JP2000036067A - Key type electronic coin selector - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The conventional electronic coin selector has a problem that the set genuine coin data can be easily changed to another desired genuine coin data. Specifically, the conventional electronic coin selector has a problem that a person other than the administrator can easily change the genuine coin data. In other words, the conventional electronic coin selector has a problem that reliability and security are not guaranteed, that is, security is not sufficient. The present invention provides at least means for electronically detecting inserted coins to obtain data, means for storing key data relating to coin-shaped keys to be inserted, and coins inserted. And a means for comparing the data with the key data to determine whether or not the coin is a key coin.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a coin selector for electronically selecting coins as currency. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic coin selector that can easily change and store various data relating to a desired genuine coin. More specifically, the present invention relates to a key-type electronic coin selector that can lock storage of data relating to genuine coins. The term “coin” in the present specification includes, of course, coins, which are currencies, and small discs such as medals and tokens for games.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of coin selectors have been developed. For example, an electronic coin selector is described in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-213789 filed by the present applicant. This type of conventional electronic coin selector can easily store various data relating to a desired genuine coin. In other words, the electronic coin selector can be easily changed from the set genuine coin selector to another desired genuine coin selector.

[0003]

On the contrary, the above-mentioned conventional electronic coin selector has a problem that the set genuine coin data can be easily changed to another desired genuine coin data. Specifically, the conventional electronic coin selector has a problem that a person other than the administrator can easily change the genuine coin data. That is, the conventional electronic coin selector has a problem that the reliability and security are not guaranteed, that is, the security is not sufficient. The present invention has been developed for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0004]

The present invention comprises at least means for electronically detecting inserted coins to obtain data, and means for storing key data relating to a coin-shaped key to be inserted. And a means for comparing the data of the inserted coin with the key data to determine whether or not the coin is a key coin. The present invention is also an electronic coin selector, wherein the key data is stored in the storage means in advance.

Further, the present invention provides a means for storing coin data relating to a genuine coin to be inserted, a means for enabling the coin data to be changed when the inserted coin is determined to be a key coin, It is an electronic coin selector characterized by having.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram incorporated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. A coin selector 20 according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG. The selector 20 has a vertical box shape, and has a coin insertion slot 11 formed at the top thereof. At the bottom of the selector 20, a storage opening 12 for receiving a genuine coin into, for example, a game machine (not shown) is formed. Further, a return port 13 for canceling a pseudo coin or the like out of the game machine is formed at the bottom of the selector 20.

A slightly trapezoidal plate shown at the top of FIG. The door 14 is pivoted on the right side in FIG. 1 and is normally closed by a spring (not shown). The trapezoidal one shown in the lower part of FIG. 1 is a cover 16 which is detachably fixed to the selector 20. Although illustration is omitted in the upper part of FIG.
A lever 18 made of a resin, which takes the form, is arranged pivotally at substantially the center.

Although the details are omitted, when the lever 18 is pushed down, the door 14 is opened and the pseudo coins and the like inside the selector 20 are returned to the return slot 13. Here, the operation when a coin is inserted into the selector 20 will be briefly described. First, coins inserted from the insertion slot 11 fall naturally on an oblique path (not shown) formed inside the selector 20. The coins that fall naturally fall into three pairs of coils 21, 22, and 23 (see FIG. 2) arranged inside the selector 20.
Is detected by

Then, it is determined from the block circuit diagram of FIG. 2 described later whether or not the inserted coin is genuine. When it is determined that the coin is authentic, the solenoid 24 (see FIG. 2) at the lower portion inside the selector 20 is turned on. When the solenoid 24 is operated, an oblique passage gate (not shown) is opened. Therefore, the genuine coin falls through the storage opening 12 of the selector 20. The dropped genuine coin is stored in a genuine coin safe (not shown) installed in the game machine.

At this time, the selector 2 near the storage port 12
The coin detection signal S is output from the sensor 25 (see FIG. 2) disposed in the area 0. With this detection signal S interposed, the solenoid 24 is turned off and the gate for the oblique passage is closed. When the inserted coin is determined to be counterfeit, the solenoid 24 is not operated, so that the gate for the diagonal passage remains closed. Therefore, the pseudo coin passes through the downward passage (not shown) and returns to the return port 1.
Fall from 3.

In other words, the pseudo coin is canceled out of the game machine. FIG. 2 shows the selector 2 of FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit incorporated in the electronic circuit. The detection coil 21 is for detecting the material of the inserted coin and is connected to an oscillation circuit 26 having a relatively low frequency. The detection coil 22 is for detecting the thickness of the coin, and is connected to an oscillation circuit 27 having a relatively high frequency. The detection coil 23 is for detecting the diameter of the coin, and is connected to an oscillation circuit 28 having a relatively high frequency.

Each signal from the oscillating circuits 26 to 28 is rectified by each of the rectifying circuits 31, 32 and 33 including the detecting means. Reference numeral 34 in the center of FIG. 2 denotes a circuit for converting an analog signal into a digital signal. The conversion circuit 34 includes rectifier circuits 31 to 3
Each of the analog signals from 3 is sampled, converted into a digital signal, and output. 35 is a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit 35 is specifically C
It is a PU or a microcomputer and processes digital signals.

A memory 36 stores various data. The memory 36 of the present embodiment stores key data 41 relating to a coin-shaped key. The key data 41 is externally input to the signal processing unit 3 via the input terminal 37, for example.
5 and stored in the memory 36. In other words, it is desirable that the key data 41 be stored in the memory 36 in advance. As the coin-shaped key, specifically, a silver medal, a gold medal, a special alloy medal, a magnetic medal, or the like is used.

Further, the memory 36 stores various coin data 42 relating to genuine coins inserted as described later. The MS at the center of the right side of FIG. 2 is a mode selection switch. The switch MS selects whether to store the coin data 42 in the memory 36 or to perform the original operation of the selector 20. The switch 500S is used when setting and storing coin data 42 of a 500 yen coin.

Similarly, the switch 100S is for setting and storing coin data 42 of a 100 yen coin. The switch 50S is for setting and storing the coin data 42 of a 50-yen coin, and the switch 10S is for setting and storing the coin data 42 of a 10-yen coin. The signal 500 on the upper right side in FIG. 2 is output to a game machine or the like when the inserted coin is a genuine 500 yen coin. Similarly, signal 10
0 is output when the inserted coin is a 100 yen genuine coin.

The signal 50 is output when the inserted coin is a 50 yen genuine coin, and the signal 10 is output when the inserted coin is a 10 yen genuine coin.

Embodiment I FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. When the power switch (not shown) of the selector 20 is turned on, the operation starts (step 5).
1). When the operation is started, the selector 20 is automatically initialized (step 52).

More specifically, the initial setting automatically checks whether the solenoid 24 of the gate normally operates or the sensor 25 normally operates. Next, a case where the selector 20 is dedicated to, for example, a 100-yen coin will be described. In this case, first, the mode change selection switch MS is selected to the data creation storage mode, and then the denomination setting switch 100S for 100 yen coin is selected. Therefore, when the initial setting step 52 is completed, the data creation mode is selected in the mode confirmation step 53.

In this state, the coin-shaped key is
Is inserted into the slot 11, the key coin data and the key data 41 in the memory 36 are compared. As a result of this comparison, if it is determined that the coin-shaped key is genuine, the data creation mode can be performed (step 7).
0). That is, when a 100 yen coin is inserted into the insertion slot 11 (step 54), the inserted 100 yen coin is counted (step 55). Then, sampling data of the inserted 100 yen coin is obtained (step 56).

The above is repeated until 100-yen coins are continuously inserted into the insertion slot 11 and the total number reaches a predetermined number N (steps 57 to 54). When the number reaches the predetermined number N, 1 is set by the signal processing unit 35.
The coin data 42 of the 00 yen coin is statistically processed (step 58; and the coin data 42 is stored in the memory 36 (step 59). After the above preparation, the electronic coin selector 20 sets the mode change switch MS.
Sorter mode is selected and used.

When a coin is inserted into the insertion slot 11 in the above state (step 61), data of the inserted coin is obtained by sampling (step 62). The sampled data of the inserted coin is compared with the coin data 42 in the memory 36 (step 63). If the coin sampling data matches the coin data 42 of the 100 yen coin, the coin is determined to be authentic (step 65). If the coin is determined to be authentic, the solenoid 24 of the coin receiving gate is turned on (step 66).

When a genuine coin passes the sensor 25 (step 67), the solenoid 24 of the genuine coin receiving gate is turned off (step 68). Almost simultaneously, a genuine coin signal 100 shown in FIG. 2 is output (step 69). The output of the genuine coin signal 100 causes the electronic coin selector 2
The game machine (not shown) provided with 0 is, for example, in a game-enabled state.

Embodiment II FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing another embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram incorporated in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of FIG. Note that the collector shown in FIG. 4 is substantially the same as the collector of FIG. 1, so that the same reference numerals are used for the same parts. First, the operation when a coin is inserted into the selector 20 will be briefly described. The coin C inserted from the insertion slot 11 falls naturally in a vertical passage (not shown) formed inside the selector 20. The coin C that falls naturally is detected by three coils 21, 22, and 23 (see FIG. 5) arranged in the upper part of the selector 20.

Then, whether the detected coin C is genuine or not is determined by a block circuit diagram of FIG. 5 described later.
When it is determined that the coin is authentic, the gate driving solenoid 24 (see FIG. 5) located inside the selector 20 is turned on. When the solenoid 24 is operated, the gate GT (see FIG. 5) of the vertical passage is opened. Therefore, the genuine coin TC falls vertically and passes through the storage opening (not shown) of the selector 20. The genuine coin TC that has fallen vertically is stored in a genuine coin safe (not shown) installed in the game machine.

At this time, a coin detection signal S is output from a sensor 25 (see FIG. 5) provided in the selector 20 near the storage opening. The solenoid 24 is turned off via the detection signal S, and the gate GT in the vertical passage is closed. If the inserted coin is determined to be counterfeit, the solenoid 24 is not operated. For this reason, the gate GT which is inclined in the vertical passage remains closed. Therefore, the pseudo coin FC is dropped from a return port (not shown) through an oblique path (not shown).

In other words, the pseudo coin FC is rejected outside the game machine. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit built in the selector 20 of FIG.
The detection coils 21 to 23 are for detecting the material, thickness and diameter of the inserted coin, respectively, and are connected to oscillation circuits 26 to 28, respectively. The signals from the oscillation circuits 26 to 28 are rectified by the rectification circuits 31 to 33 via the detection circuits D1, D2, and D3, respectively. The conversion circuit 34 samples the analog signals from the rectifier circuits 31 to 33, converts them into digital signals, and outputs the digital signals.

The signal processing unit 35 processes digital signals. The memory 36 stores key data 41 relating to a coin-shaped key. The key data 41 is externally input to the signal processing unit 35 via the input terminal 37 for key coin setting, for example, and stored in the memory 36. In other words, it is desirable that the key data 41 be stored in the memory 36 in advance. Further, the memory 36 stores various coin data 4 relating to genuine coins inserted as described later.
2 is stored.

The mode selection switch MS is a memory 36
To store the coin data 42 or to perform the original operation of the selector 20. The receiving money type setting means ST is specifically a plurality of switches 500S, 100S, 50S, 10S (not shown) as shown in FIG. As described with reference to FIG.
S is for setting coin data 42 of a 500-yen coin and storing it in the memory 36. Similarly, switch 10
0S switches the coin data 42 of the 100 yen coin to the switch 50.
S is for setting and storing coin data 42 of a 50-yen coin.

The signal 500 at the center of the right side of FIG.
0 is output when the inserted coin is a 100 yen genuine coin. Similarly, the signal 50 is output when the inserted coin is a 50 yen genuine coin, and the signal 10 is output when the inserted coin is a 10 yen genuine coin.

Embodiment II FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. When the power switch (not shown) of the selector 20 is turned on, the operation starts (step 5).
1).

When the operation is started, the selector 20 is automatically initialized (step 52). Next, a case where the selector 20 is dedicated to, for example, a 50-yen coin will be described. In this case, the mode change selection switch MS is selected to the data creation / storage mode. Then, a 50-yen coin switch (not shown) of the denomination setting means ST is selected. Therefore, when the initial setting step 52 is completed, the data creation mode is selected in the mode confirmation step 53. In this state, the coin-shaped key is
Is inserted into the slot 11, the key coin data and the key data 41 in the memory 36 are compared.

As a result of this comparison, if it is determined that the coin-shaped key is genuine, the data creation mode can be executed (step 70). That is, the 50 yen coin is inserted into the slot 1
When it is inserted into 1, the inserted 50 yen coin is counted and sampling data of the 50 yen coin is obtained. This is repeated until a 50-yen coin is continuously inserted into the insertion slot 11 and the total number reaches a predetermined number (step 57). When the number reaches the predetermined number, the coin data 42 of the 50-yen coin is statistically processed by the signal processing unit 35 (step 58).

The coin data 42 is stored in the memory 36
Is stored. After the above preparation, the electronic coin selector 20 is used by selecting the selector mode of the mode change switch MS, that is, the selector mode. When a coin is inserted into the insertion slot 11 in the above state (step 61).
Data of the inserted coin is obtained by sampling.
The sampling data of the inserted coins is stored in the memory 36.
Is compared with the coin data 42.

If the coin sampling data matches the coin data 42 of the 50 yen coin, the coin is determined to be authentic (step 65). When the coin is determined to be genuine, the solenoid 24 of the receiving gate GT is turned on, and the genuine coin TC falls vertically. True coin TC falling
Is passed through the sensor 25, the solenoid 24 of the gate GT
Is turned off and returns to the original state (step 68). Almost simultaneously, a genuine coin signal 50 shown in FIG. 5 is output (step 69).

The game machine (not shown) equipped with the electronic coin selector 20 is set in a game-playable state, for example, by the output of the genuine coin signal 50. The above-described first embodiment of FIG. 1 and the second embodiment of FIG. 4 each have described the key lock function relating to the data change of the genuine coin. However, it goes without saying that the key lock function of the electronic coin selector using the coin key according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the memory 36 stores identification number data of the selector 20, total data of genuine coins, date and time data, and the like.

Each time the genuine coin signals 100 and 50 are output, the date and time data and the accumulated number of genuine coins are counted and stored in the memory 36. Further, data can be obtained by simply inserting a coin key into a selector provided in a game machine, for example.
As a result, the number of coins in the coin safe in the game machine can be immediately and easily checked from the outside. In other words, it is possible to quickly and easily investigate the sales of each pay game machine.

[0035]

According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to easily change the genuine coin data in the electronic coin selector to another genuine coin data simply by inserting a key coin by adding a simple structure. Become. In other words, there is a great effect that it becomes impossible for anyone other than the administrator to change the genuine coin data in the electronic coin selector, and security such as reliability and safety of the selector is greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block circuit diagram incorporated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart for explaining the operation of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block circuit diagram incorporated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

20: Electronic coin selector, means for storing key data ... 36: Memory, 41: key data, means for obtaining coin data ... 21, 22, 2
3: detection coil, 26, 27, 28: oscillation circuit, 31,
32, 33: rectifier circuit, 34: conversion circuit, 35: signal processing unit, means for determining whether or not the coin is a key coin ... 35: signal processing unit, 36: memory,
41: key data.

Claims (3)

[Claims] At least means for electronically detecting inserted coins to obtain data, means for storing key data relating to coin-shaped keys to be inserted, and data for inserted coins And a means for comparing the key data with the key data to determine whether or not the coin is a key coin. 2. An electronic coin selector according to claim 1, wherein said key data is stored in said storage means in advance. 3. A means for storing coin data relating to a genuine coin to be inserted, according to claim 2,
Means for enabling the coin data to be changed when the inserted coin is determined to be a key coin, the electronic coin selector comprising: