JPH08138102A - Game machine state display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To speedily grasp the state of respecitve game machine in a game store and to permit a player to easily select the game machine which can be played. CONSTITUTION: A pachinko idle machine display system 10 is provided with an island 11A consisting of plural pachinko machines 12, a current transformer 20 detecting the operation state of the respective pachinko machines 12 based on current flowing at the operation time of the respective pachinko machines 12, terminal TRM 1 communicating a signal detected by the current transformer 20 as prescribed communication data, a controller 30 which makes communication with terminal TRM 1 and the like through a converter 70A and the like and display CRT 62 which is installed in the game store and displays the operation state of the respective pinball machines 12 based on an output signal from the controller 30. The player can speedily select an idle machine and can enjoy the game by viewing display CRT 62.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine status display device, and more specifically, a gaming machine for displaying the status of a plurality of gaming machines on a screen visible to a player in a game hall where the gaming machines are installed. The present invention relates to a status display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game hall such as a pachinko hall, a large number of pachinko machines and the like are installed, and a player searches for an unused machine to play a game. Since a device for informing the player of the state of the game equipment in the game hall has not been installed in the game hall in the past, the player visiting the game hall can go around the game hall and play each game equipment. It was confirmed whether or not, and the gaming machine to be played was selected.

[0003]

However, if the player goes around the game hall and confirms whether or not the game machine is in a playable state and then selects the game machine, the inside of the game hall becomes crowded. Even if the game machine can be easily selected when not in play, when the game room is crowded, it is difficult to find a game machine in a playable state, and it is sometimes necessary to walk around the game machine.

The gaming machine status display device of the present invention is intended to solve these problems, to quickly grasp the status of each gaming machine in the game arcade, and to allow the player to easily select a gaming machine that can be played. And adopted the following configuration.

[0005]

A gaming machine status display device of the present invention is a gaming machine status display device for displaying the status of a plurality of gaming machines on a screen in a game arcade where the gaming machines are installed. State detecting means for detecting each state of the gaming machine based on a signal indicating the operation of the gaming machine, and the detected state in a format corresponding to the installation state of the gaming machine in the game hall. The gist is that the display means for displaying on the screen is provided.

The gaming machine status display device further comprises an input means for externally inputting at least one status of the gaming machine, and the display means receives the status input by the input means. It is also possible to have a configuration that is means for displaying on the screen in a format corresponding to the installation state of the gaming machine in the game hall.

[0007]

In the gaming machine status display device of the present invention configured as described above, the displaying means displays the status of each of the plurality of gaming machines detected by the status detecting means based on the signal indicating the operation of the gaming machine. , At the game arcade where the gaming equipment is installed,
It is displayed on the screen in a format corresponding to the state of installation of the game machine at the game hall.

[0008] Further, the game machine is provided with an input means for inputting at least one state of the game machine from the outside, and the display means corresponds to the input state of the game machine installed in the game hall. If the gaming machine status display device is displayed on the screen in the format, various statuses of the gaming machine can be displayed.

[0009]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in order to further clarify the structure and operation of the present invention described above. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the outline of the configuration of a pachinko vacant space display system 10 which is a preferred embodiment of the gaming machine status display device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 mainly shows a control device 30 of the pachinko vacant space display system 10. It is a block diagram which illustrates the electrical connection relationship which was done.

The pachinko empty stand display system 10 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, an island 11 composed of multiple pachinko machines 12
A, 11B, 11C ···, terminals TRM1, TRM2 ··· that communicate the operating state of the pachinko machine 12 for each island as predetermined communication data, and terminal TRM1 etc. and converter 70A etc. and pachinko. A control device 30 for setting a predetermined state of the table 12, an operation CRT 60 used for an input operation on the control device 30, and an installation state of the pachinko machine 12 installed in the game arcade are schematically shown. And a display CRT 62 for displaying the state of each pachinko machine 12.

The pachinko machine 12 has a handle 14 for detecting the start of a game and adjusting the emission intensity of the pachinko balls to be launched, and a pachinko ball (not shown) for adjusting the emission intensity of the pachinko balls according to the operation amount of the handle 14. And a firing mechanism. The pachinko ball firing mechanism has a built-in drive motor for firing a pachinko ball.
Is operated, electric power is supplied to the drive motor through the conductive line 16. This conductive line 16
Is equipped with a current transformer 20 for detecting whether or not a current is flowing, and it is possible to detect whether or not the pachinko machine 12 is in an operating state by the flow of the current. Each current transformer 20 is connected to the terminal TRM1 and the like by a signal bus 22 in the island 11A and the like.

The terminal TRM1 or the like creates communication data having a predetermined structure from the detection signals of the respective current transformers 20 input via the signal bus 22, and other communication is performed by communication of a predetermined standard (for example, RS-485). It communicates with a device (control device 30 in this embodiment). The current transformer 20, the signal bus 22, the terminal TRM1 and the like are shared with a host computer (not shown) which manages the operating rate and payout information of each pachinko machine 12 through communication with the terminal TRM1 and the like. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 30 controls the CP
A computer mainly composed of a U32 (486DX2 manufactured by Intel in the embodiment), a ROM 34 for storing a monitor program and the like, and a reading unit constituting a main memory.
Writable RAM 36, interrupt controller (PIC) 38 for prioritizing and controlling various interrupts, RS-
Serial interface (S
40), a mouse interface 42 that controls data exchange with a two-button mouse 41, a keyboard interface 44 that controls key input from the keyboard 43, a flexible disk controller (FDC) 46 that controls a flexible disk drive (FDD) 45, A hard disk controller (HDC) 48 that controls a built-in hard disk drive (HDD) 47, a printer interface 50 that controls output of data to a printer 49, an operating CRT 60 that can display data and the like in color via a distributor 58, and A CRT controller (CRTC) 52 for controlling the signal output to the display CRT 62 and an expansion slot 54 are provided. The respective elements constituting the control device 30 are connected by a bus 56.

To the SIO 40 of the control device 30, the terminals TRM1 and the like of the islands 11A and the like are connected via the converter 70A and the like, and the control device 30 and the terminal TRM are connected.
It is possible to communicate with 1 etc. The converter 70A and the like are configured as signal converters that enable communication of a predetermined standard (RS-485) and communication of RS-232C mutually. In addition, when communication of a predetermined standard such as the terminal TRM1 conforms to RS-232C, or when the control device 30
If the SIO 40 included in the converter is an interface capable of communication according to a predetermined standard, the interposition of the converter 70A and the like is unnecessary.

The distributor 58 outputs the video signal input from the control device 30 to the operation CRT 60, and at the same time, the mouse cursor G41 (see FIG. 4) from the input video signal.
A signal necessary only for the operating CRT 60 is removed and output to the display CRT 62.

Next, the operation of the pachinko vacant board display system 10 thus constructed will be described. When the power of the pachinko empty stand display system 10 is turned on, the control device 3
0 executes an initial routine (not shown) written in the ROM 34 in advance. When this initial routine is executed, the control device 30 sets an initial value to each address of a predetermined address area (data storage area) allocated for temporarily storing the state of each pachinko machine 12 and operates it. CRT6
0 and a process of writing predetermined data corresponding to the initial value in a predetermined address area (VRAM) allocated for display of the display CRT 62. FIG. 3 shows a memory map exemplifying how the data storage area and the VRAM are allocated.

Here, the predetermined data written in the VRAM is data for displaying the installation state of the pachinko machine 12 in the game arcade on the operation CRT 60 and the display CRT 62. FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the operation CRT 60 when predetermined data is written in the VRAM.
In the display example shown in FIG. 4, a row of 20 pachinko machines 12
Is displayed in a form corresponding to the actual installation (pachinko stand display G12 and flags G11A, G11B, ... indicating each island), and each pachinko stand 12 is
The status is displayed as one of "vacant space", "playing", "meal", and "other". Here, the "during meal" state means that the player has temporarily suspended the game on the pachinko machine 12 and is away from the machine, but continues to occupy the machine for the game. State. Also, "Other"
The state of means a state in which a game cannot be performed, such as when the pachinko machine 12 is inspected or is out of order.

On the display screen, each pachinko machine display G12
Is displayed in the color of the state of each pachinko machine 12. In the embodiment, the states of "empty table", "in game", "at meal", and "other" are displayed in yellow, green, blue, and gray colors, respectively. In addition, the legend G16 at the lower right of the display screen also indicates that the characters "vacant space", "in game", "at meal", and "other" and the square character at the beginning of each character are yellow, green, and Displayed in blue and gray.

In the embodiment, when the initial routine is finished, each pachinko machine stand 12 is regarded as an "empty table", and data corresponding to yellow is written in the VRAM in the initial routine, whereby all the pachinko machine display G12 is yellow. Is displayed. A display screen similar to that shown in FIG. 4 is also displayed on the display CRT 62.
The display of “TOP” and the signal of the mouse cursor G41 (the arrow displayed in the lower part of the figure) is controlled by the distributor 58.
These displays are not displayed on the display CRT 62 because they are removed from the video signal input from the.

After the end of the initial routine, the control device 30
The operating state display routine illustrated in FIG. 5 is executed every predetermined time (for example, every one second). When this routine is executed, the control device 30 converts the data of a predetermined structure transmitted from the terminal TRM1 or the like into the converter 70A or the like and the SIO.
It receives via 40 (step S100). here,
In the embodiment, the predetermined structure of the data transmitted from the terminal TRM1 or the like has the structure shown in FIG. That is, the data consists of 3 bytes and 24 bits,
The upper 8 bits are used as an island ID for identifying which island the pachinko machine 12 belongs to, and the following middle 8 bits are used as a pachinko machine ID for identifying which pachinko machine 12 the pachinko machine 12 is on the island. . The lower 3 bits are used to identify whether the state of the pachinko machine 12 is "in game", "empty space", "meal", or "other". Bits 4 to 8 are not used and are reserved for expansion when the types of states of the pachinko machine 12 to be displayed on the display CRT 62 increase. It should be noted that the island ID, the pachinko machine ID, and the like may have the necessary number of bits depending on the number of constituents, and may have any structure as long as the pachinko machine that transmits data can be identified.

In the embodiment, the state of the pachinko machine 12 is expressed as follows using the lower 3 bits (bit 1 to bit 3) of the third byte. Setting the value 1 in bit 3 indicates that the pachinko machine 12 is in the "other" state regardless of the values of bit 1 and bit 2. Further, when the value 0 is set in the bit 3, the value 1 is set in the bit 2 so that the pachinko machine 12 is "at meal" regardless of the value of the bit 1.
Represents the state of. When the bit 3 and the bit 2 are set to the value 0, the value 1 is set to the bit 1 to indicate that the pachinko machine 12 is in the "playing" state. When the value 0 is set in any of bit 1 to bit 3, it indicates that the pachinko machine 12 is in the "vacant machine" state. As described above, in the embodiment, the state of the pachinko machine 12 is “other”,
Priorities are set in the order of “meal”, “playing” or “vacant table”.

When the data is received in step S100,
The control device 30 compares the received data with the data written in the data storage area and determines whether or not there is a change in the data (step S110). When all of the received data have not changed, this routine is ended. If there is any change in the data, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed since the data changed (step S120). Here, the elapse of the predetermined time is determined because it takes some time for the change in the state of the pachinko machine 12 to be determined. This predetermined time is set according to the type of change in the state of the pachinko machine 12 and the characteristics of the game hall. In the embodiment, in order to prevent the handle 14 of the pachinko machine 12 in the "empty table" state from being operated for a short time due to some reason, the "free table" is changed in order to prevent the handle 14 from changing to the "playing" state. The predetermined time for the change of state from "to playing" is set to 10 seconds. In addition, in order to prevent the player from changing from the "playing" state to the "empty stand" when the player leaves the pachinko machine 12 which has been playing for a short time, the "playing" to the "vacant stand" is prevented. The predetermined time for the change of state to is set to 240 seconds. This is because the player may take a break from the game or release the handle 14 to purchase a pachinko ball.

When the predetermined time has not elapsed since the data changed, this routine is terminated as it is, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the state of the pachinko machine 12 has changed, and the pachinko machine that has changed has changed. Bit 1 of the data in the data storage area corresponding to 12 is rewritten to a value of 1 (“playing”) or a value of 0 (“empty space”) (step S130), and the VR of the corresponding pachinko machine 12 is also changed.
The AM data is rewritten (step S140), and this routine is ended. When the VRAM data is rewritten, the rewritten data is transferred from the CRTC 52 to the distributor 5.
It is output to the operation CRT 60 and the display CRT 62 via 8, and the display of the corresponding pachinko machine display G12 on the operation CRT 60 and the display CRT 62 is switched.
With this routine, the operation CRT 60 and the display CRT
An example of the display screen displayed on 62 is shown in FIG. Figure 7
In the middle, the pachinko machine display G12 displayed in green (the pachinko machine display G12 with a hatch) is in the "playing" state, and the pachinko machine display G12 displayed in yellow (the hatch is The pachinko machine 12 corresponding to the non-attached pachinko machine display G12) is in the "vacant machine" state.

Next, regarding the setting and cancellation of the setting of "at meal" or "other" of the pachinko machine 12, FIG.
It will be described based on the state setting routine illustrated in FIG. This routine is executed by the control device 30 by aligning the mouse cursor G41 displayed on the operating CRT 60 with a predetermined position and clicking the mouse cursor G41. FIG. 9 shows an example of the position of the mouse cursor G41 when setting "meal" and FIG. 10 shows the mouse cursor G41 when setting "other".
An example of the position of is shown. When the attendant sets the corresponding pachinko machine 12 to the "meal" state by the player telling the store clerk, as shown in FIG. 9, the mouse cursor is displayed on the pachinko machine display G12 desired to be set on the operation CRT 60. G4
1 and click. Then, the state setting routine is started, and bit 2 of the data in the data storage area corresponding to the clicked pachinko machine display G12 is rewritten to the value 1 to set the state of "meal" (step S20).
0), the data of the corresponding VRAM of the pachinko machine 12 is rewritten (step S210). When the VRAM data is rewritten, as shown in FIG. 9, the clicked pachinko machine display G12 is displayed in blue (hatch) on the operation CRT 60 and the display CRT 62.

When releasing the "meal" state, the mouse cursor G is displayed on the pachinko machine display G12 to be released.
41 and click. Then, the state setting routine is activated, and bit 2 of the data in the data storage area corresponding to the clicked pachinko machine display G12 is rewritten to the value 0 to cancel the "meal" state (step S20).
0), the data of the corresponding VRAM of the pachinko machine 12 is rewritten (step S210). When the data in the VRAM is rewritten in this way, the clicked pachinko machine display G12 is displayed on the operation CRT 60 and the display CRT 62 as "playing" (green) or "based on the data before being set to" meal ". It is displayed as "vacant stand" (yellow).

When the pachinko machine 12 is set to the "other" state, as shown in FIG. 10, the operating CRT 60 is used.
Flags pointing to each island displayed in (for example, flag G11E)
Move the mouse cursor G41 to and click. Then, the state setting routine is started in the same manner as when "meal" is set, and bit 3 of the data in the data storage area corresponding to each pachinko machine 12 in the island indicated by the clicked flag G11E is rewritten to the value 1. It is set to the "other" state (step S200), and the corresponding V of each pachinko machine 12 is set.
The data in the RAM and the data corresponding to the set flag G11E are rewritten (step S210). When the VRAM data is rewritten, as shown in FIG. 10, the clicked flag G11E and the pachinko board display G12 of the island pointed to by the flag G11E are displayed in gray (hatch) on the operation CRT 60 and the display CRT 62. To be done. To cancel the setting of "other", place the mouse cursor G41 on the flag set to "other" and click. By this operation, the state setting routine is started in the same manner as at the time of setting, and the display is switched.

In the embodiment, in order to set the "meal" and "other" states, the mouse cursor G41 is set by directly clicking on the pachinko machine display G12 or the flag G11E which is to be set. However, the legend G
The state setting mode may be determined by clicking any of the states in 16 and then the mouse cursor G41 may be clicked by aligning the mouse cursor G41 with the pachinko machine display G12 or the like for setting the determined state.

According to the pachinko vacant space display system 10 described above, the person who is going to play the game (the player) can quickly know the state of each pachinko machine 12 in the game hall by looking at the operating CRT 60 in the game hall. be able to. Therefore, the player can easily find the pachinko machine 12 that is in the “vacant machine” state even when the game hall is relatively crowded, and can quickly enjoy the game by attaching to the pachinko machine 12. .

In the embodiment, since the signal detected by the current transformer 20 which is conventionally used to detect the operating state of the pachinko machine 12 is used, it is not necessary to add a new configuration to the pachinko machine 12 and the existing structure is used. You can utilize the equipment of. Further, since the control device 30 inputs the data of each pachinko machine 12 through the communication with the terminal TRM1 and the like, the control device 30 and the terminal TR.
The degree of freedom in designing M1 and the like can be increased, and the pachinko vacancy display system 10 can be used as a highly versatile device. In addition, since the state of “meal” or “other” is set by using the 2-button mouse 41, any person can easily set the state without acquiring special knowledge.

Further, in the embodiment, the pachinko machine 12 is displayed as four states of "empty table", "in game", "at meal", and "other", but any kind of state may be used.
In the embodiment, the "other" state is set for each island, but it may be set for each pachinko machine 12. Further, in the embodiment, only the state of the pachinko machine 12 is displayed, but a configuration in which the type of the pachinko machine 12 is displayed together with the state is also suitable. With the configuration in which the type of the pachinko machine 12 is also displayed, the player can quickly know the state of the pachinko machine 12 of a desired type.

In the embodiment, the pachinko machine 12 installed on one floor is displayed, but in a game arcade consisting of two or more floors, the operation CRT 60 and the display CRT 62 are displayed.
It is also preferable that the screen includes two or more screens, and the pachinko machine 12 installed on each floor is displayed on each screen according to the installation state. Of course, it is also possible to display two or more floors together on one screen. Also, at a game hall consisting of two nearby stores, an operation CRT 60 and a display CRT
It is also possible to provide a screen of RT62 as many as the number of stores, and display the pachinko machines 12 installed in each store on each screen according to the installation state, or to display each store together on one screen. Further, in a game hall having a plurality of doorways, a display CRT 62 may be installed for each doorway, and in a game hall having a plurality of floors, a display CRT 62 may be installed for each doorway of each floor. Good.

In the embodiment, it is determined whether a game is in progress or a vacant table.
Although the determination is made based on the energization state of the ball firing motor, it may be possible to directly receive a signal from the gaming device as to whether or not it is in use. In addition, a sensor etc. detects the state where balls are placed on the saucer and it has not been used for a certain period of time,
The display of "pending" may be automatically performed. Further, it is also possible to display a so-called "home stop" or the like.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and for example, a configuration applied to a game hall in which a slot machine is installed, a configuration applied to a game hall in which a TV game is installed, and the like are within the scope of the present invention. Of course, it can be implemented in various modes.

[0034]

As described above, according to the gaming machine status display device of the present invention, the status of each gaming machine can be displayed on the screen in correspondence with the installation status of the gaming machine in the game hall. As a result, the state of each amusement machine can be grasped without having to go around the amusement hall, and even when the amusement hall is crowded, the player can quickly find a gaming machine in a playable state and play the game. You can enjoy.

An input means for inputting at least one state of the gaming machine from the outside is provided, and the display means displays the inputted state in a format corresponding to a state of installation of the inputted gaming machine in the game hall. With the gaming machine status display device displayed on the screen, even when the gaming machine is in a state other than the state that can be detected by the state detection means, it can be displayed on the screen by inputting this state.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a pachinko empty space display system 10 which is a preferred embodiment of a gaming machine status display device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control device 3 of the pachinko empty board display system 10.
It is a block diagram which illustrates the electrical connection relation centering on 0.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a memory map to which a data storage area and a VRAM are allocated.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on an operating CRT 60.

5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operating state display routine executed by the control device 30. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a structure of data transmitted from the terminal TRM1 and the like.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on an operation CRT 60 and a display CRT 62.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a state setting routine executed by the control device 30.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a position of a mouse cursor G41 when setting a “meal” state.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the position of a mouse cursor G41 when setting the “other” state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10: Pachinko empty platform display system 11A, 11B ... Island 12 ... Pachinko platform 14 ... Handle 16 ... Conductive line 20 ... Current transformer 22 ... Signal bus 30 ... Control device 32 ... CPU 34 ... ROM 36 ... RAM 38 ... Interrupt controller ( PIC) 40 ... Serial interface (SIO) 42 ... Mouse interface 43 ... Keyboard 44 ... Keyboard interface 45 ... Flexible disk drive (FDD) 46 ... Flexible disk controller (FDC) 47 ... Hard disk drive (HDD) 48 ... Hard disk controller (HDC) 49 ... Printer 50 ... Printer Interface 52 ... CRTC 54 ... Expansion Slot 56 ... Bus 58 ... Distributor 60 ... Operation CRT 62 ... Display CRT 70A ... Converter

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine status display device for displaying the status of a plurality of gaming machines on a screen visible to a player in a game arcade where the gaming machines are installed, the status of each of the plurality of gaming machines. And a state detection means for detecting the detected state based on a signal indicating the operation of the gaming machine, and a display means for displaying the detected state on the screen in a format corresponding to the installation state of the gaming machine in the game hall. And a gaming machine status display device.