JP2005073946A - Game medium dispensing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily apply to the operation of a dispensing process using a recording medium of a high money value without causing the scattering of the recording medium in a game hall by the discharging of the recording media the money values of which have become zero outside of the machine, an increase in working burden of hall workers, and fraudulence by counterfeit cards. <P>SOLUTION: A holder 7 for which housing sections 7a to 7f are formed at a plurality of rotating positions is freely rotatably provided. Right after the starting of a motion, the housing state of an IC stick 30 in the holder 7 is detected (s1). The housing numbers of the IC (integrated circuit) stick 30 before the starting of the dispensing process of the game medium are discriminated based on the detected housing state (s7 to s10). The dispensing process of the game medium in response to the housing numbers which have been discriminated is performed based on the thrown in value of cash or a money value which is read from the IC stick 30 (s12 to s15). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-issued game medium lending machine that issues a recording medium having a monetary value, accepts input of the recording medium, and lends a number of gaming media according to the monetary value of the recording medium to a gaming machine.

  In recent years, along with the prevalence of recording media such as prepaid cards, recording media such as pachinko balls and medals have been lent out in recording halls such as pachinko halls. For this reason, in the game hall, a recording medium issuing device that issues a recording medium in which information such as a monetary value corresponding to the amount of the inserted bill is written, and a game for a gaming machine that accepts the input of the recording medium A game medium lending device for lending a medium is provided.

  However, if the recording medium issuing device is arranged at a predetermined position in the game arcade independently of the gaming machine, the player will have a new recording medium each time the monetary value recorded on the recording medium becomes zero. In order to purchase, the player must go away from the gaming machine to the place where the recording medium issuing device is installed. Further, when a plurality of players concentrate on a single recording medium issuing device at the same time, the player takes time to obtain the recording medium.

  In view of the convenience of the player, there is a game hall in which a dedicated self-issued game medium rental machine is arranged in each gaming machine. The self-issued game media lending machine accepts the processing of issuing a recording medium in which information such as the value of money according to the amount of the inserted bill is written, and accepts the input of the recording medium in accordance with the value of the recording medium. And lending a certain number of gaming media to the gaming machine.

  Conventional self-issued game media lending machines handle low-priced prepaid cards (hereinafter simply referred to as “cards”) having value information of 1,000 yen as recording media. For this reason, a conventional self-issued game media lending machine stores one card in advance in the machine, and when a thousand-yen bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot, the card stored in the machine has a thousand yen After the amount of money is written and exposed at the card slot, the card is drawn into the machine according to the player's operation, and the game medium is lent out. A card whose monetary value has become 0 is accommodated inside the apparatus when no other card is accommodated, and is discharged outside the apparatus when another card is accommodated (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .)

A low-priced card issued by a conventional self-issued game media lending machine is often used up by a game machine corresponding to the game medium lending machine that issued the card, and the player is issued from the game medium lending machine. It is rare that a card is taken out and inserted into another game media lending machine, and a card whose value is 0 is rarely discharged outside the machine. Note that the store clerk replenishes the game medium lending machine from which the player has removed the card with a new card.
JP-A-9-140922

  Recently, however, there has been a demand for self-issued game media lending machines that issue high-value-value recording media such as 5,000 yen and 10,000 yen at amusement halls. A card that is likely to be extracted from the game media lending machine that issued the medium and inserted into another game medium lending machine, and the value of money is 0 in a conventional game medium lending machine that accommodates only a single card Will increase the chances that cards will be ejected outside the machine, resulting in cards being scattered in the game hall. Further, if the player has more opportunities to remove the card from the game medium lending machine, the burden of the card replenishment work by the store clerk also increases. Furthermore, the card discharged out of the plane may be used for fraudulent acts using counterfeit cards.

  The object of the present invention is to prevent the recording medium from being scattered in the amusement hall by discharging the recording medium whose monetary value has become 0 to the outside of the machine, an increase in the work load of the store clerk, and the fraudulent act by the counterfeit card. It is an object to provide a gaming medium lending machine that can be easily applied to the operation of a recording medium with a large value.

The present invention provides a means for solving the above-described problems.
(1) It is connected so as to be able to communicate with a gaming machine,
A cash processing unit that accepts the input of cash and reads the input amount;
N (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) recording medium accommodating portions each detachably accommodating a single recording medium;
A communication unit that reads and writes the record information including the amount value information or the amount value information for the recording medium stored in each recording medium storage unit at a predetermined communication position;
A moving unit that selectively moves each recording medium housing unit to a communication position;
A status display section for displaying the operating status externally;
If there is no recording medium storage unit storing the recording medium at the start of processing after the cash is inserted into the cash processing unit or after the recording medium is inserted into the recording medium storage unit, If there are 2 to (n-1) pieces or n pieces of processing contents, the gaming medium lending process within the range of the amount of money read by the cash processing unit or the communication unit, And a control unit that controls reading and writing processing of the recording information with respect to the recording medium and display processing in the status display unit.

  In this configuration, accommodation of all the recording media that can occur in a plurality of recording medium accommodation units at the start of processing after the cash is inserted into the cash processing unit or after the recording medium is inserted into the recording medium accommodation unit. Depending on the status, the game media lending process within the range of the amount of money read by the cash processing unit or the communication unit, the reading and writing process of the record information on the recording medium, and the display process in the status display unit are controlled. Is done. Therefore, in a state where a plurality of recording media can be accommodated, the gaming medium lending process to the gaming machine and the recording information reading and writing processes to the recording medium are accurately performed.

  In the present invention, the money value information is money information or frequency information that specifies the number of game media according to the money, and the information that specifies the money value is a host device that manages a plurality of game medium lending machines. It includes identification information for each recording medium in the case where money value information corresponding to the identification information for each recording medium is stored. In addition to the amount value information and the identification information, the recorded information includes the amount value information or the identification information of the device that first writes the amount value information or information for specifying the amount value. Furthermore, the amount value read from the recording medium by the cash processing unit or the communication unit specifies not only the amount value obtained from the amount value information recorded on the recording medium but also the amount value stored on the recording medium. Includes monetary value obtained based on information.

  (2) The control unit includes a storage unit that subtracts and stores an amount corresponding to the rented game medium from the input amount read by the cash processing unit, and stores the storage unit when the return of the recording medium is instructed. The present invention is characterized in that a process of writing storage information including amount value information or amount value information for the amount of money being stored on the recording medium to be released as the amount of money is performed.

  In this configuration, when cash is inserted into the cash processing unit, the amount corresponding to the game medium lent out is subtracted from the input amount and stored in the storage unit, and the recording medium is returned before the balance reaches zero. When instructed, the amount stored in the storage unit is written in the recording medium as a monetary value, and the recording medium is released. Therefore, even if the recording medium is not stored in any of the plurality of recording medium storage units, the gaming medium lending process to the gaming machine is performed based on the amount charged to the cash processing unit.

  (3) The control unit lends a game medium within the range of the amount of money read by the cash processing unit when there are no recording medium storage units storing the recording medium at the start of processing, and stores the recording medium. The status display unit displays that the unit is empty.

  In this configuration, when cash is inserted into the cash processing unit from a state in which no recording medium is stored in any of the plurality of recording medium storage units, the gaming medium is rented within the range of the amount value read by the cash processing unit. Processing is performed, and it is displayed that the recording medium accommodation unit is empty. Therefore, even when a recording medium is not stored in any of the plurality of recording medium storage units, it is possible to rent game media to the game table by inserting cash into the cash processing unit and to replenish the recording medium It is recognized from the outside.

  (4) The control unit lends the game medium within the range of the amount of money read by the cash processing unit or the communication unit when there is one recording medium storage unit storing the recording medium at the start of processing, When the return of the recording medium is instructed, the recording medium in which the balance of the monetary value is written is released and the fact that the recording medium accommodation unit is empty is displayed on the status display unit.

  In this configuration, when the cash is inserted into the cash processing unit from the state where the recording medium is stored only in the single recording medium storage unit, or the recording medium is stored in any of the plurality of recording medium storage units. When the recording medium is inserted from a state where the recording medium is not used, the gaming medium lending process is performed within the range of the amount of money read by the cash processing unit or the communication unit, and the recording medium is stored based on the instruction to return the recording medium. When it is released, it is displayed that the recording medium accommodating portion is empty. Accordingly, even when all the recording medium accommodation units are emptied when the recording medium is returned, it becomes possible to lend the gaming media to the game table by inserting cash into the cash processing unit or inserting the recording medium into the recording medium accommodation unit. At the same time, when the inserted recording medium is returned and the recording medium accommodating portion becomes empty, it is recognized from the outside that the recording medium should be replenished.

  (5) When there are 2 to (n-1) recording medium storage units storing recording media at the start of processing, the control unit can play games within the value range read by the cash processing unit or communication unit. The medium is lent out, and when the return of the recording medium is instructed, the recording medium in which the balance of the monetary value is written is released.

  In this configuration, cash is inserted or a recording medium is inserted from a state where the recording medium is stored in any of the plurality of recording medium storage units, and the recording medium is stored in at least one recording medium storage unit. If it is not in the state, the gaming medium lending process is performed within the range of the monetary value read by the cash processing unit or the communication unit. Therefore, when the recording medium is accommodated in 2 to (n-1) recording medium accommodating portions among the n recording medium accommodating portions after the cash is inserted or the recording medium is inserted, Regardless of whether the return of the recording medium is instructed or not, the processing can be continued.

  (6) The control unit lends game media within the range of the amount of money read by the cash processing unit or the communication unit when there are n recording medium storage units that store the recording medium at the start of processing, When the return of one recording medium is instructed, the recording medium on which the balance of the monetary value is written is released, and when the value of the monetary value becomes zero without instructing the return of the recording medium, the recording medium accommodation unit is full. The fact is displayed on the status display section.

  In this configuration, from a state in which the recording medium is accommodated in all of the plurality of recording medium accommodation units, or from a state in which the recording medium is not inserted only in the single recording medium accommodation unit When the recording medium was inserted, the gaming medium was lent out within the range of the amount value read by the cash processing unit or communication unit, and the inserted recording medium was not released based on the instruction to return the recording medium Sometimes it is displayed that the recording medium storage is full. Accordingly, even when the recording medium is stored in all of the plurality of recording medium storage units, it becomes possible to lend the gaming medium to the gaming table by inserting cash into the cash processing unit, and when the recording medium is not returned It is recognized from the outside that some of the recording media should be removed.

  The present invention has the following effects by the above-described means.

  (1) In a state in which a plurality of recording media can be accommodated, gaming media lending processing to the game machine and recording information reading and writing processing to the recording media can be accurately performed. As a result, a large amount of money can be obtained without causing recording media to be scattered outside the machine due to discharge of the recording media whose value is 0, an increase in the work burden on the store clerk, and fraudulent acts caused by counterfeit cards. It can be easily applied to the operation of a recording medium of monetary value.

  (2) The gaming medium lending process to the gaming machine can be performed based on the amount of money inserted into the cash processing unit even when no recording medium is stored in any of the plurality of recording medium storage units. As a result, when a high-priced recording medium is used, the return is instructed more frequently before the balance of the monetary value becomes 0, and all of the plurality of recording medium accommodation units tend to be empty. The game medium can be rented out to the game table by the insertion.

  (3) A state in which the game medium can be lent out to the game stand by adding cash to the cash processing unit even when no recording medium is stored in any of the plurality of recording medium storage units, and the recording medium should be replenished This can be notified to the outside.

  (4) Even if all the recording medium accommodation units are emptied when the recording medium is returned, the gaming media can be lent to the game stand by inserting cash into the cash processing unit or inserting the recording medium into the recording medium accommodation unit. At the same time, when the inserted recording medium is returned and the recording medium accommodation unit becomes empty, it is possible to notify the outside that the recording medium is to be replenished.

  (5) When the recording medium is accommodated in 2 to (n-1) recording medium accommodating units among the n recording medium accommodating units after the cash is inserted or the recording medium is inserted, Regardless of whether the return of the recording medium is instructed or not, the process of lending the gaming medium to the gaming machine can be continuously performed.

  (6) When the recording medium can be lent to the game stand by inserting cash into the cash processing section even when the recording medium is stored in all of the plurality of recording medium storage sections, and when the recording medium is not returned Can notify the outside that a part of the recording medium should be removed.

  Hereinafter, a game medium lending machine according to the best embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a game medium lending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game media lending machine 1 according to this embodiment is a pedestrian machine installed between pachinko machines or between pachislot machines in a pachinko hall, which is a game hall, and accepts an input of cash and an amount corresponding to the input amount This is a self-issuing machine that writes and issues recording information including value on a recording medium. The game medium lending machine 1 lends pachinko balls or coins that are game media to the corresponding pachinko machine or pachislot machine within the range of the monetary value included in the record information read from the inserted record medium.

  For this reason, the game medium lending machine 1 is limited in size and shape, and particularly needs to be formed thin in the width direction, and is configured in a thin rectangular housing. On the front side of the game medium lending machine 1, there are a bill insertion slot 2, a multi-lamp 3, an information display unit 4, a confirmation button 5, a status display lamp 6, a holder 7, a remote control light receiving unit and a storage display unit 8, a numeric keypad 9 and a membership card. An insertion port 10 is provided.

  The banknote insertion slot 2 accepts insertion of banknotes into the internal banknote identification device 11. The banknote identification device 11 corresponds to a cash processing unit of the present invention. The multi-lamp 3 is a state display unit of the present invention, and displays the operation state and warning of the game medium lending machine 1 by a lighting color and a lighting state (for example, a continuous lighting state or a blinking state). The information display unit 4 displays information such as the state of the holder 7 and an error code. The confirmation button 5 accepts an information display instruction operation in the information display unit 4. The status display lamp 6 displays the status of the IC stick in the holder 7 and the like. The IC stick will be described later.

  As an example, the holder 7 is a revolver type in which storage portions 7a to 7f, which are recording medium storage portions of the present invention, are formed in parallel to the axial direction at six rotational positions positioned at a constant rotation angle interval of 60 degrees. It is a rotating body. The accommodating portions 7 a to 7 f are columnar spaces that open to the front end face of the holder 7 and have a constant cross-sectional shape in the axial direction of the holder 7. The front surface of the holder 7 is covered with a cover portion 21a described later. Moreover, the number of the accommodating parts formed in the holder 7 is not limited to six.

  The remote control light receiving unit / storage display unit 8 receives the infrared light transmitted from the remote control related to the operation of the store clerk and displays the number of storage balls. The numeric keypad 9 accepts a number input operation by a store clerk. The membership card insertion slot 10 accepts insertion of a membership card into the internal card processing unit.

  2 and 3 are diagrams showing a configuration of a recording medium accommodation device provided in the game medium rental machine. 2A is a side view showing the internal structure of the recording medium accommodation apparatus, FIG. 2B is a front view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 2B.

  The recording medium accommodating device 20 is accommodated in a substantially central portion inside the game medium lending machine 1. The recording medium storage device 20 includes a holder 7, a rotating solenoid 22, a sliding solenoid 23, and an antenna 24 inside a housing 21.

  The holder 7 provided with the accommodating portions 7a to 7f is configured by integrating a front side member 70a and a back side member 70b with an intermediate body 70c. The holder 7 is rotatably and slidably supported by the rotation shafts 25a and 25b inside the recording medium accommodating device 20. That is, the holder 7 rotates about the rotation shafts 25a and 25b and is slidable in the axial direction of the rotation shafts 25a and 25b. The holder 7 is urged toward the front surface in the axial direction of the rotary shafts 25a and 25b by the elastic force of the spring 25c fitted around the rotary shaft 25b. A ratchet gear 26c is formed coaxially with the rotary shafts 25a and 25b at the rear side end of the back side member 70b.

  Each of the accommodating portions 7a to 7f formed in the holder 7 has a uniform D-shaped cross-sectional shape in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 25a. Each of the accommodating portions 7 a to 7 f is arranged with a straight portion in a D-shaped cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the radial direction of the holder 7 and on the outside. A pin 71 urged by a spring 72 is retractable and exposed on the back side in each of the accommodating portions 7a to 7f.

  A cover portion 21 a that covers the front surface of the holder 7 is formed on the front surface side of the housing 21. The cover portion 21a has a single window portion 21b at a position facing the uppermost rotational position among the six accommodating portions 7a to 7f opened on the front surface of the holder 7. Is formed. In addition, by comprising the cover 21a transparently, the accommodation state of the IC stick 30 in each accommodation part 7a-7f of the holder 7 can be visually confirmed from the outside.

  A link 26a is engaged with the actuator 22a of the solenoid 22 for rotation via a pin 22c. The link 26a is rotatable on a shaft 26d. A pin 26e protrudes from the side surface of the link 26a, and this pin 26e is engaged with the ratchet claw 26b. The ratchet pawl 26b is rotatable on the shaft 26f and engages with the ratchet gear 26c at the upper end.

  When a drive voltage is applied to the rotating solenoid 22 and the actuator 22a moves in the direction of arrow A, the link 26a rotates in the direction of arrow B about the shaft 26d. The rotation of the link 26a is transmitted to the ratchet pawl 26b via the pin 26e, the ratchet pawl 26b rotates around the shaft 26f in the direction of arrow C, and pushes up the ratchet teeth of the ratchet gear 26c upward. Rotate in the direction of arrow D.

  The ratchet gear 26c has six ratchet teeth protruding at equal intervals on the peripheral surface. Concave portions 73 are formed on the peripheral surface of the back-side member 70c of the holder 7 at six locations with a constant rotation angle interval (60 degrees). Inside the recording medium accommodating device 20, a locking pin 74 urged by a spring 75 is provided at a position facing the peripheral surface of the back side member 70c. Each time the holder 7 rotates, the locking pin 74 sequentially engages with each of the recesses 73 formed on the peripheral surface of the back side member 70c. Thus, each time a driving voltage is applied to the rotating solenoid 22, the holder 7 rotates 60 degrees in the direction of arrow D, and the window portion 21b of the housing 21 has storage portions 7a to 7f formed in the holder 7. Opposite in order.

  When the driving voltage is no longer applied to the rotating solenoid 22, the actuator 22a, the link 26a, and the ratchet pawl 26b return to the positions shown in FIGS. 2A and 3 due to the elastic force of the spring 22b fitted around the actuator 22a. .

  The antenna 24 constitutes a communication unit of the present invention, which is a part in the circumferential direction (the uppermost part in this example) on the circumferential surface of the intermediate part 70c of the holder 7 and faces the central part in the axial direction. Placed in position. This position is the communication position of the present invention.

  A lever 27 is engaged with the actuator 23a of the sliding solenoid 23 via a pin 23c. The lower end of the lever 27 is in contact with the front side of the ratchet gear 26 c provided at the back side end of the holder 7. When a driving voltage is applied to the sliding solenoid 23 and the actuator 23a moves in the direction of arrow E, the lever 27 also moves in the direction of arrow E, pressing the ratchet 26c to the back side. As a result, the holder 7 slides back against the elastic force of the spring 25c.

  When the drive voltage is no longer applied to the sliding solenoid 23, the actuator 23a and the lever 27 are returned to the positions shown in FIGS. 2A and 3 by the elastic force of the spring 23b fitted around the actuator 23a. The holder 7 is returned to the position shown in FIGS. 2A and 3 by the elastic force of the spring 25c.

  4 (A) and 4 (B) are a side sectional view and a front view of a recording medium applied to the game medium lending machine. The recording medium applied to the game medium lending machine is a bar-like IC stick 30 having a D-shaped cross-sectional shape at least in the middle portion in the axial direction. The IC stick 30 is divided into two parts, that is, a main body 31 and a lid body 32 that are fixed via two set screws 33. In the central portion of the IC stick 30 in the axial direction, a storage portion 34 is provided in the vicinity of the planar upper surface (the straight portion in the D-shaped cross section) of the lid 32. In the storage portion 34, an IC chip 36 including an antenna is stored. Concave portions 35 are formed at both end portions of the bottom surface of the main body 31 in the axial direction.

  The IC stick 30 is symmetric with respect to a center line in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction on the side surface and a center line parallel to the vertical direction on the front surface. An IC chip 36 is housed in the central portion in the axial direction. For this reason, when inserting the IC stick 30 into each accommodating part 7a-7f of the holder 7, the front-back direction is not ask | required.

  When the IC stick 30 is inserted from the window portion 21b formed in the housing 21 of the recording medium housing device 20 into the housing portion positioned at the top of the six housing portions 7a to 7f formed in the holder 7, The planar upper surface of the IC stick 30 faces the outside of the holder 7, and the IC chip 36 housed in the IC stick 30 faces the antenna 24 provided in the recording medium housing device 20 in the vicinity. For this reason, it becomes possible to communicate with the IC chip 36 of the IC stick 30 through the antenna 24 with a small amount of electric power.

  Further, when the IC stick 30 is housed in a housing portion other than the housing portion located at the top of the six housing portions 7 a to 7 f formed in the holder 7, the IC stick 30 is housed. The IC chip 36 is separated without facing the antenna 24. For this reason, the antenna 24 is accurately only between the IC chip 36 housed in the single IC stick 30 housed in the housing part located at the uppermost part of the housing parts 7a to 7f. Communication can be performed.

  Since the holder 7 rotates 60 degrees each time a driving voltage is applied to the rotating solenoid 22, the accommodating portions 7a to 7f can be made to face the window portion 21b in order, and the IC chip of the accommodated IC stick 30 It is possible to sequentially switch the accommodation unit 36 facing the antenna 24 close to the accommodation units 7a to 7f.

  Further, the pin 71 is elastically fitted to the recess 35 of the IC stick 30 accommodated in any of the accommodating portions 7a to 7f by the elastic force of the spring 72, and the axial movement in the accommodating portions 7a to 7f is performed. Is regulated. When discharging the IC stick 30 whose value is not zero, a driving voltage is applied to the sliding solenoid 23 to slide the holder 7 to the back side. At this time, the IC stick 30 accommodated in the accommodating portion located at the uppermost portion is in contact with the sensor 28 at the back side end portion and does not slide to the back side. Therefore, the holder 7 slides with respect to the IC stick 30 and the fitting of the pin 71 to the recess 35 is released. The sensor 28 detects the presence / absence of the IC stick 30 in the housing portion located at the communication position.

  Thereafter, when the driving voltage is not applied to the sliding solenoid 23 and the holder 7 returns to the front side, the pin 71 presses the back side of the IC stick 30, and the IC stick 30 moves to the front side together with the holder 7. Moving. As a result, the front side end of the IC stick 30 protrudes from the window 21 b of the housing 21 b to the front side, and the IC stick 30 can be removed from the holder 7.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the game medium lending machine. The control unit 50 of the game medium lending machine 1 is configured by connecting input / output devices such as interfaces 54 to 56, a communication unit 57, a solenoid driver 58, and a display unit controller 59 to a CPU 51 having a ROM 52 and a RAM 53. The CPU 51 controls each input / output device according to a program written in the ROM 52 in advance. Data input / output during this time is stored in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 53. In particular, the memory area MA1 of the RAM 53 is a storage unit according to the present invention, and stores the money value balance converted into frequency information for specifying the number of game media. Note that the memory area MA1 may store the value-value balance as the amount information.

  The CPU 51 is connected to a specific gaming machine 100 and the bill identifying device 11 and the sensor 28 in the gaming medium lending machine 1 through interfaces 54 to 56. The CPU 51 outputs a gaming medium lending signal to the gaming machine 100 via the interface 54 and receives inputs such as a gaming medium lending request and a return request for the IC stick 30 from the gaming medium 100. Further, the CPU 51 receives input of deposit amount information from the banknote recognition device 11 via the interface 55. Further, the CPU 11 receives input of presence / absence information of the IC stick 30 at the communication position from the sensor 28 via the interface 56.

  An antenna 24 is connected to the communication unit 57. The communication unit 57 communicates with the IC chip 36 of the IC stick 30 located at the communication position via the antenna 24 in a non-contact manner, and inputs the recording information read from the IC chip 36 to the CPU 51 and supplies it from the CPU 51. The recorded information is written into the IC chip 36. The IC chip 36 stores frequency information obtained by converting the monetary value into the number of game media as the monetary value information of the IC stick 30. Note that the communication unit 57 may perform contact communication with the IC stick 30. Further, the amount value information stored in the IC chip may be amount information representing the amount value itself. Further, when the CPU 51 is connected to the host device and the relationship between the identification information for identifying each IC stick 30 and the money value information is stored in the host device, the IC chip 36 replaces the money value information. The identification information individually set on the IC stick 30 can be stored as information for specifying the monetary value.

  The solenoid driver 58 is connected to the rotating solenoid 22 and the sliding solenoid 23. The solenoid driver 58 drives the rotating solenoid 22 and the sliding solenoid 23 based on the driving data supplied from the CPU 51. The display unit controller 59 is connected to the multi-lamp 3 and the like. The display controller 59 controls the multi-lamp 3 and the like based on the display data supplied from the CPU 51.

  6 to 10 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the control unit of the game medium lending machine, respectively, the main routine processing procedure, the normal processing procedure, the single accommodation procedure, the empty processing procedure, and It shows the processing procedure when full.

  When the game medium lending machine 1 is turned on, the CPU 51 confirms the accommodation state of the IC stick 30 in the accommodation portions 7a to 7f of the holder 7 (s1). The CPU 51 intermittently rotates the holder 7 once by driving the rotation solenoid 22 when confirming the accommodation state, and fetches the detection state of the sensor 28 in a state where each of the accommodation units 7a to 7f is located at the communication position. To do. The CPU 51 stores the accommodation state confirmation result in a predetermined memory area of the RAM 53.

  As a result, when the IC stick 30 is accommodated in all the accommodating portions 7a to 7f, the CPU 51 issues a full warning in the multi-lamp 3 (s2 → s3). When the IC stick 30 is not housed in any of the housing portions 7a to 7f, the CPU 51 issues an empty warning in the multi lamp 3 (s4 → s5).

  When the accommodating portions 7a to 7f are not full and at least one IC stick 30 is accommodated, the holder is arranged so that the empty accommodating portion is located at the communication position (position close to or facing the antenna 24). 7 is rotated (s4 → s6). In s6, for example, after rotating the holder 7 once in s1, the holder 7 is intermittently rotated by 60 degrees, and the detection signal of the sensor 28 is switched from on (IC stick 30 is detected) to off (IC stick). The rotation of the holder 7 is stopped when it is changed to a state in which 30 is not detected. Further, the number of times of driving of the rotating solenoid 22 may be determined based on the confirmation result in s1.

  After the processing of s3, s5, or s6, the CPU 51 waits for the insertion of cash into the bill recognition device 11 or the insertion of the IC stick 30 into the holder 7 (s7). When cash is inserted or the IC stick 30 is inserted, the CPU 51 checks the accommodation state of the IC stick 30 in the holder 7 (s8 to s10), and performs a lending process according to the accommodation state (s11 to s15). .

  When the IC stick 30 is inserted from the state in which only a single housing part of the holder 7 is empty during standby and the housing parts 7a to 7f of the holder 7 are full, the CPU 51 is full in the multi-lamp 3. A warning is displayed (s11), and the lending process when full is performed (s12).

  If the IC stick 30 is not accommodated in any of the accommodating portions 7a to 7f of the holder 7 during standby and the cash is inserted and the holder 7 continues to be in an empty state, the CPU 51 lends in the empty time. Processing is performed (s13).

  At the time of standby, the IC stick 30 is inserted from a state where the IC stick 30 is not accommodated in any of the accommodating portions 7a to 7f of the holder 7, or only one of the accommodating portions 7a to 7f of the holder 7 When cash is inserted from the state in which the IC stick 30 is accommodated and the number of IC sticks 30 accommodated in the holder 7 becomes 1, the CPU 51 performs a lending process at the time of single accommodation (s14).

  In the standby state, the IC stick 30 is inserted from a state in which the IC stick 30 is accommodated in at least one of the accommodating portions 7a to 7f of the holder 7 and a plurality of them are empty, or the accommodating portions 7a to 7a of the holder 7 are At least two of 7f contain the IC stick 30 and at least one is empty, so that cash is put into the holder 7 and the holder 7 has 2 to 5 pieces (the number of accommodation parts formed in the holder 7 is n). When 2 to (n-1) IC sticks 30 are accommodated, the CPU 51 performs a normal lending process (s15).

  In the normal lending process, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 51 first confirms whether cash is inserted or the IC stick 30 is inserted in s7 (s21). When the cash is inserted, the CPU 51 reads the inserted amount information from the banknote identification device 11, converts the inserted amount into a frequency (for example, 100 yen is defined as one frequency), and stores it in the memory area MA 1 of the RAM 53. The remaining number is displayed (s22).

  When the IC stick 30 is inserted, the CPU 51 reads the money value information (frequency) from the IC chip 36 of the IC stick 30, stores it in the memory area MA1 of the RAM 53, and displays the remaining frequency (s23). The remaining frequency is displayed on either the recording medium lending machine 1 or the gaming machine 100. When the remaining frequency is displayed on the gaming machine 100, the CPU 51 supplies the remaining frequency data to the gaming machine 100. Further, the CPU 51 stores the remaining number 0 in the IC chip 36 of the IC stick 30 that has read the money value information.

  Thereafter, the CPU 51 waits for an input of a game medium lending request from the gaming table 100 (s24). When a gaming medium lending request is input from the gaming table 100 to the CPU 51 based on a player's operation related to a gaming medium lending instruction in the gaming table 100, the CPU 51 has a remaining count of 10 or more stored in the memory area MA1. It is determined whether or not (s25).

  When the remaining frequency is 10 or more, the CPU 51 outputs a game medium lending instruction for 10 times to the gaming table 100 and 10 times from the remaining frequency in the memory area MA1 or the remaining frequency of the IC chip 36 of the IC stick 30. Is subtracted (s26). Next, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the remaining frequency after subtraction has become 0 (s27). If the remaining frequency is not 0, the CPU 51 relates to the above lending request or the return instruction in the gaming machine 100. Based on the player's operation, it waits for a return request for the remaining number to be input from the gaming table 100 to the CPU 51 (s28 → s24).

  When a return request is input, the CPU 51 rotates the holder 7 intermittently (until the sensor 28 detects the IC stick 30) until the housing portion that houses the IC stick 30 comes to the communication position (s29). However, when the player starts processing by inserting the IC stick 30 in s21, the holder 7 does not need to be rotated because the accommodating portion that already accommodates the IC stick 30 is already located at the communication position. . Further, the CPU 51 writes the remaining number stored in the memory area MA1 as money value information on the IC chip 36 of the IC stick 30, and then operates the sliding solenoid 23 to eject the IC stick 30 (s30).

  When the remaining number is less than 10 in s25, the CPU 51 outputs a gaming medium lending instruction for the total remaining number to the gaming table 100 (s31), and intermittently holds the holder 7 until the empty accommodation section comes to the communication position. (S32). The CPU 51 intermittently rotates the holder 7 even when the remaining number becomes 0 after lending processing of the game media for 10 times, and positions the accommodating portion that does not accommodate the IC stick 30 at the communication position (s27). → s32). However, when cash is inserted in s21, the empty accommodation part is already positioned at the communication position before the start of the lending process, and there is no need to rotate the holder 7.

  In the lending process at the time of single accommodation, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 51 performs the same processes as s21 to s28 and s32 of the normal lending process shown in FIG. 7 and when a return request is input in s28, It is determined whether or not the cash is inserted or the IC stick 30 is inserted in s7 (s41). If the cash has been inserted in s21, the CPU 51 rotates the holder 7 intermittently until the accommodating portion accommodating the IC stick 30 comes to the communication position (until the sensor 28 detects the IC stick 30) (s42). After the remaining frequency stored in the memory area MA1 is written in the IC chip 36 of the IC stick 30 as money value information, the sliding solenoid 23 is operated to eject the IC stick 30 (s43).

  When the player starts the process by inserting the IC stick 30 in s21, the CPU 51 stores the memory area MA1 in the IC chip 36 of the IC stick 30 accommodated in the accommodation unit currently located at the communication position. After the stored remaining number is written as money value information, the sliding solenoid 23 is operated to eject the IC stick 30 (s44). The CPU 51 issues a warning that the IC stick 30 is not stored after the IC stick 30 is ejected (s45).

  In the idle lending process, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 51 performs the processes of s22, s24 to s28, s31, and s32 in the normal lending process shown in FIG. When a return request is input in s28, the CPU 51 generates a warning for prompting replenishment of the IC stick 30 (s51), and waits for the IC stick 30 to be inserted into the holder 7 (s52). When the IC stick 30 is inserted into the holder 7, the CPU 51 writes the remaining frequency stored in the memory area MA1 as money value information in the IC chip 36 of the IC stick 30, and then operates the sliding solenoid 23 to operate the IC. The stick 30 is discharged (s53), and a warning that the IC stick 30 is not stored is issued (s54). However, when a plurality of IC sticks 30 are inserted into the holder 7 in response to the warning of s51, the warning of s54 is not performed.

  In the full lending process, as shown in FIG. 10, the processes of s21 to s28 and s31 in the normal lending process shown in FIG. 7 are performed. When a return request is input in s28, the CPU 51 writes the remaining frequency stored in the memory area MA1 as monetary value information in the IC chip 36 of the IC stick 30, and then operates the sliding solenoid 23 to operate the IC stick 30. Is discharged (s61), and the full warning is canceled (s62).

  As described above, in the game medium lending machine 1, when operating with a plurality of IC sticks 30 accommodated, it corresponds to the number of all the IC sticks 30 that can occur before the start of the lending process. The optimal lending process is performed based on the cash input amount information or the amount value information read from the IC stick 30. For this reason, it is possible to accept insertion of another IC stick 30 without releasing the IC stick 30 whose monetary value is 0 to the outside of the machine, scattering of the IC stick 30 in the amusement hall, increasing the work load of the store clerk, In addition, it is possible to operate a lending process using the IC stick 30 having a large amount of money without incurring fraud. As a result, the player can receive the game media not only by inserting cash but also by inserting the IC stick 30 returned by the other game media lending machine 1.

  Note that when a store clerk operates a remote controller (not shown) while an empty warning, a full warning, or a replenishment warning is generated, the CPU 51 appropriately rotates the holder 7 by an interruption process even during the lending process.

1 is an external view of a game medium lending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the side view and front view which show the structure of the recording medium accommodation apparatus with which the said game medium rental machine is equipped. It is sectional drawing of the XX part in FIG.2 (B). It is a side sectional view and a front view of a recording medium applied to the game medium lending machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the said game media rental machine. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the main routine in the said control part. It is a flowchart which shows the rental process at the normal time in the said control part. It is a flowchart which shows the lending process at the time of single accommodation in the said control part. It is a flowchart which shows the rental process at the time of the said control part. It is a flowchart which shows the rental process at the time of a full in the said control part.

Explanation of symbols

1-Game media lending machine 3-Multi lamp (status display part)
7-holder 7a-7f-accommodating part 11-banknote identification device (cash processing part)
20-Recording medium accommodation device 22-Solenoid for rotation (moving part)
23-Solenoid for sliding 24-Antenna (communication part)
30-IC stick (recording medium)
36-IC chip 50-Control unit 51-CPU
57-Communication part MA1-Memory area (storage part)

Claims (6)

Connected to a gaming machine,
A cash processing unit that accepts the input of cash and reads the input amount;
N (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) recording medium accommodating portions each detachably accommodating a single recording medium;
A communication unit that reads and writes the record information including the amount value information or the amount value information for the recording medium stored in each recording medium storage unit at a predetermined communication position;
A moving unit that selectively moves each recording medium housing unit to a communication position;
A status display section for displaying the operating status externally;
If the number of recording medium accommodating units that accommodates the recording medium at the start of processing after the cash is inserted into the cash processing unit or after the recording medium is inserted into the recording medium accommodating unit is one If there are 2 to (n-1) pieces or n pieces of processing contents, the gaming medium lending process within the range of the amount of money read by the cash processing unit or the communication unit, A game medium lending machine comprising: a control unit that controls reading and writing processing of the recorded information on the recording medium and display processing in the status display unit.   The control unit includes a storage unit that subtracts and stores an amount corresponding to the lent game medium from the input amount read by the cash processing unit, and stores the storage unit when the return of the recording medium is instructed. 2. The game medium lending machine according to claim 1, wherein processing for writing the record information including the amount value information on the amount or information for specifying the amount value on the recording medium to be released is performed.   The control unit lends the game medium within the range of the amount value read by the cash processing unit when there are no recording medium storage units storing the recording medium at the start of processing, and the recording medium storage unit is empty. The game medium lending machine according to claim 1, wherein the status display unit displays the fact that it is.   The control unit lends a game medium within the range of the amount of money read by the cash processing unit or the communication unit when there is one recording medium storage unit storing the recording medium at the start of processing, 2. The game medium rental according to claim 1, wherein when the return is instructed, the recording medium on which the balance of the amount of money is written is released and the state display unit displays that the recording medium accommodation unit is empty. Machine.   When the control unit has 2 to (n-1) recording medium storage units storing recording media at the start of processing, the game medium is rented within the range of the amount of money read by the cash processing unit or the communication unit The game medium lending machine according to claim 1, wherein when the return of the recording medium is instructed, the recording medium into which the balance of the monetary value is written is released.   The control unit lends a game medium within the range of the amount of money read by the cash processing unit or the communication unit when there are n recording medium storage units storing the recording medium at the start of processing. When the return of the recording medium is instructed, the recording medium in which the balance of the monetary value is written is released, and when the value of the monetary value becomes 0 without instructing the return of the recording medium, the recording medium accommodation unit is full. 2. The game medium lending machine according to claim 1, wherein the game medium lending machine is displayed on a status display unit.

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