JP5238974B2 - Value medium processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a value medium processing apparatus capable of determining the authenticity of a coin and reading or writing value information in a card-type electrical value information storage medium.
The present invention further relates to a value medium processing apparatus for inserting a coin and a card-type electrical value information storage medium into a slot at least partially in common.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to a small value medium processing apparatus that can use coins and IC cards.
The value medium processing apparatus according to the present invention can be used for coin-type game machines, vending machines, and the like.
In this specification, a coin is a general term for a coin as a currency, a medal of a game machine, a token, and the like, and an IC card is a card-type electrical value information storage medium.

As a first prior art, a vertical path having the same width as the slot is provided behind a vertical slit-shaped common slot into which both IC coins and coins can be loaded, and the center in the width direction is provided at the bottom of the vertical path. A slit-shaped coin receiving opening with a width that allows only coins to fall is formed at the tip of the coin passage having a relatively high slope that can accommodate only coins in the section, and at both ends of the coin passage. Is known to form a lower sloped shoulder on the lower slope, and to provide an IC coin receiving portion ahead of the slit-shaped coin receiving port (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
As a second conventional technique, in a coin sorting device in which a coin mouth is provided at the upper part of a substantially upright base plate and a coin return opening is arranged below the coin mouth, an upward inclined surface is formed corresponding to the upper part of the base plate. In addition, a coin insertion slot is disposed on the upward inclined surface, a communication antenna is disposed below the upward inclined surface around the coin insertion slot, and an antenna marking is provided on the upward slope. A coin sorting device having a smart card billing function is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2006-189986 (FIGS. 1 to 3, pages 2 to 4) JP 2005-25404 (Fig. 2-4, pages 2-4)

The first prior art has an advantage that coins and IC coins can be inserted into the same insertion slot, and the customer does not mistake the insertion slot.
However, since the electrical value storage medium in the first prior art is a coin type, there is a problem that an IC card which is a card-type electrical value storage medium that is widely used cannot be used.
In the second prior art, there is a problem that an IC card whose stored value is zero cannot be collected, and a used IC card may be illegally used.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a small value medium processing apparatus capable of performing authenticity determination of coins and reading and / or writing processing with respect to an IC card.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a value medium processing apparatus capable of reliably performing reading and / or writing processing in a value medium processing apparatus capable of performing authenticity determination of coins and reading and / or writing processing with respect to an IC card. Is to provide.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a small value medium processing apparatus that can determine the authenticity of a coin and read and / or write an IC card and is difficult to cheat.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a small value medium processing apparatus that can determine the authenticity of a coin, read and / or write an IC card, and collect the IC card. is there.

In order to achieve this object, the value medium processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured as follows.
That is, the value medium processing device according to claim 1 makes the authenticity determination by rolling the coin inserted into the insertion slot in the coin passage, and returns the coin in the coin passage to the return opening by the return means. In the value medium processing apparatus, the coin insertion slot for the coin and the IC card insertion slot for the IC card at least partly in common are formed in a straight line following the IC card insertion slot. IC card path for the IC cards, said coin passage following the coin slot is inclined downward in the lower side of the IC card path, for the IC card which is disposed proximate to the IC card path reading writing apparatus, the discriminating device for the authenticity discrimination of the coin placed close to the coin path, based on the presence of the entered the IC card to the IC card input slot Projects into serial coin path, withdrawing piece for guiding the lower edge of the thrown-in IC card, a value medium processing device equipped with.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the value medium processing apparatus of the present invention, in the value medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, a contact piece that is moved by the progress of the IC card is provided in the IC card path, and the position of the contact piece is determined. Detection is performed by contact piece detecting means outside the IC card passage.

The second preferred embodiment of the value medium processing apparatus of the present invention is the value medium processing apparatus of the first preferred embodiment , wherein the return means is deactivated based on the detection of the IC card of the driven object detection means. A non-operational means is provided.

According to a third preferred embodiment of the value medium processing apparatus of the present invention, in the value medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, a conveying means for drawing the IC card from the insertion slot is disposed in the IC card path, and the value medium processing apparatus is located immediately after the conveying means. It is characterized in that the ejecting means is arranged downstream.

According to a fourth preferred embodiment of the value medium processing apparatus of the present invention, in the value medium processing apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment , the contact piece is elastically biased so as to protrude into the IC card path, and the IC card. It is characterized in that it becomes a stopper at the time of return movement.

According to a fifth preferred embodiment of the value medium processing apparatus of the present invention, in the value medium processing apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment , the coin slot is inserted into the coin slot in conjunction with the insertion of the IC card into the IC card slot. Coin insertion prevention means for preventing the insertion of coins is provided.

In this configuration, coins inserted into a common slot having at least a part of the coin and IC card slot are identified by the discriminating means while rolling on the coin path disposed below the card path. The
If a coin jams in the coin passage, the coin is removed from the coin passage and returned to the return slot by opening a part of the coin passage by the customer operating the return means.
When the IC card is inserted into the IC card slot, at least the stored information of the IC card is read by the reading / writing device because the position of the IC card has a predetermined condition, and predetermined processing is performed.
Since the IC card slot is at least partially in common with the coin slot, the installation range of the slot can be narrowed.
Further, the coin moves through a coin passage common with the IC card for a predetermined time after being inserted into the coin insertion slot.
In other words, since the IC card and the coin partially use the common slot and the common passage, there is an advantage that the value medium processing device can be downsized for the overlapping portion.

In a first preferred embodiment , an IC card is inserted into the IC card insertion slot, and when it reaches a predetermined position in the IC card passage, it contacts the contact piece and is mechanically moved.
This movement of the contact piece is detected by the contact piece detecting means arranged away from the IC card passage.
Based on this detection, the read / write device is activated, communicates with the memory chip of the IC card, and performs a predetermined process.
Thereby, since the contact piece detecting means is arranged outside the IC card passage, there is an advantage that it is difficult to be accessed by an unauthorized instrument inserted from the common insertion slot, and there is little possibility of causing erroneous detection.

In the second preferred embodiment , when the detecting means detects the presence of the IC cart in the IC card passage, in other words, when the IC card can be read and written by the reading / writing device, the coin returning means is not activated. To be.
In other words, the return cover for dropping the coin from the coin passage is not moved.
Since the IC card path is constituted by a return cover on one side, there is an advantage that the position of the IC card is stabilized and no read / write error occurs because the return cover is not moved.

In a third preferred embodiment , the IC card located in the card path is moved in the direction away from the IC card slot in the IC card path by the transport means based on the collection command.
If the rear end of the IC card leaves the transport means, it may not be moved by the transport means and may remain in the IC card path.
The ejecting means ejects the rear end of the IC card out of the conveying means out of the IC card passage.
As a result, the IC card is ejected from the IC card passage and dropped into the collection passage.
In order for the IC card not to remain in the IC card passage and to drop naturally due to its own weight, the IC card passage must be enlarged, but the IC coin passage can be made without increasing the size of the IC coin passage by ejecting by the ejecting means. Therefore, there is an advantage that the value medium processing apparatus can be reduced in size.

In a fourth preferred embodiment , when the IC card is pulled in by the transport means for recovery of the driven body and the rear end of the IC card passes through the contact piece, the contact piece elastically advances into the IC card path.
Due to the advancement of the contact piece, even if the IC card is to be pulled back, it cannot be pulled back because it is disturbed by the contact piece.
As a result, it is possible to prevent fraud in which an IC card whose utility has ended is reused.

In a fifth preferred embodiment , when the detecting means detects that the IC card is present at a predetermined position in the IC card passage, the coin insertion preventing means prevents coin insertion into the coin insertion slot.
Thereby, the discriminating means does not discriminate coins.
In other words, only the value information stored in the IC card is processed.
In other words, there is an advantage of not double charging from both the value information of the IC card and the coin.

The best mode of the present invention is a value medium processing apparatus in which a coin inserted into an insertion slot is rolled in a coin path to determine authenticity, and a coin in the coin path is returned to a return slot by a return means. In the coin insertion slot for the coin and an IC card insertion slot for the IC card, a common insertion slot common, for the IC card formed linearly following the common insertion slot IC card path, coin path inclined downward below the IC card path following the common slot, read / write device for an IC card disposed close to the IC card path, coin path A discrimination device for determining the authenticity of coins arranged in close proximity, a driven body moved by the progress of the IC card located in the IC card path, and the position of the driven body outside the IC card path Detected object detection means, return inactivation means for disabling the return means based on detection of an IC card by the detection means, transport means for drawing a card placed in the card path from the slot, and immediately after the transport means Bounce means downstream, the driven body is elastically biased to project into the card path, and functions as a stopper that advances to the IC card path when the IC card returns, and the detection means detects the IC card a value medium processing apparatus characterized by conjunction with providing the Turkey-in insertion inhibiting means to prevent the insertion of a coin into the coin slot to.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a value medium processing apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the value medium processing apparatus of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a left side view of the value medium processing apparatus of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a right side view of the value medium processing apparatus of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the value medium processing apparatus of the embodiment.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a rear view of the front cover.
10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG.
11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG.

  In the embodiment, the IC card CD has a rectangular thin plate shape and incorporates an IC chip TP that can be read and / or written in a non-contact manner, and the width (height) is larger than the diameter of the coin C.

  The value medium processing device 100 includes a common slot 102, a coin path 104, a return means 108, an IC card path 112, an IC card CD insertion detection means 114, a return inoperative means 116, a discrimination means 118, a deflecting means 122, a transport Means 124, coin insertion prevention means 126, read / write means 128, and coin distribution means 130 are included.

First, the common inlet 102 will be described.
The common slot 102 has a function to insert a coin C and an IC card CD as an electrical value information storage medium.
The common insertion slot 102 is formed to overlap so that at least a part of the insertion slot 138 for the coin C and the insertion slot 140 for the IC card CD are common.
By making a part common, it is possible to reduce the installation range of the inlet, and thus there is an advantage that the apparatus can be downsized.
In this embodiment, the common inlet 102 is formed in the front cover 134.
The front cover 134 is fixed so as to cover the front surface of the metal plate-like front panel 136.
In this embodiment, the common insertion slot 102 is configured by a vertically long rectangular coin insertion slot 138 for the coin C and an IC card insertion slot 140 for the IC card CD.

The coin insertion slot 138 is a vertically long rectangular opening formed in a rectangular shape slightly larger than the thickness and diameter of the coin C.
The upper half of the IC card insertion slot 140 is in common with the coin insertion slot 138 and extends vertically in a slit shape below the lower end of the coin insertion slot 138.
The height of the IC card slot 140 is slightly larger than the height of the IC card CD , and the width of the slit portion 141 is slightly larger than the thickness of the IC card CD.
One side surface 142 of the coin insertion slot 138 and the IC card insertion slot 140 is formed on substantially the same line that hangs down.

Next, the coin passage 104 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The coin passage 104 has a function of guiding the coin C inserted into the coin insertion slot 138.
The coin path 104 includes a base 144, a return cover 146, a rolling start guide rail 148, and a guide rail 150. The base 144 is a substantially rectangular shape made of a nonmagnetic material that is vertically fixed to the front panel 136. It is a plate-like body.
The side surface 152 of the base 144 is positioned in the same plane as the side surface 140 of the common insertion slot 102 for guiding the inserted coin C and IC card CD.
The base 144 is preferably integrally formed of resin.

The return cover 146 is a substantially rectangular plate-like body made of a nonmagnetic material, and its upper end is swingably supported by a shaft 156 mounted horizontally on the bearings 154A and 154B of the base 144, and is a spring for biasing. 158 receives the turning force to approach the base 144.
The return cover 146 is preferably integrally formed of resin.
Base 144 of the guide side 160 or Laga Idoreru 150 of the return cover 146 projects.
The distance between the side surface 152 of the base 144 and the guide side surface 160 is set to be slightly larger than the thickness of the coin C to be selected.
In other words, a region slightly longer than the diameter of the coin C following the coin insertion slot 138 is a common passage 170 for the coin C and the IC card CD and extends downward.
The rolling start guide rail 148 is a trapezoidal metal plate fixed to the return cover 146 adjacent to the front panel 136, and a curved falling rolling surface 168 that continues to the guide rail 150 is formed.
This is because the falling rolling surface 168 is not worn by the falling of the coin C, and the rolling speed of the coin C is improved.

The coin passage 104 is a downwardly inclined passage extending linearly downward in FIG. 11 defined by the side surface 152 of the base 144, the guide side surface 160 of the return cover 146, the rolling start guide rail 148, and the guide rail 150.
Accordingly, the coin C can roll while being guided by the side surface 152 and the guide side surface 160 on the coin guide rail 150 while standing.
The coin passage 104 is an inclined passage that is inclined downward below an IC card passage 112 described later.

Next, the return means 108 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The return means 108 has a function of removing the coin C jammed in the coin path 104 from the coin path 104 and returning it to the return port 172.
In the present embodiment, the return means 108 includes a return cover 146, a return lever 174, and a first link mechanism 176.

First, the return lever 174 will be described.
The return lever 174 is a lever operated by the customer to return the coin C, and is attached to a fixed shaft 178 protruding in the lateral direction from the back surface of the base 144 so as to be rotatable in the middle.
The upper lever 180 protrudes forward of the front cover 134 from an opening 182 juxtaposed to the common insertion port 102 of the front cover 134, and is arranged so that it can be pushed down by the customer.
The lower lever 184 extends downward in parallel with the front panel 136 and is held at the standby position shown in FIGS. 4 and 10 by a stopper (not shown).

Next, the first link mechanism 176 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The first link mechanism 176 has a function of moving the lower end of the return cover 146 away from the base 144 when the lower lever 184 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG.
The first link mechanism 176 includes an L-shaped first swing lever 190 that is rotatably attached to a shaft 188 that protrudes upward from a stay 186 that extends laterally from the base 144.
The first lever 190A of the swinging lever 190 is pushed by the lower lever 184, and is rotated clockwise in FIG.
The second lever 190B of the swinging lever 190 abuts on the lower end of the return cover 146 through the opening of the base 144 and can be pushed.

When the return lever 174 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 4, the lower lever 184 pushes the first lever 190A, so that the second lever 190B pushes the lower end portion of the return cover 146 away from the base 144.
As a result, the return cover 146 rotates about the shaft 156, is inclined with respect to the base 144, the gap between the side end surface of the coin guide rail 150 and the side surface 152 is greater than the thickness of the coin C, and the coin guide rail Since the upper surface of 150 is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal direction, the coin C placed thereon falls by its own weight.

The dropped coin C is formed on the base 144 below the coin passage 104, falls on the return guide rail 192 inclined downward toward the front panel 136, and then rolls to the right in FIG. 6 by its own weight. Then, it falls down to the return port 172.
Since the return slot 172 is formed in a groove shape surrounding both sides and the front of the coin C, the coin C is held in a standing state at the return slot 172.

Next, the IC card path 112 of the IC card CD will be described with reference to FIGS.
The IC card passage 112 extends along the side surface 152 of the base 144 following the IC card insertion slot 140, and a portion slightly longer than the diameter of the coin C from the IC card insertion slot 140 is common to the coin passage 104. .
The lower end of the IC card path 112 is regulated by an advance / retreat piece 194 that is appropriately moved to the coin path 104.
When insertion of the IC card CD into the IC card passage 112 is detected, the advance / retreat piece 194 advances into the coin passage 104 and supports the lower edge of the IC card CD.
The advance / retreat piece 194 is moved together with a return inactivating means 116 described later.
An IC card intermediate support 195 protrudes from the middle of the base 144 toward the return cover 146.

The upper surface of the intermediate support 195 is formed horizontally and guides while making line contact with the lower edge of the IC card CD.
The IC card CD is also guided by a horizontal upper surface of a guide 351 located downstream of the intermediate support 195.
As described above, the lower side of the IC card path 112 is sandwiched between the upper surface of the advance / retreat piece 194, the upper surface of the intermediate support 195, and the upper surface of the guide 351, and the side surface is sandwiched between the side surface 152 of the base 144, the return cover 146, and the conveying means 124 described later. It is a horizontally long and vertically long flat space.
Instead of the intermediate support 195, the inclined guide 353 that is inclined downward toward the front panel 136 of the guide 351 can be substituted.

Next, the IC card CD insertion detection means 114 will be described.
The IC card insertion detection means 114 is disposed facing the common passage 170 and has a function of detecting the position of the IC card CD inserted into the IC card insertion slot 140.
Therefore, other devices having the same function can be changed.
In the present embodiment, the insertion detection means 114 includes a first sensor 196 disposed on the side surface 152 of the base 144.
In this embodiment, the first sensor 196 is a transmissive photoelectric sensor that traverses the common passage 170, but can be changed to a reflective photoelectric sensor, a contact sensor, or the like.
The first sensor 196 is disposed in the vicinity of the deflecting means 122, and outputs a detection signal when the projection light is blocked by the IC card CD.

Next, the return inoperative means 116 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Return inoperative means 116, if the I C card CD has been inserted in the IC coin slot 140 has the function of the return means 108 inoperative.
Therefore, the return inoperative means 116 can be changed to another device having the same function.
In the present embodiment, the return inoperative means 116 mechanically inactivates the return lever 174.
The structure in which the return means 108 is mechanically disabled has an advantage that it can be configured at low cost.

The return inoperative means 116 includes an advance / retreat piece 194, a driven lever 204, a driven part 206, and a stopper 208.
The driven lever 204 is pivotally attached to a fixed shaft 210 protruding rearward from the front panel 136, and is urged clockwise by an elastic body 212 in FIG.
The driven lever 204 is substantially suspended, a stay 205 extends laterally from the lower end portion, and a vertical portion 207 that rises upward from the tip of the stay 205 to the middle of the driven lever 204 is formed. An advance / retreat piece 194 extends from the upper end in the lateral direction.
The upper end side surface of the vertical portion 207 is a stopper 208.
The driven portion 206 is a hemispherical portion formed in the intermediate portion of the driven lever 204, and when the IC card CD is not inserted into the IC card insertion slot 140, the IC card passage 112 just below the lower edge of the coin insertion slot 138. When the IC card CD is inserted, the tip of the card is pushed against the spherical surface of the driven portion 206 and pushed out of the IC card passage 112.

The advancing / retracting piece 194 is set so that its upper surface is positioned slightly below the horizontal extension line of the lower edge of the insertion slot farther from the IC card insertion slot 140 than the driven lever 204, and the driven lever 204 swings. Even so, it is long in the lateral direction so as to keep the position.
The stopper 208 is the upper end side surface of the upright portion 207 on the front panel 136 side, and is disposed adjacent to the lower end portion of the opening 182.
When the driven part 206 is pushed out of the IC card path 112 by the IC card CD, it protrudes into the rotation path of the lower end part 213 of the return lever 174 as shown in FIG.
As a result, even if the return lever 174 is to be pushed down, the lower end 213 abuts against the stopper 208 and is blocked, and the return lever 174 is not pushed down.
In other words, since the lower lever 184 is not rotated, the return cover 146 is not rotated about the shaft 156 and the coin C cannot be returned.

Next, the discrimination means 118 will be described with reference to FIG.
The discriminating means 118 has a function of discriminating whether the coin C rolling on the coin path 104 is true or false and the denomination.
The discriminating means 118 includes coil bodies 232, 234, and 236 in which a coil is wound around a core fixed relative to the base 144 and the return cover 146 along the coin passage 104.
The coil body 232 is used to detect the diameter of the coin C.
The coil body 234 is used to detect the thickness of the coin C.
The coil body 236 is used for detecting the material of the coin C.
Outputs from these coil bodies 232, 234, and 236 are input to a discrimination circuit (not shown), and compared with a predetermined reference value, the true and false coins and denominations of the coin C are discriminated.
The discriminating means 118 outputs a return signal to the coin sorting means 130 when the discriminated coin is a fake coin.
The coin distribution means 130 performs a predetermined operation based on the return signal and returns the fake coins to the return port 172.

Next, the coin distribution means 130 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The coin distribution means 130 has a function of distributing coins C rolling on the coin passage 104 to the return passage 190 or the storage passage 244 to the storage safe.
The coin sorting means 130 includes a coin sorting body 246, an electromagnetic actuator 248, and a second link mechanism 252.
The coin sorting body 246 is selectively positioned at a return position CP on the extension of the coin passage 104 or a storage position SP that guides to the storage passage 244.
The coin allocating body 246 is a rod that extends to the coin passage 104 in the lateral direction from the tip of the second swinging lever 254 that is rotatably attached to the fixed shaft 258 that projects from the base 144 in the lateral direction.
The other end of the second swing lever 254 is linked to the iron core 260 of the electromagnetic actuator 248 by the second link mechanism 252.
The iron core 260 is biased leftward in FIG. 4 by a spring (not shown), and the second swinging lever 254 is normally suspended and the coin sorting body 246 is held at the return position CP (see FIG. 4 and 6)

When the electromagnetic actuator 248 is excited for a predetermined time by the discrimination of the true coin of the discriminating means 118, the iron core 260 is moved to the right in FIG. 4, so that the second swing lever 254 is counteracted via the second link mechanism 252. By rotating clockwise, the coin sorting body 246 is moved to the storage position SP and held for a predetermined time.
When the coin allocating body 246 is held at the storage position SP, the coin C rolling on the coin passage 104 falls from the coin guide rail 150 onto the coin allocating body 246 and rebounds laterally due to inertial force. Reach passage 244.
When the coin sorting body 246 is located at the return position CP, the coin C dropped from the coin path 104 abuts on the coin sorting body 246 and rebounds in the opposite direction (right side in FIG. 6), reaches the return path 190, and is returned. It rolls along the passage 190 and is returned to the return port 172.

Next, the deflecting means 122 will be described with reference to FIG.
The deflecting means 122 has a function of guiding the coin C inserted into the coin insertion slot 138 to the lower rolling start guide rail 148.
In other words, the deflecting means 122 defines the coin path 104 of the coin C.
The deflecting means 122 is a step portion formed on the guide side surface 160 of the return cover 146 and is a coin passage wall surface 270 that hangs at a position slightly away from the front panel 136 than the diameter of the coin C.
When the coin C is inserted, the coin C collides with the coin passage wall surface 270 in the common passage 170 and the inertial force in the lateral direction disappears, and the coin C falls downward due to its own weight, and the rolling start guide rail 148 falls. Roll on moving surface 168.
Thus, the coin passage 104 is a roughly crank-shaped passage that extends horizontally from the coin insertion slot 138, then hangs down, and then inclines downward.

Next, the coin insertion preventing means 126 will be described with reference to FIG.
The coin insertion preventing means 126 has a function of preventing the coin C from being inserted into the coin insertion slot 138 when the IC card CD is held at the holding position HP.
Therefore, it can be changed to another device having the same function.
The coin insertion blocking means 126 is a hook-shaped blocking piece 308 formed at the upper end of the driven lever 204.
The blocking piece 308 is held at a position where the driven part 206 is retracted from the coin path 104 adjacent to the coin insertion slot 138 when the driven part 206 is located in the IC card path 112, and the IC is passed when the driven part 206 is removed from the IC card path 112. The coin advances to the coin passage 104 through the opening of the side wall 310 on the opposite side of the card passage 112 (shown by a chain line in FIG. 9).
Therefore, when the blocking piece 308 is positioned in the coin passage 104, the coin C cannot be advanced from the coin insertion slot 138 by the blocking piece 308.

Next, the reading / writing means 128 will be described with reference to FIG.
The reading / writing means 128 has a function of communicating value information with the IC chip TP of the IC card CD held at the holding position HP.
Therefore, the reading / writing means 128 can be changed to another device having the same function.
In this embodiment, the read / write means 128 is a communication board 310 that is fixed to the back surface of the base 144 and has an IC and an antenna having a communication function.
Since the reading / writing means 128 only needs to read or write at least the value information stored in the IC chip TP according to the processing function, a communication board having only the reading function or only the writing function can be used.

Next, the display means 330 will be described with reference to FIG.
The display means 330 has a function of displaying the amount and total amount of received coins C, value information read from the IC card CD, information for customers, and the like.
Further, when the coin C or the IC card CD is not inserted, various decorations can be emitted to exhibit the decoration function.
As the display means 330, a liquid crystal display, a 7-segment display, or the like can be appropriately employed.
The display means 330 is preferably mounted on the front cover 132 slightly upward so that it can be easily seen by the customer.

Next, the IC card CD conveying means 124 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The transport means 124 transports the IC card CD inserted into the IC card passage 112 to the holding position HP suitable for the processing of the reading / writing means 128, and moves the IC card CD from the holding position HP to the IC card insertion slot 140. A part of the IC card insertion port 140 protrudes and the IC card CD located at the holding position HP is transported to the collection passage 349.
Therefore, the conveying means 124 can be changed to another apparatus having other similar functions different from the embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the conveying means 124 includes a belt 322, pulleys 324 and 326, a roller 328, an electric motor 332, and a speed reducer 334.
A lateral channel-shaped bracket 336 is rotatably attached to a vertical shaft 338 at the rear end of the base 144.
A reduction gear 334 is fixed to the lower surface of the rear end portion of the lower flange 342 of the bracket 336 and is driven by an electric motor 332 fixed to the reduction gear 334.

The driving pulley 324 is fixed to the tip of the output shaft 345 protruding from the channel groove 344 of the speed reducer 334 in a horizontal state.
The driven shaft 348 is disposed in the channel groove 344 with the upper and lower ends thereof being rotatably supported by the lower flange 342 and the upper flange 346 on the common inlet 102 side of the bracket 336.
The pulley 326 is fixed to the lower side of the driven shaft 348, and the roller] 328 is fixed to the upper side.
A belt 322 is wound around the pulleys 324 and 326 with a predetermined tension.
The belt 322 may be a round belt, a flat belt, or the like, but in this embodiment, a flat belt is used to prevent slippage with the IC card CD.
The distance between the belt surface of the pulleys 324 and 326 and the roller 328 and the side surface 152 of the base 144 is set smaller than the thickness of the IC card CD.
The belt 322 and the roller 328 are opposed to the IC coin path 112.

When the insertion detecting means 114 detects the IC card CD, the motor 332 is activated and the belt 322 and the roller 328 are rotated in the direction for taking in the IC card CD.
When the IC card CD is sandwiched between the belt 322 and the roller 328 with the side surface 152, the IC card CD is conveyed to the left in FIG. 6, and the motor 332 is detected when a mechanical sensor 360 described later detects the IC card CD. The IC card CD is held at the holding position HP.
Further, when the motor 332 is rotated in the same direction, the IC card CD is sent to the opposite side of the common insertion slot 102 and sent to the collection passage 349.
The return cover 146 is positioned below the lower edge of the IC card CD at the holding position HP, and an arc-shaped IC card guide 352 is formed as a whole.
The IC card guide 352 includes an inclined guide 354 whose IC card slot 140 faces downward toward the slot 140, a horizontal lower edge guide 356 that defines the lower side of the IC card path 112 following the tilt guide 354, and a lower edge. Following the guide 356, a drop guide 358 that curves downward toward the collection passage 349 is formed.

The conveying means 124 can be arranged with a flat belt in parallel with the belt 322 instead of the roller 328.
However, since the holding force of the IC card CD is large, it takes a lot of collection space. Therefore, it is preferable to arrange a belt on the lower side and a roller on the upper side as in the embodiment.
The bracket 336 can be rotated 180 degrees backward from the operating position shown in FIG. 7 with the vertical shaft 338 as a fulcrum.
This is because when attaching to a game machine or the like, the width of the value medium processing device 100 is narrowed so that it can be easily attached to the game machine or the like.

Next, the mechanical sensor 360 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The mechanical sensor 360 has a function of detecting that the IC card CD is at a predetermined position in the IC card path 112, specifically, a holding position HP suitable for reading / writing by the reading / writing means 128.
The mechanical sensor 360 includes a contact piece 362, a contact piece sensor 363, and a biasing means 368.

The contact piece 362 is disposed so as to be swingable around the vertical axis in a triangular opening 372 formed in the base 144 opposite to the middle of the belt 322 in the longitudinal direction of the IC card passage 112.
A shaft protruding from the upper and lower ends of the contact piece 362 on the common insertion port 102 side is rotatably supported by bearings 374 and 376 on the back surface of the base 144.
The contact piece 362 is urged counterclockwise in FIG. 7 by a spring 378 as the urging means 368.
When the IC card CD is not present in the IC card path 112, the contact piece 362 protrudes into the IC coin path 112 and contacts the belt 322.
When the contact piece 362 is pushed by the IC card CD, the contact piece 362 is rotated clockwise in FIG.

The contact piece sensor 363 includes an action piece 364 and a sensor 366.
The action piece 364 extends in the lateral direction from the back surface of the contact piece 362.
The sensor 366 is fixed to a bracket 380 fixed to the back surface of the base 144, and detects the action piece 364.
Specifically, the sensor 366 is a transmissive photoelectric sensor, and when the contact piece 362 is positioned in the IC coin path 112, the action piece 364 does not block the projection light of the sensor 366.
When the contact piece 362 leaves the IC coin passage 112, the action piece 364 blocks the projection light, and the sensor 366 outputs a detection signal.
As described above, by using the mechanical sensor 360 as the sensor of the IC card CD, fraud by the infrared irradiator cannot be performed.
Further, when the IC card CD passes to the collection passage 349 side, the contact piece 362 is positioned in the IC card passage 112, so that the IC card CD is prevented from moving by the contact piece 362 and cannot be pulled back.
Accordingly, when a mechanical sensor is employed, there is an advantage that the degree of safety against fraud is improved.

Next, the ejecting means 390 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The ejecting means 390 has a function of ejecting the IC card CD transported toward the recovery passage 349 by the transport means 124 and reliably sending it out to the recovery passage 349.
Therefore, it can be changed to another device having the same function.
In this embodiment, the ejecting means 390 is a rotary blade body 394 having a plurality of blades 392 made of an elastic body in a radial pattern.
The rotary blade body 394 is fixed to a vertical axis 400 that is rotatably supported by bearings 396 and 398 of the base 144.
A driven roller 402 wound around a shaft below the rotary blade body 394 of the vertical axis 400 is in contact with the belt 322 around the pulley 324.
As a result, the rotation blade 392 is rotated by the rotation of the belt 322 so as to cross the IC card path 112 just above the pulley 324 and send the IC card CD toward the collection path 349.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
First, a case where the coin C is inserted will be described.
When the value medium processing apparatus 100 is not in the standby state, the electromagnetic actuator 248 of the coin allocating means 130 is demagnetized, and the iron core 280 is moved to the position of FIG. 4 by a spring (not shown), via the link mechanism 252. The second swing lever 254 is rotated to a substantially vertical position, and the coin sorting body 246 is held at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG.
When a genuine coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 138, the coin C crossing the common passage 170 collides with the coin passage wall surface 270 and the lateral inertial force disappears, and the coin passage 104 is dropped directly under its own weight, It falls on the rolling start guide rail 148.

The coin C falling on the rolling surface 168 rolls while being accelerated by the arc surface, and then rolls on the coin guide rail 150.
Since the sensor bodies 236, 234, 232 do not acquire the characteristic information of the coin on the guide rail 150, the discriminating means 118 does not output a true coin signal, and the coin sorting body 246 continues the aforementioned position.
The coin C dropped from the guide rail 150 collides with the coin sorting body 246 and bounces rightward in FIG.
The coin C rolls on the return guide rail 192 in the return passage 190 and reaches the return slot 172.
Since the return opening 172 surrounds the front surface and both side surfaces of the coin C, the coin C leans against these wall surfaces and is held in a substantially standing state.

Next, a case where the genuine coin C is inserted in the standby state will be described.
The coin C sequentially faces the sensor bodies 236, 234, 232 in the process of rolling on the guide rail 150, and identification information regarding the material, thickness, and diameter of the coin C is acquired.
The discriminating means 118 discriminates the authenticity of the coin C from these identification information.
Since this case is a true coin, it is determined as a true coin, and the electromagnetic actuator 248 is excited for a predetermined time.
Due to this excitation, the iron core 260 is pulled rightward in FIG. 4, so that the second swing lever 254 is rotated counterclockwise.
Thereby, the distribution body 246 is moved to the storage position SP (the position indicated by the chain line in FIG. 6).
The coin C dropped from the guide rail 150 falls on the sorting body 246, bounces leftward in FIG. 6, and is guided to the storage passage 244.
The coin C falling in the storage passage 244 passes through the blocking body 324 by turning clockwise in FIG. 6, and is held in a holding safe (not shown).
Even if an attempt is made to pull up the held coin C by hanging the thread, it is blocked by the blocking body 324 as described above and cannot be pulled up.

Next, a case where a false coin is inserted in the standby state will be described.
The fake coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 138 roll on the guide rail 150 of the coin path 104 as described above.
Since the discriminating device 118 outputs a false signal based on the identification information from the sensor bodies 236, 234, 232, the electromagnetic actuator 248 is not excited.
Thereby, since the distribution body 246 maintains the return position CP, the false coin collides with the distribution body 242 and is guided to the return path 190 and returned to the return port 172.

Next, a case where the IC card CD is inserted in the standby state will be described.
When the IC card CD is inserted into the IC card insertion slot 140, the IC card CD pushes the driven portion 206 in the IC card passage 112, and pushes the driven portion 206 out of the IC card passage 112.
As a result, the driven lever 204 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 9A, and the blocking piece 308 protrudes into the coin passage 104 (the position indicated by the chain line in FIG. 9A).
As a result, the coin C cannot be inserted into the coin insertion slot 138.
Further, since the stopper 208 integral with the driven lever 204 protrudes in the movement path of the lower end portion 213 of the return lever 174, the return lever 174 cannot be rotated (FIG. 10).
In other words, when the IC card CD is inserted into the IC card insertion slot 140, the coin C cannot be inserted into the coin insertion slot 138, and the return cover 146 is not rotated around the shaft 156 as a fulcrum.

Further, the advance / retreat piece 194 advances on the extension of the lower edge of the IC card slot 140 to guide the lower edge of the IC card CD.
As a result, the IC card CD is guided in a substantially lateral (horizontal) direction and proceeds in the IC card path 112.
In the course of this progress, the first sensor 196 detects the C card CD.
The electric motor 332 is rotated based on the detection signal of the first sensor 196, the drive pulley 324 is rotated via the speed reducer 334, and the belt 322 is advanced in the direction of taking in the IC card CD (right direction in FIG. 11). .
As a result, the driven shaft 348 is rotated via the pulley 326, and the roller 328 is also rotated in the same direction.
Further, the driven roller 392 is rotated by the belt 322, and the blade 392 rotates along a path crossing the IC coin path 112.

The IC card CD is guided at the lower end by the advancing / retracting piece 194, and is then sandwiched between the belt 322 and the roller 328 and the side surface 112 immediately after being guided to the upper surface of the intermediate support 195, and is separated from the card slot 140 by the conveying means 124. It is actively conveyed in the direction.
In this process, the IC card CD comes into contact with the contact piece 362 and is pushed out from the IC card passage 112.
As a result, the action piece 364 integrated with the contact piece 362 blocks the projection light of the sensor 366, so that the sensor 366 outputs a detection signal.

The power supply to the electric motor 332 is stopped by this detection signal, in other words, the conveyance of the IC card CD is stopped.
Due to the stop of the motor 332, the IC card CD stops at the position immediately after the tip of the IC card CD passes the upper edge of the contact piece 362, and is held at the holding position HP.
This holding position HP is a position where the rear end of the IC card CD has slightly advanced from the IC card insertion slot 140 to the IC card passage 112.
Thus, when the IC card CD is located at the holding position HP, the customer cannot touch the IC card CD.

At the holding position HP, the reading / writing means 128 reads the value information stored in the IC chip TP of the IC card CD by wireless communication. Predetermined processing is performed and new information is stored in the IC chip TP.
For example, value information obtained by subtracting value information 100 necessary for one play of the game from the read value information is newly stored in the IC chip TP.
Note that it is preferable to display the read information of the IC chip TP and the newly written information on the display device 330 in order to inform the customer.
Furthermore, it is preferable that a sound effect that is generated when a coin is dropped with this display is generated from a speaker.
This is because the customer can visually and / or auditorily recognize that the predetermined processing has been performed.

If the new value information is not zero, after writing the new value information, the electric motor 332 is reversed.
As a result, the IC card CD is moved toward the IC card slot 140 by the belt 322 and the roller 328.
When the IC card CD deviates from the relative position to the contact piece 362 by this movement, the contact piece 362 advances to the IC coin path 112, so that the action piece 364 does not block the transmitted light of the sensor 366.
Power supply to the electric motor 332 is stopped after a predetermined time from when the sensor 366 receives light.
By the conveyance for the predetermined time, the IC card CD is returned to the position where the belt 322 and the roller 328 are released.
As a result, the IC card CD is sent out to a position where the rear end protrudes from the approximately 10 mm IC coin insertion slot 140, and the customer can grasp and pull out the rear end of the IC card CD.

When the new value information is zero, the electric motor 332 is rotated forward, further draws the IC card CD into the IC coin path 112, and conveys it toward the collection path 349.
When the rear end of the IC card CD is disengaged from the contact piece 362, the contact piece 362 does not block the projected light, so that the electric motor 332 stops supplying power a predetermined time after the sensor 366 receives light.
During the conveyance by the conveying means 124 for the predetermined time, the rear end of the IC card CD passes through the belt 322, so that it is released from the clamping between the belt 322 and the side surface 152, and further toward the collection passage 349 by the rotating blade 392. Be played out.
As a result, the IC card CD falls into the collection passage 349 while being guided by the guide 351.
The contact piece 362 is projected into the IC coin passage 112 by the spring 378 after the rear end of the IC card CD has passed.
Even if an IC card is pulled back by pulling a string tied to the IC card CD, it cannot be pulled back because the end face of the contact piece 362 serves as a stopper.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a value medium processing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the value medium processing apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a left side view of the value medium processing apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a right side view of the value medium processing apparatus of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the value medium processing apparatus of the embodiment. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. FIG. 9 is a rear view of the front cover. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

C coin
CD IC card
102 Common slot
104 Coin passage
108 Return means
112 IC card passage
116 Return non-operational means
118 Discriminator
124 Transport means
126 Means to prevent coin insertion
128 Read / write device
138 coin slot
140 IC card slot
172 Return port
362 contact piece
363 Contact piece detection means
380

Claims (1)

The coin (C) inserted into the insertion slot (102) rolls along the coin path (104) to determine authenticity, and the return means (108) returns the coin (C) in the coin path (104 ) to the return slot. In the value medium processing device that is returned to (172),
A common slot (102) in which at least a part of the coin slot (138) for the coin (C) and the IC card slot (140) for the IC card (CD) are shared.
IC card path (112) for the IC card (CD) formed linearly following the IC card slot (140 ),
Said coin path which inclines downwardly in the lower side of the IC card path following the coin slot (138) (112) (104),
Reading writing unit for the IC card which is disposed proximate to the IC card path (112) (CD) (128 ),
Discriminating device for authenticity discrimination of the coin placed close to said coin passage (104) (C) (118 ),
Based on the presence of the IC card (CD) inserted into the IC card insertion slot (140), it protrudes into the coin path (104) and advances and retracts to guide the lower edge of the inserted IC card (CD) ( 194),
A value medium processing apparatus comprising:

Images