JP4943107B2 - Issuing processing method of IC coin processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an issuance method for an IC token processing device that can reject IC tokens that cannot be issued in advance and advantageously speeds up the operation of issuing IC tokens. <P>SOLUTION: When requested to issue an IC token, the IC token processing device 10 feeds a stored IC token to a data reading/writing position A, writes predetermined data in the position A and issues the IC token. Before such an IC token issuance request, an IC token to be issued at the issuance request is fed from the stored position to the data reading/writing position A (ST51) and token data is read. If the data cannot be read or is defective, a rejection alarm is issued (ST52 to 54). If the token data read is acceptable, it is stored (ST52, 53, 55). The IC token is then returned from the data reading/writing position A to the original position (ST56). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an IC coin processing apparatus used when a game medium lending process is performed by a prepaid method using IC coins. More specifically, the present invention relates to an issuance processing method for an IC coin processing apparatus that can perform an issuance operation of an IC coin quickly and smoothly by detecting a defect of the issued IC coin in advance.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is a gaming machine pedestal machine capable of lending gaming media by a prepaid method using a non-contact type IC coin with a built-in IC memory chip. Such inter-game machine is equipped with an IC coin processing device for issuing, returning, collecting, and reading / writing data of IC coins. When a player inserts money such as banknotes, an IC coin in which value data corresponding to the inserted amount is written is issued. When a game medium is rented using IC coins, the stored value data is updated to a value obtained by subtracting the rent amount, and at the end of the game, the remaining IC coins are sent to the player. Returned. Further, the IC coin whose balance has become zero is collected by the IC coin processing device without being returned.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose such a coin-type storage medium (IC coin) processing machine. The coin-type storage medium processing machines disclosed therein receive 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 at the periphery, and are read by a reader / writer. 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 in the stocker is performed. Further, by rotating the rotor in the reverse direction, the coin-type storage medium stored in the stocker is taken out, monetary information is written by a reader / writer, and is issued from the discharge port.
JP 2003-135829 A JP 2005-34279 A

  Such an IC coin treatment device has the following problems to be solved. When a player inserts a bill or the like, the IC coin processing device takes out the IC coin stored in the storage unit (stocker), and stores coin data (coin ID, usage frequency, (Amusement store data, etc.) is read, and value data corresponding to the input amount is written. If the IC coin taken out from the storage unit is defective and data cannot be read or written, the issuing process is interrupted at this point and a warning is displayed. Thereafter, a recovery process is performed by a store clerk at the game store, and then an IC coin is issued to the player.

  When the issuing operation is interrupted, the player must wait until the store clerk comes and the recovery process is completed. Although the player wants to play the game immediately, he has to wait and is very painful and inconvenienced.

  On the other hand, even when the IC coin processing device performs the issuing operation normally, at the time of issuance, it is necessary to perform data read / write processing such as reading all coin data stored in the IC coin and writing value data corresponding to the inserted amount. is there. If the data read / write processing time for the IC coin can be shortened, the coin-type storage medium issuance operation can be accelerated, and the coin-type storage medium can be issued in a shorter time. Higher processing speed is extremely desirable for players.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to propose an issuance processing method for an IC coin processing apparatus capable of eliminating unusable IC coins in advance.

  Another object of the present invention is to propose an issuance processing method for an IC coin processing apparatus that is advantageous for speeding up the operation of issuing an IC coin.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention, when receiving an IC coin issuance request, transports the stored IC coin to a data read / write position for reading / writing data from / to the IC coin, In the issuance processing method of the IC coin processing device for writing predetermined data and issuing the IC coin after data writing,
At the time before receiving the issue request, the IC coin to be issued issued by the issue request is transported from the storage position to the data read / write position,
At the data read / write position, data is read from the IC coin to be issued,
Store and store the read coin data,
The IC coin to be issued is returned from the data read / write position to the storage position.

  In the present invention, the coin data of the IC coin to be issued next is prefetched. Therefore, it has already been confirmed that the IC coin can be used when the IC coin is issued. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect that the issuing operation is forcibly interrupted by an unusable IC coin and makes the player wait.

  Further, in the present invention, when the data reading from the IC coin to be issued is impossible or when the read data is incomplete, it is determined that the IC coin to be issued cannot be used, and accordingly It is characterized by issuing a warning.

  In this case, it is possible to prevent the IC coin to be issued that has been determined to be unusable from being returned to the storage position. In this way, a store clerk or the like of an amusement store can remove an unusable IC coin from the IC coin processing device in advance by a warning at the time of prefetching the IC coin.

  Note that it is possible to return the IC coin to be issued, which has been determined to be unusable, to the storage position. In this case, a new IC coin cannot be issued. However, when an issued IC coin is inserted, it can be processed. Therefore, it can be avoided that the operation of the IC coin processing device is completely interrupted.

  Next, in the present invention, when the IC coin to be issued is issued, only the coin ID stored in the IC coin is read at the data read / write position, and the coin of the coin data in which the coin ID is stored and held The coin data is used as coin data of the IC coin to be issued if the ID is matched with the ID.

  When the IC coin is issued, since the coin data is already stored and held, it is only necessary to read out the coin ID. Therefore, the processing time for reading data can be omitted, which is advantageous for speeding up the IC coin issuing operation. Further, it is confirmed whether or not the coin data stored and held in the issued IC coin is data stored and held in the IC coin that is actually issued. In the case where all or a part of the IC coins stored in the IC coin processing device is replaced by a store clerk or the like of an amusement store, it is possible to prevent erroneous coin data from being used.

  Here, the following time points (1) to (4) can be given as the time points before receiving the issue request.

(1) When the IC coin processing device is activated
(2) Time point after the IC coin issued before the IC coin to be issued is discharged from the data read / write position toward the IC coin exit of the IC coin processing device for issue
(3) Time point before the IC coin inserted from the IC coin slot and held in the data read / write position is transported to the storage position as the IC coin to be issued
(4) Time point after the IC coin inserted from the IC coin slot and held at the data read / write position is discharged from the data read / write position toward the IC coin exit for return

Next, the IC coin processing apparatus used in the method of the present invention is:
An IC coin entrance passage for guiding the IC coin inserted from the IC coin insertion slot by its own weight;
An IC coin exit passage for guiding the IC coin to the IC coin exit by its own weight;
An IC coin storage unit that can receive IC coins from the lower end opening and store them in a diametrically stacked state;
At least one pocket capable of receiving one IC coin from the outer peripheral side, and with rotation, the data read / write position where the pocket communicated with the downstream end of the coin inlet passage, the upstream end of the IC coin outlet passage And an IC coin transporting rotor that moves via an IC coin storage position that communicates with the lower end opening of the IC coin storage portion.

  As the IC coin transport rotor, the pocket having three pockets at an interval of 120 degrees on the outer periphery can be used. In this case, the IC coin discharge position is a position rotated 60 degrees from the data read / write position, and the IC coin storage position is a position rotated 240 degrees in the same rotation direction from the data read / write position.

  In the issuance processing method of the IC coin processing apparatus according to the present invention, the coin data stored and held in the next IC coin to be issued is prefetched before the IC coin issuance request is issued. Therefore, since it is possible to know in advance whether or not the IC coins to be issued can be used, it is possible to prevent the adverse effect that the issuing operation is forcibly interrupted by the unusable IC coins and the player is kept waiting.

  In addition, a warning is issued when it is determined that the coin data of the IC coin cannot be used at the time of prefetching, and such IC coin can be eliminated in advance.

  Furthermore, since the pre-read coin data is used when the IC coin is issued, the coin data read time can be shortened, which is advantageous for speeding up the issue processing operation.

  In the following, an example of an inter-game machine for a gaming table in which an IC coin processing device for issuing an IC coin to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a gaming machine pedestal machine, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the gaming machine pedestal machine. The inter-game machine 1 for the gaming table in this example can perform a gaming medium lending process by a prepaid method using an IC card for a member player and an IC coin for a general player (visitor).

  The game machine inter-table machine 1 is attached to a game island frame (not shown) with a vertically-facing vertical posture in a vertically narrow gap between game machines (not shown) arranged on the game island of the game store. The inter-machine unit holder 2 and the inter-machine unit body 3 that is attached to the inter-machine unit 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. From the upper side, the front panel 8 has a multi-function lamp 8 a, a bill insertion slot 8 b, a display unit 8 c for displaying the balance of IC cards and IC coins. In this order, the numeric keypad 8d used for inputting a personal identification number when the member replays, the IC coin insertion slot 8e for inserting IC coins, and the IC coin exit 8f for discharging IC coins for issuance or return. The IC card insertion slot 8g is disposed adjacent to the IC coin outlet 8f.

  An IC coin processing device 10 is incorporated on the side surface of the control box 6. The IC coin processing device 10 is for issuing (renting out), returning, collecting and reading / writing data of IC coins. A rectangular recess 10a extending horizontally is formed on the side surface of the IC coin processing apparatus 10, and a card processing apparatus 100 for reading and writing an IC card is mounted on the side.

  On the other hand, the interframe machine holder 2 includes a vertical frame 2a and upper and lower guide plates 2b and 2c 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.

  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. When the machine body 3 is inserted into the machine holder 2, a state in which the main body connector 15 is inserted into the holder connector 18 and connected is automatically formed.

[IC coin processing device]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the IC coin processing apparatus 10. The IC coin processing device 10 includes a flat unit case 21, and an IC communicating with the IC coin insertion slot 8 e and the IC coin outlet 8 f of the front panel 8 of the gaming machine pedestal machine 1 on the front surface 21 a thereof. A coin insertion slot 22 and an IC coin exit 23 are formed.

  Inside the unit case 21, an IC coin entrance passage 24 for guiding the IC coins inserted from the IC coin insertion slot 22 is formed. The passage width and passage height of the IC coin inlet passage 24 are dimensions that allow a single IC coin to pass in a standing state, and are inclined slightly downward from the IC coin insertion slot 22 toward the rear of the apparatus. And a portion that curves downward and extends vertically from the tip, so that the IC coin can slide along its bottom surface 24a by its own weight.

  The lower end opening 24b of the IC coin inlet passage 24 faces downward, and an IC coin transport rotor 25 is disposed directly below the IC coin entrance passage 24 so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 26 extending in the apparatus width direction (passage width direction). Has been. The IC coin transport rotor 25 includes three pockets 25 (1) to 25 (3) formed at intervals of 120 degrees. The pockets 25 (1) to 25 (3) are recesses or grooves having a depth dimension corresponding to the thickness of the IC coin that is widened toward the rotor outer peripheral end surface 25a, and are pockets located on the rotor outer peripheral end surface 25a. An IC coin can be received from the opening 25b.

  An arc-shaped coin guide inner peripheral end surface 27 centering on the support shaft 26 is formed below the passage bottom surface 24 a side of the IC coin inlet passage 24. The thickness of the inner peripheral end surface 27 for the coin guide is substantially the same as that of the IC coin C, and the IC coins received in the pockets 25 (1) to 25 (3) are moved into the pocket 25 when the IC coin transport rotor 25 rotates. (1) to 25 (3) are conveyed along an arcuate locus along the inner peripheral end surface 27 for the coin guide.

  Here, a position directly below the lower end opening 24b of the IC coin inlet passage 24 is a data read / write position A with respect to the IC coin. Data is read from and written to the IC coin by an antenna 28 of an IC coin reader / writer (not shown) arranged in the vicinity of the data read / write position A. In this example, the data read / write position A is the position of the IC coin held in the pockets 25 (1) to 25 (3) which are in the upward posture directly below the lower end opening 24b of the IC coin inlet passage 24.

  An IC coin outlet passage 30 communicates with the IC coin outlet 23. The IC coin exit passage 30 is a passage inclined downward toward the IC coin exit 23, and the IC coin can be slid down by its own weight and discharged from the IC coin exit 23. A portion of the inner peripheral end surface 27 for coin guide that partitions the IC coin exit passage 30 and the IC coin transport rotor 25 is defined by an end surface 31 a of the exit shutter 31. When the exit shutter 31 is opened, the upper end opening 30a of the IC coin exit passage 30 is opened and communicates with the IC coin transport rotor 25 side. In this example, when the pockets 25 (1) to 25 (3) positioned at the data read / write position A are rotated 60 degrees clockwise, they are positioned at the IC coin discharge position B that can communicate with the upper end opening 30a. It is like that.

  A coin for guiding the IC coin from the pockets 25 (1) to 25 (3) to the IC coin outlet passage 30 between the IC coin conveying rotor 25 in the vicinity of the lower end of the upper end opening 30a of the IC coin outlet passage 30. An outlet auxiliary passage piece 32 is arranged. The coin exit auxiliary passage piece 32 retracts from the IC coin exit passage 30 when the exit shutter 31 protrudes into the IC coin exit passage 30 and blocks the passage, and when the exit shutter 31 opens the IC coin exit passage 30, It protrudes into the IC coin exit passage 30 and guides the IC coin to the IC coin exit passage 30 side.

  An exit sensor 40 is disposed in the IC coin exit passage 30 in the vicinity of the upper end opening 30a. When the exit sensor 40 detects that the IC coin has passed, the exit shutter 31 is closed, and the coin exit auxiliary passage piece 32 is retracted from the protruding position. The exit shutter 31 and the coin exit auxiliary passage piece 32 are driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a common solenoid.

  An IC coin storage passage 33 is disposed on the rear side of the IC coin transport rotor 25. The IC coin storage passage 33 is formed of a passage through which one IC coin can pass, and is fed from the lower end opening 33a in a state where the IC coin is stood. On the lower end surface 33b of the lower end opening 33a, a lower end side portion of the coin guide inner peripheral end surface 27 extends linearly and is continuously continuous. In this example, when the pockets 25 (1) to 25 (3) positioned at the data read / write position A are rotated 240 degrees clockwise, they are positioned at the IC coin storage position C where the IC coin can be pushed into the lower end opening 33a. It has come to be.

  On the upper side of the lower end opening 33a, an inner peripheral end surface 34 for coin guides that is opposed to the rotor outer peripheral end surface 25a of the IC coin transport rotor 25 with a slight gap is formed. The coin guide inner peripheral end surface 34 extends to the lower end opening 24 b of the IC coin inlet passage 24. The IC coins stored in the pockets 25 (1) to 25 (3) are pushed out of the pocket by the corners of the inner peripheral end surface 34 for coin guide as the IC coin transport rotor 25 rotates, The side surface is pushed from the lower end opening 33a of the IC coin storage passage 33.

  Next, an entrance shutter 35 is disposed at a portion of the IC coin entrance passage 24 that communicates with the IC coin insertion slot 22. The entrance shutter 35 is retracted from the IC coin entrance passage 24 when no IC coin is inserted. An entrance sensor 36 is disposed at a downstream side of the entrance shutter 35, and detects an IC coin passing therethrough. When the IC coin inserted by the entrance sensor 36 is detected, the entrance shutter 35 is closed and the IC coin insertion slot 22 is blocked, and the IC coin cannot be inserted from the IC coin insertion slot 22.

  At the data read / write position A of the IC coin, a sensor 37 for detecting whether or not the IC coin is held at the position is arranged. In the IC coin storage passage 33, an IC coin empty sensor 38 is disposed near the lower end opening 33a, and an IC coin full sensor 39 is disposed near the upper end. Based on these outputs, it is possible to know whether the IC coin storage passage 33 is empty or full.

  The drive mechanism for rotationally driving the IC coin transport rotor 25 is, for example, a main gear concentrically attached thereto, a worm wheel meshed with the main gear, a worm meshed with the worm wheel, and the output of the worm. It can be set as the structure provided with the drive motor fixed to the axis | shaft. In addition, a sensor (not shown) for detecting the rotational position of the IC coin transport rotor 25 is arranged, and based on these outputs, the pockets 25 (1) to 25 (3) of the IC coin transport rotor 25 are arranged. The rotational position of is controlled.

[Description of operation of IC coin processing device]
FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram showing the processing operation of the IC coin processing apparatus 10, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic flowcharts of the processing operation.

  First, a state S1 in FIG. 4 shows a typical standby state of the coin processing apparatus 10. In the standby state S1, a plurality of IC coins C1 to C5 are stored in the IC coin storage passage 33, and the IC coin transport rotor 25 is in a standby state. In the standby state, one empty pocket is located at the data read / write position A. In the illustrated example, the empty pocket 25 (1) is positioned at the data read / write position A and can accept IC coins. The IC coin C6 is stored between the pocket 25 (3) positioned at the IC coin storage position C and the lower end opening 33a of the IC coin storage passage 33, and 120 clockwise from the data read / write position A. The IC coin C7 is stored in the pocket 25 (2) at the position rotated by the angle.

(IC coin look-ahead operation at startup)
When the IC coin processing device 10 is started, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5A, a pre-read operation of the coin data of the IC coin C7 that is issued first is performed. First, from the standby state S1 in FIG. 4, the IC coin transport rotor 25 is rotated 120 degrees counterclockwise to position the pocket 25 (2) at the data read / write position A (step ST51 in FIG. 5A). . As a result, the state shifts to the state S2 in FIG. Thereafter, the coin data of the IC coin C7 stored in the pocket 25 (2) is read (step ST52 in FIG. 5A).

  If the coin data cannot be read, or if the read coin data is incomplete, it is determined that the IC coin C7 cannot be issued. If it cannot be issued, a warning to that effect is output, and for example, the multi-function lamp 8a is driven to light (step ST53 → ST54 in FIG. 5A). When the coin data is read normally, the coin data is stored and held (step ST55 in FIG. 5A).

  Thereafter, the IC coin transport rotor 25 is rotated 120 degrees clockwise to return the pocket 25 (2) containing the IC coin C7 to the IC coin discharge position B (step ST56 in FIG. 5A). , Standby state S1) of FIG.

  When it is determined that the IC coin C7 cannot be issued and a warning is output, the store clerk removes the IC coin C7 and operates a reset button (not shown) to stop the warning.

  Even in a state where a warning is output, it is possible to process an issued IC coin that the player inserts from the IC coin insertion slot 22. Therefore, it is not necessary to completely stop the operation of the gaming machine inter-machine 1.

  Of course, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5B, after the warning is output, the IC coin C7 determined not to be issued is held in the data read / write position A as it is, and the operation is continued until the IC coin C7 is taken out. You may make it interrupt and wait (step ST57).

(IC coin issuance operation)
Thereafter, when a bill is inserted and the deposit amount is detected by the bill discriminator, an IC coin issuing operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is performed.

  In the issuing operation, first, from the standby state S1 in FIG. 4, the IC coin transport rotor 25 is rotated counterclockwise by 120 degrees to position the pocket 25 (2) at the data read / write position A, and the state in FIG. S2 is set (step ST61 in FIG. 6). In this state S2, only the coin ID stored in the IC coin C7 stored in the pocket 25 (2) is read using the antenna 28 (step ST62 in FIG. 6). The read coin ID is collated with the coin ID included in the stored coin data, and the stored coin data, that is, the pre-read coin data is the coin data of the IC coin C7. It is confirmed (step ST63 in FIG. 6). When the confirmation is obtained, the deposit process is performed using the pre-read coin data as it is. That is, the deposit amount is written, the number of uses is updated, and the updated coin data is written to the IC coin C7 (step ST64 in FIG. 6).

  Next, the IC coin transport rotor 25 is rotated 60 degrees clockwise to position the pocket 25 (2) at the IC coin discharge position B. At this time, the exit shutter 31 is opened, and the coin exit auxiliary passage piece 32 protrudes into the IC coin exit passage 30. As a result, the IC coin C7 rolls out by its own weight from the pocket 25 (2), is guided to the coin exit auxiliary passage piece 32, is issued from the IC coin exit 23 through the IC coin exit passage 30 (FIG. 6). Step ST65, state S3) of FIG.

  If the coin IDs do not match, the coin data of the IC coin C7 is read using the antenna 28 (step S66), and value data corresponding to the deposit amount is written. Thereafter, an IC coin C7 is issued (step S65).

(Pre-reading operation of IC coin after issuing IC coin)
After the IC coin C7 is issued, the pre-reading operation of the coin data of the IC coin C6 to be issued next is performed again by the procedure shown in FIG. After the IC coin C7 is issued, the IC coin transport rotor 25 is rotated 180 degrees counterclockwise to position the pocket 25 (3) in which the next IC coin C6 to be issued is stored at the data read / write position A. (Step ST51 in FIG. 5A, state S4 in FIG. 4). Next, the coin data of the IC coin C6 stored in the pocket 25 (3) is read (step ST52 in FIG. 5A).

  If the coin data cannot be read, or if the read coin data is incomplete, it is determined that the IC coin C6 cannot be issued (step ST53 in FIG. 5A). If it cannot be issued, a warning to that effect is output, and for example, the multi-function lamp 8a is driven to light (step ST54 in FIG. 5A). On the other hand, when the coin data is normally read, the coin data is stored and held (step ST55 in FIG. 5A).

  Next, the IC coin transport rotor 25 is rotated 120 degrees clockwise to wait for the empty pocket 25 (2) at the data read / write position A (step ST56 in FIG. 5A, standby state S5 in FIG. 4). .

  Here, when it is determined that the IC coin C6 cannot be issued and a warning is output, the clerk or the like removes the IC coin C6 and operates a reset button (not shown) to stop the warning. Even in a state where a warning is output, it is possible to process an issued IC coin that the player inserts from the IC coin insertion slot 22. Therefore, it is not necessary to completely stop the operation of the gaming machine inter-machine 1.

  Of course, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5B, after the warning is output, the IC coin C6 determined not to be issued is held in the data read / write position A as it is, and the operation is continued until the IC coin C6 is taken out. You may make it interrupt and wait (step ST57).

(Processing when renting game media)
When the already issued IC coin Ca is inserted from the IC coin insertion slot 22 in the standby state S5, the inserted IC coin Ca slides down in the IC coin entrance passage 24 by its own weight, and the IC coin transport rotor 25 It is received in the pocket 25 (2) (state S6 in FIG. 4). When the insertion of the IC coin Ca is detected by the entrance sensor 36, the entrance shutter 35 is closed. Coin data is read out from the IC coin Ca in the pocket 25 (2) by the antenna 28. 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 the IC coin Ca is input after the game is finished, the prepaid balance is confirmed. If the balance is zero, the IC coin Ca is not returned as shown in the state S7 in FIG. Collect inside. That is, the IC coin transport rotor 25 is rotated 120 degrees clockwise, the empty pocket 25 (1) is positioned at the data read / write position A, and waits there.

(Pre-reading of coin data when collecting IC coins)
Here, prior to the storing operation of the IC coin Ca, the pre-reading operation of the coin data of the IC coin Ca is performed. That is, the coin data is read from the IC coin Ca, and the coin data is stored and held. Thereafter, the IC coin transport rotor 25 is rotated 120 degrees clockwise.

(Pre-reading of IC coin after IC coin is returned)
On the other hand, 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 IC coin exit 23 is performed as shown in state S8 of FIG. Is called. In this return operation, the exit shutter 31 is opened, the coin exit auxiliary passage piece 32 is protruded into the IC coin exit passage 30, and the IC coin transport rotor 25 is rotated 60 degrees clockwise to form the pocket 25 (2). Is positioned at the IC coin discharge position B communicating with the IC coin outlet passage 30. As a result, the IC coin Ca rolls out of the pocket 25 (2) by its own weight, is guided to the coin exit auxiliary passage piece 32, and is returned from the IC coin exit 23 through the IC coin exit passage 30.

  Here, after the return operation of the IC coin Ca, the pre-read operation of the coin data of the IC coin C6 to be issued next can be performed. Since the coin data of the IC coin C6 has already been pre-read and stored, the pre-read of the IC coin C6 to be issued next is basically unnecessary when the IC coin Ca is returned. When performing the pre-reading operation, the same operation as the pre-reading operation after the IC coin issuance may be performed (refer to the flowcharts in FIGS. 5A and 5B).

  As described above, in the IC coin processing device 10 of this example, the prefetching of coin data of the next IC coin to be issued is at least (1) to (3) among the cases (1) to (4). If you are going to do it.

(1) When the IC coin processing device is activated
(2) Time point after the IC coin issued before the IC coin to be issued reaches from the data read / write position A to the IC coin discharge position B and is discharged toward the IC coin exit passage 30 for issuance
(3) The IC coin inserted from the IC coin insertion slot 22 and held at the data read / write position A has a balance of zero, and the IC coin rotated 120 degrees from the data read / write position A as the next IC coin to be issued Time before being transported to storage position C
(4) The IC coin inserted from the IC coin insertion slot 22 and held at the data read / write position A reaches the IC coin discharge position B from the position A for return, toward the IC coin exit passage 30. Time point after being discharged

  According to the IC coin processing apparatus 10 of this example, the coin data stored and held in the next IC coin to be issued is pre-read and stored and held before the IC coin issuance request is issued. Therefore, since it is possible to know in advance whether or not the IC coin to be issued can be used, the IC coin issuance operation is forcibly interrupted due to the unusable IC coin, causing the player to wait. Can be prevented.

  In addition, a warning is issued when it is determined that it cannot be issued at the time of pre-reading the coin data of the IC coin. Therefore, such an IC coin can be excluded from the IC coin processing apparatus 10 in advance.

  Furthermore, since the pre-read coin data is used when the IC coin is issued, the coin data read time can be shortened, which is advantageous for speeding up the issue processing operation.

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 inter-table machine for game machines in FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the internal structure of the IC coin processing apparatus integrated in the inter-table machine for game machines of FIG. FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram of the IC coin processing device of FIG. 3. (a) is a flowchart which shows the prefetch operation | movement of coin data in the IC coin processing apparatus of FIG. 3, (b) is a partial flowchart which shows another operation example. It is a flowchart which shows IC coin issue operation | movement of the IC coin processing apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine stand machine 2 Stand machine holder 3 Stand machine main body 4 Chassis 5 Bill identification machine 6 Control box 7 Power supply box 8 Front panel 8a Multifunctional lamp 8b Bill insertion slot 8c Display part 8d Numeric keypad 8e IC coin slot 8f IC coin exit 8g IC card insertion slot 10 IC coin processor 14a, 14b Guide hole 15 Main body side connector 16 Relay board 17a, 17b Guide pin 18 Holder side connector 21 Unit case 21a Front 22 IC coin slot 23 IC coin outlet 24 IC coin entrance passage 24a Passage bottom surface 24b Lower end opening 25 IC coin transport rotors 25 (1) to 25 (3) Pocket 25a Rotor outer peripheral end surface 25b Pocket opening 25c portion 26 Support shaft 27 Inner peripheral end surface 28 for coin guide Antenna 30 IC Coin exit passage 30a Upper end side opening 3 Exit shutter 31a End face 32 Coin exit auxiliary passage piece 33 IC coin storage passage 33a Lower end opening 33b End face 34 Inner peripheral end face 35 for coin guide Entrance shutter 36 Entrance sensor 37 Sensor 38 IC coin empty sensor 39 IC coin full sensor 40 Exit sensor C1 ~ C7 IC coin A Data read / write position B IC coin discharge position C IC coin storage position

Claims (10)

When an IC coin issuance request is received, the stored IC coin is transported to a data read / write position where data is read from and written to the IC coin, and predetermined data is written at the data read / write position. In the issuing processing method of the IC coin processing device that issues
At the time before receiving the issue request, the IC coin to be issued issued by the issue request is transported from the storage position to the data read / write position,
At the data read / write position, data is read from the IC coin to be issued,
Store and store the read coin data,
Thereafter, the IC coin processing device issuance processing method, wherein the IC coin to be issued is returned from the data read / write position to the storage position. In claim 1,
If it is impossible to read data from the IC coin to be issued, or if the read data is incomplete, it is determined that the IC coin to be issued cannot be used, and a warning to that effect is issued. An issuance processing method for an IC coin processing device. In claim 2,
An issuance processing method for an IC coin processing apparatus, wherein the issued IC coin that is determined to be unusable is not returned to the storage position. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
When issuing the IC coin to be issued, only the coin ID stored in the IC coin is read at the data read / write position,
Issuing an IC coin processing device, wherein the coin ID is compared with a coin ID of the coin data stored and held, and if the coin ID matches, the coin data is used as coin data of the IC coin to be issued Processing method. In any one of claims 1 to 4,
An issuance processing method for an IC coin processing apparatus, wherein the time point before receiving the issuance request is when the IC coin processing apparatus is activated. In claim 5,
At the time before receiving the issue request, the IC coin issued before the IC coin to be issued was discharged from the data read / write position toward the IC coin exit of the IC coin processing device for issue. An issuance processing method for an IC coin processing device, characterized in that it is a later time. In claim 6,
Before the issue request is received, the IC coin inserted from the IC coin insertion slot and held in the data read / write position is a state before the start of conveyance toward the storage position as the IC coin to be issued. An issuance processing method of an IC coin processing device, characterized in that it is a time point. In claim 7,
Before receiving the issuance request, the IC coin inserted from the IC coin slot and held at the data read / write position is discharged from the data read / write position toward the IC coin exit for return. An issuance processing method for an IC coin processing device, characterized in that it is a later time. In claim 7 or 8,
The IC coin processing device
An IC coin entrance passage for guiding the IC coin inserted from the IC coin insertion slot by its own weight;
An IC coin exit passage for guiding the IC coin to the IC coin exit by its own weight;
An IC coin storage unit that can receive IC coins from the lower end opening and store them in a diametrically stacked state;
There is provided at least one pocket capable of receiving one IC coin from the outer peripheral side, and the data read / write position where the pocket communicates with the downstream end of the IC coin inlet passage with rotation, upstream of the IC coin outlet passage. An IC coin having an IC coin discharge position communicating with an end, and an IC coin transporting rotor moving via an IC coin storage position communicating with the lower end opening of the IC coin storage section Issuing method of processing device. In claim 9,
The IC coin transport rotor has three pockets formed at intervals of 120 degrees on the outer periphery as the pockets,
The IC coin processing position is a position rotated by 60 degrees from the data read / write position, and the IC coin storage position is a position rotated by 240 degrees in the same direction from the data read / write position. Issuance processing method.

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