JP4723332B2 - Coin handling unit and game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin processing unit used when a game medium lending process is performed by a prepaid method using a coin-type storage medium, and a gaming machine inter-machine that performs a game medium lending process.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is a gaming machine pedestal machine capable of lending gaming media by a prepaid method using a coin-type storage medium such as an IC coin with a built-in IC memory chip. Such a gaming machine interim machine includes a coin processing unit for issuing, returning, collecting, and reading / writing information on coin-type storage media. When a user inserts money such as banknotes, A coin-type storage medium in which the input amount is written on the medium is issued. When a game medium is lent out using a coin-type storage medium, the stored amount is updated to a value obtained by subtracting the amount of the loan amount, and a coin-type storage medium whose balance is zero is a coin-type storage medium. It is to be collected in the writing unit.

Coin processing units are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. The coin-type storage medium processing machine disclosed in these patent documents receives the coin-type storage medium from the insertion path by rotating a rotor formed with a recess capable of storing the coin-type storage medium on the periphery, The reader / writer is configured to perform an operation of reading the stored information, an operation of returning the coin-type storage medium from the discharge path, or an operation of storing it in the stocker. Further, by rotating the rotor in the reverse direction, the coin-type storage medium stored in the stocker is taken out, the monetary information is written by the reader / writer, and is issued from the discharge port.
JP 2003-135829 A JP 2005-34279 A

  In such a coin processing unit, in general, sensors are attached to the inlet and outlet of the coin-type storage medium, and the number of coin-type storage media stored in the stocker is determined based on the outputs of these sensors. Counted and stored. When the number of stored sheets reaches zero, a warning lamp, for example, a status display lamp attached to the upper end of the front when it is built in a gaming machine, uses a warning to prompt replenishment. Is emitted.

  Here, when foreign objects, coins having different diameters and thicknesses are inserted into the coin processing unit, they may be clogged in the internal passages, resulting in an inoperable state. In such a case, a worker in charge or the like needs to perform a recovery operation to open the coin processing unit and remove such foreign matter and coins. In the recovery operation, there is a case where a regular coin-type storage medium is also taken out together to remove a clogged foreign matter. In such a case, the number of stored coin-type storage media grasped by the control unit of the coin processing unit and the actual number of stored sheets are different from each other. If this is not done, there will be problems such as the remaining number of sheets being unable to be managed.

  In view of these points, the present invention proposes a coin processing unit capable of detecting the number of stored coin-type storage media in the initial operation after recovery work for eliminating a coin jam or the like. There is to do.

  Another object of the present invention is to propose a gaming machine inter-machine equipped with such a coin processing unit.

In order to solve the above problems, the coin processing unit of the present invention is:
A coin entrance passage into which a coin-type storage medium is inserted;
A coin exit passage for discharging the coin-type storage medium;
A coin storage unit that receives coin-type storage media from the lower end opening and stores them in a diametrically stacked state; and
At least one pocket that can receive one coin-type storage medium from the outer peripheral side is provided, and with rotation, the pocket communicates with the coin entrance passage, and the second rotational position communicates with the coin exit passage. A coin transport rotor that moves via a rotational position and a third rotational position that communicates with the lower end opening of the coin storage;
An information read / write head disposed in the vicinity of the first rotation position in order to read / write information from / to the coin-type storage medium received in the pocket at the first rotation position;
Storing coin number detection means for detecting the number of stored coin-type storage media,
The stored coin number detection means includes first and second coin sensors capable of detecting coin-type storage media stored at different positions in the coin storage unit, and the coin transport rotor is moved from the third rotation position to the first rotation position. Based on changes in detection outputs of the first and second coin sensors during the coin return operation, the coin return operation is performed by rotating the coin-type storage medium to the coin entrance passage by rotating in the direction toward the first rotation position. The number of stored coin-type storage media is detected.

  In the present invention, the first and second coin sensors are attached to the coin storage portion, and by setting the attachment positions appropriately, both coins during the coin return operation for returning the coin-type storage medium to the coin insertion path. Based on the output of the sensor, the number of coin-type storage media in the processor can be detected. Therefore, even if one or more coin-type storage media are taken out from the inside during a recovery operation such as a coin jam or the like, if the coin return operation is executed at the subsequent initial movement, the coin type inside the processing machine Accurately grasp the number of storage media.

  Here, the coin storage number detection means according to the present invention is configured such that, when the coin-type storage medium is not returned, when the first and second coin sensors detect no coin-type storage medium, The number of coin-type storage media stored is detected based on information read by the information read / write head during the return operation.

  In this way, even if the coin-type storage medium is not stored in the coin storage unit and the coin-type storage medium is held only in the pocket of the coin transport rotor, such a coin-type storage medium is stored. The number of media can be detected.

  In the coin processing unit of the present invention, the coin transport rotor includes first, second, and third pockets as outer pockets at intervals of 120 degrees as the pockets, and the second rotational position is the first rotational position. The third rotation position is a position rotated by 240 degrees from the first rotation position, and when the maximum number of coins stored in the coin storage unit is 9, the stored coins The number detection means performs a return operation of a maximum of three coin-type storage media, and the first coin sensor is for detecting a coin-type storage medium positioned at the bottom of the coin storage portion. The 2-coin sensor may be used for detecting the fourth coin-type storage medium from the bottom of the coin storage unit.

  In this case, the coin storage number detecting means rotates the coin transport rotor 120 degrees, confirms the ID of the coin-type storage medium with the information read / write head, and further rotates the coin transport rotor 120 degrees. The ID of the coin-type storage medium is confirmed by the information read / write head. If the confirmed IDs are the same, it is determined that the number of coin-type storage media stored is one, and the confirmed ID If they are different, it can be determined that the number of stored coin-type storage media is two.

  Next, the present invention relates to a gaming inter-machine that performs a gaming medium lending process by a prepaid method using a coin-type storage medium in combination, and is characterized by having the coin processing unit configured as described above.

  In the coin processing unit of the present invention, a coin return operation for returning the I coin type storage medium from the coin storage portion to the coin insertion path is performed, and the first and second coin sensors arranged in the coin storage portion at the time of the return operation are operated. Based on the output, the number of coin-type storage media stored in the processor is detected. The number of coin-type storage media stored in the processing machine can always be accurately grasped by activating an operation according to need or after a coin jam recovery operation.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an example of a table machine for a gaming table in which a processing device that handles a coin-type storage medium and a card-type storage medium to which the present invention is applied will be described.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a gaming machine pedestal machine. The gaming machine pedestal machine in this example is a prepaid system using an IC card for a member player and an IC coin for a general player (visitor). Thus, the gaming media can be lent out. FIG. 2A is a side view of the gaming machine pedestal machine, and FIG. 2B is a partial arrow view when viewed from the A direction. FIG. 3 is a six-sided view of the processing device mounted on the gaming machine inter-machine.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inter-table machine 1 for gaming machines is a game in a vertically-facing vertical position in a vertically narrow gap between game machines (not shown) arranged on an amusement island of a game store. It consists of a table machine holder 2 attached to an island frame (not shown), and a table machine main body 3 mounted to the table machine holder 2 in a detachable state from the front.

  The inter-machine main body 3 is provided with a vertically long flat rectangular parallelepiped chassis 4, and a bill discriminator 5, a control box 6 and a power supply box 7 are attached to the chassis 4 in this order from above. ing. A front panel 8 is attached to the front surface of the chassis 4, and the front panel 8 has a multi-function lamp 8 a, a bill entrance 8 b, a display unit 8 c for displaying an IC card or IC coin balance from the upper side, A numeric keypad 8d used for inputting a password when the member replays, a coin insertion slot 8e for inserting an IC coin, and a coin exit 8f for discharging an IC coin are arranged in this order. An IC card insertion slot 8g is disposed at the adjacent position.

  The processing device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is incorporated in the control box 6. The processing apparatus 10 includes a flat coin processing unit 20 that issues, returns, collects, and reads / writes IC coins, and an IC that is assembled in a horizontal rectangular recess 21 formed on a side surface of the coin processing unit 20. And a card processing unit 100 that performs card read / write. As can be seen from FIG. 2, guide holes 14 a and 14 b are formed in the upper half of the back surface of the coin processing unit 20, and a main body connector 15 for communication is disposed rearward between them. Yes.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pedestal machine holder 2 includes a vertical frame 2 a and upper and lower guide plates 2 b and 2 c that are bent at right angles from the upper and lower ends and extend forward. A relay board 16 for external communication is attached to the vertical frame 2a. A pair of upper and lower guide pins 17a, 17b protrudes forward on the relay board 16, and a communication holder side connector 18 is attached forwardly between them. In this example, the relay board 16 is attached to the vertical frame 2a by the attachment plate 19 in a state in which the relay board 16 can be slightly slid in the vertical direction.

  When the intermediary machine body 3 is positioned between the upper and lower guide plates 2b, 2c of the intermediary machine holder 2, and the intermediary machine body 3 is pushed along the guide plates 2b, 2c, a tapered guide pin is formed. The distal end portions of 17a and 17b are inserted into the guide holes 14a and 14b, and thereafter, the main body side connector 15 is automatically positioned to the holder side connector 18 by the insertion operation of the interpolator main body 3. In this example, since the relay board 16 side can be slid up and down, the holder-side connector 18 mounted on the relay board 16 slides up and down, and both are automatically positioned. Therefore, when the machine main body 3 is inserted into the machine holder 2, a state in which the main body side connector 15 is inserted and connected to the holder side connector 18 is automatically formed.

(Coin handling unit)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the coin processing unit 20, and the configuration of the coin processing unit 20 will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. The coin processing unit 20 includes a flat unit case 23, and a front surface 23 a includes a coin inlet 24 that communicates with a coin insertion slot 8 e and a coin outlet 8 f of the front panel 8 of the gaming machine intercom 1. A coin exit 25 is formed. A recess 21 for assembling the card processing unit 50 is formed on the side surface of the unit case, and the card processing unit 50 is attached thereto.

  Inside the unit case 23, a coin entrance passage 26 for guiding the IC coin C inserted from the coin entrance 24 is formed. The coin entrance passage 26 is of a size that allows one IC coin to pass in a standing state. The coin entrance passage 26 is slightly inclined downward from the coin entrance 24 toward the rear, and is curved downward from this point. The IC coin can be slid along the passage bottom surface 26a by its own weight.

  A lower end opening 26b of the coin entrance passage 26 faces downward, and a coin transport rotor 27 is disposed directly below the opening 26b so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 28. The coin transfer rotor 27 has three arms 27a radially formed on the surface of the circular rotor at intervals of 120 degrees, and the thickness of these arms 27a is substantially the same as that of the IC coin. A pocket 27 (1), 27 (2), 27 (3) capable of receiving one IC coin is formed between them.

  An arc-shaped coin guide inner peripheral surface 29 centering on the support shaft 28 is formed continuously to the lower end of the passage bottom surface 26 a of the coin inlet passage 26. The IC coins received in the pockets 27 (1) to 27 (3) are placed on the coin guide inner peripheral surface 29 in the state of entering the pockets 27 (1) to 27 (3) when the coin transport rotor 27 rotates. Conveyed along.

  Next, a coin outlet passage 30 communicates with the coin outlet 25. The coin outlet passage 30 is a passage inclined downward toward the coin outlet 25, and the IC coin slides down due to its own weight so that the coin outlet 25 It can be discharged. The coin outlet passage 30 communicates with an opening 30a formed in the inner peripheral surface 29 for coin guide. The opening 30a is a position (second rotation position B) where the pockets 27 (1) to 27 (3) are rotated 60 degrees from a position (first rotation position A) immediately below the lower end opening 26b of the coin entrance passage 26. Is formed.

  On the other hand, a coin storage portion 31 is disposed on the rear side of the coin transport rotor 27. The coin storage unit 31 is formed from a passage through which one IC coin can pass, and is sent from the lower end opening 31a in a state where the IC coin is stood. The coin storage portion 31 of this example can store a maximum of nine IC coins, a vertical storage passage portion 31b extending linearly in the vertical direction, and continuously bent backward on the lower side to be forward again. A curved storage passage portion 31c that returns and an inclined storage passage portion 31d that continues to the lower end and reaches the lower end opening 31a are provided. The inclination angle θ in the inclined storage passage portion 31d is set to an angle at which the IC coin stored therein can slide down to the lower end opening 31a by its own weight. Usually, it may be within a range of 10 to 30 degrees. In this example, this angle θ is approximately 20 degrees.

  Here, in the lower end opening 31a of the coin storage portion 31, the pockets 27 (1) to 27 (3) are rotated 240 degrees from a position (first rotation position A) immediately below the lower end opening 26b of the coin entrance passage 26. It opens to a position opposite to the position (third rotation position C). At this position, the lower end surface 31e defining the curved storage passage portion 31c of the coin storage portion 31 extends straight as it is and continues to the inner peripheral surface 29 for coin guide.

  Next, a coin entrance shutter 32 is disposed in a portion of the coin entrance passage 26 that communicates with the coin entrance 24. The coin entrance shutter 32 is retracted from the coin entrance passage 26 when no IC coin or IC card is inserted. However, when these are inserted, the coin entrance shutter 32 protrudes into the coin entrance passage 26 and blocks the passage. This is to prevent IC coins from being inserted from 24. The coin entrance shutter 32 is driven by a solenoid 33.

  A coin exit shutter 34 for opening and closing the coin exit passage 30 communicating with the coin exit 25 is also disposed. In a state where the coin exit shutter 34 blocks the coin exit passage 30, a part of the coin guide inner peripheral surface 29 is formed by the shutter.

  Near the lower end of the opening 30 a of the coin exit passage 30, a coin exit auxiliary passage piece 35 for guiding IC coins from the pockets 27 (1) to 27 (3) to the coin exit passage 30 is disposed. The coin exit auxiliary passage piece 35 is retracted from the coin exit passage 30 when the coin exit shutter 34 protrudes into the coin exit passage 30 and blocks the passage, and when the coin exit shutter 34 opens the coin exit passage 30, It protrudes into the exit passage 30 and guides the IC coin to the coin exit passage side. The coin exit shutter 34 and the coin exit auxiliary passage piece 35 are driven by a common solenoid 36. These detailed structures will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the coin transport rotor 27 has a main gear 37 concentrically attached thereto, a worm wheel 38 meshed with the main gear 37, a worm 39 meshed with the worm wheel 38, and the worm 39 fixed to the output shaft. It is driven by a drive mechanism provided with a drive motor 40. The rotational position of the main gear 37 is detected by the main gear sensor 41, and based on this, the rotational position of the coin transport rotor 27, that is, the rotational positions of the pockets 27 (1) to 27 (3) is controlled.

  Here, in the coin processing unit 20 of this example, a coin sensor for detecting an IC coin is arranged as follows. First, a coin entrance sensor 42 is attached to the coin entrance passage 26 in the vicinity of the coin entrance 24, and the inserted IC coin is detected by the coin entrance sensor 42. A coin exit sensor 43 is disposed in the coin exit passage 30 in the vicinity of the coin exit 25, and thereby IC coins discharged are detected. Further, a coin detection sensor 44 is disposed at the first rotation position A of each of the pockets 27 (1) to 27 (3) of the coin transport rotor 27. The coin detection sensor 44 detects whether or not an IC coin is received in the pocket located at the first rotation position A.

  Furthermore, coin storage sensors 45 and 46 are arranged at two locations in the coin storage unit 31. The coin storage sensor 45 is disposed in the vicinity of the lower end opening 31 a of the coin storage unit 31 and detects an IC coin stored in the lowest position of the coin storage unit 31. The coin storage sensor 46 is disposed on the upper end side of the curved storage passage portion 31c, and detects the fourth IC coin stored in the coin storage portion 31 from the bottom.

  On the other hand, the first rotation position A of the pockets 27 (1) to 27 (3) is a read / write position for reading stored information of the IC coin and writing information to the IC coin. In the vicinity of the first rotation position A, an information read / write antenna 47 is arranged as indicated by a dotted line in the drawing. As described above, the card processing unit 100 is assembled in the concave portion 21 formed on the side surface of the coin processing unit 20, and the antenna 47 is also used as an antenna for reading and writing IC cards in the card processing unit 100. Has been.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, a coin jam release cover 22 is detachably attached to the unit case 23 of the coin processing unit 20 of this example. When the coin jam release cover 22 is removed, the movement paths of the pockets 27 (1) to 27 (3) of the coin transport rotor 27 are opened. Therefore, when a coin jam or the like occurs in the coin processing unit 20, the cover 22 can be removed to return to a normal state.

(Drive mechanism for coin exit shutter and coin exit auxiliary passage piece)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a drive mechanism for the coin exit shutter 34 and the coin exit auxiliary passage piece 35. FIGS. 5A to 5F show a state where the coin exit passage 30 is blocked by the coin exit shutter 34, and FIGS. 5G to 5L show the coin exit passage 30 in an open state. The coin exit shutter 34 is attached to an advance / retreat lever 51 that can advance and retreat in the coin exit passage 30. Inclined guide grooves 51a and 51b are formed in the upper and lower ends of the advance / retreat lever 51, and guide pins 52a and 52b attached to the upper and lower ends of the connecting lever 52 that can move up and down slide here. Plugged in as possible. The lower end of the connecting lever 52 is connected to the telescopic rod of the solenoid 36.

  The coin exit auxiliary passage piece 35 is formed at the tip of a turning lever 54 that can turn about the support shaft 53, and can move forward and backward with respect to the coin exit passage 30 by turning about the support shaft 53. . The turning lever 54 is connected to the connecting lever 52. When the connecting lever 52 is lowered, the turning lever 54 is turned around the support shaft 53 in the direction in which the coin outlet auxiliary passage piece 35 protrudes into the coin outlet passage 30. When 52 rises, it turns in the direction of retreating from the coin exit passage 30.

  In the state where the coin outlet passage 30 shown in FIGS. 5A to 5F is blocked, the telescopic rod of the solenoid 36 is in the protruding position, and the connecting lever 52 connected thereto is in the raised position. In this state, the coin exit shutter 34 attached to the advance / retreat lever 51 projects into the coin exit passage 30 to block the passage. On the other hand, the coin exit auxiliary passage piece 35 is in a standing state and is retracted from the coin exit passage 30. In this state, the IC coin can be transferred from the first rotation position A to the third rotation position C via the second rotation position B by the pockets 27 (1) to 27 (3) of the coin transfer rotor 27. is there.

  When the solenoid 36 is driven to retract the telescopic rod to the retracted position, the state is switched to the state shown in FIGS. When the telescopic rod of the solenoid 36 is retracted, the connecting lever 52 connected thereto is lowered. As a result, the advance / retreat lever 51 moves in the lateral direction, and the coin exit shutter 34 attached thereto is retracted from the coin exit passage 30. On the other hand, when the connecting lever 52 is lowered, the turning lever 54 connected thereto turns around the support shaft 53, and the coin outlet auxiliary passage piece 35 formed at the tip of the turning lever 54 protrudes into the coin outlet passage 30. It becomes a state.

  In this state, the coin exit passage 30 is opened, and it is ensured that the IC coins stored in the pockets 27 (1) to 27 (3) are moved to the third rotation position side by the coin exit auxiliary passage piece 35. Be blocked. Therefore, when the coin transport rotor 27 rotates and the pockets 27 (1) to 27 (3) storing the IC coins reach the second rotational position B from the first rotational position A, the coin outlet passage 30 Rolls out by its own weight and is discharged from the coin outlet 25 to the outside.

(Drive control system)
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing a drive control system of the inter-table machine 1 for the gaming table of this example. The drive control system includes a main control unit 61 mounted on the control box 6, and performs various controls such as a game medium lending process by executing a control program stored and held therein. A memory 62 is connected to the main control unit 61, and is connected to the multifunction lamp 8a, the display unit 8c, the numeric keypad 8d, the bill validator 5 and the like via the interface 63. Further, a unit drive control unit 64 is connected to the main control unit 61. The unit drive control unit 64 controls driving of the processing apparatus 10 including the coin processing unit 20 and the card processing unit 100, and includes sensors 41 to 46, solenoids 33 and 36, and drive motor 40 via the interface 65. Etc. are connected. The main control unit 61 is connected to the relay board 16 via the connectors 15 and 18, and the relay board 16 is connected to the control unit 66 of the adjacent game machine, the management computer 67, etc. via the communication line. ing.

  Under the control of the main control unit 61, the unit drive control unit 64 drives and controls each part of the coin processing unit 20 and the card processing unit 100 based on input commands, sensor inputs, etc., and issues, returns, and collects IC coins. Processing operations such as reading and writing information and processing operations such as reading and writing information of the IC card are performed. FIG. 7 shows a schematic operation of the coin processing unit 20 performed under the control of the unit drive control unit 64, and FIGS. 8 to 11 show coins realized under the control of the unit drive control unit 64. A function for detecting the number of IC coins stored in the processing unit 20 is shown.

(Schematic operation of coin processing unit)
The outline of the processing operation of the coin processing unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. A state S1 shows a state of a general coin processing unit 20, and a plurality of IC coins C1 to C4 are stored in the coin storage unit 31, and the coin transport rotor 27 has a pocket 27 (1) as the first. The IC coin can be received at the rotation position A, and IC coins C5 and C6 are stored in the pockets 27 (2) and 27 (3). The pocket 27 (3) is the lower end of the coin storage unit 31. It is located at the third rotational position C communicating with the opening 31a.

  When the IC coin Ca is inserted from the coin entrance 24 in this state, the inserted IC coin Ca slides down the coin entrance passage 26 by its own weight and is received in the pocket 27 (1) of the coin transport rotor 27. When the insertion of the IC coin Ca is detected by the coin entrance sensor 42, the coin entrance shutter 32 is closed. The stored information is read from the IC coin Ca placed in the pocket 27 (1) by the antenna 47 arranged at the adjacent position. When there is a prepaid balance, it is possible to lend gaming media, and when a lending command is received, gaming media lending processing is performed by the gaming machine intermediary machine 1. After the game media lending process is performed, the lending fee is subtracted from the prepaid balance, and the balance after subtraction is written in the IC coin Ca.

  When an instruction to return IC coin Ca is input after the game is finished, etc., the prepaid balance is confirmed. If the balance is zero, the IC coin Ca is collected without being returned as shown in state S2. To do. That is, the coin transport rotor 27 is rotated 120 degrees in the forward direction (clockwise in FIG. 7), and the pocket 27 (1) in which the IC coin Ca is stored is moved from the first rotation position A to a position rotated 120 degrees. . By this rotation, the IC coin C5 stored in the pocket 27 (3) is fed into the coin storage unit 31 from below, and the pocket 27 (3) becomes empty.

  When the balance of the IC coin Ca is not zero, when a return command is input, a return operation for returning the IC coin Ca from the coin exit 25 is performed as shown in state S3. In this return operation, the coin exit shutter 34 is opened, the coin exit auxiliary passage piece 35 is projected into the coin exit passage 30, the coin transport rotor 27 is rotated 60 degrees in the forward direction, and the pocket 27 (1) is placed in the coin exit. The position communicates with the passage 30. As a result, the IC coin Ca rolls out from the pocket 27 (1) by its own weight, is guided to the coin exit auxiliary passage piece 35, passes through the coin exit passage 30, and is returned from the coin exit 25.

  Next, in the state S4, when a bill is inserted and the deposit amount is detected by the bill discriminator, the coin transport rotor 27 is rotated backward by 120 degrees and the pocket 27 (2) is returned to the first rotational position A. , S5. In this state, the deposit amount is written using the antenna 47 to the IC coin C7 in the pocket 27 (2). After this, when an IC coin return command is input, the process proceeds to state S3, and the IC coin C7 issuance operation is performed.

  Note that a state S6 in FIG. 7 indicates a full state of IC coins, and in this example, nine IC coins C1 to C9 can be stored in the coin processing unit 20. Further, a state S7 in FIG. 7 shows a state in which there is no IC coin.

(Operation for detecting the number of stored IC coins)
Next, an operation for detecting the number of stored IC coins in the coin processing unit 20 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the coin storage unit 31 has coin storage sensors 45 and 46 arranged at two locations, and the coin storage sensor 45 can detect the lowest IC coin stored in the coin storage unit 31. The coin storage sensor 46 can detect the fourth IC coin from the bottom. The operation of detecting the number of stored sheets is based on the outputs of the coin storage sensors 45 and 46 during the return operation by rotating the coin transport rotor 27 reversely by 360 degrees and returning the IC coin to the coin entrance passage 26. The number of stored sheets is detected.

  First, the detection operation when nine IC coins C1 to C9 are stored will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, even after the coin transport rotor 27 is rotated 360 degrees in the reverse direction from the state of FIG. 8A and the three IC coins C9, C8, C7 are returned to the coin entrance passage 26, 2 Both coin storage sensors 45 and 46 remain in the detection output (ON) with an IC coin. Thereby, it turns out that the number of stored sheets is nine.

  Next, when eight IC coins C1 to C8 are stored, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the return operation of the three IC coins C8, C7 and C6 is performed. Later, the lower coin storage sensor 45 is in an ON state with an IC coin, but the upper coin storage sensor 46 is switched to OFF without an IC coin. From these output states, it can be seen that the number of stored sheets is eight.

  When the number of stored sheets is 7, as shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D, after the second IC coin C6 is returned, that is, the coin transport rotor 27 is rotated in reverse by 240 degrees. At the time after making it, the upper coin storage sensor 46 is switched to OFF. Further, when the number of stored sheets is 6, as shown in FIGS. 9E and 9F, after the return operation of one IC coin C6 is performed, that is, the coin transport rotor 26 is reversed by 120 degrees. At the time after the rotation, the upper coin storage sensor 46 is switched off.

  As described above, when the number of stored coins is 8 to 6, the lower coin storage sensor 45 remains in the ON state, and the stored number of sheets is detected based on the time when the upper coin storage sensor 46 switches to OFF. it can.

  Next, when the number of stored coins is 5 to 3, as shown in FIG. 10, the output of the upper coin storage sensor 46 remains OFF and the output of the lower coin storage sensor 45 turns OFF. The number of stored sheets can be detected based on the switching time. That is, when the number of stored sheets is 5, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the return operation of the three IC coins C5, C4, and C3 is performed (when rotated 360 degrees), The storage sensor 45 is switched off. When the number of stored sheets is 4, as shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, when the return operation of the two IC coins C4 and C3 is performed (when rotated 240 degrees), the coin storage sensor 45 is moved. Switch to OFF. When the number of stored sheets is 3, as shown in FIGS. 10E and 10F, when the return operation of one IC coin C3 is performed (when rotated 120 degrees), the coin storage sensor 45 is turned off. Switch.

  On the other hand, when the number of stored sheets is two and one, both the coin storage sensors 45 and 46 remain OFF. In this case, the antenna 47 can be used to determine whether the number of stored sheets is two or one. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the number of stored sheets is 2, two IC coins C2 and C1 are returned (reversely rotated by 240 degrees), and the antenna 47 The ID of the IC coin is read. In this case, since different IDs are read, it can be understood that there are two IC coins C2 and 1. On the other hand, in the case of FIGS. 11C and 11D, since there is only one IC coin C1, only one ID is read even if it is rotated 240 degrees backward. Thereby, it turns out that the number of stored sheets is one.

  In the coin processing unit 20 of this example, such an operation for detecting the number of stored sheets is activated based on an external command or the like. For example, when a coin jam occurs, the coin jam release cover 22 (see FIG. 3) is removed, and the IC coin stored when the recovery operation is performed is taken out, the coin entrance sensor 42, The number of stored IC coins counted by the coin exit sensor 43 is different from the number of IC coins actually stored. If the operation for detecting the number of stored sheets is started after completion of the coin jam recovery operation, the number of IC coins actually stored is detected. The stored number stored in the memory or the like may be updated so that the detected stored number is reached. As a result, it is possible to accurately display such as no IC coin.

(Card processing unit)
Next, FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view, a transverse sectional view showing the card processing unit 100, and a side view showing a side surface superimposed on the unit case recess 21 of the coin processing unit 20. The card processing unit 100 includes a flat case 101, and each component is assembled therein. A card insertion slot 104 is formed on the front surface 103 of the case 101, and the card insertion slot 104 communicates with a card insertion slot formed on the front panel 8 of the gaming machine intercom 1.

  Inside the case 101, a card holder 120 capable of receiving the IC card 110 inserted from the card insertion slot 104 is disposed. The card holder 120 can slide in the case 101 in the front-rear direction. That is, the card holder 120 includes a body plate portion 121 that receives the IC card 110, a card engagement end plate portion 122 that is bent at a right angle formed at the rear end of the body plate portion 121, and the body plate portion 121. Slide protrusions 123 and 124 formed on the front and rear of the upper end and a slide protrusion 125 formed on the lower end of the main body 121 are provided. The case 101 is formed with slide grooves 105, 106 and 107 for guiding the slide protrusions 123 and 124.

  A tension coil spring 126 that extends horizontally in the front-rear direction is stretched between the card holder 120 and the case 101. When the IC card 110 is inserted from the card insertion port 104, the card holder 120 can be pushed backward while the tension coil spring 126 is extended.

  A holder lock mechanism 130 for locking the card holder 120 to a position on the rear end side of the case is incorporated behind the card holder 120. The holder lock mechanism 130 includes a holder lock arm 131 that can pivot in the vertical direction around the rear end, a solenoid 132 that pivots the holder lock arm 131 up and down, and an arm formed on the card holder 120 side. An engaging claw 127 is provided.

  The holder lock arm 131 is pressed against the upper end surface 127 a of the arm engagement claw 127 by the return spring force of the solenoid 132. When the card holder 120 is pushed backward, the hook 131a at the tip of the holder lock arm 131 falls to the front side from the upper end surface 127a of the arm engagement claw 127, and is engaged with the arm engagement claw 127 from the front. The locked state where the card holder 120 is prevented from moving forward is brought about. When the solenoid 132 is excited, the holder lock arm 131 pivots upward and the locked state is released. As a result, the card holder 120 returns to the front position by the spring force of the tension coil spring 126.

  A shutter 140 is disposed at a lateral position at the lower end of the card insertion slot 104. The shutter 140 is supported in a state in which it can turn left and right around a support shaft 141 attached vertically to the case 101. A front end portion of the shutter 140 is a shielding claw 142 that is curved toward the card insertion slot 104, and a slide pin 143 is formed at a rear portion of the support shaft 141.

  A slide groove 144 into which the slide pin 143 is slidable is formed on the card holder 120 side. The slide groove 144 extends in the front-rear direction as a whole, but its front end portion is bent in a direction away from the card insertion slot 104. While the card holder 120 is pushed to the vicinity of the rear position, the slide pin 143 of the shutter 140 slides on the groove portion extending in the front-rear direction of the slide groove 144.

  However, while the card holder 120 reaches from the vicinity of the rear position to the rear position, the slide pin 143 slides on the front end portion where the slide groove 144 is bent. As a result, the rear end portion of the shutter 140 is moved in a direction away from the card insertion slot 104, so that the shutter 140 has the front end claw 142 pivoted inward about the support shaft 141, and the card insertion slot 104 becomes blocked and the card cannot be inserted.

  On the other hand, the upper end portion of the card holder 120 is in an open state between the front and rear slide protrusions 123 and 124, and a card stopper 150 is disposed in this portion. The card stopper 150 is attached to the case 101 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The card stopper 150 is always urged downward by a tension coil spring 151 that extends between the case 101 and the card stopper 150 in the vertical direction. In this example, a pair of front and rear inclined guide grooves 108 and 109 are formed in the case 101, and slide pins 152 and 153 formed at front and rear portions of the card stopper 150 can slide along these inclined guide grooves 108 and 109. Is plugged in.

  The card stopper 150 includes a horizontal card pressing surface 154, and an inclined guide surface 155 that is inclined upward toward the front is continuous from the front end of the card pressing surface 154. The upper end corner of the IC card 110 inserted from the card insertion slot 104 is brought into contact with the inclined guide surface 155. When the card stopper 150 is pushed up by the inserted IC card 110, a state is formed in which the card pressing surface 154 is pressed against the upper side surface of the IC card 110. Thereby, the state in which the inserted IC card 110 is fixed without backlash is formed.

  Note that a lock sensor 133 for detecting that the lock has been established is disposed near the holder lock arm 131. A card sensor 156 for detecting whether or not an IC card is inserted is disposed in the vicinity of the card stopper 150.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16, the operation of each part at the time of card insertion in the card processing unit 100 of this example configured as described above will be described according to the card insertion operation. First, as shown in FIG. 13, when the IC card 110 is inserted into the card insertion slot 104, the upper corner on the insertion side of the IC card 110 hits the inclined guide surface 155 of the card stopper 150. Thereafter, the IC card 110 is inserted while pushing up the card stopper 150.

  When the card stopper 150 is pushed up and the upper surface of the IC card 110 is pressed by the card pressing surface 154, and the IC card 110 is further inserted, the front end of the IC card 110 is moved as shown in FIG. It contacts the end plate portion 122 of the card holder 120. In FIG. 14, the hatched portion is the card holder 120. Thereafter, when the IC card 110 is pushed in, the IC card 110 is pushed backward together with the card holder 120.

  When the card holder 120 is pushed backward together with the IC card 110 and reaches the vicinity of the rear end position, the state shown in FIG. 15 is obtained. In other words, the holder lock arm 131 is engaged with the engagement claw 127 of the card holder 120 from the front side. In addition, on the card insertion slot 104 side, the shutter 140 starts to turn, and the shielding claw 142 at the tip thereof starts to move to the card insertion slot 104 side.

  When the IC card 110 is completely pushed in, as shown in FIG. 16, the holder lock arm 131 is engaged with the engagement claw 127 of the card holder 120 from the front side, and the locked state of the card holder 120 is formed. Is held at the inserted position. In this state, since the IC card 110 is pressed by the card stopper 150, the IC card 110 is held at a fixed position without play. Further, the shutter 140 turns to shield the card insertion slot 104. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the adverse effect that another card is pushed in from the card insertion slot 104 while the IC card 110 is inserted.

  With the IC card 110 inserted as described above, the storage information is read from and written into the non-contact type IC chip embedded in the IC card 110 using the dual-purpose antenna 47 (see FIG. 4). Is called. When a card return command is issued, the solenoid 132 is excited, the holder lock arm 131 is pushed upward, and the card holder 120 is unlocked. Then, the card holder 120 holding the IC card 110 is pushed out to the front position by the spring force of the tension coil spring 126. Further, since the shutter 140 is opened by the movement of the card holder 120, the return operation of the IC card 110 held by the card holder 120 is not hindered. In this way, the operation opposite to that at the time of card insertion is performed, that is, the state returns to the state shown in FIG. 13 from the state shown in FIG. 16 to FIG. 15 and FIG. It returns to the state protruding from the mouth 104.

  In the card processing unit 100 of this example, the card stopper 150 moves in parallel in the vertical direction, and the IC card 110 is pressed by the horizontal card pressing surface 154. Therefore, the inserted IC card 110 can be fixed without rattling.

  Further, in this example, a slide groove 144 whose front end portion is bent is formed in the card holder 120, a slide pin 143 of the shutter 140 is inserted therein, and the shutter 140 is moved using the slide of the card holder 120 to The insertion port 104 can be opened and closed. Therefore, it is not necessary to configure the opening / closing mechanism of the shutter 140 using a plurality of link members, and the shutter driving mechanism can be configured compactly and compactly.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the interim machine for game machines to which this invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a side view of the gaming machine pedestal machine in FIG. 1 and a partial arrow view seen from the direction of arrow A. FIG. 2 is a side view, a plan view, a bottom view, a back view, a front view, and a side view showing a processing apparatus incorporated in the gaming machine inter-table machine of FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the internal structure of the coin processing unit integrated in the inter-game machine for game machines of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the drive mechanism of the coin exit shutter and coin exit auxiliary passage piece in the coin processing unit of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the drive control system of the inter-table machine for game machines of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the main operation | movement of the coin processing unit of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the detection operation | movement of the storage number (9 sheets) of the coin processing unit of FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a detection operation of the number of stored coin processing units (8 to 6) in FIG. 4. It is explanatory drawing of the detection operation | movement of the storage number (5-3 sheets) of the coin processing unit of FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of detecting the number of stored coins (2, 1) in the coin processing unit of FIG. 4. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, a transverse sectional view, and a side view showing a card processing unit incorporated in the inter-table machine for gaming machines in FIG. 1. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the card processing unit of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the card processing unit of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the card processing unit of FIG. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the card processing unit of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine interim machine 2 Intermediary machine holder 3 Interim machine main body 6 Control box 10 Processing apparatus 14a, 14b Guide hole 15 Main body side connector 16 Relay board 17a, 17b Guide pin 18 Holder side connector 19 Mounting plate 20 Coin processing Unit 21 Concave portion 22 Coin jam release cover 23 Case 24 Coin entrance 25 Coin exit 26 Coin entrance passage 26b Lower end opening 27 Coin transport rotors 27 (1) to 27 (3) Pocket 27a Arm A First rotation position B Second rotation position C Third rotational position 29 Inner circumferential surface 30 for coin guide Coin outlet passage 31 Coin storage portion 31a Lower end opening 31b Straight storage passage portion 31c Curved storage passage portion 32 Coin entrance shutter 34 Coin exit shutter 35 Coin exit auxiliary passage piece 36 Solenoid 45, 46 Coin storage sensor 47 Antenna 51 advance / retreat lever 52 connection lever 54 swivel lever 61 main control unit 62 memory 63, 65 interface 64 unit drive control unit C1 to C9, Ca IC coin 100 card processing unit 101 case 104 card insertion slot 105, 106, 107 slide groove 108, 109 Inclined guide groove 110 IC card 120 Card holder 121 Main plate portion 122 End plate portions 123, 124, 125 Slide projection 126 Tension coil spring 127 Engaging claw 130 Holder lock mechanism 131 Holder lock arm 132 Solenoid 140 Shutter 141 Support shaft 142 Shielding Claw 143 Slide pin 144 Slide groove 150 Card stopper 151 Tension coil springs 152 and 153 Slide pin 154 Card pressing surface 155 Inclined guide surface

Claims (6)

A coin entrance passage into which a coin-type storage medium is inserted;
A coin exit passage for discharging the coin-type storage medium;
A coin storage unit that receives coin-type storage media from the lower end opening and stores them in a diametrically stacked state; and
At least one pocket that can receive one coin-type storage medium from the outer peripheral side is provided, and with rotation, the pocket communicates with the coin entrance passage, and the second rotational position communicates with the coin exit passage. A coin transport rotor that moves via a rotational position and a third rotational position that communicates with the lower end opening of the coin storage;
An information read / write head disposed in the vicinity of the first rotation position in order to read / write information from / to the coin-type storage medium received in the pocket at the first rotation position;
Storing coin number detection means for detecting the number of stored coin-type storage media,
The stored coin number detection means includes first and second coin sensors capable of detecting coin-type storage media stored at different positions in the coin storage unit, and the coin transport rotor is moved from the third rotation position to the first rotation position. Based on changes in detection outputs of the first and second coin sensors during the coin return operation, the coin return operation is performed by rotating the coin-type storage medium to the coin entrance passage by rotating in the direction toward the first rotation position. A coin processing unit for detecting the number of stored coin-type storage media. In claim 1,
The coin storage number detection means comprises:
When neither of the first and second coin sensors detects a coin-type storage medium at the start of a coin-type storage medium return operation, based on the information read by the information read / write head during the return operation, A coin processing unit for detecting the number of stored coin-type storage media. In claim 2,
The coin transport rotor includes first, second and third pockets at 120 ° intervals on the outer periphery as the pockets,
The second rotation position is a position rotated 120 degrees from the first rotation position, and the third rotation position is a position rotated 240 degrees from the first rotation position,
The maximum number of coin storage units is nine,
The stored coin number detection means performs a returning operation of a maximum of three coin type storage media,
The first coin sensor is for detecting a coin-type storage medium positioned at the bottom of the coin storage unit, and the second coin sensor is a fourth coin-type storage medium from the bottom of the coin storage unit. A coin processing unit for detecting In claim 3,
The coin storage number detection means comprises:
Rotate the coin transport rotor 120 degrees, confirm the ID of the coin-type storage medium with the information read / write head,
Further, the coin transfer rotor is rotated 120 degrees, and the ID of the coin-type storage medium is confirmed with the information read / write head,
If the confirmed IDs are the same, it is determined that the number of stored coin-type storage media is one,
When the confirmed IDs are different, it is determined that the number of stored coin-type storage media is two. In claim 4,
The coin-type storage medium is a non-contact type IC coin,
The coin processing unit, wherein the information read / write head is a wireless antenna for information read / write. A gaming machine that lends gaming media by a prepaid method using coin-type storage media,
A pedestal machine for game machines, comprising the coin processing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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