JP2015136476A - Game medium counter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably count the number of supplied game media for each type by reliably identifying the type of a game medium to be counted regardless of types of a plurality of types of game media.SOLUTION: A token counter includes a plurality of counting units for counting tokens supplied to a supply port. Each of the counting units sets one type of token as a registration token from among a plurality of kinds of tokens and includes signal acquisition parts 141, 142, a determination part 143, and a counting part 144. The signal acquisition parts 141, 142 acquire two of magnetic signals for identifying each of different elements from among elements, such as an outer diameter, a material, and a thickness, from tokens passing through a detection part of a magnetic sensor 134. The determination part 143 determines whether a token is the registration token according to two reference magnetic signals acquired in advance from the registration token. The counting part 144 counts the registration token determined by the determination part 143.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique of a game medium counter that counts game media (for example, medals) acquired by a player playing a game machine (for example, a slot machine).

  In recent years, there are many amusement halls that employ a plurality of exchange rates (rates) for exchanging medals used in slot machines from cash to medals. For example, there is a game hall that employs a high exchange rate of 20 yen per medal and a low exchange rate of 5 yen per medal. In such a game hall, for example, one exchange rate is associated with one gaming machine island in which a plurality of slot machines are arranged side by side. At present, there are a plurality of types of medals with different outer diameters, materials, thicknesses, patterns, shapes, etc., but depending on the game hall, one type of medals may be used for a plurality of exchange rates. There are also cases where multiple types of medals are used.

  When a plurality of types of medals are used for a plurality of exchange rates, it is necessary to arrange a dedicated medal counter for each type of medals in the game hall. In addition, a printer (recording device: ticket issuing machine) that prints and outputs the counting result of the medal counting machine on a receipt (recording medium) needs to be arranged in the game hall for each type of medal. However, by arranging a large number of medal counters and a large number of printers in the game hall, there are problems such as difficulty in securing an empty space in the game hall and an increase in equipment cost.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a technique for counting a plurality of types of medals having different outer diameters (diameters) and the like with a single medal counter. If the medal counters of Patent Documents 1 and 2 are introduced into the game hall, the above problems can be solved.

JP 2010-69084 A JP 2010-75603 A

  As in the technologies of Patent Documents 1 and 2, when one medal counter counts a plurality of types of medals, the type of medals is surely specified regardless of the type of medals. There is a request to do. However, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose the technical content for the medal counter to determine the outer diameter of the medal, but the technical content for determining the medal elements other than the outer diameter is specifically described. Is not disclosed. That is, Patent Documents 1 and 2 are insufficiently disclosed to reliably specify all types of medals, and the medal counters of Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a plurality of types of medals in a mixed state. Cannot be counted reliably.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and regardless of the types of multiple types of game media, the type of game media to be counted is reliably specified and input. The purpose is to reliably count game media by type.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
A game media counter for counting a plurality of types of game media,
A plurality of counting units for counting the gaming media thrown into the slot of the gaming media counter;
The plurality of types of game media include a plurality of types of registered game media registered differently in each of the plurality of counting units,
Each of the plurality of counting units is
A signal for obtaining at least two or more magnetic signals for specifying different elements among the plurality of elements characterizing the game medium from the game medium passing through the detection part of the magnetic sensor included in each of the plurality of counting units. An acquisition unit;
At least two or more criteria acquired in advance from the registered game medium registered in the counting unit for the at least two or more magnetic signals and the different elements specified by the at least two or more magnetic signals Using the magnetic signal, it is determined whether or not the game medium passing through the detection portion of the magnetic sensor included in the counting unit is the registered gaming medium registered in the counting unit. A determination unit to perform,
According to the determination result of the determination unit, the game medium that passes through the detection portion of the magnetic sensor included in the counting unit of itself is registered with the registered gaming medium registered in the counting unit of the self, A distribution unit that distributes the game media other than the registered game media registered in the counting unit;
The game medium passing through the detection portion of the magnetic sensor included in the counting unit of the player, the registered game medium registered in the counter unit of the player, and the registered game registered in the counter unit of the player. And a counting unit that counts at least one of the game media other than the media.
Details will be described later.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably specify the type of game media to be counted and reliably count the input game media for each type, regardless of the types of game media of multiple types. .

It is a top view of the medal counter of this embodiment. It is a functional lineblock diagram of the medal counter of this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the counting unit arrange | positioned in a medal counter. FIG. 4 is an end view of the magnetic sensor when cut along line XX in FIG. 3. It is a functional block diagram of the counting unit of this embodiment. It is a display example before the count start of a touch panel. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the operation example of the medal counter of this embodiment. It is an example of a display of the count result of a touch panel. It is an example of the printed content of a receipt.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings (refer to drawings other than the referenced drawings as appropriate). Note that the directions of “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “front”, and “back” in the present embodiment are as shown in the drawings.

<< First Embodiment >>
The medal counting machine 1 according to the present embodiment is a device that counts a plurality of types of medals for gaming machines acquired by a player, and is arranged, for example, at an end of a gaming machine island. The plural types of medals correspond to a plurality of exchange rates when exchanging from cash to medals. For example, different types of medals correspond to each exchange rate.

The medals counted by the medal counting machine 1 can be classified into two types: usable medals and unusable medals. The “usable medal” is a medal permitted to be used in a gaming machine when attention is paid to one gaming machine arranged in the game hall. Usable medals may be usable in a plurality of gaming machines. Such a plurality of gaming machines are, for example, gaming machines that are arranged in one gaming place and have the same exchange rate from cash to medals. Among a plurality of gaming machines in which the same usable medal is used, the usable medal can be used in any gaming machine. In addition, a plurality of types of usable medals used in one gaming machine may be used.
On the other hand, “unusable medals” are medals other than usable medals used in a gaming machine when attention is paid to one gaming machine arranged in the game hall. Such unusable medals correspond to, for example, medals brought in from other amusement halls or usable medals used in gaming machines having different exchange rates from cash to medals even in their own gaming halls.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the medal counting machine 1 includes insertion ports 2L (2) and 2R (2), a printer 3 (recording device), and counting units 100A (100), 100B (100), and 100C (100). , 100D (100).

  The insertion ports 2L and 2R have a funnel shape, and are reception ports for employees of the game hall to insert medals acquired by the player. The insertion slot 2L is a large diameter medal receiving slot, and the insertion slot 2R is a small diameter medal receiving slot. Usually, at the time of counting, the employee does not insert a small diameter medal into the insertion slot 2L, and does not insert a large diameter medal into the insertion slot 2R.

  The printer 3 is built in the upper rear part of the medal counter 1, and outputs a counting result when the medal counter 1 counts medals in a predetermined format. The printer 3 includes a touch panel 4, a receipt issuing unit 5, and a card RW (reader / writer) 6.

  The touch panel 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal display in which an input function and a display function are integrated. The touch panel 4 accepts an employee operation for starting counting medals inserted into the insertion slot 2 and an employee operation for designating a medal type. Further, the touch panel 4 displays the counting result when the medals are counted.

  The receipt issuing unit 5 prints the medal counting result on a receipt R (non-electronic recording medium), and issues the printed receipt R from the issue port on the front side.

  The card RW6 has a slot for a card C (electronic recording medium) owned by a player who has registered as a member, and reads information from the IC chip of the card C or writes information to the IC chip. Sloppy. The card RW6 reads the player identification information from the card C. Further, the card RW6 writes the medal counting result on the card C.

  The counting unit 100 is built in the medal counting machine 1 and counts medals inserted into the insertion slot 2. The counting unit 100A is disposed below the insertion port 2L. The counting unit 100B is disposed below the counting unit 100A. The counting unit 100C is disposed below the insertion port 2R. The counting unit 100D is disposed below the counting unit 100C (the positional relationship between the counting units 100A to 100D is also shown in FIG. 7).

For each of the counting units 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D, one type of usable medal among a plurality of types of usable medals used in the game hall is registered as a “registered medal”. The types of registered medals registered for each of the counting units 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D do not overlap each other.
Details of the counting unit 100 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medal counting machine 1 includes four counting units 100, a control unit 200 that is communicably connected to a control unit 300 of the printer 3, and the printer 3. The control unit 200 controls the operation of the counting unit 100 and transmits the counting result from the counting unit 100 to the control unit 300. The control unit 200 is realized by, for example, a control circuit on a concentrated terminal board disposed in the medal counter 1.

  The printer 3 includes a control unit 300, a writing unit 31, an upper connection model I / F (interface) 32, a display unit 33, an input unit 34, and an input / output terminal unit 35.

  The control unit 300 controls the operation of the medal counting machine 1. In particular, the control unit 300 controls the operation of the printer 3 and issues a command related to the control of the control unit 200 to the control unit 200. The control unit 300 is realized by, for example, a control circuit on a concentrated terminal board disposed in the printer 3.

  The writing unit 31 causes the receipt issuing unit 5 (see FIG. 1) to print the medal counting result on the receipt R or write the medal counting result to the card C inserted into the card RW6.

  The host connection model I / F 32 is an interface for performing communication connection with a host device (for example, a hall computer) that outputs a command to the medal counter 1 including the printer 3.

The display unit 33 constitutes a display function of the touch panel 1.
The input unit 34 constitutes an input function of the touch panel 1.

  The input / output terminal unit 35 is an interface for performing communication connection with the printer 3 and another medal counter that is a different model from the medal counter 1. The other medal counter is, for example, a medal counter manufactured by a manufacturer different from the manufacturer of the medal counter 1. The input / output terminal unit 35 allows the printer 3 to communicate with other medal counters, receive the counting result when the other medal counters count, issue the receipt R, and send it to the card C. Can write.

  Note that the other medal counting machines include, for example, a communication unit that counts medals, an operation unit that accepts employee operations, a display unit that displays medal counting results, and a host device. A host connection model I / F, a control unit that controls operations of other medal counters, and an input / output terminal unit connected to the input / output terminal unit 35 of the printer 3 are provided.

[Details of Counting Unit 100]
As shown in FIG. 3, the counting unit 100 includes a counting device 121, a storage unit 122, and a base member 123.

  The counting device 121 is a device that counts medals one by one. The counted number of medals is stored in the control unit 200 (see FIG. 2). The counting device 121 includes a counting turntable 131, a guide passage 132, a photo sensor 133, a magnetic sensor 134, a sorting solenoid 135, and a dip switch 136. The counting rotary disk 131, the photo sensor 133, the magnetic sensor 134, the sorting solenoid 135, and the dip switch 136 are connected to each other via a communication line (not shown).

  The counting rotating disk 131 has a disk shape and is arranged on the upper part of the counting device 121. The counting rotating disk 131 is formed with a plurality of medal storage holes 131a that penetrates in the thickness direction and have an outer diameter slightly larger than the medal. The medal used in each amusement hall includes a small diameter medal and a large diameter medal. The size of the medal storage hole 131a is large enough to accommodate large diameter medals, and naturally small diameter medals can also be accommodated. In the present embodiment, three medal storage holes 131a are formed.

  The counting rotating disk 131 rotates forward and backward in the circumferential direction by a drive motor (not shown) disposed inside the counting device 121. The counting rotating disk 131 temporarily stores the medals stored in the storage unit 122 in the medal storage hole 131a by rotating in the circumferential direction. When the counting turntable 131 further rotates in the circumferential direction, the medals stored in the medal storage hole 131a count in the direction in which the medals travel, that is, the direction in which the medals are discharged toward the downstream end (rear end) of the guide passage 132. Although it is pushed out from the turntable 131 little by little, it is temporarily blocked by a discharge roller (not shown). Thereafter, the medal pushes the discharge roller against the urging force and is released outward from the counting rotating disk 131, and is ejected by the urging force to return to the original position of the discharge roller, and passes on the guide passage 132. .

  The guide passage 132 extends in the advancing direction of the medal from the rear side of the counting rotating disk 131 to the downstream end (rear end) of the counting unit 100 at the upper part of the counting device 121. Note that a part of the guide path 132 that is located behind the magnetic sensor 134 and below the sorting solenoid 135 is cut away to drop medals other than the registered medals.

  The photo sensor 133 is arranged on the front side of the magnetic sensor 134 in the advancing direction of the medals, and detects the medals released from the counting turntable 131 based on the movement of the discharge roller. When the photo sensor 133 detects a medal, the magnetic sensor 134 starts processing for identifying the medal.

  The magnetic sensor 134 detects a voltage generated when a medal passes. The magnetic sensor 134 includes a box having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a hole (detection portion) penetrating in the advancing direction of the medal at the center of the box (see FIG. 4). The hole constitutes a part of the guide passage 132 and allows a medal (including a large-diameter medal) to pass therethrough. The magnetic sensor 134 includes hardware such as a circuit that drives the magnetic sensor 134, a coil that is wound around the hole, and a voltage measuring instrument that measures a voltage value of a current flowing through the coil. Is housed in. The coil is annular detection means for detecting a medal. The hole is located inside the coil. The detection means may be a circular ring or a quadratic ring.

  The medal passes through the hole provided in the magnetic sensor 134, that is, passes through the coil, and is released along the guide passage 132. At this time, the magnetic sensor 134 can detect a voltage generated by electromagnetic induction caused by the medal passing through the coil. In other words, the voltage measuring device measures the voltage value of the current flowing through the coil through which the medal passes.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the magnetic sensor 134 includes functional components such as signal acquisition units 141 and 142, a determination unit 143, and a counting unit 144.

  The signal acquisition unit 141 is a first magnetic signal for specifying a first element among three elements of a material, an outer diameter, and a thickness that characterize the medal from the medal passing through the hole provided in the magnetic sensor 134. To get. The signal acquisition unit 141 is mounted as a sensor element having a magnetic circuit designed to identify the first element. Details regarding the signal acquisition unit 141 will be described later.

  The signal acquisition unit 142 is a second magnetic signal for specifying a second element among the three elements of the material, outer diameter, and thickness that characterize the medal from the medal that passes through the hole of the magnetic sensor 134. To get. The signal acquisition unit 142 is implemented as a sensor element having a magnetic circuit designed to identify the second element. Details regarding the signal acquisition unit 142 will be described later.

  The determination unit 143 uses the first magnetic signal and the second magnetic signal to determine whether or not a medal that passes through a hole included in the magnetic sensor 134 is a registered medal. In that case, specifically, the determination unit 143 includes the third magnetic signal (reference magnetic signal) acquired in advance from the registered medal for the first element and the fourth magnetic signal acquired in advance from the registered medal for the second element. A magnetic signal (reference magnetic signal) is stored and can be used to determine whether or not the medal is a registered medal. The determination unit 143 transmits the determination result of the determination to the sorting solenoid 135 and the counting unit 144. The determination result transmitted to the distribution solenoid 135 is used, for example, as a control signal for controlling the movement of the regulating member 135a described later.

  The counting unit 144 counts medals that pass through holes provided in the magnetic sensor 134 (hereinafter, may be referred to as “passing medals”), and other than registered medals and registered medals based on the determination result of the determination unit 143. Each medal is counted. The counting unit 144 outputs at least one of the total number of passing medals, the number of registered medals, and the number of medals other than the registered medals as a counting result, and transmits the counting result to the control unit 200. When the counting unit 144 counts at least two of the total number of passing medals, the number of registered medals, and the number of medals other than the registered medals, the remaining one type is the two types counted. It is possible to calculate using the number of sheets. The calculation may be performed by the counting unit 144 or the control unit 200.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the distribution solenoid 135 divides the medal from the registered medal when the medal that has passed through the hole of the magnetic sensor 134 is a medal other than the registered medal. The distribution solenoid 135 is disposed above a part of the guide passage 132 that is cut out behind the magnetic sensor 134. The sorting solenoid 135 has a restricting member 135a that can be moved up and down according to the determination result of the determining unit 143. By moving the restricting member 135a up and down, the registered medal is passed in the advancing direction of the medal and registered. Medals other than medals are dropped from the partial area by collision.

  The dip switch 136 is a medal setting switch, and is used to set one or more medals from among a plurality of medals as usable medals. The dip switch 136 is attached on the side surface of the counting device 121. The dip switch 136 includes, for example, eight switches that can be switched on and off, and each switch can correspond to one type of medal that is normally used in a game hall.

  The storage part 122 is a box-shaped body formed on the counting device 121 and having a hollow part. The upper part of the storage part 122 is open | released, and the storage part 122 accepts the medal which falls from above, and stores it. The lower part of the storage unit 122 is also opened, and the stored medals are guided into the counting device 121.

  The base member 123 is a member constituting the lower part of the counting device 121 and is a member for adjusting the height of the counting unit 100. The base member 123 includes a chute 137.

  The chute 137 is determined by the determination unit 143 and guides medals other than the registered medals that have fallen by the sorting solenoid 135 downward.

[Operation of medal counting machine 1]
The operation of the medal counter 1 of this embodiment will be described. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the usable medals used in the game hall where the medal counting machine 1 is arranged are four types of medal A, medal B, medal C, and medal D.

The medal A is, for example, a stainless steel large-diameter medal set at a high exchange rate (20 yen / sheet), and is a registered medal of the counting unit 100A.
The medal B is, for example, a brass large-diameter medal with a low exchange rate (5 yen / sheet), and is a registered medal of the counting unit 100B.
The medal C is, for example, a stainless steel small-diameter medal for which a high exchange rate is set, and is a registered medal of the counting unit 100C.
The medal D is, for example, a brass small-diameter medal for which a low exchange rate is set, and is a registered medal for the counting unit 100D.

  When the medals A to D are arranged as described above, the exchange rate from cash to medals and the material of the medals are associated with each other on a one-to-one basis. Therefore, if the material of the medal inserted into the medal counter 1 can be specified, the exchange rate of the medal inserted into the medal counter 1 can be specified. As a result, by specifying the outer diameter of the medal, the medal counting machine 1 including the counting units 100A to 100D can specify whether the inserted medal is the medal A to the medal D.

  A player who has played with a gaming machine using the medal A calls an employee to have the medal earned by the game counted. There may be cases where medals B to D are inserted into a gaming machine using the medal A, and there are cases where medals brought from other stores are inserted into the gaming machine in the own game hall and played. For the reasons described above, the acquired medals may include not only the medal A but also medals B to D and other kinds of medals. Therefore, the employee handles the medals acquired by the player as mixed medals composed of medals A to D and other types of medals, and counts them by the medal counter 1.

First, at the time of counting, the employee selects a medal acquired by the player into a large diameter medal and a small diameter medal in advance. As a method for sorting the large diameter medal and the small diameter medal, for example, a known sorting device for sorting based on the difference in outer diameter may be used. In addition, a counting unit having the same function as the counting unit 100 built in the medal counting machine 1 of the present embodiment can be separately prepared, and the large diameter medal and the small diameter medal can be selected by the counting unit.
The large-diameter medals selected in advance are large-diameter mixed medals comprising medals A, medals B, and other types of medals. The small-diameter medals selected in advance are small-diameter mixed medals comprising medals C, medals D, and other types of medals.
As described above, by selecting medals based on the difference in outer diameter, the number of counting units 100 provided in the medal counter 1 can be reduced, and the medal counter 1 can be downsized.

  The employee operates the touch panel 4 to specify the type of medal used in the gaming machine that the player has played. As shown in FIG. 6, the touch panel 4 includes a large diameter medal button and a small diameter medal button for specifying the size of a medal, a 20 yen / sheet button for specifying an exchange rate set for the medal, and A 5-yen / sheet button and a counting start button for starting medal counting are displayed. The employee touches the large diameter medal button to select the large diameter medal button (dot display in FIG. 6), and further touches the 20 yen / sheet button to select the 20 yen / sheet button (dot in FIG. 6). Display), a large exchange medal with a high exchange rate, that is, medal A can be designated.

  When the employee touches the counting start button on the touch panel 4, the counting rotating disk 131 of each of the counting units 100A to 100D rotates in the circumferential direction. The employee inserts a large-diameter mixed medal into the insertion slot 2L. The inserted large-diameter mixed medal is received in the storage unit 122 of the counting unit 100A below the insertion port 2L, and is stored in the medal storage hole 131a of the counting turntable 131. Each medal stored in the medal storage hole 131a is pushed out toward the discharge roller (not shown) as the counting turntable 131 rotates.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the medals ejected by the ejection rollers from the medal storage holes 131 a of the counting rotating plate 131 of the counting device 121 of the counting unit 100 </ b> A (100) pass near the photosensor 133 along the guide path 132. . When the photo sensor 133 detects a medal based on the movement of the discharge roller, the photo sensor 133 transmits a medal detection signal to the magnetic sensor 134 to cause the magnetic sensor 134 to perform a medal identification process.

  When the photosensor 133 does not detect a medal for a certain period of time, for example, the control of the control unit 200 calibrates the magnetic sensor 134 with respect to an environmental temperature change in the counting unit 100A.

  The medal that has passed near the photosensor 133 passes through a hole provided in the magnetic sensor 134. Then, the signal acquisition units 141 and 142 acquire the first magnetic signal and the second magnetic signal, respectively, using the voltage value measured by the voltage measuring device of the magnetic sensor 134 when the current flows through the coil. . The first magnetic signal and the second magnetic signal are at a predetermined sampling interval (an interval that is much shorter than the time length from when the medal enters the hole of the magnetic sensor 134 until it finishes passing through the hole). It has a waveform consisting of a collection of voltage values (signal strength) measured by a voltage measuring instrument.

  Since the conventional magnetic sensor is arranged so that the medal passes in the vicinity (for example, downward or side) of the magnetic sensor, for example, it is only possible to count the passed medal. Since the magnetic sensor 134 according to the present embodiment has a hole through which medals pass, it is possible to detect a voltage resulting from a three-dimensional change in magnetic flux in all directions. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 134 can not only simply count the medals that have passed, but also acquire detailed information for specifying the material, outer diameter, and thickness of the medals. This is because the waveforms of the first magnetic signal and the second magnetic signal are different if the material, outer diameter, and thickness of the medal are different. Generally, the peak intensity of a magnetic signal increases as the dielectric constant of the metal used for the medal increases. Moreover, the detection time length of a magnetic signal becomes large, so that the outer diameter of a medal is large. Further, the peak intensity of the magnetic signal increases as the medal thickness increases.

  Note that the thickness of the medal is approximately 1.6 mm, but the magnetic sensor 134 can determine the thickness of each position in the entire front surface area and the entire back surface area of the medal. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 134 can identify the patterns drawn on the front and back surfaces of the medal as a collection of different thicknesses, and can also identify holes formed through a part of the medal.

  As for the outer diameter of the medal, the magnetic sensor 134 can detect the voltage caused by the change of the magnetic flux in all directions in three dimensions, so that the outer diameter of the medal can be identified as a small diameter or a large diameter. It is also possible to identify the groove irregularities carved on the side of the medal.

  As for the material of medals, many types such as stainless steel, white, brass, and bimetal are used, and some medals are plated, so there are a wide variety of medals. Since such a material also causes a change in the waveforms of the first magnetic signal and the second magnetic signal, the magnetic sensor 134 of this embodiment can identify such various materials.

  The first magnetic signal and the second magnetic signal acquired by the signal acquisition units 141 and 142 of the counting unit 100A are transmitted to the determination unit 143. For example, the determination unit 143 applies the signal strength of the first magnetic signal and the signal strength of the second magnetic signal at each sampling timing to an algorithm (predetermined algorithm) for medal identification, and the medal specific 2 By outputting and analyzing original medal identification parameters (values), the type of medal that has passed the magnetic sensor 134 can be identified. For example, the determination unit 143 outputs binary medal identification parameters (values) corresponding to the third magnetic signal and the fourth magnetic signal stored in advance, and the two medal identification parameters match. It is possible to determine whether the medal passing through the magnetic sensor 134 is a medal A or a large-diameter medal other than the medal A, that is, a medal B and other kinds of medals.

  In addition, the determination unit 143 of the counting unit 100A calculates, for example, a correlation between the first magnetic signal and the third magnetic signal stored in advance, and the second magnetic signal The correlation degree of the waveform with the stored fourth magnetic signal is calculated. The determination unit 143 determines whether or not the calculated degree of correlation between the two waveforms exceeds a predetermined threshold (predetermined comparison), and when both exceed the predetermined threshold, the medal passing through the magnetic sensor 134 is medal A. Otherwise, it is determined to be a large-diameter medal other than medal A.

  The determination result by the determination unit 143 of the counting unit 100A is transmitted to the sorting solenoid 135 and the counting unit 144. The determination result is information specifying whether the medal that has passed through the magnetic sensor 134 is a medal A or a large-diameter medal other than the medal A. When the distribution solenoid 135 of the counting unit 100A receives the determination result that it is the medal A from the determination unit 143, it does not move the restriction member 135a downward. As a result, the medal determined to be medal A reaches the downstream end of the guide passage 132 and is arranged behind the medal counter 1, and a medal transport device (not shown) for supplying medals to the gaming machine. (See FIGS. 3 and 7).

  On the other hand, when the distribution solenoid 135 of the counting unit 100A receives a determination result from the determination unit 143 that it is a large-diameter medal other than the medal A, it moves the restricting member 135a downward. As a result, the large-diameter medal determined to be other than the medal A, that is, the medal B and other types of medals collide with the restricting member 135a and reach the downstream end of the guiding passage 132 without reaching the downstream end of the guiding passage 132. It falls from a part of the cutout and is received by the storage unit 122 of the counting unit 100B via the chute 137 (see FIGS. 3 and 7).

  The counting unit 144 of the counting unit 100A counts the passing medals, outputs the total number of passing medals as a counting result, and transmits it to the control unit 200. The counting unit 144 counts the large medals other than the medal A and the medal A based on the determination result of the determining unit 143, and counts the number of medals A and the number of large medals other than the medal A, respectively. The result is output and transmitted to the control unit 200.

  Most of the operation of the counting unit 100B when a medal is received in the storage unit 122 of the counting unit 100B is the same as the operation of the counting unit 100A. The determination result of the determination unit 143 of the counting unit 100B is information that specifies whether the medal passing through the magnetic sensor 134 of the counting unit 100B is a medal B or another type of medal. When the distribution solenoid 135 of the counting unit 100B receives the determination result that it is the medal B from the determination unit 143, it does not move the regulating member 135a downward. As a result, the medal determined to be medal B reaches the downstream end of the guide passage 132 and is guided into the rear medal transport device (see FIGS. 3 and 7).

  On the other hand, the distribution solenoid 135 of the counting unit 100B moves the restricting member 135a downward when it receives a determination result from the determination unit 143 that it is another type of medal. As a result, a medal determined to be another type of medal collides with the restriction member 135a and falls from a notch partial region of the guide passage 132 without reaching the downstream end of the guide passage 132, It collects via the chute 137 (see FIGS. 3 and 7).

  The counting unit 144 of the counting unit 100B outputs the total number of passing medals, the number of medals B, and the number of other types of medals as counting results, and transmits them to the control unit 200.

  The case where the counting units 100C and 100D count the small-diameter mixed medals also applies to the above description made by the counting units 100A and 100B for the large-diameter mixed medals. The medal determined as medal C by the determination unit 143 of the counting unit 100C reaches the downstream end of the guide passage 132 and is guided into the rear medal transport device (see FIGS. 3 and 7). Further, the small diameter medal determined to be other than the medal C, that is, the medal D and other types of medals collide with the restricting member 135a and reach the downstream end portion of the guiding path 132 without being cut out of the guiding path 132. Then, it falls from the partial area and is received by the storage unit 122 of the counting unit 100D via the chute 137 (see FIGS. 3 and 7).

  The medal determined as medal D by the determination unit 143 of the counting unit 100D reaches the downstream end of the guide passage 132 and is guided into the rear medal transport device (see FIGS. 3 and 7). Further, a small-diameter medal determined to be other than the medal D, that is, another type of medal, collides with the regulating member 135a and does not reach the downstream end portion of the guiding passage 132, so that a part of the guiding passage 132 is cut out. It falls from the area and is collected via the chute 137 (see FIGS. 3 and 7).

The counting result by the counting unit 144 of the counting unit 100C is the total number of passing medals, the number of medals C, and the number of large diameter medals other than the medal C (medal D and other types of medals). The counting unit 144 transmits the counting result to the control unit 200.
The counting result by the counting unit 144 of the counting unit 100D is the total number of passing medals, the number of medals D, and the number of other types of medals, and the counting unit 144 of the counting unit 100D uses the counting result as the control unit 200. Send to.

  In the description of the operation of the present embodiment, since there is no small diameter mixed medal at the stage where the medals acquired by the player are preliminarily selected as the large diameter medal and the small diameter medal, the counting units 100C and 100D There was no action to insert small-diameter mixed medals. As a result, a count result in which the number of medals C is 0 and the number of medals D is 0 is transmitted to the control unit 200.

  Each of the counting units 144 of the counting units 100A to 100D can be set not to count passing medals. Moreover, it can be set not to count registered medals, or can be set not to count medals other than registered medals. Such setting of the presence or absence of various counts can be realized by, for example, instructing each of the counting units 144 via the control unit 300 and the control unit 200 via the operation of the operator of the host device.

  When receiving the count result output from each of the counting units 100 </ b> A to 100 </ b> D, the control unit 200 transmits the received count result to the control unit 300. The count result may be transmitted from the control unit 200 to the control unit 300 by, for example, a serial signal or by a parallel signal as in the case of using a printer connected to a conventional medal counter. May be.

  The control unit 300 can display the number of medals acquired by the player on the touch panel 4 according to a predetermined format for the counting result received from the control unit 200. Examples of the predetermined format include the following patterns 1 to 3.

(Pattern 1)
The number of medals A, the number of medals B, the number of medals C, the number of medals D, the number of medals of other types, and the total number of these are displayed on the touch panel 4. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the counting result is displayed on the touch panel 4 according to the pattern 1.
The number of other types of medals received in pattern 1 is the number of other types of medals collected via the chute 137 by the counting unit 100B and the number of medals received by the counting unit 100D via the chute 137. It is the sum of the number of other types of medals collected.

  The medal A is a medal that the player has played with the gaming machine using the medal A and is properly acquired, and the employee operates the touch panel 4 to specify the type, so that the number of medals A (1000 Naturally, it is counted as the total number of medals acquired by the player (1051).

  The medal B is mixed with the medal A in the gaming machine using the medal A due to a predetermined cause, and the player who has the medal A counted together with the medal A (hereinafter referred to as “count requesting player”). It is inferred that the medal has been paid out. The predetermined cause is that another player accidentally throws the medal B, which is another usable medal, into the gaming machine using the medal A, and is accidentally paid out to the counting requesting player. It is conceivable that the counting requesting player intentionally brought in medal B and mixed it into medal A. The reason why the medals B are mixed is not clear, but unless the counting request player intentionally mixes the medals B, the counted medals B are medals that the counting request player has properly obtained. I can say that.

In consideration of such circumstances, the control unit 300 counts the number of medals B (50) as the total number of medals acquired by the counting request player (1051) as medals acquired by the counting request player. To do. However, although the medal B is a medal set with a low exchange rate, it is preferable that the counted 50 medals B are handled in the same way as the medal A and counted as a medal with a high exchange rate in the total number.
The medals C and D are handled in the same manner as the medal B.

  It is inferred that the other types of medals are medals that have been mixed with medal A in the gaming machine using medal A for a predetermined cause and have been paid out to the counting requesting player together with medal A. The predetermined cause is that another player mistakenly inserts another type of medal that cannot be used for any gaming machine in the game hall into the gaming machine using the medal A, and the counting request game. It is conceivable that the player has been paid out by chance, or that the counting requesting player intentionally brought in another type of medal and mixed it into medal A. The reason why the other types of medals were mixed is not clear, but unless the counting requester intentionally mixes other types of medals, the counted other types of medals Is a legitimate medal.

  In view of such circumstances, the control unit 300 determines that the number of other types of medals (1) is the total number of medals acquired by the counting request player (1051) as the medals acquired by the counting request player. ). However, although other types of medals are unusable medals, it is preferable that the counted other types of medals be handled in the same way as medals A and be counted as the total number of medals.

(Pattern 2)
The number of medals A, the number of medals B, the number of medals C, the number of medals D, and the total number of these are displayed on the touch panel 4. That is, the number of other types of medals is not counted in the total number of medals acquired by the counting request player. In this accounting method, other types of medals are not medals originally used in their own game halls, but are likely to be medals brought in intentionally from other game halls. Based on the idea that it should be excluded. According to pattern 2, since counting one other type of medal is invalidated, the total number of medals acquired by the counting requesting player is 1050.

(Pattern 3)
The number of medals A is displayed on the touch panel 4, and the total number of medals A is displayed on the touch panel 4. That is, not only the number of medals of other types but also the number of medals B, the number of medals C, and the number of medals D are not counted in the total number of medals acquired by the counting requesting player. In such a counting method, in addition to the idea of pattern 2, medals B to D used in their own game halls are also likely to have been intentionally mixed in medal A, and should therefore be excluded from counting targets. Based on the idea that According to the pattern 3, counting one other type of medals and counting 50 medals B are invalidated, so the total number of medals acquired by the counting request player is 1000. . The pattern 3 is effective as a means for preventing a medal with a low exchange rate from being counted as a high exchange rate medal and impairing sales at the game hall.
Of course, the counting method of medals acquired by the counting requesting player is not limited to patterns 1 to 3.

  When the employee inserts all medals acquired by the player into the insertion slot 2 and displays the counting result shown in FIG. 8 on the touch panel 4 and then touches the issue button, the control unit 300 causes the writing unit 31 to On the other hand, a command is issued to issue a receipt R in which the counting results (the number of medals A to D counted by all the counting units 100A to 100D, the number of other types of medals, and the total number) are recorded. The writing unit 31 causes the receipt issuing unit 5 to print the medal counting result on the receipt R. The receipt issuing unit 5 issues a receipt R shown in FIG. Further, the control unit 300 transmits the counting result to a POS (Point of Sale) system that is connected to the printer 3 for communication.

  The receipt R includes, for example, the date and time when the receipt R is issued, and an issue number that is a number for identifying the receipt R. , The number of medals A, the number of medals B, the number of medals C, the number of medals D, the number of medals of other types, the total number of medals for each type of medals, and the total number of two-dimensional codes printed Has been. The receipt R shown in FIG. 9 is printed corresponding to the pattern 1, but when counted according to the patterns 2, 3, etc., the receipt R is printed according to the pattern, and the number of medals of a specific type Is omitted.

  The two-dimensional code includes at least an issue number. And the total number of medals (1051). The employee provides the player with the receipt R in which the information is recorded and issued. The player passes the receipt R to the reception of the game hall, and the POS system reads the two-dimensional code of the receipt R and performs a prize exchange process, so that the player receives a special prize corresponding to the total number of medals. .

  If the player is a member of the amusement hall and possesses the card C, the control unit 300 counts the card C inserted into the card RW for counting medals with respect to the writing unit 31. To write. The card C includes, for example, a player ID (Identification), the date and time (time stamp) when the counting result is written, the number of medals A, the number of medals B, the number of medals C, the number of medals D, and other types. The total number of medals and the total number of medals for each medal type are recorded.

  The player passes the card C to the reception of the game hall, and the POS system reads the information of the card C and performs a prize exchange process, so that the player receives a special prize corresponding to the total number of medals, Have C returned.

(Summary)
According to the present embodiment, in the counting unit 100, the determination unit 143 of the magnetic sensor 134 includes two different elements among the three elements of the material, outer diameter, and thickness that characterize the medal that passes through the hole of the magnetic sensor 134. Using the first magnetic signal and the second magnetic signal for identification, binary medal identification is performed for the two different elements. For this reason, it is possible to identify the medals inserted into the medal counting machine 1 with higher accuracy as compared with the prior art in which medals are identified based only on one element (for example, material) related to medals.

  Further, among the conventional techniques for identifying medals, there is a technique for acquiring image data of medals used in a game with a camera or the like and determining matching with image data of a reference medal. However, the influence of the dirt of the medals due to repeated use is large, and regular maintenance such as cleaning of the medals is necessary and complicated. In the identification of medals according to the present embodiment, since the magnetic signal used for the determination is hardly affected by the dirt of the medals, the regular maintenance is basically unnecessary.

  In addition, since no magnet is used for the magnetic sensor 134 of the present embodiment, for example, magnetic powder from the outside adheres to the magnetic sensor 134 and does not hinder the medal identification process in the magnetic sensor 134.

  The medal counting machine 1 of the present embodiment counts one type of medals as a registered medal in order to count a plurality of types of medals corresponding to a plurality of exchange rates when exchanging from cash to medals. A plurality of counting units 100 are provided. Each of the counting units 100 can determine with high accuracy whether or not a medal that has passed the magnetic sensor 134 is a registered medal. Therefore, the medal counting machine 1 according to the present embodiment reliably determines the types of medals counted regardless of the types of medals corresponding to a plurality of exchange rates when exchanging from cash to medals. It is possible to identify and count the inserted medals for each type.

  Further, the medal counting machine 1 of the present embodiment is based on the medal type designated via the touch panel 4, and the registered medals (medal A to medal D) counted by the counting units 144 of the counting units 100A to 100D. ) And the number of other types of medals other than the registered medals (for example, together), the number of medals acquired by the player can be determined. Therefore, the medal counting machine 1 of the present embodiment takes into account the difference in medal type even if a medal type different from the medal type to be originally counted is inserted, and the total number of medals acquired by the player ( Acquisition count) can be determined reliably.

  The medal counter 1 of this embodiment includes a printer 3 including a receipt issuing unit 5 that prints on a receipt R or a card RW6 that writes on a card C. Based on the control of the control unit 300, the printer 3 clearly prints and outputs the counting results of the mixed medals of a plurality of types and the total number on the receipt R for each type of medals or on the card C. Can do. As a result, the printer 3 can selectively print the counting result presented to the player on the receipt R or write it on the card C. In addition, the printer 3 can print the total number corresponding to the selectively presented counting result on the receipt R or write it on the card C.

(Other)
In the present embodiment, three elements of the medal material, outer diameter, and thickness are taken as a plurality of elements characterizing the medal. However, the elements that characterize medals handled in this embodiment are not limited to the above. Further, the number of elements necessary for identifying the medal according to the present embodiment may be two, or four or more.

  In this embodiment, the medal passing through the hole of the magnetic sensor 134 is identified using at least two types of magnetic signals, ie, the first magnetic signal and the second magnetic signal. However, medals may be identified using three or more types of magnetic signals, that is, medals may be identified using all or some of the elements that characterize the medals.

  Further, the counting unit 100 of the present embodiment is configured such that a medal passes through a hole located inside an annular detection means provided in the magnetic sensor 134. However, if the magnetic sensor 134 can acquire the first magnetic signal and the second magnetic signal, it is essential that the detection means of the magnetic sensor 134 is annular and that a medal passes through the hole of the magnetic sensor 134. The medal may be configured so that the medal passes through a detection portion of another shape of the magnetic sensor 134. For example, the detection part of the magnetic sensor 134 may be U-shaped or C-shaped.

  Note that the counting unit 100 disposed in the game medium transport device shown in FIG. 3 and the like is one specific example of a game medium use machine that functions using a game medium. Other specific examples of the game medium using machine include a payout hopper or counting hopper arranged in the game medium lending machine, a payout hopper arranged in the game machine, and a counter arranged in a counter such as a jet counter. There is a hopper. When the game medium using machine is a payout hopper arranged in the game machine, a magnetic sensor equivalent to the magnetic sensor 134 may be arranged at the payout port of the payout hopper.

  In the present embodiment, the combination of registered medals counted by the plurality of counting units 100 is not limited to a combination of medals that combine different outer diameters and different materials, and medals that differ in at least one of the elements that characterize the medals. Combinations between them also apply. Specifically, a combination of medals in which at least one of the medals has a different outer diameter, material, thickness, pattern, shape, or the like is applicable.

The number and arrangement of the plurality of counting units 100 provided in the medal counting machine 1 can be arbitrarily designed according to the number of types of medals used in the game hall. For example, it is possible to prepare the same number of counting units 100 as the number of medal types provided in the medal counting machine 1 and arrange all the counting units 100 in a connected manner. That is, in one counting unit 100, registered medals reach the downstream end of the guide passage 132, while medals other than registered medals fall via the chute 137, and one counting unit 100 stores one. All the counting units 100 can be arranged to reach the part 122 and pass through the holes of the magnetic sensor 134. In this case, in the counting unit 100 in the lowermost layer, other types of medals that do not correspond to any registered medal fall through the chute 137 and are collected.
When all of the plurality of counting units 100 are connected and arranged, it is not necessary to sort the mixed medals into large-diameter mixed medals and small-diameter mixed medals as described above.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 200 transmits all the counting results of the counting units 100 </ b> A to 100 </ b> D to the control unit 300. However, for example, the control unit 300 can instruct the control unit 200 to transmit a part of the count results of the counting units 100A to 100D to the control unit 300. In addition, the POS system connected to the printer 3 can instruct the control unit 300 to transmit a part of the counting results of the counting units 100A to 100D to the POS system.

  The medal counting machine 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 200 that receives count results from all the counting units 100 and a control unit 300 that controls the printer 3. However, the medal counting machine 1 may include a control unit in which the control unit 200 and the control unit 300 are integrated.

  The medal counter 1 of the present embodiment is a printer built-in medal counter equipped with a printer 3. However, the medal counter 1 provided with a printer having the same function as the printer 3 may be used. it can. In this case, the touch panel 4 is provided in the medal counter 1.

  The card RW6 provided in the printer 3 of this embodiment is a non-contact type reader / writer that reads information from the card C having an IC chip in a non-contact manner. However, the card C may be, for example, a magnetic stripe card, and the card RW6 may be a contact reader / writer that pulls in the magnetic stripe card and reads information from the magnetic stripe portion.

  The medal counting machine 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of counting units 100, so that the mixed medals acquired by the player can be selected for each type of registered medal. Therefore, by providing a mechanism for transporting the selected registered medals to the subsequent medal transport device without mixing the selected registered medals, the registered medals that are not mixed with other types of registered medals are obtained through the medal transport device. The corresponding gaming machine can be replenished.

Moreover, the technique which combined the technique demonstrated by this embodiment is realizable.
In addition, the shape and arrangement of the members constituting the apparatus of the present invention can be changed as appropriate.

1 Medal counter (game media counter)
2, 2L, 2R slot 3 Printer (recording device)
4 Touch panel (input unit, display unit)
5 Receipt issuing department 6 Card RW
R receipt (non-electronic recording medium)
C card (electronic recording medium)
31 Writing unit 32 Upper connection model I / F
33 Display unit 34 Input unit 35 Input / output terminal unit 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D Counting unit 121 Counting device 122 Storage unit 123 Base member 131 Counting turntable 131a Medal storage hole 132 Guide passage 133 Photo sensor 134 Magnetic sensor 135 Sorting Solenoid 135a Regulating member 136 Dip switch 137 Chute 141, 142 Signal acquisition unit 143 Determination unit 144 Count unit 200 Control unit 300 Control unit

Claims (3)

A game media counter for counting a plurality of types of game media,
A plurality of counting units for counting the gaming media thrown into the slot of the gaming media counter;
The plurality of types of game media include a plurality of types of registered game media registered differently in each of the plurality of counting units,
Each of the plurality of counting units is
A signal for obtaining at least two or more magnetic signals for specifying different elements among the plurality of elements characterizing the game medium from the game medium passing through the detection part of the magnetic sensor included in each of the plurality of counting units. An acquisition unit;
At least two or more criteria acquired in advance from the registered game medium registered in the counting unit for the at least two or more magnetic signals and the different elements specified by the at least two or more magnetic signals Using the magnetic signal, it is determined whether or not the game medium passing through the detection portion of the magnetic sensor included in the counting unit is the registered gaming medium registered in the counting unit. A determination unit to perform,
According to the determination result of the determination unit, the game medium that passes through the detection portion of the magnetic sensor included in the counting unit of itself is registered with the registered gaming medium registered in the counting unit of the self, A distribution unit that distributes the game media other than the registered game media registered in the counting unit;
The game medium passing through the detection portion of the magnetic sensor included in the counting unit of the player, the registered game medium registered in the counter unit of the player, and the registered game registered in the counter unit of the player. A game medium counter comprising: a counting unit that counts at least one of game media other than the medium. The control unit of the game medium counter is a type specified via an input unit that receives specification of the type of game medium and the plurality of types of registered games counted by each of the counting units of the plurality of counting units. An acquisition count value of game media acquired by a player is determined based on the number of media and the number of game media not corresponding to any of the registered game media registered in the plurality of counting units. The game medium counter according to claim 1. It does not correspond to either the number of the registered game media of the plurality of types counted by each of the counting units of the plurality of counting units or the registered gaming media registered in the plurality of counting units from the control unit. A recording device that receives at least one of the number of game media and the acquired count value and records it on a non-electronic or electronic recording medium is provided, or is communicably connected to the recording device. The game medium counter according to claim 2.

Images