, the CPU 110 is stored in the mode information storage area 151 based on the signal. The mode information of the inter-device apparatus 500 is rewritten to the test mode.

The instruction input device 106 is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device (such as a mouse), a touch panel, a button, or a lever. Using the instruction input device 106, an employee of the game hall etc. instructs the management device 100 to input a command or the like for controlling the management device 100.

In addition, the instruction input device 106 is used when a game room employee or the like designates the inter-device 500 to switch the operation mode from among the inter-devices 500 arranged in the amusement hall, and the designated inter-device. It plays a role as a switching operation means used when switching the operation mode of the apparatus 500.

The display 107 serves as a display means, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and displays a command input from the instruction input device 106, a response output of the management device 100 for the command, and the like. .

It should be noted that an employee or the like of the game hall designates the table device 500 for switching the operation mode from the table devices 500 arranged in the game hall, and switches the operation mode of the specified table device 500. When executing, necessary information may be input using the instruction input device 106 while referring to the display 107.

The system bus 109 manages the data flow in the management apparatus 100. Reference numeral 108 denotes an interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F), which exchanges data with an external device via the I / F 108.

In addition, it can also be comprised as an alternative of a hardware apparatus with the software which implement | achieves a function equivalent to the above each apparatus.

In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the program and related data according to the present embodiment are directly loaded from the medium 104 into the RAM 102 and executed. However, every time the program according to the present embodiment is operated, You may make it load into RAM102 from HD105 by which the program is already installed. It is also possible to record the program according to the present embodiment in the ROM 101, configure it as a part of the memory map, and execute it directly by the CPU 110.

In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, a configuration in which the management apparatus 100 is realized by one apparatus will be described. However, the management apparatus 100 may be realized by a configuration in which resources are distributed to a plurality of apparatuses. 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 100, and parallel processing may be performed.

Next, the hardware configuration of the inter-station apparatus 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration of the inter-device apparatus 500.

The CPU 510 (= Central Processing Unit) executes an application program, an operating system (OS), a control program, and the like stored in the HD 505 described later, and temporarily stores information, files, and the like necessary for executing the program in the RAM 502. Control.

When the CPU 510 serves as a switching unit and receives a mode switching signal that instructs switching of its own operation mode, the CPU 510 switches its own operation mode from the normal operation mode to a test mode different from the normal operation mode. . Alternatively, the test mode different from the normal operation mode is switched to the normal operation mode. When this switching is completed, a switching completion signal is sent to the management apparatus 100. At this time, identification information for identifying itself may be transmitted together with the switching completion signal.

In the present embodiment, the management device 100 and the inter-device device 500 have at least a test mode, a normal store mode used after the game hall is closed, and a normal business mode used when the game hall is operated as the operation mode. ing. It is operated in the normal business mode during the business hours of the amusement hall, and is operated in the normal closed mode after the store closing process is performed outside the business hours. In the present embodiment, the normal business mode and the normal closing mode are collectively referred to as a normal operation mode. As will be described later, the operation mode of the inter-device apparatus 500 is switched when an employee of the game hall performs a predetermined switching operation using the switching operation means. However, it is not necessarily limited to this configuration, and at least the operation mode corresponding to the test mode in the present embodiment and the operation mode corresponding to the normal operation mode used during the business hours of the game hall exist in the inter-device. do it. Therefore, the processing in the present embodiment may be enabled in the normal closing mode without distinguishing between the normal closing mode and the test mode.

In addition, the normal closing mode is a mode in which a part of the functions that can be performed in the normal business mode (for example, depositing cash into the inter-device) is prohibited in the inter-device 500. In addition, the management device 100 is an operation mode used for so-called “tightening processing” in which operating data of the gaming machines 200 of the day is totaled and business data is created after the business hours of the game hall are over. In general, the “tightening process” means that the management device 100 collects data such as the number of hits and the number of payouts of game media of the day from each gaming machine 200, and the number of difference balls, This refers to processing for creating a winning probability or the like as sales data and storing it in the storage means of the management apparatus 100.

Further, when receiving a detection signal from the human sensor 511 described later, the CPU 510 sends out a payout signal which is a command to pay out the game medium.

In addition, when a payout signal that is a command to pay out the game medium is sent, the CPU 510 refers to a real time clock 512 to be described later and starts measuring time. , Serving as a payout control means for sending out a payout signal.

The ROM 501 stores therein a program such as a basic I / O program and various data used in basic processing. A RAM 502 is for temporarily storing various data, and functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 510.

An HD (= hard disk) 505 is an external storage device and functions as a large capacity memory. The HD 505 stores application programs, OS, control programs, related programs, and the like.

The instruction input device 506 is, for example, a button, a lever, a numeric keypad, or a touch panel. Using the instruction input device 506, a player, a game hall employee, or the like instructs the inter-device 500 to input a command or the like for controlling the inter-device 500.

The display 507 serves as a display means, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and displays a command input from the instruction input device 506, a response output of the inter-device device 500 in response thereto, and the like. is there.

A system bus 509 controls the flow of data in the inter-device apparatus 500. Reference numeral 508 denotes an interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F), which exchanges data with an external device via the I / F 508.

The real time clock 512 serves as a time measuring means, and measures the current time.

In addition, it can also be comprised as an alternative of a hardware apparatus with the software which implement | achieves a function equivalent to the above each apparatus.

The human sensor 511 is, for example, a PIR (= Passive Infra Red) infrared sensor that operates by detecting and receiving weak far infrared rays emitted from the human body. It plays a role as a detection means for sending out. The human sensor 511 is configured to continue sending a detection signal when detecting the presence of a person. The human sensor 511 is not limited to the PIR infrared sensor, and may be any sensor that can detect the presence of a person. Therefore, it may be a device that detects the presence of a person by constantly outputting infrared rays to a predetermined area and receiving or not receiving the reflection of the infrared rays.

The control mechanism 513 is a control mechanism that, when receiving a payout signal, pays out a predetermined amount of game media and supplies it to the gaming machine 200.

Further, when the management system A has a configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, each signal is transmitted from the management device 100 to the inter-device 500 through the base management device 300 and the island management device 400, or the base Is transferred from the inter-device 500 and the gaming machine 200 to the management device 100. Alternatively, for example, in the case of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, the information is transferred from the management device 100 to the inter-device 500 or from the inter-device 500 or the gaming machine 200 to the management device 100. In the case of the configuration as shown in FIG. 1, processing for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, processing for converting a signal into a packet of a predetermined format, and the like are performed in a relay device such as the base management device 300 or the island management device 400. There is a case. Since these processes are obvious to those skilled in the art, description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.

Next, a specific processing flow of the management system A will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, taking a free opening service of the gaming machine 200 as an example. First, the management apparatus 100 switches its own operation mode to the test mode by performing a predetermined mode switching operation when its own operation mode is the normal closing mode. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, an employee of the game hall uses the instruction input device 106 of the management device 100 to specify the inter-device 500 for switching the operation mode, and the specified inter-device 500 A switching operation for switching the operation mode to the test mode is executed (step S601).

Then, CPU 110 sends a mode switching signal for instructing switching to the test mode to each designated inter-unit device 500 (step S602).

The inter-device device 500 that has received the mode switching signal, when switching its own operation mode to the test mode (step S603), sends a switching completion signal to the management device 100 (step S604). When receiving this switching completion signal, the management device 100 rewrites the mode information of the inter-device 500 stored in the mode information storage area 151 to the test mode (step S605). At this time, it may be displayed on the display 107 that the operation mode of the designated inter-device apparatus 500 has been switched to the test mode. This completes the switching of the inter-device apparatus 500 to the test mode.

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, when the human sensor 511 of the inter-table device 500 detects the presence of a person, such as when a player sits in front of the gaming machine 200, a detection signal is sent to the CPU 510 ( Step S701). The CPU 510 that has received the detection signal in the state of switching to the test mode sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 513 (step S702). Upon receiving this payout signal, the control mechanism 513 pays out a predetermined amount of game media to the upper plate 221 or the like of the gaming machine 200. The human sensor 511 sends a detection signal regardless of whether or not the inter-table device 500 is in the test mode, but the human sensor 511 detects when the inter-device 500 is in a mode other than the test mode. The description of the processing when a signal is received is omitted. The human sensor 511 continuously sends out a detection signal as long as the presence of a person is detected, but the CPU 510 sends out a payout signal when the detection signal is received.

When the CPU 510 sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 513, the CPU 510 refers to the real time clock 512 and starts measuring time (step S703).

The player plays a game using the game medium paid out to the upper plate 221 or the like. The gaming machine 200 sends a signal related to operation information such as an outgoing ball signal and a hitting ball signal to the management device 100 according to the game situation. When a predetermined time has elapsed (step S704), the CPU 510 sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 513 (step S702). Upon receiving the payout signal, the control mechanism 513 pays out a predetermined amount of game media to the upper plate 221 or the like of the gaming machine 200.

When the CPU 510 sends out the payout signal, the CPU 510 refers to the real time clock 512 and starts measuring time (step S703). Until the end operation of the test mode is accepted, the above steps S702 to S704 are repeated. In the process of repeating steps S702 to S704, if the human sensor 511 no longer detects a person, that is, if the detection signal from the human sensor 511 is interrupted, the CPU 510 stops timing. Further, it may be configured to stop sending out the payout signal when a predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, when the human sensor 511 detects the presence of a person again and sends a detection signal to the CPU 510, the CPU 510 sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 513 and starts timing.

In the above-described embodiment, when the CPU 510 of the inter-device 500 transmits a payout signal as a payout control means, the time measurement is started with reference to the real time clock 512, and the payout is made to the control mechanism 513 when a predetermined time has elapsed. Although a configuration for transmitting a signal is shown, the configuration is not limited to this configuration. For example, the CPU 110 of the management apparatus 100 may serve as a payout control unit, and the management apparatus 100 may be provided with a real-time clock (not shown) that measures the current time. This will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the presence sensor 511 of the inter-device device 500 detects the presence of a person, for example, when a player sits in front of the gaming machine 200 in the state of switching to the test mode, the detection signal is sent to the CPU 510. The CPU 510 receives the detection signal and sends a human detection signal indicating that a person has been detected to the management apparatus 100 (step S801). The CPU 110 of the management device 100 that has received the person detection signal sends a payout request signal to the inter-device device 500 (step S802). The CPU 510 of the inter-station device 500 that has received the payout request signal sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 513. Upon receiving this payout signal, the control mechanism 513 pays out a predetermined amount of game media to the upper plate 221 or the like of the gaming machine 200 (step S803).

When the CPU 110 sends a payout request signal to the inter-device apparatus 500, the CPU 110 refers to a real time clock (not shown) and starts measuring time (step S804).

The player plays a game using the game medium paid out to the upper plate 221 or the like. The gaming machine 200 sends a signal related to operation information such as an outgoing ball signal and a hitting ball signal to the management device 100 according to the game situation. When a predetermined time has elapsed (step S805), the CPU 110 sends a payout request signal to the inter-device apparatus 500 (step S802). The CPU 510 of the inter-station device 500 that has received the payout request signal sends out a payout signal to the control mechanism 513. Receiving the payout signal, the control mechanism 513 pays out a predetermined amount of game media to the upper plate 221 or the like of the gaming machine 200 (step S803).

When the CPU 110 sends out the payout request signal, the CPU 110 refers to the real time clock and starts measuring time (step S804). Until the end operation of the test mode is accepted, the above steps S802 to S805 are repeated.

Further, the human sensor 511 is provided on a curtain board (not shown) of the gaming machine island, for example, different from the inter-device device 500, and the human sensor 511 sends a detection signal to the management device 100 without using the inter-device device 500. You may comprise. In this case, the CPU 110 of the management device 100 that has received the detection signal is configured to send a payout request signal for requesting the payout of game media to the inter-device device 500. Then, the management device 100 that has received the detection signal from the human sensor 511 sends a payout request signal to the inter-device device 500. In the inter-station device 500 that has received the payout request signal, the CPU 510 sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 513. The control mechanism 513 that has received the payout signal pays out a predetermined amount of game media. Even with the configuration as described above, the same effects as in the present embodiment are produced.

When ending the test mode, as shown in FIG. 9, the operation mode of the inter-device apparatus 500 is switched from the test mode to the normal operation mode. Specifically, an employee of the game hall uses the instruction input device 106 of the management device 100 to specify the inter-device 500 for switching the operation mode, and switches the operation mode of the specified inter-device 500 The operation is executed (step S901).

Thereafter, the CPU 110 sends a mode switching signal instructing switching to the normal operation mode to each designated inter-unit device 500 (step S902).

The inter-device device 500 that has received the mode switching signal, when switching its own operation mode to the normal operation mode (step S903), sends a switching completion signal to the management device 100 (step S904). When receiving this switching completion signal, the management device 100 rewrites the mode information of the inter-device device 500 stored in the mode information storage area 151 to the normal operation mode (step S905). At this time, it may be displayed on the display 107 that the operation mode of the designated inter-device apparatus 500 has been switched to the normal operation mode. This completes the switching of the inter-device device 500 to the normal operation mode. Note that the switching operation for switching the operation mode of the management apparatus 100 from the test mode to the normal closing mode is performed separately from the mode switching operation of the inter-device apparatus 500.

As described above, by configuring the management system A, it is possible to suppress the work burden on the game hall employees during the free opening service of the gaming machine 200 performed when the game hall is newly opened.

Note that the management system A can also be applied at the time of test hitting performed for confirmation of a malfunction of the gaming machine 200 or the like. When the management device 100 is switched to the test mode, the table device 500 provided corresponding to the gaming machine 200 to be tested is designated and switched to the test mode, the employee or the like Since the game medium is paid out only by approaching the device 500, it is possible to suppress the work burden on the employee or the like.

In addition, if the management system A is used, it is possible to perform free opening of the gaming machine and test hitting while suppressing the work load of the employees of the game hall. Therefore, it becomes easy to perform free opening of game machines and test hits as a game hall. Therefore, if the management device collects and manages signals related to operation information such as the ball signal sent out from the gaming machine when the game machine is released for free or when a test is hit, information useful for the management of the game hall can be easily obtained. Be able to get.

In addition, since the employees of the game hall need only operate the management device 100 to switch the operation mode of each inter-device 500 disposed in the game hall, the operations can be unified, which is convenient. . In addition, since the CPU 510 is configured to send a payout signal to the control mechanism 513 every time a predetermined time has elapsed and to automatically pay out additional game media. It is no longer necessary to perform a new operation on the inter-device 500, and the work burden on the game hall employees at the time of the free opening service of the gaming machine or the test hitting can be further suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 510 sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 513 every time a predetermined time elapses, and an additional payout of game media is automatically performed. However, the present invention is limited to this configuration. is not. For example, when the game medium to be used has disappeared from the upper plate 221 of the gaming machine 200, the player once leaves the seat (not shown), sits back, and activates the human sensor 511. The payout may be performed again.

Further, a modified example of additional payout of game media will be described. For example, a hit ball number counting means (not shown) is provided below the gaming machine 200 of this embodiment, and a hit ball signal is sent from the hit ball number counting means.

Therefore, the CPU 110 of the management apparatus 100 aggregates the number of hitting balls calculated based on the hitting ball signal as the payout control means instead of the elapse of a predetermined time as shown in FIG. When the predetermined amount is reached, an additional payout of game media may be automatically performed from the inter-table device 500 provided corresponding to the gaming machine 200.

Further, as a further modification of the additional payout of game media, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, each counter counter that counts game media paid out from the game machine and sends a count signal corresponding to the count 650 is provided corresponding to the gaming machine 200.

Then, the CPU 110 of the management device 100 totals the count signals sent from the respective counters 650, and when the counted game media reaches a predetermined amount, the inter-units provided corresponding to the gaming machines 200 are displayed. A configuration in which additional payout of game media is automatically performed from the device 500 may be employed.

Further, a further modification of the additional payout of game media will be described. The game machine 200 according to the present embodiment sends a ball signal as described above, and the number of balls calculated based on this ball signal is tabulated and managed by the management device. On the other hand, the inter-device 500 is provided with storage means (not shown) for storing the number of game media paid out from the inter-device 500 (the number of payouts) (including the time of lending and paying out balls). The number of payouts stored in the means is tabulated and managed by the management apparatus 100.

Then, the CPU 110 of the management device 100 aggregates the payout signal, the hitting signal described above, the count signal sent from each counter 650, and the payout number sent from the inter-device 500, thereby calculating the payout number and the payout amount. The calculation is performed by subtracting the number of hit balls and the number of game media counted by the counters 650 from the value obtained by adding the number of balls, and the calculated value is compared with a predetermined value. If it is smaller than this, an additional payout of game media may be automatically performed from the inter-device device 500 provided corresponding to the gaming machine 200. As a result, if it is determined that the number of game media existing on the upper plate of the gaming machine is less than a predetermined value set in advance, the game media is automatically paid out. As the predetermined value set in advance, an appropriate number of game media that should exist on the upper plate of the gaming machine is set.

Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration is shown in which the operation mode of the inter-device device 500 is switched when a player or the like inputs necessary information using the instruction input device 106. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

The modification regarding the switching method of an operation mode is demonstrated using FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, an employee recording medium 700 such as an IC tag in which identification information is stored is distributed in advance to employees of the game hall. The management apparatus 100 is provided with a card reader 111 as a reading unit that reads identification information from the employee recording medium 700. Also, an identification information storage area 152 is provided in the HD 105 as identification information storage means for storing each identification information of the employee recording medium 700. When the CPU 110 receives the identification information from the employee recording medium 700, the CPU 110 calls each identification information stored in the identification information storage area 152, compares it with the received identification information, and authenticates whether or not they match. It plays a role as an authentication means.

And it is good also as a structure which the operation mode of the inter-device apparatus 500 switches on condition that the authentication using this identification information is successful. Further, the success of authentication using this identification information and the input of necessary information using the instruction input device 106 may be used as conditions for switching the operation mode of the inter-device apparatus 500.

As a method of switching from the test mode different from the normal operation mode to the normal operation mode, a mode switching signal is transmitted from the management device 100, and a plurality of inter-device devices 500 arranged in the game hall are transmitted. In addition to the method of this embodiment for changing the operation mode in a batch, for example, a cancel button (not shown) is provided in each inter-device 500, and when the cancel button is pressed, the operation mode of the inter-device 500 However, the test mode may be switched to the normal operation mode, and a switching completion signal may be sent to the management apparatus 100. By configuring in this way, it is possible to easily switch from the test mode to the normal operation mode even when the game hall employee is not in the vicinity of the management apparatus 100, which is convenient.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 510 of the inter-device apparatus 500 transmits the payout signal, but the CPU 110 of the management apparatus 100 may transmit the payout signal. That is, a real-time clock (not shown) is provided in the management apparatus 100. When the human sensor 511 detects the presence of a person, it sends a detection signal to the CPU 510 of the inter-device 500, and when the CPU 510 receives the detection signal, it sends a signal to the management apparatus 100 indicating that a person has been detected. To do. Receiving this signal, the CPU 110 of the management apparatus 100 sends a payout signal to the inter-device 500, and refers to the real-time clock, and sends a payout signal to the inter-device 500 when a certain time has elapsed. Send it out. Even with the configuration as described above, the same effects as in the present embodiment are produced.

In the first embodiment, the management system A including the management apparatus 100 has been described. In the present embodiment, a management system B that does not include a management apparatus will be described.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram exemplarily showing the configuration of the management system B. As shown in FIG. 12, the management system B includes an inter-device device 800 and a gaming machine 200.

The inter-device 800 is provided corresponding to the gaming machine 200, and has a game medium payout function in this embodiment. In addition, the inter-device 800 is a general inter-machine installed in the game hall, and is not a special one. The inter-device 800 accepts cash or the like from the player, and a game medium corresponding to the accepted cash ( In addition to having a function as a ball lending machine that rents pachinko balls and medals, etc., it is a device equipped with a predetermined detection function, reading function and communication function, from a member who is a player to a recording medium such as a membership card ( When (not shown) is inserted, the insertion of the recording medium is detected, the information stored in the recording medium is read, and the read information is sent to the management apparatus.

Next, the hardware configuration of the inter-station apparatus 800 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the inter-device apparatus 800.

A CPU (= Central Processing Unit) 810 executes an application program, an operating system (OS), a control program, and the like stored in the HD 805, which will be described later, and temporarily stores information, files, and the like necessary for executing the program in the RAM 802. Control to store.

When the CPU 810 serves as a switching unit and recognizes the operation mode switching operation, the CPU 810 switches its own operation mode from the normal operation mode to a test mode different from the normal operation mode. Alternatively, the test mode different from the normal operation mode is switched to the normal operation mode. When this switching is completed, the operation mode after switching is displayed on the display 807.

Further, the CPU 810 sends out a payout signal, which is a command to pay out the game media, as payout control means, due to reception of a detection signal from the human sensor 811 or due to the passage of a predetermined time. Referring to a real-time clock 812, which will be described later, timing is started, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, a payout signal is sent to a control mechanism 813, which will be described later.

The ROM 801 stores therein a program such as a basic I / O program and various data used in basic processing. A RAM 802 is for temporarily storing various data, and functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 810.

An HD (= hard disk) 805 is an external storage device and functions as a large-capacity memory. The HD 805 stores application programs, OS, control programs, related programs, and the like.

The instruction input device 806 is, for example, a button, lever, numeric keypad, touch panel, or the like. Using the instruction input device 806, an employee of the game hall etc. instructs the inter-device 800 to input a command or the like for controlling the inter-device 800.

In addition, the instruction input device 806 serves as a switching operation unit used when a game hall employee or the like executes switching of the operation mode of the inter-device device 800.

The display 807 serves as a display means, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and displays a command input from the instruction input device 806, a response output of the inter-device device 800 in response thereto, and the like. is there.

In addition, when an employee of the game hall executes the switching of the operation mode of the inter-table device 800, it is configured to input necessary information using the instruction input device 806 while referring to the display on the display 807. Also good.

A system bus 809 controls the flow of data in the inter-device apparatus 800. Reference numeral 808 denotes an interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F), which exchanges data with an external device via the I / F 808.

The human sensor 811 is, for example, a PIR (= Passive Infra Red) infrared sensor that operates by detecting and receiving a faint far infrared ray emitted from a human body. It plays a role as a detection means for sending to the camera. The human sensor 811 is configured to continue sending a detection signal when detecting the presence of a person. The human sensor 811 is not limited to the PIR infrared sensor, and may be any sensor that can detect the presence of a person. Therefore, it may be a device that detects the presence of a person by constantly outputting infrared rays to a predetermined area and receiving or not receiving the reflection of the infrared rays.

The real-time clock 812 serves as a time measuring means and measures the current time.

The control mechanism 813 is a control mechanism that, when receiving a payout signal, pays out a predetermined amount of game media and supplies it to the gaming machine 200.

In addition, it can also be comprised as an alternative of a hardware apparatus with the software which implement | achieves a function equivalent to the above each apparatus.

Next, a specific processing flow of the management system B will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 14, an employee of the game hall uses the instruction input device 806 of the inter-device 800 to execute an operation for switching the operation mode of the inter-device 800 (step S1401).

When recognizing the operation mode switching operation, the CPU 810 switches its own operation mode to the test mode (step S1402).

Then, the CPU 810 displays on the display 807 that its own operation mode has been switched to the test mode (step S1403). This completes the switching of the inter-device apparatus 800 to the test mode.

Similar to the flow shown in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment, the human sensor 811 of the inter-card device 800 detects the presence of a person when the player sits in front of the gaming machine 200 in the state switched to the test mode. When detected, a detection signal is sent out (step S701). The CPU 810 that has received the detection signal sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 813 (step S702), and the control mechanism 813 that has received this payout signal pays out a predetermined amount of game media to the upper plate 221 of the gaming machine 200. Etc. Note that the human sensor 811 sends a detection signal regardless of whether or not the inter-card device 800 is in the test mode, but the human sensor 811 detects when the inter-card device 800 is in a mode other than the test mode. The description of the processing when a signal is received is omitted. As long as the human sensor 811 detects the presence of a person, the detection signal is continuously transmitted, but the CPU 810 transmits the payout signal when the detection signal is received.

On the other hand, when the CPU 810 sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 813, the CPU 810 refers to the real time clock 812 and starts measuring time (step S703).

The player plays a game using the game medium paid out to the upper plate 221 or the like. The gaming machine 200 sends a signal related to operation information such as a ball signal and a ball signal to the management device according to the game situation. When a predetermined time has elapsed (step S704), the CPU 810 sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 813 (step S702). Upon receiving the payout signal, the control mechanism 813 pays out a predetermined amount of game media to the upper plate 221 or the like of the gaming machine 200.

Then, when the CPU 810 sends out the payout signal, the CPU 810 refers to the real time clock 812 and starts measuring time (step S703). Until the end operation of the test mode is accepted, the above steps S702 to S704 are repeated. In the process of repeating steps S702 to S704, if the human sensor 811 no longer detects a person, that is, if the detection signal from the human sensor 811 is interrupted, the CPU 810 stops timing. Further, it may be configured to stop sending out the payout signal when a predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, when the human sensor 811 detects the presence of a person again and sends a detection signal to the CPU 810, the CPU 810 sends a payout signal to the control mechanism 813 and starts timing.

When the test mode is ended, as shown in FIG. 15, an employee of the game hall performs an operation of switching the operation mode of the inter-device device 800 using the instruction input device 806 of the inter-device device 800. (Step S1501).

When recognizing the operation mode switching operation, the CPU 810 switches its own operation mode to the normal operation mode (step S1502).

Then, the CPU 810 displays on the display 807 that its own operation mode has been switched to the normal operation mode (step S1503). This completes the switching of the inter-station device 800 to the normal operation mode.

The configuration and operation of the present embodiment other than those described above are the same as those of the management system A of the first embodiment.

Moreover, in the said Example 1 and 2, although the structure between which the inter-devices 500 and 800 pays out a game medium was shown, it is not limited to this structure. The gaming machine 200 may be configured to pay out gaming media. For example, the gaming machine 200 may include a control mechanism. In that case, the human sensor 511 or 811 or the CPU 510 or 810 sends a payout signal to the gaming machine 200. The gaming machine 200 that has received the payout signal pays out a predetermined amount of game media.

Moreover, in the said Example 1 and 2, although it was set as the structure which provided the human sensitive sensors 511 and 811 in the between-devices 500 and 800, it is not restricted to this, A person exists in front of the game machine 200 It suffices to be provided at a position where can be detected. Therefore, for example, a structure provided in a calling lamp (not shown) generally provided above the gaming machine 200 or a structure provided in the gaming machine 200 may be employed. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure provided in a curtain board (illustration omitted) etc. independently without attaching to another apparatus.

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.

The present invention can also be achieved by supplying a program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and reading and executing the program code supplied by the computer of the system or apparatus. Including the case.

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.

A: Management system, B: Management system,
100: management device, 101: ROM, 102: RAM, 103: external storage drive, 104: media, 105: HD, 106: instruction input device, 107: display, 108: I / F, 109: system bus, 110: CPU, 151: mode information storage area, 152: identification information storage area, 200: gaming machine, 211: board surface, 212: symbol display device, 213: start winning opening, 214: jackpot winning opening, 221: upper plate, 222: Handle: 300: stand management device, 400: island management device, 500: inter-device device, 501: ROM, 502: RAM, 505: HD, 506: instruction input device, 507: display, 508: I / F, 509: System bus, 510: CPU, 511: Human sensor, 512: Real time clock, 513: Control mechanism, 601: Network, 650: each counter, 700: employee recording medium, 800: inter-device, 801: ROM, 802: RAM, 805: HD, 806: instruction input device, 807: display, 808 : I / F, 809: System bus, 810: CPU, 811: Human sensor, 812: Real time clock, 813: Control mechanism

Claims (4)

It is an inter-table device provided corresponding to a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game hall,
When detecting the presence of a person, it is connected to detection means for transmitting a detection signal indicating that and a management device for transmitting a mode switching signal for switching the operation mode of the inter-device.
When receiving the mode switching signal, switching means for switching the operation mode,
A payout means for paying out game media;
On condition that the operation mode is switched to a mode different from the normal operation mode, the payout means can pay out the game medium upon receiving the detection signal, apparatus. A time measuring means for measuring time;
The inter-unit device according to claim 1, further comprising payout control means for sending out a payout signal to the payout means every predetermined time with reference to the time measuring means. A management device that manages inter-device devices provided corresponding to a plurality of gaming machines installed in a game hall,
When detecting the presence of a person, it is connected to detection means for sending a signal indicating that, and to the inter-device.
Mode control means for sending a mode switching signal for switching the operation mode of the inter-device to the inter-device;
Switching operation means usable for switching operation of the operation mode of the inter-device,
A payout control means for sending out a payout request signal for requesting payout of game media to the inter-device when receiving a signal that the presence of the person is detected;
The management device, which makes it possible to cause the inter-device to pay out game media on the condition that the operation mode of the inter-device is switched to a mode different from the normal operation mode. . Further comprising a time measuring means for measuring time,
4. The management apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the payout control means sends out the payout request signal to the inter-unit apparatus every predetermined time with reference to the time measuring means.

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