JP4515072B2 - Premium dispensing system and premium dispensing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a prize payout system for paying out prizes to be exchanged for game media such as pachinko balls, and more particularly to an improvement for inventory management related to prize replenishment.

Conventionally, in the prize payout system as described above (see, for example, Patent Document 1), all operations related to the supplementation of prizes are performed manually. In other words, the clerk manually packs the premium to be replenished into the cassette according to the type, and loads the cassette into the dispenser main body. In addition, the number of replenished prizes (number of goods received) is manually input by an attendant using a numeric keypad. Then, the number obtained by automatically subtracting the number of prizes paid out from the number of prizes received is used as the inventory quantity, and inventory management is performed based on the inventory quantity.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-38328

  The conventional prize payout system as described above has the following problems. In other words, the clerk manually inputs the number of warehousing, but the clerk is busy especially during business hours, so the input work may be forgotten or omitted. In addition, there may be a case where a number different from the actual number is input, or a decrease in the number of inventory due to fraudulent acts such as sampling.

  In those cases, the number of stocks will generally differ from the actual number, but the contents cannot be confirmed unless inventory is actually checked after the end of business. For this reason, there is a possibility that the prize exchange operation may be hindered due to an unexpected shortage of inventory during business. In addition, the stocktaking work after the end of business requires a manual work of taking out the cassette from the main body of the dispensing machine and checking the number of stocks, which is complicated and cannot be expected to be accurate. Therefore, the stock management of prizes in the conventional prize payout system is not efficient and has low reliability.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a prize dispensing system capable of performing efficient and reliable inventory management.

The present invention is a prize dispensing system that includes a prize dispenser that dispenses a prize stored in the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus, a management computer and / or a POS terminal, and reads the information from an information recording unit provided in the prize. Recording means for recording the quantity for each type of prize replenished in the prize dispenser based on the information relating to the given prize type, a plurality of storage parts for storing prizes for each type, and each of the storage parts The payout means for paying out the prizes stored in the prize dispenser, and the required number of prizes are temporarily held before the prizes are paid out from the storage units to the outside of the prize dispenser. a holding unit, a calculation unit based on the information relating to the type of prize read from the information recording unit provided in the prize is calculated inventory of the prize that has been housed in the prize payout machine, the prize payout A communication unit that communicates control signals and data between the machine and the management computer and / or the POS terminal, and the number of prizes in each storage unit calculated by the calculation means falls below a predetermined minimum reference value. And a notifying means for notifying that when there is a prize.

In the prize dispensing system of the present invention, the prize dispensing system further includes counting means for counting the quantity of each type of prizes replenished in the prize dispensing machine, and the recording means is the quantity for each type of prize counted by the counting means. May be recorded. Further, the calculation means is received to the outside of the prize payer by the payout means, and received prize information that is recorded in the recording means and is a quantity according to the type of the prize supplemented in the prize dispenser. The number of prizes stored in the prize dispenser may be calculated based on the dispensed prize information, which is the quantity for each type of prize.

The present invention is a prize dispenser that is communicable with a management computer and / or a POS terminal, and dispenses a prize stored in the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus, and is read from an information recording unit provided in the prize. Recording means for recording the quantity of each type of prizes replenished in the prize dispenser based on information relating to the type of prizes, a plurality of storage parts for storing the prizes for each type, and each storage part A payout means for paying out the stored prize to the outside of the prize dispenser, and a hold for temporarily holding the required number of prizes before the prize is paid out from the storage section to the outside of the prize dispenser. and parts, based on the information relating to the type of prize read from the information recording unit provided in the prize, and calculating means for calculating the stock number of prize housed in the prize payout machine, the management computer And / or a communication unit that communicates control signals and data with the POS terminal, and the fact that the number of prizes in the storage unit calculated by the calculation unit falls below a predetermined minimum reference value. A prize dispenser characterized by comprising: an informing means for informing the user.

In the prize payout of the present invention, it further comprises a counting means for counting the quantity for each type of prize replenished in the prize dispenser, and the recording means calculates the quantity for each type of prize counted by the counting means. It may be recorded. Further, the calculation means is received to the outside of the prize payer by the payout means, and received prize information that is recorded in the recording means and is a quantity for each type of prize supplemented in the prize dispenser. The number of prizes stored in the prize dispenser may be calculated based on the dispensed prize information, which is the quantity for each type of prize.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a prize payout system according to the present invention. Hereinafter, << system configuration >>, << configuration and operation of the prize dispenser >>, << effects >>, and << modifications >> will be described sequentially.

"System configuration"
<Outline of configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the prize payout system according to the present embodiment is provided from an office in a game hall such as a pachinko shop to a prize counter. This system includes a management computer M installed on the office side, and a POS terminal P and a prize dispenser K installed on the prize counter side. The prize dispenser K has a control unit U connected to the POS terminal P. The POS terminal P is connected to the management computer M. A plurality of POS terminals P and free gift dispensers K can be connected to the management computer M.

  FIG. 7 shows a special prize G which is an example of a prize paid out by the prize dispenser K. The special prize is a prize that is exchanged for a game medium such as a pachinko ball acquired by a player at a game hall and purchased at a prize exchange outside the game hall. The prize G shown in FIG. 7 has a thick rectangular card shape made of plastic or the like. This prize G is provided with an information recording unit I that records information that can specify the type of prize (setting exchange value). As the information recording unit I, for example, a non-contact IC chip (RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)) embedded in the special prize G is used.

  In general, the special prize G is different in appearance such as color depending on the set exchange value. In the present embodiment, a case where three types of 5000-yen prize, 1000-yen prize, and 200-yen prize are used will be described. Note that in the special prize G, in addition to the non-contact IC chip I or the like, valuable items such as medals may be embedded depending on the set exchange value.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit U of the prize dispenser K includes a main control unit 100, a communication unit 101 connected to the main control unit 100, a storage unit 102, and a counting unit (counting unit) 103. is doing. The communication unit 101 has a function for communicating control signals and data with the POS terminal P (FIG. 1). The storage unit 102 functions as a recording unit that stores control software and the like, and records premium information and the like which will be described later.

  The prize dispenser K includes three throwing units 1 arranged in the width direction of the machine body as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, these throwing units 1 are divided into a unit 1-1 for a 5000 yen prize, a unit 1-2 for a 1000 yen prize, and a unit 1-3 for a 200 yen prize. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the prize dispenser K includes a cabinet 2 that houses three throwing units 1, and an opening / closing door 20 is provided on one side of the cabinet 2. Note that the side of the cabinet 2 where the door 20 is located (the left side in FIGS. 3 and 4) is the front side of the prize dispenser K.

  Each throwing unit 1 has two cassettes 4 as front and rear as storage units for storing prizes G, and a payout means T (FIG. 2) for paying out the required number of prizes G stored in these cassettes 4 as needed. I have. The payout means T is configured by a discharge lift mechanism 6, a supply mechanism 7, an elevator mechanism 8, a slide mechanism 9, a feed mechanism 3, and the like for discharging a prize G as will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cabinet 2 is formed with a receiving port (receiving unit) 26 for receiving a prize G from the outside. Corresponding to the receiving port 26, an accumulating unit 28 capable of accumulating a plurality of prizes G is provided. Further, a feeding means D for feeding the prizes G one by one from the stacking unit 28 to the receiving port 26 is provided. Further, as a conveying means C (FIG. 2) for conveying the prize G received from the receiving port 26 substantially horizontally, the first conveying system C1 in the front-rear direction shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the left and right shown in FIGS. Two second transport systems C2 in the direction are provided. As shown in FIG. 4, two second transport systems C2 branched from the first transport system C1 are disposed on the front side and the rear side of the prize dispenser K, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, on the upstream side of the first transport system C1, an information reading unit (read) that reads information from the information recording unit I (FIG. 7) of the prize G transported by the first transport system C1. Means) R (for example, an RFID antenna) is provided. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, each second transport system C <b> 2 is configured to sort the prizes G transported by the second transport system C <b> 2 by type based on the information read by the reading unit R. Sorting means S (S1, S2, S3) is provided.

  In this case, 5000 yen prize unit 1-1, 1000 yen prize unit 1-2, and 200 yen prize unit so that prizes G sorted by sorting means S are stored in each cassette 4 by type. Corresponding to 1-3, dedicated sorting means S1, S2 and S3 are respectively provided (FIG. 4). Although details will be described later, the selection of the prize G by the selection means S (S1, S2, S3) is performed in conjunction with the arrival detection unit A arranged on the upstream side thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cabinet 2 is provided with a display / operation unit 24 for operating the gift dispenser K and displaying various information. The display / operation unit 24 includes a staff display section 24a for displaying information especially for staff. In the prize dispenser K, for example, the front side of the opening / closing door 20, the stacking unit 28, and the display / operation unit 24 (particularly facing the display unit 24a for clerk) is the clerk side for operating the device, and the back side is , It is operated as a customer side who receives the paid out premium G.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the feeding unit D, the transport unit C, the information reading unit R, the arrival detection unit A, the sorting unit S, the dispensing unit T, and the display / operation unit 24 are respectively controlled by the main control of the control unit U. Connected to the unit 100.

<Inventory configuration>
The control unit U of the prize dispenser shown in FIG. 2 is configured to perform the following control:
(1) Based on the information read by the information reading unit R, the counting unit 103 counts the quantity for each type of prize received from the outside,
(2) The quantity for each type of prize counted by the counting unit 103 is recorded as “accepted prize information” in the storage unit 102;
(3) The quantity for each type of prize paid out by the payout means T is recorded as “paid out prize information” in the storage unit 102;
(4) On the basis of the received premium information and the paid premium information recorded in the storage unit 102, the main control unit (calculation means) 100 uses the cassette 4 of each of the dispensing units 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 ( Fig. 4) Calculates the number of prizes stored in stock (that is, the quantity by type of prize)
(5) Based on the calculated inventory quantity, if the inventory quantity in the cassette 4 of any of the dispensing units 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 falls below a predetermined minimum reference value, a message to that effect The notification means notifies the outside.

  In this case, as the notification means of (5), the prize dispenser K performs visual notification by displaying images and characters on the clerk display unit 24a, lighting / flashing of the lamp, etc., or a buzzer sound or synthesized voice. It is conceivable to make an audible notification by means of, for example. Alternatively, or in addition, by transmitting a control signal through the communication unit 101, the POS terminal P and the management computer M (including those peripheral devices) shown in FIG. It is also conceivable to perform a general notification. In addition, as the minimum reference value of the number of stocks, for example, the average number of payouts (per gift exchange process) for each type of premium can be used.

  The stock quantity calculated in (4) is also recorded in the storage unit 102. The received prize information, the paid-out prize information, and the stock quantity recorded in the storage unit 102 are always displayed on the clerk display unit 24a or the like (or at any time according to a call operation or the like).

  A specific configuration and operation related to supplementation and payout of prizes in the prize dispenser K will be described next.

《Configuration and operation of prize dispenser》
<Overall configuration of dispenser>
First, with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, a specific configuration related to the entire dispenser excluding the inside of each dispensing unit 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the stacking unit 28 can stack the prizes G received from the upper opening 29 in a vertically aligned state. A feeding means D having an endless belt d1 for feeding prizes G one by one from the stacking section 28 to the receiving port 26 is provided at the bottom of the stacking section 28. The endless belt d1 is formed with a convex portion d2 for engaging with and pushing out the rear edge of the lowest prize G.

  Before and after the receiving port 26, an integrated sensor E1 that detects the prize G in the stacking unit 28 and an introduction sensor E2 that detects the introduction of the prize G from the receiving port 26 are arranged. The first conveyance system C1 includes a passage bottom plate b1 that supports the bottom surface of the prize G received from the receiving port 26, and a pair of left and right conveyance belts c1 that convey the prize G along the bottom plate b1. The information reading part R is arrange | positioned between a pair of conveyance belts c1, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 6, each of the second transport systems C2 includes a passage bottom plate b2 that supports the bottom surface of the prize G delivered from the first transport system C1, and a pair of left and right that transport the prize G along the bottom plate b2. Transport belt c2. Each arrival detection part A is arrange | positioned between a pair of conveyance belts c2, for example. Each sorting means S arranged along the second transport system C2 includes a sorting hole s1 formed in the bottom plate b2 (corresponding to a replenishment position of the cassette 4 described later), and an opening / closing provided in the sorting hole s1. It is comprised with board s2. The opening / closing plate s2 of each sorting means S is between the closed position where the sorting hole s1 is closed and substantially flush with the bottom plate b2, and the open position where the tip side is lifted from the bottom plate b2 so as to open the upstream side of the sorting hole s1. (By driving a solenoid or the like).

  In each sorting means S, when the opening / closing plate s2 is in the closed position, the prize G passes through the sorting hole s1 as it is. Then, the prize G to be sorted by the sorting means S is swung to the open position at the timing when the arrival detection unit A immediately before the sort G detects the prize G, thereby sorting the prize G into the sorting hole s1. Can be dropped from. The prize G dropped from the sorting hole s1 is accumulated on the lift plate 60 of the replenishment lift mechanism 6 'described later in the cassette 4 at the replenishment position. In addition, the sorting means S3 for the most downstream unit 1-3 shown in FIG. 4 can be configured by only the sorting hole s1, omitting the opening / closing plate s2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an upper plate 22 is provided on the upper surface of the cabinet 2 for placing the dispensed prize G and using it for dispensing. On the upper plate 22, the display / operation unit 24 is provided in the center on the front side, and on the rear side (substantially the center in the front-rear direction), the slide lids 30 corresponding to the respective throwing units 1 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. It is placed and placed.

  In addition, corresponding to each slide lid 30, a prize passage 26 that extends downward through the upper plate 22 is formed. Further, a feeding mechanism 3 including a slide lid 30 is provided corresponding to each prize passage 26. Each delivery mechanism 3 has an endless belt 43 driven by a motor 32 and a connecting rod 36 that connects the slide lid 30 to the belt 34. As a result, each delivery mechanism 3 can open and close the opening of the prize passage 26 by sliding the slide lid 30 back and forth.

<Structure of the dispensing unit>
Next, a specific configuration of each dispensing unit 1 will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the dispensing unit 1 includes two cassettes 4 for storing prizes G in front and back in a stacked state, and a cassette carrier 5 for holding these cassettes 4. These cassette 4 and cassette carrier 5 are housed in a housing 10 that defines the outer shape of the dispensing unit 1.

  In the housing 10 of the dispensing unit 1, the dispensing lift mechanisms 6 and 6 corresponding to the dispensing positions (inner positions) of the cassettes 4 and 4 and the replenishment positions (outer positions) are also supported. Replenishment lift mechanisms 6 'and 6' are provided. Each lift mechanism 6 (6 ′) has a lift member 60 on which the prize G is placed in the cassette 4 to be raised (lowered) and retracted downward from the cassette 4, and the lift member 60 is an endless belt. It is configured to be driven up and down by, for example. Correspondingly, the upper surface of each cassette 4 is fully opened, and the central portion of the bottom surface and one side surface of the lift mechanisms 6 and 6 'are also opened.

  A slide mechanism 9 that moves the cassette carrier 5 in the front-rear direction is provided at the bottom of the housing 10 in order to move each cassette 4 between the replenishment position and the dispensing position. The slide mechanism 9 is configured by, for example, a motor-driven rack and pinion mechanism. In addition, a pair of receiving portions 16 are provided so as to communicate with the upper portion of each cassette 4 in the dispensing position. Each receiving part 16 is for receiving the prize G rising by the throwing lift mechanism 6 from the upper part of the cassette 4 and guiding it further upward.

  Above each receiving portion 16, a feeding mechanism 7 for feeding out the prize G raised by the throwing lift mechanism 6 is provided. The feeding mechanism 7 includes a drawing mechanism portion 7A and an extrusion mechanism portion 7B. In addition, a holding unit 18 for temporarily holding the prize G fed by each feeding mechanism 7 is provided between the two receiving parts 16 so as to open on the upper surface of the housing 10 corresponding to the prize path 26. It has been.

  Of the feeding mechanism 7, the drawing mechanism portion 7 </ b> A is configured to draw the prize G from the receiving portion 16 to the holding portion 18 with the opposing roller sandwiched in the thickness direction. Further, the push-out mechanism section 7B has a portion that reciprocates in a fixed stroke so as to push out the rear end portion of the prize G in order to send the prize G to the drawer mechanism section 7A.

  Further, an elevator mechanism 8 for throwing out the prize G held there is provided corresponding to the holding unit 18. The elevator mechanism 8 includes a support plate 80 that supports the bottom of the prize G that is reserved in the storage unit 18, and is configured to be driven up and down by an endless belt or the like.

  The front and rear surfaces of the receiving portion 16 are defined by a pair of side plates 16p. In addition, the front and rear surfaces of the retaining portion 18 are respectively defined by a pair of side plates 18p and an upper portion by a pair of swing plates 18s. Each swing plate 18s is provided so as to swing to the inside of the holding portion 18 in accordance with the payout of the prize G by the corresponding payout mechanism 7.

  Next, a rail 14 that slidably supports the cassette carrier 5 and the slide mechanism 9 are attached to a front plate 12 that forms the lower side of the front surface of the housing 10. , 14 and 9 are configured. The lead-out portions 12, 14, and 9 are detachably attached to the housing 10 main body along a pair of upper and lower mounting rails 13 provided in the housing 10 main body. Moreover, the drawer part 1a can be fixed to the main body of the housing 10 by a lock mechanism such as an electromagnetic lock. This locking mechanism is configured to be operable from outside the housing 10.

<Operation of dispenser>
Next, operations relating to replenishment and payout of prizes in the prize dispenser K of the present embodiment will be briefly described.

  In FIG. 3, the state in which the prize G is replenished to the front cassette 4 at the replenishment position is indicated by a solid line (the solid line in FIG. 4 also corresponds to this state). Hereinafter, the supplement operation of the prize G in this state will be described as an example.

  First, the prizes G accumulated in the accumulation unit 28 are fed one by one to the receiving port 26 by the feeding means D (FIG. 5). The delivered prize G is conveyed to the rear of the payer by the first conveying system C1 (FIGS. 4 and 5). At this time, information recorded in the information recording unit I (FIG. 7) of the prize G is read by the information reading unit R. Next, the prize G is transferred from the first transport system C1 to the second transport system C2 (in this case, the second transport system C2 on the front side in FIGS. 3 and 4).

  The prize G delivered from the first transport system C1 is transported by the second transport system C2 toward the right side of the dispenser (downward in FIG. 4) when viewed from the staff. The prize G transported by the second transport system C2 is sorted by type by the sorting means S (S1, S2, S3) based on the information read by the reading unit R.

  That is, in FIG. 4, when the prize G is 5000 yen prize, it is 200 yen prize by the sorting means S1 located on the most upstream side, and when it is 1000 yen prize, it is sorted by the next sorting means S2. In this case, the sorting is performed by the sorting means S3 located on the most downstream side and stored in the front cassette 4 of the corresponding dispensing units 1-1, 1-2, 1-3. Specifically, as described above, the prize G that has fallen from the sorting holes s1 (FIG. 6) of the corresponding sorting means S1, S2, and S3 in the corresponding front cassette 4 is the lift plate of the replenishment lift mechanism 6 ′. 60 is accumulated (FIG. 6). The lift plate 60 waits at a position close to the sorting mechanism S when the number of prizes to be placed is small, and descends sequentially according to the number of prizes to be placed so as to keep the amount of prize drops almost constant. Controlled.

  Next, in FIG. 3, a state in which the prize G is thrown out from the rear cassette 4 in the throwing position is indicated by a solid line. Hereinafter, the operation of throwing out the prize G in this state will be described as an example.

  First, the prize G in the rear cassette 4 is lifted by the throwing lift mechanism 6 until the top one reaches the height corresponding to the feeding mechanism 7 (through the receiving portion 16). First, the highest prize G is fed into the holding unit 18 by the feeding mechanism 7 and placed on the support plate 80. When two or more prizes G are thrown out at once, the ascent of the prize G by the lifting mechanism 6 and the feeding mechanism 7 are repeated, and the necessary number of prizes G are accumulated in the holding unit 18. (Temporary hold).

  Thereafter, in a state where the slide lid 30 is pulled forward so as to open the opening of the prize passage 26, the prize G on the support plate 80 is lifted by the elevator mechanism 8 until it reaches a height above the upper plate 22. Next, the sending mechanism 3 slides the slide lid 30 backward so as to close the opening of the prize passage 26, whereby the prize G on the support plate 80 is pushed out onto the upper plate 22, and the prize G Is completed. Thereafter, the elevator mechanism 8 operates so that the support plate 80 is lowered to the standby position, and prepares for the next throwing-out operation.

<Effect>
Next, the operational effects of the premium payout system of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  According to this embodiment, the prize G received from the stacking unit 28 through the receiving port 26 is automatically replenished to the cassette 4 of each dispensing unit 1. In addition, the quantities of the supplemented prize G and the paid-out prize G for each type are automatically recorded in the storage unit 102 as received prize information and paid-out prize information, respectively. Based on the received prize information and the payout prize information recorded in the storage unit 102, the main control unit 100 calculates the number of stocks by type of the prize G stored in the cassette 4 of each dispensing unit 1. The Therefore, it is possible to check the number of stocks by type of the prize G stored in the cassette 4 of each dispensing unit 1 at any time. Thus, by performing inventory management based on the received premium information automatically recorded when the premium G is replenished, efficient and reliable inventory management can be performed.

  In addition, when the number of stocks in the cassette 4 of any one of the dispensing units 1 falls below a predetermined minimum reference value, a notification means informs the outside and prompts replenishment of prizes, so that the stock in operation Insufficiency can be prevented.

  Furthermore, since a plurality of prizes G accumulated in the accumulation unit 28 can be fed out and replenished one by one, it is possible to improve work efficiency for supplementing prizes.

<Modification>
(1) The control system including the calculation means of the present invention is configured by any combination including not only the control unit U of the prize dispenser K but also a part or all of the control parts of the POS terminal P and the management computer M. You can also. Further, the configuration corresponding to the recording means and the counting means of the present invention may be provided in the POS terminal P or the management computer M in place of or in addition to the prize dispenser K.

(2) The prize payout system of the present invention can be configured even if at least one of the POS terminal P and the management computer M is omitted.

(3) The information recording unit and the reading unit of the present invention are not limited to the information recording unit I and the reading unit R in the illustrated RFID format. That is, any information reading type, magnetic recording type, or any other format can be used as long as it can record and read information that can specify the type of the prize.

(4) The prize targeted by the present invention is not limited to the rectangular card shape described above, and may be any shape such as a disk shape or a rod shape.

(5) The feeding means of the present invention is not limited to the belt type described above, and a roller type or any other configuration can be used.

(6) In the above embodiment, the prizes G are fed one by one from the stacking unit 28 by the feeding means D. However, the stacking units and the feeding means are omitted, and the prizes G are manually inserted one by one. You may comprise.

(7) The conveying means of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the belt-type conveying systems C1 and C2 described above, and can adopt any other form such as a roller type.

(8) The selection means of the present invention is not limited to the above-described swinging type opening / closing plate s2, but can adopt any other configuration such as one using a horizontally sliding support plate.

(9) The prize payout system of the present invention may be configured to further determine the authenticity of the prize. For example, the information reading unit R can determine the authenticity of the prize G, and when it is determined to be a false prize, the information is notified by the notifying means, or the prize G is discharged from the first transport system C1 to the reject box. You may comprise as follows.

(10) The premium payout system of the present invention may be configured so that the function of selecting the premiums G by type can be temporarily stopped when a large number of premiums of the same type are replenished. In other words, it is possible to set the transport speed higher by fixing all the prizes G transported in the second transport system C2 in advance in a state of being sorted by the predetermined sorting section S, and more quickly replenishing Work can be done.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a premium payout system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system in the prize dispensing machine of the prize dispensing system shown in FIG. 1. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the prize payer shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an upper horizontal sectional view schematically showing the prize dispenser shown in FIG. 3. Sectional drawing which shows typically the delivery means and 1st conveyance system of the prize dispenser shown in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows typically the 2nd conveyance system and sorting means of the prize dispenser shown in FIG. The perspective view which shows the example of the prize which the prize delivery system shown in FIG. 1 handles.

Explanation of symbols

G Special prize I Information recording section M Management computer P POS terminal K Premium dispenser U Control unit 100 Main control section (calculation means)
101 communication unit 102 storage unit (recording unit)
103 Counting unit (counting means)
R Information reading part (reading means)
T Dispensing means 1 Dispensing unit (storage unit + dispensing means)
10 Housing 2 Cabinet 24 Display / operation unit 24a Display unit for staff (notification means)
26 Entrance (receiving part)
28 Stacking part D Feeding means C Transporting means C1 1st transport system C2 2nd transport system A Arrival detection part S (S1, S2, S3) Sorting means s1 Sorting hole s2 Opening / closing plate 3 Delivery mechanism 4 Cassette (housing part)
5 Cassette carrier 6 Lifting mechanism 6 'Refilling lift mechanism 7 Feeding mechanism 8 Elevator mechanism 9 Slide mechanism

Claims (6)

A prize dispensing system including a prize dispenser that dispenses prizes stored in the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus, a management computer and / or a POS terminal,
Recording means for recording the quantity for each type of prize supplemented in the prize dispenser based on information relating to the type of prize read from the information recording unit provided in the prize,
A plurality of storage units for storing prizes by type;
A payout means for paying out the prizes stored in the storage units to the outside of the prize payer;
A holding unit that temporarily holds a required number of prizes before the prizes are paid out from the storage units to the outside of the prize dispenser;
Calculation means for calculating the number of prizes stored in the prize dispenser based on information relating to the type of prize read from the information recording unit provided in the prize;
A communication unit that communicates control signals and data between the giveaway machine and the management computer and / or POS terminal;
Informing means for notifying that when the stock quantity of prizes in each storage unit calculated by the calculating means falls below a predetermined minimum reference value;
A premium payout system characterized by comprising:   The apparatus further comprises counting means for counting the quantity of each type of prize replenished in the prize dispenser, and the recording means records the quantity of each type of prize counted by the counting means. Item 1. The premium payout system according to Item 1.   The calculation means includes received prize information that is recorded in the recording means and is a quantity for each type of prizes replenished in the prize dispenser, and prizes paid out to the outside of the prize dispenser by the dispensing means. 3. The prize payout system according to claim 1, wherein the stock quantity of prizes stored in the prize dispenser is calculated based on payout prize information which is a quantity by type. A prize dispenser which is communicable with a management computer and / or a POS terminal, and dispenses a prize stored in the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus,
Recording means for recording the quantity for each type of prize supplemented in the prize dispenser based on information relating to the type of prize read from the information recording unit provided in the prize,
A plurality of storage units for storing prizes by type;
A payout means for paying out the prizes stored in the storage units to the outside of the prize payer;
A holding unit that temporarily holds a required number of prizes before the prizes are paid out from the storage units to the outside of the prize dispenser;
Calculation means for calculating the number of prizes stored in the prize dispenser based on information relating to the type of prize read from the information recording unit provided in the prize;
A communication unit for communicating control signals and data with the management computer and / or the POS terminal;
Informing means for notifying that when the stock quantity of prizes in each storage unit calculated by the calculating means falls below a predetermined minimum reference value;
A prize dispenser characterized by comprising:   The apparatus further comprises counting means for counting the quantity of each type of prize replenished in the prize dispenser, and the recording means records the quantity of each type of prize counted by the counting means. Item 5. A prize dispenser according to item 4.   The calculating means includes received premium information recorded in the recording means, which is a quantity for each type of premium supplemented in the premium payer, and premiums paid out of the premium payer by the payout means. 6. The prize dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the number of prizes stored in the prize dispenser is calculated on the basis of the dispensed prize information which is a quantity by type.

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