JP2019162246A - Token selection device and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a token selection device and a game machine that can detect an accumulated matter in a token path and enhance security.SOLUTION: A token selection device (100) for selecting tokens passing through a token path (20) includes a plurality of sensor units (21) each having a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The plurality of sensor units (21) are embedded along the flow path direction of the token path (20), and the sensor surfaces of the plurality of sensor units (21) are arranged in the token path (20) in an exposed manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a medal sorting device and a gaming machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a rotating game machine, a medal sorting device that sorts and counts inserted medals is used. The medal sorting device outputs a signal indicating whether or not a shield such as a medal has passed the detection position, and based on the output, determines whether or not a regular medal has passed on the gaming machine side and counts the medal. Is going.

  As such a medal sorting device, a sensor device including a passage detection sensor that detects the passage of a medal by reflecting light emitted from a light emitting element by a reflecting plate to change the traveling direction of the light and receiving the medal (for example, Patent Documents). 1) is proposed.

  However, in the inserted medal sorting device of Patent Document 1, since the sensor is in a detection state by directly blocking the optical axis from the light emitting element, it is assumed that the medal has passed through the gaming machine by an unauthorized device without inserting the medal. The fraud that is recognized is a problem.

  In order to prevent this fraud, an acceptance detection piece is placed near the insertion slot of the medal sorting device, and when the illegal instrument is inserted from the insertion slot, the acceptance detection piece is kept closed so that Something that detects insertion has been proposed. (See, for example, Patent Document 2).

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of a conventionally proposed medal sorting device. As shown in FIG. 13, in the medal sorting device, the medal path 20 is formed by the board part 10 and the rail part 50, and the medal 60 moving along the medal path 20 is detected by the sensor device 30 arranged on the back side of the board part 10. To do. Further, a foreign object detection unit 25 is disposed on the medal passage 20 on the side where the medal 60 is inserted. In addition, a movable guide portion 40 that guides the upper end portion of the passing medal 60 is disposed in the upper portion of the medal passage 20.
The sensor device 30 is arranged on the back side of the substrate unit 10 and can detect the presence or absence of a detection target medal 60 that passes through the medal passage 20. The foreign object detection unit 25 can detect the insertion of the foreign object by continuing the closed state of the lever when the unauthorized device is inserted from the insertion port. In the medal sorting device, it is determined whether the medal is a genuine medal 60 according to the detection result of the foreign object detection unit 25 or the sensor device 30, and the medal 60 is discharged by opening and closing the guide unit 40.

JP 2002-248210 A JP 2009-189647 A

  In these conventional techniques, there is a foreign object detection unit 25 in the vicinity of the insertion port, and it is possible to detect a fraudulent act by inserting a long illegal instrument. If the medal passage 20 downstream from the foreign object detection unit 25 stays, there is a problem that the presence of the instrument cannot be detected. The present invention was devised to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medal sorting device and a gaming machine that can detect a stay in a medal passage and improve security.

  In order to solve the above problems, a medal sorting device of the present invention is a medal sorting device that sorts medals that pass through a medal passage, and a medal sorting device that sorts medals that pass through a medal passage. And a plurality of sensor portions each including a light receiving element, wherein a plurality of the sensor portions are embedded along a flow path direction of the medal passage, and sensor surfaces of the plurality of sensor portions are disposed so as to be exposed to the medal passage. It is characterized by.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of sensor units include surface-mounted terminals, and the terminals are electrically connected by a wiring layer formed on the back side of the medal path.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the interval between the sensor portions in the flow path direction is not less than 33% and not more than 40% of the diameter of the medal.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of sensor units are arranged in the width direction of the medal passage.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the interval between the sensor portions in the width direction is not less than 40% and not more than 45% of the diameter of the medal.

  In addition, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes the sensor device according to any one of the above inventions.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medal sorting device and a gaming machine that can detect a stay in a medal passage and improve security.

It is a schematic plan view which shows the outline | summary of the medal selection apparatus 100 concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the medal sorting device 100 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view at the AA position in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (b) is a BB position in FIG. FIG. FIG. 3 is a process diagram schematically illustrating a method for manufacturing the sensor device 30 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing how a medal 60 passes through a medal passage 20 of the medal sorting device 100. It is a schematic diagram which expands and shows the mode at the time of the medal 60 passing in front of the several sensor part 21. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the signal detection when the medal 60 passes separately, Fig.6 (a) is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of the medal 60 and S1-S9, FIG.6 (b) is S1-. It is a timing chart which shows the signal in S9. It is a figure for demonstrating the signal detection when the medal 60 passes continuously, Fig.7 (a) is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of the medal 60 and S1-S9, FIG.7 (b) is S1. It is a timing chart which shows the signal in -S9. FIG. 8A is a diagram for explaining signal detection when the medal 60 stays at a predetermined position. FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the medal 60 and S1 to S9, and FIG. It is a timing chart which shows the signal in -S9. It is a figure for demonstrating the signal detection when the unusually shaped instrument 70 is inserted in the medal passage 20, and Fig.9 (a) is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of the irregularly shaped instrument 70 and S1-S9. 9 (b) is a timing chart showing signals in S1 to S9. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the medal sorting device 100 according to the first embodiment. It is a schematic plan view which shows the outline | summary of the medal selection apparatus 110 concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a schematic cross section which shows the outline | summary of the medal selection apparatus 120 concerning Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the outline | summary of the medal selection apparatus proposed conventionally.

<Embodiment 1>
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an outline of a medal sorting device 100 according to the present embodiment. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the medal sorting device 100 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view at the position AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (b) is a cross-sectional view of FIG. It is a schematic cross section in a BB position. As shown in FIG. 13, the medal sorting device 100 includes a substrate portion 10, a medal passage 20, a sensor device 30, a guide portion 40, and a rail portion 50.

  The board portion 10 is made of a resin with which the medal passage 20 is integrally formed, and is a member for holding the sensor device 30, the guide portion 40, and the rail portion 50. The material which comprises the board | substrate part 10 is not specifically limited, Resin used for the housing | casing and board | substrate of a normal electronic device can be used, It is preferable to use what can be injection-molded so that it may mention later. As the resin material, a known material such as a photo-curing type, a thermosetting type, or a thermoplastic type can be used. Specific examples of the resin material constituting the substrate unit 10 include an epoxy resin, a polycarbonate resin, and an ABS resin.

  The medal passage 20 is a medal flow path formed at a predetermined position of the substrate section 10 from the medal insertion slot IN to the medal removal outlet OUT, and a plurality of sensor sections 21 are embedded along the flow path direction. The medal passage 20 includes a medal abutment portion 22a, a concave portion 22b, and a side surface portion 22c. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the medal slot IN is provided above the medal sorting device 100 (upward in the drawing), and the medal outlet OUT is provided at the side (lower right in the drawing). The medal passage 20 is formed to extend vertically downward from the medal insertion port IN, then bend with a predetermined curvature, and linearly extend to the medal outlet OUT with a substantially constant inclination angle.

  The medal abutment portion 22a is a portion configured by a substantially flat surface area in the vicinity of the side surface portion 22c and a linear protrusion upper surface formed along the flow path between the recesses 22b. The medal abutting portion 22 a abuts against one surface of the medal passing through the medal passage 20 and supports the medal sliding or rotating along the flow path of the medal passage 20.

  The concave portion 22b is a concave portion formed between the medal contact portions 22a, and is formed thinner than the medal contact portion 22a. Further, the sensor surface of the sensor unit 21 embedded in the substrate unit 10 is exposed from the bottom surface of the recess 22b. In the present embodiment, since the sensor surface of the sensor unit 21 is exposed from the recess 22b, the light reception / emission of the sensor unit 21 is not hindered by the resin of the substrate unit 10. The side surface portion 22c is a wall surface standing on both sides of the flow path of the medal passage 20, and the region sandwiched between the two side surface portions 22c is formed slightly wider than a regular medal.

  The sensor unit 21 is an electronic component in which a pair of a light emitting element 21 a and a light receiving element 21 b are integrated and provided with a surface mount type terminal, and is embedded in the medal passage 20. The light emitting surface of the light emitting element 21 a and the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 21 b constitute a sensor surface of the sensor unit 21. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of sensor units 21 are arranged in the medal passage 20 in the direction along the flow path and in the width direction of the flow path. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the terminals are exposed from the back side of the substrate unit 10 on the back side of the sensor unit 21, and the respective terminals are exposed on the back side of the substrate unit 10. Are electrically connected by the wiring layer 23.

  In the sensor unit 21, infrared light is emitted when a voltage is applied to the light emitting element 21a via the wiring layer 23, and a voltage is generated when the infrared light is incident on the light receiving element 21b. Therefore, when a detection object such as a medal is present in front of the sensor surface of the sensor unit 21, infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 21 a is reflected by the detection object and enters the light receiving element 21 b, and passes through the wiring layer 23. Thus, the voltage change is output, and the presence or absence of the detection target can be detected.

  The wiring layer 23 is a wiring pattern formed on the back side of the substrate unit 10, and configures a circuit by electrically connecting the terminals of the plurality of sensor units 21. The wiring layer 23 can be formed by metal vapor deposition, photolithography, or the like, but it is preferable to use a method in which conductive ink is applied to the back surface of the substrate portion 10 by an inkjet printing apparatus and cured. One end of the wiring layer 23 is connected to a control unit (not shown), and the medal sorting device 100 is driven and controlled based on a predetermined program by a calculation means included in the control unit.

  2A and 2B show an example in which the wiring layer 23 is formed in a linear shape along the flow path. However, the circuit is configured by connecting the terminals in the plurality of sensor units 21. FIG. Any pattern can be used. The insulating protective film 24 is made of an insulating material such as a resist and covers at least the wiring layer 23 to ensure electrical insulation.

  The sensor device 30 is a detection device prepared separately from the sensor unit 21 as necessary. As described later, the sensor device 30 can be omitted by detecting medals using a plurality of sensor units 21. The guide portion 40 is a member that switches between passing and discharging of the medal 60 by opening and closing a lever that contacts the upper end of the medal passing through the medal passage 20 as necessary. The rail portion 50 is a metal member that forms the lower end of the medal passage 20.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the medal sorting device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a process diagram schematically showing a method for manufacturing the sensor device 30 according to the present embodiment. In this manufacturing method, a resin structure technique in which electronic parts similar to those described in JP-A-2015-207703 are embedded can be used.

  First, a temporary holding substrate 11 is prepared as shown in FIG. The temporary holding substrate 11 is a sheet-like member, and is preferably made of a material that transmits ultraviolet rays and has flexibility, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), and PPS (polyphenylene sulfide). Can be used. Further, an ultraviolet curable adhesive layer (not shown) is formed on one surface of the temporary holding substrate 11.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the sensor unit 21 is disposed on the adhesive layer of the temporary holding substrate 11 so as to be in a predetermined position, and the surface mount type terminal is brought into contact with the adhesive layer side. In order to simplify the explanation, only one sensor unit 21 is shown in FIG. After positioning the sensor unit 21, the adhesive layer is cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays from the temporary holding substrate 11 side, and the sensor unit 21 is fixed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the temporary holding substrate 11 to which the sensor unit 21 is fixed is accommodated in the mold 12. Next, as shown in FIG. 3D, a resin material is poured into the mold 12 by a known injection molding technique or the like, and the resin material is cured to form the substrate portion 10. At this time, the shape of the mold 12 corresponds to the shape of the substrate portion 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and corresponds to the medal contact portion 22a and the recess 22b. The sensor surface of the sensor unit 21 is in contact with the mold 12 at a position corresponding to the recess 22 b, and the sensor unit 21 is sandwiched between the temporary holding substrate 11 and the mold 12.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3E, the temporary holding substrate 11 and the mold 12 are removed, and the back surface of the substrate portion 10 is exposed. Finally, as shown in FIG. 3 (f), the conductive layer is printed on the back surface of the substrate portion 10 using an ink jet printing apparatus to form the wiring layer 23, and the sensor portion 21 exposed from the back surface of the substrate portion 10 is formed. Connect the terminals electrically. After the printing and curing of the conductive ink is completed, a resist is applied to the back surface of the substrate unit 10 to form the insulating protective film 24.

  In the medal sorting device 100 according to the present embodiment, the wiring layer 23 is formed with conductive ink on the back surface of the substrate unit 10 and is covered with the insulating protective film 24. Therefore, an attempt is made to solder a new electronic circuit or wiring. Then, the substrate unit 10 is damaged and the medal sorting device 100 is broken. As a result, it is possible to improve the degree of difficulty of modifying an illegal act in which a new electronic circuit or wiring is added and an erroneous detection result is output.

  In addition, by providing the medal passage 20 with the recess 22b and exposing the sensor surface of the sensor unit 21 from the bottom surface of the recess 22b, the resin of the substrate unit 10 does not prevent the sensor unit 21 from receiving and emitting light. Further, it is not necessary to individually package the light emitting element 21a, the light receiving element 21b, the case and the like without using a circuit board. Furthermore, since the sensor unit 21 is disposed on the temporary holding substrate 11 and the wiring layer 23 is formed by printing conductive ink, the position of each element can be freely changed. Therefore, the freedom degree of the position which arrange | positions the sensor part 21 among the medal selection apparatuses 100 becomes high, and it becomes easy to change arrangement | positioning for every customer or a model, for example.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing how the medal 60 passes through the medal passage 20 of the medal sorting device 100. The medal 60 inserted from the medal insertion slot IN moves along the medal contact portion 22a, the side surface portion 22c and the rail portion 50 of the medal passage 20, and is taken out from the medal outlet OUT. At this time, since the medal 60 sequentially blocks the front of the plurality of sensor portions 21 exposed from the concave portions 22b of the medal passage 20, the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 21a is reflected by the medal 60 and enters the light receiving element 21b. Therefore, the light receiving element 21 b which is a phototransistor is turned on, and a Hi signal is output through the wiring layer 23. Further, when there is no detection target such as a medal, a Low signal is output through the wiring layer 23.

  In FIG. 4, the tip of the guide portion 40 abuts in the vicinity of the upper end of the medal 60, and the medal 60 is sandwiched between the medal abutting portion 22 a and the guide portion 40 of the medal passage 20. Although not shown in FIG. 4, an oscillator unit is disposed so as to face the substrate unit 10, and the medal contact unit similar to the medal contact unit 22 a is provided on the oscillator unit. As a result, the medal 60 is sandwiched between the medal abutting portion of the oscillator portion and the medal abutting portion 22a of the board portion 10 except in the region where the guide portion 40 is disposed. Therefore, the medal 60 passes between the medal abutting portion of the oscillator portion and the medal abutting portion 22a of the board portion 10 and between the medal abutting portion 22a of the medal passage 20 and the guide portion 40, and then takes out the medal outlet. Reach up to OUT.

  When a medal is not received, the guide unit 40 is driven to open by a driving unit disposed on the back side of the substrate unit 10, and the medal 60 is moved by the inclination of the medal contact portion 22 a with respect to the paper surface direction in the drawing. It is removed from the medal passage 20 and discharged from an opening provided in the oscillator portion.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view showing a state when the medal 60 passes in front of the plurality of sensor units 21. In the drawing, the sensor unit 21 hidden behind the medal 60 is drawn with a broken line through the medal 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the nine sensor units 21 included in the peripheral area of the medal 60 are represented by S1 to S9, respectively. The sensor units 21 are arranged at intervals A in the order of (S1, S4, S7), (S2, S5, S8), (S3, S6, S9) along the flow path direction of the medal passage 20, (S1, S2, S3), (S4, S5, S6), and (S7, S8, S9) are arranged at intervals B in the width direction of the medal passage 20. Further, S 2, S 5, S 8 of the sensor unit 21 are positioned at the center of the three rows of sensor units 21, and are positioned at the center of the medal 60 when the lower end of the medal 60 moves along the rail unit 50. Are arranged as follows.

  In FIG. 5, an example in which the plurality of sensor units 21 are arranged over the entire surface of the medal passage 20 is shown, but the plurality of sensor units 21 may be arranged in a partial region of the medal passage 20. For example, by disposing a plurality of sensor units 21 immediately in front of the sensor device 30, the distance from the medal slot IN to the sensor unit 21 is ensured, and the difficulty level of fraudulent acts by inserting unauthorized tools is increased. Can be improved.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining signal detection when the medals 60 individually pass, and FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the medals 60 and S1 to S9. ) Is a timing chart showing signals in S1 to S9. As shown in FIG. 6A, the medals 60 move along the medal path 20 one by one at intervals in the direction of the arrows. In S <b> 1 to S <b> 9 of the sensor unit 21, as shown in FIG. 6B, the Hi signal continues while the medal 60 covers the sensor surface, and the Low signal continues during other times.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, when the medal 60 passes, from the upstream side of the medal passage 20 (S1, S2, S3), (S4, S5, S6), (S7, S8, S9) of the sensor unit 21. Hi signals in this order. At this time, detection times in S2, S5, and S8 for detecting the center of the medal 60 are longer than those in S1, S4, and S7 for detecting the upper end of the medal 60 and S3, S6, and S9 for detecting the lower end. Further, the end of the time when the Hi signal becomes the Hi signal at the upstream side S2 overlaps with the beginning of the time when the Hi signal becomes the downstream side S8, and there is a time when the three signals S2, S5 and S8 become the Hi signal at the same time. ing.

  The speed at which the medal 60 passes through each sensor unit 21 depends on the inclination angle of the rail unit 50 and the like, but the medal 60 is normal depending on the ratio of the duration of the Hi signal in S1 to S9 of the sensor unit 21. It is possible to determine whether the product is a product. Further, the Hi signal when the first medal 60 passes and the Hi signal when the second medal 60 passes are separated according to the interval through which the medal 60 passes, and each other. The medal 60 can be detected independently.

  The interval A along the flow path direction of each sensor unit 21 shown in FIG. 5 is, for example, 10 mm when the diameter of the medal 60 is φ25 mm, and corresponds to 40% of the diameter of the medal 60. A preferable range of the interval A is 33% or more and 40% or less of the diameter of the regular medal 60. When the interval A is within this range, there is a time during which S2, S5, and S8 of the sensor unit 21 are simultaneously covered with the medal 60 and the Hi signal is output when the medal 60 passes. Further, when one medal 60 passes, the four sensor units 21 along the flow path direction do not output Hi signals at the same time.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining signal detection when the medal 60 passes continuously. FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between the medal 60 and S1 to S9. b) is a timing chart showing signals in S1 to S9. As shown in FIG. 7A, the medal 60 moves continuously in the direction of the arrow in the figure along the medal path 20 without a gap. In S <b> 1 to S <b> 9 of the sensor unit 21, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the Hi signal continues during the time when the medal 60 covers the sensor surface, and the Low signal continues during other times.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when two medals 60 are consecutive, in S2, S5 and S8 located at the center of the medal 60, the Hi signal continues until the two medals 60 have passed. To do. In S1, S4, and S7 for detecting the upper end of the medal 60, and S3, S6, and S9 for detecting the lower end, the Hi signal when the first medal 60 passes and the Hi signal when the second medal 60 passes. In the meantime, there is a time for a Low signal. Therefore, even when the Hi signal is detected longer than one medal 60 by the sensor unit 21 (S2, S5, S8), the Hi signal at (S1, S4, S7) and (S3, S6, S9). It is possible to determine whether or not the medal 60 is a genuine product based on whether the ratio of the low signal corresponds to the interval between the regular medals 60.

  5 is 10.8 mm when the diameter of the medal 60 is φ25 mm, for example, and corresponds to 43.3% of the diameter of the medal 60. A preferable range of the interval A is 40% or more and 45% or less of the diameter of the regular medal 60. When the interval B is within this range, when the medal 60 passes continuously in S1, S3, S4, S6, S7, and S9 of the sensor unit 21 that detects the upper and lower ends of the medal 60, the Hi signal and the Low The pulse width of the signal is close to 1: 1. If the pulse width of either the Hi signal or the Low signal becomes too short, it becomes difficult to distinguish between false detections due to chattering. Therefore, the pulse width of the Hi signal and the Low signal approaches 1: 1 so that chattering Confusion can be prevented.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining signal detection when the medal 60 stays at a predetermined position. FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between the medal 60 and S1 to S9. b) is a timing chart showing signals in S1 to S9. As shown in FIG. 8A, the medal 60 that has moved through the medal passage 20 stays on the way. In S <b> 1 to S <b> 9 of the sensor unit 21, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the Hi signal continues during the time when the medal 60 covers the sensor surface, and the Low signal continues during other times.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, in S1 and S3 through which the medal 60 has passed, the signal is Low after the Hi signal. However, in S2, S4, S5, S6, and S8 where the sensor surface is still covered by the medal 60 remaining, the Hi signal continues without being a Low signal after the Hi signal. Further, in S7 and S9 where the medal 60 has not reached, the Low signal continues and does not become the Hi signal.

  At this time, by comparing the time when the Hi signal continues in S1 and S3 with the timing when the Hi signal is generated in S2, S4, S5, S6, and S8, the staying object is a genuine medal 60. It is also possible to determine whether it exists. Therefore, among S1 to S9 of the sensor unit 21, when there are a plurality of signals in which the Hi signal continues and the signal detection corresponds to the genuine medal 60, the medal 60 stays in the medal passage 20. Can be detected. It is also possible to detect non-circular stagnants and irregular medals.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining signal detection when the irregularly shaped instrument 70 is inserted into the medal passage 20, and FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the irregularly shaped instrument 70 and S1 to S9. FIG. 9B is a timing chart showing signals in S1 to S9. As shown in FIG. 9A, the irregularly shaped instrument 70 is inserted into the medal passage 20 and stays on the way. In S <b> 1 to S <b> 9 of the sensor unit 21, as shown in FIG. 9B, the Hi signal continues during the time when the irregularly shaped instrument 70 covers the sensor surface, and the Low signal continues during other times.

  As shown in FIG. 9a), in S2, S5, and S8 covered with the irregularly shaped instrument 70, the Hi signal continues without being a Low signal after the Hi signal. In S1, S3, S4, S6, S7, and S9 where the irregularly shaped device 70 has not reached, the Hi signal is not continued and the Low signal continues. Therefore, when there are a plurality of S1 to S9 of the sensor unit 21 in which the Hi signal continues and there are those that do not become the Hi signal, the irregularly shaped instrument 70 is inserted in the medal passage 20. Can be detected. The pattern of the Hi signal detected in S1 to S9 varies depending on the shape of the irregularly shaped device 70. However, if the Hi signal continues in any case, the irregularly shaped device 70 can be detected.

  5 to 9 show an example in which nine sensor units 21 are used, but a plurality of sensor units 21 embedded in the medal path 20 can be used to determine the combination pattern of Hi signals and Low signals. The number and specific arrangement of 21 are not limited. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the passage of the medal 60 from the medal insertion port IN to the medal removal port OUT may be always grasped using all of the sensor units 21 arranged over the entire area of the medal passage 20.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the medal sorting device 100 in the present embodiment. Here, detection and operation using S1 to S9 of the sensor unit 21 as shown in FIGS. For these operations, information processing means and a storage device are used, and each unit is controlled according to a program prepared in advance. The medal sorting device 100 and the information processing means are connected so that information communication is possible, and the detection result in the medal sorting device 100 is transmitted to the information processing means, and a control signal from the information processing means is sent to the medal sorting device 100. Communicated.

  First, in step 1, a plate-like object is inserted into the medal insertion slot IN of the medal sorting device 100. The plate-like object is an object having a thickness equal to or less than the distance between the medal abutting portion of the oscillator portion and the medal abutting portion 22a of the substrate portion 10, for example, a medal 60 having a thickness of 2.3 mm or less, an illegal instrument, or the like. It is done.

  Next, in step 2, it is determined whether or not the sensor unit 21 at the S2 position, which is the head in the center in the width direction of the medal passage 20, is blocked and becomes an ON signal (Hi signal). If it is an ON signal, the process proceeds to Step 3, and if it is not an ON signal, the process proceeds to Step 8.

  In step S3, it is determined whether the sensor unit 21 at the positions of S1 and S3 is blocked and at the same time is an ON signal (Hi signal). Here, the ON signal at the same time means a case where the difference in timing when both signals become ON signals is, for example, 10 milliseconds or less. If both signals are ON signals at the same time, the process proceeds to step 4. If they are not simultaneously ON signals, the process proceeds to step 8.

  In step 4, it is determined whether or not the sensor unit 21 at the S5 position is blocked and becomes an ON signal. If the signal is an ON signal, the process proceeds to step 5; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 8.

  In step 5, it is determined whether the ON signal of the sensor unit 21 at the S1 position is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time. The predetermined time is a time required for the passage of the medal 60 determined by the inclination angle of the medal passage 20, and is set to, for example, 50 milliseconds or less. If it is less than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step 6, and if it exceeds the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step 9.

  In step 6, it is determined whether the ON signal of the sensor unit 21 at the S3 position is equal to or shorter than a predetermined time. The predetermined time is set to, for example, 50 milliseconds or less. If it is less than the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step 7, and if it exceeds the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step 9.

  In step 7, the information processing means recognizes that the inserted plate-like object is the medal 60, and then returns to step 1. In step 8, the information processing means recognizes that the inserted plate-like object is not the medal 60, and the process proceeds to step 10. In step 9, the information processing means recognizes that the inserted plate-like object is a stay and moves to step 10.

  In step 10, the information processing unit generates an error signal and proceeds to step 11. In step 11, an error signal is sent to the gaming machine control board provided on the gaming machine side, the error is notified, and the control is terminated.

  As described above, in the medal sorting device 100 of the present embodiment and the gaming machine using the medal sorting device, it is possible to detect a stay in the medal passage 20 and improve security.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The description overlapping with that of the first embodiment is omitted. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing an outline of the medal sorting device 110 according to the present embodiment. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the sensor unit 21 is arranged only in a region near the medal insertion slot IN in the medal passage 20.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of sensor units 21 can be arranged as shown in FIG. 11 and used instead of the conventional foreign matter detection unit 25 shown in FIG. Since the plurality of sensor units 21 are arranged in non-contact with the medal 60, it is possible to improve durability compared to the mechanical foreign object detection unit 25.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The description overlapping with that of the first embodiment is omitted. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an outline of the medal sorting device 120 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, after the wiring layer 23 is formed on the normal circuit board 13, the plurality of sensor units 21 are mounted on the circuit board 13 and electrically connected to the wiring layer 23. In addition, the sensor unit 21 is disposed in the opening 14 formed in the substrate unit 10 so that the sensor surface of the sensor unit 21 is exposed from the medal path 20.

  Also in this embodiment, since the sensor surface of the sensor unit 21 is exposed to the medal path 20 through the opening 14, the light reception / emission of the sensor unit 21 is not hindered by the resin of the substrate unit 10. Further, it is not necessary to individually package the light emitting element 21a, the light receiving element 21b, the case, and the like.

  In addition, embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration in all the points, Comprising: It does not become the basis of limited interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted only by the above-described embodiments, but is defined based on the description of the scope of claims. Moreover, all the changes within the meaning and range equivalent to a claim are included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100,110,120 ... Medal selection apparatus 10 ... Board | substrate part 20 ... Medal passage 30 ... Sensor apparatus 40 ... Guide part 50 ... Rail part 60 ... Medal-shaped instrument 11 ... Temporary holding | maintenance board | substrate 12 ... Mold 13 ... Circuit board DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Opening part 21 ... Sensor part 21a ... Light emitting element 21b ... Light receiving element 22a ... Medal contact part 22b ... Concave part 22c ... Side surface part 23 ... Wiring layer 24 ... Insulating protective film 25 ... Foreign object detection part

Claims (6)

A medal sorting device for sorting medals passing through a medal passage,
A plurality of sensor units including a light emitting element and a light receiving element are provided.
A plurality of the sensor parts are embedded along the flow path direction of the medal passage,
A medal sorting device, wherein sensor surfaces of the plurality of sensor portions are arranged so as to be exposed in the medal passage. The medal sorting device according to claim 1,
The medal sorting device, wherein the plurality of sensor units include surface-mounted terminals, and the terminals are electrically connected by a wiring layer formed on the back side of the medal passage. The medal sorting device according to claim 1 or 2,
The medal sorting device, wherein an interval between the sensor portions in the flow path direction is not less than 33% and not more than 40% of a diameter of the medal. The medal sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The medal sorting device, wherein the plurality of sensor units are arranged in the width direction of the medal passage. The medal sorting device according to claim 4,
The medal sorting device, wherein an interval between the sensor portions in the width direction is not less than 40% and not more than 45% of a diameter of the medal.   A gaming machine comprising the medal sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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