JPH0430317B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Industrial application field The present invention relates to an automatic pachinko ball lending machine,
In particular, it relates to an automatic pachinko ball lending machine that automatically lends out pachinko balls using a card with a specific mark written on it.

Prior Art Conventional automatic pachinko ball lending machines lend out pachinko balls by inserting coins or banknotes. For this reason, pachinko game parlors have installed several automatic pachinko ball lending machines and money exchange machines that lend out pachinko balls using coins, and also have pachinko ball machines that lend out pachinko balls using coins (100 yen coins) between the pachinko machines. There are rental machines available for rent. In the case of such a pachinko ball lending system, the game parlor has no choice but to collect coins from a large number of lending machines, which is complicated and inconvenient in that coins are easily lost during collection. As described above, the conventional lending system has not been able to simultaneously satisfy the convenience of players and game parlors.

Furthermore, in conventional lending machines, pachinko balls are lent out by inserting coins, which requires players to prepare coins, and therefore it is necessary for game parlors to provide currency exchange machines for the convenience of players. It was hot.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention The present invention makes it possible to rent out pachinko balls by card in order to reduce the number of places where money is handled in a pachinko game parlor and solve problems such as complication for the game parlor and the players. This is how it was done.

Means for Solving the Problem Mark detection means uses a square card with a mark of a specific color on at least two sides indicating that pachinko balls can be paid out, and detects the mark when the card is inserted; a dispensing means for dispensing a predetermined amount of pachinko balls, which is activated by the detection output of the mark detection means; a mark erasing means, which is activated by the detection output of the mark detection means, for erasing the mark on the card surface; A card conveying means is provided to automatically lend out pachinko balls using the card.

Function: When a card is inserted and the mark detection means detects a mark of a specific color, the payout means and mark erasing means are activated to pay out a certain amount of pachinko balls and change the color of the mark to another color. etc. to erase the mark so that it cannot be used next time. Then, the card is returned by the card transport means.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the main parts of the card-type automatic pachinko ball lending machine of the present invention. The automatic pachinko ball lending machine of this embodiment may be installed between pachinko machines, and It can be placed independently in the game store. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a guide rail defining a card conveyance path 1', and facing the path 1', three feed rollers 2 are arranged at intervals, and each roller 2 has a pair of guide rollers 2'. is placed opposite this. 3 is a magnetic head that reads the identification code on the inserted card and determines whether the card is genuine or false; 4 is a light emitting element; and 5 is a light receiving element, which is composed of a color sensor and detects a specific color on the inserted card. is detected and output from the signal processing circuit 12. 6 is a heating stamp heated by a heater 7, which is moved downward in FIG. 1 by the operation of a solenoid SOL2 to press and heat the inserted card C. S1 is a sensor such as a micro switch, which is arranged on the surface of the card passage 1' from which part of the feed roller 2 and guide roller 2' have been removed, and is designed to detect the insertion of a card. S2 is also a sensor such as a micro switch, and is a sensor for detecting that the card C has been inserted, is fed by the feed roller 2, etc., and has reached the end. 9 is an amplifier for amplifying the signal from the magnetic head 3; 10 is for shaping the signal from the amplifier 9;
16 is a motor drive circuit that drives the motor M, SOL1 is a solenoid that is operated to rent out pachinko balls, and is similar to a conventional ball rental machine. 13 is an input/output circuit, which includes the above-mentioned solenoid SOL1, signal processing circuit 12, solenoid SOL2, sensors S1, S2, and counter 1.
1. Connected to the motor drive circuit 16. 14
15 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU), and 15 is a ROM that stores a control program, etc. for controlling the card-type automatic pachinko ball dispensing machine of this embodiment.
This is a memory consisting of RAM, etc. for temporary storage of data. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the card C used in this embodiment. Card C has a square shape, with colored marks 20a, 20a', 20b, 20b', 20d on the front and back along the sides of the square.
20d', 20e, 20e' are provided, and color marks provided on the front and back of the same side, for example 20a,
20a' is provided symmetrically from the midpoint of the side. And the above color marks 20a to 20
e′ is made of a heat-sensitive material that changes color when heated. In addition, at the center point of the card C, an identification code 21 consisting of the same magnetic code is placed on each side.
a, 21b, 21d, and 21e are provided on the front and back of the card C. This identification code is used to determine the authenticity of the card.

Therefore, the operation of this embodiment will be explained together with the operation processing flow shown in FIG. 3.

First, a player purchases a card C from a card vending machine or the like, inserts the card C into the card-type pachinko ball automatic lending machine of the present invention, and borrows pachinko balls. When inserting Card C into this card-type automatic pachinko ball lending machine, insert it so that the color marks 20a to 20e' at the end correspond to the heating stamps 6. (displayed to notify players). For example, if the heating stamp 6 is located in front of the center line of the card insertion passage 1' in FIG. 1, then the card C is placed in the state shown in FIG. When inserted as the top surface, the color mark 20a corresponds to the heating stamp 6, and when the card C is inserted face down, the color mark 20a' corresponds to the heating stamp 6. Similarly, the correspondence between the heating stamp 6 and the color marks 20a to 20e' can be selected depending on which side of the inserted card C is placed on the front side and whether the card C is inserted face up or down. .

Then, the player checks the color mark 20 on card C.
Assuming that a card C is inserted so that a corresponds to the heating stamp 6, the card C is sandwiched between the feed roller 2 and the guide roller 2', and at the same time the sensor S1
detects the end of the card C, the sensor S1 turns ON, and when the CPU 14 detects this (step 101), it rotates the motor M in the normal direction and resets the counter 11 (step 102). Therefore, the card C is conveyed to the back of the passage 1 by the feed roller 2, while the identification code 21a provided on the card C is detected by the magnetic head 3 and passed through the amplifier 9 and waveform shaper 10. The code is counted by the counter 11. On the other hand, when the card C reaches the end of the passage and the sensor S2 is turned ON (step 103), the CPU 14 stops the motor M (step 104), and then the counter 11
It is determined whether the value of is equal to the set value, that is, whether the identification code is correct (step 105), and if it is correct, it is determined whether there is a signal from the color sensor 5 and the signal processing circuit 12 (step 106). If the correct color mark 20a is detected by the color sensor 5, a signal is output from the signal processing circuit 12. When the CPU 14 detects the signal, it activates the solenoid SOL1 that lends out a certain number of pachinko balls and the solenoid of the heating stamp 6. At the same time as SOL2 is activated to pay out pachinko balls, a heating stamp is pressed onto the color mark 20a of card C to heat it (step 107). When the color mark 20a is heated, it changes color and the specific color of the color mark 20a disappears. And the CPU 14 is the motor M
and card C is reversed, and when card C turns on sensor S1 once (step 109) and then turns off sensor S1 (step 110),
That is, when the card C protrudes from the card insertion slot and the end of the card C is no longer detected by the sensor S1, the motor M is stopped (step 111), and one pachinko ball lending operation is completed. Furthermore, when you want to borrow pachinko balls, turn over the card C and make the color mark 20a' correspond to the heating stamp 6, or use the color marks 20b to 2 on the other sides.
If card C is inserted again so as to match 0e', pachinko balls will be paid out once in the same way. Note that if the identification code is not correct or the color mark is not detected in steps 105 and 106 above, the pachinko balls are not paid out (without performing the process in step 107) and the card C is
will be sent back and returned.

The above is the first embodiment in which the CPU is used to perform the automatic lending process of pachinko balls using a card, but the same process can also be performed by a dedicated control circuit without being controlled by the CPU. This case will be described below as a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows the control circuit in this case, and this control is used in place of the input/output circuit 13, CPU 14, and memory 15 in FIG. Similar to the example.
When the card C is inserted into the passage 1' and the sensor S1 detects it, the motor M is rotated in the forward direction by the motor drive circuit 6 to convey the card C as described above. The counter 11 counts. When the card C reaches the end of the path 1' and the sensor S2 turns on, the motor drive circuit 6 is reset via the OR gate G1 to stop the motor M from rotating normally. On the other hand, the value of the counter 11 and the value of the identification code set by the setting device 18 are compared by the matching circuit 17, and if they match, the matching circuit 17 outputs an output and the AND gate G5
Enter. In addition, when the color sensor 5 detects the color marks 20a to 20e' and a detection signal is output from the signal processing circuit 12, the AND gate G5 outputs an output signal, and the solenoid SOL1 and the color which pays out a certain amount of pachinko balls are activated. Mark 20a-20
Heating stamp 6 solenoid SOL to erase one of e'
Activate 2. Further, the output of the AND gate G5 is inputted to the OR gate G4 via the delay circuit 20, and the output of the OR gate G4 is inputted to the motor drive circuit 6, which causes the motor M to rotate in reverse and the card C to be sent backwards. Further, the timer 19 is activated by the output to the OR gate G4, outputs the output after a certain period of time, and stops the motor M via the motor drive circuit 6 via the OR gate G1. That is, the timer 19 is set to output a signal with a delay of the time necessary for the card C to be ejected into the card insertion slot, and when the card C is returned, the motor M stops reversing and the card C is ejected. This is to stop the reverse feeding of the The above is the operation when operating normally,
Sensor S2 turns ON and identification code 21a~21
When e is different and no output signal is output from the coincidence circuit 17, an output is output from the AND gate G3 which inputs the signal from the sensor S2 and the negation signal of the signal from the coincidence circuit 17, and the same as described above is generated via the OR gate G4. The motor M is reversed and the card is returned. Further, when the color marks 20a to 20e' are not detected by the color sensor 5 and no signal is output from the signal processing circuit 12, an output signal is output from the AND gate G2 which inputs the negation of the output of the sensor S2 and the output of the signal processing circuit 12. appears and returns the card C through the or gate G4 in the same manner as described above. That is, if the identification code on the card C is not correct or if the color mark is not detected, the card C is returned without paying out any pachinko balls.

In the first and second embodiments described above, a card C provided with identification codes 21a to 21e as shown in FIG. 2 was used, but the color sensor 5 can detect only special colors. This identification code may be omitted. In this case, the magnetic head 3, amplifier 9, waveform shaper 1
0. The counter 11 can be omitted, and in the first embodiment, the process of determining whether or not the identification codes match shown in step 105 is not necessary. In the second embodiment, the matching circuit 17, the setting device 1
8. AND gates G3 and G5 are no longer needed, and the solenoid SOL is activated by the output of the signal processing circuit 12.
1.SOL2 will be activated.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the color marks 20a to 20e' change color due to heat, but the color marks can be simply turned black (or another different color) using a stamp or the like. It may be filled in. In this case, the heating stamp 6
You can use a stamp that fills it in black instead. At this time, since only the front side of the card C is filled in with the stamp, there is no need to place color marks on the front and back of the card C symmetrically with the midpoint of the sides as shown in Figure 2, and the front and back are the same. A color mark can be provided at the position.
FIG. 5 shows an example of such a card C', in which color marks 22a to 22e are provided at the midpoints of each side on the front and back.
~22e is painted over with a stamp, for example, in black (note that the card C' shown in Figure 5 does not have an identification code either). Automatic pachinko ball lending using such a card C'. A third embodiment of the machine will be described.

FIG. 6 shows the structure of the card processing section of this third embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the control section of this third embodiment. The configuration for renting out pachinko balls is the same as the conventional one, and a fixed amount of pachinko balls are paid out by operating the solenoid SOL1 shown in FIG. 24 is one side plate forming the guide rail, and the other side plate is omitted in FIG. 6. 23 is a card passage formed by both side plates; 25 is a card ejection lever rotatably attached to the side plate 25 around a shaft 27; the lever is biased counterclockwise about the shaft 27 by a spring 32; and is held in a position where it abuts against the stopper pin 35. A roller 29 that protrudes into the card passage 23 is fixed to the tip of the card ejection lever 25, and a lock pin 30 protrudes in the opposite direction from the roller 29 at the intermediate portion of the card ejection lever 25. 26 is the side plate 24
A lock lever is rotatably mounted on a shaft 28, and its tip is fixed to a plunger 33 of a solenoid SOL4.
It has an engaging part 31 that engages with. Reference numeral 36 denotes a stamp operated by a solenoid SOL3, which is disposed at a position so as to correspond to the color mark on the card C' when the card C' is completely inserted into the card passage. 37 and 38 are light emitting elements and color sensors similar to those in the first and second embodiments. Also, S
3 is a sensor actuated by the end of the square card C' when the card C' is completely inserted into the passageway 23; Note that 34 is a spring that returns the plunger of the solenoid SOL4. 40
G is a signal processing circuit similar to the first and second embodiments that inputs a signal from the color sensor 38 and outputs an output signal to the AND gate G6 and the inverter I only when the color sensor 38 detects a specific color.
6 is an AND gate which inputs the output of the signal processing circuit 40 and the output of the sensor S3, and outputs it to the one-shot multivibrator 42. G7 is an AND gate that connects the output of inverter I and sensor S3.
input the signal delayed by the delay circuit 41,
It is output to OR gate G8. A delay circuit 43 delays the output of the one-shot multivibrator 42 to operate the solenoids SOL1 and SOL3. Further, 44 is a delay circuit which further delays the output of the delay circuit 43 and inputs the delayed output to the OR gate G8. The output of OR gate G8 is designed to operate solenoid SOL4.

In the above configuration, when the card C' is inserted into the card passage 23, the card C' presses the roller 29 with its tip and advances while rotating the card ejection lever 25 clockwise about the shaft 27. When the card C' is completely inserted into the passage, the sensor S3 is actuated by the tip of the card C', and the lock pin 30 of the card ejection lever 25 engages with the engaging part 31 of the lock lever 26, and the card is removed. The ejection lever 25 is held in this position. On the other hand, when the color sensor 38 detects the color mark 22d (in the state shown in FIG. 6), the signal processing circuit 40 outputs an output signal, so the AND gate G6 receives the signals from the sensor S3 and the signal processing circuit 40. One-shot multivibrator 42
After being delayed by the delay circuit 43, the solenoid SOL1 that dispenses a certain amount of pachinko balls and the solenoid SOL3 that operates the stamp 36 are activated to dispense the pachinko balls and stamp them on the color mark 22d, marking them black (or (to another color)
Fill. Thereafter, after being delayed by the delay circuit 44, the solenoid SOL4 is passed through the OR gate G8.
operates, so the plunger 33 of the solenoid SOL4 is pulled, and the lock pin 30 and lock lever 2 are pulled.
6, then release the card ejection lever 25.
is rotated counterclockwise about shaft 27 by spring 32, roller 29 pushes card C' toward the card insertion slot, and returns card C'.

On the other hand, the color sensor 38 detects the color mark 22a.
~22e is not detected, that is, when a different color mark is attached, or when the color mark has already been used and is filled in, no output is output from the signal processing circuit 40, and no output is output from the AND gate G6. produces no output. On the other hand, since the output of the signal processing circuit 40 is inverted by the inverter I and input to the AND gate G7,
When sensor S3 detects the tip of card C', it is delayed by delay circuit 41 and input to AND gate G7, and an output is output from AND gate G7 and sent to solenoid SOL4 via OR gate G8.
, and the card ejection lever 25 is rotated counterclockwise in the same manner as described above, so that the card C' is returned.

Although the third embodiment uses a card C' without an identification code, it may be provided with an identification code as in the first and second embodiments.

Above, in the first, second, and third embodiments, cards have been shown with marks attached to each side, but the marks do not necessarily have to be attached to all four sides. 2 sides or 3 inside
It may be attached to the sides.

Effects of the Invention In the present invention, pachinko balls are automatically lent out using a card, so the money used by players is concentrated exclusively in the card vending machine. Moreover, since it is only necessary to install card vending machines at two or three locations within the store, cash management at the game store becomes extremely simple.
Trouble, etc. when collecting money can be reduced. In addition, players can also borrow pachinko balls with their cards, so there is no need to prepare small change, and as long as there is a balance on the card, pachinko balls can be borrowed at any time.

Furthermore, the card used here is square in shape, and the marks are placed at fixed positions on each side of the square, so the structure is simple and the marks are easy to produce. You can add up to 4 marks, and if you also use the back side, you can add up to 8 marks. Further, since no mark is located in the center of the card, this area can be used as an area for providing a magnetic code for determining the authenticity of the card.

Furthermore, since the mark on the square card at the insertion completion position will always be in the same position no matter which side the mark is placed on, means for detecting and erasing this mark (mark detection means,
The mark (mark erasing means) and the mark always face each other, and therefore the mark can be detected and erased extremely easily. That is, there is no need for the detection/erasing means to move or scan over a wide range when detecting/erasing marks.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the main parts of the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an example of a card used in the embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the operation processing in the first embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 shows the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control section of the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an example of another card used in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the control section in the third embodiment. 1, 1'... Guide rail, 1', 23... Passage, 2... Feed roller, 2'... Guide roller,
3... Magnetic head, 4, 37... Light emitting element, 5,
38...Color sensor, 6...Heating stamp, 2
0a~20e', 22a~22e...Color mark, 21a~21e...Identification code, 25...Card ejection lever, 26...Lock lever, M...
Motor, S1~S3...Sensor, SOL1~
SOL4...Solenoid, C, C'...Card.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A mark detecting means for detecting a mark made on the surface of an inserted card by color; and a dispensing means for dispensing a fixed amount of pachinko balls that is activated by the detection output of the mark detecting means. , a card-type pachinko ball automatic lending machine comprising a mark erasing means that is activated by the detection output of the mark detection means and erases the mark on the card surface, and a card transport means for transporting the card, wherein the card is The shape is a square, and the marks are arranged at fixed positions on at least two sides of the square, and the mark detection means and mark erasing means are arranged so as to correspond to the position of the mark on the card at the insertion completion position. A card-type pachinko ball automatic lending machine characterized by being equipped with. 2. The card-type pachinko ball automatic lending machine according to claim 1, wherein the mark is attached to both the front and back sides of the card. 3. An identification code is attached to the center of the card surface, this identification code is detected by an identification code detection means, and both the detection output from the identification code detection means and the detection output from the mark detection means are The card-type pachinko ball automatic lending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the payout means and the mark erasing means are activated only when an output is made. 4. Claim 1, wherein the mark erasing means comprises a heating stamp, and the mark on the card is a mark that changes color when heated.
The card-type pachinko ball automatic lending machine according to paragraph 2 or 3. 5. The card according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the mark erasing means is a stamp means for painting the mark in a different color with a stamp of a different color from the mark on the card surface. Automatic pachinko ball lending machine.