JP2006068097A - Game medium discrimination apparatus and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game medium discrimination apparatus where consumption and deterioration of a part and an element for an information processing part which reads identification information recorded in a charged game medium are suppressed. <P>SOLUTION: A token discrimination apparatus has: an information processing part for reading game-related information recorded in a token; a guide path 3a for guiding the token to the information processing part; a sorting mechanism 10 for sorting tokens of a prescribed standard to be held and the other tokens to pass through the guide path 3a based on the shapes of the tokens at the guide path 3a; and a distribution mechanism for distributing the tokens sorted by the sorting mechanism 10 to a prescribed discharge path or a prescribed processing path. Then, when the token of the prescribed standard is held by the sorting mechanism 10, the information processing part carries out reading of the game-related information of the token. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium discriminating apparatus that discriminates game media to which electronic identification information is assigned. The present invention also relates to a gaming machine incorporating such a game medium discrimination device.

  Generally, game machines installed in amusement halls are of a type that can be played directly by inserting banknotes or coins, and a type that can be played using game media such as medals. There is. When playing the latter type of game, the player inserts banknotes and money into a game medium lending machine installed in the game hall in advance, and receives payout of game media according to the value. .

  By the way, recently, a technique of renting a plurality of game media having a game value as a single game media has been performed. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, an information recording element such as an IC chip is embedded in a medal that is a game medium, and the value of a predetermined number of medals is stored in the information recording element. By writing certain medal value information (such as the value of 50 medals) and authentication information (store ID, password, etc.) related to medal authentication, a large number of medals can be obtained even though it is a single medal. It is possible to give the same effect as possessing a game (information recorded on a medal in this way is referred to as game-related information). According to such a method, the player does not need to own a large number of medals, the insertion operation is simplified in the game, and the game can be performed easily. In addition, it is no longer necessary to handle a large number of medals in the game hall, and it is possible to simplify the gaming device and the gaming system.

Normally, when processing a medal embedded with an information recording element as described above, the gaming machine reads the game-related information recorded in the information recording element, and if it is a legitimate medal, A game medium discriminating device is installed that transmits a permission signal indicating permission to the control board on the gaming machine side. In this game medium discrimination device, a medal inserted by a player is read by an information processing unit (reader / writer) or the like, a regular medal is guided to a predetermined collection route, and an illegal medal is returned to a return slot. Or a warning that it is an illegal medal.
JP 2003-52903 A JP 2002-177626 A

  In the known game medium discriminating apparatus described above, all medals inserted from the slot are subjected to authentication processing, and as a result, measures such as returning illegal medals to the return slot are taken. The information processing unit is constantly executing the reading process operation while the medal is inserted. For this reason, the load on the information processing unit increases, resulting in expediting wear and deterioration of components and elements.

  In addition, performing the reading process for all inserted medals can easily lead to fraud or malfunction. Furthermore, if the reading process is continuously performed one by one, there is a problem that the process becomes slow when a regular medal and an illegal medal are mixed.

  The present invention has been made based on the above-described problem, and a game medium that can suppress wear and deterioration of components and elements in an information processing section that reads identification information recorded in a game medium to be inserted. An object is to provide a discrimination device.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine incorporating such a game medium discrimination device.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a game medium discriminating apparatus according to the present invention includes an information processing unit that reads game-related information recorded in a game medium, and the game medium as described in claim 1. A guide path that guides the information processing unit to the information processing section, and a sorting mechanism that sorts the game medium having a predetermined standard based on the shape of the game medium so as to hold the game medium other than the predetermined standard and pass through the guide path, A distribution mechanism that distributes game media selected by the selection mechanism to a predetermined discharge route or a predetermined processing route, and the information processing unit holds game media of a predetermined standard by the selection mechanism. The game-related information of the game medium is read when the game medium is being played.

  According to the game medium discriminating apparatus having the above-described configuration, the game medium thrown into the slot by the player is guided to the information processing unit via the guide path and is held by the sorting mechanism. The information processing unit reads game-related information recorded on the game medium, but does not execute the read operation on all the game media, but games of a predetermined standard selected by the selection mechanism. Reading is performed while holding the medium, and game media other than the predetermined standard are allowed to pass through without being held, and are guided to a predetermined discharge path via the sorting mechanism. In this way, when a non-standard game medium is inserted, the information processing unit does not execute the reading operation, so it is possible to reduce the load on the information processing unit, It becomes possible to suppress wear and deterioration of the element. In addition, since reading processing is not performed for all game media to be inserted, the possibility of fraud can be reduced, and the possibility of malfunctions can be reduced.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game medium determination device including a control unit that controls operations of the information processing unit, the selection mechanism, and the distribution mechanism, and the control unit constantly controls the distribution mechanism. , Maintaining the discharge path in an open state, and when the information processing unit reads game-related information of a predetermined standard game medium, closes the discharge path, opens the processing path, and After the game media of a predetermined standard is guided along the route, drive control is performed so as to close the processing route and open the discharge route.

  According to the configuration described above, since the distribution mechanism opens the discharge path in advance, when a game medium other than the predetermined standard is inserted, the distribution mechanism does not drive the components or the like as it is. It is discharged to the discharge path, and it becomes possible to suppress the consumption and deterioration of the parts and elements as described above as much as possible. In addition, when a game medium of a predetermined standard is inserted, the distribution mechanism processes the game medium via a predetermined processing path and then closes the processing path again. For example, a thread is attached to the game medium. Thus, an illegal operation for pulling back the game medium can be prevented.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game medium discriminating apparatus, wherein the processing path includes detection means for detecting the passage of the game medium, and the control means detects the passage of the game medium. In this case, a permission signal transmission process based on the game-related information is executed.

  In this way, the game-related information is not subjected to transmission processing when it is read by the information processing unit, but based on the game-related information when the detection means on the downstream side of the information processing unit detects the passage of the game medium. Since the permission signal is transmitted, for example, after the reading process is finished, only the first game medium passing is enabled, and the second and subsequent game medium passing is disabled, so that unauthorized operations can be performed. It becomes possible to prevent reliably. In other words, even if a fraudulent act or the like is performed by pulling back a game medium or the like, such a fraudulent act is surely prevented by invalidating the passage of the game medium for the second and subsequent times. . Note that the above-described permission signal may be the read game-related information itself, or may be a signal that permits the gaming machine side to increase credits.

  Further, in the game medium determining apparatus according to claim 4, the control means performs invalidation processing of the game related information stored in the game medium after the information processing unit reads the game related information of the game medium. It is characterized by that.

  In this way, once the game-related information recorded on a game medium of a predetermined standard is formally read, immediately after invalidating the game-related information, double reading operation due to fraud etc. Can be reliably prevented. Further, since the game-related information after the game has been deleted, the game-related information cannot be reused even if the game medium is illegally taken out from the predetermined storage unit, so that the security can be improved. In this case, the game-related information to be invalidated only needs to include at least information related to authentication (for example, authentication information such as a store ID and a password). That is, the medal cannot be reused by invalidating such authentication information. For this reason, information relating to game values that are not related to the authentication information may be invalidated or recorded as it is. As for the invalidation processing, the game-related information may be completely erased, or information for invalidating the information so as not to be read without erasing the game-related information is added. It may be a thing.

  The game medium discriminating apparatus according to claim 5 is characterized in that the guide path, the discharge path, and the processing path extend in a vertical direction to guide the game medium in a falling direction.

  According to such a configuration, since the processing operation as described above is executed simply by dropping the game medium by its own weight, the processing speed is increased, and a transport mechanism for separately transporting the game medium, etc. Is not necessary, and the configuration is simplified and the cost is reduced.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the game medium discriminating apparatus prevents the game medium from moving from the guide path to the information processing section while the information processing section is reading the game-related information of the game medium. A deterrent mechanism is provided.

  By providing such a deterrent mechanism, the next inserted game medium is not guided to the information processing unit while one predetermined standard game medium is being processed. It is possible to avoid clogging or malfunctions in the reading operation.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game medium discriminating apparatus including an information processing unit that reads game-related information recorded in a game medium, and the game-related information of a predetermined standard is determined based on the shape of the game medium. Reading is performed, and game media other than a predetermined standard are discharged from a predetermined discharge route without executing reading of the game related information.

  In the information processing unit described above, game-related information recorded on the game medium is read, but the read operation is not performed on all the game media, but on the game media of a predetermined standard. Since gaming media other than the predetermined standard are not read, it is possible to reduce the load on the information processing unit, and to suppress wear and deterioration of components and elements arranged in the information processing unit. It becomes possible. In addition, since reading processing is not performed for all game media to be inserted, the possibility of fraud can be reduced, and the possibility of malfunctions can be reduced.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in a gaming machine including a housing in which a gaming device is installed, game-related information recorded in a game medium is read inside the housing. An information processing unit, a guide path for guiding the game medium to the information processing unit, and a game medium having a predetermined standard based on the shape of the game medium are held in the guide path, and a game medium other than the predetermined standard is allowed to pass therethrough. A game medium discriminating apparatus having a sorting mechanism for sorting the game media and a sorting mechanism for sorting the game media sorted by the sorting mechanism into a predetermined discharge path or a predetermined processing path. When a game medium of a predetermined standard is held by the sorting mechanism, the game-related information of the game medium is read.

  As described above, the game medium discriminating apparatus having the above-described functions can be incorporated in various game machines such as a slot machine and a card game machine, and thus the game medium discriminating apparatus can be removed. Time and effort when attaching is reduced.

  According to the gaming medium discriminating apparatus and gaming machine according to the present invention, with respect to the gaming medium to be inserted, the gaming medium other than the predetermined standard is discharged without reading the identification information recorded therein, and the gaming of the predetermined standard Since the identification information reading process is executed only for the medium, it is possible to suppress wear and deterioration of components and elements in the information processing unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the game medium discrimination device according to the present invention will be described.
The game medium discriminating apparatus according to the present embodiment is incorporated in advance in various game machines or is externally attached to various game machines. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a type in which a game medium determination device is externally attached to a gaming machine. In this configuration example, a game medium formed in a disc shape (hereinafter referred to as a medal) is used, and an IC tag in which game-related information is previously written is embedded therein. Used. A player obtains such a medal in exchange for money at a predetermined reception counter or an automatic medal issuing device.

  In addition, in the medal used in the present embodiment, only the authentication information (store ID, password, etc.) relating to the medal authentication is recorded as game related information, and the reader / writer installed in the information processing unit described later is When the recorded authentication information is read and it is normal, a permission signal indicating that a predetermined credit (for example, 50 credits) specifying the number of games may be increased is transmitted to the gaming machine main body side. It is like that. Of course, the game related information is not limited to the authentication information as described above, and for example, specific value information about the medal may be recorded. Moreover, the structure which transmits the read authentication information and value information as it is to the game machine main body side may be sufficient.

  A game medium discriminating apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a medal discriminating apparatus) 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is accommodated in a container 100 that is externally attached to a housing of the gaming machine, and is provided on an upper surface portion of the container 100. The medals inserted by the player from the medal insertion slot 101 are processed. The medal discriminating apparatus 1 is electrically connected to a control board on the gaming machine main body (not shown), and a reader / writer constituting an information processing unit provided in the medal discriminating apparatus 1 is a medal as will be described later. If the authentication information is read and it is appropriate, a permission signal indicating that the preset number of credits may be increased is transmitted to the control board on the gaming machine body side, and the number of players has increased. It is possible to play games within the credit range.

  In addition, a return port 105 is provided on the front surface of the container 100, and when a medal other than a predetermined standard is inserted from the medal insertion port 101 as described later, or the authentication information is not official. When a medal is inserted, it is returned as it is. In addition, a curved medal placement section that allows medals to be stacked in a standing state so that medals can be continuously inserted into the medal insertion slot 101 on the upper surface of the container 100 of the present embodiment. 110 and a display unit 115 for displaying authentication information of inserted medals.

  2 to 5 show the configuration of the medal discriminating device housed in the housing body 100 described above. FIG. 2 is a perspective view, FIG. 3 is a front view seen from the medal slot side, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a medal guide route, and FIG. 6 is a side view showing the back side of the medal guide route.

  As shown in these drawings, the medal discriminating device 1 includes a base 2 installed inside the container 100. The base 2 has a pair of left and right medals as shown in FIG. Guide members 3A and 3B are provided. The medal guide members 3A and 3B have a thickness of about one medal to guide the medal M inserted from the medal insertion slot 101, and extend substantially straight so that the medal M will be described later. A guide path 3a that guides the processing section and a processing path 3b that gradually becomes wider from the guide path 3a along the traveling direction of medals are formed.

  In this case, the medal discrimination device 1 according to the present embodiment is attached to the container 100 so that the guide path 3a and the processing path 3b extend in a substantially vertical direction. That is, the medal M is guided to the guide path 3a and the processing path 3b simply by dropping due to its own weight.

  The medal guide members 3A and 3B are sandwiched between base plates 5 and 6 made of resin or the like on both sides, and the medal M is a space between the base plates 5 and 6 in the medal guide member 3A. , 3B falls along the guide path 3a and the processing path 3b.

  On the surface side of the base plate 5, a sorting mechanism 10 for sorting medals is arranged on one medal guide member 3A side, and a medal is dropped on the other medal guide member 3B side (the medal to the information processing unit). A deterrence mechanism 30 for deterring (falling) is arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a distribution mechanism 50 for distributing the selected medals is disposed in the processing path 3b.

  The sorting mechanism 10 is configured to sort the medals M guided by the guide path 3a into regular and non-regular medals based on the shape thereof. In this embodiment, the diameter of the inserted medals is selected. And the thickness is selected. Specifically, in the gaming machine according to the present embodiment, a medal having a diameter of 31φ and a thickness of 4 mm is used, and a medal having a diameter of less than 31φ or a thickness of less than 4 mm is inserted. In the case where it is done, it is allowed to pass through without being stopped in the region of the sorting mechanism 10 (only one of the diameter and the thickness may be sorted).

  The sorting mechanism 10 having the above-described function includes a base 11 fixed to the medal guide member 3A, a solenoid (hereinafter referred to as a first solenoid) 12 that is a first drive source held by the base 11, and a first And a lever member 13 that is driven by exciting the solenoid 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the lever member 13 is formed in an L shape in a plan view, and an operating portion 13 a extending along the dropping direction of the medal on the upper side of the first solenoid 12, and its distal end side And a bent portion 13b which is bent at a right angle. The lever member 13 is supported by a proximal end portion of the operating portion 13a on the rear side of the first solenoid 12 (the support portion is indicated by reference numeral 13c), and further, an extension portion is formed on the rear side thereof, A tension spring 13d is provided between the guide member 3A (which may be the base plate 5 or the base 11).

  The lever member 13 is supported so as to be rotatable about the support portion 13c. When the first solenoid 12 is excited, the lever member 13 is attracted against the urging force of the tension spring 13d. It is rotated at a predetermined angle with respect to the non-sorting position (the operating portion 13a is driven to rotate so that the bent portion 13b is lowered toward the guide path 3a). In addition, a connecting plate 15 is installed between the medal guide members 3A and 3B, and the operating member 13a abuts on an adjusting screw 15a provided on the back side of one end of the connecting plate 15 so that the lever member. 13 rotation ranges are regulated (see FIG. 3). In addition, it is possible to regulate the rotation range of the lever member 13 by adjusting the protruding amount of the adjusting screw 15a.

  The lever member 13 is provided with a member (abutting member) that allows the medal to be selected by hitting the medal. As shown in each drawing of FIG. 7, the contact member of the present embodiment is constituted by a pair of cylindrical corner members 16A and 16B attached to the bent portion 13b. The tip ends of the corner members 16A and 16B can project into the guide path 3a through the base plate 5, and taper portions 16a and 16b that taper toward the tip are formed in the tip regions of both. ing.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 7, the specific structure of the lever member 13 and the corner members 16A and 16B and the medal selection function will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the lever member 13 is supported in a state where the bent portion 13b is inclined downward in advance with respect to the horizontal direction P, and the inclined member 13b has the same length. The corner members 16A and 16B are attached. When the lever member 13 is rotationally driven to the selection position by the first solenoid 12 as described above, the double-sided members 16A and 16B, as shown in FIG. It is attached to the bent portion 13b so as not to pass through it. Accordingly, a medal of less than 31φ that is out of specification (indicated by a dotted line) passes between the two corner members 16A and 16B and is not stopped (held) by the two corner members 16A and 16B.

  In addition, the inclination angle of the lever member 13 and the lengths of the two-corner members 16A and 16B are shown in FIG. 7C when the lever member 13 is rotationally driven to the selection position by the first solenoid 12. As described above, in the gap between the lower end surface of the corner member 16b and the surface of the base plate 6 (the surface of the guide path), a medal with a thickness of 4 mm or more is set against the outer periphery of the tapered portion 16b so as not to pass. Yes. Accordingly, a medal (indicated by a dotted line) with a thickness less than 4 mm that is not standard passes through the gap between the corner member 16B and the surface of the base plate 6, and is not stopped (held) here.

  In this case, when a non-standard medal with a thickness of less than 4 mm is actually inserted, most of the medal edge abuts against the taper portion 16a of the corner member 16A, and the corner member 16B is shifted to the corner member 16B as it is. It passes through the gap between the lower end surface of the member 16b and the surface of the base plate 6. That is, the medals are easily slipped by being applied to the tapered portion 16a, and are smoothly guided to one gap side.

  In the above-described configuration, the bent portion 13b serving as a support member is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane P. However, the bent portion is supported so as to coincide with the horizontal plane P, and a pair of different lengths is supported here. These corner members may be arranged.

  Next, the configuration of the suppression mechanism 30 that suppresses the fall of medals arranged on the medal guide member 3B side will be described.

  The deterrent mechanism 30 does not necessarily need to be installed, but in a configuration in which medals are dropped and guided to the sorting mechanism 10 as in the present embodiment, the medals are successively dropped as the medals are continuously inserted. In some cases, clogging may occur in the sorting mechanism. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent such clogging etc. effectively by installing the suppression mechanism 30.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the suppression mechanism 30 having the above-described function includes a base 31 fixed to the medal guide member 3 </ b> B and a solenoid (second solenoid) that is a second drive source held by the base 31. 32) and a lever member 33 that is driven by exciting the second solenoid 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the lever member 33 is formed in an L shape in a plan view, and an operating portion 33 a that extends along the dropping direction of the medal above the second solenoid 32, and the tip side thereof And a bent portion 33b that is bent toward the guide path 3a side. A restraining piece 33c is formed at the tip of the bent portion 33b, and when the above-described second solenoid 32 is excited and the lever member 33 is driven to rotate, the restraining piece 33c moves downward, The entrance portion of the guide path 3a is closed.

  The lever member 33 is supported by a base end portion on the rear side of the second solenoid 32 of the operating portion 33a (a support portion is indicated by reference numeral 33c), and further, an extension portion is formed on the rear side thereof. A tension spring 33d is provided between the guide member 3B (which may be the base plate 5 or the base 31). That is, the lever member 33 is supported so as to be rotatable about the support portion 33c, and is attracted against the urging force of the tension spring 33d when the second solenoid 32 is excited, and has a predetermined angle. The actuator 33a is rotationally driven (the actuator 33a is rotationally driven so that the bent portion 33b and the restraining piece 33c are lowered toward the guide path 3a). In this case, the rotation range of the lever member 33 is regulated by the operating portion 33a abutting against an adjustment screw 15b provided on the back side of the other end of the connecting plate 15. In addition, it is possible to regulate the rotation range of the lever member 33 by adjusting the protruding amount of the adjusting screw 15b (see FIG. 3).

  Next, the configuration of the distribution mechanism 50 that is arranged in the processing path 3b and distributes the selected medals will be described.

  The distribution mechanism 50 includes a distribution lever 51 that is rotatably supported by the base plate 6 (or the base 2), and a drive motor 53 that is a third drive source that rotationally drives the distribution lever 51. It is configured with. As shown in FIG. 5, the sorting lever 51 has a base end portion rotatably supported by a support member 51a, and selects one of the two paths so as to distribute the processing path 3b. Yes. That is, in the processing path 3b, either the processing path 55 shown in FIG. 5 or the discharge path 56 shown in FIG. Functions as a route. In this case, the processing path 55 is a path for guiding regular medals to a predetermined storage unit (not shown), and the discharge path 56 is for guiding medals to the return port 105 shown in FIG. It is a route.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a first sensor 60 that detects the passage of medals is installed in the opening area of the medal guide member 3A that defines the guide path 3a. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a second sensor 61 and a third sensor 62 for detecting the passage of medals are also installed on the downstream side of the processing path 55 and the discharge path 56, respectively. In the present embodiment, these sensors are constituted by transmissive photosensors, which detect a change in the amount of light when a medal passes and generate a detection signal. Of course, the sensor may be any sensor that can detect the passage of medals, and a reflective sensor or a mechanical sensor may be used.

  In the guide path 3a, the length of the medal advancing direction substantially corresponds to the diameter of the medal, and the information processing that can read the authentication information recorded in the IC tag embedded in the medal is performed here. Part 65 is installed. The information processing unit 65 is a part where an authentication information reading operation is performed when a medal is held by the sorting mechanism 10 described above, and is attached to the back side of the base plate 6 as shown in FIG. Further, it includes components such as a reader / writer (non-contact type antenna) 66 that can read and erase authentication information recorded on an IC tag embedded in a medal.

  Further, detection signals from the respective sensors 60, 61, 62 are input to the back surface side of the base plate 6, and the drive control of the first to third drive sources 12, 32, 53 described above and the reader / writer 66 are performed. A control circuit board 70 for controlling a reading process, an erasing process operation, and the like is attached, and the entire operation of the medal discrimination device 1 is controlled.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control circuit board (control means) 70 described above. The control circuit board 70 includes a CPU 72 having a control function of each drive unit in the medal discriminating device such as the first solenoid 12, the second solenoid 32, the drive motor 53, and the reader / writer 66 described above, and the operation of each drive unit described above. A program ROM 73 storing a program, a control RAM 74, and the like are provided.

  The CPU 72 includes a first solenoid drive circuit 82, a second solenoid drive circuit 83, a drive motor drive circuit 85, and a reader / writer drive control circuit for driving the drive units described above via the I / O port 75. The operation of each drive unit is controlled by a control signal from the CPU 72 in accordance with an operation program stored in the program ROM 73. The CPU 72 is connected to the first to third sensors 60, 61, 62 described above via the I / O port 75, and controls the drive of each drive unit based on the detection signal from each sensor. To do. Further, the CPU 72 is connected to the gaming machine side control board 200 that executes the gaming process arranged on the gaming machine side via the I / O port 75, and the reader is connected to the gaming machine side control board 200. It is possible to execute the game by transmitting the authentication information read by the writer 66.

  Next, the control processing operation in the medal discrimination device 1 will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the medal discrimination device 1 is set to an initial state (ST1). In this initial state, the first solenoid 12 is excited, and the pair of square members 16A and 16B provided on the lever member 13 of the sorting mechanism 10 are in the state shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C ( The sorting lever 51 of the sorting mechanism 50 is in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 5 (the processing path 55 is closed and the discharge path 56 is opened), and the second solenoid 32 is in a non-excited state. In the (deactivated state), the restraining piece 33c is in a state of opening the guide path 3a.

  When the player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 101 of the container 100 shown in FIG. 1, the medal is guided to the guide path 3a via the restraining piece 33c in the open state. At this time, when a non-standard medal (here, a medal having a diameter of less than 31φ or a medal having a thickness of less than 4 mm) is inserted, the above-described sorting mechanism 10 is operated as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C. ), The medal is passed as it is without being held by the corners 16A and 16B, and guided to the discharge path 56 in the open state by the sorting lever 51.

  In this operation, the first sensor 60 and the third sensor 62 continuously detect the passage of medals, but no special processing is performed, and the next medal is kept in the initial state. Processing is performed (ST2, Yes). That is, when a non-standard medal is inserted, the reader / writer 66 does not perform any reading operation or the like in the information processing unit 65, and the medal passes as it is and is returned to the medal return port 105.

  Further, when the third sensor 62 does not detect the passage of the medal after a predetermined time after the first sensor 60 detects the passage of the medal (at this time, the medal is of a predetermined standard, the corners 16A, 16A, 16B), the second solenoid 32 is excited to rotate the lever member 33, and the guide path 3a is closed by the restraining piece 33c (ST2, No, ST3). That is, the medal that is inserted and dropped next is stopped by the restraining piece 33c so as not to cause clogging or the like in the portion of the sorting mechanism (information processing unit 65).

  In this state, the reader / writer 66 reads the authentication information stored in the embedded IC chip with respect to the held medal (ST4). In addition, the process of ST3 and the process of ST4 may be simultaneous, and may be reverse.

  If the authentication information of the read medal is not appropriate, for example, if the read identification information is inappropriate or cannot be read for some reason, the first solenoid 12 is de-energized. As a result, the lever member 13 of the sorting mechanism 10 is rotated to raise the corner members 16A and 16B (to the non-sorting position), and the medal is returned to the return port 105 as it is (ST5, No, ST6). Thereafter, the process returns to ST1 again (the first solenoid 12 is excited and the second solenoid 32 is de-energized), and the next medal is awaited.

  In ST5, when the read authentication information is appropriate, the read authentication information is temporarily stored in the control RAM 74 (ST7). Thereafter, the authentication information stored in the medal is erased by the reader / writer 66 (ST8). In this way, even if there is an illegal act caused by leaving the authentication information as it is by erasing the authentication information once read, for example, an act of illegally taking a medal from a predetermined storage unit, Since the medal cannot be reused, unexpected disadvantages can be prevented. Note that the authentication information may not be simply deleted, but may be information that invalidates the authentication information by a reader / writer.

  In ST8, after the authentication information is erased, the drive motor 53 is rotated forward, and the distribution lever 51 of the distribution mechanism 50 is moved to the solid line position shown in FIG. 5 (the discharge path 56 is closed to open the processing path 55). ) And is positioned so as to guide the read medal toward a predetermined storage unit (ST9). Then, by continuing to de-energize the first solenoid 12, the lever member 13 of the sorting mechanism 10 is rotated to raise the corner members 16A, 16B (to the non-sorting position), and the read medal is processed as it is. (ST10).

  When the medal is guided to the processing path 55 and the second sensor 61 detects the passage of the medal (ST11), if the authentication information is stored in the control RAM 74, the CPU 72 controls the gaming machine side. A permission signal indicating that a predetermined credit (for example, 50 credits) specifying the number of games may be increased is transmitted to the board 200 (ST12). Then, the initial state is set again, that is, the drive motor 53 is driven in reverse, and the sorting lever 51 of the sorting mechanism 50 is positioned in the dotted line shown in FIG. 5 (the discharge path 56 is opened to close the processing path 55). , The first solenoid 12 is excited, and the second solenoid 32 is de-energized to complete the process for one medal.

  As described above, in ST11, after the medal whose authentication information has been read passes through the second sensor 61, an unauthorized signal is effectively prevented by transmitting the permission signal to the control board 200 on the gaming machine side. It becomes possible to do. That is, if the transmission processing is performed immediately after the authentication information is read by the information processing unit 65, it is conceivable to perform a fraudulent act or the like by pulling back a thread on the medal, but after passing through the second sensor 61 By performing the transmission process, it is possible to prevent such illegal acts.

  In order to perform the transmission process again, the second sensor 61 must be passed again. Therefore, only the first medal passage after the reading process is completed in the information processing unit 65 is enabled. By invalidating the passage of the second medal, it is possible to reliably prevent such an illegal act. For example, in the above-described CPU 72, when the authentication process in the information processing unit 65 is appropriate, a flag indicating that the authentication is appropriate is established, and the second sensor 61 detects the passage of the medal and transmits a permission signal. If the established flag is set to be turned off, even if an attempt is made to pass the medal again, the flag is already in the off state, and therefore the permission signal cannot be transmitted again. Actions can be prevented.

  Further, in the configuration described above, after the medal passes the second sensor 61, the authentication information is transmitted to the control board 200 on the gaming machine side, and then set to the initial state (the drive motor 53 is driven in reverse) The processing path 55 is closed, and the first solenoid 12 is excited to return the corner members 16A and 16B of the lever member 13 of the sorting mechanism 10 to the state shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C. It is physically impossible to return the information to the information processing unit 65, and it is possible to surely suppress fraud.

  As described above, according to the medal discrimination device 1 of the present embodiment, when a player inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot 101, the medal is guided to the information processing unit 65 through the guide path 3a while dropping. The At this time, if the inserted medal is smaller than a predetermined standard (here, the diameter is 31φ and the thickness is 4 mm), the sorting mechanism 10 does not perform the reading process in the information processing unit 65, and does not perform the reading process. Return it to the return port 105.

  That is, the reading operation is not executed for all inserted medals, but only the predetermined standard medals selected by the selection mechanism 10 are held and the reading is executed. Can be reduced, and consumption and deterioration of components and elements constituting the information processing unit 65 can be suppressed. In addition, since the authentication process is not performed for all medals inserted, it is possible to reduce the possibility of fraud and reduce the possibility of malfunction. Furthermore, when a regular medal and an improper medal are successively inserted, the improper medal is discharged as it is, so that the processing speed does not decrease.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, the selection mechanism 10 for selecting medals is configured by the pair of contact members 16A and 16B, so that the medals can be accurately selected with a simple configuration without complicating the structure. It becomes possible to do.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, the dispensing lever 51 of the sorting mechanism 50 is also opened in advance, so that when a medal other than a predetermined standard is inserted, the component parts are driven. Without being done, it is discharged to the return port 105 as it is, and it becomes possible to suppress the consumption and deterioration of the components and elements as described above as much as possible.

  In the above configuration, the guide path 3a and the processing path 3b (the discharge path 56 and the processing path 55) extend in the vertical direction and are arranged so as to guide the medal in the dropping direction. Just by dropping by its own weight, the processing operations as described above are executed, the processing speed is increased, and it is not necessary to arrange a transport mechanism for transporting medals, and the configuration is simplified and the cost is reduced. Is also reduced.

  In addition, in the above configuration, since the information processing unit 65 is provided with the deterring mechanism 30 that prevents the medal from moving from the guide path 3a to the information processing unit 65 while the medal authentication information is being read. While one predetermined standard medal is being processed, the medal to be inserted next is not guided to the information processing unit 65. In the information processing unit 65, the medal is jammed or the reading operation is erroneously performed. Etc. can be avoided.

  Further, the lever member 13 constituting the sorting mechanism 10 described above is supported in a state of being inclined downward with respect to the horizontal direction P in advance, and is tapered at the tips of the corner members 16A and 16B, respectively. , 16b are formed, the following effects can be obtained.

  When passing a medal having a thickness less than a predetermined thickness (4 mm), it is only necessary to provide a 4 mm gap between the lower surface of the corner member and the base plate 6 on the side of the one corner member 16B. . Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the lever member 13 is rotationally driven so as to rise through the fulcrum 13c to guide the medal to the processing path 3b, the tapered portions 16a and 16b are tapered. As a result, the medals that are in contact with each other are not lifted along with the rotation operation, and it is possible to reliably prevent medals from being jammed in the information processing unit. That is, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the corner member is cylindrical and the tapered portion is not formed, the lever member 13 comes into contact when the lever member 13 is driven to rotate up through the fulcrum 13c. As shown by the dotted line, the medal in the state is lifted as it is by the rotation of the corner member, and the information processing unit tends to be jammed.

  Furthermore, a taper portion is formed at each corner portion 16A, 16B, a medal is applied to one corner portion 16A side, and a thin medal is passed through the other corner portion 16B side. It is possible to smoothly guide the outside medal to the gap side, and it is possible to smoothly pass the medal.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, It can change variously. For example, the lever member constituting the above-described sorting mechanism may be configured to simply move up and down instead of rotating. The sorting mechanism 10 may sort only one of the diameter and the thickness with respect to the inserted medal. For this reason, for example, the corner member mounted on the lever member 13 may be simply disposed at a predetermined distance, and the bent portion 13b is installed horizontally, A configuration may be adopted in which both corner members leave a predetermined gap therebetween. In other words, the configuration of the abutting member (corner member) that allows the medal other than the predetermined standard to pass can be modified as appropriate. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, it is configured in a columnar shape so as to be spaced apart by a predetermined interval (31φ), and a predetermined gap (4 mm) is formed between each lower surface of both corner members and the surface of the base plate 6. It may be set to.

  In the above-described embodiment, the selection mechanism 10, the suppression mechanism 30, and the distribution mechanism 50 are configured to be driven and controlled by separate drive sources, but may be a single drive source or two drive sources. A link mechanism may be provided so as to obtain the above-described action. In this case, the drive source can be modified as appropriate, such as using a motor instead of a solenoid.

  Furthermore, the medal discrimination device as described above may be configured to be directly incorporated into the gaming machine 200 as shown in FIG. 12, for example. That is, the gaming machine 200 includes a housing 202 in which a rotating reel 201 or the like that is a gaming device is installed, and corresponds to a medal slot 205 portion provided in a front area of the housing 202. The medal discrimination device 1 described above is incorporated. And in this medal discrimination device 1, medals other than a predetermined standard are discharged to the discharge tray 207 provided in the lower front part of the housing. In this way, the medal discrimination device can be incorporated in advance in various gaming machines.

  Further, the medal inserted from the insertion slot may be configured to be transported using a transport mechanism or the like instead of simply guiding the medal in the dropping direction as in the above-described embodiment. In addition, as for the game medium determined by the game medium, a game medium having a shape other than the disk shape may be processed.

The perspective view of the container which shows one structural example of the type which attaches the game media discrimination device which concerns on this invention externally with respect to a game machine. The perspective view which shows the example of 1 structure of a game media discrimination device. The front view which looked at the game media discrimination device from the medal slot side. The side view of a game media discrimination device. The side view of the game media discrimination device which shows the guidance path | route of a medal. The side view of the game medium discrimination | determination apparatus which shows the back side of the guidance path | route of a medal. It is the schematic explaining operation | movement of a selection mechanism, (a) is a figure which shows the state which does not select, (b) is a figure which shows the state which selects the diameter of a medal, (c) is the thickness of a medal The figure which shows the state which sorts out. The block diagram which shows the structure of a control circuit board. The flowchart which shows an example of the control processing operation | movement in a game media discrimination device. The figure explaining the effect | action of the taper part formed in the square member in a selection mechanism. The figure which shows the modification of a selection mechanism. The figure which shows one Embodiment of a gaming machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 Medal discrimination device (game media discrimination device)
3a Guide path 10 Sorting mechanism 16A, 16B Square member 16a, 16b Tapered portion 30 Inhibiting mechanism 33c Inhibiting piece 50 Distributing mechanism 51 Distributing lever 55 Processing path 56 Discharging path 60, 61, 62 Sensor 65 Information processing section 66 Reader / writer Non-contact antenna)
70 control circuit board 100 container 101 medal slot 105 return slot

Claims (8)

An information processing unit for reading game-related information recorded in a game medium;
A guide path for guiding the game medium to the information processing unit;
A sorting mechanism that sorts the game medium according to the shape of the game medium so that the game medium of the predetermined standard is held and the game medium other than the predetermined standard is allowed to pass through the guide path;
A distribution mechanism that distributes the game media selected by the selection mechanism to a predetermined discharge path or a predetermined processing path;
Have
The game information discriminating apparatus, wherein the information processing section reads game-related information of a game medium when a game medium of a predetermined standard is held by the sorting mechanism. A control means for controlling operations of the information processing unit, the sorting mechanism, and the sorting mechanism;
The control means always maintains the distribution mechanism in a state in which the discharge path is opened, and closes the discharge path when game information related to a predetermined standard game medium is read by the information processing unit. Then, after the processing path is opened, and after a game medium of a predetermined standard is guided to the processing path, the driving control is performed so as to close the processing path and open the discharge path. The game medium discriminating device described in 1. Detection means for detecting the passage of the game medium is arranged in the processing path,
3. The game medium determination device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit executes a permission signal transmission process based on the game related information when the detection unit detects passage of the game medium.   The said control means performs the invalidation process of the game related information memorize | stored in the game medium, after the said information processing part reads the game related information of a game medium. Game medium discrimination device.   5. The game medium determination according to claim 1, wherein the guide path, the discharge path, and the processing path extend in a vertical direction to guide the game medium in a falling direction. apparatus.   2. A deterrent mechanism is provided for preventing the game medium from being transferred from the guide path to the information processing unit while the information processing unit is reading game-related information of the game medium. 6. The game medium discrimination device according to any one of items 1 to 5. An information processing unit that reads game-related information recorded on game media is provided,
Based on the shape of the game medium, the game related information is read for a game medium of a predetermined standard, and the game medium other than the predetermined standard is discharged from a predetermined discharge route without executing the reading of the game related information. A game medium discriminating apparatus characterized by: In a gaming machine having a housing with a gaming device installed,
Inside the housing,
An information processing unit for reading game-related information recorded in a game medium;
A guide path for guiding the game medium to the information processing unit;
A sorting mechanism that sorts the game medium according to the shape of the game medium so as to hold a game medium of a predetermined standard and pass a game medium other than the predetermined standard in the guide path;
A distribution mechanism that distributes the game media selected by the selection mechanism to a predetermined discharge path or a predetermined processing path;
Incorporating a game medium discrimination device having
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when the game medium having a predetermined standard is held by the sorting mechanism, the information processing unit reads game-related information of the game medium.

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