JPH07194823A - Game machine control device and game machine management system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability of releasing operation of a game machine so as to facilitate a measure to counter crimes and maintenance for a game machined. CONSTITUTION:The releasing operation of an electric lock mechanism 21 is controlled by using an optical remote controller 4 to non-contact open and close a door of a game machine 2. Data on releasing is stored in the optical remote controller 4 or a memory of the game machine 2 and given to a master server 6. The master server grasps the opening and closing status of the door of each game machine 2 from the data on releasing to find an unfair practice and prevent crimes. The data on releasing is also used as maintenance data for the game machine 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine control device for controlling an electric lock mechanism mounted on a game machine and a game machine management system for managing the state of the game machine using this device, and more particularly to a game machine management system. The present invention relates to a game machine control device for unlocking an electric lock mechanism of a game machine in a non-contact manner, and a game machine management system using the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine has a door whose front portion can be opened and closed, and a lock is incorporated between the door and the machine body. When a trouble occurs in the game machine during play, or when the inside of the machine is adjusted or inspected, the clerk inserts the key into the key hole of the lock and unlocks the door to open the door.

[0003]

However, in such a mechanical lock, since the clerk has to perform the unlocking operation by approaching to the play machine, the operability is poor and the work efficiency is lowered. . If the key is lost or stolen, or if it is illegally copied, there is no self-defense means other than replacing the set of keys and locks, and the person who obtains the key can imitate the internal printed circuit board at midnight. There are a lot of crimes such as exchanging with and deviating the function of the game machine. Moreover, there is a possibility that a legitimate store clerk may illegally use the key and participate in the above-mentioned crime, and the management of the lock and the key has become a big problem in the playground.

Further, in the game machines, there are game machines with insufficient adjustment and game machines with many failures, and the door opening frequency of such game machines is naturally high. However, it takes manpower to collect data such as the number of times the door is opened, it is not easy to diagnose the machine state, and it is difficult to perform maintenance and inspection properly and efficiently.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. A game machine control with a greatly improved operability is provided by mounting an electric lock mechanism on the game machine and enabling unlocking by remote control. The purpose is to provide a device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a game machine control device capable of preventing a crime from occurring by managing the validity of a code used for unlocking an electric lock mechanism in a non-contact manner. There is a point to do. Another object of the present invention is to provide an amusement machine management system capable of discriminating the occurrence of a crime by accumulating and collecting information about unlocking and also appropriately managing the machine state. In point.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine control device for remotely unlocking a game machine mounting portion including an electric lock mechanism and an electric lock mechanism of the game machine mounting portion. It consists of a remote control unit. The remote control unit includes first code storage means for storing a unique code given to the game machine, and transmission means for transmitting the code stored in the first code storage means by light. . The amusement machine mounting section stores second code storing means for storing the unique code, receiving means for receiving a code transmitted from the remote control section, and second code for receiving the code received by the receiving means. It is provided with collating means for collating with the code stored in the code storing means, and lock control means for controlling the unlocking operation of the electric lock mechanism based on the collating result by the collating means.

In the game machine control device according to the present invention, the remote operation section is stored in the clock means for clocking time, and in the first code storage means when the predetermined time is clocked by the clock means. And an erasing means for erasing the generated code.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine management system, a game machine mounting portion including an electric lock mechanism, a remote operation section for remotely unlocking the electric lock mechanism of the game machine mounting portion, and It consists of a management unit that manages the game machine mounting unit. The remote control section stores first code stored in the game machine, first code storage means, transmission means for transmitting the code stored in the first code storage means by light, and the transmission means. And an information storage unit that stores predetermined information when the code is transmitted. The amusement machine mounting section stores second code storing means for storing the unique code, receiving means for receiving a code transmitted from the remote control section, and second code for receiving the code received by the receiving means. It is provided with collating means for collating with the code stored in the code storing means, and lock control means for controlling the unlocking operation of the electric lock mechanism based on the collating result by the collating means. The management unit includes a coupling unit for coupling the remote operation unit, a reading unit for reading information stored in an information storage unit of the remote operation unit coupled to the coupling unit, and a reading unit read by the reading unit. And an information storage means for storing information.

In the game machine management system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the game machine mounting section and the remote control section is provided with clock means for clocking time, and the information storage means of the remote control section is The time data of the clock means is stored as the information stored when the code is transmitted by the transmitting means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine management system, a game machine mounting section including an electric lock mechanism, a remote operation section for remotely unlocking the electric lock mechanism of the game machine mounting section, and It consists of a management unit that manages the game machine mounting unit. The remote control unit includes first code storage means for storing a unique code given to the game machine, and transmission means for transmitting the code stored in the first code storage means by light. . The game machine mounting part is
Second code storage means for storing the unique code;
Receiving means for receiving the code transmitted from the remote control section, information storing means for storing predetermined information when the receiving means receives the code, transmitting means for transmitting the information stored in the information storing means, Collating means for collating the code received by the receiving means with the unique code stored in the second storage means, and lock control for controlling the unlocking operation of the electric lock mechanism based on the collating result by the collating means. And means. The management unit includes an information collection unit that collects the predetermined information transmitted from the transmission unit of the game machine mounting unit, and an information storage unit that stores the information collected by the information collection unit.

In the game machine management system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the remote control section and the game machine mounting section is provided with clock means for measuring the time, and the information storing means of the game machine mounting section is provided. The time data of the clock means is stored as information when the code is transmitted by the transmission means.

[0012]

In the first aspect of the invention, the electric lock mechanism of the game machine mounting portion is unlocked by remote control, so that the unlocking operation can be performed without contact. In the invention of claim 2, since the code for unlocking is erased at a predetermined time, the operation by the remote operation unit is disabled during the time period when the remote operation unit is not used.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the predetermined information at the time of transmitting the code is stored in the remote operation section, the information related to the unlocking of the game machine mounting section can be collected by reading the information. According to the invention of claim 4, since the time data is also stored in the remote control unit, the unlocking time effective for finding a crime can be grasped.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the predetermined information at the time of receiving the code is stored in the game machine mounting portion, the information relating to the unlocking of the game machine mounting portion can be collected at any time. In the invention of claim 6, since the time data is also stored in the game machine mounting portion, it is possible to grasp the unlocking time effective for finding a crime or the like.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a game machine management system according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a plurality of game machines 2 such as pachinko machines and slot machines are installed. Each game machine 2 is provided with a game machine mounting portion 20 (the structure of which is shown in FIG. 2) having an electric lock mechanism 21, and the electric lock mechanism 21 locks the front door of each game machine 2. . A light-receiving unit 3 is provided on the top of each game machine 2, and when the light-receiving unit 3 is irradiated with light such as infrared light from an optical remote controller 4 which is a remote control unit, an electric lock mechanism of the corresponding game machine 2 is provided. 21 unlocks and the door can be opened.

A management room 5 is provided separately from the amusement park 1, and a master server 6 for controlling the entire amusement machine management system is installed. The master server 6 is mainly controlled by a microcomputer and has a memory (not shown) for storing the data collected from each optical remote controller 4. The master server 6 is connected to a charger 7 used for charging the optical remote controller 4 and for reading and writing data described later. The master server 6 and the charger 7 constitute a management unit 8.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the game machine mounting section 20 mounted on each game machine 2. Reference numeral 31 in the drawing is a lock control unit, which includes a receiving unit 32 that receives an ID code corresponding to an unlocking number from the optical remote controller 4 and a transmitting unit 33 that responds to the optical remote controller 4. The control IC 34 controls the transmission / reception operation, and also transmits the transmitted ID code and memory 3.
The ID code written in 5 is compared with each other. If they match, the drive circuit 36 is driven to unlock the electric lock mechanism 21.

FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the optical remote controller 4. The optical remote controller 4 is provided with a window 41 on the front surface, and a transmission unit 42 and a reception unit 43 are located inside and behind the window 41. The control IC 44 controls the transmitting unit 42 and the receiving unit 43, and exchanges data with the light receiving unit 3 of each game machine 2 through the window 41. Send / receive operation is done with an external switch 45
By.

The memory 46 stores an ID code corresponding to an unlocking number and data regarding unlocking of the electric lock mechanism 21. This ID code is erased by a command from the control IC 44 that has read the time from the clock 47 at a predetermined time, and the ID code storage area of the memory 46 becomes blank until the next data is entered. Optical remote control 4
Exchanges data with the master server 6 via the external connector 48 and the charger 7, and rewrites the ID code and sends data regarding unlocking. The details of the unlocking data will be described later.

The battery 49 is used for operating the control IC 44 and the clock 47 and for backing up the memory 46. The battery 49 is an external connector 5 for charging
0 is connected to the charger 7 for charging.

Next, the management procedure of this game machine management system from the beginning to the end of work will be described with reference to FIG. Step 1 (indicated by "ST1" in the figure) shows the process at the start of work, and the optical remote controller 4 is distributed to each store clerk. The battery 49 of each optical remote controller 4 is charged by the charger 7 at night, and the ID code and the master server 6 by the start of work.
The clerk code of the day set by is written in the memory 46.

In a normal business, one of the game machines 2
When a trouble or the like occurs in the game machine, the clerk stands in front of the game machine 2 in question, sends light from the light remote control unit 4 toward the light receiving unit 3 from a position slightly away, and the electric lock mechanism 21 in the game machine mounting unit 20. After unlocking, open the front door. At this time, the unlocking data is stored in the memory 46 in the optical remote controller 4. Step 2 is a procedure showing this data accumulation, and the control procedure of the optical remote controller 4 and the game machine mounting section 20 during transmission / reception will be described later.

Step 3 shows the processing at the end of work hours.
The optical remote controller 4 distributed to each store clerk is collected and the charger 7
Is set to and charging starts. In the next step 4, the master server 6 fetches the data (unlocking time, unlocking frequency, clerk code, etc.) accumulated in the memory 46 of each optical remote controller 4 via the charger 7 and stores it in the internal memory. . This collected data is displayed or printed out, and the person in charge judges the presence or absence of abnormality such as possibility of fraud by observing this output. If it is determined to be abnormal, the process proceeds from step 5 to step 6 and the cause thereof. To pursue.

FIG. 5 shows a control procedure by the control IC 44 of the optical remote controller 4. In step 1 of the figure, it is determined whether or not the switch 45 has been pressed, and if the determination is "YES", light is emitted from the transmitting unit 33 to the light receiving unit 3 and the game machine mounting unit 20 is called. (Step 2). This calling operation is performed until the game machine mounting section 20 responds to the optical remote controller 4.

In step 3, when the optical remote controller 4 receives a response from the game machine mounting portion 20 that it is receivable, it is checked in step 4 whether an ID code is written in the memory 46. When it is determined in step 5 that the ID code is written, the ID code is transmitted to the light receiving unit 3 in step 6. If it is determined that nothing has been written, the procedure returns to step 1.

In the next step 7, the game machine mounting section 20 waits for a match response indicating that the ID codes match,
When the optical remote controller 4 receives the coincidence response, step 8
The counter of the unlocking frequency in the memory 46 is incremented by 1. If the ID codes do not match, there is no match response from the game machine mounting section 20.

In the next step 9, the current time read from the clock 47, the count value of the counter (the number of unlocks), etc. are stored in the memory 46 as data relating to unlocking, and then the procedure returns to step 1 to perform the next step. Prepare for unlocking operation. Throughout the day's work, the time when the optical remote controller 4 is used for unlocking and the number of unlocks are stored, and together with the clerk code in charge given from the master server 6, the data about unlocking is configured. After the work is finished, the master server 6 reads the data regarding the unlocking via the charger 7, so that the unlocking operation by the clerk can be grasped.

The branch from step 1 to step 10 is
This shows the operation of erasing the code at the end of work, and when the current time read from the clock 47 by the control IC 44 in step 10 coincides with the predetermined time written in the memory 46, step 11 becomes “YES”. The ID code in the memory 46 is erased by the control IC 44. This deletion of the ID code is performed for the purpose of crime prevention, and the predetermined time is set to, for example, 12:00 midnight when there is no store clerk after work.

FIG. 6 shows a control IC 3 of the game machine mounting section 20.
4 shows a control procedure according to No. 4. Step 1 ("S" in the figure)
At T'1 "), it is confirmed whether or not the power is on. If the power is on, the next step 2 waits for a call from the optical remote controller 4. If there is a call,
In step 3, in response to the optical remote controller 4, the optical remote controller 4 is notified that the ID code can be received. In step 4, it is determined whether or not the ID code is transmitted from the optical remote controller 4, and if the determination is "YES", the ID code received in step 5 is stored. Next, in step 6, the stored ID code is compared with the ID code written in the memory 35, and in step 7, 2
If it is determined that the two ID codes match, step 8
Then, the electric lock mechanism 21 is unlocked, and in step 9, a coincidence response indicating that the ID codes coincide with each other is transmitted to the optical remote controller 4. If they do not match, the process returns to step 1 and waits for the next unlock command.

In this example, the clock 47 is provided in the optical remote controller 4 in order to include the time in the data relating to the automatic deletion of the ID code and the unlocking, but the purpose is merely to improve the operability of unlocking. In such a case, it is possible to exclude the clock 47 from the configuration of the optical remote controller 4 and configure the optical remote controller 4 as a simple remote control unit.

FIG. 7 shows a game machine management system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the master server 6 and the game machine mounting section 20 are connected to a cable 9 for data transmission.
In addition, a timepiece (not shown) is newly added in the game machine mounting section 20.

In the second embodiment, the game machine mounting portion 20
The ID code and the clerk code are written in the memory 35 by the master server 6 through the cable 9 by the time of starting work.

An ID code and a store clerk code are also given to the memory 46 in the optical remote controller 4 from the master server 6 through the charger 7 by the time of starting work. In this example, the optical remote controller 4 does not have the clock 47 and the memory 46 does not store the unlocking data. Data regarding unlocking is stored in the game machine mounting section 20, and every time the electric lock mechanism 21 is unlocked, the control IC 34 in the lock control section 31 updates a counter indicating the number of unlocking times. Then
The current time, the number of unlocks, etc. are stored in the memory 35 as data on unlocking.

Data relating to unlocking is sent from the game machine mounting section 20 to the master server 6 via the cable 9 at a predetermined time during normal work or when the number of times the door is opened exceeds a specified value. In the master server 6, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the data regarding unlocking is displayed and printed out, and the cause is pursued from the output.

In this embodiment, the security code is enhanced by changing the ID code for unlocking the electric lock mechanism 21 every day. Further, since the clock is provided in the game machine mounting section 20, the ID code can be automatically erased on the game machine mounting section 20 side.

It is also possible to collect the accumulated data from the game machine mounting portion 20 in a contactless manner by optical communication by providing a satellite unit or the like on the ceiling or the like.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, the electric lock mechanism of the game machine mounting portion is unlocked by remote control so that the unlocking operation can be performed in a non-contact manner. It is not necessary to go close to the machine to perform the unlocking operation, which greatly improves operability and improves work efficiency. According to the invention of claim 2, the code for unlocking is erased when the erasing means reaches a predetermined time, so that the remote operation section is made inoperable during a time period when the remote operation section is not used. This makes it impossible for an illegal intruder to unlock the remote control unit at midnight and prevent crime.

According to the invention of claim 3, since the predetermined information at the time of code transmission can be stored in the remote control unit,
By reading this, it is possible to collect information relating to unlocking of the game machine mounting portion, facilitate crime detection, and also manage the machine state appropriately. According to the invention of claim 4, since the time data is also stored in the remote operation unit, the management unit can recognize the unlocking time, the cause of unlocking can be easily grasped, and it is effective in finding a crime.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the predetermined information at the time of reception is stored in the game machine mounting portion, the unlocking status of the game machine mounting portion can be grasped at any time, and the crime can be detected promptly. You can do it. According to the invention of claim 6, since the time data is stored in the game machine mounting portion, it is easy to understand the cause of the unlocking, and it is effective in finding a crime.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a game machine management system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game machine mounting portion.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical remote controller.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a management procedure of the game machine management system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by a control IC of the optical remote controller.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by a control IC of a game machine mounting portion.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of another game machine management system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Amusement machine 3 Light receiving part 4 Optical remote control 5 Management room 6 Master server 7 Charger 8 Management part 20 Amusement machine mounting part 21 Electric lock mechanism 31 Lock control part 32 Receiving part 34 Control IC 35 Memory 42 Transmitting part 46 Memory 47 Clock

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Hirayama 3-19-36, Naka, Satte-shi, Saitama Elter Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A game machine mounting portion including an electric lock mechanism,
A game machine control device comprising a remote control unit for unlocking an electric lock mechanism of the game machine mounting unit by remote control, wherein the remote control unit stores a unique code assigned to the game machine. One code storage means and a transmission means for transmitting the code stored in the first code storage means by light, the amusement machine mounting part stores a second code storage means. A receiving means for receiving a code transmitted from the remote control section; a collating means for collating the code received by the receiving means with a code stored in the second code storage means; and collating by the collating means. A game machine control device comprising lock control means for controlling an unlocking operation of the electric lock mechanism based on a result. 2. The remote control unit includes clock means for clocking time and erasing means for erasing the code stored in the first code storage means when the clock means clocks a predetermined time. The game machine control device according to claim 1. 3. A game machine mounting portion including an electric lock mechanism,
A game machine management system comprising a remote operation unit for unlocking an electric lock mechanism of the game machine mounting unit by remote control, and a management unit managing the game machine mounting unit, wherein the remote operation unit is a game First code storage means for storing a unique code assigned to the machine, transmission means for transmitting the code stored in the first code storage means by light, and predetermined information when the code is transmitted by the transmission means. An information storage unit that stores the information, the game machine mounting unit includes a second code storage unit that stores the unique code, a reception unit that receives a code transmitted from the remote control unit, and the reception unit. The collating means for collating the code received in step 2 with the code stored in the second code storing means, and the unlocking operation of the electric lock mechanism based on the collating result by the collating means. A lock control unit for controlling the remote control unit, and the reading unit for reading information stored in the information storage unit of the remote control unit coupled to the coupling unit. And a game machine management system comprising information storage means for storing information read by the reading means. 4. At least one of the game machine mounting section and the remote control section is provided with clock means for clocking time, and the information storage means of the remote control section stores information stored when the code is transmitted by the transmission means. The game machine management system according to claim 3, wherein the time data of the clock means is stored. 5. A game machine mounting portion including an electric lock mechanism,
A game machine management system comprising a remote operation unit for unlocking an electric lock mechanism of the game machine mounting unit by remote control, and a management unit managing the game machine mounting unit, wherein the remote operation unit is a game The game machine mounting section includes a first code storage unit that stores a unique code assigned to the machine, and a transmission unit that transmits the code stored in the first code storage unit by light. Second code storage means for storing a unique code, reception means for receiving the code transmitted from the remote control unit, information storage means for storing predetermined information when the reception means receives the code, and the information storage Transmitting means for transmitting the information stored in the means; collating means for collating the code received by the receiving means with the unique code stored in the second storage means; Lock control means for controlling an unlocking operation of the electric lock mechanism based on a collation result by means, and the management section collects information transmitted from the transmission means of the game machine mounting section; A gaming machine management system comprising: an information storage unit for storing the information collected by the information collection unit. 6. At least one of the remote control section and the game machine mounting section is provided with clock means for clocking time, and the information storing means of the game machine mounting section has information when the code is transmitted by the transmitting means. 6. The game machine management system according to claim 5, wherein the time data of the clock means is stored as.