JP2017205634A - Device for game - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for a game for preventing game media from being used illegally.SOLUTION: The device for a game juxtaposed to a game machine, comprises: a dispensing processor for dispensing game media; a counting processor for counting the number of game media; an information acquisition unit for acquiring pay-out information by the juxtaposed game machine; and a notification unit for performing a predetermined notification. The notification unit gives a notification on the illegal use of the game media, on the basis of the number of dispensed game balls by the dispensing processor, the number of paid-out game balls by the information acquisition unit, and the number of the game balls counted by the counting processor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming apparatus for lending gaming media such as medals and pachinko balls used for playing gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in game halls equipped with gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines, game media lending devices called sand that lend medal, pachinko balls, etc., which are game media, have been added to the game machines. A player rents a game medium and plays a game using these game medium lending devices (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP-A-11-57198 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-57200 JP-A-11-57202

  It has been difficult for conventional gaming devices to ensure safety.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming apparatus that ensures safety.

The present invention provides the following gaming devices.
A counting device for counting game media, an opening for throwing game media toward the counting device, a detection unit arranged inside the opening and capable of detecting insertion of a hand, and counted gaming media A discharge unit that discharges the gas to the outside of the apparatus, and when the detection unit detects, the operation of the counting device is stopped.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming apparatus that ensures safety.

It is a front view which shows the pachi-slot machine which provided the game media rental apparatus (sand) by this invention side by side. It is a perspective view which shows sand. It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of a sand. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of sand. It is an approximate line perspective view showing the 1st storage space. It is a rough-line perspective view which shows the comparative example which used all the dimensions of the left-right direction of the internal space of a housing | casing for a power supply unit. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the front panel of the front part of sand. It is sectional drawing which shows the attachment state of a speaker. It is a perspective view which shows the discharge hopper. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the discharge hopper. It is a perspective view which shows the counting hopper. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the counting hopper. It is the schematic which shows the arrangement | positioning state of a conveyance conveyor, a pachislot machine, and a sand. It is the schematic which shows a resin tube. It is the schematic which shows the example in which the conveyance conveyor is provided in the vicinity of the sand and the pachislot machine. It is a block diagram which shows the component controlled by the control board of a sand, and the said control board. It is a flowchart which shows the rental processing procedure of the game media by main CPU. It is a top view which shows the display content for selection displayed on the touchscreen LCD of an operation unit in step S11. It is a flowchart which shows a leaving warning process procedure. It is a front view which shows the attachment state of a guide member. It is a front view showing a pachislot machine provided with a game medium lending device (sand). It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of a pachislot machine and sand. It is a front view which shows the internal structure of a pachislot machine and sand. It is a rear view which shows the structure of the back surface side of a pachislot machine and sand. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure of sand. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a pachislot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the accumulation | storage process of payout information. It is a flowchart which shows the abnormality detection process performed by the main CPU of a sand. It is the schematic which shows the connection state of the pachi-slot machine, sand, and hall computer in a hall. It is a timing chart which shows the procedure in case Sand acquires payout information from a hall computer. It is a block diagram which shows the sand by other embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the slot for medal counting which concerns on other embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface side of the slot for medal counting which concerns on other embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the slot for medal counting which concerns on other embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the slot for medal counting which concerns on other embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the slot for medal counting which concerns on other embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the slot for medal counting which concerns on other embodiment. It is a rough-line side view which shows the insertion hole for medal counting integrated with the counting hopper which concerns on other embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the insertion port for medal counting which concerns on other embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the count processing procedure which concerns on other embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the rental processing procedure of the game medium which concerns on other embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the attachment state of the sensor for medal detection concerning other embodiments. It is a rough-line perspective view which shows the medal lifting means which concerns on other embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the sand which has the divided | segmented front panel which concerns on other embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the removal state of the front panel which concerns on other embodiment. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the mounting / demounting method of the front panel which concerns on other embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the attachment state of the LED board for illumination which concerns on other embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the component connected to the control board which concerns on other embodiment, and a control board. It is a rough-line side view which shows the attachment state of the control board and power supply unit which concern on other embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the camera part which concerns on other embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the component connected to the control board which concerns on other embodiment, and a control board. It is a block diagram which shows the connection of the sand and financial server which concern on other embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the control board which concerns on other embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the exchange of information between Sand and a financial server. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a payment system. It is a block diagram which shows the functional block of the sand and a mobile telephone in a payment system. It is a figure which shows an example of the information which a user information storage part memorize | stores. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of a management server. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the user table memorize | stored in a database part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the user possession amount data memorize | stored in a database part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the game hall company table memorize | stored in a database part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of game hall company holding amount data memorize | stored in a database part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the hall computer table memorize | stored in a database part. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of a payment system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of a payment system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the payment system in the case of using a credit card. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of a payment system. FIG. 68 is a sequence diagram following FIG. 67. FIG. 69 is a sequence diagram following FIG. 68.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the game medium lending device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachislot machine provided with a game medium lending device (sand) according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the sand.

  As shown in FIG. 1, sands 20 are provided on the right side of the pachislot machine 10, respectively. Each sand 20 is installed so as to correspond to the adjacent pachislot machine 10, and is connected so as to be communicable with the corresponding pachislot machine 10. Each sand 20 is communicably connected to a controller (not shown) that performs system management and sales management of the sand 20 of the entire hall. In the present embodiment, the sand 20 connected to a controller (hall computer) that manages the entire hall is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and communicates with the controller. There may be no sand.

  On the front portion 21 of each sand 20, an LED (light-emitting diode) portion 31, a card insertion slot 32, a bill insertion slot 33 into which a bill can be inserted, an operation unit 34 constituted by a touch panel LCD (liquid crystal display), A camera 35, a non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, a medal (game medium) payout tray 37, a speaker cover 38, a medal (game medium) counting slot 39, and the like are provided. The card insertion slot 32 is an insertion slot that can accept an information card issued by a card issuing machine (not shown) in a hall, for example. The LED unit 31 includes a full color LED 31A and an infrared LED (infrared light emitting diode) 31B.

  A player can receive a medal as a game medium necessary for a game by inserting an information card or a predetermined amount of banknotes into the card insertion slot 32 or the banknote insertion slot 33. Further, the player can receive a medal required for the game by holding the non-contact IC card over the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36.

  When the sand 20 receives an input of a value medium such as an information card, a bill, and an IC card, the number of medals corresponding to the amount of the inserted value medium is paid in a payout hopper (first counting unit). Is counted and paid out from the medal payout tray 37. The player can play a game in the pachislot machine 10 by inserting the medals paid out from the medal payout tray 37 into the medal slot 11 of the pachislot machine 10.

  Further, in the pachislot machine 10, medals are paid out to the medal payout tray 12 in accordance with the game result. The player picks up this medal from the medal payout tray 12 and puts it in the medal counting slot 39 of the sand 20 so that the medal can be counted by the sand 20. The sand 20 counts medals inserted from the medal counting insertion port 39 by a counting hopper (second counting unit) provided therein.

  The counted results are recorded on the card inserted from the card insertion slot 32 or stored in a storage unit provided in the hall computer.

  The medals counted by the counting hopper are discharged from the discharge port provided on the bottom surface of the sand 20 to the conveyor and collected. In a place where no conveyor is provided, a storage box for storing medals may be installed below the sand 20 and the medals may be discharged into the storage box.

  3 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the sand 20, and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the sand 20 has an identification means (information card reader, bill discriminating device 61, IC) for identifying a value medium such as an information card, bill, or non-contact IC card inside the housing 22. A first reader space AR11 for storing the card reader / writer and the power supply unit 65. Further, below the first storage space AR11, there is a second storage space AR13 in which the dispensing hopper 51 and the counting hopper 71 are stored side by side. In the first storage space AR11, identification means (information card reader, bill identification device 61, IC card reader / writer, etc.) is stored in the upper part, and the power supply unit 65 is stored in the lower part. That is, the lower part of the first storage space AR11 forms a power supply unit storage space AR12 for storing the power supply unit 65.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the first storage space AR11. In FIG. 5, a bill recognition device (bill validator) 61 is a device for identifying bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 33 (FIG. 3), and an information card reader 62 is from an information card inserted from the card insertion slot 32. It is a device that reads information. The total width dimension of the bill recognition device 61 and the information card reader 62 is smaller than the width dimension of the internal space of the housing 22. Thereby, when the information card reader 62 and the banknote discriminating device 61 are stored side by side, a space larger than the thickness dimension of the control board 63 is formed on the side of the discriminating means including the information card reader 62 and the banknote discriminating device 61. It has become so.

  Further, the width dimension of the power supply unit 65 is smaller than the width dimension of the internal space of the housing 22. Thereby, when the power supply unit 65 is stored below the identification means, a space larger than the thickness dimension of the control board 63 is formed on the side of the power supply unit 65.

  That is, by storing the identification unit and the power supply unit 65 side by side, a space having a dimension equal to or larger than the thickness dimension of the control board 63 is formed on the side thereof. The control board 63 can be stood and stored in this space. In this case, the size of the space for storing the control board 63 can be applied to all of the dimension in the front-rear direction of the internal space of the housing 22 and the dimension in the vertical direction of the first storage area AR11. Can be obtained.

  FIG. 6 shows a comparative example in which the power supply unit 65 is stored using all the dimensions in the left-right direction of the internal space of the housing 22. In this case, the lower portion of the space for storing the control board 63 formed on the side of the identification means (the banknote identification device 61 and the information card reader 62) is occupied by the power supply unit 65, and accordingly, A space for accommodating the control board 63 is reduced.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the space for accommodating the control board 63 can be made large, so that a larger control board 63 can be accommodated. Since the large control board 63 can be accommodated in this way, the number of control target devices of the control board 63 can be increased.

  In FIG. 3, the payout hopper 51 stored in the second storage space AR13 below the first storage area AR11 is provided via a replenishment opening 52 provided on the back surface of the housing 22 at an upper portion thereof. The medals are replenished through the replenishment route from the hall. A replenishment passage 53 is provided between the replenishment opening 52 and the payout hopper 51, and medals replenished from the replenishment opening 52 fall into the payout hopper 51 through the replenishment passage 53. To do.

  On the other hand, an introduction passage 72 is provided between the medal counting insertion port 39 and the counting hopper 71 provided on the front surface 21 of the housing 22, and the medal inserted from the medal counting insertion port 39. Falls to the counting hopper 71 through the introduction passage 72 (arrow a). The counting hopper 71 is provided with counting means for counting medals, and the medals counted by the counting means are discharged from the discharge port 73 provided on the bottom surface of the housing 20 to the conveyor (arrows). b) is recovered.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the medal counting slot 39 is provided at the same height as the medal payout tray 12 of the pachislot machine 10. Thus, the player can easily carry the medals paid out to the medal payout tray 12 of the pachislot machine 10 to the medal counting slot 39. The height of the medal counting insertion port 39 is not limited to the same height as the medal payout tray 12 of the pachislot machine 10, and may be provided at a position lower than the medal payout tray 12. In this way, the player can easily carry medals.

  Next, the mounting position of the speaker in the sand 20 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a front panel 21 is provided on the front surface 21 of the sand 20, and a speaker cover 38 is provided on the front panel 23. The speaker cover 38 has a plurality of transmission ports through which sound from a speaker provided on the back side of the front panel 23 (speaker cover 38) is transmitted forward.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front panel 23 of the front portion 21 of the sand 20 is removed. As shown in FIG. 7, a payout hopper 51 is disposed on the back surface side of the front panel 23, and a speaker 81 is fixed to the front surface portion of the payout hopper 51. The speaker 81 is fixed between the payout port 54 of the payout hopper 51 and the insertion port (opening 75) of the counting hopper 71. The payout outlet 54 of the payout hopper 51 is for paying out medals from the payout hopper 51 to the medal payout tray 37 provided on the front panel 23. 75) guides the medal inserted into the medal counting slot 39 to the counting hopper 71. That is, the mounting position of the speaker 81 is between the medal payout tray 37 and the medal counting slot 39.

  The payout outlet 54 of the payout hopper 51 is generally provided in the upper part of the payout hopper 51, and the inlet (opening 75) of the counting hopper 71 is generally provided in the upper part of the counting hopper 71. Therefore, in the configuration in which the dispensing hopper 51 and the counting hopper 71 are arranged one above the other, a space is formed between the dispensing outlet 54 and the insertion opening (opening 75). Further, in the configuration in which the payout hopper 51 is provided at the upper portion and the counting hopper 71 is provided at the lower portion, a fixed space is formed above the medal counting insertion port 39 so that the player can count the medals. The medal can be easily inserted into the insertion slot 39. In particular, for the purpose of holding a box storing medals over the medal counting slot 39 and inserting the medals in the box into the medal counting slot 39 (the medal counting slot). It is necessary to form a space between the insertion slot 39 and the medal payout tray 37). In the present embodiment, the speaker 81 is attached using these spaces.

  As shown in FIG. 8, an enclosing projection member 101 for preventing leakage of sound output from the speaker 81 is integrally formed on the back surface side of the front panel 23 so as to cover the periphery of the speaker 81. It is desirable to do.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the dispensing hopper 51, and FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. As shown in FIG. 9, the payout hopper 51 is unitized with a speaker 81 via a coupling member 82. As shown in FIG. 10, the connection wiring 84 of the speaker 81 is connected to the payout hopper 51. It is connected to the connector 55. The connecting connector 55 of the payout hopper 51 is a connector for connecting the control board 63 and the payout hopper 51 and supplying a control signal from the control board 63 to the payout hopper 51. In the case of this configuration, the connection connector 55 is shared by the payout hopper 51 and the speaker 81 by connecting a wiring for supplying an audio signal to the speaker 81 to the connection connector 55. As a result, the audio signal from the control board 63 is output to the speaker 81 via the connection connector 55, and the existing connection connector 55 for the payout hopper 51 is shared as the connection connector for the speaker 81. By doing so, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of connection connectors and to avoid complication of the configuration.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the counting hopper 71, and FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. As shown in FIG. 11, an opening 75 for receiving medals is provided in the front part of the medal passage 76 of the counting hopper 71, and a medal for inserting medals from the outside is provided in the opening 75. A counting inlet 39 is attached. Thereby, the medal inserted into the medal counting insertion port 39 is guided to the counting hopper 71 through the opening 75 and the medal passage 76. As shown in FIG. 12, medals counted in the counting hopper 71 are discharged from a discharge port 74 provided on the bottom surface of the counting hopper 71 to a transport conveyor through a housing discharge port 73 (FIG. 3). The

  Incidentally, the size of the opening portion 75 of the counting hopper 71 and the medal counting insertion port 39 is set so that the player's hand is difficult to enter. A plate-shaped medal guide member 29 (FIG. 3) is fixed to the medal counting insertion port 39 along with the front panel 23. This makes it difficult for the player's hand to enter from the medal counting slot 39.

  Further, a photosensor 77 (FIG. 7) is provided in the opening 75, and this is detected when a player's hand enters. Accordingly, when the player's hand is inserted by mistake or when the hand is inserted by fraud, the detection by the photosensor 77 can be performed and the operation of the counting hopper 71 can be stopped. The photo sensor 77 is attached at a position where a medal inserted through the medal counting insertion port 39 and the opening 75 is not erroneously detected. For example, by providing only the state of the upper part of the opening 75, it is possible to detect only the player's hand entering the upper part of the opening 75 without detecting a medal that slides below the opening 75. it can. Incidentally, the counting hopper 71 is also provided with a sensor (not shown) for detecting insertion of medals.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement state of the transport conveyor 90, the pachislot machine 10, and the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 13, the sand 20 and the pachislot machine 10 according to the present embodiment are provided on both sides of the conveyance conveyor 90, the position of the discharge port 73 shown in FIG. 3, and the position of the conveyance belt 90. And away. In this case, a medal discharged from the discharge port 73 can be guided to the transport conveyor 90 by attaching a resin tube 95 as shown in FIG. It is desirable that the resin tube 95 is formed in a bellows shape, so that the discharge path can be easily set according to the positional relationship between the discharge port 73 and the transport conveyor 90.

  As a method of attaching the resin tube 95, first, the counting hopper 71 is removed, and the resin tube 95 is inserted from above the discharge port 73 and fixed at the bottom surface portion (planar portion) of the housing 22. Thereafter, the counting hopper 71 is attached. As described above, after the resin tube 95 is attached to the discharge port 73, the discharge direction can be arbitrarily adjusted by the bellows portion, and the discharge path can be easily set.

  Incidentally, FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing an example in which a transport conveyor 90 is provided in the vicinity of the sand 20 and the pachislot machine 10. In this case, the conveyance conveyor 90 is provided in the vicinity of the lower side of the discharge port 73 of the sand 20, so that medals discharged from the discharge port 73 can be directly discharged to the transfer conveyor 90. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the discharge port 74 of the counting hopper 71 is provided with guide portions 74A and 74B for guiding discharged medals, and the guide portions 74A and 74B are used to discharge the medals. Can be inclined. As a result, the direction of discharge of medals discharged from the discharge port of the counting hopper 71 (that is, the medals discharged from the discharge port 73 (FIG. 3) of the housing 22) is arranged in the vicinity of the lower part of the sand 20 and the conveyor 90. Can be in the direction of

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the control board 63 of the sand 20 and the components controlled by the control board 63. A main CPU (central processing unit) 121 reads out a control unit program stored in a ROM (read only memory) 122 and executes medal counting and other processing. Various data relating to the processing is stored in a RAM (random access memory) 123.

  The main CPU 121 stores the amount data read from the information card via the information card reader in the RAM 123 as balance data. When the amount designated by the player is smaller than the balance data based on the balance data and the operation result output from the operation unit 34, the main CPU 121 pays out a medal for the designated amount. The balance data is updated by counting and paying out and subtracting the amount of medals paid out from the balance data. The main CPU 121 can drive the payout hopper 51 by controlling the drive circuit 131. Further, the counting hopper 71 is connected to the main CPU 121 via the driving circuit 132, and the main CPU 121 can drive the counting hopper 71 by controlling the driving circuit 132.

  The operation unit 34 also displays a button for returning an information card. When the player operates this operation button, the main CPU 121 inserts the information card inserted into the information card reader 62 into the card insertion slot 32. Return from.

  Further, the main CPU 121 stores the banknote identification result output from the banknote identification device (Bill Bali) 61 in the RAM 123 as balance data. When the amount designated by the player is smaller than the balance data based on the balance data and the operation result output from the operation unit 34, the main CPU 121 pays out a medal for the designated amount. The balance data is updated by counting and paying out and subtracting the amount of medals paid out from the balance data. The main CPU 121 can drive the payout hopper 51 by controlling the drive circuit 131.

  Further, the main CPU 121 uses the infrared LED 31B of the LED unit 31 as a monitoring projector, reflects the infrared light from the infrared LED 31B by the player, and images it with the camera 35. The main CPU 121 stores an image captured by the camera 35 in the ROM 122, and detects the presence of the player based on this image. This detection process is always performed. When the player's state changes to a non-detection (seating) state and there is a balance in the amount data of the information card inserted from the card insertion slot 32, or the amount data of the banknote inserted from the bill insertion slot 33 When there is a balance, the main CPU 121 can alert the player who is about to leave the seat by issuing a warning sound or warning sound through the speaker 81. As the warning voice, a voice such as “Forgot card” is issued.

The main CPU 121 performs non-contact communication with the non-contact IC card via the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36. This communication method is, for example, an electromagnetic induction method with a carrier frequency of 13.56 MHz. The main CPU 121 counts the number of medals according to the amount data read from the non-contact IC card via the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 by the payout hopper 51 and pays out the medal from the medal payout tray 37. Rewrite IC card balance data.
Further, the main CPU 121 communicates with a pachislot machine or a hall computer via an interface 125.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a gaming medium lending process procedure performed by the main CPU 121. This process is always executed by the main CPU 121. As shown in FIG. 17, in step S11, the main CPU 121 determines whether or not there has been a payout instruction based on the counted number of medals. This process is a process of determining whether or not an instruction for paying out the number of medals counted in step S20, which will be described later, is input via the operation unit 34.

  Incidentally, FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the display content for selection displayed on the touch panel LCD of the operation unit 34 in step S11. As shown in FIG. 18, on the touch panel LCD of the operation unit 34, an icon A11 for selecting a payout instruction based on the counted number of medals and an icon A12 for selecting a payout instruction based on cash (value medium). Is displayed. The player can specify any one of these icons by pressing the icon.

  When there is a payout instruction based on the counted medal number, the main CPU 121 shifts the processing from step S11 to step S12, and operates the payout hopper 51 to thereby give the same number of medals as the counted medal number. Payout to the payout tray 37. When the player designates the number of payouts by operating the operation unit 34, the number of medals designated within the range of medal numbers stored in the RAM 123 may be paid out.

  On the other hand, when there is no designation of payout based on the counted number of medals in step S11, the main CPU 121 shifts the processing from step S11 to step S13, and determines whether or not a value medium has been inserted. The value medium means an information card inserted into the card insertion slot 32, a bill inserted into the banknote insertion slot 33, or a non-contact IC card held over the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36. When the information card is inserted into the card insertion slot 32, the amount data is read from the information card by the information card reader 62. When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 33, the bill amount is identified by the bill recognition device (bill validator) 61. When a non-contact IC card is held over the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 reads the amount data of the non-contact IC card. These read amount data are stored in the RAM 123.

  When the value medium is inserted, the main CPU 121 obtains a positive result in step S13, thereby moving the process from step S13 to step S14 to determine whether or not an amount related to payout has been designated. If a negative result is obtained here, this means that the player has not specified the amount of the payout medal through the operation unit 34 (that is, the payout for the entire amount data has been specified). Yes. Here, when an information card or banknote is inserted, the amount of money can be designated by the player operating the operation unit 34 after inserting the information card or banknote. When the amount data is read by holding the card, the player can specify the amount data by operating the operation unit 34 before holding the non-contact IC card. When an information card or banknote is inserted, the main CPU 121 temporarily stores the read amount data in the RAM 123, and then the amount specified by the player is within the range of the amount stored in the RAM 123. For this, the amount data in the RAM 123 is rewritten to the specified amount data.

  On the other hand, when a contactless IC card is held, the main CPU 121 sets the specified amount data in the RAM 123 by specifying the amount first, and then the contactless IC card is held over the contactless IC card. When the communication is performed with the CPU, it is determined whether or not the amount set in the RAM 123 is stored in the non-contact IC card, and if it is stored, it is stored in the non-contact IC card. By subtracting the amount set in the RAM 123 from the amount, the amount of the contactless IC card is rewritten. On the other hand, when the amount stored in the non-contact IC card is less than the amount set in the RAM 123, the main CPU 121 does not rewrite the amount data of the non-contact IC card and displays an error display on the operation unit 34. By doing so, the payout process is canceled.

  By executing such processing in step S14, the RAM 123 stores data for the amount of money actually withdrawn from the value medium. Incidentally, when there is already balance data in the RAM 123 (the past counting result or the balance when the previous value medium was inserted), the main CPU 121 adds data for the amount drawn from the value medium to these balance data. Will do.

  When the amount is designated, the main CPU 121 displays the process from step S14 to step S15, and drives the payout hopper 51, thereby allowing the medal payout tray 37 to receive the specified amount of medals. Pay out. The paid-out amount data is left as payout history data in a specific area of the RAM 123. Then, the main CPU 121 projects the process to step S17.

  On the other hand, when the amount is not designated, the main CPU 121 projects the processing from step S14 to step S16, and pays out medals for all the inserted amounts. The paid-out amount data is left as payout history data in a specific area of the RAM 123. Then, the main CPU 121 projects the process to step S17.

  When the player does not insert the value medium, the main CPU 121 obtains a negative result in the above-described step S13, thereby displaying the process from step S13 to step S17. Thus, the medal payout (lending) process ends. Next, in step S <b> 17, the main CPU 121 moves the player's hand to the counting hopper 71 based on the detection result of the sensor (photosensor) 77 provided in the insertion port (opening 75) of the counting hopper 71. It is determined whether or not it has been inserted. If an affirmative result is obtained here, the main CPU 121 shifts the processing to step S18 and stops the operation of the counting hopper 71, so that the counting process in steps S20 and S21 to be described later is not executed. The processing is moved to S22. Thereby, when the player's hand is inserted into the counting hopper 71, the counting process of the counting hopper 71 can be stopped.

  On the other hand, when the player's hand is not inserted into the counting hopper 71, the main CPU 121 shifts the processing from step S19 to step S20, and causes the counting hopper 71 to perform a counting operation. Then, the main CPU 121 stores the counting result (the counted medal number) in the RAM 123 in step S21.

  With the above processing procedure, the medal counting process ends. Next, the main CPU 121 executes an absence warning process in step S22. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the absence warning process. In step S41, the main CPU 121 analyzes the imaging result obtained by the camera 35, and in a subsequent step S42, determines whether or not the player has left. When the player leaves the seat, the main CPU 121 shifts the processing from step S42 to step S43, and determines whether an information card or cash (amount data) remains. The state in which the information card or cash (amount data) remains means a state in which the balance remains in the amount data stored in the RAM 123.

  When the amount data remains, the main CPU 121 shifts the processing from step S43 to step S44, causes the drive circuit 133 to generate a warning sound or warning sound from the speaker 81, and ends the absence warning processing. Thus, when the player leaves the seat even though the balance remains, the player can be alerted.

  If the main CPU 121 determines in step S42 that the player has not left the seat, or if it determines in step S43 that there is no remaining balance, the main CPU 121 ends the leave warning processing, and the processing routine (FIG. The process moves to step S23).

  In step S23, the main CPU 121 determines whether or not there is an instruction to write the balance stored in the RAM 123 to the information card or non-contact IC card inserted at this time. This process is a process of displaying an icon for instructing the operation unit 34 to write, and determining whether or not this icon has been pressed.

  When there is a write instruction, the main CPU 121 shifts the processing from step S23 to step S24, and when an information card is inserted into the card insertion slot 32, the balance data in the RAM 123 is written into the information card and information is written. By adding to the balance data of the card, the balance data of the information card is updated. When the information card is not inserted, the main CPU 121 displays a message prompting the user to insert the information card or hold the non-contact IC card over the operation unit 34. When the player inserts an information card into the card insertion slot 32 or holds the non-contact IC card over the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, the main CPU 121 writes balance data to these cards. The main CPU 121 returns to the above-described step S11 and repeats the same process after the process of step S24 or when it is determined that there is no write instruction in step S23.

  As described above, the main CPU 121 can perform the lending (payout) of medals and the counting of medals in the sand 20 by executing the lending process (FIG. 17) and the absence warning process (FIG. 19).

  In the medal lending process, by lending medals using the results counted in the sand 20, the player counts the medals paid out from the pachislot machine 10 and counts the holes away from the pachislot machine 10. The counting result can be written in the information card or the non-contact IC card without taking the trouble of carrying and counting the medals. In addition, by receiving a medal payout based on the counted result, the medal number paid out can be reduced without taking the trouble of carrying the medal to the hole counting device away from the pachislot machine 10 and counting it. Replays can be performed accordingly.

Further, when the player tries to leave the seat despite the balance, the player can be alerted by a warning sound output from the speaker 81 provided on the sand 20.
In addition, the player can write the balance data to an information card or a non-contact IC card, or use it for paying out medals for replaying, so that the player or the hole transports the medal storage box to the hole counting device. Staff time can be reduced.

  In addition, the player can select the medal payout based on the inserted value medium or the medal payout based on the counting result, so that, for example, the counted medal data is left as it is and from the value medium. It is possible to select a flexible usage method of adding and using the extracted amount data.

  In the sand 20 described above, the speaker 81 is provided between the medal payout tray 37 of the payout hopper 51 and the medal counting slot 39 of the counting hopper 71 provided therebelow. Thus, for example, a speaker using a space above the medal counting slot 39 for securing a space when the medal box is moved above the medal counting slot 39 and a medal is inserted into the medal counting slot 39. 81 can be attached. That is, it is not necessary to secure a dedicated space for attaching the speaker 81, and it is not necessary to increase the area of the front portion of the sand 20.

  Further, since the speaker 81 is attached not to the removable front panel 23 but to the dispensing hopper 51, the speaker 81 is not removed together with the front panel 23 when the front panel 23 is removed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the speaker connection wiring 84 from obstructing the removal of the front panel 23, and the maintenance work can be easily performed.

  In addition, identification means (information card reader 62, bill identification device 61, IC card reader / writer, etc.) for identifying a value medium such as an information card, a bill, and a non-contact IC card is arranged close to the left and right inside the housing, The unit 65 is also smaller than the dimension in the left-right direction inside the housing, and is arranged close to the identification unit arranged on the upper side, so that the identification unit and the power supply unit arranged above and below are arranged. The horizontal space 65 can be made large vertically, and the large control board 63 can be arranged in this space. In the case of the present embodiment, the length of the signal line that connects the control board 63 and the pachislot machine 10 by arranging the control board 63 on the pachislot machine 10 side inside the housing 22 of the sand 20. Can be shortened.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the player picks up the medal paid out to the medal payout tray 12 of the pachislot machine 10 and puts it in the medal counting slot 39 of the sand 20 has been described. As shown in FIG. 20, a guide member 39A for guiding medals from the medal payout tray 12 to the medal counting insertion port 39 is provided, and the medals are moved through the guide member 39A. Also good. In this way, the player can easily count the medals with the counting hopper 71 as compared to the case where the medals are moved by hand. In this case, by making the height of the medal counting insertion port 39 lower than the height of the medal payout tray 12, the medal can be smoothly moved by its own weight.

  As shown in FIG. 20, a shutter 39B is provided on the introduction side of the guide member 39A, and medals can be thrown into the counting hopper 71 only when necessary. Further, the guide member 39A may be provided directly at the medal payout opening 12A of the pachislot machine 10 instead of being provided at the medal payout tray 12.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the game medium lending device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 21 is a front view showing the pachislot machine 10 provided with the game medium lending device (sand) 20 in the present embodiment, and FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the internal structures of the pachislot machine 10 and the sand 20.

  In the sand 20 of the present embodiment, a payout hopper 51 is provided below the counting hopper 71, and medals counted in the counting hopper 71 are sent to the medal payout device (hopper) 350 of the pachislot machine 10. It is configured to be transportable. That is, the medals counted by the counting hopper 71 of the sand 20 are used as the payout medals in the pachislot machine 10.

  FIG. 23 is a front view showing the internal structure of the pachi-slot machine 10 and the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 23, a hopper 350 is provided at the bottom of the inside of the housing of the pachislot machine 10, and a medal carry-in port 355 is provided above the hopper 350 on the back surface of the housing. The medals counted by the counting hopper 71 of the sand 20 are sent to the medal carry-in entrance 355.

  FIG. 24 is a rear view showing the configuration of the back side of the pachislot machine 10 and the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 24, a delivery guide 356 is provided between the medal carry-in port 355 provided in the back surface portion of the pachislot machine 10 and the delivery port 78 provided in the back view of the sand 20. . The delivery port 78 is an opening through which medals counted by the counting hopper 71 are sent out, and the position of the opening is provided at a position higher than the medal carry-in port 355 on the pachislot machine 10 side. Therefore, the medal sent out from the sending-out port 78 is guided to the sending-out guide 356 by its own weight and carried into the medal carry-in port 355. In addition to the delivery guide 356, the medal carry-in port 355 is also provided with a supply path (not shown) for supplying medals from the hall. Accordingly, the pachislot machine 10 is provided with a supply path from the sand 20 by the delivery guide 356 in addition to the normal supply path from the hall.

  FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 25, medals inserted into the counting hopper 71 through the medal counting insertion port 39 (FIG. 21) are counted by the counting hopper 71 and then sent to the delivery port 78 by the counting hopper 71. It is lifted and delivered from the delivery port 78 to the delivery guide 356.

  In this manner, the sand 20 sends the counted medals to the pachislot machine 10 via the sending guide 356, so that the pachislot machine 10 uses the medals sent from the sand 20 as a payout medal. be able to. Thereby, the medals paid out in the pachislot machine 10 are inserted into the medal counting slot 39 (FIG. 21) of the sand 20 and counted by the player, and then again through the sending guide 356. Return to. By circulating the medals in this way, for example, even when the pachislot machine 10 is in the state of excessive payout of medals, the trouble of urgent replenishment of medals is avoided as much as the medals are circulated from the sand 20. be able to.

  FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the pachi-slot machine 10. The pachislot machine 10 includes a main control circuit 250, a sub control circuit 280, and peripheral devices (actuators) that are electrically connected thereto. The main control circuit 250 includes a microcomputer 260 installed on a circuit board as a main component. The microcomputer 260 includes a main CPU 261, a main ROM 262, and a main RAM 263.

  The main ROM 262 stores a control program executed by the main CPU 261, a data table such as an internal lottery table, data for transmitting various control commands (commands) to the sub control circuit 280, and the like. The main RAM 263 is provided with a storage area for storing various data such as an internal winning combination determined by execution of the control program.

  The main CPU 261 is connected with a clock pulse generation circuit 252, a frequency divider 253, a random number generator 254, and a sampling circuit 255. The clock pulse generation circuit 252 and the frequency divider 253 generate clock pulses. The main CPU 261 executes a control program based on the generated clock pulse. The random number generator 254 generates a random number in a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 65535). The sampling circuit 255 extracts one value from the generated random numbers.

  A switch or the like is connected to the input port of the microcomputer 260. The main CPU 261 receives input from a switch or the like, and controls the operation of peripheral devices such as stepping motors 271L, 271C, and 271R. A stop switch 312S serving as a stop operation detecting means detects that each of the three stop buttons 312L, 312C, 312R has been pressed (stop operation) by the player. Further, the start switch 310S, which is a start operation detecting means, detects that the start lever has been operated by the player (start operation).

  The medal sensor 240S detects that a medal received at the medal insertion slot 11 has passed through the selector. The bet switch 332S detects that the bet button has been pressed by the player. Further, the settlement switch 334S detects that the settlement button has been pressed by the player. Further, the door sensor 335S detects that the door of the housing has been opened.

  Peripheral devices whose operations are controlled by the microcomputer 260 include stepping motors 271L, 271C, 271R, a 7-segment display 314, and a hopper 350. A circuit for controlling the operation of each peripheral device is connected to the output port of the microcomputer 260.

  The motor driving circuit 272 controls driving of stepping motors 271L, 271C, and 271R provided corresponding to the reels 320L, 320C, and 320R. The reel position detection circuit 270 detects a reel index indicating that the reel has made one rotation by an optical sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part according to each reel 320L, 320C, 320R.

  The stepping motors 271L, 271C, and 271R have a configuration in which the momentum is proportional to the number of output pulses and the rotation axis can be stopped at a specified angle. The driving force of the stepping motors 271L, 271C, 271R is transmitted to the reels 320L, 320C, 320R via gears having a predetermined reduction ratio. Each time one pulse is output to the stepping motors 271L, 271C, 271R, the reels 320L, 320C, 320R rotate at a constant angle.

  The main CPU 261 counts the number of times pulses are output to the stepping motors 271L, 271C, 271R after detecting the reel index, thereby rotating the rotation angles of the reels 320L, 320C, 320R (mainly, the number of symbols of the reels). The position of each symbol arranged on the surface of the reels 320L, 320C, 320R is managed.

  The display unit drive circuit 315 controls the operation of the 7-segment display 314. The hopper driving circuit 352 controls the operation of the hopper 350. The payout completion signal circuit 353 manages the detection of medals performed by the medal detection unit 351 provided in the hopper 350, and checks whether or not the medals discharged from the hopper 350 have reached the payout number.

  The sub-control circuit 280 is electrically connected to the main control circuit 250 and performs processing such as determination and execution of effect contents based on a command transmitted from the main control circuit 250. The sub control circuit 280 basically includes a sub CPU, a sub ROM, a sub RAM, a rendering processor, a drawing RAM, a driver, a DSP (digital signal processor), an audio RAM, and the like.

  In response to the command transmitted from the main control circuit 250, the sub CPU controls the output of video, sound, and light according to the control program stored in the sub ROM. The sub-RAM is provided with a storage area for registering the determined contents and effects data, and a storage area for storing various data such as an internal winning combination transmitted from the main control circuit 250. The sub ROM basically includes a program storage area and a data storage area.

  The sub ROM stores effect data for performing effects by light in a light emitting effect device (not shown). The sub CPU causes the lamp 412 to emit light by outputting the effect data based on a command from the main control circuit 250. In addition, the sub ROM stores effect data for effecting with sound effects and images, and the sub CPU outputs the effect data based on a command from the main control circuit 250 to thereby produce a speaker. A sound effect is output from 414 and an effect image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 410.

  Here, an interface 210 is connected to the main control circuit 250, and the main CPU 261 communicates with the sand 20 and the hall computer via the interface 210. The main CPU 261 transmits medal payout information to the sand 20 in response to a request from the sand 20. The medal payout information includes, for example, the number of medal payouts and the number of bonus occurrences. The main CPU 261 accumulates the information after the previous request from the sand 20 in the main RAM 263, and transmits the payout information to the sand 20 in response to the request from the sand 20. After transmitting to the sand 20, the main CPU 261 resets the accumulated information so far.

  The payout information accumulation process is shown in FIG. The main CPU 261 repeatedly executes the accumulation process shown in FIG. In step S101, the main CPU 261 determines whether or not a medal has been paid out. When medals are paid out, the main CPU 261 moves the process from step S101 to step S102, updates the payout information by adding the number of medals newly paid out to the payout information in the main RAM 263, and continues. The process moves to step S103.

  If no medal has been paid out, the main CPU 261 shifts the processing from step S101 to step S103. In step S <b> 103, the main CPU 261 determines whether or not there is a request for payout information from the sand 20. If there is a request, the main CPU 261 shifts the process from step S103 to step S104, transmits the payout information stored in the main RAM 263 to the sand 20, and then, in step S105, the payout stored in the main RAM 263. Reset information. Then, the main CPU 261 returns to step S101 described above. If it is determined in step S103 that the payout information request has not been received, the main CPU 261 returns to step S101 described above.

  In this way, each time a medal is paid out, the pachislot machine 10 stores the information in the main RAM 263 and transmits it to the sand 20 in response to a request from the sand 20. Thereby, in the sand 20, the payout information accumulated after requesting the previous payout information can be acquired from the pachislot machine 10.

  The sand 20 that has received the payout information from the pachislot machine 10 detects an abnormal state based on the payout information. For example, when the number counted in the counting hopper 71 of the sand 20 is much larger than the sum of the number of medals lent out in the sand 20 and the number of medals paid out in the pachi-slot machine 10, the player can use another pachi-slot machine 10 Or a medal paid out at another store may be used, and the sand 20 detects this state as an abnormal state. Note that the state detected as an abnormal state is not limited to this. For example, the state in which the number of payouts in the pachislot machine 10 exceeds the count value or the number of bonuses generated in the pachislot machine 10 is paid out. Various states such as a state where the count value exceeds the maximum number of medals can be applied.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an abnormality detection process executed by the main CPU 121 of the sand 20. The main CPU 121 executes the abnormality detection process in addition to the lending process (FIG. 17) and the absence warning process (FIG. 19) described in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 28, the main CPU 121 of the sand 20 determines whether or not the counting by the counting hopper 71 has been performed in step S111. If counting is not performed, this process is repeated until counting is performed.

  When the counting is performed, the main CPU 121 shifts the processing from step S111 to step S112, and stores the counting result in the RAM 123 (FIG. 16). Then, the main CPU 121 acquires the payout information from the pachislot machine 10 in step S113.

  In step S114, the main CPU 121 compares the count result stored in the RAM 123 in step S112 described above with the payout information acquired from the pachislot machine 10 in step S113 described above, and is in an abnormal state in subsequent step S115. Determine whether or not.

  When determining that the main CPU 121 is in an abnormal state, the main CPU 121 moves the process from step S115 to step S116, and notifies the abnormal state by causing a light emitting unit (not shown) provided on the sand 20 to emit light, for example. To do. The notification method is not limited to causing the light emitting unit to emit light, and various methods such as generating a notification sound from a speaker can be used.

  After notifying the abnormal state, the main CPU 121 notifies the hall computer of the occurrence of the abnormal state in step S117. In step S118, the player 35 images the player and stores the image in the RAM 123, and in step S119. , Stop counting result output. The counting result output includes processing for writing the counting result to the information card inserted in the card insertion slot 32, processing for writing the counting result to the non-contact IC card, processing for paying out medals based on the counting result, and the like. By stopping these processes, it is possible to stop returning the results counted in the abnormal state to the player.

  The main CPU 121 returns the process to step S111 described above after the process of step S119 or when it is determined in step S115 that no abnormal state has occurred.

  Thus, in the sand 20, based on the payout information in the pachislot machine 10, it is determined whether or not the result counted in the sand 20 is abnormal, thereby preventing unauthorized use of medals by the player. can do.

  In FIG. 28, the case where the sand 20 obtains medal payout information from the pachislot machine 10 has been described, but instead, it may be obtained from a hall computer. FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing a connection state of the pachislot machine 10, the sand 20 and the hall computer 500 in the hall. As shown in FIG. 29, the pachislot machine 10 and the sand 20 are connected to the hall computer 500 so that they can communicate with each other, and the pachislot machine 10 transmits medal payout information to the hall computer 500. The payout information is acquired from the computer 500.

  FIG. 30 is a timing chart showing a procedure when the sand 20 acquires the payout information from the hall computer 500. As shown in FIG. 30, the pachislot machine 10 transmits the payout information to the hall computer 500 when the medal is paid out. This payout information is not limited to the number of medals paid out, and may be, for example, a bonus game occurrence state (game information).

  When the payout information or the game information is received from the pachislot machine 10, the hall computer 500 stores this information in the internal RAM (step S151). On the other hand, when the counting is performed by the counting hopper 71 in the sand 20 (step S152), the sand 20 requests payout information (game information) from the hall computer 500 (step S153).

  In response to a request from the sand 20, the hall computer 500 transmits payout information (game information) to the sand 20 (step S154), and resets the accumulated payout information (game information).

  Then, the sand 20 compares the counting result counted in the above-described step S152 with the payout information acquired from the hall computer 500 in the above-described step S154 (step S156), and determines whether or not it is in an abnormal state ( Step S157).

  When it is determined that the sand 20 is in an abnormal state, the abnormal state is notified, for example, by causing a light emitting unit (not shown) provided on the top of the sand 20 to emit light (step S158). The notification method is not limited to causing the light emitting unit to emit light, and various methods such as generating a notification sound from a speaker can be used.

  After notifying the abnormal state, the sand 20 notifies the hall computer of the occurrence of the abnormal state (step S159), images the player with the camera 35, and stores the image in the RAM 123 (step S160). The output is stopped (step S161). The counting result output includes processing for writing the counting result to the information card inserted in the card insertion slot 32, processing for writing the counting result to the non-contact IC card, processing for paying out medals based on the counting result, and the like. By stopping these processes, it is possible to stop returning the results counted in the abnormal state to the player.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no abnormal state, the sand 20 does not perform the processing of Step S158 to Step S161.

  After transmitting the payout information (game information) to the sand 20, the hall computer 500 waits for a notification from the sand 20 that it is in an abnormal state (step S162). When the hall computer 500 receives the notification that it is in an abnormal state, the hall computer 500 notifies the monitoring monitor that the sand 20 is in an abnormal state (step S163). Thereby, the hall staff can recognize that there is a possibility that the medal is illegally used in the sand 20.

  As described above, when the counting processing is executed in the sand 20 while managing the payout information and game information of the pachislot machine 10 in the hall computer 500, abnormal information is generated in the sand 20 by transmitting these information to the sand 20. It can be determined whether a condition has occurred.

  Next, another fraud prevention process performed in the sand 20 will be described. The pachislot machine 10 is provided with a door sensor 335S (FIG. 26) that detects opening and closing of the door. When a signal indicating the opening of the door is output from the door sensor 335S, the main CPU 261 of the pachislot machine 10 The result (door opening information) is transmitted to the sand 20 via the interface 210.

  When the main CPU 121 of the sand 20 receives the door opening information from the pachislot machine 10, the main CPU 121 images the player with the camera 35 and stores the image in the RAM 123. When imaging the player with the camera 35, the main CPU 121 can illuminate the player by emitting the infrared LED 31B (FIG. 23) of the LED unit 31 to shoot the player without irradiating visible light. it can.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the pachislot machine 10 and the sand 20 are communicably connected, and the payout information is transmitted from the pachislot machine 10 to the sand 20 to prevent unauthorized use of medals. can do.

(Other embodiments)
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the control board 63, the bill burr 61, the information card reader 62, the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, the dispensing hopper 51, the counting hopper 71, etc. are respectively attached to the casing 22 of the sand 20. Although the case where it fixes is described, it is not restricted to this, For example, as shown in FIG. 31, it is good also as a unit structure which can be attached or detached with respect to the housing 22. FIG.

  FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing the sand 20 when the control board 63, the bill burr 61, the information card reader 62, the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, the dispensing hopper 51, the counting hopper 71, and the like are made detachable unit configurations. It is. As shown in FIG. 31, the sand 20 is formed in a vertically long box shape, and is detachably attached to a U-shaped housing 22 having a U-shaped cross section that is installed and fixed between gaming machines. A payout hopper 51, a counting hopper 71 having a unit configuration, and a power supply unit 65.

In the sand 20, the unit portion 630 is attached to the housing 22 via the attaching / detaching device 634 of the unit portion 630 and the attaching / detaching device 625 (configured by a locking pin, a release pin, a protrusion, etc.) of the housing 22. It is removable.
Further, the payout hopper 51 can be attached to and detached from the housing 22 via an attaching / detaching device 651 for the payout hopper 51 and an attaching / detaching device 653 (consisting of a locking pin, a release pin, a protrusion, etc.) for the housing 22. It has become. Further, the dispensing hopper 51 can be attached to and detached from the housing 22 via an attachment / detachment device 671 for the counting hopper 71 and an attachment / detachment device 673 (consisting of a locking pin, a release pin, a protrusion, etc.). It has become.

  The unit portion 630 accommodates a control board 63, a bill burr 61, an information card reader 62, and a non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 in a vertically long main body (casing) 633 configured in a substantially rectangular shape. These components having a high maintenance frequency are installed in one unit portion 630 so that they can be detached from the housing 22.

  The operation of each unit described above is controlled by a control board 63 installed inside the unit section 630. The control board 63 is supplied with power from the power supply section D by connecting a connector 631 mounted on the rear surface of the unit section 630 to a connection connector 622 mounted on the inner surface of the housing 22. Various data can be sent and received between them. In this case, the connector 631 provided in the unit portion 630 and the connection connector 622 provided in the housing 22 are installed so that the connection between the two is released as it is when the unit portion 630 is moved away from the housing 22. It is configured.

  The payout hopper 51 is connected to a connector 654 mounted on the inner surface of the housing 22 by connecting a connector 652 mounted on the rear surface thereof, so that power is supplied from the power supply unit D and between the outside. Various data can be sent and received. In this case, the connector 652 provided on the payout hopper 51 and the connector 654 provided on the housing 22 are installed so that the connection between the two is released as it is when the payout hopper 51 is moved away from the housing 22. ,It is configured.

  In addition, the counting hopper 71 is connected to a connector 674 mounted on the inner surface of the housing 22 by connecting a connector 672 mounted on the rear surface thereof, so that power is supplied from the power supply unit D and between the outside. Various data can be sent and received. In this case, the connector 672 provided on the counting hopper 71 and the connector 674 provided on the housing 22 are installed so that the connection between the two is released as it is when the counting hopper 71 is moved away from the housing 22. ,It is configured.

  In the power supply unit D, the bill burrs 61 housed in the unit unit 630, the information card reader 62, the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36, the operation unit 34, the drive motor of the attachment / detachment device 634, etc. A power supply unit 65 for controlling the voltage supplied from the external power supply 645 and a communication control unit 623 are installed in order to supply power to the drive motor and the like, and the drive motor of the counting hopper 71 and the like. This communication control unit 623 has a function of performing communication system conversion control (serial / parallel conversion control) and transmission / reception destination distribution control, and is adjacent to the hall computer 500 via communication connectors 627 and 628, respectively. Various data is transmitted to and received from the pachislot machine 10.

  As described above, the unit portion 630, the dispensing hopper 51, and the counting hopper 71 are slidable from the front side with respect to the housing 22, and can be attached and detached, so that maintenance work can be easily performed.

(2) Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the case where this invention was applied to the sand 20 attached to the pachislot machine 10 was described, it is not restricted to this, The sand attached to a pachinko machine is used. Can also be applied.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, as the medal counting insertion port 39, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, a tray-shaped insertion unit having a simple opening for inserting medals is provided in the case. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a partition member that prevents the player's hand from entering may be provided.

  FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing a medal counting slot 739 according to another embodiment, and FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing the back side thereof. As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the medal counting insertion port 739 is formed following the opening upper surface 739A and the opening upper surface 739A, and the medal inserted through the opening upper surface 739A is slid downward by its own weight. It has an inclined surface 739B for dropping and a rear end opening 739C formed at the rear end of the inclined surface 739B.

  The medal counting slot 739 is attached to the front panel 23 of the casing 22 of the sand 20 (FIG. 2), the opening upper surface 739A is disposed outside the casing 22, and the rear end opening 739C is the casing 22. It is attached to the front panel 23 so that it may be arrange | positioned inside. A counting hopper 71 (FIG. 3) is provided below the rear end opening 739C, and a medal is introduced into the counting hopper 71 between the rear end opening 739C and the counting hopper 71. The introduction passage 72 is provided.

  Thereby, the medal inserted through the upper surface of the medal counting slot 739 slides down the inclined surface 739B of the medal counting slot 739 by its own weight, and further, the rear end of the rear end portion of the tilted surface 739B. It is introduced into the counting hopper 71 through the introduction passage 72 from the opening 739C.

  The counting hopper 71 has, for example, a medal receiving portion that is rotated by a predetermined rotating mechanism portion, immerses the medal in the medal immersing portion provided in the medal receiving portion, and the medal receiving portion rotates the immersing portion. By moving to a predetermined counting unit, medals are counted and the counted medals are discharged. Thus, the counting hopper 71 has a mechanism portion that operates to count medals, and safety is provided by providing an insertion preventing means for preventing a player's hand from entering the mechanism portion. Is to secure. This insertion preventing means is provided in the medal counting slot 739.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the medal counting insertion port 739 has a front inner wall 739D of the opening portion of the opening upper surface 739A and a front wall rear surface 739E formed of the inclined surface 739B, and a rear inner wall surface of the opening portion of the opening upper surface 739A. A partition member 740 is bridged between the rear wall front surface 739G formed by the medal guide member 29 (or the front panel 23) constituting the insertion preventing means.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the partition member 740 is a metal round bar, and divides the insertion path through which the medal of the medal counting insertion port 739 passes. When the input path is divided by the partition member 740, the opening area of each of the divided input paths is reduced, and it is difficult for a player's hand to be inserted. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the player's hand from being inserted into the counting hopper 71 through the medal counting insertion port 739.

  Since the partition member 740 is made of a metal material, a practically sufficient strength can be obtained even if the diameter thereof is reduced as compared with a case where the partition member 740 is made of a material having a relatively low rigidity such as a resin. . Thereby, it can prevent effectively that a player's hand is inserted, suppressing that the whole area of the insertion path by providing the partition member 740 becomes small.

  As shown in FIGS. 34, 35 and 36, the front surface of the medal guide member 29 constituting the rear wall front surface 739G of the medal counting insertion port 739 receives and supports one end portion of the partition member 740. A support portion 741 is provided. In addition, a support portion 742 for receiving and supporting the other end portion of the partition member 740 is provided on the inclined surface 739B constituting the front wall rear surface 739E of the medal counting insertion port 739.

  The support portion 741 is formed by forming a concave portion 741A having a diameter into which the partition member 740 can be inserted into a convex portion provided on the front side of the medal guide member 29. The end portion of the partition member 740 is received by the concave portion 741A. To support this.

  Further, the support portion 742 is provided with a concave portion 742A on an inclined surface 739B constituting the front wall back surface 739E, and receives the other end portion of the partition member 740 and supports the concave portion 742A. Incidentally, since the thickness of the inclined surface 739B does not have a thickness that can form the recess 742A, as shown in FIG. 35, the inclined surface 739B is inclined by providing a thick portion 742B on the back surface side of the inclined surface 739B. The concave portion 742A can be formed from the surface side of the surface 739B (the surface on the side where the medal slides down).

  As shown in FIG. 37, the medal guide member 29 is detachable from the medal counting insertion port 739, and the through hole 29A of the medal guide member 29 is changed to the through hole 739I of the medal counting insertion port 739. At the same time, the through hole 29B of the medal guide member 29 is aligned with the through hole 739J of the medal counting insertion port 739, and the medal counting insertion port 739 and the medal guide member 29 are connected to the front panel 23 (through the through holes 29A and 739I. 32) and the medal counting insertion port 739 and the medal guide member 29 are screwed to the front panel 23 (FIG. 32) through the through holes 29B and 739J. At this time, one end and the other end of the partition member 740 are inserted into the recess 741A of the support portion 741 and the recess 742A of the support portion 742, thereby attaching the partition member 740 to the medal counting insertion port 739. be able to.

  In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 37, the support portion 742 has a protrusion 742B protruding toward the inclined surface 739B, and the protrusion 742B causes the partition member 740 to be separated from the recess 742A. It does not fall out easily.

  Next, a structure for fixing the medal counting slot 739 to the housing 22 (front panel 23) will be described. The medal counting insertion port 739 is provided with a through hole 739H at a portion that contacts the front panel 23 (housing 22), and the housing 22 (front panel 23) side also has a position corresponding to the through hole 739H. Is provided with a through hole. Through these through holes, the medal counting insertion port 739 is screwed to the front panel 23 (housing 22). The medal counting slot 739 is fixed to the front panel 23 (housing 22) through the through holes 739I and 739J of the medal counting slot 739 and the through holes 29A and 29B of the medal guide member 29 described above. . Further, the medal guide member 29 fastened to the medal counting insertion port 739 is fixed to the front panel (housing 22) through a through hole 29C provided in the upper portion of the medal guide member 29.

  The fixing method of the medal counting insertion port 739 is not limited to this. For example, the medal counting insertion port 739 is integrated with the counting hopper 71, and the counting hopper 71 is fixed to the housing 22, so that the medal counting hopper 71 and the medal are combined. The counting slot 739 may be fixed to the housing 22. That is, FIG. 38 is a schematic diagram showing a medal counting insertion port 739 integrated with the hopper 71. As shown in FIG. 38, the rear end opening 739C of the medal counting insertion port 739 is integrated with the introduction passage 72 of the counting hopper 71, and the medal inserted into the medal counting insertion port 739 is It is introduced into the counting hopper 71 through the introduction passage 72 from the end opening 739C.

  The counting hopper 71 formed by integrating the medal counting insertion port 739 is fixed to the housing 22 by a fixing means such as a screw, for example, and the medal counting insertion port 739 is also connected to the housing 22. It will be fixed to.

  As a specific method for attaching the counting hopper 71, for example, the counting hopper 71 in which the medal counting insertion port 739 is integrated is placed inside the housing 22 with the front panel 23 removed from the housing 22. Screw on. Thereafter, the front panel 23 is attached to the housing 22 so that the medal counting insertion port 739 integrated with the counting hopper 71 is inserted into the opening 23 </ b> A of the front panel 23. Accordingly, the front panel 23 can be attached in a state where the medal counting insertion port 739 protrudes forward from the opening 23A of the front panel 23.

  In the sand 20 using the medal counting slot 739 having such a configuration, when a player inserts a medal from the opening upper surface 739A of the medal counting slot 739, the medal is placed on the inclined surface 739B via the opening upper surface 739A. It falls and slides down the inclined surface 739B by its own weight. And it falls to the counting hopper 71 through the introduction passage 72 of the counting hopper 71 from the rear end opening 739C.

  A partition member 740 is provided in a part of the insertion path through which medals pass through the medal counting insertion port 739. The partition member 740 is formed in a round bar shape, and the partition member 740 is in the vertical direction. Is attached to the partition member 740, even if a falling medal hits the partition member 740, it flows down while avoiding the partition member 740, and the medal counts without clogging at the attachment position of the partition member 740. It falls to the hopper 71 for use.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the partition member 740 is attached at an inclination has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 39, above the rear end opening 739C, You may make it attach horizontally. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the medal from hitting the partition member 740 and being jammed by attaching the partition member 740 while the inserted medal is dropped vertically downward by its own weight. That is, if the partition member 740 is attached in the vicinity of the rear end opening 739C, a medal whose falling speed is slowed by sliding down on the inclined surface 739B may hit the partition member 740 and be clogged. By providing the partition member 740 in the middle of falling vertically downward, it is possible to prevent clogging of medals.

  Next, the counting process by the second counting unit will be described. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a counting process procedure according to another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 40, the main CPU 121 of the sand 20 waits for a count start operation to be performed in step S201. The counting start operation is an operation for instructing to start the counting operation of the counting hopper 71 by operating the operation unit 34 provided on the front surface of the sand 20, and when the player performs this operation, the main CPU 121. Obtains a positive result in step S202, shifts the processing from step S202 to step S203, and operates the counting hopper 71. On the other hand, when the operation for starting the counting operation is not performed, the main CPU 121 shifts the processing to the above-described step S201 and waits for the counting operation. Thereby, the counting hopper 71 starts the counting operation based on the counting operation. In this state, when medals are inserted through the medal counting insertion port 739, the counting hopper 71 sequentially counts the inserted medals.

  In step S204, the main CPU 121 waits for a detection result from the discharge sensor. The discharge sensor is an optical sensor or the like provided on a discharge path through which medals counted in the counting hopper 71 are discharged, and outputs a detection result when the medal passes through the discharge path. That is, in the state where the medal that is the object of the counting process is inserted in the counting hopper 71, the detection result from the discharge sensor is obtained by discharging the counted medal to the discharge unit. On the other hand, when the medal to be counted is not inserted in the counting hopper 71, there is no counted medal, and the detection result from the discharge sensor cannot be obtained.

  When the detection result from the discharge sensor is obtained, the main CPU 121 determines that the medal is inserted in the counting hopper 71, and in contrast, the detection result from the discharge sensor is obtained for a certain time. If not, it is determined that no medal is inserted in the counting hopper 71.

  If a negative result is obtained in step S205, this means that a detection result has not been obtained from the discharge sensor, and the main CPU 121 moves the process from step S205 to step S206, and a predetermined time has elapsed. Determine whether or not. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the main CPU 121 obtains a negative result in step S206, moves the process to step S204 described above, and waits for a detection result from the discharge sensor.

  On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step S206, this means that a predetermined time set in advance has elapsed, and the main CPU 121 shifts the processing from step S206 to step S207. The counting process by the counting hopper 71 is stopped by stopping the operation of the counting hopper 71.

  If a positive result is obtained in step S205 described above, this means that a detection result has been obtained from the discharge sensor, and the main CPU 121 shifts the processing to step S203 described above for counting. The operation of the hopper 71 is continued. As a result, in the state where medals are inserted in the counting hopper 71, the operation of the counting hopper 71 is continued.

  As described above, the main CPU 121 continues the operation of the counting hopper 71 as long as the medal is inserted into the counting hopper 71, and when the medal is not inserted for a predetermined time (from the discharge sensor for a predetermined time). When the detection result is not output), the operation of the counting hopper 71 is stopped by the operation of the player by stopping the operation of the counting hopper 71. The operation can be automatically stopped.

  FIG. 40 shows the case where the counting operation of the counting hopper 71 is started by the operation of the operation unit 34 by the player. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the medal of the counting hopper 71 is introduced. A sensor for detecting a medal such as an optical sensor may be provided in the portion, and the counting operation may be started when the sensor detects a medal.

  The counting process procedure of the main CPU 121 in this case is executed in the gaming medium lending process shown in FIG. This processing procedure is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 41, in which parts corresponding to those in FIG. 17 are assigned the same reference numerals, is a flowchart showing a gaming medium lending process procedure by the main CPU 121 of the sand 20 according to another embodiment. In FIG. 41, parts corresponding to those in FIG.

  In the lending process shown in FIG. 41, when a medal is inserted into the medal counting slot 739 and the insertion of a medal is detected by a sensor (for example, photosensor 751) described later of the counting hopper 71, the counting hopper 71 The counting operation is started.

  If the main CPU 121 determines in step S17 that the player's hand has not been inserted into the counting hopper 71, the main CPU 121 obtains a negative result in step S17, and then proceeds from step S17 to step S19. To determine whether or not a medal has been inserted into the counting hopper 71. In this process, the main CPU 121 determines whether or not a medal has been inserted based on a detection result from a sensor provided in a portion where the medal of the counting hopper 71 is introduced.

  This sensor is, for example, a photosensor 751 provided in an opening 75 which is a slot for inserting medals in the counting hopper 71, as shown in FIG. The photo sensor 751 detects that a medal has been inserted. The photo sensor 77 for detecting the player's hand is provided above the opening 75 so that the player's hand occupying a relatively large area with respect to the size of the opening 75 can be detected. On the other hand, a photo sensor 751 for detecting a medal is provided below the opening 75 and detects a medal that has been inserted into the medal counting insertion port 739 and slipped into the opening 75. It is like that. Note that these photosensors 77 and 751 may use other sensors. For example, the photosensor 751 for detecting a medal uses a sensor capable of detecting metal, such as a magnetic sensor, to play a game. It is also possible to prevent erroneous detection of a person's hand.

  In step S19 of FIG. 41, when it is detected that a medal is inserted based on the detection result of the photosensor 751, the main CPU 121 obtains a positive result in step S19, and then proceeds from step S19 to step S251. Then, the counting operation by the internal timer is started, and in the subsequent step S20, the counting operation of the counting hopper 71 is started and the medal counting process is started.

  After storing the count result in step S21, the main CPU 121 shifts the processing to the subsequent step S252, and determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed based on the result of the time measuring operation started in step S251 described above.

  If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the main CPU 121 obtains a negative result in step S252, moves the process from step S252 to step S19 described above, and determines again whether or not a medal has been inserted. In contrast, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the main CPU 121 obtains an affirmative result in step S252, and moves the process from step S252 to the absence warning process (FIG. 19) in step S22.

  On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S19 described above, this means that a medal detection result by the photosensor 751 has not been obtained, and the main CPU 121 proceeds from step S19 to step S22. Move.

  As described above, in the lending process shown in FIG. 41, the medal insertion state is detected by the photosensor 751 provided in the opening 75 (FIG. 42) of the counting hopper 71, and the counting hopper 71 is based on the detection result. By starting the counting operation, the player can easily insert the medal from the medal counting insertion port 739 without operating the operation unit such as the operation unit 34 (FIG. 2). The counting operation can be started.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the medals counted by the counting hopper 71 are discharged from the discharge port 73 provided on the bottom surface of the housing 20 to the transport conveyor. Although the case has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the discharge port 73, the medals counted in the counting hopper 71 are transported to the dispensing hopper 51 by using a predetermined transporting means. It may be.

  As the lifting means, for example, various structures such as one that lifts medals using air, one that lifts medals by a lifting means such as a belt, or one that launches medals by a spring are applied. Can do.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 43, the medals counted by the counting hopper 71 and discharged from the discharge port 74 are lifted by the lifting unit 760 along the lifting path 761, and provided on the upper part of the counting hopper 71. It is configured to drop into the supply passage 53 of the dispensing hopper 51.

  By providing the lifting means, the medals counted in the counting hopper 71 are sent to the paying hopper 51 without being collected by the hole collecting means, and can be used for paying out to the player. Thereby, it is possible to save the trouble of collecting by the hole.

(5) Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the front side of the housing internal space in which the banknote recognition device 61, the power supply unit 65, the control board 63, etc. of the sand 20 are housed together is combined with one front panel (front portion 21 However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the front part 21 is divided into a plurality of (for example, two) parts, and only the front part of the part where important components such as the control board 63 are attached is attached. It is good also as an individual panel structure.

  FIG. 44 shows the sand 20 having such a configuration. As shown in FIG. 44, the sand 20 has a front panel 221 that covers the front part of the cabinet internal space to which the banknote identification device 61 is attached, and a cabinet internal space to which the control board 63 and the power supply unit 65 are attached as the front part 21. It comprises a front panel 222 that covers the front part, and a front panel 223 that covers the front part of the internal space of the housing in which the supply passage 53 of the payout hopper 51 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 45, the front panels 221, 222, and 223 are each configured to be detachable individually, and cover the front part of the internal space of the housing in which the control board 63, which is the most important component, is provided. 222 is configured to be locked by attaching front panels 221 and 223 arranged above and below to the housing 22.

  This locking mechanism will be described. FIG. 46 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the front panels 221, 222, and 223 are attached. As shown in FIG. 46, a key 224 is provided on the upper portion of the front panel 221, and the front panel 221 is locked to the housing 20 by this key 224. The front panel 221 can be removed from the housing 22 substantially in parallel as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 46 by releasing the key 224. As a result, the front panel 221 can open and close the front of the upper space (the space adjacent to the upper side of the first internal space AR101 to be described later) AR102 in the internal space of the housing 22. A key 225 is provided at the lower part of the front panel 223, and the front panel 223 is locked to the housing 20 by the key 225. The lower part of the front panel 223 is pivotally supported with respect to the housing 22, and the upper part opens and closes with the lower part as a rotational axis, as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 46. Thus, the front panel 223 can open and close the front of the lower space (the space adjacent to the lower side of the first internal space AR101 described later) AR103 in the internal space of the housing 22.

  A substantially L-shaped bent portion 221 </ b> A is formed in the lower portion of the front panel 221, and a substantially U-shaped bent portion 222 </ b> A is formed in the upper portion of the front panel 222. By inserting the bent portion 221A into the concave portion formed by the bent portion 222A, the upper portion of the front panel 222 is pushed from the front by the bent portion 221A of the front panel 221 and locked to the housing 22. The bent portions 221A and 222A constitute a first lock portion.

  A substantially L-shaped bent portion 223 </ b> A is formed in the upper portion of the front panel 223, and a substantially U-shaped bent portion 222 </ b> B is formed in the lower portion of the front panel 222. By inserting the bent portion 223A into the concave portion formed by the bent portion 222B, the lower portion of the front panel 222 is pushed from the front by the bent portion 223A of the front panel 223 and locked to the housing 22. The bent portions 223A and 222B constitute a second lock portion.

  In the state where the front panel 221 is locked to the housing 22 by the key 224, the upper part of the front panel 222 is also locked by the front panel 221, and in the state where the front panel 223 is locked to the housing 22 by the key 225. The lower part of the front panel 222 is also locked by the front panel 223. Thus, in the state where the front panels 221 and 223 are locked to the housing 22 by the keys 224 and 225, the upper and lower portions of the front panel 22 are locked to the housing 22. That is, the front panel 222 can be removed from the housing 22 by unlocking the front panels 221 and 223 and removing them from the housing 22.

  Further, when the front panel 222 is attached, the front panels 221 and 223 are attached to the housing 22 after the front panel 222 is aligned with the housing 22.

  Thus, it is possible to prevent the front panel 22 from being easily removed by adopting a configuration in which the front panel 222 itself is locked by the front panels 221 and 223 without providing a key or the like. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an important component (such as a control board) from being illegally replaced.

(6) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which medals are counted by inserting medals from the counting slot 39. By illuminating the counting slot 39 with illumination, medals can be easily inserted.

  FIG. 47 is a perspective view showing the sand 20 provided with illumination for illuminating the counting inlet 39. As shown in FIG. 47, the sand 20 has an opening 29 </ b> E that allows light to pass through the medal guide member 29 of the front panel 23. An illumination LED substrate 311 is provided below the speaker 81 inside the housing 22. The illumination LED substrate 311 irradiates light from the LEDs provided on the substrate surface in front of the sand 20 via the illumination lens 313 and the opening 29E. Since the opening 29E is provided above the counting insertion port 39, the counting insertion port 39 is illuminated by light from the illumination LED substrate 311. Thereby, even in a dark store, it is possible to make it easy to visually check the medal insertion position by illuminating the counting insertion port 39.

  The wiring of the LED board for illumination 311 is combined with the wiring of the speaker 81 and connected to the control board 63 via the same connector 55 (FIG. 10). Thus, the wiring of the LED board 311 for illumination can be easily installed by routing the wiring of the LED board 311 together with the wiring of the speaker 81. 48, in which parts corresponding to those in FIG. 16 are assigned the same reference numerals, is a block diagram showing a configuration in which an illumination LED board 311 is connected to a control board 63.

  As shown in FIG. 48, the main CPU 121 can drive and control the illumination LED substrate 311 to cause an LED (not shown) provided on the illumination LED substrate 311 to emit light. In the case of the present embodiment, the control board 63 controls the LEDs of the illumination LED board 311 to always light up. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, based on the operation result of the operation unit 34. The illumination LED substrate 311 may emit light. In this way, the counting slot 39 can be illuminated by operating the operation unit 34 only when a player is required. Further, for example, a sensor may be provided in the counting slot 39, and when the medal approaches the counting slot 39, the illumination LED substrate 311 is controlled to emit light so that the counting slot 39 is illuminated. .

(7) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the control board 63 (FIG. 5) configured by a flat board is used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. The control substrate 63 may be configured by a substrate bent in an L shape.

  As shown in FIG. 49, the control substrate 63 has a first substrate region 63A and a second substrate region 63B coupled at an angle of approximately 90 °. The first substrate region 63A has a main surface in a vertical plane, and the second substrate region 63B has a main surface in a horizontal plane. The first substrate region 63A is stored so as to be in contact with the back surface side of the front surface portion 21 (front panel) of the sand 20. That is, the first substrate region 63A is stored substantially vertically. The second substrate region 63B joined in the direction orthogonal to the first substrate region 63A is provided with a connector 63C at the end thereof, and this connector 63C is connected to the I / O substrate 67.

  The I / O board 67 is arranged so that its main surface is along the back surface portion 22B of the housing 22, and the connector 63C of the control board 63 is connected to the connector provided on the board surface of the I / O board 67. Is done.

  Further, a power supply unit 65 is disposed between the first substrate region 63 A of the control substrate 63 and the I / O substrate 67. The connector 65C of the power supply unit 65 is connected to a connector provided on the I / O board 67. In this way, the power supply unit 65 is arranged in a state of being sandwiched between the first board region 63 </ b> A of the control board 63 and the I / O board 67. The width dimensions of the power supply unit 65 and the control board 63 in the left-right direction are such that they are sandwiched between the left and right side walls 22D (FIG. 2) provided on the housing 22 of the sand 20, as shown in FIG. In a state where the power supply unit 65 and the control board 63 are arranged, the power supply unit 65 and the control board 63 are sandwiched by the side wall 22D (FIG. 2) of the housing 22 from the left-right direction. The power supply unit 65 is also placed on a frame 22 </ b> E provided in a part of the housing 22.

  As a result, the power supply unit 65 is sandwiched by the I / O board 67, the side wall 22D, the first board area 63A, the second board area 63B, and the frame 22E of the control board 63 from all directions up, down, left, and right. Become. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the power supply unit 65 from inadvertently moving. Incidentally, the front surface portion 21 can be fixed to the housing 22 with a predetermined locking mechanism or the like, thereby preventing the control board 63, the power supply unit 65, and the like from jumping forward.

(8) Another embodiment of the antenna arrangement of the information card reader 62 and the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 (FIG. 3) will be described. In the sand 20, the information card reader 62 and the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 are provided above and below the control board 63, so that each antenna of the information card reader 62 and the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 is provided. Are controlled separately by one control board 63 (FIG. 16).

(9) Another embodiment of the camera 35 will be described. In the camera 35 of another embodiment, instead of the infrared LED 31B shown in FIG. 1, an infrared LED that irradiates infrared light and a camera unit (CMOS camera) are provided close to each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 50, the camera 35 receives an infrared LED substrate 35A that irradiates infrared light, and reflected light obtained by reflecting the infrared light at a subject (player). Thus, a CMOS camera 35B that captures a subject image is provided. The infrared LED substrate 35 </ b> A emits infrared light based on a command from the control substrate 63 by the infrared LED. The CMOS camera 35 </ b> B sends an imaging signal to the control board 63. The control board 63 performs image recognition based on the imaging signal.

  In the camera 35, a filter 35C is provided in front of the infrared LED substrate 35A and the CMOS camera 35B. This filter 35C is a filter that transmits infrared light and does not transmit light of other wavelengths, and transmits only the reflected light of infrared light irradiated to the subject from the infrared LED substrate 35A, thereby allowing the CMOS camera 35B. To receive light. Thereby, the influence of the effect light of the pachislot machine 10 or the hall in which the pachislot machine 10 is installed can be suppressed, and the image of the subject (player) can be clearly captured.

(10) As another embodiment of the sand 20, a sand 20 having a configuration for communicating with a financial server will be described. FIG. 51 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control board 63 of the sand 20 according to another embodiment. In FIG. 51, the same reference numerals are given to corresponding parts in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 51, the main CPU 121 communicates with a pachislot machine and a hall computer via an I / O board 67, and communicates with a financial server (described later) via an interface 68. To do.

  FIG. 52 is a schematic block diagram showing a game store in which the sand 20 is installed and the financial server 300. As shown in FIG. 52, the sand 20 is connected to the pachislot machine 10 and the hall computer 500 installed in the amusement store, and is also connected to the external financial server 500 via the communication network 200.

  The sand 20 is connected to the hall computer 500, information about the game, information about the number of medals (game media) lent to the player (the owner of the information card or contactless IC card), Information relating to the result of counting the pachislo spheres via the sand 20 is transmitted and received.

  The sand 20 transmits / receives player credit information and the like to / from the external financial server 300 via a communication path (communication network 200) different from the communication path to the hall computer 500. FIG. 53 is a block diagram showing the control board 63 and the I / O board 67 of the sand 20. As shown in FIG. 53, the I / O board 67 and the control board 63 are directly connected via a connector, the I / O board 67 is connected to the hall computer 500, and the control board 63 includes an interface 68 and The financial server 300 is connected via the external communication network 200.

  The main CPU 121 of the control board 63 performs communication with the hall computer 500 via the I / O board 67, and communication with the financial server 300 without passing through the I / O board 67 ( That is, it is performed directly (without going through the hall computer 500). Thereby, for example, payment information such as a player's personal identification number is directly transmitted from the sand 20 to the financial server 300, thereby improving the security of the information.

  Next, transmission / reception of information with the financial server 300 will be described. FIG. 54 is a timing chart showing the exchange of information between the sand 20 (main CPU 121) and the financial server 300.

  As shown in FIG. 54, in the sand 20, the player inserts a credit card as an information card from the card insertion slot 32 and operates the operation unit 34 to request the medal lending using the credit card. Then, the main CPU 121 of the control board 63 reads the card information from the credit card via the information card reader 62 and prompts the player to input a password by displaying the operation unit 34.

  When the player operates the operation unit 34 to input a password, the main CPU 121 transmits card information and a password to the financial server 300 (step S1101). The financial server 300 performs an authentication process based on the transmitted card information and password (step S1102). As a result of the authentication process, if it is authenticated that the user is a legitimate user, the financial server 300 transmits authentication completion (authentication OK) information to the sand 20 (step S1103).

  The main CPU 121 of the sand 20 that has received the information on the completion of authentication informs the player that the authentication has been completed by displaying the operation unit 34 and prompts the player to input a necessary amount (the number of medals). In this case, input in a predetermined number unit is prompted.

  When the player operates the operation unit 34 and designates an amount (the number of medals), the main CPU 121 determines the designated amount (if the number of medals is designated, an amount corresponding to the number of medals). A transfer request for requesting a transfer is transmitted to the financial server 300 (step S1104).

  In response to the transfer request received from the sand 20, the financial server 300 transfers the specified amount from the account specified by the player to the account of the game store (step S 1105). When this transfer process is completed, the financial server 300 transmits the transfer completion information to the sand 20 (step S1106) and also transmits to the hall computer 500 (step S1107).

  The main CPU 121 of the sand 20 pays out the designated number of medals from the medal payout tray 37 based on the transfer completion information from the financial server 300. Thereby, the player can receive a medal loan using a credit card. The hall computer 500 updates the history information regarding the corresponding sand 20 and the pachislot machine 10 based on the transfer completion information from the financial server 300.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by separately communicating from the sand 20 to the hall computer 500 and the financial server 300, information regarding the player's credit card is directly transmitted to the financial server 300 without using the hall computer 500. It can be transmitted, and security can be further enhanced.

(11) FIG. 55 is a network diagram showing a configuration of a settlement system according to another embodiment. In the example shown in this figure, the payment system 700 includes a management server 1010, a mobile phone 1000 used by a player for personal use, a sand 20, and a hall computer (custody apparatus) 500. The payment system 700 is communicably connected to the financial institution system 800 and the credit card system 900.
The management server 1010 is connected to the mobile phone 1000, the hall computer 500, the financial institution system 800, and the credit card system 900 via the communication network 200.

  The management server 1010 is connected to the communication network 1050 and can communicate with the hall computer 500 via the communication network 1050. The cellular phone 1000 includes a management server 1010, a hall computer 500, a financial institution system 800, and a base station (BS) 1060, a mobile communication network 1070, and a gateway 1080 that connects the mobile communication network 1070 and the communication network 1050. In addition to being communicable, it is possible to communicate with the sand 20 by short-distance communication means (for example, a non-contact IC card and its reader / writer) provided in the mobile phone 1000.

  The financial institution system 800 is a system that can deposit and withdraw the following accounts electronically. A financial institution system 800 used by the payment system 700 is an account of a player who pays using the electronic payment (hereinafter simply referred to as a player) (hereinafter referred to as a bank account of the player). The account (hereinafter referred to as a settlement operator account) of a person (hereinafter referred to as a settlement operator) who directly or indirectly operates and manages the settlement system 700 and receives the consideration, price, fee, etc. of the settlement system 700 operation. ) And a person who provides medals to a player who receives payment from the player using the present payment system 700 (hereinafter referred to as a “game hall company”) (hereinafter referred to as a “game hall company account”). Called). The bank account, settlement operator account, and game hall operator account of these players may be provided in the same financial institution system 800, or may be provided in different financial institution systems 800. In FIG. 55, these accounts are shown as being provided in the same financial institution system 800, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

  The credit card system 900 is a system that electronically makes various payments and payments using a credit card. For example, in a Suica (registered trademark of East Japan Railway Company), which is electronic money for transportation, electronic money There is a “Suica Auto Charge Service” that automatically deposits a pre-registered amount into electronic money using a credit card payment when the amount is less than or equal to a preset amount. In addition, as a method of the user's own operation, in the case of Suica, which is the electronic money, the specified amount can be credited to the electronic money from the dedicated menu of the mobile phone by credit settlement. These conventional methods enable electronic money to be deposited. In the settlement system 700 described in this embodiment, an automatic or one-touch deposit method using credit card settlement for a bank account is used. Used. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the “credit card system” is used. However, the present invention is not limited to a system related to a credit card as long as money for supplementing electronic money can be accommodated.

  The mobile phone 1000 used in the payment system 700 has a non-contact IC card function and can perform non-contact proximity communication with the non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 of the sand 20.

  The functional blocks used in the settlement system 700 for the sand 20 will be described with reference to FIG. Sand 20 is a game medium such as a medal (valuable value: a tangible or intangible item that can be purchased in exchange for money) as consideration for the user (player) making an electronic payment using the mobile phone 1000. It is a device to provide.

  FIG. 56 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the sand 20 and the mobile phone 1000. The sand 20 includes a network communication processing unit 1301, a provision control unit 1302, a providing device side short-range communication unit 1303, a valuable value supply unit 1304, and a game history processing unit 305.

  The network communication processing unit 1301 has a function of performing communication with the hall computer 500, and is, for example, a communication board equipped with a protocol stack. A plurality of the sands 20 may be connected to the hall computer 500, and the sand 20 and the hall computer 500 are connected by a communication network such as a LAN or other communication means. In the network communication processing unit 1301 of this embodiment, the main CPU 121, IF 125, and the like correspond to this in the control board 63 of the sand 20 shown in FIG.

  The provision control unit 1302 has a function of commanding and controlling the operations of the network communication processing unit 1301, the provision device side short-range communication unit 1303, and the valuable value supply unit 1304. It is a computer. The provision control unit 1302 of the present embodiment corresponds to the main CPU 121 and the ROM 122 storing the program in the control board 63 of the sand 20 shown in FIG.

  The providing device side short-range communication unit 1303 has a function of communicating with the terminal-side short-range communication unit 1201 mounted on the mobile phone 1000. In the case of the present embodiment, the control board 63 of the sand 20 shown in FIG. The non-contact IC card reader / writer 36 connected to is equivalent to this. The communication method used by the providing device near field communication unit 1303 is not limited to wireless communication, and may be infrared communication. In addition, the communication method is not necessarily a non-contact communication method, and a communication method using a communication cable or a USB socket may be adopted.

  The valuable value supply unit 1304 has a function for providing a valuable value (medal) to the player in accordance with an instruction from the provision control unit 1302. The valuable value supply unit 1304 of the present embodiment includes a ROM 122 storing a program for executing a function for requesting the pachinko machine 10 to pay out pachinko balls on the control board 63 of the sand 20 shown in FIG. The main CPU 121 and the IF 125 that execute the function correspond to this.

  Based on the use of the sand 20 by the player, the game history processing unit 1305 generates game history data that is data related to the player's game history, and via the network communication processing unit 1301, the hall computer 500 or the management server 1010. It has the function to transmit to. In the case of the present embodiment, in the control board 63 of the sand 20 shown in FIG. 16, the main CPU 121, the ROM 122 that stores a program for executing the function, and the RAM 123 that stores the generated game history data correspond to this. .

  For example, in order for a player to play a game with the pachislot machine 10 to which the sand 20 is attached, a medal is lent by the settlement system 700 using the sand 20 and the mobile phone 1000. The game history processing unit 1305 provides game history data, such as which player has played which pachislot machine 10 and when, what amount of money has been played, etc. The operation status of the control unit 1302 and the pachislot machine 10 Is generated according to the operation status of the game, and is transmitted to a server that manages game history data. The game history data is sent to the server and stored every time all the sands 20 are used.

  By analyzing this game history data or analyzing it using data mining techniques, etc., the player's behavior tendency, the popularity tendency of the pachislot machine 10, the usage tendency by time zone, etc. will be clarified. Useful information that can be used as materials for development of game machines and machines.

  In the present embodiment, the management server 1010 is used as a server for managing game history data. However, the server for managing game history data is a server device separate from the management server 1010. 700 may be incorporated.

  Next, the mobile phone 1000 will be described with reference to FIG. The mobile phone 1000 is a terminal device that can communicate with the management server 1010 via the communication network 1050 and can also communicate with the sand 20 using short-range communication means. The mobile phone 1000 may be communicable with the hall computer 500 via the communication network 1050.

  The mobile phone 1000 has, for example, a non-contact IC card (for example, Felica: a registered trademark of Sony Corporation) function. In the present embodiment, the mobile phone 1000 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. A PDA (Personal Data Assistant) equipped with a short-range communication means and a wireless communication means, a portable game machine, and a wireless LAN are installed. An IP telephone or the like may be used.

  The mobile phone 1000 includes a terminal-side short-range communication unit 1201 for communicating with the sand 20, a payment request generation unit 1202, a wireless communication unit 1203, an input unit 1204, an output unit 1205, and user (player) information. A storage unit 1206 and a transfer request generation unit 1207 are included.

  The terminal-side short-range communication unit 1201 has a function of communicating with the IC card reader / writer 36 of the sand 20 and includes, for example, a non-contact IC card chip and an antenna.

  The payment request generation unit 1202 has a function of generating a payment request message for requesting the hall computer 500 to pay and settle the consideration (price) of the received medal so that the sand 20 can provide the medal. For example, it is a microcomputer equipped with an i-appli (registered trademark of NTT Docomo).

  The wireless communication unit 1203 has a function of connecting the mobile phone 1000 to the mobile communication network 1070 via the base station (BS) 1060 and executing communication via the mobile communication network 1070, for example, a modulation circuit, A wireless communication circuit having a demodulation circuit. The mobile communication network 1070 may be a general mobile phone communication network or a WIMAX or wireless LAN communication network.

  The input unit 1204 has a function of passing a player's instruction instead of an electrical signal to the payment request generation unit 1202, the transfer request generation unit 1207, and the like, for example, a key of the mobile phone 1000, a touch pen and a touch panel, and a pointing device.

  The output unit 1205 has an information output function for the mobile phone 1000 to transmit information to a player (user), and is, for example, a liquid crystal panel of the mobile phone 1000, an audio output device (speaker or the like), or a small printer. .

  The user information storage unit 1206 has a function of storing information necessary for payment or settlement of the player (user). FIG. 57 shows an example of information stored in the user information storage unit 1206. In this example, the user information storage unit 1206 includes a user ID 1208 that is information that uniquely identifies a player registered as a user of the mobile phone 1000, and the management server 1010 and / or the hall computer 500 is the player's identity. A password 1209 for authentication and a bank number 1210, a branch number 1211, an account number 1212 and information for identifying a user account corresponding to the player's bank account from which the player withdraws the payment amount are set. The personal identification number 1213 is stored.

  These pieces of information are obtained by the player at the time of installing an application that causes the player to function as the payment request generation unit 1202 and the transfer request generation unit 1207 in the mobile phone 1000 or at the time of user registration for receiving the payment system 700 service. It only has to be entered. For example, in the mobile phone 1000, the activated application requests the player to input such information from the input unit 1204, and the input information 1208 to 1213 is stored in the user information storage unit 1206. These pieces of information 1208 to 1213 are used when generating a transfer request message for a deposit transfer request from the user account to the settlement operator account, and are transmitted to the management server 1010 as a part of the transfer request message. become.

  As a result, the player does not need to carry a credit card or bank debit card, and further, personal information, account information, and a PIN number necessary for settlement are input only to the mobile phone 1000 owned by the player. The possibility of information leakage is reduced.

  The user ID 1208 may be an identification number automatically assigned by the management server 1010, or identification information that the mobile phone 1000 has, such as Felica ID (Felica is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation), individual identification number (FOMA card identification information). (FOMA is a registered trademark of NTT Docomo).

  Next, the management server 1010 will be described. As shown in FIG. 55, the payment system 700 has a management server 1010 as a core component. The management server 1010 is a device having an arithmetic processing unit (CPU), a main memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an input / output device (I / O), and, if necessary, an external storage device such as a hard disk device. For example, it is an information processing apparatus such as a computer or a workstation. A program for causing the information processing apparatus to function as the management server 1010 or a program for causing the computer to execute the electronic payment method is stored in a ROM or a hard disk device or the like. Is executed, the management server 1010 is realized, or the electronic settlement method is executed.

  In addition, the program is not necessarily stored in a storage device in the information processing device, but is provided from an external device (for example, an ASP (Application Service Provider) server) and is loaded on the main memory. It is good. Furthermore, the management server 1010 may be configured as a single device, or may be configured by combining a plurality of devices via a network. The management server 1010 may have a center configuration in which all functions are integrated in one place, or may have a distributed server configuration in which each function is divided and distributed processing is possible.

  The management server 1010 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 58 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the management server 1010. 58 includes a network communication processing unit 1401, a payment request processing unit 1402, a database unit 1403, a transfer request processing unit 1404, a settlement processing unit 1405, and a game information update unit 1406. ing. Each of these units is a component realized by a storage device that stores a program, a CPU that executes the program, and the like.

  The network communication processing unit 1401 has a function of executing communication with the mobile phone 1000, the hall computer 500, the financial institution system 800, and the credit card system 900 via the communication network 1050. For example, communication for executing a protocol stack It is a board.

  The database unit 1403 stores the holding amount data 1700 of each user (player) registered in the settlement system 700 and the holding amount data 1900 of the game hall company, and is necessary for the transfer performed with the financial institution system 800. A user table 1600, user holding amount data 1700, game hall company table 1800, game hall company holding amount data 1900, hall computer table 2000, and game history information 2100 are stored.

  FIG. 59 is a configuration example of a user table 1600 stored in the database unit 1403. The user table 1600 is data that stores information about users (players). The user table 1600 is data having one record 1601 for each user, and each record 1601 is a user ID 1602, a password 1603, an e-mail address 1604, and a bank for identifying a withdrawal account as a user account. A number 1605, a branch number 1606 of the bank, an account type 1607 of the bank account, an account number 1608 of the bank account, an account name 1609 of the bank account, and a personal identification number 1610 of the bank account are stored.

  The user ID 1602 is information that uniquely identifies a user. The password 1603 is information that prevents a third party from impersonating the user and illegally using the payment system 700. The e-mail address 1604 is information used as a destination address to which the e-mail is sent when the result notifying unit 1407 notifies the user of the result of the payment process. The silver number 1605, the branch number 1606, the account type 1607, the account number 1608, the account name 1609, and the personal identification number 1610 are information for designating a withdrawal destination account to the financial institution system 800 and using the account.

  Information stored in the user table 1600 is input to the management server 1010 when the user registers as a user in the management server 1010.

  FIG. 60 is a configuration example of user possession amount data 1700 stored in the database unit 1403. The user holding amount data 1700 is data having one record 1701 for each user, and each record 1701 is a hall computer that is a user ID field 1702 that stores a user ID and information that uniquely identifies the hall computer 500. It has a hall computer ID field 1703 for storing an ID, and a holding amount field 1704 for storing a holding amount which is an amount deposited by the user (player) in the hall computer 500 specified by the hall computer ID.

  The value stored in the holding amount field 1704 is increased by the deposit amount when the user deposits in the hall computer 500 of the settlement system 700, and decreased by the amount of payment when the payment using the sand 20 is performed. Rewritten. In addition, even if it is the same user, since the holding amount is managed for each hall computer 500, a plurality of records 1701 can be held for the same user.

  FIG. 61 is a configuration example of a game hall company table 1800 stored in the database unit 1403. The game hall company table 1800 is data storing information related to the game hall company. The game hall company table 1800 is data having one record 1801 for each game hall company that is subscribed to the payment system 700. Each record 1801 includes a game hall company ID 1802 for storing a game hall company ID and an account of the game hall company, and a bank for specifying a transfer destination account into which an amount paid by the user to the sand 20 is transferred. A number 1803, a branch number 1804, an account type 1805, an account number 1806, and an account name 1807 are stored.

  The game hall company ID 1802 is information for uniquely identifying the game hall company. The bank number 1803, branch number 1804, account type 1805, account number 1806, and account name 1807 are information for specifying the bank account for the financial institution system 800.

  Information stored in the game hall company table 1800 is input to the management server 1010 when the game hall company registers and registers in the payment system 700.

  FIG. 62 is a configuration example of the amusement hall company possession amount data 1900 stored in the database unit 1403. The game hall company possession amount data 1900 is data having one record 1901 for each game hall company registered in the payment system 700. Each record 1901 has a game hall company ID 1902 and a holding amount 1903 for storing a holding amount, which is an amount transferred by the payment system 700 to the game hall company account. The value stored in the holding amount 1903 increases by the amount paid by the user by using the sand 20 via the hall computer 500, and decreases by the amount transferred to the amusement company account using the financial institution system 800. Will be rewritten to

  FIG. 63 is a configuration example of the hall computer table 2000 stored in the database unit 1403. The hall computer table 2000 is data having one record 2001 for each hall computer 500 included in the payment system 700, and each record 2001 stores a hall computer ID 2002, a hall computer IP address 2003, and a game hall company ID 2004. To do.

  The hall computer ID 2002 is information for uniquely identifying the hall computer 500, and the hall computer IP address 2003 is destination information for the management server 1010 to communicate with the hall computer 500. This is information used as a transmission destination address for use in transmitting a deposit notification message for notifying the hall computer 500 of a deposit from the user. The game hall company ID 2004 is information for identifying a game hall company having a right to receive payment corresponding to the user's consumption for the hall computer 500 to which the hall computer ID 2002 is assigned, and is a game hall company table. The same ID as 1800 game hall company ID 1802 (FIG. 61) is used.

  The game history information 2100 is information indicating a game history such as when and how much the player has played with which game machine (pachislot machine 10), and the game history processing unit (control of each sand 20). This is information generated by accumulating and storing game history data generated by the processing executed by the main CPU 121 of the board 63 (FIG. 16) and transmitted via the hall computer 500. Various useful information can be obtained by analyzing the game history information 2100 by a known marketing analysis or data mining technique.

  Returning to FIG. 58, the description of the management server 1010 will be continued. The transfer request processing unit 1404 will be described. The transfer request processing unit 1404 has a function of processing a transfer request message received from the mobile phone 1000. The transfer request processing unit 1404 receives a transfer request message or the like from the mobile phone 1000 or the hall computer 500 via the network communication processing unit 1401. The content of the transfer request message is a content requesting that the specified amount be deducted from the user's bank account so that it can be used by the payment system 700, more specifically, the amount deducted by the specified hall computer 500. Upon receiving this transfer request message or the like, the transfer request processing unit 1404 checks the user table 1600 stored in the database unit 1403. The transfer request processing unit 1404 obtains the bank number 1605, the branch number 1606, the account type 1607, the account number 1608, the account name 1609, and the personal identification number 1610, which are information for identifying the user account that is the transfer source account from the user table 1600. Then, together with these pieces of information, information for specifying a settlement operator account as a transfer destination account is transmitted to the financial institution system 800 via the network communication processing unit 1401 as a transfer request message.

  Upon receiving the transfer request message, the financial institution system 800 transfers the specified amount from the user's bank account to the settlement operator account. The amount transferred is funds (excluding fees) that can be used by the user using the payment system 700.

  Next, the settlement processing unit 1405 will be described. The clearing processing unit 1405 receives a message indicating the amount of money consumed by the user from each hall computer 500, and changes or updates the amusement hall company holding amount data 1900, more specifically, the holding amount 1903 in response to this message. . Further, the clearing processing unit 1405 requests the financial institution system 800 to transfer the amount indicated by the game hall company possession amount data 1900 from the settlement company account to the game shop company account of each game hall company.

  The amount of funds transferred corresponds to the amount of money paid to the game hall company deposited by the payment system 700 from the user, that is, the amount held 1903 of the game hall company held amount data 1900. In the present embodiment, the clearing processing unit 1405 autonomously performs a transfer request process. For example, the clearing processing unit 1405 automatically starts at a predetermined timing (for example, every day at midnight and every weekend). The activated clearing processing unit 1405 inquires each hall computer 500 about the amount of money consumed by the user, that is, the payment amount to the game hall company, and in response to the payment request message transmitted by the hall computer 500 in accordance with this, The holding amount 1903 of the field company holding amount data 1900 is updated.

  Further, the clearing processing unit 1405 checks all the game hall company-owned amount data 1900 stored in the database unit 1403, and those that have not been transferred to the financial institution system 800 from the settlement company account. Send a transfer request to make a transfer to the field operator account.

  The game information update unit 1406 accumulates and stores game history data received via the hall computer 500 from the history information processing unit of the sand 20 (processing of the main CPU 121 of the control board 63 (FIG. 16)), and game history information 2100 update function.

  FIG. 64 is a timing chart showing an operation example of the payment system according to another embodiment. FIG. 64 shows a case where a player receives a medal (game medium) which is a valuable value in order to play a game at a game store.

  In FIG. 64, the player has already completed user registration in this system, and the hall computer 500 has been registered with the player's in-store deposit and registered with the identification information of the mobile phone 1000. In addition, it is assumed that a bank account, a credit card number, and the like of a player used for the transfer process are registered in the management server 1010.

  The player brings the mobile phone 1000 close to the sand 20 and enables communication between both devices. The mobile phone 1000 transmits a provision request message (MSG) to the sand 20 (S1201). Here, the “provision request message” is information that allows the sand 20 to recognize that the player has requested the provision of a pachinko ball, and any information that can be recognized. Also good. For example, it may be data consisting of a combination of an IC card application identification number set in the mobile phone 1000 and identification information of the mobile phone 1000. In this embodiment, the “message” includes a signal and a signal sequence that can transmit some information.

  The sand 20 that has received the provision request message transmits to the hall computer 500 a provision permission request message that is a message asking whether the medal provision may be performed or not to the mobile phone 1000 that has transmitted the message (S1202). Whether or not the hall computer 500 that has received the provision permission request message can subtract the price for providing the medal from the in-store deposit amount of the player corresponding to the mobile phone 1000 (the amount of the deposit amount of the player). A balance confirmation process for determining whether or not is performed (S1203). It is assumed that the price is set and registered in advance at any time (for example, uniformly 1000 yen).

  Although not shown in FIG. 64, when the price can be subtracted, the hall computer 500 transmits a provision permission message to the sand 20, and the sand 20 that has received the provision permission message responds to the price. The number of medals is provided to the player (that is, the number of medals corresponding to the price is paid out from the pachislot machine 10.

  On the other hand, if the amount in the store of the player is less than the price of the medal and the price cannot be subtracted, the hall computer 500 transmits a balance shortage notification message to the sand 20 (S1204). The “balance shortage notification message” may be any information as long as the sand 20 can recognize that a medal cannot be provided due to a shortage in the store amount of the player.

  The sand 20 that has received the balance shortage notification message transmits a deposit replenishment request message to the mobile phone 1000 (S1205). Here, “replenishment” means additional payment. The “deposit replenishment request message” may be any information as long as the mobile phone 1000 can recognize that it is necessary to replenish the player's in-store deposit in order to receive provision of medals. For example, information such as an error number indicating a replenishment request may be used. In this embodiment, the amount to be added to the player's in-store deposit (for example, 1000 yen) and information indicating the transfer destination account to which the amount to be added is transferred are included in the deposit replenishment request message. Although included, these pieces of information may be stored in the mobile phone 1000 in advance.

  The mobile phone 1000 that has received this deposit replenishment request message prompts the player to input confirmation for performing the deposit to replenish the deposit, and performs a replenishment execution confirmation process that waits for this input ( S1206). When the confirmation is input, the mobile phone 1000 sends a transfer request message, which is a message requesting to transfer the amount of money from the bank account (player account) of the player to the transfer destination account. (S1207). In the present embodiment, the transfer request message is communicated by the sand 20 and the hall computer 500, but the present invention is not limited to the communication path according to the present invention. It should be noted that the player's account as a replenishment source for replenishing the player's deposit is not limited to a bank account, and may be an operator's account for any period as long as it can be transferred.

  The management server 1010 that has received the transfer request message requests the financial institution system 800, which is a financial institution system handling the transfer destination account, to transfer the amount from the bank account of the player to the transfer destination account. A transfer request process for generating a transfer request message is executed (S1208). Note that the bank account of the player may be specified using data stored in advance in association with identification information of the mobile phone 1000 or the like. The management server 1010 transmits the generated transfer request message to the financial institution system 800 (S1209).

  Receiving the transfer request message, the financial institution system 800 performs a transfer process that is a process of transferring the amount of money from the bank account of the player to the transfer destination account (S1210). When the transfer is completed normally, the financial institution system 800 transmits a transfer completion message to the management server 1010 (S1211). If the player's account balance is insufficient in the transfer process (S1210), the financial institution system 800 proceeds to a process that uses credits to be described later with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 64, the management server 1010 that has received the transfer completion message transmits to the hall computer 500 a payment confirmation message that is a message notifying that the amount to be added to the player's in-store deposit has been deposited. (S1212). The hall computer 500 that has received this payment confirmation message transmits a provision instruction message to the sand 20 that is the transmission destination of the balance shortage notification message corresponding to the payment confirmation message (S1213). The sand 20 who has received this provision instruction message executes a provision process which is a process for providing a medal corresponding to the amount (S1214). In this providing process, medals are paid out from the medal payout tray 37 (FIG. 16) via the payout hopper 51 for the sand 20.

  By providing this medal, the processing of the provision request message performed in step S1201 in this system is completed, and the player can play the game with the pachislot machine 10 after receiving the medal payout in the sand 20.

  In the embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 64, the mobile phone 1000 transmits the transfer request message to the management server 1010 via the mobile communication network or the like in step S1207. 20 and the hall computer 500 may be transmitted to the management server 1010. An embodiment in this case will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 65 is a timing chart showing an operation example of the settlement system according to the modification of FIG.

  It is assumed that the replenishment execution confirmation process in step S1206 shown in FIG. 64 is performed by the mobile phone 1000, and the player inputs confirmation. The mobile phone 1000 that has received the confirmation input transmits to the sand 20 a transfer request message that is a message requesting to transfer the amount from the bank account of the player to the transfer destination account (S1301). In this modified example, the transfer request message and the money amount may not be included in the transfer request message. These pieces of information may be stored in advance in the hall computer 500 or the management server 1010 and used.

  In addition, an action in which the player causes the mobile phone 1000 and the sand 20 to communicate with each other may be used in place of the player's confirmation input. For example, the mobile phone 1000 may be used in place of the player's confirmation input by bringing the mobile phone 1000 close to the sand 20 and enabling communication between the two.

  The sand 20 transmits a transfer request message to the hall computer 500 (S1302), and the hall computer 500 transmits a transfer request message to the management server 1010 (S303). Thereafter, the processing from step S1304 to step S1310 shown in FIG. 65 is executed. Since the processing from step S1304 to step S1310 is the same as the processing from step S1208 to step S1214 shown in FIG. 64, description of these processing contents will be omitted.

  Next, the processing when the player's bank balance is insufficient will be described with reference to FIG. In the process of step S1210 in FIG. 64, when the bank account balance of the player is insufficient, a notification that non-replacement is not possible is returned from the financial institution system 800 to the management server 1010 and no medal is provided. However, a medal may be provided by depositing into the player's bank account from the player's credit card. FIG. 66 shows an example of the operation of the settlement system when depositing money from a player's credit card into the player's bank account and enabling the provision of medals.

  It is assumed that step S1209 (FIG. 64) or step S1305 (FIG. 65) has been performed as a premise. When the balance of the player's bank account (for example, 500 yen) is less than the requested transfer amount (for example, 1000 yen), the financial institution system 800 executes a process when the total height is insufficient (S401). In the shortage process, the amount set in advance in a credit card company's online payment system (hereinafter referred to as credit card system) that handles credit cards set in advance in the bank account of the player is stored in the bank account of the player. It is a process to transfer.

  After the balance shortage process (S1401), the financial institution system 800 transmits a credit use message to the credit card system 900 (S1402). In response to the credit usage message, the credit card system 900 transmits a transfer request message requesting the financial institution system 800 to transfer the set amount to the player's bank account (S1403). Receiving this transfer request message, the financial institution system 800 performs a transfer process to the bank account of the player for a set amount (for example, 50,000 yen) (S1405). Thereafter, the financial institution system 800 is provided with a bank account (for example, a hall computer 500) that accepts the in-store deposit from the player's bank account for an amount (for example, 1,000 yen) to be paid as the in-store deposit of the player. The transfer is made to the bank account of the operating company of the amusement store or the bank account of the operating company of this system (S1410). In the above process, the financial institution system 800 has been described as a configuration in which a credit use message is transmitted to the credit card system 900 (see S1402). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and after the balance shortage process (S1401), The financial institution system 800 may transmit a message notifying the balance shortage to the management server 1010, and the management server 1010 that has received this message may transmit a credit use message to the credit card system 900. Further, at this time, the management server 1010 is configured to receive a message indicating confirmation of intention to use credits to the mobile phone 1000 to the mobile phone 1000 and transmit the credit use message to the credit card system 900 when such a message is received. It is good.

  On the other hand, when the transfer is completed normally, the financial institution system 800 transmits a transfer completion message to the management server 1010 (S1406). Upon receiving the transfer completion message, the management server 1010 sends a payment confirmation message, which is a message notifying that the above amount (1,000 yen in the above example) has been deposited into the player's in-store deposit to the hall computer 500. (S1407). Upon receiving the payment confirmation message, the hall computer 500 identifies a balance shortage notification message (see S1204) corresponding to this payment confirmation message, and transmits a provision instruction message to the sand 20 that is the transmission destination of the identified balance shortage notification message. (S1408). The sand 20 that has received this provision instruction message provides a medal corresponding to the amount (S1409).

  With such a configuration, even if the player's bank account balance is insufficient, the player can immediately receive a medal within a range that does not deviate from the set amount.

  In the payment system 700 shown in FIG. 66, when the balance of the bank account of the user (player) is insufficient, a credit use message is transmitted directly from the financial institution system 800 to the credit card system 900 (S1402). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an instruction to the credit card system 900 can be given from the user's mobile phone 1000.

  A processing procedure for performing this processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 67 to 69 has the same configuration as the payment system 700 shown in FIGS. 55 and 56, and the processing is different.

  In this processing, the processing from step S1601 to step S1609 shown in FIG. 67 is executed. The processes shown in steps S1601 to S1609 are the same processes corresponding to steps S1201 to S1209 shown in FIG. 64, respectively, and thus the description of the processing contents in steps S1601 to S1609 is omitted.

  Receiving the transfer request message transmitted in step S1609, the financial institution system 800 tries to execute the transfer process (S1610). Here, the subsequent operation will be described on the assumption that the balance of the bank account of the user (player) is insufficient. Note that the operation in the case where the balance of the bank account is sufficient for the transfer is the same as that from step S1210 to step S1214 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 1610, the financial institution system 800 that has recognized that the requested bank transfer amount (for example, 1,000 yen) is insufficient for the user's bank account (for example, 500 yen), causes the management server 1010 to store the user's bank account balance. A balance shortage notification message that is a message notifying that the balance is short is transmitted (S1611).

  Receiving the balance shortage notification message, the management server 1010 transmits a deposit instruction request message to the mobile phone 1000 (FIG. 68, S1701). The deposit instruction request message is a message for requesting an input instructing the user to deposit from the credit card to the user's bank account.

  The mobile phone 1000 that has received the deposit instruction request message displays an input screen for requesting an instruction for depositing from the credit card to the user's bank account, and executes an instruction input standby process for waiting for the user's input ( S1702). For example, the instruction input stand-by process is as follows: “The bank account balance is insufficient. Do you want to deposit the initial set amount (50,000 yen) from the credit card to the bank account? <OK>” If the user performs a predetermined operation (for example, pressing the enter button) after this screen is displayed, processing is performed assuming that a deposit instruction input from the credit card to the bank account has been made. In the above example, the initial set amount is deposited. However, the user may be able to specify the deposited amount.

  The mobile phone 1000 that has received the user instruction input transmits a credit use instruction message to the management server 1010 (S1703). The credit usage instruction message may be any information or data that indicates that the user's instruction is input in response to the above-described deposit instruction request message.

  The management server 1010 that has received the credit use instruction message executes a credit request process (S1704). The credit request process is a process of transferring an amount registered in the management server 1010 and set in the credit card system to the bank account.

  After the credit request process (S1704), the management server 1010 transmits a credit request message to the credit card system 900 (S1705). The credit request message is a message requesting a transfer of a predetermined amount to the user's bank account as a credit card usage.

  Thereafter, the processing from step S1801 to step S1809 shown in FIG. 69 is performed, and the valuable value (medal) is provided to the user. Since the contents of the processing from step S1801 to step S1809 are the same as the contents of the processing from step S1403 to step S1410 of FIG. 66, the description of the contents of these processes is omitted here.

(Outline of game media lending device)
The game medium lending device (sand 20) in the present embodiment is a game medium lending device (sand 20) that is provided in the gaming machine (pachislot machine 10) and lends game media according to the supplied value medium, A case 22, a lid (front panel 23) capable of opening and closing a part of the case, a counting means (payout hopper 51) for counting the number of game media attached to the case 22, a lid The sound transmitting port (speaker cover 38) provided in the body (front panel 23) and the counting means (dispensing hopper 51) are unitized, and the lid (front panel 23) is provided via the sound transmitting port (speaker cover 38). A speaker 81 that outputs sound to the outside, a counting means (dispensing hopper 51), a control board 63 that individually controls the speaker 81, and a counting means (dispensing hopper 51) and the control board 63; Counting means Characterized in that it comprises a connector 55 which is shared by the payout hopper 51) and a speaker 81.

  According to the above configuration, the opening / closing lid (front panel 23) is opened by setting the speaker 81 as the counting means (dispensing hopper 51) on the housing 22 side instead of the opening / closing lid (front panel 23). At this time, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of inconvenience that the opening of the opening / closing lid (front panel 23) is hindered by the wiring from the speaker 81.

  Further, by sharing the connector 55 for connecting the counting means (dispensing hopper 51) and the control board 63 for connection of wiring (connection wiring 84) for outputting sound from the speaker 81, the control board 63 can be connected. Complicated wiring connection can be avoided.

  In addition to the above configuration, the game medium lending device (sand 20) according to the present embodiment is configured with an identification unit (a bill identification device (bill validator) configured with a width smaller than the internal width of the housing 22. ) 61, the information card reader 62), and a power supply unit 65 configured to have a width smaller than the internal width of the housing 22, and for renting out game media. , Arranged above or below the identification means (banknote identification device (bill burr) 61, information card reader 62) and controlled to the side of the power supply unit 65 and identification means (banknote identification device (bill burr) 61, information card reader 62). An arrangement space for the substrate 63 is provided.

  According to the above configuration, the power supply unit 65 is arranged above or below the identification means (the banknote identification device (bill burr) 61, the information card reader 62), so that the identification means (banknote identification device (bill burr)) arranged vertically. 61, an information card reader 62) and a large space for arranging the control board 63 on the side of the power supply unit 65 can be formed. This space can utilize the entire width in the front-rear direction inside the housing 22 of the game medium lending device (sand 20), and in the up-down direction, identification means (banknote identification device (bill burr) 61, information card reader). 62) and the dimension in which the power supply unit 65 is vertically arranged can be used. Thereby, for example, compared with the case where the power supply unit 65 is arranged over the entire width of the housing 22, it is possible to increase the vertical dimension of the space in which the control board 63 is arranged.

  In addition, the control board 63 is preferably provided on the side of the game machine (pachislot machine 10) provided inside the housing 22. If comprised in this way, the length of the wiring which connects a game machine (pachislot machine 10) and the control board 63 of a game medium rental apparatus (sand 20) can be shortened.

  In addition to the above configuration, the game medium lending device (sand 20) in the present embodiment has a first counting unit (counter) that counts and pays out the number of game media according to the supplied value medium. The payout hopper 51) and a second counting unit (counting hopper 71) that counts game media input from the outside and uses the count result for replaying are provided.

  According to the game medium lending device (sand 20), the game medium paid out in the game machine (pachislot machine 10) is counted in the second counting unit (counting hopper 71) of the game medium lending device (sand 20). By doing so, it is not necessary to put the game medium paid out in the gaming machine (pachislot machine 10) into the gaming medium storage box once and carry it to the counting device away from the gaming machine (pachislot machine 10).

  The speaker 81 is unitized in either the first counting unit (dispensing hopper 51) or the second counting unit (counting hopper 71). Thereby, when opening the opening / closing lid (front panel 23), it can be avoided that the wiring of the speaker 81 becomes an obstacle.

  In addition, on the front surface of the game medium lending device (sand 20), a game medium payout outlet (medal payout tray 37) counted by the first counting unit (payout hopper 51) and a second counting unit ( A gaming medium insertion slot (medal counting insertion slot 39) for counting by the counting hopper 71) is provided in parallel, and the first counting section (payout hopper 51) or the second counting section (for counting). The mounting position of the hopper 71) and the unitized speaker 81 is preferably between the game medium payout port (medal payout tray 37) and the game medium input port (medal counting input port 39). In this way, on the front surface of the game medium lending device (sand 20), the area between the payout port (medal payout tray 37) and the input port (medal counting input port 39) that becomes a dead space is made effective. It can be used.

  In addition to the above configuration, the game medium lending device (sand 20) of the present embodiment has a game machine counting means (hopper 350) that counts the number of game media to be paid out in the attached game machine (pachislot machine 10). On the other hand, the present invention is characterized in that it comprises transport means (sending guide 356) for transporting the game media counted in the second counting section (counting hopper 71) by its own weight.

  According to the game medium lending device (sand 20), the game medium counted by the second counting unit (counting hopper 71) can be transported to the game machine (pachislot machine 10) by its own weight. Thereby, when the game medium paid out in the gaming machine (pachislot machine 10) is thrown into the gaming medium lending device (sand 20), the gaming machine (pachislot machine 71) is passed through the second counting unit (counting hopper 71). Since it is circulated to the gaming machine 10), it takes time to carry the gaming media counted in the second counting unit (counting hopper 71) of the gaming medium lending device (sand 20) to the gaming machine (pachislot machine 10). Disappear. In this way, the gaming machine (pachislot machine 10) need not be replenished with game media, thereby reducing the labor cost of the hall where the gaming machine (pachislot machine 10) and the game media lending device (sand 20) are installed. be able to. In addition, the service can be improved accordingly.

  In addition to the above configuration, the game medium lending device (sand 20) of the present embodiment is used to insert game media (medals) from the outside of the housing 22 into the second counting unit (counting hopper 71). A gaming medium counting slot (medal counting slot 739) having an opening upper surface 739A and a front wall back surface 739E and a rear wall front surface 739G of the gaming medium counting slot (medal counting slot 739). The partition member 740 is provided.

  According to the game medium lending device (sand 20), by providing the partition member 740 for partitioning the game medium counting slot (medal counting slot 739), the divided game medium counting slot (medal counting slot) is provided. The slot 739) can be divided into a narrow space, and the player's hand can be prevented from being inserted into the second counting unit (counting hopper 71). The second counting unit (counting hopper 71) is provided with a counting mechanism for counting game media (medals), and can prevent a player's hand from being inserted into the counting mechanism. , Can ensure safety. Thereby, the usability of a player can be improved.

  In addition to the above configuration, the game medium lending device (sand 20) of the present embodiment has a detachable first that closes the front surface portion of the first internal space AR101 of the housing 22 that houses the control board 63. A front panel 222, a detachable second front panel 221 that closes the front surface of the upper space AR102 adjacent to the top of the first internal space AR101, and a lower space AR103 adjacent to the lower portion of the first internal space AR101. A first locking portion (bending) that locks the upper portion of the first front panel 222 to the housing 22 in accordance with the mounting of the detachable third front panel 223 that closes the front portion of the first front panel 221 and the second front panel 221. Portion 221A and 222A) and the second lock portion (bending portions 223A and 2A) for locking the lower portion of the first front panel 222 to the housing 22 in accordance with the mounting of the third front panel 223. Characterized in that it comprises a 2B) and.

  According to this game medium lending device (sand 20), the first front panel 222 can be removed only by removing the second and third front panels 221 and 223. 222 can be prevented from being easily removed, and security can be improved.

  In addition to the above configuration, the game medium lending device (sand 20) of the present embodiment has a control board 63 having a first board area 63A having a main face in a vertical plane and a main face in a horizontal plane. The power supply unit 65 that supplies power to each part is surrounded by the first substrate region 63A and the second substrate region 63B.

  According to this game medium lending device (sand 20), the front surface and the upper surface of the power supply unit 65 are surrounded by the control board 63, so that the inadvertent movement of the power supply unit 65 can be suppressed and the dropout can be prevented. .

  In addition to the above configuration, the gaming medium lending device (sand 20) of the present embodiment has an insertion slot (medal counting) for inserting gaming media (medals) from the outside into the second counting unit (counting hopper 71). Illumination means (illuminating LED substrate 311) for illuminating the insertion slot 39).

  According to the game medium lending device (sand 20), the game medium lending device (sand 20) is installed in a dark place by illuminating the counting medal slot (medal counting slot 39). Even in this case, the position where the medal should be inserted can be easily grasped, and the usability of the player can be improved.

  The present invention relates to a game medium lending device that lends game media such as medals and pachinko balls used for playing gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in game halls equipped with gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines, game media lending devices called sand that lend medal, pachinko balls, etc., which are game media, have been added to the game machines. A player rents a game medium and plays a game using these game medium lending devices (see Patent Documents 1 to 3). In addition, a game medium lending device provided with a speaker is considered (see Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-68740)).

  A conventional game medium lending device provided with a speaker has a speaker attached to the front side thereof, and when this attachment position is a front cover that can be opened and closed, for example, when the front cover is removed during maintenance The wiring from the speaker hinders the opening of the front cover, and in order to completely open the front cover, the wiring of the speaker has to be removed, resulting in a problem that the maintainability is lowered.

  Further, when the wiring from the speaker is connected to the control board of the game medium lending device, there is a problem that the wiring connection on the control board becomes complicated due to an increase in the number of wirings drawn from the control board.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a game medium lending device that can simplify wiring and improve maintainability. Another object of the present invention is to provide a game medium lending device that can save the trouble of collecting the counted medal by the hole collecting means.

The present invention provides the following game medium lending device.
The gaming medium renting apparatus of the present invention is a gaming medium renting apparatus that lends a gaming medium according to a supplied value medium, which is provided in the gaming machine, and is provided in the casing and provided in the casing. A first counting unit that counts and pays out the number of game media corresponding to the value media, and is provided below the first counting unit, counts game media input from the outside, and calculates the count result. A second counting unit used for replaying the gaming machine, and a game medium that is counted by the second counting unit is transported to the first counting unit and paid out from the first counting unit A feeding means that can be used as a medium; a control board that controls the first and second counting means; and a front face portion of the first internal space of the housing that houses the control board. A first front panel separable from the housing, and a front According to the mounting of the second front panel that can be separated from the housing that closes the front portion of one space adjacent to either the upper or lower portion of the first internal space, and the second front panel, And a first lock portion that locks the front portion of the one space of the first front panel to the housing.
Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the second front panel can be separated from the casing that closes the front portion of the one space adjacent to the upper portion of the first internal space. A detachable third front panel that closes a front surface portion of the other space adjacent to the lower portion of the first internal space, and the first front surface according to the mounting of the third front panel. And a second lock portion for locking the lower portion of the panel to the housing.
The gaming medium renting apparatus of the present invention is a gaming medium renting apparatus that lends a gaming medium according to a supplied value medium, which is provided in the gaming machine, provided in the casing, and provided in the casing A first counting unit that counts and pays out the number of game media corresponding to the value media that has been set, and a number of gaming media that are provided below the first counting unit and that are input from the outside; A second counting unit for providing the result to the re-game of the gaming machine, and a game medium counted by the second counting unit is transported to the first counting unit and paid out from the first counting unit. And a transporting means that can be used as a game medium.

  In addition to the above configuration, the present invention is unitized with a lid that can open and close a part of the housing, a sound transmission port provided in the lid, and the first counting unit, Connecting a speaker that outputs sound to the outside of the lid through a sound transmission port, the first counting unit and a control board that individually controls the speaker, and connecting the first counting unit and the control board And a connection connector shared by the first counting unit and the speaker.

  A gaming medium renting apparatus according to the present invention is a gaming medium renting apparatus that lends a gaming medium in accordance with a supplied value medium, and is capable of opening and closing a casing and a part of the casing. A lid, a counting means attached to the housing for counting the number of the game media, a sound transmission port provided in the lid, and the counting means are unitized, via the sound transmission hole; Shared by the speaker for outputting sound to the outside of the lid, the control means for individually controlling the counting means and the speaker, and the counting means and the speaker for connecting the counting means and the control board. And a connection connector.

  According to this game medium lending device, the speaker mounting position is not the opening / closing lid, but the counting means on the housing side, so that the opening of the opening / closing lid is hindered by the wiring from the speaker when the opening / closing lid is opened. Can be prevented.

  Further, by sharing the connector for connecting the counting means and the control board for the connection of the wiring for outputting the sound from the speaker, it is possible to avoid the complicated wiring connection on the control board.

  Further, in addition to the above configuration, the present invention is configured with an identification means for identifying the value medium configured with a width smaller than the internal width of the housing, and a width smaller than the internal width of the housing, A power supply unit for lending operation of the game medium, and inside the housing, the power supply unit is disposed above or below the identification means, and to the side of the power supply unit and the identification means An arrangement space for the control board is provided.

  According to this game medium lending device, by arranging the power supply unit above or below the identification means, it is possible to form a large space for arranging the control board on the side of the identification means arranged above and below the power supply unit. it can. This space can use the entire width in the front-rear direction inside the housing of the game medium lending device, and can use the dimensions in which the identification means and the power supply unit are vertically arranged in the vertical direction. Thereby, for example, compared with the case where the power supply unit is arranged over the entire width of the housing, it is possible to increase the vertical dimension of the space in which the control board is arranged.

  Further, it is preferable that the control board is provided on the side of the gaming machine provided in the housing. If comprised in this way, the length of the wiring which connects a game machine and the control board of a game media rental apparatus can be shortened.

  According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the counting means counts and pays out the number of game media corresponding to the supplied value media, and game media input from the outside. And a second counting unit that uses the counting result for replaying.

  According to this game medium rental apparatus, the game medium paid out in the gaming machine is counted by the second counting unit of the game medium rental apparatus so that the game medium paid out in the gaming machine is temporarily stored in the game medium storage box. This eliminates the trouble of transporting to the counting device away from the gaming machine.

  The speaker is unitized in either the first counting unit or the second counting unit. Thereby, it can avoid that the wiring of a speaker obstructs when opening an opening-and-closing lid.

  In addition, on the front surface of the game medium lending device, a game medium payout port counted by the first counter and a game medium slot for counting by the second counter are arranged side by side. It is preferable that the mounting position of the speaker unitized with the one counting unit or the second counting unit is between the game medium payout port and the game medium input port. If it does in this way, it will become possible to use effectively the field between the payout mouth and the slot which will be a dead space in the front of a game media rental device.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the present invention provides a gaming machine counting means for counting the number of gaming media to be paid out in the gaming machine provided side by side with the game media counted by the second counting unit as its own weight. It has the conveyance means to convey by this.

  According to this gaming medium lending device, the gaming medium counted by the second counting unit can be transported to the gaming machine by its own weight. Thereby, when the game medium paid out in the gaming machine is thrown into the gaming medium lending device, it is circulated to the gaming machine via the second counting unit, whereby the second counting unit of the gaming medium lending device. This eliminates the trouble of transporting the counted gaming media to the gaming machine. In this way, since it is not necessary to replenish game media to the gaming machine, the labor cost of the gaming hall in which the gaming machine and the gaming media lending device are installed can be reduced. In addition, the service can be improved accordingly.

  In addition to the above configuration, the present invention provides a game medium counting slot having an upper surface for opening a gaming medium from the outside of the housing to the second counting section, and the gaming medium counting slot. A partition member provided between the front wall rear surface and the rear wall front surface is provided.

  According to this game medium lending device, by providing the partition member for partitioning the game medium counting slot, the partitioned game medium counting slot can be divided into a narrow space, and the player's hand is the second one. Can be prevented from being inserted into the counter. The second counting unit is provided with a counting mechanism for counting game media, and can prevent the player's hand from being inserted into the counting mechanism, thereby ensuring safety. . Thereby, the usability of a player can be improved.

  The gaming medium counting slot has a slot for guiding the gaming medium received through the upper surface of the opening to the second counting section by its own weight, and the partition member is arranged in the vertical direction. It is preferable that it is the shaft member inclined with respect to. In this configuration, since the shaft member is provided to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction in the charging path, it is possible to prevent the gaming medium sliding down the charging path from being clogged by the shaft member.

  The shaft member is preferably made of a metal material. In this configuration, the shaft member formed of a metal material can have higher rigidity than that of, for example, a resin material, and the diameter of the shaft member can be reduced accordingly. If the diameter of the shaft member can be reduced, each input path divided by the shaft member can be widened, and the game medium can be smoothly introduced into the second counting unit. That is, it is possible to achieve both the smooth introduction of the game medium to the second counting unit and the prevention of the player's hand from being inserted.

  Further, it is preferable to provide a sensor for detecting a game medium input to the second counting unit via a game medium counting input port. In this configuration, when the game medium is detected by the sensor, the counting process can be easily executed by simply inserting the game medium by operating the second counting unit.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide an operation unit that instructs the start of the counting process of the second counting unit. In this configuration, the counting process of the second counting unit can be started by the player operating the operating means. As a means for ending the counting process started by the operation of the operation unit, a sensor for detecting a game medium input to the second counting unit or a game medium discharged from the second counting unit is provided. It is preferable that the counting process is terminated when the sensor does not detect the game medium for a predetermined time. In this way, the counting process started by the player's operation can be terminated without the player performing a stop operation.

  Further, it is preferable that the game medium counting slot is screwed to the front surface of the housing. In this configuration, the game medium counting slot can be attached to the housing by a simple method of screwing.

  Further, the game medium counting slot is preferably integrated with the second counting unit. In this configuration, an opening is formed in the housing, and the second counting unit is simply attached to the housing through the opening, and the game medium counting input integrated with the second counting unit is provided. Mouth installation can also be completed.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide a transporting means for transporting the game medium subjected to the counting process in the second counting unit to the first counting unit provided above the second counting unit. In this configuration, the game media counted in the second counting unit can be used for paying out to the player by being sent to the first counting unit without being collected by, for example, the hole collecting means.

  The game medium lending device of the present invention is a game medium lending device that lends a game medium according to a supplied value medium, which is attached to a gaming machine, and is attached to a housing and the inside of the housing. A counting means for counting the number of game media; a control board for controlling the counting means; and a power supply unit for lending operation of the game media, wherein the identification means is larger than an internal width of the housing. The power supply unit is configured to have a width smaller than the internal width of the casing, and the power supply unit is disposed above or below the identification unit in the casing, and the power supply unit An arrangement space for the control board is provided on the side of the unit and the identification means.

  According to this game medium lending device, by arranging the power supply unit above or below the identification means, it is possible to form a large space for arranging the control board on the side of the identification means arranged above and below the power supply unit. it can. This space can use the entire width in the front-rear direction inside the housing of the game medium lending device, and can use the dimensions in which the identification means and the power supply unit are vertically arranged in the vertical direction. Thereby, for example, compared with the case where the power supply unit is arranged over the entire width of the housing, it is possible to increase the vertical dimension of the space in which the control board is arranged.

  The game medium lending device of the present invention is a game medium lending device that lends a game medium according to a supplied value medium, which is provided in the gaming machine, and has the number of the games corresponding to the supplied value medium. A first counting unit that counts and pays out a medium and a second counting unit that counts game media input from the outside and uses the count result for replaying are provided.

  According to this game medium rental apparatus, the game medium paid out in the gaming machine is counted by the second counting unit of the game medium rental apparatus so that the game medium paid out in the gaming machine is temporarily stored in the game medium storage box. This eliminates the trouble of transporting to the counting device away from the gaming machine.

  The game medium lending device of the present invention is a game medium lending device that lends a game medium according to a supplied value medium, which is provided in the gaming machine, and has the number of the games corresponding to the supplied value medium. A first counting unit that counts and pays out a medium, a second counting unit that counts game media input from the outside, and uses the counting result for re-playing, and is paid out in the game machine In contrast to the game machine counting means for counting the number of game media, the game machine counting means comprises transport means for transporting the game media counted by the second counting section by its own weight.

  According to this gaming medium lending device, the gaming medium counted by the second counting unit can be transported to the gaming machine by its own weight. Thereby, when the game medium paid out in the gaming machine is thrown into the gaming medium lending device, it is circulated to the gaming machine via the second counting unit, whereby the second counting unit of the gaming medium lending device. This eliminates the trouble of transporting the counted gaming media to the gaming machine. In this way, since it is not necessary to replenish game media to the gaming machine, the labor cost of the gaming hall in which the gaming machine and the gaming media lending device are installed can be reduced. In addition, the service can be improved accordingly.

  The game medium lending device of the present invention is a game medium lending device that lends a game medium according to a supplied value medium, which is attached to a gaming machine, and is attached to a housing and the inside of the housing. A first counter that counts and pays out the number of game media corresponding to the supplied value media, and a second count that counts game media input from the outside and uses the count result for re-game A game medium counting slot having an opening upper surface for feeding game media from the outside of the housing to the second counting section, and a front wall rear surface and a rear wall front surface of the gaming medium counting slot And a partition member provided between the two.

  According to this game medium rental apparatus, the game medium paid out in the gaming machine is counted by the second counting unit of the game medium rental apparatus so that the game medium paid out in the gaming machine is temporarily stored in the game medium storage box. This eliminates the trouble of transporting to the counting device away from the gaming machine. Also, by providing a partition member that partitions the gaming medium counting slot, the partitioned gaming medium counting slot can be divided into a narrow space, and the player's hand is inserted into the second counting section. Can be prevented. The second counting unit is provided with a counting mechanism for counting game media, and can prevent the player's hand from being inserted into the counting mechanism, thereby ensuring safety. . Thereby, the usability of a player can be improved.

  The game medium lending device of the present invention is a game medium lending device that lends a game medium according to a supplied value medium, which is attached to a gaming machine, and is attached to a housing and the inside of the housing. A first counter that counts and pays out the number of game media corresponding to the supplied value media, and a second count that counts game media input from the outside and uses the count result for re-game And a transport means for transporting the game media counted in the second counting section by its own weight, with respect to a gaming machine counting means for counting the number of gaming media to be paid out in the gaming machine provided side by side, A gaming medium counting slot having an upper surface for opening the gaming medium from the outside of the housing to the second counting unit, and a front wall rear surface and a rear wall front surface of the gaming medium counting slot. A partition member provided on Characterized in that it obtain.

  According to this gaming medium lending device, the gaming medium counted by the second counting unit can be transported to the gaming machine by its own weight. Thereby, when the game medium paid out in the gaming machine is thrown into the gaming medium lending device, it is circulated to the gaming machine via the second counting unit, whereby the second counting unit of the gaming medium lending device. This eliminates the trouble of transporting the counted gaming media to the gaming machine. In this way, since it is not necessary to replenish game media to the gaming machine, the labor cost of the gaming hall in which the gaming machine and the gaming media lending device are installed can be reduced. In addition, the service can be improved accordingly. Furthermore, by providing a partition member for partitioning the gaming medium counting slot, the partitioned gaming medium counting slot can be divided into a narrow space, and the player's hand is inserted into the second counting section. Can be prevented. The second counting unit is provided with a counting mechanism for counting game media, and can prevent the player's hand from being inserted into the counting mechanism, thereby ensuring safety. . Thereby, the usability of a player can be improved.

  The gaming medium counting slot has a slot for guiding the gaming medium received through the upper surface of the opening to the second counting section by its own weight, and the partition member is arranged in the vertical direction. It is preferable that it is the shaft member inclined with respect to. In this configuration, since the shaft member is provided to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction in the charging path, it is possible to prevent the gaming medium sliding down the charging path from being clogged by the shaft member.

  The shaft member is preferably made of a metal material. In this configuration, the shaft member formed of a metal material can have higher rigidity than that of, for example, a resin material, and the diameter of the shaft member can be reduced accordingly. If the diameter of the shaft member can be reduced, each input path divided by the shaft member can be widened, and the game medium can be smoothly introduced into the second counting unit. That is, it is possible to achieve both the smooth introduction of the game medium to the second counting unit and the prevention of the player's hand from being inserted.

  Further, it is preferable to provide a sensor for detecting a game medium input to the second counting unit via a game medium counting input port. In this configuration, when the game medium is detected by the sensor, the counting process can be easily executed by simply inserting the game medium by operating the second counting unit.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide an operation unit that instructs the start of the counting process of the second counting unit. In this configuration, the counting process of the second counting unit can be started by the player operating the operating means. As a means for ending the counting process started by the operation of the operation unit, a sensor for detecting a game medium input to the second counting unit or a game medium discharged from the second counting unit is provided. It is preferable that the counting process is terminated when the sensor does not detect the game medium for a predetermined time. In this way, the counting process started by the player's operation can be terminated without the player performing a stop operation.

  Further, it is preferable that the game medium counting slot is screwed to the front surface of the housing. In this configuration, the game medium counting slot can be attached to the housing by a simple method of screwing.

  Further, the game medium counting slot is preferably integrated with the second counting unit. In this configuration, an opening is formed in the housing, and the second counting unit is simply attached to the housing through the opening, and the game medium counting input integrated with the second counting unit is provided. Mouth installation can also be completed.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide a transporting means for transporting the game medium subjected to the counting process in the second counting unit to the first counting unit provided above the second counting unit. In this configuration, the game media counted in the second counting unit can be used for paying out to the player by being sent to the first counting unit without being collected by, for example, the hole collecting means.

  In addition, the game medium lending device of the present invention is a game medium lending device that lends a game medium according to a supplied value medium, which is provided in the gaming machine, and is a first inside of the housing that houses the control board. A detachable first front panel that closes the front part of the space, a detachable second front panel that closes the front part of the upper space adjacent to the top of the first internal space, and the first A detachable third front panel that closes the front part of the lower space adjacent to the lower part of the internal space, and the upper part of the first front panel is locked to the housing according to the mounting of the second front panel And a second lock portion that locks a lower portion of the first front panel to the housing in accordance with mounting of the third front panel.

  According to this game medium lending device, the first front panel is not easily removed by adopting a configuration in which the first front panel cannot be removed unless the second and third front panels are removed. Security can be improved.

  The gaming medium renting apparatus of the present invention is a gaming medium renting apparatus that lends a gaming medium according to a supplied value medium that is provided in the gaming machine, and the control board has a main surface in a vertical plane. A first substrate region and a second substrate region having a main surface in a horizontal plane, and a front surface and an upper surface of a power supply unit that supplies power to each part are defined as the first substrate region and the second substrate region. It is characterized by being surrounded by.

  According to this game medium lending device, the front surface and the upper surface of the power supply unit are surrounded by the control board, so that inadvertent movement of the power supply unit can be suppressed and the dropout can be prevented.

  The gaming medium renting apparatus of the present invention is a gaming medium renting apparatus that lends a gaming medium in accordance with a supplied value medium, and is provided outside the gaming machine, wherein the gaming medium is externally supplied to the second counting unit. Illuminating means for illuminating the charging port to be charged is provided.

  According to this game medium lending device, by illuminating the medal slot for counting, even if the game medium lending device is installed in a dark place, the position where the medal should be inserted can be easily grasped. It is possible to improve the usability of the player.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while being able to simplify wiring, maintainability can be improved, and also the game media rental apparatus with a user's ease of use can be provided. In addition, it is possible to provide a game medium lending device that can save the trouble of collecting the counted medals by the hole collecting means.

(Appendix)
Conventional gaming devices have not been able to prevent unauthorized use of gaming media.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming device that prevents unauthorized use of gaming media.
A gaming apparatus according to the present invention is a gaming apparatus provided alongside a gaming machine, wherein the gaming machine lending processing unit for lending gaming media, the counting processing unit for counting gaming media, and the gaming machine provided side by side An information acquisition unit for acquiring payout information and a notification unit for performing predetermined notification, wherein the notification unit is a loan number by the loan processing unit, a payout number by the information acquisition unit, and the counting processing unit. The use of an illegal game medium is notified on the basis of the number of counts.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the present invention further includes a housing, a control board that executes handling control relating to a game medium, and a front surface portion of the first internal space of the housing that houses the control board. A first front panel that can be separated from the housing, and a second front panel that can be separated from the housing that closes the front portion of one space adjacent to either the upper or lower portion of the first internal space. A front panel; a first lock portion that locks the front portion of the one space of the first front panel to the housing in accordance with the mounting of the second front panel; and the first internal space. A third front panel that is adjacent to one of the upper and lower portions and that can be separated from the housing that closes the front surface of the other space with respect to the one space, and according to the mounting of the third front panel, The front part of the other space of the first front panel is connected to the housing. Characterized in that it comprises a second locking portion for click, the.

  Further, in addition to the above-described configuration, the present invention is provided with an opening for throwing a game medium into the counting processing unit, and a position at which the player's hand can be detected without detecting the game medium thrown into the opening. And when the detection is performed by the detection unit, the counting processing by the counting processing unit is stopped.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming apparatus that prevents unauthorized use of gaming media.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pachislot machine 20 Sand 21 Front part 22 Housing 29E Opening part 31 LED part 32 Card insertion slot 33 Bill insertion slot 34 Operation unit 35 Camera 35A Infrared LED board 35B CMOS camera 36 Non-contact IC card reader 37 Medal (game medium) payout Tray 38 speaker cover 39 medal (game media) counting slot 51 payout hopper 61 bill validator (Bill Bali)
62 Information Card Reader 63 Control Board 65 Power Supply Unit 67 I / O Board 71 Counting Hopper 81 Speaker 101 Projection Member 121 Main CPU
300 Financial Server 311 Illuminated LED Board 356 Sending Guide 500 Hall Computer 700 Settlement System 739 Medal Counting Slot 739A Opening Top 739B Inclined Surface 739E Front Wall Back 739G Rear Wall Front 740 Partition Member 800 Financial Institution System 900 Credit Card System

Claims (1)

A counting device for counting game media;
An opening for throwing game media toward the counting device;
A detection unit disposed inside the opening and capable of detecting insertion of a hand;
A discharge unit for discharging the counted game media to the outside of the device;
With
When the detection is performed by the detection unit, the operation of the counting device is stopped.