JPH10192551A - Game machine and management system therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately and rapidly carry out the maintenance work of a game machine, by providing a plurality of game machines with an optical communication device and providing an alarming means actuated when the optical communication system with the management device of the game machines is disconnected although the optical communication is correctly working, in respective game machines. SOLUTION: A plurality of game machines 1 installed in an amusement arcade are machines for TV games. A program is driven by charge of coins and guests can operate the machines. An optical communication device 2 transferring data on the basis of optical signals is arranged at the upper horizontal part of the game machine 1. This optical communication device 2 transmits data for the game machine 1 through a relay 4 to a management device 5 for the machine by optical signals or receives the instruction signals transmitted from the manegement device 5 for the machine. When the optical communication is disconnected although the communication system is correct, a luminous energy sensor detects the condition and actuates an alarming buzzer 3 through the communication control part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game center having a large number of game machines, wherein data for each game machine is transmitted from each game machine to the game machine management device by optical communication. The present invention relates to a game machine management system and a game machine that are managed collectively.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A game center has many game machines of various types called arcade games. These game machines are activated when a customer inserts coins such as 100 yen coins or coins such as game center-specific medals into each game machine. For this reason, a large amount of coins, such as coins, are inserted into each game machine into a coin box installed in each game machine, and the game center always has security problems such as theft prevention. I have. Therefore, conventionally, various game machine management systems have been proposed for a game center manager to constantly grasp and manage data on how much money has been put into each game machine.

FIG. 8 shows, as an example of the prior art, Japanese Patent Publication No.
A game machine management system described in JP-A-15504 is shown. This game machine management system uses a store A
Game machines 4 arranged for each store such as store and store B
1, currency exchange device 42, collection device 43, floor management device 4
4 (personal computer) and a master management device 45 installed at the head office.

[0004] Then, as shown in FIG.
A coin slot 46 for inserting coins and the like, a sensor unit 47 for detecting coins and the like inserted into the coin slot 46, a coin box 48 for storing inserted coins and the like, The game machine itself 4 that performs itself
9, a data holding unit 50 for holding input data based on a sensor input of the sensor unit 47 and code data of the game machine 41 itself, and a wireless unit 51 capable of wirelessly communicating the data held in the data holding unit 50. And mainly from.

[0005] The data holding unit 50 has a counting function for counting the number of times the contact switch is turned on when the sensor unit 47 inserts a coin.
It has a memory function for storing numbers and a data clear function using an instruction signal, and is incorporated in the existing game machine 41 as a dedicated board.

The radio section 51 is composed of a low-power radio station. The radio section 51 uses a sub-carrier MKS modem IC or the like for a general radio to transmit the data of the data holding section 50 by radio, and It is configured to receive an instruction signal from the management device 44.

[0007] The floor management device 44 includes a data processing unit 52 composed of a personal computer, a wireless unit 53 for wirelessly transmitting data to and from the game machine 41, and a communication device for transmission with the master management device 45. The data processing unit 52 is provided with a wireless data collection program for each game machine 41 and a tallying program for equipment on the floor. Each floor management device 44 is connected to the master management device 45 online.

The exchange device 42 installed on the same floor as each of the game machines 41 includes a storage unit for storing data of the exchange amount or the total number of exchange medals, and a wireless unit for wirelessly transmitting the data. The money collecting device 43 is a traveling type, and has a coefficient mechanism for coins and the like, and
It has a D code (bar code display) reading mechanism and a wireless unit for transmitting data of each mechanism.

When a customer plays a game in a game center in which a management device of a conventional game machine 41 is installed,
First, the customer inserts a coin or the like into the coin insertion slot 46. Then, the sensor unit 47 detects the insertion of a coin or the like, and the game machine main body 49 of the game machine 41 operates. At this time, the data holding unit 50 counts the number of coins inserted and stores it in the memory. Further, at this time, the wireless unit 51 wirelessly transmits the data stored in the data holding unit 50 to the floor management device 44. The floor management device 44 totals the operation status of each game machine 41 on the entire floor, transmits the operation status online to the master management device 45, and the master management device 45 transmits the operation status of the game machine 41 on all floors. Can be grasped.

As described above, the conventional game machine management system wirelessly transmits the sensor input data of the sensor unit 47 of each game machine 41 from the game machine 41 to the floor management machine 44, and Is configured to aggregate data across the floor,
The operating status of the entire game machine 41 on the floor at an arbitrary point can be grasped in real time. The operating state of the game machine 41 is transmitted online from the floor management device 44 to the master management device 45 via the communication modem 54. In the master management device 45, the data summed up by the floor management devices 44 is further summed up, so that the sales situation and the like of each store can always be grasped in real time.

As described above, the above-described prior art game machine management system uses the game machine 4 through communication using radio waves.
1 and the floor management device 44. However, various game machines equipped with various electronic devices are installed in the game center, and the reception of wireless signals is difficult due to poor radio wave conditions. In such a situation, it is necessary to transmit high-power wireless information in order to perform reliable wireless communication. I can't do that. In addition, in wireless communication using radio waves, if a game center having a different management entity is adjacent to the game center, radio waves interfere with each other, and there is a risk that correct information cannot be transmitted and received.

On the other hand, in the field of a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN), which is not in the field of game machines, there is a local information communication system in which information signals between a plurality of terminal devices communicate with each other by light and wireless using light as a transmission medium. And Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-250083. As described above, in the field of LANs, optical communication may be adopted in consideration of the harmful effects of the conventional cable and the amount of information.

That is, in this private information communication system, an optical information signal exchanges information between the master unit and the slave unit and between the repeater unit and the slave unit, which are installed on the same floor. Adopt communication. Terminal devices such as a personal computer and a printer are connected to the slave unit by wire. In this communication system, the master unit converts the modulated electric signal into an optical information signal using a light emitting element and transmits the signal to the space, and the slave unit receives the optical information signal by the light receiving element and returns to the original. Communication is performed by demodulating the signal into an electrical information signal. Also, the slave unit is provided with a light emitting element, and an optical information signal from the slave unit is transmitted from the light emitting element to the space and received by the light receiving element of the master unit.

[0014]

Under such circumstances, the inventor of the present invention has proposed a method for solving the above-described unique problem in the game machine management system, in which the game machine 41 and the floor management device 44 are connected to each other. The idea was to use optical communication as the communication means. When such optical communication is adopted as a communication means between the game machine 41 and the floor management machine machine 44,
Irrespective of whether the radio wave condition in the game center is good or bad, the optical information signal transmitted to the space can be reliably received, and there is an effect that no interference occurs even if the game center is adjacent. For these reasons, an optical communication type game machine management system is employed, and an optical communication device is installed on the upper plane portion of each game machine in order to ensure the optical communication.

[0015] However, since the game machine is usually formed at the height of the height of a human, when the optical communication device is installed on the upper plane portion of the game machine, the customer places clothes or the like on the optical communication device. There is a case where an obstacle is placed. When the light emitting element of this optical communication device is blocked by an obstacle and the optical information signal is not transmitted to the space, or when the light receiving element is blocked by the obstacle and the optical information signal is not received, Communication devices have the disadvantage that optical information signals cannot be exchanged. Therefore, in the game machine management system having the above-described configuration, there is a fear that a customer may interfere with the optical communication with an obstacle such as clothing, and the data of the game machine may not be transmitted, thereby hindering the game machine management.

In a game center, the movement of a game machine within the floor and the maintenance of the game machine are frequently performed with a change in the layout of the floor. During the movement or maintenance of the game machine, data transmission of the game machine to the game machine management device is temporarily stopped in order to turn off the power of the game machine. With the conventional game console management system, when data reception has stopped,
It is not determined whether the data transmission of the game machine has stopped due to the movement or maintenance of the game machine, or whether the data transmission has stopped due to a communication failure. Is displayed on the game machine management device to indicate that the transmission of is stopped. Therefore, even when moving or maintaining the game machine, it is determined that some trouble has occurred in the management of the game machine, or on the other hand, even if the trouble has occurred, it is determined that it is merely maintenance. As a result, it is insufficient to accurately and quickly manage the game machine.

According to the present invention, when data from each game machine is no longer received as described above, it is determined whether the cause is a failure in optical communication or simply movement or maintenance of the game machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game machine management system and a game machine that can notify a user only when data is not received due to a communication failure.

[0018]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above object, a game machine management system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a plurality of game machines each having an optical communication device for exchanging data by optical communication; A game machine management device having a communication function of collecting data on each game machine transmitted from the machine by optical communication and a data processing function of processing the collected data and managing each game machine; Is provided with an alarm unit that is activated when optical communication with the game machine management device is interrupted despite the fact that optical communication can be normally performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, optical communication is performed with the optical communication device, and the optical communication data is transmitted and received to and from the game device management device. A repeater is provided. Further, in the game machine management system according to the third aspect, the first or second aspect is provided.
In addition to the invention described above, the optical communication device is provided with a light amount measuring unit for measuring the light amount outside the game machine, and when the variation ratio of the light amount measured by the light amount measuring unit is equal to or more than a predetermined value. Alarm means are activated.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, the game machine management apparatus further comprises a calling signal for starting optical communication with each game machine. Are transmitted at a fixed cycle, and each game machine activates the alarm means when the calling signal is not received even after an arbitrarily set time exceeds one cycle. Further, in the game machine management system according to the fifth aspect, in addition to the invention according to the fourth aspect, the game machine measures a certain period of the call signal based on the call signal transmitted from the game machine management device. Further, storage means for storing the information is provided.

Further, in the game machine management system according to the sixth aspect, in addition to the invention according to the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect, the alarm means is formed of a sounding body. Further, in the game machine management system according to the seventh aspect, in addition to the invention according to the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect, the alarm means is formed of a light emitting display.

In view of the above object, a game machine according to a eighth aspect of the present invention includes a coin detecting section for detecting insertion of a coin and generating a detection signal, a coin storage section for storing the inserted coin, and a detecting section. A game machine main body that is activated based on the generation of a signal, a transmission unit that transmits data relating to a coin storage state based on a detection signal and an ID number of the game machine by an optical signal, and an optical signal from an external device that controls the game machine. And a warning unit that is activated when optical communication between the communication device and an external device is interrupted despite the state where optical communication can be normally performed.

As described above, according to the first and eighth aspects of the present invention, the game machine operates when the optical communication with the game machine management device is interrupted despite the state where the optical communication can be normally performed. Since the alarm means is provided, it is possible to notify an employee of a game center or the like of a failure in optical communication. According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, a relay is provided between the optical communication device and the game machine management device. Each game machine can be managed on another floor without being placed in a range where the optical signal of the communication machine can reach.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the light quantity measuring means is provided in the optical communication device, and the alarm means is provided when the fluctuation rate of the light quantity outside the game machine measured by the light quantity measuring means is equal to or more than a predetermined value. Is activated, so that when an optical communication device is covered with a hat or the like, a failure in optical communication can be reliably detected. Further, according to the inventions set forth in claims 4 and 5, the alarm means of each game machine is activated when the calling signal is not received even if it exceeds a certain period. In the event of a temporary communication failure, it will be tolerated. Therefore, an alarm is issued only when a substantial communication failure occurs, and the game machine management system can be operated accurately and easily.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, since the alarm means is formed by a sounding body, even if the employee or the like keeps his / her eyes away from the game machine, the alarm means can communicate with the employee or the like. It is possible to notify a failure. Claim 7
According to the invention described in the above, since the warning means is formed by the light emitting display, even if the inside of the game center cannot hear the warning with loud sound, it is possible to visually notify the employee of the communication failure. Become.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a game machine management system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game machine management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of game machines 1 installed on the floor of a game center, and The optical communication device 2 and an alarm buzzer 3 as alarm means, a plurality of relay devices 4 installed on a ceiling of a game center, and the like, are provided so as to be able to communicate with the game machine 1 via the relay device 4. Game machine management device 5 and a host computer 6 connected online to the game machine management device 5.

First, the configuration and operation of the game machine 1 will be described in detail.

The game machine 1 is a machine for a TV game called an arcade game, and when a unique coin issued by a game center or a coin such as a 100-yen coin is inserted, the game machine body (not shown) is inserted. Is started. The game machine main body is formed so as to be activated by the game drive circuit 7, and is detachably installed and fixed inside the game machine 1. The game machine 1 is a coin-inserted game machine in which a program installed in the game machine main body is activated by inserting a coin and a customer can operate the game machine main body.
By replacing the game machine body or the game drive circuit 7, the game machine body formed by another program can be activated and enjoyed.

The game machine 1 is installed and fixed at a predetermined position on the floor of the same floor of the game center, and has an ID number. This ID number is
The game machine 1 is necessary for performing optical communication with the game machine management device 5, and a setting method will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game machine 1 is formed of a housing and has air holes 8 at several places so as not to overheat the inside. Further, an optical communication device 2 for exchanging data by an optical signal is provided on an upper plane portion of the game machine 1. In addition, an alarm buzzer 3 is provided on a side surface of the game machine 1 as an alarm unit that is activated when optical communication between the game machine 1 and a game machine management device described later is interrupted. Further, a display unit 9 composed of a screen for displaying the contents of the game machine main body is provided on the front part of the game machine 1.

A lever 10a and a button 10 are provided at a position where the customer can operate while looking at the display unit 9, specifically, a lower portion of the display unit 9 in FIG.
b is provided. In FIG. 2, a coin insertion slot 11 and a coin return slot 12 for a customer to insert coins are provided below the operation unit 10 of the game machine 1.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the game machine 1 has a coin sensor section 13, a game drive circuit 7 for starting the game machine body, and a coin sensor section 13.
, A circuit board section 14 electrically connected to the optical communication device 2 and the game driving circuit 7, a coin passage section 15, a coin box 16 as a coin storage section for storing inserted coins, and a coin sensor section. A coin return port 12 for returning coins not detected at 13 to the customer is provided. The coin return slot 12 is provided with a lid 12a for preventing the coin from jumping out. Further, the circuit board unit 14 is adapted to be compatible with various coin sensor units 13 and the game driving circuit 7.
The circuit configuration is such that the detection signal of the coin sensor unit 13 can be reliably captured and transmitted.

The coin sensor 13 is provided with a coin slot 1
It is a coin detection unit that detects a coin inserted from 1 and generates a detection signal. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the coin sensor unit 13
The sensor box 17 includes a section member 18 protruding into the coin passage section 15 and a detection signal output section 19 connected to the sensor box 17 and generating a detection signal when a coin contacts the section member 18.

The section member 18 is formed by bending an elastic metal member, and has one end at the sensor box 1.
7. This section member 1
8 is a section member 1 in which a coin passes through the coin passage portion 15;
8, the section member 18 is formed so as to bend in the direction of the arrow A to come into contact with the switch member 20 formed of a metal member provided on the sensor box 17.

Then, the section member 18 and the switch member 20
And the coin sensor unit 13
It is configured to detect that a coin has been inserted from the coin insertion slot 11 in the ON state and output a detection signal from the detection signal output unit 19. At this time, in order to prevent malfunction, the coin sensor unit 13 is set to operate when the contact time between the section member 18 and the switch member 20 is longer than a certain level, specifically, 40 msec or longer.

The section member 18 in the coin passage 15
A guiding wall portion 21 for selectively guiding coins to one of the coin return slot 12 and the coin box 16 is provided below. The guide wall portion 21 is provided at a fulcrum 21a at the entrance of the coin return portion 12, a wall portion 21b extending from the fulcrum 21a toward the coin return opening 12, and a fulcrum 21a extending from the fulcrum 21a toward the coin sensor portion 13. Wall portion 21c. The guide wall portion 21 is formed so as to be pivotable in the direction of arrow B about the fulcrum 21a by a drive source (not shown) interlocked with the coin sensor portion 13.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guiding wall portion 21 has the wall portion 21b parallel to the lower surface of the coin return portion 12 and the wall portion 21c inclined upward by about 30 to 40 °. It is the original position that it is in the state of doing. Also,
The guiding wall portion 21 is linked with the coin sensor portion 13 by an arrow B
After returning to the original position after a predetermined time elapses.

When the coin sensor 13 is turned on, the guide wall 21 turns about 60 ° to 70 ° in the direction of arrow B about the fulcrum 21a. Then, the wall 21
b rises so as to close the space in the direction of the coin return opening 12 of the coin passage 15 as indicated by the virtual line. On the other hand, the wall portion 21c is inclined from the lower surface of the coin return portion 12 toward the coin box 16, that is, downward. Therefore, when the coin sensor 13 is turned on, the coin is guided to the guiding wall 21 and enters the coin box 16. After the coin has entered the coin box 16, the guide wall 21 is turned by a drive source (not shown) so as to return to the original position. When the coin sensor 13 does not operate and the guiding wall 21 remains at the original position, the wall 21c and the wall 21b serve as guides,
The coin is guided to the coin return slot 12.

In this manner, when the coin sensor 13 detects the insertion of a coin and the detection signal is output from the detection signal output unit 19, the detection signal is input to the circuit board unit 14. The circuit board unit 14 outputs the detection signal output from the coin sensor unit 13 to the game driving circuit 7.
To activate the game machine body, collect data on coins based on the detection signal, and transmit the data and the like to the optical communication device 2 as an optical signal.

As shown in FIG. 5, the circuit board section 14 includes an input section 22, a count section 23, a communication control section 24,
, An ID number setting unit 25 in which an ID number is set by a rotary switch or the like, and three terminal units 26a, 26b,
26c. One end of a lead wire 27a is connected to the terminal 26a, and the other end of the lead wire 27a is connected to the game drive circuit 7,
Thus, the circuit board section 14 and the game drive circuit 7 are electrically connected. Also, the terminal 26
b, a lead wire 27b is connected, and the other end of the lead wire 27b is connected to the optical communication device 2,
Thus, the circuit board section 14 and the optical communication device 2 are electrically connected. Further, a lead wire 27c is connected to the terminal portion 26c, and the other end of the lead wire 27c is connected to an alarm buzzer 3 as alarm means. Are electrically connected.

When a coin detection signal is output from the detection signal output section 19 of the coin sensor section 13, the input section 22 inputs this detection signal and transmits it to the terminal section 26a. Further, the detection signal is transmitted to the terminal 2
The game drive circuit 7 is transmitted from the lead 6a to the game drive circuit 7 via the lead wire 27a, and starts to start. That is, the detection signal is a command signal for activating the game drive circuit 7, and the main body of the game machine is activated based on the generation of the detection signal. The input unit 22 also transmits the detection signal to the counting unit 23 at the same time.

The counting section 23 adds the number of times of the detection signal transmitted from the input section 22.
That is, the number of coins detected by the coin sensor unit 13 is the same as the number of coins put in the coin box 16.
Will be detected. Then, the counting unit 23 adds the number of times of the detection signal,
The result of the addition is transmitted to the communication control unit 24.

On the other hand, the ID number setting section 25 is for individually assigning an ID number to each game machine 1 by a rotary switch or the like.
5 is constantly transmitted from the ID number setting unit 25 to the communication control unit 24.

The communication control unit 24 includes a counting unit 23
And data relating to the storage status of coins stored in the coin box 16 transmitted from the
The ID number of the game machine 1 set by 5 is stored until the game machine 1 is called by a call signal from the relay machine 4 as described later. Then, the communication control unit 24 sends the stored data and ID number relating to the coin from the terminal unit 26b,
The signal is transmitted to the optical communication device 2 according to the call signal. Further, when the optical communication between the optical communication device 2 and the game machine management device 5 to be described later is interrupted, the communication control unit 24 sends a start signal to the alarm buzzer 3 from the terminal unit 26c to activate the alarm buzzer 3. It has become.

The communication control unit 24 includes the counting unit 2
A reset function is provided to reset the data relating to the coin added in step 3, ie, the number of coins in the coin box 14 to “0”. Communication device 2
After being transmitted to the game machine management device 5, the game machine management device 5 automatically resets it.

Further, based on the call signal transmitted from the game machine management device 5 via the relay device 4, the communication control unit 24 has a timer for measuring a constant cycle (cycle) at which the call signal is transmitted. A function is provided, and storage means (not shown) for storing the cycle is provided.

Next, the optical communication device 2 provided in the game machine 1
Will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optical communication device 2 is formed of a hemispherical transparent lens body, and is fixedly installed on the upper plane portion of the game machine 1. Optical communication device 2
Is connected to the other end of the lead wire 27b, as shown in FIG. 5, and data relating to the coin storage status and the ID number in the coin box 16 is transmitted from the circuit board unit 14 via the lead wire 27b. It comes to come. The lead wire 27b is connected to the game machine 1 as shown in FIG.
Is inserted into the inside of the game machine 1 through an air hole 8 provided at one end, and one end is connected to a terminal portion 26b of the circuit board portion 14.

The optical communication device 2 transmits the game machine 1 by using an optical signal.
Is transmitted to the game machine management device 5 described later,
Alternatively, a command signal transmitted from the game machine management device 5 by an optical signal is transmitted to the circuit board unit 14. Note that data communication between the game machine 1 and the game machine management device 5 is performed via the relay machine 4, which will be described later in detail. And the optical communication device 2
As shown in FIG. 6, a transmission unit 28, a reception unit 29, a light amount sensor 30 as a light amount measurement unit, and a transmission / reception control unit 31 for controlling them are provided inside the unit.

The transmission unit 28 emits light, such as a light emitting diode, which emits the coin data and the ID number of the game machine 1 converted into a signal suitable for the optical signal by the transmission / reception control unit 31 to the outside through a transparent lens body as an optical signal. It is formed of elements. The receiving unit 29 is formed of a light receiving element such as a photodiode that receives an optical signal transmitted from the outside through a transparent lens body. The receiving unit 29
The optical signal received from the outside is converted by the transmission / reception control unit 31 into an electric signal suitable for the circuit board unit 14 to handle.
On the other hand, the light amount sensor 30 is a light amount measuring unit that measures the light amount outside the game machine 1, and is formed of a photoconductive element that detects the intensity of light using a photoconductive phenomenon of a semiconductor. In the optical communication device 2, the transmission / reception control unit 31 converts the light amount value detected by the light amount sensor 30 into an electric signal and transmits the electric signal to the communication control unit 24 of the circuit board unit 14.

With this configuration, for example, a situation in which an obstacle such as clothes is hung on the optical communication device 2 and an optical signal from the outside does not reach the optical communication device 2 even though optical communication is possible.
That is, when optical communication is disabled, the light amount sensor 30 can detect the state and transmit the state to the communication control unit 24. When the optical communication device 2 is in the optical communication disabled state in this way and does not receive a call signal even if the cycle time of the call signal stored in the storage unit of the communication control unit 24 is exceeded, the communication control unit Reference numeral 24 indicates that a drive command signal is transmitted to the alarm buzzer 3 via the terminal 26c to activate the alarm buzzer 3.

Next, the configurations and operations of the relay device 4, the game machine management device 5, and the host computer 6 will be described in detail.

A plurality of repeaters 4 are installed on the ceiling of the floor of the game center, each having an optical receiving unit and an optical transmitting unit (not shown). These repeaters 4 transmit a call signal for starting optical communication to the game machine 1 sequentially from the first repeater 4 under the control of the game machine management device 5 as described later. The optical communication device 2 of the game device 1 sends out data and ID numbers related to coins of the game device 1 in accordance with the call signal. Also, the repeater 4 receives an optical signal transmitted from the optical communication device 2 of the game machine 1 by an optical receiver, converts the optical signal into an electric signal, and transmits the electric signal to the game machine management device 5. Has become. Further, the repeater 4 converts a confirmation signal notifying that the ID number or the like has been received, or a command signal transmitted from the game machine management device 5 to be described later, into an optical signal by an optical transmission unit, and outputs the optical signal. The call is sent to the machine 1.

Further, the game machine management device 5 is formed of a personal computer (personal computer) or the like, and at least one game machine management device is provided outside the floor for each game center. The game management device 5 manages each game machine 1 by processing a communication function for performing optical communication with each game machine 1 via the relay device 4 and data collected by optical communication with each game machine 1. It has a data processing function. Then, the game machine management device 5 transmits a call signal for starting optical communication to the game machine 1 via the relay machine 4 at regular intervals.

The game machine management device 5 tallies the sales of each game machine 1 and the like based on the data relating to the coins of each game machine 1 obtained through the relay machine 4 and the data based on the ID number. It is formed so that the result of the aggregation can be output. The game machine management device 5 is configured to transmit the aggregated data to the host computer 6. The game machine management device 5 stores a command signal for each game machine 1, for example, a confirmation signal indicating that data relating to coins and an ID number have been received, and a communication control unit 24 of each game machine 1. By transmitting a reset signal or the like via the relay device 4 for erasing data relating to the coins present,
Is controlling.

The host computer 6 is connected online with the game machine management devices 5 installed in each game center. And the host computer 6
Based on data transmitted online from the game machine management device 5 installed in each game center, the sales of each game center, the sales of each game machine, and the like are managed.

A series of operations of the game machine management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

First, a customer visiting the game center has 10
A coin such as a zero yen coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 11 of the game machine 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the inserted coin falls down the coin passage section 15 and the coin sensor section 13.
Contact with the section member 18 of FIG. At this time, the section member 18
Is bent downward due to the weight of the coin, and comes into contact with the switch member 20 to turn on the coin sensor unit 13;
That is, a state is detected in which a coin is detected.

When the coin sensor 13 detects a coin, the guiding wall 21 interlocked with the operation of the coin sensor 13.
Turns in the direction of arrow B. After the coin contacts the section member 18 of the coin sensor unit 13, the coin further falls and is guided by the wall portions 21 c and 21 b of the guiding wall portion 21 and falls into the coin box 16. When the coin sensor unit 13 does not operate even if a coin is inserted through the coin insertion slot 11, the coin is guided to the coin return slot 12 because the guiding wall portion 21 does not turn in the original position. ing. The coin is guided by the guiding wall portion 21 and rolls while being rolled.
2 and is prevented from jumping out by the lid 12a.

When the coin sensor unit 13 detects a coin, a detection signal is generated from the detection signal output unit 19, and the detection signal is input to the input unit 22 of the circuit board unit 14. When the detection signal is input, the input section 22 of the circuit board section 14 transmits the detection signal to the game drive circuit 7 that starts the game machine main body via the lead wire 27a connected to the terminal section 26a. As a result, the main body of the game machine is activated, and the game content is displayed on the display unit 9, and the customer operates the operation unit 7 while watching the display unit 9 to control the game content.

When a detection signal is transmitted to the input unit 22, the counting unit 23 adds the detection signal and counts the number of times the detection signal is detected. by this,
The counting unit 23 counts the number of coins in the coin box 16. On the other hand, the ID number setting unit 2
In 5, an ID number which is a communication code of the game machine 1 is set by a rotary switch or the like. Then, in the communication control unit 24, the input to the input unit 22 and the counting unit 23
The coin-related data based on the detection signal counted in the above step, that is, data indicating how many coins are stored in the coin box 16 and the ID number of the game machine 1 set by the ID number setting unit 25 are stored. It will be.

On the other hand, the game machine management device 5 obtains data from all the game machines 1 currently registered on the floor for the first registered repeater 4, that is, the first repeater 4. To instruct. Then, the first repeater 4 sends out a call signal that individually calls the game machines 1 on the floor in order. This call signal includes an ID number set for each game machine 1 and enables communication only with the game machine 1 having the ID number. Then, the repeater 4 transmits the I
The game machine 1 is called in order by changing the D number portion in order, that is, the first game machine 1, the second game machine 1, and so on. Communication is performed in this manner in order.

For example, if there are 100 game machines 1 on the floor, the first repeater 4 first
Is generated, and the first game machine 1 is called. This call signal is received by the receiving unit 28 of the optical communication device 2 and the transmission / reception control unit 3
1 to the communication control unit 24. Then, the data stored in the communication control unit 24 is transmitted to the optical communication device 2 via the terminal unit 26b and the lead wire 27b. Further, this data is converted into a signal suitable for optical communication by the transmission / reception control unit 31 of the optical communication device 2 and transmitted to the transmission unit 28.
Then, the data and the ID number relating to the coin are transmitted from the transmission unit 28 to the relay device 4 by optical communication. At this time, the communication with the other game machines 1 is stopped.

The first game machine 1 transmitted to the relay machine 4
Is transmitted to the game machine management device 5 via the relay machine 4. When acquiring the data relating to the coins of the game machine 1, the game machine management device 5 transmits a signal (confirmation signal) indicating that the data has been acquired to the optical communication device 2 via the relay device 4 by optical communication. The signal from the game machine management device 5 is received by the receiving unit 29 of the optical communication device 2. The signal received by the receiving unit 29 is converted into an electric signal suitable for processing in the circuit board unit 14 by the transmission / reception control unit 31, and then transmitted to the communication control unit 24 via the lead wire 27b and the terminal unit 26b. Is done.

As described above, a signal indicating that data related to coins and the like has been obtained is returned from the game machine management device 5, so that data related to coins is not transmitted from the optical communication device 2 for a certain period. Further, when the optical communication device 2 receives the confirmation signal from the game machine management device 5, the data relating to the coin stored in the communication control unit 24 is automatically reset. The repeater 4 may confirm the received signal and immediately output a signal to the optical communication device 2 indicating that the signal has been received. In this case, it is preferable not to reset the communication control unit 24 by the received signal.

After collecting coin storage status, that is, sales data, from the first game machine 1, sales data is similarly collected from the second game machine 1. In this manner, communication with the 100 game machines 1 is performed (1.
(If it takes 1 second for 100 units, 100 units will be 100 seconds)
Then, the second repeater 4 communicates with the 100 game machines 1 in the same manner. In this way, each repeater 4 sequentially generates a call signal to all game machines 1 to make a call. For this reason, even if there is a game machine 1 that cannot perform optical communication because of an optical signal not passing due to being hidden behind a pillar or the like for a certain repeater 4, optical communication with any of the repeaters 4 can be performed from the game machine 1 side, No communication leaks.

As described above, when the game machine management system is normally activated, data such as the sales amount of each game machine 1 is normally managed by the game machine management device 5. Further, the data transmitted in this manner is transmitted from the game machine management device 5 to the host computer 6 online. In this way, data such as the amount of sales for each game center is collectively managed by the host computer 6.

Next, in the game machine management system configured as described above, for example, an obstacle such as clothes is put on the optical communication device 2 and the optical communication device 2 is covered.
The case where the optical communication between the game machine 1 and the game machine management device 5 is interrupted will be described.

When the optical communication device 2 is covered with an obstacle, a light beam including an optical signal from the outside of the game device 1 does not enter the optical communication device 2. Then, the light amount value detected by the light amount sensor 30 provided in the optical communication device 2 rapidly decreases. The detection result of the external light amount value by the light amount sensor 30 is always transmitted to the communication control unit 24.

On the other hand, a calling signal is transmitted to the game machine 1 from the plurality of repeaters 4 in order at a constant cycle. The communication control unit 24 of the game machine 1 is configured to cause the transmission unit 28 to transmit data and ID numbers related to coins to the game machine management device 5 via the relay device 4 based on the call signal, The cycle of the call signal is measured and stored. Then, when the optical communication device 2 is covered with an obstacle or the like, a call signal from the relay device 4 is no longer incident on the optical communication device 2 of the game device 1 from that point.

Then, the communication control unit 24 recognizes that there is no incoming call signal from the repeater 4 even though the call signal from the repeater 4 has come. The communication control unit 24 sends out the state in which the call signal is not received even after the cycle in which the call signal should be received has passed an arbitrary number of times, for example, three to four times, and has been transmitted from the light amount sensor 30. When the variation ratio of the light amount becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value arbitrarily set, a drive command signal is output from the terminal 26c to the alarm buzzer 3 to sound the alarm buzzer 3. This prompts the employees of the game center to remove the obstacle from the optical communication device 2.

The game machine management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the alarm buzzer 3 as alarm means, a warning light 3 ′ is installed on the upper plane portion of each game machine 1 side by side with the optical communication device 2. Alternatively, the light may be turned on when the optical communication between the game machine 1 and the game machine management device 5 is interrupted. With this configuration, employees and others can visually determine that optical communication has been interrupted, and discover abnormalities in optical communication even in environments where loud alarm sounds cannot be heard, such as in a game arcade. Easier to do.

Further, in addition to the alarm buzzer 3 and the warning 3 ′, a light emitting display is installed on the front of the game machine 1. Please do not put things on the aircraft. " With this configuration, it is possible to urge the customer to prevent the behavior of the customer that is an obstacle to the optical communication, that is, the behavior of putting an object on the optical communication device 2. If only the warning light 3 'is sufficient as the warning means, the warning buzzer 3 may be omitted as necessary. The game machine management system according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the game machine management system according to the first embodiment except for an alarm unit.

Further, in the game management system of each embodiment, the optical communication device 2 is provided with the receiving unit 29 to have a receiving function. However, it is sufficient that the optical communication device 2 has at least a transmitting function. Then, the game machine management device 5 can collect data on coins, and can manage each game machine 1. In this case, the game machine 1 cannot receive the call signal from the relay machine 4 and cannot detect whether or not a communication abnormality has occurred in the game machine 1. For this reason,
In such a case, the relay device 4 or the game device management device 5 is provided with a communication abnormality determining function, and based on the determination, the receiving means provided in the game device 1 at a location different from the optical communication device 2 is provided. An alarm signal is transmitted, and the alarm means is operated by the alarm signal.

The alarm means may be operated only by a driving command signal of the communication control unit 24 based on the result of detecting the light amount by the light amount sensor 30. The alarm activated in this case is an alarm caused only by a physical state such as a customer's obstruction to optical communication, so that a state in which optical communication is not performed can be reliably prevented. On the other hand, the alarming means may be operated only by recognizing the non-incoming call signal by the communication control unit 24. In this case, an alarm is issued even when the game machine 1 is temporarily hidden by a pillar or the like or is being moved to another place due to maintenance or the like. The means that can turn off the alarm means
This can be dealt with by providing the game machine 1.

The alarm means in each embodiment is
It is configured to operate when the call signal is not received and the variation ratio of the light amount detected by the light amount sensor 30 is equal to or more than a predetermined value, but the light amount value detected by the light amount sensor 30 is arbitrarily set. The operation may be performed when the value becomes equal to or less than the value, that is, when the light amount value outside the optical communication device 2 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value. However, the place where the game machine 1 is installed is often dim, and even if the game machine 1 is originally installed in a bright place, the place may become dark at night. There is a problem of setting such values. Therefore, in each of the embodiments, the alarm unit is activated when the variation ratio of the light amount becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value. With this configuration, it is possible to detect a rapid change in the light amount value when an obstacle such as a hat is put on the optical communication device 2.

As data transmitted from the game machine 1 side, in addition to the data relating to the coin storage status, other data such as operation data and failure data may be transmitted alone or in combination with other data. Is also good. In addition to the data transmission confirmation signal, other data such as a program of the game itself to be used on the game machine or data to be displayed on an unused game machine as an advertisement is appropriately transmitted as data transmitted from the game management apparatus 5 side. Alternatively, they may be sent in combination.

The game machine 1 uses T
Although a V-game machine is used, any game machine may be used. For example, a game machine that uses a coin, such as a game machine that drives, a UFO catcher, or another game machine that does not use coins may be used. Game machine management device 5
Is connected online with the host computer 6 installed at the head office, and collectively manages coin-related data in the host computer 6. However, when managing one game center, for example, game centers are distributed to a plurality of locations. If not, the host computer 6 is not required.

Further, in each embodiment of the present invention, portions other than both the input portion 22 and the terminal portion 26a in the circuit board portion 14 may be brought into the optical communication device 2. Also, a coin sensor unit 13 serving as a coin detection unit
Is provided with a second coin sensor such as an optical sensor separately from a switch for detecting a detection signal for driving the game machine main body, and the second coin sensor detects a coin transmitted to the game machine management device 5. Data on the storage status may be obtained.

The present invention can be applied not only to a game machine management system but also to a LAN. That is, in the case of optical communication between the parent device and the child device or optical communication between the relay device and the child device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-250083, when the child device is covered. Alternatively, the terminal device may perform an alarm operation.

[0082]

According to the game machine management system and the game machine of the present invention, the game machine operates when the optical communication with the game machine management device is interrupted despite the state where the optical communication is normally performed. Alarm means is provided. For this reason, if the optical communication is interrupted and the alarm means is activated, the employees of the game center or the like will not be affected by a temporary communication failure due to maintenance or the like, but rather, for example, when the optical communication device is covered with an obstacle. It is possible to easily recognize that a communication failure has occurred due to various factors. Therefore, the employees of the game center and the like will recover the current situation of the optical communication failure as necessary, and the management of the game machine will be more reliable and more convenient.

Further, in the present invention, the light quantity measuring means is provided in the optical communication device, and the alarm means which is activated when the fluctuation rate of the measured light quantity is a predetermined value or more is provided in the game machine. The alarm means provided in the game machine is activated in response to a sudden change in the light amount value when covering with an obstacle. With this configuration, when an optical communication failure occurs, such as when an obstacle is placed on the optical communication device, an alarm can be reliably activated, and game machine management is reliable and highly convenient. .

Further, the alarm means of each game machine is designed to operate only when the calling signal is not received even after a predetermined period has passed, so that a temporary communication failure that occurs accidentally is tolerated. As a result, it becomes easy for the manager to operate the game machine management.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a game machine management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a game machine of the game machine management system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of an internal structure of the game machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of the game machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a circuit board unit of the game machine shown in FIG. 3;

6 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of the optical communication device of the game machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a game machine of a game machine management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an entire conventional game machine management system.

9 is a block diagram showing details of a floor management device and a game machine of the game machine management system shown in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2 Optical communication device 3 Alarm buzzer (alarm means) 4 Repeater 5 Game machine management device 6 Host computer 7 Game drive circuit (for starting the game machine main body) 9 Display unit 10 Operation unit 11 Coin slot 12 coin return slot 13 coin sensor part (coin detecting part) 14 circuit board part 16 coin box (coin storing part) 24 communication control part 28 transmitting part 29 receiving part 30 light quantity sensor (light quantity measuring means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takafumi Nakase 4-11-5 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Funai Electric Laboratory Co., Ltd.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of game machines each having an optical communication device for exchanging data by optical communication, a communication function for collecting data on each game machine transmitted from the optical communication device by optical communication, and a collected function. A game machine management device having a data processing function of processing the data and managing the respective game machines, wherein the game machine has a communication function with the game machine management device irrespective of a state where optical communication can be normally performed. A game machine management system, further comprising an alarm unit that operates when the optical communication is interrupted. 2. The game machine management system according to claim 1, further comprising a repeater for performing optical communication with the optical communication machine and transmitting and receiving data of the optical communication to and from the game machine management device. system. 3. The optical communication device is provided with a light quantity measuring means for measuring a light quantity outside the game machine,
3. The game machine management system according to claim 1, wherein said alarm means is activated when a variation ratio of the light quantity measured by said light quantity measuring means is equal to or more than a predetermined value. 4. The game machine management device transmits a call signal for starting the optical communication to each of the game machines at a predetermined period, and each of the game machines transmits the call signal to the game machine. 4. The game machine management system according to claim 1, wherein said alarm means is activated when no signal is received even after an arbitrarily set time has elapsed within one cycle. 5. The game machine is provided with storage means for measuring and storing the constant period of the call signal based on the call signal transmitted from the game machine management device. The game machine management system according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The game machine management system according to claim 1, wherein said warning means is formed by a sounding body. 7. The game machine management system according to claim 1, wherein said alarm means is formed of a light emitting display. 8. A coin detecting unit for detecting insertion of a coin and generating a detection signal, a coin storage unit for storing the inserted coin, a game machine main body activated based on the generation of the detection signal, An optical communication device comprising: a transmission unit that transmits, as an optical signal, the storage status of the coin based on the detection signal and the ID number of the game machine, and a reception unit that receives an optical signal from an external device that controls the game machine. And a warning device that operates when the optical communication between the optical communication device and the external device is interrupted despite the state where the optical communication can be normally performed.