JP5433275B2 - Free gift dispenser and free gift delivery system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a prize dispensing machine and a prize dispensing system for dispensing prizes exchanged for game media such as pachinko balls.

  In amusement facilities such as pachinko parlors, a prize dispensing system is known that includes a prize dispenser (see Patent Document 1 below) and a prize management machine (see Patent Document 2 below) electrically connected to the prize dispenser. Yes. The prizes handled by the prize dispenser are valuable card bodies that are exchanged according to the number of game media such as pachinko balls acquired by the player at the game facility, and are also called special prizes. This gift is generally a resin card having a thickness of about 1 to 3 mm. In the prize, an object having a predetermined monetary value is built in, and there are four types according to the monetary value such as 100 yen, 500 yen, 1000 yen, 5000 yen, for example.

  In such a prize payout system, game media such as pachinko balls acquired by the player are exchanged for prizes and handed to the player as follows, and prizes received by the player are purchased at the prize exchange. .

  The player puts the game media such as pachinko balls acquired by the player into a counter installed in the game facility. The counter counts the inserted game media and issues a receipt on which a barcode representing the counting result is printed. The player brings the receipt issued by the counter to the prize counter and hands it to the staff. The clerk causes the prize management machine to read the counting result recorded in the barcode on the receipt received from the player. The prize management machine determines the type and number of prizes to be paid out based on the read counting result, and instructs the prize dispenser to pay out prizes according to the determined contents. Thereby, the prize is paid out from the prize dispenser. The clerk hands the prize paid out from the prize dispenser to the player. The player brings the received prize to a prize exchange installed outside the game facility and purchases the prize at a value equivalent to the prize at the prize exchange.

By the way, since prizes have the same value as cash, it is necessary to strictly manage inventory from the viewpoint of fraud prevention. Conventionally, inventory management is performed as follows.
(A) Warehousing (replenishment): When preparing for opening a store, the clerk replenishes (receives) a prize to a prize dispenser with an empty prize. Then, the number of replenishments (number of warehousing items) for each prize type is numerically input to the prize management machine and the prize dispenser. The free gift management machine and the free gift dispenser each store the inputted number of supplements for each free gift type as stock management data (stock management information).
(B) Issue (Payout): At the time of prize payout, the prize management machine and the prize dispenser each update the inventory management data by subtracting the number of prizes (number of delivery) paid out to the player from the inventory management data. .
(C) Additional warehousing (additional replenishment): During business hours, the clerk inputs the number of replenishment for each type of prize into the prize management machine and the prize dispenser when the prize is additionally supplemented. The prize management machine and the prize dispensing machine each update the inventory management data by adding the input number of supplements for each prize type to the inventory management data.
(D) Closing process (final tightening process): After closing the shop, the staff will print out the prize inventory data by the prize management machine, collect the prize (actual item) from the prize dispenser, and count it manually. Compare and collate management data with actual counting results. After the comparison / collation is completed, the collected giveaway (actual) is stored in a safe or the like, so that the giveaway dispenser becomes empty.

Even during business hours, when the person in charge of the prize payout system changes, the same processing as the closing process (intermediate closing process) is performed, and the inventory management data and the actual counting result are compared and verified. . However, in this case, the clerk returns the collected prize (actual item) to the prize dispenser after the comparison / collation is completed.

Japanese Patent No. 3722878 JP 2002-200310 A

  In the conventional prize dispensing system, the total number of prizes in the prize dispenser is manually counted at each timing of the opening process, the change of staff, and the closing process in order to manage the inventory of prizes and prevent fraud. In this type of prize dispenser, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, generally, a plurality of prize cassettes are accommodated. For this reason, in order to perform the counting operation of the total number of prizes, it is necessary to take out the prize cassettes and count the number of prizes accommodated in each prize cassette, which takes time and effort. In particular, when counting the number of prizes during business hours, such as when a staff member changes, the player is kept waiting.

  Accordingly, the present applicant is provided with a counting device for counting the number of prizes in each premium cassette, and uses this counting device to count the total number of prizes in all cassettes or a part of the cassette (counting function). ) Has been proposed. According to the prize dispenser having such a counting function, counting work is simplified and the time required for the counting work is shortened.

  However, even in the prize dispenser having the counting function, the counting function cannot be executed when the power is off. For this reason, there is a high possibility that frauds such as withdrawal of prizes will be performed when the prize dispenser is powered off. In addition, when the power of the gift dispenser is turned off, in addition to the case where the power is normally turned off by a staff member after closing the store, if the power is turned off due to a power failure, the person who performs fraud is This includes the case where the power is intentionally turned off.

  In addition, when the person in charge of the prize dispenser changes, from the viewpoint of clarifying the location of responsibility in case of a problem, the actual prize inventory contents in the prize dispenser and the inventory management information are It is important to check whether they match.

This invention aims to supply a prize payout machine while turned off, providing a prize payout machine and prize payout sheet stearyl beam can confirm whether fraud or the like has been performed.

Rewriting The invention according to claim 1, a prize payout machine includes one or more housing portions for accommodating a prize, the inventory management information for managing the prize inventory of the prize payout machine is stored a nonvolatile memory capable, the when the counting means for counting the number of prizes that have been stored in each housing part, the power of the prize payout machine is turned on, the utilizing said counting means each The number of prizes in the storage unit is counted, and the prize inventory information obtained from the counting result is compared with the inventory management information stored in the non-volatile memory . When they do not match, the fact is notified. A prize dispenser including a notifying means.

  The inventory management information in the storage means is updated, for example, when a prize is replenished in the prize dispenser and when a prize is dispensed from the prize dispenser. When the prize is replenished in the prize dispenser, for example, the storage means is obtained by inputting the number of prizes supplemented by an attendant or the like, or by counting the number of prizes after supplementation using a counting means. Inventory management information in is updated. When a prize is paid out from the prize dispenser, the inventory management information in the storage means is updated based on the number of prizes paid out. The same applies to the inventory management information stored in the storage means in other claims.

In this configuration, when the prize dispenser is powered on , the number of prizes in each storage unit is counted using the counting means. The premium inventory information (information indicating the actual premium inventory contents) obtained from the counting result is compared with the inventory management information stored in the nonvolatile memory . And when both are inconsistent, that is notified. Therefore, if an unauthorized operation such as extraction is performed while the prize dispenser is turned off , when the prize dispenser is turned on after that, the actual prize inventory contents and inventory It is notified that the management information does not match. For this reason, it is possible to check whether fraud has been performed while the gift dispenser is powered off .

The invention according to claim 2 is a prize dispensing system including a prize dispenser having one or a plurality of storage units for storing prizes, and stores inventory management information for managing prize inventory in the prize dispenser. A rewritable non-volatile memory , a counting means for counting the number of prizes stored in each storage section, and the counting means when the power of the prize dispenser is turned on. The number of prizes in each storage unit is counted, and the prize inventory information obtained from the counting result is compared with the inventory management information stored in the non-volatile memory. And a notifying means for notifying the effect.

In this configuration, when the prize dispenser is powered on , the number of prizes in each storage unit is counted using the counting means. The premium inventory information (information indicating the actual premium inventory contents) obtained from the counting result is compared with the inventory management information stored in the nonvolatile memory . And when both are inconsistent, that is notified. Therefore, also in this configuration, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the prize dispensing system including a prize dispenser including one or a plurality of storage units for storing prizes and an external device capable of communicating with the prize dispenser, the prize dispenser includes: a counting means for counting a rewritable nonvolatile memory for inventory management information for managing the prize inventory of the prize payout machine is stored, the number of prize housed in each housing part, the prize When the dispenser is turned on , the counting means is used to count the number of prizes in each storage unit, and the prize inventory information obtained from the counting result is stored in the nonvolatile memory. A communication means for notifying the external device when the two do not match, and the external device reports the fact when the mismatch is notified. Including informing means for a prize payout system.

In this configuration, when the prize dispenser is turned on , the number of prizes in each storage unit is counted using the counting means. The premium inventory information obtained from the counting result is collated with the inventory management information stored in the nonvolatile memory . If the two do not match, the external device is notified of the mismatch. In the external device, when the inconsistency is notified, the fact is notified. Therefore, also in this configuration, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the storage units are provided, and the plurality of storage units include two or more storage units in which different types of prizes are stored. The prize dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the information and the prize stock information are information on the number of prizes for each prize type and / or information on the number of prizes for each storage unit.

  In this configuration, the prize dispenser according to claim 1 is provided with a plurality of storage units. The plurality of storage units include two or more storage units in which different types of prizes are stored. The inventory management information and the prize inventory information are both or either one of information on the number of prizes for each prize type and information on the number of prizes for each storage unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the storage units are provided, and the plurality of storage units include two or more storage units in which different types of prizes are stored. 4. The prize payout system according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the information and the prize stock information are information on the number of prizes for each prize type and / or information on the number of prizes for each storage unit.

In this configuration, in the premium payout system according to claim 2 or 3 , a plurality of storage units are provided. The plurality of storage units include two or more storage units in which different types of prizes are stored. The inventory management information and the prize inventory information are both or either one of information on the number of prizes for each prize type and information on the number of prizes for each storage unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to check whether fraud or the like has been performed while the prize dispenser is powered off .

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the prize paying system provided in the game facility. It is the perspective view which looked at the prize dispenser 1 from the front side (side which an attendant operates). It is a perspective view of the prize dispensing unit 5 in a state where the right wall is removed and the inside is exposed. It is a disassembled perspective view of the prize dispensing unit 5 in a state where the right wall is removed and the inside is exposed. It is the perspective view which looked at the cassette 4 from the diagonal upper side, Comprising: (a) shows the state in which none of the prizes 2 are accommodated, (b) shows the state in which a plurality of prizes 2 are accommodated. ing. It is the perspective view which looked at the conveyance mechanism 24 from diagonally upward, (a) shows the state in which the conveyance unit 32 exists in a lower limit position, (b) has shown the state in which the conveyance unit 32 is in the middle of a raise. . FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure when the transport unit 32 transports the prize 2 of the cassette 4. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure when the transport unit 32 transports the prize 2 of the cassette 4. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure when the transport unit 32 transports the prize 2 of the cassette 4. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure when the transport unit 32 transports the prize 2 of the cassette 4. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure when the transport unit 32 transports the prize 2 of the cassette 4. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a procedure when the transport unit 32 transports the prize 2 of the cassette 4. FIG. 3 is a schematic front sectional view of a prize dispensing unit 5. It is the perspective view which looked at the upper unit 21 in the state where the inside was exposed from diagonally upper side, Comprising: The conveyance mechanism 24 is also shown together. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the upper unit 21 in an exposed state, and shows an elevator 82. FIG. 10 shows a state where the expansion / contraction mechanism 87 of the elevator 82 has changed its posture to the extended state. It is a typical sectional side view of the prize dispenser 1. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the prize dispenser. It is a schematic diagram which shows the content of the prize type table TA1 classified by cassette, the stock management table TA2 classified by cassette, and the stock management table TA3 classified by prize type, respectively. It is a schematic diagram which shows the specific example of the cassette number (cassette No.) allocated to each cassette, and the kind of prize accommodated in each cassette. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a giveaway management machine 100. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the specific example of the screen displayed on the staff display part 7B of the prize dispenser 1 during standby. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed by the prize dispenser 1. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a premium payout / inventory management data update process in step S7 of FIG. 18. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the count / inventory management data update process of step S8 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of the stock confirmation process of step S2, S9 of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the specific example of the stock quantity confirmation screens 403 and 404. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the specific example of the mismatch confirmation screen 405 and the mismatch detail screens 406 and 407. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the gift management machine 100. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed by the prize dispenser 1 in 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing executed by the prize management device 100 in the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of the prize delivery control process of step S75 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of the stock confirmation process of FIG.26 S78.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[A] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
[1] Configuration of the prize payout system FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the prize payout system provided in the game facility.

  The prize payout system includes one or more prize management machines (POS terminals) 100 and one or more prize dispensers 1 connected to each prize management machine 100. In this example, a plurality of free gift management machines 100 are provided.

  Each prize management machine 100 is assigned an identification number (management machine number) that is different for each prize management machine 100. Each prize management machine 100 is connected to a management computer 150 that manages the entire equipment in the amusement facility. The prize manager 100 and the prize dispenser 1 are installed in a prize counter, and the management computer 150 is installed in an office.

  In this example, up to two prize dispensers 1 can be connected to each prize management machine 100. Each prize dispenser 1 is assigned a different identification number (dispenser number) for each prize dispenser 1.

  The prize dispenser 1 is for giving out prizes and is installed in a prize counter. The prize dispenser 1 has a counting function for counting the number of prizes in units of cassettes, an inventory management function for managing prize inventory in the prize dispenser 1, and a communication function for communicating with the prize manager 100. The prize management machine 100 controls the prize dispenser 1. Each prize management machine 100 has a communication function for communicating with the prize dispenser 1 and the management computer 150 under its control.

The prizes handled by the prize dispenser 1 are valuable card bodies that are exchanged according to the number of game media such as pachinko balls acquired by the player at the game facility, and are also called special prizes. As shown in FIG. 5B, the giveaway 2 is generally a resin card having a thickness of about 1 to 3 mm. The prize 2 has a built-in object having a predetermined monetary value. For example, there are four types according to monetary values such as 100 yen, 500 yen, 1000 yen, and 5000 yen.

  When a game medium such as a pachinko ball acquired by a player is inserted into a counter (not shown) installed in the game facility, the inserted game medium is counted and a receipt printed with a bar code representing the counting result (Recording medium) is issued from the counter. Instead of such a receipt, a recording medium such as a magnetic card on which the counting result is magnetically recorded or an IC card including an IC chip on which the counting result is recorded may be issued. In addition, the counting result is stored in a portable telephone owned by the player, or an ID for identifying the telephone is read from the portable telephone owned by the player, and the counting result is related to the read ID. You may make it save to.

When the player brings the receipt issued by the counting machine to the prize counter, the attendant causes the prize management machine 100 to read the counting result (the number of game media) recorded in the barcode on the receipt. The prize manager 100 determines the type and number of prizes to be paid out based on the read count result. Then, a premium payout command including the determined number of payouts for each premium type is transmitted to one free gift dispenser 1 under the command. The prize dispenser 1 pays out a prize in accordance with a prize dispensing command sent from the prize management machine 100. The clerk hands the prize paid out from the prize dispenser 1 to the player. The player brings the received prize to the prize exchange, and purchases the prize at a value equivalent to the prize at the prize exchange.
[2] Mechanism [2-1] Overall Configuration of the Gift Dispenser 1 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the prize dispenser 1 as viewed from the front side (side on which the clerk operates).

  Referring to FIG. 2, the customer who receives a prize payout from the prize dispenser 1 is located on the rear side (the back side in FIG. 2), and the clerk is located on the front side of the prize dispenser 1. To serve customers.

  The prize dispenser 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped cabinet 3 that forms an outline thereof, and a plurality (four in this example) of prize dispensers 5 (see FIG. 3 described later) accommodated in the cabinet 3. . When distinguishing these four prize payout units 5, the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit in order from the leftmost unit as seen from the front side (front side in FIG. 2) of the prize dispenser 1. The fourth unit. Each premium payout unit 5 stores a plurality of cassettes 4 (see FIG. 5 described later). Each cassette 4 stores a plurality of prizes 2 stacked in the vertical direction.

  The plurality of prize payout units 5 are accommodated in the cabinet 3 in a state of being arranged in the width direction. In each prize payout unit 5, a total of eight cassettes 4 are arranged, four in two rows in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, four cassettes 4 are arranged in the cabinet 3 in eight rows in the horizontal direction. In such a prize dispenser 1, as a whole, a large amount of various types of prizes 2 can be stored, and a large number of types of prizes 2 can be dispensed at a time.

  A door 6 is provided on the front side of the cabinet 3. The prize dispensing unit 5 can be pulled out of the cabinet 3 by opening the door 6. The cabinet 3 is provided with a door open / close detector 205 (see FIG. 13) for detecting whether the door 6 is in a closed state or an open state.

A display unit 7 is provided on the upper surface of the cabinet 3. The display unit 7 includes a customer display unit 7A and an attendant display unit 7B, and necessary information is displayed on each display unit. In addition, the clerk display unit 7B is provided with an operation unit 207 (see FIG. 13) that is operated to control the operation of the gift dispenser 1. The operation unit 207 is composed of, for example, a touch panel.

  On the rear side of the display section 7 on the upper surface of the cabinet 3, eight payout openings 8 are formed at positions above the prize payout units 5 corresponding to the respective rows of the cassettes described above. The eight outlets 8 are arranged in the width direction. Each outlet 8 communicates with the inside of the cabinet 3 from above. Each payout port 8 is provided with a shutter 9. The shutter 9 opens and closes the dispensing outlet 8 by sliding back and forth. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the shutter 9 closes the discharge outlet 8.

  Although only a part is shown in FIG. 2, in order to pay out the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 (see FIG. 5), a first transport unit 10 and a second transporter 1 A transport unit 11, a holding unit 12, a lift unit 13, and a delivery unit 14 are provided.

  As a rough payout procedure for the prize 2 in the prize dispenser 1, first, the first transport unit 10 separates a prize group corresponding to a predetermined payout number from the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 (see FIG. 5). And transport it upward. Next, the second transport unit 11 transports the prize 2 (premium group) transported upward substantially horizontally toward the payout exit 8 side. Then, the holding unit 12 holds the delivered prize 2 below the payout opening 8. Thereafter, the lift unit 13 lifts the suspended prize 2 toward the payout opening 8. Finally, the delivery unit 14 pushes the prize 2 lifted up to the payout opening 8 onto the upper surface of the cabinet 3. Here, the shutter 9 and the configuration for sliding the shutter 9 are included in the sending unit 14 described above. In this way, the prize 2 stored in the prize dispenser 1 is paid out from the payout exit 8.

These configurations (the first transport unit 10, the second transport unit 11, the holding unit 12, the lift unit 13, and the sending unit 14) will be described individually when the prize payout unit 5 is described below.
[2-2] Premium Dispensing Unit FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the premium dispensing unit 5 with the right wall removed and the inside exposed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, each premium payout unit 5 has a hollow box shape that is slightly thin in the left-right direction. The prize dispensing unit 5 includes a lower unit 20 that forms approximately a fifth of the vertical direction of the premium unit 5 and an upper unit 21 that is disposed above the lower unit 20.

  In addition, a handle 26 is provided on the front surface (the front surface in FIG. 3) of the giveaway unit 5 (specifically, the lower unit 20). The handle 26 is gripped when the prize payout unit 5 is pulled out from the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 2) as described above.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the prize dispensing unit 5 in a state where the right wall is removed and the inside is exposed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lower unit 20 and the upper unit 21 are separable. Specifically, the upper unit 21 is fixed to the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 2) side, and the giveaway unit 5 can pull out only the lower unit 20 from the cabinet 3 by gripping the handle 26. .

Below, the lower unit 20 and the upper unit 21 are demonstrated separately.
[2-2-1] Lower Unit The lower unit 20 includes a lower casing 22 that forms an outer shell, eight cassette holders 23 (four cassette holders 23 on the right side appear in FIG. 4), and eight cassettes 4. (In FIG. 4, one of the eight cassettes 4 is shown above the lower unit 20.) and four transport mechanisms 24 (not shown in FIG. 4, see FIG. 3) Including. The cassette holder 23, the cassette 4, and the transport mechanism 24 are normally disposed in the lower casing 22. Here, the transport mechanism 24 constitutes the first transport unit 10 described above.

As described above, when the lower unit 20 is pulled out from the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 2) and the lower unit 20 and the upper unit 21 are separated (as shown in FIG. 4), the upper surface of the lower casing 22 is opened. ing.
(1) Cassette holders The eight cassette holders 23 are arranged so that four are arranged in the front-rear direction (the direction connecting the front side and the back side in FIG. 4) and two are arranged on the left and right. Each cassette holder 23 includes four holding rails 25 extending in the vertical direction. The four holding rails 25 are arranged so as to form four corners of a square when viewed from above (see the cassette holder 23 on the right front side).
(2) Cassette FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cassette 4 as viewed obliquely from above, in which (a) shows a state where no prize 2 is stored, and (b) shows a plurality of prizes. 2 shows a state in which it is stored. As shown in FIG. 5, each cassette 4 is long in the vertical direction, and its flat cross section has a substantially U shape with the right side cut out in FIG. 5. In the cassette 4, the upper surface is opened to accommodate the prize 2 in the cassette 4, while the bottom surface is blocked so that the prize 2 accommodated in the cassette 4 does not fall from the cassette 4. .

  The right surface of the cassette 4 in FIG. 5 is continuously opened over the entire range in the vertical direction so as to form the above-described substantially U-shaped flat section, and the opened portion is defined as the open portion 28. That's it. The opening portion 28 is continuous with the upper surface opened in the cassette 4.

  Grooves 29 are formed on the front and rear surfaces of the cassette 4 so as to be recessed inward of the cassette 4 and extending vertically. Further, two grooves 29 are formed on the left side of the cassette 4 in FIG. 5 with a space in the front and rear direction (not shown in FIG. 5 but the right side of the cassette 4 shown alone in FIG. 4). See). These grooves 29 are used to guide loading of the cassette 4 when the cassette 4 is loaded into the lower casing 22 as will be described later.

  A handle 30 is attached to the upper end of the cassette 4. The handle 30 is substantially U-shaped having two free ends that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. In the handle 30, the front free end 30 </ b> A is supported by a portion above the groove 29 on the front surface of the cassette 4, and the rear free end (not shown) is formed in the groove 29 on the rear surface of the cassette 4. It is supported by the upper part. Thereby, the entire handle 30 is rotatably supported by the upper end of the cassette 4. Therefore, by appropriately rotating the handle 30, the handle 30 can be satisfactorily gripped and moved while the cassette 4 is hung.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the cassette 4 is, for example, a maximum of 100 (in the case of a prize of 3 mm thickness) in a stacked state in which a plurality of prizes 2 of a predetermined type are stacked in the vertical direction. About 1 sheet can be stored. In this state, the prize 2 in the stacked state is placed on the bottom wall 4 </ b> A of the cassette 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cassette 4 in which the prize 2 is stored is loaded into the lower casing 22 from above through the opened upper surface of the lower casing 22 and is held by the corresponding cassette holder 23. Specifically, as the cassette 4 is loaded, the four holding rails 25 of the corresponding cassette holder 23 are fitted into the four grooves 29 (see also FIG. 5) of each cassette 4 from the outside. It is positioned by being surrounded by the holding rail 25 from the outside. Thus, the cassette 4 is held by the corresponding cassette holder 23.

Here, in the lower casing 22, two cassette holders 23 are arranged side by side, so that the cassettes 4 held by the cassette holders 23 arranged side by side are arranged side by side. At this time, among the two cassettes 4 arranged side by side, the open portion 28 of the left cassette 4 and the open portion 28 of the right cassette 4 face each other in the horizontal direction. That is, each cassette 4 is loaded in the lower casing 22 so that the opening portion 28 faces the center in the width direction of the lower casing 22.
(3) Transport Mechanism Referring to FIG. 3, the four transport mechanisms 24 described above are arranged side by side in the lower casing 22 (in FIG. 3, one transport mechanism 24 is illustrated). ). Each transport mechanism 24 is disposed between the cassette holders 23 arranged side by side in the lower casing 22 (in other words, the cassettes 4 arranged side by side) (see FIG. 8 described later).

  6A and 6B are perspective views of the transport mechanism 24 as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 6A illustrates a state where the transport unit 32 is at the lower limit position, and FIG. 6B illustrates a state where the transport unit 32 is in the middle of ascent. Is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, each transport mechanism 24 includes a support rail 31 that extends in the vertical direction, a transport unit 32, and a motor (transport unit moving motor) 33.

  The transport unit 32 is supported by the support rail 31 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. In this state, the transport unit 32 faces the open portion 28 (see FIG. 5) of the cassette 4 loaded in one of the cassette holders 23 on the left and right sides of the transport mechanism 24 from the horizontal direction ( (See FIG. 8).

  The motor 33 is fixed to the lower end of the support rail 31. When the motor 33 is driven, the driving force of the motor 33 is transmitted to the transport unit 32 via a transmission member such as a belt or a chain, and the transport unit 32 is supported by the support rail 31 in the vertical direction. Slide. 6B, the transport unit 32 can take out the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 from the open portion 28 (see FIG. 5) of the cassette 4 and transport it upward. Here, the position of the transport unit 32 when in the vicinity of the upper limit is referred to as a standby position.

  Further, the transport mechanism 24 can rotate around a support rail 31 extending in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the transport unit 32 that has been directed to the right front with respect to the posture of FIG. 6 is directed to the left rear (not illustrated) as the transport mechanism 24 is rotated by 180 °. The rotation of the transport mechanism 24 will be described later again.

  7A to 7F are schematic diagrams for explaining a procedure when the transport unit 32 transports the prize 2 of the cassette 4.

  Here, before describing the procedure in which the transport unit 32 transports the prize 2 in the cassette 4, the counting function and transport function of the transport unit 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7F.

  7A to 7F, it is assumed that the transport unit 32 faces the opening portion 28 of the cassette 4 located on the left side with respect to the transport mechanism 24 from the right (see FIG. 8 described later). (See (d)), the left and right orientations of the transport unit 32 are specified based on the posture of the transport unit 32 at this time. Therefore, unlike the state shown in FIGS. 7A to 7F, when the transport unit 32 faces the opening portion 28 of the cassette 4 located on the right side with respect to the transport mechanism 24 from the left (described later). 8A to 8C), the left and right directions in the transport unit 32 are opposite to those when referring to FIGS. 7A to 7F.

The functions of the transport unit 32 include not only the function of transporting the prize 2 (transport function) described above, but also the function of counting the number of prizes 2 in each cassette 4 (counting function). Further, according to this transport function, the prizes 2 in the cassette 4 are not simply transported one by one, but the necessary number of prizes 2 can be transported collectively.
(3-1) Count Function As shown in FIG. 7A, the transport unit 32 includes a substantially box-shaped frame 35 (see also FIG. 6A). And a sensor 37. The aligning unit 36 and the sensor 37 constitute a counting unit 60 having a function of counting the prizes 2 stored in a stacked state in the cassette 4 one by one.

  Since the transport unit 32 is slidable in the vertical direction (stacking direction of the prize 2 in the cassette 4) as described above, the aligning unit 36 and the sensor 37 (counting unit 60) provided in the transport unit 32 are Relative displacement is possible in the vertical direction.

  The aligning portion 36 is a substantially trapezoidal rib provided integrally with the frame 35, and protrudes so as to narrow upward and downward toward the outer side in the width direction of the frame 35 (left side in FIG. 7A). The left end of the aligning portion 36 is the left surface of the frame 35 in FIG. 7A (the surface facing the open portion 28 (see FIG. 5) of the cassette 4 located on the left side with respect to the transport mechanism 24 and is referred to as the facing surface 35A). It protrudes to the left (cassette 4 side).

  The sensor 37 is attached to the facing surface 35A of the frame 35 at a position that coincides with the aligning portion 36 in the vertical direction. The sensor 37 is a so-called reflection-type optical sensor, and is a light-emitting element (not shown) composed of an infrared LED or the like, and light reflected from a detected object among light emitted from the light-emitting element (not shown). And a light receiving element (not shown).

  The transport unit 32 includes the aligning unit 36 and the sensor 37 (counting unit 60), so that the number of prizes 2 stored in the cassette 4 can be counted. The prize 2 is counted by controlling the driving device 201 (see FIG. 13) of the transport mechanism 24 and the optical sensor 37 by the control unit 200 (see FIG. 13) provided in the prize dispenser 1 or the prize dispensing unit. To be executed.

  When the counting is executed, first, the opposing surface 35A of the transport unit 32 is placed through the opening portion 28 of the cassette 4 with respect to the side surface 2A (right surface in FIG. 7A) 2A of the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 in a stacked state. Then, the conveyance unit 32 slides downward from the standby position described above in a state of facing from the right side. Here, the (right) side surface 2A of all prizes 2 stored in a stacked state in the cassette 4 is collectively referred to as a stacked side surface 2B. When the transport unit 32 slides downward, the aligning section 36 contacts the prize 2 stacked in the cassette 4 in order from the upper prize 2 from the right side through the opening section 28 of the cassette 4. Thereby, the prize 2 is pressed against the inner surface of the left wall of the cassette 4 in order from the prize 2 on the upper side. At this time, the sensor 37 faces the laminated side surface 2B from the right side with a predetermined interval.

  Then, when the alignment unit 36 finishes contacting all the prizes 2 and further the transport unit 32 slides downward until the sensor 37 reaches a position lower than the prize 2 at the lowest position, the prizes adjacent to each other in the cassette 4 vertically. The right edge of 2 is aligned by the aligning portion 36 so as to be aligned in a straight line along the vertical direction.

Note that an aligning portion 38 having a shape similar to the aligning portion 36 is provided on the right surface of the frame 35 in FIG. 7A (the surface facing the opening portion 28 of the cassette 4 located on the right side with respect to the transport mechanism 24). . Therefore, when the transport unit 32 slides up and down, the edge in the width direction of the prize 2 in each of the two cassettes 4 positioned on both the left and right sides with respect to the transport mechanism 24 is caused by the corresponding aligning portion 36 or 38. Aligned at once. Here, the operation in which the aligning portions 36 and 38 align the edges of the prize may be performed when the corresponding cassette 4 is loaded in the lower casing 22.

  After the edges of the prizes 2 are aligned, the transport unit 32 slides upward toward the standby position. As the transport unit 32 slides upward, the sensor 37 of the counting unit 60 rises in a state of facing the laminated side surface 2B of the prize 2 from the right side at a predetermined interval.

  While the sensor 37 is moving up, in the sensor 37, a light emitting element (not shown) projects light sequentially from the lower prize 2 toward the (right) side surface 2 </ b> A of the prize 2. The reflected light reflected by the side surface 2A is received by a light receiving element (not shown). Here, when the light from the light emitting element (not shown) is applied to the boundary X of the side surface 2A of the prize 2 adjacent to the top and bottom, the light receiving element ( The amount of reflected light (the amount of received light) received by the light (not shown) changes.

  Therefore, every time the amount of light received by the light receiving element (not shown) in the sensor 37 changes, the transport unit 32 counts that there is one prize 2. Then, according to the same procedure, the transport unit 32 counts the prizes 2 one by one in order from the lower prize 2 to count the number of prizes 2, and when returning to the standby position, the counting of all prizes 2 is completed. To do.

  As described above, the prize dispensing unit 5 includes the counting unit 60 having a function of counting the prizes 2 stored in the cassette 4 one by one. Therefore, in the prize dispenser 1 (see FIG. 2) that accommodates the prize dispensing unit 5, it is possible to grasp how many prizes 2 are accommodated in the cassette 4.

The counting results of the prizes 2 stacked vertically in each cassette 4 are the position information in the vertical direction of each prize 2 stored in each cassette 4 (that is, the position of the Nth prize 2 from the top in the vertical direction). Information).
(3-2) Transport Function The transport unit 32 includes a claw 40 (see also FIG. 6A), a support lever 41, a turning roller 42, a presser lever 43, and a frame 35 in relation to the transport function. , A cam 44, a link lever 45, and a motor (premium separation motor) 46 are further provided. The claw 40, the support lever 41, the turning roller 42, the presser lever 43, the cam 44, the link lever 45, and the motor 46 constitute a separation conveyance unit 70 (separation conveyance unit).

  A pair of claws 40 are provided with a gap in the front-rear direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 7A) (see also FIG. 6A). Each claw 40 extends from the end of the protruding portion 40A on the upstream side (right side) in the protruding direction of the protruding portion 40A to the right side (left side) of the cassette 4 and the lower end portion is bent to the right side. The extended portion 40B is integrally provided.

  The support levers 41 form a pair of two, and like the pair of claws 40, a pair (two sets) are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction. The two support levers 41 in each set are arranged so as to be lined up on the left and right, and in the state of FIG. 7A, both extend obliquely toward the upper right side. The lower end portion of each support lever 41 is supported by the frame 35. Thereby, each support lever 41 can rotate centering on each lower end part. The rotation shaft of the support lever 41 extends along the front-rear direction. And the upper end part of each support lever 41 is connected to the lower end part of the extension part 40B of the nail | claw 40 which is on the same side in the front-back direction. In this state, the upper end portion of each support lever 41 is rotatable with respect to the extended portion 40 </ b> B of the corresponding claw 40.

  When the support lever 41 is rotated around the lower end, the pair of claws 40 are moved away from the stacked side surface 2B of the prize 2 of the cassette 4 to the right side and are retracted to the right side from the facing surface 35A of the frame 35 (FIG. 7A). 7B) and the projecting portion 40A is located on the left side of the opposing surface 35A, and is in the substantially horizontal direction between the advanced position (see FIG. 7F) advanced to the left side of the laminated side surface 2B of the prize 2. You can move forward and backward.

  Specifically, when the support lever 41 is rotated to the limit in the clockwise direction in FIG. 7A around the lower end, the claw 40 is in the retracted position, and the support lever 41 is counterclockwise about the lower end. The pawl 40 is in the advanced position when rotated to the limit in the direction of rotation. The claw 40 is urged in a direction toward the advanced position by a urging member (not shown), and accordingly, the support lever 41 is urged in a counterclockwise direction centering on the lower end portion. .

  The turning roller 42 is disposed at the upper end of the facing surface 35 </ b> A of the frame 35 and is supported by the frame 35. The turning roller 42 is rotatable around an axis extending in the front-rear direction. A part (left end portion) of the outer peripheral surface of the turning roller 42 protrudes to the left side (the cassette 4 side) from the facing surface 35A of the frame 35. The rotation axis of the turning roller 42 is slightly higher than the protrusion 40A of the claw 40.

  The presser lever 43 extends upward and becomes thinner toward the upper side. The presser lever 43 is exposed to the left side from the facing surface 35A of the frame 35 as it goes upward, and is slightly tilted to the stacked side surface 2B side (left side) of the prize 2 of the cassette 4. A support shaft 43A extending in the front-rear direction is inserted in the middle of the presser lever 43 in the up-down direction. The support shaft 43 </ b> A is supported by the frame 35. Thereby, the presser lever 43 is swingable with respect to the support shaft 43A around the support shaft 43A. The presser lever 43 is urged by an urging member (not shown) so that the upper end portion thereof approaches the laminated side surface 2B of the prize 2 (toward the left side).

  On the right edge that does not oppose the laminated side surface 2B of the prize 2 by the presser lever 43, a notch 43B that is recessed in a substantially V shape to the left is formed in a portion below the support shaft 43A.

  The cam 44 is disposed near the notch 43B of the presser lever 43 (specifically, on the right side of the notch 43B). The cam 44 includes a cylindrical portion 44A that extends in the front-rear direction and is rotatably supported by the frame 35, and a convex portion 44B that protrudes radially outward of the cylindrical portion 44A at one location on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 44A. Is integrated.

  In FIG. 7A, the convex portion 44B of the cam 44 faces the left side, and is in contact with the portion below the notch 43B on the right edge of the presser lever 43 from the right side. This restricts the presser lever 43 from swinging in a direction in which the upper end portion of the presser lever 43 approaches the laminated side surface 2B of the prize 2. In this state, the presser lever 43 is positioned on the right side by a predetermined distance with respect to the stacked side surface 2B of the prize 2.

  A pair of link levers 45 are provided at an interval in the front-rear direction. The link lever 45 is disposed below the cam 44 and on the side closer to the prize 2 (left side) than the support lever 41 on the same side in the front-rear direction. A support shaft 45 </ b> A extending in the front-rear direction is inserted into one end portion of the link lever 45 in the longitudinal direction. The support shaft 45A is rotatably supported by the frame 35. Thereby, the link lever 45 is rotatable with the support shaft 45A around the support shaft 45A. A boss 45B protruding in the front-rear direction is integrally provided at the other longitudinal end of the link lever 45.

  In FIG. 7A, the boss 45B is on the right side of the support shaft 45A, and on the left side (the prize 2 side of the cassette 4) with respect to a pair of support levers 41 (specifically, the left support lever 41) on the same side in the front-rear direction. ) To position the support lever 41, whereby the claw 40 is positioned at the retracted position.

  The motor 46 is disposed at a position higher than the link lever 45, for example. An output shaft 46A of the motor 46 extends in the front-rear direction.

  An endless first belt 47 is wound between the output shaft 46A of the motor 46 and the rotation shaft (support shaft 45A) of the link lever 45. An endless second belt 48 is wound between the rotation shaft of the link lever 45 and the rotation shaft of the cam 44 (cylindrical portion 44A). An endless third belt 49 is wound between the rotation shaft of the cam 44 and the swing shaft (support shaft 43A) of the presser lever 43. An endless fourth belt 50 is wound between the swing shaft of the presser lever 43 and the rotating shaft of the turning roller 42.

  When the motor 46 is driven, the driving force generated by the motor 46 is transmitted via the first belt 47, the second belt 48, the third belt 49, and the fourth belt 50 to the link lever 45, the cam 44, and the turning roller 42. Are transmitted in this order. As a result, the link lever 45, the cam 44, and the turning roller 42 rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. 7A. On the other hand, the driving force generated by the motor 46 is not transmitted to the presser lever 43.

  The frame 35 is provided with a first sensor 51 and a second sensor 52. The first sensor 51 detects the position of the support lever 41. The second sensor 52 detects the position of the link lever 45.

  Next, a procedure in which the transport unit 32 transports the prize 2 in the cassette 4 will be described.

  First, in a state where the transport unit 32 is in the standby position (near the upper limit) and the claw 40 is in the retracted position, an instruction to pay out the prize 2 by a predetermined payout number (here, 1) is given. The control unit 200 goes down to the transport unit 32. As a result, the transport unit 32 descends in a state where the facing surface 35A of the frame 35 faces the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4 from the right (see a thick arrow). The transport unit 32 counts the stacked prizes 2 in order from the top prize 2 as described above by the sensor 37 of the counting unit 60 as it descends.

  Then, when the transport unit 32 counts the prize 2 up to the payout number (here, 1), as shown in FIG. 7B, the protrusion 40A of the claw 40 is located at the boundary X between the prize 2 to be paid out and the prize 2 not to be paid out. Further descends until they match in the vertical direction (see thick arrows).

  As shown in FIG. 7C, when the protrusion 40A of the claw 40 coincides with the boundary X between the prize 2 to be paid out and the prize 2 not to be paid out in the vertical direction, the transport unit 32 stops descending and stops. At this time, the motor 46 is driven, and thereby the turning roller 42, the cam 44, and the link lever 45 in the separation conveyance unit 70 start to rotate (turn) clockwise.

Here, in the turning roller 42, a part of the outer peripheral surface (left end portion) is in contact with the side surface (right surface) 2 </ b> A of the prize 2 that is the lowermost of the prizes 2 to be paid out. Therefore, the prize 2 is turned up by the turning roller 42 when the turning roller 42 rotates clockwise. As a result, a gap Y is formed between the prize 2 to be paid out and the prize 2 not to be paid out. Here, since the number of prizes 2 to be paid out is one, one prize 2 is turned up. However, when a plurality of prizes 2 are paid out, the prize 2 is the lowermost of the prizes 2 to be paid out. As the prize 2 is turned up by the turning roller 42, all of the plural prizes 2 are turned up as a lump (a prize group).

  At this time, the convex portion 44B of the cam 44 coincides with the notch 43B of the presser lever 43 as the cam 44 rotates. As a result, the restriction of the swinging of the presser lever 43 by the convex portion 44B of the cam 44 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) is released, and the presser lever 43 has a direction in which the notch 43B approaches the convex portion 44B of the cam 44. (In other words, the direction in which the upper end of the presser lever 43 approaches the laminated side surface 2B of the prize 2) is swung. Accordingly, the upper end portion of the presser lever 43 presses the prize 2 not to be paid out, which is directly below the prize 2 to be paid out, from the diagonally upper side (upper right side). Thereby, even if the turning roller 42 turns up the prize 2 to be paid out, the prize 2 that is not paid out immediately below the prize 2 is not turned up.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7D, when the motor 46 is continuously driven and the turning roller 42 further rotates clockwise, the prize 2 to be paid out is further turned up, and the prize 2 to be paid out and the prize 2 to be paid out are not provided. And the gap Y increases. At this time as well, the presser lever 43 presses the premium 2 that is not paid out, which is directly below the premium 2 to be paid out, from the upper side.

  Further, as described above, when the link lever 45 rotates (rotates) in the clockwise direction, the boss 45B that is in contact with the support lever 41 from the left side (the prize 2 side of the cassette 4) is The cassette 4 moves to the prize 2 side (left side) while rotating in the clockwise direction while maintaining the state in contact with 41. Note that a portion (left edge) of the support lever 41 that is in contact with the boss 45B is curved along the turning locus of the boss 45B so that the boss 45B can be smoothly rotated.

  Since the support lever 41 is urged counterclockwise around the lower end as described above, the counterclockwise direction as the boss 45B of the link lever 45 moves to the left. Move to (left side). Accordingly, the claw 40 connected to the link lever 45 also moves to the left. Here, since the protruding portion 40A of the claw 40 coincides with the boundary X between the prize 2 to be paid out and the prize 2 to be not paid out (see also FIG. 7C), as the claw 40 moves to the left side. From the boundary X, the player enters the gap Y and starts separating the prize 2 to be paid out and the prize 2 not to be paid out.

  Thereafter, when the motor 46 is continuously driven and the link lever 45 further rotates clockwise, the boss 45B of the link lever 45 is momentarily disengaged to the left with respect to the support lever 41. As a result, the support lever 41 rotates at once in the counterclockwise direction (left side), and accordingly, the protruding portion 40A of the claw 40 moves to the left side in the gap Y described above.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7E, the boss 45B of the link lever 45 that is momentarily detached from the support lever 41 comes into contact with the support lever 41 again from the left side, thereby rotating the support lever 41 and the claw 40. The movement stops. At this time, the nail | claw 40 exists in the advance position mentioned above.

  That is, when the boss 45B of the link lever 45 is momentarily disengaged to the left with respect to the support lever 41, the claw 40 reaches the advanced position in an instant. When the claw 40 is not in the advanced position, the support lever 41 is coincident with the first sensor 51 (see FIGS. 7A to 7D), while when the claw 40 is in the advanced position, the support lever 41 is the first sensor 51. Since it leaves | separates (refer FIG. 7E and FIG. 7F), the 1st sensor 51 detects that the nail | claw 40 reached | attained the advance position according to the support lever 41 leaving | separating.

The claw 40 that has reached the advance position scoops up the prize 2 to be paid out, thereby giving out the prize 2
Are completely separated from the prize 2 that is not paid out, and all the prizes 2 (only one in this case) are placed on the protruding portion 40A of the claw 40. At this time as well, the presser lever 43 presses the premium 2 that is not paid out, which is directly below the premium 2 to be paid out, from the upper side. Further, when all the prizes 2 to be paid out are placed on the protrusions 40A of the claws 40, the driving of the motor 46 is stopped.

  After the prize 2 to be paid out and the prize 2 not to be paid out are completely separated in this way, as shown in FIG. 7F, the transport unit 32 moves upward toward the standby position (see thick solid arrow). Thereby, all the prizes 2 placed on the protrusions 40A of the claw 40 of the transport unit 32 rise together with the transport unit 32 (see also FIG. 6B). That is, the transport unit 32 (specifically, the separation transport unit 70) transports the payout number 2 of prizes upward.

  When the prize 2 placed on the protruding portion 40A of the claw 40 is paid out to the customer (specifically, when it is delivered to the upper unit 21 side as shown in FIG. 9 described later), the motor 46 is turned on again. Driven.

  As a result, the cam 44 rotates clockwise (at this time, the cam 44 has completed one rotation), and the convex portion 44B of the cam 44 faces again to the left as shown in FIG. The right side edge of the presser lever 43 comes into contact with the portion below the notch 43B from the right side. As a result, the presser lever 43 is positioned in a state where the presser lever 43 is positioned on the right side by a predetermined distance with respect to the stacked side surface 2B of the prize 2 (in a state where it does not contact the prize 2).

  Further, when the link lever 45 is rotated in the clockwise direction from the state shown in FIG. 7F, the boss 45B is in a direction away from the laminated side surface 2B of the prize 2 in a state where the boss 45B is in contact with the support lever 41 from the left side ( Move to the right). At this time, the support lever 41 is rotated in the clockwise direction (right side) by being pushed by the boss 45B, and accordingly, the claw 40 is moved to the right side and the rotation of the link lever 45 is stopped. At this time (at this time, the link lever 45 has finished one rotation), it returns to the retracted position shown in FIG. 7A.

  In the case described above (referred to as the first case), the transport unit 32 counts the prize 2 by the counting unit 60 for the amount to be paid out (for the number of payouts), and then separates and delivers the prize 2 to be paid out. The portion 70 is transported separately from the remaining prizes 2 in the cassette 4.

  However, the transport unit 32 previously counts the number of all prizes 2 in the cassette 4 as described above, so that the position of each prize 2 is grasped in advance from the counting result, and then the transport unit 32 is accompanied by a counting operation. Instead, the prize 2 may be simply conveyed. In this case (referred to as the second case), the transport unit 32 moves to the prize 2 to be paid out based on the position information of the prize 2 grasped as described above before the prize 2 is conveyed. (See FIG. 7C), the prize 2 is separated and conveyed by the separation conveyance unit 70.

  Here, in any case (the first case and the second case described above), the separation and conveyance unit 70 of the conveyance unit 32 is the counting unit 60 (specifically, counting) in the prize 2 stored in the cassette 4. Using the position information of each prize 2 obtained by counting by the unit 60), a prize group corresponding to a predetermined payout number is identified (see FIG. 7C), and the identified prize group is separated from other prizes 2. It is transported upward (predetermined direction) (see FIG. 6B and FIG. 7F). Thereby, when paying out the prizes 2 of a predetermined payout number, the prizes 2 corresponding to the payout number can be conveyed quickly without being separated and conveyed one by one (see FIG. 6B). The time required for paying out the prize 2 can be shortened.

Moreover, since the counting unit 60 described above is provided in the transport unit 32, the separation transport unit 70 is also provided in the transport unit 32, and thus the counting unit 60 and the separation transport unit 70 are integrated. . Thereby, compared with the case where each of the counting unit 60 and the separating and conveying unit 70 exists alone, the prize dispensing unit 5 suppresses an increase in the size of the apparatus due to the mechanism for separating and conveying the prize 2, and the prize dispensing unit The configuration of 5 can be simplified.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic front sectional view of the prize dispensing unit 5.

  Each transport mechanism 24 is disposed in the lower casing 22 between the cassette holders 23 arranged side by side (cassettes 4 arranged side by side).

  Then, the facing surface 35A of the frame 35 of the transport unit 32 of the transport mechanism 24 first faces the right cassette 4 loaded in the right cassette holder 23 from the left as shown in FIG. 8A, for example. . Then, according to the above-described procedure, the prize 2 stored in the right cassette 4 is conveyed to the upper unit 21 in the order from the upper prize 2 by the number of payouts (see FIG. 8B).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 8C, when all the prizes 2 in the right cassette 4 are transported and the right cassette 4 becomes empty, as shown in FIG. As described above, the support rail 31 that extends in the vertical direction is rotated by 180 ° (see the thick arrow in FIG. 8D).

  Thus, the facing surface 35A of the frame 35 of the transport unit 32 faces the left cassette 4 loaded in the left cassette holder 23 from the right, and this time, the prize 2 stored in the left cassette 4 is moved upward. Can be separated and transported upward in the order described above.

In this way, one transport mechanism 24 is arranged between the left and right cassettes 4 and counts and separates the prizes 2 in these two cassettes 4. That is, the transport mechanism 24 (one set of integrated counting unit 60 and separation transport unit 70) and the cassette 4 are in a one-to-two relationship, and one transport mechanism 24 is arranged side by side. The prize 2 stored in each of the two cassettes 4 can be dealt with.
[2-2-2] Upper Unit FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the upper unit 21 with the inside exposed, as viewed obliquely from above, and also shows the transport mechanism 24.

  Next, the upper unit 21 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the upper unit 21 includes an upper casing 80 that forms an outline thereof, a storage box 81 and an elevator 82 that are disposed in the upper casing 80 (see FIG. 10 that is not shown in FIG. 9 and will be described later). ). The holding box 81 functions as a receiving unit and a conveying unit.

  The upper casing 80 has a box shape that is long in the front-rear direction and flat in the vertical direction. In FIG. 9, the front wall and the right wall of the upper casing 80 are omitted. In the upper casing 80, the upper surface is open.

  Further, six openings 83 communicating with the inside of the upper casing 80 are formed on the bottom surface of the upper casing 80. The six openings 83 are formed so that three are arranged in the front and rear and two in the left and right. Each of the openings 83 has a rectangular shape that is long in the front-rear direction. In particular, in the three openings 83 arranged in the front-rear direction, the opening 83 in the middle is about twice as large in the front-rear direction as the remaining openings 83.

  In a state where the lower unit 20 is in the cabinet 3 (see FIG. 2) (the lower unit 20 and the upper unit 21 are integrated, see FIG. 3), each opening 83 has a corresponding cassette 4 (see FIG. 3). 4)) from above.

  That is, in the three openings 83 arranged in the front and rear on the left side, the frontmost opening 83 faces the upper surface of the frontmost cassette 4 among the four cassettes 4 arranged in the front and rear on the left side in the lower unit 20. (See also FIG. 4). Further, in the three openings 83 arranged on the left side in the front-rear direction, the rearmost opening 83 is the upper side of the upper side of the rearmost cassette 4 among the four cassettes 4 arranged in the front-rear direction on the left side in the lower unit 20. (See also Fig. 4). On the other hand, the opening 83 in the middle in the front-rear direction faces the upper surface of the second and third cassettes 4 from the front among the four cassettes 4 arranged in the front-rear direction (see also FIG. 4). The same applies to the three openings 83 arranged on the right side in the front-rear direction.

  Two hold boxes 81 are provided on the left and right (in FIG. 9, only one hold box 81 is shown). The holding box 81 is a box shape that is slightly thin on the left and right, and its upper and bottom surfaces are open.

  The flat cross section of the storage box 81 is substantially U-shaped like the cassette 4 (see FIG. 5). In the left holding box 81 shown in FIG. 9, the right surface is opened in the entire area in the vertical direction, and in the right holding box 81 not shown, the left surface is opened in the entire area in the vertical direction. In each holding box 81, the part opened in this way is referred to as an open part 84. The opening portion 84 is continuous with both the opened top surface and bottom surface of the storage box 81.

  The left holding box 81 is supported by the left wall of the upper casing 80 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and the right holding box 81 (not shown) is slidable in the front-rear direction by the right wall of the upper casing 80. It is supported. The left and right holding boxes 81 can be slid independently by a motor (not shown) without being interlocked with each other.

  Each holding box 81 passes above the three openings 83 arranged in the front-rear direction on the same side in the left-right direction when sliding back and forth.

  Here, referring to the frontmost opening 83 on the left side, as described above, the transport unit 32 (separation transport unit 70) moves the premium 2 of the cassette 4 (see FIG. 4) below the opening 83 upward. When transporting, the storage box 81 on the same side in the left-right direction (here, the storage box 81 on the left side) moves so as to be positioned directly above the prize 2 to be transported, and then waits at this position.

  The prize 2 transported upward by the separating and transporting unit 70 of the transport unit 32 has an opening 83 (here, the frontmost opening 83 on the left side) above the cassette 4 in which the prize 2 is stored. , And sequentially passes through the open bottom surface of the waiting holding box 81 and is accommodated in the holding box 81. That is, the holding box 81 is disposed above (adjacent in the vertical direction) with respect to the cassette 4 and receives the prize 2 conveyed by the separation conveyance unit 70. Thereafter, the transport unit 32 returns to the original position (the standby position described above).

  When the prize 2 is stored in the holding box 81, a claw (not shown) provided in the holding box 81 protrudes into the holding box 81, so that the prize 2 at the lowest side in the holding box 81 Engage from below. Thereby, the prize 2 accommodated in the holding box 81 does not fall from the bottom surface of the holding box 81.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the upper unit 21 with the inside exposed, and shows the elevator 82. FIG. 11 shows a state in which the expansion / contraction mechanism 87 of the elevator 82 is changed to the extended state in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the elevator 82 is at a substantially central position in the front-rear direction of the bottom wall of the upper casing 80, and extends in the front-rear direction between the openings 83 adjacent to the left and right in the bottom wall of the upper casing 80 (referred to as ribs 85). .) Attached from above. In this state, the elevator 82 can move back and forth on the rib 85. The elevator 82 includes two horizontal plate-like stages 86 disposed on the left and right sides with an interval therebetween, and an expansion / contraction mechanism 87.

  Of the two stages 86, the left stage 86 faces from the top to the middle opening 83 of the three openings 83 arranged on the left and front and back, and the right stage 86 is arranged three on the right and front and back. It faces the middle opening 83 of the opening 83 from above. In this state, the two stages 86 are connected and integrated by a connecting member 88.

  The expansion / contraction mechanism 87 has a so-called pantograph structure, and can change the posture into a contracted state that is flattened up and down and an extended state that extends upward (see FIG. 11) as shown in FIG. In the expansion / contraction mechanism 87, the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction (referred to as a rising portion 89) rises most when the expansion / contraction mechanism 87 changes its posture from the contracted state to the extended state. When the telescopic mechanism 87 changes its posture between the contracted state and the extended state, the rising portion 89 moves up and down linearly along the vertical direction. A connecting member 88 that connects the two stages 86 is attached to the rising portion 89 of the telescopic mechanism 87 from above.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the telescopic mechanism 87 is in the contracted state, each stage 86 is at a position lower than the bottom surface of the holding box 81 on the same side in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 11, when the telescopic mechanism 87 is in the extended state, each stage 86 is more than the holding box 81 on the left and right sides (only the left holding box 81 is shown in FIG. 10). It is in a high position and coincides with the outlet 8 (see FIG. 2) at the same position in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the cabinet 3.

  Here, when the prize 2 is accommodated in the holding box 81 as described above, the holding box 81 slides in the front-rear direction, and as shown in FIG. 10, just above the stage 86 on the same side in the left-right direction. Stop (in other words, directly below the payout opening 8). That is, the holding box 81 conveys the received prize 2 to a predetermined position (directly above the stage 86 and directly below the payout opening 8). At this time, the expansion / contraction mechanism 87 is in a contracted state.

  As described above, since the holding box 81 holds the prize 2 conveyed by the conveyance unit 32 (see FIG. 9) to the payout exit 8 side, and holds the prize 2 below the payout outlet 8, It functions as the second transport unit 11 and the holding unit 12 described above. With the holding box 81, the prize 2 conveyed from the cassette 4 can be reliably conveyed toward the payout opening 8.

  When the prize 2 of the cassette 4 located immediately below the stage 86 is paid out, the entire elevator 82 including the stage 86 is shifted to either the front or back with respect to the cassette 4. When the prize 2 conveyed from the cassette 4 is accommodated in the holding box 81, the elevator 82 returns to the original position so that the stage 86 is disposed directly below the payout opening 8.

When the hold box 81 thus transports the prize 2 to a predetermined position (directly above the stage 86 and directly below the payout port 8), as shown in FIG.
Change posture to stretched state. As a result, the stage 86 located just below the holding box 81 moves up along the vertical direction. At this time, the stage 86 passes through the opened bottom surface of the holding box 81, and then pushes up the bottom surface of the prize 2 located at the lowermost side among the prizes 2 accommodated in the holding box 81 from below. As a result, all the prizes 2 accommodated in the holding box 81 rise while being placed on the stage 86.

  When the telescopic mechanism 87 is in the extended state, all the prizes 2 accommodated in the holding box 81 are lifted by the stage 86 and moved upward from the opened upper surface of the holding box 81. At this time, the payout opening 8 (see FIG. 2) at the same position in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the cabinet 3 is opened, and the prize 2 moved upward from the opened upper surface of the holding box 81 is opened. It is exposed to the upper surface of the cabinet 3 from the discharge outlet 8. That is, the elevator 82 lifts the prize 2 transported to a predetermined position (directly above the stage 86 and directly below the outlet 8) by the holding box 81 to the outlet 8 and thus functions as the lift unit 13 described above. ing. By the elevator 82, the prize 2 conveyed from the cassette 4 by the separation conveyance unit 70 (see FIG. 9) of the conveyance unit 32 can be reliably conveyed toward the payout opening 8 of the prize dispenser 1.

  Here, referring to FIG. 2, the shutter 9 that opens and closes the dispensing outlet 8 is shifted to the front side (the clerk side) with respect to the dispensing outlet 8 when the dispensing outlet 8 is opened (this state is not shown). ). When the prize 2 is exposed from the payout opening 8 as described above, the shutter 9 slides to the rear side (customer side), and closes the payout opening 8 while pushing the prize 2 toward the rear customer. Thereafter, the telescopic mechanism 87 returns to the contracted state (see FIG. 10).

  FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the prize dispenser 1.

  With reference to FIG. 12, the payout operation of the prize 2 in each prize payout unit 5 of the prize dispenser 1 of the present invention described above is summarized. In addition, the thick line arrow of FIG. 12 has shown the flow of the prize 2 (refer FIG.5 (b)) paid out.

In each prize paying unit 5, the prizes 2 stored in the respective cassettes 4 of the lower unit 20 are separated by a necessary number (the number of payouts) and then transported upward and delivered into the upper unit 21. Thereafter, the prize 2 delivered to the upper unit 21 is transported to a central position (below the outlet 8). Next, the shutter 9 of the payout port 8 is opened, and the prize 2 is lifted up to the payout port 8 by the elevator 82, and finally, the rear side (the left side in FIG. 12) by the shutter 9 trying to close the payout port 8. ) And paid out to customers.
[3] Electrical configuration of the prize dispenser 1 FIG. 13 shows an electrical configuration of the prize dispenser 1.

  The prize dispenser 1 includes a control unit 200. The control unit 200 performs prize payout control, prize counting control, prize inventory quantity management, communication with the prize management machine 100, and the like. The control unit 200 includes a driving device 201 for the transport mechanism 24, an optical sensor 37, a driving device 202 for the holding box 81, a driving device 203 for the elevator 82, a driving device 204 for the shutter 9, a door open / close detector 205, a communication unit 206, An operation unit 207, a customer display unit 7A, an attendant display unit 7B, a storage unit 208, and the like are connected. As the storage unit 208, a rewritable nonvolatile memory is used. The control unit 200 includes a payout control unit 200 a that executes a payout process for a prize, a count control unit 200 b that executes a prize count process, a communication control unit 200 c that performs communication with the prize management machine 100, and the like.

The drive device 201 of the transport mechanism 24 includes a motor 33 for moving the transport unit 32 and a motor 46 mounted on the transport unit 32 and for separating prizes. The drive device 202 for the holding box 81 includes a motor for moving the holding box 81. The drive device 203 of the elevator 82 includes a motor for moving the elevator 82 and a solenoid (or motor) for extending / contracting the expansion / contraction mechanism 87. The drive device 204 for the shutter 9 includes a motor for opening and closing (sliding) the shutter 9.

  The storage unit 208 is provided with an inventory management table for managing inventory of prizes in the prize dispenser 1. As shown in FIG. 14, the inventory management table includes a “cassette-by-cassette gift type table TA1”, a “cassette-by-cassette inventory table TA2”, and a “by-product type inventory management table TA3”.

  The “cassette-by-cassette prize type table TA1” (see FIG. 14A) is a table in which the types of prizes stored in each cassette are stored. The “cassette inventory management table TA2” (see FIG. 14B) is a table that stores the “stock number of premiums” for each cassette. “Premium type-specific inventory management table TA3” (see FIG. 14C) is a table for storing “Premium inventory quantity” for each premium type. The contents of the storage unit 208 are retained without being erased even when the power is turned off.

  FIG. 15 shows a cassette number (cassette No.) assigned to each cassette and specific examples of types of prizes stored in each cassette. Each column of the eight cassettes is referred to as a first column, a second column, a third column,..., An eighth column in order from the leftmost column when viewed from the front side (front side in FIG. 2) of the prize dispenser 1. I will decide. As viewed from the front side (front side in FIG. 2) of the gift dispenser 1, the cassette number is such that the number on the left side is smaller, and the number on the front side is smaller between cassettes in the same row. Assigned to each cassette. In this embodiment, cassette numbers 1 to 32 are assigned to the respective cassettes.

In this embodiment, extra large prizes (equivalent to 5000 yen) are stored in the first and second row cassettes, and large prizes (equivalent to 1,000 yen) are stored in the third and fourth row cassettes. Middle prizes (equivalent to 500 yen) are stored in the fifth and sixth row cassettes, and small prizes (equivalent to 100 yen) are stored in the seventh and eighth row cassettes.
[4] Electrical configuration of the prize manager 100 FIG. 16 shows an electrical configuration of the prize manager 100.

  The giveaway management machine 100 includes a control unit 300. The control unit 300 performs a prize payout control for the subordinate prize dispenser 1, count control for the subordinate prize dispenser 1, communication with the subordinate prize dispenser 1 and the management computer 150, and the like.

A communication unit 301, a barcode reader 302, a printing unit 303, an operation unit 304, a customer display unit 305, a staff display unit 306, a storage unit 307, and the like are connected to the control unit 300. The control unit 300 includes a payout control unit 300a that causes the prize dispenser 1 to execute a prize payout process, a count control unit 300b that causes the prize dispenser 1 to execute a prize count process, a subordinate prize dispenser 1 and other prize management machines. 100 includes a communication control unit 300c for communicating with 100.
[5] Processing by the prize dispenser 1 and the prize management machine 100 The clerk display unit 7B of each prize dispenser 1 (in this example, a display unit with a touch panel) is in a standby state, for example, FIG. A screen as shown in FIG. 17B is displayed.

The screen in FIG. 17A is a screen that displays the number of premium stocks. On this screen, there is a title “Number of prizes in stock”, a message “You can pay out”, the number of prizes in each prize type, and a diagram that schematically shows the types of prizes stored in each cassette, Various buttons are displayed. The diagram schematically showing the types of prizes stored in each cassette is a box that represents each cassette, characters that represent the prize types (extra large, large, medium, small) displayed in the box, and the box. And the color indicating the type of the prize to be displayed. Note that the color representing the prize type is determined in advance, and the color representing the type of the prize is attached to the outer surface of each prize.

  The various buttons include a display switching button, a menu button, and an inventory confirmation button. The menu button is a button for displaying a menu screen. The stock confirmation button is a button for inputting a stock confirmation command. The display switching button is a button for switching the current screen to a screen that displays the number of different types of premium stocks shown in FIG.

  In the screen of FIG. 17B, a title “Inventory by cassette”, a message “You can pay out”, a diagram schematically showing the number of premium stock for each cassette, and various buttons are displayed. ing. A diagram schematically showing the number of premiums in stock for each cassette is displayed in a box indicating each cassette, characters indicating premium types (extra large, large, medium, small) displayed in the box, and in the box. , A number representing the number of prizes in the cassette corresponding to the box, and a color representing the kind of prize displayed in the box. The various buttons include a display switching button, a menu button, and an inventory confirmation button. The display switching button is a button for switching the current screen to the screen shown in FIG.

The operation unit 304 of the gift management machine 100 is provided with an inventory confirmation button, a numeric keypad, and the like. When the inventory confirmation button of the operation unit 304 of the prize management machine 100 is operated, the prize management machine 100 transmits an inventory confirmation command to the subordinate prize dispenser 1.
[6] Processing by the prize dispenser 103 FIG. 18 shows a procedure of processing executed by the prize dispenser 1.

  When the power is turned on (YES in step S1), the control unit 200 of the gift dispenser 1 performs an inventory confirmation process (step S2). This inventory confirmation process is a process for confirming whether or not the actual premium inventory content in the prize dispenser 1 matches the inventory management data in the storage unit 208. Details of the inventory confirmation process will be described later.

  When the stock confirmation processing in step S2 is completed, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the prize dispensing command from the prize management machine 100 has been received (step S3), and the door 6 of the prize dispensing machine 1 has been closed from the open state. Is detected (step S4), whether an inventory confirmation command is input (step S5), and whether an inventory confirmation command is received from the prize management machine 100 (step S6). Such monitoring is repeatedly performed until the power is turned off (YES in step S10).

  The prize payout command in step S3 is a command transmitted from the prize management machine 100 when the prize management machine 100 has read the number of game media recorded in the barcode on the receipt. This prize payout command includes information regarding the type and number of prizes to be paid out. Whether or not it is detected that the door 6 has been closed from the open state in step S4 is determined based on the output of the door opening / closing detector 205.

  The stock confirmation command in step S5 is input by operating a stock confirmation button in a screen (for example, the screen shown in FIG. 17) displayed on the clerk display unit 7B while the premium dispenser 1 is on standby. . The inventory confirmation command in step S6 is a command transmitted from the prize management machine 100 due to the operation of the inventory confirmation button on the operation unit 304 of the prize management machine 100.

When a prize payout command is received from the prize management machine 100 (YES in step S3), the control unit 200 performs a prize payout / inventory management data update process (step S7). FIG.
Reference numeral 9 denotes a premium payout / inventory management data update process in step S7. First, the control unit 200 determines one or a plurality of cassettes to which a prize is to be paid out and the number of payouts from each cassette, based on the number of payouts for each prize type sent from the prize management machine 100. The prize is paid out according to the determined content (step S21).

  Then, the control unit 200 updates the inventory management data (step 22). Specifically, the contents of the “cassette-by-cassette inventory management table TA2” (see FIG. 14B) and the “gift-by-species inventory management table TA3” in the storage unit 208 are updated. That is, among the data for each cassette in the “cassette inventory management table TA2” (the number of premium stocks), the data of the cassette for which the premium has been paid out is updated by subtracting the number of the payout from the cassette. Further, the control unit 200 determines the number of prize stocks for each prize type based on the number of prize stocks for each cassette in the updated “cassette inventory management table TA2” and the contents of the “cassette prize type table TA1”. Based on the calculation result, the number of premium stocks in the “price type-specific inventory management table TA3” is updated.

  In other words, when the prize is paid out, the inventory management data (data in the tables TA2 and TA3) in the storage unit 208 is obtained by the prize payout / inventory management data update process in step S7 executed in response thereto. Is updated. When the inventory management data is updated, the process proceeds to step S4 in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 18, when it is detected that the door 6 of the gift dispenser 1 is closed from the open state (YES in step S4), the control unit 200 performs a counting / inventory management data update process (step S8). . FIG. 20 shows the counting / inventory management data update process in step S8. First, the control unit 200 performs a prize counting process (step S31). Specifically, using the counting function of the transport mechanism 24, the number of premium inventory for each cassette is counted.

  When the counting process ends, the control unit 200 updates the inventory management data (step S32). Specifically, the control unit 200 uses the data for each cassette in the “cassette inventory management table TA2” (see FIG. 14B) as a count value (the number of free gift inventory) obtained by the counting process for the cassette. Update to Further, the control unit 200 determines the number of prize stocks for each prize type based on the number of prize stocks for each cassette in the updated “cassette inventory management table TA2” and the contents of the “cassette prize type table TA1”. Based on the calculation result, the number of premium stocks in the “price type-specific inventory management table TA3” is updated.

  When the prize dispenser 1 is replenished with a prize, the door 6 of the prize dispenser 1 is closed from the open state, so that the counting / inventory management data update process in step S8 is performed. That is, when the premium is replenished, the inventory management data (data in the tables TA2 and TA3) in the storage unit 208 is obtained by the counting / inventory management data update process in step S8 executed in response to the supplement. Updated. When a premium is replenished, the number of the premium supplemented with the premium and the number of premiums (replenishment number) supplemented to the cassette are input to an attendant or the like, and based on the input data. Thus, the data in the tables TA2 and TA3 may be updated. When the inventory management data is updated, the process proceeds to step S5 in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 18, when an inventory confirmation command is input (YES in step S5), or when an inventory confirmation command is received from the giveaway management machine 100 (YES in step S6), the control unit 200 determines whether the inventory A confirmation process is performed (step S9). This inventory confirmation process is the same as the inventory confirmation process in step S2. Details of this processing will be described later. When the inventory check process in step S9 ends, the control unit 200 proceeds to step S10. If the power of the gift dispenser 1 is not turned off in step S10, the process returns to step S3.

  FIG. 21 shows the detailed procedure of the inventory confirmation process in steps S2 and S9 in FIG.

In this inventory confirmation process, the control unit 200 first performs a prize counting process (step S41). Specifically, using the counting function of the transport mechanism 24, the number of premium inventory for each cassette is counted. Then, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the premium inventory content (actual premium inventory content) obtained from the counting result matches the inventory management data in the storage unit 208 (step S42).
At this time, as the inventory management data in the storage unit 208, the last data update (for example, when the inventory management data is reset when the closing process after closing the store is completed, etc.), the storage unit (Including the case where the inventory management data in 208 is zeroed) is stored. If the current inventory check process is the inventory check process in step S2 of FIG. 18, the update result when the inventory management data in the storage unit 208 is updated last is turned off before the power is turned off. It is stored in the storage unit 208. If the current inventory confirmation process is the inventory confirmation process in step S9 of FIG. 18, the inventory management data in the storage unit 208 is updated last before the process of step S9 is performed. The update result is stored in the storage unit 208.

  Specifically, the control unit 200 determines whether the premium inventory number for each cassette obtained from the counting result completely matches the premium inventory number for each cassette in the cassette-specific premium inventory number table TA2 in the storage unit 208. Determine whether or not. If the two match completely (YES in step S42), the control unit 200 performs a display (match confirmation display) for confirming that they match (step S43). For example, the control unit 200 displays an inventory quantity confirmation screen 403 as shown in FIG. 22A on the attendant display unit 7B. In addition, the inventory quantity confirmation screen 404 shown in FIG. 22B is included in the inventory quantity confirmation screen that can be displayed when they match, in addition to the inventory quantity confirmation screen 403 in FIG.

  The stock quantity confirmation screen 403 in FIG. 22 (a) displays the current stock quantity by gift type as the stock quantity, and the stock quantity confirmation screen 404 in FIG. 22 (b) shows the current stock quantity by cassette as the stock quantity. The stock quantity of is displayed. In order to distinguish between them, the inventory quantity confirmation screen 403 in FIG. 22A is referred to as a premium type inventory quantity confirmation screen 403, and the inventory quantity confirmation screen 404 in FIG. This is called screen 404. Such inventory quantity confirmation screens 403 and 404 not only allow the staff to confirm the current inventory quantity, but also distinguish it from the mismatch confirmation display (see step S47) described later, so that in the inventory confirmation process, the counting is performed. It has a role to make a staff member recognize that the premium inventory content (actual premium inventory content) obtained from the result matches the inventory management data in the storage unit 208.

  In the stock quantity confirmation screen 403 for each prize type in FIG. 22A, the title “Inventory Count”, the current stock quantity for each prize type, and the screen for switching to the stock quantity confirmation screen 404 for each cassette are displayed. A detail button, a confirmation button for inputting that the staff has confirmed the contents of this screen, and a message “current stock quantity. Please press“ Confirm ”” are displayed.

  On the other hand, in the inventory quantity confirmation screen 404 for each cassette in FIG. 22B, the title “Inventory Count”, the current inventory quantity for each cassette, and the screen are switched to the inventory quantity confirmation screen 403 for each gift type. Stock number button, a confirmation button for inputting that the staff has confirmed the contents of this screen, and a message “current stock quantity by cassette. Please press“ Confirm ”” are displayed.

When the stock quantity confirmation screen 403 is displayed in step S43, the control unit 200 determines whether or not a display switching operation has been performed (step S44) or whether or not the confirmation button has been pressed (step S45). Monitor. In step S44, specifically, when the stock quantity confirmation screen 403 for each prize type is displayed, it is monitored whether or not the detail button on the confirmation screen 403 has been pressed. On the other hand, when the inventory quantity confirmation screen 404 for each cassette is displayed, it is monitored whether or not the inventory quantity button on the confirmation screen 404 is pressed. That is, the display switching operation refers to an operation of pressing down the detail button on the confirmation screen 403 or the stock quantity button on the confirmation screen 404.

  When the display switching operation is performed (YES in step S44), control unit 200 switches the display screen (step S46). More specifically, when the detail button on the confirmation screen 403 is pressed while the stock quantity confirmation screen 403 for each prize type is displayed, the control unit 200 displays the display screen with the number of stocks for each cassette. Switch to the confirmation screen 404. On the other hand, when the inventory quantity confirmation screen 404 for each cassette is displayed, if the inventory quantity button on the confirmation screen 404 is pressed, the control unit 200 displays the inventory quantity confirmation screen for each prize type. Switch to 403.

  In step 45, specifically, it is monitored whether or not the confirmation button on the currently displayed confirmation screen (the stock quantity confirmation screen 403 for each prize type or the stock quantity confirmation screen 404 for each cassette) is pressed. The When the confirmation button is pressed (YES in step S45), the control unit 200 ends the current inventory confirmation process. If the current inventory confirmation process is the inventory confirmation process in step S2 in FIG. 18, the process returns to step S3 in FIG. If the current inventory confirmation process is the inventory confirmation process in step S9 in FIG. 18, the process returns to step S10 in FIG.

In the step S42, when it is determined that the premium stock content obtained from the counting result does not match the stock management data in the storage unit 208 (does not match), the control unit 200
Display for confirming that there is a mismatch (mismatch confirmation display) is performed (step S47). Further, the control unit 200 notifies the upper prize management machine 100 of the content of the mismatch together with the payout machine number of the prize dispenser 1 (step S48).

  More specifically, the mismatch means that the number of premium stocks of each cassette obtained by the counting process and the number of premium stocks of each cassette stored in the “cassette inventory management table TA2” are completely equal. It means not doing it. In other words, mismatch means that the number of premium stocks obtained by the counting process in at least one cassette does not match the number of premium stocks stored in the “cassette inventory management table TA2”. Say. A specific example of “content of mismatch” in step S48 will be described later.

  In step S47, the control unit 200 displays a mismatch confirmation screen 405 as shown in FIG. 23A on the attendant display unit 7B, for example. The discrepancy confirmation screen 405 displays a title “Inventory quantity discrepancy”, a message “Inventory quantity does not match. Please check the contents”, and an execution button for displaying the discrepancy details. The

  When the inconsistency confirmation screen 405 is displayed, when the attendant presses the execution button, the inconsistency detail screen 406 in FIG. 23B is displayed. The mismatch detail screen 406 includes a title “stock mismatch”, a message “Please select a process”, a difference value for each gift type, a stock correction button, a re-count button, and a display switching button. Is displayed.

The difference value for each prize type is a prize for each prize type determined from the number of prize stocks for each prize type in the "Premium Type Inventory Management Table TA3" and the number of prize inventory for each cassette obtained by the counting process. This is the difference value for each type of premium between the stock quantity. For example, the difference value for the extra large prize is a value obtained by subtracting the premium inventory for the extra large prize in the table TA3 from the premium inventory for the extra large prize obtained based on the premium inventory quantity of each cassette obtained by the counting process. Become. Note that the difference value is not displayed for a prize type having a difference value of 0. When the free gift inventory number of the predetermined free gift type obtained from the counting result of the counting process is smaller than the free gift stock number for the free gift type in the table TA3, the corresponding differential value for each free gift type is − (minus). Become. When a mismatch occurs for a plurality of types of prizes, the prize type and the difference value are displayed for each prize type for which a mismatch has occurred.

  The stock correction button is a button for inputting a command for executing stock correction based on the number of premium stocks of each cassette obtained by the counting process. The inventory correction means correcting the inventory management data in the storage unit 208, and more specifically, updating the contents of the “cassette inventory management table TA2” and the “species type inventory management table TA3”. Say. The re-count button is a button for inputting a command for executing the prize counting process again. The display switching button is a button for switching the display screen to a mismatch detail screen 407 shown in FIG.

  The mismatch details screen 407 in FIG. 23C will be described. The discrepancy detail screen 407 includes a title “stock discrepancy”, a message “Please select a process”, a difference value for each cassette, a stock correction button, a recount button, and a display switching button. Is displayed.

  The difference value for each cassette refers to the difference value for each cassette between the number of premium inventory for each cassette in the “cassette inventory management table TA2” and the number of premium inventory for each cassette obtained by the counting process. . For example, the difference value for a certain cassette is a value obtained by subtracting the prize inventory number for the cassette in the table TA2 from the prize inventory quantity of the cassette obtained by the counting process. Note that the difference value is not displayed for a cassette having a difference value of 0. When the number of premium inventory of a predetermined cassette obtained from the counting result of the counting process is smaller than the number of premium inventory for the cassette in the table TA3, the corresponding difference value for each cassette is-(minus).

  That is, on the mismatch detail screen 406 in FIG. 23B, the difference value for each prize type is displayed as the detailed content of the mismatch, whereas in the mismatch detail screen 407 in FIG. The difference value for each cassette is displayed. When distinguishing these screens 406 and 407, the mismatch detail screen 406 in FIG. 23B is referred to as a prize type unit mismatch detail screen 406, and the mismatch detail screen 407 in FIG. 23C is a cassette unit mismatch. It is called a detail screen 407. In the step S48, the “content of mismatch” notified to the prize management machine 100 is, for example, either or either one of the difference value for each prize type and the difference value for each cassette.

  The inventory correction button and the recount button on the cassette unit mismatch detail screen 407 have the same functions as the inventory correction button and the recount button on the gift type unit mismatch detail screen 406, respectively. The display switching button on the cassette unit mismatch detail screen 407 is a button for switching the display screen to the prize type unit mismatch detail screen 406 of FIG.

  When the mismatch confirmation display is performed in step S47 and the content of the mismatch is notified to the giveaway management machine 100 in step S48, the control unit 200 displays an execution button on the mismatch confirmation screen 405 (see FIG. 23A). (Step S49). When the execution button is pressed (YES in step S49), the control unit 200 displays a mismatch type detail screen 406 (see FIG. 23B) for each premium type (step S50).

  Then, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the display switching button has been pressed (step S51), whether or not the recount button has been pressed (step S52), and whether or not the stock correction button has been pressed (step S53). ).

  If the display switching button is pressed (YES in step S51), control unit 200 switches the display screen (step S54). Specifically, when the mismatch type details screen 406 for each premium type is displayed, when the display switching button on the detail screen 406 is pressed, the control unit 200 displays the mismatch details for each cassette. The screen is switched to the screen 407. On the other hand, when the display unit button on the detail screen 407 is pressed while the cassette unit mismatch detail screen 407 is displayed, the control unit 200 changes the display screen to the prize type unit mismatch detail screen 406. Switch.

  If the recount button on the mismatch detail screens 406 and 407 is pressed (YES in step S52), the control unit 200 returns to step S41, re-executes the prize counting process, and then proceeds to step S42. To do.

  When the stock correction button on the mismatch details screens 406 and 407 is pressed (YES in step S53), the control unit 200 performs stock correction processing (step S55). Specifically, the control unit 200 updates the contents of the “cassette inventory management table TA2” and the “species type inventory management table TA3” based on the number of premium inventory of each cassette obtained by the counting process. As a result, the premium inventory quantity of each cassette in the “cassette inventory management table TA2” becomes equal to the premium inventory quantity of each cassette obtained by the counting process. In addition, the number of prize stocks of each prize type in the “purchase type inventory management table TA3” is equal to the prize inventory quantity of each prize type obtained from the contents of the updated “cassette inventory management table TA2”.

  Even if there is a discrepancy, if a player who wishes to exchange prizes is waiting, the exchange of the prizes (premium payout process) must be prioritized. I press the button. As a result, the present counting result is overwritten as the inventory management data without performing the counting process again, so that the prize exchange process can be executed immediately. However, it is preferable to record a log indicating that a mismatch has occurred separately so that the cause of the mismatch can be pursued later. Even when the cause of the difference is clear, the clerk presses the inventory correction button.

  When the inventory correction process in step S55 is performed, the control unit 200 ends the current inventory confirmation process. If the current inventory confirmation process is the inventory confirmation process in step S2 in FIG. 18, the process returns to step S3 in FIG. If the current inventory confirmation process is the inventory confirmation process in step S9 in FIG. 18, the process returns to step S10 in FIG.

  As described above, in the inventory confirmation process, a prize counting process is performed, and it is determined whether or not the prize inventory content obtained from the counting result matches the inventory management data in the storage unit 208. When not (when there is a mismatch), a mismatch confirmation screen 405 is displayed. At this time, the clerk can display the mismatch detail screens 406 and 407. Therefore, the clerk can recognize that the premium stock content (actual premium stock content in the premium dispenser 1) obtained from the counting result does not match the stock management data in the storage unit 208, and the content of the mismatch. Can be recognized.

By the way, even in the prize dispenser 1 having the counting function, when the power is off, the opening / closing of the door and the drawing of the unit cannot be detected, and the counting process cannot be executed. For this reason,
There is a high possibility that a prize is illegally extracted when the power of the prize dispenser 1 is turned off. In this embodiment, when fraud is performed when the gift dispenser 1 is powered off, a mismatch confirmation screen 405 is displayed in the inventory confirmation process that is performed when the power is turned on thereafter. At this time, the clerk can display the mismatch detail screens 406 and 407. As a result, the clerk can recognize that the number of prize stocks in the prize dispenser 1 has decreased when the power is turned off, so that the clerk and the like can recognize that an illegal act such as extraction of a prize has been performed when the power is turned off.

Further, when the person in charge of the prize dispenser 1 is changed, the actual prize inventory contents in the prize dispenser 1 and the storage unit are stored at that time from the viewpoint of clarifying the location of responsibility when a problem occurs. It is important to confirm whether or not the inventory management data managed in 208 matches. Therefore, in this embodiment, the staff can operate the inventory confirmation button on the prize dispenser 1 or the prize management machine 100 so that the inventory confirmation process can be performed. For example, when the clerk in charge of the prize dispenser 1 changes, when the clerk presses the inventory confirmation button, the prize counting process is performed, and the prize inventory content obtained from the counting result and the inventory management data in the storage unit 208 are obtained. It is determined whether or not they match, and the determination result is displayed. Therefore, at that time, it is possible to confirm whether or not the actual premium stock content in the premium dispenser 1 matches the inventory management data managed in the storage unit 208.
[7] Processing by the prize management machine 100 FIG. 24 shows a procedure of processing executed by the prize management machine 100.

  The free gift management machine 100 determines whether or not the receipt has been read (step S61), whether or not the stock confirmation button has been pressed (step S62), and whether or not the inconsistency is notified by the free gift dispenser 1 (step S63). ) Etc. are monitored.

When the receipt is read (YES in step S61), a prize dispensing control process for causing the subordinate prize dispenser 1 to dispense a prize is performed (step S64). That means
The control unit 300 of the prize management machine 100 acquires the number of game media acquired by the player based on the data read by the barcode reader 302. Next, the control unit 300 determines the number of payouts for each prize type based on the acquired number of game media. Then, the control unit 300 transmits a prize payout command including a payout number for each determined prize type to one of the subordinate prize dispensers 1. Thereafter, the control unit 300 proceeds to step S62.

  When the stock confirmation button is pressed (YES in step S62), the control unit 300 transmits an stock confirmation command to the subordinate prize dispenser 1 (step S65). Then, the process proceeds to step S63. When the mismatch content is notified by the gift dispenser 1 (YES in step S63), the control unit 300 includes the notified mismatch content and the dispenser number of the gift dispenser 1 that is the transmission source of the mismatch content. A screen (mismatch notification screen) is displayed on the staff display unit 306. Specifically, the above-described difference value in cassette units (difference value in the mismatch detail screen 407 in FIG. 23C) or difference value in premium type units (difference in the mismatch detail screen 406 in FIG. 23B). Value) is displayed on the clerk display unit 306.

  Accordingly, the clerk or the like displays the actual free gift inventory contents in one of the subordinate free dispensers 1 shown on the screen by the mismatch notification screen displayed on the clerk display unit 306 of the free gift management machine 100, and the free gift. It can be recognized that the inventory management data stored in the storage unit 208 of the dispenser 2 does not match. When the mismatch notification screen is displayed, the process proceeds to step S61.

When the prize dispenser 1 is notified of the mismatch content (YES in step S63), the prize management machine 100 receives the mismatch content received together with the process of step S66 or instead of the process of step S66. May be transmitted to the management computer 150 together with the dispenser number that has received. When the management computer 150 receives the mismatch content and the dispenser number transmitted from the prize management machine 100, the management computer 150 displays a screen (mismatch notification screen) including the received mismatch content and the dispenser number. With this screen, an administrator or the like in the office can manage the actual premium stock contents in the prize dispenser 1 shown in this screen and the inventory management stored in the storage unit 208 of the prize dispenser 2. You can recognize that the data does not match.
[B] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment described above, the prize stocker 1 manages the prize stock management in the prize dispenser 1. Then, the prize dispenser 1 performs an inventory confirmation process for confirming whether or not the actual prize stock content in the prize dispenser 1 matches the inventory management data stored in the storage unit. Yes.

  In the second embodiment, the prize stock management in the prize dispenser 1 is performed not by the prize dispenser 1 but by the prize manager 100. Also, the prize management machine 100 performs an inventory confirmation process for confirming whether or not the actual prize stock content in the prize dispenser 1 matches the inventory management data stored in the storage unit.

  Also in the second embodiment, the configuration of the prize dispensing system, the mechanism and electrical configuration of the prize dispensing machine 1, and the electrical configuration of the prize management machine 100 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, tables TA1, TA2, and TA3 as shown in FIG. 14 are stored in the storage unit 307 of the prize management machine 100. That is, a rewritable nonvolatile memory is used as the storage unit 307 of the prize management device 100. In the storage unit 307 of the free gift management machine 100, for each free gift dispenser 1 under the premium management machine 100, a "cassette free gift type table TA1", a "cassette free stock management table TA2", and a free stock type stock management table. TA3 "is provided.

  FIG. 25 shows a procedure of processing executed by the giveaway machine 1 in the second embodiment.

  The processes in steps S1, S3 to S6, and S10 in FIG. 25 are the same as the processes in steps S1, S3 to S6, and S10 in FIG. Step S2A, step S7A, step S8A and step S9A in FIG. 25 are different from step S2, step S7, step S8 and step S9 in FIG.

  In step S2A, the control unit 200 of the gift dispenser 1 performs a first counting / counting result transmission process. In the first counting / counting result transmission process, the control unit 200 first performs a prize counting process. That is, by using the counting function of the transport mechanism 24, the number of premium inventory for each cassette is counted. Then, an inventory confirmation instruction command including the counting result (the number of prize stocks for each cassette) and the dispenser number of the prize dispenser 1 is transmitted to the prize management machine 100.

  In step S7A, in response to receiving a prize payout command from the prize management machine 100, a prize payout process is performed. In the second embodiment, as will be described later, the prize payout command sent from the prize management machine 100 includes not only the number of prizes to be paid out for each prize type but also one or a plurality of cassette numbers to which the prize should be paid out, The number of sheets to be paid out from each cassette is included. In step S7A, the control unit 200 of the prize dispenser 1 pays out the prize for the designated number of dispenses from the cassette designated by the prize dispensing command.

In step S8A, in response to detecting that the door 6 of the prize dispenser 1 is closed from the open state, the control unit 200 performs a second counting / counting result transmission process. In the second counting / counting result transmission process, the control unit 200 first performs a prize counting process. That is, by using the counting function of the transport mechanism 24, the number of premium inventory for each cassette is counted. Then, an inventory management data update command including the counting result (the number of prize stocks for each cassette) and the dispenser number of the prize dispenser 1 is transmitted to the prize manager 100.

  In step S9A, in response to the input of the inventory confirmation command or the reception of the inventory confirmation command from the giveaway management machine 100, the control unit 200 performs a first counting / counting result transmission process. The first counting / counting result transmission process is the same as the first counting / counting result transmission process performed in step S2A described above. That is, the control unit 200 performs a prize counting process. Then, an inventory confirmation instruction command including the counting result (the number of prize stocks for each cassette) and the dispenser number of the prize dispenser 1 is transmitted to the prize management machine 100.

  FIG. 26 shows a procedure of processing executed by the prize management device 100 in the second embodiment.

  The control unit 300 of the prize management machine 100 determines whether or not a receipt has been read (step S71), whether or not an inventory confirmation button has been pressed (step S72), and an inventory management data update command from the prize dispenser 1. It is monitored whether or not it has been received (step S73), whether or not an inventory confirmation instruction command has been received from the gift dispenser 1 (step S74), and the like.

  When the receipt is read (YES in step S71), control unit 300 performs a prize payout control process (step S75). This premium payout control process will be described later. When the premium payout control process in step S75 ends, the process proceeds to step S72.

  When the stock confirmation button is pressed (YES in step S72), the control unit 300 transmits an inventory confirmation command to the subordinate prize dispenser 1 (step S76). Then, the process proceeds to step S73.

  When the inventory management data update command is received from the gift dispenser 1 (YES in step S73), the control unit 300 acquires the inventory management data based on the information included in the received inventory management data update command. Update. Specifically, the inventory management data (contents of the tables TA2 and TA3) corresponding to the dispenser number included in the received inventory management data update command is used as the counting result data included in the inventory management data update command. It is updated based on (the number of premiums stock for each cassette).

  The counting result included in the inventory management data update command is the result of the counting process performed when the closing of the door is detected. For this reason, the update process of the inventory management data performed in the step S77 is an update process performed in response to the prize supplement being performed. When the process of step S77 ends, the process proceeds to step S74.

  When an inventory confirmation instruction command is received from the gift dispenser 1 (YES in step S74), an inventory confirmation process is performed (step S78). This inventory confirmation process will be described later. When the inventory confirmation process in step S78 is completed, the process proceeds to step S71.

  FIG. 27 shows the detailed procedure of the premium payout control process in step S75 of FIG.

The control unit 300 of the prize management machine 100 acquires the number of game media acquired by the player based on the read data of the barcode reader 302 (step S81). Next, the control unit 300 determines the number of payouts for each premium type based on the acquired number of game media (step S82). Further, the control unit 300 pays out a prize based on the determined number of payouts for each prize type and the inventory management data (contents of the tables TA1, TA2, TA3) of the prize dispenser 1 that executes the prize payout process. The number of the one or more cassettes to be determined and the number of prizes to be paid out from those cassettes are determined (step S83).

  Then, the control unit 300 transmits a premium payout command including the determined payout number for each cassette to the premium payer 1 (step S84). Further, the control unit 300 updates the inventory management data (contents of the tables TA2 and TA3) corresponding to the gift dispenser 1 based on the contents determined in steps S82 and S83 (step S85). This update process is the same as the update process performed by the prize dispenser 1 when the prize is paid out in the first embodiment (see step S22 in FIG. 19).

  FIG. 28 shows the detailed procedure of the inventory confirmation process in step S78 of FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the inventory check process is executed by the control unit 200 of the giveaway machine 1, whereas in the second embodiment, the inventory check process is executed by the control unit 300 of the giveaway management machine 100. Is done. The inventory confirmation process in the second embodiment is similar to the inventory confirmation process (see FIG. 21) in the first embodiment, but is slightly different depending on the device that performs the process.

  Steps S42A to S47A in FIG. 28 correspond to steps S42 to S47 in FIG. Also, steps S49A to S55A in FIG. 28 correspond to steps S49 to S55 in FIG. 21, respectively. In the inventory check process of FIG. 28, there is no step corresponding to step S41 (premium counting process) and step S48 (notification of mismatch content to the prize management machine) of FIG. The step corresponding to step S56A of the inventory confirmation process of FIG. 28 does not exist in the inventory confirmation process of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the inventory confirmation process of FIG. 28 will be briefly described. As described above, this inventory confirmation process is executed when an inventory confirmation instruction command is received from the gift dispenser 1 (see step S74 in FIG. 26). The stock confirmation instruction command from the prize dispenser 1 includes the counting result (the number of prize inventory for each cassette) and the dispenser number of the prize dispenser 1.

  The control unit 300 of the free gift management machine 100 obtains the free gift inventory contents obtained from the received counting result and the stock management data of the free gift dispenser 1 corresponding to the received paying machine number stored in the storage unit 307. It is determined whether or not they match (step S42A).

  If the two match, the control unit 300 performs a display for confirming the match (match confirmation display) (step S43A). For example, the control unit 300 displays an inventory quantity confirmation screen 403 as shown in FIG. In addition, on the inventory quantity confirmation screen that can be displayed when they match, the inventory quantity by cassette is displayed in addition to the inventory quantity confirmation screen 403 (see FIG. 22A) that displays the inventory quantity by prize type. Inventory number confirmation screen 404 (see FIG. 22B). Since these screens have already been described, description thereof is omitted here.

  When the stock quantity confirmation screen 403 is displayed in step S43A, the control unit 300 determines whether a display switching operation has been performed (step S44A), or whether a confirmation button has been pressed (step S45A). Monitor.

When the display switching operation is performed (YES in step S44A), control unit 300 switches the display screen (step S46A). Specifically, when the detail button on the confirmation screen 403 is pressed while the stock quantity confirmation screen 403 for each prize type is displayed, the control unit 300 displays the display screen with the stock quantity for each cassette. Switch to the confirmation screen 404. On the other hand, when the inventory quantity confirmation screen 404 for each cassette is displayed, if the inventory quantity button on the confirmation screen 404 is pressed, the control unit 300 displays the inventory quantity confirmation screen for each prize type. Switch to 403.

  In step 45A, specifically, it is monitored whether or not the confirmation button on the currently displayed confirmation screen (the stock quantity confirmation screen 403 for each prize type or the stock quantity confirmation screen 404 for each cassette) is pressed. The If the confirmation button is pressed (YES in step S45A), control unit 300 ends the current inventory confirmation process and returns to step S71 in FIG.

When it is determined in step S42A that the premium stock content obtained from the counting result does not match (inconsistent) with the inventory management data in the storage unit 307, the control unit 300
Display for confirming that there is a mismatch (mismatch confirmation display) is performed (step S47A).

  In step S47A, for example, the control unit 300 displays a mismatch confirmation screen 405 as shown in FIG. Since this discrepancy confirmation screen 405 has already been described, the description thereof is omitted here.

  When the disagreement confirmation screen 405 is displayed, when the attendant presses the execution button, for example, the disagreement detail screen 406 of FIG. 23B is displayed. As described above, the mismatch detail screen 406 includes a mismatch detail screen 406 (see FIG. 23B) that displays a difference value for each prize type and a mismatch detail screen 407 that displays a difference value for each cassette. (See FIG. 23C). Since these screens have already been described, description thereof is omitted here. These two mismatch details screens 406 and 407 can be switched by an operation of an attendant or the like.

  When the mismatch confirmation display is performed in step S47A, the control unit 300 waits for the execution button on the mismatch confirmation screen 405 (see FIG. 23A) to be pressed (step S49A). When the execution button is pressed (YES in step S49A), the control unit 300 displays a mismatch type detailed screen 406 (see FIG. 23B) for each premium type (step S50A). Then, the control unit 300 determines whether or not the display switching button is pressed (step S51A), whether or not the recount button is pressed (step S52A), and whether or not the stock correction button is pressed (step S53A). ).

  When the display switching button is pressed (YES in step S51A), control unit 300 switches the display screen (step S54A). Specifically, if the display switching button on the detail screen 406 is pressed while the mismatch type detail screen 406 for each premium type is displayed, the control unit 200 displays the mismatch details for each cassette. The screen is switched to the screen 407. On the other hand, if the display switching button on the detail screen 407 is pressed while the cassette-specific mismatch detail screen 407 is displayed, the control unit 200 displays the display screen as a mismatch type detail screen 406 for each premium type. Switch.

When the recount button on the mismatch detail screen is pressed (YES in step S52A), the control unit 300 transmits an inventory confirmation command to the gift dispenser 1 (step S56A). Then, the current inventory confirmation process is terminated, and the process returns to step S71 in FIG. When the prize dispenser 1 receives the stock confirmation command transmitted from the prize management machine 100 in step S56A, the prize dispenser 1 performs a first counting / counting result transmission process (step S9A in FIG. 25). . That is, the prize dispenser 1 performs a prize counting process, and transmits to the prize management machine 100 an inventory confirmation instruction command including the counting result (the number of prize inventory for each cassette) and the dispenser number of the prize dispenser 1. To do. Therefore, the prize management machine 100 performs the inventory confirmation process based on the counting result obtained by the re-counting.

  When the stock correction button on the mismatch details screen is pressed (YES in step S53A), control unit 300 performs stock correction processing (step S55A). Specifically, the control unit 300, based on the number of prize stocks of each cassette obtained by the counting process, “the inventory management table TA2 by cassette” and “the inventory management table TA3 by prize type” of the corresponding prize dispenser 1. "" Is updated. As a result, the premium inventory quantity of each cassette in the “cassette inventory management table TA2” of the corresponding premium dispenser 1 becomes equal to the premium inventory quantity of each cassette obtained by the counting process. In addition, the number of premium stocks of each premium type in the “special offer type inventory management table TA3” of the corresponding prize dispenser 1 is the value of each premium type determined from the contents of the updated “cassette inventory management table TA2”. It becomes equal to the number of free gifts.

  When the stock correction process of step S55A is performed, the control unit 300 ends the current stock check process and returns to step S71 of FIG.

  When the prize dispenser 1 is turned on, the prize dispenser 1 performs counting processing, and an inventory confirmation instruction command including the counting result and the dispenser number is sent to the prize management machine 100 (FIG. 25). Step S2A). The prize management machine 100 determines whether or not the prize inventory content obtained from the counting result included in the inventory confirmation instruction command matches the inventory management data in the storage unit 307. ), A mismatch confirmation screen 405 is displayed on the clerk display unit 306 of the prize management machine 100. At this time, the clerk can display the mismatch detail screens 406 and 407. Therefore, the clerk can confirm whether fraud has been performed when the prize dispenser 1 is powered off.

Also, when the stock confirmation command is input or the stock confirmation command is received, the giveaway machine 1 performs a counting process, and sends the stock confirmation instruction command including the counting result and the payout machine number to the free gift management machine 100. Send (see step S9A in FIG. 25). The prize management machine 100 determines whether or not the prize inventory content obtained from the counting result included in the inventory confirmation instruction command matches the inventory management data in the storage unit 307. ), A mismatch confirmation screen 405 is displayed on the clerk display unit 306 of the prize management machine 100. At this time, the clerk can display the mismatch detail screens 406 and 407. Therefore, for example, when the clerk in charge of the prize dispenser 1 changes, when the clerk presses the inventory confirmation button, the actual prize inventory content in the prize dispenser 1 and the storage unit 307 are managed at that time. It can be confirmed whether or not the existing inventory management data matches.
[C] Modification The shape of the prize is not limited to a card shape. Further, the mechanism for counting the prize and the counting method are not limited. A method of reading an IC incorporated in a prize may be used.

  The present invention can also be applied to a prize dispensing system provided with a desktop type prize dispenser as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-73169.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Prize dispenser 2 Prize 4 Cassette 5 Prize dispensing unit 7 Display part 8 Discharge outlet 24 Conveyance mechanism 37 Optical sensor 60 Counting part 70 Separation conveyance part 81 Reservation box 82 Elevator 100 Prize management machine 200 Control part 201 Driving device of conveyance mechanism 24 205 Door Open / Close Detector 206 Communication Unit 207 Operation Unit 208 Storage Unit 300 Control Unit 301 Communication Unit 304 Operation Unit 306 Display Unit 307 Storage Unit

Claims (5)

A prize dispenser comprising one or more storage units for storing prizes,
A rewritable nonvolatile memory for inventory management information for managing the prize inventory of the prize payout machine is stored,
Counting means for counting the number of prizes stored in each storage unit;
When the prize dispenser is turned on , the number of prizes in each storage unit is counted using the counting means, and the prize inventory information obtained from the counting result and stored in the nonvolatile memory A prize dispenser comprising: an informing means for collating with inventory management information that has been informed and informing that the two do not match. A prize dispensing system including a prize dispenser having one or a plurality of storage units for storing prizes,
A rewritable non-volatile memory in which inventory management information for managing premium inventory in the premium dispenser is stored;
Counting means for counting the number of prizes stored in each storage unit;
When the prize dispenser is turned on , the number of prizes in each storage unit is counted using the counting means, and the prize inventory information obtained from the counting result and stored in the nonvolatile memory And a notifying means for notifying that when the two are inconsistent with each other, the premium paying system includes: In a prize dispensing system including a prize dispenser including one or a plurality of storage units for storing prizes, and an external device capable of communicating with the prize dispenser,
The prize dispenser is
A rewritable nonvolatile memory for inventory management information for managing the prize inventory of the prize payout machine is stored,
Counting means for counting the number of prizes stored in each storage unit;
When the prize dispenser is turned on , the number of prizes in each storage unit is counted using the counting means, and the prize inventory information obtained from the counting result and stored in the nonvolatile memory Communication means for checking the inconsistency with the external device when the inventory management information is collated and both are inconsistent,
When the external device is notified of the mismatch, the external device includes a notifying means for notifying that effect. A plurality of the storage units are provided, and the plurality of storage units include two or more storage units in which different types of prizes are stored .
The prize dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the inventory management information and the prize inventory information are information on the number of prizes for each prize type and / or information on the number of prizes for each storage unit . A plurality of the storage units are provided, and the plurality of storage units include two or more storage units in which different types of prizes are stored.
4. The prize payout system according to claim 2, wherein the inventory management information and the prize inventory information are information on the number of prizes for each prize type and / or information on the number of prizes for each storage unit .

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