Amusement park systems

Abstract

To facilitate processing corresponding to update processing of an information display in a management device.SOLUTION: In a management device, at least a part of multiple predefined versatile setting items is subjected to mask processing, and mask processing of objective setting items is canceled according to update by an update program, and further an explanation screen for explaining the objective setting items can be displayed, to thereby facilitate processing corresponding to update processing of an information display in the management device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In gaming centers, information display devices are provided in correspondence with gaming machines to provide players with gaming information and to provide performances according to the gaming situation. For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a management device that acts as the source of distribution distributes display control programs to each information display device and performs various settings on the information display device (see paragraphs

[0063] and

[0116] in Patent Document 1, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-97295 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Now, the gaming machines installed in an amusement center are not only diverse but are also frequently replaced, but the interest of the replaced model can be increased by updating the program and making various settings to display information and perform effects that are specialized for that model. Here, if we focus only on the information display device as the target for program updates, the update can be performed through a relatively easy process, such as downloading the program from the manufacturer's server via a management device. However, since the setting screen on the management device, which is related to the settings of the information display device, is also included in the update target, this becomes a relatively difficult process, making it difficult to respond quickly in this regard.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an amusement arcade system that facilitates processing corresponding to updating of information display devices in a management device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a gaming facility system including an information display device provided in correspondence with a gaming machine, which executes display processing relating to game information of the gaming machine based on a predetermined display control program, and a management device that manages the information display device, The management device a transmitting means (for example, a communication unit 38b and a control unit 38) capable of transmitting an update program (for example, a terminal PG 41' shown in FIG. 4) used to update the display control program to the information display device; a setting display means (e.g., monitor 8) for displaying setting information necessary for performing the display process in the information display device, which setting information predefines a plurality of general setting items (e.g., setting information included in the setting screen 50 of FIG. 5); a masking means for performing a masking process on at least some of the plurality of setting items on a setting item basis (for example, a process of graying out the setting items using a gray mask 51a in FIG. 5), When the information display device is updated by the update program, the setting display means can cancel the masking process for the updated setting item and display an explanatory screen (for example, a screen displayed separately from the setting screen 50 as the explanatory screen 70 in Figure 7) showing the content of the setting item.

[0007] According to the above configuration, it is possible to perform masking of at least some of a plurality of predefined general-purpose setting items, unmask the target setting items in response to updates by an update program, and further display an explanatory screen explaining the target setting items, thereby facilitating processing corresponding to the update processing of the information display device in the management device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of an amusement park system in one embodiment. [Figure 2] Front view of information display device [Figure 3]A schematic block diagram mainly showing an information display device and a management device. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram showing an example of program deployment [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen displayed on the management device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a link selection screen displayed on a management device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an explanation screen displayed on the management device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a gaming facility system. Multiple gaming machines 1 are installed in gaming facility A, and a gaming device 2 and an information display device 3 are attached in one-to-one correspondence to each gaming machine 1. Each of the gaming machines 1, gaming devices 2, and information display devices 3 is connected to a relay device 4, and the relay device 4 is connected to a management device 6 via a LAN 5. Gaming facility A is also equipped with a POS and a balance adjustment machine (neither of which are shown), and these POS and balance adjustment machines are also connected to the management device 6 via the LAN 5. Although not shown in FIG. 1, in reality, for example, several hundred gaming machines 1 are managed by the management device 6.

[0010] The management device 6 is installed in, for example, an office in the gaming center A, and is connected to a keyboard 7 and a monitor 8 operated by the manager of the gaming center A, as well as a mouse, a printer, etc. (not shown). The management device 6 receives game signals output from the gaming machines (gaming machine 1, gaming device 2, etc.) and manages the game data for each gaming machine 1 as game information.

[0011] The gaming machine 1 is a CR (card reader) pachinko machine in which the gaming medium (gaming value) is a ball, and has an operating handle 10, an upper tray 11, and a lower tray 12 that constitute a launching device that launches balls onto the board 1a, and the board 1a has an LCD display unit 13, a regular prize opening 14, a first start opening 15, a second start opening 16, and a big prize opening 17. In addition, the top surface of the upper tray 11 in the gaming machine 1 has a balance display unit 11a, a loan button 11b, and a return button 11c.

[0012] The gaming machine 1 operates as follows. (1) The first start slot 15 is a winning slot (a so-called center winning slot) whose winning rate does not fluctuate, and the second start slot 16 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 start slot 15, 16, and the lottery result is notified by a pattern change (unit game) on the LCD display 13, and a jackpot is awarded according to the result of the change.

[0013] (2) If a start win occurs during the pattern change, the pattern changes are cumulatively reserved up to a predetermined reserved upper limit (for example, 4 each), and the reserved pattern changes are started 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 is not reserved, and if there is a reserved pattern in the second start port 16, the reserved pattern change is executed in priority to the reserved pattern in the first start port 15.

[0014] (3) The winning probability of the jackpot lottery (jackpot probability) is 1 / 250, and the probability rate, which is the percentage of jackpots that subsequently enter a probability state (probability change jackpot) (probability change jackpot), is 50% for navel winnings and 70% for electric chute winnings. When a jackpot occurs, the jackpot opening 17 is opened for the allocated number of rounds (R). In this round, all center hole wins are allocated to 4R, while electric chute wins are allocated 50% to 10R and 50% to 4R. The maximum number of wins per round is 10, and the maximum opening time is 30 seconds. When either the maximum number of wins or the maximum opening time is reached, one round ends.

[0015] (4) During the probability variation, the probability of winning increases to 1 / 50, and the winning rate to the second starting slot 16 increases. This time-saving state (time-saving) is activated, and continues until a jackpot occurs. On the other hand, if a normal jackpot occurs, the time-saving state (single time-saving) continues until 100 pattern changes are performed, and if no jackpot occurs, the state returns to normal.

[0016] (5) The second starting port 16 opens to a high winning rate when the normal symbol (normal symbol) that changes depending on the winning of the normal symbol winning port 14 becomes a winning symbol. In this case, the normal symbol changes over 30 seconds in the normal state and 3 seconds in the time-saving state. Also, the opening time 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 time is shorter than in the normal state, while the opening time is longer, resulting in a higher winning rate for the second starting port 16. In addition to this type of gaming machine 1, gaming machines other than the gaming machine 1 illustrated above, such as gaming machines that do not have a single time reduction, or gaming machines that have multiple jackpot probabilities that can be changed by settings, may also be managed.

[0017] The gaming machine outputs the following game signals as the game progresses, such as when the player shoots a ball into the starting slots 15 and 16 and when a starting prize is awarded. Out signal = A signal (operation signal) that can identify the consumption value (out) output from the out box that collects consumed balls. Since one pulse is output for every 10 balls consumed (used, inserted, collected), the "number of out signals x 10" is identified as out. Note that this may also be a signal output from the gaming machine 1.

[0018] Safe signal = A signal output from the gaming machine 1 that can identify the winning value (safe). One pulse is output for every 10 balls paid out in response to a win, so "number of safe signals x 10" is identified as safe. The supply signal output from the supply device can also be used as the safe signal. There are two types of safe signals: an actual safe signal that is output when balls are actually paid out, and a winning safe signal that is output when a payout is scheduled in response to a win. It is preferable to use the latter to minimize the time lag between winning and output.

[0019] Start signal = A signal that can specify the start process (pattern change, device operation, unit game) and start (number of start processes) in the LCD display unit 13 (device) that changes (operates) in response to the start winning (S winning) output from the gaming machine 1. Since it is output when the pattern change is confirmed, the start process is specified according to the signal input. Note that it may also be substituted by the S winning signal that indicates that a win has been made in the start slots 15, 16.

[0020] · Jackpot signal = a signal capable of identifying the jackpot period output from the gaming machine 1. Since it is a status signal that is output at a level during a jackpot, the time when the jackpot signal is being input is identified as the time when a jackpot is occurring. Special state signal = a signal that can identify a special state (sweet state) output from the gaming machine 1. Since this is a state signal that is output at a high level during a special state (during time reduction (including combined time reduction)) in which the winning rate of the second starting port 16 increases, the state is identified as being in a special state when the special state signal is being input. Note that it may also be a state signal (probability variable signal) that is output at a high level during a probability variable in which the probability of a jackpot increases. In addition, the period in which neither a jackpot signal nor a special state signal is input is identified as being in a normal state.

[0021] The gaming device 2 shown in Figure 1 is a rental machine with a so-called counting function for each machine, and has a status indicator light 2a that shows the gaming status of the gaming machine 1 and the status of the gaming device 2, a coin slot 21 through which coins are inserted, a touch panel display 22, a payout button 23 for paying out held balls, a payout nozzle 24 through which paid out balls pass, a card insertion slot 25 through which IC cards (recording media not shown) such as general cards (held ball tickets) and membership cards are inserted, and a counting tray 26 located below the lower tray 12 of the gaming machine 1.

[0022] The gaming device 2 operates as follows. (1) When currency is accepted (currency acceptance process), the amount of the deposit is added to the balance and displayed on both the gaming machine 1 and the gaming device 2. When the loan button 11b on the gaming machine 1 is pressed (loan operation, grant operation) while there is a balance, loan balls (amount of value granted) equivalent to one loan unit (for example, 500 yen) are dispensed from the gaming machine 1 (amount grant process), and the amount of value according to the rate is deducted from the balance. Currency can be accepted in an amount corresponding to multiple amounts of the amount grant process (for example, up to 10,000 yen).

[0023] (2) When counted balls are accepted, the counted balls are identified as held balls, and a refund process is enabled in which the held balls are paid out by pressing the payout button 23. When a payout is made, the amount of the paid-out balls (for example, the same number as the number of paid-out balls) is subtracted from the held balls. When the return button 11c on the gaming machine 1 is pressed (the issuance operation is accepted) while there is a remaining balance or held balls, a general card is issued that can identify the remaining balance and held balls stored in the gaming device 2. For the sake of simplicity, partial issuance of a card to issue only a portion of the held balls or the remaining balance is not permitted, but it may be possible.

[0024] (3) Through serial communication with the relay device 4 (receiving sales signals), the management device 6 can identify various information such as currency acceptance processing, payment processing, balance, balls held, number of balls lent, number of balls paid out, amount deposited, number of counted balls, number of lent balls, sales amount in exchange for lent balls, and general card acceptance and issuance processing. However, this information can also be identified by a pulse signal (for example, one pulse for every 1,000 yen deposited, one pulse for every 100 yen in sales, etc.).

[0025] 2 is an enlarged front view of the information display device 3. The information display device 3 is provided above the corresponding gaming machine 1, and has a display screen capable of displaying various types of game information to the player. The information display device 3 is provided with a call button 30 that allows the player to call an employee, an illumination section 31 made up of LEDs that provide illumination effects when a call is displayed on the call button 30 or during special conditions, and a display area 32 that displays various game information, etc. as the display screen, and a touch panel 33 is provided on the outer surface of the display area 32.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the display area 32 is divided into a sub-display section 34 on the left side when viewed from the front, and a main display section 35 on the right side. The sub-display unit 34 is composed of a plurality of display units 34a, 34b, each of which displays the number of jackpots, the number of bonuses, etc., using, for example, a 7-segment display that displays the numbers "0" to "9" using LEDs. The main display unit 35 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that is capable of full-color display, and is capable of displaying information in a variety of display modes, such as being divided into a plurality of display units 35a to 35d in the normal state.

[0027] Specifically, the sub-display unit 34 is composed of a first sub-display unit 34a that displays the number of jackpots, the number of bonuses, etc., and a second sub-display unit 34b that displays the number of starts (pattern variations) after the initialization condition is met (met by the start of business, the end of a special state, etc.). Also, below the second sub-display unit 34b, a machine number display unit 34c that shows the machine number of the corresponding gaming machine 1 is attached as a sticker.

[0028] On the other hand, the main display section 35 is divided into a first main display section 35a, a second main display section 35b, a third main display section 35c, and a fourth main display section 35d, in that order from the top, as shown in FIG. The first main display unit 35a displays an image according to the corresponding machine type, specifications such as the probability of a jackpot, information from the gaming parlor A, the machine name, etc. The second main display unit 35b displays the number of "jackpots" and "initial hits" (number of jackpots occurring under normal conditions) that have occurred during the relevant period (business day), the number of "ceiling time reduction" occurrences, and "starts" (Ten-ji S) that are subject to ceiling time reduction. The third main display unit 35c displays a so-called differential ball graph that shows the progress of the jackpot probability and the differential balls, or a so-called start history graph that graphs the starts per jackpot, and the fourth main display unit 35d displays a group of buttons that can be operated to switch the game information display or take a break.

[0029] The main display unit 35 is of a touch panel type in which a touch panel 33 is arranged on at least the fourth main display unit 35d (or the entire main display unit 35), and the group of buttons and the touch panel 33 form a group of operation buttons that are used for touch operations. In addition, by touching the group of operation buttons, it is also possible to integrate all of the display units 35a to 35d or some of the display units (for example, integrating the second and third main display units 35b and 35c) to display a ball difference transition graph, an effect display according to the game status, etc.

[0030] 3 is a schematic block diagram mainly showing the information display device 3 and the management device 6. As shown in the figure, the control unit 36 ​​of the information display device 3 is configured by a microcomputer having a CPU, a storage unit 36a (memory such as ROM and RAM, including flash memory 36a), and I / O, and controls the operation of the entire device 3 based on a display control program 41 (computer program) stored in, for example, the flash memory 36a. The control unit 36 ​​is connected to the relay device 4 via an I / F (communication unit 36b in the figure) that inputs and outputs signals, and receives game signals from the gaming machines and game information from the management device 6 via the relay device 4 (and LAN 5). Various settings in the control unit 36 ​​can also be made via the relay device 4 by the management device 6 that manages the control unit 36.

[0031] 3, the control unit 36 ​​is connected to the call button 30 and the touch panel 33, as well as to an LED as the illumination unit 31, a segment display unit as the sub-display unit 34, a liquid crystal display unit as the main display unit 35, etc. The control unit 36 ​​(hereinafter abbreviated as "information display device 3" where appropriate) controls the operation of the illumination unit 31, the sub-display unit 34, and the main display unit 35 by executing display processing related to game information of the gaming machine 1 based on operations on the touch panel 33, etc., game signals output from the gaming machine, and a predetermined display control program 41, thereby being able to display various display screens such as the display screen shown in FIG.

[0032] As mentioned above, the gaming machines 1 installed in the gaming center A are of various types (see, for example, models A to S in Figure 5), and are frequently replaced.However, by updating the program and making various settings to display information and perform effects that are specialized for the replaced model, the interest of that model can be increased. Here, if we focus only on the information display device 3 as the target for updating the program, the update can be performed by a relatively simple process of downloading the update program used to update the display control program 41 from the manufacturer's management server via the management device 6. However, since the setting screen on the management device 6 side related to the settings of the information display device 3 is also included in the update targets, a relatively difficult process is required, making it difficult to respond quickly.

[0033] Therefore, in the management device 6 of this embodiment, in order to facilitate processing corresponding to the update processing of the information display device 3, masking processing is performed on a setting item basis for at least some (for example, setting items that do not correspond to the update) of the general-purpose (for example, alternative settings 1 to 4) required to display game information on the monitor 8 (see mask 51a in the shaded area in Figure 5 described later), and when the information display device 3 is updated with an update program, the masking processing for the updated setting items is released and an explanatory screen 70 (see Figure 7 described later) showing the contents of the setting items is displayed.

[0034] In the following, we will first explain "1. Management device and management server", then explain "2. Update program and its deployment example" and "3. Screen display and setting items on the management device". In addition, in the following, a program will be written as "PG", and an update PG that updates it will be marked with a dash "´" to distinguish between the original PG and the update PG' (for example, both the display control PG 41 and the update PG 41' in Figure 3).

[0035] <1. Management device and management server> As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 38 of the management device 6 is mainly composed of a microcomputer and is equipped with a CPU, a memory unit 38a (memory such as ROM and RAM, including flash memory 38a), I / O, etc., and operates in accordance with a control PG42 stored, for example, in flash memory 38a.

[0036] The control unit 38 has an I / F that inputs and outputs signals as a communication unit 38b, and transmits various data to various devices such as the information display device 3 via the communication unit 38b, and also receives and manages various data transmitted from the various devices. As a result, the control unit 38 and the communication unit 38b function as a transmission means that can transmit the update PG 41' to the information display device 3. In addition, the control unit 38 (hereinafter referred to as "management device 6" as appropriate) is connected to operation input means such as a keyboard 7 and a mouse (not shown) for the amusement facility manager to input operations, and is also connected to a monitor 8 (for example, a setting display means such as an LCD display unit) that can display setting information of the information display device 3, etc.

[0037] The management device 6 can be connected to a public communication line (Internet, virtual private network (VPN), etc.) 9 shown in FIG. 1, and can communicate with an external management server 100 via the public communication line 9 or the like. Here, the management device 6 is an in-game management device installed in the gaming facility A, and is a gaming information management device that manages gaming information at the gaming facility A. Although not shown in the figures, the same configuration as that of the gaming facility A is also realized in other gaming facilities, and the management devices 6 of the other gaming facilities are also connectable to the public communication line 9, just like the management device 6 of the gaming facility A. The gaming facility A will also be referred to as "Store A," and the other gaming facility will also be referred to as "Store B" (see stores A and B in Figure 4).

[0038] 1 is an off-site management server that is installed outside an amusement facility (separate from main store A) as a gaming information server of a system manufacturer, for example, and is capable of communicating with the management devices 6 of each store A, B. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the management server 100 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and its memory stores update programs 41' and the like developed by the system manufacturer (see "download program" in FIG. 4). As a result, the display control PG 41 can be updated by downloading the update PG 41' from the management server 100 to the information display device 3 via the management device 6 of the store A or B (storing it in the flash memory 36a).

[0039] Furthermore, the management server 100 manages information for displaying the explanation screen 70 of FIG. 7 as information that can be presented to the management devices 6 of the stores A and B, and provides the information on the web page of the server 100. In each of stores A and B, the management device 6 manages (stores) the URL of the web page as access information for the management server 100, and can display the explanation screen 70 on the monitor 8 of the device 6 by accessing the web page (management server 100) at that URL via the public communication line 9. As will be described in detail later, the management device 6 updates the corresponding (destination) URL in accordance with the update by the update PG 41'.

[0040] <2. Update programs and examples of their deployment> FIG. 4 shows an example of deployment of an updated PG 40' developed by a system manufacturer to stores A and B. As shown in the "Store A, B" column on the right side of the figure, the PG 40 of this embodiment can be broadly divided into two parts. One is a PG for the entire system (including the control PG 42) ("A3.2**" in the figure, also referred to as "system PG 42" hereinafter) that targets all terminals such as the management device 6 other than the information display device 3 installed in the gaming facility. The other is a display control PG 41 for the information display device 3 ("A1.00*" in the figure, also referred to as "terminal PG 41" hereinafter).

[0041] Correspondingly, the "development program" on the left side of the figure is developed as an update PG 40', which is divided into a system PG 42' (update PG 42') targeting the system PG 42 of the management device 6 and a terminal PG 41' (update PG 41') targeting the terminal PG 41 of the information display device 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the system PG 42' updates the system PG 42 including the control PG 42, and the terminal PG 41' can be introduced to update the terminal PG 41. Here, because the system PG 42' includes the management device 6 as an update target, there is a high need for a manufacturer's technician to be seconded to perform the update process, whereas the terminal PG 41' only includes the information display device 3 as an update target. Therefore, the terminal PG 41' can be updated by amusement facility employees alone, or by a downloaded PG' via remote processing or telephone support (e.g., automatic download, as described below), without the need for a manufacturer's technician to be seconded, reducing the need for a manufacturer's technician to be seconded. Furthermore, updating general-purpose functions requires an update of the entire system, which may require an update of the system PG 42.

[0042] In the past, if only the terminal PG41 was updated to a higher-level PG' (new PG') without updating the system PG42, it would not work, but in this embodiment, it is backward compatible, and if it is updated to a higher-level PG41' than the terminal PG41 corresponding to the system PG42, the general-purpose functions corresponding to the system PG42 remain the same, and only the functions specialized for specific models (hereinafter referred to as "special functions") described below can be updated.

[0043] Specifically, in the top row of Figure 4, if PG41' for the terminal "A1.000" corresponding to system PG42' "A3.200" is developed, "A1.000" is needed at both stores A and B, so a manufacturer worker will be dispatched to the store to perform the update process. This means that, as mentioned above, updates to system PG42' must be carried out by a manufacturer's worker on secondment (see "secondment version upgrade" in the figure), and in this case, terminal PG41' corresponding to system PG42' is also updated (the information display device 3 is controlled by terminal PG41' corresponding to system PG42'). Also, as shown in the dashed box below "secondment version upgrade," terminal PG41' for "A1.000" "does not require" downloading from the management server 100.

[0044] If the next PG' developed is a PG41' for a terminal "A1.001" for which only the special functions of model A are to be updated, there is no need to update the system PG42, so the PG is downloaded from the management server 100 as a downloadable PG to the information display device 3 via the management device 6 of each store A, B and updated. In this case, there is little need to send a manufacturer's worker on a secondment. There are two types of terminal PG 41': one that updates general-purpose content compatible with all models, and one that updates only special functions. When updating the latter terminal PG 41', if there is no need to update the system PG 42, the update can be done by downloading from the management server 100.

[0045] Furthermore, if PG41' for the "A1.002" terminal is developed, store A needs to update the corresponding system PG42' to "A3.210", so it updates both "A1.002" and "A3.210", while store B does not need such a function and does not update. In this case, store A updates to PG41' for the "A1.002" terminal, while store B remains using PG41 for the "A1.001" terminal.

[0046] If we develop a terminal PG41' for "A1.003" that only updates the special functions of model B and make it possible to download "A1.003" from the management server 100, both stores A and B will be able to update to "A1.003." In this case, both stores A and B will be able to add functions to model B with the update, but the support for the general-purpose system PG42 "A3.210" will remain the same, so while store A can support it, store B will remain incompatible.

[0047] However, terminal PG 41' including special functions also has backward compatibility within the scope of terminal PG. That is, if "A1.001" corresponds to model A and "A1.003" corresponds to model B as shown in the example of Figure 4, even if "A1.001" has not been downloaded and the device is still in "A1.000", if it is updated to "A1.003", the special functions will be compatible with not only model B but also model A. Furthermore, the terminal PG 41' is downloaded not only to the information display device 3 provided for the corresponding model, but to all information display devices 3. That is, since the management device 6 downloads the PG 41' by broadcast to all information display devices 3, even if there are multiple PG 41' corresponding to a special function, it is possible to avoid a situation in which each information display device 3 has to wait in line.

[0048] Here, we will add some information about the above download ("Automatic Download" in Figure 4). When a system manufacturer develops a terminal PG 41' with special functions, the system manufacturer uploads the PG 41' to the management server 100. In this case, the management server 100 lists the target gaming facilities and creates a schedule (schedules) for downloading to the listed gaming facilities (stores A and B). When the schedule is created, the management server 100 notifies stores A and B whether they are available, and for stores A and B that respond, the management server 100 downloads the terminal PG 41' to the management device 6 of those stores A and B according to the schedule. For stores that do not respond, the schedule is reorganized, and other stores are notified of their availability for the available schedule, and the same process as above is carried out.

[0049] The management device 6 that has downloaded the terminal PG 41' can display screens relating to special functions (screens 50-70 in Figs. 5-7) on its own monitor 8, and performs the corresponding processing (processing relating to updating the setting information, which will be described later), while downloading the PG 41' to the information display device 3 under its management. In this case, the setting information of the information display device 3 is also downloaded, but as an initial processing, the setting information is downloaded with default values ​​(values ​​recommended by the manufacturer), and if the setting information is updated in response to the setting operation on the setting screen 50 in Fig. 5, the setting information is sent.

[0050] In this way, for terminal PG 41' with special functions that do not require updating of system PG 42, it is possible to update the terminal PG 41 with a simple configuration that does not require the dispatch of a manufacturer's worker, as shown in Fig. 4, so that a quick response to special functions is possible. Note that, although the example of updating by automatic download has been shown in this embodiment, it is of course also possible to perform processing such as downloading the terminal PG 41' from the management server 100 to the management device 6 by operation of the amusement facility manager, and updating the terminal PG 41 of the information display device 3.

[0051] <3. Screen display and setting items on the management device> When updating by the terminal PG 41' corresponding to the above-mentioned special function, even if updating by the system PG 42' is not accompanied, the setting process of the information display device 3 is performed by the management device 6, so updating on the management device 6 side is necessary. To reduce the need for this, in the management device 6 of this embodiment, general-purpose setting information and a setting screen 50 based on it are set in advance, and this is displayed on the monitor 8.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows an example of a setting screen 50 relating to special functions displayed on the monitor 8 of the management device 6. As shown in FIG. The setting screen 50 is provided with a list 51 that defines in advance a number of general-purpose setting items, which are setting information necessary for performing the display process on the information display device 3. The setting item list 51 displays columns for "Type," "Model Number," and "Model Name," as well as a column for "Function Description" and columns for "Setting 1" to "Setting 10" that correspond to each model. In addition, by operating the "1 / 2" button 52a on the left side of the upper column 52 on the setting screen 50, "Setting 11" to "Setting 20" in the list 51 can also be displayed, making it possible to input setting values ​​for a total of 20 items.

[0053] The models A, B, etc. listed in the "Model Name" column represent the model names of the gaming machines 1 installed in the store A, and by operating the setting items in the locations corresponding to the model names, it is possible to change the settings of those setting items on a model-by-model basis. Since these setting items include setting items related to special functions, for models that do not support special functions, such as "Model P" and "Model Q" in list 51, the model name and all setting items are masked out and cannot be set.

[0054] Here, mask display refers to a display mode in which a mask 51a is applied (provided) to cover the display area of ​​a model that does not support a special function or its setting items on the setting screen 50. In this embodiment, a mask process is performed in which, for example, a gray mask 51a is applied to the relevant display area, and the setting items of the model in the display area are grayed out as being unconfigurable. That is, the management device 6, as a masking means, identifies models and setting items that do not support the special function, and performs masking processing on a setting item basis by superimposing a mask 51a on the display area of ​​the model name and setting item of the corresponding models P and Q. For this reason, all setting items of models P and Q are grayed out as being unconfigurable, and the mask symbols "51a, 51a, ..." on the screen 50 represent the masks 51a on a setting item basis, that is, the masks 51a attached to individual setting items.

[0055] On the other hand, when the information display device 3 is updated by the terminal PG 41', the management device 6 cancels the masking process on the setting screen 50 for the updated setting items. Therefore, when an update is performed using the terminal PG 41' that targets only the special functions corresponding to models P and Q, the display area of ​​the model P or Q on the setting screen 50 will have the mask display of the model name and the corresponding setting items removed (for example, some of the mask 51a display will be removed as in the case of model A), and it will be possible to set the enabled setting items (change the setting information settings).

[0056] In addition, in the management device 6, in response to the update by the terminal PG 41', the URL (access information) of the corresponding link destination managed by the management server 100 and the contents of the link selection screen 60 can be updated, and an explanation screen 70 showing the contents of the enabled setting item can be displayed. That is, for example, when the "Link" button 51b corresponding to the enabled model P or Q is pressed in the "Function Description" field on the setting screen 50, the link selection screen 60 shown in FIG. 6 pops up.

[0057] On the link selection screen 60, as shown in FIG. 6, a function explanation column 61 such as "Setting 1: Use special functions?" or "Setting 2: Always display TOP" is displayed for each setting item, targeting only enabled setting items. Therefore, for example, when the "Link" button 51b for "Model A" on the setting screen 50 of Figure 5 is pressed, a function description column 61 will be displayed for the setting items on the screen 50 that do not have a mask 51a: "Setting 1," "Setting 2," "Setting 4," "Setting 6," "Setting 8," and "Setting 10."

[0058] Note that for "Setting 10" and subsequent settings not shown in the function description column 61, the function description for "Setting 10" and subsequent settings at the bottom of the column 61 can be slid down and displayed by operating the slide operation unit 62 provided on the right side of the column 61 downward. Also, the link selection screen 60 can be closed by pressing the "Close" button 63 provided below the function description column 61. The function explanation column 61 is a link button, and when the function explanation column 61 is pressed (instructed), the web page of the linked URL is accessed and the explanation screen 70 of FIG. 7 is displayed.

[0059] 7 shows an example of the explanation screen 70 that appears when the link button for model A is pressed. As shown in the figure, the explanation screen 70 has a field 71 that displays an explanation of the content of each setting item for model A and an explanation of options such as "on / off" for that setting, and a field 72 that displays the "display image" when that option is selected. These fields 71 ​​and 72 are displayed as specific contents or images corresponding to "Setting 1," "Setting 2," "Setting 4," etc., in the function explanation field 61 of the link selection screen 60. Therefore, the amusement facility manager can change the settings on the setting screen 50 of FIG. 5 after understanding the settings that can be set on the explanation screen 70. The setting contents for each setting item are multiple-choice settings with up to four items (see FIG. 7). Possible methods for setting each item include a configuration in which an arbitrary option is selected on FIG. 7 and the setting information is sent from the management server 100 to the management device 6, or, although not shown in FIG. 7, a configuration in which a numeric value corresponding to each option is displayed on an explanation screen such as that of FIG. 7, and the corresponding numeric value is selected on a setting screen of the management device 6 as shown in FIG. 5 based on the explanation screen.

[0060] In this way, after changing the settings by selecting settings on the setting screen 50, by pressing the "Back" button 52b on the left side of the upper column 52 on the setting screen 50 of Figure 5, the setting contents will be sent from the management device 6 to each information display device 3. In this case, in order to reduce processing changes on the management device 6 side, all setting items (20 items in total) are targeted for transmission regardless of whether they are masked 51a as described above.

[0061] In this way, when the management device 6 transmits setting information with changed settings to the information display device 3, it transmits 20 setting items including the masked setting items, and the information display device 3 that receives the setting information updates the setting contents of its own device 3 with only the necessary setting items as the target. Note that the setting items to be transmitted may be all 20 items, including the masked setting items, or only a portion (for example, half the 10 items) of the set items.

[0062] As described above, a plurality of general-purpose setting items (for example, 20 items) are prepared in advance and grayed out using mask processing, and the mask 51a is removed depending on the special function, and the explanation screen 70 is separately requested (the management server 100 is accessed), so that it is possible to respond to changes in the specifications of special functions for each model while minimizing changes to the management device 6. Note that although 20 setting items are used as an example, any number of setting items may be provided, such as 30 items, and the number may be increased or decreased, for example, when the system PG is updated.

[0063] As described above, since special functions can be supported without changing the system specifications, it is difficult to update the setting screen 50 on the management device 6 side, and since special functions are specific to a model, it is difficult to understand what the setting items are without an explanation of the setting items, so it can be said that displaying the explanation screen 70 together with the setting screen 50 for special functions, as in this embodiment, is useful. This also makes it possible to understand the setting contents while minimizing the burden of updating the setting screen 50 on the management device 6 side.

[0064] The special functions are functions specialized for the machine, and examples of such functions include the contents of corresponding images and game information names related to the machine, and the contents of game information that is counted when a specific condition is met. In other words, the contents are mostly created in the terminal PG 41', and the conditions and items to be adopted are specified in the setting items of Figure 5.

[0065] As described above, the management device 6 of this embodiment is configured as a masking means that displays on the setting screen 50 setting information necessary for performing display processing on the information display device 3, which is setting information that predefines multiple general-purpose setting items, and performs masking processing on a setting item basis for at least some of these setting items.When the information display device 3 is updated using an update PG 40' (for example, a terminal PG 41'), it is possible to cancel the masking processing for the updated setting items and display an explanation screen 70 showing the contents of the setting items. According to this, by removing the masking process of the updated setting item and explaining the contents of the setting item on the explanation screen 70, the need for update processing that includes explanations according to the added functions as in the normal setting screen can be reduced, and processing corresponding to the update processing of the information display device 3 in the management device 6 can be facilitated.

[0066] When the management device 6 sends setting information to the information display device 3, it sends setting items including the masked setting items, thereby reducing the need to change the sending process in the management device 6 in response to updates by update PG 40' (e.g., terminal PG 41' or update PG 42'), and facilitating processing in the management device 6 corresponding to the update process of the information display device 3.

[0067] The management device is composed of an on-site management device (e.g., management device 6) installed within the amusement facility and an off-site management server (e.g., management server 100) installed outside the amusement facility and capable of communicating with the on-site management device, the off-site management server manages information for displaying the explanation screen 70, the setting display means (e.g., management device 6 having a monitor 8) can display the explanation screen 70 by accessing the off-site management server, and the on-site management device manages access information (e.g., URL) of the off-site management server and updates the access information in accordance with updates by update PG40' (e.g., PG41' for terminal), thereby reducing the need to install an explanation screen 70 that explains the setting items in the on-site management device and facilitating processing corresponding to the update processing of the information display device 3 in the on-site management device.

[0068] The update PG40' is divided into a terminal PG41' targeted at the information display device 3 and a system PG42' targeted at the management device 6. When the information display device 3 is updated using the terminal PG41', the masking process is released in the management device 6 without the need for an update using the system PG42'. This reduces the need to update the system PG42 of the management device 6 when performing a PG update targeted at the information display device 3, and facilitates the processing corresponding to the update process for the information display device 3 in the management device 6.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as follows. In the above example, the management device 6 displays the explanation screen 70 by accessing the management server 100 in response to pressing the "Link" button 51b on the setting screen 50, but it is also possible to display the explanation screen 70 on the management device 6 alone without accessing the management server 100.

[0070] That is, the explanation screen 70 includes, as displayed thereon, at least one of text information explaining the contents of the setting items as shown in FIG. 7 and image information such as a "display image." The management device 6 is configured as a screen management means for managing the explanatory screen 70, and as a mask means capable of executing screen masking processing for the explanatory screen 70 on a per-explanatory screen 70 basis, and when the information display device 3 is updated by an update PG 40' (e.g., a terminal PG 41'), the management device 6 cancels the screen masking processing for the explanatory screen 70 corresponding to the updated setting item, and updates at least one of the text information and image information on the explanatory screen 70. This allows the management device 6 to manage the explanatory screen 70 and update at least one of the text information and image information in response to PG updates, reducing the need for external communication and facilitating processing corresponding to the update processing of the information display device 3 in the management device 6.

[0071] In this case, for example, the explanatory screen 70 can be created on the management device 6 using an INI file such as text and an image file, and the information required to create the explanatory screen 70 can be included in the terminal PG 41'. In the management device 6, the explanatory screen 70 or only the explanatory screen 70 may accept setting change operations, or the explanatory screen 70 on the management server 100 may similarly accept setting operations and send the changes from the management server 100 to the management device 6. Furthermore, information for updating the item name such as "Setting 1" shown in FIG. 5 may also be included in the terminal PG 41', so that the names of the setting items on the setting screen 50 in FIG. 5 can be changed.

[0072] Although the system PG 42' has been exemplified as being applied to all terminals other than the information display device 3, a PG' corresponding to the system PG' may be provided for each terminal, similar to the information display device 3. In other words, the system PG is the PG of one of the terminals in the system (for example, the management device 6), and the other terminals may of course be controlled by a unique PG in accordance with the system PG. Although the PG' is distinguished between the system PG 42' and the terminal PG 41' in the above example, the PG' does not have to be distinguished, for example, so that only the terminal PG is subject to update.

[0073] Although the configuration in which the management device 6 transmits setting information corresponding to all setting items regardless of masking has been exemplified, the setting information may be transmitted excluding setting items that have been masked. Although the example shows a configuration in which the information is displayed on an information display device 3 above the gaming machine 1, the present invention may also be adopted in an information display device installed between gaming machines 1 such as gaming device 2, or in a collective information display device installed at the edge of an island.

[0074] If the related setting information is set in advance, it may be set arbitrarily by the amusement facility manager, set by the manufacturer of the management device 6, or downloaded and set from an external management server (for example, a chain store headquarters or a gaming machine manufacturer). 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. Furthermore, although a liquid crystal display has been exemplified for the display unit of the setting display means, other display methods such as organic EL may also be adopted.

[0075] The numerical values, number of digits, items, etc. are merely examples, and any numerical values, etc. 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 calculated value having the same meaning. Either "less than" or "under" can be used, and expressions such as "has not reached" are expressions that correspond to either "less than" or "under". The same is true for "above" and "exceeds", and expressions such as "reaches" are expressions that correspond to both.

[0076] Although a pachinko machine is used as an example of the target gaming machine, other gaming machines such as slot machines may also be used. As other gaming machines such as so-called sealed gaming machines that do not dispense gaming media but update points in data according to play can also be envisaged, the term "gaming value" is used as appropriate to encompass gaming media such as balls and medals, as well as the points mentioned above.

[0077] Some or all of the processing performed by the information display device 3 may be performed by the management device 6, the gaming device 2, the relay device 4, etc. Similarly, with regard to the management device 6 and the management server 100, some of the processing and functions performed by them as the management devices as described above may be appropriately modified and implemented. In addition, whether or not the illustrated configurations are adopted 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] In the drawing, 1 is a gaming machine, 3 is an information display device, 6 is a management device (in-venue management device, screen management means, setting display means), 8 is a monitor (setting display means), 38 is a control unit (transmission means, setting display means, mask means), 38b is a communication unit (transmission means), and 100 is a management server (off-venue management server, management device).

Claims

1. A gaming facility system including: an information display device provided in correspondence with a gaming machine, which executes display processing relating to game information of the gaming machine based on a predetermined display control program; and a management device that manages the information display device, The management device a transmitting means for transmitting an update program used to update the display control program to the information display device; a setting display means for displaying setting information necessary for performing the display process in the information display device, the setting information including a plurality of general setting items defined in advance; a masking means for performing a masking process on a setting item basis for at least a part of the plurality of setting items, The setting display means is an amusement park system that, when the information display device is updated by the update program, cancels the masking process for the updated setting item and displays an explanatory screen showing the contents of the setting item.

2. The amusement park system according to claim 1 , wherein when the management device transmits the setting information to the information display device, the management device transmits setting items including the masked setting items.

3. The management device is composed of an in-game management device installed in the amusement facility and an outside management server installed outside the amusement facility and capable of communicating with the in-game management device, the off-site management server manages information for displaying the explanation screen; the setting display means is capable of displaying the explanation screen by accessing the off-site management server; 3. The gaming facility system according to claim 1, wherein the on-site management device manages access information of the off-site management server, and updates the access information in accordance with updates by the update program.

4. the update program includes a terminal program targeted at the information display device and a system program targeted at the management device, An amusement park system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the information display device is updated using the terminal program, the management device cancels the masking process even without updating using the system program.

5. the management device includes a screen management means for managing the explanation screen, the explanation screen includes at least one of text information and image information as a display object; the masking means is capable of executing a screen masking process for the instruction screen on a per-instruction screen basis; The amusement park system described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the information display device is updated by the update program, the screen management means cancels the screen masking process targeted at the explanation screen corresponding to the updated setting item, and updates at least one of the text information and image information on the explanation screen.

Images