JP2007295984A - Ic token processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly read an IC tag after an IC token is loaded, in a game medium dispenser using IC tokens. <P>SOLUTION: The loaded IC token is received in a storage part 40 of a rotary disk 26. The rotary disk rotates to transfer the IC token stored in the storage part. The loaded IC token falls down by its own weight from a loading path 44 to the storage part 40, where an antenna 64 of a reader/writer to communicate with the IC token is disposed. Accordingly, the loaded IC tokens can be guided to the position where the communication is possible without rotating the rotary disk. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an IC coin processing apparatus that handles IC coins provided in a lending machine that lends game media such as balls and medals used in a game facility such as a pachinko game hall.

  In game facilities such as pachinko amusement halls, game media lending machines for lending pachinko balls and medals are installed. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, game media lending machines using IC coins that incorporate a minute storage device that can exchange information wirelessly, called non-contact IC tags or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags, have been introduced. A game medium lending machine using IC coins accepts the insertion of money from a player and lends game media according to a designated purchase price. On the other hand, the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the amount of inserted money is written in the IC coin. When the player finishes the game, the IC coin is returned. The player can receive a refund of the remaining amount written in the IC coin by inserting the returned IC coin into the checkout machine. Also, without receiving a refund, the next time the game facility is used, the game medium can be rented directly by entering the game medium lending machine.

  As described above, the game medium lending machine using the IC coin needs to perform a process of accepting or returning the inserted IC coin. Further, it is necessary to collect and store the IC coins that have no remaining amount, and when the coins are directly inserted, it is necessary to take out the stored IC coins and write the remaining amount. An IC coin processing device for processing such IC coins is provided in a game medium lending machine using IC coins.

  An IC coin processing device provided in a game medium lending machine is described in Patent Document 1 below. The IC coin processing apparatus described in this document is configured to transfer the IC coin received in the coin holder by controlling the rotation of the rotor provided with the coin holder that receives and holds the IC coin. . The IC coins can be sequentially pushed up and stored in a push-up passage communicating with the transfer passage which is the rotation locus of the coin holder. When money is inserted into the game medium lending machine, the IC coins stored in the push-up passage are taken out to the coin holder and transferred to a position where communication with the IC tag of the IC coin is possible. The amount of money is recorded. When the game medium is lent out, the amount is subtracted and the remaining amount is stored in the IC coin. When the player finishes playing with the remaining amount in the IC coin, the IC coin is returned to the player. When there is no remaining amount in the IC coin, it is returned to the push-up passage again. When an IC coin is inserted by the player, the inserted IC coin is transferred by rotating the rotor to a position where information can be read and written. Thereafter, the same processing as when money is inserted is performed.

JP 2002-210207 A

  The device described in the above publication needs to move the inserted IC coin to a position where information can be read and written by rotating the rotor when the IC coin is inserted. For this reason, there is a problem that it takes time from lending an IC coin to lending out the game medium, which causes the player to wait.

  An object of the present invention is to shorten the time from insertion of an IC coin to lending of game media.

  The IC coin processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a rotating disk that rotates within a casing. An accommodating portion is provided on the circumference of the rotating disk, and an IC coin is accommodated therein. As the rotating disk rotates, the IC coin accommodated in the accommodating portion is transferred along the inner periphery of the housing. An antenna of a reader / writer that transmits / receives information to / from the IC coin is provided on the apparatus main body side so as to face the side surface of the IC coin when the inserted IC coin is received in the storage unit. . Moreover, it has the storage part which stores an IC coin.

  The rotating disk rotates to transfer the IC coin between the position where the inserted IC coin is received and the storage unit. On this transfer path, a delivery shutter is provided as a part of the inner peripheral surface of the casing. When the sending shutter is open, the IC coin transfer path is opened downward. When an IC coin is sent while the sending shutter is open, the IC coin is sent out from the storage unit by its own weight. If the sending shutter is closed, the IC coin is not sent out and is transferred through the portion provided with the sending shutter.

  It is preferable that the rotating disk accepts the IC coin in a standing state, and transfers the rotating disk so that the standing state of the IC coin is maintained during the transfer.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a storage part arranges and stores in the thickness direction in the state which raised the IC coin.

  In addition, it is possible to provide an insertion passage for guiding the inserted IC coin to the housing portion of the rotating disk, and this insertion passage is preferably configured so that the IC coin reaches the housing portion by its own weight.

  Further, a closing shutter is preferably provided in the closing passage.

  Since the reader / writer is arranged at a position facing the side surface of the IC coin when the IC coin is received in the housing portion of the rotating disk, it is not necessary to rotate the rotating disk, and as soon as the IC coin is inserted. The transmission / reception of information with the IC coin can be started.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a state in which a plurality of game machines 10 such as pachinko are arranged side by side. In an actual game facility, a larger number of game tables 10 are arranged in the horizontal direction. Adjacent to the game table 10, a game medium lending machine 12 that lends game media such as balls and medals is provided. The game medium lending machine 12 is provided with a bill insertion slot 14 for inserting bills, an IC coin insertion slot 16 for inserting IC coins, and an IC coin return slot 18 for returning IC coins. In addition, a rental nozzle 20 for renting game media is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the game medium lending machine 12 in more detail. It is shown with the side plate removed so that the interior can be seen. An IC coin processing device 22 is disposed behind the IC coin insertion slot 16 and the return slot 18. The IC coin 23 (see FIG. 10-12) has a substantially disk shape, and has a built-in storage device called a non-contact IC tag, RFID tag or the like. The IC tag includes a storage unit, a transmitting / receiving unit that performs wireless communication with the outside, an antenna, and a processing unit that controls operations of these units. The IC coin treatment device 22 includes an IC tag of the IC coin 23 and a reader / writer for wirelessly writing and reading information. In addition, each processing such as accepting the inserted IC coin 23, returning the one to be returned, and storing the used IC coin 23 which is not required to be returned is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing the appearance of the IC coin processing device 22, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the side plate 24 shown in FIG. 3 is removed. FIG. 5 is a view showing a state where the rotating disk 26 is further removed. 6 and 7 are perspective views showing the rotating disk 26. FIG. 6 shows the same surface as that shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 shows the back side of FIG. In the following description, the surface visible in FIG. 6 is referred to as the front surface of the rotating disk, and the surface visible in FIG.

  A casing wall 30 is formed by a wall erected on the main body substrate 28 of the IC coin processing device 22, and a substantially disk-shaped rotating disk 26 is rotatably disposed in a space surrounded by the casing wall 30. The A drive shaft (not shown) penetrates from the back side of the paper surface of FIG. 5, and this is inserted into and engaged with the center hole 32 of the rotary disk 26, and the rotary disk 26 is driven by a drive motor connected to the drive shaft. Is done. Three ribs 34, 36, and 38 are provided concentrically on the back of the rotating disk 26. The inside rib 34, the inside rib 36, and the outside rib 38 are described from the inside. The number of ribs can be changed as appropriate. These ribs are circular arcs having a length of about three-fourths of the circumference, and serve as a housing portion 40 (see FIG. 9) for housing the IC coin 23 in which a portion where the ribs are not disposed is inserted. In other words, the end face of each rib 34, 36, 38 defines the accommodating portion 40. However, the accommodating portion 40 is not limited to being defined by the end surface of the arc-shaped rib, and may be defined as, for example, a space between two ribs extending in the radial direction. Further, the middle rib 36 and the outer rib 38 are arranged on the circumference passing through the storage portion 42 for storing the IC coin.

  An insertion passage wall 46 is provided on the main body substrate 28 to define an insertion passage 44 that guides the inserted IC coin 23 to the accommodating portion 40 of the rotating disk 26. In addition, a delivery passage wall 50 is provided that defines a delivery passage 48 through which the IC coin 23 is returned to the player when the game is finished. In these passages, a closing shutter 52 and a sending shutter 54 are provided, respectively. These shutters 52 and 54 can move in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 5, and can take an advanced position protruding from the main board 28 and a retracted position retracted from the main board 28. Each passage is closed at the advanced position and opened at the retracted position. The delivery shutter 54 is integrated with the casing wall 30 to form a casing peripheral wall that surrounds the rotating disk 26. The peripheral wall and the main body substrate 28 side plate 24 constitute a casing that accommodates the rotating disk. The delivery shutter 54 is flush with the front and rear casing walls 30 and guides the IC coin 23 transferred by the rotating disk 26 on the outer peripheral side of the rotating disk 26.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the storage unit 42 (FIG. 5). In the storage unit 42, the IC coins 23 are stacked and stored toward the back of the sheet of FIG. A spring 58 is disposed at the bottom of the cylindrical storage case 56 of the storage section 42, and the spring 58 urges the bottom plate 60 upward in FIG. 8, that is, toward the front side of the page in FIG. An IC coin presser 62 extends from the main body substrate 28 above the opening of the storage case 56. The IC coin holder 62 is located between the inner rib 36 and the outer rib 38 of the rotating disk, so that the IC coin 23 stored in the storage portion 42 does not come out to the front side in FIG. Hold it down. The inner rib 36 and the outer rib 38 of the rotating disk 26 are higher than the IC coin holder 62. When these ribs 36 and 38 are located in the storage portion 42, the stored IC coins 23 The rib is pushed inward against the biasing force of the spring 58. When the rotating disk 26 is rotated, when the portion without the intermediate rib 36 and the outer rib 38, that is, the accommodating portion 40 is located, the IC coin presser 62 holds the IC coin so as not to jump out. A guide wall 63 that guides the IC coin 23 from the insertion passage 44 to the storage portion 42 and vice versa is erected on the bottom surface of the concave portion of the main body substrate 28 in which the rotating disk 26 is accommodated. .

  On the back of the main body substrate 28, an antenna 64 of a reader / writer that performs communication with the IC tag of the IC coin is disposed. In addition, a communication position sensor 66 that detects that the IC coin 23 is located at a communication position that is a position facing the antenna 64, and a delivery path sensor 68 that detects that the IC path has passed through the delivery path 48 are disposed.

  FIG. 9-12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the IC coin processing device 22. In the standby state, as shown in FIG. 9, the receiving portion 40 of the rotating disk is at a position facing the input passage, and the input shutter 52 is in an open state. When the player inserts the IC coin 23, the coin falls by its own weight through the insertion passage to the storage unit 40 and is stored therein. This state is shown in FIG. At this time, the reader / writer antenna 64 is positioned at a position opposite to the position of the IC tag of the IC coin 23, and communication with the IC tag becomes possible. The position of the IC coin 23 at which communication with this IC tag is possible will be referred to as the communication position hereinafter. When the IC coin 23 reaches this communication position, the communication position sensor 66 detects this. When the IC coin 23 is in the communication position, the insertion shutter 52 is closed to prevent an IC coin that has been added by mistake from being sent to the storage unit 40. The remaining amount stored in the IC coin 23 at the communication position is read, and the game medium is lent out within this range. Further, the remaining amount stored in the IC coin 23 is reduced and updated according to the amount of game media lent out. The closing shutter is closed when the accommodating portion 40 of the rotating disk 26 is in a position other than the communication position (the position in FIG. 10).

  When there is no remaining amount in the IC coin 23 and no currency currency is inserted, the rotating disk 26 is rotated clockwise. At least one of the ends of the ribs 34, 36, and 38 defining the storage unit 40 pushes the IC coin 23 and transfers it toward the storage unit 42. At this time, the sending shutter 54 is closed, and when the IC coin 23 passes the position of the sending shutter 54 (see FIG. 11), it is transferred along the inner peripheral surface of this shutter. When approaching the storage section 42, the IC coin 23 is guided to the guide wall 63 (see FIG. 5), and moves outward in the radial direction along with the movement of the rotating disk 26 in the circumferential direction. The IC coin 23 or the bottom plate 60 stored in the storage unit 42 is pushed inward by the middle rib 36 and the outer rib 38, and a gap is formed between the IC coin holder 62 and the IC coin 23. Has been. The transferred IC coin 23 is inserted into this gap (FIG. 12). The rotating disk 23 continues to rotate, and the inserted IC coin 23 is pushed inward by the inclined end surfaces 72 and 74 formed at the ends of the intermediate rib 36 and the outer rib 38, and further rotated and accommodated. When the unit 40 reaches the initial position (position shown in FIG. 10), it stops.

  When the game is finished when the IC coin 23 has a remaining balance, the IC coin 23 is returned to the player. When the player gives an instruction to end the game, the rotating disk 26 rotates clockwise to transfer the IC coin 23 at the communication position (FIG. 10) to the position of the sending shutter 54 (FIG. 11). While the IC coin 23 is being transferred or when it is transferred, the sending shutter 54 is opened, and the IC coin is sent to the sending path.

  When money is inserted by the player, if there is an IC coin 23 at the communication position, the corresponding amount is written into the IC coin. If there is no IC coin 23 at the communication position, the IC coin 23 stored in the storage unit 42 is transferred to the communication position, and information corresponding to the amount inserted into this new IC coin is written. In order to take out the IC coin 23 from the storage unit 42, first, the rotating disk 26 is rotated to move the storage unit 40 to the position of the storage unit 42. From here, the rotating disk is rotated counterclockwise. On the other hand, when the storage unit 40 of the rotating disk is located in the storage unit 42, the top IC coin 23 among the IC coins 23 stored in the storage unit 42 contacts the IC coin presser 62. Is in a state. In other words, since the inner rib 36 and the outer rib 38 are not provided in the housing portion 40, they are not pushed inward by these ribs and come out to the near side until they come into contact with the IC coin presser 62. ing. When the rotating disk 26 rotates counterclockwise from such a state, the vertical end surfaces 76 and 78 of the middle rib 36 and the outer rib 38 come into contact with the side surface of the IC coin 23 that comes out to the front, The upper IC coin 23 is extracted. The extracted IC coin 23 is transferred counterclockwise, passes through the closed sending shutter 54, and reaches the communication position. Then, information corresponding to the amount of money inserted is written.

  Next, a procedure when the IC coin 23 is jammed in the passage will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the side plate 24 has an opening 80 through which a part of the outer periphery of the rotating disk 26 is exposed. Although the casing wall 30 is interrupted at this portion, the IC coin 23 does not pass through this portion. Therefore, even if the opening is provided on the side, the IC coin 23 does not fall down. By turning the rotary disk 26 with a finger or the like through the opening 80, the clogging can be eliminated when the IC coin 23 is jammed in relation to the rotary disk 26.

  Release protrusions 82 and 84 are provided so that when the closing shutter 52 and the sending shutter 54 are clogged due to the IC coin 23 being sandwiched, these shutters can be moved manually. A small hole 86 is provided in the side plate 24 corresponding to the closing shutter release protrusion 82 for moving the closing shutter 52. The leading end of the closing shutter release protrusion 82 protrudes from the hole 86, and the closing shutter 52 is pushed away from the closing passage 44 by operating it by pushing it with a finger. Further, the tip of the closing shutter release protrusion 82 may be configured not to protrude from the hole 86, and a pointed tool may be inserted to operate the closing shutter release protrusion. Further, an opening 88 is provided in the side plate 24 corresponding to the sending shutter release protrusion 84 for moving the sending shutter 54. The shutter can be moved by inserting a tool or a finger having a point from the opening 88 and operating the push-out shutter release protrusion 84 to be pushed in.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state where the IC coin processing device 22 is viewed from the back side. A drive mechanism 90 for the closing shutter 52 and a drive mechanism 92 for the delivery shutter 54 are shown. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the closing shutter drive mechanism 90 as seen from the right side of FIG. The closing shutter 52 is supported by guide pins 94 erected on the main body substrate 28 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the pins. The release protrusion 82 is fixed to a support plate 96 extending from the closing shutter 52, and as a result, the releasing protrusion 82 is formed integrally with the closing shutter 52. The front end of the shutter cam 100 that is rotatably supported by the support pin 98 is in contact with the support plate 96. The support pins 98 are fixed to the main body substrate 28. Further, the armature of the solenoid 102 is engaged with the shutter cam 100. When the armature of the solenoid 102 is protruded, the shutter cam 100 rotates counterclockwise around the support pin 98 in FIG. 14 to move the support plate 96 to the right. As a result, the closing shutter 52 advances into the closing passage 44. When the armature of the solenoid 102 is retracted, the closing shutter 52 is retracted from the closing passage 44 by a biasing force of an unillustrated elastic member. When the closing shutter 52 is caught and stops moving, the release projection 82 is pushed to release the catch. At this time, the closing shutter 52 can be moved without removing the side plate 24.

  15 is a perspective view showing the delivery shutter drive mechanism 92 as seen from the right side of FIG. The delivery shutter 54 is supported by a guide pin 104 erected on the main body substrate 28 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the pin. The release protrusion 84 is provided integrally with the delivery shutter 54. A support plate 106 is erected on the delivery shutter 54. The support plate 106 is in contact with the tip of a shutter cam 110 that is rotatably supported by the support pin 108. The support pins 108 are fixed to the main body substrate 28. Further, the armature of the solenoid 112 is engaged with the shutter cam 110. When the armature of the solenoid 112 is protruded, the shutter cam 100 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 15 around the support pin 108 to move the support plate 106 to the right. As a result, the delivery shutter 54 advances into the delivery passage 48. When the armature of the solenoid 112 is retracted, the delivery shutter 54 is retracted from the delivery passage 48 by the biasing force of an unillustrated elastic member. When the delivery shutter 54 is stuck and does not move, the release projection 84 is pushed to release the catch. At this time, the delivery shutter 54 can be moved without removing the side plate 24.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the inserted IC coin 23 falls to the communication position where the accommodation unit 40 is located due to gravity, and faces the antenna 64 without rotating the rotating disk 26. Reach position. Therefore, the contents stored at an early stage can be read after inserting the IC coin.

It is a figure which shows a mode that the game stand and the game media rental machine were arranged. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a game media rental machine. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of an IC coin processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state which removed the side plate of the IC coin processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state which removed the side plate and rotation disk of IC coin processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the front side of a rotation disc. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the back side of a rotation disc. It is sectional drawing of a storage part. It is a figure which shows the processing operation of an IC coin processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the processing operation of an IC coin processing apparatus, and is a figure which shows the state which received IC coin. It is a figure which shows the processing operation of an IC coin processing apparatus, and is a figure which shows the state which has an IC coin in the position of a sending shutter. It is a figure which shows the processing operation of an IC coin processing apparatus, and is a figure which shows the state which the IC coin reached the storage part. It is a figure which shows the back surface of an IC coin processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the drive mechanism of a closing shutter. It is a figure which shows the drive mechanism of a sending shutter.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game stand, 12 Game media lending machine, 22 IC coin processing apparatus, 23 IC coin, 24 Side plate, 26 Rotating disk, 28 Main board, 30 Casing wall, 34 Inner rib, 36 Medium rib, 38 Outer rib, 40 Accommodating Part, 42 storage part, 44 throwing path, 48 sending path, 52 throwing shutter, 54 sending shutter, 64 antenna.

Claims (4)

An IC coin processing device for processing an IC coin stored in a game medium lending machine for renting game media used in a game facility and storing information related to the rent of the game medium,
A casing,
A rotating disk that has an accommodating portion on the circumference for receiving and accommodating the inserted IC coin, and is rotated in the casing to transfer the accommodated IC coin along the inner peripheral surface of the casing;
A reader / writer that transmits and receives information to and from an IC coin housed in a rotating disk;
A storage unit for storing IC coins;
With
The reader / writer antenna is disposed on the casing so as to face the side surface of the IC coin when the inserted IC coin is received in the storage unit.
The rotating disk rotates to transfer the IC coin received in the storage unit to the storage unit, and also transfers the IC coin from the storage unit to a position facing the reader / writer antenna.
further,
On the path for transferring the IC coin from the position where the IC coin is received to the storage unit, provided as a part of the inner peripheral surface of the casing, and having a delivery shutter that opens the path downward when opened,
When an IC coin is transferred when the sending shutter is open, the IC coin is sent out from the receiving portion by its own weight, and when it is closed, the IC coin is transferred through a portion where the sending shutter is provided. The
IC coin processing device. The IC coin processing device according to claim 1,
The rotating disk accepts the IC coin in a standing state, and transfers the rotating disk so that the standing state of the IC coin is maintained during the transfer.
The storage unit stores the IC coins in a standing state in the thickness direction.
IC coin processing device.   2. The IC coin processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion path that guides the inserted IC coin to the housing portion of the rotating disk, and the insertion path is configured such that the IC coin reaches the housing portion by its own weight. IC coin processing device. 4. The IC coin processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an insertion shutter is provided in the insertion passage.

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