JP2010167087A - Prize put-out device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a prize put-out device capable of preventing a wrong prize from being stored in a cassette. <P>SOLUTION: In this prize put-out device 1, a read part 50 reads type information for specifying the type of a prize 2, from the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 loaded in a cabinet 3 so as to acquire the type of the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4. Consequently, this constitution can prevent the wrong prize 2 from being stored in the cassette 4. The type information of the prize 2 may be the color of the prize 2 or may be recorded in an IC chip incorporated in the prize 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a prize payout device for paying out prizes to be exchanged for game media such as pachinko balls.

In game facilities such as pachinko parlors, a prize payout device is provided for paying out prizes to the player according to the number of game media such as pachinko balls acquired by the player (see Patent Document 1 below).
In the prize dispensing device of Patent Document 1, a plurality of cassettes for storing a plurality of prizes are loaded so as to be exchangeable with respect to the prize dispensing device, and a necessary number of prizes are delivered from each cassette to the player. To be paid out.

Each cassette stores a predetermined type of prize, and each cassette is loaded at a predetermined position with respect to each cassette in the prize dispensing device.
In the prize dispensing device of Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the cassette from being loaded in a position different from a predetermined position in the prize dispensing device, an erroneous insertion prevention pin is provided on the prize dispensing device side, An erroneous insertion prevention pin insertion opening is provided on the cassette side.

  As a result, when the cassette is to be loaded at a predetermined position in the prize dispensing device, the erroneous insertion prevention pin is inserted into the erroneous insertion prevention pin insertion port, and the cassette is completely inserted into the prize dispensing device without any problem. Loaded. However, if the cassette is to be loaded at a position different from a predetermined position in the giveaway device, the erroneous insertion prevention pin will hit the cassette without being inserted into the erroneous insertion prevention pin insertion slot during the loading. The cassette is not completely loaded into the prize dispenser. As a result, erroneous insertion (erroneous loading) of the cassette can be prevented.

JP-A-7-275490

In the prize dispensing device described in Patent Document 1, even if an incorrect prize is stored in the cassette, if the cassette is loaded in a predetermined position, it is completely loaded in the prize dispensing apparatus as it is. . As a result, a prize stored in error from the cassette is mistakenly paid out as a prize having a value different from the original value.
Here, if the prize is paid out by mistake, the following problems occur. First, if the customer takes away the wrong prize, the store or the customer suffers damage. Also, if the clerk notices a mistake and replaces the paid (wrong) prize with the correct prize, it takes time and makes the customer distrust. The wrong prizes in the cassette must be replaced with correct prizes. However, in an amusement store, there is usually a difference between a clerk (administrator) who replenishes prizes and a clerk who performs prize exchange work. Because there are many, it takes time to call the manager and refill the prize, and during that time, the prize exchange work must be stopped.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and it is a main object of the present invention to provide a prize dispensing device that can prevent an erroneous prize from being stored in a cassette.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a prize dispensing device capable of improving the usability associated with loading a cassette.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a giveaway device for paying out prizes stored in the apparatus, the apparatus main body, and a plurality of prizes stored therein and loaded in a replaceable manner on the apparatus main body. A prize dispensing device comprising: a cassette; and reading means for reading type information for identifying the type of the prize from a prize stored in the cassette loaded in the apparatus main body.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, each prize is colored with a color representing the type of the prize, and the reading means selects the color of the prize stored in the cassette loaded in the apparatus body. The prize dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the prize dispensing apparatus is read as information.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, each premium includes an IC chip in which type information representing the type of the premium is recorded, and the reading means is stored in the cassette loaded in the apparatus main body. 2. The prize dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the type information of the IC chip in the prize is read.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the cassette can store a plurality of prizes in a stacked state, and the reading unit moves in the stacking direction of the prizes stored in the cassette in a stacked state. The prize payout device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the type information of all prizes stored in the shop is read.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of receiving units that are provided in the apparatus main body and receive the cassettes loaded in the apparatus main body, and information on the types of prizes to be stored in the cassettes received in the receiving units. Setting registration means for setting and registering for each receiving section; in each of the receiving sections, type information read by the reading means from a prize stored in the cassette received by the receiving section; and the setting registration means The prize dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a notifying means for notifying the fact that the type information set and registered for the receiving unit does not match. is there.

  The invention according to claim 6 is a prize payout device for paying out prizes stored in the apparatus, the apparatus main body, and a plurality of prizes stored therein and loaded in a replaceable manner on the apparatus main body. From the cassette and the prize stored in the cassette loaded in the apparatus main body, a reading means for reading the type information specifying the type of the prize, and a plurality of reading means provided in the apparatus main body, the loaded in the apparatus main body The receiving unit that receives the cassette, and in each of the receiving units, the type information read by the reading unit from the prize stored in the cassette received by the receiving unit is used as the type information of the prize stored in the receiving unit. A gift payout device comprising: setting registration means for setting and registering.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the setting registration means predetermines conditions for the type information of the prize stored in the cassette that is received by the receiving unit in each of the receiving units, and is accepted by the receiving unit. When the type information read by the reading unit from the prize stored in the cassette satisfies the conditions set for the receiving unit, the type information read by the reading unit is stored in the receiving unit. The type information read by the reading means from the prize stored in the cassette received by the receiving unit satisfies the condition set for the receiving unit. The prize dispensing device according to claim 6, further comprising a notifying means for notifying the fact when there is no such information.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the prize dispensing device, the reading means reads the type information for identifying the type of the prize from the prize stored in the cassette loaded in the apparatus main body. It is possible to grasp the type of the given prize.
As a result, the wrong prize can be prevented from being stored in the cassette.
Here, the type information of the prize may be the color of the prize as in the invention described in claim 2, or may be recorded on the IC chip built in the prize as in the invention described in claim 3. It may be a thing.

According to the invention described in claim 4, since the reading means reads the type information of all the prizes stored in the cassette while moving in the stacking direction of the prizes stored in the cassette in the stacked state, The type of all the prizes stored in the cassette can be grasped.
According to the invention described in claim 5, in this prize dispensing device, a plurality of receiving portions for receiving cassettes loaded in the device main body are provided in the same manner as the cassettes, and the setting registration means receives at each receiving portion. The type information of the prize to be stored in the cassette to be stored is set and registered for each receiving unit.

In each receiving unit, when the type information read by the reading unit from the prize stored in the cassette received by the receiving unit and the type information set and registered for the receiving unit by the setting registration unit do not match Since the notification means notifies that fact, it is possible to prevent the cassette containing the wrong prize from being left unaccepted by the receiving unit.
According to the invention described in claim 6, in the prize dispensing device, the reading means reads the type information for identifying the type of the prize from the prize stored in the cassette loaded in the apparatus main body. It is possible to grasp the type of the given prize.

As a result, the wrong prize can be prevented from being stored in the cassette.
In this prize dispensing device, a plurality of receiving portions for receiving a cassette loaded in the device main body are provided in the same manner as the cassette.
Here, the setting registration unit sets and registers the type information read by the reading unit from the prize stored in the cassette received by the receiving unit as the type information of the prize stored in the receiving unit. .

As a result, prior to receiving (loading) the cassette in the receiving unit, it is not necessary to pay attention to which receiving unit should receive the cassette containing which type of prize. Usability can be improved.
In addition, in the prize payout device, it is possible to grasp which type of prize is stored in which receiving unit, and it is possible to pay out a necessary number of prizes of a necessary type based on the grasped contents.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the setting registration means predetermines the condition of the type information of the prize stored in the cassette received by the receiving unit in each receiving unit.
Then, the setting registering unit reads the type read by the reading unit when the type information read by the reading unit from the prize stored in the cassette received by the receiving unit satisfies the condition set for the receiving unit. The information is set and registered as the type information of the prize stored in the receiving unit.
Here, when the type information read by the reading unit from the prize stored in the cassette received by the receiving unit does not satisfy the condition set for the receiving unit, the notification unit notifies the fact. Therefore, the user can be prompted to reload the cassette so as to satisfy the above condition.

It is the perspective view which looked at prize giving device 1 from the front side (side which an employee operates). It is a perspective view of the prize dispensing unit 5 in a state where the right wall is removed and the inside is exposed. It is a disassembled perspective view of the prize dispensing unit 5 in a state where the right wall is removed and the inside is exposed. It is a perspective view of lower unit 20 in the state where the right wall was removed and the inside was exposed. It is the perspective view which looked at the cassette 4 from the diagonal upper side, Comprising: (a) shows the state in which none of the prizes 2 are accommodated, (b) shows the state in which a plurality of prizes 2 are accommodated. ing. 1 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a prize dispensing device 1. FIG. (A) is the perspective view which looked at the one reading part 50 from the upper right side, (b) is the perspective view which looked at the loaded cassette 4 and the reading part 50 corresponding to this cassette 4 from the upper right side. (C) is the figure which exposed the inside of cassette 4 in (b). FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit configuration in the prize dispensing device 1 and shows a part related to color reading of the prize 2 by the reading unit 50. It is the figure which showed typically the layout at the time of seeing all the prize delivery units 5, the cassette holder 23, and the cassette 4 in the cabinet 3 of the prize delivery apparatus 1 from the upper direction. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of an inspection process. The display content of the 2nd display part 7B is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a confirmation process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the confirmation process which concerns on a modification. It is right side sectional drawing of the giveaway device 1 which concerns on a modification.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, the horizontal direction and the width direction are the same, and the vertical direction and the vertical direction are the same. The front-rear direction and the left-right direction (width direction) are included in the horizontal direction.
<Outline of the prize dispensing device>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the prize dispensing device 1 viewed from the front side (side on which an employee operates).

The prize payout device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used by being directly installed on the floor of a game facility, for example.
Referring to FIG. 1, a customer who receives a payout of a prize from the prize dispensing device 1 is located on the rear side (the back side in FIG. 1), and an employee is located on the front side of the prize dispensing device 1. And serve customers.

  Here, prizes handled by the prize dispensing device 1 (see reference numeral 2 in FIG. 5B described later) are exchanged according to the number of game media such as pachinko balls acquired by the player at the game facility. Also called a special prize in the card body. The gift 2 is generally a resin card having a thickness of about 1 to 3 mm. The prize 2 has a built-in object having a predetermined monetary value. For example, there are four types according to monetary values such as 100 yen, 500 yen, 1000 yen, and 5000 yen. In addition, in order to identify the type of the prize 2, information indicating the type is printed on the surface so as to be visible, or an RFID tag or the like is incorporated. In addition, the prize may be subjected to processing for preventing fraud such as forgery. Furthermore, the surface of the prize may be color-coded for each type.

  The prize dispensing device 1 includes a cabinet 3 as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped apparatus body that forms the outline thereof, and a plurality of (four in this example) prize dispensing units 5 (see FIG. 2 described later) housed in the cabinet 3. It has. In each premium payout unit 5, a plurality of cassettes 4 (see FIG. 5 described later) are exchangeably stored. Each cassette 4 stores a plurality of prizes 2 stacked one above the other.

  The plurality of prize payout units 5 are accommodated in the cabinet 3 in a state of being arranged in the width direction. In each prize payout unit 5, a total of eight cassettes 4 are arranged, four in two rows in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, four cassettes 4 are arranged in the cabinet 3 in eight rows in the horizontal direction. The eight rows from the first row to the eighth row arranged in the horizontal direction are called the first lane to the eighth lane in order from the left. Such a prize payout device 1 can accommodate a large amount of many kinds of prizes 2 as a whole, and can pay out many kinds of prizes 2 at a time.

On the front wall of the cabinet 3, each portion that coincides with each premium payout unit 5 in the width direction constitutes a door 6. That is, four doors 6 are provided in the same manner as the prize payout unit 5. By opening the door 6, the corresponding prize dispensing unit 5 can be pulled out from the cabinet 3.
On the upper surface of the cabinet 3, a display unit 7 is provided as a notification unit. The display unit 7 includes a first display unit 7A for customers and a second display unit 7B for employees. Necessary information is displayed on each display unit. The display unit 7 is a so-called touch panel, and an operation unit (not shown) that is operated to control the operation of the prize payout device 1 is displayed on the display unit 7.

  On the rear side of the display unit 7 on the upper surface of the cabinet 3, eight payout ports 8 are formed at positions above the prize payout units 5 corresponding to the first to eighth lanes. The eight outlets 8 are arranged in the width direction. Each outlet 8 communicates with the inside of the cabinet 3 from above. Each payout port 8 is provided with a shutter 9. The shutter 9 opens and closes the dispensing outlet 8 by sliding back and forth. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the shutter 9 closes the outlet 8.

Although only a part is shown in FIG. 1, in order to pay out the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 (see FIG. 5), the first delivery unit 10 and second A transport unit 11, a holding unit 12, a lift unit 13, and a delivery unit 14 are provided.
As a rough payout procedure for the prize 2 in the prize payout device 1, first, the first transport unit 10 separates a prize group corresponding to a predetermined payout number from the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 (see FIG. 5). And transport it upward. Next, the second transport unit 11 transports the prize 2 (premium group) transported upward substantially horizontally toward the payout exit 8 side. Then, the holding unit 12 holds the delivered prize 2 below the payout opening 8. Thereafter, the lift unit 13 lifts the suspended prize 2 toward the payout opening 8. Finally, the delivery unit 14 pushes the prize 2 lifted up to the payout opening 8 onto the upper surface of the cabinet 3. Here, the shutter 9 and the configuration for sliding the shutter 9 are included in the sending unit 14 described above. In this way, the prize 2 stored in the prize dispensing device 1 is dispensed from the dispensing outlet 8.

These configurations (the first transport unit 10, the second transport unit 11, the holding unit 12, the lift unit 13, and the sending unit 14) will be described individually when the prize payout unit 5 is described below.
<Premium delivery unit>
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the prize dispensing unit 5 in a state where the right wall is removed and the inside is exposed.

As shown in FIG. 2, each premium payout unit 5 has a hollow box shape that is slightly thin in the left-right direction. The prize dispensing unit 5 includes a lower unit 20 that forms approximately a fifth of the vertical direction of the premium unit 5 and an upper unit 21 that is disposed above the lower unit 20.
In addition, a handle 26 is provided on the front surface (the front surface in FIG. 2) of the prize payout unit 5 (specifically, the lower unit 20). The handle 26 is gripped when the premium payout unit 5 is pulled out from the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 1) as described above.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the prize dispensing unit 5 in a state where the right wall is removed and the inside is exposed.
As shown in FIG. 3, the lower unit 20 and the upper unit 21 are separable. Specifically, the upper unit 21 is fixed to the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 1) side, and the giveaway unit 5 can pull out only the lower unit 20 from the cabinet 3 by grasping the handle 26. .

Below, the lower unit 20 and the upper unit 21 are demonstrated separately.
(1) Lower unit The lower unit 20 has a lower casing 22 that forms an outer shell, eight cassette holders 23 (four cassette holders 23 on the right side in FIG. 3) as receiving parts, and eight cassettes 4. (In FIG. 3, one of the eight cassettes 4 is shown above the lower unit 20.) and four transport mechanisms 24 (not shown in FIG. 3, see FIG. 2) Including. The cassette holder 23, the cassette 4, and the transport mechanism 24 are normally disposed in the lower casing 22. Here, the transport mechanism 24 constitutes the first transport unit 10 described above.

As described above, when the lower unit 20 is pulled out of the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 1) and the lower unit 20 and the upper unit 21 are separated (as shown in FIG. 3), the upper surface of the lower casing 22 is opened. ing.
(1-1) Cassette Holder FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lower unit 20 in a state where the right wall is removed and the inside is exposed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the eight cassette holders 23 are arranged in such a manner that four cassette holders 23 are arranged in the front-rear direction (the direction connecting the front side and the back side in FIG. 4) and two on the left and right. Each cassette holder 23 includes four holding rails 25 extending in the vertical direction. The four holding rails 25 are disposed so as to form four corners of a square when viewed from above (see the rightmost cassette holder 23 in FIG. 4).
(1-2) Cassette FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cassette 4 as viewed obliquely from above, where (a) shows a state in which no prize 2 is stored, and (b) shows a plurality of sheets. The premium 2 is stored.

As shown in FIG. 5, each cassette 4 is long in the vertical direction, and its flat cross section has a substantially U shape with the right side cut out in FIG. 5. In the cassette 4, the upper surface is opened to accommodate the prize 2 in the cassette 4, while the bottom surface is blocked so that the prize 2 accommodated in the cassette 4 does not fall from the cassette 4. .
The right surface of the cassette 4 in FIG. 5 is continuously opened over the entire range in the vertical direction so as to form the above-described substantially U-shaped flat section, and the opened portion is defined as the open portion 28. That's it. The opening portion 28 is continuous with the upper surface opened in the cassette 4.

  Grooves 29 are formed on the front and rear surfaces of the cassette 4 so as to be recessed inward of the cassette 4 and extending vertically. In addition, two grooves 29 are formed on the left surface of the cassette 4 in FIG. 5 with an interval in the front and rear direction (not shown in FIG. 5, and the right surface of the cassette 4 shown alone in FIG. 3). See). These grooves 29 are used to guide loading of the cassette 4 when the cassette 4 is loaded into the lower casing 22 as will be described later.

  A handle 30 is attached to the upper end of the cassette 4. The handle 30 is substantially U-shaped having two free ends that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. In the handle 30, the front free end 30 </ b> A is supported by a portion above the groove 29 on the front surface of the cassette 4, and the rear free end (not shown) is formed in the groove 29 on the rear surface of the cassette 4. It is supported by the upper part. Thereby, the entire handle 30 is rotatably supported by the upper end of the cassette 4. Therefore, by appropriately rotating the handle 30, the handle 30 can be satisfactorily gripped and moved while the cassette 4 is hung.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the cassette 4 can store, for example, about 100 sheets at the maximum in a stacked state in which a plurality of predetermined types of prizes 2 are stacked in the vertical direction. In this state, the prize 2 in the stacked state is placed on the bottom wall 4 </ b> A of the cassette 4.
As shown in FIG. 3, the cassette 4 in which the prize 2 is stored is loaded into the lower casing 22 (in other words, the cabinet 3) from above via the upper surface of the opened lower casing 22, and the corresponding cassette. It is held (accepted) by the holder 23.

  Specifically, as the cassette 4 is loaded, the four holding rails 25 of the corresponding cassette holder 23 are fitted into the four grooves 29 (see also FIG. 5) of each cassette 4 from the outside and the lower side. Then, each groove 29 is lowered by being guided by the holding rail 25. When the cassette 4 reaches the lower limit, the descent of the cassette 4 stops. At this time, the cassette 4 is positioned by being surrounded from the outside by the four holding rails 25. Thus, the cassette 4 is held by the corresponding cassette holder 23.

Here, in the lower casing 22, two cassette holders 23 are arranged side by side, so that the cassettes 4 held by the cassette holders 23 arranged side by side are arranged side by side. At this time, among the two cassettes 4 arranged side by side, the open portion 28 of the left cassette 4 and the open portion 28 of the right cassette 4 face each other in the horizontal direction. That is, each cassette 4 is loaded in the lower casing 22 so that the opening portion 28 faces the center in the width direction of the lower casing 22.
(1-3) Transport Mechanism Referring to FIG. 2, the four transport mechanisms 24 described above are arranged side by side in the lower casing 22 (in FIG. 2, one transport mechanism 24 is illustrated). Yes.) Each transport mechanism 24 is disposed between the cassette holders 23 arranged side by side in the lower casing 22 (in other words, the cassettes 4 arranged side by side) (see also FIG. 3).

Each transport mechanism 24 includes a support rail 31 that extends in the vertical direction, a transport unit 32, and a motor 33.
The transport unit 32 is supported by the support rail 31 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. In this state, the transport unit 32 faces the open portion 28 (see FIG. 3) of the cassette 4 loaded in one of the cassette holders 23 on the left and right sides of the transport mechanism 24 from the horizontal direction.

The motor 33 is fixed to the lower end of the support rail 31. When the motor 33 is driven, the driving force of the motor 33 is transmitted to the transport unit 32 via a transmission member such as a belt or a chain, and the transport unit 32 is supported by the support rail 31 in the vertical direction. Slide.
As a result, the transport unit 32 accesses the inside of the cassette 4 from the opening portion 28 (see FIG. 5A) of the cassette 4, so that the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 (see FIG. 5B) In order from the upper prize 2, a necessary number (paid-out number) can be separated and conveyed upward. Here, the position of the transport unit 32 when in the vicinity of the upper limit is referred to as a standby position.

Further, the transport mechanism 24 can rotate around a support rail 31 extending in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the transport unit 32 that has been directed to the right front with respect to the posture of FIG. 2 is directed to the left rear (not illustrated) as the transport mechanism 24 is rotated by 180 °.
Therefore, referring to FIG. 3, for example, the transport unit 32 of the transport mechanism 24 first faces the right cassette 4 loaded in the right cassette holder 23 from the left. Then, according to the above-described procedure, the prize 2 (see FIG. 5B) stored in the right cassette 4 is transported to the upper unit 21 in the order from the upper prize 2 by the number of payouts (FIG. 2). See also).

As a result, when all the prizes 2 in the right cassette 4 are transported and the right cassette 4 is empty, the transport mechanism 24 is centered on the support rail 31 (see FIG. 2) extending in the vertical direction as described above. Rotate 180 °.
Thus, the transport unit 32 faces the left cassette 4 loaded in the left cassette holder 23 from the right, and this time, the prizes 2 stored in the left cassette 4 are sequentially described above from the upper prize 2. According to the procedure, it can be separated and transported upward.

  In this way, one transport mechanism 24 (see FIG. 2) is arranged between the left and right cassettes 4 and separates and transports the prizes 2 in these two cassettes 4. In other words, the transport mechanism 24 and the cassette 4 are in a one-to-two relationship, and one transport mechanism 24 corresponds to the prize 2 stored in each of the two cassettes 4 arranged side by side. It is possible. Thereby, the prizes 2 stored in each of the plurality of cassettes 4 can be separated and conveyed by only one conveyance mechanism 24 without providing the same number of conveyance mechanisms 24 as the number of cassettes 4. 5 can be simplified and downsized. Note that one transport mechanism 24 corresponds to more cassettes 4 so that the transport mechanism 24 and the cassette 4 have a one-to-three relationship, a one-to-four relationship, a one-to-five relationship, and so on. It does not matter.

The transport unit 32 shown in FIG. 2 moves up and down to transport the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4. For example, the transport unit 32 includes a specific sensor (not shown) and moves up and down. At this time, the prize 2 in the cassette 4 may be counted by this sensor.
(2) Upper Unit As shown in FIG. 3, the upper unit 21 includes an upper casing 80 that forms an outline thereof, and a storage box 81 and an elevator 82 that are disposed in the upper casing 80.

The upper casing 80 has a box shape that is long in the front-rear direction and flat in the vertical direction. In FIG. 3, the right wall of the upper casing 80 is omitted. In the upper casing 80, the upper surface is open.
Further, six openings 83 communicating with the inside of the upper casing 80 are formed on the bottom surface of the upper casing 80. The six openings 83 are formed so that three are arranged in the front and rear and two in the left and right. Each of the openings 83 has a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction. In particular, in the three openings 83 arranged in the front-rear direction, the opening 83 in the middle is about twice as large in the front-rear direction as the remaining openings 83.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the state where the lower unit 20 is in the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 1) (the state where the lower unit 20 and the upper unit 21 are integrated), each opening 83 corresponds to the corresponding cassette 4 (see FIG. 2). 3)) from above.
That is, in the three openings 83 arranged in the front and rear on the left side, the frontmost opening 83 faces the upper surface of the frontmost cassette 4 among the four cassettes 4 arranged in the front and rear on the left side in the lower unit 20. (See also FIG. 3). Further, in the three openings 83 arranged on the left side in the front-rear direction, the rearmost opening 83 is the upper side of the upper side of the rearmost cassette 4 among the four cassettes 4 arranged in the front-rear direction on the left side in the lower unit 20 (See also Fig. 3). On the other hand, the opening 83 in the middle in the front-rear direction faces the upper surface of the second and third cassettes 4 from the front among the four cassettes 4 arranged in the front-rear direction (see also FIG. 3). The same applies to the three openings 83 arranged on the right side in the front-rear direction.

Two hold boxes 81 are provided on the left and right. The holding box 81 is a box shape that is slightly thin on the left and right, and its upper and bottom surfaces are open.
The flat cross section of the storage box 81 is substantially U-shaped like the cassette 4 (see FIG. 5). In the holding box 81 on the left side, the right surface is opened in the entire area in the vertical direction, and in the holding box 81 on the right side, the left surface is opened in the entire area in the vertical direction. In each holding box 81, the part opened in this way is referred to as an open part 84. The opening portion 84 is continuous with both the opened top surface and bottom surface of the storage box 81.

The left holding box 81 is supported by the left wall of the upper casing 80 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and the right holding box 81 is slidable in the front-rear direction by the right wall (not shown) of the upper casing 80. It is supported. The left and right holding boxes 81 can slide independently without being interlocked with each other.
Each holding box 81 passes above the three openings 83 arranged in the front-rear direction on the same side in the left-right direction when sliding back and forth.

  Here, with reference to the rearmost opening 83 (the opening 83 at the same position as the left holding box 81) in the three openings 83 arranged in the front and rear on the left side, as described above, the transport unit 32 has the opening 83. When the prize 2 of the cassette 4 below (see FIG. 3) is conveyed upward, the holding box 81 (here, the holding box 81 on the left side) on the same side in the left-right direction is directly above the prize 2 being conveyed. After moving so as to be located at this position, it waits at this position.

  Then, the prize 2 transported upward by the transport unit 32 stands by in an opening 83 (here, the rearmost opening 83 on the left side) above the cassette 4 in which the prize 2 was stored. It passes through the opened bottom surface of the holding box 81 in order and is accommodated in the holding box 81. That is, the holding box 81 is disposed above (adjacent in the vertical direction) with respect to the cassette 4 and receives the prize 2 conveyed by the conveyance unit 32. Thereafter, the transport unit 32 returns to the original position (the standby position described above).

When the prize 2 is stored in the holding box 81, a claw (not shown) provided in the holding box 81 protrudes into the holding box 81, so that the prize 2 at the lowest side in the holding box 81 Engage from below. Thereby, the prize 2 accommodated in the holding box 81 does not fall from the bottom surface of the holding box 81.
The elevator 82 is located at a substantially central position in the front-rear direction of the bottom wall of the upper casing 80, and is attached from above to a portion (referred to as a rib 85) extending back and forth between the openings 83 adjacent to the left and right in the bottom wall of the upper casing 80. ing. In this state, the elevator 82 can move back and forth on the rib 85. The elevator 82 includes two horizontal plate-like stages 86 disposed on the left and right sides with an interval therebetween, and an expansion / contraction mechanism 87.

Of the two stages 86, the left stage 86 faces from the top to the middle opening 83 of the three openings 83 arranged on the left and front and back, and the right stage 86 is arranged three on the right and front and back. It faces the middle opening 83 of the opening 83 from above. In this state, the two stages 86 are connected and integrated by a connecting member 88.
The expansion / contraction mechanism 87 has a so-called pantograph structure, and can change the posture into a contracted state that is flattened up and down and an extended state (not shown) that extends upward as shown in FIG. In the expansion / contraction mechanism 87, the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction (referred to as a rising portion 89) rises most when the expansion / contraction mechanism 87 changes its posture from the contracted state to the extended state. When the telescopic mechanism 87 changes its posture between the contracted state and the extended state, the rising portion 89 moves up and down linearly along the vertical direction. A connecting member 88 that connects the two stages 86 is attached to the rising portion 89 of the telescopic mechanism 87 from above.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the telescopic mechanism 87 is in the contracted state, each stage 86 is at a position lower than the bottom surface of the holding box 81 on the same side in the left-right direction. When the telescopic mechanism 87 is in the extended state (not shown), each stage 86 is at a position higher than the holding box 81 on the same side on the left and right sides, and at the same position in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the cabinet 3. It corresponds to the payout port 8 (see FIG. 1).

  Here, when the prize 2 is accommodated in the holding box 81 as described above, the holding box 81 slides in the front-rear direction and directly above the stage 86 on the same side in the left-right direction (in other words, the payout port 8). Stop right below. That is, the holding box 81 conveys the received prize 2 to a predetermined position (directly above the stage 86 and directly below the payout opening 8). At this time, the expansion / contraction mechanism 87 is in a contracted state.

Thus, the holding box 81 holds the transported prize 2 below the payout port 8 after transporting the prize 2 transported by the transport unit 32 to the payout port 8 side, and thus the second transport described above. It functions as the unit 11 and the holding unit 12. With the holding box 81, the prize 2 conveyed from the cassette 4 can be reliably conveyed toward the payout opening 8.
When the prize 2 of the cassette 4 located immediately below the stage 86 is paid out, the entire elevator 82 including the stage 86 is shifted to either the front or back with respect to the cassette 4. When the prize 2 conveyed from the cassette 4 is accommodated in the holding box 81, the elevator 82 returns to the original position so that the stage 86 is disposed directly below the payout opening 8.

  When the holding box 81 thus transports the prize 2 to a predetermined position (directly above the stage 86 and directly below the payout port 8), the telescopic mechanism 87 in the contracted state changes its posture to the expanded state (FIG. Not shown). As a result, the stage 86 located just below the holding box 81 moves up along the vertical direction. At this time, the stage 86 passes through the opened bottom surface of the holding box 81, and then pushes up the bottom surface of the prize 2 located at the lowermost side among the prizes 2 accommodated in the holding box 81 from below. As a result, all the prizes 2 accommodated in the holding box 81 rise while being placed on the stage 86.

  When the telescopic mechanism 87 is in the extended state, all the prizes 2 accommodated in the storage box 81 are lifted by the stage 86 and moved upward from the opened upper surface of the storage box 81 (not shown). ) At this time, the payout opening 8 (see FIG. 1) at the same position in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the cabinet 3 is opened, and the prize 2 that has moved upward from the opened upper surface of the holding box 81 is opened. It is exposed to the upper surface of the cabinet 3 from the discharge outlet 8. That is, the elevator 82 lifts the prize 2 transported to a predetermined position (directly above the stage 86 and directly below the outlet 8) by the holding box 81 to the outlet 8 and thus functions as the lift unit 13 described above. ing. By the elevator 82, the prize 2 conveyed from the cassette 4 by the conveyance unit 32 can be reliably conveyed toward the payout opening 8 of the prize dispensing device 1.

  Here, referring to FIG. 1, the shutter 9 that opens and closes the dispensing outlet 8 is shifted to the front side (employee side) with respect to the dispensing outlet 8 when the dispensing outlet 8 is opened (this state is not shown). ) When the prize 2 is exposed from the payout opening 8 as described above, the shutter 9 slides to the rear side (customer side), and closes the payout opening 8 while pushing the prize 2 toward the rear customer. Thereafter, the telescopic mechanism 87 (see FIG. 2) returns to the contracted state (not shown).

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the prize dispensing device 1.
With reference to FIG. 6, the payout operation of the prize 2 in each prize payout unit 5 of the prize payout apparatus 1 of the present invention described above will be summarized. In addition, the thick line arrow of FIG. 6 has shown the flow of the prize 2 (refer FIG.5 (b)) paid out.
In each prize paying unit 5, the prizes 2 stored in the respective cassettes 4 of the lower unit 20 are separated by a necessary number (the number of payouts) and then transported upward and delivered into the upper unit 21. Thereafter, the prize 2 delivered to the upper unit 21 is transported to a central position (below the outlet 8). Next, the shutter 9 of the payout opening 8 is opened, and the prize 2 is lifted up to the payout opening 8 by the elevator 82, and finally the rear side (the left side in FIG. 6) by the shutter 9 that attempts to close the payout opening 8. Pushed out to the customer.
(3) Reading Unit In the prize dispensing device 1, the type of the prize 2 (see FIG. 5B) stored in each cassette 4 loaded in the cabinet 3 can be grasped. For this purpose, the prize payout device 1 includes a reading unit 50 as reading means in each prize payout unit 5.

7A is a perspective view of one reading unit 50 as viewed from the upper right side, and FIG. 7B shows the loaded cassette 4 and the reading unit 50 corresponding to the cassette 4 from the upper right side. It is the perspective view seen, (c) is the figure which exposed the inside of the cassette 4 in (b).
As shown in FIG. 7A, the reading unit 50 is a front-rear direction (a direction connecting the left front side and the right back side in FIG. 7A, and the same in FIGS. 7B and 7C). .) Is thin and thin from side to side, and has a substantially rectangular plate shape when viewed from the width direction.

The reading unit 50 is provided with a color sensor 52, and the color sensor 52 is exposed from the right side (referred to as the detection surface 51) of the reading unit 50 in FIG.
The color sensor 52 includes a light emitting unit 52A and a light receiving unit 52B. In the color sensor 52, the light emitting unit 52A emits white light to the object to be detected facing the detection surface 51, and the light receiving unit 52B receives the reflected light. The color sensor 52 detects the color of the surface of the object to be detected by converting the reflected light into RGB data and analyzing it based on the reflected light received by the light receiving unit 52B.

  As shown in FIG. 4, eight reading units 50 are provided in each premium paying unit 5 in the same manner as the eight cassette holders 23 (in FIG. 4, four reading units 50 on the right side are shown). ). Each reading unit 50 is attached to a corresponding cassette holder 23. Specifically, the four holding rails 25 constituting the cassette holder 23 are arranged on the outer side in the width direction (the side adjacent to the outer wall in the width direction of the giveaway dispensing unit 5). ) Between the lower ends of the two holding rails 25 arranged in the front-rear direction.

In this state, in each reading unit 50, the above-described detection surface 51 (see FIG. 7A) faces the center in the width direction of the prize dispensing unit 5 (specifically, the lower casing 22 of the lower unit 20). Therefore, in the four reading units 50 on the right side appearing in FIG. 4, not the detection surface 51 but the surface opposite to the detection surface 51 in the width direction in the reading unit 50 is mainly visible.
Then, in relation to the reading unit 50, as shown in FIG. 7B, an opening 53 is formed at the lower end of each cassette 4. Strictly speaking, in FIG. 7B, the opening 53 is on the back side (left side) of the reading unit 50 and is hidden. The opening 53 is formed at the lower end of the surface (the right surface in FIG. 7B) opposite to the surface (the left surface in FIG. 7B) on which the above-described opening portion 28 is formed in the cassette 4. . The opening 53 has a substantially rectangular shape that is approximately the same size as the reading unit 50 and is longitudinally long in the front-rear direction.

  As described above, the cassette 4 in which the prize 2 is stored (see FIG. 5B) is loaded from above into the lower casing 22 of the prize dispensing unit 5 (the cassette 4 shown alone in FIG. 3 is installed). (Refer to the cassette 4 other than the cassette 4 shown alone in FIG. 3). At this time, in the reading part 50 (refer FIG. 4) of each cassette holder 23, the detection surface 51 (refer FIG. 7A) faces from the horizontal direction with respect to the opening 53 of the corresponding cassette 4, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, it faces the end surface (the right end surface in FIG. 7C) in the width direction of the prize 2 on the lower end side accommodated in the cassette 4 through the opening 53. In this state, the color sensor 52 (see FIG. 7A) provided on the detection surface 51 detects (reads) the color of the prize 2 exposed from the opening 53.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit in the prize dispensing device 1, and shows a part related to the color reading of the prize 2 by the reading unit 50.
As shown in FIG. 8, the giveaway device 1 is provided with a control unit 60 as setting registration means composed of, for example, a microcomputer.
The control unit 60 operates as described above for all the reading units 50 (see FIG. 4), the display unit 7 (here, the second display unit 7B, see FIG. 1), and the second display unit 7B in the giveaway device 1. Is electrically connected to each of the unit (reference numeral 61 in FIG. 8), the storage unit 62, and the communication unit 63.

  In response to the operation unit 61 being operated (pressed) in accordance with a predetermined procedure, the control unit 60 instructs the reading unit 50 to read the cassette 4 corresponding to the reading unit 50 (see FIGS. 7B and 7B). c) Read the color of the prize 2 stored in (2). In relation to this, the control unit 60 reads data stored in the storage unit 62, writes data to the storage unit 62, and causes the display unit 7 to display a color reading result.

The control unit 60 is connected to an external device (for example, a prize management machine (not shown) that manages the prize dispensing device 1) via the communication unit 63, and receives an instruction from the prize management machine (not shown). Accordingly, the reading unit 50 can read the color of the prize 2 in the cassette 4 and can transmit the color reading result to a prize management machine (not shown).
The storage unit 62 stores a management table that combines the type information and color information of the prize 2 to be handled. By referring to the management table, the type can be specified based on the color information. The color information can be specified based on the above. Further, type setting information (registered type information S described later) preset for each cassette holder 23 is also stored here.
(3-1) Inspection Processing In this prize dispensing device 1, it is possible to inspect whether the correct prize 2 is stored in the cassette 4 received in each cassette holder 23 of the cabinet 3 by using the reading unit 50. In the following, this process (inspection process) will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the layout of all the prize dispensing units 5, the cassette holder 23, and the cassette 4 in the cabinet 3 of the prize dispensing device 1 when viewed from above. In FIG. 9, the lower side is the front side (employee side provided with the door 6) in FIG. 1, and the upper side is the rear side (customer side) of the prize dispensing device 1 in FIG. is there.

Prior to describing the inspection process, first, the layout in the cabinet 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
In this prize dispensing device 1, as described above, four prize dispensing units 5 are accommodated in the cabinet 3 in a state of being arranged in the width direction. In each prize dispensing unit 5, eight cassette holders 23 are arranged in front and rear. They are arranged in such a manner that four are arranged in the vertical direction in FIG. 9 and two are arranged on the left and right. That is, in the entire prize payout device 1, a total of 32 cassette holders 23 are provided so that four cassette holders 23 are arranged in the front-rear direction and eight in the left-right direction.

  As described above, since one cassette 4 is received in each cassette holder 23, in the entire prize dispenser 1, as in the cassette holder 23, four cassettes are arranged in the front and rear and eight on the left and right sides. In total, 32 are arranged (loaded), and each cassette 4 is received in the corresponding cassette holder 23. In this state, the above-described first to eighth lanes are configured by arranging four sets of cassettes 4 arranged in the front and rear in the left and right direction.

  Here, each of the 32 cassettes 4 in the cabinet 3 of the prize dispensing device 1 is represented by a variable m indicating the order of the cassettes 4 in the left-right direction with reference to the cassette 4 at the far left back (upper left in FIG. 9), A distinction is made based on coordinates (m, n) using a variable n indicating the order of the cassettes 4 in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 9). Similarly to the cassette 4, the 32 cassette holders 23 are also distinguished by coordinates (m, n). That is, the coordinates (m, n) are for identifying each cassette 4 and cassette holder 23.

  When the cassette 4 is identified using the coordinates (m, n), for example, the coordinates (m, n) of the leftmost cassette 4 is (1, 1). The coordinates (m, n) are (2, 1). The coordinates (m, n) of the cassette 4 in the rightmost front (lower right in FIG. 9) is (8, 4). The coordinates of the cassette holder 23 are the same as the coordinates of the corresponding cassette 4.

Here, as described above, there are four types according to the monetary value such as 100 yen, 500 yen, 1000 yen, 5000 yen in the prize 2 (see FIG. 7C) stored in the cassette 4. Each cassette 4 stores a predetermined type of plural prizes 2.
A color representing the type of the prize 2 is given to the surface of each prize 2. For example, the color of the gift 2 of 100 yen is red, the color of the gift 2 of 500 yen is blue, the color of the gift 2 of 1000 yen is yellow, and 5000 yen The color in the case of the prize 2 is green. That is, the type information for specifying the type of the prize 2 is the color of the surface (particularly the end face) of the prize 2 here.

  In the prize dispensing device 1, the type information (color) of the prize 2 to be stored in the cassette 4 received in each cassette holder 23 is stored in the storage unit 62 (see FIG. 8) by the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8). Each cassette holder 23 is preset and registered. Specifically, the set and registered type information is defined as registered type information S (m, n) in association with the coordinates (m, n) for identifying each cassette holder 23 described above.

  For example, if the color of the prize 2 to be stored in the cassette 4 received in the cassette holder 23 (coordinate (m, n) = (1, 1)) at the far leftmost position is red, The registered type information S (1,1) is red. If the color of the prize 2 to be stored in the cassette 4 received in the rightmost cassette holder 23 (coordinates (m, n) = (8, 4)) is green, the registration for the cassette holder 23 is performed. The completed type information S (8, 4) is green.

  In this manner, in the storage unit 62 (see FIG. 8), registered type information S for all cassette holders 23 is set and registered (stored). Referring to FIG. 9, for example, four cassette holders 23 arranged in the front-rear direction at the leftmost (the cassette holder 23 corresponding to the cassette 4 in the first lane described above) are stored in the cassettes 4 that are received in the respective cassette holders 23. The registered type information S (color) of the prize 2 to be performed is red, red, blue, and blue in order from the cassette holder 23 on the rear side (upper side in FIG. 9).

  The type information setting and registration by the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) can be executed by operating the operation unit 61 (see FIG. 8) in a predetermined procedure. Alternatively, if the type information is set by the above-described premium management machine (not shown) and is registered in the storage unit 62 via the communication unit 63 (see FIG. 8), the operability is improved. The type information setting registration may be executed once for each cassette holder 23 or may be executed collectively for a plurality of cassette holders 23.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the inspection process.
In the following, the procedure for performing the above-described inspection process in the state where the registered type information S regarding all 32 cassette holders 23 is stored in the storage unit 62 (see FIG. 8) as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The description will be given with reference.
When all the cassettes 4 are received in the corresponding cassette holders 23 (see FIG. 3) in the lower unit 20, and when all the lower units 20 are accommodated in the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 1) (that is, all the cassettes 4). Is loaded into the cabinet 3), the employee (or the person who maintains the prize dispensing device 1) can change the color of the prize 2 in the operation unit 61 (see FIG. 8) of the second display unit 7 </ b> B (see FIG. 1). Press an operation key related to reading (inspection processing).

  When the operation key is pressed by the employee (YES in step S1), the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) executes color reading of the prize 2 stored in each cassette 4. The color reading of the prize 2 may be executed when all the cassettes 4 are received in the cassette holder 23 or when the lower unit 20 is accommodated in the cabinet 3 in addition to pressing the operation key. (The same applies to the confirmation process described later).

  Prior to the color reading of the prize 2, the control unit 60 first specifies the coordinates (m, n) of the cassette 4 (cassette holder 23) that performs color reading (inspection processing) of the prize 2 (step S 2). . Here, the control unit 60 sets the coordinates (m, n) to (1, 1), and the cassette 4 that first reads the color of the prize 2 is received in the cassette holder 23 at the far left in FIG. 4. In the following, the position of cassette 4 (cassette holder 23) can be known by adding coordinates (m, n) after the letters of cassette 4 (cassette holder 23), such as cassette (m, n). I will explain.

  Then, after the cassette (1, 1) for color reading of the prize 2 is first identified in the process of step S2, the type information (color) of the prize 2 stored in the cassette (1, 1) Reading is performed by the reading unit 50 (see FIG. 7) corresponding to the cassette (1, 1) (step S3). Here, the type information actually read from the prize 2 by the reading unit 50 is associated with the coordinates (m, n) for identifying each cassette 4 (cassette holder 23) described above, and the actual type information R (m, n n). Therefore, when the prize 2 stored in the cassette (1, 1) is red, the cassette (1, 1), more specifically, the cassette received in the cassette holder (1, 1). The actual type information R (1,1) is red.

  When the process of step S3 is completed, the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) stores the cassette holder (1, 1) that receives the cassette 4 (here, the cassette (1, 1)) from which the color of the prize 2 has been read. The registered type information S (1,1) stored (set and registered) in the unit 62 (see FIG. 8) is referred to, and the actual type information R (1,1) and the registered type information S (1,1) are stored. 1) is compared (step S4).

  Here, if the actual type information R (1, 1) and the registered type information S (1, 1) do not match (NO in step S4), the cassette holder (1, 1) has received the information. The cassette (1, 1) contains a prize 2 of the wrong type (color). Therefore, the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) sets the check result of the cassette (1, 1) from which the color of the prize 2 has been read as NG, and stores the check result in the storage unit 62 (see FIG. 8) (step). S5).

  On the other hand, if the actual type information R (1, 1) matches the registered type information S (1, 1) (YES in step S4), the cassette received in the cassette holder (1, 1). In (1, 1), a prize 2 of the correct type (color) is stored. Therefore, the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) sets the check result of the cassette (1, 1) that has performed color reading of the prize 2 to be OK, and stores this check result in the storage unit 62 (see FIG. 8) (step S1). S6).

The control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) then coordinates (in other words, the cassette holder 23 receiving the cassette 4) of the cassette 4 that finally performed the color reading (inspection processing) of the prize 2 at this point. It is confirmed whether the variable n (order of front and back) in m, n) is 4 (step S7).
If the variable n is not 4 (NO in step S7), the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) increments (+1) the variable n (step S8).

  That is, after the color reading of the prize 2 of the cassette (1, 1) is performed as described above, the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) sets the cassette 4 that performs the color reading of the prize 2 next to the cassette (1 , 1) is the cassette (1, 2) arranged on the front side in the same row before and after (the first lane described above) (see also FIG. 9). In response to this, in step S3, the color reading of the prize 2 accommodated in the cassette (1, 2) is executed, and then the control unit 60 receives the cassette holder (1, 2,) receiving the cassette (1, 2). 2), the actual type information R (1,2) and the registered type information S (1,2) are compared (step S4), and the check result is stored in the storage unit 62 (see FIG. 8). (Step S5 or S6).

Steps S3 to S3 are performed until the variable n becomes 4, that is, until the color reading and the type information check of the prizes 2 of all four cassettes 4 in the same lane in the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 9) are executed. The processing up to S8 (individual inspection processing for the cassette 4 of each cassette holder 23) is repeated.
When the color reading of the prize 2 and the type information check of all four cassettes 4 in the same lane are completed (YES in step S7), the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) finally reads the color of the prize 2 at this time. It is confirmed whether or not the variable m (order of left and right alignment) at the coordinates (m, n) of the cassette 4 that has been subjected to (in other words, the cassette holder 23 that has received this cassette 4) is 8 (step S9).

If the variable m is not 8 (NO in step S9), the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) increments the variable m (+1) and sets the variable n to 1 (step S10).
That is, after the color reading of the prize 2 of all four cassettes 4 in the same lane as described above (here, after the color reading of the prize 2 of the cassette (1, 4) in the first lane is completed). Next, the control unit 60 sets the cassette 4 that performs color reading of the prize 2 next to the cassette located at the back of the lane to the right of the first lane to which the cassette (1, 4) belongs (the second lane described above). (2, 1) (see FIG. 9). In response to this, in step S3, the color reading of the prize 2 accommodated in the cassette (2, 1) is executed, and then the controller 60 receives the cassette holder (2, 2) receiving the cassette (2, 1). For 1), the actual type information R (2,1) and the registered type information S (2,1) are compared (step S4), and the check result is stored in the storage unit 62 (see FIG. 8). (Step S5 or S6).

  Steps S3 to S3 are performed until the variable n becomes 4, that is, until the color reading and the type information check of the prizes 2 of all four cassettes 4 in the same lane in the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 9) are executed. The process up to S8 is repeated (YES in step S7). Thereafter, the variables m and n are changed again (step S10), and finally, the color reading and the type information check of the prizes 2 of all the cassettes 4 in the remaining lanes until the variable m becomes 8 (that is, step S3). To S10).

  In this way, the inspection process of the prizes 2 of all four cassettes 4 in the same lane is executed in order from the cassette 4 of the left lane (the first lane described above). When the color reading and type information check (inspection processing) is completed (YES in step S9), the control unit 60 displays the above-described check results for all cassettes 4 (cassette holders 23) stored in the storage unit 62. And displayed on the second display portion 7B (see FIG. 8). When the cassette 4 is not loaded or when the cassette 4 is empty, information indicating “empty” is output, and when a color not included in the management table is detected, “error” information is output. Is output.

FIG. 11 shows the display content of the second display section 7B.
In the second display unit 7B, the check result by the inspection process is displayed as shown in FIG. 11, for example.
In FIG. 11, the layout image of the 32 cassette holders 23 shown in FIG. 9 is shown in a table. That is, in the second display portion 7B, the front and rear of the cassette holders 23 arranged in the left and right directions in each of the prize payout units 5 arranged side by side (refer to the numbers in parentheses that increase in the right direction in FIG. 11). An image of a row (that is, the first lane to the eighth lane described above, see the numbers in parentheses that increase in the downward direction in FIG. 11) is shown. In FIG. 11, the check result of the cassette 4 received in each cassette holder 23 is displayed.

  For example, in the plurality of columns in which “OK” or “NG” is shown in FIG. 11, “OK” shown in the upper left column is the left and right columns of the leftmost prize payout unit 5 (described above). In the first lane), the check result of the cassette (1, 1) received in the innermost cassette holder (1, 1) is OK (see also FIG. 9). That is, the color of the prize 2 (registered type information S (1,1)) to be stored in the cassette (1,1) was red, whereas it was actually stored in the cassette (1,1). This means that the color of the prize 2 (actual type information R (1, 1)) is red.

  As another example, “NG” shown in the left adjacent column to the lower right column in FIG. 11 is a check of the cassette (7, 4) received in the cassette holder (7, 4). The result was NG (see also FIG. 9). That is, although the color of the prize 2 (registered type information S (7, 4)) to be stored in the cassette (7, 4) was yellow, it was actually stored in the cassette (7, 4). This means that the color of the prize 2 (actual type information R (7, 4)) was not yellow.

  The employee looks at the check result displayed on the second display portion 7B in this way, and displays the prize 2 of the cassette 4 received in the cassette holder 23 at the position corresponding to the column where the check result is NG. Change to the correct prize 2. Alternatively, the employee removes the cassette 4 in which the wrong prize 2 is stored, and reloads the cassette holder 23 with another cassette 4 in which the correct prize 2 is stored.

  Thus, in each cassette holder 23 (see FIG. 4), the type information R read by the reading unit 50 (see FIG. 7) from the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 received in the cassette holder 23, and the control unit 60. When the type information S set and registered for the cassette holder 23 does not match (see the above NG check result), the display unit 7 (second display unit 7B) Notify that. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cassette 4 in which the wrong prize 2 is stored from being left in the cassette holder 23.

  If there is an NG check result, the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) may stop the subsequent operation of the prize payout device 1 (payout process for the prize 2 or the like). In addition, when there is an NG check result, not only that fact is displayed on the second display unit 7B, but also a warning sound may be emitted by a buzzer (not shown) or the like. In addition to the check results such as OK and NG, the second display section 7B has comments such as “Incorrect prizes are stored in the cassette.” “Please store XX prizes here.” It may be displayed. Further, information related to the check result (especially in the case of NG) may be output and displayed on a prize manager or the like.

  As described above, in the prize dispensing device 1 (see FIG. 1), the reading unit 50 (see FIG. 7) changes the type of the prize 2 from the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 loaded in the cabinet 3. Type information (in this case, the color of the prize 2) is read. Therefore, the type of the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 can be grasped. As a result, it is possible to prevent the wrong prize 2 from being stored in the cassette 4 by executing the above-described inspection process. In particular, since it can be confirmed at the time of replenishment work, correction work (repacking) can be performed quickly.

That is, even if the cassette 4 is correctly received in the predetermined cassette holder 23, it is assumed that the type of the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 is wrong. In the present invention, the cassette 4 is stored in the cassette 4. Since the type of the prize 2 is directly inspected, it is possible to prevent a problem that the prize 2 is paid out while the wrong prize 2 is stored in the cassette 4.
(3-2) Confirmation Process In this prize dispensing device 1, the type of the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 received in each cassette holder 23 is confirmed by using the reading unit 50 separately from the above-described inspection process. In the following, this process (confirmation process) will be described.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the confirmation process.
Referring to FIG. 12, in the confirmation process, as in the case of FIG. 10, all the cassettes 4 are held in the corresponding cassette holders 23 (see FIG. 3), and all the lower units 20 are moved to the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 1 (see FIG. 1), the employee presses operation keys related to color reading (confirmation processing) of the prize 2 in the operation unit 61 (see FIG. 8) of the second display unit 7B (see FIG. 1). Press.

  When the operation key is pressed (YES in step S21), the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) executes color reading of the prize 2 stored in each cassette 4. Prior to executing the color reading of the prize 2, the control unit 60 first determines the coordinates of the cassette 4 (cassette holder 23) that performs color reading (confirmation processing) of the prize 2 in the same manner as the process of step S2 in FIG. Specify (step S22). Here, the control unit 60 sets the coordinates (m, n) to (1, 1), and the cassette 4 that first reads the color of the prize 2 is received in the cassette holder 23 at the far left in FIG. 4.

  Thereby, first, the type information (color) of the prize 2 stored in the cassette (1, 1), that is, the actual type information R (1, 1) described above corresponds to the cassette (1, 1). Reading is performed by the reading unit 50 (see FIG. 7) (step S23). By the processing in step S23, the control unit 60 confirms the type of the prize 2 stored in each cassette holder 23 (here, the cassette (1, 1)).

When the process of step S23 ends, the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) stores the actual type information R (1,1) as the type information of the prize 2 stored in the cassette holder (1,1). 62 is registered (step S24).
Thus, in steps S23 and S24, the confirmation (registration) processing of the type of the prize 2 stored in each cassette holder 23 (here, the cassette holder (1, 1)) is performed.

  Then, as described in the processing of step S7 and step S9 in FIG. 10, the control unit 60 reads the colors 2 and the type information of the prizes 2 of all four cassettes 4 in the same lane in the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 9). R setting registration (confirmation (registration) processing in steps S23 and S24) is executed in order from the cassette 4 in the left lane (steps S25 to S28).

  Finally, the control unit 60 performs color reading of the prize 2 of the cassette 4 received in all 32 cassette holders 23 (see FIG. 9) in the cabinet 3, and each cassette holder (m, n) The actual type information R (m, n) of the prize 2 in the accepted cassette (m, n) is set and registered in the storage unit 62 as the type information of the prize 2 stored in the cassette holder (m, n). (YES in S27).

  As described above, the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) reads the type information R read (confirmed) by the reading unit 50 from the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 received in the cassette holder 23 in each cassette holder 23. The type information of the prize 2 stored in the cassette holder 23 is set and registered. When the cassette 4 is not loaded or when the cassette 4 is empty, information indicating “empty” is output, and when a color not included in the management table is detected, “error” information is output. Is output.

As a result, the loading position of the cassette 4 is not determined, and before the cassette 4 is received (loaded) into the cassette holder 23, which cassette holder 23 receives which type 4 of the prize 2 is stored. Since it is not necessary to pay attention to what should be done, it is possible to improve the ease of use associated with loading the cassette 4.
Further, in the prize dispensing device 1, it is possible to grasp which type of prize 2 is stored in which cassette holder 23 by the confirmation process, and the necessary type of prize 2 is required based on the grasped contents. You can pay out the number of sheets.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of confirmation processing according to the modification.
The process from step S31 to S38 in FIG. 13 is the same as the process from step S21 to S28 in FIG.
However, the control unit 60 performs color reading of the prize 2 in the cassette 4 received in all 32 cassette holders 23 (see FIG. 9), and the actual type of the prize 2 in each cassette (m, n). When the information R (m, n) is set and registered in the storage unit 62 as the type information of the prize 2 stored in the cassette holder (m, n) (YES in step S37), a predetermined condition is further satisfied. (Step S39).

Here, referring to FIG. 9, the following is given as an example of the predetermined condition, and the control unit 60 sets the predetermined condition and stores it in the storage unit 62.
Condition Example 1: In each lane from the first lane to the eighth lane, the colors of the prizes 2 stored in the cassettes 4 received in the four cassette holders 23 arranged in front and rear are all the same (one payout opening) 8) If you want to set the same prize 2 to be paid out)
Condition Example 2: In the eight cassette holders 23 of each premium payout unit 5, the colors of the premiums 2 stored in the cassettes 4 received in at least six cassette holders 23 are the same (6 cassettes for each type). If you want to set the above).
Condition Example 3: In the eight cassette holders 23 of each premium payout unit 5, all the colors of the premiums 2 stored in the cassettes 4 received in the three cassette holders 23 are red and are received in the remaining four cassette holders 23. The color of the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 received is blue or yellow, and the color of the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 received in the last one cassette holder 23 is green.

As described above, the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) predetermines the condition of the type information (color) of the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 received in the cassette holder 23 in each cassette holder 23. This condition is set by operating the operation unit 61 (see FIG. 8), or transmitted from the above-described premium management machine (not shown) to the premium dispensing device 1.
Then, referring to FIG. 13, control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) confirms whether such a condition (only one condition or a plurality of conditions may be combined) is satisfied. If satisfied (YES in step S39), the setting registration of the actual type information R (m, n) for all 32 cassette holders 23 by the storage unit 62 described above is confirmed.

  On the other hand, if such a condition is not satisfied (NO in step S39), the control unit 60 displays that fact on the second display unit 7B (see FIG. 8) and notifies the employee (the warning sound described above). And the actual type information R (m, n) for all 32 cassette holders 23 stored in the storage unit 62 described above is deleted from the storage unit 62 (step S40). As a result, the employee replaces the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 so as to satisfy the above-described conditions, and reloads the cassette 4 in which the correct prize 2 is stored in the cabinet 3.

  As described above, the control unit 60 (see FIG. 8) determines the type information R read by the reading unit 50 from the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 received in the cassette holder 23 for the cassette holder 23. When the above condition is satisfied, the type information R read by the reading unit 50 is set and registered as the type information of the prize 2 stored in the cassette holder 23. When the type information R read by the reading unit 50 from the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 received in the cassette holder 23 does not satisfy the condition set for the cassette holder 23, the second display The part 7B (see FIG. 8) notifies that fact. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the user to reload the cassette 4 so as to satisfy the condition.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, in the above embodiment, the type information for specifying the type of the prize 2 (see FIG. 7C) is the color of the surface of the prize 2. Here, in the prize 2, the color indicating the type information may be attached to the entire surface, but the color indicating the type information may be attached only to the portion read by the reading unit 50. In that case, in different types of prizes 2, the colors of the portions other than the portion read by the reading unit 50 may be the same.

The prize 2 includes an IC chip in which type information indicating the type of the prize 2 is recorded, and the reading unit 50 does not use the color of the surface of the prize 2 but the type of the IC chip in the prize 2. You may comprise with the IC chip reader which reads information.
Further, in the configuration in which the reading unit 50 uses the color sensor 52 as shown in FIG. 7A, the color sensor 52 uses a measure for accurately determining the color of the object to be detected (for example, for determining the color). The setting of the threshold value and the like is appropriately performed as necessary. Specifically, when the colors of different types of prizes 2 are similar, the sensitivity of the color sensor 52 is increased.

Further, the reading unit 50 reads the type information (color) of the prize 2 on the lower end side of the cassette 4 from the opening 53 at the lower end portion of the cassette 4 as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C. However, the type information of the prize 2 in the cassette 4 may be read from the opening portion 28 described above.
In this case, the reading unit 50 is integrated with the above-described transport unit 32 (see FIG. 2), and the prizes 2 stored in a stacked state in the cassette 4 as the transport unit 32 moves up and down. The type information of all the prizes 2 stored in the cassette 4 is read from the opening part 28 while moving in the direction (vertical direction). Thereby, the giveaway device 1 can grasp the types of all the giveaways 2 stored in the cassette 4. Therefore, it is possible to detect even when a prize 2 that is not a setting target is mixed in the cassette 4 in a small amount.

  An example of a trigger for starting the above-described inspection process is receiving an instruction from the above-described premium management machine. Further, the inspection process may be automatically started by linking with the attachment / detachment detection means (not shown) of the cassette 4 and the opening / closing detection means (not shown) of the door 6. Specifically, the inspection process starts when the cassette 4 is detached and the door 6 is closed.

FIG. 14 is a right cross-sectional view of the prize dispensing device 1 according to a modification.
In the above embodiment, the (relatively large) prize payout device 1 is installed directly on the floor of the gaming facility (see FIG. 1). However, the present invention is applied to a counter of the gaming facility as shown in FIG. The present invention can also be applied to a desktop-type gift paying apparatus 1 (see JP 2008-093190 for the configuration of the desktop-type gift paying apparatus).

In the prize dispensing device 1 according to the modified example, the upper surface of the cabinet 3 can be opened and closed, and the vertically long cassette 4 can be loaded into the cabinet 3 from the upper surface of the cabinet 3. In the prize dispensing device 1 according to the modification, two cassettes 4 can be arranged side by side in the left-right direction in FIG.
In the prize dispensing device 1 according to the modified example, the kind information of the prize 2 stored in the loaded cassette 4 can be read by the reading unit 50 as in the above-described prize dispensing device 1 (see FIG. 1). . In this case, the reading unit 50 is disposed, for example, in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the loaded cassette 4 and reads the type information of the prize 2 located at the lower end portion of the cassette 4 in the cassette 4.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Premium offer device 2 Premium 3 Cabinet 4 Cassette 7 Display part 23 Cassette holder 50 Reading part 60 Control part

Claims (7)

A giveaway device for paying out prizes stored in the device,
The device body;
A plurality of cassettes for storing prizes and being exchangeably loaded into the apparatus body;
Reading means for reading the type information for specifying the type of the prize from the prize stored in the cassette loaded in the apparatus body;
A prize dispensing device characterized by comprising: Each prize is colored with the type of the prize,
2. The prize dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit reads the color of a prize stored in the cassette loaded in the apparatus main body as the type information. Each prize contains an IC chip on which type information representing the type of the prize is recorded,
2. The prize dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit reads the type information of the IC chip in the prize stored in the cassette loaded in the apparatus main body. The cassette can store a plurality of prizes in a stacked state,
The reading means reads the type information of all the prizes stored in the cassette while moving in the stacking direction of the prizes stored in the cassette in a stacked state. A giveaway device according to any one of the above. A plurality of receiving units that are provided in the apparatus main body and receive the cassette loaded in the apparatus main body;
Setting registration means for setting and registering the type information of the prize to be stored in the cassette received in each of the receiving units for each receiving unit;
In each receiving unit, the type information read by the reading unit from the prize stored in the cassette received by the receiving unit matches the type information set and registered by the setting registration unit for the receiving unit. A notifying means for notifying that if not,
The prize dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: A giveaway device for paying out prizes stored in the device,
The device body;
A plurality of cassettes for storing prizes and being exchangeably loaded into the apparatus body;
Reading means for reading the type information for specifying the type of the prize from the prize stored in the cassette loaded in the apparatus body;
A plurality of receiving units that are provided in the apparatus main body and receive the cassette loaded in the apparatus main body;
In each of the receiving units, setting registration means for setting and registering the type information read by the reading unit from the prize stored in the cassette received by the receiving unit as the type information of the prize stored in the receiving unit; ,
A prize dispensing device characterized by comprising: The setting registration means includes:
In each of the receiving units, a condition for the type information of the prize stored in the cassette received in the receiving unit is determined in advance.
When the type information read by the reading unit from the prize stored in the cassette received by the receiving unit satisfies the condition set for the receiving unit, the type information read by the reading unit is It is set and registered as the type information of the prize stored in the receiving part,
Informing means for informing the fact that the type information read by the reading means from the prize stored in the cassette received in the receiving section does not satisfy the condition defined for the receiving section. The prize dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein:

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