JPH09214523A - Information repeater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a repeater which can speedily secure a transmission line when business starts (when power is supplied) and can secure the transmission line when a fault occurs in an information repeating operation. SOLUTION: When auxiliary repeaters recognize the operation of a token ring controller 325 and control for executing token ring LAN for raising power cannot be executed (unstable time until the initialization processing for raising power terminates) or when the fault occurs in circuits subsequent to a token ring controller 325, a token on a network is compulsorily passed through and it is transferred to a next station. When the operation of the token ring controller 325 becomes stable (or the fault is restored) and control for executing token ring LAN is possible, the compulsory pass through of the token is restricted. When a self station receives the token, it is taken in, transmission right is obtained and data is transferred to the other station (main repeater, for example). Thus, the information transmission line of token ring LAN is secured.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information relay device, and more specifically, to a wireless transmission medium (for example, infrared rays) interposed between an information processing device in a store (for example, in a game arcade) and a terminal device. The present invention relates to an information relay device using.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a game store, a communication network of a management system is provided in order to collect and manage information of a large number of gaming machines. In such a communication network, an information relay device for relaying information. May be used. For example, as a system using an information relay device, a card (prepaid card) to which an amount of money has been added in advance is purchased, and the prepaid card is inserted into the ball lending device attached to the gaming machine to perform a predetermined operation. There is a prepaid card system for lending balls and playing games.

As a prepaid card system for collecting information in this case, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-111509.
There is one using an optical LAN described in the publication. In the prepaid card system described in this publication, an issuing device that issues a prepaid card, a ball lending device that uses a prepaid card attached to a gaming machine, etc. communicate with a terminal control device that collects information via an information relay device. In addition, the terminal control device can be communicated with the center for paying card usage data by telephone line. When collecting information, a request to transfer information from the terminal control device is made for each terminal device by infrared communication using an optical LAN with an information relay device interposed. For example, the terminal device is a ball lending device attached to a gaming machine. If there is, the ball lending information of the ball lending device is transmitted to the terminal control device via the information relay device. In the terminal control device, the information collected from each terminal device is contacted to the center by using a telephone line, whereby the card usage data of the amusement store is settled with the center.

[0004]

However, in such an information relay device using the conventional optical LAN,
There were the following problems. (B) Polling method When information is collected using a conventional optical LAN (infrared is a transmission medium), the terminal control device has a transmission right to the terminal device (particularly, the polling method) in order to collect information from the terminal device. Transmission right) to each information relay device, and the information relay device receiving the transmission further transmits the transmission right to each terminal device within a range accessible by the information relay device, and the terminal corresponding to the transmission right. The device transmits information to the information relay device, and the information relay device transmits the information to the terminal control device, whereby the terminal control device collects the information of the terminal device. Here, polling is one of the methods for controlling the connection of the communication line. The terminal control device inquires a plurality of terminal devices in order as to whether or not there is a transmission request. Is started, and if there is none, a transmission control process is performed to make an inquiry to the next terminal device. This method is relatively adopted in amusement stores because it has the advantages of simplicity of the system and fair handling of all terminal devices. However, on the other hand, there is a disadvantage. It is vulnerable to the failure of the terminal control device that polls, there is a long delay before obtaining the transmission right, etc. The system that collects information by using the above method is insufficient for collecting a large amount of game information at high speed.

More specifically, in the case of a system in which all terminal devices are connected to a central terminal control device to form a network only by a polling method, the process of the polling method is repeated for each terminal device. Since it will collect information on the terminal device in the amusement store,
If the amount of information to collect is relatively small (for example, ball lending information, etc.), the business can endure up to a predetermined number of terminals, but if the number of terminal devices increases, multiple terminal control devices must be installed. However, there are problems that the cost is increased, the communication system is complicated, and the efficiency of collecting information is reduced. For example, large stores (game machines 100
In the case of 0 or more), a plurality of terminal control devices are arranged, and these terminal control devices collect information by polling each gaming machine (terminal device) for each predetermined range. . Such a polling method is reasonably effective in a system in which game information to be collected is relatively small, but the problem cannot be solved by simply applying it to a large store.

Further, in a system in which a game is performed using an enclosed ball type gaming machine using an information medium (recording medium: card) in which various valuable values or game values, etc., which have recently been proposed, are stored, Since the value and the like are managed by the amount of information, the amount of information collected by the terminal control device increases,
It is difficult to collect information with the conventional information collection technology. In particular, in the case of a system for playing a game using an enclosed ball type gaming machine using an IC card proposed by the applicant of the present invention, the amount of information is remarkably increased and the information must be collected at high speed. Specifically, this system detects the behavior of one ball and collects game information. For example, the information on the number of balls fired is sent to and received from about 1000 gaming machines every 0.6 seconds. There is a need. Therefore, even if the information collecting technique mainly based on the conventional polling method is applied to the game system that collects information at such a high speed, it cannot meet the demand.

(B) Effective Information Collection System Therefore, the applicant of the present invention, as a game hall network suitable for a system capable of collecting a large amount of game information at high speed,
We are developing a combination of ATM exchange by optical communication, token ring LAN, and polling method, and this system can realize the demand for a high-speed, high-quality, large-capacity network (see Examples described later). In this system, game information of terminal devices is collected by a polling method, the collected information is relayed by a token ring LAN using a high speed repeater, and further, information from each repeater is exchanged by an extremely high speed ATM. It is a method of transferring to the management device of the hall (information can be transmitted in both directions). This system retains the advantages of the polling method that treats terminal devices (especially a large number of game machines) fairly, that the system is simple, and that the IC chip for the protocol is inexpensive. By constructing the above network, it is possible to collect the information on the number of shots of all the balls in real time for every 0.6 seconds, for example, about 1000 gaming machines.

(C) Request for further improvement of the applicant's information collecting system of the present invention In the case of a token ring LAN, a plurality of information relay devices are arranged and a transmission right (for example, token) is provided between the information relay devices.
When the transmission right comes around, if there is information addressed to the information relay device, it is acquired, and if there is information from the terminal device to be transmitted, the information is transmitted along with the transmission right to other information. By sending it to the hall management device through the device,
Collecting a large amount of game information at high speed. In the case of a token ring LAN, unlike the polling method, data is transferred between a plurality of communicating stations and each station and a central device (for example,
It is not only transferred to and from the hall management device), and the control for obtaining the transmission right is distributed to each station. That is, each station (information relay device) has a function of network management, and in normal operation, all stations are fair.

By the way, since a plurality of information relay devices (stations) constituting the token ring LAN stand up at different times when the power is turned on and become operable, the transmission right is stopped at the station which stands up at the end. In the meantime, there is a problem that the information transmission path is not secured. In addition, since the system that circulates the transmission right between the information relay devices is adopted, if any information relay device fails, the information transmission path (information collection path: communication system) in the store (in the game hall) However, there is a problem that the whole business is delayed and it becomes impossible to do business. Therefore, it is desired to improve such points.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and is an information relay capable of promptly securing a transmission path at the start of business (when the power is turned on) and securing a transmission path when an information relay operation failure occurs. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, an information relay apparatus according to the present invention comprises a terminal transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting information to / from a terminal apparatus using a wireless transmission medium. An information relay device for relaying information transmission between a terminal device and another information processing device, wherein a transmission right is circulated between the information relay device and another information relay device to transmit information. The information relay device is configured to perform management, and when the power is turned on, the transmission right passing means for forcibly passing the transmission right until it becomes operable, and the information relay device when the operation becomes operable, And limiting means for limiting the compulsory passage of the transmission right.

The information relay apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises a terminal transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting information to / from the terminal apparatus using a wireless transmission medium, and the terminal apparatus and other information processing apparatus. An information relay device for relaying information transmission between the information relay device and the other information relay device, which manages information transmission by circulating a transmission right between the information relay device and the other information relay device. The apparatus includes a judging means for judging whether or not the information relay operation is possible, and a forced transmission right passing means for forcibly passing the transmission right when the judgment means judges that the information relay operation is impossible. , Are provided.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as an embodiment applied to an information relay device of a card type game system. (I) Overall Configuration of Game Hall Facility FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the game center facility using the management device. In FIG. 1, 1 is a game shop and 2 is a card management company (hereinafter referred to as a card company. The same applies to the drawing).
It is. The game store 1 is roughly divided into a card management device (hereinafter referred to as a management device) 11, a management analysis device (information processing device in a game hall) 12, a main relay device 13 (displayed as a relay device in the drawing), and a prize POS (prize). Exchange device) 14, ATM exchange device 15, island unit (so-called island equipment: equivalent to game machine installation equipment) 16, sub repeaters 21, 22 (displayed as a repeater in the drawing), card issuing machine (information medium issuing device) 23 An updating machine (information medium updating device) 24 is arranged.

Further, the island unit 16 includes a large amount of money addition machine (value added device) 25, a plurality of gaming machines (enclosed ball type gaming machines) 31a to 31n (hereinafter appropriately referred to as 31), and a supply device. 32 are arranged. Although only one island unit 16 and one sub-repeater 22 are shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of such island units 16 and sub-repeaters 22 are arranged in island units. Freebie PO
S14, the card issuing machine 23, the updating machine 24, the large amount of money adding machine 25, and the gaming machine 31 correspond to a mounted terminal device in which an IC card 400 (game information medium: recording medium) described later can be mounted.

The ATM exchange 15 is an information exchange device that controls the transmission of information from the management device 11, the management analysis device 12, the main repeater 13, and the prize POS 14 installed in the amusement store 1, and is an optical fiber information transmission. For example, an information amount of 155 Mbps can be transmitted via the path 41. Here, ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) will be described. In general, packet communication cannot operate at high speed and cannot handle a signal with a very high bit rate. On the other hand, in ATM exchange, it is premised that a high-quality transmission line such as an optical fiber transmission line with a low code error rate is used, and an error check is performed for each cell (digitized information block of a fixed length). Instead, they are directly exchanged with a hardware switch that enables high-speed operation.
As a result, the semiconductor switch can be used up to the operating speed, and signals of several 100 Mbit / sec or more can be exchanged and connected. Such ATM exchange technology allows the transfer of various types of information such as data, documents, voice, images, images, etc. in a single line.

The ATM switch 15 of this embodiment receives information from each terminal device installed in the store based on the above principle,
Exchange control is performed to send necessary information. The ATM switch 15 and the information transmission line 41 composed of an optical fiber constitute a first transmission network 42 having a physically large information transmission capacity. A transmission network 42 constitutes a network that is connected. A system having a physically large transmission capacity of information is a system that can secure an extremely large transmission capacity using the ATM switching technology and an optical fiber.

The main repeater 13 (information repeater) relays information transmission between the upper first transmission network 42 and the lower sub repeaters 21, 22 (information repeater). For example, an optical repeater. Ring LA using infrared and infrared
Communication by N is performed. The main repeater 13 is connected to the ATM switch 15 in the upper first transmission network 42 by 155 Mb.
ps information transmission is possible, and the lower sub-repeaters 21, 2
It is a configuration capable of transmitting information of 16 Mbps between the two. The lower sub relay device 21 is a card issuing device 23 and an updating device 2.
4. It relays information transmission between the large amount money adding device 25 and the main repeater 13. For example, an optical repeater is used to perform communication using infrared rays by a polling communication protocol. The sub repeater 21 is the card issuing machine 2
3, 1 Mbp between the renewal machine 24 and the large amount money addition machine 25
s information transmission is possible.

On the other hand, the sub-repeater 22 of the lower order is the game machine 31a.
.About.31n, which relays information transmission between the replenishing device 32 and the main repeater 13, for example, an optical repeater is used, and similarly, communication using infrared rays is performed by a polling communication protocol. Then, the sub repeater 22 is a game machine 31.
Information transmission of 1 Mbps is possible between a to 31n and the replenishing device 32. The sub repeaters 21 and 22, the main repeater 1
3, card issuing machine 23, renewal machine 24, large amount of money addition machine 2
5. The game machines 31a to 31n and the replenishing device 32 are wirelessly (here, information transmission by infrared rays) the second transmission network 43.
Form a network connected by.

Then, the management device 11 connected to the first transmission network 42 having a large transmission capacity, which is configured through the information transmission path 41 composed of the ATM switch 15 and the optical fiber,
A network including the business analysis device 12, the main repeater 13, and the prize POS 14, and the sub repeaters 21, 22, which are connected by the second transmission network 43, the main repeater 13, the card issuing machine 23, the updating machine 24, and the large amount of money added. Machine 25, gaming machines 31a to 31n,
The network including the supply device 32 is a LAN as a whole.
(Local Area Network) is a system that enables mutual information transfer at high speed. The data transmission between the management device 11, the management analysis device 12, and the terminal device has a packet configuration according to the TCP / IP protocol, and interfaces with an internal circuit of the terminal device.

(II) Game Hall Management System FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a game system management system. In FIG. 2, a management device 11 is an ATM switch 15 installed in a store.
Card company 2 and a telephone line 45 (for example, ISD
N or other digital lines). The management device 11 and the ATM switch 15 are connected by an information transmission line 41 composed of an optical fiber. The portion surrounded by a broken line is a configuration outside the game store, and the other game stores 46 are similarly connected to the card company 2 via the telephone line 47. The card company 2 issues an IC card common throughout the country as a game card, and performs payment for a game card in the game store 1. In addition, various information of the management device 11 in the game arcade 1 is received as needed (for example, reception of card payment information). The amusement store 1 is connected to the card company 2 via the telephone line 45 for obtaining card issuing information and necessary information from the card company 2 and making inquiries. In the following description, an IC card 400 described later is simply referred to as a game card or a card, as appropriate.

More specifically, the card company 2 issues a serial number (eg, issue number), security information, temporary issuing machine number, encryption information, IC card control program to the gaming card when issuing the card. Is stored and issued to each amusement store. In addition to the card information, the card company 2 has a card issuing machine 23, a gaming machine 31, and an updating machine 2.
4, large amount of money addition machine 25, the identification number of the prize POS 14 (individual identification information necessary for mutual authentication of each terminal device), card restriction information (for example, maximum value of additional amount:
Information such as security information is transferred to the management device 11 of each gaming shop. The individual identification information will be transmitted to the card issuing machine 23 or the like by the management device 11 later as an initial value.

In the case of the card issuing machine 23, a temporary issuing machine number and a true issuing machine number are given, and the IC card 400 is made to recognize the card issuing machine 23 (details will be described later) by the temporary issuing machine number, When the IC card 400 is issued from the card issuing machine 23, the temporary issuing machine number is overwritten by the true issuing machine number and becomes individual identification information (that is, the issuing machine identification number) similar to other terminal devices. In this way, the game store 1
Is the card company 2 for issuing card information and other necessary information.
ATM switch 15 to get or inquire from
It is connected to the card company 2 via.

Here, an IC used as a game card
When the card 400 is defined, an IC card is usually a non-contact type and electromagnetically coupled type which is equipped with an 8-bit (or 4-bit) CPU, a data memory, and a program memory storing a predetermined program. , C
A high-security memory medium that can make high-level judgments, calculations, data protection, etc. by utilizing the functions of PU. The data memory used is non-volatile, for example, rewritable EE
PROM is the mainstream. Then, an IC is usually embedded in a thin plastic card (a vinyl chloride card may be used) to ensure portability and sufficient protection. Also, unlike magnetic cards, they are fully safe and secure. Instead of an IC card, an optical card that is also sufficiently safe and secure may be used. In such a case, a necessary part such as a card reader / writer is compatible with an optical card.

Management device 11 (corresponding to another information processing device)
Is located in the management room of the hall and has a management computer, a display, a printer 50, an external storage device 51, a terminal input device (for example, a keyboard and a mouse), and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 52. The management computer manages the card system from the card company 2 via the telephone line 45, the ATM exchange 15, the information transmission line 41, the card issuing machine 23, the gaming machine 31, the updating machine 24, the large amount of money addition machine 25, and the prize POS 14. Necessary for management control of each terminal device of the game store 1 in addition to receiving information such as an identification number, card restriction information, security information, and encryption information and transmitting it as an initial value to the card issuing machine 23 and the like. Perform processing.

Further, it also carries out a process of transmitting information about payment of the card to the card company 2. Furthermore, the management computer manages various card information of issued cards,
In addition, each terminal device (eg, gaming machine 31, updating machine 24)
Etc.), and manages the verification history with the inserted card. In addition, the verification history with the card will be cleared only on the day of our shop. The external storage device 51 stores management information regarding the card system. Further, the management computer constantly manages the same information as the card by regularly contacting each terminal device. The uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 52 has a battery inside, and when the commercial power supply fails, the management device 1
Emergency power is supplied to each circuit of 1 to back up the operation for a certain period of time.

The business analysis device 12 (corresponding to other information processing device) is also arranged in the management room of the hall, and has a business analysis computer, a display, a printer 60, an external storage device 61, a terminal input device (for example, a keyboard or a keyboard). It has a mouse) and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 62. The management analysis computer is used for calculation, display, and simulation processing related to the management of the hall (for example, collection of various information of the gaming machine and each terminal device including customer information, necessary calculation processing, screen display, etc.), operation history information of the remote control device. It is connected to each terminal device through the ATM switch 15 and the information transmission line 41 to receive necessary information.
For example, necessary data is collected from a large number of enclosed ball-type gaming machines 31 installed in the island unit 16 of the hall, and data corresponding to various gaming states is arranged for calculation, display, and simulation processing required for management. And conduct business analysis,
The result is displayed on the display or the printer 60
To print. Also, the operation information of each remote control device operated by the clerk of the game store is collected, and the processing necessary for managing the operation information is performed.

Further, the management analysis computer stores the data collected from a large number of enclosed ball type gaming machines 31 and each terminal device in the internal storage device as daily data, or stores the stored data in the external storage device 61. Or For example, necessary data is collected from a large number of enclosed ball-type game machines 31 and management device 11 installed in the island unit 16 of the hall, data corresponding to various game states is arranged, and the arranged data is displayed on the display. (For example, display in the order of the machine numbers with the largest jackpots or in the order of the machine numbers with the highest jackpot occurrence rate), or monitor the operating state of each gaming machine 31 (for example, the state of forced settlement, the state of settlement adjustment) Or perform necessary data calculation processing. In addition, by operating the terminal input device, the game machine results are calculated by game type, machine type, island unit, and manufacturer, and sales information, big hit data, prize ball data, etc. are collected, and a management analysis computer It can also be displayed on the display.

Then, a simulation for predicting sales is performed based on the data stored in the external storage device 61, and past sales data is called as necessary. In addition, game information from the gaming machine 31 (for example, jackpot information, prize ball number information, etc.), prize exchange information from the prize POS 14 (for example, amount of stored balls, exchange amount for cash, exchange amount for prizes, etc.), The amount addition information and the like from the large amount addition machine 25 are collected, necessary calculation is performed using them, and the processing for calculating the performance of the gaming machine 31, the exchange information of the prize, the management information and the like is executed. The uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 62 is provided with a battery inside, and supplies an emergency power supply to each circuit of the business analysis device 12 to back up the operation for a certain time when the commercial power supply fails.

(III) Communication System of Terminal Device FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication system of the terminal device. In FIG. 3, the prize POS 14 is connected to an ATM exchange 15 installed in the store via an information transmission line 41 formed of an optical fiber, and the main repeater 13 is also connected to the ATM exchange 15 via an information transmission line 41 formed of an optical fiber. ing. That is, these are connected to the first transmission network 42 having a large transmission capacity, which is configured via the ATM switch 15 and the information transmission line 41 including the optical fiber. On the other hand, the main repeater 13
Has a function of relaying information between the first transmission network 42 and the second transmission network 43, and each terminal device (card issuing machine 2
3, update machine 24, large amount of money addition machine 25, gaming machine 31a ~
31n, the replenishing device 32), an information network is configured via the sub repeaters 21 and 22 of the second transmission network 43.

The sub-repeaters 21 and 22 use infrared communication for optical transmission / reception section 71 of the card issuing machine 23, optical transmission / reception section 72 of the updating machine 24, optical transmission / reception section 73 of the large amount money adding machine 25, and displays of the gaming machines 31a to 31n. Units 74a, 74
Information is mutually transmitted between the optical transmitter / receiver units 75a and 75b in FIG. It should be noted that the display units 74a and 74b are hereinafter simply referred to simply by the reference numeral 74, and the optical transmitter / receiver 7
Hereinafter, 5a and 75b will be simply denoted by reference numeral 75 as appropriate. The gaming machines 31a and 31b are arranged in the island unit 16, and the inter-mounting amount adding machines 76a and 76b (hereinafter simply referred to as 76 as appropriate), the replenishing device 32 and the large amount adding machine 25 are arranged. .

The card issuing machine 23 issues an IC card purchased from the card company 2 as a game card to a player (for example, when a player who does not have an IC card purchases it), for example, 1,000 yen. To issue a game card. The issued card can be continuously used for a predetermined period (for example, one year). The card issuing machine 23 transfers game card sales information and the like with the management device 11 and the management analysis device 12 via the optical transmission / reception unit 71. Further, the card issuing machine 23 performs mutual authentication processing with the IC card at the time of issuing the card, and when it judges that the card is valid, the card issuing machine 23, the gaming machine 31, the updating machine 24, the large amount of money adding machine are added to the card. 25, processing for recording the identification number of the prize POS 14, initial information of the card, and the like.

The large amount of money adding machine 25 is I purchased by the player.
By inserting a C card and inserting coins and bills,
A desired amount of money is added to the IC card. First, mutual authentication processing of the IC card is performed, and the amount of money (value of value) is added to the IC card based on the result. As the additional amount of money, for example, any one of 3,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 10,000 yen can be selected. The amount of money can be added also by the inter-machine amount of money adding machine 76 arranged between the adjacent gaming machines. In this case, the amount of money is added in units of 1000 yen.

The game machine 31 uses the IC card 400 to play a pachinko game using a predetermined number of balls (for example, 40 enclosed balls) enclosed inside. When the IC card is inserted, Mutual authentication is performed with the IC card, and based on the result, the amount of money (value information) recorded in the IC card is converted into the number of balls (game value information) that can be used in the game, enabling the game to be played. Also, as a result of the game, it is possible to play by the number of balls (game value) already recorded,
The result of the game is recorded in the IC card. In particular,
When the IC card is inserted, control is performed by reading information on the IC card (amount data, number of balls held, etc.) and lending a ball, or storing the number of balls acquired by the player in the IC card. The information on the ball lending (that is, sales) is transferred by the IC card to the management device 11 and the management analysis device 12 via the optical transmission / reception unit 75 of the display unit 74 via the network.

The front frame or the like of the gaming machine 31 can be remotely operated by a remote control device (hereinafter referred to as a remote control device) 100, and the remote control device 100 is operated to emit infrared rays to the display unit 74 of the gaming machine 31. Then, the game machine 31 is instructed by the display unit 74.
The opening and closing of the front frame and so on is performed remotely. In this case, the operation history information of the remote control device 100 is transferred from the optical transmission / reception unit 75 of the gaming machine 31 to the management analysis device 12 via the network. The remote control device 100 has a transmitter that can emit infrared rays, a plurality of push buttons arranged on the surface of the main body, a control unit that is configured by a microcomputer, and the like. By operating the push buttons, a predetermined operation code, Infrared rays including the remote control ID are output, and the game machine 31 is remotely operated.

The renewal machine 24 is for replacing a card which has passed a predetermined expiration date (for example, one year) with a new card in order to use the IC card without any trouble, and the expiration date (for example, one year). When an IC card exceeding the number is inserted, the IC card is made unusable under a predetermined condition (here, the permission of the update is inquired to the card company 2 via the management device 11 and updated when the permission is issued). In addition to collecting and issuing a new IC card, the information recorded in the IC card before the collection is recorded in the new IC card. When the IC card 400 (hereinafter, simply referred to as an IC card) is inserted, the prize POS 14 performs mutual authentication of the inserted IC card, and based on the result, I
The prize exchange process is performed according to the information on the C card.
Payment can be made based on the number of balls (game value) recorded in the IC card. The reason why payment is possible is that if the ball count data recorded on the IC card does not match the data recorded on the management device 11, a prize exchange is decided through discussion between the player and the hall staff. Because,
This is because the prize exchange is not permitted in all cases.

The prize POS 14 is arranged in an unoccupied place in the hall, and a space is provided on the back side for maintenance of staff. In the prize exchange at the prize POS 14, it is possible to exchange for cash or a stored amount of money (stored as amount information at the exchange rate of the hole) based on the number-of-balls stored in the IC card. Ball information can also be exchanged for free gifts, and the amount of coins can also be exchanged for cash. The replenishing device 32 is for enclosing and replenishing enclosed balls with respect to the plurality of gaming machines 31a to 31n arranged in the island unit 16 (see FIG. 1).

(IV) Structure of Repeater A. Arrangement Configuration of Main Repeater 13 and Sub Repeaters 21 and 22 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement configuration of the main repeater 13 and the sub repeaters 21 and 22. In FIG. 4, 151 is the ceiling of the game arcade, and the main repeater 13 is attached to the ceiling 151 which is almost horizontal.
And a sub relay 22 (however, the sub relay 21 is not shown)
Is attached. Main repeater 13 and sub repeater 2
2 (similarly to the sub-repeater 21) are respectively arranged at positions where they can be seen from each other, and are topologically linked using a wireless transmission medium (here, infrared rays) to transmit information (in particular, information relay). )I do. In the following explanation,
The structure and block circuit of one sub-repeater 22 will be described in detail, but the same applies to the other sub-repeater 21.

The sub repeater 22 is arranged at a position where all the terminal devices in the communication area (for example, a part of the game machines in one island unit 16) can be watched, and the game machines 31a to 31d in the communication area are provided. Each optical transceiver 75a-
Information is transmitted (in particular, relayed) by infrared communication with 75d. The sub repeater 21 is connected to a terminal device in the communication area (for example, the optical transmitter / receiver 71 of the card issuer 23, the optical transmitter / receiver 72 of the updater 24, the optical transmitter / receiver 73 of the large-sized money adding machine 25). Information transmission (especially relay) is performed by infrared communication.

B. Attachment Structure of Main Repeater 13 FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the main repeater 13, and as shown in FIG. 5, the main repeater 13 has an attachment 152 for attaching to the ceiling 151 of the game arcade. . Attachment 15
2 includes three reinforcing portions 153a to 153c and two sliding portions 154a and 154b.
The fixture 152 is fixed to the ceiling part 151 by screwing it into a predetermined position of the ceiling part 151 through fixing means such as screws into a plurality of screw holes formed in 153c. The slide portions 154a and 154b are formed to have a groove having a U-shaped cross section.

In order to attach the main repeater 13 to the fixture 152, first, as shown by the arrow, the thin flat plate-like slide attaching portion 13a formed on the ceiling side of the main repeater 13 main body is made into the slide portions 154a and 154b. By inserting it into a groove with a U-shaped cross section and sliding it, the main repeater 13
Are supported by the fixture 152. Next, the main repeater 13 main body is fixed to the attachment 152 by passing bolts through the plurality of screw holes formed in the slide attachment portion 13a and tightening them with nuts. As a result, the main repeater 13 is fixed to the ceiling 151 of the game arcade.

As shown in the side view of FIG. 6, a level indicator (level meter) for receiving the infrared rays from the sub repeaters 21 and 22 and monitoring the infrared level is provided on the side of the main repeater 13.
161 is arranged, and a light emitting section 162 for transmitting infrared rays between the repeaters and a light receiving section 163 for receiving infrared rays between the repeaters are also arranged. The light emitting unit 162
The term includes a light emitting element, a lens, a protective casing, etc., which will be described later. Similarly, the light receiving section 163 includes a light receiving element, a lens, a protective casing, etc., which will be described later. The main repeater 13 main body is made of metal, has a black coating on the outside, and has electronic circuit parts (for example, ICs) necessary for infrared communication inside.
The board on which is mounted) is stored (circuit blocks will be described later). Each of the light emitting unit 162 and the light receiving unit 163 has a structure in which the angle and the direction can be slightly adjusted, and the direction of infrared rays can be aligned with the repeater of the partner who performs infrared communication.

C. Mounting Structure of Sub Repeater 22 FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the sub repeater 22, and as shown in FIG. ) Has a mounting side 171. Each mounting side 171 is 4 of the main body of the sub repeater 22.
It is formed in the corner. To attach the sub relay device 22 to the ceiling portion 151, the sub relay device 22 is screwed into a predetermined position of the ceiling portion 151 through a fixing means such as a screw through a screw hole formed in each mounting side 171. Ceiling 15
Fixed to 1. The sub repeater 22 includes a circuit housing portion 172, a partition wall 173, and a light emitting portion 174 for transmitting infrared rays between the repeaters.
And a light receiving unit 175 for receiving infrared rays between the repeaters. The light emitting unit 174 includes a light emitting element, a lens, a protective casing, etc., which will be described later, and similarly, the light receiving unit 17
The numeral 3 includes a light receiving element, a lens, a protective casing, etc., which will be described later.

The circuit accommodating portion 172 is made of metal, has a black coating on the outside, and accommodates electronic circuit components (for example, a substrate on which an IC is mounted) necessary for performing infrared communication inside (circuit). Blocks will be described later). Circuit compartment 17
A power-on switch 176 and an outlet 177 are arranged on one side of the No. 2 side. Power on switch 1
Reference numeral 76 is for turning on / off the circuit power supply of the sub repeater 22. In addition, as shown in the side view of FIG. 8, a level indicator 178 (which is difficult to see in FIG. 7) that receives infrared rays from other relays 13 and 21 to monitor the infrared level is provided on the side of the sub relay 22. Therefore, the reference numerals are omitted).

Inside the partition wall 173, gaming machines 31a to 3a
A level indicator 181 that receives infrared rays from 1d (that is, a terminal device) and monitors the infrared level is arranged, and a plurality of light emitting units 182 and a game that perform infrared transmission with the gaming machines 31a to 31d. Machines 31a-31
A plurality of light receiving units 183 that receive infrared rays from and to d are arranged. The light emitting section 182 includes a light emitting element, a lens, a protective housing, etc., which will be described later, and the light receiving section 183 similarly includes a light receiving element, a lens, a protective housing, etc., which will be described later. Each of the light emitting unit 182 and the light receiving unit 183 has a structure in which the angle and the direction can be slightly adjusted, and the direction of the infrared rays can be aligned with the repeater of the partner who performs the infrared communication.

In the case of the present embodiment, eight light emitting portions 182 are arranged as shown in detail in FIG. 9, and the gaming machines 31a to 31a.
In order to cover all 31d as a communication area, eight light emitting units 182a to 182h are oriented in different directions with a predetermined angle. In addition,
In FIG. 9, the eight light emitting units 182a to 182h are divided and assigned reference numbers, but in the following description, 18 will be appropriately used for convenience.
The reference numeral 2 represents the light emitting unit. On the other hand, in the case of the present embodiment, two light receiving units 183 are arranged as shown in detail in FIG. The parts 183a and 183b are oriented in different directions with a predetermined angle. In FIG. 9, the two light-receiving units 183a and 183b are separately labeled, but in the following description, the light-receiving unit will be represented by the symbol 183 as appropriate for convenience.

Of the eight light emitting parts 182a to 182h,
The light emitting units 182a, 182d, 182e, and 182h emit rapid infrared light having a narrow directivity, and have a long reach. On the other hand, the light emitting unit 182b,
Reference numerals 182c, 182f, and 182g emit wideband infrared rays having a wide directivity, and have a short reaching distance. Then, by combining the light emitting units 182a to 182h having such two different directivities, the communication areas of the gaming machines 31a to 31d can be formed. Each of the eight light emitting units 182a to 182h and the two light receiving units 183a and 183b has a structure in which the angle and direction can be adjusted, and the direction of infrared rays can be adjusted within the infrared communication area.

The partition wall 173 has a function of correcting the communication area of the light emitting portion 182 and the light receiving portion 183 into a predetermined directional area, and is formed in a rectangular shape by a wall having a constant height. Then, the partition wall 173 partitions the light emitting portion 182 and the light receiving portion 183 so as to physically surround the light emitting portion 182 and the light receiving portion 183, thereby correcting the directional regions of the light emitting portion 182 and the light receiving portion 183 to form the communication area into a predetermined shape. . In the case of the present embodiment, the communication area having a predetermined shape means the gaming machine 3
1a to 31d is formed in a substantially rectangular communication area capable of transmitting information. In this rectangular communication area, infrared communication is possible regardless of the position of the game machine.

The outside of the partition wall 173 is painted black, and the inner wall surface of the partition wall 173 is also painted black (a process for suppressing the reflection of infrared rays). This is because infrared rays emitted from the gaming machine side are reflected by the inner wall surface of the partition wall 173 and enter the light receiving section 183, and the infrared reception waveform for discriminating binary data (“0”, “1”) is disturbed. This is to prevent a problem in which congestion occurs in communication. Such congestion of communication becomes remarkable when the transmission speed of information is increased (for example, 1 Mbps or more) when the black coating is not applied, but when the black coating is applied to reduce the reflection of infrared rays, Even if the information transmission speed is increased, the data can be accurately transmitted.

D. Structure of Optical Transceiver Unit of Terminal Device FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of the optical transceiver unit of the terminal device. The optical transmitter / receiver in the terminal device here means the optical transmitter / receiver 71 of the card issuing machine 23, the optical transmitter / receiver 72 of the update machine 24, the optical transmitter / receiver 73 of the large-sized money adding machine 25, and the display units of the gaming machines 31a to 31n. 74a, 74b
The optical transceivers 75a and 75b in FIG. 2 and the optical transceiver (not shown) of the replenishing device 32. Note that for convenience, the display units 74a, 74 of the gaming machines 31a to 31n
The optical transmitter / receiver of the terminal device will be described as a representative of the optical transmitter / receivers 75a and 75b (denoted by 75) in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, the optical transceiver 75 is a mounting tool 1 for mounting on the island unit 16 in which the gaming machine 31 is arranged.
It has a storage part 192 that stores 91 and a light emitting part / light receiving part. The attachment 191 is made of metal, is formed in a substantially L shape, and has a plurality of screw holes. To attach the optical transmitter / receiver 75, the optical transmitter / receiver 75 is fixed to the island unit 16 by screwing it into a predetermined position of the island unit 16 through a fixing means such as a screw through a screw hole formed in the fixture 191. To be done.

As shown by the arrow F in FIG. 10, the accommodating portion 192 is rotatably fixed to the left and right within a certain range as shown by an arrow F in FIG. You can adjust the direction of the infrared with. In this case, a lens base 192a is arranged in the storage portion 192, and a level indicator 193 described later is attached to the lens base 192a. Then, the lens base 192a has an arrow G with its substantially central axis as the center of rotation.
It is designed to rotate up and down as indicated by. The level indicator 193 attached to the lens base 192a inside the storage unit 192 receives the infrared rays from the sub repeater 22 and monitors the infrared level. Also, the lens base 192
In a, a light emitting unit 1 that performs infrared transmission with the sub repeater 22.
A light receiving unit 195 that receives infrared rays between the optical communication terminal 94 and the sub repeater 22 is arranged. The light emitting unit 194 is
The light receiving element 195 includes a light emitting element, a lens, a protective casing, and the like, which will be described later.
It includes a protective housing and the like. Each of the light emitting unit 194 and the light receiving unit 195 has a structure in which the angle and the direction can be slightly adjusted, and the direction of the infrared ray can be matched with the sub relay device 22 of the partner who performs the infrared communication. The storage portion 192 is made of metal and has an opening, and a transparent clear member 196 is detachably fixed to the opening. This is because the optical transmission / reception unit 75 generally performs infrared communication upward, so that dust, dust, and the like are prevented from entering.

(V) Circuit Structure of Repeater Next, each of the repeaters 13, 21, 22 and the optical transceiver 75
The circuit configuration of will be described. A. Circuit Configuration of Main Repeater 13 FIGS. 11 and 12 are block diagrams showing the circuit configuration of the main repeater 13. 11 and 12, the main repeater 13 is roughly divided into an ATM I / F card 20 for performing ATM communication.
1, token ring I / F card 202, infrared communication unit 203, bus 204, main repeater control circuit 240 (FIG. 12)
See)). The ATM I / F card 201 is connected to the ATM switch 15 by an information transmission line 41 composed of an optical fiber cable and transmits information at 155 Mbps. The optical interface (I / F) circuit 2
11, frame cell interface (I / F) circuit 2
12, data conversion controller 213, ATM cell disassembly / assembly controller 214, packet memory / control memory 215 and bus interface (I / I
F) It is composed of the circuit 216.

Optical interface (I / F) circuit 211
Is a data-to-light conversion and a light-to-data conversion so that optical communication can be performed in units broken into frame cells in order to perform information transmission with the ATM switch 15 via the information transmission path 41 formed of an optical fiber cable. Conversion of. The frame cell interface (I / F) circuit 212 performs a multiplexing process of frame cells. The data conversion controller 213 performs conversion for converting a frame cell into data without a frame cell header, or for assembling data without a cell header into a CS payload. AT
The M cell disassembly / assembly controller 214 disassembles the data including the CS payload (message packet) into data excluding the cell header, and assembles the data excluding the cell header into the CS payload (message packet). A
The TM cell disassembly / assembly controller 214 is connected to the packet memory / control memory 215 and the bus interface (I / F) circuit 216.

Packet memory / control memory 21
Reference numeral 5 has a packet memory area for storing packets (IP header including message information + data with UDP header (CS payload)) and a control memory area for storing control data (control information). Store the data separately in the area. Bus interface (I
/ F) circuit 216 includes ATM cell disassembly / assembly controller 214 and packet memory / control memory 21.
5 and the token ring I / F card 202 are interfaced via the bus 204. The token ring I / F card 202 is interposed between the ATM I / F card 201 and the infrared communication section 230 to control the token ring LAN, and includes a bus interface (I / F) circuit 221, a bus controller 222, It is composed of a buffer memory / control memory 223, a clock circuit 224, a token ring controller 225, a token ring modulation / demodulation circuit 226, an RS485 driver circuit 227, and an RS485 receiver circuit 228.

Bus interface (I / F) circuit 22
1 is an ATM I / F card 201 and a token ring I / F
Interfaces data transfer with card 202. The buffer memory / control memory 223 has a buffer memory area for temporarily storing data (data including message information) and a control memory area for storing control data (control information). Store the data separately. The clock circuit 224 generates a clock signal required for controlling the token ring. The token ring controller 225 controls the token ring based on the clock signal generated by the clock circuit 224. Specifically, the token ring controller 225 circulates control information called a token between stations (that is, between the main repeater and the sub repeater). , Controls to give the transmission right only to the station that got the token. When each relay acquires a token, it sends the data if there is data to send, and passes the token to the next relay after the end of transmission (if there is no data to send, passes the transmission right (token) to the next). ). The bus controller 222 is a bus interface (I / F)
Circuit 221, buffer memory / control memory 22
3 and the token ring controller 225 to control the transfer of data.

The token ring modulation / demodulation circuit 226 modulates the data (data including message information) stored in the buffer memory into the data transferred by the token ring, or vice versa. Performs processing such as demodulation into data stored in the buffer memory. The RS485 driver circuit 227 is a connection unit for transferring a signal defined by the EIA standard 485, and transfers the data from the token ring modulation / demodulation circuit 226 to the RS485 receiver circuit 231 of the infrared communication unit 203, which will be described later. Also, the RS485 receiver circuit 22
Reference numeral 8 denotes a connection unit for transferring a signal defined by the EIA standard 485, which is RS4 of the infrared communication unit 203, which will be described later.
The data from the 85 driver circuit 232 is transferred to the token ring modulation / demodulation circuit 226. The above ATM
The ATM I / F card 201, the token ring I / F card 202, and the bus 204 for communication are mounted on one relay control circuit board 230. Specifically, A
Both the TM I / F card 201 and the token ring I / F card 202 are designed to be inserted into a predetermined connector of the relay control circuit board 230 by a removable card method.

The infrared communication section 203 includes RS485 driver / receiver circuits 231, 232, a drive circuit 233,
Filter circuit 234, level indicator 161, light emitting element 2
36 and the light receiving element 237. RS48
The 5 receiver circuit 231 is a connection unit for transferring a signal defined by the EIA standard 485, and is the RS485 driver circuit 2 in the token ring I / F card 202.
The data from 27 is transferred to the driver circuit 231 of the infrared communication unit 203. Also, the RS485 driver circuit 23
Reference numeral 2 denotes a connection unit for transferring a signal defined by the EIA standard 485, which transfers data from the filter circuit 234 in the infrared communication unit 203 to the RS485 receiver circuit 228 of the token ring I / F card 202.
Each RS485 driver / receiver circuit 227, 2
28, 231, and 232 are connected by a predetermined cable line.

The drive circuit 233 drives the light emitting element 236 based on the data from the RS485 driver circuit 231, generates infrared rays, and transmits the infrared rays to another repeater forming a token ring. The light receiving element 237 receives the infrared rays transmitted from the other repeaters constituting the token ring,
Output to the filter circuit 234. Filter circuit 234
(See FIG. 13 for details) outputs the output signal of the light receiving element 237 to the RS485 driver circuit 232 after signal processing (including A / D conversion). The level indicator 161 displays the infrared light reception sensitivity based on the level display signal from the filter circuit 234.

As shown in FIG. 12, the main repeater control circuit 240 includes a main control circuit 241 and an HDD control (I / I).
F) A circuit 242 and an HDD device 243 are included, and are connected to the respective parts of the circuit of FIG. The main control circuit 241 controls the entire main repeater 13, and includes a CPU 244, a RAM 245, and a bus interface (I / F) circuit 246. The CPU 244 uses the RAM 245 as a work area, reads the control program stored in the HDD device 243, expands it on the internal memory, controls the operation of the entire main repeater 13, and outputs the control output to the bus interface (I / F). ) Circuit 2
The data is output to other circuit units via the bus 46, and necessary data is fetched via the bus interface (I / F) circuit 246.

The HDD device 243 stores a control program and data required for the operation of the CPU 244.
The HDD control (I / F) circuit 242 controls the operation of the HDD device 243. The HDD device 243 may store a control program or the like (OS for operating the program, a user program, or the like) for the operation of the entire main repeater 13, but not limited to this, for example, a ROM is provided to store the control program. You may choose to do it, or ATM
I / F card 201 and token ring I / F card 20
A control program required for the removable card 2 may be stored and operated.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of the filter circuit 234. The filter circuit 234 includes an amplifier 251 for amplifying the output signal of the light receiving element 237 and a level converter 252 for A / D converting the output signal of the amplifier 251.
And a level converter 25 for converting the output signal of the amplifier 251 into a level signal for display and outputting the level signal to the level indicator 161.
3 and an amplifier 254 for amplifying the output signal of the level converter 252. Further, the filter circuit 234 is configured as a base having a detachable connector 255,
The output signal of the amplifier 254 is sent to RS via the connector 255.
It is supplied to the 485 driver circuit 232. Level indicator 1
Reference numeral 61 indicates a predetermined scale position when the infrared reception sensitivity is optimum based on the signal from the level converter 253.

B. Circuit Configurations of Sub Repeaters 21 and 22 FIGS. 14 and 15 are block diagrams showing circuit configurations of the sub relays 21 and 22. The sub repeater 21 will be described as a representative,
The configuration of the sub-repeater 22 is the same and will be omitted. In FIG. 14, the sub repeater 21 is roughly classified into a first infrared wireless communication unit 301, a DSP control unit 302, a FIFO control unit 303,
Token ring I / F card 304, ring relay (relay circuit) 305, second infrared wireless communication unit 306, bus 3
07, a sub repeater control circuit 308 (see FIG. 15). The first infrared wireless communication unit 301 includes the drive circuit 3
11, a filter circuit 312, a level indicator 181, a light emitting element 313, and a light receiving element 314. The drive circuit 311 drives the light emitting element 313 based on the serial data from the DSP control unit 302, generates infrared rays, and transmits the infrared rays toward a terminal device (for example, a gaming machine). The light receiving element 314 receives the infrared light transmitted from the terminal device and outputs it to the filter circuit 312. The filter circuit 312 (for details, refer to the same as FIG. 13) includes the light receiving element 3.
14 output signals are processed (including A / D conversion) and D
Output to the SP control unit 302. The level indicator 181 displays the infrared light receiving sensitivity based on the level display signal from the filter circuit 312.

The DSP control unit 302 specifies a domain (terminal device) and independently performs polling control.
It comprises an SP polling modulation / demodulation circuit 315 and a DSP polling protocol controller 316. DSP
The polling modulation / demodulation circuit 315 modulates data (data including message information) to be transmitted to the terminal device into data transferred by DSP polling and outputs the data to the drive circuit 311, or conversely from the terminal device to DSP polling. The data transferred from the filter circuit 312 is demodulated into received data. The DSP polling protocol controller 316 performs DSP polling control by outputting data to the FIFO control unit 303 or receiving data from the FIFO control unit 303 based on the DSP polling control protocol.

The FIFO control unit 303 comprises a reception FIFO memory 317, a transmission FIFO memory 318 and a status register 319. The reception FIFO memory 317 is a so-called first-in first-out memory that temporarily stores the data received from the terminal device by DSP polling. The data here is composed of a message packet, a UDP port number, an IP address, and a wireless header. The transmission FIFO memory 318 is a so-called first-in first-out memory that temporarily stores data to be transmitted to the terminal device by DSP polling. Data here is also a message packet, UDP
It is composed of a port number, an IP address, and a wireless header. The status register 319 stores the data received by the DSP polling in the reception FIFO memory 317, and transmits the data to be transmitted by the sub relay control circuit 308 to the sub relay control circuit 308, and the transmission FIFO memory 318.
When the data is stored in, the DSP polling protocol controller 316 is notified, and the normality / abnormality of the communication data in the DSP polling protocol controller 316 is also notified to the sub relay control circuit 308 by the status. The token ring I / F card 304 is a token ring system L
It controls the AN, and uses the bus interface (I /
F) Circuit 321, Bus Controller 322, Buffer Memory / Control Memory 323, Clock Circuit 32
4, a token ring controller 325 and a token ring modulation / demodulation circuit 326.

Bus interface (I / F) circuit 32
1 performs an interface process for data transfer between the FIFO control unit 303 and the token ring I / F card 304. The buffer memory / control memory 323 has a buffer memory area for temporarily storing data (data including message information) and a control memory area for storing control data (control information). Store the data separately. The clock circuit 324 generates a clock signal necessary for controlling the token ring. The token ring controller 325 controls the token ring based on the clock signal generated by the clock circuit 324, and similarly circulates control information called a token between stations (that is, between the main repeater and the sub repeater), Control to give the transmission right only to the station that acquired the. The bus controller 322 is a bus interface (I / F) circuit 321, a buffer memory / control memory 323, and a token ring controller 32.
Control the transfer of data between 5

The token ring modulation / demodulation circuit 326 modulates the data (data including message information) stored in the buffer memory into the data transferred by the token ring, or vice versa. Performs processing such as demodulation into data stored in the buffer memory. Ring relay 305 is normally open contact 3
27, 328 and normally closed b-contacts 329, each contact is controlled based on the control signal of the token ring controller 325. That is, when the circuit on the terminal device side from the token ring I / F card 304 is normal, the circuit on the terminal device side from the token ring I / F card 304 becomes normal after the startup timing when the power of the sub repeater 21 is turned on. When the operation starts, the normally open a-contacts 327 and 328 are closed and the normally-closed b contact 329 is opened to open the token ring modulation / demodulation circuit 326.
Data can be transferred between the second infrared wireless communication unit 306 and the second infrared wireless communication unit 306. Where the token ring controller 325
The normal operation of the token ring LAN means that the information relay operation is possible, the token is received and the information is transmitted, and when there is no information to be transmitted, the token is sent to the next station. It means that control to perform is possible. The token ring controller 325 and the ring relay 305 constitute transmission right passage means, restriction means, determination means, and forced transmission right passage means.

On the other hand, the token ring I / F card 304
If the circuit on the terminal device side is abnormal (for example, in case of failure), the circuit on the terminal device side still operates normally from the token ring I / F card 304 at the startup timing when the power of the sub repeater 21 is turned on. If not, the normally open a-contacts 327 and 328 are opened to disconnect the token ring modulation / demodulation circuit 326 from the second infrared wireless communication unit 306, and the normally-closed b contact 329 is opened. The second infrared wireless communication unit 306 is closed and data is bypassed to another repeater.

Therefore, the operation of the ring relay 305 can be summarized as follows. When the ring relay 305 forcibly passes through the token: When the power of the sub relay device 21 is turned on, the operation of the token ring controller 325 is unstable (an unstable period until the initialization process is normally completed), and the token ring LAN When it is impossible to control the token ring LAN. When the token ring LAN cannot be controlled. For example, when the token ring controller 325 fails or the circuit on the terminal device side of the token ring controller 325 is abnormal (for example, Failure) When the ring relay 305 operates so as to be able to take in the token (corresponding to a state in which the forced passage of the token is restricted) -After the power of the sub relay device 21 is turned on, the operation of the token ring controller 325 becomes stable. Perform token ring LAN (after the initialization process is completed normally) That is, when it is possible to control the Token Ring LAN when your becomes available, when not a failure such as a Token Ring Controller 325

The DSP control unit 302 and the FIF
O control unit 303, token ring I / F card 304,
Ring relay 305 and sub relay control circuit 30 described later
8 is mounted on one board and is inserted into a predetermined connector of the board by, for example, a removable card system (however, the ring relay 305 is inserted into a socket). The second infrared wireless communication unit 306 is a drive circuit 33.
1, a filter circuit 332, a level indicator 178, a light emitting element 333 and a light receiving element 334. The drive circuit 331 is a token ring modulation / demodulation circuit 326.
Drive the light emitting element 333 based on the data transmitted from the relay circuit 305 to generate infrared rays to form a token ring and transmit the token ring to another relay. The light receiving element 334 receives the infrared rays transmitted from the other repeaters forming the token ring, converts the infrared rays into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the filter circuit 332. The filter circuit 332 (for details, refer to the same as FIG. 13) processes the output signal of the light receiving element 334 (A /
(Including D conversion) and output to the token ring modulation / demodulation circuit 326 via the relay circuit 305. The level indicator 178 displays the infrared light receiving sensitivity based on the level display signal from the filter circuit 332.

As shown in FIG. 15, the sub repeater control circuit 308 includes a CPU 341, a BIOSROM 342, and a ROM3.
43, DRAM 344, and buffer 346. The CPU 341 reads the boot program stored in the BIOS ROM 342 and boots it, and the sub relay 21
A program for performing relay control of communication in the ROM 34
3 is read into the memory (DRAM 344) and the processing is executed. The BIOS ROM 342 stores a boot program. The ROM 343 stores a control program (user program) and necessary data. For example, a flash memory that can rewrite data is used.
The ROM 343 may be rewritten by the management device 11 when the software is upgraded, for example. DRAM 344 is 1MB
It is used as a program execution area and a work area. A line buffer is used as the buffer 346 and amplifies the data signal passing through the bus 307.

C. Optical transmitter / receiver 75 arranged in the terminal device
Circuit configuration of FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are optical transmission / reception units 75 arranged in the terminal device.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of FIG. The optical transmission / reception unit 75 of the gaming machine 31 will be described as a representative, and the configuration of the optical transmission / reception unit arranged in another terminal device is the same, and the description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 16, the optical transmitter / receiver 75 is the terminal communication control device 35.
0, and the terminal communication control device 350 is roughly divided into an infrared communication unit 351, a first DSP control unit 352, and a second DSP control unit 352.
It is composed of a DSP control unit 353, a FIFO control unit 354, and a terminal control circuit 355 (see FIG. 17).

The infrared communication section 351 is a drive circuit 36.
1, a filter circuit 362, a level indicator 193, a light emitting element 364, and a light receiving element 365. The drive circuit 361 drives the light emitting element 364 based on the data from the DSP polling modulation / demodulation circuit 371, which will be described later, in the first DSP control unit 352, generates infrared rays, and transmits the infrared rays to the sub repeater 22 that constitutes polling. The light receiving element 365 receives the infrared light transmitted from the sub repeater 22 that constitutes polling, and outputs it to the filter circuit 362. A filter circuit 362 (details are the same as those in FIG. 13) performs signal processing (including A / D conversion) on the output signal of the light receiving element 365 and outputs it to a DSP polling modulation / demodulation circuit 371 described later. The level indicator 363 displays the infrared light receiving sensitivity based on the level display signal from the filter circuit 362.

The first DSP control unit 352, which is specified by the sub-repeater 22 and independently performs the polling control,
The polling modulation / demodulation circuits 371 and 372, the DSP polling protocol controller 373, the RS485 receiver circuit 374, and the RS485 driver circuit 375 are included. The DSP polling modulation / demodulation circuit 371 outputs data (data including message information) to be transmitted to the sub repeater 22 to D
The data is modulated by SP polling and output to the drive circuit 361, or conversely, the data from the filter circuit 362 transferred from the sub repeater 22 by DSP polling is demodulated into reception data. .
DSP polling protocol controller 373 is a DS
The wireless header of the data is monitored based on the P-polling control protocol, and if the gaming machine is designated, the FIF
DSP polling control is performed by outputting data to the O control unit 354 or receiving data from the FIFO control unit 354 when transmitting data from the gaming machine.

The first DSP control unit 352 has a DSP polling modulation / demodulation circuit 372, an RS485 receiver circuit 374, and an RS485 driver circuit 375 in addition to the above, and the second DSP control unit 353 also has a DSP polling protocol controller 376. DSP polling modulation / demodulation circuit 377, RS485 receiver circuit 3
78, RS485 driver circuit 379. Then, the first DSP control unit 352 and the second DSP control unit 35
Cables are connected between the three. This includes the infrared communication unit 351 and the first DSP control unit 352 for the gaming machine 31.
The second DSP controller 3 is mounted on a high position above (eg, above the island unit 16) for infrared communication.
53, FIFO control unit 354 and terminal control circuit 355
This is for arranging at a low predetermined position on the gaming machine 31 side and connecting them with a cable, so that the signal form which can be transmitted by the cable is made and the reliability and quality of the data are not impaired. Each RS485 receiver circuit 374, 378,
The RS485 driver circuits 375 and 379 perform connection processing for transmitting a signal via a cable. The DSP polling protocol controller 376 and the DSP polling modulation / demodulation circuit 377 in the second DSP control unit 353 have the same functions as the other circuits.

The FIFO control section 354 comprises a reception FIFO memory 381, a transmission FIFO memory 382 and a status register 383. The reception FIFO memory 381 is a so-called first-in first-out memory that temporarily stores the data received from the sub repeater 22 by DSP polling. The data here is a message packet, UDP port number, IP
It is composed of an address and a wireless header (including ID No.). The transmission FIFO memory 392 is a so-called first-in first-out memory that temporarily stores data to be transmitted to the sub repeater 22 by DSP polling. The data here is also composed of a message packet, a UDP port No., an IP address, and a wireless header (including ID No.). In the status register 383, the data received by the DSP polling or the data to be transmitted is the reception FIFO.
The CPU of the terminal control circuit 355 described later is notified that the data is stored in the memory 381 and the transmission FIFO memory 382.

The FIFO control unit 354 is connected to the terminal control circuit 355 by a bus. The terminal control circuit 355 is shown in FIG.
7, the CPU 391, the ROM 392,
The RAM 393, the dual port RAM 394, and the buffer 395 are included. CPU391 is ROM392
The information transfer control in the terminal communication control device 350 is executed according to the control program stored in. ROM
Reference numeral 392 stores a control program (user program) and necessary data. RAM393 is used as a work area. Dual port RAM (DPRA
M) 394 is a bidirectional memory in which data can be written and read from any of the terminal control circuit 355 and the gaming machine 31, and the terminal control circuit 355 and the gaming machine can be accessed via this bidirectional memory. Data is mutually transferred to and from 31. A line buffer is used as the buffer 395, and temporarily stores data transferred to and from the FIFO control unit 354.

(VI) Network Protocol Structure Next, FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a protocol structure when information is transmitted between the management device 11 (the management analysis device 12 is the same) and the terminal device via a network. First, the OSI hierarchical model of the management device 11 will be described.
The hierarchical model consists of 1 to 7 layers, and the contents are as follows. 1st layer: physical layer The structure of the physical layer realizes the function of transmitting a bit string and a cell string on a transmission medium. Specifically, a function of generating / restoring a transmission frame for providing a physical means for carrying information on a physical medium, and inserting / removing an ATM cell flow into / from a payload (information area excluding an overhead portion) of the transmission frame. Function, cell synchronization function for identifying boundaries in cell flow, and the like. The physical layer is divided into two: a physical medium (PM) sublayer and a transmission convergence (TC) sublayer. The main function of the Physical Medium (PM) sublayer is to take what is necessary for the transmission of bit strings, eg bit timing. The Transmission Convergence (TC) sublayer realizes the functions required for cell sequence transmission.

Layer 2: Data link layer The data link layer performs control between adjacent nodes, and performs, for example, control for performing correct and reliable error-free data transmission sequentially. The data link layer includes an ATM layer, an AAL layer and a CS layer. The function of the ATM layer is the transfer of ATM cells. The ATM cell is composed of 53 bytes including a 5-byte header part and a 48-byte information part. The AAL layer is a layer for coordinating between the upper layer and the service-independent ATM layer.
It is called the M adaptation layer. In this embodiment, AAL
An AAL layer of the type (5) is used. C
The S layer is called a convergence sublayer, and converts the upper Internet protocol (IP) into the lower AAL layer (AAL (5)) or vice versa.・ Third layer: Network layer The network layer controls via relay nodes.
For example, setting of a logical path and routing are performed. Here, the Internet Protocol (IP) is used.

4th layer: Transport layer The transport layer transfers information between end to end, and compensates for the difference in quality of various communication networks forming the lower layer to ensure transparent data transfer. There is. For example, end-to-end transmission confirmation is performed. The User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is used here. This is a protocol for exchanging datagrams (messages). Especially, it is used for high-speed communication in message units. It should be noted that the protocol of five layers or more is not used, but is used for transmission of message packets.

The management device 11 performs information transmission by ATM with the main repeater 13 at a speed of 155 Mbps through the ATM exchange 15. At this time, in the ATM switch 15 and the main repeater 13, one layer similar to the case of the management device 11,
Processing is performed by the OSI hierarchical model consisting of two layers. The main repeater 13 uses infrared rays between the sub repeaters 21 and 22.
Token ring communication is performed at a speed of 6 Mbps.
At this time, the token ring communication has the following OSI hierarchical model consisting of one layer and two layers. First layer: physical layer The physical layer is a layer for performing wireless communication using infrared rays.

Layer 2: Data link layer In the data link layer, there are a layer for processing the token ring 802.5 and a layer for performing LLC (logical link control). The token ring 802.5 is for performing token ring communication defined by the IEEE standard, and performs, for example, token scheduling processing.
Token ring is a typical LAN that uses a token ring method in which a control packet called a token circulates on the transmission line and only the terminal (end) that receives the token can send data on the transmission line. Is 16 Mbps. LLC (logical link control)
The layer for performing the above process converts the information received from the token ring 802.5 into a unique OSI protocol, and vice versa.

The sub repeaters 21 and 22 communicate with each terminal device by polling at a speed of 1 Mbps using infrared rays. At this time, 1 in the communication by polling
Processing is performed using an OSI hierarchical model consisting of two layers. Infrared rays are used for communication in the first layer (physical layer) at a speed of 1 Mbps, and polling processing is performed in the second layer (data link layer). That is, in polling, the sub repeaters 21 and 22
From a plurality of terminal devices in order to inquire whether there is a transmission request, if there is a command to start the transmission, if there is no transmission control processing to inquire the next terminal device To do. The OSI hierarchical model of the terminal device is composed of 1 to 7 layers, and its contents are as follows.

In the first layer (physical layer), 1M using infrared rays
Communication is performed at a bps speed, and polling processing is performed in the second layer (data link layer). Data transfer by the polling process is performed with the terminal device via the dual port RAM 395. Then, in the terminal device, the processes after the dual port RAM 394 perform the processes of the third layer and the fourth layer as in the case of the management device 11, and the fifth to seventh layers are processed by a predetermined application program. Collects and transmits various game information.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As the flow of operation, regarding information relay control on the network,
The data transfer between the management device 11 and the terminal device (for example, the gaming machine 31) will be described in detail as an example. A. Operation of Main Repeater FIGS. 19 to 23 are flowcharts showing an information relay control program executed by the main repeater 13. This program is started at the same time when the power of the main repeater 13 is turned on. A-1. Main Program When the main program shown in FIG. 19 is started, the Unix initial process is first performed in step S10. This initializes the main repeater control circuit 240 in the main repeater 13. Next, in step S12, the token ring I / F card 202 in the main repeater 13
Is initialized, and A in the main repeater 13 is initialized in step S14.
Initialize the TM I / F card 201. Next, task processing is performed in step S16. This activates and manages the tasks executed by the main repeater 13. The tasks executed by the main repeater 13 include an ATM reception task, an ATM transmission task, a token ring reception task, and a token ring transmission task, and these respective tasks are simultaneously activated in steps S18 to S24 (each task is Works with so-called multitasking). Detailed contents of each task will be described later in task processing.

A-2. ATM Reception Task FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing of the ATM reception task. In this task process, first, in step S30, it is determined whether or not there is received data in the packet memory / control memory 215 (see FIG. 13). This is because data is transmitted from the management device 11 which is a station of the network to the main repeater 13 by optical communication of ATM exchange,
The main repeater 13 determines whether or not there is data to be received, and waits by monitoring an interrupt from the packet memory / control memory 215 (particularly, control memory) of the ATM I / F card 201. It is a thing. If there is no received data, the process stands by in step S30, and if there is received data, the process proceeds to step S32.

In step S32, it is determined whether or not there is a received data error in the control memory. If there is an error, the process proceeds to step S34 and the received data is discarded. On the other hand, if there is no received data error, the received data is transferred to the RAM 245 in step S36. As a result, the received data is stored in the RAM 245 of the main repeater control circuit 240. Then, it progresses to step S38. Therefore, when the received data has an error, the received data is not transferred to the memory. In step S38, a reception restart command is written in the ATM control memory. This gives an instruction to the re-reception state in preparation for the next data.
Then, it returns to step S30 and repeats the same loop. In this way, the data transmitted from the management device 11 to the main repeater 13 by ATM optical communication is received by the main repeater 13.

A-3. ATM Transmission Task FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the processing of the ATM transmission task. In this task process, first, in step S40, it is determined whether or not there is transmission data. This is to judge whether or not there is data to be transmitted from the main repeater 13, which is a relay station of the network, to the management device 11 by optical communication of ATM exchange. Since the data to be transmitted is temporarily stored in the RAM 245 of the main repeater control circuit 240, the RAM 245 is monitored and on standby.
As the transmission data, the sub relay 2 by the token ring is used.
There is received data sent from the terminal device via 1, 22.

If there is no transmission data, this step S4
When it waits at 0 and there is transmission data, it proceeds to step S42 and transfers the transmission data from the buffer to the ATM buffer. This is ATMI / from the buffer (RAM 245).
The transmission data is set in the packet memory / control memory 215 (particularly, the packet memory) of the F card 201. Then, in step S44, a transmission start command is written in the ATM control memory. This is A
The transmission instruction is written in the packet memory / control memory 215 (in particular, the control memory) of the TM I / F card 201. As a result, data is transmitted from the ATM I / F card 201 to the management device 11 by optical communication. After step S44, the process returns to step S40 and the same loop is repeated to perform the next data transmission process.

A-4. Token Ring Reception Task FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the processing of the token ring reception task. In this task processing, first, step S
At 50, it is determined whether or not there is received data in the token ring control memory. This is because data is transmitted from the sub relays 21 and 22 which are relay stations of the token ring network to the main relay 13 by infrared wireless communication, and whether there is data to be received by the main relay 13 side. Token Ring I / F card 2
No. 02 packet memory / control memory 223 (particularly, control memory) is monitored and stands by. The data transmitted from the sub repeaters 21 and 22 includes transmission data from the terminal device.
If there is no received data, wait for this step S50,
If there is received data, the process proceeds to step S52.

In step S52, it is determined whether or not there is a received data error in the control memory. If there is an error, the process proceeds to step S54, the received packet data is discarded, and the process proceeds to step S58. On the other hand, if there is no received data error, the received data is stored in the memory in step S56. As a result, the received data from the packet memory / control memory 215 is transferred to the main repeater control circuit 24.
0 RAM 245. Then, step S5
Proceed to 8. Therefore, when the received data has an error, the received data is not stored in the memory. Step S5
At 8, the token ring controller reception is restarted.
This is to write a reception start command in the packet memory / control memory 223 (particularly, control memory) of the token ring I / F card 202. This shifts to the re-reception state in the token ring in preparation for the next data. Then, it returns to step S50 and repeats the same loop. In this way, the sub repeater 2
The data transmitted from the infrared relays 1 and 22 to the main repeater 13 is received by the main repeater 13.

A-5. Token Ring Send Task FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the processing of the token ring send task. In this task processing, first, step S
At 60, it is determined whether there is transmission data. This is the main repeater 13 which is the repeater station of the token ring network.
Determines whether there is data to be transmitted from the sub relays 21, 22 by infrared communication. The data to be transmitted is the RAM 24 of the main repeater control circuit 240.
5, the RAM 245 is temporarily stored in the RAM 5, so that the RAM 245 is monitored and waiting. As the transmission data, there is data transmitted from the management device 11 by optical communication of ATM exchange.

If there is no transmission data, this step S6
When it waits at 0 and there is transmission data, the process proceeds to step S62 and the data (data to be transmitted) is transferred to the token ring buffer. This is from the buffer (RAM 245) to the packet memory / control memory 223 (particularly, packet memory) of the token ring I / F card 202.
The transmission data is set to. Next, in step S64, the token ring controller is activated for transmission. This is for writing a transmission instruction in the packet memory / control memory 223 (in particular, the control memory) of the token ring I / F card 202. As a result, data is transmitted from the token ring I / F card 202 to the sub-repeaters 21 and 22 by infrared communication by adding a token ring header, an IP header, a UDP header, an ID No, a message packet, and a token ring header. To be done. After step S64, the process returns to step S60 again and the same loop is repeated to perform the next data transmission process.

B. Operation of Sub-Relay Device FIGS. 24 to 29 are flowcharts showing the information relay control program executed by the sub-relay devices 21 and 22. This program is started at the same time when the power of the sub repeaters 21 and 22 is turned on. Here, the information transmission between the gaming machine 31, the sub relay 22 that performs polling control, and the main relay 13 will be described as a representative, and the sub relay 21 that performs information transmission with another terminal device will be described. The detailed description of the same operation will be omitted. B-1. Main Program When the main program of the sub repeater 22 shown in FIG. 24 is started, boot ROM processing is first performed in step S100. This is because the CPU 341 in the sub relay control circuit 308 in the sub relay 22 has the BIOS ROM 342.
It executes the startup program stored in, and at this time, hardware initialization and hardware diagnosis are performed. Next, in step S102, IPL processing is performed. In this, the CPU 341 reads the OS (operating system) from the control program stored in the ROM 343. For example, so-called IO.
SYS, MS-DOS. SYS (registered trademark, the same applies below)
Is read. Then, in step S104, IO. SYS
Perform processing. This is the read IO. The MS-DOS is executed based on the SYS to perform the initialization necessary for the MS-DOS. For example, the RAM table is initialized.

Next, in step S106, system initialization processing is performed. This is for instructing initialization of the optical transceiver in the terminal device, wireless board initial processing, token ring board initial processing, and the like. Next, in step S108, COMMAND. COM processing is performed. This is because the CPU 341 uses the control program stored in the ROM 343 as the COMMAND. COM is read and AUTO0EXE. The application is started by executing BAT. This allows
The user program starts up. Next, step S11
At 0, the token ring controller 325 determines whether it is normal. The normal state of the token ring controller means a state in which information transmission can be controlled in the token ring network. Before the token ring control can be performed in an unstable state before the initialization process ends at the time of a failure or at the time of starting the control program, this corresponds to an abnormal state.

If the token ring controller 225 is normal, the process proceeds to step S112 and the ring relay 305
Turn on. This is to close the normally open a contacts 327 and 328 of the ring relay 305 and open the normally closed b contacts 329. This enables mutual data transfer between the token ring modulation / demodulation circuit 326 and the second infrared wireless communication unit 306, and the sub relay device 22 normally joins the token ring network. . This state is ring relay 305
Corresponds to a state in which the token is forcibly passed through when it operates so that the token can be fetched. Next, application processing is performed in step S114 (details will be described later in a subroutine). Thereby, the sub repeater 22 is controlled based on the user program. After step S114, the process returns to step S110 to repeat the same loop. Therefore, if the token ring controller 325 is normal, steps S110 to S110
The loop of step S114 is repeatedly executed, and infrared wireless communication by token ring is performed between the sub repeater 22 and the main repeater 13.

On the other hand, if the token ring controller 325 is not normal in step S110, step S11
Proceeding to step 6, the ring relay 305 is turned off.
This opens the normally open a contacts 327 and 328 of the ring relay 305 and closes the normally closed b contacts 329. This allows for token ring modulation and
The demodulation circuit 326 and the second infrared wireless communication unit 306 are disconnected, but only the second infrared wireless communication unit 306 passes through the b contact 329 of the ring relay 305, and the other sub-repeater 2
It becomes possible to bypass the data to 2. That is, data on the token ring network passes through the sub repeater 22. This state corresponds to the case where the ring relay 305 forcibly passes through the token. Therefore, at the timing before the sub-repeater 22 fails or when the control program of the sub-repeater 22 is normally activated and token ring control can be performed, the other sub-repeaters are disturbed. The token can be successfully turned on the network without being placed.

In particular, in the case of the token ring LAN, the tokens pass between the stations in a fixed order, and only the station having the token has the right to use the transmission path (for example, the right to transmit). Since the transmission line of the token ring LAN is ring-shaped, if one station has a failure in the token ring control, the entire communication becomes impossible. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, when the token ring controller 325 is not normal, the ring relay 305 is simply used.
It is possible to prevent the entire communication of the token ring LAN from becoming impossible only by turning off.

After step S116, in step S118, an initialization instruction is issued to the token ring controller 325 (recovery processing is performed), and then in step S120, timer waiting processing is performed. This waits, for example, a fixed time and then a time for the token ring controller 325 to recover. Next, step S11
Return to 0 and repeat the same loop. As a result, the token ring controller 325 is initialized and recovered. And the token ring controller 32
When the token ring controller 325 is determined to be normal in step S110 when the value 5 returns to normal (or when the control program starts up normally when the control program is started), the process branches to step S112. On the other hand, if the token ring controller 325 does not return to normal even after initialization, the process branches from step S110 to step S116 again, and the above process is repeated.

B-2. Application Processing Subroutine FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an application processing subroutine. In this subroutine, a process of transmitting the data sent from the terminal device to the main repeater 13 via the token ring LAN in steps S130 to S136 is performed, and steps S138 to S14 are performed.
In step 2, the sub-repeater 22 receives the data sent from the main repeater 13 to the terminal device.

Processing for transmitting data from the terminal device to the main repeater via the token ring LAN First, in step S130, it is determined whether or not the wireless communication data buffer is empty. This is the sub repeater control circuit 3
It monitors whether or not data is sent from the terminal device (here, the game machine 31) to the 1 MB DRAM 344 in 08 by infrared communication. The fact that there is data means that the data from the terminal device is sent to the main repeater 13. This corresponds to the case of transmitting on a token ring LAN. If the wireless communication data buffer is not empty, it is determined that there is data to be transmitted to the main repeater 13, the process proceeds to step S132, and transmission parameters are set. This is a token ring L
The AN performs a set process necessary for transmitting data (a message packet in this case). For example, a set of necessary parameters added to the data and a UDP port No.
To the UDP protocol and the IP address to the IP protocol, and from the wireless packet set by the wireless data reception interrupt processing described later, the UDP port number
And the IP address are fetched and set in the buffer 346.

Next, in step S134, token ring packet transmission is performed. This is to transmit the data from the terminal device to the main repeater 13 via the token ring LAN, and to store the message + ID No packet set in the wireless data reception interrupt process described later and the previously set transmission parameter in the buffer memory.・ Control memory 3
It is set to 23. As a result, the data from the terminal device is transmitted to the main repeater 13 via the token ring LAN under the control of the token ring controller 325. That is, in the token ring LAN, control information called a token is circulated between the stations (that is, between the main relay device and the sub relay device), and when the sub relay device 22 acquires the token, the data to be transmitted is transmitted to the main relay device 13. To the next station after the end of transmission (note that if there is no data to be transmitted, the transmission right is passed next). Step S13
After passing 4, the process proceeds to step S138. On the other hand, if the wireless communication data buffer is empty in step S130, it is determined that there is no data to be transmitted to the main repeater 13, and the process branches to step S136 to update the reception data buffer address. This is to update the address of one data storage area (for example, a capacity of 256 bytes) in the DRAM 344 next and move it to the next data storage area. After step S136, the process proceeds to step S138.

Process of Receiving Data to be Transmitted from the Main Repeater 13 to the Terminal Device by the Sub Repeater 22 First, in step S138, it is determined whether or not the token ring receive data buffer is empty. This is to monitor whether or not data is sent from the main repeater 13 to the 1 MB DRAM 344 in the sub repeater control circuit 308 by the token ring LAN. The fact that there is data means that the data from the main repeater 13 is present. Is transmitted to the terminal device. If the token ring reception data buffer is not empty, the data is sent from the main relay device 13 to the sub relay device 22 and it is determined that there is data to be transmitted to the terminal device, and the process proceeds to step S140, where the wireless data packet Send. This is a transmission FIFO 318 for transmitting the information set in the DRAM 344 in the token ring reception interrupt processing (that is, the data to be transmitted from the main repeater 13 to the terminal device received by the token ring LAN).
To be set to. The data set in the transmission FIFO 318 will be transmitted to the corresponding terminal device (game machine) by polling.

On the other hand, if the token ring reception data buffer is empty in step S138, it is determined that the data is not sent from the main relay device 13 to the sub relay device 22 and there is no data to be transmitted to the terminal device. , And branches to step S142 to update the reception address. This is DRAM3
One data storage area in 44 (for example, 25
The 6-byte capacity) address is updated next and moved to the next data storage area. After step S140 or step S142, the process returns to the main program.

B-3. Wireless Data Reception Interrupt Processing FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a program of wireless data reception interrupt processing. This program is a game machine 31
When data is transmitted from the (terminal device) to the management device 11, the sub repeater 22 temporarily receives the data from the gaming machine 31 and performs a necessary set process. This program is activated by an interrupt from the reception FIFO 317. That is, when data is received from the gaming machine 31 by polling and stored in the reception FIFO 317, an interrupt occurs and this program is executed. At this time, the above-mentioned application processing is temporarily stopped. First,
In step S150, wireless data header check is performed.
This is a reception FIFO 317 received from the gaming machine 31.
The wireless data header of the data stored in is confirmed. The wireless data header is information for determining from which gaming machine the data is transmitted. If the data in the wireless header can be confirmed, the ID No. is extracted from the wireless header and the DRAM 3
Set to 44.

Then, in step S152, the UDP port No. is extracted from the wireless packet and set in the DRAM 344. This is because the data transfer with the gaming machine uses the communication protocol suitable for the polling method, not the UDP / IP protocol. Then
In step S154, the IP address is extracted from the wireless packet and set in the DRAM 344. Next, in step S156, the token packet is set in the memory. This sets a message packet in the DRAM 344. After step S156, the wireless data reception interrupt process ends. Thus, when the data from the gaming machine 31 is received by the polling communication protocol, the UDP port No and the IP address required for the UDP / IP protocol are taken out and set in the DRAM 344, and the sub repeater 22 transfers to the main repeater 13. Be prepared for the timing of sending by token ring.

B-4. Token Ring Reception Interrupt Processing FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the program of the token ring reception interruption processing. This program is required, for example, when data is transmitted from the management device 11 to the gaming machine 31 (terminal device), the sub-relay 22 receives the data from the management device 11 that temporarily goes through the main relay 13. This is for performing a simple setting process. This program is executed by interruption when the data from the main repeater 13 is received and stored in the buffer memory / control memory 323 of the token ring I / F card 304.
At this time, in the sub relay device 22, when the data is addressed to the gaming machine 31 in the communication area of the sub relay device 22, the data from the main relay device 13 is stored in the buffer memory / control memory 323.

First, in step S160, the information in the buffer memory is checked. This is the sub repeater control circuit 30.
The CPU 341 of No. 8 checks the received data from the main repeater 13 stored in the buffer memory. Then, in step S162, port data is set. This is because the data transfer with the main repeater 13 uses the UDP / IP protocol, and the data transfer with the gaming machine uses the communication protocol suitable for the polling method instead of the UDP / IP protocol. Therefore, the data received by the UDP / IP protocol is converted into a polling communication protocol. In setting the port data, the UDP header is converted to the UDP port No (that is, the destination port and the source port information are extracted from the information of the UDP header to be the UDP port No), and the converted data is set in the DRAM 344. Next, in step S164, IP data is set. This is to extract the source IP address from the IP header and set it in the DRAM 344.

Then, in step S166, the wireless data header is set. This is to specify the destination game machine from the ID No packet in order to transmit data to the game machine 31, add a wireless header necessary for the polling communication protocol, and set it in the DRAM 344. After step S166, the token ring reception interrupt process ends. In this way, the data from the main repeater 13 is transferred to the UDP / IP by token ring.
When it is received by the protocol, it is converted into a polling communication protocol and set in the DRAM 344, and the sub relay 2
Prepare for the timing of transmission from 2 to the gaming machine 31 by polling infrared communication.

C. DSP Polling Process FIGS. 28 and 29 are flowcharts showing a program of the DSP polling process. This program is a process of transferring data between the sub repeater 22 and the gaming machine 31 (terminal device) by a polling communication protocol.
This processing is performed in the DSP controller. First, in step S180, an initial polling address is set. This is to set the address to be polled first among the plurality of gaming machines 31 in the communication area of the sub repeater 22. Next, in step S182, it is determined whether or not there is transmission data. This is to monitor whether or not the transmission FIFO 318 of the FIFO control unit 303 in the sub repeater 22 stores data to be transmitted by polling to the gaming machine 31 (terminal device). As the transmission data, for example, there is data sent from the management device 11 to the predetermined game machine 31 via the main repeater 13 and the sub repeater 22, and the data is received by the sub repeater 22 and stored in the transmission FIFO 318. This is the case.

If there is transmission data in step S182, if the transmission ID No and the polling counter match, in other words, if there is transmission data to the gaming machine corresponding to polling, the process proceeds to step S184. Set the packet. This is a packet of data stored in the transmission FIFO 318 of the sub-repeater 22.
It is set as what should be transmitted by polling to the gaming machine 31 (terminal device). Next, in step S186, wireless packet transmission processing is performed. This is the first
The infrared wireless communication unit 301 transmits a wireless packet (including a data packet of message information in this case) by infrared wireless communication to the gaming machine 31 designated by the polling address.

On the other hand, if there is no transmission data in step S182, or if the transmission ID No and the polling counter do not match, in other words, if there is no transmission data to the gaming machine corresponding to polling, branch to step S188. Then, a Null packet is set. This is because, for example, when there is no data to be transmitted from the management device 11 to the gaming machine 31, a Null packet corresponding to a state in which there is no data is transmitted to the gaming machine 31 (terminal device) by polling. It is something to set. Next, in step S186, a wireless packet transmission process is performed. In this case, the first infrared communication unit 301 transmits a wireless packet (including a Null packet having no message information in this case) to the gaming machine 31 specified by the polling address by infrared communication.

Next, in step S190, the transmission to the gaming machine 31 designated by the initial polling address is O.
It is determined whether it is K or not. This is the corresponding gaming machine 3
Judgment is made based on whether ACK is returned from 1. When the sub repeater 22 receives the ACK, it is determined that the transmission is OK, and the process proceeds to step S192. If the ACK is not returned, the process returns to step S186, the wireless packet transmission process is performed again, and this loop is repeated until the ACK is returned. When the ACK is returned, the process goes to step S192. In step S192, it is determined whether there is received data. This is when the data is transmitted from the gaming machine 31 to the sub repeater 22 by polling,
It is to determine whether or not the transmitted data is received by the sub repeater 22. When data is not transmitted from the gaming machine 31 to the sub relay device 22 by polling, there is no reception data in the sub relay device 22.

If there is received data in step S192, the flow advances to step S194 to CRC the received packet.
It is determined whether or not (Cycle Redundancy Check) is OK. This is for checking an error (bit error) of received data. If the CRC of the received packet is NG, NACK is sent in step S196.
(ACK indicating that data has not been received) is transmitted, the process returns to step S192, and the same loop is repeated. In this case, the game machine 31 is requested to transmit the data again. Then, in step S194, C of the received packet
If RC is OK, the flow advances to step S198 to determine whether or not it is Null packet data without message information. This is to determine whether the data received from the game machine 31 is Null packet data without message information. If it is Null packet data, the received data packet is transferred to the memory in step S200. This is to transfer the data received by the polling reception infrared radio from the game machine 31 to the reception FIFO 317. After step S200, the process proceeds to step S202.

On the other hand, if the data received from the gaming machine 31 in step S198 is Null packet data, the process jumps to step S200 and proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the polling address of this routine is updated. As a result, the polling address is incremented and the next gaming machine 31 is designated. Then, from step S202 to step S
Returning to 182, the same routine is repeated.

In this way, data is transferred (transmitted / received) between the sub-repeater 22 and the game machine 31 by the polling communication protocol, and the polling address is updated each time the routine is executed. DS for all gaming machines 31 in the communication area finally covered by the sub-repeater 22
P polling processing is performed. In this case, infrared rays are emitted and radiated to the entire communication cover area of the sub repeater 22 at a constant time interval (for example, an interval considering the maximum packet length) in the order of the polling address (for example, ID number) of the gaming machine 31, and at this time the game is played. If there is data to send to machine 31,
Send a data packet, but send a Null packet when there is no data to send. Then, when the transmission is completed, the reception system is immediately entered at a fixed time interval, and the gaming machine 31
Waits for a response from and shifts to the polling address of the next gaming machine 31. The operation of the other sub repeater 21 is similar, but in this case, data transfer (transmission / reception) is performed by a similar polling communication protocol for a plurality of terminal devices other than the game machine 31. .

Next, an example of transmitting information (message packet) between the management device 11 and the terminal device will be described with reference to FIGS. Not only the management device 11, but also between the management analysis device 12 and the terminal device, information is transmitted by the same communication process. G-1. Data Transmission from Management Device to Terminal Device First, from the management device 11 to a terminal device (for example, game machine 3
A communication process for transmitting information in 1) (for example, transmitting an initial value to the gaming machine 31) will be described.
In FIG. 30, first, the management device 11 creates a “message packet” corresponding to an initial value, and adds “ID No” to this “message packet”. “ID No” is designation information of the terminal communication control device 350 corresponding to the terminal device (converted into a wireless header by the sub-repeater 22 based on this information), and is created by the user program of the management device 11. That is, a specific one of the many gaming machines 31 is designated by "ID No".

Next, for the data "ID No" and "message packet", "IP header" and "U
A process of adding a "DP header" is performed. "IP header"
Is address information corresponding to the Internet Protocol (IP). The "UDP header" is address information corresponding to the user datagram protocol (UDP). That is, the "IP header" is information that specifies the other party in the three layers of the OSI layered model, and the "UD header"
The "P header" is information for designating the other party in the fourth layer of the OSI hierarchical model. Further, a “token ring header” described later is address information in the case of performing LAN communication using the token ring method, and is 1 of the OSI layer model.
This is information that specifies the other party in the layer. The "wireless header" is address information corresponding to polling communication using infrared rays, and is information for designating a destination in one layer of the OSI layered model. The "IP header" contains "I
Information for designating the sub relay device 22 having the gaming machine 31 designated by "D No" in the communication area is included. The "UDP header" includes the port number of the transmission source (management device 11) and the port number of the transmission destination (gaming machine 31). As a result, the data is "IP header", "UDP header", "I
The format is “D No” and “message packet”.

Then, "CS header" and "CS trailer" are added to the data in the format of "IP header", "UDP header", "ID No", and "message packet", and further transmission by ATM exchange is performed. AT as possible
Convert to M cells. As a result, the data is divided into "SRA header", "SRA-PDU payload", and "SRA trailer", and a plurality of combinations of "cell header" of 5 bytes and "cell payload" corresponding to 48 bytes of information. Is disassembled into cells. At this time, each ATM cell has a fixed length of 53 bytes, of which 48 bytes of information and 5 bytes of header make a total of 53 bytes. The "cell header" includes destination information, etc.
Within the network, cells will be transferred in units of cells. And a 5-byte "cell header" (header part)
There is information necessary for transmitting cells (for example, information that a destination specifies a specific gaming machine, virtual channel number).

Next, the management device 11 sends an ATM cell having a fixed length of 53 bytes to the main repeater 13 located at the lower level of the network at a speed of 155 Mbps through the ATM network for optical communication. As shown in FIG. 31, the main repeater 13 reads the virtual channel number by looking at the “cell header”, then omits the “cell header”, and replaces the “cell payload” corresponding to 48-byte information with “SRA header” and “SRA header”. -PDU payload "," SRA trailer ", and again" CS header ",
"IP header", "UDP header", "ID No",
It is converted into data in the format of “message packet” and “CS trailer”. Next, delete the ATM header in order to convert to the protocol of the token passing LAN,
Add "Token Ring Header". This allows
"IP header", "UDP header", "ID No",
"Token ring header" is added before and after the data composed of "message packet".

Next, the main repeater 13 uses the "token ring header", "IP header", "UDP header", "ID".
The data arranged as “No”, “message packet”, and “token ring header” is sent to the sub repeater 22 located at the lower level of the network at a speed of 16 Mbps by the token ring LAN using infrared rays. Next, as shown in FIG. 32, in the sub relay device 22, first, the operation of the token ring controller 325 is confirmed, and when the control for performing the token ring LAN is impossible (when the power supply is unstable and when a failure occurs), Force the token on the network to pass through and send it to the next station. Further, when the operation of the token ring controller 325 is stable and the control for performing the token ring LAN is possible, the compulsory through of the token is limited, and when the local station receives the token, the “token ring header” is displayed. take in. Then, by checking the captured "Token Ring Header", it is judged whether or not there is information addressed to the own station (sub-repeater), and if there is information, it is requested to send a "message packet" to a lower node. It is confirmed that the “Token Ring Header” is deleted, and the “Wireless Header” is added as described later. Then, the UDP / IP protocol is converted into a polling communication protocol here.

That is, the "IP header" is checked to determine whether or not the information is addressed to the own station (sub-repeater). If the information is addressed to the own station, the sender address in the "IP header" is converted to an IP address. To do. Further, the destination port and the source port information in the "UDP header" are extracted and converted into "UDP port No." Furthermore, by checking the "ID No", it is confirmed that it is requested to send the "message packet" to the gaming machine 31 of the lower node, and it is replaced with the "wireless header". Terminal communication control device 3 on the gaming machine 31 side
The reference numeral 50 refers to the "wireless header" to judge whether or not the information is addressed to itself. This gives you an "IP address",
In addition to the data of "UDP port No." and "message packet", "wireless header" (destination information corresponding to "ID No.") is added and converted into a polling communication protocol. Then, the data from the sub-repeater 22 is polled using infrared rays, and the designated gaming machine 31 located at the lower position of the network at a speed of 1 Mbps.
Is transmitted to the light transmitting / receiving unit 75 of the display unit 74 arranged corresponding to.

Next, the terminal communication control device 350 of the optical transmitter / receiver 75 deletes the "wireless header" from the received data. As a result, the data is "IP address", "UDP
It is in the format of “port No” and “message packet” and is taken into the dual port RAM 394 of the terminal control circuit 355. Next, the terminal device (that is, the gaming machine 31)
Then, the dual port RAM 394 of the terminal control circuit 355
Receives data in the form of "IP address", "UDP port No", "message packet". Next, although not shown in FIG. 32, the game machine 31 reads the contents of the “IP address” from the loaded data, then omits the “IP address” and sends it to the processing corresponding to the four layers of the OSI hierarchical model. , Then OSI hierarchical model 4
In the process corresponding to the layer, the contents of the "UDP port No" are read, then the "UDP port No" is omitted, and the state is changed to "message packet" by executing the application program of the gaming machine 31 to "message packet". It recognizes that the management device 11 has transmitted the initial value. In this way, the AT from the management device 11
Information is transmitted to the terminal device (gaming machine 31) via the M switch 15, the main relay device 13, and the sub relay device 22.

Next, the communication process in the case of transmitting information from the terminal device (for example, the game machine 31) to the management device 11 via the sub repeater 22, the main repeater 13 and the ATM exchange is similar to FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG. First,
The terminal device (here, the game machine 31) creates a "message packet" corresponding to certain collected game information (for example, certain operation data), and specifies the destination (for example,
"IP address" and "UDP port No." as information for specifying the management device 11 are set, and at this time, "U"
The destination port number and the source port number are set in the "DP port number". In addition, when sending data from the gaming machine 31 to the management device 11, for example, a port number of a predetermined partner (for example, a port number for transferring regular operating information) or a response from the management device 11 or the like. In the case of information that requires, since the destination port number and the source port number are included in the "UDP port No.",
The destination port number and the source port number are exchanged for use. As a result, "IP address" and "UD
Data in the form of "P port No." and "message packet" are created, and the dual port RA of the terminal control circuit 355 is created.
Written to M394.

Then, in the terminal communication control device 350, the "IP address" and "UD" are read from the dual port RAM 394.
"Wireless header" to read data in the format of "P port No." and "message packet" and put it on infrared communication
Is added and data is transmitted to the sub-repeater 22 by infrared communication using a polling communication protocol. Sub repeater 2
In 2, the "wireless header" is deleted and the "ID No" required for the polling communication protocol is extracted from the "wireless header". In addition, the data is converted into the protocol format of the token ring LAN and the "token ring header" is added. As a result, the data becomes the format shown in FIG. 50, and the "token ring header", "IP header", "UDP header", "ID"
No "," message packet "," token ring header "
Will be a combination. Then, the data converted into such a protocol format is transferred to the main repeater 13 with the transmission right when the local station receives the token through the token ring LAN.

At this time as well, as in the case described above, the operation of the token ring controller 325 is confirmed in the sub repeater 22 and when the control for performing the token ring LAN is impossible (when the power supply is unstable or when a failure occurs). ), Forcibly slew the token on the network and turn it to the next station. Further, when the operation of the token ring controller 325 is stable and the control for performing the token ring LAN is possible, the compulsory through of the token is limited, and when the local station receives the token, it is taken in. Then, the transmission right is obtained and the data is transferred to the main repeater 13.

The main repeater 13 checks the "token ring header" to confirm that it is requested to send the "message packet" to the upper node, omits the "token ring header", and replaces the ATM header with the data. To the ATM cell and disassembled into ATM cells. As a result, after the "CS header" and "CS trailer" are added to the data consisting of the "IP header", "UDP header", "ID No", and "message packet", the transmission data is further decomposed into ATM cells. Then, the processing is performed until the ATM exchange becomes possible, such as the addition of the cell header. Then, the data is transmitted from the main repeater 13 to the management device 11 by optical communication through the ATM network.

The management device 11 checks the "cell header" to confirm that it is a "message packet" addressed to itself, then omits the "cell header", assembles an ATM cell, and extracts "CS header" and "CS header" from the data. Delete "CS Trailer" to remove "IP Header", "UDP Header", "ID No",
The format is made up of "message packet", the "IP header" is further deleted, the port number in the received data is discriminated from the "UDP header", and the "UDP header" is deleted.
That is, when the management device 11 issues a data request to the terminal device, at the time of the transmission (at the time of transmitting the data request), the free port is used at random, and the used at random port is used as the received data. The port number of the management device 11 is added to the data by specifying it as the port number of
Since the port number to be received at is specified in advance, it is determined whether there is such a port number. Therefore, the format is "ID No" and "message packet", whereby the content of what information is transferred from which gaming machine 31 is read, and the information is collected from the designated port. In this way, information is transmitted from the terminal device (game machine 31) to the management device 11 via the sub repeater 22, the main repeater 13 and the ATM exchange 15.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the sub repeater 21,
22 confirms the operation of the token ring controller 325, and when the control for performing the token ring LAN for power-on is impossible (when it is unstable until the initialization process for power-on is completed), the token on the network To forcibly pass through to the next station, and the operation of the token ring controller 325 becomes stable and the token ring LAN
When it becomes possible to control the execution of the token, the compulsory slew of the token is restricted, and when the local station receives the token, the token is taken in and the transmission right is acquired to another station (for example, the main repeater 13).
Transfer data to Therefore, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The sub-repeaters 21 and 22 that form the token ring LAN rise up in pieces when the power is turned on and the initialization process ends (the token ring controller 325 starts its operation). However, the transmission right (that is, the token) can be circulated, and the transmission right is stopped at the station (the sub relay devices 21 and 22) that stands up at the end, and the information transmission path is not secured during that time. The situation can be avoided. Therefore, the transmission right does not stop due to the delay of the initialization process of one of the plurality of sub-repeaters 21 and 22, and the system of the token ring LAN can be quickly activated as a whole. It is possible to secure a transmission line promptly at the start of business (when the power is turned on). Therefore, the information transmission path can be secured even in the entire network of the game shop, and for example, necessary information such as initial values can be promptly transmitted from the management device 11 to the terminal device.

The second relay device in the sub-relay devices 21 and 22
The infrared communication unit 306 transmits information to and from another repeater that forms a token ring by infrared rays, but the number of parts that make up the second infrared communication unit 306 is small,
Also, it is extremely unlikely that individual parts will fail (in practice, it is almost nonexistent). The ring relay 305, which connects the light receiving element 334 and the light emitting element 333 of the second infrared communication unit 306 via the filter circuit 332 and the drive circuit 331, is a so-called normally closed contact that is closed when the power is off. 329, which is closed when the control program is not running. When the control program starts operating normally, the normally closed contact 329 opens. Therefore, in the sub repeaters 21 and 22, the second infrared communication unit 30
Even if the circuit part other than 6 fails, the ring relay 30 is not affected by the control program as long as the power is turned on.
The token can be turned to another information relay via the normally closed contact 329 of 5.

Similarly, any one of the sub repeaters 21, 22
Even if the token ring controller 325 of the above-mentioned device fails, the transmission right (that is, the token) can be circulated at least by the ring relay 305, and the transmission right can be obtained at the station of the failure (the sub relay devices 21 and 22). It is possible to avoid a situation in which the information transmission path is not secured during the stop of the transmission. Therefore, even if any one of the failed sub-repeaters 21 and 22 fails, the information transmission path can be stably secured. as a result,
Despite the failure of any sub-repeater, inside the store (in the amusement park)
It is possible to avoid the worst situation in which the information transmission path (information collection path: communication system) is totally stopped, and it is possible to operate the hall with minimal damage.

The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but various modifications as described below are possible. (A) It can be applied to pachislot machines. (B) The present invention is applicable not only to pachinko gaming machines but also to, for example, video game machines. That is, as long as a game is played using cards, it can be applied to other types of game machines. (C) Information transmission between the sub-repeaters 21 and 22 and the terminal device is not limited to infrared communication (optical communication), and may be performed using wireless with a predetermined frequency. (D) In the above embodiment, the stations forming the token ring LAN are composed of the three main repeaters 13 and the sub-repeaters 21 and 22, but the number of stations is not limited to three, and the stations are composed of other numbers. Even in such a case, the same effect can be obtained by applying the present invention. (E) The application of the present invention is not limited to the sub repeater in the above-described embodiment, but can be applied to the main repeater to the token ring LAN portion. (F) The terminal device is not limited to the examples given in the above embodiments, but may be any device as long as it is placed in the game hall and the information is collected. (G) The network for collecting game information by the management device (or management analysis device) is not limited to the type of the above embodiment. Any type of game information can be collected as long as the game information can be collected and a part of the network manages information transmission by circulating a transmission right among a plurality of information relay devices. For example, optical communication, infrared communication,
A network by wireless communication may be constructed, or wireless and wired communication may be combined.

[0131]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the information relay device (for example, the sub-relay device) is turned on, the transmission right (for example, the token ring LAN is provided until the information relay becomes operable). Token) is forcibly passed, and forcible passage of the transmission right is restricted when it becomes operable (for example, when the own station receives the token, it is taken in and the transmission right is obtained and other stations are acquired. Since the original control of transferring information is performed), the following effects can be obtained. Even if there is a gap between a plurality of information relay devices rising up at the time of power-on, initialization processing ending, and information relay operation possible, the transmission right (for example, token) is circulated in the information transmission path. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the transmission right is stopped at the information relay device that stands up at the end and the information transmission path is not secured during that period. Therefore, the transmission right does not stop due to the delay of the initialization process of one of the plurality of information relay devices, and the information relay system can be quickly activated as a whole at the start of business ( It is possible to secure the transmission path promptly when the power is turned on. Therefore, it is possible to secure an information transmission path even in the entire network of the amusement store, and for example, it is possible to promptly transmit necessary information such as an initial value from the central management device to the terminal device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if the information relay function of any of the plurality of information relay devices fails, the forced transmission right passing means (for example, ring relay) is used. It is possible to circulate a transmission right (for example, a token) on the information transmission path, and it is possible to avoid a situation in which the transmission right is stopped at the faulty information relay device and the information transmission path is not secured during that period.
Therefore, even if a malfunctioning information relay device occurs, it is possible to stably secure the information transmission path. As a result, it is possible to avoid the worst situation in which the information transmission path (information collection path: communication system) in the store (in the game arcade) is totally stopped despite the failure of any information relay device. The hall can be operated with minimal damage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a game arcade facility to which an information relay device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a management system of the game arcade of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication system of the terminal device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration of a main repeater and a sub repeater of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the main repeater of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the main repeater of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the sub-repeater of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the sub-repeater of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the sub repeater according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of an optical transmission / reception unit in the terminal device of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main repeater of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main repeater of the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a filter circuit according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a sub repeater of the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a sub repeater of the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an optical transmitter / receiver arranged in the terminal device of the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an optical transmission / reception unit arranged in the terminal device of the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a protocol structure in the case of transmitting the information of the embodiment by a network.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a main program of information relay control executed by the main relay device of the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an ATM receiving task of the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an ATM transmission task of the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a token ring reception task of the same embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a token ring transmission task of the same embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing a main program of information relay control executed by the sub relay device of the embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of application processing of the embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing a program of wireless data reception interrupt processing of the embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing a program of token ring reception interrupt processing of the embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing a program of DSP polling processing of the embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing a program of DSP polling processing of the embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a communication process between the management device and the terminal device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a communication process between the management device and the terminal device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a communication process between the management device and the terminal device according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Amusement Store 2 Card Company 11 Management Device (Other Information Processing Device) 12 Management Analysis Device (Other Information Processing Device) 13 Main Repeater (Information Repeater) 14 Freebie POS 15 ATM Switch 21, 22 Sub Repeater (Information) 23) Card issuing machine 31, 31a to 31n Gaming machine (enclosed ball type gaming machine) 74, 74a, 74b Display unit 75, 75a, 75b Optical transmission / reception section 101 Workstation 106 ATM interface 173 Partition wall 305 Ring relay 325 Token Ring controller

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Agency reference number FI Technical display location H04B 10/22

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An information relay, which comprises a terminal transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting information to and from a terminal device using a wireless transmission medium, and relays information transmission between the terminal device and another information processing device. A device that manages information transmission by circulating a transmission right between the information relay device and another information relay device, and the information relay device becomes operable when the power is turned on. Until then, transmission right passing means for forcibly passing the transmission right and limiting means for restricting the forcible passage of the transmission right when in an operable state are provided. Information relay device. 2. An information relay, which comprises a terminal transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting information to / from a terminal device using a wireless transmission medium, and relays information transmission between the terminal device and another information processing device. A device that manages information transmission by circulating a transmission right between the information relay device and another information relay device. The information relay device determines whether or not information relay operation is possible. An information relay comprising: a determination means for determining the transmission right; and a forced transmission right passing means for forcibly passing the transmission right when the determination means determines that the operation of the information relay is impossible. apparatus.