JP6364185B2 - Game media use machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game medium using machine such as a counting hopper arranged in a game medium lending machine that lends a game medium (for example, a medal) used in a game machine (for example, a slot machine).

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game machines and game medium using machines having a mechanism for identifying medals and determining the authenticity of medals have been actively developed. In recent years, it has been desired from the viewpoint of the convenience of the player to install each counter having not only the medal lending function but also the medal counting function in a one-to-one correspondence with each gaming machine.

  When a mechanism for determining the authenticity of medals is introduced into the counting hopper used in each counter, the medals are placed so that the medals released at a predetermined momentum reach the medal collection system in the game island via the mechanism. It is necessary to provide a guide passage to guide the counting hopper. Since the guide passage extends over a predetermined distance, there is a possibility that medals passing through the guide passage may be clogged during the operation of the counting hopper. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the counting hopper with means for eliminating clogging of medals.

  The technique of Patent Literature 1 is to eliminate clogging of medals in a medal payout device installed in a medal type gaming machine. However, the medal payout device of Patent Document 1 does not include a mechanism for determining the authenticity of medals, and the factors that cause medal clogging are essentially different. Therefore, the medal clogging problem in the present invention cannot be solved.

JP 2012-11042 A

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to easily eliminate the clogging of game media in a game media using machine that determines the authenticity of game media.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
A game media using machine that uses game media,
A game medium discharge unit for discharging the game medium;
A guide passage through which the game medium discharged from the game medium discharge unit passes;
A determination member for determining the authenticity of the game medium passing through the guide passage;
A distribution unit capable of distributing the game medium determined to be authentic by the determination member into a regular game medium and a non-regular game medium, and a part of which is displaced while attached to the game medium use machine;
When not being operated, the distribution unit is locked to the distribution unit, and the distribution unit is attached to the game medium use machine. When the operation is performed, the distribution unit is released to displace the distribution unit so that the guide passage can be opened. A stop member;
A collecting unit for collecting the non-regular game media distributed by the distribution unit;
The distribution unit is attached to the game medium use machine so that the position of the distribution unit displaced after being released from the locking member is moved away from the collection unit.
Other means will be described later.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the clogging of the game media in the game media usage machine which performs the authenticity determination of a game media can be eliminated easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a whole block diagram of the game media rental machine of this embodiment, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right view. It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a game medium rental machine, and is a right side view. It is a perspective view of a counting hopper, and is a figure which shows when the distribution unit is latched by the latching member, and the guide passage is an unopened state. It is a perspective view of a counting hopper, and is a figure which shows when the distribution unit is released from the locking member and the guide passage is in an open state. In FIG. 4, it is the figure which showed the state which notched the right back side of the counting hopper. FIG. 4 is an end view taken along line AA in FIG. 3.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings (refer to drawings other than the referenced drawings as appropriate). Note that the directions of “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “front (front, front)”, and “back (back, back)” in the present embodiment are as shown in each drawing. And

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the game medium lending machine 1 is a device installed adjacent to a game machine (not shown) that uses a medal (game medium) to play a game.
The game medium lending machine 1 includes a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped main body 2, a coin insertion port 3, a payout / counting function member 50, a nozzle 4, a control unit 101, a payout hopper 102, and a counting hopper 103. , Mainly.

  The main body 2 is a housing that houses each device of the game medium lending machine 1. The main body 2 includes a bottom plate 201, side plates 202, 202, a back plate 203, a top plate 204, and a plurality of front plates 211a, 212a, 213a, 214a that close the opening on the front side. Yes. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the inside of the main body 2 is, in order from the top, a bill valida unit storage unit 211, a control unit storage unit 212, a medal replenishment unit (game medium replenishment unit) 213, and a payout. It is partitioned into a hopper storage part 214 and a counting hopper storage part 215.

  The bill burr unit storage unit 211 is a part that stores a bill burr unit (money identification device) (not shown) for identifying money inserted by the player. In the bill burr unit storage section 211, the opening on the front side is closed by the front plate 211a. The front plate 211a is formed with a money slot 3 which is a slot for money to be inserted by a player.

  The control unit storage unit 212 is a part that stores the control unit 101 that performs various controls in the game medium lending machine 1. The control unit 101 is integrally formed with a front plate 212a that closes the opening on the front side. A card insertion slot 212b and a touch panel monitor 212c are formed on the front plate 212a. A card storing player information is inserted into the card insertion slot 212b. The touch panel type monitor 212c displays the game situation of the player (for example, the number of paid-out medals, the number of acquired medals, etc.).

  The medal replenishing unit 213 is a part for replenishing the payout hopper 102 with medals. The opening on the front side of the medal replenishment portion 213 is closed by a plate-like opening / closing door (front plate) 213a. The medal replenishing portion 213 includes a hollow portion (not shown) that communicates with the payout hopper 102.

  The payout hopper storage part 214 is a part for storing the payout hopper 102. The opening on the front side of the payout hopper storage portion 214 is closed by a front plate 214a integrally formed with the payout function / counting function combining member 50.

  The counting hopper storage unit 215 is a part that stores the counting hopper 103. The opening on the near side of the counting hopper storage portion 215 is closed by a front plate 214a integrally formed with the payout function / counting function combining member 50.

The nozzle 4 includes a nozzle body 5 and a nozzle top 6, and guides medals paid out from the payout hopper 102 to a lower plate of the gaming machine.
The payout hopper 102 pays out a predetermined number of medals according to an instruction from the control unit 101.
The counting hopper 103 transmits the counted number of medals to the control unit 101.

  The control unit 101 includes a calculation unit, a storage unit, a card insertion slot 212b, a card reading unit (not shown), a touch panel monitor 212c, and the like. The storage means stores the number of payout medals paid out from the payout hopper 102, the number of medals acquired by the player through the game, the number of counted medals counted by the counting hopper 103, and the like. The calculation means performs calculations such as reading each medal number stored in the storage means and calculating the difference number.

  In the game medium lending machine 1, when money is inserted from the money insertion slot 3 by the player, according to an instruction from the control unit 101, a predetermined number of moneys are supplied by the payout hopper 102 according to the value (amount) of the inserted money. Pay out medals.

  The payout function / counting function combined member 50 includes a counting medal tray 7 (see FIG. 2) for receiving medals inserted by the player for counting, and a counting medal passage from the counting medal tray 7 to the counting hopper 103. At least a part and at least a part of the payout medal path from the payout hopper 102 to the nozzle top 6 of the nozzle 4 are configured as an integral member. Note that the counting medal tray 7 has an opening. The opening is provided in the upper part of the payout function / counting function combined member 50 and opens upward (not only in the upward (vertical) direction but also in the obliquely upward direction), and the player inputs for counting. This is the part that receives game media.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when a medal inserted from the counting medal tray 7 passes near the auto start sensor 11 in the counting medal path, the medal is detected by the counting hopper 103 from the auto start sensor 11 via the control unit 101. The counting hopper 103 is started by sending the signal. When the downward guiding member 12 having a medal drop opening is provided in the lower direction of the main body 2 at the back of the counting hopper 103, the medals released from the counting hopper 103 are guided downward in the game medium lending machine 1. For example, it is collected by a medal collection system provided below the game medium lending machine 1. The medal drop opening of the downward guiding member 12 communicates with an opening 201 a formed on the back side (back plate 203 side) of the bottom plate 201 constituting the bottom of the main body 2.

The payout hopper 102 includes a counting device 111, a storage unit 112, and a base member 113.
The counting device 111 is a device that counts medals one by one. The counted medal number is stored in the control unit 101.
The storage part 112 is a box-shaped body formed on the counting device 111 and having a hollow part. The upper part of the storage unit 112 is open, and the dropped medal is stored in the storage unit 112. The lower part of the storage part 112 is also open, and medals fall into the counting device 111.
The base member 113 is a member formed under the counting device 111 and is a member for adjusting the height of the counting hopper 103.

[Configuration of Counting Hopper 103]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the counting hopper 103 includes a counting device 121, a storage unit 122, and a base member 123. For convenience of explanation, the internal structure of the counting hopper 103 is shown in FIG. 4 and 5, the illustration of the storage unit 122 is omitted.

  The counting device 121 is a device that counts medals one by one. The counted medal number is stored in the control unit 101. The counting device 121 includes a counting turntable 131 (game medium discharge unit), a guide passage 132, a discharge roller 133, a photo sensor 133a, a magnetic sensor 134 (determination member), a distribution unit 135, a dip switch 136, , And a delivery plate 140 (a delivery part). It should be noted that the counting turntable 131, the photo sensor 133a, the magnetic sensor 134, the solenoid 135a of the distribution unit 135, and the dip switch 136 are communicably connected by a communication line (not shown), and the control unit 101 is communicably connected.

  The counting rotating disk 131 has a disk shape and is disposed on the counting device 121. The counting rotating disk 131 is formed with a plurality of medal storage holes 131a that penetrates in the thickness direction and have an outer diameter slightly larger than the medal. The size of the medal storage hole 131a is large enough to accommodate large diameter medals, and naturally small diameter medals can also be accommodated. In the present embodiment, three medal storage holes 131a are formed.

  The counting rotating disk 131 rotates forward and backward in the circumferential direction by a drive motor (not shown) disposed inside the counting device 121. The counting rotating disk 131 temporarily stores the medals stored in the storage unit 122 in the medal storage hole 131a by rotating in the circumferential direction. When the counting turntable 131 further rotates in the circumferential direction, the medals stored in the medal storage hole 131a count in the direction in which the medals pass, that is, the direction in which the medals are discharged toward the back end (downstream end) of the guide passage 132. Although it is pushed out from the turntable 131 little by little, it is temporarily blocked by the discharge roller 133. Thereafter, the medal is pushed out by the discharge roller 133 against the urging force and released outward from the counting rotating disk 131, and is ejected by the urging force to return to the original position of the discharge roller 133. pass.

  The guide passage 132 extends in the medal passage direction from the back side of the counting rotating disk 131 to the lower guide member 12 at the upper part of the counting device 121. A part of the guide passage 132 that is located behind the magnetic sensor 134 and below the sorting unit 135 is cut away to drop the irregular medal.

  The photo sensor 133 a is arranged on the front side of the magnetic sensor 134 in the medal passage direction, and detects the medal emitted from the counting rotating disk 131 based on the movement of the ejection roller 133. When the photo sensor 133a detects a medal, the magnetic sensor 134 starts processing for determining the authenticity of the medal.

  The magnetic sensor 134 detects a voltage generated when a medal passes. The magnetic sensor 134 includes a box having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a hole penetrating in the medal passage direction at the center of the magnetic sensor 134 (see FIG. 4). The hole is a detection portion of the magnetic sensor 134 and constitutes a part of the guide passage 132, and allows a medal (including a large-diameter medal) to pass therethrough. The magnetic sensor 134 includes hardware such as a circuit that drives the magnetic sensor 134, a coil that is wound around the hole, and a voltage measuring device that measures a voltage value due to a current flowing through the coil. Is housed in. The coil is annular detection means for detecting a medal. The hole is located inside the coil. The detection means may be a circular ring or a quadratic ring.

  The medal passes through the detection portion of the magnetic sensor 134, that is, passes through the coil, and is released along the guide path 132. At this time, the magnetic sensor 134 can detect a voltage generated by electromagnetic induction caused by the medal passing through the coil. That is, the voltage measuring device measures the voltage value of the current that flows through the coil when the medal passes through the detection portion. The magnetic sensor 134 acquires a first magnetic signal and a second magnetic signal for specifying two of the three elements of the material that characterizes the medal, the outer diameter, and the thickness from the measured voltage value. . The magnetic sensor 134 analyzes the first magnetic signal and the second magnetic signal, thereby determining the authenticity of the medal based on the comparison with two kinds of magnetic signals of the regular medal stored in advance by the magnetic sensor 134. I do.

  Based on the authenticity determination, it is determined whether the medal passing through the detection part of the magnetic sensor 134 is a regular medal or an irregular medal. The magnetic sensor 134 includes a counting unit for counting medals, and counts at least one of medals passing through the detection part of the magnetic sensor 134, regular medals, and non-regular medals.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the delivery plate 140 is a plate material arranged on the back side of the magnetic sensor 134. The delivery plate 140 forms a guide passage 132 having a substantially left half width on the downstream side of the magnetic sensor 134. Even if the legitimate medal determined to be legitimate by the authenticity judgment is soiled with greasy hands and the like, and the momentum after being ejected from the discharge roller 133 is reduced, It slides to the far end and is discharged to the outside of the counting hopper 103.

  The delivery plate 140 constitutes the left side of the guide passage 132 on the back side of the magnetic sensor 134. Therefore, the sending plate 140 guides the right side of the guide passage 132 on the back side of the magnetic sensor 134 to a predetermined place without sending the irregular medal to the back end portion of the guide passage 132 (specifically, Is formed as a region for falling toward the collection box 137 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “non-regular medal guide region” (non-regular game medium guide region)). That is, the irregular medal guide area is formed on the upstream side of the back end portion of the guide passage 132.

  The delivery plate 140 includes a bracket attached to a part of the counting hopper 103 by, for example, screwing. The delivery plate 140 is made of metal. The frame of the counting hopper 103 is generally made of resin.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the distribution unit 135 distributes medals determined to be authentic by the magnetic sensor 134 into regular medals and non-regular medals, and guides non-regular medals to the non-regular medal guidance area. The distribution unit 135 is disposed above the feed plate 140 and the irregular medal guide area. The distribution unit 135 includes a solenoid 135a, a flapper 135b (regulator), and a mounting table 135c. As shown in FIG. 3, the solenoid 135 a and the flapper 135 b are covered with a cover body of the distribution unit 135.

  The solenoid 135a moves the flapper 135b up and down when energized. According to the authenticity determination of the magnetic sensor 134, the flapper 135b is not moved when the medal is a regular medal, but the flapper 135b is moved downward when the medal is an irregular medal.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the flapper 135b restricts the movement of the non-regular medal from above in order to guide the non-regular medal to the irregular medal guide area. Specifically, when the flapper 135b moves downward at a predetermined timing by the solenoid 135a, the flapper 135b hits the non-regular medal from above and drops it so as to guide it to the non-regular medal guide area.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the flapper 135b is disposed to face the irregular medal guide area. That is, the flapper 135b is disposed above the irregular medal guide area. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the flat surface of the flapper 135b that directly hits the non-regular medal has a substantially V-shape that becomes narrower toward the back side. The flapper 135b is made of metal.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the mounting table 135c is a table for mounting the solenoid 135a to which the flapper 135b is attached. A locking member 138 is disposed on the right side of the top surface of the counting device 121. As shown in FIG. 6, the claw portion 138 a of the locking member 138 is locked to the sorting unit 135 from above (when the operator managing the game medium lending machine 1 is not operated). As shown in FIG. 4, the left end portion of the sorting unit 135 is displaced by the hook 139 disposed on the left end portion of the upper surface of the counting device 121 while being partially attached to the counting hopper 103. It is regulated so that it can rotate. When the claw portion 138a is spread to the right and the locking by the claw portion 138a is released, the sorting unit 135 is released, the right end portion of the sorting unit 135 can be displaced upward, and the guide passage 132 is opened. The

  The dip switch 136 is a medal setting switch, and allows one or more medals to be set as regular medals from a plurality of types of medals. The dip switch 136 is attached on the left side surface of the counting device 121. The dip switch 136 includes, for example, eight switches that can be switched on and off, and each switch can correspond to one type of medal that is normally used in a game hall.

  The storage part 122 is a box-shaped body formed on the counting device 121 and having a hollow part. The upper part of the storage unit 122 is open, and the dropped medal is stored in the storage unit 122. The lower part of the storage unit 122 is also open, and medals fall into the counting device 121.

  The base member 123 is a member formed at the lower part of the counting device 121 and is a member for adjusting the height of the counting hopper 103. The base member 123 includes a collection box 137.

  The collection box 137 collects the irregular medals that have been hit by the flapper 135b and dropped from the irregular medals guide area. The collection box 137 has an opening at the top and has a box shape that can be pulled out toward the front. As shown in FIG. 5, the rear part of the collection box 137 is a receiving part that accepts an irregular medal that has dropped from the irregular medal guide area. The bottom portion of the receiving portion has an inclined surface that descends forward.

  The bottom portion of the receiving portion has a non-planar inclined surface. The inclined surface is, for example, a surface on which a plurality of convex portions 137a protruding in a semi-elliptical spherical shape are formed. The inclined surface may be a surface on which a plurality of ribs extending in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the inclined surface are formed, for example.

[Operation of counting hopper 103]
As shown in FIG. 2, the medals ejected from the medal receiving hole 131 a of the counting rotating plate 131 of the counting device 121 by the discharge roller 133 pass through the vicinity of the photosensor 133 a along the guide path 132. When the photo sensor 133a detects a medal based on the movement of the discharge roller 133, the photo sensor 133a transmits a medal detection signal to the magnetic sensor 134, thereby causing the magnetic sensor 134 to perform a process of determining the authenticity of the medal.

  If the photo sensor 133a does not detect a medal for a predetermined time, the control of the control unit 101 calibrates the magnetic sensor 134 with respect to the environmental temperature change in the counting hopper 103 and the like.

  The medal that has passed in the vicinity of the photosensor 133a passes the detection portion of the magnetic sensor 134. Then, the magnetic sensor 134 acquires the first magnetic signal and the second magnetic signal, respectively, using the voltage value when the current flows through the coil.

  Since the magnetic sensor 134 has a configuration in which a medal can pass through a hole that is a detection part of the magnetic sensor 134, it is possible to detect a voltage caused by a change in magnetic flux in all directions in three dimensions. Therefore, the magnetic sensor 134 can also acquire detailed information for specifying the material, outer diameter, and thickness of the medal. Generally, the peak intensity of a magnetic signal increases as the dielectric constant of the metal used for the medal increases. Further, the peak intensity of the magnetic signal increases as the medal outer diameter increases. Further, the peak intensity of the magnetic signal increases as the medal thickness increases. The magnetic sensor 134 determines the authenticity of the medal based on a comparison between the first magnetic signal and the second magnetic signal acquired from the medal and two kinds of magnetic signals of the regular medal stored in advance by the magnetic sensor 134. Do.

  The result of the authenticity determination by the magnetic sensor 134 is transmitted to the distribution unit 135. The result of the authenticity determination is whether the medal that has passed through the magnetic sensor 134 is a regular medal or an irregular medal. The distribution unit 135 does not move the flapper 135b downward when receiving the determination result that it is a regular medal. As a result, the medal determined to be a regular medal passes slightly above the delivery plate 140 and reaches the inner end of the guide passage 132, and is collected by the medal collection system via the downward guide member 12. The

  On the other hand, the distribution unit 135 moves the flapper 135b downward when receiving the determination result that it is an irregular medal. As a result, the medal determined to be an irregular medal is hit by the flapper 135b, falls from the irregular medal guide area of the guide passage 132, and is collected in the collection box 137.

  Here, for example, if the medal is soiled with greasy hands, the friction between the medal discharged by the discharge roller 133 with a predetermined momentum and the guide passage 132 increases, and the momentum of the medal discharge is lost to some extent. I will be broken. However, since the counting hopper 103 includes the delivery plate 140 on the downstream side of the guide passage 132, even if the regular medal that has passed through the magnetic sensor 134 loses the momentum of release to some extent and hits the delivery plate 140. Then, it slides to the back end of the guide passage 132, is reliably discharged to the outside of the counting hopper 103, and is reliably recovered by the medal recovery system.

  The reason for the loss of the medal release momentum is, for example, that the medal itself is originally made of a material with a large friction coefficient (for example, brass), and that the medal slips on the guide passage 132 is not so good. , Is given. Even if it is such a factor, even if the regular medal hits the delivery plate 140, it slides to the far end of the guide passage 132 and is reliably discharged to the outside of the counting hopper 103.

  On the other hand, after the irregular medal passes through the magnetic sensor 134, it hits the delivery plate 140 for a while. However, since the irregular medal is hit from above by the flapper 135b of the distribution unit 135, it is guided and excluded from the irregular medal guide area formed on the right side of the feed plate 140. As described above, in the counting hopper 103 that determines the authenticity of the game medium, the regular medal can surely reach the back end portion of the guide passage 132 and the non-regular medal can be surely excluded.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the flapper 135b hits the non-regular medal by hitting a portion that does not hit the sending plate 140 from above, and the sending plate 140 prevents the non-regular medal from falling by the flapper 135b. Absent. Accordingly, when the flapper 135 b hits the non-regular medal from above, the non-regular medal is rotated around the release direction of the medal, and the rotated non-standard medal is substantially horizontal of the regular medal at the back end of the counting hopper 103. So that it cannot pass through the outlet extending to As a result, it is possible to ensure that the non-regular medal does not reach the back end of the guide passage 132, and it is possible to reliably drop the non-regular medal from the irregular medal guide area.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the flat surface of the flapper 135b that directly hits the non-regular medal has a substantially V-shape that becomes narrower toward the back side. Therefore, for example, compared with the case where the flat surface of the flapper 135b is rectangular, the portion that hits the rotating non-regular medal is small, so the non-regular medal when the flapper 135b hits the non-regular medal is larger. Can be rotated. As a result, the irregular medal can be more reliably dropped from the irregular medal guide area.

  Further, since the delivery plate 140 is made of metal, even if the medal is soiled with hand grease, the friction between the delivery plate 140 and the medal is small. Also, the friction between medals made of a material with a large friction coefficient is small. Further, if the delivery plate 140 is made of metal, the delivery plate 140 is hardly worn even when repeated metal medals pass. As a result, the delivery plate 140 can maintain the performance of delivering regular medals to the back end portion of the guide passage 132 well over a long period of time.

  The irregular medals that have fallen from the irregular medal guide area are received by the receiving portion in the collection box 137 shown in FIG. Since the inclined surface is formed in a non-planar shape by the plurality of convex portions 137a, the contact area between the fallen irregular medal and the inclined surface is smaller than that in the case where the bottom portion is a flat shape. The friction between the regular medal and the inclined surface can be made very small. As a result, the irregular medals received in the receiving part can be smoothly moved to the front part in the collection box 137 and accumulated.

  In addition, since the non-planar inclined surface is formed by the plurality of convex portions 137a, the irregular medal received in the receiving portion can be surely laid down (not standing). As a result, irregular medals can be efficiently accumulated in the collection box 137. Further, when a height detection sensor (full sensor) for detecting the height of medals stacked in the collection box 137 is introduced into the counting hopper 103, the height detection sensor detects that the medals are not full but the height detection sensor is full. Can be avoided.

  Since the counting hopper 103 of the present embodiment includes members for eliminating irregular medals such as the magnetic sensor 134 and the sorting unit 135, the distance of the guide passage 132 becomes a predetermined length or more. As a result, medals passing through the guide passage 132 during operation of the counting hopper 103 may be clogged in the middle. The reasons for the clogging of medals are (1) foreign matter such as dust having a predetermined size is mixed in the guide passage 132, and (2) the number of irregular medals collected in the collection box 137 is too large. It is piled up so that the non-regular medal guide area of the guidance passage 132 may be reached. As for (2), although the clogging of medals can be avoided by using the height detection sensor for detecting the height of the medals stacked in the collection box 137, the height detection sensor may be broken. .

  When a clogged medal occurs, the control unit 101 of the game medium lending machine 1 can notify the worker who manages the game medium lending machine 1 of the clogged medal. The worker opens the front plate of the game medium lending machine 1 and takes out the counting hopper 103 from the game medium lending machine 1. The worker operates the locking member 138 and pushes it outward with respect to the sorting unit 135, that is, in the direction of the shaded arrow (right direction) in FIG. Then, the locking by the claw portion 138a with respect to the distribution unit 135 is released, the distribution unit 135 is released, and the right end portion of the distribution unit 135 can be displaced upward with the left end portion of the distribution unit 135 as the central axis of rotation. As indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 5, the worker can open the guide passage 132 by displacing the right end portion of the sorting unit 135 upward. The worker can, for example, spread one locking member 138 with one hand and displace the right end portion of the sorting unit 135 upward, that is, easily open the guide passage 132 with one hand. be able to.

  The worker checks the opened guide passage 132 to identify the cause of the medal clogging and eliminate the medal clogging. For example, when foreign matter is mixed on the guide passage 132, the guide passage 132 is cleaned to remove the foreign matter. When the irregular medals are piled up to reach the irregular medal guide area of the guide passage 132, the collection box 137 is pulled out from the counting hopper 103, and the irregular medals in the collection box 137 are removed.

  When the worker clears the jammed medals, the worker pushes the sorting unit 135 from above. Then, the locking member 138 temporarily bends to the right side of the sorting unit 135 and then returns to the original position by the urging force of the locking member 138. At this time, the nail | claw part 138a latches with respect to the distribution unit 135 from upper direction. The worker returns the counting hopper 103 into the game medium lending machine 1, closes the front plate of the game medium lending machine 1, and finishes the operation.

  From the above description, according to the present embodiment, in the counting hopper 103 that determines the authenticity of medals, the clogging of medals on the guide passage 132 can be easily resolved.

  In particular, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, since the collection box 137 is arranged on the right side of the guide passage 132, the sorting unit 135 is moved to the left of the guide passage 132 so that the counting hopper 103 Is attached. As a result, the receiving portion of the collection box 137 where medals are clogged can be greatly opened, and the worker can easily remove the clogged medals.

Further, the delivery plate 140 is disposed on the left side of the guide passage 132 so as to be disposed on the same side as the moving direction of the distribution unit 135 released from the locking member 138. Therefore, the irregular medal guide area is formed between the feeding plate 140 and the collection box 137. As a result, the receiving portion of the collection box 137 where clogging of medals occurs can be opened more greatly, and the worker can more easily remove clogged medals.
(Other)

  In the present embodiment, three elements of the medal material, outer diameter, and thickness are taken as a plurality of elements characterizing the medal. However, the elements that characterize medals handled in this embodiment are not limited to the above. Further, the number of elements necessary for identifying the medal according to the present embodiment may be two, or four or more.

  In this embodiment, the medal passing through the detection portion of the magnetic sensor 134 is identified using at least two types of magnetic signals, that is, the first magnetic signal acquired by the magnetic sensor 134 and the second magnetic signal. Done. However, the medal identification may be performed using three or more kinds of magnetic signals. Therefore, the medal identification may be performed using all or some of the elements that characterize the medal.

  Further, referring to FIG. 1, the dispensing hopper 102 is disposed above the counting hopper 103. However, for example, the counting hopper 103 may be arranged above the dispensing hopper 102, and the arrangement of the dispensing hopper 102 and the counting hopper 103 may be reversed.

  Referring to FIG. 2, when a medal inserted from the counting medal tray 7 passes near the auto start sensor 11, a signal for detecting the medal is sent to the counting hopper 103, and the counting hopper 103 is started. However, the counting hopper 103 may be started by operating the button by using a button for starting the counting hopper 103 as an alternative to the auto start sensor 11. The button can be arranged on the outer surface of the game medium lending machine 1 or in the inside thereof, for example.

  In addition, referring to FIG. 2, the upper part of the counting device 121 is inclined so that the counting rotating disk 131, the guide passage 132, and the like advance downward in the depth direction. However, for example, the present invention can be applied even when the upper portion of the counting device 121 is horizontal.

  Further, the delivery plate 140 is not limited to be arranged so as to constitute the left side of the guide passage 132, and guides the regular medal to the downstream end portion of the guide passage 132, and places the non-regular medal in the non-regular medal guide area. If guidance is not hindered, for example, it may be arranged so as to constitute the right side of the guide passage 132 or may be arranged in the center. Further, if the regular medal is guided to the downstream end of the guide passage 132 and does not prevent the non-regular medal from being guided to the non-regular medal guide area, the width of the feed plate 140 is equal to the width of the guide passage 132. It may be larger than half or smaller.

  In the present embodiment, the delivery plate 140 extends from the back side of the magnetic sensor 134 to the back end portion of the counting hopper 103 in the medal passage direction of the guide passage 132. However, the delivery plate 140 may be configured to extend in a partial section between the back side of the magnetic sensor 134 and the back end of the counting hopper 103.

  Further, the surface of the feeding plate 140 is not limited to a flat surface, and the entire surface or a part of the surface may be a non-planar surface such as a concave surface, a convex surface, or an uneven surface in order to reduce friction with a medal. There may be one or a plurality of members that fulfill the function of the delivery plate 140, and the shape of the member is not limited to a plate shape, and may be one or a plurality of rod shapes, tube shapes, thread shapes, and the like. If the medal can be guided to a location different from the downstream end portion of the guide passage 132, the irregular medal guide region can be appropriately formed in another shape according to the shape of the feeding plate 140.

  In the present embodiment, by using the metal delivery plate 140, the part of the guide passage 132 from the back side of the magnetic sensor 134 to the back end of the counting hopper 103 is made of metal. However, the delivery plate 140 may be made of resin as with the counting hopper 103. For example, the counting hopper 103 may be designed so that the entire guide passage 132 is made of metal. Alternatively, a metal attachment that covers the surface of the resin guide passage 132 may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the right end portion of the distribution unit 135 is lifted and opened leftward has been described, but the direction in which the distribution unit 135 opens is arbitrary, and may be, for example, the right direction, the back direction, or the near side direction. .

  In the present embodiment, the collection box 137 that receives and collects irregular medals has been described, but a chute that discharges irregular medals may be used. The bottom of the portion of the chute that receives the irregular medal may be a non-planar inclined surface as in the present embodiment. Further, the whole or part of the bottom of the receiving portion of the collection box 137 may be concave.

  Of course, the present invention can be applied to a game medium using machine arranged in the game medium lending machine 1 that does not include the payout function / counting function combining member 50.

  Note that the counting hopper 103 disposed in the game medium lending machine 1 shown in FIG. 3 is one specific example of a game medium using machine that operates using game media. Other specific examples of the game medium using machine include a payout hopper 102 disposed in the game medium lending machine 1, a payout hopper disposed in the game machine, and a counter disposed in a counter such as a jet counter. There is a hopper. The game medium identification device of the present invention can also be applied to these specific examples.

A technique combining the techniques described in the present embodiment can be realized.
In addition, the shape and arrangement of the members constituting the apparatus of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game medium lending machine 2 Main body 3 Money insertion slot 4 Nozzle 5 Nozzle main body 6 Nozzle top 7 Counting medal saucer part 11 Auto start sensor 12 Down direction guide member 50 Dispensing function / counting function combined use member 101 Control part 102 Dispensing hopper 103 Counting Hopper 111 Counting device 112 Storage unit 113 Base member 121 Counting device 122 Storage unit 123 Base member 131 Counting turntable 131a Medal storage hole 132 Guide passage 133 Release roller 133a Photo sensor 134 Magnetic sensor (determination member)
135 Sorting unit 135a Solenoid 135b Flapper (Regulator)
135c Mounting table 136 Dip switch 137 Collection box (collection unit)
137a Convex part 138 Locking member 138a Claw part 139 Hook 140 Sending plate (feeding part)

Claims (3)

A game media using machine that uses game media,
A game medium discharge unit for discharging the game medium;
A guide passage through which the game medium discharged from the game medium discharge unit passes;
A non-regular game medium guide region that opens along the traveling direction of the game medium upstream of the back end of the guide path at the bottom of the guide path;
A delivery section that is present along the traveling direction of the game medium adjacent to the non-regular game medium guide area at the bottom of the guide passage, and guides the regular game medium to the back end; and
A determination member for determining the authenticity of the game medium passing through the guide passage;
A unit that forms a ceiling portion in the guide passage and is opposed to the non-regular game medium guide area, and the game medium that has been determined to be authentic by the determination member is a normal game medium and a non-normal game medium. A distribution unit capable of being displaced in a direction away from the non-regular game medium guide area and the delivery part in a state where a part is attached to the game medium use machine,
A locking member that locks the sorting unit with respect to the game media using machine when not being operated, and that allows the guiding unit to be opened by displacing the sorting unit by releasing the sorting unit during operation. When,
A game medium use machine comprising: a collection unit that collects the non-regular game medium distributed by the distribution unit. The guide passage is a bottom formed along the passing direction of the game medium,
The bottom portion of the guide passage is composed of the delivery portion having a substantially half width and the non-regular game medium guide region that opens along the direction in which the game medium passes,
The distribution unit is
Has a flapper that restricts movement of the non-regular game medium above the portion facing the guide region and out tension in the induction passage the non-regular game medium from above,
The flapper has a shape in which an interval between an edge portion of the sending portion on the non-regular game medium guide region side and an edge end portion of the flapper on the sending portion side is separated toward the back side of the guide passage. I have a,
2. The game according to claim 1, wherein the flapper protrudes into the guide passage at a portion facing the non-regular game medium guide region, and rotates the non-normal game medium around an axis in a traveling direction. Medium use machine. The game medium using machine according to claim 1, wherein the width of the sending-out part is substantially half the width of the game medium.

Images