JP7744852B2 - Game center management system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an amusement facility management system.

Conventionally, gaming machines suitable for fixed-amount operation are known, as described in Patent Document 1 below, for example. Fixed-amount operation is a business model that employs a limit on the number of balls dispensed. Under a fixed-amount operation, once the upper limit on the number of balls dispensed is reached, the game is forcibly terminated. By implementing a fixed-amount operation, it is possible to curb excessive ball dispenses from a single gaming machine, and to moderate gambling.

JP 2017-108880 A

However, when a jackpot ends near the upper limit, even if another jackpot occurs, only a small number of balls can be expected, which discourages players from continuing to play and makes them quit playing. In addition, gaming machines that are left in such a state near the upper limit tend to attract few players.

In consideration of the above situation, the present invention provides an amusement facility management system that can grasp the operating status of gaming machines that are close to stopping, and determine whether or not to reset the gaming machine if it is possible to do so.

The gaming center management system of the present invention is a system for gaming machines that transition to a jackpot state when a predetermined jackpot condition is met in the normal state, and transition to a stop-play state where play is no longer possible when the current value of the gaming value acquired by the player reaches a predetermined upper limit.

The gaming center management system of the present invention identifies gaming machines where the difference between the current value of the gaming value acquired by the player and the upper limit is within a predetermined range as gaming machines approaching a stoppage, and determines whether the gaming state of the gaming machine approaching a stoppage is in a normal state. The gaming center management system is also equipped with a display means for displaying operating data indicating the operating status of gaming machines determined to be in a normal state.

The gaming center management system of the present invention is a useful management system that can determine the degree of operation that will occur on a gaming machine in the future by checking the operation data of a gaming machine in a normal state when the current value of the gaming value acquired by the player is approaching the upper limit.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing the configuration of an amusement center management system. FIG. 2 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine and the score processing device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine and the score processing device. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the game information display device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of data for each gaming machine managed and displayed by the management device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of jackpot history data managed and displayed by the management device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of stop and approach table data managed and displayed by the management device. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of stoppage summary data managed and displayed by the management device. FIG. 2 is a front view of a display screen during a game by the game information display device. A front view of the display screen of the game information display device during a play stop. A front view of the display screen of the game information display device after the game has been stopped and reset.

The embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described using the following examples.
Example 1
This example relates to an amusement facility management system 1 for a gaming machine 2 that transitions to a jackpot state when a predetermined jackpot condition is met in a normal state, and transitions to a stop state where play is no longer possible when the current value of the game value acquired by the player reaches a predetermined upper limit (called the stop value). This amusement facility management system 1 is capable of determining the extent of operation that will occur thereafter by checking the operation data of a gaming machine 2 that has been left unused when the current value of the game value acquired by the player is close to the stop value. This will be explained using Figures 1 to 12.

In an amusement facility that uses the gaming facility management system 1 of this example, a score processing device 4 that awards the gaming value required for play and a gaming information display device 3 are individually installed for each gaming machine 2, such as a pachinko gaming machine 21 or a pachislot gaming machine (not shown). Furthermore, one relay device 109 is installed for every two gaming machines 2. A management device 10 is installed in the management space within the amusement facility to manage the various devices within the amusement facility. The amusement facility also has a prize exchange counter (not shown) and a prize exchange terminal that allows players to exchange their earned gaming value for prizes.

The management device 10 is a computer device that manages the operating status of all equipment installed in the gaming facility (gaming machines 2, score processing devices 4, game information display devices 3, etc.). The management device 10 transmits various setting information required for the operation of each device to each device. The management device 10 has the function of collecting, storing, and managing operating data that indicates the playing status of each gaming machine 2, player playing history data, etc.

The gaming history data includes the player's remaining balance and the number of points representing the gaming value the player has acquired. At the gaming facility, the value owned by each player is managed in association with the gaming card. The management device 10 stores, as card information, information on the player's value owned in association with the card ID, which is the identification information of the gaming card.

The relay device 109 is a terminal device that relays data transmission and reception between the score processing device 4 and the game information display device 3 and the management device 10. As mentioned above, one relay device 109 is installed for every two gaming machines.

The gaming information display device 3 is a display device that is individually installed for each gaming machine 2. The gaming information display device 3 is installed above the corresponding gaming machine 2. The gaming information display device 3 creates and displays various display information based on the various gaming information output from the corresponding gaming machine 2. The gaming information display device 3 receives various gaming information for the corresponding gaming machine 2 from the score processing device 4 via the relay device 109.

The gaming machine 2 is a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine 21 or a pachislot gaming machine (not shown). The gaming machine 2 transmits various gaming information (consumed gaming value information, awarded gaming value information, jackpot occurrence information, etc.) to the score processing device 4. In this example, an enclosed pachinko gaming machine 21 is used as an example of the gaming machine 2, in which points, which are gaming value, are consumed to fire gaming balls, which are gaming media. In the pachinko gaming machine 21, points, which constitute gaming value, are awarded in response to the entry of a gaming ball into one of the winning slots. The above-mentioned consumed gaming value information and awarded gaming value information in the pachinko gaming machine 21 are consumed gaming point information or awarded gaming point information.

The score processing device 4 is installed individually for each gaming machine 2 and is a device that performs score-related processing, such as awarding the points required for play and issuing gaming cards (an example of a recording medium, not shown) on which scores are recorded. This score processing device 4 is placed to the side of the gaming machine 2, in the gap between it and an adjacent gaming machine 2. In this explanation, counted scores are referred to as "owned points" and points that are available for play are referred to as "play points." The total number of points is the sum of the owned points and the play points.

In the gaming center, an in-house network 100 such as a wired LAN is constructed, to which various devices are communicatively connected. The score processing device 4, game information display device 3, and other devices communicatively connected to the gaming machines 2 are connected to the in-house network 100 via a relay device 109. In the in-house network 100, various communications between the management device 10 and peripheral devices of the gaming machines 2, such as the score processing device 4 and game information display device 3, are realized via the relay device 109.

Next, we will explain in order: (A) the configuration and basic operation of the gaming machine and score processing device, (B) the configuration and management data of the management device, and (C) the configuration and display screen of the game information display device.

(A) Configuration and Basic Operation of Gaming Machine and Score Processing Device A pachinko gaming machine 21 (FIG. 2), which is an example of the gaming machine 2, is a gaming machine in which a game is played by consuming (using) gaming points (scores), which are gaming value, to fire gaming balls, which are gaming media. The illustrated pachinko gaming machine 21 is a so-called seven-machine in which a jackpot lottery is executed in response to winning in a special symbol start port 221, and when a jackpot is won, a jackpot symbol is displayed and a jackpot state is triggered.

As shown in Figure 2, the pachinko gaming machine 21 has a substantially circular playing area (playing board) 210. Decorative lamp units 242 are provided on both the left and right sides of the upper part of the playing area 210, and a speaker 241 is located on the lower left side of the playing area 210. In addition, an information display unit 25 is provided below the playing area 210, and an operating handle 26 is provided to the lower right of the information display unit 25.

The information display unit 25 is composed of an LCD display, and its display screen displays various information, such as various game information related to the game, such as the number of jackpots and the number of special drawing draws. The display screen of the information display unit 25 is a touch-operable display screen with a sheet-like touch panel 251 (Figure 3) stacked on top of it. The content displayed by the information display unit 25 can be switched in response to touch operations on the display screen.

The display screen of the information display unit 25 displays the cumulative game points, such as game points received from the score processing device 4 and game points based on points awarded for winning. One game point is subtracted from the game points each time a game ball is fired, while a predetermined number of game points (scores) are added for each game ball that enters a prize slot. In the pachinko game machine 21, when the game points reach zero, game balls can no longer be fired.

The game area 210 is the area where game balls, which are the game medium, flow down. In the game area 210, a display device including a symbol display unit 24 is located near the center, and an outlet hole 225 is provided at the bottom for collecting game balls that flow down without winning. The special symbol start port 221 is located below the symbol display unit 24, and a large prize opening 222 is provided halfway between the special symbol start port 221 and the outlet hole 225.

A pass-gate-type normal symbol start port 223 and other devices are located on the left side of the symbol display unit 24 when viewed from the player's side. The normal symbol start port 223 is a gate for detecting the passage of game balls. The normal symbol start port 223 only allows game balls to pass, and is not set to dispense game balls (prize balls). When a game ball is detected by the normal symbol start port 223, a random number for the lottery to determine whether the normal symbol is a winner (hereinafter referred to as the normal symbol lottery) is extracted, and the normal symbol lottery is executed. The result of the normal symbol lottery is displayed by the symbol display unit 24.

The special symbol start opening 221 is equipped with an electric tulip (electric device) and is a variable winning opening that triggers the determination of whether a special symbol has been won (hereinafter referred to as the special symbol lottery). The electric tulip opens when a win is made in the regular symbol lottery, dramatically increasing the winning rate of the special symbol start opening 221. When a game ball enters the special symbol start opening 221 (starting winning), a random number for the special symbol lottery is selected, and the special symbol lottery (jackpot lottery) is executed.

The pattern display unit 24 is a display unit that displays changing patterns on an LCD display. The pattern display unit 24 functions as a special pattern display unit that displays the result of the special pattern lottery (lottery result), and as a regular pattern display unit that displays the result of the regular pattern lottery (lottery result). If the special pattern lottery is won, a jackpot occurs, including the opening of the large prize slot 222.

As shown in Figure 3, the pachinko gaming machine 21 is centered around a main control unit 20. The main control unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, memory elements such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 204, and an I/O (Input/Output) 205 that serves as an input/output interface.

The RAM 204 memory area includes memory areas for game points, which represent the number of game balls that can be fired, the current value of the game value acquired by the player and the number of points that are used to determine whether to stop the game (the current number of points, described below), and a preset stop value. The main control unit 20, which includes the RAM 204, functions as a game value storage means and a stop value storage means. The stop value is a value that is set by the setting operation unit 23, described below.

The pachinko gaming machine 21 in this example can be set to either a fixed-price mode with a limit, or an unlimited-price mode without a limit. A storage area for flag data corresponding to the operating mode can be provided in the storage area of RAM 204, or the unlimited-price mode can be set by setting a sufficiently large limit value. In this case, there is no need to provide a storage area corresponding to the operating mode.

The main control unit 20 is electrically connected to the information display unit 25, touch panel 251, presentation control unit 291, winning game ball sensors 293-295, special prize start solenoid 296 that opens the special prize start port (electric chute) 221, special prize opening solenoid 297 that opens the special prize opening 222, power supply circuit unit 298 for supplying power, setting operation unit 23, etc. Furthermore, the main control unit 20 is electrically connected to an I/F unit 200 that serves as a communication window with the score processing device 4.

The performance control unit 291 is electrically connected to the amplifier 241A that drives the speaker 241 and the decorative lamp unit 242, and is also communicatively connected to the display control unit 292 that controls the display screen of the pattern display unit 24.

The sensors that detect winning game balls include a special prize winning sensor 293 that detects winning balls in the special prize starting hole 221, a regular prize winning sensor 294 that detects winning balls in the regular prize starting hole 223, and a special prize winning sensor 295 that detects winning balls in the special prize winning hole 222.

The setting operation unit 23 is an operation unit for performing various settings. The setting operation unit 23 is located inside the gaming machine main body and can be operated when the gaming board is opened forward. The setting operation unit 23 can be used to perform setting operations such as setting one of six setting values with different jackpot probabilities, setting the stop value, and performing a reset operation to reset to zero the number of points used to determine whether to stop playing (the current number of points, described below). The stop value may be set under the control of the management device 10. The reset operation may also be performed by remote control from the management device 10.

The pachinko gaming machine 21 transmits various types of gaming information to the score processing device 4 in response to the execution of a game in which gaming points are consumed. The gaming information output by the pachinko gaming machine 21 varies depending on the model. For example, the pachinko gaming machine 21 in this example transmits the following gaming information to the score processing device 4. The gaming information output by the pachinko gaming machine 21 is transmitted via the score processing device 4 to the relay device 109, management device 10, gaming information display device 3, etc.

Consumed game points information: Information indicating the number of game points consumed in a game.
Awarded game points information: Information indicating the number of game points awarded upon winning.
・Start information: Information indicating that the jackpot lottery has been held.
Jackpot information: Information indicating that a jackpot has occurred.
・Chance change information: Information indicating that the game is in a chance change state.
- Stop information: Information indicating that the state has been changed to a stop state.
Reset information: Information indicating that the stopped state has been resolved and reset.

The score processing device 4, which corresponds to each pachinko gaming machine 21 individually, is installed in the space between adjacent pachinko gaming machines 21 (see Figure 1). This score processing device 4 has a function to award (lend) game points (scores), which constitute the right to fire game balls.

The front of the score processing device 4 (see Figure 2) is equipped with a status lamp 41 that displays the operating status of the device, such as errors, a bill insertion slot 420, a touch-operable display unit 43 with a touch panel superimposed on the LCD screen, a loan button 44 for receiving loans of game points required for play upon payment being withdrawn, a replay button 45 for converting the accumulated points (counted points) into game points, a return button 46 for requesting the return of the game card, and a card insertion slot 470.

As shown in Figure 3, the score processing device 4 is electrically configured around a control unit 40 equipped with a CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, I/O 404, etc. In addition to the above components, a banknote processing unit 42, a card processing unit 47, and an I/F unit 400 are electrically connected to the control unit 40. The score processing device 4 can communicate with the relay device 109 via the I/F unit 400, and is also directly connected to the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 21.

Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 21 and the score processing device 4 will be explained. When a pachinko gaming machine 21 receives game points (scores) from the corresponding score processing device 4, it becomes able to fire game balls equal to the game points. The pachinko gaming machine 21 subtracts one game ball from the game points each time a game ball is fired, and if a win occurs, it adds points corresponding to the win to the game points. When the game points reach zero, the pachinko gaming machine 21 becomes unable to fire game balls and play cannot continue.

In the pachinko gaming machine 21, game balls can be launched from a launching device (not shown) located in the upper left of the gaming area 210 by operating the operating handle 26. When a game ball enters the special symbol starting hole 221, a special symbol lottery (jackpot lottery) is executed, and the special symbol pattern begins to change on the symbol display unit 24.

If the special drawing is won, a jackpot symbol such as 777 will be displayed on the symbol display unit 24, indicating a jackpot, and the machine will transition to a jackpot state. In the jackpot state, the jackpot entry slot 222 will be opened a specified number of times, significantly increasing the chances of winning.

When a player wins the regular lottery at the regular lottery start gate 223, a regular lottery is held and the regular lottery pattern begins to change on the pattern display unit 24. If the player wins the regular lottery, the pattern display unit 24 notifies the player of this fact, and the electric tulip at the special lottery start gate 221 opens, making it easier to win the special lottery start gate 221.

In addition to the jackpot state described above, the pachinko gaming machine 21 can also be in a normal state and a special chance state. The special chance state is an exciting state in which the probability of winning the special and normal chance state is higher than in the normal state, and the expectation of a jackpot is high. In the illustrated pachinko gaming machine 21, after the jackpot state ends, there is a 70% chance of transitioning to the special chance state, and a 30% chance of transitioning to the normal state. During play on the pachinko gaming machine 21, various gaming data (number of jackpots, number of special chance lotteries, etc.) can be viewed by touching the information display unit 25.

As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 21 can be set by the gaming parlor to either a fixed-amount mode or an unlimited-amount mode. The fixed-amount mode is an operating mode in which play is forcibly stopped when the current value of the player's acquired points (play value) reaches an upper limit. The unlimited-amount mode is an operating mode in which play can be played without limit from the start of business hours to the end.

In fixed-point mode, when the current value of the points earned by the player reaches a predetermined upper limit, the stop value, the game stops and the game transitions to a stop state. The stop state is a state in which it is impossible to continue playing, i.e., a state in which game balls cannot be fired. The current value of the points earned by the player is determined by the difference between the smallest point difference (an example of a difference) when the points awarded since the start of business minus the points consumed are used as the difference, and the current value of the point difference, which is the most recent point difference. Hereinafter, the current value of the points earned by the player will be referred to as the current point number. In this example, the pachinko gaming machine 21 is set to 30,000 points as the stop value, thereby setting the fixed-point mode. When setting the non-fixed-point mode, it is sufficient to set the stop value to a sufficiently large value.

When a specified reset operation is performed on the setting operation unit 23 while the machine is in a stopped state, the current score is reset to zero and the machine returns to a playable state. In this way, the setting operation unit 23 serves as an example of a reset means that resets the current score, which is an example of the current value of the game value acquired by the player, to zero. As mentioned above, the setting operation unit 23 is located inside the gaming machine body, and therefore the gaming board must be opened to the front in order to operate it.

When finishing play on the pachinko gaming machine 21, the number of gaming points stored in the pachinko gaming machine 21 must be counted. To count the number of gaming points, simply touch (count) a count button (not shown) displayed on the information display unit 25. In response to the counting operation, the gaming points are sent to the score processing device 4, and the gaming points are subtracted. A short touch counting operation sends gaming points one by one, and a long touch (continuous touch) counting operation sends all gaming points at once. The score processing device 4 converts the gaming points received from the pachinko gaming machine 21 into owned points. The number of gaming points stored in the pachinko gaming machine 21 becomes zero when transmission to the score processing device 4 is complete.

The score processing device 4 receives various game information from the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 21, compiles and stores the operating data, and transmits the operating data to the management device 10 and the game information display device 3 as needed via the relay device 109. The score processing device 4 also transmits information on the player's possession value, such as the player's deposit balance and the number of points held, to the management device 10 as needed. The score processing device 4 also receives and stores various setting information (gaming machine number, model name, point unit price, etc.) from the management device 10.

The operational data compiled by the score processing device 4 includes, for example, the following data.
(1) Number of jackpots: The number of times a jackpot state occurs (number of consecutive wins).
(2) Start between jackpots: The number of starts (current start number) which is the number of jackpot draws since the previous jackpot state ended.
(3) Today's cumulative starts: The cumulative number of starts since opening on the day.
(4) Points: The number of points that have been counted among the points that the player has earned.
(5) Difference in points: The points obtained by subtracting the points consumed from the points awarded since the start of business.

When the score processing device 4 accepts a banknote, it adds the amount of the banknote to the deposit balance and stores the result. The upper limit for the deposit balance is 10,000 yen. When a gaming card is accepted, the card ID, which is the identification information for that gaming card, is associated with the card information stored in the management device 10 and compared. If the comparison result is OK, the score processing device 4 displays the deposit balance and points associated with that card information.

The score processing device 4 converts the player's deposit balance, saved balls, and owned points into game points in response to a player's request, such as by operating the loan button 44, and transmits these to the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 21. For example, when the loan button 44 is operated, a fixed amount (e.g., 1,000 yen) is converted into game points (250 points) and transmitted to the pachinko gaming machine 21. For example, when the replay button 45 is operated, the owned points are converted into game points in units of 250 points and transmitted to the pachinko gaming machine 21, allowing the player to replay using the owned points (replay processing).

The score processing device 4 stores and displays score numbers, such as the number of owned points, the number of game points, and the total number of points, which is the sum of the number of owned points and the number of game points. The score processing device 4 receives score addition and subtraction information from the corresponding pachinko gaming machine 21 and updates the stored number of points. Then, in response to the updated number of points, it transmits score number information to the relay device 109.

When the return button 46 is operated when there is at least one of a deposited balance and points, the score processing device 4 records the deposited balance and the number of points on a gaming card and issues it. The gaming points stored in the pachinko gaming machine 21 are not recorded on the gaming card, but remain stored on the gaming machine side. The score processing device 4 also has a built-in card stocker that can store up to 10 gaming cards.

(B) Configuration of the Management Device and Management Data The management device 10 (FIG. 1) is a device that manages various machines installed in the gaming facility, as described above. In particular, the management device 10 in this example can display various operational data related to the stopping of games for gaming machines 2 operating under a fixed-price system.

The management device 10 is a device that includes a PC monitor such as an LCD display, output means such as a printer (not shown), a device main body that performs various types of calculation processing, and input means such as a keyboard and a mouse (not shown). The device main body also has communication means for sending and receiving various signals or information, and storage means such as a hard disk drive.

The management device 10 receives various types of game information from the score processing device 4, game information display device 3, etc. The management device 10 generates and manages various data by tallying it up based on the received game information, etc. The management device 10 can display various data useful for running the amusement parlor on a PC monitor or print it out.

The management device 10 realizes the functions as the following means (1) to (9), for example.
(1) Operation data generating means: means for generating operation data for each gaming machine 2 installed in the gaming facility.
(2) Current value tallying means: A means for tallying the current value of the points (game value) acquired by the player as the current points. As described above, the current points are determined by, for example, the difference between the minimum point difference, which is the smallest value of the difference between the points awarded since the start of business minus the points consumed, and the current point difference.
(3) Upper limit setting means: means for setting a stopping value (for example, an upper limit value such as 30,000 points) at which the game transitions to a stopping state upon stopping.
(4) Identification means: means for identifying a gaming machine 2 whose difference between the current score, which is an example of the current value of the score acquired by the player, and the end value is within a predetermined range as a gaming machine approaching the end value. In this example, the predetermined range is set to 3,000 points.
(5) Gaming state determination means: means for determining whether the gaming state of the stop approaching gaming machine is in the normal state or not.
(6) Operation determination means: means for determining whether a gaming machine approaching the end of a game determined to be in a normal state is in operation or not.
(7) Re-operation determination means: means for determining whether a gaming machine approaching the end of its game that has been determined to be out of operation has subsequently been restarted.
(8) Re-operation rate calculation means: means for calculating the ratio of the number of gaming machines that are close to being stopped and that have been determined to be restarted to the number of gaming machines that are close to being stopped and that have been determined to be out of operation.
(9) Display means: A means for displaying operation data representing the operating status of a gaming machine that is determined to be in a normal state.

The following describes the data managed by the management device 10. The management data includes data for each gaming machine (Figure 6), jackpot history data (Figure 7), data on machines approaching the end of play (Figure 8), and data on total play of machines ending in play (Figure 9). The management device 10 displays this management data on a PC monitor or prints it out. The contents of each management data item are explained below.

(Data by gaming machine)
6 is the operation data of each gaming machine 2 displayed in a list by machine number, which is the identification information of the gaming machine 2. The contents of the data items in the figure are as follows:

・Consumed points = points consumed in the game. Equal to the number of balls fired.
・Awarded points = points awarded for winning.
・Start = Number of times the special chart changes under normal conditions (number of jackpot draws).
・Jackpot = Number of times a jackpot occurs.
・Dropout = Number of times dropout occurred.
・Reset = Number of times the shot has been reset.
Current score = difference between the minimum score difference (awarded points - consumed points) and the current score difference.
When the current value of the point difference is the minimum value of the point difference, the current score becomes 0.
Unplayable = Y: Stopped state (unplayable state), N: Playable state

Based on the gaming machine-specific data shown in Figure 6, for example, the following operating status can be ascertained. Machine 1 has stopped playing once, then reset and is currently in operation. Machine 3 has stopped playing a second time after the first reset, and has not been reset and remains in a stopped state. Machine 4 is a gaming machine approaching a stoppage, with only 1,019 points remaining (upper limit 30,000 points - current score 2,891 points = 1,019 points) until it stops playing.

(Jackpot history data)
The jackpot history data in Figure 7 is data that represents the jackpot occurrence history for a specific gaming machine. The jackpot history data in the figure is data for gaming machine 2 with machine number 123, for example. The jackpot history data is managed individually for each gaming machine 2 installed in the gaming parlor. The state in the figure indicates whether the game state when the jackpot occurred was a normal state or a special state.

The jackpot history data in Figure 7 allows us to understand the jackpot occurrences leading up to the end of play. For example, in the example shown, we can see that the No. 1 jackpot, which occurred under normal play at 10:05, triggered a series of jackpots in the special mode. After that, 15 jackpots occurred under the special mode, resulting in a 16-game winning streak, which ended at 11:55.

(Downcoming machine data)
The machine data in Figure 8 shows the machine numbers of the machines approaching the end of their game, which have 3000 or fewer points remaining until the end of their game, and displays the operation data of each machine in a list. The machine data shows the operation status of the machine 2 approaching the end of its game. The items in the figure are as follows:

・Status = current game state (normal state, probability state, jackpot state)
・Operation = N (non-operational) / Y (operational)
If the deposit balance and points are zero and no points are consumed for a certain period of time, the machine is determined to be non-operating (N).

According to the approaching stoppage data in Figure 8, for example, machine number 4 has entered normal operation with 1,019 points remaining until the stoppage, and operation has stopped. Furthermore, for example, machine number 11 was reset after the first stoppage, and its current score is 27,635 points, with 2,365 points remaining until the next stoppage.

The management device 10 can extract and display in a list from the data on machines approaching a stoppage, machines in "normal" status, machines in "probable chance" status, machines in operation status of "N", and machines in operation status of "Y". Furthermore, the management device 10 can identify the number of machines approaching a stoppage (machines approaching a stoppage) that stopped operating in a normal status and then resumed operation for a certain period or more, and the number of machines that did not experience operation for a certain period or more, and calculate the respective percentages.

(Data collected by Utari)
The stoppage summary data in Figure 9 is data that displays various summary data related to stoppage for each model of gaming machine 2. This stoppage summary data is useful for understanding the stoppage trends for each model. The items in the figure are as follows.

・Number of stopped units = Number of units that have been stopped at least once out of the total number of units ・Total number of units = Total number of times that stopped ・Stoppage rate = Number of stopped units / Total number of units (%)
Reset = Number of times reset after stopping play. Replay after stopping play = Number of reset machines where 2000 points or more were consumed. Replay rate = Play after stopping play/reset (%)
・Restart rate = (total number of times - machine where the stop occurred) / reset (%)

(C) Gaming Information Display Device The gaming information display device 3 (FIGS. 1 and 4) is a device that displays various information related to the corresponding gaming machine 2. The gaming information display device 3 receives various setting information and information related to the corresponding gaming machine 2 from the management device 10, and also receives various gaming information related to the corresponding gaming machine 2 from the score processing device 4. The gaming information display device 3 then creates and displays various display information based on the received setting information, gaming information, etc. The gaming information display device 3 receives the setting information, gaming information, etc. via a relay device 109.

The setting information received from the management device 10 includes, for example, the model name of the corresponding gaming machine 2, the machine number serving as identification information, and gaming performance information such as the probability of a jackpot and the number of balls dispensed in a jackpot. The gaming information of the corresponding gaming machine 2 received from the score processing device 4 includes, for example, the number of jackpot draws (number of starts), the number of jackpots that have occurred, the gaming points, the number of points held, etc.

The game information display device 3 is equipped with a liquid crystal display unit 33 consisting of a large liquid crystal display. Below the screen 330 of the liquid crystal display unit 33, a call button 341, a remote control light receiving unit 347, a group of various operation buttons 345, etc. are arranged, and a lamp unit 32 is arranged to surround the upper half.

As shown in Figure 5, the gaming information display device 3 is electrically configured with the control unit 30 at its core. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 301 that executes software to perform various calculations, ROM 302 and RAM 304 as memory means, and an I/O unit 305 that inputs and outputs signals. Electrically connected to the control unit 30 are an I/F unit 308 that sends and receives signals to and from the outside, an LCD display unit 33, a lamp unit 32 with an employee call function, a call button 341, a group of operation buttons 345, and a remote control light receiving unit 347.

The game information display device 3 has the functions of the following means.
(1) Play-stop determination means: means for determining whether the gaming machine 2 has transitioned to a play-stop state. The control unit 30 as the play-stop determination means determines whether the gaming machine 2 has transitioned to a play-stop state based on the play-stop information output by the pachinko gaming machine 21.
(2) Reset determination means: means for determining whether the current score (an example of the current value) has been reset.
(3) Stop information display means: means for displaying stop information regarding the occurrence of a stop state based on the determination result by the stop determination means.
(4) Reset information display means: means for displaying reset information relating to the reset of the current score based on the result of the determination by the reset determination means.
(5) Approach determination means: means for determining whether the difference between the current score and the limit value (an example of the upper limit value) has approached within a predetermined range (3000 points in this example).
(6) Stoppage notice information display means: A means for displaying stoppage notice information to warn that the gaming machine 2 will transition to a stoppage state when the approach determination means determines that the difference between the current score and the stoppage value is approaching within a predetermined range (3,000 points in this example).

Of the above means, means (1), (2), and (5) are means realized by the control unit 30, for example, by the CPU 301 executing a software program read from the ROM 302. Means (4) and (6) are means realized by the liquid crystal display unit 33, which displays various information.

The gaming information display device 3 is capable of displaying various types of gaming information for the corresponding gaming machine 2. The display screen configuration and display content of the gaming information display device 3 are explained below with reference to Figures 10 to 12.

The following describes examples of displays on the screen 330 of the game information display device 3, including a display screen during play (Figure 10), a display screen in a paused state (Figure 11), and a display screen after pause has been reset (Figure 12). While the display screens in Figures 10 to 12 share the same screen specifications, they each represent different game situations.

At the left edge of each display screen, from top to bottom, are: today's jackpot count display field 361, yesterday's jackpot count display field 362, the day before yesterday's jackpot count display field 363, current start display field 364, and cumulative start display field 365. To the right and above these display fields is a graph display field 360 that displays a difference point trend graph, a so-called slump graph, and below that is a message display field 368.

The current start display field 364 is a display field for the number of starts since the opening of business, which is reset to zero and restarted after each jackpot. The cumulative start display field 365 is a display field for the cumulative number of starts since the opening of business.

The point difference trend graph shows the trend in point difference (awarded points - consumed points) since the start of business in the form of a line graph. In the point difference trend graph, the difference between the lowest point (minimum point difference) and the current (most recent) point difference is displayed as the current score. For example, on the display screen during play (Figure 10), the current score is displayed as 26,530 points, and the remaining points, which are the difference until the game stops, are displayed as 3,470 points (30,000 points - 26,530 points). Note that when the current point difference is the minimum, the current score is displayed as zero.

On the display screen during play (Figure 10), the message display field 368 displays information such as the fact that the upper limit for stopping the game is 30,000 points, the current score (26,530 points), the number of points remaining until the game stops (3,470 points), and the average difference in points per jackpot (1,980 points).

The display screen (Figure 11) during play pause shows the current score as 30,000 points. This 30,000 points is the play pause value, which is the upper limit of the current score, and it can be seen that play has paused when the current score has reached the play pause value. Also, on the display screen (Figure 11) during play pause, a message informing the player that play is paused and that play is no longer possible is displayed in message display field 368.

The "Play Reset Completed" display screen (Figure 12) is the screen that is displayed when the current score has been reset to zero and play is now possible. The message display field 368 on the "Play Reset Completed" display screen displays a message indicating that play has been reset and play is now possible.

As described above, the gaming center management system 1 in this example is a system for a gaming machine 2 that transitions to a jackpot state when a predetermined jackpot condition is met in the normal state, and stops playing when the current score, which is an example of the current value of the gaming value acquired by the player, reaches a predetermined upper limit (in this example, a limit value of 30,000 points), and transitions to a stopped state where play is no longer possible.

This amusement facility management system 1 identifies gaming machines 2 where the difference between the current score, which is the current value of the gaming value acquired by the player, and the stop value is within a predetermined range (3,000 points in this example) as machines approaching a stop, and determines whether the gaming state of the machine approaching a stop is normal. This amusement facility management system 1 can then display operating data indicating the operating status of machines that are determined to be in a normal state.

In this way, the gaming center management system 1 of this example is a useful management system that can determine the degree of operation that will occur in the future by checking the operation data of a gaming machine 2 that has been left unattended when the current score, which represents the current value of the gaming value acquired by the player, is close to the limit.

The gaming facility management system 1 of this example also includes operation determination means for determining whether a gaming machine that is determined to be in a normal state and is approaching the end of its run is in operation or out of operation. The management device 10, which serves as display means, is capable of displaying operation data including the determination results from the operation determination means. If a jackpot ends just before the end of the run when the remaining points are low, many players stop playing without playing until the end of the run because the payout is small even if another jackpot occurs. Displaying operation data including the determination results of whether a gaming machine approaching the end of its run is in operation or out of operation makes it possible to grasp the operation rate of the gaming machine, providing useful guidelines for managing the gaming facility, such as whether the gaming machine should be reset.

Furthermore, the gaming facility management system 1 is equipped with a restart determination means for determining whether a gaming machine that is close to being stopped and that has been determined to be out of operation by the operation determination means has subsequently been restarted, and a restart rate calculation means for calculating the restart rate, which is the ratio of the number of gaming machines that are close to being stopped and that have been determined to have been restarted by the restart determination means to the number of gaming machines that have been determined to be out of operation by the operation determination means. Knowing the restart rate makes it possible to understand the trends in gaming after a gaming machine has been stopped.

Gaming machine 2 is equipped with a resetting means that resets the current score, which is the current value of the gaming value, to zero. Resetting the current score to zero makes it possible to restart a gaming machine that has been stopped. By promoting the restart of stopped gaming machines in this way, the operating rate of gaming machines throughout the entire gaming facility can be improved.

In this example, the current value of the game value acquired by the player is shown as the current score, which is determined based on the difference between the minimum value of the difference between safe (awarded points) and out (consumed points) and the current value of the difference. The current score can be used to accurately determine the timing to stop playing.

The following configurations may be adopted instead of or in addition to the configuration of this embodiment. Also, the following configurations may be adopted in appropriate combination.
In the configuration of this example, the current value of the gaming value is determined by the difference between the minimum value of the difference in points, which is the difference between the points awarded by winning (safe) and the points consumed (out), and the current value of the difference in points, but this is not limited to this. The current value of the gaming value may also be the cumulative value of the points awarded by winning (safe), or the difference between the points awarded by winning (safe) and the points consumed (out).

The current value of the gaming value stored in the gaming machine 2 (in this example, the current number of points) may be reset before the game stops. This allows the current value of a gaming machine that has stopped operating when the game is about to stop to be reset, thereby promoting the operation of the gaming machine 2. In this case, it is desirable to output different reset information when resetting before the game stops and when resetting after the game has stopped.

The game may be configured to output a game end warning when the number of points remaining until the game end falls below a predetermined value. Alternatively, when a jackpot occurs, a predicted current value, which is the number of points expected at the end of the jackpot, may be predicted, and the game end warning information may be output if the predicted current value exceeds the game end value (upper limit).

In this example, a configuration was shown in which game balls cannot be released when the game enters a stopped state, but the stopped state can be any state as long as normal gameplay cannot continue. For example, it could be a stopped state in which game balls can be released, but there is no reaction even if a prize is won.

The types of game information that the game information display device 3 can display are not limited to this example. The game information display device 3 can display various types of game information. For example, it may display the probability of a jackpot occurring, the number of first jackpots, the number of consecutive jackpots, the number of times a jackpot has stopped playing in the past month, etc.

In this example, the game information display device 3 is attached above the gaming machine 2, but it may also be attached to the side or below the gaming machine 2, or it may be attached integrally to the gaming machine 2, or the functions of the game information display device 3 may be incorporated into the gaming machine 2 or the score processing device 4.

In this example, the score processing device 4 and the game information display device 3 communicate with the management device 10 via a relay device 109. Alternatively, the gaming machine 2, score processing device 4, game information display device 3, and management device 10 may communicate directly with each other without providing a relay device 109.

In this example, an enclosed pachinko gaming machine 21 that awards gaming points in response to winning is used as an example of a gaming machine, but gaming machines are not limited to this. Pachinko gaming machines that pay out gaming balls in response to winning may also be used. Pachislot gaming machines, Jankyu gaming machines, etc. may also be used. The gaming value used in games may be electronic points, as well as physical balls, medals, etc.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above as examples, these specific examples merely disclose examples of the technology encompassed by the claims. Needless to say, the scope of the claims should not be interpreted as being limited by the configurations, numerical values, etc. of the specific examples. The claims encompass technologies that incorporate various modifications, alterations, or appropriate combinations of the specific examples, utilizing publicly known technology and the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

1 Game center management system 10 Management device (operation data generation means, current value aggregation means, upper limit value setting means, identification means, game state determination means, operation determination means, restart determination means, restart rate calculation means, display means)
100 In-house network 109 Relay device 2 Gaming machine 21 Pachinko gaming machine 23 Setting operation unit (reset means)
3. Game information display device (stop determination means, reset determination means, stop information display means, reset information display means, approach determination means, stop advance notice information display means)
33 Liquid crystal display unit 330 Screen 4 Score processing device 420 Bill insertion slot 43 Display unit 44 Lending button 45 Replay button 46 Return button 470 Card insertion slot

Claims (5)

In an amusement facility management system for a gaming machine configured to transition to a jackpot state when a predetermined jackpot condition is met in a normal state, and to transition to a stop state where play is not possible when the current value of the game value acquired by the player reaches a predetermined upper limit,
A specifying means for specifying a gaming machine in which the difference between the current value and the upper limit value is within a predetermined range as a gaming machine approaching a stoppage;
a gaming state determination means for determining whether the gaming state of the stop approaching gaming machine identified by the identification means is the normal state;
and a display means for displaying operation data indicating the operation status of a stop approaching gaming machine that has been determined to be in a normal state by the gaming state determination means. an operation determination means for determining whether the stop approaching gaming machine determined to be in a normal state by the gaming state determination means is in operation or in a non-operation state;
2. The gaming center management system according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays the operation data including the determination result by the operation determination means. restart determination means for determining whether or not the gaming machine approaching the end of play, which has been determined to be out of operation by the operation determination means, has subsequently restarted;
3. The gaming facility management system according to claim 2, further comprising a restart rate calculation means for calculating the ratio of the number of gaming machines approaching a stoppage that have been determined to be restarted by the restart determination means to the number of gaming machines approaching a stoppage that have been determined to be non-operating by the operation determination means. The gaming center management system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the gaming machine is equipped with a reset means for resetting the current value of the gaming value to zero. The gaming center management system described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the current value of the gaming value acquired by the player is determined based on the gaming value awarded by winning, or the difference between the gaming value awarded by winning and the gaming value consumed in play, or the difference between the minimum value of such difference and the current value of such difference.