JP2001351145A - Coin housing safe and game machine provided with it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin housing safe capable of detecting a state of being filled with coins precisely. SOLUTION: When the safe 30 for storing the coins C fed from the coin feeding port 7 of a game machine body 2 becomes full, the coins are congested at a coin receiving port 23 communicated with the safe 30. Thus, when light emitted from a light emitting element 75 is interrupted by the coins and a light receiving element 76 generates a signal through a prescribed time, this signal is processed by an electronic circuit 77 to detect a state of being filled with the coins.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin storage safe used in amusement machines, and more particularly to a technique capable of accurately detecting the fullness of coins stored in the safe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a coin full detecting mechanism in a coin storage device, for example, registered utility model No. 306048
As shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5 (1993), while a top surface of a safe is opened, a reflection type optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor is disposed above the safe, and the amount of light or ultrasonic waves reflected from coins stored in the safe. There is known a safe full detection device that determines that a coin is full when a signal exceeds a predetermined value.

[0003]

However, in the above-described safe full detector, the sensor for detecting the full state of the safe is one of the coins stored in the safe whose upper part is open, from the coin to which light or ultrasonic waves are applied. It detects reflected light or reflected ultrasonic waves, and even though the safe is not full, coins in the area where light or ultrasonic waves are applied rise abnormally, and the coins from the sensor than the coins around it If it is very close, the output of the sensor becomes unstable, a full signal is output even though the safe is not full, and coins are prohibited from being inserted into the safe. This may not be possible and the operation time of the apparatus may be shortened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and communicates with a coin storage section in a safe main body to detect a jammed coin in a coin receiving opening provided in the safe main body for receiving coins. It is another object of the present invention to provide a coin storage safe capable of accurately detecting that the safe is full of coins.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is provided in a game machine main body, inserted from a coin slot provided in the game machine, and provided with a coin discriminating means. In a coin storage safe that accepts and stores regular coins selected by the coin, the coin storage safe communicates with a coin storage unit in the safe main body, and is disposed near the coin receiving opening and the coin receiving opening. Based on a photo sensor to be detected and a time change signal from the photo sensor, it is detected whether or not coins are staying in the vicinity of the receiving slot. When it is detected that the coins are staying, the coin is stored. An electronic circuit that outputs a signal indicating that the unit is full of coins, and an electronic circuit that is disposed upstream of the coin receiving slot and operates by receiving a signal from the electronic circuit. It is obtained by and a coin insertion preventing means for preventing the flow of coins into the coin receiving port from the coin slot.

[0006] In the above configuration, the photo sensor for detecting the fullness of the safe is connected to the coin storage section in the main body of the safe and provided near the coin receiving slot for receiving coins. Then, the accepted coin closes the coin receiving slot, and the light of the photo sensor is blocked by the coin.
If the shielded state is maintained for a predetermined time, it can be determined that the safe is full of coins, whereby it is possible to accurately detect that the safe is full. Further, when the safe is full, the coin insertion preventing means is activated, and further coin insertion is prohibited.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the coin storage safe according to the first aspect, the coin receiving slot is
The photosensor is configured to receive a coin with its radial direction set vertically, and the photosensors are arranged near the coin receiving opening so as to face each other across the coin in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the coin. Things. In this configuration, a photo sensor for detecting the fullness of the safe is provided near the coin receiving slot for receiving coins in a vertical direction, and when the coin closes the coin receiving slot, the coin is always photographed. The light from the sensor is blocked. Thereby, the stay of coins can be accurately detected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the coin storage safe according to the first or second aspect, the photo sensor also serves as a sensor for counting the number of coins stored in the safe. It is. In this configuration,
It is not necessary to provide a dedicated sensor for counting the number of coins stored in the safe in the coin passage.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine provided with the coin storage safe according to any one of the first to third aspects. In this configuration, the fullness of coins inserted from the coin insertion slot of the game machine and stored in the safe can be accurately detected, and coin management becomes easy.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A game machine safe according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a video print game apparatus. The video print game apparatus 1 is for photographing a player as a subject, printing the subject image on a sticker, and providing the sticker with the subject image. The video print game machine 1 has a C
It has a digital camera 3 made of a CD or the like for shooting moving images, and an illumination device 5 for illuminating a player in front of the device.
On the upper part of the front of the main body 2, a composite image of a moving image taken by the digital camera 3 and a frame image selected by the player is enlarged and displayed on a display 4 composed of a CRT or the like for displaying various images. You. Below the display 4, an operation unit 6 for the player to instruct selection of a desired frame image, selection of various modes, and the like, and the player based on a moving image displayed on the display 4, Shutter 1 for determining a photographed image for printing
0 is provided.

A coin insertion slot 7 for inserting a coin is provided on the side of the display 4. Also,
A coin outlet 8 for returning unusable coins and a print sticker 9 on which a subject image is printed are provided at a lower portion of the apparatus main body 2. At the lower part of the apparatus main body 2, there is provided an outlet 11 for a safe 30, which will be described later, and this outlet 11 has a door 12 indicated by a two-dot chain line.
Are attached to the apparatus main body 2 by hinges 13 (13) so as to be openable and closable. The door 12 has a key 14
The key 14 can be locked when the door 12 closes the outlet 11 of the apparatus main body 2. Safe 3
To remove 0 from the apparatus main body 2, the key 14 is unlocked, the door 12 is opened, the handle 18 arranged on the front of the safe 30 is gripped, and the safe 30 is pulled out of the apparatus main body 2.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional configuration of the apparatus main body 2. In the coin insertion slot 7, a solenoid switch 80 as a coin insertion prevention means described later is arranged. Coin slot 7
The coin passing path 20 extending from the
Are disposed, and coins of a type different from the usable types of coins are selected by the coin selecting means 21, passed through the coin return path 22 and returned to the coin outlet 8.
Coins of a type suitable for use pass normally through the coin sorting unit 21, pass through a mechanical switch type coin counting unit 71 arranged in the coin passage 20, and communicate with the coin storage unit 70 in the safe 30. Go through the coin slot 23,
It is stored in a coin storage unit 70 in the safe 30. Safe 30
The door body 31 is arranged on the upper part of the. As will be described later, one side of the door 31 is supported by a hinge 40 and is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the safe 30, and the other side of the door 31 is provided with a cylinder lock 33 with respect to the safe 30. It is configured to be locked and unlocked.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration for detecting the fullness of a coin, and FIG.
Indicates a cross section of a main part near the coin receiving slot 23. As shown in these figures, the coin receiving slot 23 is formed so as to protrude upward from the door body 31 so as to receive a coin in a vertical direction, and a light emitting element 75 and a light emitting element 75 are provided near the side of the coin receiving slot 23. Light receiving elements 76 (photo sensors for detecting the passage of coins) are arranged opposite to each other with the coins interposed therebetween in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the coins. Also,
An electronic circuit 77 is mounted on the door 31 near the coin receiving slot 23 via a foot 78. A terminal 79 of the electronic circuit 77 supplies power to the light emitting element 75, and a coin detection signal generated from the light receiving element 76 is input to the terminal 81. The terminal 83 is connected to a power supply circuit 36 provided inside the apparatus main body 2 via a connector 37 as shown in FIG. 2, and power is supplied from the power supply circuit 36 to an electronic circuit 77. Power circuit 36 is outlet 3
Power is supplied from an external power supply (not shown) via the power supply 9. Further, the terminal 84 emits an electric signal when the fullness of the coin C is detected. The terminal 84 supplies an electric signal to the solenoid switch 80 via the connector 85.
The coin counting signal from the coin counting means 71 is input to the electronic circuit 77, and the number of coins inserted is counted.

The electronic circuit 77, as shown in FIG.
When the coin C in the safe 30 is full and the receiving slot 23 is closed by the coin C inserted from the coin slot 7, the coin C blocks light emitted from the light emitting element 75. FIG. 5 shows output signals of the light receiving element 76 in the normal state and in the full state. When a coin passes normally through the sensor (normal time), the sensor is short LOW according to the passing time.
When the safe is full, the sensor continuously outputs a LOW signal when the coin receiving slot 23 is closed (when the safe is full). If the output signal from the light receiving element 76 is LOW for a predetermined time, the electronic circuit 77 determines that the safe is full of coins C, and the LED 82 (if this is disposed on the operation unit on the front of the main body). Good) is turned on to indicate that the solenoid switch is full, and power is supplied to the solenoid switch 80, and the solenoid switch 8 is turned on.
By displacing the zero operating rod 90 into the coin passage 20, the coin insertion slot 7 arranged in the apparatus main body 2 is closed.

FIG. 6 shows an opening and closing mechanism of the door body 31.
FIG. 6A shows the closed state of the door 31, and FIG.
Shows the open state of. 6A, the door body 31 is supported by a hinge 40 with respect to a coin storage section 70 of the safe 30. On the opposite side of the door body 31, a mounting section 71 for the cylinder lock 33 is provided. 70 is provided with a cylinder lock mounting portion 72 at the upper end thereof.
1 in a closed state, the mounting portion 71 and the mounting portion 72
Is engaged with the cylinder lock 33, the door 31 of the safe 30 is locked. In the state shown in FIG. 6B, the cylinder lock 33 is removed and the door 3
1 is opened, and the coin storage unit 70 is exposed. In this state, coins can be taken out. The operation of opening and closing the door 31 and taking out coins is performed by pulling out the safe 30 from the apparatus main body.

In the configuration of the above embodiment, when the safe 30 storing coins C inserted from the coin insertion slot 7 of the game machine main body 2 is full of coins, the coin is inserted into the coin receiving slot 23 communicating with the safe 30. Stay. At this time,
Light emitting element 75 provided near coin receiving slot 23
When the time change signal from the sensor including the light receiving element 76 becomes a signal indicating coin stay, it can be determined that the safe 30 is full. Also, if the sensors are arranged to face each other in the thickness direction of the coin,
If the sensor position is slightly deviated from the center, there is a risk of erroneous detection. However, by arranging the sensor as described above, it is possible to reliably detect fullness. Further, when the safe is full, the solenoid switch 80 is operated to close the coin insertion slot 7, so that the subsequent coin insertion is prevented, and troubles are prevented.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, a mechanical switch may be used instead of the optical sensor as a sensor for detecting the fullness of the safe. The photo sensor may also serve as the function of the coin counting means 71. In this case, the coin counting means 71 becomes unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. Further, in the above embodiment, the safe is used for a game machine, but the present invention can also be applied to a money storage safe such as a vending machine or a vending machine.

[0018]

As described above, in the coin storage safe of the present invention, when the safe is full of coins, the coins stay near the coin receiving slot for receiving coins and are disposed near the coin receiving slot. Since the detected time change signal of the photo sensor is used, it is possible to accurately detect that the safe is full of coins. Also,
When the safe is full, the coin insertion preventing means is activated to prohibit further insertion of coins, thereby preventing problems.

The coin receiving slot is configured to receive the coin vertically in the radial direction, and a photo sensor is provided near the coin receiving slot so as to face in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the coin. It is possible to reliably detect that coins have stayed in the coin receiving slot.

Further, if the sensor is also used as a sensor for counting the number of coins stored in the safe, a dedicated sensor for counting the number of coins stored in the safe is not required, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. Reduction is possible.

Further, in the game machine of the present invention, the number of coins inserted from the coin insertion slot and stored in the safe can be accurately detected, and the coin management becomes easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a video print game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the same device.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a main part in a configuration for detecting a coin full state, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a main part near a coin receiving slot in a configuration for detecting a coin full state.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state where the coin receiving slot is closed when the safe is full of coins.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an output signal of a light receiving element.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a safe with the door closed, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the safe with the door open.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 video print game machine 7 coin slot 21 coin sorting means 23 coin receiving slot 30 safe 70 coin storage unit 75 light emitting element 76 light receiving element 77 electronic circuit 80 solenoid switch C coin

Claims (4)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A coin storage safe stored in a game machine main body, inserted from a coin insertion slot provided in the game machine, and accepts and stores regular coins selected by coin selection means. A coin receiving port that communicates with a storage unit and receives coins, a photosensor that is disposed near the coin receiving port, and detects the passage of coins, and the receiving port based on a time change signal from the photosensor. An electronic circuit for detecting whether or not coins are staying in the vicinity, and outputting a signal indicating that the coin storage unit is full of coins when the coin is detected to be staying; It is disposed upstream of the opening, operates by receiving a signal from the electronic circuit, and controls the flow of coins from the coin insertion slot to the coin receiving opening. Coin storage safe, characterized by comprising a coin insertion inhibiting means for stopping. 2. The coin receiving slot is configured to receive a coin with its radial direction set in a vertical direction, and the photo sensor is located near the coin receiving slot.
2. The coin storage safe according to claim 1, wherein the coin storage safes are arranged opposite to each other with the coin interposed therebetween in a direction orthogonal to the coin moving direction. 3. The coin storage safe according to claim 1, wherein the photo sensor also serves as a sensor for counting the number of coins stored in the safe. 4. A game machine comprising the coin storage safe according to claim 1.