JP5226727B2 - Medal stand machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medal pedestrian machine that is arranged adjacent to a medal gaming machine such as a slot machine in a game hall or the like and that lends medal as a game medium, counts medals acquired by a player, and the like.

  In the game hall, for example, a plurality of pachinko machines or a plurality of slot machines are arranged in a horizontal direction, and the back surfaces thereof are arranged in two rows so as to form a game island called a pachinko island or a slot machine island. Yes. This game island is usually arranged side by side at a plurality of locations in the game hall.

  For example, a medal device for a revolving game machine that lends medals and counts medals in a medal pedestal machine arranged adjacent to a slot machine is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). . Inside this medal device for a spinning-type gaming machine, it is possible to receive a medal supplied in the game island through a supply pipe, supply a medal from the receiving tank, and collect the counted medal The medal hopper is equipped. When the medals are lent out, the medals accommodated in the medal hopper are discharged to the player side.

JP-A-11-226234

  In the conventional medal pedestal machine described above, the conventional medal pedestal machine shown in Patent Document 2 described above includes a receiving tank, a medal hopper, and the like. The equipment provided in the machine was limited. Therefore, there has been a problem that the function of the medal pedestal machine is limited.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in addition to arranging a medal identification device and the like within the range of the standard size of the machine between the game halls, further to the machine between the medals It is an object of the present invention to provide a medal pedestal machine capable of securing a space for arranging necessary equipment.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, in a medal pedestrian machine that includes a housing and counts medals thrown into a slot provided on a front surface side of the housing, A conveying means for aligning the medals thrown into the insertion slot and conveying them in a lying state, a medal identifying means for identifying whether or not the conveyed medals are usable medals, and along the side surface of the casing Provided and a flow-down passage for flowing down the medals identified by the medal identification means in a vertically standing state, and provided in the flow-down passage, and an unusable medal based on the identification determination in the medal identification means A medal pedestal comprising: a medal excluding unit for excluding from a flow-down passage; and a return channel for guiding the medal excluded by the medal excluding unit to a return port provided on a front side of the housing. Machine It is.

  According to this medal pedestal machine, the medal identification means and the medal exclusion means are provided, so that medals that cannot be used (for example, forged medals) are discriminated and provided on the front side of the medal pedestal machine. Can be returned to the designated return port.

  Here, the front side in the “input slot provided on the front side of the housing” is the player side from the center of the housing in the depth direction of the housing from the player side to the back side of the slot machine island. Included in this.

  For example, in the slot machine on the player side, a slot is provided on the front side on the player side of the lower plate from which the prize medal is discharged, and this slot is made to function as a “slot on the front side of the housing”. May be. In this case, a medal to be counted can be inserted into the insertion slot, and the inserted medal can be transported to an insertion slot provided on the front side of the medal machine.

  Further, for example, a slot may be provided to be opened on the “front side of the housing” that is the inside of the front panel of the housing, and the player may manually insert the prize medal into the slot.

  Further, “conveying” in the “conveying means” is not limited to conveyance by an operating body such as belt conveyance and lift conveyance. For example, the insertion slot is provided at a position higher than the top of the inclined guiding path on the front surface of the housing, and the medal inserted from the charging slot is guided to flow down to the inclined guiding path using the gravity action. May be.

  Here, the sideways state refers to a state in which the medal is horizontal, which is perpendicular to the direction of gravity, and a state in which the angle formed between the horizontal plane and the surface of the medal is less than ± 45 degrees. The upright state means that the medal is upright in parallel to the direction of gravity and that the angle between the surface parallel to the direction of gravity and the surface of the medal is tilted within a range of ± 45 degrees or less. Say.

  In the vertical state, the medal flows smoothly down the free passage (not by the power from the outside, etc., but the medal itself flows down the inclined surface). The angle made with the surface of the medal is preferably 0 degrees or close to 0 degrees.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the transporting means transports the medals one by one at a predetermined interval to the identification area for identifying the medals in the medal identifying means. A machine is provided.

  According to this medal pedestal machine, the medals can be accurately identified by the medal identification means because the medals can be conveyed one by one to the identification area for identifying the medals at a predetermined interval.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, a part of the transport means includes a shut-off member operating mechanism provided with a shut-off member operable in a direction perpendicular to the medal transport direction, and the shut-off member operation A medal pedestal machine is provided in which a mechanism stops a medal conveyed by operating the blocking member.

  Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inclined side surface for receiving a medal conveyed by the conveying means and causing the medal to flow down in at least one of the left and right directions perpendicular to the advancing direction of the medal. The medals transported by the transport means are advanced in the transport direction of the transport means, and are vertically erected while flowing down along the inclined side surfaces in at least one of the left and right directions perpendicular to the travel direction of the medals. The medal removal means flows down the flow-down passage, the medal is removed to the center side of the housing to be removed, and the return passage is formed of the inclined guide passage. A medal pedestal machine provided with a downwardly inclined surface that is arranged on the lower side of the taxiway and flows down to the return port for the medal excluded on the center side of the housing. It is.

  According to the medal pedestal machine, by providing the inclined guide path, the medal taken into the apparatus is allowed to flow down while moving in the conveying direction in the conveying means, and the medal pedestal machine left side and medal It can guide to at least one side of the right side of the inter-table machine. The medals guided to the left side of the medal pedestal machine and the right side of the medal pedestal machine are the left side of the medal pedestal machine and the right side of the medal pedestal machine. The downflow passage formed along at least one side surface of the surface can flow down.

  By providing such a medal transport path, for example, the medal transport path does not cross the central portion of the casing constituting the medal pedestal machine, and the medal transport space can be further reduced. Thus, while the counting device and the like are arranged in the medal pedestal machine, it is possible to secure a space in which a device or the like having some function constituting the medal pedestal machine can be arranged.

  In addition, for example, when the return passage is provided with a medal storage portion, the space in the intermediary machine for medals is effectively used by providing the return passage in a region below the inclined guiding path that cannot be used as a medal storage portion. be able to. Further, by effectively using the space in the medal pedestal machine, it is possible to secure a space in which devices or the like having some function constituting the medal pedestal machine can be arranged.

  Moreover, according to one aspect of the present invention, the inclined guiding path further includes a conveyance direction inclined surface that is inclined in a traveling direction of medals conveyed by the conveying means, and is laid sideways conveyed by the conveying means. A medal pedestal machine is provided in which a medal in a state flows down along the inclined surface in the transport direction.

  According to this medal pedestal machine, for example, when the speed of the medal transported by the transport means is close to the stationary speed, or even when the medal is stationary, it can flow down due to the inclination of the inclined surface in the transport direction. it can. Thereby, the medal can advance toward the rear side of the chassis through the chassis side surface by the action of gravity without stagnation.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the return port through which the excluded medal is guided is an upper portion of the discharge port that discharges the medal accommodated in the housing to the front side of the housing, or the discharge port. A medal pedestal machine is provided that is provided on an upper portion of a housing portion that rotatably supports a nozzle having a tip at a tip portion.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medal pedestal machine comprising a medal counting unit that counts medals received from the insertion slot.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the medal exclusion means includes an upper end side support portion that supports the upper end portion and a lower end side support portion that supports the lower end portion of the medal that is passing through the flow-down passage, At least one of the upper end side support part or the lower end side support part is formed of a concave member having a concave cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the medal, and when the medal is excluded, the concave member is inclined in the direction of excluding the medal. The one side wall of the concave member presses one side surface of the medal in a direction to remove the medal, and the support of the other side surface of the medal on the other side wall of the concave member is released. A medallion pedestal machine is provided.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, an electromagnet is provided at a predetermined position of the medal transport path from the insertion port to the end of the flow-down passage, and the medal is disposed on the upstream transport path where the electromagnet is provided. When the presence of a medal is detected, the electromagnet is actuated, and when the presence of a medal is no longer detected in the transport path upstream of the electromagnet, the electromagnet is deactivated and attracted by the electromagnet. A medal pedestal machine is provided in which the adhered matter is caused to flow down to the transport path and is removed from the flow-down passage by the medal removal means.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a medal container that can store medals is provided inside the housing, and the medals stored in the medal container are discharged to a discharge port provided on the front side of the housing. A medal pedestal machine is provided.

  According to the medal pedestal machine of the present invention, while arranging the counting device and the like within the range of the standard size of the pedestal machine in the game hall, it is further possible to arrange the equipment necessary for the medal pedestal machine. Space can be secured.

It is the perspective view which showed the slot island provided with the platform machine for medals in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view when the platform machine for medals is seen from the front. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the machine between medals. It is a perspective view of a medal counting device. It is a top view when a medal counting device is seen from the upper part. It is a perspective view of a conveying apparatus. It is a top view when a conveyance apparatus is seen from the side. It is a top view when a gate part is seen from upper direction. It is a top view when a gate part is seen from the side surface side. It is a top view when a gate part is seen from the side surface side. It is a perspective view of an inclination guide way. It is a top view when seeing an inclination guide way from the upstream. It is a top view when an inclined guiding path is seen from the side surface side. It is a top view when a medal counting device is seen from the side. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the medal identification which determines whether a medal is a medal which can be used. It is a top view when the state which rotated the medal accommodation case in the front direction is seen from the side of the medal counting device. On the other hand, it is a perspective view of a medal counting device provided with an opening member. It is a figure which shows the AA cross section of FIG. It is a figure which shows the BB cross section of FIG. 14, and is a figure which shows the state which the medal | token removal mechanism is not driven. It is a figure which shows the BB cross section of FIG. 14, and is a figure which shows the state by which the medal removal mechanism was driven. It is a top view when the lower end side support part of a medal exclusion mechanism is seen from the upper part. It is a figure which shows CC cross section of FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the medal removal mechanism, which is the process A (medal removal process) shown in FIG.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slot island 1 having a medal pedestal machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the medal pedestal machine 10 when viewed from the front. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the medal pedestal machine 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slot island 1 is configured by a plurality of slot machines 2 that are spinning-rotor-type gaming machines and a plurality of intermediary machines 10 for medals alternately arranged. Here, an example of the slot island 1 having a configuration in which the medal pedestal machine 10 is provided at a ratio of one to one slot machine 2 is shown. Further, on the slot island 1, a plurality of slot machines 2 and a plurality of medal pedestal machines 10 are arranged back and forth on the back side at predetermined intervals on the back side. A plurality of medal pedestal machines 10 are alternately arranged.

  The slot machine 2 is an example of a gaming machine in which a game is played using the medal M. In this slot machine 2, the player sets the bet number (1 bet, 2 bets, 3 bets) by inserting the medal M, or the player sets the bet number by pressing the BET button. . When the number of bets is set, in the variable display portion 2a that displays the patterns attached to the three rotatable reels, the pattern stop lines in three horizontal rows and two diagonal diagonal lines are activated according to the number of bets. When the start lever 2b is pressed by the player, the three reels rotate all at once. When the three stop buttons 2c are pressed by the player, the rotation of the three reels is individually stopped, and when the picture attached to the three reels has a predetermined specific form, The medal M is discharged to the medal tray 2d or added as the number of credits.

  Although the slot machine 2 is illustrated here as a gaming machine, the gaming machine is not limited to the slot machine 2 as long as a game is played using the medal M as a gaming medium, and may be a gaming machine, for example. The medal M is an example of a game medium, and is, for example, a perfect circle-shaped metal thin plate having a predetermined diameter with a periphery. Further, for example, characters and patterns are engraved on the front and back surfaces of the medal M.

  The medal pedestal machine 10 is a device composed of a box-shaped housing that is installed adjacent to the side surface of the slot machine 2 and rents a medal M in exchange for money and frequency, and further obtained by a player. It is provided with a counting function for counting the medals M.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a bill insertion slot 20 is provided above the front surface 10 a of the medal pedestal machine 10, and a display panel 21 is provided below the bill insertion slot 20. Further, a card insertion slot 22 is provided below the display panel 21, and in the vicinity of the card insertion slot 22, a rent medal button 23, a replay medal button 24, a counting button 25, and a card return button 26 are provided. It has been.

  The arrangement positions of the bill insertion slot 20, the display panel 21, the card insertion slot 22, and the various buttons are not limited to the positions shown in FIG. 2, and can be changed as appropriate.

  A medal insertion part 30 having a medal insertion port 31 for receiving the medal M to be counted is provided at the center of the front surface 10a of the medal pedestal machine 10 so as to protrude toward the player side. Further, a medal discharge unit 40 for discharging the lent medal M is provided below the front surface 10a of the medal pedestal machine 10. In the upper part of the medal discharge unit 40, for example, among the medals M inserted into the medal insertion unit 30 from the medal insertion port 31, a medal M that cannot be used (for example, a counterfeit medal) is a medal return port 52. A return medal tray 51 that is returned via is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the medal pedestal machine 10 includes a bill recognition device (bill burr) 27, a card processor 28, a control unit 60, a power circuit (not shown), a medal processing unit 11, and the like. Has been.

  Each component of the medal pedestal machine 10 will be described in detail.

  The banknote insertion slot 20 is a part for inserting a banknote, and the banknote inserted from the banknote insertion slot 20 is introduced into a banknote identification device (bill burr) 27. The bill discriminating device (Bill Bali) 27 is a compact bill discriminator that can handle four types of bills (10,000 yen bill, 5,000 yen bill, 2000 yen bill, and 1000 yen bill) inserted from the bill insertion slot 20. It is.

  The display panel 21 is a liquid crystal display screen that displays, for example, the number of medals to be lent, the display of the actually available frequency balance, the display of the count result of medals M, and other game information.

  The card insertion slot 22 is used to insert a member IC card that is given to a player who has registered as a member, or a non-member IC card that stores valuable value specifying information related to a player who has not registered as a member. It is an insertion slot. The valuable value specifying information may be, for example, ID information or information relating to the valuable value itself. As the valuable value, the valuable value (number of medals) corresponding to the number of acquired game media obtained as a result of the game by the player and the valuable value (frequency) corresponding to the amount of the bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 20 Etc. can be exemplified.

  The IC card inserted from the card insertion slot 22 is introduced into the card processor 28. The card processor 28 reads information such as an ID from an IC card inserted from the card insertion slot 22, and is constituted by, for example, a reader / writer. The card processor 28 may have a function of collecting and storing the non-member IC card whose frequency is 0, for example. Furthermore, based on whether the ID is newly stored in the stored non-member IC card or the ID stored in advance, the management device stores the valuable value, stores the valuable value in the non-member IC card, etc. A function of associating a non-member IC card with a valuable value and reissuing it may be provided.

  The loan medal button 23 is a button that is pressed when the player requests the lending of the medal M. For example, when the rental medal button 23 is pressed once, the frequency of 1000 yen is consumed and the medal M is lent out. The medal M is lent out in units of 1000 yen as a standard.

  The replay loan medal button 24 is a button for paying out a member player's stored medal. For example, a replay procedure is performed in a replay accepting machine installed in a game hall or a medal pedestal machine. This is used only when the member IC card is used, and is pressed when renting a medal M that can be used for replay. Here, for example, a member player can store the acquired medal M as a stored medal in a management device for a game hall based on ID information or the like. Replay means that the medal M is paid out by consuming the stored medal number.

  The counting button 25 is a button that is pressed when counting the number of medals M inserted into the medal insertion slot 31. When the counting button 25 is pressed, the medal M inserted into the medal insertion slot 31 is taken into the medal intermediary machine 10 and counted. Instead of providing the counting button 25, counting may be automatically performed when the insertion of a medal into the medal insertion slot 31 is detected by an electrical continuity sensor or an optical sensor.

  The card return button 26 is an operation button for discharging the IC card inserted from the card insertion slot 22, and is pressed particularly when the game is finished.

  The control unit 60 controls each component device in the medal pedestal machine 10 and performs information communication with, for example, an island computer or a management device other than the medal pedestal machine 10, and includes an interface circuit 60a, It is mainly composed of a CPU 60b, a ROM 60c, a RAM 60d, an AD conversion circuit (not shown), and the like. The AD conversion circuit converts the analog signal photographed by the CCD camera into digital information and sequentially stores it in the RAM 60d in time series.

  A power supply circuit (not shown) supplies power for driving each component device in the medal pedestal machine 10 to each component device.

  The medal insertion slot 31 is an insertion slot for inserting the medal M to be counted. The medal M inserted into the medal insertion slot 31 is taken into the medal intermediary machine 10 and counted by the medal counting device 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the medal M counted by the medal counting device 100 is configured to be guided to a recovery path (medal recovery rod) by belt conveyance for guiding it to the automatic medal replenishing device at the back of the slot island. However, from the medal discharging unit 40 in the housing of the medal pedestal machine 10 (the housing of the medal pedestal machine 10 is surrounded by the front surface 10a, the back surface 10b, the left side surface 10c, and the right side surface 10d). It may be stored to be discharged again, or may be guided to the inside of the slot machine 2. Alternatively, it may be selectively switched to the collection path, the inside of the slot machine 2, and the housing of the medal pedestal machine 10. Note that the configuration of the medal counting device 100 including the medal insertion unit 30 will be described in detail later.

  Further, the counted medals M are discharged from, for example, a heel side discharge port 70 provided on the back surface 10b of the medal pedestal machine 10 to a medal collection jar (not shown) provided on the slot island 1. . The counted medals M may be introduced into a medal tank 71 in the medal pedestal machine 10 described later, for example.

  A medal tank 71 for storing medals M to be lent out from the medal discharge unit 40 is installed in the housing of the medal pedestal machine 10. The medal tank 71 is disposed in a casing formed by the side walls of the medal pedestal machine 10 on the front surface 10a side and the back surface 10b side, and the left side surface 10c side and the right side surface 10d side of the medal gantry machine 10. The upper and lower portions are opened, and have a funnel-like shape (hopper) that gradually squeezes toward the lower portion. Further, a medal supply branch pipe 73 branched from the medal supply pipe of the slot island 1 is introduced into the medal pedestal machine 10 via the back surface 10 b of the medal pedestal machine 10. The medal supply port 73 a of the medal supply branch pipe 73 is set at a position where the medal M can be supplied into the medal tank 71 from the upper opening of the medal tank 71.

  A disk-shaped disk 72 is provided at the lower part of the medal tank 71 so as to communicate with the opening at the lower part of the medal tank 71. The disk-shaped disc 72 has a plurality of perforations for receiving one horizontal medal M. When the disk-shaped disk 72 is driven by a motor, the medal M that has entered the hole is guided to an introduction path provided below the disk-shaped disk 72 and discharged to the medal discharge unit 40. The medals M ejected from the disk-shaped disc 72 are sequentially counted and ejected to the medal ejection unit 40 provided at the lower part of the front surface 10a of the medal pedestal machine 10.

  The medal discharge unit 40 includes a nozzle 41 that guides the medal M discharged from the disk-shaped disk 72 to the medal tray 2d of the slot machine 2. One end of the nozzle 41 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft that is provided in a housing portion 42 that protrudes forward from the front surface 10a of the medal platform 10 and that is parallel to the direction of gravity.

  Here, an example in which the nozzle 41 is provided as the medal discharge unit 40 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the medal discharging unit 40 is configured with a discharge port having a receiving unit that temporarily stores the medal M discharged from the disk-shaped disk 72 at the lower portion of the front surface 10a of the medal pedestal machine 10 without the nozzle 41. May be. In this case, the player picks up the medals discharged into the storage unit of the medal discharge unit 40 and moves them to the medal tray 2d of the slot machine 2, for example.

  In addition, a return medal tray 51 that accommodates the returned medal M that is determined to be an unusable medal in the medal counting device 100 is provided above the medal discharge unit 40. The configuration for returning the medal M from the medal counting device 100 to the return medal tray 51 will be described in detail later.

  Next, the configuration of the medal counting device 100 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the medal counting device 100. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the medal counting device 100 as viewed from above. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the transfer device 120. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the transport device 120 as viewed from the side.

  The transport path for transporting the medal M in the medal counting device 100 is a transport device that transports the medal M inserted into the medal housing case 110 that functions as the medal insertion unit main body of the medal insertion unit 30 into the medal counting device 100. 120, an inclination guiding path 140 that moves the medal M down while changing the posture of the medal M while moving the medal M in the direction conveyed by the conveying device 120, and a medal M guided by the inclination guiding path 140, for example, It mainly includes a flow-down passage 160 that leads to the heel-side discharge port 70 provided on the back surface 10b of the medal machine 10.

(Conveyor 120)
First, the conveying device 120 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the medal counting device 100 is configured such that a medal insertion unit 30 having a medal insertion port 31 protrudes from the front surface 10 a of the housing to the player side, and is inserted for counting. A medal housing case 110 for housing the medal M. In the medal housing case 110, a medal slot 31 for inserting a medal M is formed.

  At the bottom of the medal receiving housing 110, a transport device 120 that functions as a transport means for transporting the medal M to the inside of the medal counting device 100 (that is, inside the medal pedestal machine 10) is provided. The medals M inserted into the body 110 are aligned in a state of being laid down and conveyed to the inside of the medal counting device 100.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the conveying device 120 includes rotating rollers 121a, 121b, 121c, and 121d, and a conveying belt 122 that is stretched around these rotating rollers 121a, 121b, 121c, and 121d. A reversing roller 124 installed above the conveying belt 122 with a delivery gap 123, at least one of the rotating rollers 121a, 121b, 121c and 121d (here, the rotating roller 121b) and a reversing roller A drive motor 125 for rotating 124 and a transmission means 126 for transmitting the rotation of the motor shaft of the drive motor 125 to the rotation roller 121b are provided.

  Here, the transmission unit 126 includes, for example, a drive shaft of the drive motor 125, gears provided on the rotation roller 121b and the reverse rotation roller 124, and a belt that connects these gears. The sending gap 123 is a gap that allows only one medal in a laid state to pass through, and is configured to be larger than the thickness of one medal and smaller than the thickness of two medals. Specifically, the sending gap 123 is preferably set to about 1.2 to 1.8 times the thickness of the medal M, for example.

  Here, an example in which the rotation roller 121b is driven by the drive motor 125 is shown, but one or more other rotation rollers may be driven by the drive motor 125.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, an example in which two transport belts 122 are arranged in parallel is shown. Corresponding to the two conveying belts 122, the reverse rotation roller 124 is installed above the conveying belts 122 with a delivery gap 123. In addition, a minimum gap that does not contact the reverse rotation roller 124 is provided above the reverse rotation roller 124 in the direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the conveyance belt 122 and the diameter direction of the reverse rotation roller 124. A plate-like member 127 for preventing the medal M from being bitten is provided. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the plate-like member 127 has a curved surface whose upper side curves to the player side (rotating roller 121 d side). By providing this curved surface, for example, the medal M flipped upward by the reverse rotation roller 124 can be returned to the upstream side of the reverse rotation roller 124.

  Note that the arrangement of the rotating rollers 121a, 121b, 121c, and 121d is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIGS. For example, it may be configured by a pair of rotating rollers provided in parallel in the front-rear direction when viewed from the front side, and can be appropriately set depending on conditions such as an installation space in which the conveyance device 120 is installed.

  The conveyor belt 122 is a flat belt that is stretched around the rotating rollers 121a, 121b, 121c, and 121d, and the surface thereof is covered with rubber or the like so as to increase the frictional resistance with the medal M. As shown in FIG. 7, in the rotating roller 121a and the rotating roller 121d, the rotating roller 121a on the back side is arranged at a higher position than the rotating roller 121d on the front side when viewed from the player side. Therefore, the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122 is inclined upward from the near side to the inner side, and the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122 is rotated by rotating the rotating roller 121b in the direction of the arrow shown in FIGS. Move from the near side to the far side.

  When the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122 is inclined upward from the near side toward the far side, the drive motor 125 is installed at a position higher than at least the rotating roller 121d on the near side, for example. Is preferred. By being installed at a position higher than the rotating roller 121d on the front side, for example, even when a liquid or the like is put into the medal housing case 110, the drive motor 125 can be prevented from coming into contact with the liquid.

  The rotation roller 121b and the reverse rotation roller 124 are configured to rotate simultaneously by the transmission means 126, for example. Since the reverse rotation roller 124 rotates in the same direction as the rotation roller 121b, the traveling direction of the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122 and the moving direction of the lower surface of the reverse rotation roller 124 are reversed.

  Further, as described above, the feeding gap 123 between the conveyance belt 122 and the reverse rotation roller 124 is configured to be larger than the thickness of one medal and smaller than the thickness of two medals. The medals M on the upper surface of the sheet are passed one by one through the delivery gap 123, and the medals M located above the transport belt 122 and behind the reverse roller 124 (upstream in the transport direction) are upstream by the reverse roller 124. Kick out to the side. Therefore, the medals M stacked above the conveyor belt 122 can be effectively kicked out rearward to prevent the medals M from being jammed in the delivery gap 123. Further, by kicking out the medal M upstream by the reverse rotation roller 124, the medal M can be easily placed on its side.

  Further, the medal M kicked upstream by the reverse rotation roller 124 is inclined downward from the rotating roller 121a toward the rotating roller 121d, so that the upper side of the stacked medal M in the vicinity of the rotating roller 121a It can be effectively broken down to the rotating roller 121d side.

  The medal M that has passed through the feeding gap 123 is guided to the gate unit 130 by the transport belt 122.

  As described above, by configuring the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122 so as to incline upward from the near side toward the inner side, for example, an elastic structure that is a tool for performing fraudulent acts along the conveyor belt 122. Even in the case where the medal M is inserted, the elastic structure is difficult to insert up to the counting device because the traveling direction of the medal M on the extended line of the conveying belt 122 and the inclined guiding path 140 through which the medal M is guided next are different. Therefore, fraud can be prevented.

  Further, by making the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122 incline upward from the near side to the far side, for example, even when a liquid or the like is put into the medal housing case 110, the liquid is prevented from flowing into the apparatus. can do. Furthermore, by making the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122 upwardly inclined from the near side to the far side, medal clogging in the gate unit 130 described later can be suppressed.

  Here, an example of a configuration in which the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122 is inclined upward from the near side to the far side is shown. However, for example, in the case where another configuration that can prevent an illegal act due to an elastic structure or the like is provided, for example. For example, the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122 may be horizontal.

  Next, the gate unit 130 provided in the transfer device 120 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view of the gate unit 130 as viewed from above. 9 and 10 are plan views of the gate portion 130 as viewed from the side surface side.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the gate portion 130 is composed of a pair of opposing gate plate members 131 configured to have a gate width L that allows the medal M in a laid-down state to pass. The pair of gate plate-like members 131 can be in contact with each other in the thickness direction of the medals M transported by the transport belts 122 (can be contacted with the outer peripheral surface of the medals M transported by the transport belts 122). It is provided as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the end 131a on the upstream side of the gate plate member 131 is gradually set to a predetermined gate width L in the medal M transport direction in order to smoothly introduce the medal M. The inclined surface is configured to narrow the width.

  Here, the gate width L is preferably set to be about 0.1 to 1.2 mm larger than the diameter of the medal M. Specifically, since the standard diameter of the medal M is 25 mm, for example, the gate width L can be set to 26 mm. With this gate width L, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, even if a 500-yen coin N having a diameter of 26.4 mm is inserted, it cannot pass through the gate plate member 131. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the entry of a foreign substance having a diameter larger than that of the medal M.

  Further, by passing through the pair of gate plate members 131, the medals M are conveyed in an aligned state. Therefore, the pair of gate plate members 131 can also function as alignment means.

  Further, as a configuration of the gate unit 130, in addition to the pair of gate plate members 131 described above, a blocking member operating mechanism 132 that stops the conveyance of the medal M may be provided. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the blocking member operating mechanism 132 can drive the blocking member 133 in a direction perpendicular to the medal M transport direction.

  The blocking member 133 is composed of, for example, a rod-shaped member. Further, the blocking member operating mechanism 132 can be configured by mechanical means such as a solenoid.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when passing the medal M, the blocking member 133 is raised so that the gap between the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122 and the tip of the blocking member 133 is larger than the thickness of one medal. It has become. Immediately after a single medal M has passed, as shown in FIG. 10, the blocking member 133 is lowered so that the next transported medal M cannot pass for a predetermined time. Then, the transport of the medal M transported next is stopped by the blocking member 133. By controlling the blocking member 133 in this way, the medals M can pass through the gate unit 130 sequentially with a predetermined time interval.

  Even when the medals M are transported to the gate unit 130 in a continuous state, the positions where the blocking member 133 protrudes are consecutive medals M that avoid the circular ends where the medals M contact each other. By using the gap generated between the circular end portions of the two, the gate portion 130 can be inserted between successive medals M, and the conveyance of the rear medals M can be stopped.

  Whether the conveyor belt 122 is stopped when it is detected by image recognition or the like by the optical sensor or the imaging unit 151 that the trailing end of the preceding medal M has reached the position of the protrusion 143 of the inclined guiding path 140. The conveyor belt 122 is rotated after the predetermined time when the preceding medal M is sufficiently separated by the inclined side surface 141 that forms the inclined guiding path 140 by rotating in the reverse direction and stopping the successive medals M coming in succession or moving in the reverse direction. It may be rotated again so that the medal M is intermittently sent out.

  Further, when it is detected by image recognition using an optical sensor or the imaging unit 151 that the trailing end of the preceding medal M has reached the position of the protrusion 143 of the inclined guiding path 140, the reverse rotation roller 124 is moved to the transport belt 122. The following medal M is lowered in the direction and brought into contact with the succeeding medal M, and the succeeding medal M is stopped or conveyed in the reverse direction, and the preceding medal M is formed by the inclined side surface 141 forming the inclined guiding path 140. After a predetermined time sufficiently separated, the reverse rotation roller 124 may be returned to the original position and the medal M may be intermittently sent out.

  Here, for example, it is preferable to rotate the transport belt 122 in the reverse direction immediately before the counting of the medals M inserted into the medal housing case 110 is completed and the transport device 120 is stopped.

  As a result, for example, even if a part of the medals M inserted into the medal housing case 110 is standing upright, the end of the medals M standing upright by transporting the transport belt 122 in the reverse direction causes the medal housing. In the case 110, the vertically standing medal M is laid down by abutting against the U-shaped (viewed from above) wall surface of the player side (upper side in FIG. 5) in FIG. It is possible to prepare for the next counting process.

  In addition, even when a part of the medals M inserted into the medal housing case 110 is vertically upright at the first counting, the end of the medals M upright by the conveyance of the conveyance belt 122 in the reverse direction is the medal. A state in which the vertically standing medal M is laid down by contacting the U-shaped (viewed from above) wall surface on the player side (upper side in FIG. 5) in the housing 110 Can be counted.

  Further, foreign matter that has been stopped without being able to pass through the pair of gate plate members 131 (for example, a medal having a diameter larger than the medal M) can be moved to the player side of the medal housing case 110. Can be easily taken out from the medal housing case 110.

  The medal M that has passed through the gate unit 130 is guided to the inclined guiding path 140 by the transport belt 122.

  Here, an example is shown in which the medal M passes through the gate portion 130 at predetermined time intervals by the blocking member operating mechanism 132 having the blocking member 133, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as described above, immediately after a single medal M passes between the pair of gate plate members 131, the rotation of the conveyor belt 122 is stopped, and the conveyor belt 122 is rotated again after a predetermined time. May be performed. Further, for example, immediately after a single medal M passes between the pair of gate plate members 131 and is guided to the inclined guiding path 140, the conveyor belt 122 is rotated in the reverse direction. You may perform control to rotate in the forward direction (conveyance direction). Also by these controls, the medal M can pass through the gate unit 130 at predetermined time intervals.

(Inclined taxiway 140)
Next, the inclined guiding path 140 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the inclined guiding path 140. FIG. 12 is a plan view when the inclined guiding path 140 is viewed from the upstream side. FIG. 13 is a plan view when the inclined guiding path 140 is viewed from the side surface side. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the medal counting device 100 when viewed from the side.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the inclined guiding path 140 has two horizontal medals M conveyed by the conveying device 120 supported by a protrusion 143 and a bottom surface near the center of the upper surface of the inclined guiding path 140. It is configured so that it gradually inclines downward (functions as an inclined surface in the transport direction) in the traveling direction of the medal M, and is curved in a convex shape in the right and left directions perpendicular to the traveling direction of the medal M to be transported. An inclined side surface 141 is provided. In addition, a V-shaped wall 142 having a V-shaped shape (viewed from above) that spreads from the upstream portion toward the downstream portion and having a predetermined height is provided at the center of the upper surface of the inclined guiding path 140. Is formed. By providing the V-shaped wall 142, even when the medal M moves downstream near the center of the upper part of the inclined guiding path 140, the V-shaped wall 142 moves toward the inclined side surface 141 by moving along the V-shaped wall 142. It is guided and flows down the inclined side surface 141.

  Further, in the vicinity of the upper portion of the inclined guide path 140, a protrusion 143 for horizontally holding the medals M in a laid state conveyed by the transfer device 120 is formed, and the medal M and the protrusion 143 and the inclined guide path It is supported by the bottom surface near the center of the top surface of 140 and is in a horizontal state. The protrusion 143 only needs to be formed at a position where the medal M can be kept horizontal, and as shown in FIG. 12, the traveling direction of the medal M to be transported is higher than the position formed by the upper horizontal surface on the upper side. May be formed at a predetermined position in the left direction and a predetermined position in the right direction. That is, it is preferable to form the protrusion 143 at a position where the medals M in a laid-down state conveyed by the conveying device 120 can be held horizontally in a balanced manner.

  The term “horizontal” as used herein refers to a state in which, in addition to a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity, as shown in FIGS. Including the state in which only the cross section of the medal diameter is horizontal without tilting up and down with respect to the left-right direction perpendicular to the traveling direction, the medal plane is oriented perpendicular to the imaging direction of the imaging unit 151 described later Any state is acceptable.

  Also, medal identification means 150 is provided for detecting the medal M when it is in a horizontal state on the protrusion 143 and identifying whether or not it is an available medal.

  The medal identification unit 150 is, for example, installed above the protrusion 143 that holds the medal M horizontally, and an image capturing unit 151 that captures an image of the medal M that is in a horizontal state on the protrusion 143, and the image capturing unit 151 And an identification unit (not shown) for processing the processed image to identify whether it is a usable medal or not. An illumination source such as an LED may be provided, and a plurality of LEDs are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference on the upper end side of the upper surface of the cylinder, and the medals M passing through the lower end of the cylinder are illuminated so as not to be shaded ( You may make it perform what is called ring illumination.

  As the imaging unit 151, for example, a CCD camera or the like can be used. Further, the imaging unit 151 is installed so as to be parallel to the surface of the medal M that is in a horizontal state on the protrusion 143. For example, the control unit 60 described above may function as the identification unit.

  Further, as a means for detecting the medal M when it is in a horizontal state on the projection 143, for example, inside the projection 143 or inside a member constituting the inclined guiding path 140 directly below the projection 143. The medal position detecting means for detecting that the medal M is located within the imageable region on the protrusion 143 can be provided. The installation position of the medal position detection means is not limited to these positions, and may be any position where the medal M can be detected when the medal position becomes horizontal on the protrusion 143.

  As this medal position detection means, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like can be used. However, the medal position may be detected by photographing the imaging unit 151 at a high speed. For example, the detection signal in the medal position detection unit may be output to the control unit 60 described above, and the control unit 60 may control the medal identification unit 150.

  Further, in the connecting portion between the conveying device 120 and the inclined guiding path 140, as shown in FIG. 14, the downstream end of the conveying device 120 is located slightly above the upstream end of the inclined guiding path 140. Yes. That is, the medal M that has passed through the gate portion 130 is guided onto the inclined guiding path 140 with the tip of the medal M tilted obliquely downward. The tip of the medal M is inclined obliquely downward after the tip of the medal M passes through the protrusion 143 on the downstream side, so that the tip of the medal M contacts the protrusion 143. There is no hindrance to the medal M entering the inclined guiding path 140.

  Next, the movement process of the medal M on the inclined guiding path 140 will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a medal identification operation for determining whether or not the medal M is a usable medal. The medal M that can be used here refers to a medal that is allowed to be used in a game hall or the like.

  First, as described above, the medal M that has passed through the gate portion 130 is guided onto the tilt guiding path 140 with the tip of the medal M tilted obliquely downward, and as illustrated in FIGS. It is guided to a predetermined position (a position where an image can be captured by the imaging unit 151) on the 140 projections 143. Here, the imageable position is a position where the entire surface of the medal M can be imaged by the imaging unit 151. As described above, since the medal M passes through the gate unit 130 at a predetermined time interval, the medal M is introduced at a predetermined time interval at a position where the image can be captured on the protrusion 143.

  For example, the control unit 60 detects whether or not the medal M is located at a position that can be imaged by the imaging unit 151 based on an input signal from the medal position detection unit (step S300).

  If it is determined in step S300 that the medal M is not located at a position where the imaging unit 151 can capture an image (No in step S300), the process in step S300 is executed again.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S300 that the medal M is located at a position where the imaging unit 151 can capture an image (Yes in step S300), for example, the control unit 60 operates the imaging unit 151. The medal M is imaged (step S301).

  That is, the input signal from the medal position detection unit also functions as a trigger signal when the imaging unit 151 captures an image.

  Subsequently, the control unit 60 performs image processing for determining whether or not the medal M is a usable medal based on the imaging information from the imaging unit 151 (step S302). Note that the image processing uses, for example, an image analysis program stored in the storage unit, and the characters and patterns on the surface of the captured medal M and the characters and patterns on the surface of the regular medal M stored in advance. It is executed by comparing with.

  Subsequently, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the medal M is a usable medal based on the image processed information (step S303).

  If it is determined in step S303 that the medal M is a usable medal (Yes in step S303), the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S303 that the medal M is not a usable medal (No in step S303), processing A (medal exclusion processing) described later is executed.

  The medal M introduced from the transport device 120 always travels in the transport direction in the transport device 120, and flows down the inclined side surface 141 of the inclined guide path 140 in the left direction or the right direction perpendicular to the travel direction. Therefore, even when the medal M is located at a position where it can be imaged, the medal M does not stop there. That is, when it is detected that the medal M moving in the above-described direction has come to an imageable position on the protrusion 143 based on the input signal from the medal position detecting means, the imaging unit 151 causes the medal to move. M is imaged.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the medal M taken by the imaging unit 151 travels in the transport direction of the transport device 120, and moves the slant side surface 141 of the tilt guide path 140 to the left direction perpendicular to the travel direction ( It flows down to the right side (on the right side surface 10d side of the medal pedestal machine 10) or from the laid down state to the upright state.

  Here, the laid-down state refers to a state where the medal M is in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity, and a state where the angle between the horizontal plane and the surface of the medal M is tilted within a range of less than ± 45 degrees. . The upright state is an upright state in which the medal M is parallel to the direction of gravity, and an angle between a surface parallel to the gravitational direction and the surface of the medal M is inclined within a range of ± 45 degrees or less. State.

  Note that, in the upright state, the medal M is parallel to the direction of gravity in order for the medal M to smoothly flow freely through the flow-down passage 160 (not to flow down by external power, but the medal M itself flows down). It is preferable that the angle formed between the flat surface and the surface of the medal M is 0 degrees or close to 0 degrees.

  The medals M that have been in the upright state by passing through the inclined guide path 140 are guided to the downflow passage 160 in the upright state.

  As described above, by providing the inclined guiding path 140, the medal M taken into the apparatus is caused to flow down while proceeding in the transport direction in the transport device 120, and on the left side surface 10c side of the medal intermediary machine 10 and the medal. It can be guided to the right side surface 10d side of the interstage machine 10. The medal M guided to the left side 10c side of the medal pedestal machine 10 and the right side 10d side of the medal pedestal machine 10 is the left side 10c of the medal pedestal machine 10 and the medal pedestal machine 10. The downflow passage 160 formed along the right side surface 10d can flow down.

  By providing such a medal transport path, for example, the medal transport path does not cross the central portion of the medal pedestal machine 10, and the medal transport space can be further reduced. Thereby, the storage space for the medals M in the medal pedestal machine 10 can be increased, and the amount of medals M accommodated can be increased. Further, the medal M carrying capacity can be improved by branching left and right with respect to the medal pedestal machine 10 and providing a medal carrying path.

  Note that the above-described medal position detection unit can function as, for example, a counting unit. For example, the number of medals M may be counted according to the number of medals imaged based on an input signal from the medal position detection means. In this case, the number of medals determined to be unusable medals (such as counterfeit medals) in the medal identification determination is subtracted. Furthermore, in the medal identification determination, the number of medals determined to be usable medals (regular medals M) may be used as the count value.

  Furthermore, the above-described medal position detection unit may function as a medal conveyance abnormality detection unit when, for example, the medal M does not move from the protrusion 143 or when the medal M is not detected for a predetermined time during the counting operation. . In this case, the control unit 60 does not move the medal M from the protrusion 143 based on an input signal from the medal position detection unit, or does not detect the medal M for a predetermined time during the counting operation. For example, the notification process may be executed. Examples of the notification process include a process of displaying a medal conveyance abnormality on the display panel 21 and outputting medal conveyance abnormality detection information to a management device for a game hall.

  Here, FIG. 16 is a plan view of the state in which the medal housing case 110 is rotated in the forward direction when viewed from the side surface side of the medal counting device 100.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the medal housing case 110 is attached to be rotatable about a predetermined rotation axis in the forward direction. By rotating the medal housing case 110 in the forward direction, the upstream end of the inclined guiding path 140 is exposed. Therefore, for example, when it is determined that, for example, the medal M has not moved from the protrusion 143 based on the input signal from the medal conveyance abnormality detection unit, the medal M on the protrusion 143 can be easily set. Can be removed.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 16, the medal accommodating housing 110 is rotated forward, so that the front side of the medal accommodating housing 110 faces downward. Therefore, for example, when it is determined that the medal M has not been detected for a predetermined time during the counting operation based on the input signal from the medal conveyance abnormality detection unit, for example, for example, the gate unit 130. When the medal M is jammed, the medal M jammed on the upstream side of the gate portion 130 can be easily removed.

  The gate portion 130 (for example, one or both of the pair of gate plate-like members 131) can be removed so that the medal M jammed on the upstream side of the gate portion 130 can be more easily removed. It is preferable to do.

  Note that FIG. 16 shows an example in which the medal housing case 110 is rotated in the forward direction with the transmission portion of the rotation roller 121b and the transmission means 126 that transmits power to the rotation roller 121b as a rotation axis. The configuration is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16, when the medal receiving housing 110 is rotated forward, the gate unit 130 is not moved with the medal receiving housing 110 but is positioned on the inclined guiding path 140 side. May be. It is sufficient that at least the pair of gate plate-like members 131 is positioned on the inclined guiding path 140 side without moving in the gate unit 130, and the blocking member operating mechanism 132 and the blocking member 133 are not guided and moved without being moved. You may comprise so that it may be located in the path 140 side, or you may comprise so that it may move with the medal accommodating housing | casing 110. FIG.

  Furthermore, only one of the pair of gate plate members 131 may be configured to be positioned on the inclined guiding path 140 side without moving together with the medal housing case 110.

  With this configuration, for example, even when the medal M is jammed so as to be fitted to the upstream side of the gate unit 130, the medal accommodating housing 110 is rotated in the forward direction, so that the upstream side of the gate unit 130. Since the side is exposed, the jammed medals M can be easily removed. In this case as well, the gate portion 130 (for example, one or both of the pair of gate plate members 131) may be removable so that the jammed medals M can be easily removed.

  Moreover, although the inclined side surface which inclines while curving convexly was illustrated here as the inclined side surface 141 of the inclination guide path 140, it is not restricted to this shape. For example, the inclined side surface may be a flat surface. In other words, the shape of the inclined side surface 141 of the inclined guiding path 140 is such that the medal M advances in the traveling direction of the medal M transported by the transporting device 120 and is perpendicular to the traveling direction of the medal M transported. The shape may be any shape as long as the medal M that has been laid down in a direction can be placed in a vertical state.

  Here, in the inclined guiding path 140, for example, a member for preventing an illegal act by an elastic structure or the like may be provided. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the medal counting device 100 including the one opening member 170.

  As shown in FIG. 17, a one-side opening member 170 made of a box having an opening on the conveying device 120 side may be provided in the space above the inclined guiding path 140. The one opening member 170 has a rectangular opposing wall 170a that faces the conveyance direction of the medal M in the conveyance device 120, and a side wall 170b that extends toward the conveyance device 120 on the periphery of the opposing wall 170a. Further, the one opening member 170 is arranged in the vertical direction of the one opening member 170 in the space above the inclined guide path 140 on the extended line in the conveying direction on the upper surface of the conveying belt 122 of the conveying device 120 (vertical direction in FIG. 17). It is preferable to arrange so that the center part of the

  By providing this one opening member 170, for example, even if an elastic structure or the like as a tool for performing an illegal act is inserted along the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122 of the conveyor device 120, the tip of the elastic structure is Even if the direction of the tip is changed by coming into contact with the opposing wall 170a of the opening member 170 and further pushing it in, for example, it is pushed back to the conveying device 120 side by the side wall 170b, and in a direction different from the direction in which the medal M flows down. Be guided. That is, by providing the one opening member 170, it is possible to prevent an elastic structure or the like from entering the inclined guiding path 140 and further the flow-down passage 160.

  Further, in the transport device 120, when the upper surface of the transport belt 122 is configured to be horizontal, the upper surface of the transport belt 122 is configured to be inclined upwardly as illustrated in FIG. As a result, the elastic structure can easily enter the inclined guiding path 140. Therefore, when the upper surface of the conveyor belt 122 is configured to be horizontal, by providing the one opening member 170, the elastic structure or the like is more effectively transferred to the inclined guiding path 140 and further to the flow-down path 160. It is possible to prevent entry.

(Downflow passage 160)
Next, the downflow passage 160 will be described.

  18 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a cross section taken along the line BB in FIG. 14, and shows a state where the medal removal mechanism 180 is not driven. FIG. 20 is a view showing a cross section taken along the line BB in FIG. 14, and is a view showing a state where the medal removal mechanism 180 is driven. FIG. 21 is a plan view of the lower end side support portion 182 of the medal removal mechanism 180 as viewed from above. FIG. 22 is a view showing a cross section taken along the line CC of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 14, the flow-down passage 160 is in a state where the medals M guided by the inclined guide path 140 are in a vertical state, for example, the heel side exhaust provided in the back surface 10 b of the medal pedestal machine 10. This is a passage that leads to the outlet 70, and is provided so as to be inclined downward toward the heel side discharge port 70. Further, the flow-down passage 160 is provided on both side surfaces of the medal counting device 100 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In other words, the flow-down passage 160 is provided along the left side surface 10c and the right side surface 10d of the medal pedestal machine 10.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the upstream part of the downflow passage 160 through which the medal M guided by the inclined guiding path 140 is guided is a side wall 161 erected in the downflow direction outside the inclined guiding path 140, and the inclined guiding path 140. The inclined side surface 141 and the bottom portion 162 are configured. The gap between the side wall 161 and the inclined side surface 141 is set to be slightly larger than the thickness of the medal M, and is configured so that the medal M can flow smoothly in a vertical state.

  The medal M that has flowed down in an upright state from the upstream portion of the flow-down passage 160 flows down toward the midstream portion of the flow-down passage 160 including the medal removal mechanism 180.

  Here, the medal removal mechanism 180 will be described.

  The medal exclusion mechanism 180 excludes medals that cannot be used (for example, forged medals) from the flow-down passage 160 toward the center of the medal counting device 100 based on the identification determination in the medal identification unit 150 described above. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the medal removal mechanism 180 includes an upper end side support portion 181 that supports the upper end portion of the medal M that is passing through the flow-down passage 160, and a lower end side support portion 182 that supports the lower end portion of the medal M. ing. Note that the medal M in the medal removal mechanism 180 is supported only by these support portions, and in particular, in the direction of pushing out the medal M in order to remove the medal M (the direction on the right side of the medal M in FIG. 19), the pushing is inhibited. There is no member to do.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the lower end side support portion 182 is a member having a concave section in cross section having a groove portion 182a toward the downstream in the center in order to stably support the lower end side of the medal M. Has been.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the upper end side support portion 181 includes an outer support member 183 having a support surface 183 a that supports the outer end edge above the medal M and having an L-shaped cross section. . Further, the upper end side support portion 181 has an inner support member 184 that has a concave cross-sectional shape (a U-shape), and is positioned so as to cover the outer side support member 183 from above with the opening positioned below. Yes. The inner support member 184 has a support surface 184a that supports the upper inner edge of the medal M. When the medal M is excluded, the outer upper side of the medal M (the left side of the medal M in FIGS. 19 and 20). Is provided with a pressing portion 184b that presses inward (to the right of the medal M in FIGS. 19 and 20). The upper portion of the inner support member 184 is connected to a drive mechanism 185 that moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the medal M flows down, and rotates about the rotation shaft 186 as the drive mechanism 185 moves.

  For example, when the drive mechanism 185 is driven to protrude, the inner support member 184 rotates counterclockwise around the rotation shaft 186 as shown in FIG. 20 (the inner support member 184 is moved from the upstream side as shown in FIG. 20). Then, the support by the support surface 184a is released, and the pressing portion 184b is pressed from the outside, and the medal M is pushed inward (to the right of the original medal position in FIG. 20). In this way, the medal M is excluded from the flow-down passage 160.

  In addition, the drive mechanism 185 can be comprised with a solenoid etc., for example. As described above, the upper end side support portion 181 and the lower end side support portion 182 are separately provided, and at least one of them can be moved to reduce the moving range, thereby increasing the storage space for the medal M in the medal intermediary machine 10. And the capacity of the medal M can be increased.

  Here, the thickness P on the upper edge side of the medal M supported by the support surface 184a of the inner support member 184 shown in FIG. 19 is about 0.5 mm. That is, when the diameter of the medal M is smaller than the diameter of the regular medal M by more than Pmm (that is, when the difference from the diameter of the regular medal M is larger than Pmm), the inner support member 184 is supported. It will not be supported by the surface 184a.

  In addition, the medal removal mechanism 180 further includes a medal pressing member 187 as shown in FIGS. 4, 14, 19, and 21. The medal pressing member 187 is a thin plate member made of an elastic body such as a leaf spring. As shown in FIG. 21, one end 187a of the medal pressing member 187 is configured to protrude into a flow path through which the medal M including the upper end side support portion 181 and the lower end side support portion 182 of the medal removal mechanism 180 flows down. . Note that the end (not shown) of the medal pressing member 187 is fixed.

  As described above, the medal pressing member 187 is composed of a thin plate member made of an elastic body, and therefore does not prevent the medal M from flowing down. That is, even if the medal M flowing down comes into contact with the medal pressing member 187, as shown in FIG. 19, the medal pressing member 187 pushes one end 187a outward and flows down.

  Further, in preparation for the lack of elastic force due to the time-dependent conversion of the leaf spring without providing the medal pressing member 187, the upper end of the medal M passing through the upper end of the medal M is slightly inclined toward the inclined passage 190 in FIG. The side support portion 181 may be formed slightly from the right side in the drawing, and the lower end side support portion 182 may be formed from the left side in the drawing. Thereby, for example, when the diameter of the medal M is smaller than the diameter of the regular medal M by more than Pmm (that is, when the difference from the diameter of the regular medal M is larger than Pmm), the medal M is changed. It can be configured to reliably fall into the inclined passage 190.

  Here, in the pair of gate plate members 131 constituting the gate portion 130 in the transfer device 120 described above, it is possible to prevent the entry of a medal larger than a predetermined diameter (for example, the diameter of the regular medal M). However, the entry of medals smaller than a predetermined diameter cannot be prevented. That is, a medal smaller than a predetermined diameter passes through the gate part 130 and enters the inclined guiding path 140 and the downflow path 160.

  As described above, the thickness P on the upper edge side of the medal M supported by the support surface 184a of the inner support member 184 is about 0.5 mm, and the diameter of the medal M is larger than the diameter of the regular medal M. If it is smaller than Pmm (that is, if the difference from the diameter of the regular medal M is larger than Pmm), it will not be supported by the support surface 184a of the inner support member 184. When a medal having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the regular medal M passes through the flow path formed by the upper end side support portion 181 and the lower end side support portion 182, it comes into contact with the one end 187 a of the medal pressing member 187. Since it is not supported by the support surface 184a of the member 184, it is pushed inward. Thereby, medals smaller than a predetermined diameter can be excluded from the flow-down passage 160.

  As described above, the medal exclusion mechanism 180 including the medal pressing member 187 has a function as a medal identification unit because it excludes medals that are less than a predetermined diameter in addition to the function of excluding medals.

  When the diameter of the regular medal M is smaller than the diameter of the regular medal M and is within Pmm, the drive mechanism 185 described above is driven to rotate the inner support member 184. Can be eliminated.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the medal M pushed out by the medal removal mechanism 180 is returned to the center side of the medal counting device 100 through a medal return port 52 provided on the front surface 10 a of the medal intermediary machine 10. An inclined passage 190 leading to the medal tray 51 is provided. The inclined passage 190 functions as a return passage, and is configured by a flat plate-like member that is positioned on the lower side of the inclined guiding passage 140 described above and that is inclined downward toward the medal return port 52. The surface of the inclined passage 190 on which the medal M flows down is preferably made to have a small frictional resistance with the medal M by, for example, mirror finishing so that the medal M can slip easily.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lower side of the inclined guiding path 140 is a so-called dead space in which the medals M supplied from the medal supply port 73a are not stored. By providing the dead space with the inclined passage 190, the dead space can be used effectively. Thus, a space for arranging necessary devices in the medal pedestal machine 10 can be secured.

  For example, the space below the drive motor 125 shown in FIG. 4 may be configured to be opened so that the medal M supplied from the medal supply port 73a can exist.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the medals removed by the medal exclusion mechanism 180 to the center side of the medal counting device 100 slide down the inclined passage 190 and are discharged from the medal return port 52 and returned to the return medal tray 51. . The medal removal mechanism 180 is provided in each of the flow-down passages 160 provided on both side surfaces of the medal counting device 100, so that the medal M removed by both the medal removal mechanisms 180 is placed in the inclined passage 190. Flow down.

  On the other hand, the medal M that has passed through the medal removal mechanism 180 without being removed by the medal removal mechanism 180 flows down to the downstream portion of the flow-down passage 160.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the downstream portion of the downflow passage 160 includes an upper end side support portion 188 that supports the upper end portion of the medal M, and a lower end side support portion 189 that supports the lower end portion of the medal M.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the upper end side support portion 188 and the lower end side support portion 189 have grooves 188a and 189a in the center toward the downstream side in order to stably support the upper side and the lower end side of the medal M. The cross section is constituted by a concave member.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 14, a counting device 210 for counting the number of medals M flowing down the flow-down passage 160 is provided in the downstream portion of the flow-down passage 160.

  For example, when an IC card such as an IC card for a member is inserted into the card insertion slot 22, the ID stored in the IC card is read, and the counted value is managed as the number of stored medals based on the ID. It is stored in the device. In addition, for example, when a game is played by inserting cash without using an IC card or the like, for example, an IC card stored in the card processing machine 28 is issued by recording information such as an ID, Based on the ID, the counted value may be stored in the management device or the like as the number of stored medals.

  In addition, when a game is played by inserting cash without using an IC card or the like, for example, a mechanism for issuing a receipt in which information relating to the counted value is recorded by a barcode or the like May be provided. When a receipt is issued, a simple management ID is recorded on the receipt, and the simple management ID is managed together with the number of medals counted in the management device until the prize is exchanged using the receipt. Is done. The medal count result may be displayed on the display panel 21, for example.

  Here, an example in which the counting device 210 is provided in the downstream portion of the flow-down passage 160 is shown, but the position where the counting device 210 is provided is not limited to this position. The counting device 210 may be provided in any of the transport device 120, the inclined guide path 140, or the flow-down passage 160. For example, the case where the slope guide path 140 is provided is exemplified by the case where the medal position detecting means functions as the counting means as described above.

  Further, the counting device 210 is not limited to being provided in one flow path through which the medal M passes, and a plurality of counting devices 210 may be provided. For example, the counting device 210 may be provided at a position where the aligned medals M conveyed by the conveying device 120 can be counted, and further provided at a position where the medals M flowing down the flow-down passage 160 can be counted.

  In the case where a plurality of counting devices 210 are provided, when the counting results in each counting device 210 are different, for example, the counting result of a predetermined counting device 210 can be set as a count value. As the predetermined counting device 210, for example, the counting device 210 provided at a position where an elastic structure or the like, which is a tool for performing an illegal act, is difficult to be inserted, such as a downstream portion of the downflow passage 160.

  Further, the medal counting unit counts the aligned medals M transported by the transporting device 120 (the optical sensor, the proximity sensor, and the imaging unit 151 in the vicinity of the protruding portion 143 at high speed). The medal position may be detected), and the second counting means (counter 210) for counting the medals M flowing down the flow down passage 160 is provided, so that the first counting means counts If the second counting means cannot count, it may be determined that a jam (conveyance failure) has occurred.

  The medals M counted by flowing down the downstream portion of the downflow passage 160 are provided on the slot island 1 from the heel side discharge port 70 provided on the back surface 10b of the medal pedestal machine 10 (shown in the figure). Not discharged). The counted medals M may be configured to be introduced into the medal tank 71 in the medal pedestal machine 10, for example.

  Next, the movement process of the medal M in the flow down passage 160 will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the operation of the medal removal mechanism 180, which is the process A (medal removal process) shown in FIG.

  The medal M guided to the flow-down passage 160 in a vertical state by the inclined guide path 140 flows down while rolling down the flow-down passage 160. Then, the medal M is guided to the flow-down passage 160 including the medal exclusion mechanism 180.

  When it is determined in step S303 of the medal identification operation for determining whether or not the medal M is a usable medal as shown in FIG. 15 (Yes in step S303). The drive mechanism 185 in the medal removal mechanism 180 is not driven. That is, the operation of pushing the medal M toward the inclined passage 190 is not executed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S303 of the medal identification operation for determining whether or not the medal M is a medal that can be used as shown in FIG. 15 (No in step S303). In step S310, the control unit 60 determines whether it is time to drive the drive mechanism 185.

  Here, since the driving mechanism 185 is driven when the medal M determined not to be a usable medal is guided to the medal removal mechanism 180, whether or not it is the timing for driving the driving mechanism 185 in step S310. Is judged.

  The timing for driving the drive mechanism 185 is set by, for example, the time when the medal M flows down after being imaged at an imageable position on the protrusion 143 of the inclined guiding path 140. Specifically, for example, the flow time from the imageable position on the protrusion 143 of the inclined guide path 140 to the medal removal mechanism 180 is examined in advance, and based on the flow time and the imaged time, The drive mechanism 185 is driven.

  Note that the timing for driving the drive mechanism 185 is not limited to the time after the image is taken at the imageable position on the protrusion 143 of the inclined guiding path 140. For example, the time after detection by the medal position detection means may be set.

  If it is determined in step S310 that it is not time to drive the drive mechanism 185 (No in step S310), the determination in step S310 is performed again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S310 that it is time to drive the drive mechanism 185 (Yes in step S310), the control unit 60 outputs a drive signal for driving the drive mechanism 185, and The drive mechanism 185 is driven and protruded (step S311).

  When the drive mechanism 185 is projected, as shown in FIG. 20, the inner support member 184 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 186 (when the inner support member 184 is viewed from the upstream side as shown in FIG. 20). Then, the support by the support surface 184a is released, and is pressed from the outside by the pressing portion 184b, and the medal M is pushed inward (right side of the original medal position in FIG. 20) and discharged to the inclined passage 190. The

  The medal M discharged to the inclined passage 190 slides down the inclined passage 190, is discharged from the medal return port 52, and is returned to the return medal tray 51.

  Note that the drive mechanism 185 is driven, that is, the operation of removing the medal M from the flow-down passage 160 is performed because the medal M to be removed has come to a position where the medal removal mechanism 180 can be removed. From time to time until the medal M is pushed out. After the medals M to be excluded are excluded, the medal M shown in FIG. 19 is brought into a state in which the driving mechanism 185 does not protrude promptly.

  In the medal removal mechanism 180 described above, the upper end side support part 181 and the lower end side support part 182 may be configured to be switched up and down. That is, the above-described configuration of the upper end side support portion 181 may be configured as a member that supports the medal M from below, and the above-described lower end side support portion 182 may be configured as a member that supports the medal M from above. In this case, the above-described upper end side support portion 181 that is a member for supporting the medal M from below is used to drive the inner support member 184 of the upper end side support portion 181 around the rotation shaft 186 by the drive mechanism 185 as described above. Configured to be rotatable.

  As described above, by providing the flow-down passage 160 along both side surfaces of the medal counting device 100, that is, along the left side surface 10c and the right side surface 10d of the medal pedestal machine 10, the medal transport path becomes the medal pedestal machine 10. There is no such thing as crossing the center, and the medal transport space can be further reduced. Thereby, the storage space for the medals M in the medal pedestal machine 10 can be increased, and the amount of medals M accommodated can be increased. Further, the medal M carrying capacity can be improved by branching left and right with respect to the medal pedestal machine 10 and providing a medal carrying path.

  In addition, by providing the medal removal mechanism 180 in the flow-down passage 160, it is possible to exclude, for example, counterfeit medals that cannot be used. Further, for example, an inclined passage 190 that guides the medal M to the medal return port 52 is provided in an area below the tilt guiding path 140 that cannot be used as a medal storage unit, so that the space in the medal intermediary machine 10 is reduced. It can be used effectively. Further, by effectively using the space in the medal pedestal machine 10, the storage space for the medals M in the medal pedestal machine 10 can be increased, and the amount of medals M accommodated can be increased.

  Here, as the medal removal mechanism 180, a different medal removal mechanism 180 may be provided in addition to the configuration described above. As the different medal exclusion mechanism 180, for example, an electromagnet may be provided at a predetermined location on the medal transport path. An example of the position where the electromagnet is provided is above the inclined guiding path 140.

  The regular medal M is formed of a metal that cannot be attracted to the magnet. Therefore, by providing an electromagnet, forgeries using a material that can be attracted to a magnet, such as iron, can be eliminated.

  Here, the operation of eliminating medals when an electromagnet is provided will be described.

  When the presence of the medal M is detected by the medal position detection means or the like on the upstream conveyance path where the electromagnet is provided, the electromagnet is operated. That is, the electromagnet is operated before the medal M flows down to an area where the medal can be attracted by the electromagnet.

  In a state where the electromagnet is activated, the regular medal M flows down the transport path without being affected by the electromagnet. On the other hand, for example, a medal forged using a material attracted to the magnet is attracted to the electromagnet and removed from the transport path.

  When the medal position detection means or the like no longer detects the presence of the medal M in the upstream conveyance path where the electromagnet is provided, the operation of the electromagnet is stopped. When the operation of the electromagnet is stopped, the medal M attracted to the electromagnet falls to the transport path and starts to flow down the transport path.

  When the medal M attracted to the electromagnet passes through the medal removal mechanism 180 described above, the drive mechanism 185 is driven, and the medal M is discharged to the inclined passage 190. The medal M discharged to the inclined passage 190 slides down the inclined passage 190, is discharged from the medal return port 52, and is returned to the return medal tray 51.

  Although the present invention has been specifically described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

  For example, in the above-described medal counting apparatus 100, the configuration in which the medal M is guided and flowed down to both the left side surface 10c side of the medal pedestal machine 10 and the right side surface 10d side of the medal pedestal machine 10 is illustrated. The medal M may be guided and flowed down only to one of the side surfaces.

  In addition, as an example of the medal pedestal machine, an example having a medal payout function such as the nozzle 41 is illustrated, but in order to install as many game machines as possible in the game hall, the size of the medallion machine needs to be a standard dimension. The medals payout function is not installed in a certain table. For example, the information is supplied to any of the information display device, the replay device, the medal payer, and the slot machine 2 when the stock of medals in each device decreases. The present invention can be applied to an automatic medal supply device or the like.

  Even when the present invention is applied to these devices, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the medallion pedestal machine of the above-described embodiment, and a space for arranging components and the like that perform originally necessary functions in each device. Can be easily secured.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot island, 2 ... Slot machine, 2a ... Variable display part, 2b ... Start lever, 2c ... Stop button, 2d ... Medal tray, 10 ... Medal stand machine, 10a ... Front, 10b ... Back, 10c ... Left Surface 10d... Right side surface 11 medal processing unit 20 bill insertion slot 21 display panel 22 card insertion slot 23 medal button 24 replay medal button 25 count button 26 ... Card return button, 28 ... Card processor, 30 ... Medal insertion unit, 31 ... Medal insertion port, 40 ... Medal ejection unit, 41 ... Nozzle, 42 ... Housing unit, 51 ... Return medal tray, 52 ... Medal return port , 60 ... control unit, 60a ... interface circuit, 70 ... heel side discharge port, 71 ... medal tank, 72 ... disk-shaped disk, 73 ... medal supply branch pipe, 73a ... meda Supply port, 100 ... medal counting device, 110 ... medal housing case, 120 ... transport device, 121a, 121b, 121c ... rotating roller, 122 ... transport belt, 123 ... delivery gap, 124 ... reverse roller, 125 ... drive motor, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 126 ... Transmission means, 127 ... Plate-shaped member, 130 ... Gate part, 131 ... Gate plate-shaped member, 131a ... End part, 132 ... Shut-off member operation mechanism, 133 ... Shut-off member, 140 ... Inclination guide path, 141 ... Inclined side surface , 142 ... V-shaped wall, 143 ... projection part, 150 ... medal identification means, 151 ... imaging part, 160 ... downflow passage, 161 ... side wall, 162 ... bottom part, 170 ... one opening member, 170a ... opposing wall, 170b ... Side walls, 180 ... medal exclusion mechanism, 181, 188 ... upper end side support part, 182, 189 ... lower end side support part, 182a, 188a ... groove part, 183 ... Side support member, 183a, 184a ... support surface, 184 ... inner support member, 184b ... pressing part, 185 ... drive mechanism, 186 ... rotating shaft, 187 ... medal pressing member, 187a ... one end, 190 ... inclined path, 210 ... counting Device, M ... medal, N ... 500 yen coin.

Claims (10)

In a medal pedestal machine that includes a housing and counts medals thrown into a slot provided on the front side of the housing,
Conveying means for aligning medals thrown into the insertion slot and conveying them in a laid-down state;
Medal identification means for identifying whether or not the transported medal is an available medal;
A flow-down passage provided along a side surface of the housing and allowing the medal identified by the medal identifying means to flow down in a vertical state;
Medal exclusion means provided in the flow-down passage, for removing unusable medals from the flow-down passage based on the identification determination in the medal identification means;
A medal pedestal machine, comprising: a return passage for guiding medals excluded by the medal excluding means to a return port provided on the front side of the housing.   2. The medal pedestal machine according to claim 1, wherein the conveying means conveys medals one by one at a predetermined interval to an identification area for identifying medals by the medal identifying means.   A part of the transport means is provided with a shut-off member actuating mechanism provided such that a shut-off member is operable in a direction perpendicular to the medal transport direction, and the shut-off member actuating mechanism operates the shut-off member. The medal pedestal machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a medal to be conveyed is stopped. The medal conveyed by the conveying means has an inclined side surface for receiving the medal conveyed by the conveying means and flowing the medal in at least one of the right and left directions perpendicular to the advancing direction of the medal. Inclination guidance that advances in the conveying direction of the conveying means and vertically stands while flowing down along the inclined side surface in at least one of the left and right directions perpendicular to the moving direction of the medal, and leads to the side surface side of the housing A road,
The medal removal means flows down the flow-down passage, and removes the medal on the center side of the housing to be removed;
The said return path is arrange | positioned at the downward side of the said inclination guide path, and is provided with the downward inclined surface which flows down the medal excluded at the center side of the said housing to the said return port. The medallion machine according to any one of the above.   The inclined guide path further includes a conveyance direction inclined surface that is inclined in a traveling direction of the medals conveyed by the conveyance means, and the medals in a laid state conveyed by the conveyance means are arranged on the conveyance direction inclined surfaces. The medal pedestal machine according to claim 4, wherein the medal pedestal machine flows down along the line.   The return port through which the excluded medals are guided can rotate the upper part of the discharge port for discharging the medals accommodated in the case to the front side of the case, or the nozzle provided with the discharge port at the tip. The medal pedestal machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the medal pedestal machine is provided on an upper portion of a housing portion supported by the medals.   The medal pedestal machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a medal counting unit that counts medals received from the insertion slot. The medal exclusion means includes an upper end side support portion that supports an upper end portion and a lower end side support portion that supports a lower end portion of a medal that is passing through the flow-down passage,
At least one of the upper end side support part or the lower end side support part is formed of a concave member having a concave cross section perpendicular to the flow direction of the medal, and when removing the medal, the concave member is arranged in a direction to exclude the medal. Inclining, the one side wall of the concave member presses one side surface of the medal in the direction of removing the medal, and the support of the other side surface of the medal on the other side wall of the concave member is released. The medal pedestal machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7. An electromagnet is provided at a predetermined location on the medal transport path from the insertion port to the end of the flow-down passage,
When the presence of a medal is detected in the transport path on the upstream side where the electromagnet is provided, the electromagnet is operated,
When the presence of a medal is no longer detected in the transport path on the upstream side where the electromagnet is provided, the operation of the electromagnet is stopped, and the adhering matter adsorbed by the electromagnet flows down to the transport path, and the medal is excluded. 9. The medal pedestal machine according to claim 1, wherein the medal pedestal machine is excluded from the flow-down passage by means. A medal receiving container capable of storing medals inside the housing;
The medal pedestal machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the medal accommodated in the medal container is discharged to a discharge port provided on a front side of the housing.

Images