JP2018126655A - Card vending apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve maintenance properties of a printer in a card vending apparatus having a game function for printing information corresponding to game contents on a card and providing the information.SOLUTION: A card vending apparatus for discharging a card corresponding to an execution result of a game includes: an operation reception unit for receiving player's operation input; a processing unit for executing a game function according to the operation input; a printer for printing information corresponding to the execution result of the game function and discharging the information as a card; a storage unit for storing at least a printer; and a card takeout unit including a card container for housing the card discharged from the printer so as to be taken out by the player. The printer is configured slidably between a first position housed at a deep side of the storage unit and a second position withdrawn to a near side of the storage unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a card sales apparatus with a game function.

  2. Description of the Related Art A card sales apparatus that sells cards and can play a game with the sold cards is known (see Patent Document 1). There is also an apparatus that provides a card on which information corresponding to game content is printed in a game machine instead of a printed card (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2010-131076 A JP-A-7-39644

  In the case of an apparatus that prints and provides such a card, a printer is built in the apparatus, but a structure that facilitates maintenance of the printer is required.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the maintainability of a printer in a card sales apparatus with a game function that prints information according to game content and provides it as a card.

The present invention for solving the above problems is a card sales apparatus for discharging a card,
An operation accepting unit for accepting an operation input from the player;
A processing unit for executing a game function according to the operation input;
With
A printing device that prints information according to the execution result of the game function on an unprinted sheet and ejects it as a card, and stores printed cards other than the cards printed by the printing device in a stacked state and ejects them one by one And a stocker
Which of the printing apparatus and the stocker is the card discharge source is switched according to the progress of the game, the result, and / or the player's selection.

  In a card vending apparatus with a game function that provides information according to game contents by printing on a card, the maintainability of the printer can be improved.

The perspective view which shows an example of the card sales apparatus which concerns on embodiment of invention. The block diagram of the control system of the said card sales apparatus. Sectional drawing which shows an example of the cross-section of the joystick of the said card sales apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the internal structure of the said card sales apparatus. The figure for demonstrating the structural relationship of the installation stand 51 of the said card sales apparatus, and the stop and fixing mechanism 56. FIG. The figure for demonstrating the back side structure of the front door 10 of the said card sales apparatus. The figure for demonstrating the arrangement | positioning relationship between the card container 12a of the said card sales apparatus, and the printer 45. FIG. The figure for demonstrating the change of the state at the time of taking out the card | curd in the card accommodating part 12 of the said card sales apparatus. The figure explaining the case where the stocker 61 is arrange | positioned on the installation stand 51 of the said card sales apparatus.

<Outline of device>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a card sales apparatus A according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the outline of the card sales apparatus A will be described, and then the details of the structure will be described. The card sales apparatus A is a card sales apparatus with a game function that has a card sales function and a game function, and executes a game when the card is purchased.

  The card sales apparatus A is roughly divided into a main body unit 1, a display / exhibition unit 2, and an operation panel 3. The operation panel 3 is arranged on the shelf in the horizontal direction, and the display / exhibition unit 2 extends in the vertical direction. The main body 1 is L-shaped in a side view and supports the display / exhibit 2 and the operation panel 3.

  The main body 1 is provided with a front door 10 that can be opened and closed. The front door 10 is provided with an insertion portion 11 for inserting a purchase price as a consideration for the card C, and a card for taking out the card C. And an extraction unit 12. From the card removal unit 12, for example, a card C printed by a printer (printing device) that prints information according to the content of the game on an unprinted roll-shaped sheet, and cut into cards one by one, or The cards C discharged one by one can be taken out from the stocker unit that accommodates a plurality of cards in a stacked state. For example, an image of a character or the like appearing in the game, a barcode, or the like is printed on the surface of the card C by a printer. Note that the printer may include a cutting device that cuts a roll-shaped sheet one by one as a card, or the cutting device may be provided separately from the printer.

  The display / exhibition unit 2 is provided with a display unit 21 for displaying an electronic image such as a liquid crystal display device. A transparent panel is provided in front of the display unit 21 to protect the display unit 21. The display unit 21 is positioned above the operation panel 3 so that the player can easily view the image display while performing operations on the operation panel 3. The display unit 21 displays guidance regarding sales of the card C and an image for a game. The display unit 21 displays, for example, a character image corresponding to game data read from the card C. For example, when the game executed by the game function is a battle game in which a plurality of different types of characters compete and compete for victory or loss, an image of the battle game is displayed.

  On the upper surface of the operation panel 3, operation units 31R and 31L for receiving player operations are attached. In the case of the present embodiment, each of the operation units 31R and 31L includes three button type switches (operation members) 31a. In the case of the present embodiment, the operation unit 31R is provided on the upper right side of the operation panel 3 and the operation unit 31L is provided on the upper left side of the operation panel 3, respectively. The operation unit 31R can accept operations from the other player by the operation unit 31L. Further, on the operation panel 3, the attachment positions of the operation units 31R and 31L are slightly inclined below the front side (front side, player side) below the horizontal position so that the player can easily operate the operation unit.

  Further, the operation panel 3 is provided with a card insertion portion 32 that forms a card insertion slot 32a into which the card C is inserted. A reading unit 33 to be described later is provided on the back side of the card insertion slot 32a. The reading unit 33 reads game data recorded on the card C. The player can cause the reading unit 33 to read the game data by inserting the card C into the card insertion slot 32a and sliding the card C to the back side. The reading unit 33 includes a sensor corresponding to the game data recording method in the card C. For example, when the game data is recorded in the barcode format, the reading unit 33 includes an optical sensor that reads the barcode. .

  The operation panel 3 is further provided with a joystick 34. The joystick 34 is configured such that the lever 34a can be tilted 360 degrees in an arbitrary direction, and can accept a direction input according to the direction in which the lever 34a is tilted.

  Next, the configuration of the control system of the card sales apparatus A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the card sales apparatus A. The CPU 41 reads out various programs and data stored in the ROM 42 to realize a game function and a card sales function. The RAM 43 functions as a work area. As the game function, for example, a player operates a character in the game to play a battle game, trains a character according to the result of the battle, or increases fellow characters. The character information printed on the card C includes information on characters that have been nurtured and updated with various parameters, and information on fellow characters. The character information is also reflected in the content of the barcode printed on the card C.

  The audio output device 44 includes, for example, an audio circuit and a speaker, and outputs sound effects, audio messages, and the like according to an output command from the CPU 41. The coin detection unit 11a includes a sensor that detects a coin inserted into the insertion unit 11, and sends a detection signal to the CPU 41 when it detects the insertion of a regular coin. The coin may be a coin or a game coin that is lent in exchange for a coin. The printer 45 prints information (including character and background information) and a barcode according to the progress of the game on an unprinted roll sheet as a card when the game is finished or during the game. The card is ejected to the card removal unit 12.

  For example, the CPU 41 performs the following processing. First, when a coin detection signal is received from the coin detection unit 11a, a menu screen is displayed on the display unit 21. The menu screen is a screen for allowing the player to select a game to be played or for giving an instruction for causing the reading unit 33 to read the card C owned by the player. The player operates the operation unit 31R or 31L or the joystick 34 and responds to the menu screen. In addition, when playing a game, it can further be made to select whether to play alone or two.

  When the player inserts the card C into the card insertion slot 32a in accordance with the instructions on the screen and the reading unit 33 reads the card C, parameters necessary for the progress of the game (for example, physical strength, attack power, defense power, etc. regarding the character) are set. Is done. Then, a game image is displayed on the display unit 21, and processing such as determining the winning or losing based on the operation of the player on the operation unit 31R or 31L and the joystick 34 and the set parameters is performed. In the case of a one-player game, the player is a computer, and in the case of a two-player game, the player is a player, but the basic processing is the same.

  The structure of the joystick 34 is as shown in the sectional view of FIG. The joystick 34 includes a lever 34a, a pedestal 34b, and an operation detection unit 34c. The lever 34a is installed so as to be inclined at a certain angle (15 degrees in FIG. 3) toward the player with respect to the surface of the operation panel 3. As a result, the lever 34a is inclined toward the player at the initial position, so that the operability is improved. The pedestal 34 b has a shape protruding upward with respect to the surface of the operation panel 3. Thereby, the lever 34a can be made conspicuous on the operation panel 3, and interference with a printer or the like in the main body 1 can be avoided by accommodating the operation detection unit 34c in the internal space of the base 34b.

<Details of housing structure>
Next, the internal structure of the card sales apparatus A will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 9. FIG. 4 shows the internal structure when the front door 10 located in front of the main body 1 is opened. In FIG. 4, a printer 45 is installed in a main body 51 on an installation table 51 that can move back and forth in the main body. The printer 45 is a color printer, and the printing method may be either an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method. The cards C printed by the printer and cut into cards one by one are discharged from the discharge port 45a.

  A slide rail 51a is attached to the installation table 51 on a side surface parallel to the sliding direction, and the installation table 51 is slidable between the front side and the back side in the main body by the action of the slide rail 51a. The slide rail 51a includes, for example, an outer rail, an inner rail, a large number of balls, and a ball accommodating portion that accommodates the large number of balls. The outer rail and the inner rail are in contact with each other via a ball, and the inner rail is configured to be able to slide out from the outer rail. In the present embodiment, an example in which the installation base 51 itself on which the printer 45 is installed is configured to be slidable has been described, but the printer 45 itself may be configured to be slidable without providing the installation stage 51. Alternatively, the installation base 51 may be configured to be fixed, while the printer 45 itself may be configured to be slidable. As a method for configuring the printer 45 itself to be slidable, for example, there are a method for configuring the bottom plate of the printer 45 to be slidable with respect to the main body of the printer 45, and a method for providing a slide rail on the bottom surface of the printer 45.

  The stop / fixing mechanism 56 for stopping the movement of the installation base 51 and fixing it to a predetermined position includes a first position on the back side in the main body and a second position on the front side in the main body. To stop and fix each. The stop / fixing mechanism 56 includes a stopper 56a and a lock mechanism 56b. The stopper 56a is coupled to the installation table 51 to define a movable range of the installation table 51. Specifically, the movement of the installation base 51 toward the back side in the main body is restricted by the partition plate 55 coming into contact with the stopper 56a. Further, the movement toward the front side in the main body is restricted by the stopper 56a coming into contact with the lock mechanism 56b.

  Here, the structural relationship between the installation base 51 and the stop / fixing mechanism 56 will be further described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5A, an opening 51c corresponding to each of the first position and the second position is provided in the extended portion 51b of the installation base 51 where the stopper 56a is provided. The locking mechanism 56b includes an inverted L-shaped plate, and the plate 51 moves downward and is inserted into the opening 51c, thereby fixing the installation base 51 at each of the first position and the second position. be able to. The extension portion 51b of the installation table 51 moves in the front-rear direction in accordance with the movement of the installation table. However, as described above, the stopper 56a abuts on the partition plate 55 and the movement is restricted at the back side in the main unit. . Further, on the front side in the main body, the stopper 56a abuts on the lock mechanism 56b, and the movement is also restricted. FIG. 5B shows a locked state (solid line) in which the inverted L-shaped plate is inserted into the opening 51c and an unlocked state (dotted line) in which the inverted L-shaped plate is pulled out from the opening 51c.

  When the printer 45 itself is configured to be slidable, the printer 45 has a movable range corresponding to at least the distance between the first position and the second position with respect to the bottom plate or the slide rail. When the printer 45 is positioned directly above the bottom plate or the like, the printer 45 is disposed at the first position on the back side in the main body, while the printer 45 is pulled out from directly above the bottom plate or the like to the near side of the main body. If it is, it will be arranged at the second position.

  Based on the above structure, when the front door 10 is closed and the card selling apparatus A is used, the printer 45 is placed at a position corresponding to the first position in the main body. On the other hand, when maintenance is performed on the printer 45 by opening the front door 10, the printer 45 is pulled out to the front side of the main body and is placed at a position corresponding to the second position in the main body. It becomes easy to replenish a roll-shaped sheet as a recording medium and replace the cartridge.

  In addition, inside the card sales apparatus A, a personal computer (including the CPU 41, the ROM 42, and the RAM 43 in FIG. 2) for controlling the operation of the card sales apparatus A is disposed on the back side of the storage unit 52. The personal computer is connected to the display unit 21, the operation units 31R and 31L, the joystick 34, the coin detection unit 11a, the sound output device 44, the printer 45, and the control board 46, and controls these operations. In addition, the storage part of a personal computer may be provided in the back side (2nd space mentioned later) of a main body.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the coin storage unit 53 is a box for storing coins inserted from the insertion unit 11, and includes a key 53a and a lever 53b for opening and closing. The power supply unit 54 supplies power to each component in the card sales apparatus A. The partition plate 55 is a space inside the main body other than the storage unit (first space) in which the printer 45, the coin storage unit 53, and the power supply unit 54 are disposed, and the storage unit in which the control board of the card sales apparatus A is disposed. (Second space). The partition plate 55 is provided with an opening 55 a having a size capable of accommodating the printer 45 so as not to contact the rear portion of the printer 45. The card sales apparatus A can access the control board from the back side of the apparatus for maintenance, but the printer 45 is removed from the installation table 51 or the installation table 51 is slid forward. Thus, access is also possible from the opening 55a, so that maintenance efficiency is improved.

  Next, the structure of the back side of the front door 10 of the card sales apparatus A will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, the back side of the front door 10 is provided with a main body inner side structure of the card takeout part 12, a separator 57, and a coin detection part 11a. The card removal unit 12 includes a card container 12a that accommodates a card discharged from the printer 45 or the like, and the card C printed by the printer 45 is dropped onto the bottom plate 12b of the card container 12a. The card container 12a is made of stainless steel, for example, and holds the card C until the card C is collected by the player. The inner door 12c indicated by hatching is a crime prevention middle door disposed in the card container 12a. Further, the folded plate 12d is a plate-like structure folded inward at the side intersecting the front door 10 of the card container 12a, and may be made of the same material as the card container 12a. The folded plate 12d prevents the illegal act by obstructing the course when a hand or a wire enters the inside of the main body from the front opening of the card extracting unit 12 in order to access the coin detecting unit 11a for an unauthorized purpose. be able to.

  The separator 57 is also a mechanism for preventing unauthorized access to the coin detection unit 11a, and can prevent the illegal activity by obstructing the path to the coin detection unit 11a. Since the coin detection unit 11a itself is not a main characteristic element of the invention, the detailed structure is omitted in FIG. 5 and is simply shown as a box. The coin that has passed through the coin detection unit 11 a is stored in the above-described coin storage unit 53.

  Next, the positional relationship between the card container 12a and the printer 45 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A shows the relationship between the card container 12a and the printer when the front door 10 is closed. In this state, the card container 12a is located directly under the discharge port 45a of the printer 45. Therefore, when the card C discharged from the printer 45 is dropped as it is by gravity, it is stored in the card container 12a. In the state of FIG. 7A, the card container 12a and the printer 45 are close to each other. At this time, the installation base 51 on which the printer 45 is installed is the first on the back side in the main body. It is in the state stopped at the position of. Further, it is assumed that the printer 45 is installed at the very end of the front side of the installation table 51. Therefore, in order to close the front door 10, it is necessary to move the installation base 51 to the first position on the back side in the main body. In the first position, since the lock mechanism 56b is locked, the installation base 51 is pushed to the first position which is the lock position, and the printer is stored in the main body.

  Next, FIG. 7B shows the relationship between the card container 12a and the printer with the front door 10 opened. In this state, as the front door 10 is opened, the card container 12a is positioned away from the nearest position of the printer 45, and a space is created in front of the printer 45. As a result, the installation base 51 can be pulled forward and moved to the second position. In FIG. 7B, the positions of the printer 45 and the installation table 51 at the first position are indicated by dotted lines, and the positions of the printer 45 and the installation table 51 at the second position are indicated by solid lines. In this state, the maintenance of the printer 45 can be easily performed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the change of the state at the time of taking out the card | curd in the card accommodating part 12 is demonstrated. FIG. 8 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the card container 12a taken along the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 7A when viewed in the arrow direction. In FIG. 8A, a card C is present on the bottom plate 12b of the card container 12a. Since the player has not yet come to collect the cards, both the inner door 12c and the outer door 12e located outside the card storage portion 12 (the front side of the front door 10) are in a closed state. Next, in FIG. 8B, the player accesses the card C by opening the outer door 12e in the front direction of the main body and inserting a hand into the card container 12a and pushing the inner door 12c in the rear direction of the main body. It is possible. The inner door 12c and the outer door 12e can be rotated by a rotating shaft 12f.

  Next, the case where the stocker 61 is arranged on the installation base 51 instead of the printer 45 will be described with reference to FIG. The stocker 61 can store a plurality of printed cards in a stacked state and discharge them one by one. The discharged card C is dropped into the card container 12a. FIG. 9 shows an example in which two stockers 61 are installed, and it is desirable that each stocker 61 occupies at least the same area as the printer or is smaller than the printer. This makes it possible to use the installation table 51 in common. Therefore, when the card is replenished to the stocker 61, the installation table 51 can be pulled out to the second position, so that the card replenishment work can be performed more efficiently. The stocker 61 and the printer 45 may be provided side by side. In that case, the card C on which information corresponding to the game execution result is printed is ejected from the printer 45, and the printed card C is ejected from the stocker 61. Can be switched according to at least one of the progress and result of the game and the player's selection.

The present invention for solving the above problems is a card sales apparatus with a game function ,
An operation accepting unit for accepting an operation input from the player;
A processing unit for executing a game function according to the operation input ;
A printing device for discharging the card to print the information corresponding to the game sheet,
A stocker for discharging printed cards other than the cards printed by the printing device ;
A card accommodating portion for accommodating the card;
With
The storage unit stores cards ejected from the printing apparatus and cards ejected from the stocker .

Claims (4)

A card sales device for discharging a card,
An operation accepting unit for accepting an operation input from the player;
A processing unit for executing a game function according to the operation input;
With
A printing device that prints information according to the execution result of the game function on an unprinted sheet and ejects it as a card, and stores printed cards other than the cards printed by the printing device in a stacked state and ejects them one by one And a stocker
Which of the printing apparatus and the stocker is a card discharge source is switched according to at least one of a game progress status, a result, and a player's selection. A storage unit for storing the printing apparatus and the stocker;
2. The printing apparatus and the stocker are configured to be slidable between a first position stored on the back side of the storage unit and a second position drawn on the front side of the storage unit. The card sales device described in 1. The printing apparatus and stocker are installed on an installation table in the storage unit,
The card sales apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the installation table is configured to be able to slide the printing apparatus and the stocker between the first position and the second position.   The card stocking apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the stocker occupies a smaller area than the printer.

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