JP2022155006A - Prize putout system, prize putout device, and prize putout method in prize putout device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a prize putout system, a prize putout device, and a prize putout method in the prize putout device capable of improving ease of use regarding putout of a prize.SOLUTION: A prize putout device 1 for composing a prize putout system 100 includes: a putout area to which a prize is put out; a storage part 12 for storing a prize; a POS control part 61A for generating putout information for a prize to be put out; and a putout control part 61B for putting out a prize in the storage part to the putout area. The putout control part 61B confirms stock to be put out within the storage part 12 on the basis of putout information by receiving putout information. When the confirmation result satisfies a predetermined condition, the putout control part 61B puts out a putout object to the putout area. When a confirmation result of the putout control part 61B does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the POS control part 61A reports that prizes need to be replenished to the storage part 12 before starting to put out a putout object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a prize payout system, a prize payout device, and a prize payout method in the prize payout device.

The prize payout system disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a prize payout machine as an example of a prize payout device that pays out prizes to be exchanged for game media such as pachinko balls, and a prize that sends a prize payout instruction to the prize payout machine. Including management machine. The payout instruction includes information on the prizes to be paid out, that is, the types of prizes to be paid out and the number of each type. The prize dispensing machine includes a storage section for storing prizes and a main body for storing the storage section. The storage unit includes a delivery unit that delivers the prize and a payout unit, and the payout unit is loaded with the prize delivered by the payout unit. A payout port is provided on the top plate of the main body just above the storage section. In the storage section, after the prize delivered by the delivery section is placed on the payout section, the payout section rises and the prize on the payout section is delivered to the payout opening. The prize dispensing machine can be used for a hand-delivery operation in which a store clerk takes out a prize from a payout port and hands it to a player, and a self-service operation in which a player takes out a prize by himself/herself from the payout port.

JP 2020-25822 A

Although it is not described in Patent Document 1, the conventional prize payout device provides prizes to be paid out according to payout instructions even if there is a shortage of prizes to be paid out (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "payout targets") in the storage unit. to start paying out Therefore, if there are no prizes to be paid out in the storage section before all the necessary prizes are paid out, the prize payout device will be down due to an error or the like, and the payout of prizes will be interrupted. In this case, subsequent recovery processing is troublesome. In particular, in the case of self-operation, if a player leaves the prize payout device that has interrupted the payout of prizes and leaves, recovery processing becomes even more troublesome in order to deal with unpaid prizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a prize payout system, a prize payout device, and a prize payout method in the prize payout device that can improve the usability of the prize payout. .

The present invention comprises a prize payout device including a payout area for paying out prizes, a storage section for storing prizes, a payout section for paying out the prizes in the storage section to the payout area, and payout information about the prizes to be paid out. and a confirming unit that receives the payout information and confirms the stock to be paid out in the storage unit based on the payout information, wherein the confirmation result of the confirming unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the payout unit pays out the payout object to the payout area, and if the confirmation result does not satisfy the predetermined condition, prior to the start of payout of the payout object, the payout unit puts the payout object into the storage unit A prize payout system including a notification unit for notifying that a prize replenishment is required.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the payout unit pays out the payout object to the payout area when prizes are replenished in the storage unit after the start of notification by the notification unit.

In the prize payout system of the present invention, when the confirmation result of the plurality of prize payout devices and the first prize payout device does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the payout of the payout target is delayed to the second prize payout device. and a request unit for requesting the prize dispensing device.

Further, in the present invention, the payout information includes specific information specifying the prize to be paid out and number information about the number of the prizes to be paid out, and when the confirmation unit receives the specific information, It is characterized by starting confirmation of the inventory of the delivery target in the storage unit.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the predetermined condition is that there are enough prizes to be paid out in the storage section.

The present invention comprises a payout area where prizes are paid out, a storage unit for storing prizes, a generating unit for generating payout information about prizes to be paid out, and a payout target in the storage unit for receiving the payout information. a confirming unit for confirming inventory based on the disbursement information; a dispensing unit for distributing the disbursed object in the storage unit to the disbursing area when the confirmation result of the confirming unit satisfies a predetermined condition; and a notification unit that notifies that the storing unit needs to be replenished with prizes prior to starting the payout of the payout object when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

The present invention provides a prize payout method for a prize payout device including a payout area for paying out prizes, a storage section for storing prizes, and a payout section for paying out the prizes in the storage section to the payout area. a generation step of generating payout information about the prize, a confirmation step of receiving the payout information and confirming the inventory of the payout object in the storage unit based on the payout information, and the confirmation result of the confirmation step a payout step of paying out the payout object to the payout area by the payout unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied; and a notification step of notifying that the prize needs to be replenished to the prize payout device.

According to the present invention, when the payout information about the prize to be paid out is generated, the confirmation unit receives this payout information and checks the inventory of the payout object in the storage unit of the prize payout device based on the payout information. . In the prize payout device, the payout unit pays out the payout object to the payout area when the check result of the checker satisfies the predetermined condition. However, if the confirmation result of the confirmation unit does not satisfy the predetermined condition, it is notified that the storage unit needs to be replenished with prizes prior to the start of payout of the payout target. In this way, the prize payout device starts to pay out prizes only when the confirmation result of the checker satisfies the predetermined condition, in other words, when the storage unit does not need to be replenished with prizes. , all payout objects can be paid out. With this configuration, even though the prize payout device starts to pay out the prizes even though the confirmation result of the confirmation unit does not satisfy the predetermined condition, it prevents the payout from being interrupted due to the disappearance of the prizes on the way. can. As a result, the burden of coping with such problems can be reduced, and the usability of the prize payout device can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, when the prize is replenished in the storage part after the start of the notification that the prize needs to be replenished, the payout part of the prize payout device pays out the payout object to the payout area. Therefore, even after the start of the notification, if the user is on standby in front of the prize payout device, the user can have all payout objects paid out from the prize payout device after the prize is replenished.

Further, according to the present invention, in the prize payout system including a plurality of prize payout devices, if the confirmation result for the first prize payout device does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the payout target is the second prize payout device. , it is possible to cause the second prize payout device to pay out the payout object. Therefore, the user, who was initially waiting for the payout object to be paid out from the first prize payout device, can take out the payout object from the second prize payout device without waiting for the prize to be replenished in the first prize payout device. You can get paid quickly.

Further, according to the present invention, the payout information includes the specific information specifying the prize to be paid out and the number information about the number of the prizes to be paid out, and the confirming unit includes the specific information which is a part of the payout information. is received, confirmation of the stock to be dispensed in the storage unit is immediately started. As a result, it can be quickly determined whether or not the confirmation result of the confirmation unit satisfies the predetermined condition, so that if the confirmation result does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the notification can be promptly made.

Further, according to the present invention, the predetermined condition is that the prizes to be paid out are sufficient in the storage section. Therefore, the prize payout device starts paying out prizes only when there are enough prizes to be paid out in the storage section, so that the prize payout device can pay out all the payout objects. With this configuration, even though the prize payout device starts to pay out prizes even though there is a shortage of prizes to be paid out in the storage section, there is no problem that the payout is interrupted due to the lack of prizes on the way. It can be prevented. As a result, the burden of coping with such problems can be reduced, and the usability of the prize payout device can be improved.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a prize dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a returnable box used in a prize dispensing device; FIG. Fig. 2 is a schematic right side view of the inside of a payout unit that constitutes the prize payout device; 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a prize payout system including a prize payout device; FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the prize dispensing device with the door open. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the prize dispensing device with the storage section pulled out; Fig. 10 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the dispensing unit with the storage portion pulled out; FIG. 10 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the payout unit during count identification processing; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 8; It is a figure which shows the table memorize|stored in the prize payout apparatus. FIG. 10 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the payout unit during the payout process. FIG. 10 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the payout unit during the payout process. It is a flow chart which shows transaction processing about delivery payout processing. It is a flow chart which shows transaction processing concerning a modification. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a prize dispensing device according to a modification; It is a conceptual diagram of a prize payout system according to a modification.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a prize payout device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The prize payout device 1 is installed, for example, at a prize exchange corner in an amusement arcade such as a pachinko parlor. The prize payout device 1 is a device that pays out a prize P called a special prize. The amusement arcades handle not only special prizes but also general prizes such as sweets. A plurality of prize payout devices 1 may exist, and these prize payout devices 1 are communicatively connected to constitute a prize payout system 100 . Each prize payout device 1 may be regarded as a prize payout system 100 . The prize payout device 1 includes a POS unit 2 forming its upper portion and a payout unit 3 arranged below the POS unit 2 .

The POS unit 2 is a so-called POS terminal, and is provided with a display operation section 4 formed of, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel on its front surface, ie, front area. The display operation section 4 may be divided into a display section and an operation section. A front face of the POS unit 2 is formed with a card entrance 2A through which cards issued to players by the game parlor are taken in and out, and a receipt issuing opening 2B through which receipts are issued. The card is associated with the number of game media such as pachinko balls acquired by the player through the game. A card of a player (so-called member customer) who has registered as a member of an amusement arcade is called a membership card, and a card of another player (so-called general customer) is sometimes called a general card. Cards may also have associated prepaid value that is exchanged for gaming media to initiate or continue play.

An example of the prize P is, for example, a card having a thickness of several millimeters (1.5 mm, 3 mm, etc., 3 mm in this embodiment). In this embodiment, there are three types of prizes P, such as a grand prize, a middle prize, and a small prize, depending on the monetary value. The color of the surface of the prize P differs for each type of prize P. As an example, the surface of the grand prize is red, the surface of the medium prize is blue, and the surface of the small prize is green. The prize P is distributed to the market in a state of being housed in a returnable box 5. - 特許庁

In this embodiment, the prize payout device 1 is of a self-service type, which is arranged in an unmanned prize exchange corner in a game arcade, and the procedure for exchanging the prize P is performed by the player himself/herself. In this case, the player inserts a card into the card slot 2A of the POS unit 2 and then operates the display/operation unit 4 to transmit a payout request for the prize P to the prize payout device 1. FIG. As a result, the payout unit 3 pays out the prizes P of the type and number ("number" in this embodiment) according to the payout request, and the POS unit 2 updates the prize P inventory data. The player receives the card returned from the card entrance 2A and the prize P paid out from the payout unit 3. In the following description, it is assumed that the prize payout device 1 is of a self-service type. After receiving it, it may be handed to the player.

The payout unit 3 is a prize payout machine that pays out the prize P and also a prize storage machine that has a function of storing the prize P. In this embodiment, the POS unit 2 and the payout unit 3 are integrated. may be configured separately from The dispensing unit 3 includes a box-shaped housing 11 forming its outer shell, one or more storage units 12 provided in the housing 11, and a door 13 supported by the housing 11. .

1 corresponds to the horizontal direction X of the dispensing unit 3, the direction substantially orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. The direction matches the vertical direction Z of the payout unit 3 . The left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y are included in the lateral direction. The left-right direction X includes the left side X1 and the right side X2, and the front-rear direction Y includes the front side Y1 corresponding to the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 and the rear side Y2 corresponding to the back side of the paper surface of FIG. The vertical direction Z includes an upper side Z1 and a lower side Z2. 2 and subsequent figures, in which the left-right direction X and the up-down direction Z are not shown, the left-right direction in the figures is the same as the left-right direction X, and the up-down direction in the figures is the same as the up-down direction Z (FIG. 15). etc.).

The housing 11 is formed in a vertically long box shape. The housing 11 has a top wall 14 , a bottom wall 15 , a pair of left and right side walls 16 and a rear wall 17 . Each of the top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15 has a rectangular plate shape. Each of the pair of side walls 16 has a rectangular plate shape elongated in the vertical direction Z. The side wall 16 on the left side X1 extends between the left ends of the top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15, and the side wall 16 on the right side X2 It is installed between the right ends of the top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15 . The rear wall 17 has a rectangular plate shape elongated in the vertical direction Z, and extends between the rear ends of the top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15 and also between the rear ends of the pair of side walls 16 . An opening 11A bordered by the front ends of the top wall 14, the bottom wall 15, and the pair of side walls 16 is formed in the front surface of the housing 11 (see also FIG. 5). The opening 11A communicates with the internal space 11B of the housing 11 .

The storage unit 12 stores the prize P together with the returnable box 5. - 特許庁In this embodiment, three storage units 12 are arranged in the vertical direction Z in the internal space 11B of the housing 11 . Each storage portion 12 is supported by each side wall 16 of the housing 11 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction Y. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, each housing portion 12 is in the housing position in the front-rear direction Y when completely housed in the housing 11 . Each storage unit 12 can be pulled out through the opening 11A of the housing 11 to a pull-out position (see FIG. 6) on the front side Y1 of the storage position. The housing 11 is provided with an electric drawer lock mechanism 18 (see FIG. 4) for locking and unlocking each storage section 12 at the storage position. An electromagnetic lock or the like can be used as the drawer lock mechanism 18 .

Before describing the storage section 12 in detail, the returnable container 5 will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tote box 5. FIG. The returnable box 5 is formed in a box shape elongated in a predetermined direction, and is made of resin, for example. The returnable box 5 integrally includes a pair of side walls 21 arranged to face each other, a plurality of partition walls 22 constructed between the pair of side walls 21 , and a bottom wall 23 .

The pair of side walls 21 are formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape elongated in the longitudinal direction L of the returnable container 5, and are arranged in parallel so as to face each other along the plate thickness direction. The opposing direction of the pair of side walls 21 is the lateral direction S orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L of the returnable container 5 . Moreover, the depth direction D of the returnable container 5 is orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction S.

Six partition walls 22 are provided in this embodiment, and each partition wall 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape having a plate thickness direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction L. As shown in FIG. Two partition walls 22 are provided one by one between one end edge and the other edge in the longitudinal direction L of a pair of side walls 21, and the remaining four partition walls 22 are arranged in the longitudinal direction L at regular intervals. is bridged between the middle portions of the pair of side walls 21 by . Therefore, in the returnable box 5, five substantially rectangular parallelepiped accommodation spaces 24 of equal size are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction L at regular intervals.

The bottom wall 23 has a plate thickness direction that coincides with the depth direction D, and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape that is elongated in the longitudinal direction L. As shown in FIG. The bottom wall 23 is connected to each side wall 21 and each partition wall 22 from one side (lower side in FIG. 2) in the depth direction D, and closes each accommodation space 24 from the one side. The other end (the upper side in FIG. 2) of each accommodation space 24 in the depth direction D is open to the other side as a substantially rectangular doorway 25 .

The tote box 5 includes an opening 26 provided separately from the doorway 25 . A pair of openings 26 are provided at the same position as each accommodation space 24 in the longitudinal direction L, and five pairs in this embodiment. In other words, five openings 26 are arranged in the longitudinal direction L at regular intervals on both sides of the returnable container 5 in the transverse direction S. As shown in FIG. The two openings 26 in each pair are located at the same position in the longitudinal direction L and are symmetrical with respect to the center of the returnable container 5 in the transverse direction S as a reference. Each opening 26 has a slit shape that exposes the housing space 24 to the outside. is cut out along the depth direction D and extends linearly to the front of the doorway 25. - 特許庁

The orientation of the returnable box 5 when the prize P is stored and distributed is the basic orientation in which each doorway 25 faces upward as shown in FIG. A prize P is stored in each storage space 24 through an entrance 25 . Since each storage space 24 has the same size, a predetermined number of prizes P, 20 in this embodiment, are stored in each storage space 24 . Therefore, the returnable box 5 as a whole can accommodate up to 100 prizes P. A plurality of prizes P are accommodated in each accommodation space 24 in a stacked state in a posture in which the plate thickness direction of each prize P coincides with the widthwise direction S and the posture of standing upright from the bottom wall 23. The portion on the 25 side protrudes from the doorway 25. - 特許庁In addition, in the storage space 24 (see the storage space 24 on the right end in FIG. 2) in which the predetermined number of prizes P described above are stored, a part of the prize P located at both ends in the widthwise direction S are exposed from the opening 26 on the same side of the . In this embodiment, the plurality of prizes P accommodated in one returnable box 5 are one of a grand prize, a middle prize, and a small prize, but the prize P differs for each accommodation space 24. may

Next, the storage section 12 will be described in detail. 3 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the dispensing unit 3. FIG. Hereinafter, among the three storage units 12 arranged in the vertical direction Z, the lowest storage unit 12 is called a “lower storage unit 12A”, the middle storage unit 12 is called a “middle storage unit 12B”, and the top storage unit 12 is called a “middle storage unit 12B”. The storage part 12 is called "upper storage part 12C."

Referring to the lower storage portion 12A, each storage portion 12 includes a box-shaped housing 31 forming the outer shell thereof. A substantially rectangular loading port 31A and a substantially rectangular plate-shaped door 31B for opening and closing the loading port 31A are provided on the upper surface of the housing 31 . The door 31B is connected to the housing 31 via a hinge 31C provided at its front end, and is opened and closed by rotating around the hinge 31C. An opening 31D is formed over substantially the entire front surface of the housing 31 . A handle 31E is provided in a region Z1 above the opening 31D on the front surface of the housing 31 (see FIG. 5).

In the internal space 31F of the housing 31 of each storage unit 12, a pair of left and right transport bodies 32 and a plurality of (here, four) storage bodies 33 are provided. Each conveying body 32 is composed of an endless chain or belt, and has, for example, a substantially rectangular ring shape when viewed in the left-right direction X. As shown in FIG. The conveying body 32 revolves clockwise and counterclockwise when viewed from the horizontal direction X by receiving a driving force of a driving unit such as a motor (not shown). This driving section and the carrier 32 constitute a moving mechanism 34 .

Each container 33 has a tray shape elongated in the left-right direction X. As shown in FIG. The internal space of each storage body 33 has a size that can accommodate the returnable container 5 elongated in the horizontal direction X. - 特許庁The storage body 33 in an upward posture (see, for example, the storage body 33 on the upper side Z1 in the lower storage part 12A in FIG. 3) has a doorway 33A whose upper surface is open over the entire area, and both front and rear side walls are cut. A missing slit-shaped opening (not shown) is formed. The same number of openings are formed in the front wall and the rear wall of the container 33 at positions corresponding to the openings 26 (see FIG. 2) of the returnable container 5, and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction X. As shown in FIG.

Each container 33 is loaded with one returnable box 5 . As a result, the prize P in the returnable box 5 is stored in the storage body 33 and also in the storage section 12 . In the container 33 loaded with the returnable boxes 5, the openings described above and the openings 26 of the returnable boxes 5 are aligned one by one. In addition, in this embodiment, since the same type of prizes P are stored in one returnable box 5, one container 33 is loaded with the same type of prizes P, and one storage unit 12 is filled with the same type of prizes P. Prizes P of the same kind are stored. As an example, the lower storage portion 12A stores only large prizes, the middle storage portion 12B stores only middle prizes, and the upper storage portion 12C stores only small prizes. Of course, the type of prize P may be different for each container 33 in each container 12 .

These storage bodies 33 are arranged between a pair of left and right transport bodies 32 in a state of being annularly arranged along the circumferential direction R of the transport bodies 32 . Therefore, when the moving mechanism 34 is operated to move the left and right transport bodies 32 in a circular motion, these storage bodies 33 move in a circular motion together with the transport body 32 . The revolving movement of the transport body 32 and the storage body 33 is sometimes referred to as "rotary motion". Further, each storage body 33 is rotatable about a rotation axis (not shown) extending in the left-right direction X at the connecting portion with the transport body 32 .

Each storage unit 12 includes a first attitude changing mechanism 35 that temporarily tilts the storage body 33 positioned near the lower rear corner in the rotation area of the carrier 32 to a rearward posture, and a A second attitude changing mechanism 36 is provided for temporarily tilting the storage body 33 positioned near the lower front corner to a forward facing attitude. Each of the first posture changing mechanism 35 and the second posture changing mechanism 36 is configured by a guide rail or the like. Although each storage body 33 changes to a rearward posture or a forward posture on the way, in principle, it moves around like a gondola while rotating so as to maintain the upward posture.

A detection unit 37 is arranged at the rear end of the internal space 31F of the housing 31 of each storage section 12 . The detection unit 37 includes a detection section 38 and a holder 39 that supports the detection section 38 . The detector 38 is a so-called color sensor and is provided on the front surface of the holder 39 . The detection unit 37 is supported by the rear wall 31G of the housing 31 and moves up and down by receiving the driving force of a drive unit (not shown) such as a stepping motor. At that time, the detection unit 38 detects the type and number of prizes P in the returnable box 5 stored in the nearest storage body 33 . Details will be described later.

A delivery mechanism 41 is provided in a region Z2 below the transport body 32 and the storage body 33 in the internal space 31F of the housing 31 of each storage section 12 . The delivery mechanism 41 includes a delivery section 42 that delivers the prize P from the container 33 . Since there are a plurality of storage sections 12 (three in this embodiment), a plurality of delivery sections 42 are also present in the prize dispensing device 1 as a whole. Since these storage portions 12 are arranged in the vertical direction Z, the plurality of delivery portions 42 are also arranged in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the size of the prize dispensing device 1 in the horizontal direction, particularly in the front-rear direction Y. As shown in FIG. In each storage part 12, only one delivery part 42 is provided in the delivery mechanism 41 in this embodiment, but a plurality of delivery parts 42 may be provided side by side in the left-right direction X. FIG.

The feeding portion 42 includes an endless feeding belt 43 having a substantially triangular annular shape when viewed from the left-right direction X, rollers 44 arranged one by one at each vertex portion of the substantially triangular shape inside the feeding belt 43, and urethane, for example. and a counter roller 46 facing the delivery roller 45 . These rollers are rollers having central axes extending in the horizontal direction X. As shown in FIG. On the outer peripheral surface of the delivery belt 43, a claw-shaped extrusion piece 43A is provided so as to protrude. Although only one push piece 43A is provided in this embodiment, a plurality of push pieces 43A may be provided side by side at regular intervals. The feeding belt 43 circulates when at least one of the rollers 44 is driven and rotated by a drive unit such as a motor. The delivery roller 45 is driven and rotated by the driving section.

The entire delivery mechanism 41 receives a driving force from a drive unit (not shown) such as a motor, and rotates between the delivery position and the retracted position by rotating a rotation shaft (not shown) positioned directly above the delivery roller 45. ). When the feeding mechanism 41 is at the feeding position, the feeding portion 42 is also at the feeding position, and when the feeding mechanism 41 is at the retracted position, the feeding portion 42 is also at the retracted position. That is, the delivery portion 42 can move between the delivery position and the retracted position according to the rotation of the delivery mechanism 41 .

In the delivery portion 42 at the delivery position, as shown in FIG. 3, the delivery belt 43 is positioned on the rear side Y2 of the delivery roller 45 and the opposing roller 46, the two rollers 44 are aligned in the front-rear direction Y, and the remaining one The two rollers 44 are located on the lower side Z2 of the two rollers 44, and the flat portion 43B between the two rollers 44 of the delivery belt 43 is horizontal along the front-rear direction Y. As shown in FIG. Further, the facing roller 46 faces the delivery roller 45 from the upper side Z1, and the flat portion 43B is at the same height position as between the delivery roller 45 and the opposing roller 46. As shown in FIG. The delivery portion 42 at the delivery position is slidable in the left-right direction X by receiving the driving force of a driving portion (not shown) such as a motor.

The delivery mechanism 41 in the standby state is at the delivery position. When the feeding mechanism 41 rotates clockwise from the feeding position by about 30 degrees or more in a right side view, it is arranged at a retracted position (see FIG. 8) avoiding the circular trajectory of each container 33 loaded with the returnable container 5 . be. When the feeding mechanism 41 is at the retracted position, the feeding portion 42 is also at the retracted position. The retracted position is a position retracted from the extended position to the front side Y1 or the lower side Z2. In the delivery portion 42 at the retracted position, the delivery belt 43 is positioned on the lower side Z2 than the delivery roller 45 and the opposing roller 46, and the flat portion 43B of the delivery belt 43 extends along the vertical direction Z (specifically, obliquely downward). , and the opposing roller 46 faces the delivery roller 45 from the rear side Y2.

The door 13 is in the shape of a vertically long box having a size capable of closing the opening 11A of the housing 11, and is flattened in the front-rear direction Y in the closed position (see also FIG. 1) in which the opening 11A is closed as shown in FIG. be. The left end of the door 13 is connected to the housing 11 via a hinge 50 (see FIG. 5) and is rotatable around the hinge 50 . When the door 13 in the closed position rotates clockwise in plan view, it is arranged in the open position to expose the entire area of the opening 11A to the front side Y1 (see FIG. 5). Unless otherwise specified, the following description assumes that the door 13 is in the closed position. The housing 11 is provided with an electric door lock mechanism 51 (see FIG. 4) for locking and unlocking the door 13 in the closed position. An electromagnetic lock or the like can be used as the door lock mechanism 51 .

The top surface 13A of the door 13 is at substantially the same height as the top surface of the housing 11, that is, the top surface of the ceiling wall 14. As shown in FIG. The upper surface 13A is provided with only one long payout opening 13B in the horizontal direction X as an example of the payout area (see also FIG. 5). The payout port 13B communicates with the internal space 13C of the door 13 . The door 13 further includes one shutter 52 that opens and closes the payout port 13B.

The shutter 52 is formed in a plate shape elongated in the horizontal direction X. As shown in FIG. The shutter 52 moves back and forth between a closed position (see also FIG. 1) in which the payout port 13B is closed and an open position (see FIG. 12) in which the payout port 13B is opened by retracting to the space directly below the ceiling wall 14. It is slidable to Y. The space directly below the ceiling wall 14 is the upper end of the internal space 11B of the housing 11 . The shutter 52 is opened and closed by the driving force of a drive unit (not shown) such as a motor provided on the housing 11 or the door 13 .

Almost the entire rear surface of the door 13 is open. Therefore, the internal space 13C of the door 13 communicates with the internal space 31F of the housing 31 through the opening 31D in the front surface of the housing 31 of each housing portion 12 at the housing position. The internal space 13C is provided with a payout mechanism 53 that pays out the prize P in each storage section 12 to the payout opening 13B. That is, the payout mechanism 53 is integrated with the door 13 that opens and closes the opening 11A of the housing 11 . As a result, the size of the prize dispensing device 1 can be further reduced.

The payout mechanism 53 includes a moving section 54 . The moving part 54 is a rectangular plate-like elevator that has a plate thickness direction that matches the vertical direction Z and that is long in the horizontal direction X. As shown in FIG. The moving portion 54 is partitioned into a plurality of receiving portions 55 arranged in the horizontal direction X. As shown in FIG. The moving part 54 is in one piece in this embodiment, and the boundaries between adjacent receiving parts 55 are indicated by dotted lines (see FIG. 5). The receiving portions 55 are provided in the same number as the storage spaces 24 of the returnable container 5 (here, five). By receiving the driving force of a drive unit (not shown) such as a motor, the moving unit 54 receives a standby position set near the lower end of the internal space 13C of the door 13 and a payout position set near the upper end of the internal space 13C. Raises and lowers between positions.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the prize payout device 1. As shown in FIG. The prize payout device 1 includes a control section 61 . The control unit 61 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and incorporates a timer and the like. Note that the same applies to other control units to be described later. The control section 61 in this embodiment is divided into a POS control section 61A built in the POS unit 2 and a payout control section 61B built in the payout unit 3. One control section 61 is the POS control section 61A. and the payout control unit 61B. The POS control section 61A and the payout control section 61B are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.

The POS unit 2 further includes a card processing section 62 that processes cards, a receipt issuing section 63 and a reading section 64 . The display operation unit 4, the card processing unit 62, the receipt issuing unit 63, and the reading unit 64 are electrically connected to the POS control unit 61A. The card processor 62 takes in a card inserted in the card slot 2A (see FIG. 1), reads necessary information from the card, and ejects the read card from the card slot 2A. The receipt issuing unit 63 is configured by a printer, and prints a receipt and issues it to the receipt issuing port 2B.

With respect to the reading unit 64, a receipt (a receipt different from the receipt issued by the receipt issuing unit 63) containing information such as the number of game media obtained by playing a game on a game machine such as a pachinko machine is read as a game medium. is issued to the player from a counting device (not shown) that counts the The reading unit 64 is provided on the front surface of the POS unit 2 (see FIG. 1). For example, when a player holds a receipt over the reading unit 64, the reading unit 64 reads the number of game media and the like from the receipt. In addition, a communication terminal such as a smartphone owned by the player can be used instead of a card or a receipt. You may read the number, etc.

Electrical components (such as the above-described driving unit and sensor) associated with the moving mechanism 34, the detecting unit 38, and the dispensing mechanism 41 in each storage unit 12 are electrically connected to the payout control unit 61B. Electrical components related to each of the drawer lock mechanism 18, the door lock mechanism 51 and the shutter 52 are also electrically connected to the payout controller 61B. The payout control unit 61B controls the operation of these electrical components to perform replenishment processing for replenishing the prizes P, counting and identification processing for counting and identifying the prizes P in the storage units 12 of the payout unit 3, and A delivery payout process for delivering the prize P in the storage unit 12 and delivering it outside the machine (that is, outside the housing 11) is executed. In relation to these processes, the POS control unit 61A displays necessary information on the display operation unit 4, receives instructions according to the operation of the display operation unit 4 by the store clerk or the player, and receives the card of the player. is processed by the card processing unit 62, and a receipt is issued by the receipt issuing unit 63.

The payout unit 3 further includes a storage section 65 . The storage unit 65 is configured by a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory or a hard disk drive. The storage unit 65 is electrically connected to the payout control unit 61B. The storage unit 65 stores, for each storage space 24 , the type and the number of stored prizes P in the returnable box 5 loaded in each storage body 33 of each storage unit 12 . In addition, the storage unit 65 also stores various information such as a past abnormality history and a prize P payout history.

Below, the replenishment process, the counting identification process, and the payout process will be described in this order. In the case of replenishment processing, the store clerk selects one of the storage units 12 to be replenished by operating the display operation unit 4 . Then, according to an instruction from the POS control unit 61A, the payout control unit 61B in the control unit 61 releases the lock of the selected storage unit 12 by the drawer lock mechanism 18, thereby allowing the storage unit 12 to be pulled out. The drawer is permitted, and the lock of the door 13 by the door lock mechanism 51 is also released.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the store clerk opens the door 13 to the open position, grabs the handle 31E of the unlocked storage section 12, and pulls it toward the front side Y1. It is pulled out to the pulled-out position (see lower storage portion 12A in FIG. 6). Thus, only one storage section 12 can be pulled out at a time.

In the storage section 12 pulled out to the pull-out position, the door 31B on the upper surface of the housing 31 is arranged on the front side Y1 of the housing 11 of the payout unit 3, that is, outside the housing 11 . In this state, the store clerk opens the door 31B of the storage section 12 to open the loading port 31A upward Z1. Prior to opening the door 31B, the payout control unit 61B rotates the conveying body 32, and as a result, as shown in FIG. be done. The empty container 33 refers to a container 33 not loaded with a returnable container 5 or a container 33 loaded with an empty or near-empty returnable container 5 . The container 33 arranged directly below the loading port 31A is in the loading position with the entrance 33A facing upward Z1. In addition, in the storage unit 12 in which the conveying body 32 is rotating, the feeding mechanism 41 is arranged at the retracted position (the lower storage unit 12A is reference).

The store clerk lowers the returnable box 5 containing the prize P in the basic posture as indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. Insert from As a result, the returnable box 5 is loaded into the storage body 33 at the loading position, and the prize P in the returnable box 5 is loaded into the storage section 12 . Positioning ribs (not shown) provided on one of the returnable box 5 and the storage body 33 are fitted into positioning grooves (not shown) provided on the other so that the returnable box 5 and the returnable box 5 The container 33 loaded with the boxes 5 is positioned relative to each other. When the door 31B is closed after the returnable container 5 is loaded into the container 33 at the loading position, the payout control unit 61B rotates the carrier 32 so that another empty container 33 is placed at the loading position. You may let

When the clerk closes the door 31B after loading the container 33 with the returnable container 5, grabs the handle 31E of the storage unit 12 at the drawn-out position, and returns it to the storage position, the payout control unit 61B causes the storage unit 12 to It is locked at the housed position by the drawer lock mechanism 18 . As a result, the replenishment process for this storage section 12 is completed.

By operating the handle 31E provided on the front surface of each storage section 12, the store clerk can pull out the storage section 12 to the drawer position or push it in to the storage position. The storage unit 12 may be moved manually by a store clerk, or may be automatically moved by a driving device such as a DC motor or a stepping motor provided inside the housing 11 .

In the case of the count identification process, referring to the lower storage section 12A in FIG. Then, in the storage section 12, when the storage body 33 to be counted and identified approaches the detection unit 37, the first posture changing mechanism 35 tilts the doorway 33A toward the rear side Y2 in a rearward posture. In addition, in the storage body 33 in the rearward posture, the doorway 33A faces slightly upwards rather than horizontally in order to prevent the prize P from falling out from the doorway 25 of the set returnable box 5.例文帳に追加

In the lower storage portion 12A of FIG. 8, the storage body 33 at the rear lower end is in a rearward posture, and the entrance 33A of this storage body 33 faces the rear side Y2. In addition, the returnable box 5 loaded in the storage body 33 is also in a rearward posture with the doorway 25 facing the rear side Y2, and the prizes P in the returnable box 5 are stacked in the vertical direction Z and placed at the doorway. 25 to the rear side Y2, and the rear end surface of the prize P faces the detection unit 37 side (strictly speaking, diagonally upward).

When the storage body 33 changes from the upward attitude to the sideways attitude and approaches the detection unit 37 in this way, the payout control section 61B stops the circular movement of the transport body 32 . At this time, in the storage section 12, the detection section 38 of the detection unit 37 is located at the same position in the left-right direction X for each storage space 24 of the returnable container 5 loaded in the storage body 33 facing backward ( See Figure 9). In this state, the payout control section 61B raises the detection unit 37 from, for example, the standby position at the lower end. At this time, each detection unit 38 rises while facing the storage space 24 located at the same position in the left-right direction X in the returnable container 5 from the rear side Y2. The detection unit 38 counts and identifies the prizes P stacked in the vertical direction Z one by one from the bottom Z2 in a non-contact manner.

The detection unit 38 in the case of a color sensor irradiates the prize P with light, receives the reflected light, converts it into RGB values, analyzes it, and counts the prize P based on the analysis result. , the authenticity and type of the prize P are discriminated. An IC chip that stores identification information may be embedded in the prize P, and the detection unit 38 may identify the authenticity and type of the prize P by reading the identification information from the IC chip without contact. Then, when the detection unit 38 rising from the standby position completes counting and identification of all the prizes P in the storage spaces 24 of the returnable boxes 5 loaded in the storage body 33 facing backward, it descends to the standby position. , the count identification process ends.

The counting and identifying process may be performed for all the storage units 12 at once, or may be individually performed for the predetermined storage units 12 selected by the store clerk's operation on the display operation unit 4 . Further, the counting identification process may be executed for the returnable boxes 5 loaded in all the containers 33 in each container 12, or may be executed only for the returnable boxes 5 loaded in the container 33 designated by the store clerk. may be executed. In any case, the payout control section 61B updates the stock quantity of the prize P in each container 33 in the payout unit 3 each time the count identification process is performed.

The inventory data (type and number of prizes P) of the prizes P in each container 33 in each container 12 is associated with the identification information assigned to each container 33 and summarized in a table T (see FIG. 10). , are stored in the storage unit 65 . In the table T of FIG. 10, the number of prizes P in stock in each container 33 in each container 12 is stored in association with one of the identification information A to D for each container 33 . In addition, as indicated by parentheses in FIG. It is stored in the table T as the breakdown of the stock quantity of P. In addition, the inventory quantity of each type of prize P in each storage section 12 is stored in the table T as a subtotal. The number of inventories of each type of prizes P in the three storage units 12, that is, the number of inventories of each type of prizes P in the entire payout unit 3 is stored in a table T as a total.

The payout process will be described with reference to FIG. The pay-out process consists of pay-out process to pay out the prizes P one by one onto the receiving part 55 of the moving part 54 from the returnable box 5, and the paid-out prize P on the moving part 54 by the pay-out process to the outside of the machine through the pay-out opening 13B. It includes a payout process to pay out.

A player inserts a card into the card slot 2A or holds the receipt issued by the above-described counting device over the reading section 64 of the POS unit 2. FIG. Then, the POS control unit 61A causes the card processing unit 62 to read the number of game media associated with the card, and the reading unit 64 to read the number of game media written on the receipt. After that, the player operates the display operation unit 4 to operate the number of game media associated with the card, or the type and type of prize P that can be exchanged within the range of the number of game media described on the receipt. The number of each can be selected. The POS control unit 61A generates payout information about the prizes P to be paid out based on the selection result of the player regarding the types of prizes P to be exchanged and the number of each type. The POS control unit 61A in this case functions as an example of a generating unit that generates payout information. The payout information includes specific information for specifying the prize P to be paid out and number information on the number of prizes P to be paid out. The specific information, strictly speaking, specifies the type of prize P.

When the POS control unit 61A transmits a payout request including payout information to the payout control unit 61B, the payout control unit 61B first performs payout processing. Specifically, referring to the lower storage section 12A, the payout control section 61B causes the transport body 32 to rotate. As a result, when the storage body 33 to be delivered approaches the moving portion 54 of the dispensing mechanism 53, the entrance/exit 33A tilts to a forward facing posture toward the front side Y1 by the second posture changing mechanism 36. FIG. In addition, in the storage body 33 in the forward posture, in order to prevent the prize P from falling out from the doorway 25 of the set tote box 5, the doorway 33A faces slightly upward rather than horizontally.

In the lower storage portion 12A of FIG. 11, the storage body 33 at the front lower end is in a forward facing posture, and the entrance 33A of this storage body 33 faces the front side Y1. In addition, the returnable box 5 loaded in the storage body 33 is also in a forward posture with the doorway 25 facing the front side Y1, and the prizes P in the returnable box 5 are stacked in the vertical direction Z, and the doorway 25 , and the front end surface of the prize P faces the door 13 side (strictly speaking, obliquely upward).

As shown in FIG. 11, the lowest prize P in the returnable box 5 loaded in the storage body 33 in the forward posture is almost the same as the flat portion 43B of the delivery belt 43 of the delivery section 42 in the delivery mechanism 41 at the delivery position. When the same height position is reached, the payout control unit 61B stops the circular movement of the carrier 32 . At this time, the feeding section 42 at the feeding position is arranged directly below the returnable container 5 .

Next, after the payout control unit 61B raises the moving unit 54 from the standby position and arranges the upper surface of the moving unit 54 at substantially the same height as the flat portion 43B of the payout belt 43, the payout belt 43 in the payout unit 42 is The delivery roller 45 is rotated by circular movement. At this time, in the delivery mechanism 41, the delivery belt 43 rotates counterclockwise and the delivery roller 45 rotates counterclockwise in the right side view. 43 A of push-out pieces provided in the delivery belt 43 which circulates move horizontally to the front side Y1 in the flat part 43B of the delivery belt 43. As shown in FIG. At that time, the push-out piece 43A enters the opening 26 (see FIG. 2) of the returnable box 5 loaded in the storage body 33 in the forward posture, and the lowest prize P in the storage space 24 of the returnable box 5 is hooked and pushed out to the front side Y1. In this way, the delivery unit 42 at the delivery position delivers the prize P from one container 33 in the forward posture.

The prize P delivered to the front side Y1 is pushed out to the side of the moving part 54 through between the delivery roller 45 and the opposing roller 46 by coming into contact with the delivery roller 45 that is driven and rotated, and is pushed out to the side of the moving part 54 in the left-right direction X in the moving part 54. is placed on one receiving portion 55 at the same position. By repeating the circular movement of the delivery belt 43 and the rotation of the delivery roller 45, the prize in the storage space 24 located directly above each delivery part 42 in the returnable box 5 loaded in the storage body 33 in the forward posture. P is paid out one by one from the prize P on the lower side Z2 and accumulated on the receiving section 55. - 特許庁

Each time a prize P is delivered, the payout control section 61B gradually lowers the moving section 54 from the standby position so that the delivered prize P is accumulated on the upper side Z1 of the receiving section 55. In addition, the dispensing control unit 61B slightly moves the conveying body 32 around to temporarily raise the storage body 33 in the forward posture, and moves the delivery part 42 in the left-right direction X in the meantime. Thereafter, the payout control unit 61B lowers the storage body 33 to the original position by circularly moving the carrier 32 in the opposite direction, thereby creating a storage space different from the original storage space 24 where the prize P was previously paid out. 24 prizes P can be delivered by the delivery unit 42 . In this case, the prize P drawn out from the other storage space 24 is accumulated in the receiving section 55 different from the receiving section 55 in the moving section 54 .

When all of the storage spaces 24 in the returnable container 5 set in the storage body 33 (see the lower storage portion 12A in FIG. 11), which has been in the sideways posture until now, are emptied, the payout control section 61B moves the other storage portion 12 For example, the moving portion 54 may be lifted up to the delivery portion 42 of the delivery mechanism 41 of the inner storage portion 12B. In the middle storage section 12B, the delivery mechanism 41 is at the delivery position, one storage body 33 is in a forward posture on the delivery section 42, and the prize P is delivered from the returnable box 5 set in this storage body 33. It is possible. Therefore, the payout control unit 61B delivers the prize P from the returnable box 5 set in the container 33 onto the moving unit 54. FIG.

When the moving part 54 is moved from the lower storage part 12A and the prize P is delivered from the middle storage part 12B, the payout control part 61B operates the delivery mechanism of the lower storage part 12A to prepare for delivery from the lower storage part 12A. 41 is once rotated to the retracted position, and then the conveying body 32 is rotated, and the storage body 33 loaded with another returnable box 5 is brought to the forward posture. Thereafter, the payout control section 61B returns the delivery mechanism 41 of the lower storage section 12A to the delivery position, and lowers the moving section 54 to which the prize P has been delivered from the middle storage section 12B. Then, the payout control unit 61B feeds out the prize P onto the moving unit 54 from the returnable box 5 set in the storage body 33 in the forward posture in the lower storage unit 12A. Such delivery of prizes P from a plurality of storage units 33 with the circular movement of the carrier 32 interposed in one storage unit 12 (lower storage unit 12A in this description) is called "rotary crossing".

When the required number of prizes P are paid out onto the moving unit 54, the delivery process is completed. Then, the payout control unit 61B starts the payout process. Specifically, the payout control unit 61B slides the shutter 52 to the open position shown in FIG. As a result, the payout opening 13B of the upper surface 13A of the door 13 is opened to the upper side Z1. Then, the payout control section 61B raises the moving section 54 to the payout position shown in FIG. The moving part 54 moves to the payout port 13B by rising to the payout position. That is, the moving section 54 receives the prize P from each of the delivery sections 42 of the plurality of storage sections 12 in order, and then ascends to the payout port 13B. As a result, the prize P delivered onto each moving portion 54 of the moving portion 54 is delivered to the payout port 13B and exposed to the outside of the machine through the payout port 13B. Thus, the moving section 54 and the payout control section 61B function as an example of a payout section that pays out the prize P in the storage section 12 to the payout opening 13B. The shutter 52, the delivery mechanism 41, and the like may also be regarded as part of the dispensing section.

Then, when the player directly receives the prize P on the moving part 54 at the payout port 13B, the payout control part 61B lowers the moving part 54 to the standby position and moves the shutter 52, which has been at the open position, to the closed position. slide. As a result, the payout process is completed, and a series of payout processes is completed. In addition, below, a series of processes related to the payout process will be referred to as "transaction process". The payout process is part of the transaction process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing transaction processing. Transaction processing, that is, the prize payout method in the prize payout device 1 will be described in detail below. FIG. 13 collectively shows processes executed in parallel by the POS unit 2 and the payout unit 3 regarding transaction processing. 13 indicates transmission and reception of information between the POS unit 2 and the dispensing unit 3. In FIG. These also apply to the flow chart of FIG.

In the prize payout device 1 in the standby state, the POS control unit 61A waits to read the number of game media from the player's card or receipt (step S1). As described above, when the player inserts a card into the card slot 2A or holds a receipt or the like over the reading unit 64, the POS control unit 61A reads the number of game media (YES at step S1). The control section 61A waits for the player to select a prize (step S2). When the player selects a prize by operating the display operation unit 4 (YES in step S2), the POS control unit 61A generates payout information about the prize P to be paid out as described above (prize payout generation step in the method), and a payout request including this payout information is transmitted to the payout control unit 61B (step S3).

The payout control unit 61B accepts payout information included in the payout request by receiving the payout request from the POS control unit 61A. Then (YES in step S4), the payout control unit 61B refers to the inventory quantity of prizes P for each type (total inventory quantity in all storage units 12) and payout information in table T (see FIG. 10). to confirm whether or not the prize P is sufficient (step S5). That is, the payout control unit 61B functions as an example of the confirmation unit, receives the payout information, and confirms the stock to be paid out in all the storage units 12 based on the payout information (confirmation step in the prize payout method). ).

Specifically, the payout control unit 61B compares the number of payout objects included in the number information of the payout information, that is, the required number, with the stock quantity of the prize P in the table T for each type of prize P. Then, if the number of prizes P in stock for each of all the types of payout objects is equal to or greater than the required number, the payout control unit 61B determines that the prizes P are sufficient. On the other hand, if even one type of prize P is available in less than the required number, the payout control unit 61B determines that the prize P is insufficient. For example, in the case of a payout request for the required number of 20 grand prizes, 15 medium prizes, and 12 small prizes, the inventory status of the table T in FIG. Even if the processing is started, all the prizes P to be paid out cannot be paid out because the small prizes are lost in the middle. If the prize P is insufficient (NO in step S5), the payout control unit 61B notifies the POS control unit 61A of that fact (step S6).

As described above, the payout information included in the payout request includes specific information about the type of prize P to be paid out and number information about the number of prizes P to be paid out. In step S3, the POS control unit 61A may transmit both the specific information and the quantity information together as a payout request, or may send the specific information first and then the quantity information to send the payout request twice. It may be transmitted in stages.

When the payout request is transmitted in two stages, when the player operates the display operation unit 4 to select the type of prize P, the POS control unit 61A promptly transmits the specific information to the payout control unit 61B. (step S3). When the payout control unit 61B receives the specific information that is part of the payout information (YES in step S4), it immediately starts checking the inventory of the payout objects in all the storage units 12 (step S5). If the stock quantity of the prize P of the type in the specific information is zero, the payout control section 61B determines that the prize P of this type is in short supply, and promptly notifies that effect (step S6). In this way, since it can be quickly determined whether or not the prize P is sufficient, it is possible to promptly notify the player when the prize P is insufficient. Therefore, the player can grasp the shortage of the prize P of this type at the timing before operating the display operation part 4 to select the number of the prize P after selecting the type of the prize P.

An empty sensor 66 (illustrated only in the lower storage section 12A in FIG. 3 and only in FIG. 4) for detecting the presence or absence of the prize P in each storage space 24 is provided in each storage section 12 near the opposing roller 46 of the delivery mechanism 41. may Although the payout control unit 61B can grasp the presence or absence of the prize P in each accommodation space 24 based on the detection result of the empty sensor 66, the actual stock quantity of the prize P in the accommodation space 24 where the prize P is present is detected by the empty sensor 66. cannot be determined from the detection results of

When the number of prizes P of the same type in the payout request exceeds the maximum number of prizes P that can be accommodated in one accommodation space 24 in the returnable box 5 (20 prizes in this embodiment, which varies depending on the thickness of the prizes P). , that is, it is assumed that the prize P needs to be dispensed from two or more accommodation spaces 24 . In this case, if there is only one accommodation space 24 in which this type of prize P exists in the entire prize payout device 1, the payout control section 61B determines that this type of prize P is insufficient. (NO in step S5), the fact may be promptly notified (step S6). With such a configuration, even if the detection unit 37 is omitted, the payout control section 61B can easily check the excess or deficiency of the prize P in step S5.

When the POS control unit 61A receives the notification that the prize P is insufficient (YES in step S7), the POS control unit 61A prompts the player to replenish the missing prize P (step S8). Specifically, the POS control unit 61A displays a message to the effect that the prize P cannot be started due to a shortage of the prize P and that the prize P needs to be replenished to start the prize P payout. Displayed on the operation unit 4. At that time, the POS control section 61A may cause the prize payout device 1 to go down in error, or may prompt the store clerk to replenish the prize P with a buzzer or the like. As another example, the POS control unit 61A may prompt the clerk to replenish the prize P by sending a notification to an intercom (wireless device) carried by the clerk. Of course, a player who sees the display contents of the display operation unit 4 may call a store clerk and request a replenishment of the prize P.

As described above, when the confirmation result of the payout control unit 61B in step S5 does not satisfy the predetermined condition (that there are enough prizes P to be paid out in the storage unit 12), the POS control unit 61A starts paying out the payout target. Prior to the above, users such as game players and sales clerks are notified that it is necessary to replenish the storage unit 12 with prizes P (step S8: notification step in the prize payout method). 61 A of POS control parts in this case function as an example of a notification part. This notification may be hereinafter referred to as "replenishment request notification".

After the POS control unit 61A notifies that the storage unit 12 needs to be replenished with the prize P, the payout control unit 61B executes the replenishment process and the prize P becomes sufficient (YES in step S9). , the payout control unit 61B notifies the POS control unit 61A that the replenishment of the prize P has been completed (step S10). When the POS control unit 61A receives such a replenishment completion notification (YES in step S11), the POS control unit 61A cancels the request for replenishment of the prize P, cancels the error down of the prize payout device 1, and releases the prize. A message indicating that P is being paid out is displayed on the display operation unit 4 (step S12). If there is no notification that the prize P is insufficient (NO in step S7), the POS control section 61A executes the display in step S12.

Then, the payout control unit 61B, which has notified the POS control unit 61A that the replenishment of the prize P to the storage unit 12 has been completed, executes payout processing in response to the initial payout request (step S13). Therefore, if the player is on standby in front of the prize payout device 1 even after the start of the replenishment request notification, all the payout objects will be paid out from the prize payout device 1 by the payout processing after the prize P is replenished. you can get it.

On the other hand, when the prize P is sufficient (YES in step S5), the payout control unit 61B promptly executes the payout process (step S13). That is, when the confirmation result of the payout control section 61B in step S5 (confirmation step) satisfies the predetermined condition, the payout control section 61B pays out the payout object to the payout opening 13D by the payout process of step S13 (step S13). payout step in the prize payout method). When the payout process in the payout process is successfully completed, the payout control section 61B notifies the POS control section 61A of a completion report. When the POS control unit 61A receives the completion report (step S14), the POS control unit 61A returns the display of the display/operation unit 4 from the display of step S12 to the standby screen (not shown) after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. By waiting (step S15), the current transaction is completed and the prize payout device 1 returns to the standby state.

In this way, the prize payout device 1 pays out the prize P only when the confirmation result of the payout control section 61B in step S5 satisfies the predetermined condition, in other words, when the storage section 12 does not need to be replenished with the prize P. Since the payout process is started, the prize payout device 1 can pay out all payout objects. Conversely, when it is assumed that the prize P will run out during the payout process (NO in step S5), the prize P is preferentially replenished, and the prize payout device 1 pays out the prize P after the prize P has been replenished. A payout process is executed. In other words, the prize putting-out device 1 does not execute the putting-out process when the stock of prizes P is incomplete, and executes the putting-out process only when all the prizes P requested to be put out can be put out.

With this configuration, the payout of the prize P is started in the prize payout device 1 even though the confirmation result of the payout control unit 61B does not satisfy the predetermined condition (that is, the prize P to be paid out is insufficient). However, it is possible to prevent the problem that the payout is interrupted due to the prize P running out on the way. In particular, in the case of self-operation, it is possible to prevent a problem that a player leaves the prize payout device 1 while leaving unpaid prizes P. Therefore, the burden on the store clerk for coping with such a problem can be reduced, so that the usability of dispensing the prizes P from the prize dispensing device 1 can be improved. In addition, since the shortage of the prize P in the prize delivery device 1 is hardly left unattended by prompting the replenishment of the prize P, the prize delivery device 1 can be maintained in an operable state for a long time. As the above-described predetermined condition, a condition other than the sufficient number of prizes P to be paid out in the storage unit 12 may be used. For example, not only is there enough prize P, but various conditions may be added depending on the operation of the game parlor.

As described above, in the configuration in which a plurality of prize payout devices 1 are communicably connected, the prize payout device 1 (referred to as "first prize payout device 1A") found to be short of the prize P for the payout request. The control unit 61 may transfer the payout request to another prize payout device 1 (referred to as "second prize payout device 1B") at the timing of step S6, for example. In other words, when the confirmation result of the first prize payout device 1A does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the control unit 61 of the first prize payout device 1A, more precisely the POS control unit 61A, is an example of a request unit. By functioning, it requests the second prize payout device 1B to pay out the payout object.

Specifically, the POS control unit 61A causes the display operation unit 4 to display that the first prize payout device 1A is short of the prizes P and that the second prize payout device 1B pays out the prizes P as a proxy. etc. to inform the player. At that time, the POS control section 61A may also inform guidance information about the second prize payout device 1B. In this case, the player, who was initially waiting for the payout of the payout object from the first prize payout device 1A, does not have to wait for the replenishment of the prize P at the first prize payout device 1A, and the second prize payout device. The payout object can be promptly paid out from 1B.

In the second prize payout device 1B to which the payout request has been transferred, the processing from step S1 onwards is executed, and the prizes P to be paid out are paid out starting from the first one. The inventory data of the prizes P in all the prize payout devices 1 may be collectively managed by the management device 101 (see FIG. 16), which is a host device. The device 1B may be identified by the management device 101, and the first prize payout device 1A may forward the payout request to this second prize payout device 1B. As a result, it is possible to prevent the player from having to wait for a long time due to the lack of the prize P in the second prize payout device 1B to which the payout request has been transferred.

However, even if the prize P is insufficient, as a modification, the prize P that exists in the prize payout device 1 may be paid out. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing transaction processing according to a modification. Regarding a modified example, the table T regarding the inventory of prizes P in the payout unit 3 may be stored in the storage section 67 (see FIG. 4) provided in the POS unit 2. FIG. As described above, when the player inserts a card into the card slot 2A or holds a receipt or the like over the reading unit 64, the POS control unit 61A reads the number of game media (YES at step S21). The control unit 61A waits for the player to select a prize (step S22).

When the player selects a prize by operating the display operation unit 4 (YES in step S22), the POS control unit 61A generates the payout information as described above, and then calculates the number of prizes P in stock on the table T. By referring to it, it is confirmed whether or not the prize P is sufficient (step S23). Specifically, the POS control unit 61A compares the required number of prizes P to be paid out included in the payout information with the number of prizes P in stock in the table T for each type of prize P. Then, if the number of prizes P in stock for each of all the types of payout objects is equal to or greater than the required number, the POS control unit 61A determines that the prizes P are sufficient. On the other hand, if the stock quantity of even one type of prize P is less than the required quantity, the POS control unit 61A determines that the prize P is insufficient.

If the prize P is insufficient (NO in step S23), the POS control unit 61A sets a near-empty flag in the storage unit 67 (step S24), and displays a confirmation message on the display operation unit 4 ( step S25). An example of the confirmation message includes information that the prize P is insufficient and the number of game media that can be exchanged for the currently existing prize P (or the number of prizes P that can be exchanged). The number of game media here is a value that varies according to the inventory of prizes P, and is calculated by the POS control unit 61A. The confirmation message may include asking whether or not to proceed with the prize P payout.

When the player who has seen the confirmation message operates the display operation unit 4 to select continuation of the payout of the prize P (YES in step S26), the POS control unit 61A updates the payout information, A payout request based on the payout information is transmitted to the payout control unit 61B (step S27). The updated payout information includes specific information on the types of prizes P that can be paid out based on the current inventory status of the prize payout device 1 and quantity information on the number of prizes P that can be paid out.

When the payout control unit 61B receives the payout request (YES at step S28), the payout control unit 61B executes the payout process according to the payout request (step S29). As a result, the prizes P that are present in the prize payout device 1 are paid out, although the number is smaller than the number initially requested by the player. Since the game media and prizes P can be exchanged as much as possible in this manner, the player can feel satisfied. In addition, since the stock of the paid-out prizes P becomes exactly zero, it is easy for the store clerk to replenish the prizes P after that. When the replenishment process is executed, the POS control unit 61A cancels, that is, erases the near-empty flag set in the storage unit 67 . It should be noted that enabling or disabling such flag setting can be arbitrarily selected.

On the other hand, if the transaction is continued when the prize P is sufficient (YES in steps S23 and S26), the POS control unit 61A transmits a payout request based on the initial payout information to the payout control unit 61B (step S27), the number of prizes P initially requested by the player is paid out (step S29). When the payout process in the payout process is successfully completed, the payout control unit 61B notifies the POS control unit 61A of a completion report. When the POS control section 61A receives the completion report (step S30), the current transaction is completed and the prize payout device 1 returns to the standby state. If the player operates the display operation unit 4 to select cancellation of the payout of the prize P (NO in step S26), the POS control unit 61A sends the card to the player through the card entrance 2A as cancellation processing. It is returned (step S31), and the prize dispensing device 1 is returned to the standby state.

As for the operation of the amusement arcade, if the prize P is insufficient (NO in step S23), the POS control unit 61A sets a flag (step S24) and then displays a confirmation message to the effect that the transaction cannot be made due to the shortage of the prize P. may be displayed (step S25). In this case, the POS control section 61A thereafter executes the cancellation process (step S31) and returns the prize payout device 1 to the standby state without allowing the player to select the continuation of the payout of the prize P. With such an operation, the player can give up and feel satisfied. Also, the store clerk of the amusement arcade is relieved from recovery work due to the loss of the prize P during the payout. In this case, the POS control unit 61A of the prize payout device 1 (first prize payout device 1A described above) transfers the payout request to the other prize payout device 1 (second prize payout device 1B described above), The second prize payout device 1B may pay out the prize P as a proxy. In that case, the POS control unit 61A of the first prize payout device 1A will notify that the second prize payout device 1B will pay out the prize P as a proxy because the first prize payout device 1A is short of the prize P. , and guidance information about the second prize payout device 1B are notified to the player by a confirmation message or the like in step S25.

When the clerk turns the door 13 to the open position for replenishment processing, in the dispensing unit 3, all the three storage sections 12 arranged in the vertical direction Z are exposed from the opening 11A of the housing 11 (see FIG. 5). ). At this time, the lock by the drawer lock mechanism 18 for all the storage sections 12 may be released. However, with this configuration, it is conceivable that the store clerk may mistakenly pull out the storage section 12 other than the replenishment destination of the prize P. The store clerk who notices the mistake returns the other storage part 12 to the storage position as it is, draws out the storage part 12 as the replenishment destination, replenishes the prize P, and then returns the storage part 12 as the replenishment destination to the storage position. In this case, the payout control unit 61B performs counting and identification processing not only for the storage unit 12 that is the replenishment destination, but also for the storage unit 12 that has been pulled out by mistake.

In such a configuration in which all the storing parts 12 can be accessed by opening the door 13, even if the storing part 12 is pulled out by mistake, the stock quantity of the prizes P in the storing part 12 is properly managed by recounting. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that a store clerk who draws out the storage section 12 by mistake is suspected of fraud. In addition, since the counting identification process is executed only for the pulled-out storage unit 12, the prize dispensing device 1 returns to the standby state compared to the case where the counting identification processing is executed for all the storage units 12 including the others. It is possible to shorten the time required to complete and suppress deterioration over time. Furthermore, since there is no need to install a configuration for preventing the storage unit 12 from being pulled out by mistake, for example, a configuration for permitting operation remotely by an authorized person, cost increases can be suppressed, and the store clerk can It is possible to smoothly access the target storage section 12 .

The prize payout system 100 according to the modification shown in FIG. 15 further includes a prize payout device 1 and a settlement machine 71 for cash settlement of the prepaid value associated with the player's card. At the front of the adjustment machine 71, there are a card slot 71A through which a player inserts and withdraws a card, a banknote outlet 71B through which banknote settlement money is withdrawn, and a coin outlet through which coin settlement money is dispensed. 71C are provided. The settlement machine 71 has a built-in storage part 72 storing cash, and a clerk can access the storage part 72 by opening a door 73 provided on the front surface of the settlement machine 71.例文帳に追加The prize payout device 1 and the payment machine 71 may be integrated as shown in FIG. 15, or may be arranged separately.

The opening and closing of the door 13 of the prize payout device 1 and the opening and closing of the door 73 of the payment machine 71 may be interlocked, and in this case, when one of the doors 13 and 73 is opened, the other can be opened together. Therefore, the store clerk can access not only all the storage units 12 of the prize dispensing device 1 but also the storage unit 72 of the payment machine 71 . In this configuration, even if the store clerk intending to replenish the storage unit 72 with cash pulls out the storage unit 12 by mistake, the payout control unit 61B performs counting and identification processing for the storage unit 12 that has been pulled out by mistake. You may In addition, when the prize dispensing device 1 and the checkout machine 71 are arranged apart from each other, it is necessary to prevent another person from illegally accessing the checkout machine 71 while the store clerk is accessing the storage unit 12. It is preferable that the door 13 and the door 7 cannot be opened together except during business hours of the store.

A prize payout system 100 according to the modification shown in FIG. 102, a prize payout device 103 corresponding to the payout unit 3, and a vending machine 104 for paying out general prizes. The POS terminal 102 is configured by, for example, a tablet terminal and installed on the counter 105 . The prize payout device 103 is arranged near the POS terminal 102 , for example, side by side at the counter 105 . Vending machine 104 is located near counter 105 . A display operation unit 106 similar to the display operation unit 4 described above and a reading unit 107 similar to the reading unit 64 described above are provided on the front surface of the vending machine 104 . In addition, a card slot 104A and a general prize take-out slot 104B are provided on the front surface of the vending machine 104 .

In the prize payout system 100, the prize payout device 1, the management device 101, the POS terminal 102, the prize payout device 103, and the vending machine 104 are communicably connected via a wireless or wired communication network N. A store clerk stands by at the counter 105 and operates the POS terminal 102 as necessary in response to orders from players. As a result, the aforementioned payout request is transmitted from the POS terminal 102 to the prize payout device 103, and the prize payout device 103 executes the payout process. A player may directly receive the prize P put out from the prize putting out device 103, or a store clerk may once receive the prize P put out from the prize putting out device 103 and then hand it to the player.

A player can exchange a fraction of game media that cannot be exchanged for a prize P as a special prize with a general prize, and the POS unit 2 of the prize delivery device 1 or the POS terminal 102 executes the procedure therefor. can be done. Specifically, the player can specify the type and number of general prizes by operating the display operation section 4 of the POS unit 2 . Alternatively, when the player informs the store clerk of the type and number of general prizes at the counter 105, the store clerk operates the display operation unit 108 of the POS terminal 102 to display the type and number of the general prize on behalf of the player. May be specified. Then, the POS unit 2 or the POS terminal 102 issues a receipt to the player on which information about the type and number of the specified general prizes is described.

The player takes this receipt to the vending machine 104, operates the display/operation unit 106 as necessary, and causes the reading unit 107 to read the receipt. Alternatively, information about the types and numbers of general prizes may be recorded in the above-described communication terminal or card. or insert it into In response to such an operation, the general prize designated by the player is discharged from the vending machine 104 to the outlet 104B, so that the player can receive the desired general prize from the outlet 104B.

Inventory data of general prizes for each type in the vending machine 104 is managed by the management device 101, for example. When the vending machine 104 runs out of general prizes, the management device 101 notifies the prize delivery device 1 and the POS terminal 102 that general prizes of the type out of stock cannot be exchanged. As a result, the player cannot use the POS unit 2 of the prize payout device 1 or the POS terminal 102 to exchange the general prize for the game medium.

In addition, if players take time to select a general prize using the self-type prize payout device 1 during a busy time period (evening, just before the amusement arcade closes, etc.) due to players wishing to exchange prizes, Congestion may last longer. Therefore, in order to eliminate congestion, for example, the management device 101 notifies the prize dispensing device 1 that general prizes cannot be exchanged during such a time period, so that prizes are awarded only during the time period. General prizes may not be selected in the POS unit 2 of the payout device 1 . Note that the notification by the management device 101 may be executed by setting a time in advance, or, for example, the management device 101 may automatically determine the congestion status based on the content of the image taken by a camera (not shown) that takes an image of the inside of the amusement arcade. , the notification by the management apparatus 101 may be executed based on the determination result.

For example, at the counter 105 where the clerk is waiting, the selection of general prizes is restricted at the prize payout device 1 in the surrounding area, but the selection of general prizes is still possible at the POS terminal 102 . On the other hand, if a plurality of prize payout devices 1 are installed in an unmanned area where there is no clerk around, most of the prize payout devices 1 limit the selection of general prizes, but some of the remaining prize payout devices 1 may still allow selection of general prizes.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Also, the various features described above can be combined as appropriate.

For example, although an example of the confirming unit for confirming the stock to be dispensed is the dispensing control unit 61B, the management device 101 may function as the confirming unit. Further, although the POS control unit 61A is an example of the notification unit that notifies that the storage unit 12 needs to be replenished with the prize P, the payout control unit 61B and the management device 101 may function as the notification unit. good. Similarly, at least one of the POS control unit 61A, the payout control unit 61B, and the management device 101 may be an example of the request unit that requests the second prize payout device 1B to pay out the payout target.

1 prize payout device 1A first prize payout device 1B second prize payout device 12 storage unit 13B payout port 54 moving unit 61 control unit 61A POS control unit 61B payout control unit 100 prize payout system 101 management device P prize

Claims (7)

a prize payout device including a payout area for paying out a prize, a storage section for storing the prize, and a payout section for paying out the prize in the storage section to the payout area;
a generation unit that generates payout information about prizes to be paid out;
a confirmation unit that receives the payout information and confirms the stock to be paid out in the storage unit based on the payout information;
When the confirmation result of the confirmation unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the dispensing unit dispenses the dispensing object to the dispensing area,
A prize payout system, comprising a notification unit that notifies that the storage unit needs to be replenished with prizes prior to the start of payout of the payout object when the confirmation result does not satisfy the predetermined condition. 2. The prize payout system according to claim 1, wherein said payout unit pays out said payout object to said payout area when prizes are replenished in said storage unit after said notification unit starts notification. a plurality of the prize dispensing devices;
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a request unit for requesting the second prize payout device to pay out the payout object when the confirmation result for the first prize payout device does not satisfy the predetermined condition. prize payout system. The payout information includes specific information specifying the prize to be paid out and number information about the number of prizes to be paid out,
4. The prize payout system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said confirming unit starts confirming the inventory of said payout object in said storage unit upon receiving said specific information. 5. The prize payout system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said predetermined condition is that there are enough prizes to be paid out in said storage unit. a payout area where prizes are paid out;
a storage unit for storing prizes;
a generation unit that generates payout information about prizes to be paid out;
a confirming unit that receives the payout information and checks the inventory to be paid out in the storage unit based on the payout information;
a payout unit that pays out the payout object in the storage unit to the payout area when the check result of the check unit satisfies a predetermined condition;
and a notification unit for notifying that the storage unit needs to be replenished with prizes prior to starting the payout of the payout object when the confirmation result does not satisfy the predetermined condition. A prize payout method for a prize payout device including a payout area for paying out a prize, a storage section for storing a prize, and a payout section for paying out the prize in the storage section to the payout area,
a generation step of generating payout information about prizes to be paid out;
a confirmation step of receiving the payout information and confirming the stock to be paid out in the storage section based on the payout information;
a payout step of paying out the payout object to the payout area by the payout unit when the confirmation result in the confirming step satisfies a predetermined condition;
and a notification step of notifying that the storage unit needs to be replenished with prizes prior to starting the payout of the payout object when the confirmation result does not satisfy the predetermined condition. Method.

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