KR20020007518A - Controller system for game machine by using network and controlling method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A game machine control system based on a network and a method for controlling the system are provided to manage a game machine and a game room including the game machine effectively by connecting a plurality of game machines, a control module unit for managing and controlling the game machine, and a host computer through an interactive network, and transmitting and analyzing various kinds of information being generated from the game machine in real time, and making a database based on the data thereof. CONSTITUTION: At least one game machine(300) capable of progressing a game in accordance with inputting a predetermined amount of money and operating a key is provided. A plurality of control module units(200-200N) receives predetermined data being generated from the game machine(300), and senses a state of the game machine(300), and stores and records various kinds of data. A host computer(100) receives data by mediating a network from the control module units(200-200N) and manages states of the game machine(300) and the control module units(200-200N). The control module units(200-200N) and the game machine(300) are connected thereto by a wireless medium applied to an RF modem. The control module units(200-200N) and the host computer(100) are connected thereto by a network medium in accordance with the interface standard as an RS-232 or a USB.

Description

Network-based game machine control system and its control method {CONTROLLER SYSTEM FOR GAME MACHINE BY USING NETWORK AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a network-based game machine control system and a method of controlling the same, and more particularly, by operating and managing a game machine more efficiently by receiving and databaseting predetermined data from at least one or more game machines through a wireless medium. It relates to a game machine control system and a control method based on the network to be made.

As is well known, game machines are intended to play a predetermined game, such as display devices capable of displaying graphics of high-speed, high-definition color, buttons, joysticks, and the like. Mechanisms and the like are operated in a state provided, and in recent years, a microprocessor or the like is provided in the above-described game machine so that more complicated control and a high-level environment can be executed by a program.

On the other hand, the game machine as described above is provided to be used after depositing a predetermined amount in a predetermined place, such as a game room, in addition to the game machine used at home, such game machines are divided into different genres and fields, and game machine users are supplied Each player chooses a game machine that suits his or her taste and allows them to play the game.

However, such a game machine has been managed and operated by a manual method such that the game machine manager must directly check the malfunction state of the game machine and check the number of coins and the like. Since it is necessary to rely on the operating costs such as labor costs excessively, there was a problem that can not efficiently manage the game machine.

In addition, when a software or mechanical failure occurs while using the game machine, the user notifies the administrator and solves the problem before using it again. Since accurate statistical indicators are calculated late, there is a problem that operation management is not effective.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, the present invention is connected to a plurality of game machines, a control module unit for managing and controlling the game machine and a host computer via a network, while the game machine The game machine control system based on the network which can efficiently perform the operation management of the game machine and the game room where the game machine is installed and operated by receiving and analyzing and processing various information generated from the data in real time and making the database into the data; The purpose is to provide a control method.

In addition, the present invention has another object to facilitate the construction of a game machine control system by connecting a plurality of game machines and the control module unit via an RF wireless modem having a predetermined effective distance.

In addition, the present invention by providing independent data storage media to the game machine, the control module unit, respectively, to prevent data loss in the event of a system error, while recognizing the occurrence of the error to effectively perform error recovery There is a purpose.

In the game machine control system based on the network for achieving the above object, if a pre-stored game program is driven in accordance with a predetermined amount input and key operation, the game program or the mechanical error state and the number of coins entered, etc. A microprocessor which is authorized through a data input unit, an RF modem for outputting the data according to a predetermined transmission format by the microprocessor, and a memory unit for backing up and storing the data for a predetermined time in response to the mechanical error condition. A first through N-th game machine having a client, an RF modem wirelessly connected to the first through N-th game machine and receiving the data from each client of the first through N-th game machine, and an interface unit from the RF modem. To receive the data so that the first to Nth A microprocessor for detecting a normal / error state of the device, a memory unit for storing the data for a predetermined time in a control operation of the microprocessor, and displaying a current state of the first to Nth game machines according to the key operation of the keypad unit. A first to first host including a display unit, a host including a printer unit for printing a state displayed on the display unit, and a PC configured to classify and store data transmitted from the host and to apply a predetermined command to the client via the host. N control module is characterized in that it is configured to include.

Here, the first to the N-th control module unit receives the data of the first to the N-th game machine, the backup and store, and automatically detects the state of the first to N-th game unit and the first to N-th control module unit. And a host computer capable of being interconnected with the first to Nth control module units in an RS-232 interface standard or a universal serial bus (USB) interface standard.

The client may be mounted externally via a wired / wireless medium according to a predetermined interface standard, in addition to being mounted in the first to Nth game machines.

The memory unit provided to the client and the host is electrically erasable pyrom (EEPROM).

In addition, the client host and the PC are provided with a timer that performs a time count so as to automatically backup and store the data after a predetermined time has elapsed.

In addition, the control method of the game machine control system based on the network for achieving the above object, the client receives the various data generated from the at least one game machine via the data input unit on-line via a predetermined check routine And checking the data according to the operation of the monitoring routine, automatically receiving the data from the client via the RF modem, and automatically backing up and storing the data in the memory provided in the host of the first to Nth control modules. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the data stored in the backup process is transferred to a PC, and the data received from the host is transferred to a host computer through an RS-232 interface standard or a USB interface standard. In the process of determining whether or not the host error Characterized in that where the lure.

Here, the game machine inspection routine determines an error state of the game machine, and transmits an error code through the RF modem when an error occurs according to the determination result, while backing up data generated by the game machine at a predetermined time during normal operation. On the other hand, the game monitoring routine is characterized in that the number of coins put into the game machine, the number of service coins, whether the game machine door opening and closing, abnormal voltage generation, and transmits the error code to the host when an error occurs.

In addition, the PC receives data from the first to N-th game machine via the host, and the database of the sales clearance of each game machine, sales clearance of each game machine type, total sales clearance of game room, sales clearance by time zone. It is done.

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, at least one game machine and a control module unit for managing and operating the game machine are connected to each other by using a wireless medium, and by receiving a variety of data generated from the game machine to a database, And it can be seen that the operation management of the game room where the game machine is installed can be more efficiently.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing a game machine control system based on a network according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a block diagram showing the control module of FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing a client mounted in the game machine of FIG. 1;

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the overall control process of the game machine control system based on the network according to the present invention,

5A to 5C are flowcharts illustrating a data processing process of a client in FIG. 1;

6 is a flowchart illustrating a data processing process of a host in FIG. 1;

7 is a flowchart illustrating a data processing process of a PC connected to the host of FIG. 1.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

100: host computer, 200 ~ 200n: first to nth control module unit,

210: PC, 220: Host,

230, 320: first, second microprocessor,

260, 330: RF modem, 250, 340: first, second EEPROM,

240: interface portion, 270: keypad portion,

280: printer portion, 290: display portion,

300: game machine, 310: client,

350: data input unit.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing a game machine control system based on a network according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control module unit of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a game machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the client mounted in the inside.

As shown in FIG. 1, at least one or more game machines 300 capable of playing a game according to a predetermined amount input and a key operation are received, and predetermined data generated from the game machine 300 are received, and the state of the game machine is determined. On the other hand, the first to the N-th control module unit 200-200N for storing and recording various data and the data from the first to N-th control module unit (200-200N) via a network to receive the game machine 300 ) And a host computer 100 for managing the states of the first to Nth control module units 200-200N.

Here, the first to Nth control module unit 200-200N and the game device 300 are connected to each other by a wireless medium to which an RF modem is applied, and the first to Nth control module unit 200-200N and a host computer. 100 is connected to a network medium according to an interface standard such as RS-232 or USB.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first to Nth control module units 200 to 200N are wirelessly connected to the first to Nth game machines 300, and the first to Nth game machines 300 to be described later. RF data of the first to N-th game machine 300 receives the data from the RF modem 260 to receive the data from each of the client 310, the interface unit 240 from the RF modem 260 The microprocessor 230 for detecting a normal / error state, the memory unit 250 for storing the data for a predetermined time in a control operation of the microprocessor 230, and the key operation of the keypad unit 270 according to the key operation. The host 220 and the host 220 may include a display unit 290 for displaying a state of the first to Nth game machines 300, and a printer unit 280 for printing the state displayed on the display unit 290. Connected by means, and the host 220 Is received from the transmission configuration includes a PC (210) for analyzing the stored data.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, when the game program 300 is stored in accordance with a predetermined amount input and a key operation, the game machine 300 includes the game program or mechanical error state and the number of coins and service coins to be put into the game machine. A microprocessor 320 that receives data such as number, door opening or closing, abnormal voltage generation, etc. via the data input unit 350, and an RF modem outputting the data according to a predetermined transmission format by the microprocessor 320. 330, the client 310 is composed of a memory unit 340 for backing up and storing the data for a predetermined time corresponding to the mechanical error state.

On the other hand, the game machine 300 is connected to the first to N-th control module unit (200-200N) approximately 1024 in total, and the RF modem has an effective distance of 200m, the first to N-th control The module unit 200-200N and the game machine 300 can be freely configured within a range of 200 m.

In addition, the memory units 250 and 340 provided to the host 220 and the client 310 are composed of an electrically erasable pyrom (EEPROM).

A control process of the game machine control system based on the network configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, in the control system control process of the game machine, when the game machine 300 is driven (ST100), the client 310 is generated in the game machine 300 according to the control operation of the microprocessor 320. It is determined that the error state (ST102), if the normal driving state is continued to transmit various data generated in the game machine 300 to the host 220 via the RF modem (260,330) (ST104), The host 220 stores the data and transmits the data to the PC 210 after a predetermined time (ST106, ST108), so that the PC 210 analyzes the data transmitted from the plurality of game machines 300 to play the game machine. The state can be determined (ST110).

However, if an error occurs in the error determination step (YES at ST 102), the corresponding error code is output and error recovery is performed (ST112, ST114) to allow the game machine to operate normally.

This process will be described in more detail.

As shown in Fig. 5A, an arbitrary game machine 300 is driven in accordance with a predetermined amount input to determine whether an error occurs in the machine state of the game machine 300, for example, software and hardware, during a game. And transmitting data to the host 220 according to the operation of the game machine monitoring routine (ST120-ST128).

That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, the client 310 determines whether an error occurs according to the execution of the game machine inspection routine previously stored according to the control operation of the microprocessor 320 (ST130, ST132), and an error in the determination process. Is generated, the corresponding error code is transmitted to the host 220 via the RF modem 330 (ST134). In the case of normal operation, the state of the game device 300 is backed up to the EEPROM 340 at a predetermined time interval. It is stored (ST136).

Thereafter, the pre-stored game watch monitoring routine is executed, and the game watch monitoring routine performs a function of detecting a failure signal according to the number of coins applied to the game machine, the number of service coins, whether the door is opened or closed, or an abnormal voltage is generated (ST140, ST142) At this time, if it is detected that an error occurs according to the game machine monitoring routine (ST144), the error code is transmitted to the host 220 via the RF modem 330 (ST146).

However, if an error does not occur according to the execution of the game machine monitoring routine, after encoding data about various states of the game machine, that is, the number of coins, the number of service coins, the door opening and closing, the normal voltage, and the like, the CRC is stored in the EEPROM 340 and the CRC is stored. Generate code to continue error detection. At this time, the data stored in the EEPROM 340 is transmitted to the host 220 by the microprocessor 320, of course.

As described above, when the client 310 transmits data on various states of the game machine to the host 220, the host 220 may determine whether the client 310 has an error in the game machine 300 driving state as shown in FIG. 6. On the other hand, the data generated by the game machine 300 is transmitted to the PC 210.

First, as described above, when the game machine 300 is driven (ST150), the host 220 receives data about the game machine 300 from the client 310, and continues to check whether the client 310 has an error. It is determined (ST152).

At this time, if it detects an error occurrence (YES at ST15), the microprocessor 230 transmits an error code to the PC 210 via the RF modem 260, but if the client 310 operates normally ( As described above, the host 220 receives the data from the client 310 in real time (ST154 and ST156).

The received data is backed up and stored in the EEPROM 250 by the microprocessor 230 (ST158), and the data is transferred to the PC after a predetermined time according to the timer driving. For example, the data sequentially transmitted from the client 310 is stored in the EEPROM 250, and when the time of about 5 minutes has elapsed according to the timer driving, the sequentially stored data is output in the order of being stored in the PC 210. ) Will be transmitted (ST160-ST164).

In this case, when the keypad 270 is operated to check an error code generated during data processing by the host 220 or to check the current state, the corresponding data is displayed on the display unit 290. Data displayed on the display unit 290 may be output through the printer unit 280.

On the other hand, if data is transmitted from the host 220 to the PC 210 according to the timer driving as described above, the PC 210 determines whether a host error is based on the transmitted data (ST170-ST174).

If an error occurs, such as transmitting an error code from the host 220 according to the determination result, the error code is output through the display unit of the PC 210 to perform an error recovery operation (ST182). In the case of normal operation such that no error code is transmitted from the host 220 (NO in ST174), the PC 210 classifies the data transmitted from the first to Nth game machines to generate revenue for each game machine. It is classified and stored as predetermined data, such as the summary, sales clearance for each game machine type, overall sales clearance for game room, and sales clearance for each time period (ST176-ST180).

On the other hand, when a plurality of control module unit 200 is provided with a PC 210 as described above, it is possible to collectively and systematically manage the data transmitted from the game machine connected to the control module unit 200 Therefore, it is preferable that the host computer 100 is provided through the control module unit and the network so as to receive data about the game machine from the plurality of control module units and to analyze the data so as to perform efficient operation management.

That is, since the host computer 100 can comprehensively database information of a plurality of game machines 300 connected to the first to Nth control module units 200-200N, data can be managed more efficiently. have.

On the other hand, the game machine control system and the control method based on the network according to the embodiment of the present invention is described as being limited to the game machine installed in the game room, it can be applied to other fields, such as electronic commerce system, Even if the modified embodiments different from the contents described in the present invention are not to be understood individually from the technical idea or the prospect of the present invention, they should be included in the claims attached to the present invention.

As described above, according to the network-based game machine control system and control method thereof, a plurality of game machines and a control module unit for checking the data analysis and error status, etc. for the game machine through the RF modem By analyzing the predetermined data in real time by connecting to each other, it is possible to check the state of the game machine quickly and accurately to perform efficient operation management.

In addition, by providing an EEPROM to the client and the host mounted on the game machine and the control module, and backing up and storing the data in the EEPROM at regular time intervals, it is possible to prevent the loss of data about errors, etc., In case of an error, error recovery can be effectively performed by providing an error code.

In addition, since the RF modem (dedicated wireless modem) having an effective distance of approximately 600 m is applied, the system can be more easily constructed.

Claims (8)

When a pre-stored game program is driven according to a predetermined amount input and key operation, the game program or the microprocessor 320 which receives data such as a mechanical error state and the number of coins input through the data input unit 350, A client comprising an RF modem 330 for outputting the data according to a predetermined transmission format by the microprocessor 320, and a memory unit 340 for backing up and storing the data for a predetermined time in response to the mechanical error condition. First to N-th game machine 300 having a 310, From the RF modem 260, the RF modem 260, which is wirelessly connected to the first to N-th game machine 300 and receives the data from each of the client 310 of the first to N-th game machine (300) The data is applied to the control operation of the microprocessor 230 and the microprocessor 230 that receive the data through the interface unit 240 and detect the normal / error state of the first to N-th game console 300. The display unit 290 and the display unit 290 for displaying a current state of the first to N-th game machine 300 according to the key operation of the memory unit 250 and the keypad unit 270 for a predetermined time. While storing and classifying the data transmitted from the host 220 and the host 220 of the printer unit 280 for printing the state displayed on the, and the predetermined command to the client 310 via the host 220 PC 210 to be applied is provided Game system control system based on the network, characterized in that the first to N-th control module (200-200N) is configured to include. The method of claim 1, Receives the data of the first to N-th game machine 300 from the first to N-th control module unit (200-200N) and backs up and stores the data, and stores the first to N-th game machine (300) and the first to N-th The host computer 100 capable of automatically detecting the state of the control module unit 200-200N is connected to the first to Nth control module unit 200-200N and the RS-232 interface standard or universal serial bus (USB). Network-based game machine control system, characterized in that interconnected by the interface standard. The method of claim 1, The client 310 is installed in the first to N-th game machine 300, in addition to the game machine control system based on the network, characterized in that it can be mounted to the outside via a wired / wireless media in accordance with a predetermined interface standard. . The method of claim 1, The memory unit (340) provided to the client (310) and the host (220) is a game machine control system based on a network, characterized in that the electrically erasable pyrom (EEPROM). The method of claim 1, The client 310, the host 220 and the PC 210 is provided with a timer for performing a time coefficient to automatically backup and store the data after a predetermined time elapsed, the game machine control based on the network system. The client 310 is sent online via the data input unit 350 to the various data generated from the at least one game machine 300 to check the state of the game machine 300 according to the operation of a predetermined test routine and monitoring routine and, Receiving the data from the client 310 via the RF modem 330, 260 is automatically transmitted to the memory unit 250 provided in the host 220 of the first to Nth control module unit 200-200N. In the meanwhile, after the predetermined time elapses according to the operation of the predetermined timer, the data stored in the backup is transferred to the PC 210. And transmitting the data received from the host 220 to the host computer 100 through an RS-232 interface standard or a USB interface standard, and determining whether the host has an error based on the data. Control method of game machine control system based on network. The method of claim 6, The game machine inspection routine determines the error state of the game machine 300, and transmits an error code through the RF modem 330 when an error occurs according to the determination result, while the game machine 300 at regular time during normal operation. While backing up and storing the data generated in the game, the game monitoring routine checks the number of coins, service coins, game machine door opening / closing, abnormal voltage, etc. that are input into the game machine 300 and hosts 220 when an error occurs. A control method of a game machine control system based on a network, characterized by transmitting a log error code. The method of claim 6, The PC 210 receives the data from the first to N-th game machine 300 via the host 220, the sales clearance by each game machine, sales clearance by each game machine type, game sales total sales clearance, sales by time period A control method of a game machine control system based on a network, characterized in that the database is organized into a theorem.