JP5496720B2 - Valuable medium reception unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a valuable medium receiving unit for collecting a game fee of a gaming machine.

  In game facilities such as game centers, a system that uses IC coins (game recording media) with the same functions as prepaid IC cards to pay game fees for game machines (game machines) is adopted. There is a place. Prepaid balance data (balance data) is recorded on the IC coin in a rewritable manner. In such a facility, an IC coin issuing machine for issuing IC coins is installed. The IC coin issuing machine has a function of issuing IC coins, a function of depositing (charging) IC coins, and a function of paying IC coins. When the IC coin is deposited, the IC coin balance data is rewritten to a value obtained by adding the deposited amount to the IC coin balance data. The function of paying the IC coin is a function of paying out an amount of cash corresponding to the balance data of the inserted IC coin.

  Further, each gaming machine (game machine) installed in such a facility is provided with a one-to-one correspondence with a valuable medium reception unit called an IC coin selector. The valuable medium receiving unit is a unit for collecting a game fee of the corresponding gaming machine. The valuable medium receiving unit can receive both coins and IC coins. That is, the player can play a game with a corresponding gaming machine by inserting either a coin or an IC coin into the valuable medium receiving unit. In many cases, the game fee is set so that the game using IC coins is cheaper than the game using coins.

JP 2002-113251 A

  In a conventional valuable medium receiving unit, when the balance data of IC coins received by the unit becomes zero, the IC coins are automatically collected in a collection box in the unit. When the player wants to play a game using the IC coin after the IC coin is collected in this way, the player needs to issue the IC coin again by the IC coin issuing machine. In order to issue an IC coin by an IC coin issuing machine, the player goes to the place where the IC coin issuing machine is installed, selects a desired amount from a plurality of types of prepaid amounts, and inserts money according to the selected amount. Must. For this reason, there is a problem that it takes time and labor.

This invention, when outstanding data of the game recording media bodies are accepted valuable medium in the reception unit is less than the game fee, by inserting money into valuable media accepting unit, the payment to the game recording medium It is an object to provide a valuable medium reception unit that can be performed.

The invention described in claim 1 includes an insertion slot (11) for money and an insertion slot (11) for a game recording medium (3), and can accept money and a game recording medium. 2) A valuable medium reception unit (10) for collecting a game fee, wherein a balance of the game recording medium is determined at a predetermined timing when a game recording medium is received by the valuable medium reception unit. When the discriminating means (50, S8) discriminates whether or not the game fee is equal to or higher than the game fee and the discriminating device determines that the balance of the game recording medium is less than the game fee, The first means (50, S16) for depositing the game recording medium according to the amount of money inserted when inserted, and when the money is not inserted within the predetermined time, Balance technique for recording medium and second means for determining whether or zero or greater than a zero (50, S18), by the second means, the balance of the game recording medium is determined to be zero In this case, if the third means (50, S19) for collecting the game recording medium and the second means determine that the balance of the game recording medium is greater than zero, the game A valuable medium receiving unit including a fourth means (50, S12) for returning the recording medium .

When the game recording medium is accepted, the determination means determines whether or not the balance of the game recording medium is equal to or higher than the game fee at a predetermined timing. When it is determined by the determining means that the balance of the game recording medium is less than the game fee, when the money is inserted within a predetermined time from that time, the game recording medium is recorded in accordance with the amount of the inserted money. Deposit is made. On the other hand, if no money is inserted within the predetermined time, it is determined whether the balance of the game recording medium is zero or greater than zero. When it is determined that the balance of the game recording medium is zero, the game recording medium is collected, and when it is determined that the balance of the game recording medium is greater than zero, the game recording medium is returned. Is done.
In this configuration, when the balance of the game recording medium is determined to be less than the game fee by the determination means, it is possible to deposit the game recording medium by inserting money within a predetermined time. As a result, when the balance of the game recording medium received by the valuable medium receiving unit becomes less than the game fee, it is possible to continue to play the game by depositing the game recording medium. Become. For this reason, when the balance of the game recording medium becomes less than the game fee, the player leaves the gaming machine in order to newly issue a game recording medium or to make a payment to the game recording medium. there is no need to Dari you luck a leg up dedicated issuing machine. As a result, time and labor are reduced. Further, when no money is inserted within the predetermined time, the game recording medium can be automatically collected or returned according to the balance of the game recording medium.

The invention according to claim 2 is the valuable medium reception unit according to claim 1, wherein the money is a coin, and the insertion slot for the money and the insertion slot for the game recording medium are the same. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a coin insertion slot and a game recording medium insertion slot separately, which simplifies the configuration .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holding portion (P1, P2) for temporarily holding the money inserted from the money insertion slot or the game recording medium inserted from the game recording medium insertion slot. ) Are provided, and the game recording medium received by the valuable medium receiving unit is held in one of the two holding units, and the game recording medium is deposited. 3. The valuable medium receiving unit according to claim 1, further comprising means for guiding the money to the other holding portion when the money is inserted for the purpose.

  In this configuration, in a state where the game recording medium accepted by the value medium accepting unit is held by one of the two holding units, money is inserted to deposit the game recording medium. Sometimes the money is led to the other holding part. For this reason, the game recording medium and the money for depositing the game recording medium can be held in different holding portions. Thereby, it can prevent that the recording medium for games and money interfere.

According to the present invention, when outstanding data of the game recording media bodies are accepted valuable medium in the reception unit is less than the game fee, by inserting money into valuable media accepting unit, purposely at the issuing machine It is possible to deposit the game recording medium in front of the gaming machine without going to the game machine.

It is a block diagram which shows the game machine and IC coin issuing machine which were installed in the game facility. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a gaming machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows the valuable medium channel | path provided in the inside of a valuable medium reception unit. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a valuable medium reception unit. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence by a control part.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a gaming machine and an IC coin issuing machine installed in a gaming facility.
In this gaming facility, an IC coin issuing machine 1 for issuing IC coins 3 and a plurality of gaming machines (game machines) 2 capable of playing games with IC coins 3 or coins are installed. Each gaming machine 2 includes a valuable medium receiving unit 10 for collecting a game fee. The valuable medium receiving unit 10 can receive coins and IC coins. When coins and IC coins are collectively referred to, they are referred to as “valuable media”. The IC coin 3 is a coin in which an IC is built, and has the same function as a prepaid IC card. The IC coin 3 stores data such as an issue date, an IC coin identification number, and prepaid balance data (balance data).

  The IC coin issuing machine 1 has a function of issuing an IC coin 3, a function of depositing (charging) the IC coin 3, and a function of paying the IC coin 3. When the IC coin 3 is deposited, the balance data of the IC coin 3 is rewritten to a value obtained by adding the deposited amount thereto. The function of paying the IC coin 3 is a function of paying out an amount of cash corresponding to the balance data of the inserted IC coin 3.

  FIG. 2 shows an overview of the gaming machine 2. The gaming machine 2 includes a flat rectangular parallelepiped gaming machine main body 21 and four legs 22 extending downward from the four corners of the lower surface of the gaming machine main body 21. The valuable medium receiving unit 10 is attached to the gaming machine main body 21 in a state of being fitted into one corner portion of the gaming machine main body 21. A valuable medium insertion slot (insertion slot) 11 for inserting (inserting) coins and IC coins is formed at the upper end of the front surface of the valuable medium receiving unit 10. A valuable medium return port 12 for returning coins and IC coins is formed at the lower end of the front surface of the valuable medium receiving unit 1. Further, a display 13, a game button 14, and a return button 15 are provided on the front surface of the valuable medium receiving unit 10 between the valuable medium input port 11 and the valuable medium return port 12.

  FIG. 3 shows a valuable medium passage 31 provided in the valuable medium receiving unit 10. The valuable medium passage 31 includes an introduction part 31a extending obliquely downward from the valuable medium input port 11, a branch part 31b formed at the lower end of the introduction part 31a, and a first path extending in a bifurcated manner from the branch part 31b. 31c and the 2nd path | route 31d, the 1st path | route 33c and the confluence | merging part 31e where the 2nd path | route 31d merges, and the 3rd path | route 31f and the 4th path | route 31g which divide | segment into the bifurcated shape again from the confluence | merging part 31e. The third path 31 f is connected to the valuable medium return port 12. On the other hand, the fourth path 31g is connected to a collection box 32 provided in the valuable medium receiving unit 10.

  A first branch claw 41 is rotatably disposed at the branch portion 31b. When the first branching claw 41 is in the first rotation position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3, the valuable medium that has reached the branching part 31 b through the introduction part 31 a is first driven by the action of the first branching claw 41. It is guided to the path 31c. On the other hand, when the first branching claw 41 is in the second rotation position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3, the valuable medium that has reached the branching part 31 b through the introduction part 31 a is It is guided to the second path 31d. The first branch claw 41 is normally in a first rotation position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3, for example. The first branch claw 41 is driven by a drive device 141 (see FIG. 4) such as a solenoid.

  Near the center of the height of the first path 31c, a first stopper 42 is rotatably arranged. When the first stopper 42 is in the first rotation position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3, the valuable medium guided to the first path 31 c is received by the first stopper 42 and is on the first stopper 42. It is temporarily held at the position (first holding part P1). A first coin discriminating device 16 and a first IC reader / writer 17 are arranged in the vicinity of the first holding part P1. In the state where the valuable medium is held in the first holding portion P1, when the first stopper 42 is switched to the second rotation position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3, the valuable medium is guided to the merge portion 31e. It is burned. The first stopper 42 is normally in the first rotation position. The first stopper 42 is driven by a driving device 142 (see FIG. 4) such as a solenoid.

  Near the center of the height of the second path 31d, a second stopper 43 is rotatably arranged. When the second stopper 43 is in the first rotation position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3, the valuable medium guided to the second path 31 d is received by the second stopper 43 and is on the second stopper 43. It is temporarily held at the position (second holding part P2). In the vicinity of the second holding part P2, a second coin discrimination device 18 and a second IC reader / writer 19 are arranged. When the second stopper 43 is switched to the second rotation position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3 while the valuable medium is held in the second holding portion P2, the valuable medium is guided to the merge portion 31e. It is burned. The second stopper 43 is normally in the first rotation position. The second stopper 43 is driven by a driving device 143 (see FIG. 4) such as a solenoid.

  The second branch claw 44 is rotatably disposed at the junction 31e. When the second branch claw 44 is in the first rotation position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3, the valuable medium that has reached the junction 31e through the first or second path system 31c, 31d is the second branch. By the action of the claw 44, it is guided to the fourth path 31g and collected in the collection box 32. On the other hand, when the second branch claw 44 is in the second rotation position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3, the valuable medium that has reached the junction 31e through the first or second path system 31c, 31d is By the action of the two-branch claw 44, it is guided to the third path 31f and returned from the return port 12. The second branch claw 44 is normally in the first rotation position indicated by a solid line in FIG. The second branch claw 44 is driven by a drive device 144 (see FIG. 4) such as a solenoid.

FIG. 3 shows an electrical configuration of the valuable medium receiving unit 10.
The valuable medium receiving unit 10 is controlled by the control unit 50. The control unit 50 includes a CPU and a memory (ROM, RAM, etc.) that stores the program and the like, and executes predetermined processing according to the program. The control unit 50 includes a display 13, a game button 14, a return button 15, a first coin discrimination device 16, a first IC reader / writer 17, a second coin discrimination device 18, and a second IC reader / writer. 19, the driving device 141 of the first branch claw 41, the driving device 142 of the first stopper 42, the driving device 143 of the second stopper 43, the driving device 144 of the second branch claw 44, and the like are connected.

FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure by the control unit 50. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the game fee when using coins (game fee for cash) is 100 yen, and the game with cash is possible only when a 100-yen coin is inserted. It is assumed that the game fee (IC coin game fee) when using the IC coin 3 is set to be lower than 100 yen.
The control unit 50 determines whether or not the IC coin 3 is detected by the first IC reader / writer 17 arranged in the vicinity of the first holding unit P1 (step S1), and is arranged in the vicinity of the first holding unit P1. Whether or not a coin has been detected by the first coin discrimination device 16 being monitored is monitored (step S2).

  When a coin is detected by the coin discrimination device 16 (step S2: YES), it is determined that a coin has been inserted and held in the first holding unit P1, and the control unit 50 determines whether the game button 14 or the return button 15 is present. Waiting for a press (steps S3 and S4). When the game button 14 is pressed (step S3: YES), the control unit 50 determines that the detected coin is a predetermined type of coin (100 in this embodiment) based on the discrimination result of the coin discrimination device 16. It is determined whether or not it is a yen coin) (step S5). When the detected coin is the predetermined type of coin (step S5: YES), the control unit 50 gives a game start command to the control unit (not shown) of the gaming machine 2 and performs a coin collecting process. (Step S6). In the coin collecting process, the control unit 50 switches the first stopper 42 to the second rotation position indicated by the broken line in FIG. Thereby, a game by the gaming machine 2 is started, and coins held in the first holding part P1 are collected in the collection box 32 through the first path 31c, the joining part 31e, and the fourth path 31g. The Thereafter, the first stopper 42 is returned to the first rotation position.

  When it is determined in step S5 that the coin detected in step S2 is not the predetermined fixed type coin (step S5: NO), the control unit 50 performs a coin return process (step S7). Specifically, the control unit 50 switches the first stopper 42 to the second rotation position and switches the second branch claw 44 to the second rotation position indicated by a broken line in FIG. Thereby, the coin currently hold | maintained at the 1st holding | maintenance part P1 is returned from the return port 12 through the 1st path | route 31c, the junction part 31e, and the 3rd path | route 31f. In this case, the game by the gaming machine 2 is not started. Thereafter, the first stopper 42 and the second branch claw 44 are respectively returned to the first rotation position.

When the return button 15 is pressed without pressing the game button 14 after the coin is detected in the step S2 (step S3: NO and step S4: YES), the control unit 50 returns the coin. Processing is performed (step S7). Thereby, the coin currently hold | maintained at the 1st holding | maintenance part P1 is returned.
In addition, after a coin is detected by the said step S2, you may make it perform the process of the said step S5. That is, when a coin is detected in step S2, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the detected coin is a predetermined type of coin (100 yen coin in this embodiment). If the detected coin is a predetermined type of coin, the process proceeds to step S3. If the detected coin is not a predetermined type of coin, the process proceeds to step S7. If it is determined in step S3 that the game button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S1, when the IC coin 3 is detected by the IC reader / writer 17 (step S1: YES), the control unit 50 determines that the IC coin 3 has been inserted and held in the first holding unit P1. Then, it is determined whether or not the balance data read by the IC reader / writer 16 (balance data stored in the IC coin 3 detected in step S1) is equal to or greater than the IC coin game fee (step S8). ). When the balance data is equal to or greater than the IC coin game fee, the control unit 50 waits for the game button 14 or the return button 15 to be pressed (steps S9 and S10). When the game button 14 is pressed (step S9: YES), the control unit 50 performs balance data subtraction processing (withdrawal processing) and issues a game start command to the control unit (not shown) of the gaming machine 2. (Step S11). In the balance data subtraction process, the control unit 50 uses the IC reader / writer 16 to rewrite the balance data stored in the IC coin 3 to a value obtained by subtracting the IC coin game fee from the value. Thereby, the balance data stored in the IC coin 3 held in the first holding unit P1 is rewritten, and the game by the gaming machine 2 is started. When the process of step S11 is performed, the process returns to step S8.

  If it is determined in step S8 that the balance data is equal to or greater than the IC coin game fee, the return button 15 is pressed without pressing the game button 14 (step S9: NO and step S10). : YES), the control unit 50 performs IC coin return processing (step S12). Specifically, the control unit 50 switches the first stopper 42 to the second rotation position indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3, and the second branch claw 44 is changed to the second rotation indicated by a broken line in FIG. Switch to position. Thereby, the IC coin 3 held in the first holding part P1 is returned from the return port 12 through the first path 31c, the joining part 31e, and the third path 31f. In this case, the game by the gaming machine 2 is not started. Thereafter, the first stopper 42 and the second branch claw 44 are respectively returned to the first rotation position. In this case, when the first branch claw 41 is in the second rotation position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3, the control unit 50 returns the first branch claw 41 to the first rotation position. When the process of step S12 is performed, the process returns to step S1.

  When it is determined in step S8 that the balance data is less than the IC coin game fee (step S8: NO), the control unit 50 displays the second branch claw 41 in the second broken line shown in FIG. While switching to the rotation position, a message for prompting coin insertion (coin insertion message) is displayed on the display 13 (step S13). For example, a message “Insufficient balance of IC coins. Please insert coins for deposit” is displayed on the display 13.

  Within a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 30 seconds) after the coin insertion message is displayed (or after it is determined that the balance data is less than the IC coin game fee), the second coin discriminating device 18 uses the coins. Is detected (step S14: YES and step S15: NO), the control unit 50 determines that a coin has been inserted and held in the second holding unit P2, and performs balance data addition processing (step S16). . Specifically, the control unit 50 holds the balance data stored in the IC coin 3 held in the first holding unit P1 by the IC reader / writer 16 in the second holding unit P2. Rewrite the value with the sum of the amount of coins added. The amount of coins held in the second holding unit P2 can be obtained based on the coin type identified by the second coin discrimination device 18. Then, the control part 50 performs the coin collection | recovery process for collect | recovering the coin currently hold | maintained at the 2nd holding | maintenance part P2 (step S17). Specifically, the control unit 50 collects the coins held in the second holding unit P2 in the collection box 32 by switching the second stopper 43 to the second rotation position indicated by a broken line in FIG. . Thereafter, the second stopper 43 is returned to the first rotation position. Then, the process returns to step S8.

  When a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 30 seconds) has elapsed without the coins being detected by the second coin discrimination device 18 after the coin insertion message is displayed in step S13 (step S14: NO and Step S15: YES), it is determined whether or not the balance data of the IC coin 3 held in the first holding unit P1 is zero (Step S18). When the balance data of the IC coin 3 held in the first holding unit P1 is zero, the control unit 50 performs the IC coin collecting process, and the first branching claw 41 is indicated by a broken line in FIG. The second rotation position is returned to the first rotation position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3 (step S19). In the IC coin collection process, the control unit 50 switches the first stopper 42 to the second rotation position indicated by the broken line in FIG. As a result, the IC coin 3 held in the first holding part P1 is collected in the collection box 32 through the first path 31c, the joining part 31e, and the fourth path 31g. Thereafter, the first stopper 42 is returned to the first rotation position. When the process of step S19 is performed, the process returns to step S1.

  According to the above embodiment, when the balance of the IC coin 3 received by the valuable medium receiving unit 10 becomes less than the game fee for IC coin, the player inserts coins into the valuable medium receiving unit 10, The IC coin 3 can be deposited (charged). For this reason, it is possible to continue playing games using the IC coin 3. For this reason, when the balance of the IC coin 3 becomes less than the IC coin gaming fee, the player leaves the gaming machine 2 in order to newly issue the IC coin 3 or deposit the IC coin 3. There is no need to go to the dedicated IC coin issuing machine 1. As a result, time and labor are reduced.

In the above embodiment, the valuable medium receiving unit accepts prepaid IC coins, but the present invention can also be applied to a valuable medium receiving unit that accepts prepaid IC cards.
In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of matters described in the claims.

2 gaming machine 10 valuable medium reception unit 50 control unit

Claims (3)

A valuable medium receiving unit that includes an insertion slot for money and an insertion slot for a game recording medium, is capable of receiving money and a game recording medium, and collects a gaming fee of a gaming machine,
A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the balance of the game recording medium is equal to or more than a game fee at a predetermined timing when the game medium is received by the valuable medium reception unit ;
When it is determined by the determining means that the balance of the game recording medium is less than the game fee, when the money is inserted within a predetermined time from that time, the game-use medium is used according to the amount of money inserted. A first means for depositing a recording medium;
A second means for determining whether the balance of the game recording medium is zero or greater than zero when no money is inserted within the predetermined time ;
Third means for collecting the game recording medium when the second means determines that the balance of the game recording medium is zero;
A valuable medium receiving unit comprising: a fourth means for returning the game recording medium when the second means determines that the balance of the game recording medium is greater than zero .   The valuable medium receiving unit according to claim 1, wherein the money is a coin, and the insertion slot for the money and the insertion slot for the game recording medium are the same. Two holding portions are provided for temporarily holding the money inserted from the money insertion slot or the game recording medium inserted from the game recording medium insertion slot,
When a game recording medium received by the valuable medium receiving unit is held by one of the two holding units, and money is inserted to deposit the game recording medium. The valuable medium receiving unit according to claim 1 , further comprising means for guiding the money to the other holding unit.

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