JP2003196704A - Coin returning device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent coin jamming in an acceptor for coins to be returned guiding the inserted coins of a return object and held coins in a holding part to a returning opening. <P>SOLUTION: When coins are inserted, a timer 20A for a fixed time is started to operate, and a host device side finishes charge processing for writing the amount of the inserted coins on a card on the basis of the previous inserted coins. When a return instruction based on an abnormal ending of the charge processing is received from the host device, the existence/nonexistence of the operating state of the timer 20A is judged. If the timer 20A now operates, it is decided that there is a high possibility that the newly inserted coins are being returned not to return coins (the previously inserted coins) of the holding part 6 but to return the coins after the elapse of the fixed time of the timer 20A. This makes returning timing between the inserted coins of this time and the held coins different to be able to prevent coin jamming in the acceptor 10 for coins to be returned. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin returning device for returning coins.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a pachinko game using a card, for example, when a user inserts a prepaid card into a card reader / writer of a ball lending machine provided between pachinko machines, the ball lending recorded on this prepaid card is rented. The number of pachinko balls according to the amount is lent to the user.
Users play pachinko games using the pachinko balls that have been rented. Here, in consideration of the fact that the user cannot lend a ball to the pachinko machine when the balance of the card is exhausted during the pachinko game, a coin processing device is provided between the pachinko machines so that the user can use the coin processing device. When a coin is inserted, the amount of the inserted coin is charged in the prepaid card, which allows the user to continue lending a ball.

[0003]

When a user inserts a coin into the coin processing device, the coin processing device displays the inserted coin until the amount of the inserted coin is charged into the prepaid card as shown in FIG. The holding coins are held in the holding unit 6 and the holding coins are stored when the charging process for the card is completed. Here, when the inserted coin amount cannot be normally charged to the card, the reserved coin 1A of the retaining unit 6 is returned through the first track 5 and discharged through the return coin receiving port 10 and the return track. To be done. On the other hand, in the coin processing device, even when the input coin 1B is determined to be an illegal coin, the input coin is returned via the second track 7 and discharged from the return port via the return coin receiving port 10 and the return track. .
When the return timings of the input coin 1B to be returned and the holding coin 1A are overlapped, the input coin 1B and the holding coin 1
There is a problem that coins are jammed in the return coin receiving port 10 because A drops into the return coin receiving port 10 at the same time.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to prevent clogging of coins in a return coin receiving port that guides the input coins to be returned and the holding coins of the holding section to the returning port.

[0005]

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides a sensor for detecting a coin inserted, a holding unit for holding genuine coins, and a holding unit returned in response to a return instruction. In a coin return device that has a return coin receiving port that guides coins to a return port, a timer that is activated for a certain period of time in response to detection of a coin inserted by a sensor, and a hold depending on whether the timer is activated when a return instruction is received And a control unit for controlling the return of coins of the unit.

In this case, the control unit determines whether the timer is running when the return command is received, and the holding unit that returns the coin in the holding unit when the determination unit determines that the timer is not running. And means for returning coins.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a coin processing device to which the present invention is applied. This coin processing device
When a coin is inserted, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), whether or not the inserted coin 1 is correct is detected by the identification sensor 3 arranged on the coin orbit 2, and when it is determined to be a genuine coin, it will always be described later. Drive the sorting lever 4 that is switched so that the coin is guided to the second orbit 7 side of the coin, and guide the inserted coin 1 to the first orbit 5 described later, and further to the first orbit 5 The inserted coin 1 is held in a holding unit described later by the return lever 8 and the take-in lever 9 which are normally projected on the coin orbit 2, and the value information corresponding to the amount of the inserted coin 1 is recorded in a card (not shown). Perform charge processing. After the charging process is completed, the take-in lever 9 is driven to drive the coin track 2
Then, the inserted coin 1 held in the holding section is guided to the take-in track 12 and stored in a storing section (not shown).

Further, when the coin cannot properly record the value information on the card, the coin processing device drives the return lever 8 to retract it from the coin track 2 so that the inserted coin 1 held in the holding section is rotated. The coin is dropped into a return coin receiving port 10 called a section, and is further discharged from a return port (not shown) via a return track 11. When the identification sensor 3 determines that the input coin 1 is not a true coin, the coin processing device drops the input coin 1 into the return coin receiving port 10 via the distribution lever 4 and further returns the return track. It is to be discharged from the return port via 11.
Furthermore, if the next inserted coin is detected by the identification sensor 3 before the charging process of the coin held in the holding unit is completed, the coin processing device returns the inserted coin regardless of whether the inserted coin is right or wrong. It is what makes me.

2 (b) and 2 (c) are shown in FIG. 2 (a).
It is a figure which shows the principal part cross section of the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. Here, in FIG. 2B, the inserted coin 1B is determined to be a true coin by the identification sensor 3, and the first lever 5 is driven by the sorting lever 4 being driven.
1 schematically shows an example in which the coin is held by the holding section 6 as the holding coin 1A. In addition, FIG. 2C shows a coin 1 inserted.
The example in which B is determined to be an illegal coin by the identification sensor 3 and is guided to the return coin receptacle 10 from the second track 7 via the distribution lever 4 is schematically shown.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a coin processing device. As shown in FIG. 1, the present coin processing device is provided with oscillation coils 3A and 3B arranged on both sides of a coin orbit 2 and connected in series with each other as an identification sensor 3, and oscillates each oscillation coil 3A and 3B. Oscillation circuit 21 and each oscillation coil 3 oscillated by oscillation circuit 21
A rectifier circuit 22 for rectifying the sum of the voltages of A and 3B via the oscillator circuit 21, an A / D converter circuit 23 for converting the analog rectified voltage rectified by the rectifier circuit 22 into a digital value, and There is provided a CPU 20 which inputs a digital voltage value from the D conversion circuit 23, compares it with a set value in an internal memory (not shown), and judges whether the coin 1 inserted is right or wrong.

Here, the CPU 20 includes a distribution lever drive circuit 24 for driving the distribution lever 4, a return lever drive circuit 25 for driving the return lever 8, and an intake lever drive for driving the intake lever. The circuit 26 is connected.
Further, the CPU 20 is connected to a host device (not shown) and controls the return or storage of the reserved coins stored in the storage section 6 in response to a return command or a storage command from the host device.

The operation of the main part of the coin processing device will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The oscillating circuit 21 is activated when power is supplied to the device, and oscillates the respective oscillating coils 3A and 3B connected to the capacitors incorporated therein (LC oscillation). Here, since the oscillation coils 3A and 3B are connected in series, the oscillation voltage of the oscillation coil 3A is
It is added to the oscillation voltage of B and input to the rectifier circuit 22 via the oscillation circuit 21.

The rectifier circuit 22 full-wave rectifies or half-wave rectifies the sum voltage of the oscillation voltages of the oscillation coils 3A and 3B to a constant voltage level, and then outputs the voltage to the A / D conversion circuit 23. The A / D conversion circuit 23 converts the analog rectified voltage level into a 10-bit or 8-bit digital value and outputs it to the CPU 20.

Here, the CPU 20 is based on the maximum impedance change amount of each oscillating coil 3A, 3B when the center of the inserted coin 1 passes through each oscillating coil 3A, 3B arranged oppositely on both sides of the coin orbit 2. Input the digital voltage value of the sum of each oscillation voltage. Then, the input digital voltage value is compared with the preset value set in the built-in memory, and if the input digital voltage value is within the set value range of the memory, the inserted coin 1 is determined to be a true coin. Also, CP
If the digital voltage value of the sum of the respective oscillation voltages of the respective oscillation coils 3A and 3B that has been input is out of the set value range of the built-in memory, the U20 determines the inserted coin 1 as an illegal coin and returns it.
It should be noted that the CPU 20, regardless of whether the inserted coin 1 is right or wrong,
If the digital voltage value of the sum of the respective oscillation voltages of the respective oscillation coils 3A and 3B that has been input changes from the value when the coin is not inserted, it is recognized that the coin has been inserted. Therefore,
The insertion of coins can be detected by the oscillation coils 3A and 3B (that is, the identification sensor 3).

Further, in the above-mentioned built-in memory of the CPU 20,
Different data is set for each coin having the same material and different thickness d. Here, when coins of the same material and different in thickness d are inserted and pass between the oscillation coils 3A and 3B of the coin orbit 2, the sum of the voltage values of the oscillation coils 3A and 3B is the same as described above. Since each value can be detected as a different value for each thickness, the CPU 20 compares the corresponding setting data of the built-in memory in the same manner to accurately identify the inserted coins of the same material and different thickness, and determine whether they are correct or not. can do.

Next, the outline of the operation of the coin processing device configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. C
When the PU 20 determines that the inserted coin 1 is a true coin, the PU 20 drives the distribution lever 4 by controlling the distribution lever drive circuit 24 to move the inserted coin 1 to the first coin shown in FIG. It is guided to the trajectory 5 of No. 1 and is held in the holding unit 6, and the amount of the inserted coin 1 is notified to the host device. Then, the host device performs a charge process of writing the amount of money into a card (not shown) that is inserted in advance, and if the amount of money is normally written into the card, the CPU 20 issues a storing instruction of the coin 1 held in the holding unit 6. Return to. Then CP
The U 20 drives the take-in lever 9 by controlling the take-in lever drive circuit 26, guides the coin 1 held in the holding section 6 to the take-in track 12, and stores it in the storing section.

Further, when the host device performs the charging process for writing the amount of coins to be inserted into the card, if the amount of money is not normally written, the CPU 20 issues a return instruction of the coin 1 held in the holding unit 6. Send it back. Then the CPU
20 controls the return lever drive circuit 25 to drive the return lever 8 to drop the coin 1 held in the holding section 6 into the return coin receiving port 10. This allows
The coin 1 is guided to the return track 11 and discharged from the return port.

On the other hand, when the CPU 20 determines that the inserted coin 1 is an illegal coin, the inserted coin 1 is guided to the second orbit 7 shown in FIG. 2 (c), and further falls into the return coin receiving port 10. , Is discharged from the return port via the return track 11. Furthermore, if the next inserted coin is detected by the identification sensor 3 before the charging process of the coins held in the holding unit 6 is completed on the upper device side, the inserted coin 1 is determined to be a genuine coin or an illegal coin. Regardless, it is similarly guided to the second track 7, falls into the return coin receiving port 10, and is discharged from the return port via the return track 11.

Here, the CPU 20 activates and operates the built-in timer 20A for a fixed time when the coin 1 is detected by the identification sensor 3, and when it determines that the coin is a true coin, it drives the sorting lever 4 as described above. Then, the input coin 1 is held in the holding unit 6 and the upper device is caused to perform the charging process, while in the case of an illegal coin, the input coin 1 is returned. Then, when the return command based on the abnormal termination of the charging process in which the inserted coin amount cannot be normally recorded in the card is received from the host device, the timer 2
0A is operating, and if the timer 20A is operating, the return instruction is stored in the internal memory and the timer 2
When the operation is stopped after a certain time of 0 A, the holding coin of the holding unit 6 is returned based on the stored return instruction.

As described above, when a new coin is inserted, the timer 20A is started and operated, and the charge process based on the previous inserted coin is completed and a return command is issued from the host device based on the abnormal termination of the charge process. When you receive
It is determined whether or not the timer 20A is operating. If the timer 20A is operating, it is determined that there is a high possibility that the new inserted coin is being returned, and the coin in the holding unit 6 (the previously inserted coin) is returned. Since this is not done, the new return timing of the input coins does not coincide with the return timing of the holding coins of the holding unit 6, and therefore, the jamming of coins in the return coin receiving port 10 can be prevented.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the main parts of the coin processing device. The operation of the coin processing device will be described in more detail based on this flowchart. When a coin is inserted, the inserted coin 1 is detected by the identification sensor 3 provided on the coin path 2 and transmitted to the CPU 20. In this case, the CPU 20 determines Yes in “Coin insertion detection?” In step S11 of FIG.
Process shifts to. In step S12, the CPU 20 sets the timer 20A for a certain period of time and activates it.

Here, when the CPU 20 determines that the inserted coin 1 detected by the identification sensor 3 is an illegal coin, the inserted coin 1 is the second orbit 7 of FIG. 2C as described above. The coin is further dropped into the return coin receiving port 10 and discharged through the return track 11 through the return port.

On the other hand, when the inserted coin 1 detected by the identification sensor 3 is determined to be a true coin, the CPU 20 controls the distribution lever drive circuit 24 to drive the distribution lever 4 to transfer the inserted coin 1 to the coin shown in FIG. The holding section 6 is guided to the first orbit 5 of (b).
Hold on. At the same time, the CPU 20 notifies the higher-level device of the amount of the coin 1 and causes the higher-level device to perform the charging process for writing the notified amount of money into the card.

When the notification amount is not normally written in the card as a result of the charge processing of the upper device,
The return command is sent from the upper device to the CPU 20 as described above. Then, the CPU 20 determines “Yes with the coin return instruction?” In step S21 of FIG. 2B as Yes,
The process proceeds to step S22, and it is determined "timer is running?".

Here, when a new coin is detected by the identification sensor 3 during the charging process of the host device (that is, while the holding coin is present in the holding unit 6), the CPU 2
As described above, 0 starts the timer 20A in step S12 of FIG. 3 (a). Then, a process of returning the newly inserted coin to the return port via the sorting lever 4 and the second track 7. Then, at this time, if there is a coin return instruction from the host device, the determination of "timer is running?" In step S22 of FIG. 2B is Yes, and in this case the CPU 20
Does not return the held coins of the holding unit 6. As a result, the return timing of the new input coin this time does not overlap with the return timing of the previous input coin (the holding coin of the holding unit 6), and therefore the return coin receiving port 10 has two
One coin does not drop, and therefore, coin jamming in the return coin receiving port 10 can be prevented.

On the other hand, when a new coin is not inserted during the charge process of the host device and therefore the timer 20A is not activated, the determination of "timer activated?" In step S22 of FIG. 2B is No. , In this case CP
In step S23, the U20 controls the return lever drive circuit 25 to drive the return lever 8 and start the coin return operation of returning the reserved coins in the retaining section 6. As a result, the holding unit 6
The coins held in
Further, it is discharged from the return port via the return track 11.

In the present embodiment, the identification sensor 3 detects the inserted coins and sorts the coins.
The detection of the inserted coins and the coin selection may be performed by separate sensors.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, a sensor for detecting inserted coins, a holding unit for holding genuine coins,
In a coin return device that has a return coin receiving port that guides the coins of the holding section that is returned according to the return instruction to the return port, a timer that is activated for a certain period in response to the detection of the inserted coin by the sensor is provided, and the return instruction is received. When the timer is activated, the return of coins from the holding unit is controlled depending on whether the timer is activated.Therefore, during the timer activation based on the detection of new coins inserted this time, the coin was previously inserted and held in the holding unit. Since it is possible to prevent the returned held coins from being returned, two coins are not returned to the return coin receiving port at the same time, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the return coin receiving port from being jammed.

In this case, when the return instruction is received, it is determined whether or not the timer is running. If the timer is determined to be inactive, the coins in the holding unit are returned. Therefore, the holding coins in the holding unit are returned. The coin can be accurately returned to the return port without jamming the coin at the coin receiving port.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a coin processing device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the coin processing device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a main part of the coin processing device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a conventional coin processing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Coin, 2 ... Coin orbit, 3 ... Identification sensor, 3A, 3B
... Oscillation coil, 4 ... Sorting lever, 5 ... First orbit, 6 ...
Reservation section, 7 ... Second track, 8 ... Return lever, 9 ... Intake lever, 10 ... Return coin receptacle, 11 ... Return track, 12 ...
Intake track, 20 ... CPU, 20A ... Timer, 21 ... Oscillation circuit, 22 ... Rectifier circuit, 23 ... A / D conversion circuit, 24 ...
Sorting lever drive circuit, 25 ... Return lever drive circuit, 26
… Intake lever drive circuit.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A coin return device having a sensor for detecting an inserted coin, a holding unit for holding a true coin, and a return coin receiving port for guiding the coin of the holding unit returned according to a return instruction to a return port. A timer that is activated for a certain period of time in response to the detection of the inserted coin by the sensor, and a control unit that controls the return of the coin in the holding unit depending on whether the timer is activated when the return instruction is received. A coin return device characterized by being provided. 2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when receiving the return command, determines whether the timer is running, and the determining unit determines that the timer is not running. A coin returning device comprising: a holding coin returning means for returning coins in the holding section.