JP2007313095A - Token deposit/dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispense tokens in a form being non-bulky and convenient for carrying when dispensing deposited tokens. <P>SOLUTION: This token deposit/dispensing apparatus having at least a deposit device counting tokens received at a token inlet and storing them as a deposit number, and a token dispensing device putting out the tokens to a token outlet, is further provided with an information storage medium dispensing device for storing value information larger than a single token value and a dispensing medium selection means selecting the token dispensing device or the information storage medium dispensing device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a medal depositing / dispensing device that plays a game in a game field, deposits an acquired or surplus medal, and pays out a medal at the time of re-game.
In particular, the present invention relates to a medal deposit / dispensing apparatus that is convenient when the number of paid out medals is large.
Further, the present invention relates to a medal deposit / dispensing device that can pay out an information storage medium instead of a normal medal.
The “medal” used in this specification is a general term for game media such as medals, tokens, and substitute coins for pachislot machines and medal game machines, and “information storage medium” stores information electromagnetically. A medium is a so-called IC coin.

As a first conventional technique, a depositing unit for receiving medals, a paying unit for paying out medals, an optical data input unit for a customer's palmprint or fingerprint, a magnetic card issuing unit, a card input, a predetermined input, There is known a medal deposit / dispensing device including a processing unit for performing the control process.
Then, issue a magnetic card that records the customer's fingerprint and other optical data and the number of deposits, and at the time of withdrawal, authenticate the person by matching the recorded data of the magnetic card with the input optical data such as the fingerprint. Payout according to the number of deposits is made only when it is possible (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
As a second prior art, there is known a vending machine that sells IC coins that incorporate a storage means and wireless communication means for storing money information corresponding to the money value that has been inserted.
The customer inserts the purchased IC coin into the medal lending machine, borrows the medal corresponding to the value information, inserts it into the gaming machine, and plays the game.
And it is also known that a medal acquired by a customer is inserted into a deposit machine and counted, and value information corresponding to the number is stored in an IC coin and issued (see, for example, Patent Document 2). .
Further, as a third conventional technique, when the value of the deposited game medium is stored in a member card and replayed, a plurality of types (for example, medals or pachinko balls) are stored based on the stored information of the member card. It is known to play a game after receiving a payout of a game medium selected from (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 7-171240 (2nd page, Fig. 1-2) JP 2005-135233 (paragraph number 0044-0051, FIG. 1-2) JP-A-2004-298324 (paragraph numbers 0009-0062, FIG. 1-9)

In the first prior art, when a large amount of medals are paid out, a large number of containers storing medals must be transported to the game machine, which is not a system that is easy for customers to use.
In other words, there is a problem that a large number of heavy containers containing metal medals must be reciprocated to the game machine.
In the second prior art, an unused game IC coin has no processing means, so it must be used only for a game, and the value information stored in the IC coin may be used wastefully.
In other words, although there is no means for depositing IC coins, although there is a desire to end the game, there is a problem that the amount corresponding to the value information stored in the IC coins must be used up or left as it is.
Furthermore, when the first conventional technology and the second conventional technology are simply combined, since the payout of the deposited medal is performed only with the IC coin, the fraction that is not converted into the IC coin is not paid out, and there is a risk of being wasted. .
In the third prior art, game media can be paid out based on stored information such as cards, but the payout device cannot deposit game media, and it is necessary to install a separate storage device. Yes, it cannot be used for dredging in terms of installation space and equipment costs.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a medal depositing / dispensing device that can be paid out in a manner that is not bulky and convenient to carry when paying out a deposited medal.
The second object of the present invention is to provide a medal depositing / dispensing device capable of depositing gaming IC coins.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a medal depositing / dispensing device having a small installation space by downsizing the IC coin depositing / dispensing device.

In order to achieve this object, the medal deposit / dispensing device according to the present invention is configured as follows.
In at least a medal depositing device having a depositing device that counts the medal received at the medal depositing gate and stores it as the number of deposits, and a medal dispensing device that pays out a medal to the medal payout port, more than the value of one medal A medal deposit / dispensing device comprising: an information storage medium payout device that stores large value information; and a medal payout device or payout medium selection means for selecting the information storage medium payout device.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the medal deposit / dispensing device according to the first aspect, the payout device includes a writing device for writing information corresponding to a predetermined number of medals into the paid-out information storage medium.
According to a third aspect of the invention, in the medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to the second aspect, the writing device includes a conversion rate changing means.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the medal deposit / dispensing device according to the second aspect, the writing device writes at least a date.
The invention according to claim 5 is the medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an information storage medium depositing apparatus that reads stored information from the information storage medium by communication, and stores the information by adding to the number of deposits. It is characterized by that.

In this configuration, the customer puts the medal to be deposited in the container and brings it to the depositing / dispensing device.
When the medal to be deposited is inserted from the container into the deposit entrance of the medal depositing / dispensing device, the inserted medal is counted and stored as the number of deposits of the customer.
When paying out the medal deposited by the customer, the medal payout device or the information storage medium payout device can be selected by the payout medium selection means.
That is, when the medal payout device is selected by the payout medium selection means, the medal paid out by the medal payout device can be received.
When the information storage medium payout device is selected, it is possible to receive payout of an information storage medium storing value information larger than one medal value from the information storage medium payout device.
In other words, when paying out the information storage medium, the number of information storage media is smaller than the number of medals, and therefore, it is not bulky when carried and is lightweight, so that there is an advantage that convenience for the customer is improved.
Further, since the value information stored in the information storage medium is value information larger than the value of one medal, the number of medals held in the medal depositing / dispensing device can be reduced, so that the time required for medal management can be shortened. is there.
Furthermore, in the case of paying out using an information storage medium, the number of payout medals is reduced. As a result, the payout time is shortened, the waiting time of the customer can be shortened, and the customer's frustration can be eliminated.

In the invention of claim 2, since the payout device includes a writing device for writing information corresponding to a predetermined number of medals on the paid out information storage medium, the medium information written in the information storage medium is written immediately before paying out to the customer. I can do it.
In other words, the information storage medium reserved in the information storage medium dispensing device can be a valueless medium in which no information is stored, so that even if it is inadvertently stolen, it can be used illegally. It has the advantage that
Further, since the value of the value information can be changed at any time, there is an advantage that a service in which the value is changed in a predetermined time zone can be performed, for example.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to the second aspect, the writing device includes a conversion rate changing means.
In this configuration, since the writing device to the information storage medium includes the conversion rate changing means, the value information changed at a predetermined conversion rate can be written when writing the value information to the information storage medium.
For example, there is an advantage that a service whose value in a predetermined time zone is changed can be easily performed by changing the conversion rate.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the medal deposit / dispensing device according to the second aspect, the writing device writes at least a date.
In this configuration, the date is stored in the information storage medium.
By reading this date in a gaming machine or medal depositing / dispensing machine, it is possible to exclude value media other than the predetermined date.
Therefore, use of value media other than the predetermined date can be restricted, and there is an advantage that unforeseen fraud can be prevented.
Further, when the information storage medium dispensing device includes a writing device, it is not necessary to replace the information storage medium storing the predetermined date every day, so that the management of the information storage medium is easy and the number of information storage media held is reduced. There are advantages you can do.

The invention according to claim 5 is the medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an information storage medium depositing apparatus that reads stored information from the information storage medium by communication, and stores the information by adding to the number of deposits. It is characterized by that.
With this configuration, it is possible to deposit medals using an information storage medium.
Since the information storage medium stores value information more than one medal, there is an advantage that the number of deposits can be reduced and the deposit time can be shortened.

Information on the payout device being paid out in a medal depositing device having at least a depositing device that counts the medal received at the medal depositing gate and stores it as a depositing number and a medal dispensing device that pays out a medal to the medal payout port A writing device for writing information corresponding to a predetermined number of medals on a storage medium, the writing device writing at least a date, and a payout device for an information storage medium for storing value information larger than one medal value; and An information storage medium that includes a payout medium selection means for selecting the medal payout apparatus or the information storage medium payout apparatus, and further reads the stored information from the information storage medium by communication, and stores the information in addition to the number of deposits The medal depositing / dispensing device is characterized by comprising a depositing device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view from above the left rear portion for explaining a schematic configuration of the medal depositing / dispensing device of the embodiment.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 shows an information storage medium depositing device used in the medal depositing / dispensing device of the embodiment.
FIG. 7 shows an information storage medium payout device used in the medal deposit payout device of the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information storage medium depositing apparatus of the medal depositing / dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information storage medium dispensing device of the medal deposit / dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a display on the display with a touch panel of the medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, an IC coin is used as an information storage medium.
In FIG. 1, a medal deposit / dispensing device 100 is a front panel 104 of a box-shaped casing 102, and a display 106 with a touch panel, which is a guide device 105, in the upper part thereof. A biometric authentication device 110 that is a personal authentication device 109 on the right side, a container insertion port 112 on the left side, a container outlet 114 below the container insertion port 112, an ID card insertion port 116 above the biometric authentication device 110, and A human body sensor 118 is disposed below the medal deposit entrance 108.

  Further, in the housing 102, the medal holding device 120 is arranged almost in the entire lower part, and the interface device 124 between each device and the control device 122 and the medal counter 126 are juxtaposed above the medal counter 126. A card read / write device 128 is arranged, a medal payout device 130 is arranged above the interface device 124, a control device 122 is juxtaposed on the side of the medal payout device 130, A medal lift device 132 for supplying medals to the payout device 130 is disposed, and an automatic container supply device 134 is disposed below the container insertion port 112.

First, the display 106 with a touch panel will be described.
The display 106 with a touch panel also serves as a guide display device for the customer of the medal depositing / dispensing device 100 and an input device by the customer.
Accordingly, the guide display device and the input device can be provided separately.
Of course, not only the customer but also the setting and checking function for managing the medal depositing / dispensing device 100, the setting and checking function for maintenance, and the like can be combined.

Next, the medal deposit door 108 will be described.
The medal depositing entrance 108 has a function of accepting a medal to be deposited by a customer and guiding it to the medal counter 126.
Specifically, the opening is substantially horizontal at the front lower slope 134 in the center of the front surface of the medal depositing / dispensing device 100 and near the average waist height position of the customer.
In the medal entrance 108, a cross is arranged in a ladder shape or a lattice shape, etc., so that a medal thrown in at a stretch does not jam and a customer cannot insert a hand into the back of the entrance 108. preferable.
Note that the slope 134 may be horizontal.

It is preferable to arrange a container table 142 having a flat portion 140 at the same height position as the medal deposit entrance 108 in front of the medal deposit entrance 108.
This is because, for example, when the display 106 with a touch panel is operated or when the biometric authentication device 110 authenticates, the container 144 brought by the customer is temporarily placed.

Next, the biometric authentication device 110 that is the personal authentication device 109 will be described.
The biometric authentication device 110 has a function for confirming that the customer who deposits or pays out medals in the medal depositing / dispensing device 100 is the person himself / herself.
In this embodiment, the biometric authentication device 110 uses a palm vein authentication device.
This is because it is less affected by sweat and the like, has high identification accuracy, and is relatively inexpensive.
However, various systems for identity verification such as fingerprints, palm prints, eyes, face authentication, and passwords can be adopted as the identity authentication device 109.
The biometric authentication device 110 is preferably arranged in parallel with the medal depositing entrance 108 on the front downward slope 134 on the right side of the medal depositing entrance 108.
However, the biometric authentication device 110 can be arranged horizontally.

The reason for arranging the biometric authentication device 110 on the right side is that there are many right-handed people, and the reason why it is juxtaposed to the medal deposit entrance 108 is that the container 144 is placed on the table 142 and then simply shifted to the side, or This is because the user can hold his / her hand simply by moving downward from the ID card insertion slot 116.
This is because when the biometric authentication device 110 is arranged in parallel with the front-falling slope 134, the palm is easily held over the device.
A partition plate 146 is disposed on the front-falling slope 134 between the medal deposit slot 108 and the biometric authentication device 110.
This is because the medal inserted into the medal depositing entrance 108 does not fall into the biometric authentication device 110.

Next, the container inlet 112 will be described.
The container insertion port 112 is arranged in parallel adjacent to the medal depositing port 108.
The reason for this arrangement is that the empty container 144 after the stored medal is inserted into the medal deposit entrance 108 can be easily inserted into the container insertion port 112.
Therefore, when the personal authentication is performed by a method different from that of the biometric authentication device 110, or when it is not performed at all, the container insertion port 112 can be arranged on the right side of the medal deposit port 108.
Further, it is preferable that the container insertion port 112 is disposed substantially horizontally on the left side of the medal depositing port 108.
This is because the right hand is held over the biometric authentication device 110 and the touch panel display 106 is expected to be operated with the right hand in many cases, so that the left hand, which is an empty hand, can be inserted.
However, in order to increase the holding amount of the container 114, the container insertion port 112 can be disposed above the medal depositing port 108 within a range where a customer having an average height can enter.

The container insertion port 112 is an upper end 152 of a cylindrical guide 150 having an inclined lower end fixed to the front-declining slope 134, and is disposed substantially horizontally.
The container inlet 112 is formed in accordance with the shape of the container to be used, is circular in this embodiment, has a slightly larger diameter than the maximum diameter over the entire length of the container 144 to be used, and extends from above to below. This is the upper end of the tapered guide hole 154 that tapers downward.
A medal container automatic supply device 134 is disposed below the cylindrical guide 150.

Next, the automatic container feeder 134 will be described.
The automatic container supply device 134 has a function of automatically supplying the bucket-type medal storage containers 144 storing medals one by one to the dispensing device 160 one by one based on a supply signal from the control device 122.
For this reason, it has a container holding part 162 in which the containers 144 charged from the container charging port 112 are stacked, and a separation device 164 that sorts the stacked lowest container 144 and drops it to the dispensing device 160.
The separating device 164 rotates a plurality of cams by, for example, an electric motor, horizontally supports the lower surface of the container 144 by a spiral cam protrusion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cam, and the container 144 of the lowermost container 144 By pushing down the upper surface of the container, the lowermost container 144 is separated and freely dropped.

Next, the dispensing device 160 will be described.
The payout device 160 has a function of paying out medals to the container 144 paid out by the automatic container supply device 134.
In the payout device 160, the container 144 dropped from the automatic container supply device 134 is held at a predetermined position, and the medal paid out from the medal payout device 130 is supplied to the container 144.
The payout device 160 is a box having a container outlet 114 and an upper surface opening that open to the front surface 104 of the medal depositing and paying device 100, is surrounded by the left side wall, the right side wall, and the rear side wall, and has a bottom wall 182.

Next, the ID card insertion slot 116 will be described.
The ID card insertion slot 116 is provided on the front surface of the card read ride device 128 in the vertical direction, and is disposed on the front surface 104 of the medal deposit / dispensing device 100.
An ID for each customer is stored in the ID card.
The customer inserts the ID card into the insertion slot 116.
The card read / write device 128 reads the stored ID information and outputs it to the control device 122 for use in the next process.

Next, the human body sensor 118 will be described.
The human body sensor 118 detects that a customer is approaching and issues a trigger signal for displaying a customer guide on the display 106 with a touch panel.
The human body sensor 118 is an infrared sensor, for example, and outputs a customer detection signal to the control device 122 when the human body approaches approximately 4 cm.

Next, the medal counter 126 will be described.
The medal counter 126 has a function of accepting medals inserted into the medal deposit slot 108, counting the number thereof at high speed, and outputting the counted value to the control device 122.
In addition, the medal counter 126 preferably has a function of eliminating medals out of standards of diameter, thickness, and material, but preferably has a function of excluding medals out of standards of diameter and thickness. .

Next, the medal holding device 120 will be described.
The medal holding device 120 holds the medal dropped from the outlet 270 of the medal counter 126, and when the full signal from the full sensor 182 of the medal payout device 130 is not output, a predetermined number of, for example, 20 medals are placed on the lateral transport device 184. Pay out intermittently.
The medal holding device 120 includes a holding bowl 186 for holding medals and a plurality of payout hoppers 188 arranged below the holding bowl 186.
The medals in the holding bowl 186 fall on the dispensing hopper 188 due to the inclination of the bottom wall, and are dispensed while being counted from the dispensing hopper 188.

The lateral transfer device 184 has a function of delivering medals paid out from the payout hopper 188 to the lift device 132.
The lateral transfer device 184 is, for example, a belt that is arranged substantially horizontally, and is activated after completion of the medal payout of the payout hopper 188, and stops after a sufficient amount of time to pass the medal paid out to the lift device 132. Is done.

Next, the lift device 132 will be described.
The lift device 132 has a function of transporting medals received from the lateral transport device 184 to the upper medal payout device 130.
In this embodiment, buckets 190 are arranged at a predetermined interval, and medals dropped from the horizontal conveying device 184 are received by the bucket 190, and then moved upward until the next bucket 190 reaches a receiving position from the horizontal conveying device 184. Stop.
When the bucket 190 reaches a predetermined position, the bucket 190 is tilted downward toward the holding bowl 192 of the medal payout device 130, and the medals in the bucket 190 are dropped into the holding bowl 192.
Accordingly, until the full signal is output from the full sensor 182 of the storage bowl 192, the stepping motions of the dispensing hopper 188, the lateral transfer device 184, and the lift device 132 are repeated, and the storage bowl 192 is filled.

Next, the medal payout device 130 will be described.
The medal payout device 130 sorts medals flowing from the holding bowl 192 one by one, and pays them out to the vertically oriented medal chute 194 while counting.
The medal payout device 130 is stopped when a predetermined number of medals are paid out.
As the medal payout device 130, for example, a so-called coin hopper disclosed in Utility Model Registration No. 2538531 is used.
The medal payout device 130 has a payout sensor 196 (see FIG. 5) that outputs a detection signal every time a medal is paid out.
In addition, a plurality of medal payout devices 196 can be arranged in order to quickly pay out medals and in case of failure.

  The control device 122 inputs signals from the display 106 with a touch panel, the biometric authentication device 110, the human body sensor 118, the container sensor 200, and the payout sensor 196 of the medal payout device 130, and performs predetermined calculations on the display 106 with a touch panel. Display is performed, the separation device 164 of the automatic container supply device 134 is operated to drop the containers 144 one by one, the discharge hopper 188, the lateral transfer device 184, and the lift device 132 are operated at a predetermined timing, and the medal payout device 130 is operated. A process of paying out a predetermined number of medals is performed.

The control device 122 is, for example, a microprocessor.
An authentication light emission guide device 202 that emits light at the time of guiding is attached to the front downward slope 134 immediately above the biometric authentication device 110, and an entrance light emission guide device 204 is attached to the vertical wall immediately above the medal entrance 108, A card insertion slot light emission guide device 206 is attached immediately above the IC card insertion slot 116.

Furthermore, in the present invention, an information storage medium payout / deposit device 302 for the information storage medium 300, for example, the IC coin 301, is mounted.
The IC coin 301 is a medium having a built-in element capable of storing information electrically or electromagnetically, and is, for example, a coin-shaped thin disk having a built-in IC.
The information storage medium dispensing device 302 includes an information storage medium processing device 305, a display 306, an information storage medium dispensing device 308, a payout port 310, and an information storage medium depositing means 312.
The information storage medium storage unit 312 has a function of accepting the IC coin 301 in which predetermined information is stored, reading the stored information, and adding it to the information of the corresponding ID.
However, in the present invention, it is only necessary to have at least the information storage medium dispensing device 308.
In the present embodiment, the information storage medium withdrawal device 302 has a vertically long box shape and is configured to be retrofitted to the medal deposit device 100. it can.

First, the information storage medium processing device 305 will be described.
The information storage medium processing device 305 communicates with the control device 122 and has a function of giving a predetermined command to the display 306, the information storage medium storage device 302, the payout unit 314, and the information writing unit 318 to perform a predetermined function. .

Next, the display 306 will be described.
The display 306 has a function of displaying the value information read from the IC coin 301 and displaying a guide to the customer.
The display 306 is configured by a liquid crystal display, for example, but can be substituted for the display-type touch panel 106.

Next, the information storage medium dispensing device 308 will be described.
The information storage medium payout device 308 has a function of paying out the IC coin 301 storing predetermined value information.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the information storage medium payout device 308 has a holding means 314, a payout means 316, and an information writing means 318 for the IC coin 301.
However, when the IC coin 301 in which the value information has been written is used, the information writing means 318 is not necessary.

The holding means 314 has a function of stacking the disk-shaped IC coins 301 or holding them in a loose state and supplying them to the payout means 316.
In the present embodiment, the holding means 314 is a cylindrical bowl that extends in the vertical direction and holds the information storage medium in a loose state.

The payout means 316 has a function of sorting and sending out the IC coins 301 one by one.
In the present embodiment, the payout means 316 has a through hole 320 through which the IC coin 301 passes, and rotates the rotating disk 322 arranged at the bottom of the holding means 314 via the processing device 305 in response to a command from the control device 122. To send out one by one.
After the IC coin 301 sent out is detected by the count sensor 324,
It falls while being guided by the cylindrical chute 325 and reaches the information writing means 318.

The information writing means 318 has a function of writing predetermined information to the IC coin 301 paid out from the paying means 316 by a contact type or a non-contact type.
In this embodiment, the information writing means 318 includes an antenna 326 for writing wirelessly based on a command from the processing device 305 and a stopper 328 for stopping the IC coin 301 at a position relative to the antenna 326 of the chute 325, and a stopper 328. An electromagnetic actuator 330 that moves forward and backward in the passage of the chute 325 is included.
The IC coin 301 that has passed through the information writing means 318 falls to the payout opening 310 and is held.

The customer can receive the IC coin 301 at the payout exit 310.
According to the present invention, the information writing means 318 is not provided, and the IC coin 301 in which the value information is stored can be held in the holding means 314.
However, since the IC coin 301 in which the value information is stored may be stolen and misused, it is preferable to write the information when the IC coin 301 is paid out as in this embodiment.
In addition, when writing the value information when paying out the IC coin 301, information such as a predetermined date, time, day of the week, etc. is also written.
Accordingly, there is an advantage that unauthorized use of the IC coin 301 can be prevented by determining only the IC coin 301 having date information on the day of paying out as an authentic IC coin and making it valid only on that day.
Note that the IC coin 301 can be written in the process of dropping the chute 325 without providing the stopper 328 of the IC coin 301.

Next, the payout port 310 will be described.
The payout port 310 is configured so that the customer can easily obtain the IC coin 301 paid out from the information storage medium payout device 308.
In this embodiment, it is configured by opening one side wall of the box-shaped payout portion.

Next, the information storage medium storage unit 312 will be described.
The information storage medium depositing means 312 accepts the IC coin 301, returns it to the customer if the IC coin 301 is not a deposit target, and reads and controls information such as a value stored in the IC coin 301 if the IC coin 301 is a deposit target. A function of outputting to the device 122;
The information storage medium storage means 312 has a box shape including a slot 332, a rolling passage 334, an antenna 336, a sorting device 338, a return device 342, and a holding passage 344.

First, the inlet 332 will be described.
The insertion slot 332 is a vertically long rectangular opening slightly larger than the thickness and height of the IC coin 301 and has a function of preventing the insertion of a medium having a width or height larger than that of the main insertion slot 332.

Next, the rolling passage 334 will be described.
The rolling passage 334 has a function of guiding the IC coin 301 inserted from the insertion slot 332 while rolling it.
In the present embodiment, the rolling passage 334 is a flat passage having a substantially square shape, and the disc-shaped IC coin 301 rolls.

Next, the antenna 336 will be described.
The antenna 336 is an antenna for the IC coin 301 and the communication device 346 to communicate with the IC coin 301.
If the stored information cannot be read while the IC coin 301 is facing the antenna 336 during rolling, a stopper (not shown) for stopping the IC coin 301 at a position facing the antenna 336 is added. be able to.
When the IC coin 301 is a contact type, the stopper can be provided and a contactor can be arranged in place of the antenna 336.

Next, the distribution device 338 will be described.
The sorting device 338 returns the return device 342 when the value information read into the processing device 305 via the antenna 336 and the communication device 346 is subjected to predetermined processing and is not predetermined information or when the value information cannot be read. It has a function to guide to.
In the present embodiment, the sorting device 338 is a guide piece 350 capable of pivoting, having a function of guiding the IC coin 301 that has rolled in the rolling path 334 to the return path 348 or the holding path 344.
The guide piece 350 switches the path to the return path 348 or the holding path 344 by an electromagnetic actuator 351, for example, a rotary solenoid.

Next, the return device 342 will be described.
The return device 342 has a function of holding the IC coin 301 guided to the return passage 348 in a state where the customer can easily receive it.
In the present embodiment, the return device 342 has a groove that surrounds the lower wall, the left wall, the right wall, and the front wall so that the IC coin 301 is held substantially vertically.
With this configuration, the circumferential surface of the information storage medium is supported by the lower wall, the left and right surfaces are supported by the left and right walls, respectively, and rolling is prevented by the front wall from falling off the groove due to the rolling inertia. The

Finally, the holding passage 344 will be described.
The holding path 344 has a function of guiding the holding device 314 when the sorting device 334 determines that the IC coin 301 is acceptable.
In this embodiment, the holding passage 344 is a cylindrical guide that connects the sorting device 334 and the holding device 314.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 to 10 and the guide screen of FIG.
The display 106 with a touch panel of the depositing / dispensing apparatus 100 normally displays predetermined information such as a game field or an introduction of an event.
First, when the customer approaches the front of the deposit / withdrawal device 100, the human body sensor 118 detects the initial value and, as shown in FIG. 11 (A), an initial screen including at least a medal deposit button 352 and a medal payout button 354 is displayed. The

In conjunction with this, the control program starts processing in the control device 122.
That is, it is determined whether or not the deposit button 352 is pressed in step S1.
If not, the process proceeds to step S2 to determine whether the payout button 354 has been pressed.
If not, the process returns to step S1 and loops through steps S1 and S2.

When the customer deposits a medal, the deposit button 352 is pressed.
Accordingly, since a signal indicating that the deposit button 352 is pressed is output from the display 106 with a touch panel, the process proceeds to step SK1, and the card insertion guide screen shown in FIG. 11 (B) is displayed on the display 106 with a touch panel. Then, the card insertion slot light emission guide device 206 is caused to emit light or blink to guide the position of the insertion slot 116.

In step SK2, when the customer inserts an ID card into the insertion slot 116, the card read / write device 128 takes in the ID card, reads ID information stored in the ID card in step SK3, and searches for corresponding biometric information. Proceed to step SK4.

In step SK4, the biometric authentication guide shown in FIG. 11C is displayed on the display 106 with a touch panel, and then the process proceeds to step SK5.

In step SK5, when the customer holds the palm of his right hand over the biometric authentication device 110, the biometric authentication device 110 automatically acquires data related to the palm vein in step SK6, and proceeds to step SK7.

If the authentication data is not acquired in step SK6, the process returns to step SK4, and the biometric authentication guide screen is displayed again on the display 106 with the touch panel to prompt the user to hold the palm over the biometric authentication device 110.
In step SK7, if the registered data searched in advance and the authentication data acquired this time are compared and matched, the process proceeds to step SK9.
If the comparison data does not match in step SK7, the process proceeds to step SK8, displays that it does not match the display 106 with a touch panel, and then returns to step SK4.

In step SK9, as shown in FIG. 11D, a screen for selecting a medium to be deposited on the display 106 with a touch panel is displayed.
That is, the medal selection button 356, the IC coin selection button 358, and the current number of deposits are displayed, and the process proceeds to step SK10.

In step SK10, as shown in FIG. 11E, a display for prompting insertion of medals and IC coins and a count start button 364 are displayed, and the process proceeds to step SK11.

If the count start button 364 is pressed in step SK11, if the medal selection button 352 is selected in step SK10, the process proceeds to step SK12. If the IC coin selection button 358 is pressed in step SK9, the process proceeds to step SK21. .

In step SK12, the counter 126 is activated, the medals deposited are counted, and the process proceeds to step SK13.
The counter 126 of the present embodiment counts medals having a normal diameter and thickness and outputs them to the control device 122, and non-standard medals are excluded in a reject box (not shown).

In step SK13, as shown in FIG. 11 (F), a guide for prompting the container into the container insertion port 112 of the container 144 is displayed, and then the process proceeds to step SK14.

In step SK14, as shown in FIG. 11 (G), when there is a past number of deposits on the display 106 with a touch panel, the total number of the past deposits and the number of deposits this time is displayed and the re-insert button 364 and deposit Button 366 is displayed, and the flow proceeds to step SK15.

In step SK15, if the re-load button 364 is pressed, the process returns to step SK12, and if not, the process proceeds to step SK16.
When the re-insert button 364 is pressed, the above-described steps SK12 to SK14 are performed again.

If the deposit button 366 is not pressed in step SK16, the process returns to step SK15 to enter a standby mode for waiting for any button to be pressed.
If deposit button 366 is pressed in step SK16, the process proceeds to step SK17.

In step SK17, the number of stored IDs is rewritten, and the process proceeds to step SK18.

In step SK18, as shown in FIG. 11 (H), an end button 368 is displayed on the display 106 with a touch panel, and the flow proceeds to step SK19.

If the end button 368 is pressed in step SK19, the process proceeds to step SK20, the ID card is returned to the customer from the insertion slot 116 of the card read / write device 128, and the process ends.
When the processing is completed, a guide for introducing the game room is displayed again on the display 106 with the touch panel.

Next, an operation when the IC coin selection button 358 is selected in step SK11 will be described.
In step SK21, the information storage medium storage unit 312 is activated, and the process proceeds to step SK22.
In other words, the processing device 305 is powered on according to a command from the control device 122, and the communication device 346 and the actuator 351 of the guide piece 350 are put into operation.
In other words, the guide piece 350 is arranged at a position where the actuator 351 is off and the IC coin 301 is guided to the return path 348.

In step SK22, as shown in FIG. 11 (I), an IC coin insertion guide is displayed on the display 106 with a touch panel, and the process proceeds to step SK23.

When the customer inserts the IC coin 301 into the insertion slot 332, the communication device 346 communicates with the storage device built in the IC coin 301 via the antenna 336 in the process of rolling the rolling path 334, and the ID, value Memory information such as (medal) information is read.
In other words, the ID information stored in the IC coin 301 and the value information corresponding to the medal are read in step SK23, and the process proceeds to step SK24.

In step SK24, the authenticity of the read ID information is determined. If it is authentic, the process proceeds to step SK25, and if not authentic, the process proceeds to step SK26.

In step SK25, that is, if the ID information of the IC coin 301 is authentic, the actuator 351 is energized, the guide piece 350 is switched to guide to the holding passage 344, and the process proceeds to step SK27.
Date information can be used as the determination information of the genuine IC coin 301.
In other words, if the date is not that of the IC coin issuance date, it can be selected as a fake IC coin.

When the guide piece 350 is switched, the IC coin 301 is guided to the holding passage 344 and held by the holding means 314.
In step SK27, the value information corresponding to the medal read from the IC coin 301 is sent to the control circuit 122, and the process proceeds to step SK28.

In step SK28, as shown in FIG. 11 (J), if there is a past number of deposits on the touch panel display 106, the past total number of deposits and the current value (medal) information are displayed and a deposit button 366 is displayed. Is displayed and the process proceeds to step SK29.

In step SK29, when the communication device 346 communicates with the IC coin 301 and determines re-insertion, the process returns to step SK22, and when re-insertion is not detected, the process proceeds to step SK30.
If deposit button 366 is not pressed in step SK30, the process returns to step SK29 and enters a standby mode.
If deposit button 366 is pressed, the process proceeds to step SK17.
In step SK17, as described above, the number of corresponding IDs is rewritten, and the process proceeds to step SK18. Thereafter, the processes in steps SK18 and SK19 described above are performed.
Therefore, the information storage medium storage device 369 corresponds to Step SK21 to Step SK17.

  If it is determined in step SK24 that it is a fake IC coin, the process proceeds to step SK26, an error is displayed on the touch panel display 106, and then the process returns to step S1.

Next, a case where the payout button 354 is pressed in step S2, that is, a case where medals or IC coins are paid out will be described.
When the payout button 354 is pressed, the process proceeds to step SD1, and after the ID card insertion guide shown in FIG. 11 (K) is displayed on the display 106 with the touch panel, the process proceeds to step SD2.

In step SD2, when an ID card is inserted into the card insertion slot 116, the process proceeds to step SD3. After reading ID information from the ID card, the process proceeds to step SD4, and the palm authentication screen shown in FIG. This is displayed on the attached display 106.

In step SD5, when the customer holds his / her palm over the biometric authentication device 110, the authentication information is automatically acquired, and the process proceeds to step SD6.
If the customer does not hold his / her palm over the biometric authentication device 110, the authentication data cannot be acquired, so the process returns to step SD4 and returns to the biometric authentication screen.

If it is determined in step SD6 that biometric data exists, the process proceeds to step SD7.

In step SD7, the data is compared with the data based on the registered ID. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step SD8 to display an error on the display 106 with the touch panel, and then returns to SD4.
If the biometric authentication information matches in step SD7, the process proceeds to step SD9.

In step SD9, the medal payout button 382 and the IC coin payout button 384 are displayed as shown in FIG. 11 (M), and then the process proceeds to step SD10.

If the medal payout button 382 is pressed in step SD10, the process proceeds to step SD11. If the IC coin payout button 384 is pressed, the process proceeds to step SD23.
Therefore, steps SD9 and SD10 are the payout medium selection means 370.

In step SD11 where a medal is selected, the number of deposits at the present time is displayed as shown in FIG. 11 (N), and a payout instruction number display unit 374, a ten key 376 for inputting the number of payouts, and a payout start button 378 are displayed. After the display, the process proceeds to step SD12.

If the payout number is input from the numeric keypad 376 in step SD12, the process proceeds to step SD13.

If the medal payout start button 378 is pressed in step SD13, the process proceeds to step SD14.

In step SD14, it is determined whether there is a near empty signal from the cup near empty sensor 254. If there is no near empty signal, the process proceeds to step SD15.

In step SD15, it is determined whether or not the number of payout instructions is within the number of deposits. If it is out of the range, the process proceeds to step SD16.

In step SD16, the out-of-deposit range display is performed on the display 106 with a touch panel, and then the process returns to step SD11.
If it is within the range, the process proceeds to step SD17, where the separation device 164 is operated to supply the lowest container 144 of the container holding section 162 to the dispensing device 160.
That is, since only the lowermost container 144 is dropped by the separation device 164, the dropped container 144 falls to a predetermined position of the dispensing device 160.

Next, proceeding to step SD18, the presence signal of the container 144 from the container detection device 260 is determined.
If there is no container presence signal, the process proceeds to step SD19 to display an error and stop all processing.

If near empty of the container 144 is detected in step SD14, the process proceeds to step SD19, prompts the container 144 to be set on the dispensing device 160 as shown in FIG. 11 (O), and proceeds to step SD18.
As a result, the customer inserts the empty container 144 disposed in the vicinity of the medal depositing / dispensing device 100 from the container insertion port 112.
Therefore, when the near empty signal is output from the near empty sensor 254, the separation device 164 is not activated.

When the presence of the container 144 is detected in step SD18, the process proceeds to step SD20, and the medal payout device 130 is operated.
Thereby, the medal payout device 130 divides medals one by one and pays them out to the medal chute 194.

The medal that has dropped onto the medal chute 194 is guided by the medal chute 194 and falls into the container 144 of the payout device 160.
In parallel with this medal payout, a detection signal output every time a medal is paid out from the count sensor 324 mounted on the medal payout device 130 is counted to indirectly detect the medal storage amount in the container 144.

Next, in step SD21, the count value is compared with the number of payout instructions. If the count value is less than the number of instructions, the payout is continued.
In step SD21, when the count matches the number of payout instructions, the process proceeds to step SD22, the medal payout device 130 is stopped, and the payout process is ended.
Along with the stop of the medal payout device 130, display of a game field guidance or the like is performed on the display 106 with a touch panel.

  If the IC coin selection button 384 is selected in step SD10, the process proceeds to step SD23.

In step SD23, the number of deposits at the present time is displayed as shown in FIG. 11 (N), and the payout instruction number display unit 374, the tenkey 376 for inputting the number of payouts, and the payout start button 378 are displayed. Proceed to SD24.
The IC coin 301 stores more value information than the value of a normal medal.
For example, the IC coin 301 stores value information 50 corresponding to 50 normal medals.

If the payout number is input from the numeric keypad 376 in step SD24, the process proceeds to step SD25.

In step SD25, the inputted payout number is divided by 50 corresponding to the value information, and an integer is set as the payout number of the IC coin 301 in the processing device 305, and the process proceeds to step SD26.
For example, when the number of payouts is 1000, 20 divided by 50 is set as the number of payouts.
In step SD25, the value information setting means 392 can be referred to every time.
In this case, since writing to the IC coin 301 is performed based on the setting information of the value information setting means 392, it is possible to provide services to customers according to the situation.
The value information setting unit 392 is, for example, the conversion rate changing unit 394. By changing the setting of the conversion rate, the value information setting unit 392 can have an advantageous value as compared with the case of paying out with a normal medal.
Therefore, step SD25 is the conversion rate changing means 394.
The setting change of the value information setting unit 392 can be performed by a personal computer, for example.

In step SD26, the payout device 314 is activated, and one memoryless IC coin 301 is paid out from the payout device 308, and the process proceeds to step SD27.

In step SD27, the IC coin 301 that has been paid out is stored in the information writing means 318 and the ID of the IC coin, the date of payout, 50 corresponding to the value information, etc. are stored, and then paid out to the return slot 310. Proceed to step SD28.
Accordingly, the payout device 308 whose step SD27 is the date writing means 396 includes the count sensor 324, and outputs a count signal every time one IC coin 301 is paid out.

In step SD28, it is determined whether or not the number of IC coins 301 to be paid out has become the number of instructions.
In other words, when the detection signal from the count sensor 324 reaches the indicated number, the process proceeds to step SD29.

In step SD29, the payout device 308 is stopped and the process returns to step SK17.
In step SK17, the custody information corresponding to the ID is rewritten, and thereafter the above-described processing is executed.

Next, a case where the payout number instruction number is 980 will be described.
In step SD25, when divided by 50 corresponding to value information, it becomes 19.6.
In this case, 950 to 19 multiplied by 50 is subtracted 950, and the remaining 30 are paid out by medals.
In other words, the integer 19 is sent to the processing device 305, the IC coin 301 is paid out as described above, the remaining 30 is set as the payout number in step SD12, and the start button operation in step SD13 is automatically performed. The medals are paid out as described above.
Thus, as described above, 19 IC coins 301 are stored with value information, and 19 coins are paid out to the payout outlet 310, and after the container 144 is paid out to the payout device 160, 30 medals are paid out to the container 144. Then, the process ends as described above.

In step SD24, it is possible to instruct the processing device 305 to pay out only an integer obtained by dividing the number of medals paid out by the number corresponding to value (medal) information, and to pay out only a predetermined number of IC coins 301.
In this case, a display to the effect that too many corresponding medals are not paid out is displayed on the display 106 with one touch panel.

In the present invention, the guide device 105 can be changed to another guide device such as a voice guide.
In addition to the biometric information of the embodiment, the personal authentication device 110 can be changed to a device that can identify the individual such as an ID number.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view from above the left rear portion for explaining a schematic configuration of the medal depositing / dispensing device of the embodiment. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 shows an information storage medium depositing device used in the medal depositing / dispensing device of the embodiment. FIG. 7 shows an information storage medium payout device used in the medal deposit payout device of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information storage medium depositing apparatus of the medal depositing / dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information storage medium dispensing device of the medal deposit / dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a display on the display with a touch panel of the medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 medal custody dispensing device
108 Medals entrance
126 Custody equipment
130 medal dispensing device
208 Medals outlet
300 Information storage media
308 Dispensing device
302 Information storage media storage device
318 writing device
370 Payment medium selection means
394 Conversion rate change means

Claims (5)

At least a medal depositing / dispensing device having a depositing device (126) that counts the medal received at the medal depositing entrance (108) and stores the medal as a depositing number and a medal dispensing device (130) that pays out the medal to the medal paying exit (208) In the device (100),
Furthermore, the payout device (308) of the information storage medium (300) for storing value information larger than the medal value, and
A medal deposit / dispensing apparatus, comprising: a medal payout apparatus or a payout medium selection means (370) for selecting the information storage medium payout apparatus.   2. The medal deposit / dispensing device according to claim 1, further comprising a writing device (318) for writing information corresponding to a predetermined number of medals on the information storage medium from which the paying device pays out.   3. The medal deposit / dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the writing device includes a conversion rate changing means (394).   3. The medal deposit / dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the writing device writes at least a date.   2. The medal deposit / dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an information storage medium depositing apparatus (302) for reading stored information from the information storage medium by communication, and adding and storing the information to the number of deposits. .

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