Remote control system, remote control program, and remote control method

Abstract

To provide a new technique for enabling an amusement facility to be operated without deploying personnel on-site. [Solution] A remote control system for remotely controlling multiple amusement devices installed in a facility, comprising multiple amusement devices installed in the same facility and a management terminal located outside the facility, the management terminal having a communication unit, a display unit, and an input unit, the communication unit receives the operating status of multiple amusement devices in the facility, the display unit displays a management screen that lists the operating status, the input unit accepts input via the management screen to change the operating status of each amusement device and transmits a control signal to the amusement device, and the amusement devices are controlled in operation in accordance with the control signal,

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote control system, a remote control program, and a remote control method for remotely controlling an amusement device installed in a facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various technologies related to device control have been known in the amusement field. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for controlling the simultaneous unlocking of multiple gaming machines for maintenance purposes from a control room separated from the space in which the gaming machines are installed in a pachinko parlor or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-267640 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in amusement facilities such as game arcades and capsule toy corners, it is common to assign staff on-site to deal with malfunctions of amusement devices such as game machines and capsule toys, monitor for fraud, etc. However, there is an issue that assigning personnel to the facility results in high labor costs.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a new technique for enabling an amusement facility to be operated without deploying personnel on-site. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a remote control system for remotely controlling multiple amusement devices installed in a facility, comprising multiple amusement devices installed in the same facility and a management terminal located outside the facility, the management terminal having a communication unit, a display unit, and an input unit, the communication unit receives the operating status of multiple amusement devices in the facility, the display unit displays a management screen that lists the operating status, the input unit accepts input via the management screen to change the operating status of each of the amusement devices and transmits a control signal to the amusement device, and the operation of the amusement devices is controlled in accordance with the control signal.

[0007] With this configuration, it is possible to remotely check the status of each amusement device installed in the facility and control the power supply. This makes it possible, for example, to post contact information in the facility and control the devices from a call center to stop the operation of amusement devices that are malfunctioning (to turn off the power). Therefore, there is no need to assign personnel to each facility, and one call center can handle multiple facilities, reducing labor costs. This also makes it possible to set up small-scale game corners in shopping malls and other commercial facilities, something that was previously difficult to do due to labor costs. Furthermore, game corners set up in commercial facilities do not require operating costs on the part of the parent facility, making it possible to completely outsource the operation of the game corner to an entity other than the parent facility.

[0008] In a preferred form of the present invention, the amusement device further includes a refund device installed in the same facility as the amusement device, and the input unit accepts input via the management screen to cause the refund device to execute a refund process and transmits a control signal to the refund device, and the refund device pays out coins in response to the control signal.

[0009] With this configuration, even if a refund becomes necessary due to a breakdown or accidental malfunction of the amusement device, the refund can be made by remotely controlling the refund device installed in the facility.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit receives an operating status of the refund device, and the display unit further displays the operating status of the refund device on the management screen.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the facility further comprises a camera that is installed in the facility and captures an image including the amusement device, and the display unit further displays the image captured by the camera.

[0012] With this configuration, it is possible to check the state of the facility from a remote location and perform various operations. In particular, when refunds are made, by checking the local situation through video footage, it is possible to prevent fraudulent practices in which people are tricked into paying for refunds even when they do not need them.

[0013] In a preferred form of the present invention, the facility terminal further includes a facility terminal installed at the facility, the facility terminal having an authentication unit that accepts input of contact information and transmits a request to send authentication information, and then accepts input of the authentication information sent to the contact information and transmits it to an authentication agency.

[0014] With this configuration, it is possible to confirm that the contact is from a person who is actually on-site and then control operation, refund, etc. Also, by requiring the input of contact information, it is possible to prevent pranks and fraudulent refund requests.

[0015] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a remote control program applied to a remote control system for remotely controlling multiple amusement devices installed in a facility, the remote control system comprising multiple amusement devices installed in the same facility and a management terminal located outside the facility, the management terminal functions as a communication unit, a display unit, and an input unit, the communication unit receives the operating status of the multiple amusement devices in the facility, the display unit displays a management screen that lists the operating status, and the input unit accepts input to change the operating status of each of the amusement devices via the management screen and transmits control signals to the amusement devices in order to control the operation of the amusement devices.

[0016] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a remote control method using a remote control system for remotely controlling multiple amusement devices installed in a facility, the remote control system comprising multiple amusement devices installed in the same facility and a management terminal located outside the facility, the management terminal having a communication unit, a display unit, and an input unit, the communication unit receives the operating status of the multiple amusement devices in the facility, the display unit displays a management screen that lists the operating status, the input unit accepts input via the management screen to change the operating status of each of the amusement devices and transmits a control signal to the amusement device, and the amusement devices are controlled in operation in accordance with the control signal. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, a novel technique can be provided that enables an amusement facility to be operated without deploying personnel on-site. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processing device and a terminal device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 13 is a display example of a management screen in a management terminal of the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13 shows an example of a screen display on a management terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 shows an example of a menu screen display on the facility terminal of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The present invention relates to a remote control technology for amusement devices and the like, for operating a facility in which multiple amusement devices are installed without having to have personnel stationed there all the time. The present invention is particularly used in the amusement field, and the "facility" in the present invention refers to an amusement facility and the like. There are no limitations on the size or form of the "facility," and it refers to a place in which multiple amusement devices are installed. In other words, the "facility" of the present invention includes both a large-scale amusement park and a small game corner set up in a corner of a commercial facility.

[0020] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments are shown, but which may be embodied in many different forms and are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0021] For example, in this embodiment, the configuration, operation, etc. of the remote control system will be described, but similar effects can be achieved by a device having similar functions, a method executed by the device, a computer program that causes a computer device to execute the method, etc. The program may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided so as to be downloadable from an external server.

[0022] The amusement device of the present invention refers to any device provided to users in the amusement field. For example, both electrically controlled arcade game machines such as crane games and medal game machines, and devices that do not involve electrical control such as capsule toys are included in the amusement device. In the following, in this embodiment, an example in which an electrically controlled game device is used as the amusement device will be described, but instead of or in addition to this, devices such as capsule toys may be used as the amusement device.

[0023] <1. System configuration> Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a remote control system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the remote control system 0 includes a management terminal 1, a facility terminal 2, a plurality of game devices G, a camera C, and a refund device R. The management terminal 1, the facility terminal 2, the game devices G, the camera C, and the refund device R are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network NW. In this embodiment, the network NW is an IP (Internet Protocol) network, but there are no limitations on the type of communication protocol, the type of network, and the like.

[0024] A plurality of game devices G, a camera C, a refund device R, and a facility terminal 2 are all installed in the same facility. In reality, a plurality of similar facilities exist, but the description is omitted here. A plurality of management terminals 1 exist, and are connected to the game devices G, the cameras C, and the refund devices R of the plurality of facilities so that they can communicate with each other. It is preferable to provide one camera C for each game device G, but this is not limited to this. For example, the number of cameras C installed may be less than the number of game devices G, by installing cameras C at positions where the plurality of game devices G can be photographed, or multiple cameras C may be provided for one game device G, and the game device G may be photographed from multiple angles.

[0025] As mentioned above, a device such as a capsule toy without electrical control may be used instead of or in addition to the game device G. In this case, it is used in combination with a communication device having an electrically controllable mechanism for controlling and acquiring the operating state. For example, it is assumed that the operating state of the device can be physically restricted or released by using a device that is wirelessly connected to a device having a communication function and that controls a physical driving mechanism by an electrical signal acquired by communication.

[0026] <2. Functional configuration> Next, the functional configuration of the remote control system 0 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The management terminal 1 has a communication unit 11, a display unit 12, and an input unit 13. This is a specific implementation of information processing by software using hardware.

[0027] The communication unit 11 receives, for each facility, information indicating the operating status of multiple game devices G in the facility, an image of a camera C that captures an image including the game devices G, and information indicating the operating status of a refund device R installed in the facility. In this embodiment, the game devices G, the camera C, and the refund device R are connected to a network NW and transmit information to the management terminal 1, but for example, these devices may transmit information to a server device, and the management terminal 1 may obtain information from the server device.

[0028] The display unit 12 displays the operating status of multiple game devices G in the facility, the operating status of the refund device R, and the image of the camera C. Specifically, a management screen described later displays a list of the operating status of each game device G and the refund device R installed in the same facility. Also, the image of the camera C is displayed in response to an operation by a facility manager (operation staff), etc. The image of the camera C is distributed to the management terminal 1 by streaming, and the captured image is displayed on the display unit 12 in real time. Alternatively or in addition to this, the image may be stored in a storage device connected to the camera C, and an image of a specific time point in the past may be displayed on the management terminal 1.

[0029] The input unit 13 receives an input for changing the operation state of each of the game device G and the refund device R via the management screen, and transmits a control signal to the game device G or the refund device R. An input for changing the operation state is, for example, an input for turning off the power of the game device G when it is on, and an input for turning on the power of the game device G when it is off. When a capsule toy is used instead of or in addition to the game device G, operation control is performed by a physical drive mechanism instead of power control.

[0030] In this embodiment, the input unit 13 transmits a control signal including information specifying a specific game device G or refund device R via the network NW. The game device G switches the power on and off based on this signal. In this embodiment, an address on the network is assigned to each of the game device G, the camera C, and the refund device R, and the input unit 13 transmits a control signal to the address as a destination, thereby performing the above-mentioned operation control.

[0031] In addition, for example, one or more relay devices connected to the network NW may be provided in each facility, and the game device G, the camera C, and the refund device R may be connected to the relay device by short-distance wireless communication. In such a case, the input unit 13 may specify the address of the relay device on the network as the destination of the control signal. The control signal may include the ID of the game device G, and the relay device or the game device G itself may control the operation of the specified game device G based on the control signal.

[0032] One or more facility terminals 2 are installed in each facility, and include a display unit 21 and an authentication unit 22. The display unit 21 displays various screens for receiving input from facility users.

[0033] Authentication unit 22 accepts the input of the facility user's contact information and transmits a request to send authentication information. Specifically, for example, so-called SMS authentication can be used. For example, the facility user inputs a phone number into an authentication website using a web browser application installed in facility terminal 2. Then, an SMS authentication service is used by an API to transmit authentication information to that phone number.

[0034] When the facility user enters the received authentication information into the above-mentioned website, authentication unit 22 transmits the authentication information to the SMS authentication service, which is an authentication authority. The SMS authentication service performs authentication by confirming that the transmitted authentication information matches. The facility manager then receives and confirms the authentication result via the API.

[0035] The facility manager who operates the management terminal 1 can check this authentication result to confirm that the input was made by a facility user who actually visited the facility. This makes it possible to confirm that the actual facility user made the contact regarding handling of malfunctions and refunds, which is useful for preventing fraud. However, it is not essential to provide the authentication unit 22, and even if the authentication unit 22 is provided, refunds and operation control may be performed without authentication.

[0036] <3. Hardware configuration> The game device G, the camera C, and the refund device R each include one or more information processing devices 10 (computer devices), such as a general-purpose server or a personal computer. Alternatively, each is connected to such an information processing device 10. Furthermore, a terminal device 9 (computer device), such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, can be used as the management terminal 1 and the facility terminal 2. In this embodiment, the management terminal 1 is a terminal device 9 in which a computer program (remote operation program) that executes a remote control method is installed.

[0037] Fig. 3(a) is a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing device 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing device 10 has a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a communication unit 103, which are used to cause each unit and each process to function.

[0038] The control unit 101 has a processor such as a CPU capable of executing an instruction set, and executes an OS and programs. The storage unit 102 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM capable of storing an instruction set, and a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD or SSD capable of recording an OS, a program, a DBMS (database server), and the like. The communication unit 103 has an interface for physically connecting to a network, and controls communication with the network NW to input and output information.

[0039] Fig. 3(b) is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal device 9. As shown in Fig. 3, the terminal device 9 has a control unit 901, a storage unit 902, a communication unit 903, an input unit 904, and an output unit 905, which are used to perform the functions of each unit and each process.

[0040] The control unit 901 has a processor such as a CPU capable of executing an instruction set, and executes an OS, programs, and the like. The storage unit 902 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM capable of storing an instruction set, and a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD or SSD capable of recording an OS, a determination program, and the like. The communication unit 903 has an interface for physically connecting to a network, and controls communications with the network NW to input and output information. The input unit 904 includes an operation input device capable of input processing, such as a touch panel or a keyboard, and an audio input device capable of audio input, such as a microphone. The output unit 905 includes a display device capable of display processing, such as a display, and an audio output device, such as a speaker.

[0041] <4. Display screen on management terminal 1> 4 is a diagram showing an example of a management screen displayed on the management terminal 1. The game devices G, the cameras C, and the refund devices R are managed in association with the facilities in which they are installed. The management screen displays a list of the operating statuses of all the game devices G installed in each facility and the operating status of the refund devices R installed in each facility.

[0042] In this embodiment, separate management screens are displayed for the game device G and the refund device R, and the camera C. Fig. 4(a) shows an example of the management screen display for the game device G and the refund device R, and Fig. 4(b) shows an example of the management screen display for the camera C. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a camera C is installed for each game device G in facility A, and a button for checking the camera images is displayed on the management screen.

[0043] In this embodiment, it is also possible to reserve operation control of the game device G and the refund device R, and the next schedule for control is displayed under the facility name at the top of the screen. For each game device G, a name and a power indicator of "On" or "Off" are provided, and for each camera C, a camera button is provided for checking the image. For example, when the "Camera No. 1" button is selected, a screen appears that displays the image captured by that camera. In this embodiment, the number of each game device G corresponds to the number of camera C, and "Camera No. 1" captures images including "Game A No. 1."

[0044] The management screen also displays the operating status of the refund machine R. In this embodiment, the money changer functions as the refund machine R, and "exchanger power supply" on the management screen is a display showing the operating status of the refund machine R. This allows refunds to be made remotely using a money changer installed in the facility, without the need to install a new device.

[0045] Furthermore, when the facility manager selects the "refund button," the input unit 13 accepts an input to cause the refund device R to execute the refund process. The refund process is then controlled in the same manner as the power control of the game device G described above. The refund process can be performed using the refund function of any currency exchange machine with a refund function. For example, a currency exchange machine that has the function of dispensing a predetermined amount of currency by stopping the power supply for a predetermined period of time can be used as the refund device R, and the power supply can be stopped for the predetermined period of time using a control signal to perform the refund. The transmission of the control signal and the control based thereon are similar to the power control of the game device G.

[0046] In addition, it is preferable that the management screen displays the power on and off, the game device G or the refund device R, and the camera C in different formats. This makes it easy to recognize at a glance which device the display relates to.

[0047] The display unit 12 also displays the history of past control and the schedule of reserved power control (operation control). FIG. 5(a) is an example of a display screen listing the most recent control history. In this manner, the display unit 12 displays the most recent control history in reverse chronological order. For each history, the target device, time, and control content are displayed, and further details can be displayed by selecting each history. Also, from each history, a transition to a screen for performing operation control regarding the target device may be made.

[0048] 5(b) is an example of a display of future operation control schedules using the operation control reservation function. In this way, the display unit 12 displays the control schedules in order of proximity. For each schedule, the target device, the reservation time, and the control content are displayed, and selecting each schedule transitions to a screen for performing operation control for the target device.

[0049] <5. Remote response procedures> The following describes the procedure for a facility user to request a refund using the present invention. First, when the facility user operates game device G and is unable to play the game normally due to a malfunction of game device G, the facility user uses facility terminal 2 to contact the facility manager.

[0050] FIG. 6 is an example of a menu screen display on the facility terminal 2. The facility user selects the desired content from the menu and inputs the information in order. Specifically, the facility user inputs, for example, the reason for needing a refund and the amount of the refund required. When "Handling Breakdowns" or "Regarding Prizes" is selected, an input screen for the specific details of the response regarding the breakdown or prizes is displayed.

[0051] The display contents and input format may be determined arbitrarily, for example, a format in which items are selected sequentially from a menu as shown in Fig. 6(a), or a format in which information is input in a conversational format with an avatar as shown in Fig. 6(b). Output may be performed by voice instead of or in addition to display on a screen, for example, a question may be output by voice in the format shown in Fig. 6(b). Initial input may also be performed by voice communication between the facility manager and the facility user.

[0052] When the various inputs are completed, the input information is sent to the terminal device used by the facility manager, and a voice call is made to the facility manager. The terminal device that receives the input information may be the same as the management terminal 1, or may be a different terminal device.

[0053] The facility manager who receives the call refers to the information sent to the terminal device and also talks with the facility user by voice call to confirm the situation. The conversation between the facility manager and the facility user may be conducted in the form of displaying an avatar on the facility terminal 2 and having a dialogue with the avatar. If the facility manager determines that a refund is necessary, he informs the facility user of that fact and instructs the facility user to perform SMS authentication from the facility terminal 2. At this time, the facility manager can check the video from camera C using the management terminal 1 as necessary to determine the need for a refund. If it can be determined from the video from camera C that there is no fraud, the facility manager may input information to have the management terminal 1 execute the refund process without performing SMS authentication.

[0054] The facility user selects "Proceed to SMS authentication" on the menu screen of facility terminal 2, enters his / her phone number, and performs SMS authentication. When the facility user enters the authentication information and the authentication is successful, information to that effect is sent to the terminal device used by the facility manager. This terminal device may be the same as management terminal 1, or may be a different terminal device. The facility manager confirms that the authentication is successful and performs input to cause management terminal 1 to execute a refund process, and the money is dispensed by refund device R.

[0055] The currency used in the refund process of the present invention does not have to be general currency. For example, in a facility where a medal game game machine G is installed, medals may be paid out.

[0056] As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to handle malfunctions of the game devices G from a remote location without having to have personnel stationed at the facility all the time. This allows for reduction in labor costs. Furthermore, by installing a refund device that can be operated remotely, refunds can also be handled remotely, allowing for unmanned operation of a wider range of facilities.

[0057] In addition, by installing a camera C in the facility and making it possible to check the video from the camera C from the management terminal 1, it is possible to prevent mischief, fraudulent refund requests, etc. Furthermore, by performing authentication by the authentication unit, it is possible to further increase the effect of preventing mischief and fraudulent refund requests. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 0: Remote control system 1: Management terminal 11: Communications Department 12:Display section 13: Input section 2: Facility terminal 21:Display section 22: Authentication section C: Camera G: Game device R: Refund device NW: Network 10: Information processing device 101: Processing section 102: Storage section 103: Communications Department 9: Terminal device 901: Processing section 902: Storage section 903: Communications Department 904: Input section 905: Output section

Claims

1. A remote control system for remotely controlling a plurality of amusement devices installed in a facility, comprising: The amusement system includes a plurality of the amusement devices installed in a single facility, a management terminal located outside the facility, and a refund device installed within the facility, The management terminal has a communication unit, a display unit, and an input unit, the communication unit receives the operation statuses of the amusement devices in the facility; the display unit displays a management screen that displays a list of the operating statuses, the input unit receives an input for changing an operating state of each of the amusement devices via the management screen, and transmits a control signal to the amusement device; and receives an input for causing the refund device to execute a refund process via the management screen, and transmits a control signal to the refund device; The amusement device is controlled in operation in response to the control signal, The refund device dispenses currency in response to the control signal.

2. The communication unit receives an operation status of the refund device, The remote control system according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit further displays an operating status of the refund device on the management screen.

3. A camera is further provided which is installed in the facility and captures an image including the amusement device, The remote control system according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit further displays an image captured by the camera.

4. A facility terminal installed in the facility is further provided, The facility terminal has an authentication unit, The remote control system according to claim 1 , wherein the authentication unit receives input of a contact point and transmits a request to transmit authentication information, and then receives input of the authentication information transmitted to the contact point and transmits the information to an authentication agency.

5. A remote control program applied to a remote control system for remotely controlling a plurality of amusement devices installed in a facility, comprising: the remote control system comprises a plurality of the amusement devices installed in a single facility, a management terminal located outside the facility, and a refund device installed in the facility; The management terminal functions as a communication unit, a display unit, and an input unit; the communication unit receives the operation statuses of the amusement devices in the facility; the display unit displays a management screen that displays a list of the operating statuses, A remote control program in which the input unit accepts input via the management screen to change the operating status of each of the amusement devices and transmits a control signal to the amusement device in order to control the operation of the amusement device, and also accepts input via the management screen to cause the refund device to execute a refund process and transmits a control signal to the refund device in order to cause the refund device to execute a refund process.

6. A remote control method for a remote control system for remotely controlling a plurality of amusement devices installed in a facility, comprising: the remote control system comprises a plurality of the amusement devices installed in a single facility, a management terminal located outside the facility, and a refund device installed in the facility; The management terminal has a communication unit, a display unit, and an input unit, the communication unit receives the operation statuses of the amusement devices in the facility; the display unit displays a management screen that displays a list of the operating statuses, the input unit receives an input for changing an operating state of each of the amusement devices via the management screen, and transmits a control signal to the amusement device; and receives an input for causing the refund device to execute a refund process via the management screen, and transmits a control signal to the refund device; The amusement device is controlled in operation in response to the control signal, The refund device dispenses currency in response to the control signal.

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