JP2013192584A - Token counter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To discharge a medal determined to be false from a discharge port at a position above an input port.
A medal counting machine for counting the number of medals for gaming, an insertion slot into which the medal is inserted, a determination device for determining the authenticity of the medal inserted into the insertion slot, A discharge port provided at a position above the input port and from which the first medal that is determined to be false by the determination device is discharged; a first transfer device that transfers the first medal to the discharge port; Is provided.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a medal counting machine.

  Patent Document 1 discloses, for example, a medal counting machine that counts the number of game medals inserted.

JP 2008-61995 A

  For example, the medal counter disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a determination device that determines the authenticity of the inserted medal, and the medal determined to be false by the determination device is discharged from the medal counter to the outside of the medal counter. There are things to do. When the discharge port is provided at a position lower than the position of the insertion port for inserting medals, it may be difficult to visually recognize the discharge of medals from the discharge port.

  The main present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is a medal counting machine that counts the number of medals for gaming, the insertion slot into which the medal is inserted, and the authenticity of the medal inserted into the insertion slot. A determination device for determining, a discharge port provided at a position above the position of the insertion port and discharging a first medal determined to be false by the determination device; and transporting the first medal to the discharge port A medal counting machine, comprising: a first transporting device.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description of this specification.

  According to the present invention, a medal determined to be false can be discharged from the discharge port at a position above the insertion port.

It is a perspective view showing a plurality of intermediary machines and game machines in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the platform machine and game machine in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the inside of the intermediate machine in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the distribution apparatus of the state with which the opening was obstruct | occluded in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing a distribution device in the state where an opening was exposed in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the lift in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the lift of the state which is guiding the medal to opening in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function of the control apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the intermediate machine in this embodiment of this invention.

  At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

=== Between machines ===
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a table machine in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a plurality of intermediary machines and gaming machines in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a table machine and a gaming machine in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the inter-machine 200 with the side plate 2b removed. A part of the inclined plate 28, the hinge 231 and the opening 26a are invisible, but are shown by dotted lines for convenience of explanation.

  The intermediary machine 200 (medal counting machine) has a function of lending medal MDs (FIG. 3) used in the gaming machine 100 and counting the number of medal MDs inserted into the intermediary machine 200. Suppose that it is a device. In the present embodiment, the Z axis is an axis along the vertical direction in which the inter-machine 200 is erected, and the upward direction is + Z and the downward direction is -Z. The Y axis is an axis along a direction orthogonal to the front plate 2a and the back plate 2c of the inter-machine 200, and the direction from the front plate 2a to the back plate 2c is + Y, and the back plate 2c goes to the front plate 2a. Let the direction be -Y. The X axis is an axis along the direction in which the inter-table machine 200 and the gaming machine 100 are adjacent to each other, and the direction toward one is + X and the direction toward the other is −X.

  The inter-machine 200 and the gaming machine 100 such as a slot machine are installed so as to be alternately adjacent to each other in a game hall (not shown). The inter-machine 200 includes a housing 2, a card insertion slot 21, a touch panel 22, a lock 23, a tray 25 (second tray), a tray 26 (first tray), a container 45, a unit 201, a counting unit 203, a hopper 202 ( Medal hopper) and a lift 5.

  The housing 2 has a substantially rectangular column shape. The housing 2 has a hollow structure so that the unit 201, the counting unit 203, the hopper 202, and the lift 5 can be accommodated therein. The front plate 2a of the housing 2 is provided with a card insertion port 21, a touch panel 22, a lock 23, openings 25a and 25b (discharge ports), an opening 26a (input port), trays 25 and 26, and a container 45.

  The opening 26 a is a hole for inserting the medal MD into the housing 2 in order to count the number of medals MD. The tray 26 is a tray for guiding the medal MD to the opening 26a. The openings 25a and 25b are holes provided at positions above the opening 26a for discharging the medal MD in the housing 2. The tray 25 is a tray provided at a position above the tray 26 for receiving medals MD discharged from the openings 25a and 25b. The openings 25a, 25b, 26a and the trays 25, 26 will be described later.

  The container 45 is a dust container for storing dust falling from the hole 282 (FIG. 3) of the inclined plate 28. The inclined plate 28, the hole 282, and the container 45 will be described later.

  The card insertion slot 21 is a hole for inserting, for example, an IC card, in which information indicating the number of medals MD counted by the interstage machine 200 is stored. For example, it is assumed that information indicating the number of medals MD is written on the IC card inserted into the card insertion slot 21 by a writing device (not shown) in the unit 201.

  On the touch panel 22, for example, an image of a lending button for lending medal MD is displayed based on the amount of money inserted into a bill burr (not shown) provided on the upper side of the inter-machine 200.

  The lock 23 is provided on the front plate 2a in order to prohibit or permit the opening and closing of the front plate 2a. Here, the front plate 2a is, for example, a flat plate having a substantially rectangular shape, and the other side edge of the front plate 2a is attached to the front side (-Y) edge of the side plate 2e by a plurality of hinges 231. ing. That is, the front plate 2a is attached to the housing 2 so as to be openable and closable around a plurality of hinges 231 at the other edge of the front plate 2a. For example, when the front panel 2a is closed and the lock 23 is locked using the key 24, the front panel 2a cannot be opened. For example, when the lock 23 is unlocked using the key 24, the front plate 2a can be opened and closed.

  The hopper 202 is a container in which lent medals MD are stored. The hopper 202 will be described later.

  The lift 5 is a device that conveys the medal MD inserted into the housing 2 from the lower side to the upper side. The lift 5 will be described later.

=== Open, tray ===
Hereinafter, the opening and the tray in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the inside of the interpolator in the present embodiment. The electrodes 141 to 143, the conveyor belt 58, the rollers 581 and 582, and the sorting device 59 are in an invisible state, but are shown by dotted lines for convenience of explanation.

  The opening 26a is a hole into which the medal MD is inserted. The medals MD inserted into the housing 2 from the opening 26a are counted by the counting unit 203. The counting unit 203 will be described later. The opening 26a is provided at a position where the player of the gaming machine 100 can easily insert the medal MD. The opening 26a is provided, for example, on the lower side (−Z) than the approximate center of the front plate 2a. The diameter of the opening 26a is set to such an extent that a plurality of medals MD can be put into the housing 2 at the same time.

  The tray 26 is provided in the vicinity of the opening 26a in order to guide the medal MD to the opening 26a. The tray 26 is continuously provided on the front side (−Y direction) of the opening 26a so that the medals MD in the tray 26 are inserted into the opening 26a. The tray 26 is provided so as to protrude from the near side surface of the front plate 2a toward the near side. That is, the tray 26 guides the medal MD to the opening 26a at a position before the opening 26a. The length of the tray 26 in the Y-axis direction is set to be longer than the length of the tray 25 in the Y-axis direction so that the inclined plate 28 disposed in the tray 26 is exposed. The inclined plate 28 will be described later. The width of the tray 26 in the X-axis direction is set to be approximately the same as the width of the opening 26a in the X-axis direction so that the medal MD in the tray 26 can be reliably guided to the opening 26a.

  The opening 25b is a hole through which the medal MD determined to be false by the determination device 60 is discharged. The determination device 60 will be described later. The medal MD discharged from the opening 25b is accommodated in the tray 25. The opening 25b is provided at a position (+ Z) above the opening 26a so that the player of the gaming machine 100 can easily see the medal MD discharged from the housing 2.

  The opening 25 a is a hole for discharging the medal MD stored in the hopper 202 to the outside of the housing 2. The medal MD discharged from the opening 25a is accommodated in the tray 25. The opening 25a is provided in the vicinity of the opening 25b in the front plate 2a so as to be accommodated in the same tray 25 as the medal MD discharged from the opening 25b. The opening 25a is provided above the opening 25b so that, for example, the medal MD in the hopper 202 provided above the transport belt 65 is discharged by the weight of the medal MD.

  The tray 25 is provided in the vicinity of the openings 25a and 25b in order to receive the medals MD discharged from the openings 25a and 25b. In other words, the tray 25 is provided as a dual-purpose tray for the medal MD discharged from the opening 25a and the medal MD discharged from the opening 25b. The tray 25 is continuously provided in front of the openings 25a and 25b so as to receive the medals MD discharged from the openings 25a and 25b. The tray 25 is provided at a position above the tray 26 so that the player of the gaming machine 100 can easily see the medals MD that are ejected from the housing 2 and accommodated in the tray 25. The tray 25 is provided so as to protrude from the near side surface of the front plate 2a toward the near side. That is, the tray 25 receives the medals MD discharged from the openings 25a and 25b at a position before the openings 25a and 25b. The trays 25 and 26 are juxtaposed in the vertical direction (Z axis). The tray 25 is provided such that the height of the bottom 25e of the recess for receiving the medal MD in the tray 25 is lower than the height of the opening 25b. The lower part (-Z) of the tray 25 has a shape that is rolled up so as to avoid the impeller 4 provided in the vicinity of the opening 26a. The impeller 4 will be described later. A part 25d facing the inclined plate 28 in the lower part of the tray 25 protrudes downward. The tray 25 has, for example, a gap between the portion 25d of the tray 25 and the inclined plate 28 so that the medal MD can pass and a mischief from the outside to the inside of the housing 2 can be prevented. Provided. The width of the tray 25 in the X-axis direction is set longer than the width of the openings 25a and 25b in the X-axis direction so that the medals MD discharged from the openings 25a and 25b can be reliably received.

=== Inclined plate, hole, container ===
Hereinafter, the inclined plate and the hole in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
The inclined plate 28 is a flat plate having a substantially rectangular shape, for example, for conveying the medal MD in the tray 26 into the housing 2. The inclined plate 28 has a shape that is bent so that a part of the rear side of the inclined plate 28 is substantially horizontal. The inclined plate 28 is attached in the tray 26 so that the medal MD in the tray 26 can be conveyed to the opening 26a. The inclined plate 28 is mounted in the tray 26 so that the height of the edge on the front side (−Y) of the inclined plate 28 is higher than the height of the edge on the back side (+ Y) of the inclined plate 28. The front side edge of the inclined plate 28 is connected to the inner side surface 26 c of the tray 26 so that a part of the front side of the upper surface of the inclined plate 28 is exposed on the front side of the tray 25. Therefore, the medal MD can be inserted into the tray 26 while avoiding interference with the tray 25. Note that the rear side edge of the inclined plate 28 is provided in the vicinity of the front side edge on the upper surface of the transport belt 62. The height of the edge on the back surface of the inclined plate 28 is the same as the height of the upper surface of the conveyor belt 62 so that the medal MD is guided from the edge on the inclined surface 28 to the upper surface of the conveyor belt 62. Set to height. The height of the upper surface of the inclined plate 28 becomes lower from the front side toward the back side. Therefore, the medal MD in the tray 26 flows down on the inclined plate 28 by its own weight and is conveyed to the opening 26a. For example, the inclined plate 28 may be formed integrally with the tray 26.

  The hole 282 is a discharge hole formed in the inclined plate 28 for allowing the dust flowing down on the inclined plate 28 to fall to the lower side (−Z) of the inclined plate 28. The hole 282 is formed in a part on the back side of the inclined plate 28 in order to prevent dust from entering the inside of the housing 2. The hole 282 is provided in front of the opening 26a. It is assumed that the diameter of the hole 282 is set to be sufficiently smaller than the diameter of the medal MD so that the conveyance of the medal MD to the downstream side is not restricted. For example, a plurality of holes 282 are formed along the direction (X axis) intersecting the direction in which the medal MD flows down on the inclined plate 28. For example, the number of holes 282 may be one. The shape of the hole 282 may be, for example, a substantially circular shape, a long hole shape, or a substantially rectangular shape.

  The container 45 is a dust container for storing dust that falls from the upper side to the lower side of the inclined plate 28 through the hole 282. The container 45 is provided at a position facing the hole 282 on the lower side of the tray 26 so that dust falling through the hole 282 can be accommodated. It is assumed that the container 45 is detachably attached to the housing 2 so that the container 45 can be removed in order to throw away the dust accommodated in the container 45.

=== Impeller ===
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the impeller in this embodiment is demonstrated.
The impeller 4 is a device for guiding the medal MD that has flowed down on the inclined plate 28 to the downstream end of the inclined plate 28 to the upper surface of the conveyor belt 62. The impeller 4 has a plurality of blades 41 and a rotation shaft 42. The rotation shaft 42 is provided on the upper side (+ Z) of the inclined plate 28 so as to be along a direction (X axis) orthogonal to the side plate 2b and the side plate 2e of the housing 2. The blade 41 is a member for guiding the medal MD from the downstream side (+ Y) end on the inclined plate 28 to the upper surface of the transport belt 62, and has a shape extending radially from the rotation shaft 42. For example, when the impeller 4 rotates around the rotation shaft 42 and the tip of the blade 41 comes into contact with the upper surface of the inclined plate 28, the tip of the blade 41 does not stop the rotation of the impeller 4. For example, you may form using elastic materials, such as rubber | gum. Here, the impeller 4 rotates in the counterclockwise direction (hereinafter referred to as “A1 direction”) when viewed from the + X direction toward the −X direction around the rotation shaft 42. It is assumed that a rotational driving force is applied from a motor (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as “motor of impeller 4”). The start and stop of the motor of the impeller 4 are controlled by a start signal and a stop signal output from the control device 9, respectively. The control device 9 will be described later. For example, when the impeller 4 rotates about the rotation shaft 42 in the A1 direction, the edge on the front side of the medal MD flowing down to the downstream end on the inclined plate 28 is the surface on the back side at the tip of the blade 41. By this, it will be pushed toward the back side from the front side. Therefore, the medal MD is pulled out from the front side toward the back side by the blades 41 so as to be placed on the upper surface of the transport belt 62. That is, the medal MD that has flowed down to the downstream end on the inclined plate 28 is guided from the front side to the back side by the impeller 4 and is conveyed to the upper surface of the conveyance belt 62.

=== Counting unit ===
Hereinafter, the counting unit in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The counting unit 203 (FIG. 2) is a device having a function of determining the authenticity of the medal MD inserted from the opening 26a and counting the number of the medal MD. The counting unit 203 includes a determination device 60, a counting device 60 c, a transport device 6, and a sorting device 7.

  The transport device 6 is a device that transports the medal MD inserted into the opening 26a from the front side (-Y) to the back side (+ Y) or from the back side to the front side. The transport device 6 will be described later.

  The sorting device 7 is a device that switches the transport destination of the medal MD. The distribution device 7 will be described later.

  The determination device 60 is a device that determines the authenticity of the medal MD. The authenticity determination of the medal MD is to determine whether the medal MD is a medal for the gaming machine 100 or not. The determination device 60 has, for example, a CCD camera (not shown) for photographing one surface of each medal MD conveyed on the base 61 from the front side to the back side, and was photographed by the CCD camera. The authenticity of the medal MD is determined based on the image of the medal MD. The conveyance of the medal MD will be described later. For example, the determination device 60 may include a magnetic sensor (not shown) that detects the medal MD on the base 61 and may determine the authenticity of the medal MD based on the output of the magnetic sensor. Good. The determination device 60 outputs a determination signal indicating the authenticity of each medal MD conveyed on the base 61 from the front side to the back side.

  The counting device 60c is a device that counts the number of medals MD. The counting device 60c has, for example, a magnetic sensor (not shown) that detects a medal MD conveyed on the base 61 from the front side to the back side, and determines the number of medals MD based on the output of the magnetic sensor. Count. The counting device 60c outputs a counting signal indicating the result of counting the number of medals MD.

=== Conveyance device ===
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the conveyance device in the present embodiment will be described.
The transport device 6 is a device that transports the medal MD inserted into the opening 26a from the front side (-Y) to the back side (+ Y) or from the back side to the front side.
The transport device 6 includes a base 61, belt devices 62c, 63c, 64c, and 65c, rollers 661, and motors M1, M2, and M3.

  The base 61 is provided with a determination device 60 and a counting device 60c. The base 61 has, for example, a housing so that the height of the upper surface (+ Z) of the base 61 is substantially the same as the height of a part of the upper surface of the inclined plate 28 on the back side (+ Y) side. Arranged in the body 2. The base 61 is disposed at a position away from the inclined plate 28 so that the belt device 62 c can be disposed between the base 61 and the inclined plate 28. The upper surface of the base 61 is formed to be substantially horizontal, for example. The upper surface of the base 61 is formed using, for example, a material having a relatively small friction coefficient with the medal MD so that the medal MD slides on the base 61.

  The belt device 62 c is a device for transporting the medal MD onto the base 61. The belt device 62 c includes a conveyance belt 62 and rollers 621 and 622. The conveyor belt 62 is, for example, a flat belt formed by covering the surface with rubber or the like so that the friction coefficient with the medal MD is relatively large. The conveyor belt 62 is stretched around rollers 621 and 622. The rollers 621 and 622 are rotating rollers for supporting the conveyor belt 62 and for moving the conveyor belt 62. A rotational driving force is transmitted from the motor M1 to one of the rollers 621 and 622. The rollers 621 and 622 rotate in the clockwise direction (hereinafter referred to as “A2 direction”) from the + X direction toward the −X direction around the rotation shafts 623 and 624 along the X axis, respectively. Of the rollers 621 and 622, one roller to which the rotational driving force is transmitted from the motor M1 functions as a main pulley, and the other roller functions as a sub pulley, so that the rotation speeds of the rollers 621 and 622 are the same as each other. Rotation speed. The start and stop of the motor M1 is controlled by the control device 9, for example. The rollers 621 and 622 are arranged so that the height of the upper surface of the conveyor belt 62 is the same as the height of the upper surface of the base 61 and the upper surface of the conveyor belt 62 is substantially horizontal. It is provided between the inclined plate 28. The rollers 621 and 622 are provided in the vicinity of the inclined plate 28 and the base 61, respectively. Note that the gap between the front edge of the upper surface of the conveyor belt 62 and the rear edge of the inclined plate 28, the rear edge of the upper surface of the conveyor belt 62, and the front edge of the base 61. It is assumed that the positions of the rollers 621 and 622 are set so that the medal MD does not fall from the gap between them. When the rollers 621 and 622 rotate in the A2 direction around the rotation shafts 623 and 624, respectively, the upper surface of the conveyor belt 62 moves from the front side to the back side. Therefore, the medal MD guided to the upper surface of the transport belt 62 by the impeller 4 is transported onto the base 61 by the transport belt 62.

  The roller 661 is a rotating roller for aligning medals MD transported on the base 61 by the transport belt 62 in a state where the medals MD are laid down one by one. The roller 661 is provided on the upper side of the roller 622, for example. In the roller 661, the vertical width of the gap between the roller 661 and the upper surface of the conveyor belt 62 is longer than the thickness of one medal MD and shorter than the thickness of two medals MD. It is provided as follows. The roller 661 receives the rotational driving force of the motor M1 and rotates in the A2 direction around the rotation shaft 663 along the X axis. For example, when two or more medals MD are transported from the front side to the back side by the transport belt 63, medals other than the lowest medal MD are kicked back to the front side by the rollers 661. Only the lowermost medal MD is transported onto the base 61.

  The belt device 63c is a device for conveying the medal MD on the base 61 from the front side to the back side. The belt device 63c includes a conveyance belt 63 and rollers 631, 632, and 635. The conveyor belt 63 is, for example, a belt having the same shape and material as the conveyor belt 62. The conveyor belt 63 is stretched around rollers 631, 632, and 635. The rollers 631, 632, and 635 are rotating rollers for supporting the conveyor belt 62 and moving the conveyor belt 63. A rotational driving force is transmitted from the motor M2 to any one of the rollers 631 and 632. The rollers 631, 632, and 635 rotate in the A1 direction around rotation axes 633, 634, and 636 along the X axis, respectively. One of the rollers 631 and 632 to which the rotational driving force is transmitted from the motor M2 functions as a main pulley, and the other roller functions as a sub pulley. The roller 635 also functions as a secondary pulley.

Therefore, the rotation speeds of the rollers 631, 632, and 635 are similar to each other. In addition, starting and a stop of the motor M2 shall be controlled by the control apparatus 9, for example. The rollers 631 and 632 are provided above the front edge of the base 61 and above the back edge of the base 61, respectively. The roller 635 is provided approximately at the center of the rollers 631 and 632. The rollers 631, 632, and 635 are provided in the housing 2 so that the lower surface of the transport belt 63 is substantially parallel with the upper surface of the base 61 facing the upper surface. The rollers 631, 632, and 635 are configured such that the medal MD sandwiched between the lower surface of the transport belt 63 and the upper surface of the base 61 is caused by the frictional force between the lower surface of the transport belt 63 and the upper surface of the medal MD. 61 is provided so as to slide and move from the front side to the back side. For example, when the rollers 631, 632, and 635 rotate in the A1 direction around the rotation shafts 633, 634, and 636, respectively, the lower surface of the transport belt 62 moves from the front side to the back side. Therefore, the medal MD on the base 61 is sandwiched between the lower surface of the transport belt 63 and the base 61, and the sorting device 7 from the front side to the back side so as to slide on the base 61. It is conveyed to.

  The belt device 64c is a device for conveying the medal MD dropped from the sorting device 7 to the opening 21a. Here, the opening 21 a is a hole formed in the bottom plate 2 d for discharging the medal MD to the lower side of the housing 2. It is assumed that the opening 21a communicates with a medal collection path (not shown) disposed on the lower side of the housing 2. The medals MD in the medal collection path are transported to a medal collection device (not shown) for collecting the medals MD inserted into each inter-vehicle machine 200. In addition, the area | region which accommodates medal MD connected from the opening 21a is equivalent to a medal container. The belt device 64 c includes a conveyance belt 64 and rollers 641 and 642. The conveyor belt 64 is, for example, a belt having the same shape and material as the conveyor belt 62. The conveyor belt 64 is stretched around rollers 641 and 642. The rollers 641 and 642 are rotating rollers for supporting the conveyor belt 64 and moving the conveyor belt 64. A rotational driving force is transmitted from the motor M2 to one of the rollers 641 and 642. The rollers 641 and 642 rotate in the A1 direction around the rotation shafts 643 and 644, respectively. Of the rollers 641 and 642, one roller to which the rotational driving force is transmitted from the motor M2 functions as a main pulley, and the other roller functions as a sub pulley, so that the rotation speeds of the rollers 641 and 642 are the same as each other. Rotation speed. In addition, starting and a stop of the motor M2 shall be controlled by the control apparatus 9, for example. The roller 641 is provided on the back side of the roller 632 and on the lower side of the base 61. The roller 642 is provided on the front side of the roller 641 and below the base 61. The roller 642 is provided above (+ Z) the opening 21a so that, for example, the medal MD conveyed by the upper surface of the conveying belt 64 is inserted into the opening 21a. When the rollers 641 and 642 rotate in the A1 direction around the rotation shafts 643 and 644 along the X axis, respectively, the upper surface of the transport belt 64 moves from the back side to the front side. Therefore, the medal MD dropped on the upper surface of the transport belt 64 is transported from the back side to the front side by the transport belt 64 and is thrown into the opening 21a.

  The belt device 65c is a device that conveys the medal MD discharged from the opening 51b (FIG. 6) of the lift 5 onto the conveyance belt 65 from the back side to the front side. The lift 5 will be described later. The belt device 65 c includes a conveyance belt 65 and rollers 651 and 652. The conveyor belt 65 is, for example, a belt having the same shape and material as the conveyor belt 62. The conveyor belt 65 is stretched around rollers 651 and 652. The rollers 651 and 652 are rotating rollers for supporting the conveyor belt 65 and moving the conveyor belt 65. A rotational driving force is transmitted from the motor M3 to one of the rollers 651 and 652. The rollers 651 and 652 rotate in the A1 direction around the rotation shafts 653 and 654 along the X axis, respectively. Of the rollers 651 and 652, one roller to which the rotational driving force is transmitted from the motor M3 functions as a main pulley, and the other roller functions as a sub pulley, so that the rotation speeds of the rollers 651 and 652 are the same as each other. Rotation speed. The rollers 651 and 652 are provided in the housing 2 so that the upper surface of the transport belt 65 is substantially horizontal between the hopper 202 and the belt device 63c. The rollers 651 and 652 are provided so that the height of the upper surface of the conveyance belt 65 is lower than the height of the opening 51b so that the medals MD are discharged from the opening 51b to the upper surface of the conveyance belt 65. The rollers 651 and 652 are provided between the lift 5 disposed along the back plate 2 c in the housing 2 and the inclined plate 13 provided on the front side in the housing 2. For example, it is assumed that the roller 651 is provided in the vicinity of the lift 5 and the roller 652 is provided in the vicinity of the edge on the back side of the inclined plate 13.

  Here, the inclined plate 13 is, for example, a flat plate having a substantially rectangular shape for discharging the medal MD conveyed from the back side to the front side by the belt device 65c from the opening 25b. The inclined plate 13 is disposed in the housing 2 such that the height of the edge on the front side (−Y) of the inclined plate 13 is lower than the height of the edge on the back side (+ Y) of the inclined plate 13. The The height of the edge on the back side of the inclined plate 13 is the same as the height of the upper surface of the conveyor belt 65 so that the medal MD is conveyed to the edge on the back surface on the upper surface of the inclined plate 13 by the conveyor belt 65. Is set. The front edge of the inclined plate 13 is in contact with the lower edge of the opening 25b in the front plate 2a. When the rollers 651 and 652 rotate in the A1 direction around the rotation shafts 653 and 654, respectively, the upper surface of the conveyor belt 65 moves from the back side to the front side. Therefore, the medal MD on the transport belt 65 is transported by the transport belt 65 to the rear side edge on the upper surface of the inclined plate 13. Thereafter, the medal MD flows down on the inclined plate 13 by its own weight and is discharged from the opening 25b to the tray 25 outside the housing 2.

=== Sorting device ===
Hereinafter, the sorting apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the sorting apparatus in a state in which the opening is closed in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the sorting apparatus with the opening exposed in the present embodiment.

  The sorting device 7 is a device that switches the transport destination of the medal MD. The sorting device 7 switches the transport destination of the medal MD transported from the front side to the back side by the belt device 63c to the lift 5 (FIG. 3) side or the transport belt 64 side. The sorting device 7 is provided between the base 61 and the belt device 63 c and the lift 5. The sorting device 7 includes a belt device 71 c, a flat plate 72, a guide member 73, a solenoid device 74, and a lever 75.

  The flat plate 72 is, for example, a substantially rectangular member on which the medal MD transported by the transport belt 63 is placed. The flat plate 72 is formed of, for example, a material having a relatively small friction coefficient with the medal MD so that the medal MD slides on the flat plate 72 and is conveyed. When the flat plate 72 is substantially horizontal, the height of the upper surface (+ Z) of the flat plate 72 is the same as the height of the upper surface of the base 61 (FIG. 3). It is provided between the lift 5. The flat plate 72 is located near the base 61 so that the medal MD does not fall from a gap between the front side (-Y) edge of the flat plate 72 and the back side edge of the upper surface of the base 61. Provided.

  The belt device 71c is a device for transporting the medal MD on the flat plate 72 from the front side to the back side. The belt device 71 c includes a conveyance belt 71 and rollers 711 and 712. The conveyor belt 71 is, for example, a belt having the same shape and material as the conveyor belt 62. The conveyor belt 71 is stretched around rollers 711 and 712. The rollers 711 and 712 are rotating rollers for supporting the conveyor belt 71 and moving the conveyor belt 71. A rotational driving force is transmitted to one of the rollers 711 and 712 from a motor (not shown) that operates the sorting device 7. The rollers 711 and 712 rotate in the A1 direction around the rotation shafts 713 and 714 along the X axis, respectively. Of the rollers 711 and 712, one roller to which the rotational driving force is transmitted from the motor that operates the sorting device 7 functions as a main pulley, and the other roller functions as a sub pulley, so that the rotation of the rollers 711 and 712 The speeds are similar to each other. The rollers 711 and 712 are provided above the flat plate 72. The rollers 711 and 712 are provided in the housing 2 such that the lower surface of the transport belt 71 is substantially horizontal with the upper surface of the flat plate 72 facing the upper surface. The rollers 711 and 712 are arranged such that the medal MD sandwiched between the lower surface of the transport belt 71 and the upper surface of the flat plate 72 moves the front surface of the flat plate 72 forward by the frictional force between the lower surface of the transport belt 71 and the upper surface of the medal MD. It is provided so as to slide from the side to the back side. For example, when the rollers 711 and 712 rotate about the rotation shafts 713 and 714 in the A1 direction, the lower surface of the transport belt 71 moves from the front side to the back side. Therefore, the medal MD on the flat plate 72 is conveyed to the front side or the rear side so as to slide on the flat plate 72 while being sandwiched between the lower surface of the conveyance belt 71 and the flat plate 72.

  The lever 75 is a member for switching the transport destination of the medal MD. The lever 75 is provided in the housing 2 so as to be able to rotate in the B1 direction (FIG. 4) or the B2 direction (FIG. 5) around a rotation shaft 76 parallel to the rotation shaft 714. The lever 75 has, for example, a substantially K-shape that is squeezed toward the upper side and the back side when viewed from the + X side to the −X side from the position where the solenoid device 74 is provided. In order to be able to open and close the opening 73a provided on the upper side of the guide member 73, one side of the lever 75 has a shape protruding from the back side toward the front side so as to cover the opening 73a. The upper surface of the lever 75 has a planar shape that allows the medal MD to be conveyed from the front side to the back side with the medal MD sandwiched between the upper surface of the lever 75 and the lower surface of the conveyance belt 71. A groove 751 is formed at one end of the lever 75 so that the one end of the lever 75 and the transport belt 71 do not interfere when the lever 75 is rotated in the B2 direction around the rotation shaft 76. Has been. A rotation shaft 76 is attached to the lower part of the other side opposite to the one side of the lever 75.

  The solenoid device 74 is a device for rotating the lever 75. The solenoid device 74 is disposed at a position where the lever 75 is beaten toward the rear side and the upper side. For example, the tip of the movable member 741 in the solenoid device 74 is connected from the front side to a position above the position where the rotation shaft 76 is attached on the other side of the lever 75. The movable member 741 is, for example, a rod-shaped member that moves to the back side along the Y axis or moves to the front side. The movement of the movable member 741 is controlled by the control device 9. For example, when a fall signal output from the control device 9 is received, a solenoid (not shown) in the solenoid device 74 is energized. At that time, the solenoid device 74 moves the movable member 741 to the back side. Further, for example, when a passage signal output from the control device 9 is received, the current supplied to the solenoid in the solenoid device 74 is cut off. At that time, the solenoid device 74 moves the movable member 741 to the front side.

  The guide member 73 is a member for guiding the medal MD so that the medal MD falls from the opening 73a while avoiding the solenoid device 74. Note that the medal MD dropped from the opening 73 a is placed on the upper surface of the transport belt 64.

  For example, when the movable member 741 moves from the back side toward the front side, the lever 75 rotates in the B1 direction around the rotation shaft 76, and the opening 73a is blocked by one side of the lever 75. It becomes. At this time, the medal MD on the flat plate 72 is conveyed on the lever 75 in the C1 direction (FIG. 4). The medals MD transported in the C1 direction are put into a shooter (not shown) of the lift 5. As a shooter, for example, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-86981 can be adopted. On the other hand, for example, when the movable member 741 moves from the front side toward the back side, the lever 75 rotates about the rotation shaft 76 in the B2 direction so that the opening 73a is exposed. At this time, the medal MD on the flat plate 72 falls in the C2 direction (FIG. 5). The medal MD dropped in the C2 direction is placed on the upper surface of the transport belt 64.

=== Lift ===
Hereinafter, the lift in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the inside of the lift in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a state in which a part of the housing 50 is omitted.

  The lift 5 is a device that conveys the medal MD inserted into the housing 2 from the lower side (−Z) to the upper side (+ Z). The lift 5 discharges the medal MD inserted into the shooter from the opening 51a or from the opening 51b. The lift 5 includes a housing 50, a conveyance belt 58, rollers 581 and 582, and a sorting device 59. The distribution device 59 will be described later.

  The housing 50 has, for example, a substantially rectangular column shape. The housing 50 has a hollow structure so that the conveyance belt 58, rollers 581 and 582, and the sorting device 59 can be accommodated therein. The length of the casing 50 in the vertical direction (Z-axis) is, for example, the base 61 so that the transport belt 58 that can transport the medal MD inserted into the shooter to the upper side of the hopper 202 is disposed inside. It is assumed that it is longer than the vertical length from the upper surface of the hopper 202 to the upper edge of the hopper 202. The casing 50 is provided between the counting unit 203 (FIG. 2) and the hopper 202, and the back plate 2c. The housing 50 is provided in the housing 2 so that the front plate 511 of the housing 50 faces the sorting device 7, the belt device 65 c, and the hopper 202. The housing 50 is provided such that the upper portion of the housing 50 protrudes above the upper edge of the hopper 202. At a position higher than the upper edge of the hopper 202 in the front plate 511 of the housing 50, an opening 51 a (see FIG. 5) for discharging the medal MD conveyed from the lower side to the upper side by the lift 5 from the housing 50 of the lift 5. 2) is formed. At a position lower than the position where the opening 51a is formed on the front plate 511 and higher than the height of the upper surface of the transport belt 65, the medal MD transported from the lower side to the upper side by the lift 5 is removed from the housing 50. An opening 51b for discharging is formed.

  The conveyor belt 58 is, for example, a flat belt formed by covering the surface with rubber or the like so that the friction coefficient with the medal MD is relatively large. The conveyor belt 58 is stretched around rollers 581 and 582. The rollers 581 and 582 are rotating rollers for supporting the conveyor belt 58 and for moving the conveyor belt 58. A rotational driving force is transmitted to one of the rollers 581 and 582 from a motor (not shown) that operates the lift 5. The roller 581 is centered on a rotation axis along the Y axis at the center of the roller 581 (hereinafter referred to as “rotation axis of the roller 581”), and is counterclockwise when viewed from the −Y direction toward the + Y direction (hereinafter referred to as “rotation axis”). , Referred to as “D1 direction”). The roller 582 rotates in the direction D1 about a rotation axis along the Y axis at the center of the roller 582 (hereinafter referred to as “rotation axis of the roller 582”). Of the rollers 581 and 582, one roller to which the rotational driving force is transmitted from the motor that operates the lift 5 functions as a main pulley, and the other roller functions as a sub pulley, so the rotational speed of the rollers 581 and 582 is , The rotational speed is similar to each other. In addition, the starting and stop of the motor which operates the lift 5 shall be controlled by the control apparatus 9, for example. The rollers 581 and 582 are configured so that the side plate 512 is in a state where the surface on one side of the transport belt 58 is substantially vertical so that the medal MD is transported from the lower side to the upper side by the one side (+ X) surface of the transport belt 58. It is provided in the housing 50 so as to face the other side surface. The length in the longitudinal direction of the transport belt 58 is such that the length in the vertical direction on one surface of the transport belt 58 is longer than the length in the vertical direction from the upper surface of the base 61 to the upper edge of the hopper 202. To be set. The rollers 581 and 582 are such that the width in the X-axis direction of the gap between one surface of the conveyor belt 58 and the other surface of the side plate 512 is longer than the thickness of one medal MD, and It is provided so as to be shorter than the thickness of two medals MD. The roller 581 is provided above the upper edge of the hopper 202. The roller 582 is provided, for example, at the same height as the sorting device 7.

  Protrusions 581b and 582b on which medals MD are placed are provided on the outer surface of the conveyor belt 58 that is stretched over the rollers 581 and 582. The protrusions 581b and 582b are provided at the same height on the outer surface of the conveyance belt 58 so that the medals MD can be supported from the lower side as a pair. The medals MD distributed in the C1 direction by the distribution device 7 are aligned one by one in the shooter of the lift 5, and the protrusions 581b and 582b are formed at the lower edge of one surface of the conveyor belt 58. One piece is placed on the top. A plurality of pairs of protrusions 581b and 582b are provided on the outer surface of the conveyor belt 58 along the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 58 so that a plurality of medals MD can be simultaneously conveyed from the lower side to the upper side. Note that the lengths of the protrusions 581b and 582b in the X-axis direction are set to such an extent that the one side surface of the conveyor belt 58 does not come into contact with the other side surface of the side plate 512. Note that a medal MD conveyed from the lower side to the upper side by the conveying belt 58 is opened between the upper edge of the one side surface of the conveying belt 58 and the other side surface of the side plate 512 by an opening 51a. It is assumed that a guide member (not shown) for guiding to is provided.

  For example, when the rollers 581 and 582 rotate in the D1 direction around the rotation axis of the roller 581 and the rotation axis of the roller 582, the surface on one side of the conveyance belt 58 moves from the lower side to the upper side. . The medal MD placed on the protrusions 581b and 582b moves from the lower side to the upper side between the one side surface of the conveyor belt 58 and the other side surface of the side plate 512. Thereafter, the medal MD is stored in the hopper 202 after being discharged from the opening 51a by the guide member. For example, when the medal MD moving from the lower side toward the upper side comes into contact with the other side surface of the side plate 512, the other side surface of the side plate 512 has a weak frictional force applied to the medal MD. Furthermore, it is good also as forming using the material whose friction coefficient with medal MD is comparatively small.

=== Lift distribution device ===
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the lift distributing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the inside of the lift in the state where the medal is guided to the opening in the present embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a state in which a part of the housing 50 is omitted.

  The sorting device 59 is a device that switches the transport destination of the medal MD. The sorting device 59 switches the transport destination of the medal MD transported from the lower side to the upper side by the lift 5 to the opening 51a side or the opening 51b side. The sorting device 59 is provided at the same height as the opening 51 b in the housing 50. The sorting device 59 includes a solenoid device 55, a lever 56, and a link member 57.

  The lever 56 is a member for switching the transport destination of the medal MD according to the driving force supplied from the solenoid device 55. The lever 56 is a plate member having a substantially L shape when viewed from one side (+ X) to the other side (−X). The lever 56 is provided in the housing 50 so as to be parallel to the surface on one side of the transport belt 58. The lever 56 can be rotated in the E1 direction (FIG. 6) or the E2 direction (FIG. 7) around the rotation shaft 561 along the X-axis direction at a position where members forming two sides of the lever 56 intersect. The mounting member 562 is attached to one surface of the side plate 514 of the housing 50. The lever 56 is a member that forms one side of the lever 56 (hereinafter referred to as “one member”) when the lever 56 rotates in the E2 direction around the rotation shaft 561. It is attached in the vicinity of the conveyor belt 58 so as to be inserted into the gap between the one side surface and the side plate 512. Note that the thickness of the lever 56 is thinner than the width in the X-axis direction of the gap between the one side surface of the conveyor belt 58 and the side plate 512.

  The solenoid device 55 is a device for rotating the lever 56. The solenoid device 55 is arranged on the upper side of the other member so as to apply a driving force to the lever 56 from the upper side (+ Z) of the member forming the other side of the lever 56 (hereinafter referred to as “the other member”). It is attached. The solenoid device 55 has a movable member 551. The movable member 551 is a rod-shaped member that moves upward along the vertical direction (Z-axis) or moves downward (−Z). The movement of the movable member 551 is controlled by the control device 9.

  For example, when a true signal output from the control device 9 is received, a solenoid (not shown) in the solenoid device 55 is energized. At that time, the solenoid device 55 moves the movable member 551 downward. For example, when a false signal output from the control device 9 is received, the current supplied to the solenoid in the solenoid device 55 is cut off. At that time, the solenoid device 55 moves the movable member 551 upward.

  The distal end of the movable member 551 is connected to the rear end portion of the other member of the lever 56 via the link member 57. Note that one end of the link member 57 is rotatably attached to the distal end of the movable member 551 so that the end of the link member 57 can rotate about a rotation shaft 571 along the X axis. The other end of the link member 57 is rotatably attached to an end portion on the back side of the other member in the lever 56 so that the other end of the link member 57 can be rotated around a rotation shaft 572 along the X axis.

  For example, when the movable member 551 moves from the upper side to the lower side, the lever 56 rotates in the E1 direction around the rotation shaft 561 so that one member of the lever 56 is on one side of the transport belt 58. It moves to a position deviated from between the surface and the side plate 512. At this time, the medal MD is conveyed from the lower side to the upper side while being placed on the protrusions 581b and 582b. Thereafter, the medal MD is discharged from the opening 51 a and stored in the hopper 202. On the other hand, for example, when the movable member 551 moves from the lower side toward the upper side, the lever 56 rotates in the E2 direction around the rotation shaft 561, and the upper end portion of one member of the lever 56 moves. It moves between one side surface of the conveyor belt 58 and the side plate 512. At this time, the medal MD transported from the lower side to the upper side by the transport belt 58 in a state of being placed on the protrusions 581b and 582b comes into contact with the lower edge of one member of the lever 56, and is opened. 51b is discharged out of the housing 50. The medal MD is guided to the upper surface of the conveyor belt 65 by the guide plate 51c.

  The base 61, the belt device 63c, the sorting device 7, the lift 5, the guide plate 51c, the belt device 65c, and the inclined plate 13 correspond to the first transport device. The base 61, the belt device 63c, the sorting device 7, and the lift 5 correspond to the second transport device. A part from the lower end of the base 61, the belt device 62c, the sorting device 7, and the lift 5 to the position where the opening 51b is formed corresponds to the first transport unit. The distribution device 59, the guide plate 51c, the belt device 65c, and the inclined plate 13 correspond to the second transport unit. The part from the position where the opening 51b in the sorting device 59 and the lift 5 is formed to the upper end corresponds to the third transport unit. The sorting device 7 and the belt device 64c correspond to a third transport device.

=== Hopper ===
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the hopper in this embodiment is demonstrated.
The hopper 202 is a container in which lent medals MD are stored. The hopper 202 is provided above (+ Z) the belt device 65c and the opening 25a. The hopper 202 includes electrodes 141 to 143, a medal discharge port 11, a first conduction sensor (not shown), and a second conduction sensor (not shown). The electrodes 143 and 141 and the second continuity sensor correspond to the detection device.

  The medal discharge port 11 is a hole for discharging the medal MD stored in the hopper 202. For example, when a lending button displayed on the touch panel 22 is pressed after money is inserted into the bill burr, the number of medals MD based on the money thrown into the bill burr is discharged from the medal discharge port 11. The medal MD flows down on the inclined plate 12 and is discharged out of the housing 2 through the opening 25a.

  Here, the inclined plate 12 is a flat plate having a substantially rectangular shape, for example. The inclined plate 12 functions as a partition plate for partitioning the transport path of the medal MD in order to discharge the medal MD in the hopper 202 and the medal MD transported by the belt device 65c from the openings 25a and 25b, respectively. . The inclined plate 12 is provided on the upper side of the inclined plate 13 so that the medals MD in the hopper 202 are discharged from the opening 25a. The inclined plate 12 is disposed in the housing 2 such that the height of the edge on the front side (−Y) of the inclined plate 12 is lower than the height of the edge on the back side (+ Y) of the inclined plate 12. The Therefore, the medal MD discharged from the hopper 202 flows down on the inclined plate 12 and is discharged from the opening 25a. The medal MD conveyed by the belt device 65c is discharged from the opening 25b through the inclined plate 13. That is, the medal MD in the hopper 202 and the medal MD conveyed by the belt device 65c are discharged from the separate openings 25a and 25b, respectively.

  The electrodes 141 to 143 are provided in the hopper 202 in order to detect the amount of medals MD in the hopper 202 (hereinafter referred to as “medal amount in the hopper 202”). The electrodes 143 and 142 function as a pair and function as an end detection sensor for detecting that the medal amount in the hopper 202 is less than the first medal amount. The first medal amount is, for example, the medal MD amount to a certain degree that there is a possibility that the number of medals MD based on money inserted into the bill burr cannot be lent out from the inter-machine 200. The electrodes 143 and 141 function as a pair and function as a near-end detection sensor for detecting that the medal amount in the hopper 202 has fallen below the second medal amount (predetermined amount). The second medal amount is, for example, a medal amount in the hopper 202 that is smaller than a predetermined maximum medal storage capacity of the hopper 202 and larger than the first medal amount. The second medal amount is used, for example, for determining whether or not to supply the medal MD into the hopper 202. The replenishment of medals MD will be described later.

  The electrode 143 is, for example, a metal bar member that is disposed substantially horizontally at a height approximately the same as that of the medal discharge port 11.

  The electrode 142 is, for example, a metal plate member that is inclined so that the height decreases from the back side toward the front side. The back side edge of the electrode 142 is attached in the vicinity of the upper side edge of the back side inner wall of the hopper 202. The front edge of the electrode 142 protrudes toward the approximate center of the hopper 202. The height of the front edge of the electrode 142 is such that the front edge of the electrode 142 and the medal MD in the hopper 202 are in contact with each other when the amount of medals in the hopper 202 is larger than the first medal amount. When the medal amount in the hopper 202 is smaller than the first medal amount, the height is set such that the front edge of the electrode 142 and the medal MD in the hopper 202 do not contact each other. That is, when the medal amount in the hopper 202 is smaller than the first medal amount, the electrode 142 and the medal MD in the hopper 202 are not in contact with each other, and the medal amount in the hopper 202 reaches the first medal amount. The electrode 142 and the medal MD in the hopper 202 come into contact with each other. The height of the front edge of the electrode 142 is set higher than the height of the medal discharge port 11.

  The electrode 141 is, for example, a metal plate member that is inclined so that the height decreases from the front side toward the back side. The edge on the front side of the electrode 141 is attached to the same height as the edge on the back side of the electrode 142 on the inner wall on the front side of the hopper 202. An edge on the back side of the electrode 141 protrudes toward the approximate center of the hopper 202. The electrode 141 is mounted in the hopper 202 such that the height of the edge on the back side of the electrode 141 is higher than the height of the edge on the front side of the electrode plate 142. The height of the edge on the back side of the electrode 141 is such that when the amount of medals in the hopper 202 is larger than the second amount of medals, the edge on the back side of the electrode 141 and the medal MD in the hopper 202 come into contact with each other. When the inner medal amount is smaller than the second medal amount, the height is set such that the rear edge of the electrode 141 does not contact the medal MD in the hopper 202. That is, when the medal amount in the hopper 202 is smaller than the second medal amount, the electrode 141 and the medal MD in the hopper 202 are not in contact with each other, and the medal amount in the hopper 202 reaches the second medal amount. The electrode 141 and the medal MD in the hopper 202 come into contact with each other.

  The first continuity sensor is a device for detecting whether or not the electrode 143 and the electrode 142 are electrically connected. For example, when the medal MD in the hopper 202 is smaller than the first medal amount, the electrode 142 does not contact the medal MD in the hopper 202. The electrode 143 and the electrode 142 are electrically cut off. At this time, the first continuity sensor outputs a first detection signal. On the other hand, for example, when the medal MD in the hopper 202 reaches the first medal amount, the electrode 142 comes into contact with the medal MD in the hopper 202. The electrode 143 and the electrode 142 are electrically connected. At this time, the first continuity sensor does not output the first detection signal.

  The second continuity sensor is a device for detecting whether or not the electrode 143 and the electrode 141 are electrically connected. For example, when the medal MD in the hopper 202 is smaller than the second medal amount, the electrode 141 does not contact the medal MD in the hopper 202. The electrode 143 and the electrode 141 are electrically cut off. At this time, the second continuity sensor outputs a second detection signal. On the other hand, for example, when the medal MD in the hopper 202 reaches the second medal amount, the electrode 141 comes into contact with the medal MD in the hopper 202. The electrode 143 and the electrode 141 are electrically connected. At this time, the second continuity sensor does not output the second detection signal.

=== Replenishment of medal MD ===
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the replenishment of medals MD in the present embodiment will be described.
The replenishment of the medal MD into the hopper 202 is automatically performed by a medal replenishing device (not shown) or manually by a hall staff (not shown) in the game hall where the gaming machine 100 is installed. .

  For example, the medal replenishing device is communicably connected to the second continuity sensor, and when receiving the second detection signal, the medal replenishment device inserts the medal MD into the hopper 202 from the opening 21a in the back plate 2c of the housing 2. In this case, the medal MD flows down on the inclined plate 21 c and is stored in the hopper 202. That is, the medal MD is automatically supplied into the hopper 202 based on the second detection signal.

  When the medal MD is manually replenished by the hall staff, for example, the hall staff moves the front panel of the intermediary machine 200 based on a screen display of a monitor (not shown) indicating that the first or second detection signal has been received. 2a is opened, and the medal MD is supplied into the hopper 202. For example, when the medal MD is manually replenished by the hall staff, the intermediary machine 200 cannot be used when the medal MD is replenished.

=== Control device ===
Hereinafter, the control device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 8. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the control device according to the present embodiment.

  The control device 9 includes a control circuit (not shown) for the motors M1 to M3, a control circuit (not shown) for the motor of the impeller 4, a second continuity sensor, a determination device 60, a counting device 60c, and solenoid devices 55 and 74 (hereinafter referred to as the following) , Referred to as “apparatus in the inter-machine 200”).

The control device 9 includes, for example, a transmission / reception unit 91, a storage unit 92, and a control unit 94.
The transmission / reception unit 91 performs communication with devices in the inter-table machine 200.
The storage unit 92 includes, for example, a first area 921 and a second area 922. In the first area 921, for example, a program for controlling the inter-station machine 200 is stored. In the second area 922, for example, information indicating the number of medals MD counted by the counting device 60c is stored. Further, in the second area 922, for example, information indicating the number of medals MD (first medals) (hereinafter referred to as “fake medals”) determined to be false by the determination device 60 is stored. Further, in the second area 922, for example, information indicating the number of medals (second medals) determined to be true by the determination device 60 (hereinafter referred to as “true medals”) is stored.
The control unit 94 controls the table machine 200 based on a program for controlling the table machine 200 stored in the first area 921.

  For example, when the determination signal indicating that the medal MD is false is received, the control unit 94 causes the transmission / reception unit 91 to transmit a pass signal and a false signal. For example, when the determination signal indicating that the medal MD is true and the second detection signal are received, the control unit 94 causes the transmission / reception unit 91 to transmit a passing signal and a true signal. For example, when receiving the determination signal indicating that the medal MD is true and not receiving the second detection signal, the control unit 94 causes the transmission / reception unit 91 to transmit a fall signal.

=== Behind the machine
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 9, operation | movement of the interpolator in this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the intermediary machine in the present embodiment.

  For example, the execution of the program in the first area 921 is started, and the control device 9 starts control of the interstitial machine 200 and inserts the medal MD into the tray 26 in order to count the number of medal MDs. I will explain from there.

  The control device 9 receives the count signal and the determination signal (step S1). The control device 9 determines whether or not the medal MD is true (step S2). For example, when the determination signal indicating that the medal MD is false is received, the control device 9 determines that the medal MD is not true (NO in step S2), and transmits a pass signal and a false signal (step S4). ). Thereafter, the control device 9 ends the control operation of the inter-vehicle machine 200.

  The current supplied to the solenoid in the solenoid device 74 is interrupted, and the solenoid device 74 moves the movable member 741 from the back side to the front side. When the movable member 741 moves from the back side toward the front side, the lever 75 rotates about the rotation shaft 76 in the B1 direction (FIG. 4), and the opening 73a is blocked by one side of the lever 75. Will be. Further, the current supplied to the solenoid in the solenoid device 55 is cut off, and the solenoid device 55 moves the movable member 551 from the lower side (−Z) to the upper side (+ Z). When the movable member 551 moves from the lower side toward the upper side, the lever 56 rotates about the rotation shaft 561 in the E2 direction (FIG. 7), and a part of one member of the lever 56 is a conveyance belt. It moves between the one side surface of 58 and the side plate 512.

  Therefore, the medals MD transported from the tray 26 to the rear side edge on the base 61 by the inclined plate 28 and the belt devices 62c and 63c are distributed in the C1 direction by the distribution device 7. The medal MD is accommodated in the shooter of the lift 5, then moved from the lower side to the upper side by the lift 5, and discharged from the opening 51 b onto the transport belt 63. Thereafter, the medal MD is transported from the back side to the front side by the belt device 65c and the inclined plate 13, and is discharged from the opening 25b into the tray 25 outside the housing 2.

  On the other hand, when the determination signal indicating that the medal MD is true is received in the determination of step S2, the control device 9 determines that the medal MD is true (YES in step S2), and the inside of the hopper 202 It is determined whether or not the medal amount has reached the second medal amount (step S3). For example, when receiving the second detection signal, the control device 9 determines that the amount of medals in the hopper 202 has not reached the second amount of medals (NO in step S3), and outputs a passing signal and a true signal. Transmit (step S5). Thereafter, the control device 9 ends the control operation of the inter-vehicle machine 200.

  The solenoid in the solenoid device 55 is energized, and the solenoid device 55 moves the movable member 551 from the upper side to the lower side. When the movable member 551 moves from the upper side to the lower side, the lever 56 rotates about the rotation shaft 561 in the E1 direction (FIG. 6), and one member of the lever 56 is one side of the conveying belt 58. It will move to the position which deviated from between the side surface and the side plate 512. Since the operation of the sorting device 7 when receiving the passage signal has been described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

  Therefore, the medals MD transported from the tray 26 to the rear side edge on the base 61 by the inclined plate 28 and the belt devices 62c and 63c are distributed in the C1 direction by the distribution device 7. After the medal MD is accommodated in the shooter of the lift 5, the medal MD is moved from the lower side to the upper side by the lift 5, discharged from the opening 51 a, and stored in the hopper 202.

  When the second detection signal is not received in the determination in step S3, the control device 9 determines that the medal amount in the hopper 202 has reached the second medal amount (YES in step S3). A fall signal is transmitted (step S6). Thereafter, the control device 9 ends the control operation of the inter-vehicle machine 200.

  The solenoid in the solenoid device 74 is energized, and the solenoid device 74 moves the movable member 741 from the front side to the back side. When the movable member 741 moves from the front side toward the back side, the lever 75 rotates about the rotation shaft 76 in the B2 direction (FIG. 5), and the opening 73a is exposed.

  Therefore, the medals MD transported from the tray 26 to the edge on the back side on the base 61 by the inclined plate 28 and the belt devices 62c and 63c are distributed in the C2 direction by the distribution device 7. The medal MD is transported from the back side to the front side by the belt device 64c and discharged from the opening 21a.

  Note that the control operations in steps S4 to S6 are based on, for example, the position of each intermediary machine 200 on which the medals MD that are aligned on the base 61 and subjected to authenticity determination are moved. It may be performed. For example, a sensor that detects that each medal MD has passed is provided on a conveyance path on which the medal MD is conveyed in the intermediary machine 200, and the intermediary machine 200 of each medal MD is based on the detection result of the sensor. You may control conveyance within.

  Further, for example, after the control operation of the intermediary machine 200 by the control device 9 is completed, information on the number of medals MD may be written to the IC card inserted into the card insertion slot 21. For example, information indicating the number of medals MD counted by the counting device 60c and information indicating the number of false medals may be written on the IC card, or information indicating the number of true medals. Only may be written.

  Also, for example, after the control device 9 receives the count signal, if the control device 9 does not receive the count signal again within a predetermined time, the control device 9 is predetermined after the last reception of the count signal. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the control device 9 may stop the motors M1 to M3, the impeller 4 motor, the motor that operates the lift 5, and the motor that operates the sorting device 7. The predetermined time is longer than the time from when the medal MD inserted into the inter-machine 200 is counted until the medal MD is ejected through the opening 21a, and the medal MD. Is longer than the time until the medal MD is discharged through the opening 25b and the time from when the medal MD is counted until the medal MD is stored in the hopper 202. It is also a long time and may be set based on experiments or the like.

Further, based on the output of the sensor that detects that each medal MD has passed, the motors M1 to M3, the motor of the impeller 4, and the lift 5 are operated when the conveyance of the medal MD in the interframe machine 200 is completed. It is good also as the motor to be made and the distribution apparatus 7 being stopped.

  As described above, the opening machine 200 is provided with the openings 26a and 25b. The opening 25b is provided at a position above the position of the opening 26a. The medal MD is inserted into the opening 26a. The determination device 60 is a device that determines the authenticity of the medal MD. The fake medal is conveyed to the opening 25b by the upper surface of the base 61, the belt device 63c, the sorting device 7, the lift 5, the guide plate 51c, the belt device 65c, and the inclined plate 13. The fake medal is discharged from the opening 25b at a position above the opening 25a. Therefore, the fake medal is discharged from a position where the medal MD in the inter-machine 200 is easily visible. Therefore, it is possible to reliably notify the player that the fake medal has been discharged.

  The hopper 202 is provided at a position above the opening 25b. The true medal is conveyed to the hopper 202 by the upper surface of the base 61, the belt device 63c, the sorting device 7, and the lift 5. Therefore, the medal MD inserted into the opening 26a is stored in the hopper 202 as a medal MD for lending. The true medal is stored in the hopper 202 without being discharged from the opening 25b. Further, only the fake medal is discharged from the opening 25b. Therefore, the player can surely confirm whether or not the fake medal is discharged, depending on whether or not the medal MD is discharged from the opening 25b. Further, the true medals inserted into the opening 26a can be replenished into the hopper 202 as rented medals. Therefore, for example, the number of times the hall staff manually replenishes the medal MD in the hopper 202 is reduced, and the period during which the use of the intermediary machine 200 is prohibited for the work of replenishing the medal MD may be shortened. it can. That is, the operating rate of the inter-machine 200 can be increased.

  Further, the upper surface of the base 61, the belt device 62c, and the sorting device 7 carry both true medals and false medals from the front side to the back side. Both true medals and false medals are transported from the lower side to the height where the opening 51 b is formed by the lift 5. The sorting device 59 switches the destinations of fake medals and true medals to the openings 51b and 51a, respectively. The lift 5 conveys the true medal from the lower side to the upper side and discharges it from the opening 51a. The true medals discharged from the opening 51a are stored in the hopper 202. The guide plate 51c, the belt device 65c, and the inclined plate 13 convey the false medal discharged from the opening 51b to the opening 25b. The false medal is discharged from the opening 25b. Based on the determination result of the determination device 60, the transfer destination of the fake medal and the true medal can be switched to the opening 25b and the hopper 202, respectively. Therefore, only the fake medal can be reliably discharged from the opening 25b. Further, only true medals can be reliably stored in the hopper 202.

  The medal amount in the hopper 202 is detected by the second continuity sensor and the electrodes 141 and 143. When the control device 9 receives the determination signal indicating that the medal MD is true and does not receive the second detection signal, the sorting device 7 drops the medal MD. The belt device 64c conveys the medal MD to the opening 21a. Depending on the amount of medals in the hopper 202, true medals can be replenished in the hopper 202. Therefore, for example, the medal MD of the hopper 202 can be replenished so as not to exceed the maximum medal storage capacity of the hopper 202. The medal MD of the hopper 202 can be reliably replenished, and the operating rate of the inter-machine 200 can be reliably increased.

  Further, the trays 25 and 26 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction (Z axis) at the position on the near side (-Y) of the openings 26a and 25b, respectively. The tray 25 receives the medal MD discharged from the opening 25b. The tray 26 guides the medal MD in the tray 26 to the opening 26a. Therefore, the fake medal discharged from the opening 25b is accommodated in the tray 25. Therefore, the visibility of the false medal discharged from the opening 25b can be further improved. In addition, by inserting the medal MD into the tray 26, the medal MD is guided to the opening 26a and is surely inserted into the interframe machine 200. Therefore, it is possible to provide a machine 200 that is easy to insert a medal MD and is easy to use.

  The medal MD in the hopper 202 is discharged to the tray 25 through the opening 25a. Therefore, it is possible to receive both the medal MD lent out from the inter-machine 200 and the medal MD discharged from the opening 25b by the tray 25. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a tray for receiving the medals MD lent out from the intermediary machine 200 and a tray for receiving the medals MD ejected from the opening 25b, respectively, so that the manufacturing cost of the intermediary machine 200 can be reduced.

  The present embodiment is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

  For example, a threshold is provided for partitioning a recess for receiving the medal MD in the tray 25, and the medals MD discharged from the openings 25a and 25b are accommodated in the tray 25 in a state of being separated from the threshold. It is good as well. In that case, the medal MD lent out from the hopper 202 and the fake medal discharged from the opening 25b are prevented from being mixed in the tray 25, and the visibility of the discharge of the fake medal from the inter-machine 200 is improved. Can be made.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the dual-purpose tray 25 that accommodates both the medals MD discharged from the openings 25a and 25b is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of trays for storing the medals MD discharged from the openings 25a and 25b may be provided. In this case, the medal MD lent out from the hopper 202 and the fake medal discharged from the opening 25b are reliably prevented from being mixed in the tray 25, and the medal MD inserted into the intermediary machine 200 is false. It is possible to reliably notify the player of the gaming machine 100 that a medal has been included.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the medals MD discharged from the opening 25a are accommodated in the tray 25 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a nozzle for guiding the medal MD discharged from the opening 25a to the medal discharge port 102 (FIG. 1) of the gaming machine 100 may be provided in the housing 2. In that case, both the medal MD lent out from the inter-machine 200 and the medal MD discharged from the gaming machine 100 are accommodated in the medal discharge port 102. Therefore, since the medals MD held by the player of the gaming machine 100 can be collected in one place, the user-friendly gaming machine 100 and the inter-machine 200 can be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the medal MD dropped from the sorting device 7 is thrown into the opening 21a has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a medal container that accommodates the medal MD may be disposed in the housing 2, and the medal MD that has dropped from the sorting device 7 may be accommodated in the medal container. In this case, for example, when the hall staff in the hopper 202 manually replenishes, the medal MD in the medal container can be used. Therefore, the hall staff who replenishes the medal MD does not need to bring the medal MD for replenishment into the hopper 202 separately, and can quickly replenish the hopper 202 with the medal. Therefore, the operation rate of the inter-machine 200 can be improved.

2, 50 Housing 5 Lift 6 Transport device 7, 59 Sorting device 9 Control device 12, 13, 28 Inclined plates 21a, 25a, 25b, 26a, 51b, 51b, 73a Opening 25, 26 Tray 60 Judging device 60c Counting device 61 Base 62c, 63c, 64c, 65c, 71c Belt device 100 Game machine 141, 142, 143 Electrode 200 Inter-board machine 201 Unit 202 Hopper 203 Counting unit MD Medal

Claims (6)

A medal counting machine for counting the number of medals for gaming,
A slot into which the medal is inserted;
A determination device for determining the authenticity of the medal inserted into the insertion slot;
A discharge port provided at a position above the position of the insertion port and from which the first medal determined to be false by the determination device;
A first transport device for transporting the first medal to the discharge port;
A medal counting machine characterized by comprising: A medal hopper provided at a position above the position of the discharge port;
A second transport device that transports the second medal determined to be true by the determination device to the medal hopper as a medal for lending;
The medal counter according to claim 1, comprising: The first transport device is
A first transport unit that transports the first medal; and a second transport unit that transports the first medal from a terminal end of the first transport unit to the discharge port based on a determination result of the determination device. ,
The second transport device is
A first transport unit that transports the second medal together with the first medal, and a third transport unit that transports the second medal from the end of the first transport unit to the medal hopper based on a determination result of the determination device. The medal counting machine according to claim 2, wherein A detection device for detecting the amount of medals in the medal hopper;
When the amount of medals in the medal hopper reaches a predetermined amount, the first and second transport devices are transported from the front end of the first transport unit so that the first transport unit does not transport the second medal. A third transport device for transporting the second medal to a medal container provided at a position different from the path;
The medal counter according to claim 3, comprising: A first tray for guiding the medal to the insertion slot at a position before the insertion slot;
A second tray for receiving the first medal discharged from the discharge port at a position in front of the discharge port;
The medal counter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first tray and the second tray are juxtaposed in a vertical direction. The medal counter according to claim 5, wherein medals in the medal hopper are discharged to the second tray through the discharge port.

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