JP5511197B2 - Premium management device and premium dispensing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a prize management device and a prize dispensing system for managing a prize dispenser for dispensing prizes exchanged with 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. 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) Purchasing: The prize is brought into the amusement facility by the prize wholesaler before opening the store. The prize is put in a returnable box and carried in. The returnable box is stored in a predetermined prize storage unit of the game facility. The clerk calculates the premium inventory of the entire store based on the purchased premium and the premium inventory of the entire store before purchasing, and inputs the calculation result to the premium management machine as a numerical value. The prize management machine stores the input calculation result as premium inventory data for the entire store.
(B) Warehousing (replenishment): When preparing for opening a store, an attendant takes out a prize from a returnable box (premium storage unit) and replenishes (enters) a prize into a prize dispenser in which the prize is empty. Then, the number of replenishments (number of warehousing items) for each type of prize is entered as a numerical value into the prize dispenser. The prize dispenser stores the input number of supplements for each prize type as prize inventory data in the prize dispenser.
(C) Issue (Payout): At the time of prize payout, the prize management machine updates the prize inventory data of the entire store by subtracting the number of prizes (number of issues) paid out to the player from the prize inventory data of the entire store. To do. Similarly, at the time of prize payout, the prize dispenser updates the prize inventory data in the prize dispenser by subtracting the number of prizes (number of goods issued) paid out to the player from the prize inventory data in the prize dispenser.
(D) Additional warehousing (additional replenishment): During business hours, when the clerk performs additional replenishment of prizes, the repayment number for each prize type is numerically input to the prize dispenser. The prize dispenser updates the prize inventory data in the prize dispenser by adding the input replenishment number for each prize type to the prize inventory data in the prize dispenser.
(E) Closing process (final tightening process): After closing the store, the staff will print out the prize inventory data by the prize management machine, collect the prize (actual item) from the returnable box and the prize dispenser, and manually count it. Then, the free gift inventory data (free gift inventory data for the entire store, free gift inventory data in the free gift dispenser) and the actual counting result (the actual stock quantity in the full store, the actual stock quantity in the free gift dispenser) are compared and collated. 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 to compare and collate the premium inventory data with the actual counting results. ing. In this case, however, the clerk returns the collected prize (actual item) to the collection source (return box, prize dispenser) after the comparison / collation is completed.

Japanese Patent No. 3722878 JP 2002-200310 A

  In the conventional premium payout system, the premium inventory in the returnable box (the premium storage unit) is not managed. Further, in the conventional prize dispensing system, the prize inventory in each prize dispenser of the prize dispensing system and the prize inventory in the return box are not managed in one place. For this reason, there has been a problem that it is difficult to grasp the free gift inventory status in each free gift dispenser and the free gift inventory status in the returnable box.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a prize management device and a prize dispensing system that make it easy to grasp the prize inventory status in each prize dispenser and the prize inventory status in the prize storage unit.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the prize management device capable of communicating with one or a plurality of prize dispensers in which prizes are stored, prizes provided in the game facility and supplemented to the prize dispenser are stored. A stock management unit inventory management table for storing the number of free gift stocks in the free gift storage unit , a stock number of free gifts in each of the free gift dispensers, and a stock in dispenser for storing the number of free gift stocks in all of the free gift dispensers Based on a management table, a data acquisition unit for collecting data from each prize dispenser, and a data for aggregation acquired from each prize dispenser, the inventory management table in the prize storage unit and the inventory management in the dispenser Update means for updating the contents of the table, and the data for aggregation acquired from each premium dispenser is the identification information of the premium dispenser, the premium payout Location, characterized in that the prize inventory of the inner and contain prize replenishment number to the prize payout machine within a predetermined period.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the premium management device according to the first aspect, the totaling data acquisition means transmits a totaling data request command to each of the premium dispensing machines when a totaling instruction is given. By doing so, the data for aggregation is acquired from each premium payer.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the premium management device according to the first or second aspect, the premium management device includes a plurality of premium management machines, and each of the premium management machines includes one or more of the premium management machines. A prize dispenser is managed, one of the plurality of prize management machines being a master machine, the other being a slave machine capable of communicating with the master machine, and the master machine being an inventory management table in the prize storage unit And an inventory management table in the dispensing machine, wherein the parent machine obtains data for aggregation from the premium dispensing machine under the parent machine, and the subordinates of each child machine via each child machine By acquiring data for aggregation from the prize dispenser, the contents of the prize storage unit inventory management table and the dispenser inventory management table are updated.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the premium management device according to any one of the first to third aspects, each premium dispenser stores a plurality of types of premiums, It is the number of prizes stocked for each prize type, and the number of prizes supplemented is the number of prizes supplemented for each prize type.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the prize dispensing system comprising one or a plurality of prize dispensers storing prizes and a prize management device for managing these prize dispensers, each of the prize dispensers is A totaling table for storing the number of prizes in the prize dispenser and the number of prizes replenished in the prize dispenser within a predetermined period; stored in the prize dispenser when a predetermined condition is satisfied The first updating means for counting the number of prizes and updating the contents of the counting table based on the counting result, when a prize payout instruction is given, pays out a prize corresponding to the prize payout instruction, and Second update means for updating the contents of the tabulation table, and tabulation data including identification information of the prize dispenser and information in the tabulation table Storage and transmits comprises aggregate data transmission means for clearing the prize replenishing number of said aggregate table, the prize management device, the prize to be replenished and the prize dispensing device provided in the game arcade A prize storage unit inventory management table for storing the number of prize stocks in the prize storage unit , the number of prize stocks in each prize dispenser in the prize dispensing system, and the number of prize stocks in all the prize dispensers An inventory management table in the prize storage unit, based on the inventory management table in the dispensing machine for storing, the data acquisition means for collecting the data for aggregation from each premium dispenser, and the data for aggregation acquired from each prize dispenser And a third updating means for updating the contents of the dispensing machine stock management table.

  “When a predetermined condition is satisfied” means, for example, when a counting command is input based on a manual operation, when a reserved time is reached, when a counting command is received, from a predetermined detector This is when the detection signal is input.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the premium payout system according to the fifth aspect, when the totaling data transmitting means receives the totaling data request command from the premium management device, the totaling data is received. The prize data is transmitted to the prize management device and the number of prizes in the tabulation table is cleared, and the tabulation data acquisition means is configured to count each prize giving machine when a tabulation command is given. By transmitting a data request command, the data for aggregation is acquired from each of the prize dispensers.

The invention described in claim 7 includes a plurality of giveaway machines that store prizes and a prize management device that manages these giveaway machines, and the prize management device includes a plurality of prize management machines. Each of the prize management machines manages one or a plurality of prize dispensers, one of the plurality of prize management machines being a parent machine, and the other being a slave that can communicate with the parent machine In the prize dispensing system, each prize dispenser has a total table for storing the number of prizes in the prize dispenser and the number of prizes replenished in the prize dispenser within a predetermined period, and a predetermined condition is satisfied. A first updating means for counting the number of prizes stored in the prize dispenser and updating the contents of the tabulation table based on the counting result, the prize giving instruction is given, Pay When receiving a prize corresponding to the command and receiving a second data update command for updating the contents of the tabulation table and a tabulation data request command from the prize manager, identification information of the prize dispenser transmits the aggregated data including the information in the summary table in the prize tiller comprises means for clearing the prize replenishing number of said aggregate table, the master unit to the game arcade A prize storage unit inventory management table for storing the number of prize stocks in the prize storage unit that is provided and the prizes to be replenished to the prize dispenser are stored, and a prize in each prize dispenser in the prize dispensing system A stocker-in-stock management table for storing the number of stocks and the number of free gift stocks in all the prize dispensers, and the subordinates when the aggregation command is given. By sending a data request command for aggregation to the dispensing machine and each slave unit, the data for aggregation is acquired from the subordinate prize dispenser, and the subordinate units of the slave units are transmitted via the slave units. Third means for updating the contents of the prize storage unit inventory management table and the dispenser inventory management table on the basis of the means for acquiring the aggregation data from the prize dispenser and the aggregation data acquired from each prize dispenser Each slave unit receives a totaling data request command from the master unit, and transmits the totaling data request command to the subordinate prize dispenser by sending the totaling data request command to the subordinate unit. A means for acquiring data for aggregation from a machine and a means for transmitting the acquired data for aggregation to the parent machine are provided.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the premium payout system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first updating means changes the number of premium stocks in the tabulation table to the current counting result. A premium stock quantity update means for updating the premium supplement number update means for updating the premium supplement number in the tabulation table, and the premium supplement number update means updates the count result of the present in the tabulation table. If there is more than the previous free gift inventory, the value obtained by subtracting the pre-update free gift inventory in the tabulation table from the current counting result is added to the number of free gift replenishment in the tabulation table, thereby calculating the total If the means for changing the number of free gifts in the table and the current counting result is smaller than the number of free gift stock in the tabulation table, the current counting is calculated from the number of free gift stock in the tabulation table. Result Is subtracted from the premium supplement number in the tabulation table to subtract the premium supplement number in the tabulation table, and the second update means includes the prize dispenser. Subtracting the number of prizes paid out from the number of prize stocks in the tabulation table to update the number of prize stocks in the tabulation table, wherein the third updating means includes the prize A means for updating the contents of the inventory management table in the dispenser based on the number of premium inventory in the data for aggregation acquired from the dispenser, and the aggregation acquired from the prize dispenser from the number of premium inventory in the inventory management table in the prize storage department And means for subtracting the number of supplements in the product data to update the number of premiums in the prize storage unit inventory management table.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the premium dispensing system according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, each of the premium dispensing machines stores a plurality of types of premiums, and each of the premium inventory numbers is a premium type. It is the number of prizes in stock, and the number of prizes supplemented is the number of prizes supplemented for each prize type.

  In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the prize management device includes a prize storage section inventory management table and a dispenser inventory management table, acquires data for aggregation from each prize dispenser, and stores the prize storage section inventory. The contents of the management table and the dispenser inventory management table are updated. For this reason, the clerk understands the free gift inventory status in each free gift dispenser and the free gift inventory status in the free gift storage based on the contents of the free stock storage inventory management table and the dispenser stock management table in the free gift management device. Can do.

In the invention according to claim 3 and claim 7, the prize management device is composed of a plurality of prize management machines, and one of the master machines has a prize storage department inventory management table and a dispenser inventory management table. I have. Then, the master unit acquires the data for aggregation from each prize dispenser and updates the contents of the prize storage unit inventory management table and the dispenser inventory management table. For this reason, the clerk can grasp the prize stock status in each prize dispenser and the prize stock status in the prize storage department based on the contents of the prize management department inventory management table and the dispenser inventory management table in the parent machine. .

  According to the invention described in claim 4 and claim 9, when a plurality of types of prizes are stored in the prize dispenser, the prize inventory status for each prize type in each prize dispenser, and each prize in the prize storage unit It is possible to grasp the premium inventory status for each premium type.

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 103. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the prize type table TA1 classified by lane. It is a schematic diagram which shows the inventory management table TA2 classified by cassette. It is a schematic diagram which shows the stock management table TA3 classified by lane. It is a schematic diagram which shows the stock management table TA4 classified by prize type. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a giveaway management machine 100. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the returnable box inventory management table TB1. It is a schematic diagram which shows the prize management machine stock management table TB2. It is a schematic diagram which shows the store whole stock management table TB3. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed by the prize dispenser 1. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the prize delivery process performed by step S10 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the inventory confirmation process performed by step S2, step S11, or step S14 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence by the subunit | mobile_unit 100_S. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the prize payout control process of step S46 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication process based on the 1st total command of step S47 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the communication process based on the 2nd total command of step S48 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence by the main | base station 100_M. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the prize payout control process of step S86 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the 1st total process of step S88 of FIG. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the second tabulation process in step S89 of FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[1] Configuration of a prize paying system FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a prize paying system provided in a 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. An aggregate of a plurality of free gift management machines 100 constitutes a free gift management apparatus for managing all the free gift dispensers 1 in the free gift delivery system.

  Each premium management machine 100 is assigned an identification number (unit number) that is different for each premium management machine 100. The plurality of free gift management machines 100 are composed of a single parent machine (No. 1 machine) 100_M and other child machines (No. 2 machine etc.) 100_S. A management computer 150 that manages the entire equipment in the gaming facility is arranged above the parent machine 100_M. 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 (unit 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 also has a counting function for counting the number of prizes in cassette units and an inventory management function. The prize manager 100 controls the prize dispenser 1 and is installed in a prize counter. Each prize management machine 100 has a function of communicating with the prize dispenser 1 under its control and acquiring data for aggregation including inventory management data from the prize dispenser 1.

  The parent device 100_M has a function of communicating with another child device 100_S, and has a function of acquiring data for aggregation from the gift dispenser 1 under the child device 100_S via the child device 100_S. The master unit 100_M performs free inventory management of the entire store, free inventory management in the return box (premium storage unit), free inventory management in each free gift dispenser 1, and free inventory management in the free gift dispenser 1. And a function for displaying and printing each stock management data.

  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 of the prize dispenser 1 [2-1] Overall configuration 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. . 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. The eight rows from the first row to the eighth row arranged in the horizontal direction are called the first lane to the eighth lane in order from the left. 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.

  In this embodiment, the same type of premium is stored in four cassettes 4 in one lane. For example, the eight cassettes 4 in the first and second lanes store 5000 yen prizes, the eight cassettes 4 in the third and fourth lanes store 1000 yen prizes, 500 yen prizes are stored in the eight cassettes 4 in the six lanes, and 100 yen prizes are stored in the eight cassettes 4 in the seventh and eighth lanes.

  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 / closed state.

  An operation display unit 7 is provided on the upper surface of the cabinet 3. The operation display unit 7 includes a customer display unit 7A and an attendant display unit 7B, and necessary information is displayed on each display unit. The operation display unit 7 is provided with operation keys (not shown) that are operated to control the operation of the prize dispenser 1.

  On the rear side of the operation display unit 7 on the upper surface of the cabinet 3, eight payout ports 8 are formed at positions above the prize payout units 5 corresponding to the first to eighth lanes. 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 in a state where the right wall is removed and the inside is 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. 5B, the cassette 4 can store a maximum of, for example, about 100 sheets in a stacked state in which a plurality of prizes 2 of a predetermined type are stacked in the vertical direction. 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 counting of the prize 2 is executed when a command is issued from the control unit 200 (see FIG. 13) provided in the prize dispensing machine 1 or the prize dispensing unit to the transport unit 32 (counting unit 60).

  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, completely separates the prize 2 to be paid out and the prize 2 that is not to be paid out, and all of the prizes 2 to be paid out (only one in this case) 40 projections 40A. 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 transported to the upper unit 21 in the order from the upper prize 2 by the number of payout sheets (
(Refer FIG.8 (b)).

  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 in an exposed state from the oblique upper side, 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 conveyed upward by the separation conveyance unit 70 of the conveyance unit 32 is an opening 83 (here, the frontmost opening 83 on the left side) above the cassette 4 in which the prize 2 is stored. It passes through the opened bottom surface of the waiting holding box 81 in order 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 holding box 81 thus transports the prize 2 to a predetermined position (above the stage 86 and under the payout opening 8), the telescopic mechanism 87 in the contracted state is in the extended state as shown in FIG. Change your posture. 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. This is also the same in FIG. 13 described later) and is paid out to the customer.
[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 that performs prize dispensing 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 display unit 7, a clock unit 207, a storage unit 208, and the like are connected. The control unit 200 communicates with the payout control unit 200a that executes the payout process of the prize, the count control unit 200b that executes the prize counting process when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the prize management machine 100. A communication control unit 200c is included.

  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 storing data necessary for creating aggregate data in the parent device 100_M of the prize management device 100. The inventory management table includes the following four types of tables TA1 to TA4.

“Lane-by-lane premium type table TA1” (see FIG. 14): a table storing the types of premiums for each lane. In the example of FIG. 14, the eight cassettes 4 in the first and second lanes store extra large prizes (5,000 yen prizes), and the eight cassettes 4 in the third and fourth lanes store large prizes (1000 Circle prizes) are stored, medium premiums (500 yen prizes) are stored in the eight cassettes 4 in the fifth and sixth lanes, and small prizes are stored in the eight cassettes 4 in the seventh and eighth lanes. (100 yen) prizes are stored.

  “Inventory management table TA2 by cassette” (see FIG. 15): A table for storing “Premium inventory number” for each cassette and “Premium replenishment number (estimated value)” within a predetermined period. Note that the “replenishment number (estimated value)” for each cassette is immediately after the aggregation data including the “prize type inventory management table TA4” to be described later is sent to the premium management machine 100 last time (the power is turned on on business days). This means the number of prizes replenished in the cassette within a predetermined period from immediately after the power is turned on until when the data for aggregation has not been sent.

  “Inventory management table TA3 by lane” (see FIG. 16): A table that stores “Premium inventory quantity” and “Premium replenishment quantity (estimated value)” for each lane. Note that the “replenishment number (estimated value)” for each lane is calculated immediately after the aggregation data including the “price type inventory management table TA4” to be described later is sent to the prize management machine 100 (the power is turned on on business days). This means the number of prizes replenished in the cassette in the lane in a predetermined period from immediately after the power is turned on until when the data for aggregation has not been sent.

  “Premium type-specific inventory management table TA4” (see FIG. 17): A table storing “Premium inventory number” and “Premium replenishment number (estimated value)” for each premium type. The “replenishment number (estimated value)” for each prize type is immediately after sending the data for aggregation including the “stock management table TA4 by prize type” to the prize management machine 100 (after the power is turned on on the business day). When the data for aggregation is not sent, it means the number of prizes of the prize type supplemented in the prize dispenser 1 during a predetermined period from immediately after the power is turned on to the present.

  The contents of “stock management table TA2 by cassette”, “stock management table TA3 by lane” and “stock management table TA4 by prize type” are the same as those when the premium payout process (the process of step S10 in FIG. 22) is performed or transported. It is updated when inventory confirmation processing (processing in steps S11 and S14 in FIG. 22) is performed using the counting function of the mechanism 24.

Further, the storage unit 208 stores log data including inventory management data, date and time, events, and the like. The types of inventory management data included in the log data include “the number of premium inventory for each cassette”, “the number of premium inventory for each lane”, and “the number of premium inventory for each premium type”. The log data is newly created each time the contents of the tables TA2, TA3, and TA4 are updated, and additionally stored in the storage unit 208. In other words, individual log data created at a plurality of different timings are stored in the storage unit 208 as history data indicating the transition of the number of premium stocks.
[4] Electrical Configuration of the Premium Manager 100 FIG. 18 shows an electrical configuration of the premium manager 100.

  The prize management machine 100 includes a control unit 300 that performs prize delivery control for the subordinate prize dispenser 1, counting control for the subordinate prize dispenser 1, communication with the subordinate prize dispenser 1 and other prize management machines 100, and the like. I have.

  When the prize management device 100 is the parent device 100_M, the control unit 300 acquires the data for aggregation from the gift dispenser 1 under its control, and communicates with the other child device 100_S, so that the other A function of acquiring data for aggregation from the gift dispenser 1 under the slave device 100_S is provided. In this embodiment, the totaling data includes the identification number (unit number) of the prize dispenser 1 and the prize type stored in the “stock management table TA4 by prize type” (see FIG. 17) of the prize dispenser 1. Each item is composed of “the number of prizes in stock” and “the number of prizes supplemented” for each prize type.

  The master unit 100_M also manages the inventory management of prizes in the entire store, the inventory management of prizes in the return box (the prize storage unit), the inventory management of prizes in each prize dispenser 1, and the prizes in the prize giving machine 1 It has a function for inventory management and the like, and a function for displaying and printing each inventory management data.

  The control unit 300 is connected to a communication unit 301, a barcode reader 302, a printing unit 303, a storage unit 304, an operation display unit 305, and the like. 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 the like. A communication control unit 300c for communicating with the prize management machine 100 is included.

  The storage unit 304 of the parent device 100_M is provided with the following three types of tables TB1, TB2, and TB3.

  “Receipt box inventory management table (premium storage section inventory management table) TB1” (see FIG. 19): A table for storing the number of premium inventory for each type of prize in the return box (premium storage section). The contents of this table are cleared when the closing process after closing the store is completed.

  “In-dispenser inventory management table TB2” (see FIG. 20): A table that stores the number of prize stocks for each prize type in each prize dispenser and the quantity inventory for each prize type in all prize dispensers. The contents of this table are cleared when the closing process after closing the store is completed.

  “Store whole inventory management table TB3” (see FIG. 21): A table for storing the number of prize stocks for each prize type in the whole shop. The contents of this table are not cleared when the closing process after closing the store is completed, and the contents are carried over to the next day. However, if the number of free items in the entire store actually calculated by the closing process and the contents of the “in-store inventory management table TB3” are different, the “in-store inventory management table TB3” indicates the actual store overall. The number of free gifts is set.

  By the way, in the game facility, the prize is carried into the game facility by the prize wholesaler before the store is opened. The prize is put in a returnable box and carried in. The returnable box is stored in a predetermined prize storage unit of the game facility. Based on the purchase slip of the premium wholesaler, the clerk inputs the number of premiums for each type of premium purchased into the parent device 100_M as purchase data. The master unit 100_M adds the number of prizes for each prize type input as purchase data to the contents of the “in-store inventory management table TB3”, and passes the contents of the added “in-store inventory management table TB3” to “ It is set in the in-box inventory management table TB1 ". As a result, the contents of the “in-box inventory management table TB1” and the “store-wide inventory management table TB3” represent the number of premium inventory in the entire store after the purchase of premiums.

  In preparation for opening a store, the clerk takes out the prize from the return box (premium storage unit) and replenishes the prize dispenser with the prize empty. After the prize dispenser is replenished with the prize, the inventory check process (steps S2 and S11 in FIG. 22) is performed first, so that the inventory management data is stored in the tables TA2, TA3, TA4 in the prize dispenser 1. Remembered.

  Thereafter, when a totaling process (step S88 or S89 in FIG. 29) is performed by the master unit 100_M by performing a totaling operation by the staff on the base unit 100_M, “in-dispenser inventory management in the master unit 100_M” is performed. The contents of the table TB2 "and the" in-box inventory management table TB1 "are updated. In addition, the contents of the “withdrawal machine inventory management table TB2” in the parent machine 100_M include a prize payout control process (step S86 in FIG. 29, step in FIG. 25) for either the parent machine 100_M or the child machine 100_S to give away prizes. It is also updated when S45) is performed.

  In this embodiment, the contents of the “store whole inventory management table TB3” are updated by subtracting the number of prizes to be paid out every time a prize payout process is performed. Specifically, the contents of the “store whole inventory management table TB3” include a premium payout control process for giving out premiums by either the parent device 100_M or the slave device 100_S (step S86 in FIG. 29, step S45 in FIG. 25). It is updated only when Therefore, the content of the “store entire inventory management table TB3” represents the number of premium inventory that should exist in the store. For this reason, when the number of prizes in the store decreases due to a reason other than the regular prize payout process, the contents of the “store whole inventory management table TB3” do not match the actual number of prize inventory in the whole shop.

On the other hand, the number of prize stocks for each prize type in the returnable box (premium storage section) in the “in-box inventory management table TB1” and the prize type in all the prize dispensers in the “delivery machine inventory management table TB2”. In principle, the total number of premiums in stock matches the actual number of premiums in the entire store. However, in this embodiment, when the number of prizes in the store decreases due to reasons other than the regular prize payout process, each prize type in the return box (premium storage section) in the “return box inventory management table TB1”. The total number of free gift stocks and the number of free gift stocks for each type of free gifts in the free gift machine stock management table TB2 does not match the actual free gift stock of the entire store. Then, the inventory correction is performed so that the number of premium inventory that should originally exist in the store (the contents of the “store entire inventory management table TB3”) is obtained.
[5] Processing by the prize dispenser 1 and the prize management machine 100 The operation display section 7 of each prize dispenser 1 is provided with an inventory confirmation key. Similarly, the operation display unit 305 of the prize management machine (parent machine and slave machine) 100 is provided with an inventory confirmation key, a numeric keypad, and the like. The operation display unit 305 of the parent device 100_M is further provided with a first aggregation key and a second aggregation key.
[6] Processing by the prize dispenser 103 FIG. 22 shows a procedure of processing executed by the prize dispenser 1.

  When the power is turned on (step S1), an inventory confirmation process for inventory management is performed (step S2). The inventory confirmation process is a process that uses the counting function of the transport mechanism 24. Details of the inventory confirmation process will be described later.

  When the stock confirmation processing in step S2 is completed, it is determined whether or not a prize dispensing command from the prize management machine 100 has been received (step S3), and whether or not the door 6 of the prize dispensing machine 1 has been closed from the open state is detected. (Step S4), whether the time set by the timer reservation setting (timer reservation time) has come (step S5), whether an inventory check command has been input (step S6), stock from the prize management machine 100 Whether or not a confirmation command has been received (step S7), whether or not a first tabulation command has been received from the gift management machine 100 (step S8), and whether or not a second tabulation command has been received from the prize management machine 100 Whether or not (step S9) is monitored. Such monitoring is performed until the power is turned off. If the power is shut off (YES in step S17), the process ends.

  The prize payout command from the prize management machine 100 in step S3 is transmitted from the prize management machine 100 because 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 timer reservation setting in step S5 is a function that can be used to make a reservation setting for the time at which the inventory check process is performed, and is performed by an operator operating the operation display unit 7 of the gift dispenser 1.

The stock confirmation command in step S6 is input by operating the stock confirmation key on the operation display unit 7 of the giveaway machine 1. The stock confirmation command in step S7 is transmitted from the free gift management machine 100 due to the operation of the stock confirmation key on the operation display unit 305 of the free gift management machine 100.

  The first totaling command in the above step S8 is based on the fact that the first totaling key of the master unit 100_M is operated when the prize dispenser 1 is directly managed by the master unit 100_M. From the device 100_M. When the prize dispenser 1 is managed by the slave unit 100_S, the first total key of the master unit 100_M is operated, so that it is transmitted from the master unit 100_M via the slave unit 100_S. come.

  The second totaling command in the above step S9 is based on the fact that the second totaling key of the main unit 100_M is operated when the giveaway machine 1 is directly managed by the main unit 100_M. From the device 100_M. When the prize dispenser 1 is managed by the slave unit 100_S, the second total key of the master unit 100_M is operated, so that it is transmitted from the master unit 100_M via the slave unit 100_S. come.

  The first tabulation command is a command for simply acquiring the tabulation data from the prize dispenser 1, whereas the second tabulation command causes the prize dispenser 1 to perform an inventory check process involving a counting process. After that, the command for acquiring the data for aggregation from the prize dispenser 1 is a command.

  When a prize payout command is received from the prize management machine 100 (YES in step S3), a prize payout process is performed (step S10). Details of the prize payout process will be described later. When the gift payout process in step S10 ends, the process proceeds to step S4.

  When it is detected that the door 6 of the gift dispenser 1 is closed from the open state (YES in step S4), when the current time is the timer reservation time (YES in step S5), an inventory confirmation command is input. Time (YES in step S6) or when an inventory confirmation command is received from the giveaway management machine 100 (YES in step S7), inventory confirmation processing is performed (step S11). This inventory confirmation process is the same as the inventory confirmation process in step S2, and details thereof will be described later. When the inventory confirmation process in step S11 is completed, the process proceeds to step S8.

  When the first tabulation command is received from the giveaway management machine 100 (YES in step S8), the tabulation data is transmitted to the giveaway management machine 100 (step S12), and then a table update process is performed (step S13). As described above, the data for aggregation includes the identification number of the prize dispenser, the “quantity inventory number” for each prize type in the inventory management table TA4 for each prize type (see FIG. 17), and “gift supplementation for each prize type”. Number ". In the table update process in step S13, only the premium replenishment number in each table TA2, TA3, and TA4 is cleared (set to 0). When the process of step S13 ends, the process proceeds to step S9.

  When the second total command is received from the free gift management machine 100 (YES in step S9), inventory check processing is performed (step S14), and then the total data is transmitted to the free gift management machine 100 (step S15). . Thereafter, table update processing is performed (step S16). The inventory confirmation process in step S14 is the same process as the inventory confirmation process in step S2, and details thereof will be described later. In the table update process of step S16, only the number of prizes supplemented in each table TA2, TA3 and TA4 is cleared (set to 0). When the process of step S16 ends, the process proceeds to step S17.

By the way, at the time of preparation for opening a store, if goods are received (supplemented) while the power is off, the inventory check process in step S2 is performed when the power is turned on. The number of stocks (number of goods received) is confirmed. At the time of preparation for opening a store, if the warehousing is performed with the power turned on, when the warehousing operation is finished and the door 6 is closed from the open state, the inventory confirmation processing in step S11 is performed. The number of stocks (number of warehousing) is confirmed by the giveaway machine 1. That is, the number of prizes replenished to each cassette from the empty state at the time of opening preparation is automatically counted and acquired by the time of opening.

  When additional warehousing (additional replenishment) is performed during business hours, when the additional warehousing operation is completed and the door 6 is closed from the open state, the inventory check process in step S11 is performed. When the additional warehousing operation is completed, the giveaway machine 1 confirms the number of stocks after the additional warehousing.

  Conventionally, in the tightening process that was performed after closing the store or the tightening process that was performed at the time of the change of staff during business hours, the clerk manually performed the counting work. In order to reduce the time and reduce the time, the counting function of the transport mechanism 24 automatically performs counting. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the staff operates the inventory confirmation key provided on the operation display units 7 and 305 of the prize dispenser 1 or the prize management machine 100 at the timing at which the conventional tightening process is to be performed. And input an inventory check command. As a result, at the timing at which the conventional tightening process is to be performed, YES is obtained in step S6 or step S7, and the process proceeds to step S11, so that the counting operation is automatically performed.

It should be noted that, at any timing other than the timing at which the conventional tightening process is to be performed, when an attendant confirms a stock confirmation command by operating an inventory confirmation key provided on the prize dispenser 1 or the prize management machine 100, Even when the timer reservation time set in advance by the attendant is reached, the inventory check process in step S11 is performed, so that the number-of-stocks can be checked by the prize dispenser 1 at an arbitrary timing or at a preset reservation time. . Furthermore, the inventory check process may be performed at a timing when the number of the prize payout process reaches a predetermined number (for example, 20) from the previous inventory check process. Note that the timing for performing the inventory confirmation process is not limited to this embodiment, and can be set freely.
[6-1] Premiums Distributing Process FIG. 23 shows the procedure of the premiums dispensing process executed in step S10 of FIG.

  In the prize payout process, first, based on the number of payouts for each type of prize sent from the prize management machine 100, one or a plurality of cassettes to which the prizes are to be paid out and the number of payouts from each cassette are determined. The prize is paid out according to the determined content (step S21).

  Then, a table update process is performed (step 22). In other words, among the data for each cassette in the “cassette inventory management table TA2” (see FIG. 15), the “prize inventory number” of the cassette from which the premium has been paid out is subtracted from the number of the premiums paid out from that cassette. Update by In addition, among the data for each lane in the “lane-specific inventory management table TA3”, the “number of premiums stock” of the lane where the premiums have been paid out is updated by subtracting the number of premiums paid out from the lanes.

  Further, based on the updated “Premium inventory number” in the “lane-specific inventory management table TA3” and the contents of the “lane-specific premium type table TA1”, the “Premium inventory number” by premium type is calculated, Based on the calculation result, the “Premium inventory quantity” in the “Premium type-specific inventory management table TA4” is updated. It should be noted that in the update process of step 22, the “number of premiums supplemented” in the tables TA <b> 2 to TA <b> 4 is not updated.

Thereafter, log data is created and stored (step 23). That is, inventory management data consisting of “the number of premium inventory for each cassette”, “the number of premium inventory for each lane”, and “the number of premium inventory for each premium type” is extracted from the data in the updated tables TA2 to TA4. Then, by adding a date and time, an event name, etc. to the extracted inventory management data, lock data is created. The created log data is stored in the storage unit 208. In this case, as the event name, for example, a name representing a premium payout process is used. When the process of step S23 ends, the process returns to step S4 of FIG.
[6-2] Inventory Confirmation Process FIG. 24 shows the procedure of the inventory confirmation process executed in step S2, step S11 or step S14 of FIG.

  In the inventory confirmation process, first, a prize counting process is performed (step S31). That is, by using the counting function of the transport mechanism 24, the number of premium inventory for each lane cassette is counted. When the counting process ends, a table update process is performed (step S32).

  This table update process includes an update process for the “cassette-by-cassette inventory table TA2”, an update process for the “lane-by-lane inventory management table TA3”, and an update process for the “by-product type inventory management table TA4”.

In the update process of the “cassette inventory management table TA2”, first, for each cassette, the current counting result K _{n + 1} is compared with the premium inventory number K _n in the table TA2. When K _{n + 1} = K _n, the number of premiums in stock and the number of premiums replenished in the table TA2 corresponding to the cassette are not updated. When K _{n + 1} = K _n , the free gift inventory number K _n in the table TA2 corresponding to the cassette may be replaced with the current counting result K _{n + 1} .

If K _{n + 1} > K _n , the premium inventory quantity in the cassette has increased due to premium supplementation since the last time the premium inventory quantity data in the table TA2 corresponding to the cassette was updated. The premium inventory quantity in the table TA2 corresponding to the cassette is updated to K _{n + 1} . Further, the number of premiums replenished in the table TA2 corresponding to the cassette is updated to {current value + (K _{n + 1} −K _n )}. As described above, the number of prizes supplemented in the table TA2 is calculated based on the total data including the contents of the table TA4 since the last time it was sent to the prize management machine 100 (when the total data has not been sent since the power was turned on, It represents the number of prizes (estimated value) replenished in the cassette from the time the power is turned on until the present.

When K _{n + 1} <K _n, the free gift inventory data in the table TA2 corresponding to the cassette has been updated since the last time the premium stock quantity data in the cassette is not due to a prize payout. It is determined that the amount is decreasing, and the premium inventory quantity in the table TA2 corresponding to the cassette is updated to K _{n + 1} . Further, in this case, the inventory correction is performed by updating the number of premiums replenished in the table TA2 corresponding to the cassette to {current value− (K _n −K _{n + 1} )}.

That is, (K _n −K _{n + 1} ) prizes from the cassette due to a reason other than giving away prizes since the last time the prize stock quantity data in the table TA2 corresponding to the cassette is updated. As the number of prizes in the return box is increased by “the number of prizes reduced due to reasons other than giving away prizes”, as will be described later, The number of premium stocks of the entire store calculated from the contents of the table TB1 and the contents of the table TB2 is set to be the number of stocks that should originally exist in the store.

  In the update process of the “lane-based inventory management table TA3”, the contents of the “lane-specific inventory management table TA3” are updated based on the result of the update process of the “cassette-specific inventory management table TA2”. In other words, the “Premium Inventory Number” and the “Supplement Replenishment Number” corresponding to each lane in the “lane-specific inventory management table TA3” are set as the “Premium Inventory Number” in the table TA3 corresponding to the four cassettes included in the lane. Also, the value is updated to the value obtained by adding the “replenishment number”.

  In the update process of the “price type inventory management table TA4”, based on the result of the update process of the “lane-specific inventory management table TA3” and the contents of the “lane-specific prize type table TA1”, the “prize for each premium type” “Inventory number” and “Premium replenishment number” for each premium type are calculated, and “Premium inventory number” and “Premium supplement number” in “Premium type-specific inventory management table TA4” are updated based on the calculation result.

Thereafter, log data is created and stored (step 33). That is, inventory management data consisting of “the number of premium inventory for each cassette”, “the number of premium inventory for each lane”, and “the number of premium inventory for each premium type” is extracted from the data in the updated tables TA2 to TA4. Then, by adding a date and time, an event name, etc. to the extracted inventory management data, lock data is created. The created log data is stored in the storage unit 208. In this case, as the event name, for example, in the information indicating the inventory confirmation process, there is no inventory change (when K _{n + 1} = K _n ), there is a premium supplement (when K _{n + 1} > K _n ), or A name to which additional information indicating stock correction (K _{n + 1} <K _n ) is added is used.

If the current inventory confirmation process is the inventory confirmation process in step S2 in FIG. 22, the process returns to step S3 in FIG. 22 after the process in step S33. If the current inventory confirmation process is the inventory confirmation process in step S11 in FIG. 22, the process returns to step S8 in FIG. 22 after the process in step S33. If the current inventory confirmation process is the inventory confirmation process in step S14 in FIG. 22, the process returns to step S15 in FIG. 22 after the process in step S33.
[7] Processing by the prize management device 100 [7-1] Processing by the slave device 100_S FIG. 25 shows a processing procedure by the slave device 100_S.

  Slave unit 100_S determines whether or not the receipt has been read (step S41), whether or not the inventory confirmation key is pressed (step S42), and whether or not the first total key from master unit 100_M has been received (step S42). S43), whether or not the second total key from the master unit 100_M has been received (step S44) is monitored.

  When the receipt is read (YES in step S41), a prize payout control process for paying out prizes from the subordinate prize dispenser 1 is performed (step S45). The prize payout control process will be described later. When the premium payout control process ends, the process returns to step S41.

  When the inventory confirmation key is pressed (YES in step S42), an inventory confirmation command is transmitted to the subordinate prize dispenser 1. Then, the process returns to step S41. The prize dispenser 1 that has received this inventory confirmation command performs the inventory confirmation process in step S11 (specifically, FIG. 24) in FIG.

  When the first total command is received from parent device 100_M (YES in step S43), communication processing based on the first total command is performed (step S47). The communication process based on the first aggregation command will be described later. When this communication process ends, the process returns to step S41.

When the second total command is received from parent device 100_M (YES in step S44), communication processing based on the second total command is performed (step S48). Communication processing based on the second tabulation command will be described later. When this communication process ends, the process returns to step S41.
[7-1-1] Gift payout control process (step S45 in FIG. 25)
FIG. 26 shows the procedure of the premium payout control process in step S46 of FIG.

  In this process, the child device 100_S first acquires the number of game media acquired by the player by reading the barcode printed on the receipt (step S51). At this time, the read number of game media is displayed on the operation display unit 305. Next, based on the acquired number of game media, the number of payouts for each prize type is determined (step S52). At this time, the determined number of payouts for each prize type is displayed on the operation display unit 305.

  The slave device 100_S transmits a prize payout command including a payout number for each determined prize type to one of the subordinate prize dispensers 1 (step S53), and performs a payout number and a payout for each determined prize type. The premium payout data including the identification number (the machine number) of the premium dispenser 1 is transmitted to the parent device 100_S (step S54). Then, the process returns to step 41 in FIG.

When the prize dispenser 1 receives the prize dispense command transmitted from the slave unit 100_S in step S53, the prize dispenser 1 performs the prize dispense process in step S10 of FIG. 11 (specifically, FIG. 23). Further, when receiving the premium payout data transmitted from the slave device 100_S in the above step S54, the master device 100_M updates the contents of the dispenser stock management table TB2 and the entire store inventory management table TB3 as will be described later. [7-1-2] Communication processing based on the first tabulation command (step S47 in FIG. 25)
FIG. 27 shows a communication processing procedure based on the first tabulation command in step S47 of FIG.

  In this process, the slave device 100_S transmits the first totaling command to all subordinate prize dispensers 1 (step S61). Then, it waits for the totaling data to be sent from the subordinate prize dispenser 1 (step S62).

  When the prize dispenser 1 receives the first totaling command transmitted from the slave unit 100_S in step S61, as shown in step S12 of FIG. 22, the giveaway machine 1 sets the totaling data as the transmission source of the first totaling command. It transmits to cordless handset 100_S.

  When receiving the data for aggregation from the subordinate prize dispenser 1 (YES in step S62), slave device 100_S transmits the received data for aggregation to parent device 100_M (step S63). Main unit 100_M updates the contents of tables TB1 and TB2 when it receives the data for aggregation as will be described later.

  The slave device 100_S determines whether or not the data for aggregation from all subordinate prize dispensers 1 has been transmitted to the master device 100_M (step S64). In this communication process, when there is a prize dispenser 1 that has not received the data for aggregation among the prize dispensers 1 under its control (NO in step S64), the process returns to step S62. However, if the totaling data from all of the subordinate prize dispensers 1 cannot be received even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the machine number of the premium dispensing machine for which the totaling data has not been transmitted is displayed. finish.

In this communication process, when it is determined that the data for aggregation from all the gift dispensers 1 under its control has been transmitted to the master unit 100_M (YES in step S64), the current communication process is terminated, and FIG. Return to step S41.
[7-1-3] Communication processing based on the second tabulation command (step S47 in FIG. 25)
FIG. 28 shows a communication processing procedure based on the second tabulation command in step S48 of FIG.

  Steps S71 to S74 in FIG. 28 correspond to steps S61 to S64 in FIG. Since the corresponding steps are the same except for steps S71 and S61, the description of steps S72 to S74 is omitted.

In step S61 in FIG. 27, the first total command is transmitted to all subordinate prize dispensers 1, but in step S71 in FIG. 28, the second total command is transmitted to all subordinate prize dispensers 1. Sending. When the prize dispenser 1 receives the second totaling command, as shown in steps S14 and S15 in FIG. 22, after the inventory check process is performed, the totaling data is sent to the child of the transmission source of the second totaling command. To the machine 100_S.
[7-2] Processing by Main Unit 100_M FIG. 29 shows a processing procedure by the main unit 100_M.

  Master unit 100_M determines whether the receipt has been read (step S81), whether the inventory confirmation key has been pressed (step S82), whether the first total key has been pressed (step S83), or second. It is monitored whether or not the total key has been pressed (step S84), whether or not the prize payout data from the child device 100_S has been received (step S85).

  When the receipt is read (YES in step S81), a prize dispensing control process for dispensing a prize from the subordinate prize dispenser 1 is performed (step S86). The prize payout control process will be described later. When the premium payout control process ends, the process returns to step S81.

  When the inventory confirmation key is pressed (YES in step S82), an inventory confirmation command is transmitted to the subordinate prize dispenser 1. At this time, an inventory confirmation command may be sent to the gift dispenser 1 under the slave 100_S. Then, the process returns to step S81. The prize dispenser 1 that has received this inventory confirmation command performs the inventory confirmation process in step S11 (specifically, FIG. 24) in FIG.

  When the first total key is pressed (YES in step S83), a first total process is performed (step S88). The first tabulation process will be described later. When this process ends, the process returns to step S81.

  When the second total key is pressed (YES in step S84), a second total process is performed (step S89). The second tabulation process will be described later. When this process ends, the process returns to step S81.

When the prize payout data from the child device 100_S is received (YES in step S85), the payout machine stock management table TB2 and the store overall stock management table TB3 are updated (step S90). Since the prize payout data includes the number of payouts for each prize type and the identification number of the prize dispenser 1 that performs the payout, the prize dispenser 1 in the corresponding prize dispenser 1 in the dispenser inventory management table TB2 (FIG. 20). The number of payouts of the corresponding prize type included in the prize payout data is subtracted from the number of prizes of each prize type, and the corresponding prize included in the prize payout data from the total value of each prize type in the table TB2. By subtracting the number of types of payouts, the contents of the stocker management table TB2 are updated. Further, by subtracting the number of payouts of the corresponding prize type included in the prize payout data from the number of prizes of each prize type in the shop overall inventory management table TB3 (FIG. 21), the store overall inventory management table TB3 Update the content. When this update process ends, the process returns to step S81.
[7-2-1] Premiums payout control process (step S86 in FIG. 29)
FIG. 30 shows the procedure of the premium payout control process in step S86 of FIG.

  In this process, master device 100_M first acquires the number of game media acquired by the player by reading the barcode printed on the receipt (step S101). At this time, the read number of game media is displayed on the operation display unit 305. Next, based on the acquired number of game media, the number of payouts for each prize type is determined (step S102). At this time, the determined number of payouts for each prize type is displayed on the operation display unit 305.

  Master device 100_M transmits a prize payout command including a payout number for each determined prize type to one of the subordinate prize dispensers 1 (step S103), and performs a payout number and a payout for each determined prize type. Based on the identification number of the prize dispenser 1, the contents of the dispenser inventory management table TB2 and the entire store inventory management table TB3 are updated (step S104).

  That is, while subtracting the number of payouts of the corresponding prize type included in the prize payout data from the number of prizes of each prize type in the corresponding prize dispenser 1 in the stocker management table TB2 (FIG. 20), By subtracting the number of payouts of the corresponding prize type included in the prize payout data from the total value of each prize type in the table TB2, the contents of the dispenser stock management table TB2 are updated. Further, the contents of the store overall inventory management table TB3 are updated by subtracting the number of payouts of the corresponding premium type from the number of premiums of each premium type in the overall store inventory management table TB3 (FIG. 21). When this update process ends, the process returns to step 81 in FIG.

When the prize dispenser 1 receives the prize dispense command transmitted from the parent machine 100_M in step S103, the prize dispenser 1 performs the prize dispense process in step S10 (specifically, FIG. 23) in FIG.
[7-2-2] First tabulation process (step S88 in FIG. 29)
FIG. 31 shows the procedure of the first tabulation process in step S88 of FIG.

  In this process, the master unit 100_M transmits a first total command to all subordinate prize dispensers 1 and each slave unit 100_M (step S111). And it waits for the data for aggregation to be sent from subordinate prize dispenser 1 or each child machine 100_M (step S112).

  When the prize dispenser 1 receives the first aggregation command transmitted from the parent device 100_M in step S112, as shown in step S12 of FIG. 22, the gift dispensing device 1 transmits the aggregation data to the parent device 100_M.

  In addition, the slave unit 100_S that has received the first total command transmitted from the base unit 100_M in the above step S112 subordinates the received first total command as shown in step S47 of FIG. 25 (specifically, FIG. 27). To the prize dispenser 1, the data for aggregation is acquired from each subordinate prize dispenser 1 and transmitted to the parent machine 100_M.

  When the parent device 100_M receives the data for aggregation from the subordinate prize dispenser 1 or the child device 100_S (YES in step S112), the parent device 100_M performs an update process on the tables TB1 and TB2 (step S113). This update process will be described. The tabulation data includes the identification number of the prize dispenser 1, the number of prize stocks for each prize type, and the number of prize replenishments for each prize type.

First, on the basis of the dispenser identification number in the data for aggregation and the free gift inventory number for each free gift type, the free gift inventory number for each corresponding free cash machine in the free stocker inventory management table TB2 (FIG. 20) is calculated. Replace with the contents of the number of premiums stocked for each premium type in the data for aggregation. Accordingly, the total for each prize type in the table TB2 (FIG. 20) is updated. This process is
This is performed in order to match the contents in the table TB2 with the actual number of prizes in the prize dispenser 1.

  Next, the contents of the returnable box inventory management table TB1 (FIG. 19) are updated on the basis of the dispenser identification number in the data for aggregation and the number of prizes supplemented for each prize type. Specifically, by subtracting the number of prizes supplemented for the corresponding prize type from the current prize inventory number for each prize type in the table TB1, the prize inventory quantity for each prize type in the table TB1 is updated. This process is performed in order to match the contents of the table TB1 (FIG. 19) with the actual number of free gifts in the return box. However, the table TB1 (FIG. 19) is used when a prize is taken out from the prize dispenser other than the prize dispensing process, or when a prize is taken out from the return box for a purpose other than the purpose of replenishment (entry) to the prize dispenser. ) And the actual number of premium items in the return box will not match. More specifically, the contents of the table TB1 (FIG. 19) increase by the number of prizes reduced due to a reason other than the prize payout process, rather than the actual quantity of prizes in the return box.

  When the update process in step S113 is completed, base unit 100_M determines whether or not the data for aggregation from all the prize dispensers 1 in the prize dispensing system has been acquired (received) in the first aggregation process this time. (Step S114). If data for aggregation from all the prize dispensers 1 in the prize dispensing system has not been acquired (NO in step S114), the process returns to step S112. However, if the data for aggregation from all the prize dispensers 1 in the prize dispensing system cannot be received even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the number of the prize dispenser for which the aggregation data has not been transmitted is displayed. And exit.

If it is determined in step 114 that the data for aggregation from all the prize dispensers 1 in the prize dispensing system has been acquired, the contents of the tables TB1, TB2, and TB3 are displayed on the operation display unit 305 (step S115). ). Then, the current first tabulation process is terminated, and the process returns to step S81 in FIG.
[7-2-3] Second tabulation process (step S89 in FIG. 29)
FIG. 32 shows the procedure of the second tabulation process in step S89 of FIG.

  Steps S121 to S125 in FIG. 32 correspond to steps S111 to S115 in FIG. Since the corresponding steps are the same except for steps S121 and S111, the description of steps S122 to S125 is omitted.

  In step S122 in FIG. 31, the first total command is transmitted to all subordinate prize dispensers 1 and each slave unit 100_S. However, in step S121 in FIG. A second tabulation command is transmitted to slave device 100_S.

  When the prize dispenser 1 receives the second total command transmitted from the parent device 100_M in the above step S122, as shown in steps S14 and S15 in FIG. Data for aggregation is transmitted to base unit 100_M.

When the slave unit 100_S receives the second tabulation command transmitted from the parent device 100_M in step S122, the slave unit 100_S receives the received second tabulation command as shown in step S48 of FIG. 25 (specifically, FIG. 28). By transmitting it to the subordinate prize dispenser 2, the data for aggregation is acquired from each subordinate prize dispenser 1, and transmitted to the master unit 100_M. When receiving the second totaling command transmitted from the slave unit 100_S, the giveaway machine 1 performs the inventory check process and then totals two totaling data as shown in steps S14 and S15 of FIG. The command is transmitted to the slave 100_S that is the source of the command.
[6] 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.

  When the free gift dispenser 1 performs the stock confirmation process in step S2 or S11 in FIG. 22, the free gift inventory data in the table TA4 in FIG. 17 (or free gift inventory data and replenishment data in the table TA4). The data may be transmitted to the parent device 100_M via the child device 100_S or directly. When the master unit 100_M receives the premium inventory number data (premium inventory number data and replenishment number data) from the premium dispenser 1, it updates the table TB2 (or both the table TB1 and the table TB2) based on the received data. To do.

  When the prize dispenser 1 performs the warehouse confirmation process in step S2 or S11 of FIG. 22, the totaling data (premium inventory quantity data and supplement quantity data) in the table TA4 is transmitted to the master machine 100_M, and the master machine 100_M. When both the table TB1 and the table TB2 are updated based on the received data, the gift dispenser 1 transmits the data in the table TA4 as in the table update process in steps S13 and S16 of FIG. It is necessary to clear only the number of prize replenishments in the tables TA2, TA3 and TA4.

  In addition, the inventory management performed by the premium management machine (master machine) 100_M may be performed by the higher-level management computer 150.

  In addition, the contents of the store overall management table TB3 are divided into the number of prize stocks for each prize type in the returnable box (premium storage part) in the returnable box inventory management table TB1, and the total prizes in the “delivery machine inventory management table TB2”. You may make it calculate by adding the number of prize stocks for every prize type in a dispenser. In this case, when at least one of the tables TB1 and TB2 is updated, the contents of the table TB3 are updated.

  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 dispense unit 8 Discharge outlet 24 Conveyance mechanism 60 Counting part 70 Separation conveyance part 81 Reservation box 82 Elevator 100 Prize management machine 200 Control part 201 Drive mechanism 208 Storage part 37 Optical sensor 206 Communication Unit 300 Control Unit 301 Communication Unit 304 Storage Unit

Claims (9)

In a prize management device capable of communicating with one or more prize dispensers in which prizes are stored,
A prize storage department inventory management table for storing the number of prize inventory in the prize storage section provided in the amusement facility and storing prizes to be supplemented to the prize dispenser ;
An inventory management table in the dispenser for storing the number of premiums in each premium dispenser and the number of premiums in all the prize dispensers;
Total data acquisition means for acquiring data for aggregation from each prize dispenser, and contents of the inventory management table in the prize storage unit and the inventory management table in the dispenser based on the data for aggregation acquired from each prize dispenser Update means to update
The tabulation data acquired from each prize dispenser includes the identification information of the prize dispenser, the number of prizes in the prize dispenser, and the number of prizes replenished in the prize dispenser within a predetermined period. A featured prize management device.   The tabulation data acquisition means acquires tabulation data from each prize dispenser by sending a tabulation data request command to each prize dispenser when a tabulation command is given. The prize management device according to claim 1.   The prize management device is composed of a plurality of prize management machines, each of the prize management machines manages one or a plurality of the prize dispensers, and one of the plurality of prize management machines is a parent machine. And the other is a slave unit that can communicate with the master unit, the master unit includes the prize storage unit inventory management table and the payout unit inventory management table, and the master unit is subordinate to the master unit. And collecting the data for aggregation from the prize dispenser, and acquiring the data for aggregation from the prize dispenser under each of the slave units via each slave unit, the inventory management table in the prize storage unit and The prize management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contents of the inventory management table in the dispensing machine are updated.   Each prize dispenser stores a plurality of types of prizes, each of the prize inventory numbers is a prize inventory quantity for each prize type, and the prize supplement number is a prize supplement number for each prize type. The prize management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In a prize dispensing system comprising one or a plurality of prize dispensers storing prizes and a prize management device for managing these prize dispensers,
Each premium dispenser is
A tabulation table for storing the number of prizes in the prize dispenser and the number of prizes replenished in the prize dispenser within a predetermined period;
A first updating means for counting the number of prizes stored in the prize dispenser when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and updating the contents of the tabulation table based on the counting result;
When a prize payout command is given, a second update means for paying out a prize corresponding to the prize payout command and updating the contents of the tabulation table, and identification information of the prize payer and the tabulation table And a totaling data transmission means for clearing the number of supplements in the totaling table and transmitting the totaling data including the information in the total to the premium management device,
The giveaway management device includes:
A prize storage department inventory management table for storing the number of prize inventory in the prize storage section provided in the amusement facility and storing prizes to be supplemented to the prize dispenser ;
A stocker management table in the dispenser for storing the number of premium stocks in each premium dispenser in the premium dispensing system and the number of premium stocks in all the premium dispensers;
Based on the total data acquisition means for acquiring the total data from each premium dispenser, and the total data acquired from each premium dispenser, the contents of the in-prize storage department inventory management table and the intra-dispenser inventory management table are A prize payout system comprising a third update means for updating. The totaling data transmission means transmits the totaling data to the premium management device when the totaling data request command is received from the premium management device, and clears the number of premium supplements in the totaling table. It is what
The tabulation data acquisition means acquires tabulation data from each prize dispenser by sending a tabulation data request command to each prize dispenser when a tabulation command is given. The premium payout system according to claim 5. A plurality of giveaway machines storing prizes, and a prize management device for managing these prize dispensers, wherein the prize management device is composed of a plurality of prize management machines, In the prize dispensing system, each managing one or a plurality of prize dispensers, wherein one of the plurality of prize management machines is a parent machine, and the other is a slave machine capable of communicating with the parent machine.
Each premium dispenser is
A tabulation table for storing the number of prizes in the prize dispenser and the number of prizes replenished in the prize dispenser within a predetermined period;
A first updating means for counting the number of prizes stored in the prize dispenser when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and updating the contents of the tabulation table based on the counting result;
When a premium payout command is given, a premium corresponding to the premium payout command is paid out, a second updating means for updating the contents of the totaling table, and a totaling data request command from the premium management machine When received, it includes means for transmitting the data for aggregation including the identification information of the prize dispenser and the information in the aggregation table to the prize management machine, and clearing the number of supplements in the aggregation table. And
The base unit is
A prize storage department inventory management table for storing the number of prize inventory in the prize storage section provided in the amusement facility and storing prizes to be supplemented to the prize dispenser ;
A stocker management table in the dispenser for storing the number of premium stocks in each premium dispenser in the premium dispensing system and the number of premium stocks in all the premium dispensers;
When a totaling command is given, by sending a totaling data request command to the subordinate prize dispenser and each slave unit, the totaling data is acquired from the subordinate prize dispenser and each subordinate Means for acquiring data for aggregation from the prize dispenser under the respective slaves via a machine, and based on the data for aggregation acquired from each prize dispenser, the inventory management table in the prize storage unit and the A third updating means for updating the contents of the dispensing machine inventory management table;
Each slave unit is
Means for acquiring the data for aggregation from the subordinate prize dispenser by transmitting the data request command for aggregation to the subordinate prize dispenser when receiving the total data request command from the parent machine; and Means for transmitting the collected data to the master unit,
A premium dispensing system characterized by comprising: The first updating means includes: a prize stock number updating means for changing the number of prize stocks in the tabulation table to a current counting result; and a prize supplement number updating means for updating the number of prizes supplemented in the tabulation table. With
If the current count result is greater than the number of premium stocks before update in the tabulation table, the premium replenishment number updating means subtracts the number of premium stocks before update in the tabulation table from the current count result Is added to the replenishment number of prizes in the totaling table, and the means for changing the replenishment number of prizes in the totaling table and the current counting result are smaller than the number of freebies in the totaling table before update. In this case, by subtracting the value obtained by subtracting the current counting result from the number of premiums in stock before update in the tabulation table from the number of premiums supplemented in the tabulation table, the number of premiums supplemented in the tabulation table Means to update
The second updating means includes means for updating the number of prize stocks in the tabulation table by subtracting the number of prizes paid out from the prize dispenser from the number of prize stocks in the tabulation table. And
The third update means includes means for updating the contents of the stock management table in the payout machine based on the number of free goods stock in the data for aggregation acquired from the prize paying machine, and the number of free gift stocks in the stock management table in the freebie storage unit 6. A means for updating the number of prizes in the prize storage section inventory management table by subtracting the number of prizes supplemented in the data for aggregation acquired from the prize dispenser from The premium payout system according to any one of? 7.   Each prize dispenser stores a plurality of types of prizes, each of the prize inventory numbers is a prize inventory quantity for each prize type, and the prize supplement number is a prize supplement number for each prize type. The premium payout system according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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