JP3014416U - Coin for game machine and its identification device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To provide a coin for a game machine and an identification device thereof, which can set many types and which can easily identify these types. [Configuration] When a coin enters an alternating magnetic field generated by the antenna unit 23, the antenna unit 23 and the electromagnetic coil 5 of the ID unit 1 built in the coin are electromagnetically coupled. ID unit 1
Then, a DC voltage and a clock signal are formed from the induction current of the electromagnetic coil 5, and the pattern control unit 13 switches the switching element 8 on and off according to the pattern in the pattern memory 12. As a result, the impedance of the impedance switching circuit 15 changes periodically according to the coin pattern. Along with this, the output of the antenna unit 23 changes. The detection circuit 24 detects the envelope of this output and applies a binary signal to the arithmetic control unit 25. Arithmetic control unit 2
5 confirms that the pattern of the binary signal and the pattern in the pattern memory 26 match.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a coin for a game machine and its identification device.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 As is well known, in the case of slot machines, coins are inserted before playing. This coin is dedicated to the slot machine and is different from legal coins that are circulated in the general public.

Such a coin is one kind, and a plurality of kinds of coins are not prepared only for the slot machine. However, when there is only one type of coin, the amount of coins to be inserted into the slot machine increases as the amount of stake increases, which is troublesome. Therefore, there has been a demand for a slot machine that can use a plurality of types of coins to which respective amounts of money are allocated.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, when multiple types of coins are prepared, it becomes necessary to identify these types of coins. For example, by setting the diameter, thickness, and weight of each type of coin, these types of coins can be identified, but the device for identifying the diameter, thickness, and weight of coins is complicated. However, due to its high price, it will lead to soaring slot machines.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin for a game machine and an identification device thereof, which can set many types and which can easily identify these types.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a coin for a game machine according to the present invention is a closed circuit including at least one electromagnetic coil, and an impedance switching circuit capable of switching between at least two types of impedance and this impedance switching circuit. A pattern control unit for controlling and periodically switching each impedance of the impedance switching circuit according to a predetermined pattern is incorporated.

Further, the coin identifying device for a game machine of the present invention has an antenna coil that forms an AC magnetic field, a detection unit that detects a change in the output of the antenna coil, and an antenna coil that is detected by the detection unit. An arithmetic control unit for collating an output change pattern with a predetermined pattern and determining that a coin for a game machine according to claim 1 is present when both patterns match.

[0008]

[Action]

 The coin for a game machine of the present invention has an impedance switching circuit and a pattern control section built-in. The pattern control unit periodically switches each impedance of the impedance switching circuit according to a predetermined pattern.

On the other hand, the identification device of the present invention comprises an antenna coil, a detection means, and an arithmetic control unit, and the antenna coil forms an alternating magnetic field. Here, when the electromagnetic coils of the impedance switching circuit built into the coin enter the alternating magnetic field of the antenna coils, these antenna coils and the electromagnetic coils are electromagnetically coupled. Therefore, when the impedance control circuit including the electromagnetic coil periodically switches the impedances of the impedance switching circuit according to a predetermined pattern by the coin pattern control unit, the output of the antenna coil also changes in the same pattern. The detecting means detects the change in the output of the antenna coil. Then, the arithmetic control unit identifies the pattern of the change in the output of the antenna coil and determines the existence of this coin.

[0010]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a coin for a game machine and an identification device thereof according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an ID unit 1 and an identification device 2 are provided, and the identification device 2 determines the presence of the ID unit 1.

The ID unit 1 is built in a coin 3 made of synthetic resin as shown in FIG. The ID unit 1 has a disk-shaped glass epoxy substrate 4 as a base, and includes an electromagnetic coil 5, impedance elements 6 and 7, a switching element 8, a rectifier circuit 9, a clock generation circuit 11, and a pattern memory 12. , And the pattern control unit 13 are embedded in the glass epoxy substrate 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the electromagnetic coil 5 has a diameter that approaches the peripheral edge of the glass epoxy substrate 4, and is as large as possible. This is because more magnetic flux is crossed with the electromagnetic coil 5. Further, the impedance elements 6 and 7, the switching element 8, the rectifier circuit 9, the clock generation circuit 11, the pattern memory 12, and the pattern control unit 13 are formed as a chip 14 of the integrated circuit, and each layer of the glass epoxy substrate 4 is formed. It is sandwiched between them.

The electromagnetic coil 5, the impedance elements 6 and 7, and the switching element 8 form a closed circuit, and this closed circuit is referred to as an impedance switching circuit 15. The pattern control unit 13 reads out a predetermined pattern (the ID code assigned to the coin 3) from the pattern memory 12, and switches the switching element 8 on and off according to this pattern. When the switching element 8 is off, the electromagnetic coil 5 and one impedance element 6 are connected in parallel, and when the switching element 8 is on, the electromagnetic coil 5 and two impedance elements 6 and 7 are connected in parallel.

On the other hand, in the identification device 2, the oscillation output of the oscillation circuit 21 as shown in FIG. 4A is applied to the antenna section 23 via the amplifier 22 to form an AC magnetic field around the antenna section 23. are doing. The antenna section 23 is formed by connecting an antenna coil 23a and a capacitor 23b in parallel, and resonates at the same frequency as the oscillation output of the oscillation circuit 21. This improves the frequency selectivity of the AC magnetic field.

The output of the antenna unit 23 is input to the detection circuit 24. The detection circuit 24 detects the envelope of the output of the antenna section 23, forms a binary signal according to the level of this output, and applies this binary signal to the arithmetic control section 25. The arithmetic control unit 25 compares the series of patterns of the binary signal with two predetermined patterns in the pattern memory 26, and the pattern of the binary signal determines which one of the patterns in the pattern memory 26. It is determined whether or not

Here, the identification device 2 identifies two types of coins to which respective amounts of money are assigned. One of these coins is the coin 3 shown in FIG. 2, and the coin 3 is provided with an amount of 100 $, for example. Further, the other coin (not shown) is provided with an amount of 10 $, for example.

On the other hand, the previous pattern is assigned to the coin 3 of 100 $, and this pattern is assigned to the pattern memory 12 of the ID unit 1 and the pattern memory 26 of the identification device 2 built in this coin 3. It is stored in. Another pattern is also assigned to the other coin of 10 $, and the other patterns are also stored in the pattern memory of the ID unit and the pattern memory 26 of the identification device 2 built in this coin. Has been done.

As will be described later in detail, the identification device 2 compares the series of patterns of the binary signal from the detection circuit 24 with the two types of patterns in the pattern memory 26, and thereby the $ 100 Identify the coin 3 and the coin of 10 $.

Further, the identification device 2 energizes or deenergizes the solenoid coils 28-1, 28-2, 28-3 through the coil driving units 27-1, 27-2, 27-3. . Further, the identification device 2 inputs the output from the light receiving element 32 through the input unit 31.

The antenna unit 23, the solenoid coils 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, and the light receiving element 32 of the identification device 2 are arranged in the coin path 33 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. To be done. The coin path 33 has an inclined path 34, a side wall 35, an insertion port 36, a discharge port 37, a first sorting port 38, and a second sorting port 39.

A coin stopper 41 is provided in the vicinity of the slot 36. The coin stopper 41 is provided on the back side of the side wall 35 of the coin path 33. As shown in FIG. 7, the support fitting 42 is fixed to the side wall 35, and the T-shaped fitting 43 is pivotally supported by the support fitting 42. Then, one end of the T-shaped metal fitting 43 is pulled by the coil spring 44 to urge the piece 43a of the T-shaped metal fitting 43 in the direction of arrow A. It projects from the hole 35a to the front side.

In this state, when the coin 3 is inserted into the insertion slot 36, the coin 3 is caught by the piece 43 a of the T-shaped metal fitting 43 of the stopper 41 and stops there.

When the arithmetic control unit 25 shown in FIG. 1 urges the solenoid coil 28-1 through the coil driving unit 27-1, the magnetic force of the solenoid coil 28-1 causes a T-shape as shown by a chain line. The metal fitting 43 is attracted to the solenoid coil 28-1, and the piece 43a of the T-shaped metal fitting 43 is retracted to the back side of the side wall 35. As a result, the coin 3 rolls and moves on the slope 34.

Further, the inclined path 34 of the coin path 33 is sandwiched between the coin stopper 41 and the coin stopper 41, and the antenna portion 23 is arranged so as to face the coin stopper 41. Therefore, the coin stopper 41 enters the AC magnetic field generated by the antenna portion 23, and the coin 3 stopped by the stopper 41 also enters the AC magnetic field.

A discharge opening / closing unit 45 is provided near the discharge port 37 of the coin path 33. The discharge opening / closing portion 45 is arranged on the back side of the side wall 35, and as shown in FIG. 8, a support fitting 46 is fixed to the side wall 35, and the T-shaped fitting 47 is pivotally supported by the support fitting 46. The coil spring 48 pulls one end of the T-shaped metal fitting 47 to urge the opening / closing plate 47a of the T-shaped metal fitting 47 in the direction of arrow B, and retracts the opening / closing plate 47a of the T-shaped metal fitting 47 to the back side of the side wall 35. There is.

In this state, when the coin 3 rolls on the slope 34, the coin 3 drops from the outlet 37.

When the arithmetic control unit 25 shown in FIG. 1 urges the solenoid coil 28-2 through the coil driving unit 27-2, the T-shaped metal fitting 47 is attracted to the solenoid coil 28-2, and the T-shaped metal fitting 47 is The opening / closing plate 47a closes the outlet 37, and the coin 3 rolls and moves on the opening / closing plate 47a of the T-shaped metal fitting 47 so that the coin 3 does not drop from the outlet 37.

An opening / closing section 49 for sorting is provided near the first sorting port 38 of the coin path 33. The sorting opening / closing portion 49 is located on the back side of the side wall 35, has the same structure as the discharging opening / closing portion 45, pivotally supports the T-shaped metal fitting 50, and uses the coil spring to form the T-shaped metal fitting. The opening / closing plate 50a of 50 is retracted to the back side of the side wall 35. In this state, the coin 3 drops from the first selection port 38.

When the arithmetic control unit 25 shown in FIG. 1 biases the solenoid coil 28-3 through the coil driving unit 27-3, the T-shaped metal fitting 50 is attracted to the solenoid coil 28-3, and the T-shaped metal fitting 50 is The opening / closing plate 50a closes the first selection port 38, and the coin 3 rolls and moves on the opening / closing plate 50a of the T-shaped metal fitting 50 and drops from the second selection port 39.

A U-shaped support metal fitting 51 is fixed between the discharge opening 37 of the coin path 33 and the first selection opening 38, and the light receiving element 32 is supported by the U-shaped support metal fitting 51. There is. As shown in FIG. 9, the light emitting element 52 is provided in the small hole 35 b of the side wall 35 so as to face the light receiving element 32. The light emitting element 52 constantly emits light, and the irradiation light is incident on the light receiving element 32. When a coin passes between the light emitting element 52 and the light receiving element 32, the incident light of the light receiving element 32 is interrupted for a moment, so that the output of the light receiving element 32 drops for a moment.

The input unit 31 shown in FIG. 1 responds to the decrease in the output of the light receiving element 32, and applies a signal indicating this to the arithmetic control unit 25. Thereby, the arithmetic control unit 25 determines that the coin has passed between the discharge port 37 and the first selection port 38.

Now, in such a configuration, when a coin is inserted into the insertion slot 36 of the coin path 33, the coin is identified by the following procedure.

However, since the solenoid coils 28-1, 28-2, 28-3 are normally deenergized, the piece 43a of the T-shaped metal fitting 43 of the coin stopper 41 is located on the side wall 35 of the coin path 33. The opening / closing plate 47a of the T-shaped metal fitting 47 of the discharge opening / closing portion 45 and the opening / closing plate 50a of the T-shaped metal fitting 50 of the sorting opening / closing portion 46 are projected to the front side from the elongated hole 35a, and are retracted to the back side of the side wall 35 to discharge the discharge opening. 37 and the first selection port 38 are opened. In addition, the light emitting element 52 always emits light.

First, when the coin 3 is inserted into the insertion slot 36 of the coin path 33, the coin 3 is caught by the piece 43a of the T-shaped metal fitting 43 of the coin stopper 41 and stops there. At this time, since the coin 3 enters the AC magnetic field generated by the antenna section 23, the antenna coil 23a of the antenna section 23 and the electromagnetic coil 5 of the ID unit 1 of the coin 3 are electromagnetically coupled.

In the ID unit 1 of the coin 3 at this time, an alternating induction current is generated in the electromagnetic coil 5. This induced current is input to the rectifier circuit 9, rectified here, and the DC voltage formed by this is applied to the pattern control unit 13.

Further, the induction current of the electromagnetic coil 5 is applied to the clock generation circuit 11. The clock generation circuit 11 divides this induced current, that is, an AC signal to form a clock signal having a frequency lower than this AC signal, and applies this clock signal to the pattern control unit 13.

The pattern control unit 13 uses the DC voltage from the rectifying circuit 9 as a power supply voltage and operates in synchronization with the clock signal from the clock generating circuit 11. Then, the pattern control unit 13 reads the pattern from the pattern memory 12 and switches the switching element 8 on and off according to the pattern.

As a result, only one impedance element 6 is connected in parallel to the electromagnetic coil 5 or two impedance elements 6 and 7 are connected in parallel, and a closed circuit including the electromagnetic coil 5, that is, the impedance switching circuit 15 is provided. Of the coin changes periodically according to the pattern of the coin 3.

As the impedance of the impedance switching circuit 15 changes cyclically, the output of the antenna coil 23a of the antenna unit 23 electromagnetically coupled to the electromagnetic coil 5 changes as shown in FIG. 3B. . The detection circuit 24 detects the envelope of the output of the antenna coil 23a and applies a binary signal as shown in FIG. 3 (c) to the arithmetic control unit 25 according to the level of this output.

When the pattern of the binary signal from the detection circuit 24, that is, the pattern of the coin 3 is input, the arithmetic control unit 25 compares the pattern of the coin 3 with the two types of patterns in the pattern memory 26.

Here, as described above, the pattern memory 26 stores the patterns of the coins of 100 $ and 10 $. Therefore, the arithmetic control unit 25 determines that the pattern of the binary signal from the detection circuit 24 is the same as the pattern of the coin 3 of 100 $ in the pattern memory 26.

In this way, when the pattern of the binary signal from the detection circuit 24 matches the pattern of the coin 3 of 100 $, the arithmetic control unit 25 causes the coil driving units 27-1, 27-2, 27 -3. Each solenoid coil 28-1, 28-2, 28-3 is energized through. As a result, the piece 43a of the T-shaped metal fitting 43 of the coin stopper 41 is retracted to the back side of the side wall 35 of the coin path 33, and the opening / closing plate 47a of the T-shaped metal fitting 47 of the discharging opening / closing portion 45 and the sorting opening / closing portion 46. The discharge port 37 and the first selection port 38 are closed by the opening / closing plate 50a of the T-shaped metal fitting 50. As a result, the coin 3 of 100 $ is removed from the piece 43a of the T-shaped metal fitting 43 of the coin stopper 41, and the opening / closing plate 47a of the T-shaped metal fitting 47 of the discharging opening / closing portion 45 and the T-shaped metal of the sorting opening / closing portion 46. The metal fitting 50 rolls and moves on the opening / closing plate 50 a and falls from the second sorting port 39.

Further, while the coin 3 is moving, the coin 3 passes between the light emitting element 52 and the light receiving element 32. Due to this passage, the output of the light receiving element 32 is momentarily lowered, and in response to this, a signal is transmitted from the input section 31 to the arithmetic control section 25. As a result, the arithmetic control unit 25 determines that the coin 3 has been received.

Next, when a 10 $ coin is inserted into the insertion slot 36 of the coin path 33, the 10 $ coin is temporarily stopped at the position of the coin stopper 41, and the 10 $ coin is exchanged with the AC magnetic field of the antenna section 23. to go into.

In the ID unit of this 10 $ coin, as in the ID unit 1, the induction current of the electromagnetic coil is rectified to obtain the power supply voltage, and the induction current is divided to generate the clock signal. And the impedance of the closed circuit including the electromagnetic coil is changed according to the pattern of the 10 $ coin.

As the impedance of the closed circuit including the electromagnetic coil changes cyclically, the output of the antenna section 23 electromagnetically coupled to the electromagnetic coil changes, and the detection circuit 24 outputs 10 $ A binary signal indicating the coin pattern is output. Upon receiving the binary signal pattern from the detection circuit 24, the arithmetic control unit 25 determines that this 10 $ coin pattern is the same as the 10 $ coin pattern in the pattern memory 26.

When the 10 $ coin pattern is identified in this way, the arithmetic control unit 25 energizes the solenoid coils 28-1 and 28-2 through the coil driving units 27-1 and 27-2. However, the solenoid coil 28-3 is not energized.

As a result, the piece 43 a of the T-shaped metal fitting 43 of the coin stopper 41 is retracted to the back side of the side wall 35 of the coin passage 33, and the discharge port 37 is opened by the opening / closing plate 47 a of the T-shaped metal fitting 47 of the discharge opening / closing portion 45. Is closed. As a result, the coin of 10 $ comes off from the one side portion 43a of the T-shaped metal fitting 43 of the coin stopper 41, rolls on the opening / closing plate 47a of the T-shaped metal fitting 47 of the discharging opening / closing portion 45, and moves. It reaches the first selection port 38 and falls from the first selection port 38.

During the movement of the 10 $ coin, the coin passes between the light emitting element 52 and the light receiving element 32, the output of the light receiving element 32 is momentarily lowered, and the input section 31 shifts to the arithmetic control section 25. The signal is transmitted, and the arithmetic control unit 25 determines that the coin of 10 $ has been received.

Next, instead of coins of 100 $ and 10 $, when another coin is inserted into the insertion slot 36 of the coin path 33, this coin temporarily stops at the site of the coin stopper 41, and this coin Enters the AC magnetic field of the antenna unit 23. However, the output of the antenna unit 23 of the identification device 2 does not change. Alternatively, even if the output of the antenna unit 23 changes, the pattern of the binary signal output from the detection circuit 24 does not match any of the patterns in the pattern memory 26.

In this case, the arithmetic control unit 25 energizes only the solenoid coil 28-1 through the coil driving unit 27-1. As a result, the piece 43a of the T-shaped metal fitting 43 of the coin stopper 41 is retracted to the back side of the side wall 35 of the coin path 33, and the coin moves away from the coin stopper 41 and reaches the discharge port 37. Drop from. Since this coin drops from the discharge port 37, it does not pass between the light emitting element 52 and the light receiving element 32.

When a 100 $ coin 3 is inserted in this way, this coin 3 drops from the second selection port 39, and when a 10 $ coin is inserted, this 10 $ coin drops from the first selection port 38. Then, when another coin is inserted, the other coin drops from the outlet 37. That is, in this embodiment, two types of coins, $ 100 and $ 10, are discriminated and classified, and the other coils are ejected.

Although two types of coins are identified in this embodiment, three or more types of coins may be identified. Further, the pattern of coins (ID code) is not limited to the method of defining one pattern for each type of coin. For example, if a coin of 100 $ is expressed in a decimal number, each ID code included in the range of 10001 to 20000 is assigned, and a coin of 10 $ is expressed in a range of 20001 to 30000 in decimal. Each included ID code may be assigned. Further, if the number of digits of the ID code is large, for example, about 40 bits, the number of types of this ID code becomes enormous, so that it is possible to use completely different ID codes for each game store, It can be expected to prevent unauthorized use.

The material of the coin is not limited to synthetic resin, and may be any material as long as it does not block electromagnetic waves. Further, the coin and its identification device of the present invention can be applied not only to the slot machine but also to other kinds of game machines.

[0056]

【effect】

 As described above, according to the present invention, the coin includes the impedance switching circuit including the electromagnetic coil, and the pattern control unit that periodically switches each impedance of the impedance switching circuit according to a predetermined pattern. Has been done. The identification device forms an AC magnetic field around the antenna coil, and when a coin enters the AC magnetic field of the antenna coil, it detects changes in the output of the antenna coil and identifies the pattern of changes in the output of this antenna coil. , Determine the existence of this coin. With such a coin identification method, many types of coins can be set, these types of identification can be performed easily, and the cost of the identification device can be kept low.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a coin for a game machine according to the present invention and an identification device therefor.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a partially broken view of the coin of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an ID unit built in the coin of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing each signal in the embodiment of FIG.

5 is a side view showing a coin path of the identification device in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the coin path of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a coin stopper in the coin path of FIG.

8 is a side view showing an opening / closing part for discharging in the coin path of FIG. 5;

9 is a side view showing a support structure for a light receiving element and a light emitting element in the coin path of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ID Unit 2 Identification Device 3 Coin 4 Glass Epoxy Substrate 5 Electromagnetic Coil 6, 7 Impedance 8 Switching Element 9 Rectifier Circuit 11 Clock Generation Circuit 12 Pattern Memory 13 Pattern Control Unit 14 Integrated Circuit Chip 15 Impedance Switching Circuit 21 Oscillation Circuit 22 Amplifier 23 antenna part 24 detection circuit 25 arithmetic control part 26 pattern memory 27-1, 27-2, 27-3 coil drive part 28-1, 28-2, 28-3 solenoid coil

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A closed circuit including at least one electromagnetic coil, which is capable of switching between at least two types of impedances, and the impedance switching circuit is controlled to predetermine each impedance of the impedance switching circuit. A coin for a game machine having a built-in pattern control unit that periodically switches according to a given pattern. 2. An antenna coil that forms an alternating magnetic field, a detection unit that detects a change in the output of the antenna coil, and a pattern of a change in the output of the antenna coil detected by the detection unit that is a predetermined pattern. Collate,
A coin discriminating device for a game machine, comprising: an arithmetic control unit for determining that a coin for a game machine according to claim 1 exists when the patterns of both match.