DE2928644A1 - Coin-operated gaming unit - has optical scanner light switched with period forming fraction of coin passage time - Google Patents

Abstract

Reliable tracking of coin flow in the coin-operated gaming unit is ensured by an optical scanner with light source periodically switched. The duration of the periods forms a small fraction of the nominal time for the coin passage. The interrupted operation of the optical scanner extends its service life while the pulses allow sensing to occur of irregularities caused by the passage of different coins. The deflector for coin diverting is provided with detectors sensing the movement of coins and their outputs are connected to time discriminators of the memory. The cells of the latter store data upon the filling of the coin container.

Description

Cash-operated machines, in particular slot machines

The invention relates to a coin operated machine, in particular Gaming machines, with at least one money input slot, a money guide channel to a money validator, which has an outlet for rejected money as well as n type-specific Has outlets, each of which has an outlet sensor assigned to it, and the n type of money containers lead, each with a leading to a cash box overflow switch, a Payout follower and one leading to a return tray from a passage sensor controlled outlet opening are provided.

To control the credit counter when debiting is already in one Registration with the file number P 28 23 178.9-53 has been proposed at the outlet to attach a light barrier to the currency container, which a Debit impulse generated for the credit counter. This reduces the Meter reading avoidable without payout.

In the application mentioned, a light barrier controlled Called payout control, the one with the highest value type of money in the event of a payout begins, so that on the one hand the smallest possible number can be paid out. Otherscits can be paid out in smaller money, if a higher-quality type of money is not payable. If the light barrier fails, irregularities can occur come when the counter reading is reduced and when the payment is made.

The invention is based on the object of a field-operated machine of the type mentioned so that the flow of money with greater security is controllable.

According to the invention, the object is achieved in that the passage sensor is formed from a light barrier whose light transmitter is periodically excited with a period that is a fraction of the nominal money passage time and whose light receiver is connected to a time monitoring circuit .. The periodic On the one hand, excitation has the advantage that the light transmitter has a finite service life whose usage time is extended by the duration of the pause related to the period will. On the other hand, in connection with the time monitoring circuit, it is possible to constantly monitor the pulse sequence at the light receiver so that everyone involved Work elements intrinsically safe. Because the period duration versus the nominal money passage duration is smaller, a time measurement is possible due to the irregularities in the Coin passage are recognizable.

A particularly advantageous feature is that the cash box leading Uberlauzweiche is provided with passage sensors that the outputs of the Time monitoring circuits; are connected to permanent storage that can be offset, whose Storage cell occupancy the respective filling level of the type of money container and the Cash box and its outputs with an interface circuit for a data display device are connected. This means that the entire flow of money is in the machine controllable and the prerequisite is created with the help of a data display device To have access to the filling level of the cash box and the stacking container at any time.

An advantageous embodiment of the machine is that the Permanent storage, the occupancy of which corresponds to the filling level of the respective type of money container, are each provided with a minimum level-related output tap, their Control inputs are connected to the output taps. A signaling means the maintenance person that the assigned Celdsorten container is to be refilled.

A next refinement of the machine consists of subtracting inputs the permanent memory assigned to the cash box via first contacts of a switch with adding inputs the permanent memory assigned to the coin type containers are connectable, the second contacts of the switch having a control line through which the status of the credit counter is increased, switch off. The maintenance person removes filling the nostrils; de money in the cash box, whereby the switch is to be operated, and pays in the withdrawn money again, the state of the cassette allocated memory decreased; the level of the type of money container to be refilled allocated memory is increased, with the status of the credit counter unchanged remain. Finally, the switch must be returned to its original position.

Another feature is that the passage sensor has a Light barrier for all types of money that contains the output of the time monitoring circuit connected to a singling lP-gik, which has type-related signal inputs istl, This solution is particularly economical. It presupposes that the coins pass one by one and that provides a -sortenkennzeichenendes signal will. Both are given here.

A convenient design of a machine with a payout logic, the payment of an amount to be disbursed in the highest possible currency causes, is that associated with the payout logic type selection keys are provided are, so that the machine can also be used as a money changer.

Furthermore, for a coin operated gaming machine that is a cash win in prospect - and which is equipped with a game counter, provided that the output of the game counter is connected to the interface circuit .. So that after connecting the data display device there is the possibility for a statistical Evaluation. given; For example, the actuation frequency and the number quota are determined. If the payment is a given If it leaves the tolerance range, this may indicate a technical defect in profit-determining facilities getting closed.

The invention is illustrated below with the aid of one in the drawing Embodiment described in more detail. In the drawing shows the only figure necessary to understand the | Invention necessary elements of a designated 1 Slot machines.

Money deposited in a money input slot 2 passes through a Money guide channel 3 into a money validator 4. In money guide channel 3, the money happens a light barrier 5. made up of a light-emitting diode 6 and a light-sensitive diode Organ 7 is formed. The latter is generated at its exit 8 when the money is passed through Signal, for a central control 9.

which then starts a deposit routine.

The money checker 4 checks the money according to various validity criteria; Rejected money reaches the return tub 1? through a forgery channel 10.

An accepted coin is released through a type-specific outlet, z * B. 12, passed from the cash validator 4 into a sort container 13, with one still outlet sensor 14 to be specified, an acceptance signal via a sort marking device Wire of a line multiple 15 sends into a single-number logic 16.

The single payment logic 16 is provided with buffers 17 and a corrector 18 provided. which outputs a certain number of pulses according to the type. These get from its output 19 via a changeover switch 20 to those marked + Adding inputs on the one hand of a permanent memory 21 capable of being offset and on the other hand an indicating credit counter 22, where their levels are increased.

As soon as the credit counter 22 has a corresponding to the Spieleineatz; end up Has reached the minimum level, this sends a signal to the central control via line 23 9, which then starts a not shown plaything .. Increase in the event of a win on line 24 pending profit signals the status of the credit counter 22> the Enter in an OR- linking Addingereinoana +.

In the following description it is assumed that again in the same Type of money is deposited and that the container 13 is full for this type of money.

After the coin has run the money checker 4 and the type-specific one Buffer 17 has been loaded into the payment log 16 from outlet sensor 14 it is directed into a cash box 26 by a mechanical transfer switch 25 In the overflow switch 25, the coin passes a light barrier 5 'whose light-emitting Diode 6 'periodically with a clock T from a clock generator 27 of the central stowage 9 is excited. The light-sensitive organ 7 'conducts the received pulses Time monitoring circuit 28, which contains a retriggerable monoflop, whose The Q output is held in the L state with regular retriggering of a retrigger pulse, the output goes high and activates one also contained in the time monitoring circuit 28 for measuring the Transit time that is incremented by the clock pulses. Lies the transit time in a given tolerance range, then the corrector 18 started via an activation line 29 connected to this, in order to, according to der'im Buffer 17 contained type information a corresponding number of pulses from its second output 30 into the adding inputs of a permanent memory 31 and of the credit payer 22, whose levels are increased accordingly.

Transit times that are below the tolerance range can due to a sporadic disturbance or due to a dirt part that has passed through to be measured; they are not processed further.

Transit times that may exceed the tolerance range occur in the event of manipulation (e.g. thread coins) or in the event of mechanical malfunctions (e.g. pollution) as well as electrical (failure of one of the timing devices Organs) type; they cause the time monitoring circuit 28 to issue a disturbed message, which reaches the Zentralste erung 9 via line 32 and there the shutdown of the Machine 1 initiates.

For a better overview, please refer to a detailed representation the time monitoring circuit 28 and the deposit logic 16 have been omitted. as well is the outlet sensor t4 4 to illustrate its effect only as a switch shown; in fact, it is a type-specific light barrier; ke with one Time monitoring circuit, as described, executed.

In the following it is assumed that a type of money container, for example the one labeled 13 is empty. A payout control that can be initiated by pressing a button 33, which causes an amount to be disbursed in the highest possible currency, first controls a dispensing slide 34 belonging to the currency container 13 at. Between the outlet opening 12 'and: the return tray 11 is a light barrier 5 " and a time monitoring circuit 28 'of the type described above is set up, which, due to the empty case, do not have a passage via an acknowledgment line 28 'to the payout control 33 reports. As a result, the payout control 33 activates a signal lamp 35, which indicates the type of empty case. Meanwhile, the payout control controls 33 to the payout slide of the next lower value money container, whereby a Intermediate memory 17 'of the booking logic 16' on a type-identifying wire that Receives control signal. After the coin on the way to the return tub 11 has passed the light barrier 5 ", the time monitoring circuit 28 'sends .1 an Ouittiersignal to the corrector 18 ', which is then according to the in the buffer 17' Type information contained a corresponding number of pulses from its output 30 in the subtraction inputs of the permanent memory 21 and the credit counter 22 sends, whose levels are reduced accordingly. The payout is terminated by a Signal from the credit counter 22, which is sent via a zero line 36 to the central control 9 and from there into the payout control 33.

When refilling, the maintenance person removes one from the cash box 26 any number of coins of the type indicated, brings the switch 20 in the dashed line switch; location and guides the coins into the Money entry slot 2.

In this switching position, the single-count pulses reach the subtract input of the memory 31 and into the adding input of the memory 21, sd that the content of the Memory 21 to the current filling of the type container, e.g. Z 13, and the The contents of the memory 31 correspond to the current filling of the cash box 26 Stand is brought. The control inputs of the credit counter 22 are dashed in FIG drawn switching position separated, so that its status unchanged during this reloading remain. The sum of the memory contents of the memories 21 and 21 also remains unchanged 31.

It should be noted that after filling the previously empty sort container 13 the next coins entered through the overflow 25 at the light barrier 5 'over again in the money; cassette 26 flow and that the single-payment pulses from Output 30 of corrector 18 get into the adding inputs of memory 31 and increase this again.

After the last coin removed from the cash box 26 is deposited has been, the switch 20 must be returned to its original position; this can inevitably be done by closing a door (not shown).

It should be noted that the counting routine described can be activated by pressing a return key 37 can be initiated, with an amount to be repaid is spent in the highest possible sorts of money, by the user according to his own Desires can be modified by having one or more keys of a variety selection keyboard 38 actuated. The payment will then be made in the selected types, as far as this is possible in the Within the credit is possible.

As already described, there is a signal on line 23 when the Status of the credit counter 22 corresponds at least to the game rate. With pending Signal, the central control 9 generates a game reason signal at the appropriate time, that via line 39 into the subtracting input of the credit counter 22nd and enters the control input of a game counter 40, the status of the credit counter 22 is reduced by the stake and the reading of the game counter 40 is increased by one will.

The memories 21 and 31 and the game counter 40 are with their outputs connected via a bus 41 to an interface circuit 42 in which pending signals that represent the respective status, recoded and at the correct level are processed for connection to a data input device (not shown). the Outputable data relate to - cash register content, - type container content and - number of games.

By comparing the data with the actual content, irregularities can be avoided (unlawful removal) are detected and by linking the data that the Content of the What! ee and the sort container that the number of games can use the statistical profit rate can be determined.

Finally, it should be mentioned that the memory 21 and 31 are also ten-individual Memory can be. For four types of money, four stores each had to be used will. Although their capacity can be smaller and the corrector 18 can be omitted, the effort is greater. The advantage, however, would be that at each sort store-a Output tap can be connected to one that shows that the value falls below a The minimum fill level in a sort container is signaled to the outside. Dadureh wakes you up the machine also with the user, especially when he sees that the Signal that the sort container is being refilled.

Claims (7)

Claims U cash operated machine, in particular slot machine, with at least one money entry slot, a money guide channel to a money validator, which has an outlet for rejected money and n type-specific outlets, each of which is assigned an outlet sensor and the n G-type containers lead, each with an overflow switch leading to a cash box, a Payout slide and one leading to a return tray from a passage sensor are provided with a controlled outlet and, if necessary, a credit counter, whose status can be changed by signals from the sensors, characterized in that that the passage sensor (5) is formed from a light barrier whose light transmitter (6) Periodically energized with a period that is a fraction of the nominal money passage time and its light receiver (7) is connected to a time monitoring circuit (28;) is. 2. Cash operated machine according to claim 1, characterized in that that the cash box (26) leading overflow switch (25) with passage sensors (5 ') is provided that the outputs (29) of the time monitoring circuits (28,28') are connected to permanent memories (21, 31) that can be offset, their memory cell occupancy the filling level of the currency containers (e.g. 13) and the cash box (26) corresponds and their outputs (41) with an interface circuit (42) for a Connected to the data display device. 3. Cash operated machine according to claim 2, characterized in that that the permanent memory (21,31), the occupancy of which corresponds to the level of the respective type of money container (e.g. 13), each provided with a minimum level-related output tap and daF3 signal generators are provided, their control inputs with the output taps are connected. 4. Cash operated machine according to claim 3, characterized in that that subtraction inputs (-) of the permanent memory associated with the cash box (26) (31) via the first contacts of a switch (20) with adding inputs of the currency containers (e.g. 13) assigned permanent memory (21) can be connected, with second contacts of the switch (20) a control line via which the status of the (credit card counter (22) is increased, switch off. 5. Cash operated machine according to one or more of the above Claims, characterized in that the passage sensor (5 ') is a light barrier (6 ', 7') for all types of money contains that the output (29) of the time monitoring circuit (28) with a separation logic (18) which has type-related signal inputs (15), connected is. 6. Cash operated machine with a payout control that controls the payout of an amount to be paid out in the highest possible currency, caused by this characterized in that the type selection keys (38) connected to the payout control (33) are provided. 7. Cash-operated slot machine that offers the prospect of a cash prize, with a game counter according to Claim 2, characterized in that the output (41) of the game counter (40) is connected to the interface circuit (42).