Coin discrimination device and inter-game boards ball dispenser equipped with the same

The present invention relates to a coin discriminating device for discriminating coins and an inter-table lending machine installed close to a game machine such as a pachinko machine. In particular, whether the coin inserted from the coin slot is a coin or an IC. The present invention relates to a space-saving coin discriminating device capable of discriminating whether a coin is a coin, and an inter-unit lending machine equipped with the coin discriminating device.

In recent years, RFID (Radio Frequency-Identification) tags (also called IC tags) that can hold various data inside and exchange data in a non-contact manner have become widespread. This RFID tag consists of an IC (CMOS, etc.) chip and an ultra-small antenna, and since it can easily rewrite internal data, it can replace prepaid cards that were once disposable, for example, getting on and off a train (Suica (registered trademark)). It is used for (name), etc.), and is used for lending balls and medals to pachinko machines installed in amusement stores, slot machines, etc. In addition, such RFID tags come in various shapes, and are used in various ways depending on the usage pattern such as a card type or a coin type.

In the game store, a plurality of pachinko machines or slot machines and other game machines that are divided into a plurality of islands and installed are arranged side by side, and games such as pachinko balls and medals used in these game machines are installed side by side. The medium is rented from a platform rental machine (also called a CR unit) installed between the game machines. In the past, players purchased prepaid cards using a prepaid card purchasing machine installed separately from the lending machine, and inserted the purchased prepaid card into the inter-machine lending machine to rent balls or medals. By using RFID tags, it is possible to lend balls and medals by directly inserting cash into the inter-unit lending machine without purchasing a prepaid card one by one.

Currently, many card-type RFID tags (hereinafter referred to as IC cards) are used as RFID tags used in inter-vehicle rental machines that use RFID tags, and are often introduced in patent documents (for example, patent documents). 1).

The IC card device described in Patent Document 1 will be described below. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the IC card device described in Patent Document 1 below. The IC card device 110 described in Patent Document 1 has a storage unit 111 capable of accommodating a plurality of IC cards 114, an insertion slot 112 capable of inserting and removing the IC card 114, and predetermined amusement medium usage data in the IC card 114. A read / write unit 111A for writing and reading the game medium usage data written on the IC card 114 is provided, and when the game medium usage data remains, the read / write unit 111A provides the IC card 114 with the read / write unit 111A. The game medium usage data is written so that the IC card 114 can be ejected from the insertion port 112, and when the game medium usage data does not remain, the IC card 114 is initialized by the read / write section 111A and the storage section 111 is used. It is designed to be collected in.

However, if the RFID tag is a card type as in Patent Document 1, an IC card transfer mechanism is always required in the IC card device, which not only complicates the mechanism but also attaches it to the inter-unit rental machine for use. In that case, the inter-unit lending machine itself becomes large, and it is not suitable for the inter-unit lending machine where the space is fixed to some extent.

In order to solve the above problems, inter-unit lending machines using RFID tags of coin type instead of card type have been developed and are often introduced in patent documents (for example, patent documents). 2).

The inter-unit rental machine described in Patent Document 2 will be described below. FIG. 13 is a side view showing the internal structure of the main body of the stand-to-stand rental machine described in Patent Document 2 below. The inter-unit lending machine described in Patent Document 2 includes a money identification device 151 (152) having a money input port 151A (152A), an IC coin payout button 155, a play start button 153, an IC coin storage unit 154, and the like. An IC coin reader / writer 156 equipped with a read / write device that can read and write game media data to the IC coin while IC coins are supplied from the IC coin storage unit 154, and an IC provided in the IC coin reader / writer 156. A coin payout outlet 158 and an IC coin collection box 159 for collecting IC coins discharged from the IC coin reader / writer 156 are provided, and the money inserted into the money slot 151A (152A) is a money identification device 151 ( If it is determined to be true by 152), the payout outlet 158 is written after the play medium data corresponding to the amount of money is written to the IC coin by the read / write device in response to the pressing of the IC coin payout button 155. When the game medium data remains in the IC coin in response to the play start button 153 being pressed, a predetermined number of game media are lent out and no game medium data remains. IC coins are collected in the IC coin collection box 159.

According to the inter-unit lending machine described in Patent Document 2, by using a coin-type RFID tag (hereinafter referred to as IC coin) as an RFID tag, even if a transport mechanism consisting of a belt or the like is not provided in the transport path, the transport path can be set. In addition to being able to carry coins simply by giving them a predetermined inclination, the IC coin itself is smaller than an IC card, so the space occupied in the inter-unit lending machine can be reduced.

<patcit num="1"><text>JP 2001-184470 (Fig. 3, [Claim 1])</text></patcit><patcit num="2"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-300117 (Fig. 2, [Claim 1])</text></patcit>

<p> However, the inter-unit lending machine described in Patent Document 2 is provided with an IC coin storage unit 154, and has a structure for paying out or collecting IC coins stored in the IC coin storage unit 154. It is not possible to rent balls or medals by inserting IC coins. In such a stand-to-stand rental machine where IC coins cannot be inserted, even if the player wants to move to another play stand, the IC coin is once paid out, settled by the IC coin settlement machine, and then the play stand is set again. I had to go back and insert coins, which was very troublesome.</p><p> Further, the inter-unit lending machine of Patent Document 2 is provided with a bill and coin slot, but if an IC coin slot is newly provided in this inter-unit lending machine, the number of transport paths and the like will increase. However, the main body of the inter-unit rental machine became large, and it was not suitable for the inter-unit rental machine with limited installation space. And, until now, there has been a table-to-table lending machine whose main body is almost the same size as the one that can only use banknotes and coins as shown in Patent Document 2 and can also use IC coins. There wasn't.</p><p> In view of the above problems, the present inventors have provided various inter-unit lending machines so that the space for the inter-unit lending machine does not increase even if an IC coin insertion port is provided without eliminating the bill and coin slot. As a result of the examination, if the coin slot and the IC coin slot are the same and a coin discriminating device that can discriminate between the IC coin and the coin is provided in the inter-unit lending machine, all the above problems can be solved. , Which led to the present invention.</p><p> That is, the first object of the present invention is to provide a space-saving coin discriminating device capable of discriminating between IC coins and coins inserted from the same slot.</p><p> A second object of the present invention is to provide an inter-unit lending machine that can use banknotes, coins, and IC coins by using the coin discriminating device without increasing the installation space.</p>

<p> The above object can be achieved by the means shown below. That is, the coin discriminating device according to claim 1 of the present application includes a coin insertion slot for inserting a coin and an IC coin having a size different from that of the coin, and a plurality of coin insertion slots tilted downward by a predetermined angle from the coin insertion slot. A coin transport path that transports coins by their own weight branched into the path of, a plurality of sensors that determine coins inserted from the coin insertion slot, and a plurality of coins that change the route of coins inserted from the coin insertion slot. In the coin discriminating device having the gate, the plurality of gates are provided on an extension line of the bottom surface of the transport path, a first gate provided parallel to the bottom surface, and the first gate provided in the transport path. It consists of a second gate provided close to one gate, and the first gate and the second gate are arranged in an abbreviated shape so that the angle formed by the first gate and the second gate are a predetermined sharp angle, and further, the plurality of gates. The sensor is provided at a position for determining the size of the coins carried, and when the coins carried in the coin carrying path are stationary at the positions of the first and second gates, the output of the sensor is It is characterized by having a discriminating unit that opens and closes either the first or second gate according to the situation and transports the coin to a predetermined transport path.</p><p> Further, the invention according to claim 2 of the present application relates to the coin discriminating device according to claim 1, and the discriminating unit opens the first gate when it is determined that the discriminated coin is a coin. When it is determined that the discriminated coin is an IC coin, the second gate is opened.</p><p> The invention according to claim 3 of the present application relates to the coin discriminating device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor used in the discriminating unit recognizes the size of coins conveyed to the discriminating unit. It is characterized by including one sensor and a second sensor that recognizes whether or not a coin has been conveyed to the discriminating unit.</p><p> Further, the invention according to claim 4 of the present application relates to the coin discriminating device according to claim 3, and the first sensor is appropriately installed at an appropriate installation position according to the size of a coin scheduled to be used for the coin discriminating device. It is characterized by changing.</p><p> Further, the invention according to claim 5 of the present application relates to the coin discriminating device according to claim 1, further providing a transport path at the end of the second gate, and the transport at the tip of the transport path. On the extension line of the bottom surface of the road, a third gate provided parallel to the bottom surface and a fourth gate provided in the transport path and provided close to the third gate are provided. The third gate and the fourth gate are arranged in an abbreviated shape, and the IC coins that have passed through the second gate are stopped by the third and fourth gates, and are provided at the stationary positions of the IC coins. It is characterized by having an IC coin recognition unit that reads and writes data in the IC coin by an IC coin reader / writer.</p><p> Further, the invention according to claim 6 of the present application relates to the coin discriminating device according to claim 5, and different transport paths are directly connected to the ends of the third and fourth gates, and the IC coin recognition unit. It is characterized in that the transport route of the IC coin can be changed according to the data of the IC coin stationary in.</p><p> Further, the invention according to claim 7 of the present application relates to the coin discriminating device according to claim 1, and the coin insertion slot is provided with a fifth gate for controlling permission / non-permission of coin insertion. It is a feature.</p><p> The invention according to claim 8 of the present application relates to the coin discriminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gate is a small shutter.</p><p> The invention according to claim 9 of the present application relates to the coin discriminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor is a small infrared sensor.</p><p> The invention of the inter-unit lending machine according to claim 10 of the present application includes a bill identification machine having a bill insertion slot for inserting bills, and a control board that displays or performs arithmetic processing using the inserted coins, IC coins, or the like. , The coin discriminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a coin shooter for identifying inserted coins, a safe for temporarily storing inserted coins or IC coins, and the coin discriminating device. A plurality of coin transport paths for transporting coins between the coin shooter and the safe, a power supply unit for supplying power to the bill identification machine, the control board, and the like, and the above-mentioned members are integrated. It is characterized by being composed of an elongated frame for forming a coin.</p><p> The invention according to claim 11 of the present application relates to the inter-vehicle lending machine according to claim 10, wherein the coin transport path is at least a first transport path connecting the coin discriminating device and the coin shooter, and the coin discriminating path. It is characterized by comprising a second transport path connecting the device and the coin shooter and a coin return port provided on the front surface of the main body, and a third transport path connecting the coin discriminating device and the safe.</p><p> The invention according to claim 12 of the present application relates to the inter-vehicle lending machine according to claim 10, wherein the coin shooter is located below the first gate of the coin discriminating device, and is described by the first transport path. It is characterized in that it is connected to a coin discriminating device.</p>

<p> According to the invention of claim 1, since the first and second gates are provided close to each other so as to form a predetermined acute angle, the coins that have passed through the transport path are provided by the first and second gates. When the coin is stationary at the discriminant unit, the coin can be stationary at a different position depending on the size of the coin, and the coin can be discriminated more accurately by the sensor. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a large-scale discriminating device for discriminating coins, and coins can be discriminated with a simple structure, so that a space-saving discriminating device can be provided. Further, by providing a discriminating unit for discriminating between IC coins and coins in the coin discriminating device, it is possible to provide a coin discriminating device capable of inserting IC coins and coins into one insertion slot.</p><p> According to the invention of claim 2, by opening different gates when the coins transported to the discriminating unit are IC coins and coins, the IC coins and coins can be placed in different transport paths with a simple structure. You will be able to carry it.</p><p> According to the invention of claim 3, if the first sensor for identifying the size of the coin is provided at a position where the transport path is blocked by the size of the coin, for example, a plurality of sensors can be used. It becomes possible to discriminate coins without any problems, and it becomes possible to achieve space saving of the device.</p><p> According to the invention of claim 4, since it is manufactured by appropriately changing the installation position according to the size of the IC coin and coin used, it is possible to cope with various sizes of IC coin and coin. Become.</p><p> According to the invention of claim 5, the coins are discriminated as IC coins by the discriminating unit, and the coins that have passed through the second gate are promptly transported to the IC coin reader / writer. It will be possible to provide a coin discriminating device capable of reading and writing IC coins.</p><p> According to the invention of claim 6, for example, if the transport path directly connected to the 3rd and 4th gates is connected to the safe and the return port, when there is an instruction to return or collect the IC coin. In addition, the IC coin transport route can be easily changed by simply changing the gate that opens according to the remaining amount stored in the IC coin.</p><p> According to the invention of claim 7, it is possible to prevent excessive coin insertion into the coin discriminating device, and more accurate coin discriminating can be performed.</p><p> According to the description of claim 8, since the gate can be a small shutter, the space required for installing the gate can be reduced, and the coin discriminating device itself can be miniaturized. ..</p><p> According to the description of claim 9, since the sensor can be a small infrared sensor, the space required for the sensor can be reduced, and an inexpensive coin discriminating device can be provided without using an expensive sensor. Become.</p><p> According to the invention of the inter-unit lending machine according to claim 10, by using the coin discriminating device according to claims 1 to 9, the size of the inter-unit lending machine is almost the same as that of the existing inter-unit lending machine, and bills, coins, and coins are used. It is possible to provide an inter-vehicle lending machine that can use all of the IC coins.</p><p> According to the invention of claim 11, at least the first transport path connecting the coin discriminating device and the coin shooter, and the second transport path connecting the coin discriminating device and the coin shooter and the coin return port provided on the front surface of the main body. And, if it has a coin discriminating device and a third transport path connecting the safe, it will be possible to deal with any coins inserted into the coin discriminating device.</p><p> According to the invention of claim 12, by providing the coin discriminating device under the first gate of the coin discriminating device, it is not necessary to provide a long transport path between the coin discriminating device and the coin shooter. It will be possible to provide a space-based rental machine.</p>

Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments shown below exemplify a coin discriminating device for embodying the technical idea of the present invention and a machine-to-table lending machine using the coin discriminating device, and intend to specify the present invention to these. Other embodiments within the scope of the claims are equally applicable.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an installation state when the stand-to-stand rental machine of the present invention is installed, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a stand-to-stand rental machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) ) Is a front view, and FIG. 2 (b) is a side view showing the structure inside the inter-unit rental machine in an easy-to-understand manner. By the way, the IC coin shown below is composed of a well-known RFID tag having a storage medium (IC chip) capable of exchanging information in a non-contact manner inside, and its diameter is other coins (for example, 500 yen coin (diameter 26.5)). Use a coin larger than mm)), and use a coin with a diameter of, for example, 30 mm.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inter-table lending machine 2 installed in the play table 3 such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine is provided with a coin collecting device 6 at one end and the play table 3 is provided with the back surfaces facing each other on both sides. Is provided on the left side surface of the game table 3 in a rectangular-shaped game island 1 having a banknote collection path 4 and a coin collection path 5 installed at a predetermined height in the gap between the opposite back surfaces. ing. The dimensions of such a stand-to-stand rental machine 2 are set to some extent from the installed state, and unless there is a special reason, the width is approximately 40 mm, the depth is 220 mm, and the height is 800 mm.

In such a game island 1, the banknotes and coins to be inserted into the inter-unit lending machine 2 are carried into the banknote collection path 4 and the coin collection path 5 provided on the back surface of the game table 3 and played. The banknotes are collected by the banknote collection unit 7 and the coin collection unit 8 in the banknote collection device 6 provided at one end of the island 1.

The bill collection path 4 is formed by a well-known transport mechanism consisting of belts or the like extending to both ends of the game island 1, and the collection path is provided with a carry-in entrance 4 provided behind the installation position of the inter-unit lending machine.₁Is provided for the number of units of the inter-unit lending machine 2 installed in the game island 1, and the banknotes inserted in the inter-unit lending machine 2 are carried into the bill collection path 4. Similarly, the coin collection path 5 is formed by a well-known transport mechanism consisting of belts or the like extending to both ends of the game island 1, and the carry-in entrance 5 is provided in the collection path for the number of units of the inter-unit lending machine 2.₁By connecting the coin collection path 5 provided on the back surface of the stand-to-stand lending machine 2 with a bellows or the like, the coins are carried into the coin collection path 5 and the coins are collected.

As shown in FIG. 2, the machine-to-table lending machine 2 of the present invention has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is narrow and has a predetermined depth and height, and includes a bill identification machine 11, a control board 12, and a coin discriminating device 13. , A coin shooter 14, a safe 15, a power supply unit 16, and a frame 17, which are interposed in a gap such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine. In addition, a decorative plate 18 is provided on the front portion of the stand-to-stand rental machine 2 to improve the aesthetic appearance, and the decorative plate 18 is provided with explanations in characters and simple displays using diodes and the like. ing.

The bill identification machine 11 is installed at the uppermost part of the inter-unit lending machine 2, has a bill insertion slot 20 in front of the main body, and determines the authenticity of bills from a transport unit composed of a belt or the like for transporting bills. It has a banknote discriminating unit and a joint unit that connects the inserted banknotes to a banknote carrier located behind the inter-unit lending machine. If the banknote discriminating unit determines that the bills are true, the inter-unit lending machine 2 The banknotes are transported and collected in a banknote collection path made of a belt or the like provided at the same height as the banknote discriminator on the back surface of the banknote. Since these members are well-known members, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The control board 12 lends balls to the pachinko machine based on the amount of money inserted into the banknote acceptor 11 or the coin discriminating device 13 or the remaining amount of IC coins, and the front of the inter-machine lending machine. The status is displayed on various display units provided in the coin discriminating device 13, and the plurality of shutters 40 provided in the coin discriminating device 13 can be opened / closed according to the outputs of the plurality of sensors also provided in the coin discriminating device 13. It is a board for performing various controls related to the inter-lending machine 2, and is installed directly under the banknote acceptor 11.

The coin shooter 14 is a first shutter 40 of the coin discriminator 13.₁It is provided at the bottom of the first shutter 40₁Passing through the first transport path 35₁The coins transported via the coins are identified as coin types such as 500-yen coins, 100-yen coins, and other coins, and the data of the inserted amount is transmitted to the control board 12. A well-known method is used for the method of discriminating coins, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, if it is determined that the inserted coin is an unrecognizable coin or a coin that cannot be used on the amusement machine, the second transport path 35₂It is designed to be returned to the coin return port 24 via, and on the contrary, if it is judged that the coin is a recognizable amount of coin, the second transport path 35₂The coins are collected by the coin collection unit 8 via the coin collection path 5 which is led out to the back surface of the inter-unit lending machine 2 via the fourth transport path (not shown) and connected to the fourth transport path. It is supposed to be done.

The safe 15 is located above the power supply unit 16, and as a result of reading and writing by the IC coin reader / writer 36 in the coin discriminating device 13, the remaining amount data becomes zero and unnecessary IC coins are collected. A third transport path 35 for transporting IC coins that have passed through the fourth shutter of the coin discriminator 13.₃It is connected to the.

The power supply unit 16 is for supplying power to the banknote acceptors 11, the control board 12, the coin shooter 14, and the coin discriminating device 13. The frame body 17 is for integrally connecting various members constituting the inter-unit rental machine 2, and has a U-shape so that the inter-unit rental machine 2 can be assembled by fitting each member. Therefore, it is not necessary to use bolts or the like for fitting each member, and the members can be easily removed and maintained, which facilitates maintenance.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a coin discriminating device of the present invention, FIG. 3 (a) is a front view, and FIG. 3 (b) is a schematic explanatory view showing a structure in a transport path in an easy-to-understand manner. As shown in FIG. 3, the coin discriminating device 13 includes mounting boards 31 and 34 (hereinafter, referred to as a first board and a second board, respectively) formed in a plate shape and a substantially L shape, and the first board thereof. , The first and second spacers 32 and 33 sandwiched between the second substrates 31, 34, and the first and second substrates 31, 34 and the first and second spacers 32 and 33 are overlapped with each other. Is formed. By the way, even when these are used for the inter-unit rental machine 2, they can be mounted by simply fitting them into the frame 17 in a superposed state without using connecting members such as bolts. For example, mounting boards 31 and 32. Even if the sensor or the like attached to the device breaks down, it can be easily removed and replaced easily.

The first and second boards 31 and 34 are provided with a plurality of shutters, a plurality of sensors, antennas, an IC coin reader / writer 36, etc., and can be used for coins or IC coins inserted from the coin slot 23. Various devices for discrimination and reading / writing of IC coins are installed. The first and second spacers 32 and 33 are plate-shaped and partially processed to form a coin slot 23 and a coin transport path 35 connected to the coin slot 23, and are made of vinyl chloride, acrylic or the like. Use the molded one. Further, the transport path 35 formed by the spacers 32 and 33 is formed to be slightly larger than the IC coin, which is the largest coin to be inserted, and when the diameter of the IC coin is, for example, 30 mm, The height of the transport path is preferably about 31.5 mm.

The coin transport path 35 provided in the coin discriminating device 13 formed by the first and second substrates 31, 34 and the first and second spacers 32 and 33 has a coin insertion slot 23 and a discriminating unit for discriminating coins. I and an IC coin recognition unit II are provided, and the coin transport path 35 is branched between the discriminating unit I and the IC coin recognition unit II, and the transport route is changed according to the type of coin and the like. It has become like.

Multiple shutters 40 in the coin carrier 35₁~40₅And multiple sensors 50₁~50₅The shutter and the sensor have the same configuration. Further, the coin transport path 35 is provided so as to be inclined to the back side at a predetermined angle in advance so that the coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 23 is naturally transported to the discriminating portion I by gravity. This angle is preferably about 15 degrees, for example. By the way, although the shutter is used here as a gate for changing the coin route, the shutter is not limited to this, and other gates can be used as appropriate.

The first transport path 35 that communicates with the coin shooter 14 in the discrimination unit I₁1st shutter 40 to control transport to₁And the second shutter 40 that controls the transport to the transport path 35 that communicates with the IC coin recognition unit II.₂The first sensor 50 for determining whether the coin temporarily stopped by the discrimination unit I is a coin or an IC coin.₁And the second sensor 50 that determines whether or not there is a coin in the discrimination unit I₂And have. 1st shutter 40₁And the second shutter 40₂Is located so that one ends of each are close to each other, and the angle θ formed by the close ends is always an acute angle. This is done so that the stop position differs depending on the size of the coin conveyed to the discriminating unit I, preferably about 68 degrees.

As described above, the first and second shutters 40 so that the stop position at the coin discrimination unit I differs depending on the size of the coin.₁、40₂After installing the first sensor 50₁, And the second sensor 50₂To install. 1st sensor 50₁Is installed at a position where only the IC coin blocks the inside of the transport path when the coin stops at the discrimination unit I, and the second sensor 50₂Is installed at a position where all coins block the inside of the transport path when the coins stop at the discriminating part. In this way, the second sensor 50₂Can now accurately detect whether or not a coin has been brought into the discriminant unit I, and the first sensor 50₁Will be able to reliably detect whether the coin stopped by the discrimination unit I is an IC coin or another coin (for example, a 500-yen coin).

The IC coin recognition unit II has a second transport path 35 that communicates with the coin return port 24.₂Third shutter 40 that controls transport to₃And the third transport path 35 that communicates with the safe 15.₃4th shutter 40 to control transport to₄Third sensor 50 that detects whether or not there is an IC coin in the IC coin recognition unit II.₃The second transport path 35, which is transported when there is a request to return the IC coin due to the user's operation, etc.₂4th sensor 50 provided in the middle of₄And, the third transport path 35 that is transported when there is a request to discard the IC coin due to the user's operation etc.₃5th sensor 50 provided in the middle of₅And have. 3rd shutter 40₃And 4th shutter 40₄Are installed so that one end of each is close to each other, and the 3rd and 4th shutters 40₃、40₄Install in an abbreviation so that you can hold IC coins at.

3rd and 4th shutters 40₃、40₄The IC coin held in the above is used by the IC coin reader / writer 36 provided in the IC coin recognition unit II to perform each process such as reading or writing predetermined amount data. The IC coin reader / writer 36 is an antenna unit 36 that directly reads and writes IC coin data.₁And the antenna part 36₁Data recognized in or antenna unit 36₁Read / write board 36 that transfers data to be written to₂Reed / write board 36₂Is connected to the control board 12, and IC coins are read and written according to instructions accompanying recognition such as insertion of banknotes or coins on the control board 12.

Here, when the return button (not shown) provided on the amusement machine 3 main body or the inter-unit lending machine 2 is pressed by the user, the IC coin reader / writer 36 displays the IC coin held in the IC coin recognition unit II. The IC coin reader / writer 36 recognizes whether or not there is remaining amount data, and if the IC coin has remaining amount data, the third shutter 40₃The IC coin held in the IC coin recognition unit II is in the second transport path 35.₂If there is no remaining amount data in the IC coin (that is, if the amount data is 0), the 4th shutter 40₄Is open, and the IC coin is transferred to the third transport path 35.₃It is designed to be sent to safe 15 via.

Next, each member constituting the discriminating mechanism of the coin discriminating device will be described. 4A and 4B are views showing a shutter used in a coin discriminator, FIG. 4A is a plan view, FIG. 4B is a front view, FIG. 4C is a right side view, and FIG. Is an operation explanatory view of the shutter of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a view showing a sensor used in the coin discriminating device, and is a sectional view of AA of FIG. However, since a plurality of shutters and sensors having the same structure are used as described below, the shutter 40 is shown in FIG.₁~40₅, Sensor 50₁~50₅However, here, the shutter 40 and the sensor 50 will be described, respectively.

The shutter 40 used in the coin discriminating device 13 of the present invention is composed of a solenoid 41 that converts electricity into a reciprocating motion, and the solenoid 41 has a cylindrical plunger inside and a spiral shape that surrounds the side surface of the plunger. An urging force is applied in the direction of supporting the wound coil, the operating shaft 42 whose one end is fixed to the plunger and the other end projects to the outside of the solenoid, and the operating shaft 42 which is interlocked with the reciprocating movement of the plunger. It has a generated spring body 43 and a wiring 44 that supplies an electric current to the coil.

Further, the solenoid 41 has a fixing portion 45 having a threaded portion on the side surface for fixing the solenoid 41 to the mounting board 31 (34).₁、45₂And, a shutter member 47 fixed by a fixed rod 46 provided at one end located outside the operating shaft is provided, the shutter member 47 is made of a plate-like body, and a fixed rod is provided at an opposite end portion. Fixing part 47 for rotatably fixing to 46₁、47₂Is provided. This shutter member 47 has one end (tip 47) when it is installed in the coin discriminator 13.₃) Is formed relatively long so as to enter the coin transport path 35, and the tip 47 is interlocked with the reciprocating motion by the solenoid 41.₃Is allowed to enter and exit the coin transport path 35, and thus it is possible to control the permission / non-permission of the passage of coins when inserting coins.

The operation of the shutter 40 will be described below with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, the shutter 40 is installed on the first substrate 31 (second substrate 34), and the first substrate 31 (second substrate 34) of the portion where the shutter member 47 is located, and the shutter 40. The first spacer 32 (second spacer 33) is provided with a through hole 48 that communicates with the coin transport path 35, and the tip portion 47 of the shutter member 47 is provided in the through hole 48.₃Is inserted to block the coin carrier 35.

Here, when the shutter member 47 is opened, a current flows through the wiring 44, that is, as shown in FIG. 5B, when a current flows through the wiring 44, a current flows through the coil in the solenoid 41 connected to the wiring 44. The magnetic field generated by this moves the plunger to the wiring side, and the operating shaft 42 fixed to the plunger moves in a direction opposite to the urging force of the spring body 43, thereby fixing the fixed rod 46 to the operating shaft. And the shutter member 47 also moves. Since the fixed rod 46 and the shutter member 47 are rotatably fixed, when the shutter member 47 moves in the direction of the wiring 44, the fixed rod 46 and the shutter member 47 rotate around the fixed rod 46, and thus the shutter member from the coin transport path 35. 47 tip 47₃Will be pulled out, so the coin carrier 35 will be opened and coins will be allowed to pass. If you want to block the transport path again, stop the supply of current to the wiring 44 to stop the movement of the plunger, and the urging force of the spring body 43 will return it to the position shown in FIG. 5 (a). Will be able to close again. Although the shutter used in the present invention has been described above, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the shutter used in the coin discriminating device of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned one and can be used in various forms.

The sensor 50 used in the coin discrimination device 13 of the present invention is, for example, an infrared sensor, which is a light emitting side sensor 50A composed of a first substrate 31 and a light emitting element provided on the first spacer 32 side, and a second substrate 34. , And a light receiving side sensor 50B composed of a light receiving element provided on the second spacer 33 side. Sensors 50A and 50B provided at positions facing each other via the coin transport path 35 receive infrared light emitted from the light emitting side sensor 50A by the light receiving side sensor 50B, thereby transmitting an object passing through the coin transport path 35. It can be detected. Regarding the installation of the sensor 50, concave grooves 51A and 51B are formed from the substrate side in the laminate of the first substrate 31 (second substrate 34) and the first spacer 32 (second spacer 33), and the sensor 50A is formed therein. , Install 50B. However, although the sensor is an infrared sensor here, any sensor may be used as long as it can detect the loading of coins.

Next, a plurality of transport paths 35 used in the inter-vehicle rental machine 2 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic front view for explaining a transport path connected to the coin discriminating device and the coin shooter of the inter-unit lending machine of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second and third transport paths 35 of the coin discriminating device 13₂、35₃A first transport guide 61 and a second transport guide 62 for guiding these transport paths are provided on the extension line of the above. The first transport guide 61 is made of a substantially L-shaped metal material, and the second and third transport paths 35.₂、35₃It is a guide for transporting the IC coins to be transported to the return port 24 and the safe 15, respectively, and is the second transport path 35.₂Guideway 61 for guiding the IC coins transported to the return port 24₂And the 2nd and 3rd transport paths 35₂、35₃Projection 61 located on the border of₁And have. In addition, the second transport guide 62 is the third transport path 35.₃It is a guide for guiding the IC coin transported via the first transport guide 61 to the safe 15 and is formed of a plate-shaped metal material.

By the way, the second and third transport routes 35₂、35₃Is not provided with a partition for partitioning the transport path. However, the inter-unit rental machine 2 of the present invention is always used in a vertically standing state, and further, the second and third transport paths 35.₂、35₃Since it is installed parallel to the vertical direction of the inter-unit rental machine 2, the protrusion 61 on the first transport guide 61₁The transport path will not be changed in the middle just by providing the above, and the main body of the inter-unit rental machine 2 can be made smaller because there is no need to provide a partition.

The processing process of the coin discriminating device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing a processing process of the coin discriminating device of the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 8, when the power is turned on to the coin discriminating device 13, the coin discriminating device 13 is in a standby state for an action of the user. Specifically, whether or not the IC coin return button (not shown) provided on the play table 3 or the coin discriminating device 13 has been pressed (step S01), and whether or not coins have been inserted into the coin slot 23 (step S02). ) Is detected, and if the return button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S30 (see FIG. 10), and if the coin is inserted without pressing the return button, the process proceeds to step S03. However, even if the return button is pressed while the IC coin is not in the coin discrimination device 13, the process does not proceed to step S30. In addition, the first sensor 50 determines whether or not a coin has been inserted.₁Is off (that is, the transport path at the position where the sensor is attached is blocked by a coin).

First sensor 50 in step S02₁When off is detected, coins are being transported in the transport path 35, so the fifth shutter 40 in step S03 is to prevent multiple coins from being inserted.₅Close. Then, in step S04, the second sensor 50₂When the off of is detected, first, in step S05, the third sensor 50₃Detects whether or not is off. Third sensor 50₃If is off, the process proceeds to step S06, and the third sensor 50₃If is on, the process proceeds to step S20 (see FIG. 9).

In step S05, the third sensor 50₃Is identified as off, the first sensor 50 in step S06₁Detects again whether is is off. 1st sensor 50₁When is off, the coin of the discrimination unit I is an IC coin, so the process proceeds to step S30, and the first sensor 50₁When is determined to be on, the coin of the discrimination unit I is a coin other than the IC coin, so the process proceeds to step S07.

If it is determined in step S06 that the coin is a coin other than an IC coin, the first shutter 40 in step S07₁open. 1st shutter 40₁When is opened, the coin will be on the first transport path 35 due to its own weight.₁Proceed to No. 1 Transport Route 35₁Introduced to the coin shooter 14 connected by. The coin introduced into the coin shooter 14 is recognized by the coin shooter 14 in step S08. When this recognition is performed, the first shutter 40 is set in step S09.₁Is closed. Then, when the coin is recognized by the coin shooter 14, it is determined whether or not the coin inserted in step S10 is an illegal coin. The fraudulent coin means, for example, a coin that cannot be used in the inter-unit lending machine of the present invention, and if it is determined to be a fraudulent coin, the process proceeds to step S14.

If it is determined in step S10 that the coin is not an illegal coin, the type of coin is recognized in step S11. In this case, the amount of the coin is particularly recognized, and the recognized amount is written as amount data in the IC coin in the IC coin recognition unit II in step S12. When the above processing is completed, the coins inserted into the coin shooter 14 are sent to the 4th transport path, and the carry-in entrance 5 on the back of the inter-unit lending machine.₁Is sent to the coin collection path 5 and collected, and in step S13, the fifth shutter 40₅And return to step S01.

If it is determined that the coin is illegal in step S10, the coin shooter 14 to the second transport path 35 are determined in step S14.₂It will be returned to the return port 24 via. Then, when the return of coins is completed, the fifth shutter 40 in step S15₅And return to step S01.

As shown in FIG. 9, the third sensor 50 in step S05.₃When is determined to be on, in step S20, the first sensor 50₁Is off or not, and if it is determined to be off, the process proceeds to step S40 (see Fig. 11), and if it is determined to be on, coins are inserted without IC coins. Since it cannot be done, move to step S21 and move to the 2nd and 3rd shutters 40.₂、40₃open.

2nd and 3rd shutters 40 in step S21₂、40₃When is opened, in steps S22 and S23, the third shutter 40₃Second transport path 35 connected to₂3rd shutter 40₃Fourth sensor 50 provided in the vicinity of₄Monitor the status of the 4th sensor 50₄When it is detected that it is turned off again after it is turned on (step S22) (step S23), the second and third shutters 40 in step S24.₂、40₃Close, and at about the same time, in step S25, the 5th shutter 40₅And return to step S01.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, when the return button is pressed while the IC coin is in the IC coin recognition unit II in step S01, or in step S06, the first sensor 50₁If is determined to be off, the IC coin reader / writer 36 determines in step S30 whether or not the amount data of the IC coin in the IC coin recognition unit II remains. Here, if the amount data still remains in the IC coin, the process proceeds to step S31, and if there is no more amount data left in the IC coin, that is, if the amount data in the IC coin is 0 yen, Go to step S36.

In step S30, if it is determined that the amount data still remains in the IC coin, in step S31, the third shutter 40₃open. Then, in steps S32 and S33, the fourth sensor 50₄Monitor the status of the 4th sensor 50₄After turning on (step S32), when it is detected that it is turned off again (step S33), the third shutter 40 in step S34₃Close and move to step S35.

Also, in step S30, if it is determined that there is no more amount data left in the IC coin, in step S36, the fourth shutter 40₄open. Then, in steps S37 and S38, the fifth sensor 50₅Monitor the status of the 5th sensor 50₅After turning on (step S37), when it is detected that it is turned off again (step S38), the fourth shutter 40 in step S39₄Close and move to step S35.

In step S35, the second sensor 50 is used to recognize whether or not there is a coin in the discriminant unit I.₂Detects whether is is off. 2nd sensor 50₂If is on, the process returns to step S01 and the second sensor 50₂If is off, the process proceeds to step S40.

As shown in FIG. 11, in step S20, the first sensor 50₁Is determined to be OFF, or in step S35, the second sensor 50₂If is determined to be off, in step S40, the second shutter 40₂open. 2nd shutter 40₂When is opened, the coin is transported to the IC coin recognition unit II, and in step S41, the third sensor 50₃When is off, the second shutter 40 in step S42₂Close. Then, the IC coin reader / writer 36 recognizes the coin transported to the IC coin recognition unit II, and in step S43, it is determined whether or not the coin is an illegal coin. By the way, the illegal coin mentioned here is a coin other than the IC coin, or an IC coin that cannot be used for this inter-unit lending machine due to the store information in the IC coin.

If it is determined in step S43 that the coin is not an illegal coin, the process proceeds to step S44, and in step S44, the amount data in the IC coin is recognized, and the IC coin is held in the IC coin recognition unit II and the process proceeds to step S45. 5th shutter 40₅To return to step S01.

If it is determined that the coin is illegal in step S43, the third shutter 40 is determined in step S46.₃Open, and in steps S47 and S48, the 4th sensor 50₄Monitor the status of the 4th sensor 50₄After turning on (step S47), when it is detected that it is turned off again (step S48), the third shutter 40 in step S49₃Close, step S50 and 5th shutter 40₅To return to step S01.

As described above, according to the coin discriminating device of the present invention and the inter-unit lending machine using the coin discriminating device, it is possible to achieve miniaturization of the coin discriminating device, and accordingly, the size of the inter-unit lending machine main body is existing. It is possible to use banknotes, coins, and IC coins without making them larger than the inter-unit lending machine.

Further, the coin slot of the coin discriminating device of the present invention is provided in the front portion when used for a stand-to-stand rental machine as described above, but when used for other purposes such as a desktop game machine or the like. The coin slot may be provided so that the opening is located above the coin slot, and the angle of the coin slot can be appropriately changed according to the intended use.

<figref num="1">FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an installation state when installing the inter-unit rental machine of the present invention.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an inter-unit lending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 (a) is a front view, and FIG. 2 (b) is a side view showing the structure inside the inter-unit lending machine in an easy-to-understand manner. Figure,</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a coin discriminating device of the present invention, FIG. 3 (a) is a front view, and FIG. 3 (b) is a schematic explanatory view showing a structure in a transport path in an easy-to-understand manner.</figref><figref num="4">4A and 4B are views showing a shutter used in a coin discriminator, FIG. 4A is a plan view, FIG. 4B is a front view, and FIG. 4C is a right side view.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the shutter of FIG.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sensor used in the coin discriminator, and is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 7 is a schematic front view for explaining a transport path connected to the coin discriminating device and the coin shooter of the inter-unit lending machine of the present invention.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing process of the coin discriminating device of the present invention.</figref><figref num="9">FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing process of the coin discriminating device of the present invention.</figref><figref num="10">FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing process of the coin discriminating device of the present invention.</figref><figref num="11">FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing process of the coin discriminating device of the present invention.</figref><figref num="12">FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the IC card device described in Patent Document 1.</figref><figref num="13">FIG. 13 is a side view showing the internal structure of the main body of the stand-to-stand rental machine described in Patent Document 2.</figref>

Code description

1 Yugishima 2 Lending machine between 2 units 3 Yugidai 4 Banknote collection path 5 Coin collection path 6 Money collection device 11 Acceptance machine 12 Control board 13 Coin discriminator 14 Coin shooter 15 Safe 16 Power supply 17 Frame 18 Decorative board 20 Banknotes Insertion port 23 Coin insertion slot 24 Return port 31, 34 Mounting board 32, 33 Spacer 35 Coin transfer path 35₁~35₃ 1st to 3rd transport routes 36 IC coin reader / writer 40₁~40₅ Shutter 50₁~50₅ Sensor I Discrimination unit II IC coin recognition unit