Available game machine display system

Abstract

To widely notify many visitors who visit a game parlor of presence of available game machines when game machines, such as popular models and new models, become available.SOLUTION: Each of multiple call lamps transmits available game machine information to a management computer when a determination section provided in itself performs available game machine determination, the management computer determines whether a game machine pertaining to reception is pertinent to an object game machine, such as a popular model and a new model, and transmits available game machine notification information of the object game machine to all the call lamps existing in an area set by a manager of a game parlor when the game machine is pertinent to the object game machine that is a popular model or a new model, and multiple call lamps display available game machine notification information of the object game machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacant game machine display system used in a game arcade.

Background Art

[0002] In a game arcade (hall), above each of a plurality of gaming machines (for example, pachinko machines, slot machines), a plurality of call lamps are provided which are installed so as to correspond to each of the gaming machines and display information regarding the gaming machines.

[0003] Although called "lamps", recent call lamps are configured to include a liquid crystal panel and be capable of displaying various information. As an example of such a call lamp, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 describe configurations using large liquid crystal panels. Further, Patent Document 3 describes a system in which the state of each gaming machine in a game arcade is displayed on a display device (display apparatus) installed separately from the call lamp, so that the player can grasp the vacant state of the gaming machines and select a vacant gaming machine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the amusement arcade, in order to increase the number of visitors and improve the revenue, popular gaming machines (popular models) are installed for players, or new gaming machines (new models) are periodically replaced from old gaming machines. However, even if a visitor comes to the arcade wanting to play on a popular model or a new model, there may be no available machines because they are already being used by other players, and the visitor's purpose may not be fulfilled. In this case, the visitor has no choice but to play on an unintended gaming machine or wait until the desired gaming machine becomes available, resulting in the failure to meet the expectations of the players.

[0006] Conventionally, when a popular model or a new model becomes available, the arcade staff would announce it each time over the in-arcade broadcast, saying, "The gaming machine No. XX of XX is available," to inform all the visitors who came to the arcade. However, the staff cannot constantly monitor the gaming status of popular models and new models. Also, recently, from the perspective of emphasizing work efficiency due to staff reduction in the arcade, having the staff make announcements every time an available machine appears places a heavy burden on their work and may interfere with the staff's normal duties. In addition, in recent years, the frequency of replacing gaming machines has increased compared to the past, so the burden on the staff to announce new models has also increased.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and its problem is to widely inform many visitors (for example, players during the game, visitors before the game starts (including those who just come to look at the arcade), or visitors after the game ends, and players during breaks) who come to the arcade from the calling lamps installed in pairs for a large number of gaming machines installed in the arcade that there are available machines when an available machine occurs in a gaming machine to be informed, such as a popular model or a new model.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The present invention includes a plurality of call lamps installed above each of a plurality of gaming machines so as to be paired with the corresponding gaming machine and display information related to the gaming machine, a management computer that manages at least the operation information and status information related to the gaming machine collected by each of the plurality of call lamps and controls the call lamps, and a communication unit provided in each of the plurality of call lamps and the management computer for communicating between the plurality of call lamps and the management computer. Each of the plurality of call lamps includes a determination unit that determines whether the paired gaming machine is available. When the determination unit determines that the gaming machine is available, each of the plurality of call lamps transmits availability information to the management computer via the communication unit. The management computer determines whether the gaming machine corresponding to the availability information received by the management computer corresponds to a target gaming machine pre-registered by the manager of the game hall. When it corresponds to the target gaming machine, the management computer transmits the availability notification information of the target gaming machine to all of the plurality of call lamps existing in the area set by the manager. When the plurality of call lamps receive the availability notification information of the target gaming machine from the management computer, they display the operation information and status information related to the gaming machine and the availability notification information of the target gaming machine. It is a gaming machine availability display system characterized by this.

[0009] According to this configuration, the management computer transmits the availability notification information of the target gaming machine to all of the plurality of call lamps existing in the area set by the manager, and the plurality of call lamps display the availability notification information of the target gaming machine. Therefore, the availability information of the target gaming machine can be transmitted to the visitors who come to the game hall from all of the call lamps existing in the area.

[0010] In addition, each of the plurality of call lamps can be provided with an availability display setting unit that allows a player to set whether to display the availability notification information.

[0011] According to this configuration, in the call lamp of the gaming machine where a player who does not require the notification information of the empty seat is playing, the notification information of the empty seat can be made non-displayable.

[0012] Further, each of the plurality of call lamps includes a lamp unit that performs a visual display or an audio output unit that emits sound. When each of the plurality of call lamps receives the empty seat notification information of the target gaming machine from the management computer, it can perform a display on the lamp unit before displaying the empty seat notification information, or emit sound from the audio output unit before displaying the empty seat notification information.

[0013] According to this configuration, since it is possible to draw the attention of the visitors around the call lamp before the display, the transmission efficiency of the empty seat notification information to these people can be improved.

[0014] Further, the management computer may include a display mode setting unit that sets the number of repeated display times and the time interval between displays for the display of the empty seat notification information in the plurality of call lamps.

[0015] According to this configuration, the empty seat notification information can be displayed on the call lamp in the manner desired by the administrator of the game arcade.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, the empty seat notification information of the target gaming machine can be transmitted to the visitors who have come to the game arcade from all the call lamps existing in the area set by the administrator. Therefore, it is possible to widely inform many visitors who have come to the game arcade from the call lamps of the game arcade that there are empty seats.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] -Overview- Hereinafter, the gaming machine vacant seat display system S according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with appropriate drawings. The gaming machine vacant seat display system S of this embodiment mainly includes a call lamp 1, a management computer 2, and a communication unit 3 (see FIG. 2). In FIG. 2, the parts shown in the same rectangular shape indicate the same configuration, and in order to avoid complexity, the reference numerals are described only in part.

[0019] -Call Lamp- As shown in FIG. 1, the call lamp 1 is a plurality of gaming machines PM (only one is shown in FIG. 1) arranged in the game hall 1 ~PM nAbove each of them (the position where the player P looks up), a plurality of them are installed so as to be paired with the gaming machine PM. The calling lamp 1 has a display panel unit 16 composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like that displays information (operation information, status information) regarding the paired gaming machine PM. The display panel unit 16 of the present embodiment has a screen for displaying the above information and is a touch panel. Here, the "information" is, for example, information that is useful for the player P to know the gaming history of the gaming machine PM, or for the store employees or game customers in the game arcade to grasp the information and status of the gaming machine PM. As specific examples, information for identifying the gaming machine PM (table number, machine type name, etc.), information regarding the ball payout history of the gaming machine PM, the number of probability variation times, the number of winning times, the number of start times, the number of balls in hand, information regarding the table status (status) such as during a break, information at the current time related to the display, and history information including past information, but is not limited to these examples. The operation information is information in the dynamic state (state where the numerical value fluctuates) of the gaming machine PM, and the status information is information in the static state (state where the numerical value does not fluctuate) of the gaming machine PM. Also, the above-mentioned information was given for the case where the gaming machine PM is a pachinko machine, but similar information also applies in the case of a slot machine. Also, in the present embodiment, in addition to information regarding the gaming machine PM paired with the calling lamp 1, information regarding another gaming machine installed in the vicinity and ranking information of the entire game arcade can also be displayed on the calling lamp 1.

[0020] Here, while showing FIG. 3 which is a block diagram, a configuration example of the calling lamp 1 will be described. A control board (not shown) is built in the calling lamp 1, and the circuit etc. shown in FIG. 3 is mounted on the control board, or is directly or indirectly connected to the control board. The calling lamp 1 includes, as input / output means, an input / output unit 11, an external communication unit 12, and an external memory socket 13. The calling lamp 1 includes, as input means, a remote control receiving unit 14 and a touch switch 15, and also includes, as output means, a display panel unit 16 and a lamp unit 17 (functioning as a decorative light emitting unit), and an audio output unit 18.

[0021] The input / output unit 11 is configured to be communicable with the gaming machine PM paired with the call lamp 1, and acquires operation information and status information from the gaming machine PM. Further, the input / output unit 11 is communicable with the hall computer 4, and transmits each of the information acquired from the gaming machine PM to the hall computer 4. Further, when there is a touch operation on the call button (see FIG. 6) displayed on the display panel unit 16, the input / output unit 11 transmits call information to the hall computer 4 based on the touch operation.

[0022] The external communication unit 12 is configured to be communicable with the management computer 2 or the like, receives voice information and image information transmitted from the management computer 2 or the like, and transmits it to the storage unit 1b via the voice / image control unit 192 described later. The communication method used for the connection between the external communication unit 12 and the management computer 2 is not particularly limited. For example, RS485 can be preferably applied between the external communication unit 12 and the relay unit 32 (described in FIG. 2), and Ethernet can be preferably applied between the relay unit 32 and the management computer 2. The external communication unit 12 operates so as to automatically establish communication with the management computer 2 when the call lamp 1 is powered on.

[0023] The external memory socket 13 is configured to be connectable to a portable storage medium (not shown), receives voice information and image information recorded on the storage medium, and transmits it to the storage unit 1b via the voice / image control unit 192 described later. The remote control reception unit 14 is capable of receiving an operation signal transmitted from a remote control (not shown) operated by a store clerk or the like in the game hall, and transmits the operation signal received from the remote control to the main control unit 191 described later. The touch switch 15 is capable of acquiring information (operation information) of a touch operation performed by a player or the like on the touch panel included in the display panel unit 16. The operation information acquired by the touch switch 15 is transmitted to the main control unit 191 described later via the touch controller 1c.

[0024] Furthermore, the calling lamp 1 includes a control unit 19 having an arithmetic processing function that controls the display on the display panel unit 16 using the image information stored in the storage unit 1b according to the game state notified from the gaming machine PM. The storage unit 1b stores picture materials for configuring the display of the display screen.

[0025] The control unit 19 controls the display on the display panel unit 16. The control unit 19 is composed of a main control unit 191 and an audio-video control unit 192. The main control unit 191 controls the entire calling lamp 1 based on the program and the like stored in the storage unit 1a. Specifically, the main control unit 191 is configured to perform various arithmetic processes, perform display control of the calling lamp 1 such as display control of the display panel unit 16 and blinking control of the lamp unit 17. The main control unit 191 includes a determination unit 1911 for performing the available stand determination described later. The audio-video control unit 192 is controlled by a control signal output from the main control unit 191. The audio-video control unit 192 receives the control of the main control unit 191, transmits an image signal to the image signal conversion circuit 1d, and transmits audio information to the audio output unit 18. The display panel unit 16 is connected to the image signal conversion circuit 1d, and the image display data generated by the image signal conversion circuit 1d is displayed on the screen of the display panel unit 16.

[0026] The display panel unit 16 of this embodiment is configured to be divisible into an upper section 16u, a middle section 16m, and a lower section 16d for display. FIG. 6 shows a display example when the gaming machine PM is a slot machine. In the display example of FIG. 6, in the upper section 16u, various information including the table number of the paired (left part) gaming machine PM and free table notification information (machine type name, announcements from the game hall, news, weather forecast, etc.) is displayed. In the middle section 16m, information such as (left part) the number of various bonus times and combined probabilities for the current day, the previous day, and the day before yesterday, the current start number and the total start number, (upper middle part) the bonus total number for the current day, the previous day, and the day before yesterday, (upper right part) the slump graph and the maximum difference number of the current day, and (lower middle right part) the history graph is displayed in a divided manner. In the lower section 16d, various operation buttons such as, for example, a call button, a menu button, a display switching button, a break button, a data display button, and a history display button are displayed. Among these, when the player P operates the break button to set it to the break setting (break mode), even when the player P interrupts the game and leaves the gaming machine PM, the determination unit 1911 described later can be prevented from recognizing it as a free table. Note that the display example in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and the display content can be variously set by the administrator of the game hall.

[0027] Multiple call lamps 1 1 ~1 nEach of them (hereinafter simply referred to as "call lamp") is provided with a determination unit 1911 that makes an empty seat determination when the paired gaming machine PM is an empty seat. In the present embodiment, the determination unit 1911 is a part of the control unit 19 (specifically, the main control unit 191) and functions by an electronic circuit (microcomputer) built into the call lamp 1. The determination unit 1911 is a part that makes various determinations including the empty seat determination. The empty seat determination is made as follows, for example. When the player P leaves the gaming machine PM during the game, the operation of the gaming machine PM stops, and the movement in and out (IN and OUT) of the game media, which are balls or medals, stops. The determination unit 1911 is configured to receive the operation information and status information of the gaming machine PM via the input / output unit 11. When the numerical values related to the entry and exit of the game media included in these information do not change for a preset time (for example, 5 minutes), the operation status of the gaming machine PM to be determined is recognized as an "empty seat". However, when the player P takes a break for smoking, using the toilet, eating, etc., and the player P operates the call lamp 1 to switch to the break mode, it is not recognized as an empty seat. In addition to such automatic empty seat determination, for example, the determination unit 1911 may be forced to recognize an empty seat by an input using a remote control for operating the call lamp 1 carried by a store clerk. That is, the empty seat determination can be either an autonomous determination by the determination unit 1911 or a heteronomous determination (being made to determine) by an input using an input device such as a remote control. Further, the determination unit 1911 may make an empty seat determination based on a combination of the operation information of the media lending card of the game media lending device arranged around the gaming machine PM and the detection information of the departure detection device (camera, seating sensor, etc.) of the gaming machine PM. That is, the information necessary for the empty seat determination input to the determination unit 1911 may be various information that can be received via the input / output unit 11 from the peripheral devices installed around the gaming machine and can be determined by the determination unit 1911.

[0028] -Management Computer- The management computer 2 is for a plurality of call lamps 1 1 ~1 nA computer provided in a game arcade for managing at least the operation information regarding the gaming machines PM, the management of the status information, and the setting information for controlling the call lamp 1 collected by the call lamp 1. And it controls the call lamp 1 by transmitting a control signal to the call lamp 1. That is, a part of the management computer 2 constitutes a communication unit 3 described later. The management computer 2 is a plurality of gaming machines PM in the game arcade 1 ~PM n It may be provided separately from the hall computer 4 that performs overall sales management and the like, or may be integrated with the hall computer 4, that is, one function in the hall computer 4 may correspond to the management computer 2. Note that the hall computer 4, as shown in FIG. 2, is connected to a plurality of call lamps 1 1 ~1 n and a plurality of gaming machines PM 1 ~PM n via communication lines 51, relay units 52, etc. The management computer 2, as shown in FIG. 2, is connected to all the call lamps 1 in the game arcade 1 ~1 n and can constantly collect the status information of each gaming machine PM from each call lamp 1. The management computer 2 is configured to include an input unit (such as a keyboard and a mouse) and a display for displaying information, similar to a general personal computer, but may have various configurations capable of inputting and outputting information. The management computer 2 may be composed of one unit, or may be composed of a plurality of units provided for each area of the game arcade, for example

[0029] -Communication Unit- The communication unit 3 is for performing communication between a plurality of call lamps 1 1 ~1 n and the management computer 2, and a plurality of call lamps 1 1 ~1 nIt is provided in each of the call lamp 1 and the management computer 2. Regarding the call lamp 1, the aforementioned external communication unit 12 corresponds to it. The communication units 3, 3 provided in both are connected by a communication line 31 (which may be wired or wireless) and a relay unit 32 that branches the communication line 31 and the like. The relay unit 32 connects the communication line 31 to an area E (so-called "island") composed of a plurality of call lamps 1 1 ~1 n and a plurality of gaming machines PM 1 ~PM n and is provided to convert communication between the call lamp 1 side and the management computer 2 side while connecting the communication line 31 to the area E. Note that in FIG. 2, only two areas E (reference signs E 1 , E n ) are described, but the number of areas E in the game hall can be set as appropriate. Also, the number of each of the plurality of call lamps 1 1 ~1 n and the plurality of gaming machines PM 1 ~PM n belonging to one area E can also be set as appropriate.

[0030] -Operation of the management computer- Here, in the management computer 2, when the gaming machines in the game hall are replaced with popular models or new models by replacement, the administrator (such as a store clerk) of the game hall who has the registration authority registers popular models and new models in advance as "target gaming machines". Note that it is also possible to register gaming machines PM other than popular models and new models as "target gaming machines". Also, in some cases (such as a small-scale game hall, etc.), all the gaming machines PM 1 ~PM n installed in the game hall can also be registered as "target gaming machines". Since the management computer 2 collects status information including the operation information of the gaming machines PM from all the call lamps 1 1 ~1 n in the game hall, when an empty seat occurs, it can receive empty seat information from each call lamp 1. The management computer 2 receives the empty seat information from each call lamp 1, and when the received information is the registered "target gaming machine", all the call lamps 1 1 ~1 nSend (distribute) vacancy notice information for it. The "predetermined range" is, for example, a range targeted only at pachinko machines or only at slot machines in the game arcade. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, it is also possible to set the transmission only for a set area (corner) E in the game arcade, such as a so-called "island". In FIG. 8, a row shown in dark color corresponds to the area E where the transmission setting is made. Also, it is possible to separately set the transmission content for each of a plurality of areas E 1 ~E n (the "corner setting" shown in FIG. 5). The vacancy notice information is displayed on the display panel portion 16 of the call lamp 1 with the character information registered in advance by the management computer 2. The content of the character information can be changed, and it is possible to notify the content that the game arcade wants to convey to the player P. By setting the display content on the management computer 2, it is possible to display it on the call lamp 1 by making a message with enhanced appeal power to the person who views the call lamp 1.

[0031] The management computer 2 can be provided with at least a display mode setting unit (not shown) for setting at least the number of repeated displays of the vacancy notice information and the time interval between displays. With this display mode setting unit, the vacancy notice information can be displayed on the call lamp 1 in a mode determined to be appropriate by the administrator of the game arcade. An example of the setting image displayed on the management computer 2 is shown in FIG. 7. In this example (the setting of the "vacancy distribution function" in the "corner detailed setting"), the distribution mode of the message to the call lamp 1 regarding the display of the vacancy notice information can be set. In this example, it is possible to set each of the availability of the display of the vacancy notice information, the distribution target (set as "all machines" in FIG. 7), the "distribution type" for selecting the distribution content of a plurality of patterns, the number of times of distribution at a time, the distribution interval, the "pre-distribution text" which is the text on the front side of the distribution message, the "post-distribution text" which is the text on the back side of the distribution message, the presence or absence of the display of the machine number, the presence or absence of the display of the machine type name, and the number of repeated displays. In this example, a sample of the distribution message is displayed.

[0032] -Procedure for Vacancy Notice- Next, a procedure for notifying visitors around the call lamp 1 that there is an available machine will be described. First, when the determination unit 1911 provided in the call lamp 1 determines that there is an available machine (specifically, when the paired gaming machine PM is determined to be an "available machine"), the communication unit 3 transmits available machine information (information indicating that the paired gaming machine PM is an available machine) to the management computer 2.

[0033] Then, the management computer 2 determines whether the gaming machine PM corresponding to the available machine information received by the management computer 2 corresponds to the "target gaming machine" pre-registered by the casino manager (such as a store clerk). Based on this determination, if it corresponds to the "target gaming machine", among the plurality of call lamps 1 1 ~1 n in the area set by the manager as the distribution target (corner setting) on the FIG. 7 setting screen, the available machine notification information of the "target gaming machine" is transmitted all at once. The plurality of call lamps 1 1 ~1 n in the area set by the manager receive the available machine notification information of the "target gaming machine" from the management computer 2, display information about the gaming machine PM (i.e., normal display), and also display the available machine notification information of the "target gaming machine". The display of the available machine notification information is performed at the distribution frequency and distribution interval set by the management computer 2 as shown in the distribution message at the bottom of FIG. 7 when an available machine occurs in the "target gaming machine". The distribution interval is a mode in which, for example, as set in the "distribution interval" shown in FIG. 7, the display is performed at intervals of time.

[0034] The above procedure will be described while showing flowcharts (FIG. 4, FIG. 5). Note that the flows shown in each figure are merely examples, and the content of the flow can be appropriately changed within the range where the call lamp 1 exhibits the operational effects of displaying the available machine notification information of the "target gaming machine".

[0035] First, on the side of the call lamp 1 (Fig. 4), it becomes a state of receiving a signal of the gaming machine operation state information corresponding to the above-described operation information and state information (S11). Next, it is determined whether the gaming machine operation state information is in the rest mode (S12). If YES in S12, the processing is skipped until after S16. If NO in S12, it is determined whether the gaming machine PM is an empty stand (S13). If YES in S13, the empty stand information is transmitted to the management computer 2 (S14 / to S21 in the flow in the management computer (management PC) 2). If NO in S13, the gaming machine state information of the display panel unit 16 in the call lamp 1 is normally displayed (that is, it remains the same as the past display without change) (S15). Next, it is determined whether a message is received from the management computer 2 (S16 / from S26 in the flow in the management computer 2). If YES in S16, a message including the empty stand notification information is displayed on the display panel unit 16 in the call lamp 1 in addition to the gaming machine state information (S17). If NO in S16, the gaming machine state information of the display panel unit 16 in the call lamp 1 remains normally displayed. It returns from S16 or S17 to S11. This is repeated until an end instruction is given.

[0036] On the other hand, on the side of the management computer 2 (Fig. 5), it waits for the reception of the operation status change notification from the call lamp 1 (from S14 in the flow of the call lamp 1). Next, it determines whether the operation status of the gaming machine has changed to "available" (S22). If the result in S22 is NO, the processing is skipped until after S26. On the other hand, if the result in S22 is YES, it determines whether the "target gaming machine" (popular model, new model, etc.) for which the available status has been determined (S23). If the result in S23 is NO, the processing is skipped until after S26 (that is, for the gaming machine PM that does not correspond to the "target gaming machine", even if the available status is determined, it will not be the distribution target described later). On the other hand, if the result in S23 is YES, it reads the corner setting information (S24). Then, it determines whether it is the distribution target of the available status notification information in the corner setting (S25). If the result in S25 is NO, the processing is skipped until after S26. If the result in S25 is YES, for all the machines set in the corner, the set message is distributed all at once (S26 / to S16 in the flow of the call lamp 1). It returns from S26 to S21. This is repeated until an end instruction is given.

[0037] Regarding the guidance of available game tables, for example, it is conceivable to display the guidance of available game tables on the screen provided by the gaming machine PM itself or on the screen of the peripheral device (such as a game medium lending device) of the gaming machine PM. However, in such a method, it is necessary to display the information so as not to interfere with the display related to the original functions of the gaming machine PM and the peripheral device, and it is also necessary to display the information on the condition that the gaming machine PM or the peripheral device has performed a predetermined operation. Therefore, as in this embodiment, it is difficult to widely notify the display of the available game table notification information according to the purpose of the game hall of enhancing the appeal to visitors. In addition, when the display is performed on the condition of a predetermined operation of the gaming machine PM or the peripheral device, the information of the available game table is transmitted only to a limited number of visitors staying around the peripheral device of the gaming machine where the display is performed. In contrast, in this embodiment, it is easy to widely display the available game table notification information over a wide area. Moreover, since the call lamp 1 is installed above the gaming machine PM, it is easily visible to the visitors who are selecting a gaming machine or taking a break, so that it is easy to check the notification content. In addition, since the available game table notification information is displayed on all the call lamps 1 existing in the area set by the administrator, it is easy to widely convey the information about the available game tables to all the visitors in the game hall (at least the said area).

[0038] In this embodiment, in the upper part 16u (the right part among them) of the display panel unit 16, the information identifying the available game table (the table number in the game hall) is scrolled and displayed so as to flow leftward together with a message from the game hall (for example, in the display example of FIG. 6, "The latest popular table, Table No. 328, is available!!", and in the setting example of FIG. 7, "Popular table, Table No. 777, Slot machine model is available"). Note that the "Slot machine model name" actually displays a specific model name. Also, the content of the message from the game hall is preferably in words that can arouse the visitors' interest in the available game tables (such as "Popular table", etc.).

[0039] Further, the call lamp 1 includes a lamp unit 17 that provides a visual display. This lamp unit 17 may be a lighting means such as an LED lamp, a rotating lamp, a flash device, etc., or may be a section of the display panel unit 16. The lamp unit 17 is arranged, for example, to surround the display panel unit 16 and can be configured to shine brightly when lit by a plurality of LED lamps. In this case, when the call lamp 1 receives the available machine notice information of the "target gaming machine" from the management computer 2, it can perform a display (lighting, flashing, color display, etc.) on the lamp unit 17 before displaying the available machine notice information.

[0040] Also, the call lamp 1 includes an audio output unit 18 that emits sound. In this case, when the call lamp 1 receives the available machine notice information of the "target gaming machine" from the management computer 2, it can emit sound (melody, language message, etc.) from the audio output unit 18 before displaying the available machine notice information.

[0041] Just displaying the available machine notice information on the display panel unit 16 of the call lamp 1 may not be noticed by the player P during the game, etc. However, by performing a pre-warning operation such as performing a display on the lamp unit 17 or emitting sound from the audio output unit 18 before displaying the available machine notice information as described above, it is possible to draw the attention of the visitors around the call lamp 1 before the display of the available machine notice information. For this reason, the possibility of not noticing the available machine notice information can be reduced, so that the available machine notice information can be effectively transmitted to the visitors around the call lamp 1.

[0042] -Summary- By displaying the available machine notification information on the call lamp 1, it is possible to widely inform many visitors who come to the game arcade from the call lamp 1 in the game arcade (for example, player P during the game, visitors before the game starts or after the game ends, and player P during a break) that there are many available machines. Therefore, for example, compared with a mode in which a guidance on available machines is temporarily (not always) displayed on the screen of a gaming machine PM or its peripheral devices (such as a game medium lending device), or a mode in which an available machine is displayed by a display device provided only one or several in the game arcade as described in Patent Document 3 mentioned at the beginning, it is possible to give a strong appeal that leads to the desire of all the above-mentioned people to try playing on an available machine. Also, even for those who are not very motivated, it is possible to arouse their motivation to try playing if there are available machines for popular models or new models. Therefore, it is possible to lead to an improvement in the revenue of the game arcade.

[0043] Further, according to the present embodiment, when a gaming machine PM corresponding to a "target gaming machine" of a popular model or a new model in the game arcade becomes available, it is possible to notify all the players P in the game arcade by the call lamp 1 without broadcasting an available machine notification by a store clerk. Therefore, there is also an advantage that the workload of the store clerk in the game arcade does not increase.

[0044] -Modification Example- Note that the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, and can also be applied to embodiments in which changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are appropriately made. Also, it is possible to form a new embodiment by combining the respective constituent elements described in the above embodiment.

[0045] For example, there are two types of players P who play games in the store: player P who requests an empty seat display and player P who does not. Accordingly, the call lamp 1 can be provided with an empty seat display setting unit (not shown) that allows player P to set whether to display the empty seat notification information. The empty seat display setting unit is composed of, for example, a touch switch 15, a control unit 19, an image signal conversion circuit 1d, and a display panel unit 16. A player P who does not need the information on the empty seat can operate the menu button displayed on the display panel unit 16 of the call lamp 1 paired with the gaming machine PM during his / her own game, and can set not to display the empty seat notification information. Thereby, it is possible to prevent player P from feeling bothered by the provision of unnecessary information. Regarding the display by the lamp unit 17 and the generation of sound from the voice output unit 18 as well, by providing a similar setting unit, it is possible to perform the setting not to perform them.

[0046] Also, in the above embodiment, the empty seat notification information was scrolled and displayed. However, it is not limited to this, and a list display of a plurality of empty seats may be made. In this case, the display area of the display panel unit 16 may be switched, and the list display may be displayed on the entire surface of the display panel unit 16. Also, a map of the game hall showing the locations of the empty seats may be shown.

[0047] Also, a part of the display panel unit 16 may be configured as a separate body communicably connected to the main body of the call lamp 1, and the empty seat notification information may be displayed on a separate display panel formed on this separate body part. By configuring in this way, for example, a larger display than the upper part 16u of the display panel unit 16 in the above embodiment can be made on the separate display panel, and the appeal power (leading to an interest in the empty seat) to many visitors who come to the game hall can be enhanced. Also, as the separate body part includes a rotating lamp or a flash device, it may be lit up together with the display of the empty seat notification information.

[0048] Also, a plurality of call lamps 1 existing in the area set by the administrator 1 ~1 nmay display the available table notification information simultaneously or display it with a time shift (for example, among a plurality of call lamps 1 arranged horizontally 1 ~1 n within the area, display them sequentially).

Explanation of Signs

[0049] 1 Call lamp 16 Display panel section 19 Control section 1911 Judgment section 2 Management computer 3 Communication section 4 Hall computer PM Gaming machine S Gaming machine available table display system

Claims

1. Above each of a plurality of gaming machines, a plurality of calling lamps are installed so as to be paired with the corresponding gaming machine and display information regarding the gaming machine, a management computer that manages at least the operation information and status information regarding the gaming machine and controls the calling lamps, collected by each of the plurality of calling lamps, and communication units provided respectively for the plurality of calling lamps and the management computer to communicate between the plurality of calling lamps and the management computer. Each of the plurality of calling lamps includes a determination unit that determines whether the paired gaming machine is an available machine when the paired gaming machine is an available machine. When the determination unit determines that the machine is an available machine, each of the plurality of calling lamps transmits available machine information to the management computer via the communication unit. The management computer determines whether the gaming machine corresponding to the available machine information received by the management computer corresponds to a target gaming machine pre-registered by the manager of the gaming hall. When it corresponds to the target gaming machine, the management computer transmits the available machine notification information of the target gaming machine to all of the plurality of calling lamps existing in the area set by the manager. When receiving the available machine notification information of the target gaming machine from the management computer, the plurality of calling lamps display the operation information and the status information regarding the gaming machine and display the available machine notification information of the target gaming machine. A gaming machine available machine display system characterized by this.

2. The gaming machine available machine display system according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the plurality of calling lamps includes an available machine display setting unit that allows a player to set whether to display the available machine notification information.

3. Each of the plurality of calling lamps includes a lamp unit that performs a visual display or an audio output unit that emits sound. The gaming machine available machine display system according to claim 1, characterized in that when receiving the available machine notification information of the target gaming machine from the management computer, each of the plurality of calling lamps performs a display with the lamp unit or emits sound from the audio output unit before displaying the available machine notification information.

4. The gaming machine vacant seat display system according to claim 1, characterized in that the management computer includes a display mode setting unit that sets the number of repeated displays and the display interval time for the display of the vacant seat notification information in the plurality of call lamps.

Images