Gaming machine information display device

Abstract

To detect a fault or a facility failure, etc. at an early stage from a large number of game machine information display devices installed side by side in a game parlor.SOLUTION: A game machine information display device D includes: a display panel part 2 for displaying game information on a game machine; a communication part 102 for performing communication with a management computer C; and an arithmetic processing part 108 for controlling display of the display panel part 2. In the case where the communication with the management computer C is not established though power supply for the game machine information display device D is turned on, the arithmetic processing part 108 causes the display panel part 2 to display a connection error display screen, and executes processing to shift to a communication error mode in which the function as the normal game machine information display device D is disabled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine information display device that is installed above each gaming machine and can display information about the gaming machine, information about the entire gaming hall, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, above the gaming machines of pachinko and slot machines in a gaming hall, there is installed a gaming machine information display device called a so-called call lamp that displays the payout information, jackpot information of each gaming machine, information about the entire gaming hall, and further makes calls to store clerks.

[0003] In such gaming machine information display devices, in recent years, a configuration using a large liquid crystal panel has become mainstream. Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose gaming machine information display devices using a large liquid crystal panel. By increasing the size of the display panel in this way, the decorativeness of the gaming machine information display device can be enhanced, the number of items and the amount of information of the gaming information displayed on one screen can be increased, and the excitement and satisfaction of the players can be enhanced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in a conventional gaming machine information display device, the operation of the gaming machine information display device alone is configured to be possible, and an image or the like stored in advance in each gaming machine information display device is configured to be displayed on the display panel.

[0006] However, as display panels have become larger and higher resolution, and the amount of information that can be displayed and transmitted on them has increased, simply having each gaming machine information display device independently display image information and game information, as in the past, has limitations in terms of displaying diverse information, and the display content has become shoddy. In addition, in recent years, the frequency of replacing gaming machines has increased compared to the past, so in order to display information according to the gaming machine, it is necessary to store new image information in the gaming machine information display device each time a gaming machine is replaced. Against this backdrop, a management device for managing gaming machine information display devices has become necessary.

[0007] Currently, the number of gaming machine information display devices installed in amusement facilities is typically several hundred per establishment. This presents a problem: if communication between the gaming machine information display device and the management device is not established, it is not easy to individually identify gaming machine information display devices that are malfunctioning or have equipment defects.

[0008] Furthermore, with conventional gaming machine information display devices, when used units were resold or otherwise used in stores where a compatible management device was not installed, inquiries were sometimes received regarding the inability to use certain functions that require connection to a management device, resulting in increased after-sales support workload.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to enable the early detection of a gaming machine information display device that is malfunctioning or has equipment defects among a large number of gaming machine information display devices installed in a row in a gaming arcade. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve this objective, this invention provides a gaming machine information display device that, when the power to the gaming machine information display device is turned on but communication with the management computer is not established, displays a communication error image on the display panel and executes a process to switch to a communication error mode in which the normal functions of the gaming machine information display device are disabled.

[0011] Specifically, in the first aspect of this disclosure, a gaming machine information display device installed around a gaming machine comprises a display panel unit for displaying gaming information of the gaming machine, a communication unit for communicating with a management computer for managing the gaming machine information display device, and a calculation processing unit for controlling the display of the display panel unit. The communication unit operates to automatically establish communication with the management computer when the power of the gaming machine information display device is turned on, and the calculation processing unit is configured to display a communication error image on the display panel unit indicating that a communication error has occurred and to switch to a communication error mode in which the gaming machine information display device does not function as a normal gaming machine information display device if communication with the management computer is not established despite the power of the gaming machine information display device being turned on.

[0012] This configuration allows the gaming machine information display device to automatically establish communication with the management computer when powered on. If communication with the management computer cannot be established, a communication error image is displayed on the display panel to indicate that a communication error has occurred. As a result, under normal operation, simply turning on the power of the gaming machine information display device establishes a connection with the management computer, saving time and effort for the staff of the gaming establishment. Furthermore, by displaying a communication error image when communication with the management computer cannot be established automatically, it is possible to quickly identify a gaming machine information display device that is malfunctioning or has equipment problems among a large number of such devices.

[0013] Furthermore, if communication with the management computer cannot be established, the device will switch to a communication error mode that disables its normal gaming machine information display function. This prevents use during business hours in stores where the management computer is not installed (use outside the supported scope).

[0014] In the first embodiment described above, the arithmetic processing unit may display a demo display mode setting button on the display panel that accepts an operation to switch to a demo display mode, which displays a demo screen that simulates game information of the gaming machine, in the communication error mode, and when an operation input to the demo display mode setting button is detected, the unit may execute a process to switch from the communication error mode to the demo display mode.

[0015] This configuration allows for operational checks of the gaming machine information display device alone or in a connected state with the gaming machine, even when communication with the management computer cannot be established, enabling operations that are independent of the management computer (for example, connection operation checks with the gaming machine).

[0016] In the first embodiment described above, if the power to the gaming machine information display device is turned on but communication with the management computer is not established, the arithmetic processing unit may continue normal operation of the gaming machine information display device on its own, and execute a process to transition to the communication error mode when it is used beyond a set number of times or a set period.

[0017] This configuration allows for operational checks of the gaming machine information display device alone or in the connected state with the gaming machine, even if communication with the management computer cannot be established. These checks are independent of the management computer (for example, checking the connection operation with the gaming machine). Furthermore, since the system switches to communication error mode after a set number of checks or a set period, it prevents use during business hours in stores where a management computer is not installed (use outside the scope of support).

[0018] In the first embodiment described above, the communication error image may be configured to cover part or all of the screen displaying the game information.

[0019] By adopting such a configuration, it becomes easier to discover a gaming machine information display device in which a failure, facility defect, or the like has occurred among a large number of gaming machine information display devices. In addition, it is possible to prevent the act of continuing to use the device despite the display of an error image.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly discover a gaming machine information display device in which a failure, facility defect, or the like has occurred among a large number of gaming machine information display devices arranged side by side in a game arcade.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] An image diagram showing the overall configuration of a gaming machine information display management system [Figure 2] A side view showing the installation state of a gaming machine information display device [Figure 3] A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a gaming machine information display device [Figure 4] A flowchart showing an example of the operation of a gaming machine information display device [Figure 5] A front view of a gaming machine information display device, showing an example of the display of a normal gaming state on the display screen [Figure 6] A front view of a gaming machine information display device, showing an example in which a communication error screen is displayed on the display screen

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its scope of application, or its use.

[0023] <Configuration of the Gaming Machine Information Display System> Figure 1 is an image diagram of the overall configuration including the gaming machine information display system according to the embodiment. As is well known, a gaming arcade is provided with multiple islands I, each of which multiple gaming machines M are installed side by side. The gaming arcade is also provided with a management computer C that manages the gaming machine information display device D, and a relay unit GW that is connected to the management computer C in a bidirectional manner. Each island I is provided with an island management unit IU that is connected to the management computer C in a bidirectional manner via the relay unit GW. The relay unit GW may consist of, for example, a single hub or a configuration in which multiple hubs are connected hierarchically.

[0024] Furthermore, the amusement arcade is equipped with a hall computer H that manages the game information of the gaming machines M. A relay unit Q, provided for each gaming machine, is interposed between the hall computer H and each gaming machine information display device D. In other words, each gaming machine information display device D is connected to the hall computer H via a corresponding relay unit Q. The gaming machine information display device D receives output signals (including game information) from the connected gaming machine M, displays the received game information on the display panel W, and outputs the signals received from the gaming machine M to the hall computer H via the relay unit Q.

[0025] Although Figure 1 shows an example where the management computer C and the hall computer H are provided separately, the management computer C and the hall computer H may be configured as a single unit. In this case, for example, the hall computer H may also perform the functions of the management computer C.

[0026] Figure 2 is a side view showing the installation of the gaming machine information display device D, and is a view of island I from the side. On island I, a beam section I2 extending in the left-right direction is provided between the fascia board I1 located at the top and the gaming machine M, and the gaming machine information display device D is installed via a mounting member T. In the following explanation, the top and bottom will be defined based on the installation state of the gaming machine information display device D. Also, with the gaming machine information display device D installed, the side facing user X will be referred to as "front," and the island side where the gaming machine M such as a pachinko machine is installed will be referred to as "rear," and the left and right will be defined based on the user X's viewpoint (front view) (see Figures 2 and 5).

[0027] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the gaming machine information display device D. The gaming machine information display device D has a control board (not shown) built into it, and the circuits shown in Figure 3 are mounted on or directly or indirectly connected to the control board.

[0028] The gaming machine information display device D includes an input / output unit 101, an external communication unit 102, and an external memory socket 103 as input / output means, a remote control receiver 104 and a touch switch 105 as input means, and a display panel unit 2, a decorative light-emitting unit 3, and an audio output unit 106 as output means.

[0029] The input / output unit 101 is configured to communicate with the gaming machine M (hereinafter referred to as "gaming machine M1") corresponding to its gaming machine information display device D, and acquires game information from gaming machine M1. The input / output unit 101 is also configured to communicate with the hall computer H, and transmits the game information acquired from gaming machine M1 to the hall computer H. Furthermore, the input / output unit 101 has a function to transmit call information to the hall computer H based on a touch operation of the call button P1.

[0030] The external communication unit 102 is configured to communicate with the management computer C, etc., and receives voice and image information transmitted from the management computer C, etc., and transmits it to the storage unit 114 via the voice and image control circuit 110, which will be described later. The communication method used to connect the external communication unit 102 and the management computer C is not particularly limited, but RS485 can be preferably applied, for example.

[0031] The external communication unit 102 is configured to automatically establish communication with the management computer C when the power to the gaming machine information display device D is turned on. Information on whether communication has been established between the external communication unit 102 and the management computer C (hereinafter referred to as "communication establishment information") is monitored by the arithmetic processing unit 108 and is used for display control of the display panel unit 2, etc.

[0032] The external memory socket 103 is configured to accept a storage medium such as a USB memory stick (not shown), and receives audio and image information recorded on the storage medium and transmits it to the storage unit 114 via the audio and image control circuit 110, which will be described later.

[0033] The remote control receiver 104 is configured to receive operation signals transmitted from a remote control (not shown) operated by an employee of the amusement arcade, and transmits the operation signals received from the remote control to the main control circuit 109, which will be described later.

[0034] The touch switch 105 is configured to acquire information about touch operations performed by a player or other user from the surface (front) of the front plate member 1 (see Figure 2) (hereinafter referred to as "operation information"). The operation information acquired by the touch switch 105 is transmitted to the main control circuit 109, which will be described later, via the touch controller 111.

[0035] Furthermore, the gaming machine information display device D includes an arithmetic processing unit 108 that controls the display of the display panel unit 2 using image information stored in the storage unit 114 according to the game state notified from the gaming machine M1. The storage unit 114 stores image materials for configuring the display screen. The arithmetic processing unit 108 includes a main control circuit 109 and an audio-image control circuit 110.

[0036] The arithmetic processing unit 108 controls the display on the display panel 2. The gaming machine information display device D has two operating modes: a normal operating mode in which communication with the management computer C is properly established, and a communication error mode in which communication with the management computer C is not properly established despite the power of the gaming machine information display device being turned on.

[0037] The main control circuit 109 has the function of controlling the entire gaming machine information display device D based on programs stored in the memory unit 112. Specifically, the main control circuit 109 is configured to perform various calculation processes and control the display of the gaming machine information display device D, such as controlling the display of the display panel unit 2 and controlling the blinking of the decorative light-emitting unit 3.

[0038] The audio-image control circuit 110 is controlled by a control signal output from the main control circuit 109. Under the control of the main control circuit 109, the audio-image control circuit 110 transmits an image signal to the image signal conversion circuit 115 and transmits audio information to the audio output unit 106. The display panel unit 2 is connected to the image signal conversion circuit 115, and the image display data generated by the image signal conversion circuit 115 is displayed on the display screen W of the display panel unit 2.

[0039] The following sections describe examples of the display on the display panel 2 during normal operation mode and during communication error mode.

[0040] -Normal operation mode- In normal display mode, the calculation processing unit 108 controls the display panel unit 2 so that the normal game screen VN is displayed.

[0041] Figure 5 shows an example of the normal gameplay screen VN.

[0042] In the normal gameplay screen VN illustrated in Figure 5, the display screen W is divided into an upper display area RU that extends left and right at the top edge, a lower display area RL that extends left and right at the bottom edge of the display screen W, and an intermediate display area RM located between the upper display area RU and the lower display area RL.

[0043] In the upper display area RU, the machine number Z1 and the model name (in this case, "One A Monogatari") are arranged side by side.

[0044] In the lower display area RL, a touch switch 105 is provided, which includes a call button P1 used to summon a store employee, and to the right of the call button P1, a row of setting buttons P2 to P8 are arranged in a line to the right, for configuring various settings such as display content and display items.

[0045] In the example in Figure 5, setting buttons P2 to P8 are exemplified as follows: "Menu button P2" which displays various menus, "Simple display button P3" which switches to simple display, "Break button P4" which indicates that a break is in progress, "Model information button P5" which displays model information, "Highest data button P6" and "Past data button P7" which switch the data display mode, and "History button P8" which displays past history.

[0046] The intermediate display area RM displays game information from the gaming machine M1. In the example in Figure 5, the game information for gaming machine M1 is shown, including payout information Z3 and jackpot information Z4 for the current day and the past few days. When gameplay on gaming machine M1 begins, the display content of the corresponding items is updated as appropriate according to the game information acquired from gaming machine M1.

[0047] -Communication Error Mode- In communication error mode, the arithmetic processing unit 108 displays a communication error image ZE on the display panel 2 to indicate that a communication error has occurred, and also executes a process to disable the normal functions of the gaming machine information display device D. The normal functions of the gaming machine information display device D include the function of displaying game information of the gaming machine M1. The normal functions of the gaming machine information display device D may also include the function of calling a store employee using the call button P1.

[0048] Figure 6 shows an example of the display screen during communication error mode (hereinafter referred to as "communication error display screen VE").

[0049] In the example in Figure 6, the communication error display screen VE shows an example where the communication error image ZE is displayed in the center of the front of the normal gameplay screen VN in Figure 5, covering the game information displayed in the intermediate display area RM. By displaying the communication error image ZE in the center of the screen in this way, the game information display function of the game machine M1 is prevented from being activated, and the fact that a communication error has occurred can be clearly indicated to employees of the game hall.

[0050] Furthermore, the call button P1 and setting buttons P2-P8 used to summon staff are not displayed in the lower display area RL. In other words, the function to summon staff using the call button P1 is also disabled. On the other hand, the demo display mode setting button P10, which sets the transition to demo display mode to display the demo screen, is displayed in the lower display area RL.

[0051] <Operation of the gaming machine information display device> Next, the operation of the gaming machine information display device D will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 4.

[0052] In step S1, when the power to the gaming machine information display device D is turned ON, the external communication unit 102 automatically operates to establish communication with the management computer. Once communication is established between the gaming machine information display device D and the management computer C (YES in step S2), the arithmetic processing unit 108 executes processing in normal operation mode.

[0053] In normal operation mode, the arithmetic processing unit 108 executes the process of displaying the normal game screen VN on the display panel unit 2, as described above. Then, when gameplay starts on the gaming machine M1, the arithmetic processing unit 108 controls the display on the display panel unit 2 using the image information stored in the storage unit 114, according to the game state received from the gaming machine M1.

[0054] On the other hand, if the gaming machine information display device D is powered on but communication with the management computer C is not established after a predetermined time has elapsed (NO in step S2), the gaming machine information display device D enters communication error mode. In this case, the flowchart in Figure 4 proceeds to step S4.

[0055] When the system enters communication error mode, the arithmetic processing unit 108 first executes the process of displaying the aforementioned communication error display screen VE on the display panel unit 2 (step S4). In communication error mode, even if game status is received from the gaming machine M1, the game information on the normal game screen VN is not updated.

[0056] When the communication error display screen VE is displayed in step S4, if the operation of the demo display mode setting button P10 is detected (YES in step S5), the arithmetic processing unit 108 executes a process to switch from the communication error display screen VE to demo display mode, which displays the demo screen (step S6).

[0057] In the demo display mode of step S6, the communication error image ZE is deleted, and the display format is returned to the normal game screen VN (see, for example, Figure 5). In demo display mode, a demo operation (simulated operation) is possible as a function to display the game information of the game machine M1. Specifically, pre-set information from the middle of a game is displayed as game information, and additional game information from the game machine M1 is reflected from that state. This allows the staff of the arcade to confirm that the game information of the game machine M1 is properly reflected for each game machine M1 independently (even without a connection to the management computer C).

[0058] Furthermore, if communication with the management computer C is established while the communication error display screen VE is displayed in step S4 (NO in step S5) (YES in step S2), the arithmetic processing unit 108 executes a process to switch to normal operation mode.

[0059] As described above, according to this embodiment, the gaming machine information display device D comprises a display panel unit 2 that displays gaming information of the gaming machine, an external communication unit 102 that communicates with the management computer C, and a calculation processing unit 108 that controls the display of the display panel unit 2. Furthermore, if communication with the management computer C is not established despite the power of the gaming machine information display device D being turned on, it is configured to switch to a communication error mode. In the communication error mode, the calculation processing unit 108 displays a connection error screen on the display panel unit 2 and performs processing that prevents the gaming machine information display device D from functioning normally.

[0060] As a result, under normal operation, simply turning on the power to the gaming machine information display device D establishes a connection with the management computer C, saving time and effort for the staff at the gaming arcade. Furthermore, if communication with the management computer C cannot be established automatically, a communication error image is displayed, allowing for the early detection of a malfunctioning or faulty gaming machine information display device D among many others.

[0061] -Other Embodiments- Furthermore, the technology described herein is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiments, and can be applied to embodiments that have been modified, replaced, added, or omitted as appropriate. It is also possible to combine the components described in the above embodiments to create new embodiments.

[0062] For example, the above embodiment may have the following configuration.

[0063] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the display panel unit 2 is a touch panel type display panel and the call button P1 is configured as a touch sensor, but the system is not limited to this. For example, the call button P1 may be configured as a conventionally known mechanical switch. In this case, it is sufficient that the system is configured so that it does not react when the call button P1 is pressed when the system enters communication error mode, and the same effect can be obtained.

[0064] Furthermore, for example, in step S2 of Figure 4, even if communication with the management computer C is not established after a predetermined time has elapsed (NO in step S2), the game information display device may continue its normal operation independently. Then, when it has been used beyond a set number of times or a set period, a process to transition to a communication error mode (processing in step S4) may be executed.

[0065] Specifically, for example, the game information display device may be allowed to continue normal operation on its own until 30 days have passed since the start of use, and if a connection with the management computer C is still not established, a process to switch to communication error mode may be executed. For example, this 30-day count may be counted as 1 each time the power is turned off after a certain period of time and then turned back on. In this case, after 30 power cycles, a process to switch to communication error mode will be executed, and the communication error display screen VE will be displayed. For example, this 30-day period can be set arbitrarily.

[0066] This configuration allows for operational checks of the gaming machine information display device alone or in the connected state with the gaming machine, even if communication with the management computer cannot be established, for a certain period of time, even for operations that do not depend on the management computer (for example, connection operation checks with the gaming machine). Furthermore, since it switches to communication error mode after a set number of cycles, it prevents use during business hours in stores where a management computer is not installed (use outside the scope of support). [Industrial applicability]

[0067] This invention is extremely useful and has high industrial applicability because it allows for the early detection of malfunctioning or faulty gaming machine information display devices among a large number of gaming machine information display devices installed in a row in a gaming arcade. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] D Gaming machine information display device 2 Display Panel 102 External Communications Department (Communications Department) 108 Arithmetic Processing Unit C Management Computer

Claims

1. A gaming machine information display device installed around a gaming machine, The aforementioned gaming machine includes a display panel that displays game information, A communication unit that communicates with a management computer that manages the aforementioned gaming machine information display device, The system includes a calculation processing unit that controls the display of the display panel, The communication unit operates to automatically establish communication with the management computer when the power to the gaming machine information display device is turned on. If the power to the gaming machine information display device is turned on but communication with the management computer cannot be established, the aforementioned processing unit will display a communication error image on the display panel indicating that a communication error has occurred and will execute a process to switch to a communication error mode in which the gaming machine information display device does not function as usual. A gaming machine information display device characterized by the following features.

2. In the gaming machine information display device according to claim 1, The arithmetic processing unit displays a demo display mode setting button on the display panel that accepts an operation to switch to a demo display mode, which displays a demo screen that simulates game information of the gaming machine, in the communication error mode. When an operation input to the demo display mode setting button is detected, the unit executes a process to switch from the communication error mode to the demo display mode. A gaming machine information display device characterized by the following features.

3. In the gaming machine information display device according to claim 1, If the power to the gaming machine information display device is turned on but communication with the management computer cannot be established, the aforementioned processing unit will start normal operation of the gaming machine information display device on its own, and then, when it is used beyond the set number of times, it will execute a process to transition to the communication error mode. A gaming machine information display device characterized by the following features.

4. In the gaming machine information display device according to claim 1, The aforementioned communication error image is positioned to cover part or all of the screen displaying the game information. A gaming machine information display device characterized by the following features.

Images