Gaming machine information display device and gaming machine information display system

Abstract

To display display content corresponding to a game machine without troubling an attendant in a game parlor.SOLUTION: A game machine information display device D includes: an SD memory card 14; a display control section 108 for controlling display of a display panel W; and an external communication section 102 for communicating with a management computer C. The display control section 108 copies an image to a master display candidate storage area when a display candidate image designated by image switching information from the management computer C is in a master image storage area, and copies an image to an original display candidate storage area when the display candidate image designated by image switching information is in a reserved image storage area. When power of the game machine information display device D is turned on, processing for displaying a display object image designated by display image setting information on the display panel W is performed from among images stored in the master display candidate storage area or the original display candidate storage area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine information display device that is installed corresponding to each gaming machine and displays information of the gaming machine and information of the entire gaming hall, etc., and a gaming machine information display system including the gaming machine information display device.

Background Art

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

[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, it is possible to enhance the decorativeness of the gaming machine information display device, increase the number of items and the amount of information of gaming information displayed on one screen, and enhance the excitement and satisfaction of players.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a data transfer system for a gaming hall configured to transmit an image corresponding to a gaming machine installed after replacement work from a management computer to a gaming machine information display device before the end of business, and, for example, when the business hours end and the writing of the update image to the update image storage unit is completed, perform control to replace the display image stored in the display image storage unit with the update image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

[0006] Incidentally, in recent years, as amusement facilities have become larger, and with the aim of providing diversity in games and services that meet the preferences of players, measures have been taken such as installing gaming machines with different payout rates on each gaming island, or arranging various types of gaming machines together on a single island. In other words, there has been a significant increase in the need to replace gaming machines and relocate their installation locations more frequently and in a shorter timeframe than before.

[0007] As a result, every time a gaming machine was replaced or moved to a different location, it was necessary to register and replace the image, which was a cumbersome process for the staff of the gaming arcade. Furthermore, it was not uncommon for gaming machines to be moved and then reinstalled in their original location, and even when changing the displayed image to a new one and then reverting to the previous image, it was necessary to register and replace the previous image again, which added to the hassle.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to enable the display of display content corresponding to the gaming machine on the gaming machine information display device when the gaming machine is replaced or moved to a different location, without requiring any effort from the staff of the gaming parlor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve this objective, the gaming machine information display device copies images from the master image storage area to the master display candidate storage area and / or from the reserved image storage area to the original display candidate storage area based on the display image switching information, and then displays the image to be displayed, as specified by the display image setting information, from among the copied images on the display panel.

[0010] Specifically, in the first aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine information display device installed around a gaming machine is provided, and the device comprises: a display panel on which gaming information of the gaming machine is displayed; a storage unit provided with a master image storage area for storing master images created according to the model of the gaming machine, a master display candidate storage area for storing display candidate images from the master images, and an original image storage area for storing original images created individually for each gaming hall; a display control unit for controlling the display of the display panel; and a communication unit that receives display image switching information from an external management device to switch the images in each storage area of ​​the storage unit and display image setting information to specify the images to be displayed on the display panel. Furthermore, the original image storage area is provided with a reserved image storage area for storing the original images received from the management device and an original display candidate storage area for storing display candidate images from the original images. Furthermore, the display control unit is configured to copy an image stored in the master image storage area to the master display candidate storage area when an image stored in the master image storage area is designated as a display candidate image by the display image switching information, copy an image stored in the reserved image storage area to the original display candidate storage area when an image stored in the reserved image storage area is designated as a display candidate image by the display image switching information, and when the power to the gaming machine information display device is turned on, or when image update processing information instructing an image update is received from an external source, it executes a process to display the target image, which is the image specified in the display image setting information, from among the images stored in the master display candidate storage area or the original display candidate storage area, on the display panel.

[0011] Furthermore, for a gaming machine information display system, the configuration may include a plurality of the gaming machine information display devices described in the first embodiment above, and a management device that outputs the display image setting information to each of the gaming machine information display devices.

[0012] By the way, if the system is designed to store master images created according to the model of the gaming machine in the memory unit, a large number of images will be stored depending on the number of gaming machine models. In that case, retrieving and displaying the image to be displayed from among that large number of images presents a challenge, such as the synchronization problem between the files recorded in the master image memory area and the display image setting information, which is time-consuming and troublesome. Furthermore, the process of registering images in the master image memory area also requires consideration of synchronizing file names, etc., which is time-consuming and inconvenient, and therefore impractical. In the first embodiment described above, the image to be displayed on the display panel is copied from the images stored in the master image memory area to the master display candidate memory area, and the image copied to the master display candidate memory area is displayed on the display panel. This eliminates the need to register individual file names, for example, and improves convenience.

[0013] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the memory area for storing the master image (master image memory area) and the memory area for storing the original image (original image memory area) are configured separately. This makes it possible to display original images unique to the game arcade, and allows for easy switching when using an original image instead of a master image.

[0014] Furthermore, in a second aspect of the present invention, the image to be displayed may be an image that combines an image stored in the master display candidate storage area and an image stored in the original display candidate storage area. That is, for example, an original image can be used for notification images, and a master image can be used for other images (for example, normal gameplay images and jackpot images). In this aspect, it can be implemented with less effort and time compared to the prior art.

[0015] In a third aspect of the present invention, in the first embodiment described above, the original image storage area is further provided with a past image storage area, and the display control unit may be configured to copy the image to be displayed that was stored in the original display candidate storage area to the past image storage area based on the display image switching information, before copying the image stored in the reserved image storage area to the original display candidate storage area.

[0016] Thus, in the third embodiment, the original image storage area is provided with a past image storage area in addition to the reserved image storage area. This makes it possible to easily restore the display image to its original state by copying it from the past image storage area to the original display candidate storage area, even if, for example, there is a problem with the display image after switching the display image, or if an incorrect operation is performed on the target gaming machine information display device and it is desired to revert to the image before the change.

[0017] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first embodiment described above, the storage unit further comprises a preset image storage area for storing preset images, and the display control unit may be configured to display on the display panel an image that is selected from the images stored in the master display candidate storage area, the original display candidate storage area, or the preset image storage area, and is specified by the display image setting information, when the power of the gaming machine information display device is turned on.

[0018] This means that once the system is installed and powered on, the preset image will be displayed on the display panel without the need to re-store an image during initial setup. Furthermore, since some amusement arcades do not require image changes, or do not have a management computer to manage the amusement machine information display device, the system can display only the preset image in amusement arcades that do not require original or master images.

[0019] Also, as a fifth aspect of the present invention, the display target image may be an image obtained by combining images stored in two or more regions selected from the master display candidate storage region, the original display candidate storage region, and the preset image storage region. Thereby, it becomes possible to support a variety of display images.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, an effect is obtained in that display contents corresponding to the gaming machine can be displayed on the gaming machine information display device without bothering the staff at the gaming arcade during replacement or relocation of the installation location.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] An image diagram showing the overall configuration of the gaming arcade information management system [Figure 2] A front view showing the installation state of the gaming machine information display device [Figure 3] A block diagram showing a configuration example of the gaming machine information display system [Figure 4] An image diagram showing a configuration example of the storage region of the storage unit of the gaming machine information display device [Figure 5A] A flowchart showing an operation example of the gaming machine information display system [Figure 5B] A flowchart showing an operation example of the gaming machine information display system [Figure 5C] A flowchart showing an operation example of the gaming machine information display system [Figure 5D] A flowchart showing an operation example of the gaming machine information display system [Figure 6] A diagram for explaining an operation example of the gaming machine information display system [Figure 7] A diagram for explaining an operation example of the gaming machine information display system [Figure 8] A diagram for explaining an operation example of the gaming machine information display system <00​​​Diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a gaming machine information display system. [Figure 11] Diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a gaming machine information display system. [Figure 12] Diagram illustrating other operational examples of the gaming machine information display system. [Figure 13] Diagram illustrating other operational examples of the gaming machine information display system. [Figure 14] Diagram illustrating other operational examples of the gaming machine information display system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following description of preferred embodiments is essentially illustrative and is not intended to limit the present invention, its scope, or its uses.

[0023] Figure 1 is an illustrative diagram showing an example configuration of a gaming arcade information management system according to an embodiment. The gaming arcade information management system includes a gaming machine information display system.

[0024] The gaming machine information display system comprises a management computer C (equivalent to a display data management device) and multiple gaming machine information display devices D. Each gaming machine information display device D is equipped with a display panel W. In the following description, the display panel W of the gaming machine information display device D will be simply referred to as "display panel W".

[0025] As is well known, a game arcade has multiple islands I. Multiple gaming machines A are installed side by side on each island I.

[0026] The amusement arcade is equipped with a management computer C (equivalent to a management device) that manages the amusement machine information display device D (including the management of display data), and a relay unit GW that is connected to the management computer C in a bidirectional manner. Each island I is equipped 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 a single hub or a configuration in which multiple hubs are connected hierarchically.

[0027] Furthermore, the amusement arcade is equipped with a hall computer H that manages the game information of game machines A. A relay unit Q, provided for each game machine, is interposed between the hall computer H and each game machine information display device D. In other words, each game machine information display device D is connected to the hall computer H via a corresponding relay unit Q. The game machine information display device D receives output signals (including game information) from the connected game machine A, displays the received game information on the display panel W, and outputs the signals received from game machine A to the hall computer H via the relay unit Q.

[0028] 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.

[0029] Figure 2 is a front view showing the installed state of the gaming machine information display device D, or more specifically, a front view of a portion of island I. In the following explanation, the top and bottom are defined based on the installed state of the gaming machine information display device D. Furthermore, with the gaming machine information display device D installed, the side facing player Z is defined as "front," the side of the island where gaming machines A such as pachinko machines are installed is defined as "rear," and the left and right are defined based on the viewpoint of player Z (front view).

[0030] In island I, multiple gaming machines A are installed side by side in a horizontal direction. Above each gaming machine A, a gaming machine information display device D is installed in a position where the display panel W is visible to the seated player Z. Specifically, a beam section I2 extending horizontally is provided between the fascia board I1 located at the top of island I and the gaming machines A, and the gaming machine information display device D is attached to this beam section I2 via mounting members (not shown).

[0031] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the management computer C and the gaming machine information display device D.

[0032] First, let's explain an example of the configuration of the gaming machine information display device D.

[0033] The gaming machine information display device D displays information about the connected gaming machine A and information about the entire gaming hall, including payout information and jackpot information for gaming machine A, as well as information about the entire gaming hall. Furthermore, below, the connected gaming machine A may be referred to as "Gaming Machine A1" to distinguish it from other gaming machines A.

[0034] The gaming machine information display device D has a built-in control board (not shown), and the circuits shown in Figure 3 are mounted on or directly or indirectly connected to this control board.

[0035] 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 W, a decorative light-emitting unit 3, and an audio output unit 106 as output means.

[0036] The input / output unit 101 is configured to communicate with the gaming machine A, which is compatible with the gaming machine information display device D, and acquires game information from the gaming machine A. The input / output unit 101 is also configured to communicate with the hall computer H and transmits the game information acquired from the gaming machine A 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 on the call button (not shown) displayed on the display panel W.

[0037] The external communication unit 102 is configured to communicate with the management computer C, etc., and receives voice information and images transmitted from the management computer C, and transmits them to the SD memory card 14 via the voice and image control circuit 110, which will be described later. Furthermore, the external communication unit 102 receives image switching information from the management computer C to switch images in each storage area of ​​the SD memory card 14, and display image setting information that specifies the image to be displayed on the display panel W, and transmits it to the main control circuit 109, which will be described later.

[0038] The communication method used to connect the external communication unit 102 and the management computer C is not particularly limited, but RS485 is preferably applicable, for example. The external communication unit 102 operates to automatically establish communication with the management computer C when the power of the gaming machine information display device D is turned on.

[0039] The external memory socket 103 is configured to accept a storage medium such as a USB memory stick (not shown), and receives audio information and images recorded on the storage medium and transmits them to the SD memory card 14 via the audio / image control circuit 110, which will be described later.

[0040] 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.

[0041] The touch switch 105 is configured to acquire information about touch operations performed by the player Z or the like (hereinafter referred to as "operation information") from the surface (front) of the transparent front plate member that covers the front of the display panel W. 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.

[0042] Furthermore, the gaming machine information display device D includes an SD memory card 14 on which images are stored, and a display control unit 108 that controls the display of the display panel W based on image switching information display image setting information received from the management computer C. The display image setting information is setting information that specifies the image to be displayed on the display panel.

[0043] The storage unit of this disclosure consists of an SD memory card 14 and RAM 13 built into the audio-image control circuit 110, which will be described later. However, the configuration of the storage unit is not limited to the combination of the SD memory card 14 and RAM 13. For example, the storage unit may consist of a single storage medium, or a combination other than the SD memory card and RAM. In other words, the type of storage medium used as the storage unit is not particularly limited, and HDDs, SD memory cards, semiconductor memory, etc., can be used individually or in combination.

[0044] Figure 4 is an illustrative diagram showing an example of the storage area configuration of the SD memory card 14.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the SD memory card 14 is provided with a master image storage area 15, an original image storage area 16, and a preset image storage area 17 as storage areas. The various display images shown on the display panel W are selected from the images stored in the respective storage areas 15, 16, and 17 based on the display image setting information. The specific details of the display control will be explained later with specific examples.

[0046] The preset image storage area 17 is a storage area where preset images are stored. Preset images are images that are pre-stored in the gaming machine information display device D and are displayed on the display panel W when the gaming machine information display device D is initially powered on, etc.

[0047] Specifically, preset images include both still and moving images. Furthermore, preset images may include, for example, (1) images of normal gameplay, (2) images of special gameplay such as jackpots, and (3) images for general announcements. Additionally, preset images may include image materials used for normal gameplay images, special gameplay images, and / or announcement images. For example, image materials may include (1) background image materials, (2) character image materials consisting of one or more numbers, letters, kanji, hiragana, etc., (3) frame image materials such as grid lines that divide the display screen, and (4) graph image materials used to represent game information graphically.

[0048] The master image storage area 15 is a storage area that stores master images created for each model of gaming machine that is publicly available. Specifically, for example, the master image storage area 15 stores images related to all models of gaming machines installed in the market (for example, several years' worth), and is updated as new models are released.

[0049] Specifically, the master image includes both still and moving images. The master image may also include, for example, (1) normal gameplay images with background images created for each gaming machine, (2) special gameplay images created for each gaming machine and displayed during special games such as jackpots, and (3) announcement images for general announcements. The master image may also include image materials used for normal gameplay images, special gameplay images, and / or announcement images. These image materials may include image materials corresponding to each gaming machine A. For example, the image materials may include (1) background image materials, (2) character image materials consisting of one or more numbers, letters, kanji, hiragana, etc., (3) frame image materials such as grid lines that demarcate the display screen, (4) graph image materials used to represent game information in graphs, and (5) character image materials corresponding to each gaming machine.

[0050] The master image storage area 15 is equipped with a current data storage area 15B (corresponding to the "master display candidate storage area") that stores the image currently to be displayed on the display panel W. When a display candidate image specified by the display image switching information received from the management computer C is present in the master image storage area 15, the image to be displayed is copied from the master image storage area 15 to the current data storage area 15B. This image is then copied to the RAM 13 via image update processing information (hereinafter simply referred to as "image update processing information") issued by the gaming machine information display device D upon power-on (including restart) or operation from the management computer C or an external remote control (not shown), and displayed on the display panel W. Here, image update processing information refers to an update processing command that instructs the display on the display panel W to be updated upon power-on (including restart) or operation from the management computer C or an external remote control (not shown).

[0051] The original image storage area 16 is a storage area where original images created individually for each amusement arcade are stored. Specifically, original images include still images and moving images. Original images may also include, for example, (1) normal game images customized for the amusement arcade, (2) special game images customized for each game machine in the amusement arcade and displayed during special games such as jackpots, and (3) announcement images for advertising the amusement arcade or announcing events. Original images may also include image materials used for normal game images, special game images, and / or announcement images. These image materials may include image materials corresponding to each game machine A. For example, image materials may include character images, text images, background images, frame images, etc. More specifically, they may include (1) image materials and background images customized for the amusement arcade and used for advertising the amusement arcade or announcing events, (2) image materials unique to the amusement arcade, such as the amusement arcade's mascot character, and (3) image materials customized or arranged in the amusement arcade using the aforementioned master image materials.

[0052] The original image storage area 16 is equipped with a future data storage area 16A for storing the next reserved image to be displayed, a current data storage area 16B for storing the image currently displayed on the display panel W, and a past data storage area 16C for storing the image that was displayed on the display panel W immediately before the currently displayed image. The future data storage area 16A corresponds to the "reserved image storage area," the current data storage area 16B corresponds to the "original display candidate storage area," and the past data storage area 16C corresponds to the "past image storage area."

[0053] The display control unit 108 includes, for example, a main control circuit 109 that sets display image setting information, and an audio image control circuit 110 that copies the image to be displayed, set by the display image setting information of the main control circuit 109, to the RAM 13 and displays it on the display panel W. In other words, the display image setting information is setting information that sets the image to be read into the RAM 13.

[0054] Specifically, the main control circuit 109 has the function of controlling the entire gaming machine information display device D based on a program stored in the FRAM (registered trademark) 12. The main control circuit 109 is configured to perform various calculation processes, control the display of the display panel W, and control the blinking of the decorative light-emitting section 3, among other display controls for the gaming machine information display device D.

[0055] The main control circuit 109 operates based on the setting information (numerical values ​​and setting information) stored in the FRAM 12 to control the display of images on the display panel W. For example, if an original image is set according to the display image setting information, the control circuit is configured to write the data stored in the current data storage area 16B of the original image storage area 16 to the RAM 13 based on the image update processing information. As a result, the data written to the RAM 13 is displayed on the display panel W.

[0056] Furthermore, the setting information stored in FRAM12 may be modified by sending the setting information from the management computer C. Alternatively, the setting information in FRAM12 may be modified directly by a remote control terminal (not shown). For example, when the display image setting information is changed from the current data storage area 16B of the original image storage area 16 to the current data storage area 15B of the master image storage area 15, the image stored in the current data storage area 15B is copied to RAM13 and displayed on the display panel W.

[0057] Furthermore, when the main control circuit 109 receives a reserved image from the management computer C, it executes a process to store it in the future data storage area 16A. Also, based on the display image switching information received from the management computer C, the main control circuit 109 copies the reserved image stored in the future data storage area 16A to the current data storage area 16B, or copies the master image stored in the master image storage area 15 to the current data storage area 15B. The images stored in the current data storage area 15B or the current data storage area 16B are copied to the RAM 13 based on the image update processing information.

[0058] 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 image data stored in the RAM 13 to the image signal conversion circuit 115 and transmits audio information to the audio output unit 106. A display panel W 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 panel W.

[0059] The management computer C comprises a communication unit CT, a reception unit CU, a control unit CP, and a storage unit CS which corresponds to a management storage unit.

[0060] The communication unit CT has the function of communicating with the gaming machine information display device D based on control from the control unit CP. The communication method (communication protocol) used in the communication unit CT is not particularly limited, and conventionally known communication methods (communication protocols) can be used.

[0061] The reception unit CU has the function of receiving the specification of the original image to be transmitted to each gaming machine information display device D from among the candidate display images X described later.

[0062] The specific configuration of the reception unit (CU) is not particularly limited. For example, a mouse or keyboard (not shown) connected to the management computer C and used to receive input from the arcade staff can function as the reception unit (CU). Also, if the management computer C is a touch-panel computer, the display panel (touch sensor) of the management computer C can function as the reception unit (CU). Furthermore, if the arcade staff perform input operations via a terminal device and the results of those operations are sent to the management computer C via wireless communication, the communication unit (CT) that receives the wireless signals can also function as the reception unit (CU).

[0063] The memory unit CS stores display candidate images X to be displayed on the gaming machine information display device D, and programs for operating the control unit CP, etc. The memory unit CS may consist of a single storage medium or multiple physically separated storage mediums. Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the type of storage medium used as the memory unit CS, and HDDs, SD memory cards, semiconductor memory, etc., can be suitably used.

[0064] The display candidate image X includes one or more original images. Each original image is the same as the original image described in the original image storage area 16 mentioned above. Original images O and R, described later, are examples of original images included in the display candidate image X. For example, in the display candidate image X stored in the storage unit CS and the original images written to the original image storage area 16, images that are the same to each other are managed with the same file name.

[0065] The control unit CP, for example, is implemented by the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the operation of the management computer C and performs various calculations based on programs stored in the memory unit CS and input operations received by the reception unit CU.

[0066] Specifically, the control unit CP obtains instruction information for the display candidate image X (e.g., original image) to be transmitted to the future data storage area 16A of each gaming machine information display device D via the reception unit CU. Then, based on that instruction information, the control unit CP transmits the specified display candidate image X (e.g., original image) to the future data storage area 16A of each gaming machine information display device D.

[0067] Furthermore, the control unit CP transmits commands (display image switching information, display image setting information) related to the images to be displayed on the display panel W to each gaming machine information display device D via the communication unit CT. The display image switching information and display image setting information will be explained later with specific examples.

[0068] Next, we will explain the operation of the gaming machine information display system.

[0069] In the following description, preset image storage area 17 has preset image P stored in it beforehand. Preset image P includes normal gameplay image P1, advantageous gameplay image P2, and notification image P3. Also, master image storage area 15 has master image M and master image N stored in it beforehand. Master image M includes normal gameplay image M1, advantageous gameplay image M2, and notification image M3. Master image N includes normal gameplay image N1, advantageous gameplay image N2, and notification image N3.

[0070] In the explanations using Figures 5A, 5B, 5C, and Figures 6-13, for the sake of ease of understanding, it is assumed that an image is selected from one of the storage areas—current data storage area 15B, current data storage area 16B, or preset image storage area 17—and displayed on the display panel W. However, there is no intention to limit the explanation to this configuration. In actual display management systems, display control is usually performed by appropriately combining images selected from the images stored in the current data storage area 15B, current data storage area 16B, and preset image storage area 17, depending on the settings of the FRAM 12. An example of this will be explained later using Figure 14.

[0071] (Example of operation 1) Figure 5A illustrates how to change from displaying the default preset image to displaying the master image.

[0072] In step S21, when power is newly supplied to the gaming machine information display device D, a preset image P is displayed on the display panel W based on the initial settings of the FRAM 12 (step S22). Specifically, in step S22, the display control unit 108 copies the preset image P stored in the preset image storage area 17 to the RAM 13 and controls the display panel W to display the preset image P. In Figure 6, the data transmission path for the display of the preset image P in the initial settings is shown by arrows.

[0073] In step S11, after powering on the management computer C and the gaming machine information display device D, display image switching information is sent to the gaming machine information display device D based on an input operation to the reception unit CU. In this example, the display image switching information sent is an instruction to copy the master image selected from the master image storage area 15 of the SD memory card 14 to the storage area 15B of the currently displayed data.

[0074] In the gaming machine information display device D, the display control unit 108 selects a display candidate image specified by the display image switching information from among the master images stored in the master image storage area 15, and executes the process of copying that display candidate image to the current data storage area 15B (step S23). In this example, the master image M is selected as the display candidate image and is copied to the current data storage area 15B.

[0075] Once the above copying is complete, in the next step S12, the management computer C sends a setting signal to the gaming machine information display device D as display image setting information, which switches the display on the display panel W from the preset image P to the master image M. This setting signal is reflected in the program of the gaming machine information display device D's FRAM12 (step S24).

[0076] In the next step S13, when an image update processing instruction is sent from the management computer C to the gaming machine information display device D, the gaming machine information display device D restarts the power supply or performs image update processing (step S25). Then, based on the settings of FRAM12, the image currently copied to the data storage area 15B is copied to RAM13. As a result, the master image M is displayed on the display panel W, and the master image M (normal game image M1, advantageous game image M2, or notification image M3) corresponding to the game state of the gaming machine A1 is displayed on the display panel W in a timely manner (step S26). Figure 7 shows the image data transmission path related to the display of the master image M from step S23 to step S26 with arrows.

[0077] Step S25 may involve restarting the power supply or switching the display during the next startup after a power off. Alternatively, it may involve refreshing the display image on the display panel W based on image update processing information from the management computer C or an external remote control, and displaying the master image M on the display panel W.

[0078] (Example of operation 2) Next, referring to Figure 5B, we will explain the process of changing from a preset image or master image to an original image.

[0079] In this example, when power is turned on to the gaming machine information display device D in step S41, a preset image (for example, see Figure 6) or a master image (for example, see Figure 7) is displayed on the display panel W based on the settings in FRAM 12 (step S42). In this example, it is assumed that the master image M is displayed, as shown in the example in Figure 7.

[0080] In step S31, after powering on the management computer C and the gaming machine information display device D, the management computer C transmits the original image O to the gaming machine information display device D based on the input operation to the reception unit CU. The original image O includes a normal game image O1, a special game image O2, and a notification image O3.

[0081] The original image O received by the gaming machine information display device D is stored in the future data storage area 16A of the SD memory card 14 under the control of the display control unit 108 (step S43). Here, as shown in Figure 8, the master image M currently stored in the data storage area 15B is displayed on the display panel W, so the storage of the original image O in the future data storage area 16A does not affect the display on the display panel W. As a result, the original image O can be sent during business hours, reducing the time that store staff would have to spend transferring images outside of business hours. The same applies if a preset image P is displayed instead of the master image M in step S42.

[0082] Subsequently, in step S32, the management computer C transmits display image switching information to the gaming machine information display device D based on the input operation to the reception unit CU. In this example, the display image switching information includes an instruction to copy the image from the current data area 16B to the past data area 16C of the original image storage area 16 of the SD memory card 14, and then to copy the image from the future data area 16A to the current data area 16B.

[0083] In step S44, the gaming machine information display device D performs the following actions: copying the image from the current data area 16B to the past data area 16C, and copying the image from the future data area 16A to the current data area 16B. In the example in Figure 8, since no data is stored in the current data area 16B, the original image O is copied from the future data area 16A to the current data area 16B. After copying the image from the future data storage area 16A to the current data storage area 16B, the image in the future data storage area 16A may be left as is or deleted.

[0084] Once the copying in step S44 is complete, the management computer C sends display image setting information to the gaming machine information display device D as display image setting information, which switches the display on the display panel W from the master image M to the original image O (step S33). This display image setting information is reflected in the program of the gaming machine information display device D's FRAM12 (step S45).

[0085] In the subsequent step S34, when an image update processing instruction is sent from the management computer C to the gaming machine information display device D, the gaming machine information display device D restarts the power supply or performs image update processing (step S46). Then, based on the settings of FRAM12, the image currently copied to the data storage area 16B is copied to RAM13. As a result, the original image O is displayed on the display panel W, and the original image O (normal game image O1, advantageous game image O2, or notification image O3) corresponding to the game state of the gaming machine A1 is displayed on the display panel W in a timely manner (step S47). Figure 9 shows the image data transmission path related to the display of the original image O from step S44 to step S47 with arrows.

[0086] Step S46 may also involve restarting the power supply or switching the display during the next startup after a power off. Alternatively, it may involve refreshing the display image on the display panel W based on image update processing information from the management computer C or an external remote control, and displaying the master image M on the display panel W.

[0087] (Example of operation 3) Operation Example 3 describes an example in which a different original image R is transmitted from the management computer C to the gaming machine information display device D while the original image O is displayed. In other words, it shows the process of changing from one original image to a different original image. Note that the operation referred to as Figure 5B in Figure 5C is denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation will focus on the differences from Operation Example 2 described above.

[0088] In this example, in step S41, when power is turned on to the gaming machine information display device D, the original image O is displayed on the display panel W based on the settings in the FRAM 12 (step S42).

[0089] In step S31, after power-on of the management computer C and the gaming machine information display device D, the management computer C transmits the original image R to the gaming machine information display device D based on the input operation to the reception unit CU (see Figure 10). The original image R includes a normal game image R1, a favorable game image R2, and a notification image R3.

[0090] The original image R received by the gaming machine information display device D is stored in the future data storage area 16A of the SD memory card 14 under the control of the display control unit 108 (step S43). Since the original image O currently stored in the data storage area 15B is displayed on the display panel W, the storage of the original image R in the future data storage area 16A does not affect the display on the display panel W.

[0091] In step S32, the management computer C transmits display image switching information to the gaming machine information display device D based on the input operation to the reception unit CU.

[0092] Then, in the gaming machine information display device D, the original image O is copied from the current data area 16B of the original image storage area 16 to the past data area 16C, and then the original image R is copied from the future data storage area 16A to the current data area 16B (step S44).

[0093] Once the copying in step S44 is complete, an image update processing instruction is sent from the management computer C to the gaming machine information display device D (step S34). The gaming machine information display device D then restarts the power supply or performs the image update process (step S46). The subsequent processing is the same as in Figures 8 and 9, and the original image R (normal game image R1, advantageous game image R2, or notification image R3) corresponding to the game state of gaming machine A1 is displayed on the display panel W in a timely manner (step S47). Figure 11 shows the image data transmission path related to the display of the original image R from step S44 to step S47 with arrows.

[0094] In this case, when switching from original image O to original image R, it is not necessary to send display image setting information from the management computer C to the gaming machine information display device D.

[0095] (Example of operation 4) Figures 12 and 13 show the process in step S31 of Figure 5B in which a portion of the original image (in this example, the notification image R3) is updated.

[0096] In this case as well, the same process as in the flowchart in Figure 5C is executed, similar to the explanation in (Operation Example 3) above. Here, we will focus on explaining the differences from Operation Example 3 mentioned above.

[0097] In step S31, the management computer C transmits only the notification image R3 as the original image R to the gaming machine information display device D based on the input operation to the reception unit CU (see Figure 12).

[0098] The notification image R3 received by the gaming machine information display device D is stored in the future data storage area 16A of the SD memory card 14 under the control of the display control unit 108 (step S43). Since the original image O currently stored in the data storage area 15B is displayed on the display panel W, the storage of the notification image R3 in the future data storage area 16A does not affect the display on the display panel W.

[0099] In step S32, based on the input operation to the reception unit CU, the management computer C transmits display image switching information to the gaming machine information display device D, and the notification image O3 is copied from the current data area 16B of the original image storage area 16 to the past data area 16C. Subsequently, in the current data area 16B, the notification image R3 from the future data storage area 16A is copied in place of the notification image O3. At this time, the normal game image O1 and the advantageous game image O2 in the current data area 16B remain unchanged. Similarly, in the past data storage area 16C, the normal game image X1 and the advantageous game image X2 remain in the state they were in before the above copy.

[0100] Subsequently, an image update processing instruction is sent from the management computer C to the gaming machine information display device D (step S34). The gaming machine information display device D then restarts the power supply or performs the image update process (step S46). The subsequent processing is the same as in the aforementioned operation example 3, and the original image (normal game image O1, advantageous game image O2, or notification image R3) corresponding to the game state of gaming machine A1 is displayed on the display panel W in an appropriate manner (step S47).

[0101] Even when modifying a portion of the original image in this way, as with the aforementioned Operation Example 3, it is not necessary to send display image setting information from the management computer C to the gaming machine information display device D.

[0102] (Example of operation 5) Next, referring to Figure 5D, we will explain the process of changing from a master image or original image to a preset image.

[0103] In this example, when power is turned on to the gaming machine information display device D in step S61, a master image (for example, see Figure 7) or an original image (for example, see Figure 9) is displayed on the display panel W based on the initial settings of the FRAM 12 (step S62).

[0104] The preset image used is one that has been pre-stored in the preset image storage area 17. Therefore, the management computer C transmits the display image setting information to the gaming machine information display device D without sending any additional image data (step S51). Specifically, the display image setting information transmitted is a setting signal that switches the display on the display panel W from the master image M or original image O to the preset image P. This setting signal is reflected in the program of the gaming machine information display device D's FRAM 12 (step S63).

[0105] In the subsequent step S52, when the management computer C sends an image update processing instruction to the gaming machine information display device D, the gaming machine information display device D restarts the power supply or performs image update processing (step S64). Then, based on the settings in FRAM12, the preset image P stored in the preset image storage area 17 is copied to RAM13. As a result, the preset image P is displayed on the display panel W, and the preset image P (normal game image P1, advantageous game image P2, or notification image P3) corresponding to the game state of the gaming machine A1 is displayed on the display panel W in a timely manner (step S65).

[0106] As described above, this embodiment allows for the storage of various types of data, such as images corresponding to the gaming machine, and the easy display of the stored images. This makes it possible to easily change the image display without changing the settings information, even when the gaming machine is replaced.

[0107] -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.

[0108] For example, as shown in Figure 14, in the processing shown in each operation example of the above embodiment, the display image setting information may be configured to display a combination of images, such as preset image P1 for normal gameplay, master image M2 for advantageous gameplay, and notification image O3. In other words, the display image setting information may be configured to display an image that combines the current data storage area 15B of the master image storage area 15, the current data storage area 16B of the original image storage area 16, and the images stored in the preset image storage area 17, and then display it on the display panel W.

[0109] In other words, the gaming machine information display device D may be configured to display the target image on the display panel, which is the image specified in the display image setting information, from among the images stored in the current data storage area 15B of the master image storage area 15, the current data storage area 16B of the original image storage area 16, or the preset image storage area 17, based on the display image setting information. By adopting such a configuration, flexible display modes can be accommodated in a simple manner.

[0110] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows an example where the preset image storage area 17 and the master image storage area 15 are provided separately, the preset image storage area 17 and the master image storage area 15 may be integrated, for example, by storing the preset image P in the master image storage area 15.

[0111] In the above embodiment, the image update processing information is transmitted outside of business hours, but this is not limited to this. For example, the image update processing information may be transmitted from the management computer C to the gaming machine information display device D during business hours. In this case, for example, when switching (updating) the display image on the display panel W, the display panel W may display text or an image such as "Loading image file..." to indicate that the display panel W is being switched (updated). [Industrial applicability]

[0112] This invention significantly reduces the hassle for store staff, and even in situations where many new gaming machines are released daily and machines are replaced frequently, images appropriate to the gaming machine can be used immediately, making it extremely useful and highly applicable to industry. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] C Management computer (management device) D Gaming machine information display device W Display Panel 14. SD memory card (storage unit) 15 Master Image Storage Area 15B Current data storage area (master display candidate storage area) 16 Original image storage area 16A Future data storage area (reserved image storage area) 16B Current data storage area (original display candidate storage area) 16C Past data storage area (past image storage area) 17. Preset Image Storage Area 102 External Communications Department (Communications Department) 108 Display Control Unit

Claims

1. A gaming machine information display device installed around a gaming machine, A display panel that shows game information for the aforementioned gaming machine, A storage unit is provided with a master image storage area for storing master images created according to the model of the gaming machine, a master display candidate storage area for storing display candidate images from the master images, and an original image storage area for storing original images created individually for each gaming establishment. A display control unit that controls the display of the aforementioned display panel, The system includes a communication unit that receives display image switching information from an external management device to switch the images in each storage area of ​​the storage unit, and display image setting information to specify the images to be displayed on the display panel. The original image storage area includes a reserved image storage area for storing the original image received from the management device, and an original display candidate storage area for storing display candidate images from the original image. The display control unit, If an image stored in the master image storage area is designated as a display candidate image based on the display image switching information, that image is copied from the master image storage area to the master display candidate storage area. If an image stored in the reserved image storage area is designated as a display candidate image based on the display image switching information, that image is copied from the reserved image storage area to the original display candidate storage area. When the power to the gaming machine information display device is turned on, or when image update processing information instructing an image update is received from an external source, the device executes a process to display the target image on the display panel, which is one of the images stored in the master display candidate storage area or the original display candidate storage area and is specified in the display image setting information. A gaming machine information display device characterized by the following features.

2. In the gaming machine information display device according to claim 1, The image to be displayed is an image that combines the image stored in the master display candidate storage area and the image stored in the original display candidate storage area. A gaming machine information display device characterized by the following features.

3. In the gaming machine information display device according to claim 1, The aforementioned original image storage area is further provided with a past image storage area. Based on the display image switching information, the display control unit executes a process to copy the image to be displayed that was stored in the original display candidate storage area to the past image storage area before copying the image stored in the reserved image storage area to the original display candidate storage area. A gaming machine information display device characterized by the following features.

4. In the gaming machine information display device according to claim 1, The memory unit further includes a preset image storage area for storing preset images, The display control unit, when the power to the gaming machine information display device is turned on, processes the display of the target image, which is an image specified in the display image setting information, from among the images stored in the master display candidate storage area, the original display candidate storage area, or the preset image storage area, on the display panel. A gaming machine information display device characterized by the following features.

5. In the gaming machine information display device according to claim 4, The image to be displayed is an image that combines images stored in two or more areas selected from the master display candidate storage area, the original display candidate storage area, and the preset image storage area. A gaming machine information display device characterized by the following features.

6. A gaming machine information display device according to any one of the multiple claims 1 to 5, The system includes a management device that outputs the display image setting information to each of the gaming machine information display devices. A gaming machine information display system characterized by the following features.

Images