JPH0459660B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] It is a totalizer terminal device, and the operator's service time for one customer and the center side CPU consumed by the operator to operate the device once.
By automatically measuring the response time of the (central processing unit) and notifying the center side CPU, it is possible to construct an optimal scale totalizer system and operate the system efficiently.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a totalizer terminal device that sends and receives signals to and from a central office (center) in a totalizer system. It also relates to a device (refund machine) for paying dividends.

[Conventional technology]

For example, in the case of horse racing, with a conventional totalizator terminal device (e.g., a vending machine), the operator at the counter where the device is installed collects the customer's wishes through purchase notes or verbal communication with the voting ticket purchaser (customer). The group/number and amount data are input using the numeric keys on the operation console, and when the input is completed, the release key is pressed to notify the center CPU of the data. The center CPU checks the validity of the data, for example, determines whether an impossible group/number has been specified, and if the data is valid, a release permission signal is output. Sent to the vending machine. When the vending machine receives this vending permission signal, it issues a voting ticket in which the data is recorded.

That is, one voting ticket is issued by the operator operating the numeric keypad and then operating the release key. Therefore,
If the customer wishes to purchase more voting tickets, the two types of key operations described above are repeated, and these operations are repeated until the customer's request is completed. When the customer's request is completed, the operator receives the total amount of the voting tickets issued so far, hands the voting ticket to the customer, and presses the end key.

Therefore, the operator operates the numeric keypad and the release key at least once for one customer, and then operates the end key.

Conventionally, when constructing a totalizer system, determining the appropriate number of terminal devices to install for the expected number of customers entering the system has been a decision that requires the experience of someone skilled in system design. Most cases are based on had decided.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the conventional totalizator system mentioned above, due to the nature of the competition, the number of customers processed by one terminal device is limited due to uncertain factors such as psychological factors of customers and environmental factors such as weather. Very large differences often occur, especially right before the start of the competition.

Therefore, even if it is based on skilled experience, the appropriateness of determining the number of terminal devices to be installed in one totalizer system is often insufficient. Furthermore, although it is based on actual measurement results in the field, the number of extracted actual measurement data is extremely small from the perspective of constructing one large system, and it cannot be said to be satisfactory. Furthermore, in situations such as immediately before the start of a competition, the CPU load on the center side that manages multiple terminal devices may reach nearly 100%, and in such cases, the There is a problem in that an abnormality occurs in signal transmission between the two.

The present invention was created in view of the problems in the conventional type described above, and aims to provide a totalizer terminal device that enables construction of an optimally scaled totalizer system and efficient operation of the system. .

[Means for solving problems]

FIG. 1 shows a basic block diagram of the totalizer terminal device of the present invention.

The device according to the invention provides data signals to the central office 5.
A totalizer terminal device that transmits an AD and receives a response signal RD from the central office in response to the data signal, the device transmitting a first command signal S1 and a subsequent first command signal based on an external input operation. S
a command signal output means 1 which repeats a process of outputting a third command signal S3 after outputting a command signal S3 at least once; first measuring means 2 for measuring a first time interval up to a point in time;
and a second measuring means 3 for measuring a second time interval from the input point of time of the fourth command signal S4 to the input point of time of the fifth command signal S5;
and a control means 4 provided between the command signal output means and the central station.

Here, the control means 4 transmits the fourth command signal S4 at the time when the data signal AD is transmitted and reaches the central station 5, and at the time when the response signal RD from the central station to the data signal is received.
and a fifth command signal S5 is outputted and supplied to the second measuring means 3, and information SB representing the second time interval outputted from the second measuring means is transmitted to the second command signal S2. is incorporated into the data signal each time the signal is received, and the information SA representing the first time interval outputted from the first measuring means 2 is incorporated into the data signal when the first second command signal S2 is received in the next process. It is characterized by being incorporated into the data signal.

Therefore, the totalizer terminal device of the present invention as a whole has information SA representing the first time interval and information SA representing the second time interval.
information SB representing the time interval of the original data signal
It is configured to be incorporated into the AD at a specific timing (that is, at a timing dependent on the input timing of the second command signal S2 based on the key input operation) and transmitted to the central station 5.

[Effect]

In the totalizer terminal device according to the present invention, the control means uses the first time interval (information SA) measured by the first measuring means 2 based on the command signal from the command signal output means 1 and the communication with the central station 5. Based on the command signal generated in step 4, the second
Since the second time interval (information SB) measured by the measuring means 3 is incorporated into the data signal AD to the central station 5 and transmitted, the operating status of the terminal device and the CPU of the central station is transmitted. can be accurately grasped, thus making it possible to construct a totalizer system of an optimal scale and to operate the system efficiently.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 shows a totalizer terminal device (vending machine) for horse racing as an embodiment of the present invention.
is shown in blocks.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a console, which is equipped with a display (not shown). Communication with the center 5 is performed by the operator operating keys on the console 11 while monitoring this display. There are three types of key operations performed by the operator: one is the numeric key press operation;
This is a key operation performed when entering the customer's desired group/number and amount data. When performing this operation, a numeric key press signal S1 is output when the operator first presses a key. Another one is the release key press operation, and when the customer finishes inputting the data desired, the center 5 CPU
This is a key operation performed when requesting permission to issue a ticket. This operation causes the release key press signal S2
is output. The last one is an end key press operation, which is a key operation performed when processing for one customer is completed. This operation causes an end key press signal S3 to be output.

Signals S1, S2, and S3 output from the console 11 are input to the interface 12, and through the interface 12, the numeric key press signal S1 is sent to the set (S) terminal of the flip-flop (FF) 21, and the ticket issue key press signal S2 is sent to the set (S) terminal of the flip-flop (FF) 21. The end key press signal S is sent to the S terminal of the FF 41 and the control unit 43.
3 is the reset (R) terminal of FF21 and FF41
are connected to the R terminals of the respective terminals.

The output (Q) terminal of FF21 is the falling detection circuit 2
2 and the count enable (CE) terminal of the counter 23, and the output of the falling detection circuit 22 is connected to the clear (CL) terminal of the counter 23 and the parallel enable (PE) terminal of the register 24. The counter 23 is for measuring the service time T _a of the operator for one customer. A register 24 is connected after the counter 23 via a bus, and further connected to a control section 43 via a bus.

On the other hand, the Q terminal of FF41 is connected to the rising edge detection circuit 42.
It is connected to the control unit 43 through.

The S terminal and R terminal of FF31 each have
AD transmission end signal S from the control unit 43 to be described later
4. The RD reception end signal S5 is input, and its Q terminal is connected to the falling detection circuit 32 and the counter 33.
The output of the falling detection circuit 32 is connected to the CE terminal, and the output of the falling detection circuit 32 is connected to the CL terminal of the counter 33 and the register 34.
Connected to PE terminal. The counter 33 is for measuring the response time T _b of the CPU of the center 5 that is required for an operator to operate the apparatus once. A register 34 is connected to a subsequent stage of the counter 33 via a bus, and further connected to a control section 43 via a bus.

The control unit 43 controls communication with the CPU of the center 5, and transmits data desired by the customer input from the operation console 11 temporarily stored in a memory (not shown) to a ticket issue key press signal. When S2 is received, it is sent to the CPU of the center 5 as a data signal AD, and in response to the signal S2, the data signal AD of the center 5 is sent to the CPU of the center 5.
It has a function to receive the response signal RD sent from the CPU. The control unit 43 also controls the data signal AD.
At the time when the data signal AD is transmitted and reaches the CPU of the center 5, and at the time when the response signal RD from the center 5 to the data signal AD is received, respectively.
It has a function of outputting an AD transmission end signal S4 and an RD reception end signal S5, and supplying them to the S terminal and R terminal of the FF 31, respectively. Furthermore, the control unit 43 controls the contents of the register 24 (information SA representing the customer service time T _a ) when the pulse is output from the rising edge detection circuit 42 .
The function is to incorporate the contents of the register 34 (information SB representing the response time T _b ) into the data signal AD every time the ticket issue key press signal S2 is input.
It has the function to be incorporated into.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the signals of each part of the device shown in FIG. 2 and the timing of signal transmission.
In the example shown in Figure 3, one customer has two voting tickets.
Indicates when purchasing in installments. The operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.

First, when the customer tells the operator his/her desired group/number and amount, the operator presses the numeric keypad on the console 11 (at time _t1 ). As a result, the signal S1 is output, the Q output of FF21 becomes high level, and the counter 23 indicates the customer service time.
Start measuring T _a . Furthermore, the operator's data input operation is performed until time _t2 , at which point the operator presses the ticket issuing key. As a result, the signal S2 is output, and the Q output of the FF 41 becomes high level. In response to this, the rising edge detection circuit 42 outputs a pulse, and at the same time, the data signal AD is output from the center 5.
Transmitted to CPU. When this data signal AD reaches the CPU of the center 5 (at time t ₃ ), the control unit 4
3 outputs a signal S4, which causes FF3
1's Q output becomes high level, and the counter 33 starts measuring the response time T _b1 .

After a while, a response signal RD to the data signal AD is returned from the CPU of the center 5 to the terminal side (at time _T4 ). At this point, the control section 43 outputs a signal S5, which resets the FF 31, causing its Q output to become low level, and the fall detection circuit 32 outputs a pulse. This pulse causes the contents of the counter 33 (information SB ₁ representing response time T _b1 ) to be stored in the register 34 , and
The contents of the counter 33 are cleared.

From time _t4 to time _T5 , the terminal device performs ticket issuing operation. Furthermore, if the customer wishes to purchase a voting ticket for the second time, the operator presses the numeric keypad again (at time t ₆ ). Further data input operations are performed until time t ₇ .

At time t ₇ , the operator presses the ticket issue key.
As a result, the signal S2 is output, and the control section 43 incorporates the contents _SB1 of the register 34 into the data signal AD and transmits it to the CPU of the center 5. The time when this data signal AD reaches the CPU of center 5 (t ₈
The signal S4 is output from the control unit 43 at the time of
As a result, the Q output of the FF 31 becomes high level, and the counter 33 starts measuring the response time T _b2 .

After a while, the response signal RD is returned from the CPU of the center 5 to the terminal side (at time _t9 ). In addition,
Information transmitted in the data signal AD
It is assumed that SB ₁ is appropriately stored in the memory on the center side. At time _t9 , the control unit 43 outputs the signal S5, which resets the FF 31 and makes its Q output low level, causing the fall detection circuit 3
2 outputs a pulse. This pulse causes the contents of the counter 33 (information SB ₂ representing the response time T _b2 )
is stored in the register 34, and the counter 3
The contents of 3 are cleared.

From time t ₉ to time t ₁₀ 2, the terminal device is
Perform the ticket issuing operation for the second time. From time t ₁₀ to time t ₁₁ , the two voting tickets issued so far are exchanged for money. When the operator presses the end key at this time _t11 , signal S3 is output,
The Q output of FF21 and the Q output of FF41 both become low level, and this causes the falling detection circuit 2
2 outputs a pulse. This pulse causes the contents of the counter 23 (information SA representing customer service time T _a ) to be stored in the register 24 , and the counter 23
The contents of are cleared.

Eventually, the operator responds to the next customer and presses the numeric keypad on the console 11 (at time _t12 ). As a result, a signal S1 is output. Since the subsequent operations are the same, the explanation will be omitted. However, the data signal AD transmitted to the center side at time _t13
The contents SA of the register 24 and the contents SB ₂ of the register 34 are incorporated into.

Therefore, according to the device according to this embodiment, the information SA representing the customer service time is sent to the center side when the processing for one customer is completed and the ticket issue key is pressed for the next customer. Information SB representing time is sent to the center side when the operator operates the next ticket issuing key after one ticket issuing operation is completed. By storing and using this information at the center, it can contribute to the construction and operation of an optimal and efficient totalizer system.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the central office
The operating status of the CPU and the terminal device of the present invention can be accurately grasped, which is extremely useful for constructing an optimal scale totalizer system and efficiently operating the system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of a totalizer terminal device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining signal transmission by the device shown in FIG. 2. , is. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Command signal output means, 2... First measuring means, 3... Second measuring means, 4... Control means, 5
...Central station (center), AD...Data signal, RD
...Response signal, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5...
...Command signal, SA...Information indicating customer service time, SB
...Information representing response time.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A totalizer terminal device that transmits a data signal AD to a central station 5 and receives a response signal RD from the central station in response to the data signal, which a command signal output means 1 which repeats a process of outputting a first command signal S1 and a subsequent second command signal S2 at least once and then outputting a third command signal S3; a first measuring means 2 for measuring a first time interval from the input point of the command signal to the input point of the third command signal; a second measuring means 3 for measuring a second time interval up to the input time; a control means 4 provided between the first and second measuring means, the command signal output means and the central station; The control means transmits the fourth command signal at the time when the data signal AD is transmitted and reaches the central station 5, and at the time when the response signal RD from the central station to the data signal is received. S4 and a fifth command signal S5 are output and supplied to the second measuring means 3, and information SB representing the second time interval outputted from the second measuring means is supplied to the second command signal. Each time S2 is received, it is incorporated into the data signal, and information SA representing the first time interval output from the first measuring means 2 is received in the next process to receive the first second command signal S2. A totalizer terminal device, characterized in that it is sometimes incorporated into said data signal.