JPH06259444A - Managing device for business game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To manage in the lump plural sets of business game machines in a real time. CONSTITUTION:The device consists of plural pieces of slave machines 2 installed in plural sets of business game machines 1, and a master machine 3 connected to these slave machines 2 through a communication line K. Each slave machine 2 detects the number of thrown-in pieces of coins thrown into a coin selector of the business game machine 1 by a coin counter, and transmits data of the number of thrown-in pieces detected by this coin counter to the master machine 3 in a real time through the communication circuit. The master machine 3 receives the data of the number of thrown-in pieces from each slave machine 2 and outputs it to a personal computer 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a management device for an arcade game machine which manages the operating state and game contents of the arcade game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when totaling the number of coins inserted into a coin insertion part of each arcade game machine installed in a game center or the like, for the sake of crime prevention, each operation is performed before or after the store is closed. The coin insertion portion of each game machine was sequentially opened to collectively count the number of coins inserted in each arcade game machine.

[0003]

However, if the coin insertion portion is opened and the number of inserted coins is counted after the store is closed or before the store is opened as described above, the number of inserted coins is counted for each arcade game machine. Therefore, it will take a lot of time to make a mistake. Moreover, only the total sales for one day can be known, and it is not possible to grasp the detailed operating status of the arcade game machine such as the coin insertion status per hour.

Although it is sometimes desired to change the difficulty level of the game depending on the time zone, it is impossible to change the difficulty level of the conventional arcade game machine during operation. In addition, it is necessary to monitor that the power of the arcade game machine is turned off during operation and the door of the coin insertion slot cannot be opened illegally without using a predetermined key. In many cases, it is difficult to carry out complete monitoring.

The present invention solves the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a management device for an arcade game machine capable of collectively managing a plurality of arcade game machines in real time.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 has a plurality of slave units respectively installed in a plurality of arcade game machines, and these slave units and communication lines. A management device for an arcade game machine consisting of a parent machine connected via a device, each child machine having a detection means for detecting data relating to the arcade game machine, and the data detected by this detection means. To the parent device in real time, and the parent device receives the data from each child device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, each child machine transmits to the parent machine data of the number of coins inserted into the arcade game machine as data relating to the arcade game machine. .

Further, in the invention of claim 3, the base unit is
A control signal for controlling the game content of each arcade game machine is transmitted to each slave machine, and each slave machine controls the game content of each arcade game machine based on the control signal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the parent machine transmits a control signal indicating the degree of difficulty of the game of each arcade game machine to each child machine, and each child machine is based on the control signal. The game difficulty of each arcade game machine is controlled.

Further, in the invention of claim 5, the base unit is
A control program for controlling the operation of the child device is transmitted to each child device, and each child device controls the operation based on the control program.

[0011]

According to the management device for an arcade game machine of the above-mentioned claim 1, the data relating to each arcade game machine is detected by the detection means of each slave machine, and the data detected by this detection means is transmitted to the master machine. By transmitting each, and by receiving the above data from each slave by the above master,
The operating status of each arcade game machine is grasped in real time.

According to the above-mentioned arcade game machine management device of the present invention, the data of the number of coins inserted into each arcade game machine is transmitted from each child machine to the parent machine. The coin insertion status of the arcade game machine can be grasped in real time.

Further, according to the management device for an arcade game machine of claim 3, a control signal for controlling the game contents of the arcade game machine is transmitted from each parent machine to each child machine, and each child machine controls the above. By controlling the game content of each arcade game machine based on the signal, the game content of each arcade game machine can be controlled in real time.

Further, according to the management device for an arcade game machine of claim 4, a control signal for instructing the degree of difficulty of the game of each arcade game machine is transmitted to each slave machine from the master machine, and each slave machine. By controlling the game difficulty level of each arcade game machine based on the control signal, the game difficulty level of each arcade game machine can be controlled in real time.

Further, according to the management device for the arcade game machine of the fifth aspect, the control program of the slave unit is transmitted from the master unit to each slave unit, and the operation of each slave unit is controlled by the control program. As a result, even if the number of slave units is large, the control program of each slave unit can be quickly changed to the latest program.

[0016]

1 is a block diagram showing an entire management apparatus for an arcade game machine according to the present invention. This management device
A plurality of slave units 2 additionally arranged in each of the plurality of arcade game machines 1, a master unit 3 and each slave connected to each slave unit 2 via a communication line K including a 4-pole modular outlet or the like. PC 4 for storing and processing data from machine 2
Is equipped with.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game machine 1 detects a coin inserted in the game machine 1 and outputs a coin detection signal to the game control section 11, which is a coin selector (coin insertion section) 10. In response to a coin detection signal from 10, the game control is performed by controlling each part of the game machine 1 to execute a predetermined game content and outputting a coin insertion signal having a pulse number corresponding to the number of inserted coins to the coin meter 12. The coin meter 12 for counting coin insertion signals output from the unit 11 and the game control unit 11 and mechanically storing the integrated value of the coin insertion number is provided.

Further, a coin storage portion (not shown) is formed in the coin selector 10, and the coin selector 10
The coins inserted into the coin storage unit are accumulated in the coin storage unit. Then, the front door (not shown) of the coin selector 10 is opened to collect the coins in the coin storage portion. Further, the front door of the coin selector 10 is provided with a sensor (not shown) that detects that the front door is opened. Then, when the front door is opened without using a predetermined key, the sensor outputs an unauthorized opening signal to the child device 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slave unit 2 is inserted into the ROM 20, the RAM 21, the communication circuit 22 for communicating with the master unit 3 via the communication line K, and the coin selector 10 of the game machine 1, as shown in FIG. A coin counter 23 that electrically counts the number of coins inserted (coin counting), an ID switch 24 that sets the identification number of the slave unit 2, and a control unit 25 that controls each unit of the slave unit 2. It should be noted that each of the child devices 2 and the parent device 3 communicate with each other in accordance with, for example, the RS485 standard.

The ROM 20 stores a communication control program and the like. RAM21 is a coin counter 2
In addition to the coin insertion number data counted by 3,
It stores various data such as coin insertion time and a coin counting program transmitted from the master unit 3. The RAM 21 is backed up by a battery (not shown), and holds the stored number-of-charges data and the like even when the power of the child device 2 is turned off.

The communication circuit 22 communicates with the base unit 3 via the communication line K. Further, the communication circuit 22 is connected to the communication circuit 22 of the other child device 2 via the communication line K, and transfers the data and the like from the parent device 3 to the other child device 2 and also connects the other child device 2. The data and the like from 2 are transferred to the master unit 3.

Further, the communication circuit 22 switches to the protection circuit when the power supply of the child device 2 is turned off, and the other child device 2
The communication circuit 22 and the communication circuit 32 of the parent device 3 are insulated from each other. As a result, when disassembling the main body of the game machine 1 by turning off the power supply of the slave unit 2 for maintenance, for example, the slave unit 2 is in communication with the communication circuit 22 of the other slave unit 2 and the communication circuit 32 of the master unit 3. It is insulated so as to prevent an abnormal current due to static electricity or the like from flowing to the communication circuit 22 of the other handset 2 and the communication circuit 32 of the base unit 3.

The coin counter 23 is a pulse (coin insertion signal) output from the game control section 11 of the game machine 1.
Is to count. The coin counter 23
Uses an element having a high insulating property such as a photocoupler in the input section in order to prevent the input section of the coin counter 23 from being damaged by the pulse voltage.

The control unit 25 has a built-in clock, and the counted coin insertion number data together with the insertion time of the coin are sent at regular intervals (real time, for example, every one minute or through the communication circuit 22). It transmits to the base unit 3 while transmitting to the base unit 3 every 10 minutes and determining whether the front door of the coin selector 10 has been opened illegally and the illegal opening signal has been output from the sensor. ing. The control unit 25 may transmit the coin insertion number data to the parent device 3 via the communication circuit 22 together with the coin insertion time and the identification signal as soon as the coin is inserted (in real time). .

Further, the control unit 25 receives a control program for counting coins other than the communication control program from the master unit 3 and stores the control program in the RAM 21, and according to the received control program, coin counting and the like. It controls the operation of. In addition, the control unit 25 controls the game content of the game machine 1 according to a signal (control signal) indicating the degree of difficulty of the game received from the parent machine 3,
It is designed to change the difficulty level of the game. For example, in a car racing game, the difficulty level of the game is changed so that the speed of the car increases.

The ID switch 24 of each slave unit 2 is set such that the identification numbers of each slave unit 2 are different from each other so that each slave unit 2 can be properly identified.

Next, the configuration of the base unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The base unit 3 includes a ROM 30 as a storage unit,
A RAM 31, a communication circuit 32 for communicating with the child device 2, an interface 33 for connecting the personal computer 4, and a control unit 34 for controlling each unit are provided.

The personal computer 4 has a keyboard 40 for inputting various data indicating the degree of difficulty of the game and registration of the identification number of each child device 2, a monitor TV 41 for displaying various data, and the insertion of the coins. It has a printer 42 for printing the number and the like. Then, the personal computer 4 obtains the coin insertion number (sales distribution) of each child device 2 at a predetermined time based on the insertion number data transmitted from each child device 2 to the parent device 3, and displays it on the monitor TV 41. At the same time, the printer 42 prints out if necessary. Further, when the illegal opening signal indicating that the coin selector 10 of the game machine 1 has been illegally opened is transmitted, the personal computer 4 monitors this content on the monitor TV.
It is displayed on the screen 41 and is printed out from the printer 42 when necessary. Further, the personal computer 4 performs communication for confirming the slave unit with, for example, the slave unit 2 via the master unit 3 at regular intervals, and although the identification number is registered, the communication for confirming the slave unit is performed. The slave unit 2 which does not respond to is judged to be the slave unit 2 whose power is off, and this is displayed on the monitor TV 41 as necessary and is printed out from the printer 42.

The ROM 30 stores a control program or the like. The RAM 31 stores various data such as coin insertion time as well as coin insertion number data from the slave unit 2. The communication circuit 32 communicates with the child device 2 via the communication line K. Control unit 34
Receives the coin insertion number data of each child device 2 at regular time intervals by sequentially transmitting the identification signal and the request signal requesting the coin insertion number data to each child device 2 through the communication circuit 32. The received number data of each slave unit 2 is output to the personal computer 4. In addition, by transmitting the identification signal of the slave unit 2 from the slave unit 2 together with the input number data,
You may make it transmit only the request signal of the number data of throwing in from the control part 34 to each subunit | mobile_unit 2. In this case, the control unit 34
Determines which of the slaves 2 is the number-of-input data from each slave 2 based on the identification signal.

Further, the control unit 34 is adapted to transmit a control program for counting coins or the like to each slave unit 2 via the communication circuit 32. In this way, the control program for counting coins other than the communication control program is executed by the master unit 3
To each slave unit 2. As a result, when the control program is changed (upgraded), the changed control program is registered in the master unit 3 so that the control programs are simultaneously transmitted to the respective slave units 2 or an identification signal is sent. By sending the data to a specific slave unit 2, the slave unit 2 is controlled by the changed control program.

Further, the control unit 34 transmits the above-mentioned signal indicating the degree of difficulty of the game to the slave unit 2 via the communication circuit 32 in order to control the game contents of the game unit 1 at a predetermined time zone. It is like this.

Next, the operation of the management device will be described. Each child machine 2 counts the number of coins inserted into the coin selector 10 of the game machine 1 in real time,
The data of the number of coins inserted and the insertion time is transmitted to the master unit 3. The master unit 3 outputs the data of the number of coins inserted and the coin insertion time from each cordless handset 2 to the personal computer 4, and the personal computer 4 calculates the coins for each hour of each cordless phone 2 based on the data of the coin inserted number and the coin insertion time. The input number (sales distribution) is calculated, this distribution is displayed on the monitor TV 41, and printed out from the printer 42 as needed. The identification of each child device 2 is performed by the identification number set by the ID switch 24.

Further, the personal computer 4 transmits data indicating a predetermined difficulty level to the child device 2 via the parent device 3 in order to control the game contents of the game device 1 at a given time zone, and the child device 2
Controls to change the difficulty level of the game on the game machine 1 according to the difficulty level data. As a result, the difficulty level of the game on the game machine 1 can be set according to the customer base for each time zone.

Further, in the handset 2, it is detected that the front door of the coin selector 10 of the game machine 1 has been illegally opened without using a predetermined key, and a fraudulent opening signal is transmitted to the base unit 3, or When it is determined that the power of the child device 2 is turned off based on the communication result of the device confirmation, the front door of the coin selector 10 is illegally opened on the monitor TV 41 of the personal computer 4, or the power of the child device 2 is turned off. It is displayed and the printer 42 prints out if necessary. Note that an alarm may be issued by an alarm means (not shown) together with the display of the above-mentioned unauthorized opening.

As described above, the data of the number of each slave unit 2 and each throwing time are transmitted to the master unit 3 in real time,
The personal computer 4 records the distribution of coin insertions of each child device 2 over time, so that the operating state of each child device 2 can be managed in real time.

Further, since the difficulty level of the game of the game machine 1 can be changed and controlled during operation, the playability of the game machine 1 can be further improved.

Since a control program for counting coins other than the communication control program is transmitted from the master unit 3 to each slave unit 2, even when the number of slave units 2 is large, each slave unit 2 can be used.
The control program of can be quickly changed to the latest program.

Further, it is possible for the parent device 3 side to judge that the power of the child device 2 is turned off, or the front door of the coin selector 10 of the game device 1 is illegally opened without using a predetermined key. Therefore, all the slaves 2 can be monitored at one place, and the efficiency of monitoring can be improved.

In the above description, the coin counter 23
Although the pulse (coin insertion signal) output from the game control unit 11 of the game machine 1 is counted, the coin detection signal from the coin selector 10 may be directly counted.

In the above description, one game machine 1 is managed by one child machine 2, but one child machine 2 is installed for a plurality of game machines 1. May be. In this case, by sequentially switching the connection between the child device 2 and the plurality of game machines 1,
Will be managed in chronological order.

In the above description, the master unit 3 transmits the difficulty level data to the slave unit 2 as a control signal for controlling the game contents of the game unit 1, and the slave unit 2 responds to the difficulty level data. The game difficulty level of the game is controlled to be changed. However, as a control signal for controlling the game content of the game machine 1, data for instructing the change of the game type from the master machine 3 to the slave machine 2, for example, from a car racing game is used. You may make it transmit the data which instruct | indicate the change to a fighter game. In this case, the child device 2 changes the type of game played on the game device 1 according to the data instructing the change of the game type.

[0042]

According to the present invention, the data relating to each arcade game machine is detected by the detecting means of each child machine, the data detected by this detecting means is transmitted to the parent machine, and the parent machine detects from each child machine. Since the above data is received, it is possible for the parent machine side to grasp a more detailed operating state such as the hourly coin insertion state in each arcade game machine,
It is possible to properly manage each arcade game machine.

Further, a control signal for controlling the game content of each arcade game machine is transmitted from the parent machine to each slave machine, and each slave machine controls the game content of each arcade game machine based on the control signal. Therefore, the game contents such as the difficulty level of the game can be changed during operation, and the playability of the arcade game machine can be improved.

Further, since the control program for controlling the operation of the slave units is transmitted from the master unit to each slave unit and the operation of each slave unit is controlled by the control program, even when the number of slave units is large. The control program of each slave unit can be quickly changed to the latest program.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire embodiment of a management device for an arcade game machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a child device installed in an arcade game machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a personal computer and a base unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Commercial Game Machine 2 Child Machine 3 Parent Machine 4 Personal Computer 10 Coin Selector 11 Game Controller 12 Coin Meter 20, 30 ROM 21, 31 RAM 22, 32 Communication Circuit 23 Coin Counter 24 ID Switch 25, 34 Controller 33 Interface 40 Keyboard 41 Monitor TV 42 Printer

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A management device for an arcade game machine comprising a plurality of slave machines respectively installed in a plurality of arcade game machines and a master machine connected to these slave machines via a communication line. Then, each child machine has a detection means for detecting data relating to the arcade game machine, and transmits the data detected by this detection means to the parent machine in real time. A management device for an arcade game machine characterized by receiving the above-mentioned data from. 2. The arcade game machine according to claim 1, wherein each child machine transmits, to the master machine, data on the number of coins inserted into the arcade game machine as data on the arcade game machine. Management device for game consoles. 3. The management device for an arcade game machine according to claim 1, wherein the parent machine transmits a control signal for controlling the game content of each arcade game machine to each child machine, and each child machine, A management device for an arcade game machine, which controls the game contents of each arcade game machine based on the control signal. 4. The master unit transmits a control signal indicating the degree of difficulty of the game of each arcade game machine to each slave machine, and each slave machine of each arcade game machine based on the control signal. The management device for an arcade game machine according to claim 3, wherein the difficulty level of the game is controlled. 5. The master unit transmits a control program for controlling the operation of the slave unit to each slave unit, and each slave unit controls the operation based on the control program. Management device for the described arcade game machine.