JP4437852B2 - Ball lending machine unlocking system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a ball lending machine unlocking system for unlocking a ball lending machine for storing cards used for the settlement of balls, and more particularly to a ball lending machine unlocking system corresponding to a plurality of ball lending machines.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, ball lending machines that purchase balls for gaming and supply the purchased balls to a gaming machine use a card that records the purchase price of the balls as monetary data and converts the amount of balls to be purchased. Proposed. When using such a ball lending machine, first, the user purchases a card according to the amount of money to be played. At this time, amount data corresponding to the purchased amount is recorded on the purchased card. For example, if the user wants to play a game for 10,000 yen, the user will purchase a card corresponding to 10,000 yen, and in this case, the purchased card is recorded with money amount data corresponding to 10,000 yen. The Rukoto.
[0003]
A user who has purchased a card inserts the purchased card into a ball lending machine and purchases as many balls as necessary. At the time of this purchase, the price of the purchased ball will be subtracted from the amount data recorded on the card, and purchase of the ball with this card will be done until the amount recorded on the card falls below the purchase price and fee of the ball Can do. The card whose balls are purchased in this way and whose balance indicated by the amount data is below a certain value is discharged from the ball lending machine and returned to the user.
[0004]
However, in a ball lending machine that returns used cards to the user in this way, virtually all used cards are discarded, which is undesirable in terms of effective use of resources and reduction of running costs. . Therefore, as a means for solving such a problem, a ball lending machine has been proposed in which used cards are temporarily stored in a ball lending machine, and they can be collected and reused.
[0005]
The collection of used cards stored in such ball lending machines requires that the store clerk unlocks the door of the card storage unit for each ball lending machine and collects the cards stored in each ball lending machine in sequence. Is done.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the ball lending machines are installed one-to-one with respect to the game machine, the number of installed ball lending machines is also large. With the method of unlocking the card storage unit door for each ball lending machine, There is a problem that it takes a long time to recover.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a ball lending machine unlocking system capable of easily collecting cards stored in a ball lending machine.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in a ball lending machine unlocking system for unlocking a ball lending machine that stores cards used for the settlement of balls, an unlocking signal is transmitted by an unlocking operation. A device, a card holding unit that stacks and stores the cards obliquely, an openable opening / closing door that enables collection of the cards stored by opening the door, and when the unlock signal is detected An unlock control means for determining whether to unlock the door, an open / close door locking means for unlocking the open / close door when the unlock control means determines to unlock, and the card. A ball lending machine having a storage card determining means for determining whether or not the card is stored , and when the storage card determining means determines that the ball lending machine does not store the card, the solution The lock control means unlocks the door. Is ball lending machine unlocking system, characterized by the Most determined are provided.
[0009]
Here, the unlocking device transmits an unlocking signal by the unlocking operation, the card holding unit stacks and stores the cards diagonally, and the open / close door opens to allow the stored cards to be collected and unlocked. The lock control means determines whether or not to unlock the door when the unlock signal is detected, and the door lock means unlocks the door when the lock control means determines to unlock. Do.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electrical configuration of a ball lending machine unlocking system 1 in this embodiment. The ball lending machine unlocking system 1 includes a plurality of ball lending machines 20 and an unlocking device 10 that transmits an unlocking signal by an unlocking operation and remotely controls the ball lending machine 20. Further, the ball lending machine 20 is a control device 22 having a function as an unlocking control means for determining whether or not to unlock the opening / closing door described later, and an opening / closing door locking means for locking / unlocking the opening / closing door. A panel key 24c is provided. In FIG. 1, other components included in the ball lending machine 20 are omitted for simplification of description.
[0011]
Here, the unlocking device 10 is electrically connected to a control device 22 included in each ball lending machine 20, and each control device 22 is electrically connected to a panel key 24 c of each ball lending machine 20. ing.
[0012]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the electrical configuration of each ball lending machine 20.
The ball lending machine 20 includes a control device 22, a panel key 24 c, a ball supply control device 21 that issues a ball supply command to the game table, a presence / absence sensor light emitting unit 24 e that is a card storage determination unit that determines whether or not a card is stored. A sensor light receiving unit 24f, an upper limit sensor light emitting unit 24g for determining whether or not the number of stored cards reaches the upper limit, an upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h, and a card reader / writer 23 for reading and writing data recorded on the card. It is constituted by.
[0013]
Here, the control device 22 includes an unlocking device 10, a panel key 24c, a ball supply control device 21, a presence / absence sensor light emitting unit 24e, a presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f, an upper limit sensor light emitting unit 24g, an upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h, and a card reader / writer. 23 is electrically connected.
[0014]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the unlocking device 10.
The unlocking device 10 has a key hole 10a into which a key used when remotely operating the ball lending machine 20 is inserted, an unlocking lamp 10b, and a pulling lamp 10c.
[0015]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the ball lending machine 20, and FIG. 5 is a front view thereof. Here, FIG. 5A shows a state in which the front panel 24b is closed, and FIG. 5B shows a state in which the front panel 24b is opened.
[0016]
The ball lending machine 20 includes a card reader / writer 23 that reads amount data recorded on the card 30, a control device 22, a card storage device 24 that stores a card 30 that receives a storage instruction from the control device 22, and a control device. The ball supply control unit 21 receives an instruction from the player 22 and gives a ball supply instruction to the game machine.
[0017]
The card reader / writer 23 has a card insertion slot 23a, and the card 30 is inserted from the card insertion slot 23a.
The card storage device 24 has a plate shape, a front panel 24b that is an openable opening / closing door disposed outside the card storage device 24, and a stopper that prevents the stored card 30 from jumping out from the card outlet 24ae. 24d, the card 30 is stored, and the card 30 is stored in the card holding unit 24a that transports the card 30 stored by being pulled out to the outside, the panel key 24c that locks and unlocks the front panel 24b, and the card storage device 24. The presence / absence sensor light-emitting unit 24e that emits detection light for determining whether or not there is present, the presence / absence sensor light-receiving unit 24f that detects detection light emitted by the presence / absence sensor light-emitting unit 24e, and the number of stored cards 30 has reached the upper limit. The upper limit sensor light emitting unit 24g that emits the detection light for determining whether or not the upper limit sensor light emitting unit 24g emits light. It is constituted by the upper limit sensor light receiving portion 24h for detecting the detection light. Here, the card holding part 24a has a detection light passage part 24ad that allows the detection light output from the presence sensor light emission part 24e to pass therethrough.
[0018]
The control device 22 has a configuration centered on a processor, and operates according to a program stored in a ROM (not shown).
Further, the card 30 may be a contact type that transmits and receives signals through a contact terminal, or a non-contact type that uses any one of magnetic, radio waves, infrared rays, and light as a transmission medium. It may be used.
[0019]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an arrangement configuration example of the unlocking device 10, the ball lending machine 20, and the game table 40 corresponding to each ball lending machine 20.
Next, operation | movement of the ball lending machine unlocking system 1 in this form is demonstrated. First, the unlocking operation of the panel key 24c performed by remote operation from the unlocking device 10 will be described.
[0020]
The front panel 24b is locked by a panel key 24c, and the panel key 24c can be unlocked by inserting a key into the panel key 24c individually or by remote operation from the unlocking device 10.
[0021]
Unlocking by remote control using the unlocking device 10 can be performed collectively on the panel keys 24c of each of the plurality of ball lending machines 20, and in this case, first, a salesclerk or the like who performs unlocking Then, the key is inserted into the key hole 10a of the unlocking device 10, and is rotated to the position of the unlocking lamp 10b while pressing the inserted key. As a result, the unlocking lamp 10 b is turned on, and an unlocking signal is sent from the unlocking device 10 to the control device 22 of each ball lending machine 20. Receiving the unlock signal, each control device 22 determines whether or not the card 30 is stored in the card storage device 24 by a method described later, and controls itself when determining that the card 30 is stored. An instruction is given to the panel key 24c, and the panel key 24c receiving this instruction unlocks the front panel 24b. Here, when it is determined that the card 30 is not stored, the panel key 24c is not unlocked. When the unlocking of the panel key 24c of each ball lending machine 20 is completed in this way, the key is then rotated to the position of the extraction lamp 10c, and the key is extracted. By doing in this way, the unlocking of the panel keys 24c of the plurality of ball lending machines 20 can be performed in conjunction with each other, and the unlocking operation is simplified.
[0022]
Next, operation | movement of the ball lending machine 20 which the ball lending machine unlocking system 1 has is demonstrated.
When a user purchases a game ball using the ball lending machine 20, first, the user purchases the card 30 with a card vending machine or the like separately installed in the store. In the card purchased here, the price for purchasing the balls is recorded as amount data.
[0023]
The user who purchased the card 30 inserts the purchased card 30 in the direction A from the card insertion slot 23 a of the ball lending machine 20, and the inserted card 30 is taken into the card reader / writer 23. The card reader / writer 23 that has taken in the card 30 reads the amount data recorded in the taken-in card 30 and notifies the control device 22 of the result.
[0024]
The control device 22 that has received the amount data separately considers the number of balls to be purchased, which is input by the user, subtracts the price and fee of the purchased balls from the amount data, and purchases them to the ball supply control device 21. Give instructions to supply the finished balls. Upon receiving the ball supply instruction, the ball supply control device 21 gives a ball supply instruction to the gaming machine, and the gaming machine that receives this instruction outputs the ball. In the present embodiment, the ball output itself is performed by the game stand. However, a mechanism for outputting a ball to the ball lending machine 20 may be provided so that the ball is output from the ball lending machine 20.
[0025]
On the other hand, the amount data obtained by subtracting the purchase price of the balls is sent to the card reader / writer 23 where it is recorded on the card 30. Here, the amount corresponding to the subtracted amount data is once. When the amount is less than or equal to the amount required for lending the ball, the control device 22 gives the ball supply control device 21 an instruction to output the ball for the balance recorded on the card 30 and outputs the ball for the balance. . At the same time, the amount indicated in the amount data of the card 30 is set to 0, and an instruction to store the card 30 in the card storage device 24 is given to the card reader / writer 23.
[0026]
Receiving this instruction, the card reader / writer 23 sets the amount indicated in the amount data of the card 30 to 0 and stores the card 30 in the card storage device 24. The card 30 is stored by dropping the card 30 in the direction B shown in FIG. 4, and the dropped card 30 is stored in the card holding unit 24 a of the card storage device 24.
[0027]
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in the card holding portion 24a of FIG. 4, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the card holding portion 24a.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the card holding part 24a has a flat plate and an inclined plate 24aa having a flat shape arranged obliquely with respect to the bottom surface of the card holding part 24a. And a vertical plate 24ab that forms a V shape in combination with the inclined plate 24aa, and a side plate 24ac having a planar shape arranged at a position perpendicular to the bottom surface, the inclined plate, and the vertical plate. ing. Here, a detection light passage portion 24ad is formed in the inclined plate 24aa.
[0028]
The card 30 dropped in the direction B falls down along the inclined plate 24aa, and is stacked on the inclined plate 24aa. As a result, the cards 30 are stacked and stored obliquely with respect to the bottom surface of the card holding portion 24a. Further, one side of the card 30 is held by the vertical plate 24ab, and the other side is held by the side plate 24ac. Accordingly, the stored card 30 is held only by the three planes of the inclined plate 24aa, the vertical plate 24ab, and the side plate 24ac, and is not held from the surface on the card outlet 24ae side facing the side plate 24ac. Therefore, a stopper 24d is arranged as a means for holding the card 30 from the surface of the card outlet 24ae and preventing the card 30 from popping out from the card outlet 24ae.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5B, the stopper 24d has a plate shape, and the side surface of the card 30 accommodated in the card holding portion 24a is caused by the plate-shaped flat portion by the card outlet 24ae. Hold from the side. One side of the stopper 24d is attached to the side surface of the card storage device 24, and the stopper 24d can be rotated about the mounting portion as a rotation axis. By this rotational movement, the stopper 24d can rotate and move from a position where the flat surface portion is arranged in parallel with the side surface of the card holding portion 24a on the card ejection port 24ae side to a position arranged vertically. Yes. Further, the stopper 24d is pressurized by an elastic force of an elastic body such as a spring so that a flat surface portion thereof is disposed in parallel with the side surface on the card outlet 24ae side. Thus, in a state where the card holding unit 24a is stored in the card storage device 24, the stopper 24d always holds the side surface of the card 30 stored in the card holding unit 24a from the card ejection port 24ae side. .
[0030]
Next, the presence / absence sensor light emitting unit 24e for determining whether or not the card 30 is stored, the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f, the upper limit sensor light emitting unit 24g for determining whether or not the number of stored cards 30 has reached the upper limit, and the upper limit sensor The operation of the light receiving unit 24h will be described. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing operations of the presence / absence sensor light emitting unit 24e, the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f, the upper limit sensor light emitting unit 24g, and the upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the presence / absence sensor light-emitting part 24 e is located inside the bottom surface of the card storage device 24, and the presence / absence sensor light-receiving part 24 f and the upper limit sensor light-receiving part 24 h are located inside the side surface of the card storage device 24. 24g is arranged inside the upper surface of the card storage device 24, respectively. As a result, the detection light is output from the presence sensor light emitting unit 24e and the upper limit sensor light emitting unit 24g in a direction that obliquely crosses the stacking direction of the cards 30 to be stored.
[0032]
These sensors are controlled by the control device 22, and when the control device 22 instructs the card reader / writer 23 to store the card 30, and when the remote control from the unlocking device 10 causes the panel key 24 c to be unlocked. The detection light output from the presence / absence sensor light emitting unit 24e is detected by the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f, and the detection light output from the upper limit sensor light emitting unit 24g is detected by the upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h. Is done.
[0033]
First, a determination method for determining whether or not the card 30 is stored will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9A, when the card 30 is not stored in the card holding unit 24a, the detection light output from the presence / absence sensor light emitting unit 24e passes through the detection light passing unit 24ad of the card holding unit 24a. And reaches the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f. Then, the detection light reaching the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f is detected by the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the card 30 is stored in the card holding unit 24a, the detection light output from the presence / absence sensor light emitting unit 24e is transmitted by the card 30 stored in the card holding unit 24a. The detection light does not reach the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f. In this case, the detection light is not detected by the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f.
[0034]
As described above, when the card 30 is not stored in the card holding unit 24a, the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f detects the detection light, and when the card 30 is stored, the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f does not detect the detection light. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the card 30 is stored in the card holding unit 24a by determining whether the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f detects the detection light. .
[0035]
Next, a determination method for determining whether or not the number of stored cards 30 has reached the upper limit will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10A shows a case where the stored card 30 has not reached the upper limit of the storage number. In this case, the detection light output from the upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24g reaches the upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h, and the detection light reaching the upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h is detected by the upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h. On the other hand, (b) of FIG. 10 shows a case where the card 30 has reached the upper limit of the storage number. In this case, the detection light output from the upper limit sensor light emitting unit 24g is blocked by the card 30, and this detection light. Does not reach the upper limit sensor light receiving part 24h. In this case, the detection light is not detected by the upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h.
[0036]
As described above, when the stored card 30 has not reached the upper limit of the storage number, the upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h detects the detection light, and when the card 30 has reached the upper limit of the storage number, the upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h. Since the detection light is not detected, it is determined whether or not the stored card 30 has reached the upper limit of the storage number by determining whether or not the upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h detects the detection light. It becomes possible.
[0037]
Next, the determination procedure described above will be described with reference to FIG.
When the control device 22 instructs the card reader / writer 23 to store the card 30, or when the unlocking instruction is given to the panel key 24c by the remote operation by the unlocking device 10, the control device 22 emits the upper limit sensor light. The unit 24g and the presence / absence sensor light emitting unit 24e are instructed to output detection light for a certain period. Upon receiving this instruction, the upper limit sensor light emitting unit 24g and the presence sensor light emitting unit 24e emit detection light, and the presence sensor light receiving unit 24f and the upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h send detection results of these detection lights to the control device 22. Based on the detection results received from the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit 24f and the upper limit sensor light receiving unit 24h, the control device 22 determines the presence / absence and storage state of the card 30 according to the determination method described above, and the unlocking signal from the unlocking device 10. When the key is received, various processes are performed according to the determination result, such as whether or not to unlock the panel key 24c.
[0038]
Next, the collection operation of the card 30 stored in the card storage device 24 will be described. FIG. 11 shows a DD cross-sectional view of the ball lending machine 20 of FIG. 11A shows a state in which the card holding unit 24a is stored in the card storage device 24, and FIG. 11B shows a state in which the card holding unit 24a is pulled out from the card storage device 24. It shows the state.
[0039]
When collecting the stored card 30, first, a store clerk or the like who collects the card 30 unlocks the panel key 24 c by remote operation using the unlocking device 10 described above, and opens the front panel 24 b. Do. Here, the opening of the front panel 24b is performed by rotating in the E direction shown in FIG. 11A with the plate-like end of the front panel 24b as an axis. When the front panel 24b is opened, the card holding unit 24a storing the card 30 is then pulled out to the outside of the card storage device 24.
[0040]
The card holder 24a is pulled out of the card storage device 24 by applying a force in the direction (G direction) from the inside of the card storage device 24 toward the front panel 24b to the card holder 24a. When a force in the G direction is applied to the card holding portion 24a, the card holding portion 24a presses the stopper 24d from the inner side toward the outer side by the side surface on the card ejection port 24ae side. The stopper 24d pressurized by the card holding part 24a performs the rotational movement (F direction) around the rotation axis described above, and the plane part rotates and moves to a position that is perpendicular to the side face on the card outlet 24ae side. . As a result, the stopper 24d that has held the card ejection opening 24ae side is retracted into the side surface of the card storage device 24, and then a G-direction force is further applied to the card holding unit 24a, whereby the card of the card holding unit 24a. The take-out port 24ae is pulled out of the card storage device 24 (FIG. 11B). As described above, the card holding unit 24a in which the card 30 is stored is pulled out, whereby the stored card 30 can be easily collected.
[0041]
As described above, in this embodiment, the unlocking device 10 outputs the unlocking signal by operating the key inserted into the keyhole 10a, and the control device 22 detects the unlocking signal output from the unlocking device 10. The presence / absence sensor is used to determine whether or not the card 30 is stored in the card holding unit 24a. If it is determined that the card 30 is stored, the front panel 24b is unlocked with respect to the panel key 24c. Since the panel key 24c receiving this instruction is to unlock the front panel 24b, the front panel 24b of each ball lending machine 20 can be unlocked all at once. The collection work of the card 30 stored in each ball lending machine 20 can be simplified.
[0042]
In this embodiment, the output of the detection light from the presence / absence sensor light emitting unit 24e and the upper limit sensor light emitting unit 24g is used when the control device 22 instructs the card reader / writer 23 to store the card 30 and the unlocking device. When the unlocking instruction is given to the panel key 24c by the remote operation from 10, it is performed for a certain period, but the detection light may be output at other timing.
[0043]
In this embodiment, the unlocking device 10 and the control device 22 of the ball lending machine 20 are electrically connected, but the unlocking device 10 and the control device 22 are not electrically connected. Signal exchange between them may be performed by wireless communication using radio waves, infrared rays, or the like as a transmission medium.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, the unlocking device transmits the unlocking signal by the unlocking operation, and the unlocking control means detects the unlocking signal transmitted from the unlocking device and unlocks the door. Each ball lending machine has an opening / closing door locking means when it is determined whether the opening / closing door is unlocked when the unlocking control means determines that the opening / closing door is unlocked. The doors can be unlocked all at once, and the collection work of cards stored in each ball lending machine can be simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electrical configuration of a ball lending machine unlocking system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of an electrical configuration of each ball lending machine.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the unlocking device.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a ball lending machine.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a configuration of a ball lending machine.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an arrangement configuration example of an unlocking device, a ball lending machine, and a game table corresponding to each ball lending machine.
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in the card holding unit of FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a card holding unit.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating operations of the presence / absence sensor light emitting unit, the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit, the upper limit sensor light emitting unit, and the upper limit sensor light receiving unit.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating operations of the presence / absence sensor light emitting unit, the presence / absence sensor light receiving unit, the upper limit sensor light emitting unit, and the upper limit sensor light receiving unit.
11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in the ball lending machine of FIG. 4;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ball lending machine unlocking system 10 Unlocking apparatus 20 Ball lending machine 22 Control apparatus 24a Card holding part 24b Front panel 24c Panel key 24e Presence sensor light emission part 24f Presence sensor light reception part 30 Card

Claims (3)

In the ball lending machine unlocking system that unlocks the ball lending machine that stores the cards used for the settlement of balls,
An unlocking device that transmits an unlocking signal by an unlocking operation;
A card holder for stacking and storing the cards obliquely; an openable / closable door that enables collection of the card stored by opening the door; and an opening / closing door that detects when the unlocking signal is detected. An unlocking control means for determining whether or not to unlock, an opening / closing door locking means for unlocking the opening and closing door when the unlocking control means determines to unlock , and storing the card. A ball lending machine having a storage card judging means for judging whether or not ,
I have a,
When the storage card determination means determines that the ball lending machine does not store the card, the unlock control means determines that the door is not unlocked. Machine unlocking system.   The ball lending machine unlocking system according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking device collectively transmits the unlocking signal to a plurality of the unlocking control units. The card holding portion is inclined with respect to the bottom surface, is disposed perpendicular to the bottom surface, and is a vertical plate formed in combination with the inclined plate to form a V shape, the bottom surface, An inclined plate and the side plate disposed at a position perpendicular to the vertical plate,
  The ball lending machine unlocking machine according to claim 1, wherein the card is accommodated by arranging the card in parallel with the inclined plate and holding a side surface of the card by the vertical plate and the side plate. system.

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