Game parlor system

Abstract

To reduce complexity when selecting an introduced model corresponding to a budget.SOLUTION: Since a budget can be specified in exchange day units and an introduction pattern of a game machine that can be introduced within the budget is presented, complexity in selection of an introduced model corresponding to a budget can be reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 24

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for amusement parks. [Background technology]

[0002] In gaming parlors, existing gaming machines are frequently removed and replaced with new types of gaming machines, a process known as replacement. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes creating and modifying the layout of gaming machines in conjunction with such replacement. Now, in most cases, a budget is set aside for such replacements, so traditionally, the person in charge at the amusement facility would calculate the purchase cost for each machine based on the unit price and number of machines, calculate the purchase costs for all the machines to be introduced, compare the total with the budget to determine whether the purchase was possible, and then select the machines to be introduced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-226364 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there are cases where a large number of gaming machines are introduced in one replacement, and the calculations and judgments described above become extremely complicated, so there is a strong demand for an amusement park system that can reduce this complexity.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an amusement arcade system that can reduce the hassle involved in selecting an installation model that fits within a budget. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a system for an amusement facility that is intended for an amusement facility where a plurality of gaming machines are installed and the gaming machines are replaced by installing a newly introduced gaming machine, A replacement information specifying means (e.g., a viewing terminal 6, 32) that can specify the budget for the newly introduced machine on a replacement date basis when replacing a gaming machine (e.g., can accept a desired amount as a new machine purchase budget); A collection means (for example, a server 31) for collecting gaming machine information including the cost of introducing the gaming machine (for example, the "main body" price and the "board" price in FIG. 24) for each gaming machine or each model, for gaming machines that are candidates for the new introduction machine; An introduction pattern specifying means (for example, a viewing terminal 6, 32) for specifying an introduction pattern of gaming machines that can be introduced within the budget from among the candidate gaming machines 1 based on the budget and the gaming machine information, on a replacement date basis (for example, a plurality of presentation patterns such as new models A, B, F, G, and H that show the gaming machines and their numbers in FIG. 24 ); and an output means (for example, a viewing terminal or the like 6, 32 that displays and outputs on a display unit 6a, 32a) that outputs the identified introduction pattern.

[0007] According to the present invention, a budget can be specified on a replacement date basis, and installation patterns of gaming machines that can be installed within that budget are presented, thereby reducing the complexity involved in selecting an installation model that fits the budget. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a game center system according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] Front view of the gaming machine [Figure 3] A diagram showing a calendar screen (part 1) displayed on a display means such as a viewing terminal. [Figure 4] Diagram showing pre-event settings [Figure 5] Diagram showing group color settings [Figure 6] Figure showing the calendar screen (part 2) [Figure 7]Figure showing the calendar screen (part 3) [Figure 8] Layout screen (part 1) [Figure 9] Figure showing the model addition screen [Figure 10] Layout screen (part 2) [Figure 11] A diagram showing the deployment list displayed on the layout screen [Figure 12] A diagram showing the machine number operation and display field at the top of the layout screen [Figure 13] FIG. 1( a ) is an enlarged view showing a part of the layout screen where gaming machines are arranged, and FIG. 1( b ) is an explanatory view showing an example of an identification display of the same layout position. [Figure 14] (a) is a diagram showing the reserved list displayed on the layout screen, (b) is a diagram showing the machine number operation / display field when a gaming machine rearrangement operation is performed on the reserved list, and (c) is an enlarged diagram showing the display state of the related part on the layout when a gaming machine selection operation is performed on the reserved list. [Figure 15] An explanatory diagram showing how to manage and copy sheets on the layout screen. [Figure 16] Enlarged view showing the layout notification mode in the second replacement plan [Figure 17] (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the installation list and the unit number operation / display field in the original second replacement plan. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the introduction list and the machine number operation / display field adjusted by the adjustment process. [Figure 19] (a) to (c) are diagrams showing the display contents when changing the layout settings corresponding to three patterns of swapping. [Figure 20] A diagram showing the enlarged display area with a close-up of the area around the relevant machine number before and after changing the layout settings. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overall summary screen in the second embodiment; [Figure 22] Figure showing the new machine purchase screen [Figure 23] A diagram showing a list of gaming machines to be introduced [Figure 24]A diagram showing a recommended device display screen [Figure 25] Warehouse / chain store transfer screen [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a removal screen (part 1) in the third embodiment. [Figure 27] Figure showing removal screen (part 2) [Figure 28] Figure showing removal screen (part 3) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a number of embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that substantially the same components in the respective embodiments will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. First Embodiment The first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 20. In Figure 1, "Game Center A," "Game Center B," and "Game Center C" enclosed in boxes are schematic examples of game centers at multiple stores A to C, and since a common game center system is constructed, the following description will focus on the configuration of game center A. In the amusement facility system shown in Figure 1, a large number of gaming machines 1 are installed in amusement facility A, and each gaming machine 1 is respectively provided with a gaming device 2 on its side and an information display device 3 above it, in one-to-one correspondence.

[0010] Each gaming machine 1 is connected to a corresponding gaming device 2, and two gaming devices 2 and two information display devices 3 are connected to a relay device 4, and the relay device 4 is connected to a management device 6 via a LAN 5. The management device 6 receives gaming information indicating the gaming status of each gaming machine 1, and manages the gaming information for each gaming machine 1. In this case, the gaming information for each gaming machine 1 is received by the management device 6 from the gaming machine 1 via the gaming device 2 and relay device 4 in that order.

[0011] A prize exchange terminal (POS) and a payment machine (not shown) are also installed in the game center A, and the POS and the payment machine are also connected to the management device 6 via the LAN 5. The POS executes a prize exchange process for exchanging prizes within a range of gaming values ​​such as points held or deposited points (so-called saved balls) specified by accepting an IC card (not shown) such as a so-called membership card or general card issued by the gaming device 2. Although not shown, the settlement machine has a card insertion slot into which an IC card is inserted, reads the deposit balance (monetary value) recorded on the IC card inserted from the card insertion slot using a card RW, and returns bills or coins corresponding to the read deposit balance from a return slot.

[0012] The management device 6 is an in-game management device installed in, for example, an office or the like within the amusement facility A. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the control unit of the management device 6 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a CPU, a memory unit (ROM, RAM, HDD, etc.), and an I / O, and the control unit is connected to a keyboard 6b, a mouse (operation means), and a monitor (display means) 6a operated by the manager of the amusement facility A, as well as a printer, a communication unit (I / F unit), etc. (not shown).

[0013] The control unit of the management device 6 manages the gaming status of each player by inputting game signals output from the gaming machines (gaming machine 1, gaming device 2, etc.) or from each device in the gaming facility A including the POS and settlement machine, and also manages information on all devices in the gaming facility A, including gaming information on a per-machine basis (such as operation information showing the operating status described below) (stored in the memory unit of the management device 6).

[0014] In addition, in gaming parlor A, for example, several hundred gaming machines 1 are installed (see machine numbers "1, 2, 3, ... 280" in Figure 8), while the gaming machines 1 and their components 1B, 1F (see Figure 2) are stored as inventory in a location out of sight of players (for example, a warehouse where each device is stored). The control unit of the management device 6 manages information on all of the above-mentioned devices, including information on the gaming machines 1 at the relevant installation locations (location locations such as so-called machine numbers), as well as inventory information on the gaming machines 1 or their components 1B, 1F in the warehouse. The control unit of the management device 6 is also simply referred to as the "management device 6" or "terminal device 6."

[0015] Next, we will explain the gaming machine 1. The gaming machine 1 is a so-called smart gaming machine that stores and manages gaming points, which are calculated by converting the balance, points held, and deposited points owned by the player, and it mainly manages the increase and decrease of the gaming points, supplying the internal pachinko balls to a launching device and firing them onto the game board, provided that the stored gaming points remain, and when the player wins and earns gaming points, it adds them to the earned points data (corresponding to virtual gaming value) without paying out the pachinko balls.

[0016] In each gaming machine 1, the gaming value acquired by the player through play, which is the gaming points managed primarily on the gaming machine 1 side, is also referred to as gaming machine value (gaming machine earned value), and the owned points managed primarily on the gaming device 2 side are also referred to as device value (device earned value). In addition, the gaming value acquired by the player, including not only the gaming machine value and device value but also the owned points (owned acquired value) that are the sum of the gaming points and owned points, is also referred to as earned value.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the gaming machine 1 is composed of a combination of two components 1B, 1F: a board section 1B that forms the gaming area, and a machine frame section 1F other than the board section 1B. In the gaming machine 1, the board section 1B mainly comprises a board 1a from which pachinko balls are shot, and the machine frame section 1F is formed in a rectangular frame shape that forms the outer periphery of the gaming machine 1. Specifically, the machine frame 1F has an operating handle 11 located on the lower right side that constitutes the pachinko ball launching device, and is provided with a balance display section 12 that displays the balance on the underside of the board 1a, a counting button 13 for converting game points into points held, a game point display section 14 that displays the game points, a decorative panel 26, and effect lamps (not shown) etc.

[0018] The board section 1B has a special chart display section 17 located approximately in the center of the board 1a, and around the special chart display section 17 are a regular chart display section 15, a regular chart reserve display section 16, a regular chart winning port 18, general winning ports 19, 20, a first reserve number display section 21, a second reserve number display section 22, a first start port 23, a second start port 24, and a large winning port 25. In addition, the board section 1B is incorporated so as to fit within the frame of the model frame section 1F as shown in Figure 2, and is installed together with the model frame section 1F (i.e., the entire gaming machine 1B, 1F is installed, and cannot be installed without the model frame section 1F).

[0019] The gaming machine 1 operates as follows. (1) The first starting slot 23 is a winning slot (a so-called center winning slot) whose winning rate does not fluctuate, and the second starting slot 24 is a winning slot (a so-called electric chute) whose winning rate fluctuates. A jackpot lottery is held according to the winning (start winning) at each starting slot 23, 24, and the result of the lottery is announced by a pattern change (unit game) performed on the special symbol display unit 17, and a jackpot is awarded according to the result of the change.

[0020] (2) If a start win occurs during a pattern change, the pattern changes are cumulatively reserved up to a predetermined reserved upper limit (for example, 4 each), and the reserved pattern changes will start after the pattern change ends. Note that if a start win occurs when the number of reserved pattern changes (reserved number) is at the upper limit, the pattern change will not be reserved. (3) The probability of winning the jackpot lottery (jackpot probability) is set separately for the normal game state (normal state, normal) and the probability variable state (probability variable state, probability variable) (for example, 1 / 320 and 1 / 32). In addition, the probability variable rate (for example, 66%), which is the percentage of jackpots that become probability variable after a jackpot, is also set.

[0021] (4) When a jackpot occurs, the large prize slot 25 is opened for the corresponding round (R). Winning adds game points (prize awarding process). The maximum number of prizes per round is 10, and the maximum opening period is 30 seconds. One round ends when either the maximum number of prizes or the maximum opening period is met. The corresponding round is also drawn in the same way as the jackpot lottery. The distribution rate is as follows: if the first starting slot 23 wins, 2R is 10%, 8R is 50%, and 15R is 40%. If the second starting slot 24 wins, 8R is 10%, and 15R is 90%. The priority for consuming reserved symbol changes corresponding to winning is set higher for the second starting slot 24 than for the first starting slot 23.

[0022] (5) During the probability variation, the probability of winning increases and the time-saving state (time-saving) is entered, which increases the winning rate of the second starting port 24. Also, if a jackpot that is not a probability variation jackpot (normal jackpot) occurs, the time-saving state becomes non-probability variation (single time-saving) after the jackpot, and the time-saving state continues until the pattern changes for a predetermined number of time-saving times (for example, 100 times) or a jackpot occurs, and if the pattern changes for the number of time-saving times without a jackpot occurring, the state returns to the normal state.

[0023] (6) When the normal symbol (normal symbol) that changes depending on the winning of the normal symbol winning hole 18 is a winning symbol, the second starting hole 24 enters an open state with a higher winning rate than in the normal state. In this case, the period for one normal symbol to change is 30 seconds in the normal state and 3 seconds in the time-saving state. Also, the opening period is 0.3 seconds in the normal state and 5 seconds in the time-saving state. In other words, in the time-saving state, the normal symbol change period is shorter than in the normal state, but the opening period is longer, making it easier for the second starting hole 24 to enter the open state, and the winning rate is higher.

[0024] (7) Because the large prize slot 25 and the second starting slot 24 are located on the right side of the game board 1a, during time-saving or jackpot periods, the pachinko balls are shot out to the right side of the game board 1a, which is called right-hand shot. The above explanation was given using model A as an example, but the values ​​exemplified will vary depending on the model, for example, model B will have a different round allocation, and the gameplay will also differ, for example, the jackpot probability can be adjusted by the gaming machine setting value (mode).

[0025] The gaming machine 1 outputs a gaming signal indicating the following data items as the game progresses, such as when the player shoots pachinko balls into the starting holes 23, 24 and the like. "Out" = A data item that indicates the consumed (used, entered) value (out) in units of one point since the last time data was sent. "Safe" = A data item that indicates the winning value (safe) awarded in units of 1 point according to winning since the last time data was sent. "S Winning (Number of Times)" = A data item that indicates the number of initial winnings (S winnings) since the last time data was sent, in units of one.

[0026] "Start (number of times)" = A data item indicating the start (number of symbol changes, number of symbol operations, number of unit games) of the special symbol (special symbol display unit 17) that operates (changes) due to S winning since the last data transmission. It is counted when the operation is confirmed, but it can also be counted when it starts. "In operation (state)" = A data item that indicates whether the reel is on or off if it is not in operation, such as when the pattern is changing at the time of data transmission. The period from when it turns on to when it turns off is determined as when the reel is in operation.

[0027] "Jackpot (number of times)" = A data item that indicates the number of jackpots that have occurred since the last data transmission in units of one. It is counted when it occurs, but it can also be counted when it ends. "Jackpot (state)" = A data item that indicates whether the state is on if a jackpot is occurring at the time of data transmission, or whether the state is off if no jackpot is occurring. The period from when it turns on to when it turns off is determined as the jackpot.

[0028] "Sweet state (state)" = A data item that indicates that at the time of data transmission, if a special state (sweet state) or a jackpot state is occurring, it is on, and if not, it is off. The period from when it turns on to when it turns off is identified as sweet state or jackpot. For example, if sweet state (state) is on, if the jackpot (state) is on, it is identified as jackpot, and if it is off, it is identified as sweet state. It does not necessarily have to be on during a jackpot. Note that if the states indicated by the game signal, such as jackpot (state) or sweet state (state), are both off, it is identified as a normal state. Sweet state corresponds to the special states such as the time-saving and probability change mentioned above, and the state of sweet state or jackpot is considered to be in special prize mode. The above data items are transmitted as identifiable data signals, such as telegrams, from the gaming machine 1 to the gaming device 2 at regular intervals (for example, every 200 milliseconds) as cumulative data (updated data) since the previous transmission, and other data items such as game points and cheating information are also output. Of course, signal formats other than data signals, such as pulse signals, may also be used as gaming signals.

[0029] 1, the gaming device 2 is disposed to the side of the gaming machine 1, and has a status indicator light 27 that indicates the gaming status of the gaming machine 1 and the status of the gaming device 2. The gaming device 2 also has a coin slot 28 into which coins are inserted, a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit 2a that receives operation inputs from the player and displays various game data, a payout button (game button) 29 that receives a payout operation (a grant operation), a card insertion slot 30 into which the IC card is inserted, etc. Other configurations and operations related to the gaming device 2 are described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-192988 filed by the present applicant, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0030] 1, the information display device 3 is disposed above the gaming machine 1, and has a display unit 3a that displays game information of the gaming machine 1 and notices from the gaming facility A to the player. The information display device 3 receives various information including setting information transmitted from the management device 6, and notifies the player of the game information specified by the management device 6 and the game status of the gaming machine 1.

[0031] 1, the management device 6 can be connected to a network (public line 100) such as the Internet or a VPN connection, and can communicate with a game information server 31 installed outside the amusement centers A to C (for example, the center in the figure) via the public line 100. The same configuration as that of the amusement center A is also realized in the amusement centers B and C, and the management devices 6 of the amusement centers B and C are also configured as in-center management means that can communicate with the game information server 31 via the public line 100, like the management device 6 of the amusement center A.

[0032] The gaming information server 31 is, for example, an off-site management server operated by an information provider at the center. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the control unit of the gaming information server 31 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a CPU, a memory unit (ROM, RAM, HDD, etc.), and an I / O. The control unit is connected to a keyboard 31b, a mouse, a monitor 31a, and a printer (not shown) operated by the center manager, as well as a communication unit (I / F unit) for communicating with the management device 6 of each of the gaming parlors A to C (not shown). The control unit of the gaming information server 31 (hereinafter abbreviated as "management server 31" or "server 31") receives the above gaming information and the like transmitted from the management device 6 of each gaming parlor A to C via the public line 100, along with the gaming parlor ID. The gaming parlor ID is identification information unique to each gaming parlor A to C, set for each gaming parlor.

[0033] That is, in each of the gaming parlors A to C, the management device 6 identifies game information for each gaming machine based on game signals output from the gaming machines 1, as is well known, and transmits the associated attribute information, such as the model name and gaming parlor ID, to the server 31. Furthermore, information such as the number of gaming machines 1 installed and operation information (number of machines in operation and operation rate), such as so-called head data, can be transmitted to the server 31 by operating and inputting from another viewing terminal 32 (the "home or office" terminal 32 in FIG. 1) or the like, even if the management device 6 cannot be accessed, and the received information is collected and managed in the server 31.

[0034] The server 31 collects the game information received from each of the gaming parlors A to C and manages it for each gaming parlor. In this case, the amusement facility ID can be used to identify the amusement facility, the commercial area including the amusement facility, or a specified area other than the commercial area. For example, it is possible to identify gaming information by dividing it into the commercial area to which the amusement facility A belongs, or by a specified area such as the entire country, Kanto, or Kansai. The commercial area defines the regional aggregation area to which the amusement facility belongs, and can be set on an amusement facility basis, but it may also include surrounding amusement facilities or set the amusement facility to which it belongs on a commercial area basis.

[0035] As described above, even a store that cannot access the server 31 from the management device 6 can identify gaming information classified by commercial area, etc., using the headcount data. The server 31 manages various gaming information, including the number of installed machines and operation information, on a business day basis, and by registering (storing) and managing gaming information associated with date information, such as replacement dates (to be described later), it is possible to identify the gaming information for the target period or at the time the gaming machine 1 was introduced.

[0036] Here, the viewing terminal 32 shown in the "Related Person" column of FIG. 1 is used by a game center related person, and the "related person" refers to a game center related person. Viewing terminal 32 is a so-called client device connected to server 31 via public line 100. The control unit of viewing terminal 32 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a CPU, a storage unit, and an I / O (not shown).

[0037] Furthermore, a keyboard 32b and a mouse (operation means) operated by a game center staff member, a display unit 32a (display means), etc. are connected to the control unit of the viewing terminal 32 (also referred to as "viewing terminal 32"). For ease of explanation, Figure 1 shows only one viewing terminal 32, but there are multiple viewing terminals 32 that can be used by people involved in the amusement facilities, such as the managers and store managers (the aforementioned administrators) of amusement facilities A to C, employees such as supervisors, headquarters, gaming machine manufacturers, manufacturers of management systems, and even second-hand gaming machine 1 sales and transportation companies, etc.

[0038] The server 31 then registers information (client information) of the amusement facility personnel, including the account ID and password (login information) for authentication (login), email address, etc., received through input operations on the viewing terminal 32, and makes it possible to identify the user based on the login, and then enables the viewing terminal 32 to access the server 31 and provide services including viewing of information according to the user's authority.

[0039] In this embodiment, among those involved in amusement facilities, those who belong to amusement facilities A to C and operate the facilities, such as managers, store managers, employees, and headquarters, are collectively referred to as "amusement facility operation personnel," while those who do not operate the facilities, such as the manufacturers and second-hand sales trading companies, are collectively referred to as "other amusement facility personnel," and the two are distinguished from each other. Furthermore, in the game arcade system of this embodiment, the client devices include not only the viewing terminal 32 but also other terminal devices 6 that can be used by game arcade personnel, such as a management device 6 and a smartphone (not shown), and services are provided that include the transmission of various information to these multiple terminal devices 6, 32. Such terminal devices 6, 32 as client devices are also referred to as "viewing terminals, etc. 6, 32," their display means as "display units 6a, 32a," and their operation means as "operation units 6b, 32b."

[0040] In the game parlors A to C, the existing game machines 1 are removed and replaced with new types of game machines 1, a so-called replacement, is frequently carried out. When making such a replacement, it is necessary to create or modify the layout in which the gaming machines 1 are arranged, or to process several preliminary events in advance, such as ordering the machines to be installed, applying for replacement with the authorities, and completing procedures for selling the installed machines and moving them between chain stores.However, if the person in charge is busy with their regular work and forgets to do so, the processing may not be completed in time, and in some cases the replacement may not be able to be carried out as planned.

[0041] Furthermore, for example, it is not uncommon for the next replacement to be scheduled one week after the previous one, or for the layout to be created several weeks before the replacement date. If the previous replacement cannot be carried out as planned because the desired installation unit could not be purchased, the layout for the subsequent replacement will need to be revised because it is based on the layout of the previous replacement, and there is a risk that these revisions will be delayed, leading to problems. Furthermore, for example, when rearranging so-called existing machines that were installed at the location of the new machines, it is desirable to rearrange them taking into consideration the location before the rearrangement and locations where the same model will be installed so that players who were playing the existing machines can easily find the new machines at their new locations.However, conventional gaming center systems do not take such considerations into account, and even when creating or modifying the layout of existing machines and other new machines, it is difficult to fully grasp the installation status of the gaming machines involved in the replacement.

[0042] Therefore, in the amusement park system of this embodiment, the display unit 6a, 32a of the viewing terminal etc. 6, 32 can display the replacement plan or replacement schedule when replacing the gaming machine 1 in calendar format (see calendar 50 in Figure 3), and information indicating the replacement date and the preceding event is displayed in correspondence with each date on the calendar 50.

[0043] Also, for example, when a change is made to the previous replacement plan (first replacement plan) registered on the calendar 50 in Fig. 3, if it is determined that the later replacement needs to be changed because a later replacement plan (second replacement plan) has been registered, the necessity is notified by displaying "error" (see "6 / 22" in the same figure) or the like. Furthermore, when a selection operation or the like is performed to select an existing machine or the like (a machine to be moved) to be replaced on a screen (see Fig. 8, etc.) showing the layout 60 described later, based on the information on the machine to be moved and its related information, the related location on the layout 60 that is the placement location of the machine to be moved is displayed in a different display mode (the symbol (C) in Fig. 14(c)) from the display mode before the selection. BR ), 1(C GR The information is displayed in a distinctive manner using background colors or flashing displays (as shown in the figure). The configuration of the amusement park system will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 to 20 in the order of "(1-1) Calendar replacement schedule and notification," "(1-2) Layout setting and identification display," and "(1-3) Changes to replacement plan and notification."

[0044] (1-1) Replacement schedule and calendar FIG. 3 shows an example of a calendar screen displayed on the display unit 6a, 32a of the viewing terminal 6, 32 of the person in charge of running the game arcade, and is provided as an online calendar service by the server 31. That is, first, a person involved in the operation of the amusement facility A operates the operation unit 6b, 32b of the viewing terminal etc. 6, 32 to select a menu for replacement plans on a menu screen not shown, and displays the calendar screen of Figure 3 relating to the replacement plans.

[0045] The calendar screen in the same figure displays a monthly calendar 50, and above it, under the title "Replacement Schedule," a group of buttons including a designation button 51 for specifying the year / month shown on the calendar 50 and a setting button 52 are displayed side by side. Calendar 50 displays a month in a matrix calendar format, with date boxes for each day arranged horizontally in the order of days of the week (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) and vertically in the order of weeks (first week, second week, etc.). Note that the format does not necessarily have to be a matrix format expressed by rows and columns, and other calendar formats, such as arranging dates in a line, may also be used.

[0046] Here, when registering the replacement date for gaming machine 1 at gaming center A on the calendar screen, the user specifies the relevant year / month (June 2022 in the figure) using designation button 51, and then clicks on the date box on calendar 50 for the specified month that they wish to use as the replacement date to perform the registration operation. The registration operation on such a viewing terminal, etc. 6, 32 may be an operation of moving a cursor (not shown) to a desired date frame by operating the operation unit 6b, 32b, or, if the display unit 6a, 32a is a touch panel type, specifying the desired date frame by a touch operation. In addition, for simplicity of explanation, operations via the operation unit 6b, 32b, etc., such as selecting an item or inputting a date (numerical value) or character by operating the operation unit 6b, 32b, etc., will be referred to as a "selection operation," "input operation," "setting operation," or simply "selection," "operation," etc.

[0047] When a replacement date is registered on the calendar 50, the viewing terminal 6, 32 displays the words "Replacement Date" in the date box (see, for example, the date box for 6 / 8), and transmits the replacement date information to the server 31 in association with the game center ID of game center A. This allows the server 31 (first registration means) to register the replacement date in advance on the calendars of people involved in the operation of game center A.

[0048] Furthermore, a predetermined pre-event to be performed in conjunction with the replacement can be set by operating the setting button 52 on the viewing terminal 6, 32 (setting means). The setting button 52 is a button for setting the pre-event and the group color (see FIG. 5) described later, and each setting operation can be accepted even before the "replacement implementation date" is registered. 4 shows a setting screen for such a pre-event, which is displayed in place of (or on top of) the calendar 50 in response to the operation of the setting button 52. The "pre-event" shown in the figure can be set individually for its "deadline," whether it is "applicable," and "application conditions."

[0049] "Pre-events" include "ordering a new machine," "ordering a used machine," "submitting an application," and "procedures for selling" and "transferring between chain stores" in the same item column. In this way, pre-events are a general term for the advance procedures and work required to carry out the replacement on a day prior to the relevant replacement date (replacement implementation date), and can include ordering and wiring game signal lines (not shown), notifications to players (for example, updating the website, advertising, distributing direct mail, etc.), or changing the settings of the management device 6. The "deadline" of a pre-event indicates a retroactive period starting from the replacement date. In other words, the day before the pre-event should be held is a predetermined period prior to the related replacement date. For example, by setting "28 days" in the "deadline" field for a new machine order, the processing deadline for the pre-event is set to 28 days prior to the replacement date.

[0050] "Apply" indicates whether or not to handle prior events on the calendar 50. By setting "Yes" in the "Apply" item field, prior event information (including the deadline and exclusion conditions in FIG. 4) is sent to and registered on the server 31 along with the registration of the replacement date. On the other hand, if "No" is set, prior events are not registered even if a replacement date is registered. In this way, the viewing terminals 6, 32 can arbitrarily set information related to pre-events according to the needs of the amusement facility, and the server 31 (second registration means) registers and manages the pre-events set in association with the replacement date along with the specified period.

[0051] The "exclusion conditions" are used to set conditions when a pre-event cannot be scheduled for some reason. For example, for a pre-event that should be held on a weekday, by setting the condition "excluding weekends and holidays" as shown in Figure 4, if the relevant day of the pre-event (for example, 28 days before the replacement date) falls on a weekend or holiday, the relevant day will be the day that meets the previous condition (for example, if the relevant day is Saturday, the previous Friday). The "submission of application form" mentioned above involves submitting the necessary documents (application form) in advance to the competent authority such as the police or the Public Safety Commission when replacing gaming machine 1, but the exclusion condition "excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays" means that the relevant date can be automatically set to a date that avoids holidays of government agencies.

[0052] Furthermore, the "new machine order" and "used machine order" are orders for newly introduced machines, which are gaming machines 1 newly introduced in replacement (including not only new machines but also used machines if the gaming machine is new to the gaming facility), and orders for "new machines" newly sold by manufacturers and "used machines" provided to the gaming machine market by gaming facilities or dealers of gaming machines 1 must be placed in advance, but gaming facility A may set any exclusion conditions, such as "excluding weekends" or "none." Also, for example, if a pre-event is a notice to players, it may only target replacements that reach a predetermined number of machines (for example, 10 machines), and therefore conditions other than day of the week and holidays, such as excluding less than 10 replacement machines or excluding cases where no new machines are being introduced, may be adopted as "exclusion conditions." In this embodiment, "replacement" includes the introduction of new or used machines, the relocation of gaming machine 1 (replacement machine) that has been relocated due to a change in its location, and the removal of a gaming machine to be removed (removal machine), but details of these new machines will be provided later.

[0053] In this way, the viewing terminal 6, 32 can display the registered replacement schedule on the display unit 6a, 32a in the format of a calendar 50 as shown in Figure 3, and information indicating the "replacement implementation date" and the preceding event is displayed and associated within the respective date frames on the calendar 50. For example, by registering the replacement date as "7 / 1" and the pre-events as set in Figure 4, as shown in calendar 50 in Figure 3, "6 / 24", 7 days before the replacement date, will be displayed as "Application form submission", "6 / 10", 21 days before, as "Used machine order", and "6 / 3", 28 days before, as "New machine order" in the respective date boxes.

[0054] In this case, the replacement date "Replacement 7 / 1" corresponding to any of the pre-events "6 / 24", "6 / 10", and "6 / 3" is displayed, and the background color of those replacement dates is the same green C GR It is displayed as: FIG. 5 shows a group color setting screen for such a pre-event, which is displayed in response to the operation of the setting button 52. As shown in the figure, the "color" for each replacement date can be set by the setting operation, such that the earliest (most recent) replacement date is "red," the second earliest replacement date is "purple," the third replacement date is "blue," the fourth replacement date is "green," and so on. The color set by this setting operation is used as the background color of the replacement date on the calendar 50 (red C in FIG. 3). RE , purple C PU , blue C BL , Green C GR This is used in the event management system (see reference) and indicates the group color (the distinguishing color of the corresponding replacement date) when multiple pre-events are grouped by replacement date.

[0055] Thus, on the calendar 50 of FIG. 3, the pre-events are displayed in the background colors C of "red," "purple," "blue," and "green" in the order of "6 / 8," "6 / 17," "6 / 22," and "7 / 1," which correspond to the earliest replacement dates. RE , C PU , C BL , C GR In addition, if the earliest replacement date is brought forward when the replacement date arrives, the group color can also be brought forward and updated. For simplicity, the calendar 50 sets the predetermined period (deadline in FIG. 4) for the pre-event in one-week units, but it can also be set to, for example, 10 days in advance (see the selling procedure in FIG. 4). If the pre-event satisfies the exclusion conditions, the day that satisfies the exclusion conditions is set as the corresponding day of the pre-event. Also, the server 31 registers the received days that satisfy the exclusion conditions as the corresponding days of the pre-event in the calendars of the operators of the game center A.

[0056] Next, the identification display of replacement dates and prior events and the display format on the calendar 50 will be described. As shown in Fig. 3, the display of replacement dates is divided into "Replacement implementation date (planned)," "Replacement implementation date," and "Replacement implementation date (error)," and the replacement plan is displayed in calendar format in each date frame, and information indicating each replacement date is displayed in association with the date on the calendar. Note that the replacement plan can be exemplified by the registration of replacement dates, layout settings, or new machine installations and removals, but it may also be a replacement plan in which only replacement dates are registered, for example.

[0057] That is, when a replacement date is registered for the first time (immediately after the registration operation), it will be "Replacement implementation date (planned)" (see the date box for "7 / 1"). This display state will continue until the settings on the layout screen (see layout 60 in FIG. 8) are finalized, that is, until the layout settings for the replacement plan with a replacement date of "7 / 1" are registered. After that, if the layout conditions related to the layout settings are met, it will be "Replacement implementation date," and if the layout conditions are not met, it will be "Replacement implementation date (error)."

[0058] Also, for example, for a replacement plan with a replacement date of 6 / 22, even if the layout conditions are met and it becomes the "replacement implementation date," if a change occurs to the replacement plan for 6 / 17, which has an earlier replacement date than the replacement plan, and it becomes necessary to change the replacement plan for 6 / 22, a "replacement implementation date (error)" is reported, as shown in Figure 3. In this case, if the layout settings (replacement date) for the replacement plan for 6 / 22 have been registered, an error may be reported even if the layout conditions are not met. As will be described in detail later, the layout condition can be exemplified as a state in which all gaming machines in the "Installation List" 61 in the upper left of the layout screen in Fig. 8 have been laid out and there are no vacant machine numbers (machines not associated with information on gaming machine 1 in the layout 60). The layout screen can be exemplified as being confirmed by a confirmation operation such as operating the save buttons 64a and 64b (the buttons 64a and 64b on both the left and right sides of the upper part of Fig. 8), but confirmation can also be achieved by simply exiting the screen.

[0059] In addition, in the calendar 50 of FIG. 3, when multiple replacement dates "6 / 8", "6 / 17", "6 / 22", and "7 / 1" are registered as described above, the replacement dates and the corresponding prior events are displayed in the respective date frames, and the background color C RE ~C GR Identification is displayed using the following. Specifically, for example, in the date box for June 1st in calendar 50 in Figure 3, the date "1" is displayed at the top, and the pre-event "Submit application form" with a replacement date of "6 / 8" and the pre-event "Order used machine" with a replacement date of "6 / 22" are displayed in two rows, one above the other.

[0060] In this case, the replacement date and prior event in the upper row ("Replacement 6 / 8" and "Application form submission") and the replacement date and prior event in the lower row ("Replacement 6 / 22" and "Used machine order") are displayed in a related manner as a series of information. RE and C BL The display format uses the above and lists the respective replacement dates and pre-events on the left and right. In addition, the background color C used in the "Replacement Date" date box for 6 / 8 and the "Application Submission" date box for 6 / 1 is RE , and the background color C used in the "Replacement Date" date frame of 6 / 22 and the "Used Machine Order" and "Application Submission" date frames of 6 / 1 and 6 / 15. BL The group color red C is used to display the replacement dates and advance events in relation to each other. RE Lined Blue C BL The identification marking is made by this. Similarly, the background color C for "Replacement Date" on 6 / 17 and "Application Submission" on 6 / 10 PU , and background color C for "Replacement implementation date" on 7 / 1 and "New machine order", "Used machine order", and "Application submission" on 6 / 3, 6 / 10, and 6 / 24. GR The purple C of each group color PU Green C GR The identification marking is made by this.

[0061] Instead of the above-mentioned background color identification, indicators (items, marks, etc.) resembling thumbtacks or arrows are displayed in color C for each replacement date. RE ~C GR Alternatively, the pre-event display itself may be displayed as a group. In any case, the viewing terminals 6, 32 and the server 31 function as the first and second registration means, and even if multiple registrations are possible for each replacement date and pre-event, the above-mentioned correlation is displayed on the calendar 50, making it easier to understand which pre-event corresponds to which replacement.

[0062] 3, the advance event display itself is also displayed in a distinctive manner on the calendar 50. For example, when an advance event is registered, it is displayed with an orange background color C OR Although it is identified by ´ (C for applications submitted on 6 / 10, 6 / 15, and 6 / 24) OR '), when the processing of the pre-event is actually performed and the fact that the processing has been performed is registered on the calendar 50 (when the processing is also registered on the server 31 by the input operation of the processed item described later), the background color changes to orange C OR ´ is a gray background color C GRY ´ and grayed out like "Application submission" on 6 / 1 C GRY The application form submission code "(C OR ´→)C GRY ´” has an orange background color. OR ´ to Gray C GRY This indicates that the mark has changed to ´.

[0063] On the other hand, when the deadline for a pre-event is approaching, a separate notification to that effect is given (see POP display 57 in FIG. 7, which will be described later). However, if the deadline is approaching but the event has not been processed, the pre-event in question is displayed with a red background color C, such as "Used machine order" on "6 / 1" or "New machine order" on "6 / 3" in the calendar 50 in FIG. RE Identify with ´ (background color is orange C OR ´ to red C RE (The notification is made by changing it to ´).

[0064] Here, the POP display 53 in FIG. 3 shows an example of the display when the date box for "6 / 10" is operated (for example, by moving the cursor close to it). When any of the date boxes is operated in this way, a pop-up (separate screen, special screen) of information related to that date is displayed. As shown in the figure, the POP display 53 displays the date "Friday, June 10th" and a group of buttons including input button 53a, as well as advance events and attribute information associated with that date. This attribute information may include the number of target machines and machines, message information entered by other people involved with the amusement center, etc. In addition to this, the attribute information may also include, for example, the name and cost of the target machine, or the name and person in charge of the other company.

[0065] Message information from other game arcade personnel will now be explained. This message information can be input by operating the input button 53a of the POP display 53, and is displayed together with information indicating the corresponding input source (for example, "From Headquarters" in FIG. 3) according to the login information. Generally, when replacing machines, it is assumed that the owner or headquarters of the amusement facility decides on new machines (see the new machine purchase screen in Figure 22 described later), the store manager decides on used machines or machines to be removed (see the removal screen in Figure 26 described later), and the supervisor handles the layout (see the layout screen in Figure 8 described later) and application submission processing, and these amusement facility operators with different positions and roles can use the POP display 53 to convey supplementary messages to other amusement facility operators. Taking this into consideration, the message information here may be limited to those involved in the amusement facility operations, and may be viewed and entered.

[0066] On the other hand, when a replacement implementation date or a pre-event is operated (clicked and selected) within any date frame on the calendar 50 in FIG. 3, the screen transitions to the corresponding processing screen. For example, if the replacement date (replacement date) is selected, the screen will transition to the overall summary screen of Figure 21 described below; if the application form submission is selected, the screen will transition to an input screen (not shown) for information about the application form, including the registration of the processed application form; if the user selects ordering a new machine or ordering a used machine, the screen will transition to an ordering screen for a newly introduced machine (not shown; the gaming machine selected on the overall summary screen of Figure 21 or the new machine purchase screen of Figure 22 will be the subject of the order), and it will be possible to register on the screen to which the user transitions whether the selected process has been completed.

[0067] The message information may be associated only with the selected prior event itself, but for example, when message information is set for a replacement date, the message information may be associated with all corresponding prior events, or only a specific prior event such as ordering a new machine may be associated. In this case, it is desirable to be able to set, for example, whether to associate the message information set for the replacement date on a separate setting screen in FIG. 4. Furthermore, when message information is associated with a prior event, the message may be associated with the corresponding replacement date or another prior event.

[0068] As described above, the associated message information is displayed when the cursor is brought close to the target date (when a predetermined operation is performed). Also, on the calendar screen of Fig. 3, in addition to displaying the calendar 50, it is also possible to display upcoming release schedule models in a POP display 57 at the start of screen display or a model display that is always displayed in the corner of the screen (not shown), as shown in Fig. 7 (described later), so that replacement plans can be considered after grasping the upcoming release schedule models.

[0069] In the viewing terminals 6, 32 (changing means), the replacement date once registered can be changed by operating the operating units 6b, 32b. Figure 6 shows the calendar screen when the swap date of "7 / 1" is changed to "6 / 30." The swap date can be changed by dragging the "Swap Date" from the date frame of 7 / 1, which is the source of the change, and dropping it into the date frame of 6 / 30, which is the destination of the change. During the drag-and-drop operation, a blue oval 54 BL and arrow 55 BL This will display the source and destination of the change (the date frames before and after the change in the replacement date).

[0070] In this way, when a change operation is performed on the viewing terminal 6, 32 to change the replacement date from "7 / 1" to "6 / 30", the previous events of "6 / 3", "6 / 10", and "6 / 24" that were registered in association with the previous replacement date of "7 / 1" are changed to dates of "6 / 2", "6 / 9", and "6 / 23" to correspond to the new replacement date of "6 / 30" based on the specified period (see deadline in Figure 4).

[0071] In other words, due to the change in the replacement date, the corresponding pre-events (ordering new machines on June 3, ordering used machines on June 10, and submitting an application on June 24) will also be reflected in the red oval 54. RE and arrow 55 RE As shown in the figure, the same changes as for the replacement date (for example, if the replacement date is moved forward by one day, the pre-event will also be moved forward by one day, and if the replacement date is moved back by two days, the pre-event will also be moved back by two days) will be automatically made and displayed in the changed date frame. If the changed date of the pre-event falls under the exclusion conditions of FIG. 4 (for example, excluding weekends and holidays), the pre-event will be changed to a date that satisfies the exclusion conditions in the same manner as above. RE ,55 RE ,54 RE ,55 RE The arrows and the like indicated by do not need to be displayed.

[0072] 7 shows an example of a POP display 57 that is displayed when the calendar screen of FIG. 3 starts to be displayed, that is, when the calendar screen is displayed after login information is entered into the viewing terminal 6, 32 or the like. As shown in the upper left of Figure 7, "Today 6 / 1" (see the hatching of the same date; hereafter referred to as "today") is displayed, on the initial screen when you log in on "6 / 1", events such as previous events and replacement dates for a pre-set period (for example, from today to three days later) are displayed on the calendar 50 via a POP display 57.

[0073] This notifies you of upcoming events, etc., in the near future (for example, up to three days from now) based on the display time on the day you logged in, using a POP display 57 in a different display format than the display format on calendar 50 (see Figure 3). The POP display 57 is displayed superimposed on the calendar 50 as shown in FIG. 7, while the date frames of the most recent pre-events (the relevant days "6 / 1" and "6 / 3") and the date frame of the corresponding replacement date "7 / 1" are displayed transparently (or the relevant day and the corresponding replacement date are cut out from the POP display 57 so that they can be seen).

[0074] As shown in the figure, the POP display 57 displays the most recent prior event with the date, along with a message such as "Please complete the following tasks soon" or "The following tasks have been completed," and also displays the corresponding replacement date. If the deadline is today, it displays that the deadline is "today." Note that even if it is the most recent prior event, if it has already been processed, it is clearly notified with a message such as "~ has been completed," as shown in the figure, but this notification is not necessary.

[0075] Furthermore, in the POP display 57, in addition to the messages mentioned above, message information such as messages from headquarters (those involved in the operation of the amusement facility) (see "From Headquarters" at the bottom of the same figure) and messages from counterparties (those involved in other amusement facilities) such as used machine trading companies (see email icon 57a ​​in the center) are displayed so that each of the parties involved can be easily identified. This is message information registered by each relevant party along with the replacement date or pre-event on the calendar 50 of the amusement center A, and can be displayed on the display unit 6a, 32a (POP display 57) by being notified to the viewing terminal etc. 6, 32 from the server 31 that manages the information.

[0076] In other words, message information can also be registered on the other party's viewing terminal 6, 32 that does not belong to amusement center A, and the email icon 57a ​​with "Message Available" indicates that there is a message registered by the other party when the most recent upcoming events based on the display time of amusement center A's calendar 50 are displayed on the POP display 57, and when the email icon 57a ​​is selected (operated), the message from the other party is displayed. Additionally, as shown below the POP display 57, a message from an official at headquarters, "From Headquarters...", is displayed in a transparent box along with the date of the replacement, "7 / 1" in the message.

[0077] The default notification time for the layout setting is 21 days before the replacement date in the replacement plan, but it can be changed to any time. If the layout conditions are not met by the time of the notification time, the notification will be made in the same way as above. In other words, if the viewing terminal 6, 32 or server 31 acting as plan discrimination means determines that the replacement plan is one in which the layout setting has not been set (for example, the layout setting has not been made (not registered), or the layout conditions have not been met, etc.) on a date a predetermined period prior to the registered replacement date (for example, 21 days prior to the replacement date), a message to that effect is displayed on the POP display 57.

[0078] Also, if the layout conditions are met by the time of the relevant notification, then it will not be subject to notification, but for example, as described above, even if the layout conditions for the replacement plan for "6 / 22" are met once, if there is a change to the replacement plan for "6 / 17" (for example, the planned new machine cannot be purchased and the layout is rearranged with a different machine), then the calendar 50 will display "Replacement implementation date (error)" as shown in the date box for "6 / 22" in the same figure, thereby notifying the user that the replacement plan for "6 / 22" needs to be changed. On the other hand, in the POP display 57 after login as shown in Figure 7, it is subject to notification regardless of the above notification time.

[0079] In other words, if the new machine that was planned in the replacement plan for 6 / 17 cannot be introduced and the layout settings are changed, it is determined whether the replacement plan for 6 / 22 needs to be changed depending on whether layout settings have already been registered for the replacement plan for 6 / 22, and if it is determined that this is necessary, a message to the effect that the replacement plan for 6 / 22 needs to be changed is displayed in POP display 57 in Figure 7, regardless of the specified period (regardless of whether it is 21 days before or not), and a notification is also made in POP displays 67-69 related to the layout settings in Figures 17-19, which will be described later.

[0080] As the distinguishing display for "Replacement Implementation Date (Error)," an distinguishing display that is common to the case where the layout conditions are not met for reasons other than the previous replacement and the case where a change has occurred in the previous replacement (first replacement plan) has been exemplified, but a distinguishing display may also be used for only one of the two cases, or a distinguishing display may be used for each case. In either case, the display means of the viewing terminals 6, 32 notifies the user of the necessity of the replacement by displaying "Error" on the calendar 50 (or by a message on the POP display 57) in addition to displaying information indicating the replacement date, as exemplified by the date box "6 / 22" in Fig. 3.

[0081] The viewing terminals 6, 32 (reception means, layout setting means, plan registration means, plan determination means) can receive information related to layout setting, including information on the gaming machines 1 to be replaced, along with the replacement dates in the replacement plan, and can set and register the information for each replacement plan. Such various information related to layout setting is also transmitted to the server 31 (plan registration means) and registered. In the following (1-2), a method for registering layout settings of the gaming machines 1 targeted for the replacement plan and identification displays in the layout will be described.

[0082] (1-2) Layout settings and identification display 8 shows a layout screen that is displayed when the user selects the layout tab 63d on the overall summary screen (see FIG. 21), which is displayed when the user selects a replacement date on the calendar 50 in FIG. As shown in Figure 8, the layout screen mainly displays a layout 60 showing the arrangement of gaming machines 1 within gaming center A, and by operating the scroll bar 60a on the right end, other parts of the layout 60 (parts not displayed on the same screen) can also be scrolled (the same applies to the scroll bar 60a on other screens exemplified below).

[0083] The layout 60 displays the arrangement of the gaming machines 1 according to the actual island layout in the gaming facility A using frame lines L that separate the machine numbers of each island and information about the gaming machines 1. The information of the gaming machine 1 on the layout 60 is expressed by the model name, such as "P model A," "P model B," or "P middle A," "P middle B," etc., shown at the position corresponding to the machine number in FIG. 8. In addition, the machine number or the frame L of the layout 60 is colored according to the type (for example, red C for middle, RE , high middle is green C GR etc.) are used.

[0084] In addition, the viewing terminals 6, 32 store model identification information for each gaming machine 1 as information on the machine to be moved, and also store information on the machine to be moved in association with its type. The model identification information is the model name and model ID (i.e., information that can identify the model), and the type indicates the playability as attribute information (described later). Model names such as "P model A" and "P middle A" are examples of names that include such model identification information and type (defined in association with each gaming machine 1), and each gaming machine 1 is classified by type according to its specifications.

[0085] In Figure 8, the red C corresponds to the type RE and Green C GR The identification markings such as "L(C)" are provided by the frame line L that defines the placement location of the layout 60. RE ), L(C GR The color of the vertical line portion (hereinafter also referred to as "line L") on the side indicated by "..." is expressed by the color, and the line L is color-coded by type for all islands. Furthermore, "P" represents a pachinko game machine, and "S" represents a slot machine, and in the layout display area 600 showing the layout 60, information about the game machines on the layout 60, including the areas displayed by the scrolling, is displayed in letters and colors including the relevant "P" etc.

[0086] At the top of the layout screen in Figure 8 (above the layout 60), an "Introduction List" 61 and a "Reserved List" 62 are provided on the left and right sides, respectively, and at the top are provided a budget column showing the "Current Budget" to "Annual Budget" in the replacement plan, and a tab column showing tabs 63a to 63d for "Overall Summary" to "Layout."

[0087] The "Introduction List" 61 has an expand / store button 61a at the overlapping part of the "V" and an "Add / Change" button 61b for adding / changing a model to the list. When the add / change button 61b is operated, the layout screen of Fig. 8 is switched to the model addition screen of Fig. 9. The model addition screen of FIG. 9 displays a list of gaming machines that can be introduced as new machines on the replacement date selected on the calendar 50 (the list of candidates for introduction on the left side of the same figure).

[0088] As shown in Figure 9, the list of potential machines for introduction displays corresponding attribute information such as "type," "jackpot probability," "manufacturer name," and "introduction date" in addition to "machine name," and when any of the attribute information is selected, the machines are sorted by the selected attribute information. The figure shows the case where the machines are sorted by introduction date, and a "▼" mark indicating this is displayed (the same applies to sorting on other screens shown as examples). In this embodiment, the "type" is classified according to the specifications (gameplay) of the gaming machine, such as by setting a range for the jackpot probability and classifying the jackpot probability into "high-middle," "middle," "light-middle," and "light" in order of decreasing jackpot probability. Also, unique gameplay such as so-called one-shot machines is classified as "other." Of course, classification may also be made according to other gameplay not exemplified, such as so-called feather machines.

[0089] Above the list of potential installations, there are check boxes for "pachinko" and "slot machine," as well as a field for specifying "type." By checking one of the checkboxes, it is possible to specify whether or not the unchecked one should be excluded from the list of candidates for introduction.

[0090] 9, "all types" is specified as "type," but any type can be specified. Furthermore, the release date is registered in advance as attribute information of the machine to be displayed, and a check box "Do not display models older than three years" is also provided, and checking this box will exclude from the list of candidates for introduction gaming machines 1 that have been released for a predetermined period of time (for example, three years corresponding to the inspection period for gaming machines). In this way, on the model addition screen, you can specify the conditions to exclude from the list of introduction candidates in the specification field at the top, and then operate the ``Search'' button in the corresponding button group 61c to update the list of introduction candidates to match the conditions, and operating the ``Clear'' button will return to the state before the conditions were entered.

[0091] As shown in Figure 9, the center of the model addition screen has an "Add →" button, which points to the right, and a "Delete ←" button, which points to the left. When you select one of the candidates from the list of candidates for introduction and operate the "Add →" button, that candidate for introduction is selected and moves to the "Selected" column on the right, while when you select one of the candidates from the "Selected" column and operate the "Delete ←" button, the selection is cancelled and the candidate is returned to the list of candidates for introduction on the left. In the "Selected" column, the number of machines can be changed by operating the "+" or "-" button in the "Number of Machines" item on the right or by directly entering the number of machines. After adjusting the number of machines by selecting the desired gaming machine in this way, operating the "Add Machine" button in the corresponding button group 61d below will list the selected machine in the introduction list 61 (see Figures 10 and 11), or add it as a new machine on the overall summary screen (see Figure 21). On the other hand, operating the "Cancel" button in button group 61d will cancel the listing or the addition of a new machine. In either case, operating button group 61d will return the screen to the layout screen of Figure 8 from the model addition screen of Figure 9.

[0092] Although the model addition screen in Figure 9 targets new machines, by selecting one of the button groups 61e at the top right of the screen, namely "New Machine," "Used Machine," or "Inventory," it is possible to change the target for introduction to a used machine other than a new machine or a gaming machine 1 in inventory. Furthermore, as described above, the layout display area 600 in FIG. 8 also displays the type of gaming machine 1 with a line L of a corresponding color, but the color association setting may be separately configured on the model addition screen in FIG. 9 (for example, a setting in which colors are associated by model, as in FIG. 5).

[0093] The "Current Cost" and other items shown in the top row of the layout screen in FIG. 8 will be explained. For example, a budget is set for replacement taking into account the cost of purchasing new and used machines (this is accepted via the viewing terminal, etc. 6, 32), and this budget is the "current budget," while the currently planned cost is the "current cost." Taking this budget and cost into account, the new machines to be introduced are considered as described above. At this time, operating the "Output" button in the group of buttons 64a on the right side of the top column outputs the input data in a format such as CSV, and operating the "Save" button (confirming the input data) confirms the input data (the data can be saved for each replacement plan). Operating the "Auto Save" button 64b on the left also allows switching to automatic saving, where data is saved (confirmed) at each input or at predetermined intervals (e.g., 5 seconds) (the same applies to subsequent screens).

[0094] Other budgets, costs, etc. will be explained after the overall summary screen in Figure 21. Furthermore, when the operation to confirm the replacement plan is performed on the viewing terminal etc. 6, 32, the storage means (storage unit) of the terminal stores (accumulates) information about the gaming machine 1 on the layout 60 of the layout screen, or related information about the gaming machine 1 such as the machine number (location), model name, type, manufacturer name, and information about the machines to be moved below, and also stores the budget on a replacement date basis by performing a setting operation such as "current budget" in advance.

[0095] FIG. 10 shows a layout screen in which the introduction list 61 and the reservation list 62 are expanded by operating the expansion / containment buttons 61a and 62a of the introduction list 61 and the reservation list 62 in FIG. 8, respectively. As shown in the upper left of Fig. 10, the introduction list 61 is expanded downward to display a list of gaming machines 1 (for example, introduced models "P Middle G" to "P Middle J"). This is a list of target machine information showing the introduced models (model names) of newly introduced machines, etc., added on the above-mentioned model addition screen or on the overall summary screen, etc., described later, together with the number of each machine.

[0096] Furthermore, as shown in the enlarged views of Figures 10 and 11, when the introduction list 61 is expanded, a group of buttons 61f, "All," "P," and "S," is displayed, and by operating any of these buttons, it is possible to expand the display to show only pachinko gaming machines or only slot machines. If the expand / store button 61a is not operated (or if it is operated again in the expanded state), the introduction list 61 will be in the stored state as shown in Fig. 8. Similarly, the reservation list 62 will be switched between the stored state in Fig. 8 and the expanded state in Fig. 10 by operating the expand / store button 62a, and in the expanded state, a button group 62f of "All", "P", and "S" will be displayed (see Fig. 14(a)).

[0097] Next, the basic operations for changing the layout 60 will be described with reference to FIG. For example, when changing the layout 60 by selecting an introduced model from the introduction list 61 as the machine to be moved, drag (select) any gaming machine from the target machine information "P Middle G" to "P Middle J" and drop the selected target machine information (for example, P Middle G) near any machine number on the layout 60. In this way, the selection operation for selecting target machine information and the move operation for moving the selected target machine information to a placement location on the layout 60 can be exemplified by a drag-and-drop operation of the installed machine from the installation list 61 to a placement location on the layout 60, but an operation such as clicking on the installation list and then clicking on the placement location may also be employed. In other words, the move operation may be any operation that updates the information of the gaming machine 1 on the layout 60 so that the target machine is installed in that placement location.

[0098] In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, a machine number operation / display column 65 is provided between the introduction list 61 and the reservation list 62, and the "source" and "destination" in the column 65 are updated in accordance with the above selection and movement operations. Then, when the "Execute" button 65a is operated after adjusting the "number of machines" and "machine number" in the machine number operation / display column 65, the model to be introduced is placed at that machine number on the layout 60, and the gaming machine 1 that was placed at that machine number is listed in the reserved list 62. Here, in the "Source" column 65, 16 machines are scheduled to be introduced for the example "P Middle G", but since the machine number range selected in the "Destination" column is 17 machines, from "1 to 17", the "Remaining number of machines" becomes "-1", indicating a contradiction, and in this case the "Execute" button 65a cannot be operated (is inhibited).

[0099] On the other hand, in the installation list 61 of FIG. 10, when the "↓Show laid out" button at the bottom is operated, a list of the installation models laid out by the above-mentioned movement operations etc. is additionally displayed (see FIG. 11). That is, as the gaming machine 1 is arranged by a series of layout operations including the above-mentioned selection operation, movement operation, and operation in the machine number operation / display column 65, the introduced model is displayed in the introduction list 61 of FIG. 11 with a white background color C indicating that it is not yet arranged. WH From the list section, the gray background color C indicates that it has been placed (laid out). GRY In this way, the layout operation is supported to satisfy the layout conditions, such as repeating the placement of the introduced models by the layout operation until all the introduced models are moved to the "Laid Out" section.

[0100] On the layout 60, for example, the machine number of the newly introduced gaming machine 1 is displayed with a red background color 1 (C RE ) ("Introduction stand" in Figure 13(b), symbol 1(C) in Figure 10) RE )reference). That is, FIG. 10 shows a state in which a newly introduced machine "P model P" is being placed at machine numbers 21 to 25, and five "P model D" machines placed at those machine numbers have been moved to the reserved list 62, and a "P middle G" machine on the introduction list 61 is being placed at machine numbers 1 to 16 after multiple operations have been repeated. Among these, the related locations (machines 21 to 25) on the layout 60 related to the machine to be moved (gaming machine 1 of P model P) are displayed in a different display mode from the display mode before the selection (for example, the display mode of FIG. 8) with a red background color 1 (C RE ) (see Figure 10 and Figures 13(a) and (b)).

[0101] In addition, by selecting the "Introduced Model" section (the section to the left of the button group 61f) shown in FIG. 11, the introduction list 61 can be sorted by the number of units, type, or introduction date, and a POP screen (not shown) is displayed, allowing sorting. Also, in the introduction list 61, the symbol "L(C RE ), L(C OR ), L(C RE As shown in "), ...", each introduced model is identified by a line L of a color corresponding to the type. Similarly, by selecting the "reserved model" field in the reserved list 62 as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 14(a), a POP screen (not shown) is displayed that allows sorting by number of units, etc. Also, in the reserved list 62, the symbol L(C GR ), L(C RE ), each reserved machine is identified by a color according to its type.

[0102] FIG. 12 shows the machine number operation / display field 65 in a state where any model (for example, model P) in the "Laid out" list in the installation list 61 of FIG. 11 is selected. In this case, the relevant model is identified, for example, by a yellow background color in the "Laid out" list of the same list 61 (the same is also identified in the same list 61 of FIG. 10 and the reserved list 62 of FIG. 13), indicating that the model has been selected (yellow background color C YE (See Figure 14(a) for details.)

[0103] 12 is operated with a model selected in this way, the placement of that model is canceled. That is, for example, P model P becomes an unlayout state, and P model D is also returned to its original machine number (on the layout 60) and removed from the reserved list 62. Furthermore, when an operation to change the "machine number" is performed in the machine number operation / display field 65, the "Execute" button 65a is displayed (see Figure 10). By operating the "Execute" button 65a, the display on the layout 60 is updated to correspond to the machine number change that was performed, and the display on the introduction list 61 is also updated.

[0104] On the other hand, if the target machine to be moved is a machine to be rearranged, the machine number operation / display field 65 is updated for each selected model by selecting (dragging) any machine number that will be the source of the rearrangement on the layout 60 and dropping it onto any machine number that will be the destination of the rearrangement. As a result, in the updated machine number operation / display field 65, the machine number can be fine-tuned in the same manner as above, and the information on the gaming machine 1 on the layout 60 can be updated by operating the execute button 65a.

[0105] FIG. 13(a) shows an enlarged view of a portion of the layout display area 600 near some machine numbers (numbers 21 to 40). As described above, the gaming machines 1 arranged on the layout 60 are arranged with a line L (C RE ) and the machine number itself is displayed in a background color 1 (C ), as shown in the color setting table in the same figure (b), such as red for a new "introduced machine", yellow for a "replaced machine", and gray for an unassigned "vacant machine". RE ), 1(C YE ), 1(C GRY ) to identify it.

[0106] FIG. 14(a) shows the reserved list 62 (reserved machine display area) in an expanded state, and displays gaming machines 1 (reserved machines) such as "P model D" together with the number of each machine. For example, when a newly introduced machine "P model P" is moved from the introduction list 61 to machine number "22-25" in Figure 14(c) (the machine to be moved is moved to a placement location on the layout 60 by a move operation), "P model D" that was placed at machine number "22-25" to which P model P is to be moved is temporarily saved and reserved in list 62. In this case, information on P model D and its number is listed (saved from the layout 60) in the reservation list 62 as reserved machine information (which may be just the model name P model D or just the number). For ease of explanation, Figure 14(c) shows four locations for P model P, machine numbers "22-25" (machine number 21 is omitted), but there are five locations on layout 60 in Figure 10, and the "number of machines" reserved for P model D in Figure 14(a) is also five.

[0107] FIG. 14(a) shows an example of an identification display indicating the selection when an arbitrary gaming machine 1, for example, P model D, is selected from the reserved machine information of the reserved list 62 (the yellow background color C YE ) is shown. In addition, the target machine information (target machine display area) indicating the model name is not limited to the introduction list 61 or the pending list 62, but may include, for example, the target machine (the display field 65) to be operated in the machine number operation / display field 65 described below or the model name of the layout display area 600 (the display field 600), or may be configured so that the introduction list 61 is omitted (with the target machine in the list 61 placed on the layout 60) and the layout is changed as appropriate.

[0108] 14(b) shows the machine number operation / display field 65 when a move operation is performed to drop the P model D selected by the rearrangement operation onto an arbitrary machine number (placement location), and assumes a case where the P model D that was on hold is rearranged to another machine number as a replacement machine. In this way, the P model D that is on hold is included in the target machine to move, and the reserved machine information in the reserve list 62 is included in the target machine information, and the rearrangement operation includes an operation of selecting the reserved machine information in the reserve list 62. In this case, in the machine number operation / display column 65, the "source" indicates the reserved model (P model D), and the "starting machine number" to "ending machine number" of the P model D can be adjusted in the "destination", but the same column 65 is also provided with "add" and "delete" buttons 65c and 65d for other cases.

[0109] That is, in the machine number operation / display field 65, rows are provided for consecutive machine numbers, so when a non-consecutive machine number is to be designated as the "destination," the "Add" button 65c is operated to add the destination row, and the machine number is entered in the added row. For example, from the state shown in FIG. 11(b), it is possible to specify the numbers "196-198" in the first row, and the numbers "201-202" in the second row added by operating the "Add" button 65c. In addition, a "Delete" button 65d is provided for each row, and is operated when the designation in the corresponding row is to be canceled.

[0110] Furthermore, the "reserved list plan" on the right side of the same column 65 indicates that the gaming machines 1 installed at the destination by specifying the machine number as described above will be listed on the reserved list 62, and the model name and machine number (number of machines) are also shown on a row-by-row basis. In this way, by adjusting the target machine number in Figure 14(b) and then operating the execute button 65a, the reserved machine is made a replacement machine and the layout 60 is updated (see Figure 13), while the reserved machine that has become a replacement machine is removed from the reserved list 62. The above-mentioned operation in the machine number operation / display field 65 applies to both newly installed machines and rearranged machines (see "Source" in Figures 12 and 14(b)), and the "machine to be moved" refers to at least one of the newly installed machine and the rearranged machine. The information on the machine to be moved also includes, for example, the machine number, model name, type, manufacturer name, etc. of the gaming machine 1 originally installed.

[0111] When the "information" button 62g provided on each gaming machine 1 in the reserved list 62 shown in FIG. 14(a) is operated (for example, by moving the cursor close to or over it), the layout 60 display is updated for the corresponding machine number, and the identification display of the machine number is performed (see symbol 1(C) in FIG. 14(c)). BR ), 1(C GR )reference). That is, the viewing terminals 6, 32 function as display control means, and when the P model D (reserved machine) becomes the target of rearrangement operation by, for example, hovering the cursor over the "information" button 62g of the P model D in the reserved list 62 (selection operation of reserved machine information), based on the information of the reserved machine and the related information (including the information of the original machine number before the reserved machine), the previous arrangement position on the layout 60 (original machine number "22-25" in FIG. 14(c)) is set as the related position, and a display mode different from the display mode before the selection (for example, the color before the selection (red background color 1(C) shown in FIG. 13)) is displayed. RE )) and different brown background color 1(C BR )) for identification.

[0112] In this case, on the layout 60, the machine numbers "26-28" of the same model (P model D) as the gaming machine 1 are also displayed in a green background color 1 (C GR ) and its flashing display make it easy to distinguish from the original serial number "22-25". This is because, when the above-mentioned rearrangement operation (selection operation of reserved machine information) is performed in the reserved list 62, by comparing the model of the reserved machine with the model on the layout 60, the arrangement position "26-28" of the P model D related to the reserved machine that has become the selection target is set as the related position, and the background color 1 (C GR ) and flashing display, and based on the model identification information, the model number where a model that can be identified as related by the model identification information, such as a so-called series of models, is located may be identified as the related location.

[0113] Such identification markings 1(C BR ), 1(C GR ), other identification marks on the layout 60 (for example, the identification marks 1 (C) of "introducing machine" to "vacant machine" shown in FIG. 13(b)) are temporarily displayed. RE )~1(C GRY ) etc.) is suppressed, and when the operation is canceled (for example, by moving the cursor away), the former identification display 1 (C BR )1(C GR ) and the latter identification mark 1 (C RE )~1(CGRY ) is also released. Such identification may be performed when the gaming machine 1 in the reserved list 62 of FIG. 14(a) is dragged or when it becomes an operation target in the machine number operation / display field 65 of FIG. Such an operation makes it possible to rearrange the gaming machines 1 listed on the reserved list 62, but when the operation input is completed (for example, when switching to another screen), the gaming machines 1 listed on the reserved list 62 (which remain on hold) become targets for removal.

[0114] The examples given above show that the machine to be moved is a gaming machine 1 on the reserved list 62, and the related placement locations (associated locations) are the original machine numbers or machine numbers of the same model, but the machine to be moved may also be a gaming machine 1 on the introduction list 61 or the replacement machine (including the gaming machine 1 on the layout 60), and the machine numbers of gaming machines 1 of the same type or manufacturer may also be used as associated locations.

[0115] For example, when a gaming machine 1 in the introduction list 61 is dragged (selected) to drop it at a desired placement location on the layout 60, the line L (L(C) in FIG. 10) of the light at the relevant machine number is displayed in order to identify and display the machine number on the layout 60 where the gaming machine 1 of the same type as the type (for example, light) of the gaming machine 1 is placed. RE ), L(C GR ) ..., etc.) may be displayed in a flashing manner. In this case, gaming machines 1 of related types may be identified not only as the same type (for example, light) but also as similar types (for example, light-middle similar to light), and the locations where gaming machines 1 of those types are located may be identified and displayed as the related locations.

[0116] In this way, when a rearrangement operation is performed on a gaming machine 1 in the introduction list 61, the location of, for example, a high-middle gaming machine 1 related to the gaming machine 1 (machine to be moved) that has been the target of the rearrangement operation is also indicated as a related location by flashing the line L, etc., thereby making it easier to identify or understand the installation status of the gaming machine. It should be noted that the various identification displays described above may be configured to be displayed not only at the time of dragging (selection operation) (although there will be no reaction if selected), but only at the time of dropping or when the item is moved to the placement location by dropping.

[0117] On the layout screen, the layout 60 can be created using an application such as EXCEL (registered trademark), and a copy of the layout 60 can be created that is updated by the above-mentioned selection and movement operations. That is, the layout 60 can be created in a general-purpose data format such as EXCEL (registered trademark), and the layout 60 data is managed on a sheet-by-sheet basis like a worksheet, making it possible to set layouts using multiple sheets (layout screens) for the same replacement date. This meets the need to set multiple layout 60 proposals, compare them, and adopt the best layout as the actual layout.

[0118] FIG. 15 shows a display screen (display box 60c) when copying the layout settings of such a sheet, together with sheet tabs 60b below the layout display area 600. As shown in the figure, display box 60c has multiple check boxes for copying sheets, and by checking the source sheets "Scheduled replacement on July 1st (1)" and "Previous island map", or the copy target "Copy only introduced models" and "Create new", layout settings can be made using copying.

[0119] In this case, for the layout 60 that has already been created (for both sheets to be copied), by checking the boxes as shown in the same figure, only the "introduced models" excluding the replacement table on the sheet scheduled for replacement (1) will be copied (select both "Scheduled for replacement on July 1st (1)" and "Copy only introduced models" in the same figure). In other words, the viewing terminal etc. 6, 32 (reproduction means) distinguishes between "introduced models" (newly introduced machines) and replacement machines for the gaming machines on the updated layout 60, and creates a layout 60 that can be selected as a copy target: a first pattern (arrangement pattern when "Copy only introduced models" is checked) that includes the introduced models but does not include replacement machines, and a second pattern (arrangement pattern that becomes the current sheet content when the check box is unchecked) that includes both the introduced models and replacement machines.

[0120] When the first pattern "Copy only introduced models" is selected, if a machine that has been replaced with a newly introduced machine on that sheet is further rearranged (its location as a rearranged machine is changed), the rearranged machine may also be subject to copying, or the rearranged machine may be listed in the pending list 62 instead of being placed at the rearrangement destination, and both may be selectively performed, or only one of them may be adopted. Note that "Create New" in the display box 60c displays the layout 60 (island layout) in its initial state before any operation input, so it is operated when you want to start over with the current layout 60 from scratch. Also, the sheet to be copied is a layout screen that includes the layout display area 600 as well as each list 61 and 62 (introducing table display area and reserved table display area), but it is sufficient that it is composed of at least a sheet that shows the layout display area 600 as a proposal for the layout 60.

[0121] (1-3) Changes and Notification of Replacement Plans The layout 60 is created as described above, and the layout setting can be confirmed (registered) for each replacement plan by the confirmation operation. In this way, when the layout 60 has been finalized, if there is a change in the most recent replacement plan (scheduled replacement) that is different from the current replacement plan, it is necessary to modify the finalized layout 60. In this case, the following process is performed to support the user in modifying only the parts that need to be modified, rather than redoing the layout settings from scratch.

[0122] Specifically, for example, suppose that the first and second replacement plans for June 17th and 22nd have been registered (see Figure 3), and the layout 60 for June 17th (first replacement plan) is changed after the layout conditions for June 22nd (second replacement plan) are met. Also, for example, in the replacement on June 22nd, three P model A units (for example, numbers 38 to 40 (hereinafter referred to as the "relevant machine numbers") were scheduled to be replaced with model B, but in the replacement on June 17th, P model A could not be replaced (the relevant machine numbers became model C instead), so after reflecting this (changing the layout settings of the first replacement plan), if the layout screen for June 22nd is displayed, the relevant machine numbers on layout 60 will be displayed for identification by flashing, etc. (see Figure 16).

[0123] In such a case, if a change to gaming machine 1 (for example, a change to model C) is made to gaming machine 1 for the first replacement plan, it can be determined whether a gaming machine other than gaming machine 1 (a model other than model C) is planned to be placed at the changed machine number in the layout setting for the second replacement plan by comparing the related information between the first and second replacement plans. In this case, the viewing terminals 6, 32 execute an extraction process to extract the relevant machine number (placement location) in the layout setting for the second replacement plan by comparing the related information (based on the related information of both replacement plans).

[0124] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view showing a part of the layout 60 including the relevant machine numbers extracted by the extraction process. For convenience, in the drawing, the relevant machine numbers "38-40" are enclosed in a frame, and the relevant machine numbers (including their background colors) are flashed. This indicates that the replacement plan for June 22nd needs to be changed. INFO ) This is in addition to the notification of the "Replacement Implementation Date (Error)" displayed on the calendar 50 as explained in FIG. 3, and also notifies the relevant location on the layout screen, and it is assumed that layout settings for the replacement plan for June 22nd have already been registered. The following example will be given for only one location of the relevant machine number on the layout 60, but if multiple locations are involved, the following processing will be performed for all of the target locations. In this case, multiple locations may be processed at once, or each location may be processed in order.

[0125] When the layout screen for June 22nd is displayed, the previously confirmed layout 60 is displayed as is (see FIG. 17), but for models that have been changed due to the previous replacement on June 17th, for example, a model that has been replaced as a substitute, such as model C above, is listed in the reserved list 62, while a model that is not actually placed, such as P model A, is excluded from the reserved list 62 and listed as laid out (see FIG. 18), and an adjustment process to return to the state before the replacement consideration on June 22nd can be performed in accordance with a specified operation, or it may be performed without a specified operation (the same applies to the process related to FIG. 19 described later).

[0126] In the above example, the previously confirmed replacement details for June 22nd were as shown in Figures 17(a) and 17(b), with "P model A" listed in the "Pending list" of the machine number operation / display column 65, and "Model B" listed in "Laid out" of the installation list 61 and placed at the corresponding machine numbers. However, in reality, P model A has not been deployed (could not be replaced), and so if it remains listed on the "reserved list," a model that is not actually installed may become the target for removal, so as shown in Figures 18(a) and 18(b), a substitute "model C" is listed on the "reserved list" in place of P model A, and "P model A" is temporarily placed at the corresponding unit number on layout 60, thereby listing it as "laid out." Note that "model B," which is scheduled to be introduced, is also listed on the introduction list.

[0127] That is, the viewing terminals 6, 32 execute an adjustment process to temporarily register P model A, which was supposed to be placed, as an introduced model and mark it as laid out, and to list model B, which was scheduled to be introduced, as an introduced model, in order to return the contents related to the placement of gaming machines 1 with the corresponding machine numbers set by the layout setting for the second replacement plan to the contents before the setting. By processing in this way, it is possible to meet the needs of those who want to return to the initial stage when layout changes for the second replacement plan were considered and then reconsider them.

[0128] Specifically, if it is determined that the model of the relevant unit number needs to be changed in the replacement plan for June 22nd in accordance with the change to model C in the replacement plan for June 17th, the original setting contents will be displayed on the layout screen for the replacement plan for June 22nd as shown in Figures 17(a) and 17(b) (and the identification display 1(C) of the relevant unit number in Figure 16 will also be displayed). INFO ) is performed), and, for example, a cancel button (not shown) (corresponding to the "Execute" button in FIG. 19 described later) is displayed as a pop-up to allow a cancel operation (predetermined operation) to cancel the layout change for the relevant machine number to be accepted. When the cancel operation is accepted, an adjustment process is executed, whereby the layout screen such as in FIGS. 17(a) and (b) is corrected (adjusted) to the layout screen such as in FIGS. 18(a) and (b), and then a layout operation (an operation on the layout 60 that responds to the notification in FIG. 16) is accepted.

[0129] Alternatively to the above, or as a configuration that can be selectively executed in addition to the above, when a cancellation operation is accepted, a process may be executed to set the layout 60 so that a substitute model that is actually installed, such as model C above, is placed in the relevant machine number to match the actual installation situation, and the layout setting may be accepted again from a state that corresponds to the actual layout 60. In this case, compared to Figure 18, the reserved list does not include any other models other than the relevant model number, model B remains listed in "Installed models", and P model A is not displayed.

[0130] In addition, although the above example shows a case where the previous replacement (first replacement plan) was changed on a model-by-model basis, it is also possible to imagine a case where only a portion (for example, three) of the seven models are changed. In this case, as in the above, only the gaming machines 1 that could not be changed may be processed, or processing may be performed on a model-by-model basis (i.e., all seven machines including the four that were not changed). In addition, in the above example, the relevant machine number is identified before processing (identification display 1 (C) in FIG. 16). INFO However, the moving vehicle number may be identified after processing, or may be identified both before and after processing, or may be identified continuously during processing.

[0131] Figures 19(a) to (c) show examples of POP displays 67 to 69 that are displayed before the layout screen for June 22nd is displayed (for example, when transitioning to the layout screen or when the display of that screen begins) in the above case, rather than displaying the layout screen (see Figures 17 and 18) related to the adjustment process and then prompting for layout operations, and allow correction of all the parts that need to be corrected at once.

[0132] In this case, three patterns of POP displays 67 to 69 are assumed, as shown in Fig. 17(a) to (c), and the display is selectively used depending on the situation. Note that the three patterns of POP displays 67 to 69 may be applied when making corrections in response to a cancel operation after the layout screen display shown in Fig. 17 or 18 is performed (they may be displayed at the timing when a layout operation is accepted). 19(a) and (b) may be selectively executed with the actual arrangement, as explained in Fig. 18 as the "alternative" configuration, that is, with the change process for arranging the model that is actually arranged, for example, "Model C" in Fig. 19(c), and the same applies to other accompanying configurations. Below, the situations and processes of each of Figs. (a) to (c) will be explained.

[0133] Figure 19(a) shows an example of a POP display 67 for selecting whether to make the same correction as above (return to the initial stage when the second replacement plan was considered) when the model planned to be placed at the relevant machine number is a newly introduced machine such as a new machine or a used machine, or to cancel the layout confirmation as is and make corrections from the confirmed layout 60. In response to such modifications, the POP display 67 is provided with an "Execute" button 67b for accepting the predetermined operation and a "Cancel layout confirmation without overwriting" button 67c, thereby enabling selective execution of adjustment processing. Similarly, selection buttons 68b, 68c and 69b, 69c are also provided in the POP displays 68 and 69 in Figures 19(b) and 19(c).

[0134] As shown in Figure 19(a), the POP display 67 shows the details of the adjustment process in which the originally placed P model A is placed at the corresponding machine number and listed as laid out in the introduction list 61, and model C is listed from the corresponding machine number to the reserved machine, model B is listed in the introduction list 61, and the layout of the other models will maintain the layout confirmed for June 22nd.

[0135] The POP display 67 also has an "Island Map Check" button 67a for checking the layout 60 before and after the adjustment process. When the "Island Map Check" button 67a is pressed, an enlarged display area 610 showing a close-up of the area around the relevant machine number "38-40" is displayed together with a button 611, with the relevant machine number "38-40" identified (for example, the same as the notification mode in FIG. 16), as shown in FIG. 20(a). 20(b) is displayed after the adjustment process, that is, the state in which "P model A" after "overwriting" in the POP display 67 of FIG. 19(a) is placed in the corresponding machine number, is displayed together with a button 611'.

[0136] In this way, the extraction process of the relevant machine number includes an output process that can display a display area 610, 610' that is larger than the relevant machine number shown in the layout setting (compared to the size of the normal layout 60), and by switching between buttons 611, 611' in Figures 20(a) and 20(b), it is possible to check the enlarged state (enlarged display area 610, 610') around the relevant machine number before and after overwriting. The "Check Island Map" button 67a in Figure 19(a) is the same as the "Check Island Map" buttons 68a and 69a in Figures 19(b) and (c), and the POP displays 67-69 including these "Check Island Map" buttons 67a-69a can be said to notify the user that the replacement plan for June 22nd needs to be changed.

[0137] FIG. 19(b) shows an example of a POP display 68 corresponding to the case where model B to be placed at the relevant machine number is a machine being transferred from another installation location. 19(b) differs from the POP display 67 in Fig. 19(a) in that it returns model B to its original location (machine number "301-303") without listing it in the introduction list 61. Therefore, by operating the "Execute" button 68b on the POP display 68, an adjustment process is executed to return the rearranged gaming machine 1 (model B) to its previous machine number "301-303" in order to return it to the state before the rearrangement.

[0138] Figure 19(c) shows an example of a POP display 69 corresponding to a case where the relevant machine number (e.g., machine numbers "38-40") that was rescheduled in a previous replacement (e.g., the replacement plan for June 17th) is not targeted for replacement in a later replacement (e.g., the replacement plan for June 22nd). In this way, the POP display 69 shows the replacement of model B with C to correspond to the actual arrangement after the previous replacement, and by operating the "Execute" button 69b, a change process is executed in which model C is laid out as is, and the other layouts maintain the layout 60 finalized for June 22. In this way, the change process in the POP display 69 is different from the adjustment process in the POP displays 67 and 68, which returns the layout 60 to its initial stage, and the change process in the POP display 69 automatically makes the necessary changes to the layout 60 without requiring any layout manipulation.

[0139] As explained above, according to the amusement park system of the first embodiment, when a replacement date is registered on a viewing terminal 6, 32, for example, pre-events to be held on the day before the replacement date can be registered in association with the replacement date and displayed in correspondence with the respective dates on the calendar 50, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, thereby reducing the risk of trouble occurring due to forgetting to process pre-events necessary for replacement.

[0140] For example, if the replacement date of "7 / 1" in Figure 6 is changed to "6 / 30" as shown above, arrow 55 in the same figure will RE As shown in FIG. 1, the pre-events are also changed accordingly, so that even if the replacement date is changed, the pre-events can be adjusted to match the change and can be appropriately managed on the calendar 50.

[0141] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, replacement dates and prior events are displayed as a series of related information, making it easy to understand which prior events correspond to which replacements even when multiple replacement dates are close together.

[0142] For example, as shown in POP display 57 in FIG. 7, the upcoming prior event is notified in a display format different from that of calendar 50, which reduces the risk of forgetting a prior event that should be processed several days before the replacement date.

[0143] Message information (for example, messages on POP displays 53, 57 in Figures 3 and 7) can be associated with replacement dates and prior events on viewing terminals 6, 32, making it possible for multiple viewers to check.This makes it easy to communicate about replacements even in cases where the work is divided among multiple people, such as headquarters deciding on new machines and stores processing applications, even if there is an event that requires prior communication with the other party.

[0144] When notifying of upcoming advance events, comments from counterparties such as used machine trading companies (for example, messages registered by counterparties indicated by email icon 57a ​​in Figure 7) are also displayed as message information, making communication with counterparties easier.

[0145] Furthermore, according to the amusement park system of this first embodiment, if a previous replacement plan is changed, a notification is given that a subsequent replacement plan needs to be changed (see, for example, POP display 57 in FIG. 7, calendar 50 in FIG. 3, and POP displays 67-69 in FIG. 19), thereby reducing the risk of problems occurring with subsequent replacements if a previous replacement cannot be carried out as planned.

[0146] While the replacement dates are displayed in accordance with the dates in the calendar 50, if a change in a previous replacement plan requires a change to a later replacement plan, this can be grasped by a display on the calendar 50 (for example, by the "Error" display in Figure 3), which prevents forgetting to change the later replacement plan.

[0147] If the layout setting has not been set at a predetermined time prior to the replacement date, a notification to that effect is given (for example, a notification is given by POP display 57 in FIG. 7), whereas if a change to layout 60 corresponding to a later replacement date requires a change to layout 60 corresponding to a later replacement date, a notification is given regardless of the number of days (for example, a notification is given by POP display 57 in FIG. 7 or POP displays 67 to 69 in FIG. 19). Therefore, even if there are no changes to the earlier replacement, a deadline for setting layout 60 for the later replacement can be set, allowing the layout 60 to be finalized without delay. On the other hand, if the later replacement requires a change due to the earlier replacement, a notification can be given regardless of the deadline, which increases the urgency of changing the later replacement and further reduces the risk of oversight.

[0148] When a previous replacement plan is changed, the changed parts (for example, the relevant machine numbers 38 to 40 in FIG. 16) can be extracted in the layout 60 of the subsequent replacement plan, or can be enlarged and displayed, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, so that it is easy to understand the parts that need to be changed in the subsequent replacement plan due to the change in the previous replacement plan.

[0149] If there is a change in gaming machine 1 (for example, a change from a plan to place model A to a plan to place model C) in the previous replacement plan, and if a different gaming machine 1 (for example, model B) is scheduled to be installed in the subsequent replacement plan, the relevant machine number at the placement location can be returned to the state before the layout 60 was set, which meets the need to return to the initial stage when the layout change was considered and then reconsider the matter.

[0150] Furthermore, according to the game arcade system of the first embodiment, it is possible to select a target machine to be moved to a new location on the layout 60 and then move it thereto. When at least one of the selection operation and the movement operation is performed, the related location is displayed in a background color 1 (C BR ) or 1(C GR ) for identification purposes, which reduces the risk that when creating or modifying a layout 60 in which the gaming machines 1 are arranged, it will be difficult to grasp the installation status of other gaming machines 1 related to the gaming machine 1 being arranged.

[0151] When a newly introduced machine is placed at a placement location on the layout 60, the gaming machine 1 that was placed at that placement location is moved to the reserved machine display area (for example, the reserved list 62) as a reserved machine, and when that reserved machine is selected to specify a new placement location, the previous placement location can be confirmed by an identification display on the layout 60, and after confirming this, it becomes easier to consider where to relocate it.

[0152] When the rearrangement operation is performed, the location of the gaming machine with the model identification information related to the machine to be moved is displayed on the layout 60 as, for example, the machine number "26-28" in Figure 14(c), making it easy to consider a layout that suits the gaming facility's strategy, such as arranging the same models together or dispersing them.

[0153] For example, when a light gaming machine 1 (machine to be moved) on the introduction list 61 is selected as part of the rearrangement operation, the location on the layout 60 where gaming machines 1 of the same type as the machine to be moved or a similar type (light-middle) will be placed is identified and displayed, making it easy to consider placement according to the arcade's strategy, such as placing gaming machines 1 of the same type or a similar type together or dispersing them.

[0154] When duplicating the created layout 60, it is possible to select between a first pattern that includes newly installed stands but not rearranged stands, and a second pattern that includes both newly installed stands and rearranged stands. Therefore, when responding to the need to set up multiple layout proposals and compare them to adopt the best layout 60, it becomes possible to select whether to determine only the newly installed stands for the first proposal set up earlier and then consider the next second proposal, or to consider only the changes from the first proposal in the second proposal, making it easier to create the second proposal according to needs.

[0155] Second Embodiment In most cases, a budget is set aside for such replacements, so conventionally, the person in charge at the amusement facility would calculate the purchase cost for each machine based on the unit price and number of machines, calculate the purchase costs for all the machines to be introduced, compare the total with the budget to determine whether the purchase was possible, and then select the machine 1 to be introduced. However, there are cases where a large number of gaming machines 1 are introduced in one replacement, and the calculation and judgment of the related purchase costs can be extremely complicated, so there is a strong demand for an amusement park system that can reduce this complexity.

[0156] Furthermore, when replacing machines, the inventory of gaming machines 1 at the gaming parlor is also taken into consideration in relation to the budget, and it is necessary to check the inventory each time a machine is replaced, making the work of the gaming parlor staff more cumbersome. In other words, as mentioned above, gaming machines 1 are often stored in just the board part 1B or the model frame part 1F, and the staff has to check the inventory of each of the component parts 1B, 1F each time a machine is replaced, and determine whether the combination of these parts can be installed as the gaming machine 1, which is time-consuming.

[0157] Therefore, in the gaming facility system of this second embodiment, for example, a viewing terminal 6, 32 can identify the budget for new machines to be introduced at the time of replacement on a replacement date basis, and gaming machine information including the cost of introducing gaming machines 1 (see ``main unit'' price and ``board'' price in Figure 24) is collected on a gaming machine or model basis for gaming machines 1 that are candidates for new introduction, and based on the budget and gaming machine information, the system is configured to identify the introduction pattern of gaming machines 1 that can be introduced within the budget (see gaming machine image 75 in Figure 24) from among the gaming machines 1 that are candidates for introduction on a replacement date basis.

[0158] Furthermore, the management device 6 or the viewing terminal etc. 6, 32 is configured to manage inventory information including first inventory information for the board unit 1B and second inventory information for the frame-containing member that is at least one of the model frame unit 1F and the gaming machine 1 as inventory information for the components 1B, 1F or gaming machines 1 stored in the gaming parlor A, and to specify the number of units (see FIG. 25) that can be installed in the gaming parlor A by the combination of at least the stored board unit 1B and the model frame unit 1F, on a gaming machine basis, a model basis, or a model frame unit 1F basis. This configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 25.

[0159] FIG. 21 shows an overall summary screen, which transitions from the calendar screen when a replacement date (date frame for replacement implementation date) registered on the calendar screen of FIG. 3 or the like is selected. As shown in Fig. 21, the overall summary screen mainly displays an "Introduction Plan List" showing information on new machines, used machines, etc., to be introduced, and a "Removal Plan List" showing information on machines to be removed, and above these lists, similar to the layout screen (see Fig. 8), tabs 63a to 63d for "Overall Summary" to "Layout" are provided. Note that on the overall summary screen, the selected replacement date (the relevant replacement implementation date) may be displayed, for example, as "7 / 1 New Machine Replacement" in the upper left of the screen in Fig. 26, which will be described later (the same applies to the screens from Fig. 22 onwards).

[0160] The models added to the installation list 61 on the layout screen (gaming machines 1 listed on the model addition screen in Figure 9) are added to the "List of machines to be installed" on the overall summary screen, and the models added to the reserve list 62 (gaming machines 1 evacuated to the reserve list 62 in Figure 14(a)) are added to the "List of machines to be removed" on the overall summary screen. Similarly, if a new machine or a used machine is selected on the introduction screen (see Figure 22) described below, which is displayed by selecting the introduction tab 63b, it will be added to the "Planned introduction list" on the overall summary screen and also to the introduction list 61 on the layout screen.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 21, the "List of Scheduled Installations" or "List of Scheduled Removals" provides the following items as attribute information for each model: "Type," "Introduction Category" or "Removal Category," "Model Name," "Type," "Number of Units to be Installed" or "Number of Units to be Removed," "Purchase Price" or "Sale Price," and "Total Amount." Of these, the "Type" item indicates the type (machine group) of gaming machine 1, such as "4 yen P," "2 yen P," or "1 yen P," based on the type and rate. In this embodiment, a corresponding rate can be set for each type, and since there is a 1:1 relationship between type and rate, differences in type essentially result in differences in rate. Note that the rate is the so-called lending price, which can be exemplified as the unit price for lending gaming value such as points, but other rates, such as the so-called exchange price, may also be used. The "Total" item indicates the total amount of newly installed machines, calculated by multiplying the purchase price by the number of installed machines, or the total amount of removed machines, calculated by multiplying the selling price by the number of removed machines.

[0162] In addition, the "Number of units to be introduced" field has "+" and "-" buttons, and by operating these buttons, it is possible to increase or decrease the number of units to be introduced on a model-by-model basis. Also, by operating the "+" button 70a at the bottom right of the "Scheduled introduction list", the model addition screen of Fig. 9 is displayed, and further models can be added to the list, and the number of units to be introduced on the introduction screen of Fig. 22 and the layout screen (introduction list 61) of Fig. 8, etc. will also increase or decrease according to these operation to change the number of units.

[0163] Similarly, in the "Number of units to be removed" field, the number of units to be removed can be increased or decreased by operating the "+" or "-" buttons, and further models can be added to the "List of units to be removed" by operating the "+" button 70b at the bottom right of the same list; the number of units to be removed on other screens and the number of units on the pending list 62 will also increase or decrease depending on the operation to change the number of units. In this way, the overall summary screen of FIG. 21, the installation screen of FIG. 22, the layout screen of FIG. 8, etc. are linked together to manage newly installed and removed machines.

[0164] Although detailed illustrations are omitted, when the number of machines to be removed is increased or decreased as described above, the layout of the model to be increased or decreased is displayed in POP (all of the models in question are displayed in identifiable form on the layout 60), and the target machine numbers can be selected. Also, depending on whether the numbers are specified in advance as low or high, for example, if the numbers are low, the target machine numbers may be specified, such as the lowest number (for example, machine 1) among the target models, and added to the reserved list 62 on the layout screen to be increased or decreased, so that they cannot be selected. The gaming machine 1 to be removed is added to the reserved list 62, and the machine number that was placed on the layout screen becomes an empty, unplaced machine (see FIG. 13(b)).

[0165] The top column of the overall summary screen shown in Fig. 21 is a budget column showing the "current cost" and "current budget" etc., which were explained in the layout screen of Fig. 8. In addition, the budget column displays the budget for a preset target period, such as the "monthly budget" and "yearly budget." In the budget column, the "current cost" is displayed as the cost required this time, calculated by subtracting the "total amount" in the list of items to be installed from the "total amount" in the list of items to be removed. The total cost for the target period, including replacements made up to now, is displayed as the "total amount planned for monthly use" or "total amount planned for the entire year."

[0166] These current expenses or the total amount planned for use throughout the year are updated by changing the number of machines as described above. Although not shown, a budget planning screen is displayed by pressing the "Go to Budget Planning" button on a separate screen (or the screen in Figure 21). By inputting data into this budget planning screen, it is possible to set a "current budget" for new machines to be installed at the amusement center A in advance on a replacement date basis, or to set a budget for a specified period such as an "annual budget." On the overall summary screen of Figure 21, various expenses, such as transportation costs, installation costs, and wiring costs, may be included in the "Purchase Price" or "Total Amount" of the "Planned Installation List" or "Planned Removal List," or may be displayed in a separate column for various expenses. Also, for example, purchase costs are generally per model for new machines, but generally vary per gaming machine for used machines. Also, various expenses may vary per gaming machine, so the costs may be per model or per gaming machine. Note that in Figure 21, removal costs, which are an overhead expense, are included only for "disposal," as will be described later.

[0167] Here, the "Introduction Section" and "Removal Section" on the overall summary screen will be explained. Regarding the contents of the dispositions regarding the introduction or removal of gaming machines 1, "new machine," "used machine," or "sale of used machine" as specified in the classification corresponds to the purchase of a newly introduced machine or a sale with a used machine dealer. "Inventory" or "warehouse" corresponds to the introduction as inventory in one's own store or a chain store, as described below, or removal to keep it as inventory. "Relocation" corresponds to rearrangement within the same type, and "transfer by type" corresponds to rearrangement between different types. The machine type related to "type change" corresponds to a rate changeable gaming machine that changes the rate of the gaming value when playing the gaming machine 1 placed in the gaming facility A.

[0168] Furthermore, for the removed machines (removal categories), "trade-in" (not shown in Figure 21) corresponds to trade-in with the manufacturer (see "trade-in with manufacturer" in the right column of Figure 28), and "ECO-reuse" corresponds to handover where a discount is applied to new machines sold by the manufacturer. "Rental return" refers to the return of a rented model, and "disposal" corresponds to cases where the machine is not a rental item and cannot even be sold as second-hand, such as when there is no transaction in a second-hand sale. These removal categories will be explained in more detail in Figure 28.

[0169] In addition, depending on whether the gaming machines 1 listed on the model addition screen in Figure 9 are "new machines," "used machines," or "inventory," the "introduction classification" in Figure 21 is also classified as "new machines," "used machines," or "inventory." Also, the "Purchase Price" in Figure 21 displays the corresponding unit price, such as the selling price of the gaming machine manufacturer for a new machine, the average unit price in the second-hand distribution market for a used machine (if it is available for sale in the case of a removed machine), and the removal cost for a discarded machine that cannot be sold (no transactions).However, if the purchase source or discount amount is specified, for example, through an estimate or purchase, the actual price will be updated taking this into account (the unit price display will be updated).

[0170] At the bottom of the overall summary screen in Figure 21, summary columns 71a and 71b are displayed side by side, containing "Total Installation" and "Total Removal," which are the numbers of gaming machines 1 in the "List of Planned Installations" and "List of Planned Removals," respectively, divided into the above-mentioned "Installation Category" and "Removal Category." That is, the summary column 71a on the left side shows the "total introduction," as well as the number of units planned to be introduced by type, calculated by aggregating the numbers corresponding to "new units" through "relocation" by type, and the "expenditure amount" by type, calculated by aggregating the "total amount" in the list of planned introductions by type. The summary column 71b on the right side shows the "total removal," as well as the number of units planned to be removed by type, calculated by aggregating the numbers corresponding to "moved by type" through "relocation," and the "profit on sale" by type, calculated by aggregating the "total amount" in the list of planned removals by type. These summary columns 71a and 71b allow you to check whether the number of units increased or decreased matches by type or in total.

[0171] As shown in the figure, "difference in number of units increased or decreased" 71c is also displayed to the right of the counting columns 71a and 71b, so that it is possible to check whether the difference is consistent by type or by "total number of units." The disposal details such as "new machines" and "used machines" in the tally column 71a correspond to the introduction classification, but the breakdown of "trade-in ECO" in the tally column 71b is a summary of trade-ins and ECO / reuse, and the breakdown of "return disposal" is a summary of rental returns and disposal. In this way, the items (disposal details) in the tally columns 71a and 71b do not have to be aligned with the classifications (disposal details) of each schedule list (for example, combining multiple items), or they can be aligned (for example, matching one to one).

[0172] Furthermore, on the screen shown in the figure, it is possible to copy model information by selecting each model and then dragging and dropping it. This assists in inputting information when the introduction classifications are different, for example, when half of the introduction sources are "used machines" and the other half are "inventory," making input operations easier.

[0173] From the above, for example, in the case of Figure 21, the "total number" in "difference in number of units increased or decreased" 71c is -2 units, but it can be seen that there has been a "transfer of type" of 11 units, and that the "total number of units introduced" of the type "20 yen S" is 2 units less than the "total number of units removed", so it is necessary to increase the number of "20 yen S" units or reduce the number of units removed, and that there is still room for further consideration as there is still 5.71 million yen in leeway compared to the "current budget" of 7 million yen. When the "Introduction" tab 63b in FIG. 22 is selected, the overall summary screen in FIG. 22 is switched to the introduction screen in FIG.

[0174] The introductory screen in Figure 22 has sub-tabs 63e to 63g, "Purchase New Machine" to "Warehouse / Chain Store Transfer", below the tabs 63a to 63d, "Overall Summary" to "Layout", and shows the new machine purchase screen when the "Purchase New Machine" sub-tab 63e is selected. In this case, as shown in the same figure, a list of new machines that are candidates for purchase is displayed, and gaming machine information such as the model name "New Model A, New Model B, ..." associated with each candidate for purchase, model image 75 (image information including an image of the board section 1B), manufacturer name, playability, type, probability of winning, price of the "main body" (entire) including the model frame section 1F, and price of the "board" section 1B excluding the model frame section 1F is displayed.

[0175] Such gaming machine information targets gaming machines 1 that are candidates for new introduction, and includes the cost of introducing the gaming machine 1 (price information such as the price of the "main unit" and the price of the "board" section 1B), as well as information on new machines that will be sold in the future (gaming machines planned for introduction in FIG. 23, which will be described later), and is collected, for example, by gaming machine or by model through the server 31 (collection means), and provided (displayed) to the viewing terminals 6, 32. Therefore, the price information in this embodiment corresponds to the prices of new machines, which vary by model, and, as will be described later, by selecting the "Used Machine Purchase" subtab 63f, a used machine purchase screen for used machines instead of new machines is displayed, and the costs are presented in accordance with the prices of used machines, which vary by gaming machine.

[0176] Also, as shown in the screen of FIG. 22, with the "main body" price and the "board" section 1B price, new machines can be selectively purchased (introduced) with the board section 1B and the main body (entire gaming machine) including the model frame section 1F. However, even if the board section 1B is purchased, it cannot be installed without the model frame section 1F, so when purchasing the board section 1B, a corresponding model frame section 1F is separately required. The model frame section 1F often differs depending on the manufacturer, but it may be common to multiple models.

[0177] Therefore, as shown in the lower column 72 of the screen, if there is a model frame section 1F corresponding to the new machine in the warehouse of said amusement parlor A (own store) based on the attribute information and inventory information when purchasing a new machine, the number of units in stock will be displayed in the "frame inventory" field. The board section 1B can be selected only if there is the relevant number of units in stock, and for example, since the frame inventory for new model B is "none," the price field in the "board" section 1B is grayed out, indicating that it cannot be selected.

[0178] Similarly, the "Warehouse / Chain Store Inventory" below "Slot Inventory" displays the total number of units in stock if there are any in the warehouses of your own store and arcade A's chain store (affiliated store), and if there are none, it displays "none." As mentioned above, "Slot Inventory" shows the inventory of only your own store's warehouse, but it may also display inventory of chain store warehouses, and if your own store has 5 units and the chain store has 7 units, it may display a breakdown such as 5 / 7. Furthermore, "Warehouse / Chain Store Inventory" may also show the "units" of only your own store or the above breakdown. Such inventory information is managed by each management device 6 (inventory management means) as data (inventory information) that associates the board section 1B, model frame section 1F, and gaming machine 1 stored in each gaming facility with attribute information such as their respective manufacturers and sales years, and is collected by the server 31.

[0179] At the top of the screen in Figure 22, just below the sub-tabs 63e to 63g, there is a group of buttons 73a for specifying attribute information such as the type of gaming machine 1, such as "pachinko" or "slot machine," and the type, such as "high-middle" or "middle," and to the right of that are a group of buttons 73b for "further filtering," "planned introduction," and "recommended bulk selection."

[0180] Among these, by operating button group 73a to specify the type or model of gaming machine 1, gaming machines 1 that match the specified attribute information are extracted (extracted from the gaming machine information collected by the collection means) and displayed side by side as shown on the same screen. Furthermore, when the "Detailed Filtering" button in the button group 73b on the right side is pressed, an input screen (not shown) is displayed in a pop-up format on which attribute information other than that specified by the button group 73a (such as price information) can be specified, and further narrowing down can be achieved by specifying desired attribute information therein. Furthermore, when the "Planned Installation" button is pressed, a list of gaming machines scheduled for future release (scheduled installation gaming machines A- in the same figure) is separately displayed together with their attribute information, as shown in Figure 23. Note that the list display in Figure 23 shows dates from this month onwards (planned delivery dates), and in the date boxes, the names of the scheduled installation gaming machines A- and their manufacturers as well as attribute information such as the type and model of each gaming machine are displayed.

[0181] In this way, taking into consideration the gaming machines A to be introduced in Figure 23, from the gaming machines 1 (purchase candidates) presented on the screen of Figure 22, you can separately specify the desired gaming machine 1 or board part 1B as "planned for purchase" by pressing the "+" button to the right of the sales price of the "main body" or "board". Specifically, for example, for new model A on the left side of Figure 22, pressing the "+" button to the right of the "display" price displays "Planned to purchase," and the number of units planned to be purchased on the display section 1B, "5 units," and the target type, "4P," are also displayed according to the number of times the "+" button is pressed.

[0182] That is, in the case of new machines, pachinko machines are often installed at a 4 yen rate (abbreviated as "4P" or "4 yen P", similar to other types), and slot machines at a 20 yen rate (abbreviated as "20S"), so by default, a pre-selected type such as "4P" in the same diagram for pachinko or 20S for slot machines is selected as the target type, and it is possible to change the type or select multiple types by selecting the relevant display area. Also, for gaming machines 1 or board section 1B that are "scheduled for purchase", a "-" button is displayed next to the "+" button to the right of the corresponding selling price, and the number of machines can be increased or decreased. The "+" button and "-" button function in the same way as the "+" button and "-" button on other screens, such as the "+" button on Fig. 24. The number of units specified in this way is also reflected in the introduction list 61 on the overall summary screen and layout screen, as described above.

[0183] The attribute information (gaming machine information) of purchase candidates is updated by information provided to the server 31 from distributors such as manufacturers, and as it is easier to check from the top, or the left side in Fig. 22, they are arranged from the left in the order in which the information was received (this may be specified by date or time), so as to obtain the best placement (within the same planned release date, as sorting by planned release date is also possible). By arranging them in this way, distributors will compete to provide information on new machines as early as possible in order to obtain better placement, and information can be updated more quickly.

[0184] In this way, the server 31 stores information about the gaming machine 1 provided by the seller of the gaming machine 1 as gaming machine information including date and time information indicating the date or time of the provision, and determines the order in which the gaming machines 1 that are candidates for purchase are presented on the viewing terminal 6, 32 (output means) according to the date and time information, and presents them in a line starting from one end of the screen in Figure 22 (for example, the left side). 22 screen displays all gaming machines 1 (or gaming machines after the narrowing down) that are candidates for purchase, but it is also possible to display gaming machines 1 that make up the introduction pattern (gaming machines identified as introduction patterns within the budget) side by side (the same applies to the used machine purchase screen described later). Also, the output means is not limited to display output on the display units 6a and 32a, but may be print output on the printer, and it goes without saying that screens other than the relevant screen can also be presented by print output.

[0185] When any of the gaming machine images 75, "New Model A," "New Model B," etc., shown in Figure 22, is selected, gaming information for that gaming machine 1 from other gaming parlors where the machine has already been installed, for example, nationwide or in the relevant region, is collected and displayed on a separate screen, and if the machine has been installed in the parlor, it is displayed so that it can be compared with that information. If the machine has not yet been installed in other gaming parlors, gaming information that can be used to identify the machine even if it has not yet been installed, such as access information such as the number of times it has been viewed on an information website or purchase status such as the number of units reserved for sale, is displayed.

[0186] With reference to this information, the user can select and specify new machines to be purchased on the screen in Figure 22 (the bulk selection using the "recommended bulk selection" button in the group of buttons 73b at the top right of the screen will be explained separately). Also, at the bottom of the screen, there are provided "machine introduction" and "EC site" buttons 74 corresponding to each purchase candidate. By operating each button 74, the user can access a "machine introduction" site that introduces details about the gaming machine 1, or an "EC site" that sells the gaming machine 1, which will take the user to a different screen, where the user can then complete the purchase procedure for the gaming machine 1 they have decided to introduce on the "EC site."

[0187] Although detailed illustration is omitted, when the "Used Machine Purchase" subtag 63f at the top of Figure 22 is selected, the screen transitions from the new machine purchase screen to the used machine purchase screen. The used machine purchase screen displays used machines as potential purchase targets, but unlike the new machine purchase screen, it does not show images (image information) of the gaming machines, but instead displays a list of gaming machine information including actual operating information for the store, business area, nationwide, etc.

[0188] That is, the operating information indicates the operating status of the gaming machine 1 in the gaming facility A, the commercial area including the gaming facility A, or a predetermined area outside the commercial area (for example, Kanto, Kansai, or the whole country including those areas), and the second presentation on the used machine purchase screen does not include an image of the board portion 1B of the used machine (gaming machine image 75 in Fig. 22), but shows the used machine together with its operating information using text information. In this respect, the first presentation on the new machine purchase screen in Fig. 22, which shows the new machine using its gaming machine image 75 (image information including an image of the board portion) and text information, differs from the second presentation on the used machine purchase screen.

[0189] When the "recommended batch selection" button in the upper right corner of the screen, indicated by reference numeral 73b in Fig. 22, is operated, a POP display is displayed for inputting the budget amount for purchasing new machines. In this case, when the desired amount (for example, 1 million yen) is input as the budget amount for purchasing new machines, a recommended gaming machine 1 (hereinafter referred to as a recommended machine) is extracted, and the screen switches to the recommended machine display screen of Fig. 24, in which the model list portion of the same screen has been updated.

[0190] The recommended machines shown in Figure 24, "New Model A," "New Model B," "New Model F," "New Model G," "New Model H," etc., indicate the model names of gaming machines that meet specified conditions based on operation information from among gaming machines 1 that are candidates for purchase (collected gaming machine information), and are identified on a replacement date basis as an introduction pattern for gaming machines that includes the number of machines that can be introduced within the budget (for example, within 1 million yen).

[0191] Specifically, the "Good machines in my store" shown superimposed on each image 75 of the recommended machine in the same figure is the area where the operation information is collected, with the "Good machines in the trade area" being the trade area, and the "Machines of interest in the market" being the entire country. Gaming machines that meet specified conditions, such as models whose average out for the entire country or my store has reached a standard value, or models whose operation rate in gaming facilities within the trade area, including not only my store but also other stores, has reached a standard value, are displayed from the left in order of the highest corresponding average out or operation rate (or the largest difference from the standard value).

[0192] As a result, if the standard value is reached in multiple areas, for example, nationwide and in the trade area (if the specified conditions are met in each area), this will be displayed in duplicate as a "market focus machine" and a "good trade area machine," as shown in New Model A in the same figure. The operation information is not limited to numerical values ​​indicating the operation rate or average out, but may be evaluation data such as A, B, C, etc. evaluated by the server 31. The predetermined conditions are also not limited to conditions using the above-mentioned reference values, as long as they specify conditions for selecting gaming machines 1 suitable for introduction in accordance with the operation information. Furthermore, the operation information is not limited to out, and any information may be used, such as operation information input by so-called head selection.

[0193] In addition, the "board" and "new machine" and their respective "number of machines" shown superimposed on image 75 of each recommended machine in the same figure represent two introduction patterns: one in which the "board" section 1B is introduced depending on the availability of stock by comparing the inventory information of the model frame section 1F of each recommended machine, and one in which the entire gaming machine is introduced as a "new machine." That is, the viewing terminal etc. 6, 32 (implementation pattern determination means) collates the above-mentioned inventory information, and if there is stock of the corresponding model frame section 1F, it determines the number of units of the "display" section 1B of the recommended machine that can be introduced within the budget according to the number of units in stock, and displays the "display" and the number of units superimposed on the image 75 of the recommended machine as the introduction pattern.

[0194] For example, in the case of new model F in the same figure, where there are seven units in "slot inventory" and the panel section 1B is selectable (purchasable), the "number of units" that can be introduced (purchased) within the budget is displayed with priority given to the "panel," as shown by "four panels" superimposed on the model image 75, and the number of units that can be introduced can be specified in the same manner as above by operating the "add" button at the bottom right.

[0195] As shown in the figure, when the "display" price of new model F is 210,000 yen (or 200,000 yen), "four units" can be purchased for 1,040,000 yen (or 1,000,000 yen). For ease of explanation, we have shown an example of the number of units that can be introduced within a budget (for example, 1,000,000 yen) as "four screens." Furthermore, the "budget" referenced when identifying the introduction pattern for gaming machine 1 is the amount (e.g., 1 million yen) entered when the "recommended bulk selection" button 73b is operated, but the introduction pattern may be configured to be identified so as to stay within the amount of the "current budget" and not exceed either of these amounts.

[0196] The "two new machines" shown superimposed on image 75 of new models B and G have no "slot inventory" or "warehouse / chain store inventory," and present a pattern of introducing the entire gaming machine. The number of machines to be introduced can also be specified by operating the "add" button at the bottom right. On the recommended machine display screen in the same figure, as with the new machine purchase screen in Figure 22, it is also possible to specify any number of machines using the "+" and "-" buttons to the right of the "machine" price and "board" price. Therefore, as shown by "2 new machines" and "1 new machine" overlaid on image 75 of new model A and new model H, for example, any number of "new machines" (machines) can be specified as being introduced even if there is "slot inventory," and when any number of such machines is specified, the number of machines (introduction pattern) that can be purchased within the budget excluding the purchase cost of the "machine" price (or the "board" price in the case of boards) is updated to correspond to the remaining recommended machines.

[0197] When there are no more recommended machines that can be purchased with the remaining budget after specifying the number of units to be introduced or the arbitrary number of units, the recommended machine display in Fig. 24 ends (the presentation of introduction patterns ends and the screen returns to Fig. 22). Also, while the recommended machines are being displayed, the "Select all recommended machines" button 73b in Fig. 22 switches to an "End all recommended machines" button (not shown), so operating this button also ends the recommended machine display.

[0198] In the viewing terminal etc. 6, 32 (replacement information specifying means), the recommended machine display in FIG. 24 is performed after specifying the budget for the newly introduced machine on a replacement date basis, but the specification of the budget is not limited to receiving (without waiting for the reception of) the desired amount (for example, 1 million yen) as described above, but may be performed by simply inputting the overall budget (for example, the current budget) in advance, or by allocating the budget on a replacement date basis after excluding the purchase costs of the gaming machines already selected from the budget. Furthermore, the recommended machine display in Figure 24 only needs to be configured to output at least one introduction pattern that can be introduced within the budget, and the introduction pattern may be configured to include the inventory of the gaming machine 1 by comparing the inventory information of the gaming machine 1.

[0199] 25 is a screen that displays a list of gaming machines 1 stored as inventory as candidates for introduction, and can be said to show the gaming machines 1 and introduction patterns that can be introduced within the budget. This screen is the introduction screen that appears when the "Introduction" tab 63b is selected, and corresponds to the warehouse / chain store transfer screen that appears when the "Warehouse / Chain Store Transfer" subtag 63g is selected from the introduction screen.

[0200] The "Warehouse / Chain Store" movement screen corresponds to the screen of amusement center A / its chain store, and gaming machines 1 and their components 1B, 1F that have not been installed or have been installed in amusement center A are stored as inventory in the warehouse, and are managed by the management device 6 in association with attribute information and the number of items in stock, and are divided between the store itself and the chain store (see "Inventory Classification" in the list in the same figure). In this way, the managed inventory information includes first inventory information for the board portion 1B and second inventory information for the frame-containing member (i.e., the model frame portion 1F or the entire gaming machine including it). The inventory information also includes attribute information that indicates the correspondence between the board portion 1B and the frame-containing member.

[0201] The attribute information is information indicating the attributes of the gaming machine 1, such as the items "model name," "type," "manufacturer name," etc. in the list of FIG. 25, or the year of sale (not shown). Furthermore, on the screen of Figure 25, it is possible to extract and display the following introduction candidates based on the relevant attribute information, and by selecting any attribute information item, the results will be sorted by that attribute information (the figure shows the state sorted by the "certification expired" item, as indicated by the "▼").

[0202] Among the items in the list, the "Stock Classification" on the far left is "Home Store Warehouse" if the machine is stored in the warehouse of the amusement parlor A, and "Transferred to Chain Store" if the machine is stored in the warehouse of a chain store (affiliated store). This classification may also be made for only one of the control panel 1B and the frame-containing members 1F, 1. Note that in FIG. 25, each machine model is shown as either Home Store Warehouse or Transferred to Chain Store, but it is also possible to classify the machine into multiple categories and display stock information for each, or to display stock information for Home Store Warehouse with priority given to stock information for Transferred to Chain Store. The gaming machine 1 can be stored not only as the main body (whole), but also when disassembled into the component parts 1B, 1F of the board part 1B and the model frame part 1F. If the main body with both the board part 1B and the model frame part 1F is stored in inventory, the "Frame" item will show "Yes", and if only the board part 1B is stored, the item will show "No".

[0203] Even if game center A does not have a board unit 1B, it keeps model frame units 1F as frame inventory, and if there is a model frame unit 1F that corresponds to the attribute information even if it is not the main body but the board unit 1B ("frame" is "none" in the figure), the number of units in stock is included in the "separate frame inventory" item. In other words, the attribute information for the frame inventory and board unit 1B includes information that can identify the frame inventory that corresponds to the board unit 1B, which can be exemplified by identification information that indicates the manufacturer ID and serial number, such as "001-010." In this way, the "separate inventory" indicates the inventory quantity of the model frame section 1F corresponding to the panel section 1B indicated by the first inventory information, and is identified by attribute information such as the manufacturer and year of sale described above.

[0204] Here, the management device 6 or viewing terminal etc. 6, 32 (identification means, output means) outputs only gaming machines 1 that can be installed, including those in "separate inventory," as candidates for introduction. For example, if there is only a board section 1B but no corresponding model frame section 1F, it will be excluded from the candidates for introduction. In this case, the "number of units that can be introduced" in the same figure is determined and presented on a per-game machine and per-model basis as the number of units that can be installed in the amusement facility A, which is the sum of the number of units of the combination of the component parts 1F, 1B and the number of main units, by extracting the combination of the model frame part 1F and the corresponding board part 1B from the "separate inventory" from the inventory information based on the attribute information of each model. In the list of Figure 25, there are some models for which "frame" is "none", and it can be said that the number of units that can be introduced is determined per panel section 1B, but the number of units that can be introduced can also be determined by combining panel sections 1B of other models per model frame section 1F to be stored.

[0205] In the list of FIG. 25, for example, "inventory models A to E" are stored in the store's warehouse, and "inventory models F to I" are stored in the chain store's warehouse, and the type and manufacturer name of each model can also be ascertained. Also, for example, "Inventory Model A" has a "frame" and "available" in the store's warehouse, so even if the main unit is available and the "separate frame inventory" is blank (no model frame section 1F), it is clear that the "number of units that can be installed" is 30. On the other hand, even if the chain store's warehouse only has panel section 1B with a "frame" and "no frame," it is clear that there are 10 "separate frame inventory" and that combination gives it a "number of units that can be installed" of 4.

[0206] As mentioned above, the number of gaming machines that can be installed, taking into account the "separate inventory," is shown in the "Number of machines that can be installed" column, so enter the desired number of machines in the "Number of machines to be installed" column, with the number of machines that can be installed as the upper limit. The "Number of machines to be installed" can be increased or decreased by operating the "+" and "-" buttons in the same column, and can be entered for each model. The "Number of units introduced" is updated in this way, but other chain stores may also enter data at the same time, so when data is entered at other chain stores, the "Number of units available for introduction" is updated. Similarly, information on other items such as "Separate inventory" is also updated in real time.

[0207] In addition, as shown in the figure for "4 yen P" and "1 yen P", the "Introduction Type" of the introduction destination can also be entered, and when the desired location is selected in the "Introduction Type" field, a pop-up will appear with possible introduction destination types, allowing the user to select and set the desired type from the candidates. In this way, the viewing terminal 6, 32 selects the gaming machine to be introduced into the gaming parlor A from among the gaming machines 1 included in the "number of machines that can be introduced" in Fig. 25 (by inputting and updating the "number of machines to be introduced" and type, etc.) and registers it. Furthermore, as the number of machines to be introduced, etc. is input and updated, the target gaming machine 1 will be added, like others, to the introduction list 61 (a list of gaming machines shown together with the layout 60) on the layout screen in Fig. 10, or the planned introduction list (a list of gaming machines to be rearranged in the gaming parlor A) on the overall summary screen in Fig. 21, etc.

[0208] Therefore, the gaming machines registered on the screen of Figure 25 and the number of units to be installed are presented as the model name and number of units in the installation list 61 on the screen of Figure 10 when, for example, the "Layout" tab 63d is selected, or as the model name and number of units to be installed in the list of planned installations on the screen of Figure 21 when the "Overall Summary" tab 63a is selected.

[0209] The "Certification Expired" column in the table in Figure 25 indicates the certification deadline set for the gaming machine 1, and in principle, installation of gaming machines that have exceeded the certification deadline is not permitted. However, since the certification deadline can be extended by carrying out a predetermined certification process like a so-called "certified machine," if the certification process has been carried out, the "Certification" column will show "Completed."

[0210] The "Link" column in the list is a link to a website that provides a "machine introduction" for each machine, and by selecting one of the "machine introductions," you will be taken to a machine introduction site operated by the site's operator or manufacturer, etc. On this site, you can check detailed attribute information such as specifications and related gaming machines (for example, upcoming releases). In addition, if you select any of the "Inventory Models A~" in the "Model Name" column of the list, actual gaming information (such as the aforementioned operating information) for your own store or other stores (e.g., nationwide data) that are associated with the attribute information will be displayed.

[0211] On the screen of Figure 25, introduction candidates are extracted and displayed by operating the group of buttons 73a above the list, such as "Pachinko" or "Slot Machine" or corresponding types (attribute information), but by operating the "Detailed Filtering" button 73b, it is also possible to set conditions for attribute information that is not displayed, such as the manufacturer, number of units that can be introduced, or nationwide data, and extract introduction candidates that meet the conditions.

[0212] The above "separate inventory" has been described as the inventory quantity that only covers the model frame part 1F without the panel part 1B, but for example, inventory of the main body including the panel part 1B can also be used as the model frame part 1F for the panel part 1B of another model that can be applied if the panel part 1B is removed, so such inventory can also be included in the separate inventory and managed. In this configuration, the "separate frame inventory" presents (outputs) the inventory quantity of both the model frame section 1F and the gaming machine 1 as the frame-containing member 1F, 1. Furthermore, the "number of units that can be introduced" can extract the combination of the corresponding board section 1B and gaming machine 1 based on the attribute information, and can also identify the combination of the board section 1B and the model frame section 1F that is incorporated into a gaming machine 1 of a different model from that of the board section 1B.

[0213] In addition, such inventory of main units may be separated from "separate inventory" and the number of units may be managed as attribute information (a separate item) such as the number of models in the same category. In addition, in Figure 25, "own store warehouse" and "transfer to chain stores" are exemplified as inventory classifications, but inventory may be managed without classification. Also, only one of these may be managed, such as only the own store warehouse.

[0214] As explained above, according to the second embodiment of the gaming center system, it is possible to specify a budget on a replacement date basis, and to present installation patterns of gaming machines 1 that can be installed within that budget, thereby reducing the complexity involved in selecting an installation model that fits the budget.

[0215] For example, the introduction pattern is determined for a machine that satisfies a predetermined condition, such as when the operating information of the store, the trade area, or the whole country reaches a standard value, so that it is possible to present gaming machines 1 based on proven operating information.

[0216] The inventory of the model frame section 1F is managed, and for newly introduced machines, both the board section 1B and the main body (entire unit) can be presented as patterns for introduction, so that the board section 1B and the main body can be purchased selectively, and the appropriate purchase pattern for the gaming machine 1 can be grasped.

[0217] Since the game machines 1 for which information was provided earlier by the vendors are presented in priority order, vendors will compete to provide information on new machines earlier in order to achieve better placement, and information can be updated more quickly.

[0218] Since an introduction pattern can be specified and selected including the gaming machine 1 in stock as an introduction candidate, when it is difficult to purchase a gaming machine in consideration of the budget, the gaming machine 1 in stock can be added as an introduction candidate and considered.

[0219] New machines are presented on the first display with a board image, while used machines are presented on the second display showing actual operating information without a board image. Therefore, for new machines for which no past game information is available, the board image makes it easier to imagine the model, while for used machines for which past game information is available, the display space for the board image can be used as a space to present operating information, making it possible to consider introducing the machine while referring to the past game information.

[0220] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment of the gaming center system, even if only the board section 1B or only the model frame section 1F is stored in stock in a warehouse, the number of units that can be installed by combining these will be displayed. Therefore, when installing gaming machines, it is possible to easily determine the number of units that can be installed without having to perform the previously time-consuming task of checking the inventory of these component parts 1B and 1F.

[0221] For example, by managing attribute information associated with each of the panel section 1B and the model frame section 1F and extracting corresponding combinations based on the attribute information, it is possible to identify the number of units that can be introduced, and even if only the panel section 1B or the model frame section 1F is in stock, it becomes possible to appropriately identify the number of units that can be installed.

[0222] For example, as shown in Figure 25, the number of units in separate inventory is displayed along with the number of units that can be introduced, so it is possible to understand how many units can be introduced, including gaming machines 1 that only have a board section 1B of other models that can share the model frame section 1F.

[0223] For example, the separate inventory includes the inventory of the main body and specifies the number of units that can be introduced including the combination of the model frame part 1F of the main body and the panel part 1B of another model, so even if the model frame part 1F is stored as the main body, it can be understood as the number of units that can be introduced using the panel part 1B of another model.

[0224] For example, when the gaming machine 1 to be introduced is selected on the warehouse / chain store transfer screen in Figure 25 and the number of machines to be introduced, etc. is registered, the machine will be added as a model to be rearranged or as a model on the introduction list 61 on other screens such as the overall summary screen or layout screen, thereby reducing the burden on operation input processing and saving time and effort.

[0225] <Third embodiment> Gaming parlor A would like to remove gaming machines 1 without managing them as inventory as described above, and then carry out a variety of removals, such as selling them as they are, handing them over to receive a discount on the purchase of a new machine, known as an ECO discount, or in some cases returning gaming machines 1 that have been rented. However, for example, if there is no trade in the second-hand market, it cannot be sold second-hand, and if it is not rented, there is no need to return it. For example, it is necessary to determine whether it can be removed based on the removal circumstances, and it was considered unavoidable to store it as inventory in order to make such a judgment.

[0226] Therefore, the viewing terminals 6, 32 of the third embodiment function as classification means for indicating the contents of the disposition regarding the removal of the machine to be removed as a plurality of removal classifications according to the contents (classifications from "transfer by type" to "discard" in FIG. 28), and as reception means for receiving a removal instruction specifying which of a plurality of removal classifications the machine to be removed should be removed by, on a gaming machine or model basis, when registering the machine to be removed, and determines which removal classification does not satisfy the removal conditions set in advance based on the attribute information regarding removal, and suppresses the reception of the removal instruction according to the determination result (graying out the removal classification in the list in FIG. 28 and making it inoperable). This configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 28.

[0227] 26 shows a removal screen that is displayed by selecting the "Removal / Type Transfer" tab 63c. On the removal screen, gaming machines 1 installed in gaming facility A are presented as candidates for removal in a list along with corresponding attribute information for each gaming machine or each model, similar to other forms (for example, the screen in FIG. 25, etc.). In other words, although FIG. 26 shows an example of presentation by model, presentation by gaming machine may also be possible. In the table of Fig. 26, P model A, P model B, ... in the "Model name" column are candidates for gaming machines to be removed, and the model or gaming machine 1 to be removed is referred to as the removed gaming machine. As shown in the figure, the table has items such as "Type" and "Manufacturer name" as well as an item such as "Own store" as attribute information related to removal.

[0228] In the "own store" item column, game information such as the "number of machines" installed, the average "out" per machine, "machine gross profit," and "cumulative machine gross profit" are displayed, as well as "PPM." Note that other game information such as the gross profit per ball obtained by dividing the machine gross profit by the out, installation period, etc. may also be used as the attribute information, and it is sufficient that the game information stored is configured to be associated and specified by model unit or gaming machine unit as in the table, and each stored game information is presented.

[0229] Here, we will explain PPM. PPM is a gaming machine classification corresponding to so-called PPM analysis, which is classified by operation information (e.g., out) and gross profit information (e.g., gross profit on machine), and is classified into problem children, money trees, etc. based on the average value of the gaming parlor that serves as a standard value, for example, the "out" and "gross profit on machine" in the "own parlor average" column indicated by reference numeral 76a (the column above "own parlor") in the same figure, which are preset standard values ​​(standard information) that can be exemplified. The "super problem children" and "semi-problem children" in the "PPM" column indicate a classification of problem children, and the classification is based on whether or not they have reached a standard value, for example, half of the average gross profit per unit.

[0230] In other words, problem machines whose outs and machine gross profits do not reach the store's average are further classified as super problem machines or semi-problem machines depending on whether their machine gross profits reach half of the average value. Furthermore, gross profit information may be classified based on gross profit per machine or theoretical gross profit, instead of machine gross profit, and the standard value for classifying machines as super problem machines or semi-problem machines may be the average minus a predetermined value such as 1,000 yen or 0.1 yen, rather than half the average value. Similarly, any information indicating operation, such as operating time or operating rate, may be used for operation information. Furthermore, any numerical value other than the average value may be used as the standard value.

[0231] As with other reports (for example, the "▼" mark in the "Expired" column in Figure 25), sorting by attribute information is also possible, and the screen in Figure 26 is sorted by PPM. Generally, it is recommended to remove products with low outs and no gross profit, in the order of super problematic products and semi-problematic products, so sorting by PPM is adopted as the default.

[0232] The "Rental Expiration Date" field shown in Figure 26 indicates the return deadline for the gaming machine 1 rented from the manufacturer, and the "Manufacturer Trade-in Price" field indicates the trade-in price if one has been offered by the gaming machine manufacturer.If both fields do not correspond, they are displayed in gray as "---". The "Used Price (Average)" item column shows the average used price of the main unit, and if no used transactions have been made, "No Transactions" is displayed. The "Used Price (Average)" may be displayed separately for the main unit and the control panel 1B (see "Sales Candidates" in Figure 28 described later), or instead of displaying these, it may display whether or not there have been used transactions for each, and all attribute information is managed (stored) by the server 31.

[0233] The "ECO" item column will be marked "Yes" if the manufacturer indicates that the item is eligible for the ECO reuse mentioned above (see "Removal Classification" in Figure 21), and selecting "Yes" will display that information in a pop-up. This information, including other information, can be updated based on information provided by the manufacturer or distributor, or by game center operators entering information manually.

[0234] The "introduction date" column and subsequent columns show game information for the corresponding machine when it was first introduced. For example, "introduction date" indicates the first day of introduction (sometimes the following day, taking into account opening hours), and "first weekday of the second week" indicates game information for the first business day of the weekday of the week following the introduction date (Monday is best, but this can be changed to Tuesday, Wednesday, etc. depending on public holidays). The "retention rate" indicates the ratio of game information corresponding to the first weekday of the second week to the introduction date, that is, the degree to which game information was maintained the following week based on the introduction date.

[0235] In the "introduction date" to "retention rate" sections, there are columns for "out support rate" and "playing time" as game information. "Out support rate" is the percentage of outs of the gaming machine 1 in question compared to the average outs of the gaming hall (or the average on the day of introduction, if it is the day of introduction), and "play time" corresponds to the so-called operating time. Standard values ​​are set for each type of game information, and if the standard value is reached, the corresponding item is displayed in pink (with a dark background color among the items in the same figure), for example. As shown in the figure, for example, the "out support rate" for high-middle models is shaded depending on whether or not a standard is met, such as 370% on the day of introduction and 350% on the first weekday of the second week. The more items that meet these standard values, the more likely the model is to be in operation for a long period of time.

[0236] In addition, as with other reports, the top left side of the screen in Figure 26 has a group of buttons 77 for specifying attribute information such as type (in this figure, ``4 yen P'' is selected) and type, as well as a field for specifying the ``data collection period.'' By specifying such attribute information, it is possible to extract the corresponding removal candidates, and after specifying the collection period for the data related to the machines to be removed, it is possible to display a list as shown in the figure. Also, the number of machines collected on the overall summary screen (corresponding to "Total Installed" and "Total Removed" in Figure 21) is also displayed in the upper center of the list display (the area surrounded by a thick frame 76b). Note that in Figure 26, "4 yen P" is selected with the upper button group 77, but if multiple types such as "all pachinko" are targeted, for example, the gaming machines 1 installed across multiple types are categorized by type and displayed in a list.

[0237] For models such as "P Model E" in the list that are scheduled to be replaced after the target replacement date ("7 / 1" shown in the upper left of the screen), the message "Replacement plan exists" will be displayed along with the replacement date of "7 / 15." In addition, when only a portion of the same model is targeted, such as P Model E, the number of units will be divided into upper and lower, and the "3 units" that are scheduled to be replaced will be grayed out and separated from the other "4 units," and will be excluded from the removal target this time. As mentioned above, if the replacement plan with replacement date "7 / 1" is the first replacement plan, then registration of the replacement plan for the second replacement plan with a later replacement date of "7 / 15" can be made before "7 / 1", the replacement date of the first replacement plan. Therefore, if a unit to be removed is registered for the second replacement plan of "7 / 15", that unit will be grayed out and excluded from the list of units to be removed in the first replacement plan of "7 / 1", thereby preventing the acceptance of removal instructions. Similarly, the "3 units" of the P model E are also excluded from the removal targets on the layout screen of FIG. 10 and the overall summary screen of FIG.

[0238] By operating the "Compare results by type" button among the button group 76c at the top right of the removal screen in FIG. 26, any type can be specified, and game information relating to the specified type is displayed. FIG. 27 shows the removal screen when the specified type is "1 yen P" (displayed just below the "Compare results by type" button).

[0239] The removal screen of FIG. 27 differs from the removal screen of FIG. 26 in that the right half of the list shows game information for "own store," "trade area," and "nationwide." That is, in the "own store" item column, "number of machines" to "cumulative gross profit on machines" are displayed as gaming information of the designated type in the own store, and if the corresponding gaming machine is not installed in the designated type, it is displayed in gray with "-". In this way, the gaming information of the designated type shown in the right half of the list is the same as the above gaming information shown in the left half, and they are presented side by side to make it easy to compare the two.

[0240] The "Trade Area" column shows gaming information for amusement arcades within the trade area, and since it may include rival stores, it is difficult to obtain detailed gaming information. Instead, simple gaming information such as "number of machines" (number of installed machines) and "operation rate" (number of operating machines divided by number of installed machines) that can be determined by the so-called "top" is presented, but this also applies to the specified type.

[0241] In the "Nationwide" section, "Out" and "Machine Gross Profit" are displayed as gaming information for gaming facilities nationwide, but other gaming information such as cumulative machine gross profit may also be used, and this also applies to the specified type. This makes it easier to select removal candidates that should be moved to the specified type from among the removal candidates.

[0242] If there is a model that is not conclusive enough to be removed, select that model using "Refine" on the left side of the list and operate the "Detailed Refine" button in the group of buttons 76c in the upper right corner of the screen to extract and display that model. Also, operating the "Reference Information" button in the group of buttons 76c will display useful attribute information such as the number of site views and release information for related models (for example, the next model).

[0243] After considering the gaming machine 1 to be removed in this manner, when the "input number of machines" section 78 on the right side of the list is selected, the screen switches from that of FIG. 27 to that of FIG. On the removal screen of FIG. 28, the date at the top left of the screen (for example, 7 / 1 new machine replacement) can be set as the replacement date, and the gaming machine 1 under consideration can be registered as a machine to be removed.

[0244] In this case, the right half of the table in the figure displays the categories "Move by Type" to "Discard," and the number of units can be specified for each category. Furthermore, the categories "Candidate for Sale" to "Discard," excluding "Move by Type," show the contents of the disposal related to the removal of the removal units as multiple removal categories according to their contents, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between the removal category and the disposal content.

[0245] That is, first, "transfer by type" is a classification corresponding to a change in rate (or rearrangement with a different type), and is distinguished from "candidate for sale" to "discard" in that it is not disposed of as a removal unit. Also, "transfer by type" in the same figure is further classified into "→ 2 yen" and "→ 1 yen" of the rate to be changed (or type to be rearranged) (a 4 yen P model specified by the button group 77 at the top left of the screen is classified as changeable to 2 yen and 1 yen). "Sale candidate" is a category corresponding to the sale of the machine to be removed, and is further divided into "main body" (the entire gaming machine) and "board" as shown in the figure. In other words, the removal category of "sale candidate" indicates the contents of the disposition, namely, the first disposition in which the "board" part 1B of the machine to be removed is the object of sale, and the second disposition in which the main body consisting of the board part 1B and the machine frame part 1F is the object of sale.

[0246] "Transfer to warehouse" is a category corresponding to removal to a warehouse within the store or chain store. "Manufacturer trade-in" is a category corresponding to a manufacturer trade-in when a removal table in the store is traded in. "Eco-Reuse" is a category that corresponds to the delivery of removed units, which allows customers to receive a discount on new units sold by the manufacturer. "Rental return" is a category corresponding to the return of a model introduced through rental due to removal. "Discard" is a category corresponding to the disposal of a removal table when it is not a rental item and cannot even be sold as second-hand, such as when there is no transaction for second-hand sales.

[0247] Removal conditions are set in advance for each of the above removal categories. The removal conditions are set in advance in association with each removal category to include, for example, the following conditions (any of the following conditions may be used): for "candidate for sale", the removal table is in a second-hand transaction where it can be sold in 1B units of the "main body" or "display surface" part; for "trade-in with manufacturer", it can be traded in as a trade-in item for a removal table; for "ECO reuse", it is a removal table that is eligible for a discount when purchasing a new table; for "rental return", it is a rental item that is assumed to be returned; and for "disposal", the removal table is not a rental item and can be disposed of. In addition, for "transfer by type" and "transfer to warehouse," the disposal condition common to all removal categories is that the removal unit is not scheduled to be replaced after the target replacement date (the removal unit is not registered as the target of the second replacement plan), as described above.

[0248] As a result, on the removal screen of Figure 28, for the model names "P models A, B, C...", the removal category that does not satisfy the removal conditions set in advance using the corresponding attribute information is determined, and the acceptance of removal instructions is suppressed depending on the determination result. Specifically, for example, P model C is determined not to meet the removal conditions for "sale candidate" because neither the "main body" nor the "control panel" have been traded secondhand (the secondhand price in Figure 26 shows "no transactions"), and each category is made inoperable and grayed out (shown with a dark background color in the figure) to prevent acceptance of removal requests. Note that the grayed-out areas of the main body and control panel in the "sale candidate" in Figure 28 correspond to the "no transactions" area in the "secondhand price (average)" in Figure 26.

[0249] Similarly, by checking the attribute information for each model (such as information related to "manufacturer trade-in price," "ECO," and "rental expiration date" in Figure 26), the relevant removal category is made inoperable and grayed out to indicate that it is not possible to trade in, is not eligible for a discount when purchasing a new machine, is not a rental item, is not possible to dispose of, or is scheduled to be replaced after the target replacement date.

[0250] The removal categories and removal conditions are examples, and it is not necessary to adopt all of the examples as removal categories and removal conditions. Furthermore, restricting the acceptance of removal instructions is not limited to making them inoperable by graying them out (not being presented as a selection option and therefore not being able to accept them), but may be achieved in any manner that can restrict acceptance, such as by presenting them as a selection option and prohibiting separate registration operations (for example, by displaying a POP indicating this), or by simply displaying an identification display and allowing registration operations (in this case, it is necessary to confirm with the business partner whether separate acceptance is possible (the information has not been updated from the registered information)).

[0251] Here, the removal instruction for the machines to be removed in the list of Figure 28 can be entered by specifying the number of machines by operating the "+" and "-" buttons in the same way as for the other removal categories, from "Candidate for sale (main unit)" to "Disposal", and specifying which of these removal categories the machines will be removed in, on a gaming machine basis or by model basis, and registering the machines to be removed along with their number. Furthermore, for the gaming machine 1 shown in the list, by specifying the number of machines by operating the "+" and "-" buttons in the "→ 2 yen" and "→ 1 yen" categories of "Move by type", this can be accepted as rate change information when registering the rate change gaming machine. Here, a rate change gaming machine is a gaming machine whose rate is changed, and does not necessarily need to be rearranged (a gaming machine may be identified as a rate change gaming machine if only the rate is changed while the same machine number is kept). The "+" and "-" buttons should be operated in the section where neither the receipt of the removal instruction nor the receipt of the rate change information is grayed out.

[0252] As a result, when the number of units to be removed is updated or rate change information is accepted, the total column at the bottom of the list and the "total introduction" and "total removal" indicated by reference numeral 76b at the top are also updated and changed, and similarly, the overall summary screen of Figure 21 and the layout screen of Figure 10 are also updated and changed. On the layout screen, just like on the overall summary screen, the gaming machine 1 to be removed is added to the reserved list 62, and the machine number that was placed on the layout 60 becomes an empty machine that has not been placed (see FIG. 13). In other words, when the machine to be removed is registered by issuing a removal instruction on the screen of FIG. 28 without displaying the layout screen of FIG. 10 or the like for performing the layout setting described above, the location where the machine to be removed was placed in the layout setting becomes an empty machine in a state where the machine to be removed is not placed, without the machine being specified on the layout screen.

[0253] After entering the number of machines to be removed according to the removal instructions, pressing the "Request a bulk quote" button from the group of buttons 76c at the top right of the screen will send a request for quotes to multiple second-hand dealers for the specified consoles and game boards. The dealers that receive such a request for quote will respond to the amusement facility with the terms of sale, including the purchase price, and the amusement facility can then select a dealer that meets their needs and sell the gaming machines.

[0254] In this case, it is not necessary to request quotes only for items that are candidates for sale; the information provided may change, for example, trade-in with the manufacturer, eco-reuse, or disposal (for example, in the case of a rental return, if the rental price exceeds the selling price, it will be treated as a purchase). Therefore, to confirm, the process of inquiring about the corresponding conditions, including price, from the manufacturer or waste disposal company may be included in the process in response to the operation of the "Request a bulk quote" button above, or these may be inquired by a separate operation.

[0255] Also, considering the need that the used price does not allow the above-mentioned consideration to be made if the average price of the main unit is displayed in Figure 26 (or the price varies for each gaming machine) and the actual used price cannot be ascertained (or if the used price is not displayed at all, as in Figure 26), it is possible to assume an operation in which all gaming machines 1 being considered for removal are provisionally selected and a "bulk quote request" is made first, and consideration is then made based on the results. In this case, for example, by specifying an arbitrary removal candidate group, such as very problematic machines and semi-problematic machines, using PPM, it is possible to make a bulk quote for the extracted removal candidate group.

[0256] As described above, removal conditions may be set for each removal category, or may be set common to multiple removal categories. For example, removal conditions for second-hand sales (potential sales) and manufacturer trade-ins may not be met unless a purchase price is set; this is sufficient as long as removal conditions corresponding to each removal category are set in advance.

[0257] As explained above, according to the third embodiment of the amusement park system, among the multiple removal sections provided, the system suppresses the acceptance of removal instructions for removal sections that do not satisfy the removal conditions that are pre-set corresponding to the removal section based on the attribute information of the gaming machine 1, thereby making it possible to appropriately respond to multiple removal situations.

[0258] Since the first sale disposition targeting the main body including the model frame section 1F and the second sale disposition targeting the control panel section 1B not including the model frame section 1F are included in the removal category, when considering the sale of the gaming machine 1, it becomes easier to consider according to the needs of the gaming facility, for example, if it will not be installed as the main body but can be used as the model frame section 1F for other models, then it would be better to sell only the control panel section 1B, or if it cannot be used as the model frame section 1F for other models, then it would be better to sell the main body.

[0259] When issuing a removal instruction, it is possible to register a rate-changed gaming machine, that is, to issue an instruction to change the type of gaming machine to change the gaming rate, and it is possible to selectively accept a removal instruction and an instruction to change the type at the same time, making it easier to consider, for example, whether to change the type of a gaming machine installed at 4 yen P to 1 yen P and reuse it, or to remove it without even changing the type.

[0260] A gaming machine 1 that is the target of a later replacement plan is excluded from the removal instruction targets of the earlier replacement plan, so that it is possible to reduce the risk of a gaming machine 1 that is already the target of replacement in a later replacement being mistakenly set as the target of replacement in the earlier replacement plan.

[0261] When a gaming machine to be removed is registered in response to a removal instruction, the location (machine number) on the layout 60 where the gaming machine was placed becomes an empty machine, so to speak, vacant, and therefore when setting up the layout, the machine number of the gaming machine to be removed already becomes an empty machine, and layout operations become easier by placing a new machine or a replacement machine in a manner that fills the empty machine.

[0262] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be modified or expanded as follows. □An example of layout setting has been given in which newly introduced machines are first listed on the introduction list 61 and then placed in any location, but in some amusement parlors, for example, the locations of new machines may be predetermined, so it is not necessary to necessarily set up an introduction list 61; for example, the layout setting can begin with the newly introduced machine being placed in that location and the gaming machine that was placed in that location being listed in the reserve list 62. The setting values ​​in the viewing terminals 6, 32 and the server 31 may be set arbitrarily by a person involved in the operation of the amusement facility, or may be set in advance by the manufacturer of the in-flight management device 6 or the gaming device 2, or may be set by downloading setting information from an external server (for example, the headquarters of a chain store, etc.). In this case, the setting values ​​are also set by operating the server.

[0263] All of the game information exemplified above may be specified directly by the input signal or indirectly by using an arithmetic expression. In addition, the model may be classified in any way that indicates the type of gaming machine 1, such as by manufacturer or by specification.

[0264] The numerical values, number of digits, items, etc. are merely examples, and any numerical values ​​may be used. Furthermore, the arithmetic expressions are merely examples, and any arithmetic expression may be used as long as it shows the same value as the exemplified arithmetic expression or calculates a value having the same meaning.

[0265] Either "less than" or "under" can be used, and expressions such as "not reached" are expressions that correspond to either "less than" or "under". The same is true for "above" and "exceed", and expressions such as "reached" are expressions that correspond to both. Also, while display output has been mainly exemplified as a notification method or output method, other methods of notification or presentation such as print output can also be used.

[0266] Although the gaming device 2 corresponds to a so-called smart gaming machine that does not pay out gaming media, other gaming devices such as pachinko gaming machines and slot machines that pay out conventional gaming value may also be targeted, or a mixture of these may be used as the aggregation target. Since the target may be not only a point-based gaming machine 1 such as the smart gaming machine in the above embodiment, but also gaming media paid out by a conventional payout-type gaming machine 1, the term "gaming value" is used as appropriate to include both.

[0267] The illustrated processing may be divided among the server 31, the in-game management device 6, the gaming devices 2, the relay device 4, etc. as appropriate, and is not limited to the illustrated configuration. Furthermore, whether or not to adopt the illustrated configurations may be changed depending on the settings as appropriate, and the illustrated configurations including modified examples may be combined in any way, or configurations may be excluded as appropriate.

[0268] The following features can also be extracted from the above-described embodiment. A gaming facility system that manages a gaming facility where a plurality of gaming machines are installed, a first registration means (e.g., a server 31, a viewing terminal 6, 32, etc.) for registering in advance the replacement date of gaming machines in the gaming facility; A setting means (e.g., a viewing terminal 6, 32) for setting a predetermined pre-event (e.g., ordering a new machine, ordering a used machine, submitting an application form, etc., as shown in FIG. 4) to be performed in conjunction with the replacement on a day before the replacement date; a second registration means (e.g., a management server 31, a viewing terminal 6, 32, etc.) that registers the pre-event in association with the replacement date when the replacement date is registered by the first registration means; The replacement schedule can be displayed in calendar format (for example, the matrix table format of calendar 50 in Figure 3), and display means (for example, display units 6a, 32a in Figure 1) is provided that displays information indicating the replacement date and the preceding events (for example, the replacement implementation date "7 / 1" in Figure 3 and information indicating "ordering a new machine," "ordering a used machine," or "submitting an application form" to be performed on the previous days of 6 / 3, 6 / 10, and 6 / 24) in association with each date on calendar 50.

[0269] The system is provided with a change means (for example, a viewing terminal 6, 32) that can change the replacement date, and the day before the pre-event is to be held is a predetermined period (for example, the deadlines "28th," "21st," "7th," etc. in FIG. 4) prior to the related replacement date, and the second registration means registers the pre-event together with the predetermined period, and when the replacement date is changed (for example, changing the replacement date from "7 / 1" in FIG. 6 to "6 / 30"), the change means changes the pre-events registered in association with the replacement date before the change (pre-events "6 / 3," "6 / 10," and "6 / 24" in the oval 54RE part in FIG. 6) to correspond to the changed replacement date based on the predetermined period (for example, changing to "6 / 2," "6 / 9," or "6 / 23" as indicated by arrow 55RE).

[0270] The first and second registration means are capable of registering multiple replacement dates and prior events, respectively, and the display means displays one previously entered replacement date and prior event (for example, the replacement date of 6 / 17 and the application submission of 6 / 10 in Figure 3) in a distinctive manner with another replacement date and prior event (for example, the replacement date of 7 / 1 and the new machine orders, used machine orders, and application submissions of 6 / 3, 6 / 10, and 6 / 24) in a distinctive manner so that they are displayed as a series of related information (for example, by using purple and green group colors indicated by the symbols CPU and CGR, and by displaying the replacement date in the date box of the prior event).

[0271] The display means notifies the nearest upcoming events based on the time of display (for example, the start of displaying the calendar screen) in a display format different from the display format on the calendar 50 (for example, by overlaying the POP display 57 in Figure 7 on the calendar 50).

[0272] The system comprises a management server 31 that manages information relating to the replacement date and pre-events registered by the first and second registration means, and a plurality of terminal devices (e.g., viewing terminals 6, 32) that are connected to the management server 31 via a network (e.g., public line 100 in FIG. 1) and that can be used by game center personnel (including game center operators such as headquarters and other game center personnel (counterparts) such as used machine trading companies) as client devices having the display means, and the management server 31 notifies the terminal devices of message information registered together with the replacement date or pre-event (e.g., a message from "headquarters" in POP displays 53, 57 in FIGS. 3 and 7, or a message from a counterparty indicated by a mail icon 57a ​​in the same display 57), and the display means (e.g., display units 6a, 32a) are provided on the terminal devices, and in addition to displaying on the calendar 50, the message information can also be displayed.

[0273] The message information can be registered by other amusement facility personnel not belonging to the amusement facility (partners such as manufacturers or used machine trading companies), and the display means of the terminal device can display information indicating the most recent preceding events based on the time of display (for example, the time when the calendar screen starts to be displayed), and when displaying the information, can display message information registered by the other amusement facility personnel (for example, a message registered by the party indicated by the mail icon 57a ​​in Figure 7).

[0274] A gaming facility system for a gaming facility where a plurality of gaming machines are installed, A reception means (for example, a viewing terminal 6, 32) for receiving information on the gaming machine 1 to be replaced and the replacement date, in accordance with a replacement plan for replacing the gaming machine 1 in the gaming facility; A plan registration means (e.g., a management server 31, a viewing terminal 6, 32, etc.) that is a means for registering the replacement plan and that can register a first replacement plan (e.g., a replacement plan with "6 / 17" as the replacement implementation date in FIG. 3) and a second replacement plan with a replacement date later than the first replacement plan (e.g., a replacement plan with "6 / 22" as the replacement implementation date) based on the information received by the receiving means; A change means (for example, a viewing terminal 6, 32) capable of changing the replacement plan registered by the plan registration means; When a change is made to the first replacement plan, a plan determination means (for example, a management server 31, a viewing terminal 6, 32, etc.) that determines whether the second replacement plan needs to be changed because the second replacement plan has been registered; and a notification means (e.g., display unit 6a, 32a) that notifies the user of the necessity to change the second replacement plan when the plan determination means determines that the second replacement plan needs to be changed (e.g., by displaying a message on POP display 57 in FIG. 7 indicating that the replacement plan for 6 / 22 needs to be changed, by displaying "error" on calendar 50 in FIG. 3, or by POP displays 67-69 relating to layout settings in FIGS. 17-19, etc.).

[0275] The replacement plan can be displayed in a calendar format (for example, the format of calendar 50 in FIG. 3), and display means (for example, display units 6a, 32a) is provided that displays information indicating each replacement date in association with the date on calendar 50, and in addition to the information indicating the replacement date, the display means notifies the fact that it is necessary by displaying on calendar 50 (for example, by displaying "Error" on calendar 50 in FIG. 3) as the notification means.

[0276] The game arcade is provided with a layout setting means (for example, a viewing terminal 6, 32) that can set a layout setting (for example, the layout 60 in FIG. 8) that indicates the arrangement of the gaming machines 1 in the game arcade for each replacement plan, and the plan determination means determines whether or not the layout setting (for example, the layout 60 for the replacement plan on June 22) that is intended for the second replacement plan has already been registered, in the event that a change has been made to the first replacement plan (for example, a new machine that was planned for the replacement plan on June 17 could not be purchased and the layout has been rearranged with another machine), and determines whether or not the need has been met, in the event that a change has been made to the first replacement plan (for example, a new machine that was planned for the replacement plan on June 17 could not be purchased and the layout has been rearranged with another machine), in the event that a change has been made to the first replacement plan (for example, a new machine that was planned for the replacement plan on June 17 ...22) has already been registered, in the event that a change has been made to the first replacement plan (for example, the layout 60 for the replacement plan on June 22) The notification means determines whether the layout setting is necessary, and also determines a replacement plan for which the layout setting has not been set, and if it is determined that the replacement plan is for which the layout setting has not been set on a day that is a predetermined period prior to the registered replacement date (for example, 21 days before the replacement date), it notifies the user to that effect (for example, by using POP display 57 in FIG. 7), but if it is determined that the layout setting is necessary, it notifies the user to that effect regardless of the predetermined period (for example, by using POP display 57 in FIG. 7 or POP displays 67-69 related to layout setting in FIGS. 16-19, etc.).

[0277] When it is determined that there is a need, the layout setting means performs an extraction process to extract the placement locations of gaming machines 1 (for example, the relevant machine numbers 38 to 40 in Figure 16) that need to be changed in the layout setting for the second replacement plan (for example, layout 60 for the replacement plan on 6 / 22, which comes after the replacement plan on 6 / 17). The extraction process includes an output process that can display the placement location of the gaming machine 1 that needs to be changed at an enlarged scale than that shown in the layout setting (for example, in the enlarged display area 610, 610' of Figure 20, which is enlarged compared to the layout 60 of Figure 8).

[0278] When there is a change in gaming machine 1 for the first replacement plan (for example, a change from a plan to place model A to a plan to place model C), the plan discrimination means determines whether a gaming machine other than the gaming machine 1 (for example, a model other than model C) is planned to be placed in the placement location of the changed gaming machine 1 (for example, the relevant machine number 38 to 40 in Figure 16) in the layout setting for the second replacement plan, and when it is determined that the placement is planned, the layout setting means performs an adjustment process to return the content related to the placement set by the layout setting for the second replacement plan to the content before the setting (for example, an overwrite process to return the content of layout 60 to the initial content shown in Figure 18 and Figures 19(a) and (b)).

[0279] In a gaming facility system for managing a gaming facility in which a layout 60 in which gaming machines 1 are arranged is changed by a moving target machine (for example, a "P model P" which is a newly introduced machine or a "P model D" which is a rearrangement machine) including at least one of a newly introduced machine which is a gaming machine 1 that is newly introduced and a rearrangement machine which is a gaming machine 1 whose arrangement location is changed and rearranged, A display means (for example, a display unit 6a, 32a of a viewing terminal, etc. 6, 32) that displays a layout display area (for example, a display area 600 of the layout 60 in FIG. 10) showing the layout 60 and target machine information showing the target machine to be moved (for example, information including the model name in the introduction list 61 or the reservation list 62 in FIG. 10); An operation means (for example, an operation unit 6b, 32b of a viewing terminal, etc. 6, 32) that can perform a selection operation (for example, an operation of hovering a cursor) to select the target machine information and an operation to move the selected target machine information to a placement location on the layout 60 (for example, a drag-and-drop operation to the relevant machine number), in order to update the information of the gaming machine 1 on the layout 60 so that the target machine is placed at that placement location; A storage means (for example, a storage unit of the management server 31 or a viewing terminal 6, 32) for storing information related to the gaming machines on the layout (for example, the machine number of the gaming machine arranged in the layout display area 600, the model name such as "P model D" and its type, or the manufacturer name, etc.), and information on the machine to be moved (for example, the machine number, model name, type, manufacturer name, etc. on which "P model D" was originally arranged), When a rearrangement operation, which is at least one of the selection operation and the movement operation, is performed, based on the information of the target table to be moved and the related information, the related portion, which is the placement location on the layout 60 related to the target table to be moved, is displayed in a different display mode from the display mode before the selection (for example, the table number "22-25" in FIG. 14(c) is displayed as the table number where "P model D" was originally placed, or "26-28" is displayed as the related portion where the same model name, type, and manufacturer name as "P model D" are placed, and the related portion is displayed in a brown background color 1 (C) different from the display mode before the selection). BR ) or green background color 1 (C GR and a display control means (for example, a control unit of the viewing terminal 6, 32) for controlling the display means so that the selected item is displayed in a flashing manner, or in a flashing manner different from before the selection.

[0280] When the target machine to be moved is moved to a placement location on the layout 60 by the move operation (for example, "P model P" is moved to machine number "22-25" in FIG. 14(c)), the display means displays a reserved machine display area (for example, the reserved list 62 in FIG. 14(a) showing "P model D") that shows the reserved machine that is the gaming machine that was placed at that placement location ("P model D" that was placed at machine number "22-25"), and the reserved machine is included in the target machine to be moved, and the reserved machine information is included in the previous target machine information, respectively. The rearrangement operation includes an operation of selecting the reserved machine information in the reserved machine display area (for example, a selection operation of hovering the cursor over information button 62g of P model D in the reserved list 62), and when the reserved machine becomes the target of the rearrangement operation, the display control means distinguishably displays the previous placement location on the layout 60 (for example, the original machine number before reservation "22-25") as the related location (for example, a brown background color 1(C) different from the color before selection). BR ) to display it).

[0281] The information on the target machine to be moved includes model identification information (for example, model name and model ID) of the gaming machine 1, and when the rearrangement operation (for example, an operation to select P model D in the reserved list 62 in FIG. 14(a)) is performed, the display control means displays the location of the gaming machine of the model identification information related to the target machine to be moved (for example, the machine number "26-28" in FIG. 14(c) where a gaming machine of the same model as the P model D is arranged) in an identifiable manner as the related location (for example, a green background color 1(C) different from that before the selection) GR ) and flashing display).

[0282] The information on the machine to be moved can be associated with a type indicating playability as attribute information, and when the rearrangement operation is performed (for example, when a light gaming machine 1 on the introduction list 61 is dragged to drop it into the desired placement location on the layout 60), the display control means identifies and displays the placement location of a gaming machine 1 of a type related to the machine to be moved (for example, the same light type as the dragged machine, or a similar type, light middle) as the related location (for example, by flashing the line L of the placement location).

[0283] The system is provided with a duplication means (for example, a viewing terminal 6, 32 created using the application) for creating a copy of the layout 60 updated by the selection and movement operations, and the duplication means distinguishes between newly installed machines and replaced machines for the gaming machines 1 on the updated layout 60, and creates two selectable patterns for duplication: a layout 60 of a first pattern that includes newly installed machines but does not include replaced machines (for example, an arrangement pattern when "Copy only installed machines" is checked in the display box 60c of Figure 16), and a layout 60 of a second pattern that includes both newly installed machines and replaced machines (for example, an arrangement pattern that uses the contents of the current worksheet by unchecking the box).

[0284] A gaming facility system for gaming facilities where a plurality of gaming machines 1 are installed and the gaming machines 1 are replaced by installing a newly introduced gaming machine 1, A replacement information specifying means (e.g., a viewing terminal 6, 32) that can specify the budget for the newly introduced machine on a replacement date basis when replacing the gaming machine 1 (e.g., can accept a desired amount as a new machine purchase budget); A collection means (for example, a server 31) for collecting gaming machine information including the cost of introducing the gaming machine 1 (for example, the "main body" price and the "board" price in FIG. 24) for each gaming machine or each model, for the gaming machine 1 that is a candidate for the new introduction machine; an introduction pattern specifying means (for example, a viewing terminal 6, 32) for specifying an introduction pattern of gaming machines 1 that can be introduced within the budget from among the candidate gaming machines 1 based on the budget and the gaming machine information, on a replacement date basis (for example, a plurality of presentation patterns such as new models A, B, F, G, and H that show gaming machines and their numbers in FIG. 24); and an output means (for example, a viewing terminal or the like 6, 32 that displays and outputs on a display unit 6a, 32a) that outputs the identified introduction pattern.

[0285] The gaming machine information includes operation information indicating the operating status of the candidate gaming machines 1 in the gaming facility A, the commercial area including the gaming facility A, or a specified area other than the commercial area (for example, Kanto, Kansai, or the entire country including these areas), and the introduction pattern identification means identifies an introduction pattern so as to preferentially include gaming machines from among the candidate gaming machines 1 that satisfy specified conditions based on the operation information (for example, models whose average out for the facility itself has reached a standard value, models whose operating rate in gaming facilities within the commercial area has reached a standard value, etc.).

[0286] The newly introduced machine can be introduced either as the board section 1B or as the entire gaming machine consisting of the board section 1B and the model frame section 1F (for example, the board section 1B can be introduced and installed in combination with the model frame section 1F stored in the gaming center's warehouse, or the entire gaming machine can be introduced and installed), and the gaming center is provided with inventory management means (for example, management device 6 and server 31) that manages inventory information for the model frame section 1F, and the introduction pattern identification means can identify either a pattern of introducing the board section 1B (for example, a pattern of "four boards" for new model F in Figure 24) or a pattern of introducing the entire gaming machine (for example, a pattern of "two new machines" for new model A) as the introduction pattern, depending on whether or not there is inventory, by collating the inventory information for the model frame section 1F.

[0287] The gaming machine information includes date and time information indicating the date or time when information about the gaming machine 1 was provided by the gaming machine vendor, and the output means is capable of presenting the candidate gaming machines 1 (e.g., new models A, B, C, D, and E in Figure 22) or the gaming machines 1 that make up the introduction pattern (e.g., new models A, B, F, G, and H in Figure 24) in an order as shown in the same figure, and the presentation order is determined according to the date and time information.

[0288] The amusement facility is provided with an inventory management means (e.g., management device 6) that manages inventory information of gaming machines 1, and the introduction pattern identification means identifies the introduction pattern by collating the inventory information of the gaming machines, including the inventory of the gaming machines 1 (e.g., including ``inventory model A~'' in the list of Figure 25).

[0289] The output means can present the candidate gaming machines 1 (for example, new models A, B, C, D, and E in FIG. 22) or gaming machines 1 that make up the introduction pattern (for example, new models A, B, F, G, and H in FIG. 24), and when presenting them, new machines are presented by a first presentation shown with image information (for example, gaming machine image 75 in FIGS. 22 and 24) including an image of the board portion 1B that forms the gaming area and text information, while used machines are presented by a second presentation showing the operating information of the used machine using text information without including an image of the board portion 1B.

[0290] A system for a game center where a plurality of game machines 1 are installed, the game machine 1 having a board surface part 1B forming a game area and a model frame part 1F other than the board surface part 1B as components 1B, 1F, Inventory management means (e.g., a management device 6 and a server 31) for managing inventory information including first inventory information for the game board unit 1B and second inventory information for the frame-containing member that is at least one of the model frame unit 1F and the game machine 1, as inventory information for the components 1B, 1F or the game machine 1 stored by the game arcade; A specifying means (e.g., a viewing terminal, etc. 6, 32) for specifying the number of machines that can be installed in the gaming facility by combining at least the board unit 1B and the model frame unit 1F of the storage object based on the inventory information (e.g., the "number of machines that can be introduced" including the number of gaming machines 1 that are a combination of the "separate inventory" and the board unit 1B in FIG. 25) by gaming machine, model, or model frame unit 1F; and an output means (for example, a viewing terminal or the like 6, 32 that displays and outputs on a display unit 6a, 32a) that outputs the specified number of units that can be introduced.

[0291] The inventory information is information indicating the attributes of the gaming machine, and includes attribute information indicating the correspondence between the board section 1B and the frame-containing member (for example, the model frame section 1F of the ``separate frame inventory'' in Figure 25), and the identification means identifies the number of machines that can be introduced by extracting a combination of the board section 1B and the frame-containing member that corresponds based on the attribute information.

[0292] The identification means can identify the number of units that can be introduced using the first inventory information, and identifies the inventory number of frame-containing components corresponding to the panel section 1B indicated by the first inventory information (for example, the number of units in the ``separate inventory'' in Figure 25) using the attribute information, and the output means outputs the identified inventory number of the frame-containing components together with the number of units that can be introduced (for example, presenting the number of units in the ``separate inventory'' in the same figure together with the ``number of units that can be introduced'').

[0293] The second inventory information covers at least gaming machine 1 (for example, the "separate inventory" in Figure 25 includes at least the inventory of gaming machine 1), and the inventory information is information indicating the attributes of gaming machine 1, including attribute information indicating the correspondence between board section 1B and gaming machine 1, and the identification means is capable of extracting a combination of corresponding board section 1B and gaming machine 1 using the attribute information, and is able to identify the number of units that can be introduced by combining board section 1B with model frame section 1F incorporated in gaming machine 1 of a different model from that of board section 1B.

[0294] The gaming facility is provided with a registration means (e.g., a viewing terminal 6, 32) for selecting and registering gaming machines 1 to be introduced into the gaming facility from among the gaming machines 1 included in the number of machines that can be introduced (e.g., by inputting the "number of machines to be introduced" and type in Figure 25), and the output means adds the registered gaming machine 1 as a gaming machine 1 to be rearranged in the gaming facility (e.g., a model in the list of machines to be introduced in the overall summary screen in Figure 21), or adds and presents the gaming machine 1 shown together with a layout 60 corresponding to the arrangement of multiple gaming machines 1 in the gaming facility (e.g., a model on the introduction list 61 in the layout screen in Figure 10).

[0295] A system for an amusement facility in which a plurality of gaming machines 1 are arranged and the gaming machines 1 are replaced, including the removal of a gaming machine to be removed (a removal machine), A registration means (for example, a viewing terminal 6, 32) capable of registering the replacement date and the gaming machine to be removed, for the replacement plan when the replacement is carried out; A storage means (e.g., a viewing terminal 6, 32 having a storage unit) that stores attribute information related to removal (e.g., the number of machines and outs at "own store" in FIG. 26, information such as "rental" and "trade-in by manufacturer") in association with each gaming machine or each model; A classification means (for example, a viewing terminal or the like 6, 32 having a display unit 6a, 32a) that displays the contents of the disposition regarding the removal of the removed gaming machine as a plurality of removal classifications according to the contents (for example, the classifications of "sale candidate" to "disposal" in the list of FIG. 28), A receiving means (for example, a viewing terminal or the like 6, 32 that receives via an operation unit 6b, 32b) that receives a removal instruction that specifies which of the plurality of removal classifications the removed gaming machine will be removed in terms of a gaming machine unit or model unit (for example, specifying the number of machines by operating the "+" or "-" button in each classification in FIG. 28) when registering the removed gaming machine; The device is equipped with a suppression means (for example, a viewing terminal 6, 32 that is made inoperable by being grayed out in the list of Figure 28) that determines the removal category that does not satisfy the removal conditions that are preset based on the attribute information and suppresses the acceptance of the removal instruction based on the determination result.

[0296] The plurality of removal classifications include the sale, trade-in, application of a discount to a new machine newly sold by a manufacturer, return, and disposal of the removed gaming machine (for example, "Candidate for sale," "Trade-in with manufacturer," "ECO-reuse," "Rental return," and "Disposal" in FIG. 28), and include any of the contents of disposal, The removal conditions are set in advance in association with the removal category to include any one of the following conditions: the second-hand item is being traded for sale; the trade-in is possible; the item is eligible for the discount when purchasing the new one; the item is a rental item with the assumption of return; and the item is not a rental item and can be disposed of.

[0297] The removal category indicates the contents of multiple disposals, including a first sale disposal (e.g., "Sale candidate (board)" in Figure 28) in which the board portion 1B of the removed gaming machine is the object of sale, and a second sale disposal (e.g., "Sale candidate (main body)") in which the entire gaming machine consisting of the board portion 1B and the model frame portion 1F is the object of sale.

[0298] The registration means is capable of registering a rate-change gaming machine that changes the rate of the gaming value when playing a gaming machine 1 placed in an amusement facility (for example, in Figure 28, 4 yen P is changed to ``→2 yen'' or ``→1 yen'' according to the replacement type), and the reception means presents a list of gaming machines 1 by gaming machine or by model (for example, the list in Figure 28), and is capable of receiving either the removal instruction or rate change information for registering the rate-change gaming machine for the gaming machine 1 shown in the list.

[0299] The registration means is capable of registering the replacement plan targeted at a first replacement plan (for example, a replacement plan including removal on "7 / 1" in FIG. 28), while it is also capable of registering the replacement plan targeted at a second replacement plan with a later replacement date (for example, a replacement plan on "7 / 15") before the replacement date of the first replacement plan, and when the gaming machine to be removed is registered as the target of the second replacement plan, the suppression means excludes the gaming machine to be removed from the targets of the removal instruction in the first replacement plan (for example, makes it inoperable by graying it out in the list in FIG. 28), thereby suppressing the acceptance of the removal instruction.

[0300] When the layout setting means performs the layout setting in a state in which the gaming machine to be removed has been registered due to a removal instruction received other than the layout setting (for example, layout setting on a screen such as Figure 10), it sets the location where the gaming machine to be removed was placed in the layout setting to a state in which the gaming machine to be removed is not placed (for example, the ``empty machine'' state shown in Figure 13) without specifying the gaming machine to be removed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0301] In the drawing, 1 is the gaming machine (frame-containing member), 1B is the board portion, and 1F is the model frame portion (frame-containing member). 6 is a management device (viewing terminal, etc., first and second registration means, change means, client device, terminal device, reception means, plan registration means, plan discrimination means, layout setting means, replacement information identification means, introduction pattern identification means, output means, inventory management means, identification means, registration means, storage means, classification means, reception means, suppression means), 6a is a display unit (display means, notification means, output means), and 6b is an operation unit (operation means, reception means). 31 is a management server (first and second registration means, plan registration means, plan determination means, collection means, inventory management means). 32 is a viewing terminal (viewing terminal, etc., first and second registration means, change means, client device, terminal device, reception means, plan registration means, plan discrimination means, layout setting means, replacement information identification means, introduction pattern identification means, output means, identification means, registration means, storage means, classification means, reception means, suppression means), 32a is a display unit (display means, notification means, output means), and 32b is an operation unit (operation means, reception means). 60 is a layout, and 600 is a layout display area.

Claims

1. A gaming facility system for gaming facilities where a plurality of gaming machines are installed and where gaming machines are replaced by installing a new installation machine that is a newly installed gaming machine, A replacement information specifying means for specifying the budget for the newly introduced gaming machine on a replacement date basis when replacing the gaming machine; A collection means for collecting gaming machine information including the cost of introducing the gaming machine for each gaming machine or each model, with respect to the gaming machines that are candidates for the new introduction machine; an introduction pattern specifying means for specifying an introduction pattern of gaming machines that can be introduced within the budget from among the candidate gaming machines on a replacement date basis based on the budget and the gaming machine information; and an output means for outputting the identified introduction pattern.

2. The gaming machine information includes operation information indicating the operation status of the candidate gaming machines in the gaming facility, a commercial area including the gaming facility, or a predetermined area other than the commercial area; 2. The gaming facility system according to claim 1, wherein the introduction pattern specifying means specifies the introduction pattern so as to preferentially include gaming machines from among the candidate gaming machines that satisfy predetermined conditions based on the operation information.

3. The gaming machine is composed of a board portion that forms a gaming area and a machine frame portion other than the board portion, The newly introduced machine can be introduced either as the board unit or as the entire gaming machine consisting of the board unit and the model frame unit, An inventory management means for managing inventory information of the machine frame unit in the gaming facility is provided, The amusement park system described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the introduction pattern identification means is capable of identifying either a pattern of introducing the board section or a pattern of introducing the entire gaming machine as the introduction pattern by comparing inventory information of the model frame section depending on whether or not the model frame section is in stock.

4. The gaming machine information includes date and time information indicating the date or time when the gaming machine information was provided by the gaming machine vendor, The gaming center system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output means is capable of presenting the candidate gaming machines or the gaming machines that constitute the introduction pattern in a line, and the order of presentation is determined according to the date and time information.

5. An inventory management means for managing information on inventory of gaming machines in the gaming facility is provided, 3. The gaming facility system according to claim 1, wherein the introduction pattern specifying means specifies the introduction pattern including the inventory of the gaming machines by collating information on the inventory of the gaming machines.

6. The candidate gaming machines include new machines newly sold by manufacturers and second-hand machines offered to the gaming machine market by gaming parlors or gaming machine dealers, The gaming machine information includes operation information indicating the operation status of the candidate gaming machines in the gaming facility, a commercial area including the gaming facility, or a predetermined area other than the commercial area; The output means is capable of presenting the candidate gaming machines or the gaming machines that make up the introduction pattern, and when presenting, the new machines are presented by a first presentation that shows image information including an image of the board portion that forms the game area and text information, while the used machines are presented by a second presentation that does not include an image of the board portion but shows operating information of the used machines by text information.

Images