JPH09187562A - Management mechanism for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a clerk needs long time required for confirming the turning ON of lamp and does not know previously what a calling request is in the conventional constitution for calling the clerk by turning on the lamp through the operation of calling button. SOLUTION: A command from a managing computer to the clerk is directly transmitted to the arm of the clerk by the vibrations of a vibrator being a vibrating part 33 of portable reception equipment. Further, the contents of the command are visibly displayed on a display part 34 of portable reception equipment. Therefore, the command is speedily transmitted to the clerk rather than conventional indirect clerk calling through the ON of corner lamp or announcement inside a shop. Further, the message contents of that command are previously reported to the clerk. Besides, since the function modes of portable reception equipment are suitably switched by a mode button 35 and a set button 36, just by operating these respective buttons 35 and 36, the clerk can get various information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine management mechanism used in a game store in which game machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines are installed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of gaming machine, when a trouble occurs in the gaming machine or when the quantitative stopping table is opened, the staff of the shop must go to the place where the gaming machine is installed and Measures are being taken. At this time, the call of the staff of the store to the game machine is operated by the player operating the call button provided for each game machine, and the display lamp provided on the upper part of the game machine or the corner provided on the island. This is done by turning on the corner lamp that is displayed and drawing the attention of the staff. In addition, it is also performed that the management computer detects that the player has operated the call button, the operator of the management computer uses the in-store broadcast to instruct the clerk, and calls the clerk to the game machine. This management computer centrally manages the game machine and various installed devices in the store, and constitutes a management mechanism of the game machine.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration in which the lamp is turned on by the operation of the call button to call the attendant, it takes time until the attendant confirms that the lamp is turned on. Further, it is impossible to know what the player's call request is until the player actually visits the called game machine, and it is not possible to prepare in advance for the call request. Therefore, conventionally, it has been difficult to promptly deal with a player's call request. In addition, even for the staff, it was necessary to always pay attention to whether or not the lamp was turned on, which was a burden on the staff. Further, in the above-described conventional configuration in which the staff member is called by the in-store broadcasting, the broadcasting of background music and the like is temporarily stopped and the staff member is instructed as business communication, so that the unrelated player can also hear the instruction in the broadcasting. Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the player who enjoys playing the game of the gaming machine or the music of the in-store broadcast gives a discomfort or a bad impression.

[0004]

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and includes a management device which receives information from a plurality of gaming machines and manages each of these gaming machines.
The mobile reception device is configured to include a mobile reception device that wirelessly receives a command from the management device. The mobile reception device includes a vibrating unit that notifies the reception of the command from the management device by vibration, and a display unit that visually displays the command. And mode switching means for displaying various function information on the display unit and switching and setting various function modes.

Further, the present invention is characterized by further comprising detailed mode switching means for switching and setting more detailed function modes in the function modes switched by the mode switching means.

Further, it is characterized in that a message accumulating means for accumulating the undisplayed commands when a plurality of commands are received is provided.

Further, the portable receiver is characterized in that it is carried like a wristwatch.

Therefore, the command from the management device to the clerk is directly transmitted to the clerk by the vibration of the portable receiving device, and the content of the command is visually displayed on the display section of the portable receiving device.

Further, since the function mode of the portable receiving device is appropriately switched by the mode switching means, a wide variety of information can be obtained by operating the mode switching means.
Further, since the function mode is set to a more detailed function mode by the detailed mode switching means, a wide variety of information can be easily obtained.

Further, since the undisplayed command is accumulated in the message accumulating means, the clerk calls the accumulated message after the work on the command displayed on the display section is completed, so that the next command is informed. Can perform work.

Further, since the portable receiving device is of a wristwatch type, carrying the receiving device does not burden the staff.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment in which the management mechanism of a gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to the management mechanism of a pachinko machine will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the management mechanism of the pachinko machine according to this embodiment. A plurality of pachinko machines 2 are connected to the management computer 1 via an optical transmission line 4. The management computer 1 receives the information from the respective pachinko machines 2 and manages the respective pachinko machines 2. Further, the mobile reception device 3 wirelessly receives the command from the management computer 1.

The management computer 1 is provided with a CPU 11 for managing and controlling the entire apparatus, and data is exchanged with each pachinko machine 2 under the control of this CPU 11. This data transfer is performed using the I / O device 12 as an interface. The storage device 13 stores various management programs and various data referred to when each program is executed. Also, various data is input to the CPU 11 from the console panel 14 by the operator, and C
A command is given to the control operation of the PU 11. This CPU1
Under the control of No. 1, various data are displayed on the monitor device 15, and a voice signal is output from the speaker 16.
Further, the management computer 1 is provided with a transmission device 17, and the transmission device 17 wirelessly sends a command signal to the portable reception device 3.

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the external appearance of the portable receiving device 3, and FIG. 2B is a side view thereof. The portable receiver 3 is of a wristwatch type, and the receiver main body 3
Bands 32a and 32b are attached to the No. 1. When the bands 32a and 32b are wound around the arm of a staff member of a game shop, the receiver main body 31 is mounted on the staff member and carried.
On the back surface of the receiving device main body 31, a vibrating unit 33 is provided for notifying the arm of the clerk of the reception of the command from the management computer 1 by vibrating. Also, on the surface of the receiving device body 31,
Display unit 3 for visually displaying commands from the management computer 1
4 are configured. A mode button 35 and a set button 36 are provided below the display unit 34. Each of these buttons 35, 36 constitutes a mode switching means for displaying various function information on the display unit 34 and switching and setting various function modes.

The surface of the receiver main body 31 is shown in an enlarged manner in the plan view of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the display section 34 includes a numeral display section 34a, an event display section 34b, a battery mark 34c, and a battery mark 34c.
It has a vibrator mark 34d, an unconfirmed mark 34e, and a receiver power mark 34f. Number display section 34
a is composed of a 7-segment LED, and displays time, date, island number, platform number, and the like. The event display unit 34b is composed of 7 × 7 dot LED,
Command messages and events from the management computer 1 are displayed. The battery mark 34c blinks when the life of the battery of the mobile reception device 3 approaches. Vibrator mark 34d
Lights up when the vibrating section 33 can vibrate the vibrator.
The unconfirmed mark 34e lights up when unconfirmed messages are accumulated in the message memory described later. Further, the receiver power supply mark 34f lights up when the receiver power supply described later is OFF.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration of the portable receiver 3. The CPU 41 controls the operation of the mobile reception device 3 according to the program stored in the storage unit 42. In this control, various data stored in the storage unit 42 is appropriately referred to. The portable receiver 3 uses the battery 43 as a power source Vcc, and this power source Vcc is supplied to each unit to operate. The receiver power supply 44 receives power supply from the battery 43 and supplies its operating power to the receiver 45. The receiving unit 45 is the management computer 1
It receives the wireless command signal from and outputs it to the CPU 41.
The CPU 41 receives the received signal, displays the received command on the display unit 34 as described later, and drives the vibrating unit 33 to vibrate the vibrator. In addition, the CPU 41
The operation state of the mobile reception device 3 is switched to various function modes according to the button operation of the mode button 35 and the set button 36. Then, the operation of the vibrating section 33 and the display section 34 is controlled in each of the switched function modes.

Next, this function mode will be described.
The function modes include a reception standby mode for waiting for the reception of a command from the management computer 1, a message display mode for displaying a message of the received command, a time correction mode for correcting the set time and the set date, and a power supply of the receiving unit 45. O
6 of the receiver power switching mode for turning on / off, the power life display mode for displaying the life of the battery 43, and the vibration switching mode for setting the vibration mode of the vibrator 33.
There are different modes. These function modes are switched and set according to the button operation of the mode button 35 and the set button 36 by the staff member. These buttons 35 and 36 can be operated by "continuous pressing" that is continuously pressed for 3 seconds or more, "single-shot pressing" that releases the button that is being pressed within 3 seconds, and "simultaneous pressing" that simultaneously presses the buttons 35 and 36. is there.

The portable receiver 3 is normally in the reception standby mode, and the CPU 41 is waiting for the signal from the management computer 1 to be received by the receiver 45. In the reception standby mode, the time or date is displayed on the numeral display portion 34a of the display portion 34. This time display and date display are
The mode button 35 or the set button 36 is alternately switched each time the button is pressed once. At this time, the mode button 35 and the set button 36 constitute a detailed mode switching means. That is, the mode button 35
Alternatively, when the set button 36 is pressed, the operating state of the mobile reception device 3 is switched and set to the time display mode or the date display mode, which is a more detailed functional mode in the reception standby mode. In the following description, the mode button 35 and the set button 36 are also used.
Configures a detailed mode switching means for switching and setting to a more detailed function mode in a state where the function mode is switched to any one of the above types.

In any of the functional modes, the receiving unit 4
When the instruction from the management computer 1 is received by the management computer 5, the operating state of the mobile reception device 3 is automatically switched to the message display mode by the control of the CPU 41. Also,
When the mode button 35 is continuously pressed in the reception standby mode, the operation state of the mobile reception device 3 is switched from the reception standby mode to the time adjustment mode. When the mode button 35 and the set button 36 are simultaneously and continuously pressed in the reception standby mode, the operation state of the mobile reception device 3 is switched from the reception standby mode to the reception section power supply switching mode. In the reception standby mode, the set button 36
When is continuously pressed, the operating state of the mobile reception device 3 is switched from the reception standby mode to the vibration switching mode. Further, in any of the function modes, when the life of the battery 43 approaches, the CPU 41 automatically controls to switch to the battery life display mode.

In the message display mode, the clerk is notified of the arrival of an incoming call at the receiving unit 45 by the new arrival notification vibration of the vibrating unit 33, and the received command message is displayed on the display unit 34. This message includes a normal message, an erase message, and a special message. The normal message is a message that is transmitted to a staff member who wears the mobile reception device 3, and the normal message is composed of an island number, a platform number, and pattern information. The erase message is used to erase the message stored and accumulated in the message memory of the storage unit 42 of the portable receiving device 3, and the erase message is composed of the island number, the platform number and the pattern information of "0" data. . When the delete message is received by the receiving unit 45, among the messages stored and accumulated in the message memory of the storage unit 42, the message of the island number and the platform number indicated by the delete message is deleted. The special message is a message for switching the operation of the mobile reception device 3 and setting the time.

A normal message consists of 20 characters, and
The island number is represented by the second character, the "-" symbol is represented by the third character, the platform number is represented by the fourth to seventh characters, and the event mark character string is represented by the eighth to twentieth characters. The island number, the "-" symbol, and the platform number are displayed on the number display section 34a of the display section 34, and the event mark character string is displayed on the event display section 34b. For example, when a big hit occurs on the pachinko machine 2, the character “large” shown in FIG. 5 (a) indicating the big hit is displayed on the event display unit 34b with 7 × 7 dots shown in FIG. 5 (b). It This "large" character is
As shown in FIG. 7C, the data at the place where the character dot is present is set to "1", the data at the place where the character dot is not present is set to "0", and the event mark character string is converted. For example, "01-
[0012] When the receiving unit 45 receives the normal message including the "large" event mark character string ", the display unit 34 of the mobile reception device 3 displays the display shown in Fig. 7D. It is told to the staff that the 12th pachinko machine 2 on the 1st island is a big hit.

[0023] In addition to the big hit of the pachinko machine 2 described above, the event can be transmitted to the staff by calling the pachinko machine 2 by using the call button of the pachinko machine 2 detected by the management computer 1, calling a clerk by the manager of the game store, and pachinko machine 2. There are events such as poor ball supply to the machine and troubles with the pachinko machine 2.
In the event of calling the customer, the character "call" shown in FIG. 7E is displayed on the event display unit 34b. When the attendant recognizes the event displayed on the event display unit 34b and the attendant presses the mode button 35 or the set button 36 once, the CPU 41 determines that the notified event is confirmed by the attendant, and the portable reception device The operation state of 3 is returned from the message display mode to the reception standby mode.

Further, a plurality of command messages are received by the receiving unit 4.
When the second message is received before the first message is confirmed by the attendant, the second message is stored in the storage unit 42 of the mobile reception device 3. The stored message is stored in the message memory. Display 3
When a message not displayed in No. 4 is stored in this message memory, the unconfirmed mark 34e lights up. The number of messages that can be stored in the message memory is 15. If a message is stored in the memory full and there is a new reception, the oldest message is deleted and the new received message is stored at the end of the message memory.

The operation of the portable receiver 3 in this message display mode differs depending on the setting of the vibration stop option. This vibration stop option is switched and set when a predetermined special message is received by the receiving unit 45. In order to distinguish this special message from the normal message and the erase message, a colon (:) that never appears in the normal message and the erase message is set in the first two characters. The vibration stop option is an option for setting whether or not to immediately stop the vibration by pressing the buttons 35 and 36 during the new arrival notification vibration and the unconfirmed notification vibration. Here, the new arrival notification vibration is vibration generated by the vibration unit 33 when a message arrives at the reception unit 45 in the reception standby mode or the time correction mode, or when the battery life display mode is set. This vibration pattern is intermittent vibration with 3/8 second vibration and 5/8 second rest as one cycle. Further, the unconfirmed notification vibration is a vibration generated by the vibrating unit 33 when the message 35, 36 is pressed as a confirmation button in the message display mode and a message stored and accumulated in the message memory still remains. This vibration pattern is 3/8
It is an intermittent vibration with one cycle consisting of second vibration, 2/8 second rest, and 3/8 second vibration.

In the message display mode, when the vibration stop option is OFF, message confirmation is performed as follows. That is, if any of the mode button 35 or the set button 36 is pressed while unconfirmed messages are stored in the message memory,
Whether or not the vibrator is vibrating, the unconfirmed notification vibration is performed, and at the same time, the next accumulated message is displayed on the display unit 34. When the unconfirmed message is not stored in the message memory, the time is displayed in the reception standby mode as described above. On the other hand, when the vibration stop option is ON, if any of the buttons 35 and 36 is pressed during the new arrival notification vibration or the unconfirmed notification vibration, the vibration unit 33 is pressed.
The vibrator vibration of stops. At this time, this button operation is not regarded as a message confirmation operation. Then, if any of the buttons 35 and 36 is operated while the vibration is stopped, if the unconfirmed message is stored in the message memory, the unconfirmed notification vibration is performed and at the same time, the next stored message is displayed on the display unit 34. To be done. Further, when the unconfirmed message is not stored in the message memory, this button operation causes the time display of the reception standby mode.

In the time correction mode, when the mode button 35 is pressed, the correction position moves in the order of seconds → minutes → hours → day → month → year, and the last button operation returns to the reception standby mode. When the set button 36 is pressed at each correction position, the number of selected correction positions is incremented by 1.

In the receiver power switching mode,
Each time the buttons 35 and 36 are pressed simultaneously and continuously, the power supply from the receiver power supply 44 to the receiver 45 is turned on and off.
F is switched. At the same time as this switching, the power supply mark 34f of the receiver is also turned off and turned on. When the power supply to the receiver 45 is turned off, the receiver power mark 3
4f lights up, and no message is received. Also,
When the power supply to the receiving unit 45 is switched from OFF to ON,
While the unconfirmed notification vibration is performed, all the segments of the number display portion 34a are turned on, and the time display of the reception standby mode is automatically performed.

Further, in the vibration switching mode, each time the set button 36 is continuously pressed, the vibration of the vibrating portion 33 is switched to "vibrate" or "not vibrate" when the vibrating portion 33 can vibrate. Simultaneously with this switching, the vibrator mark 34d is turned on and off. When the vibration "ON" is set, the vibrator mark 34d is lit, and when the new message is received, the unconfirmed message is displayed, the battery life is displayed, and the operation of the receiver power supply 44 is switched from OFF to ON, the vibrator 33 is vibrated. Vibration is performed. When the vibration is set to "not", the vibrator mark 34d is turned off, and the vibrator 33 does not vibrate at all.

In the battery life display mode, the battery life advance notice is displayed when the battery life is approaching, and the battery life display is displayed when the battery life is reached. In the battery life notice display, the battery mark 34c lights for 0.5 seconds, 0.5
Blinks at 1 Hz, which is off for seconds. Even after this message is displayed, the mobile receiver 3 can be used normally, but since the battery life is near, it is necessary to prepare a new battery. Further, in the battery life display, along with the vibration of the same pattern and the same length as the new arrival notification vibration, "CHAn" is displayed on the numeral display portion 34a.
The letters “gE” are displayed. This letter means battery replacement. Simultaneously with this display, the blinking cycle of the battery mark 34c is changed to 2 Hz in which the battery mark 34c is turned on for 0.25 seconds and turned off for 0.25 seconds. Further, the power supply by the receiver power supply 44 and the vibrator vibration by the vibrating unit 33 are automatically turned off,
The command message cannot be received.

According to the management mechanism of the pachinko machine according to the present embodiment, the command from the management computer 1 to the staff is directly transmitted to the arm of the staff by the vibration of the vibrator 33 of the mobile reception device 3. Moreover,
The content of the command is visually displayed on the display unit 34 of the mobile reception device 3. Therefore, the command is transmitted to the clerk more quickly than the conventional indirect call to the clerk via lighting of a corner lamp or the like or in-store broadcasting. Moreover, since the content of the command message is transmitted to the staff in advance, the pachinko machine 2 that has requested the call
You can know in advance what the customer is calling before you go to
It becomes possible to prepare in advance. Therefore, it is possible to promptly respond to the call request from the player, and it is possible to improve the service of the pachinko gaming shop.
In addition, since there is no need to temporarily suspend in-store broadcasting of background music or the like and give an instruction to an attendant as business communication, according to the present embodiment, a player who enjoys playing a game of a gaming machine or music of in-store broadcasting. It also eliminates the problem of giving discomfort and bad impression to the.

Further, the above-mentioned six types of function modes of the portable receiving device 3 are the mode buttons 3 as mode switching means.
5 and the set button 36 can be switched appropriately, so that a wide variety of information can be obtained only by operating these buttons 35 and 36. Further, the function mode is set to a more detailed function mode by the buttons 35 and 36 which also operate as the detailed mode switching means, and various information can be easily obtained. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to further improve the service provided by the staff to the player based on the various information.

Since the undisplayed command message is stored in the message memory of the storage unit 42, the clerk operates the buttons 35 and 36 after the work for the command displayed on the display unit 34 is completed. Then, by calling the accumulated message, the work for the next command can be executed. That is, according to the present embodiment, even when a plurality of commands are transmitted from the management computer 1 to the mobile reception device 3, the staff can surely execute the commands in order.

Further, since the portable reception device 3 is of a wristwatch type, carrying the portable reception device 3 does not burden the staff. Therefore, a pachinko machine management mechanism is provided that is easy for staff members to work with.

In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the management mechanism of the pachinko machine has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to the management mechanism of a slot machine or the like. It is possible. Even in such a case, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, the command from the management device to the staff is directly transmitted to the staff by the vibration of the mobile reception device, and the contents of the command are visually displayed on the display section of the mobile reception device. To be done. Therefore, the command is transmitted to the clerk more quickly than the conventional indirect call to the clerk via lighting of the lamp or in-store broadcasting. Moreover, since the command contents are transmitted to the staff in advance, it is possible to know the call contents in advance before going to the gaming machine where the call is requested, and it is possible to prepare in advance. Therefore, it is possible to promptly respond to the call request from the player, and further, the player is not made to feel uncomfortable or have a bad impression.
Strive to improve service.

Further, since the function mode of the portable receiving device is appropriately switched by the mode switching means, a wide variety of information can be obtained by operating the mode switching means.
Further, since the function mode is set to a more detailed function mode by the detailed mode switching means, a wide variety of information can be easily obtained. Therefore, based on this wide variety of information, it is possible to further improve the service provided by the clerk to the player.

Further, since the undisplayed command is accumulated in the message accumulating means, the clerk calls the accumulated message after the work for the command displayed on the display unit is completed, and thereby the next command is instructed. Can perform work. That is, even when a plurality of commands are transmitted from the management device, the clerk can surely execute the commands in order.

Further, since the portable receiving device is constructed as a wrist watch type, carrying the receiving device does not burden the staff.

As a result, according to the present invention, a management mechanism capable of efficiently managing the gaming machine is provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged plan view showing a surface of a mobile reception device used for a management mechanism of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A and 2B are a plan view and a side view of the mobile reception device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an entire management mechanism of the gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical schematic configuration of the mobile reception device shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a picture displayed on the display unit of the mobile reception device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Management computer 2 ... Pachinko machine 3 ... Portable receiver 31 ... Receiver main body 32a, b ... Band 33 ... Vibrating part 34 ... Display part 34a ... Numerical display part 34b ... Event display part 34c ... Battery mark 34d ... Vibrator mark 34e ... Unconfirmed mark 34f ... Receiver power supply mark 35 ... Mode button 36 ... Set button

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A management device that receives information from a plurality of gaming machines and manages each of these gaming machines, and a portable receiving device that wirelessly receives a command from the gaming machine, the portable receiving device comprising: The receiving device is configured to switch between various functional modes by vibrating the reception of the command from the management device by a vibration unit, a display unit visually displaying the command, and displaying various functional information on the display unit. A management mechanism for a gaming machine, comprising: 2. The management mechanism for a gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a detailed mode switching unit for switching and setting a more detailed functional mode in the functional mode switched by the mode switching unit. 3. The management mechanism for a gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising message storage means for storing undisplayed commands when a plurality of the commands are received. 4. The gaming machine management mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the portable reception device is carried in a wristwatch manner. 5. The gaming machine management mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine or a slot machine.