JP4755434B2 - Medal counting machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medal counter that counts medals.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a game store where a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine is installed, a medal counter that counts medals acquired by the player with the pachislot machine is installed.

  This medal counter accepts medals acquired by the player in a batch to the hopper, and rotates a rotating disk placed on the bottom of the hopper with a motor, and the medal is obtained by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotating disk. The medal is moved to the periphery of the rotating disk, sent out from the periphery of the rotating disk to the passage, conveyed by the belt of the passage, detected by the medal detection unit arranged in the passage and counted, and the medal The medals that have passed through the detection unit are discharged (for example, see Patent Document 1).

An optical sensor or the like is used for the medal detection unit, and the medal detection unit counts as one medal by switching from the light-transmitting state before the medal passes to the light-blocking state due to the passage of the medal. Yes.
JP-A-9-35107 (page 2-3, FIG. 1-5)

  However, in the conventional medal counting machine, medals are counted only by detecting the passage of medals by the medal detection unit. Therefore, when the motor is stopped and the medal feeding operation is stopped, the medals are entered from the outside into the transport path. The medal detector detects the passing of a medal even if it is a fraudulent act that inserts an instrument etc. and repeats the shading and translucency of the medal detector, or a fraud that causes noise by external high-voltage discharge. As a result, the count value may increase.

  In other words, in the conventional medal counting machine, the medal is counted only by the medal passage detection by the medal detection unit, so it is distinguished whether the passage detection by the medal detection unit is a normal medal detection or an illegal act. There is a problem that cannot be done.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medal counter that can count only the detection of normal medals and can prevent the count value from increasing due to fraud.

The medal counter according to claim 1 is a sending unit that receives medals and feeds them one by one, a motor that drives the sending unit, a medal detection unit that detects passage of medals sent by the sending unit, an operation detection unit that outputs a pulse signal by detecting the delivery unit and either one of the operation of the motor, a pulse signal to be output is detected by the operation detecting unit even during the period that driving the motor The number of medals detected by the medal detection unit is counted only during a period in which either one of the motor or the sending unit determined based on the normal operation, and the motor is stopped. in the operation detection unit while the medal if the detection output by the detecting unit determines that an abnormality due to fraud, the medal detection unit in a state in which driving the motor is detecting the passage of one medal By the motor and one of the operation noise to be confirmed to be within the normal range of the delivery portion to the number of pulses output by knowledge that can not be confirmed that the predetermined number or more, which is set in advance And a control unit that determines that there is an abnormality .

According to claim 1, wherein the medal counting machine, can count only normal sensing component medal, it is possible to prevent the count value is increased by the influence of noise from fraud or external.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  For example, in a game store where a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine is installed, a medal counting machine is used to count medals acquired by a player with the pachislot machine.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the medal counting machine 11 has a machine body 12, and a first counting section 13 and a second counting section 14 that count medals at two places in the left and right direction when viewed from the front of the machine body 12 are respectively provided. It is arranged. The first counting unit 13 and the second counting unit 14 are formed in a common structure, and a hopper 15 for receiving a medal to be inserted is arranged on the upper part. The medal counting machine 11 is configured as a so-called double hopper type.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first counting unit 13 and the second counting unit 14 include a sending unit 17 that sends out medals received through each hopper 15 one by one. The sending unit 17 includes a medal throwing unit 18 for throwing out medals received by the hopper 15 one by one, and a medal carrying unit 19 for receiving and carrying medals thrown one by one from the medal throwing unit 18. Have.

  The medal throwing portion 18 has a rotating disc 21 that is rotatably disposed below the hopper 15, and a pulley 22 that rotates integrally with the lower surface side of the rotating disc 21 is provided. A belt 25 is stretched between the pulley 24 of the motor 23 arranged at a side position of the disk 21, and the rotating disk 21 rotates in the medal throwing direction by driving the motor 23. The medals on the rotating disk 21 are moved to the peripheral edge of the rotating disk 21 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotating disk 21 and sent out one by one to the medal transport unit 19.

  In the medal transport unit 19, a transport path 27 that guides the transport of medals is formed, and a transport belt 28 that transports the medal in the transport direction while pressing the medal against the upper surface of the transport path 27 is stretched above the transport path 27. Yes. The conveyor belt 28 is driven in synchronism with the rotating disk 21 by a motor 23 that drives the rotating disk 21.

  The medal transport unit 19 is provided with a counting sensor 30 as a medal detection unit that detects passage of medals transported on the transport path 27. The counting sensor 30 is a light emitting / receiving optical sensor disposed facing the up and down direction of the transport path 27, and is in a light-transmitting state when no medal passes, and while the medal passes It is in a light shielding state. The counted medals transported by the medal transport unit 19 are discharged and recovered to the recovery unit at the rear of the machine body 12 or below.

  Further, an operation detection unit 32 that detects an operation state of the motor 23 is provided. This motion detection unit 32 has a plurality of slits 33 in the circumferential direction, and a detection disk 34 provided on the rotating shaft 23a of the motor 23, and a light projecting / receiving light disposed opposite to both surfaces of the detection disk 34 The sensor part 35 comprised with the optical sensor of a formula is provided. When the motor 23 is driven, the detection disk 34 rotates integrally. The sensor unit 35 repeats light shielding and light transmission between the plate surface of the detection disk 34 and the slit 33, and outputs a pulse signal from the sensor unit 35. To do. Based on the pulse signal from the sensor unit 35, the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 23a of the motor 23 can be detected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a projecting portion 37 is formed on the back side of the upper surface of the body 12. At the center position of the protrusion 37, a touch panel is integrally formed with a function of a display unit for displaying guidance information, count information, error information, and the like, and a function of an operation unit such as a count start switch or a clerk call switch. A display / operation unit 38 is provided. A first state display lamp 39 and a second state display lamp 40 that are lit or blinked in the event of an abnormality are disposed on both sides of the protrusion 37 corresponding to the first counting unit 13 and the second counting unit 14. ing.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control of the medal counter 11. Reference numeral 51 denotes a control unit that controls the medal counter 11. The control unit 51 includes a first counter 13, a second counter 14, a display / display unit. An operation unit 38, a first status display lamp 39, and a second status display lamp 40 are connected. Furthermore, a storage unit 52 for storing count values, a power source unit 53 for supplying power, a receipt issuing machine for issuing receipts printed with count values, a game store management computer for managing the medal counter 11, and amusement store A communication unit 54 that communicates with a communication device carried by a store clerk is connected.

  The first counting unit 13 and the second counting unit 14 include an insertion detection sensor 56 that detects that a medal has been inserted on the rotating disk 21 through each hopper 15.

  The control unit 51 has a function of counting the number of medals detected by the counting sensor 30 only during the period in which the motor 23 is being driven, and the motor 23 operates normally by the detection of the operation detection unit 32. The function of counting the number of medals detected by the counting sensor 30 only during the period of time. Whether or not the motor 23 is operating normally is determined by checking whether the number of pulse signals output from the sensor unit 35 of the operation detection unit 32 and the pulse interval are within a preset normal range. Judgment by

  Furthermore, if the operation of the motor 23 detected by the operation detection unit 32 is normal while the counting sensor 30 detects the passage of one medal, the control unit 51 detects the sensor of the operation detection unit 32. If the number of pulse signals output from the unit 35 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number set in advance, it has a function of counting the number of medals detected by the counting sensor 30.

  Next, the operation of the medal counter 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 1 and the timing chart of FIG.

  While the medal counter 11 is on standby, the display / operation unit 38 displays guidance information such as “Please insert medal”.

  Then, the medals acquired by the player are put into one or both of the hopper 15 of the first counting unit 13 and the hopper 15 of the second counting unit 14 of the medal counter 11. In one or both of the first counting unit 13 and the second counting unit 14, the insertion / detection sensor 56 detects that a medal has been inserted on the rotating disk 21 through the hopper 15. "Please press the count start button" is displayed.

  When the player presses the counting start button of the display / operation unit 38 (step 1, timing A), the motor 23 starts to be driven, the rotating disk 21 rotates and the conveyor belt 28 of the medal conveyor unit synchronizes. Rotate.

  The operation detector 32 detects the operation of the motor 23 that has started driving. That is, the detection disk 34 rotates integrally with the rotation shaft 23a of the motor 23, and the sensor unit 35 repeats light shielding and light transmission between the plate surface of the detection disk 34 and the slit 33, and a pulse signal is transmitted from the sensor unit 35. Is output. The pulse signal output from the sensor unit 35 is input to the control unit 51, and the control unit 51 grasps the operation status of the motor 23.

  The medals on the rotating disk 21 are moved to the peripheral edge of the rotating disk 21 by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotating disk 21 and sent one by one to the medal transport unit 19. The medals sent one by one to the medal transport unit 19 are transported in the transport direction while being pressed against the upper surface of the transport path 27 by the transport belt 28, and the transported medal is detected by the counting sensor 30.

  When the medal passes through the counting sensor 30, when the counting sensor 30 switches from the light-transmitting state to the light-blocking state (step 3), is the motor detecting unit 32 detecting whether the motor 23 is operating normally? Judgment is made (step 4). Whether or not the motor 23 is operating normally is determined based on whether the number of pulse signals output from the sensor unit 35 of the operation detection unit 32 and the pulse interval are within a preset normal range. Judgment by whether or not.

  If the motor 23 is operating normally as detected by the motion detector 32 (YES in step 4), the counting sensor 30 switches to a light-shielding state as the medal passes, and then switches to a light-transmitting state. It is determined whether or not the number of pulse signals output from the sensor unit 35 of the motion detection unit 32 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number during the passage of medals until the exchange (step 5).

  If the number is greater than or equal to the predetermined number (YES in step 5), it is determined that a normal medal is detected, and the count value in the storage unit 52 is counted up (step 6).

  In this way, medals sequentially sent from the rotating disk 21 to the medal transport unit 19 are detected by the counting sensor 30, and the count value is counted up. The display / operation unit 38 displays “medal count value”, “number of prizes”, “number of remaining medals”, and the like.

  After the counting is completed (step 2), the player confirms the display on the display / operation unit 38 and operates the issuance of the receipt, thereby printing the count value or the like from the receipt issuing machine connected to the medal counting machine 11. Issue a receipt.

  Further, when the motor 23 is stopped due to fraud (timing B), an instrument or the like is inserted into the medal transport unit 19 from the outside, and the counting sensor 30 is repeatedly shielded from light and transmitted to pass the medal. If the counting sensor 30 is switched from a light transmitting state to a light blocking state and the operation detection unit 32 detects whether the motor 23 is operating normally, the normal operation period Judge that is not. This is determined by the fact that the number of pulse signals per unit time and the pulse interval are not within a preset normal range because no pulse signal is output from the sensor unit 35 of the operation detection unit 32. If the rotating disk 21 is forcibly rotated by hand from the outside, even if a pulse signal is output from the sensor unit 35 of the motion detection unit 32, the number of pulse signals per unit time or Since the pulse interval does not fall within the preset normal range, it can be determined that it is not during a period of normal operation.

  If it is determined that it is not during a period of normal operation (NO in step 4), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred due to fraud (step 7), and that fact is notified (step 8). In this notification, the abnormality occurrence side of the first state display lamp 39 and the second state display lamp 40 is flashed and notified to the management computer of the game store that manages the medal counter 11, and the store clerk of the game store is notified. Notify the portable communication device. In this notification, the state display lamps 39 and 40 may be notified only to the game store side without flashing. If the status display lamps 39 and 40 are not blinked in this way, it is not necessary for the player to be aware of the occurrence of the fraudulent act, so that the player can be prevented from escaping.

  In addition, during the period when the motor 23 is operating normally by the detection of the operation detection unit 32, if an illegal act that gives noise due to high voltage discharge from the outside is performed, the output of the counting sensor 30 and the operation detection The output of the sensor unit 35 of the unit 32 is affected. However, the number of pulse signals output from the sensor unit 35 of the motion detection unit 32 during the passage of the medal from when the counting sensor 30 switches to the light-shielding state to the light-transmitting state with the passage of the medal is When it is determined whether there is a predetermined number or more set in advance, it cannot be confirmed that the number is more than the predetermined number due to the influence of noise (NO in step 5). (Step 8). In this notification, the abnormality occurrence side of the first state display lamp 39 and the second state display lamp 40 is flashed and notified to the management computer of the game store that manages the medal counter 11, and the store clerk of the game store is notified. Notify the portable communication device. In this notification, the state display lamps 39 and 40 may be notified only to the game store side without flashing.

  Thus, since the number of medals detected by the counting sensor 30 is counted only during the period during which the motor 23 is being driven, only the amount of normal medals detected can be counted. Can be prevented.

  In addition, since the number of medals detected by the counting sensor 30 is counted only during the period when the motor 23 is operating normally by the detection of the motion detection unit 32, it is possible to more reliably count only the detected normal medals. For example, it is possible to reliably prevent the count value from increasing due to an illegal act of moving the rotating disk 21 from the outside while the motor 23 is stopped.

  If the operation of the motor 23 detected by the operation detection unit 32 is normal while the counting sensor 30 detects the passage of one medal, the number of medals detected by the counting sensor 30 is counted. Thus, it is possible to more reliably count only the detected normal medals, for example, to reliably prevent the count value from increasing due to the influence of external noise.

  In addition, when the counting sensor 30 detects the passage of a medal when the motor 23 is not being driven, it is determined to be abnormal, and a notification is output. it can.

  Instead of checking the driving of the motor 23, the operation of the rotating disk 21 and the conveying belt 28 of the sending unit 17 is checked, and if the check result is normal, the counting may be performed. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the count value from increasing due to fraud.

  In the delivery unit 17, when the rotating disk 21 and the conveyor belt 28 are driven by separate motors, at least the operation of the motor of the conveyor belt 28 may be confirmed.

It is a flowchart of the medal counting process of the medal counting machine which shows one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of control of a medal counting machine same as the above. It is a timing chart of the medal counting process of the medal counting machine. It is a perspective view of a medal counting machine same as the above. It is a top view of one sending part of a medal counter same as the above.

11 Medals counting machine
17 Transmitter
23 Motor
30 Counting sensor as medal detector
32 Motion detector
51 Control unit

Claims (1)

A delivery unit that accepts medals and sends them one by one;
A motor for driving the delivery unit;
A medal detection unit for detecting passage of medals sent out by the sending unit;
An operation detection unit that detects an operation of one of the sending unit and the motor and outputs a pulse signal ;
During a period in which either the motor or the sending unit is operating normally during a period in which the motor is being driven and which is determined based on a pulse signal detected and output by the operation detection unit Only when the number of medals detected by the medal detection unit is counted, and if the detection output is detected by the medal detection unit in a state where the motor is stopped, it is determined that the abnormality is caused by fraud, and the motor is being driven. Since the number of pulses detected and output by the motion detection unit while the medal detection unit detects the passage of one medal cannot be confirmed to be greater than or equal to a predetermined number set in advance, the motor and A medal counter comprising: a control unit that determines that an abnormality due to noise is detected if the operation of any one of the sending units is not confirmed to be within a normal range .

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