JP7489746B1 - Replacement support device, replacement support method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a replacement support device that can simplify the creation of replacement procedures. [Solution] A replacement procedure is created based on pre-replacement data A that lists the machine numbers where gaming machines to be moved are installed before the replacement work, post-replacement data B that lists the machine numbers where the gaming machines will ultimately be installed after the replacement work, removal data C that lists the machine numbers of the machines to be removed, new data D that lists the machine numbers of the installation locations of new machines, and temporary placement data E that lists the machine numbers of gaming machines that will be temporarily placed at locations other than the installation locations. [Selected Figure] Figure 10

Description

The present invention relates to a replacement support device, a replacement support method, and a program that support the replacement of gaming machines.

In general, many gaming machines are installed in an amusement facility (amusement hall), and at a predetermined cycle, among the existing gaming machines installed at each installation location of an island equipment (hereinafter referred to as "island"), a replacement work is performed in which a gaming machine to be removed (a machine to be removed) is removed from the island equipment and a new machine, which is a gaming machine to be newly introduced, is installed. In this replacement work, not only is the removed machine removed to vacate the island equipment and a new machine is installed in the vacant island equipment, but the existing gaming machine may also be moved (the gaming machine to be moved is called a "moving machine"), such as changing the installation location of the existing gaming machine. In this way, the replacement procedure becomes complicated during the replacement work, so a replacement support device shown in Patent Document 1 is known to support the replacement procedure.
In this replacement support device, a unique identifier is assigned to each of the new machine, the moving machine, and the removed machine, and then these identifiers and the so-called machine numbers, which are identifiers assigned to each installation location on the island, are used to identify which gaming machine (new machine, moving machine, removed machine) is located at each machine number.The replacement support device then creates a replacement procedure created by a specified program that specifies which gaming machine (removed machine) will be removed, which machine number will be installed as a new machine, and which gaming machine will be moved to which machine number.

JP 2020-158511 A

However, with the above-mentioned replacement support device, it is necessary to assign a unique identifier to each gaming machine (new machine, moved machine, removed machine) for each replacement operation, and it is also necessary to link these identifiers with machine numbers, which creates the problem that a large amount of data is required to create replacement procedures. For this reason, there has been a demand for a replacement support device that can simplify the creation of replacement procedures.

The present invention aims to provide a replacement support device, a replacement method, and a program that can simplify the creation of replacement procedures.

As a solution to achieve the above object,
The replacement support device of the present invention comprises:
A replacement support device for supporting a replacement operation of gaming machines in a gaming facility in which gaming machines are installed in a plurality of installation locations to which different identifiers are assigned, comprising:
Before the replacement operation, pre-replacement data is data that lists identifiers of installation locations where gaming machines to be moved are installed as movement target identifiers;
post-replacement data, which is data listing identifiers of installation locations where the gaming machines installed at the installation locations related to the movement target identifiers will finally be installed after the replacement work, as post-replacement identifiers corresponding to the movement target identifiers;
Removal data is data that lists, as removal identifiers, identifiers of locations where the gaming machines to be removed are installed;
and new data which is data listing, as new identifiers, identifiers of installation locations of new gaming machines which are newly installed gaming machines;
The new installation process is configured to generate a new installation procedure indicating that the new machine is to be installed at an installation location related to a certain new identifier of the new data,
a removal generating process for generating a removal procedure indicating that the removal table is to be removed from an installation location related to a certain removal identifier of the removal data,
when the post-replacement data contains a post-movement identifier identical to a certain removal identifier of the removal data, the removal and replacement process is executed to generate a removal and replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the certain removal identifier by setting a movement target identifier corresponding to the post-movement identifier as a first extraction identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data,
when a post-movement identifier identical to the first extraction identifier is present in the post-replacement data, a movement/replacement process is executed to generate a movement/replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the second extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier by setting a movement target identifier corresponding to the post-movement identifier as a second extraction identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data,
This is a replacement support device that is configured to execute a repetitive process that repeats the same process as the movement and replacement process when a post-movement identifier that is identical to the second extraction identifier is present in the replaced data.

In addition, the replacement support device of the present invention is
a temporary placement data which is data listing, as temporary placement identifiers, identifiers relating to installation locations in which gaming machines that are temporarily placed at locations other than the installation locations are installed;
The system may be configured to execute a temporary placement process that generates a temporary placement procedure that indicates that the gaming machine installed in the temporary placement identifier related to the temporary placement data will be temporarily placed in another location.

In addition, the replacement support device of the present invention is
The repeating process is configured to be executed a predetermined number of times,
when the number of times of the repeated processing reaches the predetermined number, if a post-movement identifier identical to the second extraction identifier in the predetermined number of times is present in the replaced data, a conversion process is executed in which a moved target identifier corresponding to the post-movement identifier is set as the temporary identifier,
the temporary placement process is configured to execute the temporary placement process on the temporary identifier related to the conversion process,
The moving and replacing process may be configured so that, if the replaced data contains a post-movement identifier that is identical to the temporary placement identifier related to the conversion process, the moving and replacing procedure generates a moving and replacing procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the second extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier by setting the moving target identifier corresponding to the post-movement identifier as a second extracted identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data.

In addition, the replacement support device of the present invention is
The temporary identifier and the new identifier may be configured to be the same.

In addition, the replacement support device of the present invention is
A post-replacement non-installation identifier, which is an installation location where a gaming machine will not be installed after the replacement work, or a post-replacement installation identifier, which is an installation location where a gaming machine was not installed before the replacement but will be installed after the replacement, can be extracted from the pre-replacement data, the post-replacement data, the removal data, and the new data,
In a situation where the post-replacement non-installation identifier is present, a post-replacement non-installation procedure is generated which indicates that the gaming machine is not to be installed in the installation location related to the post-replacement non-installation identifier,
In a situation where the post-replacement installation identifier is present, the apparatus may be configured to generate a post-replacement installation procedure indicating that a gaming machine is to be installed in the installation location associated with the post-replacement installation identifier.

The present invention also provides a method for producing a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of:
A replacement support method executed by a computer of a replacement support device for supporting a replacement operation of a gaming machine in an amusement facility in which gaming machines are installed in a plurality of installation locations to which different identifiers are assigned, comprising:
The computer executes:
receiving pre-replacement data which is data listing identifiers of locations where gaming machines to be moved are installed as movement target identifiers before a replacement operation;
receiving post-replacement data which is data listing identifiers of installation locations where the gaming machines installed at the installation locations related to the movement target identifiers will finally be installed after the replacement work, as post-relocation identifiers corresponding to the movement target identifiers;
A step of receiving removal data which is data listing, as removal identifiers, identifiers of installation locations where the gaming machine to be removed is installed;
A step of accepting new data which is data listing identifiers of installation locations of new gaming machines which are newly installed as new identifiers;
executing a new installation process for generating a new installation procedure indicating that the new machine is to be installed at an installation location related to a certain new identifier of the new data;
executing a removal generation process for generating a removal procedure indicating that the removal table is to be removed from an installation location related to a certain removal identifier of the removal data;
a step of executing a removal and replacement process for generating a removal and replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the certain removal identifier by setting a movement target identifier corresponding to the movement identifier in the post-replacement data as a first extraction identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data when the post-movement identifier is the same as a certain removal identifier in the removal data;
a step of executing a movement and replacement process for generating a movement and replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the second extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier by setting a movement target identifier corresponding to the movement target identifier corresponding to the movement target identifier in the post-replacement data as a second extraction identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data when the post-replacement data contains a post-movement identifier identical to the first extraction identifier;
a step of executing a repeat process of repeating the same process as the movement and replacement process when a post-movement identifier identical to the second extraction identifier is present in the replaced data;
The replacement support method may include the steps of:

The present invention also provides a method for producing a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of:
A program for causing a computer to function as a replacement support device for supporting a replacement operation of gaming machines in an amusement facility in which gaming machines are installed in a plurality of installation locations to which different identifiers are assigned, the program comprising:
The computer includes:
receiving pre-replacement data which is data listing identifiers of locations where gaming machines to be moved are installed as movement target identifiers before a replacement operation;
receiving post-replacement data which is data listing identifiers of installation locations where the gaming machines installed at the installation locations related to the movement target identifiers will finally be installed after the replacement work, as post-relocation identifiers corresponding to the movement target identifiers;
A step of receiving removal data which is data listing, as removal identifiers, identifiers of installation locations where the gaming machine to be removed is installed;
A step of accepting new data which is data listing identifiers of installation locations of new gaming machines which are newly installed as new identifiers;
executing a new installation process for generating a new installation procedure indicating that the new machine is to be installed at an installation location related to a certain new identifier of the new data;
executing a removal generation process for generating a removal procedure indicating that the removal table is to be removed from an installation location related to a certain removal identifier of the removal data;
a step of executing a removal and replacement process for generating a removal and replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the certain removal identifier by setting a movement target identifier corresponding to the movement identifier in the post-replacement data as a first extraction identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data when the post-movement identifier is the same as a certain removal identifier in the removal data;
a step of executing a movement and replacement process for generating a movement and replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the second extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier by setting a movement target identifier corresponding to the movement target identifier corresponding to the movement target identifier in the post-replacement data as a second extraction identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data when the post-replacement data contains a post-movement identifier identical to the first extraction identifier;
a step of executing a repeat process of repeating the same process as the movement and replacement process when a post-movement identifier identical to the second extraction identifier is present in the replaced data;
The program may be a program for executing the above.

The replacement procedure sheet set of the present invention is
A replacement procedure sheet set including a plurality of replacement procedure sheets instructing a replacement procedure of gaming machines in a gaming facility in which gaming machines are installed at a plurality of installation locations to which different identifiers are assigned,
The plurality of replacement procedure sheets include:
The replacement procedure sheet set is arranged on a gaming machine and is characterized by having an installation replacement procedure sheet on which the destination of the gaming machine and an identifier of the destination are written.

In addition, the replacement procedure sheet set of the present invention is
A replacement procedure sheet set for instructing a procedure for replacing gaming machines in a gaming facility in which gaming machines are installed at a plurality of installation locations to which different identifiers are assigned, comprising:
A removal sheet is placed on a removal table which is a gaming machine to be removed;
A moving sheet to be placed on a moving table which is a gaming machine to be moved;
Equipped with
The removal sheet indicates that the removal table is a removal table and an identifier of a location where the removal table is installed,
The replacement procedure sheet set is characterized in that the transfer sheet indicates that it is a transfer table, includes an identifier of the installation location where the transfer table is installed, and an identifier of the installation location to which the transfer table will be moved.

In addition, the replacement procedure sheet of the present invention is
A replacement procedure sheet set for instructing a procedure for replacing gaming machines in a gaming facility in which gaming machines are installed at a plurality of installation locations to which different identifiers are assigned, comprising:
A removal sheet is placed on a removal table which is a gaming machine to be removed;
A new machine sheet to be placed on a new machine which is a newly installed gaming machine;
A moving sheet to be placed on a moving table which is a gaming machine to be moved;
Equipped with
The removal sheet indicates that the removal table is a removal table and an identifier of a location where the removal table is installed,
The new machine sheet indicates that the machine is a new machine and an identifier of the location where the new machine is installed,
The replacement procedure sheet set is characterized in that the transfer sheet indicates that it is a transfer table, includes an identifier of the installation location where the transfer table is installed, and an identifier of the installation location to which the transfer table will be moved.

In addition, the replacement procedure sheet set according to the present invention includes:
At least a portion of the removal sheet is colored with a first color,
At least a portion of the new base sheet is colored with a second color,
At least a portion of the transfer sheet is colored with a third color;
The first color, the second color, and the third color may be different from each other.

In addition, the replacement procedure sheet set according to the present invention includes:
A temporary placement sheet is provided to be placed on a temporary placement stand, which is a gaming machine that is temporarily placed at a place other than the installation location;
The temporary placement sheet may indicate that it is a temporary placement stand, an identifier of the installation location where the temporary placement stand is installed, and an identifier of the installation location to which the movable stand is moved.

In addition, the replacement procedure sheet set according to the present invention includes:
A temporary placement sheet is provided to be placed on a temporary placement stand, which is a gaming machine that is temporarily placed at a place other than the installation location;
The temporary placement sheet indicates that the temporary placement sheet is a temporary placement table, an identifier of an installation location where the temporary placement sheet is installed, and an identifier of an installation location to which the movable table is moved,
At least a portion of the temporary placement sheet may be colored a fourth color different from the first to third colors.

In addition, the replacement procedure sheet set according to the present invention includes:
The movement sheet may indicate the priority of movement relative to other moving tables.

It is possible to provide a replacement support device, a replacement method, and a program that can simplify the replacement procedure.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a replacement support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the replacement support device according to FIG. 1; 13 is a plan view showing island map data generated by the replacement support device. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a replacement instruction generated by the replacement support device. FIG. 13 is an image diagram showing a replacement procedure sheet. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a main routine of processing by a control unit of the replacement support device. FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of processing by a control unit of the replacement support device. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of processing by a control unit of the replacement support device. This is a simplified image showing the island map before and after the replacement. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing input data and output data required for generating a replacement procedure. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining replacement work according to a replacement instruction. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing input data and output data required for generating a replacement procedure. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining replacement work according to a replacement instruction. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing input data and output data required for generating a replacement procedure. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing input data and output data required for generating a replacement procedure. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing island diagrams of islands before and after replacement in a simplified manner. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing input data and output data required for generating a replacement procedure.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a replacement support device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The replacement support device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is for supporting the replacement of gaming machines in amusement parlors where a large number of gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines are installed. In the amusement parlor, gaming machines are installed at each of a number of installation locations on an island, and each installation location is assigned a different machine number (identifier) from 1 to 520, as shown in FIG. 3, in order to identify the installation locations. If the replacement is a simple replacement operation in which, for example, five gaming machines are removed from each installation location on the island (hereinafter, the removed gaming machines are referred to as "removed machines") and a new gaming machine (hereinafter, referred to as "new machine") is inserted into the installation location vacated by the removal, the replacement operation is not complicated. However, in reality, after removing the removed machines, the installation locations of the existing gaming machines are often changed, and in this case, the replacement procedure becomes complicated. The replacement support device 100 supports replacement operations in amusement parks by generating replacement procedures, which tend to be complicated, based on data from the amusement park before and after the replacement operation.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the schematic electrical configuration of the replacement support device 100 in Figure 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the replacement support device 100 is configured with a general-purpose computer such as a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a smartphone, a tablet, etc. (Figure 1 shows a notebook computer as an example), and is managed by, for example, a supporter who supports the replacement work of the gaming machines.

The replacement support device 100 generally comprises an operation unit 110 such as a keyboard for receiving operation input from outside, a control unit 120 such as a CPU which is a calculation device that performs calculations and receives operation input from the operation unit 110 and performs various controls (various processes) described below, a display unit 130 which displays island map data (see FIG. 3) and replacement instructions (see FIG. 4) under the control of the control unit 120, and an output unit 140 which outputs the island map data, instructions, etc. to an external device such as a printing device such as a printer under the control of the control unit 120.

In addition to the control unit 120, the replacement support device 100 has a ROM (not shown) in which programs and data for the control unit 120 to execute various processes are stored, a RAM (not shown) that provides the work area necessary for the control unit 120 to execute various processes, and an interface (not shown) for exchanging data between the control unit 120, the RAM, etc., and the outside, and these are connected to each other by a bus. In addition, the above-mentioned display unit 130, output unit 140, etc. are connected to this bus.

The control unit 120 executes various processes, for example, using a computer program (hereinafter simply referred to as a "program") stored in ROM or RAM. It goes without saying that this program may be pre-installed in the replacement support device 100, or may be installed later by downloading it over a network such as the Internet, or by using a recording medium such as a memory card, such as a USB.

Next, we will explain the various controls of the replacement support device 100, but before that, we will explain the replacement work based on the replacement procedure generated by the replacement support device 100.

3 is a plan view showing island map data generated by the replacement support device 100, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a replacement instruction generated by the replacement support device 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the island map data shows the layout of the islands in the game arcade from a bird's-eye view. In FIG. 3, for example, the number "87" written in the box indicates the machine number, and the number "126" written next to the box of this number 87 means that the gaming machine installed at number 126 will be installed at number 87 (the gaming machine at number 126 will be moved to number 87). In addition, for example, "new" written next to the number 140 written in the box means that a new machine will be installed at number 140. Furthermore, the "temporary storage area" written multiple times in FIG. 3 means a place where the gaming machines installed at the installation location of the island are temporarily placed (the gaming machine temporarily placed is called a "temporary storage table").

As shown in FIG. 4, the replacement instruction sheet shows the replacement procedure in mode 1, which will be described later. In FIG. 4, "Removal" written in the leftmost column indicates the machine number to be removed, the numbers "1" to "6" mean "STEP 1" to "STEP 6" and indicate the moving procedure (movement order) of the gaming machines, and "Temporary" indicates the machine number where the temporary storage machine is placed in the temporary storage area. In addition, the "red", "green", "yellow", and "pink" in parentheses next to "Removal", "1", "2", and "Temporary" indicate that the background color of the "Removal" column is red, the background color of the "1" column is green, the background color of the "2" column is yellow, and the background color of the "Temporary" column is pink. This is also applied to FIG. 3, for example, the background color of the "87" frame in FIG. 3 is red, the background color of the "126" frame is green, the background color of the "226" frame is yellow, and the background color of the "136" frame is pink. The replacement instruction in FIG. 4 indicates that the replacement work will be performed in the following order, for example: "Removed" → "Temporary" → "1" → "2" ... "6". In the upper column of FIG. 4, the lines that state "87", "126" ← "136" mean that the gaming machine with the lower machine number will be moved to the one with the higher machine number. In this example, after removing the gaming machine with the number 87 and temporarily placing the gaming machine with the number 136 in a temporary storage area, the gaming machine with the number 126 will be installed (moved) to the vacant number 87, and the gaming machine with the number 136 that was temporarily placed will be moved to the vacant number 126. Similarly, in the lower column of FIG. 4, the lines that state "136" and "New machine" mean that a new machine will be installed in the vacant number 136 due to the temporary placement.

In the row of "150" in the "Removal" column in Figure 4, the numbers 150, 160, 512, 510, 515, and 516 are written from the top, and a supplementary explanation is as follows. After removing the gaming machine in number 150, the gaming machine in number 160 is installed in the vacant number 150 due to the removal, and the gaming machine in number 512 is installed in the vacant number 160 due to this installation. After that, the gaming machine in number 510 is installed in the vacant number 512, the gaming machine in number 515 is installed in the vacant number 510, the gaming machine in number 516 is installed in the vacant number 515, and the gaming machine in number 176, which was temporarily placed, is installed in the vacant number 516. Note that a new machine will be installed in the vacant number 176 due to the temporary placement, as shown in the row of "176" in the lower column of Figure 4.

FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing a replacement procedure sheet set consisting of a plurality of replacement procedure sheets 210 to 240. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, after the replacement procedure is generated by the replacement support device 100 and the island map data and replacement instructions are generated, a replacement procedure sheet set to be attached to the gaming machine is generated. For example, since "87" in the "Removal" column shown in FIG. 4 indicates that the gaming machine at No. 87 is the machine to be removed, data related to the replacement procedure sheet 210 (removal sheet) indicating that the gaming machine at No. 87 is the machine to be removed is output via the output unit 140 as shown in FIG. 5(a). The replacement procedure sheet 210 is printed out by an external device that receives the data related to this replacement procedure sheet 210. Similarly, for "136" in the "Temporary" column shown in FIG. 4, data related to the replacement procedure sheet 220 (temporary placement sheet) indicating that the gaming machine at No. 136 is temporarily placed and then installed at No. 126 is output as shown in FIG. 5(b). For "126" in the "1" column in the upper part of FIG. 4, data related to the replacement procedure sheet 230 (moving sheet) is outputted, which indicates that the gaming machine at No. 126 is to be installed at No. 87 as STEP1 (priority of the moving machine), as shown in FIG. 5(c). For "136" in the "temporary" column in the lower part of FIG. 4, data related to the replacement procedure sheet 240 (new machine sheet) is outputted, which indicates that a new machine is to be installed at No. 136, as shown in FIG. 5(d). That is, it can be said that the replacement procedure sheet set includes the replacement procedure sheet 210 which is a removal sheet, the replacement procedure sheet 220 which is a temporary placement sheet, the replacement procedure sheet 230 which is a moving sheet, and the replacement procedure sheet 240 which is a new machine sheet. The replacement procedure sheet set may be configured to include at least two of the replacement procedure sheets 210 to 240 described above. In other words, the entry "machine to be removed" on the replacement procedure sheet 210 indicates that the gaming machine will be moved to the back yard, the entry "machine to be temporarily placed" on the replacement procedure sheet 220 indicates that the gaming machine will be moved to a temporary storage area, the entry "STEP 1" on the replacement procedure sheet 230 indicates that the gaming machine will be moved to a machine number on the island equipment, and the entry "new machine" on the replacement procedure sheet 240 indicates that the gaming machine will be moved to a machine number on the island equipment, and each replacement procedure sheet can be said to describe the fate of the gaming machine. Also, the replacement procedure sheet 210 can be said to be a removal replacement sheet in which "87" is entered, which is the machine number where the gaming machine to be removed is installed (the machine number to be returned to), and the replacement procedure sheets 220 to 230 can be said to be installation replacement procedure sheets in which the machine number to be moved to (the machine number to be returned to) is entered.

The replacement procedure sheet 210 in FIG. 5(a) is attached (placed) to the gaming machine installed at No. 87 with adhesive tape or double-sided tape, the replacement procedure sheet 220 in FIG. 5(b) is attached to the gaming machine installed at No. 136, the replacement procedure sheet 230 in FIG. 5(c) is attached to the gaming machine installed at No. 126, and the replacement procedure sheet 240 in FIG. 5(d) is attached to the new machine before installation on the island. In addition, the replacement procedure sheet 210 for the removed machine is red (first color) which is the color of "removed" shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 (colored red), the replacement procedure sheet 220 for the temporary placement machine is pink (fourth color) which is the color of "temporary" shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and the replacement procedure sheet 230 for STEP 1 is green (third color) which is the color of "1" shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, so that the relationship with the island map data and replacement instructions shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 can be intuitively understood. The replacement procedure sheet 240 for the new machine only needs to be a different color (second color) from the other "Removed", "Temporary", and "1" to "6". The color of each replacement procedure sheet 210 to 220 may be that color entirely or only a portion of it, as long as the relationship with the island map data and replacement instructions shown in Figures 3 and 4 can be understood.

Here, the <Replacement Procedure> shown in FIG. 4 is added to explain the procedure of the replacement work, and is automatically generated by the control unit 120. Note that this <Replacement Procedure> may be added by direct input by the supporter instead of being automatically generated by the control unit 120, or the <Replacement Procedure> itself may not be added.

Following this <Replacement Procedure>, the replacement work method related to the island map data and replacement instructions shown in Figures 3 and 4 will be explained. First, the worker attaches replacement procedure sheets corresponding to all of the new machines, removed machines, temporary machines, and movable machines, such as attaching replacement procedure sheet 210 indicating that the gaming machines installed at numbers 87, 88, etc. shown in Figures 3 and 4 are to be removed, replacement procedure sheet 220 indicating that the machines are to be temporarily placed, etc., to numbers 136, 137, etc., replacement procedure sheet 230 relating to step 1 to numbers 126, 127, etc., and replacement procedure sheet 240 relating to a new machine to a new machine that has not yet been installed in any installation location.

Next, the worker turns off the power to the machines to be removed that are installed at numbers 87, 88, etc. shown in Figures 3 and 4, in other words, all gaming machines with the red replacement procedure sheet 210 attached, and after performing various tasks such as removing the balls (in the case of pachinko machines) and disconnecting the wiring and information lines inside the gaming machines, removes them from their respective installation locations. This machine to be removed is then taken to a warehouse such as the back yard ("1" in the replacement procedure in Figure 4).

Next, after carrying out the above-mentioned various operations on the temporary placement tables (machines with replacement procedure sheet 240 attached) that will accommodate new machines among the temporarily placed gaming machines such as No. 136, No. 137, etc. shown in Figures 3 and 4, the gaming machines installed in their respective installation locations are removed from their respective installation locations, and these temporary placement tables are temporarily placed in the temporary placement area (replacement procedure "2" in Figure 4). New machines are installed in the vacant No. 136, No. 137, etc. locations as a result of replacement procedure "2" (replacement procedure "3" in Figure 4). Next, after carrying out the above-mentioned various operations on the temporary placement tables (machines with temporary placement sheet 220 attached) that will not accommodate new machines among the temporarily placed gaming machines such as No. 141, No. 142, etc. shown in Figures 3 and 4, they are removed from their respective installation locations, and these temporary placement tables are temporarily placed in the temporary placement area (replacement procedure "5" in Figure 4). Then, gaming machines corresponding to STEP 1 such as No. 126 and No. 127 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 (machines with the replacement procedure sheet 230 attached), gaming machines corresponding to STEP 2 such as No. 226 and No. 227 (machines with the yellow replacement procedure sheet attached corresponding to STEP 2, not shown), gaming machines corresponding to STEP 3 such as No. 510 and No. 174 (machines with the light blue replacement sheet attached corresponding to STEP 3, not shown), gaming machines corresponding to STEP 4 such as No. 515 and No. 378 (machines with the orange replacement sheet attached corresponding to STEP 4, not shown), and gaming machines corresponding to STEP 5 such as No. 516 and No. 457 (machines with the gray replacement sheet attached corresponding to STEP 5, not shown) are moved to the corresponding machine numbers and installed (replacement procedure "6" to "10" in FIG. 4). In the example shown in FIG. 4, since there is no gaming machine associated with the blue replacement sheet corresponding to STEP 6 in replacement procedure "11," this replacement procedure "11" is skipped and the work of replacement procedure "12" is performed. In this replacement procedure "12," the gaming machines that were temporarily placed in the temporary storage area are placed in the machine numbers that correspond to them, such as placing the gaming machine with the replacement sheet 220 attached as shown in FIG. 5(b) (the gaming machine removed from number 136 and temporarily placed in the temporary storage area) in number 126.

In this way, the worker in charge of the replacement work can easily and smoothly perform the replacement work by simply removing, moving, and installing the gaming machines according to the colors and machine numbers written on the attached replacement sheet. Also, since it is only necessary to follow the replacement sheet that follows the replacement procedure generated by the replacement support device 100, misunderstanding or confusion about the replacement order that accompanies the replacement work can be prevented. Also, the island map data, replacement instructions, and replacement sheet are colored in a unique way according to the work process and order, such as red for removal, pink for temporary placement, and green for STEP 1 related to moving, making it easy to intuitively understand the next task, and the replacement work can be performed efficiently.

Figure 6 is a flow diagram explaining a main routine of processing by the control unit 120 of the replacement support device 100. Figure 7 is a flow diagram explaining a subroutine of processing by the control unit 120 of the replacement support device 100. Figure 8 is a flow diagram explaining a subroutine of processing by the control unit 120 of the replacement support device 100. Also, Figure 9 is an image diagram showing a simplified island diagram of the islands before and after replacement, and Figure 10 is a diagram showing input data and output data required to generate a replacement procedure. Figure 11 is a diagram for explaining a replacement instruction and replacement work according to this replacement instruction.

Here, various processes (various controls) performed by the control unit 120 of the replacement support device 100 according to this embodiment will be explained based on the flowcharts in Figures 6 to 8. For ease of explanation, the explanation will be based on the example shown in Figure 9, etc., which is a simplified version of the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, rather than the cumbersome examples shown in Figures 3 and 4.

In the island diagram shown in Figure 9, the boxes with numbers indicate the machine numbers, and the letters A, B, etc. indicate the gaming machines installed at each machine number (the same applies below). In other words, Figure 9 shows an example of an island where gaming machines A through T are installed at machine numbers 1 through 20, respectively.

Figure 9(a) is an island diagram before replacement, and Figure 9(b) is an island diagram after replacement. In this example, a case is described in which an amusement facility manager or the like requests that the layout (installation) shown in Figure 9(a) be changed to the layout shown in Figure 9(b). Specifically, the amusement facility requests that gaming machines A to E, which are numbered 1 to 5 before the replacement, be moved to numbers 16 to 20 after the replacement, gaming machines F to J, which are numbered 6 to 10 before the replacement, be left as they are after the replacement, gaming machines K to O, which are numbered 11 to 15 before the replacement, be removed, and gaming machines P to T, which are numbered 16 to 20 before the replacement, be moved to numbers 11 to 15 after the replacement.

10(a), the control unit 120 generates a replacement procedure based on input data (1) to (4) among the following input data (1) to (5). These input data may be data received from the gaming facility via the Internet, or may be data input from the operation unit 110 in response to a request from the gaming facility. These input data are stored in the RAM or the like of the replacement support device 100.
(1) Pre-replacement data A (in FIG. 10, this is indicated as “Pre-movement (A)”)
(2) Post-movement data B (in FIG. 10, this is indicated as “Post-movement (B)”)
(3) Removal data C (in FIG. 10, this is indicated as “removal table (C)”)
(4) New machine data D (in FIG. 10, this is indicated as “New machine (D)”)
(5) Provisional data E (not shown in FIG. 10 . In FIG. 12 etc., it is indicated as Provisional (E))

Pre-replacement data A is data that lists the machine numbers (identifiers) of the installation locations of the gaming machines to be moved before the replacement work as the machine numbers to be moved (identifiers to be moved). Post-replacement data B is data that lists the machine numbers of the gaming machines that were installed at the installation locations related to the machine numbers to be moved in pre-replacement data A after the replacement work, as the post-removal machine numbers (post-removal identifiers) corresponding to the machine numbers to be moved. Removed machine data C is data that lists the machine numbers of the gaming machines to be removed as the removed machine numbers (removal identifiers). New machine data (new data) D is data that lists the machine numbers (new identifiers) of the new machines to be installed as the new machine numbers (new machine numbers). Temporary placement data E is data that lists the machine numbers of the gaming machines to be temporarily placed in the temporary placement area as the temporary placement machine numbers (temporary placement identifiers).

In the example shown in Figure 9, the machine numbers for new machines (1-5), the machine numbers for machines to be removed (11-15), and the machine numbers for machines to be moved (16-20) are input, while the machine numbers for machines that will not be moved (6-10) are not input. Also, in the example shown in Figure 9, since there are no temporary machines in the pattern, no temporary placement data E is input. In this embodiment, when there is no temporary placement data E, the replacement procedure is generated in mode 0, which is the normal mode in which the installation of new machines is not prioritized, and when there is temporary placement data E, the replacement procedure is generated in mode 1, which is a mode in which the installation of new machines is prioritized.

In the input data shown in FIG. 10(a), the pre-replacement data A has numbers 1 to 5 and 16 to 20 input in that order for No. 1 to 10, respectively, and the post-movement data B has number 20 input for No. 1 (group 1 column) as shown in FIG. 9, since gaming machine A at number 1 in column No. 1 will eventually be installed at number 20. That is, in column No. 1, the machine number 1 in pre-replacement data A and the machine number 20 in post-movement data B form one group as corresponding machine numbers. Similarly, for columns No. 2 to 10, adjacent machine numbers in FIG. 10(a) form one group. Also, for removed machine data C and new machine data D, the machine numbers are input in ascending order starting from column No. 1.

The output data shown in FIG. 10(b) is output data related to the replacement procedure generated by the control unit 120 based on the above input data, and includes removal unit number data (represented as "Removal" in FIG. 10), STEP 1 data related to the first movement procedure (represented as "STEP 1" in FIG. 10), STEP 2 data related to the second movement procedure (represented as "STEP 2" in FIG. 10), etc. generated by the control unit 120.

The control unit 120 generates output data shown in FIG. 10(b) based on the input data shown in FIG. 10(a). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, after the pre-replacement data A, post-movement data B, removal data C, and new machine data D are input, if the mode is 0 (step 100, Yes in step 200), a mode 0 process is executed to generate a replacement procedure in mode 0 (step 300). As described above, the control unit 120 automatically switches between mode 0 and mode 1 based on the presence or absence of temporary placement data E. It goes without saying that the mode may be switched manually via the operation unit 110, rather than automatically by the control unit 120.

As shown in FIG. 7, in mode 0 processing, the control unit 120 first executes a removal generation process to generate a removal procedure indicating that the gaming machines at machine numbers 11 to 15 are to be removed by inputting the machine numbers 11 to 15 of the removal machine data C (indicated as "IN (C)" in FIG. 7) of the input data of FIG. 10(a) into removal No. 1 to 5 of the output data of FIG. 10(b) (step 310). This generates a removal procedure for the gaming machines.

Next, the control unit 120 determines whether a machine number identical to a certain machine number (e.g., 11) in the removed machine data C exists in the replaced data B (whether a machine number matching a certain machine number in the removed machine data C exists in the replaced data B), and if so (Yes in step 311), extracts a machine number in the same group as the certain machine number from the pre-replacement data A (indicated as "IN(A)" in Figure 7) (e.g., No. 6, 16 in the pre-replacement data A corresponding to No. 6, 11 in the replaced data B). This is used as the first extracted machine number (first extraction identifier) and is added to the No. of the STEP 1 data of the output data (indicated as "OUT1" in Figure 7). By inputting 1, a removal and replacement process is executed to generate a removal and replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at this first extracted machine number is to be installed at a certain machine number in the removed machine data C (for example, installing gaming machine P at number 16 in FIG. 9(a) at number 11 in FIG. 9(b)) (steps 312, 313). The control unit 120 executes a process to repeat the removal and replacement process until there are no more machine numbers to be removed in the removal row (row of machine number to be removed) of the output data (No in step 311). As a result, machine numbers corresponding to each of No. 1 to 5 in the STEP 1 data of the output data are input, and the first gaming machine movement procedure is generated.

Next, the control unit 120 judges whether a machine number identical to a certain machine number (e.g., 16) in the STEP 1 data of the output data exists in the post-replacement data B, and if it does exist (Yes in step 314), extracts a machine number in the same group as the certain machine number from the pre-replacement data A (e.g., No. 5 of No. 5 in the pre-replacement data A corresponding to No. 5 of No. 16 in the post-replacement data B). This is input as the second extracted machine number (second extraction identifier) into the step 2 data of the output data (in FIG. 7, it is written as "OUTN", where "N" is a positive integer including 1), and executes a moving face replacement process to generate a post-movement replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at this second extracted machine number is to be installed at a certain machine number in the STEP 1 data (e.g., gaming machine E at No. 5 in FIG. 9(a) is installed at No. 16 in FIG. 9(b)) (steps 315, 316). This causes the No. in the STEP 2 data of the output data to be input. The machine numbers corresponding to 1 through 5 are entered and the second machine movement procedure is generated.

The control unit 120 executes a repeat process for the removal and replacement process, repeating the process until the post-replacement data B does not contain a machine number that matches the machine number entered in STEPs 1 to N of the output data (No in step 314). In the example shown in FIG. 10, after inputting data No. 1 to 5 of the STEP 2 data, the post-replacement data B does not contain a machine number that matches the machine number in the STEP 2 data, so the STEP 2 data is generated (therefore, the "N" in OUTN in FIG. 7 becomes 2).

Then, the control unit 120 executes a new installation process that generates a new installation procedure indicating that a new machine is to be installed at these machine numbers by inputting new machine data D (indicated as "IN(D)" in FIG. 7) from the input data in FIG. 10(a) into No. 1 to 5 of STEP 3 as "new machine" from the output data in FIG. 10(b). This completes the output data.

Then, based on this output data, the control unit 120 outputs island map data (not shown) and data related to the replacement instruction sheet and replacement procedure sheet shown in FIG. 11(A) (step 500 in FIG. 6). This output causes the island map data and replacement instruction sheet to be displayed on the display unit 130. Alternatively, the output causes an external device such as a printer to print an island map, replacement instruction sheet, replacement sheet, etc. based on the island map data on a specified sheet of paper, etc.

The replacement procedure generated in this way, which is the replacement instruction sheet shown in Figure 11 (A), involves first attaching various replacement procedure sheets to gaming machines numbered 11 to 15 before replacement (for example, a replacement procedure sheet like that shown in Figure 3 (a) indicating that the machine is to be removed (in this example, the notation [87] in Figure 5 (a) is replaced with any of the notations [11] to "15").

As shown in FIG. 11(a), gaming machines K through O corresponding to numbers 11 through 15 ("Removed" in FIG. 11(A)) are removed and removed to the back yard. This leaves numbers 11 through 15 vacant. Next, as shown in FIG. 11(b), in STEP 1, gaming machines P through T corresponding to numbers 16 through 20 are installed in numbers 11 through 15. This leaves numbers 16 through 20 vacant. As shown in FIG. 11(c), in STEP 2, gaming machines A through E corresponding to numbers 1 through 5 are installed in numbers 16 through 20. This leaves numbers 1 through 5 vacant. In STEP 3, new machines are installed in each of these numbers 1 through 5. This completes the machine replacement work.

In this way, the replacement support device 100 according to this embodiment can automatically generate a replacement procedure for gaming machines using only the machine numbers, such as pre-replacement data A, post-replacement data B, removed machine data C, and new machine data D, thereby reducing the amount of data required to create the replacement procedure. As a result, it is possible to simplify the creation of the replacement procedure while preventing the replacement support device 100 from taking up too much memory capacity, such as the RAM.

Next, the generation of a replacement procedure in mode 1 will be described. In this example, an example will be described in which the manager of the amusement facility requests that the arrangement state (installation state) shown in FIG. 9(a) be changed to the arrangement state shown in FIG. 9(b). This example differs from FIG. 10 in that temporary placement data E is input as input data, as shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing input data and output data required for generating a replacement procedure. This mode 1 is a mode established to meet the needs of amusement facilities that wish to check the operation of new machines in parallel with the replacement work of gaming machines. For this reason, in mode 1, the replacement procedure gives priority to installing new machines.

The control unit 120 generates the output data shown in FIG. 12(b) based on the input data shown in FIG. 12(a). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, after the various data A to E are input, if the mode is 1 (steps 100 and 200: No), the control unit 120 executes mode 1 processing to generate a replacement procedure in mode 1 (step 400).

As shown in FIG. 8, in mode 1 processing, the control unit 120 first executes a removal generation process to generate a removal procedure indicating that the gaming machines with machine numbers 11 to 15 are to be removed by inputting the machine numbers 11 to 15 of the removal machine data C in the input data in FIG. 12(a) into removal No. 1 to 5 in the output data in FIG. 12(b) (step 410). This generates a removal procedure for the gaming machines.

Next, the control unit 120 executes a temporary placement generation process to generate a temporary placement procedure indicating that the gaming machines with these machine numbers are to be temporarily placed in the temporary placement area by inputting the machine numbers 1 to 5 of the temporary placement data E in the input data of FIG. 12(a) into the temporary placement table numbers 6 to 10 in the output data of FIG. 12(b) (step 411). This generates a temporary placement procedure for the gaming machines.

Then, the control unit 120 executes a new installation process to generate a new installation procedure indicating that new machines are to be installed at machine numbers 1 to 5 by inputting machine numbers 1 to 5 of new machine data D from the input data in FIG. 12(a) so that they are in the same group as temporary machine numbers 6 to 10 in the STEP 1 row of the output data in FIG. 12(b) (step 412). This generates the installation procedure for the new machine.

Next, the control unit 120 determines whether the number of machine numbers related to the removed machine data C is the same as the number of machine numbers related to the new machine data D. If they are the same as in this example shown in Figure 12 (a) (Yes at step 413), it determines whether a machine number identical to a certain machine number (e.g., 11) in the removed machine data C exists in the replaced data B, as in step 311 of Figure 7. If a machine number exists (Yes at step 414), it extracts a machine number from the pre-replacement data A that is in the same group as the certain machine number (e.g., 16 of No. 6 in the pre-replacement data A corresponding to 11 of No. 6 in the replaced data B). This is used as the first extracted machine number and is added to the No. of the STEP 1 data in the output data. By inputting 1, a removal and replacement process is executed to generate a removal and replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed in this first extracted machine number is to be installed at a certain machine number in the removed machine data C (for example, installing gaming machine P at number 16 in FIG. 9(a) at number 11 in FIG. 9(b)) (steps 415, 416). The control unit 120 executes a process to repeat the removal and replacement process until there are no more machine numbers to be removed in the removal row (row of machine number to be removed) of the output data (No in step 414). As a result, machine numbers corresponding to each of No. 1 to 5 in the STEP 1 data of the output data are input, and the first gaming machine movement procedure is generated.

Next, the control unit 120 determines whether a machine number identical to a certain machine number (e.g., 16) in the STEP 1 data of the output data exists in the post-replacement data B. If it does exist (Yes in step 417), it extracts a machine number in the same group as the certain machine number from the pre-replacement data A (e.g., No. 5 of 5 in the pre-replacement data A corresponding to No. 5 of 16 in the post-replacement data B). By inputting this as the second extracted machine number (second extraction identifier) into the step 2 data of the output data, a moving face replacement process is executed to generate a post-movement replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at this second extracted machine number is to be installed at a certain machine number in the STEP 1 data (e.g., installing gaming machine E at No. 5 in (a) of FIG. 9 at No. 16 in (b) of FIG. 9) (steps 419, 420). As a result, machine numbers corresponding to each of No. 1 to 5 in the STEP 2 data of the output data are input, and a second gaming machine movement procedure is generated.

The control unit 120 executes a repeat process for the removal and replacement process, repeating it until the post-replacement data B does not contain a machine number matching the machine number entered in STEPs 1 to N of the output data (No in step 417). In the example shown in FIG. 12, after inputting into each of No. 1 to 5 of the STEP 2 data, the post-replacement data B does not contain a machine number matching the machine number in the STEP 2 data, so the STEP 2 data is generated (for this reason, the "N" in OUTN in FIG. 7 becomes 2). This completes the output data. Steps 424 to 426 and steps 420 to 422 in FIG. 8 will be described later.

Then, the control unit 120 executes a new installation process that generates a new installation procedure indicating that a new machine is to be installed at each of the temporary table numbers 6 to 10 in the row of STEP 2 in the output data of FIG. 12(b) by inputting new machine data D (shown as "IN(D)" in FIG. 8) from the input data of FIG. 12(a). This completes the output data.

Then, based on this output data, the control unit 120 outputs island map data (not shown) and data related to the replacement instruction sheet and replacement procedure sheet shown in FIG. 13(A) (step 500 in FIG. 6). This output causes the island map data and replacement instruction sheet to be displayed on the display unit 130. Alternatively, the output causes an external device such as a printer to print an island map, replacement instruction sheet, replacement sheet, etc. based on the island map data on a specified sheet of paper. Note that FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the replacement work according to the replacement instruction sheet related to mode 1.

The replacement procedure generated in this way, which is the replacement instruction sheet shown in Figure 13 (A), involves first attaching various replacement procedure sheets to gaming machines 11 to 15 before replacement (for example, a replacement procedure sheet like that shown in Figure 5 (a) indicating that the machine is to be removed (in this example, the notation [87] in Figure 5 (a) is replaced with any of the notations [11] to "15").

As shown in Figure 13(a), gaming machines K through O corresponding to numbers 11 through 15 ("Removed" in Figure 13(A)) are removed and removed to the back yard. This leaves numbers 11 through 15 vacant. In addition, gaming machines A through E corresponding to numbers 1 through 5 ("Temporary" in Figure 13(A)) are temporarily placed in a temporary storage area. This leaves numbers 1 through 5 vacant. To make the content easier to understand, Figure 13(A) shows gaming machines A through E temporarily placed in front of the installation locations corresponding to numbers 1 through 15.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13(b), in STEP 1, gaming machines P through T numbered 16 through 20 are installed in spaces 11 through 15. This leaves spaces 16 through 20 vacant. Also, in STEP 1, new machines are installed in the vacant spaces 1 through 5. Then, as shown in FIG. 13(c), in STEP 2, gaming machines A through E numbered 1 through 5, which were temporarily placed, are installed in spaces 16 through 20, respectively. This completes the machine replacement work.

In this way, by making gaming machines 1 through 5, where new machines will be installed, temporary machines (by making the new machine numbers the same as the temporary machine numbers), the new machines can be installed during the replacement work, and the replacement work and the operation check of the new machines can be carried out simultaneously. Also, in addition to making installation spaces available due to removed machines, installation spaces can also be intentionally made available due to temporary machines, which makes the replacement work more efficient. Note that in this example, the temporary machine numbers and the new machine numbers are the same, but this is not limited to this, and a machine number other than the new machine number may be used as the temporary machine number.

Both Figures 14 and 15 are diagrams showing the input data and output data required to generate a replacement procedure, with Figure 14 illustrating a state in which the number of machine numbers related to removed machine data C is greater than the number of machine numbers related to new machine data D, and Figure 15 illustrating a state in which the number of machine numbers related to removed machine data is less than the number of machine numbers related to new machine data D.

As shown in FIG. 14(a), if the number of machine numbers related to removed machine data C is greater than the number of machine numbers related to new machine data D, then after the replacement, some installation locations on the island will be blocked off with plywood or the like and will not have gaming machines installed (hereinafter simply referred to as "plywood"). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15(a), if the number of machine numbers related to removed machine data C is less than the number of machine numbers related to new machine data D, then before the replacement, some installation locations on the island were blocked off with plywood or the like and no gaming machines were installed, but these installation locations will be unblocked and new gaming machines will be installed.

In this example, even if such veneer is present, it is possible to automatically create a replacement procedure. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 120 compares the number of machine numbers related to the removed machine data C in the input data with the number of machine numbers related to the new machine data D, and if these numbers are not the same (No in step 413), the process proceeds to step 424.

In step 424, if the control unit 120 determines that the number of machine numbers related to the removed machine data C is greater than the number of machine numbers related to the new machine data D, as shown in FIG. 14(a) (Yes in step 424), the control unit 120 performs an extraction process to compare the pre-replacement data A with the new machine data D and extract machine numbers 4 and 5 related to No. 4 and 5, which are surplus machine numbers that have not been processed, from the pre-replacement data A as post-replacement non-installed machine numbers (post-replacement non-installed identifiers). The control unit 120 inputs the post-replacement non-installed machine numbers 4 and 5 extracted by this extraction process into No. 9 and 10 of STEP 1 as shown in FIG. 14(b) (indicated as "plywood" in FIG. 14(b)), thereby performing a post-replacement non-installation process to generate a post-replacement non-installation procedure indicating that the installation locations of No. 4 and No. 5 are machine numbers that will become plywood after replacement.

In addition, in this post-replacement non-installation procedure, the surplus machine numbers can be treated as new machine numbers and processed in the same way as the output data in FIG. 12(b) (No. 9 and 10 in STEP 1 become "new machine" instead of "plywood"). In this case, after the replacement work, vacant installation locations will be generated, but by sealing off these vacant installation locations in a unique manner, the vacant installation locations can be made into plywood locations.

In step 424, if the control unit 120 determines that the number of machine numbers related to the removed machine data C is less than the number of machine numbers related to the new machine data D, as shown in FIG. 15(a) (No in step 424), the control unit 120 performs an extraction process to compare the post-movement data B with the removed machine data C, and extract the machine numbers 14 and 15 related to No. 9 and 10, which are surplus machine numbers that have not been processed, from the pre-replacement data B as post-replacement installation machine numbers (post-replacement installation identifiers). The control unit 120 inputs the post-replacement installation machine numbers 14 and 15 extracted by this extraction process into removal No. 4 and 5 (in FIG. 15(b) they are written as "14 (plywood)" and "15 (plywood)"), thereby performing a post-replacement installation process to generate a post-replacement installation procedure indicating that the installation locations of No. 14 and No. 15 were plywood but the plywood was removed after the replacement and the gaming machines are installed.

In addition, in this post-replacement installation procedure, the surplus machine numbers may be treated as removal machine numbers, and processed in the same way as the output data in FIG. 12(b) (removal No. 4 and 5 will be "14" and "15" rather than "14 (plywood)" and "15 (plywood)"). In this case, after the replacement work, there will be installation locations that are plywood, but by uniquely removing the plywood installation locations and installing gaming machines there, the plywood installation locations can be made into installation locations where gaming machines will be installed.

Figure 16 shows island map data before and after replacement, which is different from Figure 9 described above, and Figure 17 shows input data and output data related to the island map in Figure 16.

In the example shown in Figure 16, there is no movement for numbers 11 to 20 (and therefore no input data), and after the replacement, a new machine is installed at number 1, gaming machine J at number 10 is removed, and gaming machines A to I that were installed at numbers 1 to 9 before the replacement are shifted one position to the right after the replacement, with gaming machine A at number 1 before the replacement being installed at number 2 after the replacement, and gaming machine B at number 2 before the replacement being installed at number 3 after the replacement.

In this example, if the repeat process shown in step 316 → step 314 in FIG. 7 is performed, the procedure up to STEP 9 is required as shown in FIG. 17(b), which means an unnecessary increase in the number of procedures. For this reason, the control unit 120 according to this embodiment is configured to execute the automatic STEP division process shown in steps 420 to 422 in FIG. 8. In this automatic STEP division process, when the number of repetitions (number of processes) N reaches the predetermined division number (predetermined number) M (Yes in step 420), the control unit 120 executes the processes of steps 421 and 422.

In this embodiment, the number of repetitions M is set to 4, and when the number of repetitions reaches 4 (when processing has progressed to No. 7 of No. 4 of post-movement data B related to the input data), the control unit 120 searches for a unit number that is the same as this No. 7 in the post-movement data B, and executes a process to extract unit number 6 (group No. 4 in the input data) of the pre-replacement data A that corresponds to No. 7 of this post-movement data B. The control unit 120 executes a conversion process to convert this extracted No. 6 as a temporary unit number. The control unit 120 executes a STEP automatic division process to input No. 6, which has become the temporary unit number through the conversion process, into temporary unit No. 7 of the output data.

Then, the process proceeds to step 417, and similar processing is performed thereafter (steps 421, 422). Specifically, if the post-movement data B contains a machine number that is the same as the provisional machine number 6 that was created by the conversion process, then the machine number 5 that corresponds to the machine number 6 is extracted from the pre-replacement extracted data A, and this extracted machine number 5 is set as the second extracted machine number, and a movement and replacement process is performed to generate a movement and replacement procedure that indicates that the gaming machine installed at machine number 5 is to be installed at machine number 6. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17(C), output data is created in No. 7 starting from machine number 6, with machine number 5 in STEP 1, machine number 4 in STEP 2, and so on.

After that, when the number of repetitions reaches 8 (an integer multiple of M) (when processing has progressed to No. 3 of No. 8 of post-movement data B related to the input data), a STEP automatic division process is executed in which No. 2 corresponding to No. 3 is entered as the temporary table number into No. 8 of the temporary table of the output data. Then, the process proceeds to step 417, and the same process is executed thereafter (steps 421, 422).

By doing this, it is possible to prevent unnecessary increases in the number of steps when generating replacement procedures, and to simplify the control process.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In this embodiment, the replacement procedure sheets are differentiated by coloring them red and green, but the replacement procedure may be written directly, such as by writing "Procedure 1" on the red replacement procedure sheet and "Procedure 2" on the green replacement procedure sheet. In this case, as long as all replacement procedure sheets are properly attached to the gaming machines, the replacement work can be performed smoothly even without a replacement instruction sheet.

In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit 120 is configured to determine whether or not a veneer is present from the input data, but instead, post-replacement veneer data relating to the machine number that will become a veneer after replacement, and pre-replacement veneer data relating to the machine number that was a veneer before replacement may be separately input to allow the control unit 120 to determine that a veneer is present, and then have the control unit 120 execute the post-replacement non-installation process or the post-replacement installation process.

100 Replacement support device 110 Operation unit 120 Control unit 130 Display unit 140 Output unit

Claims (7)

A replacement support device for supporting a replacement operation of gaming machines in a gaming facility in which gaming machines are installed in a plurality of installation locations to which different identifiers are assigned, comprising:
Before the replacement operation, pre-replacement data is data that lists identifiers of installation locations where gaming machines to be moved are installed as movement target identifiers;
post-replacement data, which is data listing identifiers of installation locations where the gaming machines installed at the installation locations related to the movement target identifiers will finally be installed after the replacement work, as post-replacement identifiers corresponding to the movement target identifiers;
Removal data is data that lists, as removal identifiers, identifiers of locations where the gaming machines to be removed are installed;
and new data which is data listing, as new identifiers, identifiers of installation locations of new gaming machines which are newly installed gaming machines;
The new installation process is configured to generate a new installation procedure indicating that the new machine is to be installed at an installation location related to a certain new identifier of the new data,
a removal generating process for generating a removal procedure indicating that the removal table is to be removed from an installation location related to a certain removal identifier of the removal data,
when the post-replacement data contains a post-movement identifier identical to a certain removal identifier of the removal data, the removal and replacement process is executed to generate a removal and replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the certain removal identifier by setting a movement target identifier corresponding to the post-movement identifier as a first extraction identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data,
when a post-movement identifier identical to the first extraction identifier is present in the post-replacement data, a movement/replacement process is executed to generate a movement/replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the second extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier by setting a movement target identifier corresponding to the post-movement identifier as a second extraction identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data,
A replacement support device characterized in that, when a post-movement identifier identical to the second extracted identifier is present in the replaced data, the device is configured to execute a repetitive process that repeats the same process as the movement and replacement process. a temporary placement data which is data listing, as temporary placement identifiers, identifiers relating to installation locations in which gaming machines that are temporarily placed at locations other than the installation locations are installed;
The replacement support device as described in claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to execute a temporary placement process that generates a temporary placement procedure indicating that a gaming machine installed in a temporary placement identifier related to the temporary placement data is temporarily placed in another location. The repeating process is configured to be executed a predetermined number of times,
when the number of times of the repeated processing reaches the predetermined number, if a post-movement identifier identical to the second extraction identifier in the predetermined number of times is present in the replaced data, a conversion process is executed in which a moved target identifier corresponding to the post-movement identifier is set as the temporary identifier,
the temporary placement process is configured to execute the temporary placement process on the temporary identifier related to the conversion process,
The replacement support device described in claim 2, characterized in that if the post-replacement data contains a post-movement identifier that is identical to the temporary placement identifier related to the conversion process, the moving and replacing process is configured to generate a moving and replacing procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the second extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier by setting the moving target identifier corresponding to the post-movement identifier as a second extracted identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data. The replacement support device according to claim 2, characterized in that the temporary identifier and the new identifier are configured to be the same. A post-replacement non-installation identifier, which is an installation location where a gaming machine will not be installed after the replacement work, or a post-replacement installation identifier, which is an installation location where a gaming machine was not installed before the replacement but will be installed after the replacement, can be extracted from the pre-replacement data, the post-replacement data, the removal data, and the new data,
In a situation where the post-replacement non-installation identifier is present, a post-replacement non-installation procedure is generated which indicates that the gaming machine is not to be installed in the installation location related to the post-replacement non-installation identifier,
The replacement support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in a situation where the post-replacement installation identifier is present, a post-replacement installation procedure is generated which indicates that a gaming machine is to be installed at an installation location related to the post-replacement installation identifier. A replacement support method executed by a computer of a replacement support device for supporting a replacement operation of a gaming machine in an amusement facility in which gaming machines are installed in a plurality of installation locations to which different identifiers are assigned, comprising:
The computer executes:
receiving pre-replacement data which is data listing identifiers of locations where gaming machines to be moved are installed as movement target identifiers before a replacement operation;
receiving post-replacement data which is data listing identifiers of installation locations where the gaming machines installed at the installation locations related to the movement target identifiers will finally be installed after the replacement work, as post-relocation identifiers corresponding to the movement target identifiers;
A step of receiving removal data which is data listing, as removal identifiers, identifiers of installation locations where the gaming machine to be removed is installed;
A step of accepting new data which is data listing identifiers of installation locations of new gaming machines which are newly installed as new identifiers;
executing a new installation process for generating a new installation procedure indicating that the new machine is to be installed at an installation location related to a certain new identifier of the new data;
executing a removal generation process for generating a removal procedure indicating that the removal table is to be removed from an installation location related to a certain removal identifier of the removal data;
a step of executing a removal and replacement process for generating a removal and replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the certain removal identifier by setting a movement target identifier corresponding to the movement identifier in the post-replacement data as a first extraction identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data when the post-movement identifier is the same as a certain removal identifier in the removal data;
a step of executing a movement and replacement process for generating a movement and replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the second extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier by setting a movement target identifier corresponding to the movement target identifier corresponding to the movement target identifier in the post-replacement data as a second extraction identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data when the post-replacement data contains a post-movement identifier identical to the first extraction identifier;
a step of executing a repeat process of repeating the same process as the movement and replacement process when a post-movement identifier identical to the second extraction identifier is present in the replaced data;
A replacement support method comprising: A program for causing a computer to function as a replacement support device for supporting a replacement operation of gaming machines in an amusement facility in which gaming machines are installed in a plurality of installation locations to which different identifiers are assigned, the program comprising:
The computer includes:
receiving pre-replacement data which is data listing identifiers of locations where gaming machines to be moved are installed as movement target identifiers before a replacement operation;
receiving post-replacement data which is data listing identifiers of installation locations where the gaming machines installed at the installation locations related to the movement target identifiers will finally be installed after the replacement work, as post-relocation identifiers corresponding to the movement target identifiers;
A step of receiving removal data which is data listing, as removal identifiers, identifiers of installation locations where the gaming machine to be removed is installed;
A step of accepting new data which is data listing identifiers of installation locations of new gaming machines which are newly installed as new identifiers;
executing a new installation process for generating a new installation procedure indicating that the new machine is to be installed at an installation location related to a certain new identifier of the new data;
executing a removal generation process for generating a removal procedure indicating that the removal table is to be removed from an installation location related to a certain removal identifier of the removal data;
a step of executing a removal and replacement process for generating a removal and replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the certain removal identifier by setting a movement target identifier corresponding to the movement identifier in the post-replacement data as a first extraction identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data when the post-movement identifier is the same as a certain removal identifier in the removal data;
a step of executing a movement and replacement process for generating a movement and replacement procedure indicating that the gaming machine installed at the installation location related to the second extraction identifier is to be installed at the installation location related to the first extraction identifier by setting a movement target identifier corresponding to the movement target identifier corresponding to the movement target identifier in the post-replacement data as a second extraction identifier extracted from the pre-replacement data when the post-replacement data contains a post-movement identifier identical to the first extraction identifier;
a step of executing a repeat process of repeating the same process as the movement and replacement process when a post-movement identifier identical to the second extraction identifier is present in the replaced data;
A program for executing the above.