JP2007007161A - Ic token processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an IC token processor suitable for incorporation into a game medium lending machine or the like due to a compact structure with a sufficient capacity to store IC tokens. <P>SOLUTION: The IC token processor performs processing such as data processing, e.g. recording/reproduction, storage, issue, recollection of the IC token. The IC token processor includes a stock portion (120) for storing diagonally stacked IC tokens, and a conveying plate (110) reciprocating in a direction orthogonal to a stacked direction of the IC tokens, additionally storing an IC token under the lowermost stacked IC token, and delivering stocked IC tokens from the side of a token slot (102). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an IC coin processing apparatus that performs processing such as data acquisition and update on an IC coin, which is a coin-type information recording medium, and processing such as returning and collecting inserted IC coins and issuing IC coins. More specifically, IC coin processing suitable for incorporation into a game media lending machine that lends game media used in gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines based on the recorded contents of IC coins held by the player Relates to the device.

  Generally, in halls where gaming machines such as pachinko machines, slot machines or amusement machines are installed, game media such as pachinko balls and medals used for games are lent out as players insert cash or prepaid cards. A gaming medium lending machine called a pedestal machine is provided adjacent to each gaming machine.

  By the way, in recent halls where a customer membership system is introduced, instead of using a conventional prepaid card or membership card such as a magnetic card, a highly secure IC chip with a data protection measure is sealed with a resin material. There has been proposed a system that employs IC coins formed in a shape as a money substitute medium (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this system, the price data recorded on the IC coin is consumed and a game medium such as a pachinko ball is lent to the player (a prepaid function), or the player is placed in the hall based on the member ID read from the IC coin. You can authenticate as a member and provide services (member service function). For example, even a non-member player can be used repeatedly in the game by charging the price data to the IC coin, and the player who is authenticated as a member by the IC coin can replay the stored ball, exchange the prize You can receive services such as point addition and campaign information from the hall. As described above, in the gaming industry, the use of IC coins that can provide various high-quality services is expected to be expanded.

  An IC coin can record (write) and reproduce (read) data without contact with an IC chip embedded therein by performing a predetermined communication procedure via electromagnetic waves. For example, a unitized IC coin processing device having a function of recording and reproducing IC coin data is incorporated in the above-described inter-machine, and when the IC coin is inserted, information such as price data or member ID is read, Further, at the time of settlement, the unused portion is recorded on the IC chip and returned to the player as a reusable IC coin. Further, this processing apparatus is required to have a function of temporarily storing used IC coins (value data is zero) and recording and issuing new value data on the stored IC coins (for example, patents). Reference 2). That is, it is to allow a player who has put cash into the inter-bank machine to return the change with IC coins instead of cash at the time of payment.

JP 2003-019341 A JP 2001-331834 A

  As described above, an IC coin processing device provided in a pedestal machine (game media lending machine) or the like is stored in order to perform stable issuance processing without requiring supply of a shortage of IC coins. The larger the capacity to be, the better. On the other hand, the structure is also required to be compact so that it can be incorporated into a limited installation space in the game medium lending machine.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and provides an IC coin processing device suitable for incorporation into a game medium lending machine or the like with a compact structure while ensuring a sufficient capacity for storing IC coins. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a data processing for performing data reading and writing processing by wireless communication with respect to an IC coin which is an information recording medium having a built-in IC chip formed in a coin shape An IC coin processing apparatus comprising means for holding an IC coin, holding an IC coin inserted from an insertion slot at a position where the data processing means can perform data processing, and holding the IC coin A transport plate capable of reciprocating to carry coins to a predetermined position, and a stock unit that is provided on a side where the transport plate carries in and moves and stores a plurality of IC coins stacked in the thickness direction at the predetermined position; And holding the one IC coin in the holding part, moving the transport plate to the stock part side, Characterized by being configured to add accommodate by inserting the IC coins the holding in the lower C-coin.

  According to the IC coin processing apparatus of the first aspect, the data processing means performs data reading and writing processing on the IC coin inserted from the insertion slot, and the transport plate moves the data processed IC coin to a predetermined position. Carry in. The transport plate inserts an IC coin that has been subjected to the data processing into the lower side of the lowermost IC coin that is stored in a stacked state on the stock unit, and additionally stores the IC coin. In this way, since data-processed IC coins are transported to the stock unit and stacked and accommodated in the thickness direction, more IC coins can be stored in the storage space than before, and the device can be made compact. Is planned.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the IC coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein the stock part can be moved up and down along the stacking direction of the IC coins accommodated in the stock part. The upper first position holds both edges of the lowermost IC coin accommodated in the stock portion from the outside and supports them in a state of being detached from the transport plate, and the lower second position Lifting means for placing an IC coin accommodated in the stock section on the transport plate over the transport plate and releasing the support state is provided.

  According to the IC coin processing apparatus of the second aspect, the lifting / lowering means is controlled to the first position, whereby the stacked IC coins are separated from the transport plate, and the lifting / lowering means is controlled to the second position. The IC coins stored in the stock unit can be placed on the transport plate. By controlling the elevating means in cooperation with the reciprocating operation of the transport plate, the IC coins can be additionally stored in the stacked state, and the IC coins stored in the stacked state can be carried out.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the IC coin processing device according to the second aspect, wherein the transport plate is moved to the stock portion side, and the lifting means is controlled from the first position to the second position. As a result, the lowest IC coin stored in the stock part is placed on the holding part, and the transport plate is moved to the insertion slot side, so that one IC coin can be removed from the stock part. It is configured to be carried out.

  According to the IC coin processing device of the third aspect, the lowermost IC coin accommodated in the stock portion is placed on the holding portion of the transfer plate, and in this state, the transfer plate is moved to the insertion slot side. Thus, the IC coin can be carried out, so that the insertion and discharge of the IC coin can be realized through one common slot and the conveyance path, and the apparatus can be made compact.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the IC coin processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conveyance is performed with a predetermined inclination angle that makes the insertion direction of the IC coin obliquely downward. A plate is provided, and the stock portion is formed so as to stack and receive IC coins in an obliquely upward direction perpendicular to the carry-in direction of the transport plate.

  According to the IC coin processing device of the fourth aspect, it is possible to make the entire device compact while securing the storage capacity of the IC coin.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the IC coin processing device according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined height of the inclined inner wall that abuts and supports the outer peripheral surface of each IC coin accommodated in a stacked state in the stock portion. A recovery port is formed at the upper position, and the uppermost IC coin stacked at a certain number or more is dropped from the recovery port and recovered.

  According to the IC coin processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the uppermost IC coin that is abutted and supported by the inclined inner wall of the stock portion and stacked at a predetermined height or more is dropped from the collection port and collected. Therefore, the function of stocking IC coins within the storage capacity can be realized without requiring an active mechanism.

  According to the IC coin processing device of the present invention, it is possible to implement insertion and ejection of IC coins through a common insertion slot and transport path, and also to process and store data for IC coins, and to store stored IC coins. The mechanism for issuing and collecting can be simplified. In addition, since the IC coins that have been subjected to data processing are stacked and accommodated in the thickness direction, more IC coins can be stored in the storage space than in the past. As described above, the overall configuration of the device can be made compact while ensuring the storage capacity of the IC coin, and therefore, it is suitable for incorporation into a device such as a game medium lending machine that handles the IC coin as a money substitute medium.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a description will be given of a gaming facility that is provided in a gaming store such as a pachinko hall and includes an interbank ball lending machine in which an IC coin processing device according to the present invention is incorporated.

  FIG. 1 is a network system diagram showing a configuration of a game facility provided in a pachinko hall or the like. Generally, a pachinko machine amusement island is provided in the gaming space of a hall by installing a plurality of pachinko machines 10 and inter-ball ball lending machines 20 for paying pachinko balls to the gaming machines adjacent to each pachinko machine 10. It is configured. In addition, the slot machines 30 are also provided with an inter-unit medal lending machine 40 adjacent to each other to form an amusement island. At one end of the gaming island where a plurality of gaming machines are arranged in a row, an island edge box 15 that houses an island control device that monitors the operating state of each gaming machine such as a jackpot and counts the sales etc. by each inter-banking machine. , 35 are installed. The island control device also functions as a repeater for connecting each inter-vehicle machine to the communication line 50 laid in the hall.

  At an appropriate place in the game space, an IC coin issuing machine 60 that records and issues the amount of inserted cash as value data (electronic money) in an IC coin, and an IC coin that reimburses the value held by the IC coin in cash. A checkout machine 70 is installed. The IC coin issued by the IC coin issuing machine 60 has a prepaid function, and it is possible to acquire a game medium such as a pachinko ball using the IC coin regardless of a member or a non-member of the hall. Although details will be described later, the inter-ball ball lending machine 20 including the IC coin processing device 100 according to the present invention also has a function of newly issuing an IC coin.

  In addition, a member management computer 80, a ball counter 81, a POS terminal 82, etc. for realizing services for members such as replay of storage balls, management of mileage points, and prize exchange are mutually connected via the communication line 50. Is connected to the line.

  The member management computer 80 records and manages, in an information recording device such as a magnetic disk device, a member management file created by associating attribute information for each member ID of each member, for example. The attribute information of a member to be recorded and managed includes the data of the deposits that the member has put in the hall for replay, the mileage points that are added each time the game is played, and the password (password) for personal authentication of the member In addition to member information such as), personal information such as name, date of birth, e-mail address, and hobbies are also included.

  The ball counting machine 81 is a device for depositing surplus pachinko balls in the hall as replayable storage balls at the end of the game. The player possesses a counting unit that counts the number of inserted pachinko balls at high speed. And an IC coin processing unit that reads the member ID from the IC coin for the member. That is, when a player sets IC coins in the ball counting machine 81 and inserts surplus pachinko balls from the ball slot on the upper surface, the number of pachinko balls counted by the counting unit and the member ID read by the IC coin processing unit The information is added and a signal for requesting a storage ball is transmitted to the member management computer 80. In response to receiving the storage request, the member management computer 80 updates the member management file by adding only the received count value to the number of stored balls based on the member ID. As a result, the player member can store surplus pachinko balls in the hall, and receive services such as replay and prize exchange using the stored balls later.

  The POS terminal 82 is usually installed at a prize exchange counter in a hall, and is, for example, a cash register machine having a touch panel type liquid crystal display unit, a keyboard, and a barcode reader. A member authentication machine 82a for authenticating as a member is connected.

  For example, when a player member exchanges a stored ball for a free gift, an IC coin owned by the principal for the member is set in the member authentication machine 82a, and a password is input to the keyboard. The POS terminal 82 adds the member ID read from the IC coin by the member authenticator 82a and the password input to the keyboard, and transmits an authentication request signal to the member management computer 80. The member management computer 80 collates the received member ID and password with reference to the above-described member management file, and authenticates the player as a member if they have a corresponding relationship. Then, the number of stored balls held by the member is returned from the member management file to the POS terminal 82 together with the member information.

  The POS terminal 82 causes the cash register to display the received number-of-balls data and also displays a list of prizes that can be exchanged within the range of the number of balls. The POS terminal 82 manages the membership by selecting a prize desired from the prize list displayed by the player as a member on the touch panel or reading the barcode of the prize offered by the player with a barcode reader. A signal is transmitted to the computer 80 for requesting settlement of the stored ball (consumption of stored ball number data corresponding to the exchange price of the prize). Then, when the POS terminal 82 receives a payment completion signal from the member management computer 80, the prize is delivered to the player and the exchange is established.

  The IC coin processing device according to the present invention is incorporated in a device such as the above-described IC coin issuing machine 60, IC coin settlement machine 70, ball counting machine 81, and member authentication machine 82a attached to the POS terminal 82 for handling IC coins. Although applicable, here, as an example, a description will be given of an embodiment built in the inter-bed ball lending machine 20 that lends pachinko balls based on price data recorded on IC coins.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing the front appearance of the pedestal ball lending machine 20, and FIG. 3 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the pedestal ball lending machine 20. In addition, the pedestal ball lending machine 20 includes a vertically long front mask 21 integrally formed as a front decorative plate, and a rectangular housing 29 made of a metal frame.

  First, with reference to FIG. 2, the front structure of the interstitial ball lending machine 20 will be described. At the upper position of the front mask 21 of the interbank ball lending machine 20, a bill insertion slot 22 for inserting a bill when a player acquires a pachinko ball, and an IC coin for receiving and discharging an IC coin An entrance / exit 24 is formed.

  The IC coin entrance 24 is provided with a coin plate 24a formed so as to protrude diagonally forward and open on the upper side so that a player can easily insert an IC coin and take out the discharged IC coin. .

  Also, below the IC coin entrance 24, a balance display unit 25 consisting of a 7-segment LED for displaying the amount of money that can be used at present by inserting bills or IC coins (in the case of abnormality, an error code, etc.), and a pachinko ball A lending switch 26 which is a pressing switch for instructing lending and a return switch 27 which is a pressing switch for instructing to return the IC coin from the IC coin entrance 24 in place of change by adjusting the balance are arranged. Yes.

  A ball dispensing nozzle 28 for discharging a predetermined number of pachinko balls to a tray of the pachinko machine (10) in accordance with a lending operation is mounted at a position substantially in the middle of the front mask 21 so as to be swingable in the horizontal direction. .

  With reference to FIG. 3, a bill identifying device 230 for identifying the authenticity and the amount of the bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 22 is provided in the upper portion of the housing 29 of the interbank ball lending machine 20. On the back side of the banknote identification device 230, a banknote outlet 231 for discharging the banknote identified as authentic and discharging it to a banknote transport apparatus (not shown) which is one of the island facilities is formed.

  Below the banknote identification device 230, the IC coin processing device 100 according to the present invention is arranged. Although details will be described later, the IC coin processing apparatus 100 has a function of reading price data recorded by the inserted IC coin, and stores (stocks) up to a predetermined number of IC coins, and collects overflowed IC coins in a lower collection tank. It has a function of dropping it to 190 and collecting it, a function of recording the balance as value data and issuing an IC coin, and the like. The operation of the IC coin processing apparatus 100 is controlled by a microcomputer-based IC coin control board 180 that mounts a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like on a circuit board.

  In the lower space in the housing 29, a ball dispensing unit 220, a ball dispensing control board 210, and a communication unit 240 are arranged. The ball payout control board 210 is also a control board formed from a microcomputer including electronic components such as a CPU 211, a ROM 212, and a RAM 213, and mainly controls the payout of pachinko balls to the ball payout unit 220.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration between the above-described device units built in the inter-ball ball lending machine 20. According to the figure, the ball payout control board 210 includes a bill recognition device 230, an IC coin control board 180, a ball payout unit 220, a communication unit 240, and other equipment units, a balance display unit 25 arranged on the front mask, a loan The switch 26, the return switch 27, and the like are electrically connected via a harness. The IC coin processing apparatus 100 is connected to the ball payout control board 210 via the IC coin control board 180. Further, the ball payout control board 210 is also connected to the pachinko machine (10) adjacent to the inter-ball ball lending machine 20 so as to be able to transmit and receive control signals, and is provided on the pachinko machine side, for example, not shown. Switch signals (lending switch signal, return switch signal) such as switches and return switches are input. Here, an embodiment is described in which the ball dispensing control board 210 drives the ball dispensing unit 220 and discharges the pachinko balls from the ball dispensing nozzle (28) to the gaming machine side during the lending operation. The ball payout control board 210 outputs a ball payout control signal to the gaming machine side in accordance with the form of the gaming machine system to be played, so that the pachinko balls can be released inside the gaming machine.

  The outline | summary of operation | movement of the daitama ball lending machine 20 of this structure is demonstrated. When a player inserts a banknote from the banknote slot 22, the banknote identification device 230 determines the authenticity of the banknote and identifies its amount. If the banknote identification device 230 determines that the banknote is authentic, it transmits a genuine note signal indicating the amount information to the ball payout control board 210. Specifically, the genuine note signal is output as a pulse signal of the number of times corresponding to the amount of money. The CPU 211 of the ball payout control board 210 counts the genuine note signal and adds it to the balance data stored in a predetermined memory area such as a RAM. In other words, the balance data corresponds to the monetary value that the player has deposited with the daitama ball lending machine 20 in order to acquire the pachinko balls.

  When one IC coin is inserted from the IC coin entrance 24, the IC coin control board 180 reads the price data recorded on the IC coin and transmits it to the ball payout control board 210 to send the balance data. Update. Note that the available amount information stored as balance data is displayed to the player by the balance display unit 25.

  When the CPU 211 of the ball payout control board 210 detects the operation of the lending switch 26 provided on the front mask 21 (or a lending switch signal), the CPU 211 controls the ball paying unit 220 to pay out a predetermined number of pachinko balls. That is, the ball dispensing control board 210 rotates and drives a ball dispensing rotor, which is a ball dispensing means that sequentially releases pachinko balls one by one, and is detected by a ball dispensing sensor provided at the outlet of the ball dispensing rotor. When the number of balls paid out reaches the above number, control is performed to stop the driving of the ball payout rotor.

  Further, the CPU 211 of the ball payout control board 210 transfers a return switch signal generated by pressing the return switch 27 to the IC coin control board 180, and returns an IC coin to be described later to the IC coin processing apparatus 100. Execute the process.

  The communication unit 240 is connected to the local communication line 50 of the hall, and information related to sales such as deposits and withdrawals in the interbank ball lending machine 20 is transmitted to a management control device such as a hall computer as needed. It is like that.

  Here, the structure of the IC coin that is the object handled by the IC coin processing apparatus 100 of the present invention will be described slightly. An IC coin 90 having an outer shape shown in FIG. 5A is a coin that is widely used by sealing with an IC chip 91 sandwiched between two resin disks made of, for example, ABS (acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene). And an information recording medium formed with substantially the same dimensions. The resin alone is lighter than ordinary coins, so there is a problem that the rolling property is insufficient and the end portion is easily chipped. Therefore, the outer peripheral edge is made of a nonmagnetic metal material such as stainless steel or brass. An annular coating is formed.

  The IC chip 91 embedded in the substantially central portion of the IC coin 90 is formed by bonding or thick film printing a copper wiring pattern on the surface of a thin substrate member made of ceramics, and an MPU (microprocessor), nonvolatile memory, or the like. A bare chip IC and an antenna member formed by winding a fine conductive wire in a coil shape are mounted and modularized.

  That is, the IC chip 91 includes an antenna 92, a modulation / demodulation circuit (CODEC) 93, an MPU 94, a memory 95 which is a flash memory such as an EEPROM, and the like as shown in FIG. 5B, for example. ing. When the MPU 94 receives a read request signal from the outside through the antenna 92, the MPU 94 encodes the data stored in the memory 95 by the modulation / demodulation circuit 93 in a predetermined modulation method, and transmits the data to the outside through the antenna 92. Further, when receiving a predetermined write request signal, the MPU 94 performs control to decode the data by the modem circuit 93 and store it in the memory 95. As a result, the IC coin 90 can read and write stored data from the outside in a non-contact manner using electromagnetic waves.

  The memory 95 is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM that can continue to hold data without supplying a backup current, and the power required for the data read / write operation is electromagnetic induction via the antenna 92. Supplied from outside by action. For this reason, the IC coin 90 is configured to be used semi-permanently without mounting a battery.

  Next, the structure of the IC coin processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention will be described. Here, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the IC coin processing apparatus 100. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 6 and mainly shows the structure of the transport plate. FIG. 8 is cut along the line BB shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows and mainly showing the structure of a stock portion.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the IC coin processing apparatus 100 includes a reader / receiver antenna configured to read and write data from / to an IC coin inside a rectangular casing 101 formed of a resin or metal material. A transport mechanism including a lighter unit 170, a stock unit 120 that can store a plurality of IC coins, a transport plate 110 that stores IC coins in the stock unit 120, and carries out the IC coins stored in the stock unit 120. Is formed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the IC coin processing apparatus 100 is incorporated in the inter-ball ball lending machine 20, the IC coin entrance 24 formed on the front mask 21 and the opening 102 of the IC coin processing apparatus 100 are aligned. To do. As a result, the IC coin placed on the coin plate 24a protruding obliquely upward and forward from the IC coin entrance / exit 24 of the interstitial ball lending machine 20 is guided by the coin plate and inclined in the same direction. 110 to be dropped.

  First, a transport mechanism for transporting IC coins will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in these drawings, the transport mechanism is disposed with a tilt angle of, for example, 40 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction and moves back and forth in that direction, and is located on both sides of the transport plate 110. It is mainly composed of a fixed guide plate 150.

  The transport plate 110 is made of a substantially rectangular plate-like member whose longitudinal direction is the reciprocating direction, a relatively thin coin holding portion 111 is formed on the opening 102 side, and a thick coin is placed on the stock portion 120 side. A placement portion 112 is formed. That is, the coin holding part 111 is formed in a concave shape by the thickness of the IC coin with respect to the coin placement part 112 with the substantially central step part 111a as a boundary, whereby the flat upper surface of the coin placement part 112 is It is flush with the outer surface of the IC coin held by the coin holder 111.

  A rack gear 113 is formed on the lower side of the transport plate 110 and meshes with a pinion gear 131 to which the rotational force of the rotation motor 132 provided in the housing 101 is transmitted. That is, by controlling the rotation of the rotation motor 132 in the forward / reverse direction, the transport plate 110 is reciprocated (carrying in / out) and the position thereof is controlled.

  In addition, a discharge stopper 114 that can protrude and retract toward the coin holding portion 111 is provided at the front end of the transport plate 110. The discharge stopper 114 is swingably attached to the lower side surface of the coin holding portion 111 via an integrally formed lever member 116, and is always biased to be retracted from the coin holding portion 111 by a compressed spring 115. ing. And it is comprised so that the discharge stopper 114 may be protruded to the coin holding | maintenance part 111 side by driving the solenoid 117 fixed to the conveyance plate 110, and attracting | pulling the lever member 116 with magnetic force.

  The transport plate 110 is slid by the rack and pinion mechanism described above, and the transport plate 110 moves backward from the data processing position where the transport plate 110 moves forward and the coin holding unit 111 is close to the reader / writer unit 170. Position control is performed within a movable range up to the stock position at which 111 reaches the stock unit 120. Here, the moving direction in which the transport plate 110 moves backward from the data processing position to the stock position is referred to as the “loading direction”, and the moving direction in which the transport plate 110 advances from the stock position to the data processing position is referred to as the “unloading direction”. .

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, when the transport plate 110 moves forward and reaches the data processing position, the reader / writer unit 170 can read and write data with respect to the IC coin held by the coin holding unit 111. Become. The casing 101 includes two insertion members 141 that are two rod-like members that project to the front end side of the coin holding unit 111 at a position where data can be processed and that can be retracted, and the rear end of the coin holding unit 111. A separation stopper 142, which is also two rod-like members that project to the side and operate so as to be retractable, is provided.

  The closing gate 141 and the release stopper 142 are engaged with respective end portions of a swingable lever member 143 that is pivotally supported at a substantially central position, and operate in opposite directions when the lever member 143 swings. . The lever member 143 is always urged by the spring 144 toward the side where the insertion gate 141 is retracted from the coin holding portion 111 and the side where the release stopper 142 protrudes, and drives the solenoid 145 provided in the housing 101. Thus, the lever member 143 is attracted by a magnetic force so that the insertion gate 141 protrudes to the coin holding portion 111 and at the same time, the release stopper 142 is retracted from the coin holding portion 111.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a guide plate 150 in which a side wall portion 153 and a bottom portion 152 are integrally formed is fixed to both sides of the transport plate 110. The side wall portion 153 is provided as a guide for preventing the IC coin held by the coin holding portion 111 of the transfer plate 110 from being laterally shifted when being transferred, and the bottom portion 152 formed on the same level surface as the coin holding portion 111. This prevents IC coin flapping. In addition, a coin plate 24a is formed at the front end portion of the guide plate 150 so as to protrude from the inter-lens ball lending machine 20 to insert and return IC coins.

  Next, the structure of the stock unit 120 for stocking IC coins will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The stock unit 120 includes a guide unit 124 provided in a direction orthogonal to the installation angle of the transport plate 110, an elevating member 121 guided and moved along the guide unit 124, and an elevating member 121 within a predetermined movable range. And a direct-acting solenoid 123 that reciprocates at the same time. Further, the stock unit 120 is configured to be able to accommodate a plurality of IC coins stacked in the thickness direction in a space defined by the transport plate 110 and an inclined wall 125 orthogonal to the transport plate 110. Has been.

  The elevating member 121 includes side plate portions 121a and 121b that are opposed to each other with an interval corresponding to the diameter of the IC coin, and the lower ends of the side plate portions are bent inward from each other to form L-shaped projections 122a and 122b. The drive rod 123a of the solenoid 123 is connected at the upper part formed and connecting each side plate part.

  That is, when the solenoid 123 is turned on (driven) and the drive rod 123a is retracted, the elevating member 121 moves to a position (first position) where it is separated from the transport plate 110. Both edge portions of the lowermost IC coin accommodated in a stacked state are supported by L-shaped protrusions 122a and 122b, and can be hung down so as to be held from the outside. Further, when the solenoid 123 is turned off and the drive rod 123a is extended, the L-shaped projections 122a and 122b of the elevating member 121 move to a position (second position) straddling the transport plate 110, and the supported IC coin is transported. It can be placed on the plate 110. Thus, the elevating member 121 moves up and down in the IC coin stacking direction in conjunction with the drive rod 123 a of the solenoid 123.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the inclined wall 125, which is the inner wall on the side that abuts and supports the outer peripheral surface of the IC coin accommodated in the stock unit 120, has a predetermined height (the thickness of the IC coin is equal to the thickness of the IC coin). A recovery port 126 is opened and formed at a position separated by a length multiplied by the maximum number of stored sheets. The collection port 126 communicates with the lower discharge port 128 through the collection passage 127, and the uppermost IC coin that has been transported to the stock unit 120 and overflowed more than a certain number is dropped to the discharge port 128 side and discharged.

  Next, a control system of the IC coin processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The IC coin control board 180 includes a data reading unit 172 that performs processing for acquiring recording data from the IC coin C via the reader / writer unit 170, and a data writing unit 173 that performs processing for recording data on the IC coin C. Is connected. The IC coin control board 180 includes a motor control unit 134 for controlling the rotation motor 132 that slides the transport plate 110 and a rotation motor 132, and detects the rotation angle of the rotation motor 132. A rotary encoder 133 for controlling the position of the transport plate 110 is connected.

  Further, on the IC coin control board 180, a solenoid 145 that opens and closes the insertion gate 141 and simultaneously protrudes or retracts the release stopper 142, a solenoid 117 that drives the discharge stopper 114 on the front end side of the transport plate 110, and an elevating member A solenoid 123 that moves up and down 121 is connected.

  In addition, as already described, the ball payout control board 210 of the pedestal ball lending machine 20 is communicably connected to the IC coin control board 180 and the lending switch 26 is operated, and the return switch 27 is operated. A return switch signal or the like due to the operation of the button is input to the IC coin control board 180 via the ball payout control board 210. Conversely, the IC coin control board 180 transmits the price data read from the IC coin C by the data reading unit 172 to the ball payout control board 210 to update the balance data, and the updated balance data is numerically displayed on the balance display unit 25. Display.

  Next, the operation of the IC coin processing apparatus 100 having such a structure will be described with reference to a flowchart. The IC coin control board 180 that controls the IC coin processing apparatus 100 executes processing such as ball payout by the inter-bed ball lending machine 20 in cooperation with the ball payout control board 210. Accordingly, here, the operation of the IC coin processing device 100 will be described in connection with the operation of the inter-ball ball lending machine 20.

  FIG. 10 shows a processing flow of a program that is activated when an IC coin is inserted into the interbank ball lending machine 20. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the IC coin processing apparatus 100 showing the operation when the IC coin is inserted.

  First, when the IC coin C0 is inserted through the coin plate 24a, it is dropped by its own weight while being guided by the guide plate 150 inclined downward, and is abutted and supported by the stepped portion 111a of the transport plate 110, thereby coin holding portion 111. Retained.

  When the CPU 181 of the IC coin control board 180 detects the insertion of an IC coin by trial data transmission / reception by the reader / writer unit 170 or a sensor (not shown) (step S101), the solenoid 145 is driven to insert the insertion port gate 141 into the coin holding unit 111. Project to the front end position (step S102). As a result, the insertion of another additional IC coin is temporarily prohibited.

  In a state in which the transport plate 110 has moved forward, the IC coin C0 is held by the coin holding unit 111 at a position where data can be transmitted and received via the reader / writer unit 170. The data reader 172 of the IC coin control board 180 reads record data such as price data and member ID from the IC coin C0 (step S103). If the data communication is unsatisfactory or if the read data is inappropriate (step S104: NO), the CPU 181 performs a process of discharging the IC coin C0 to the coin plate 24a side (step S105). Note that the IC coin discharge operation in step S105 is the same as the discharge operation (S306 to S311) in the IC coin return process described later, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  If the CPU 181 determines that the read data has a predetermined format (format) and is a regular IC coin (step S104: YES), the CPU 181 transmits the value data to the ball payout control board 210 (step S106). At this time, the ball payout control board 210 updates the balance data stored in the predetermined memory area by adding the amount indicated by the value data.

  Further, the data writing unit 173 of the IC coin control board 180 performs a process of clearing the price data of the IC coin C0 to zero (step S107). Then, a stock and recovery process program to be described later is started (step S108), and the IC coin C0 is stored (added) in the stock unit 120.

  In this way, IC coins holding price data are accepted, or banknotes are inserted into the interbank ball lending machine 20, and usable balances are stored in the RAM (balance data) of the ball payout control board 210. In the case (step S109: YES), when the ball dispensing control board 210 detects the operation of the lending switch 26 (step S110: YES), the ball dispensing unit 220 is controlled as described above to control the predetermined number of pachinko balls. Release to the pachinko machine 10 through the ball dispensing nozzle 28 (step S111). Then, the amount consumed by lending is subtracted from the balance data and updated.

  When an operation signal (return switch signal) of the return switch 27 is input to the IC coin control board 180 via the ball payout control board 210, the CPU 181 activates a program for IC coin return processing described later. (Step S113), the balance data is settled and an IC coin is issued.

  Next, the details of the stock and recovery process activated in step S108 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of stock and recovery processing executed by the CPU 181 of the IC coin control board 180. FIGS. 13 and 14 are longitudinal sectional views of the IC coin processing apparatus 100 showing operations of stock and recovery processing.

  Referring to these figures, when the program is activated, CPU 181 drives solenoid 145 to retract withdrawal stopper 142 from coin holding unit 111 (step S201). Further, the solenoid 117 is driven to project the discharge stopper 114 (step S202).

  In this state, when the rotation motor 132 is driven and the transport plate 110 is moved backward (step S203), the IC coin C0 is held in the coin holding part 111 and is transported to the stock part 120 and accommodated in the stock part 120. The IC coin C0 is inserted below the lowermost IC coin C1 (see FIG. 13).

  The CPU 181 drives the solenoid 123 to support the inserted IC coin C0 at the lowest position and causes the elevating member 121 to be detached from the transport plate 110 (coin holding unit 111) (step S204).

  At this time, as in the example shown in FIG. 14, when the uppermost IC coin C <b> 2 stacked and stocked on the stock unit 120 reaches the recovery port 126, it overflows and falls into the recovery passage 127 to be discharged. It is recovered to a recovery tank (190) (not shown) below 128. As a result, IC coins are stocked within the range of the storage capacity.

  Then, the CPU 181 drives the rotation motor 132 to advance the transport plate 110 and return the coin holding unit 111 to the data processing position (step S205).

  Next, the IC coin return process activated in step S113 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for returning the IC coin executed by the CPU 181 of the IC coin control board 180. FIGS. 16 and 17 are longitudinal sectional views of the IC coin processing apparatus 100 showing the operation of returning (effectively issuing) the IC coin.

  When the return switch 27 is pressed and the return processing program is activated, the CPU 181 drives the rotation motor 132 to retract the transport plate 110 and position the coin holding unit 111 on the stock unit 120 (step S301). Then, the elevating member 121 is lowered by turning off the solenoid 123, and the lowest supported IC coin C0 is placed on the coin holding portion 111 (step S302). Further, the CPU 181 drives the solenoid 145 to place the release stopper 142 in the retracted state (step S303).

  In this state (a state in which one IC coin is held in the coin holding unit 111), the CPU 181 advances the transport plate 110 and carries the IC coin C0 to a position where data can be processed by the reader / writer unit 170 (step S304). . Further, the CPU 181 acquires balance data from the ball payout control board 210, converts it into value data, and records it in the IC coin C0 (step S305). At the same time, the CPU 211 of the ball payout control board 210 clears the balance data to zero.

  Next, the CPU 181 of the IC coin control board 180 executes a discharge process of the IC coin C0 in which the price data is recorded. That is, the CPU 181 turns off the solenoid 145 and causes the release stopper 142 to protrude using the biasing force of the spring 144 (step S306), and turns off the solenoid 117 to retract the discharge stopper 114 from the coin holding unit 111 ( Step S307). In addition, the CPU 181 drives the solenoid 123 to raise the elevating member 121, supports the IC coin stored therein, and separates it from the transport plate 110 (step S308).

  In this state, when the CPU 181 moves the transport plate 110 backward (step S309), the IC coin C0 in the coin holding unit 111 is separated from the coin holding unit 111 by the removal stopper 142, and the data on the guide plate 150 is displayed. It remains in the processing position (see FIG. 16).

  With the IC coin C0 completely detached from the coin holding unit 111, the CPU 181 drives the solenoid 117 to project the discharge stopper 114 (step S310), and drives the rotation motor 132 to advance the transport plate 110 (step S310). S311). As a result, the IC coin C0 in the reader / writer unit 170 is pushed up by the discharge stopper 114, guided by the coin plate 24a, and discharged outside the apparatus (see FIG. 17).

  As described above, when the return operation is performed, the IC card that can be reused instead of cash is issued and returned from the balance left in the daitama ball lending machine 20.

  According to the IC coin processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, insertion and return (discharge) of IC coins can be performed through one common opening 102 (or IC coin entrance 24), and a common carry-in / out mechanism is provided. It is possible to perform data processing and storage of IC coins, issue and collection of stored IC coins, etc. Thereby, the structure of the whole apparatus can be simplified and made compact. In addition, since the IC coins that have been subjected to data processing are stacked and accommodated in the thickness direction, more IC coins can be stored in the storage space than before.

  In this way, the overall configuration of the apparatus can be made compact while ensuring the storage capacity of IC coins, so that it can be suitably used even when installed in a constrained narrow space in the housing such as the interbank ball lending machine 20 or the like. be able to.

  In addition to game-related facilities, the IC coin processing device of the present invention can be used, for example, in a coin laundry where a point service function is added to IC coins, for example, a merchandise vending machine that handles IC coins as a money substitute medium, or a facility that provides services. It can be widely applied.

FIG. 1 is a network system diagram showing a configuration of a game facility provided in a pachinko hall. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the front appearance of the daitama ball lending machine. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the inter-ball ball lending machine. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration between the device units built in the inter-bed ball lending machine. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the appearance of an IC coin, and FIG. 5B is a circuit block diagram of an IC chip built in the IC coin. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the IC coin processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 6 and mainly shows the structure of the transport plate. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. 6 and mainly shows the structure of the stock portion. FIG. 9 is a circuit block diagram showing a control system of the IC coin processing device. FIG. 10 is a flowchart mainly showing the operation of the IC coin processing device controlled in accordance with a program that is activated when an IC coin is inserted into the interbank ball lending machine. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the IC coin processing device showing one operation when an IC coin is inserted. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the IC coin processing apparatus in the stock and recovery process. FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an IC coin processing device showing one operation of the IC coin processing device in stock and recovery processing. FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an IC coin processing device further illustrating one operation of the IC coin processing device in stock and recovery processing. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the IC coin processing apparatus in the return process. FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an IC coin processing device showing one operation of issuing (returning) an IC coin. FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an IC coin processing device further illustrating an operation of issuing (returning) an IC coin.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine 20 ... Stand-to-ball ball lending machine 21 ... Front mask 22 ... Bill insertion slot 24 ... IC coin slot 24a ... Coin plate 25 ... Balance display part 26 ... Lending switch 27 ... Return switch 28 ... Ball dispensing nozzle 29 ... Housing Body 50 ... Communication line 60 ... IC coin issuing machine 70 ... IC coin settlement machine 80 ... Member management computer 81 ... Ball counter 82 ... POS terminal 82a ... Member authentication machine 90 ... IC coin 91 ... IC chip 100 ... IC coin processing device DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Case 102 ... Opening part 110 ... Conveying plate 111 ... Coin holding part 111a ... Step part 112 ... Coin mounting part 113 ... Rack gear 114 ... Discharge stopper 115 ... Spring 116 ... Lever member 117 ... Solenoid 118 ... Guide plate 120 ... Stock part 121 ... Elevating member 121a, b ... Side plate part 122a, ... L-shaped projection 123 ... Solenoid 124 ... Guide part 125 ... Inclined wall 126 ... Recovery port 127 ... Recovery passage 128 ... Discharge port 131 ... Pinion gear 132 ... Rotary motor 133 ... Rotary encoder 134 ... Motor controller 141 ... Input port Gate 142 ... Release stopper 143 ... Lever member 144 ... Spring 145 ... Solenoid 150 ... Guide plate 170 ... Reader / writer unit 172 ... Data reading unit 173 ... Data writing unit 180 ... IC coin control board 181 ... CPU 182 ... ROM
183 ... RAM 184 ... communication means 190 ... collection tank 210 ... ball payout control board 211 ... CPU 212 ... ROM
213 ... RAM 220 ... Ball payout unit 230 ... Bill recognition device 240 ... Communication unit

Claims (5)

An IC coin processing apparatus comprising data processing means for reading and writing data by wireless communication with respect to an IC coin which is an information recording medium formed in a coin shape with a built-in IC chip,
A holding portion for holding an IC coin is formed, and the IC coin inserted from the insertion slot is held at a position where data processing by the data processing means can be performed, and the held IC coin can be reciprocated to a predetermined position. A transport plate;
A stock unit that is provided on a side where the transport plate is carried in and moves, and stores a plurality of IC coins stacked in the thickness direction at the predetermined position;
One IC coin is held in the holding portion, the transport plate is moved to the stock portion side, and the held IC coin is inserted into the lower side of the lowermost IC coin to be received and additionally stored. An IC coin processing apparatus characterized by being configured as described above.   The stock part can be moved up and down along the stacking direction of the IC coins accommodated in the stock part. At the upper first position, the lowermost IC coin accommodated in the stock part can be moved. Holding both edges from the outside and supporting them in a state of being separated from the transport plate, at the second position below it, IC coins that are stored in the stock section across the transport plate are placed on the transport plate and 2. The IC coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising lifting means for releasing the support state.   By moving the transport plate to the stock part side and controlling the elevating means from the first position to the second position, the lowermost IC coin accommodated in the stock part is transferred to the holding part. 3. The IC coin processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the IC coin processing device is configured to carry out one IC coin from the stock portion by placing and moving the transport plate to the insertion slot side.   The transport plate is disposed with a predetermined inclination angle with the insertion direction of the IC coin obliquely downward, and the IC coins are stacked and accommodated obliquely upward perpendicular to the carry-in direction of the transport plate. The IC coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stock portion is formed. A recovery port is formed at a predetermined height position on the inclined inner wall that abuts and supports the outer peripheral surface of each IC coin accommodated in a stacked state in the stock portion, and the uppermost IC coin stacked in a predetermined number or more is 5. The IC coin processing device according to claim 4, wherein the IC coin processing device is configured to be dropped and collected from a collection port.

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