A token and a slot machine
By setting an encrypted QR code on the token itself and combining it with the customized recognition technology of the coin acceptor, the security and multi-currency value differentiation problems of existing token recognition technologies are solved, achieving efficient and secure token management and recognition.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STAR FORCE (GUANGZHOU) TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing token recognition technologies for entertainment devices are susceptible to counterfeiting by tokens of similar specifications and interference from the external environment, resulting in insufficient recognition accuracy and security. Furthermore, existing color recognition solutions are easily affected by wear and tear and color imitation, making it difficult to meet the needs of distinguishing multiple currencies, increasing merchant costs and the complexity of the recognition system.
The system uses an encrypted QR code on the token itself, including fixed segments, variable segments, and coin value segments. The QR code is then used by the coin acceptor's built-in scanning and control modules for customized identification, enabling the token's authenticity verification and coin value analysis.
It improves the security and ease of management of token recognition, reduces the production and management costs for merchants, simplifies the recognition system, and enhances the ability of the same token to adapt to multiple currency values.
Smart Images
Figure CN122154729A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of entertainment equipment technology, specifically to a token and a coin acceptor. Background Technology
[0002] In entertainment devices such as arcade games, claw machines, and lottery machines, tokens serve as the primary medium for user interaction. Token identification directly impacts device security, operational stability, and user experience. Traditional token identification devices typically rely on technologies such as photoelectric sensors, magnetic sensors, or mechanical size comparison to identify tokens by detecting their physical size, shape, or specific material characteristics. However, these methods are susceptible to counterfeiting with similar-sized tokens and external environmental interference, resulting in insufficient identification accuracy and security. While existing color recognition solutions have improved, they suffer from issues like color wear and counterfeiting, failing to meet usage requirements and address token forgery. Furthermore, in existing token systems, different denominations (e.g., 1 token, 10 tokens, 50 tokens) typically require the design and manufacture of tokens with different sizes, materials, colors, or patterns. This not only increases production and inventory management costs for merchants but also leads to complex identification systems prone to confusion due to the wide variety of token specifications, lacking a solution that can adapt to multiple denominations using the same token. Summary of the Invention
[0003] This application aims to address at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this application proposes a token and a coin acceptor that can improve the security of token recognition and the convenience of token management in entertainment devices.
[0004] According to one embodiment of this application, a token includes a token body with a QR code. The QR code is associated with the identity encoding information of the token body and is generated by an encryption system according to customized rules from the identity encoding information.
[0005] According to one embodiment of this application, the identity encoding information includes a fixed segment, a variable segment, and a currency value segment; wherein, the fixed segment is used to identify the token issuer, the variable segment is used to identify the token's serial number, and the currency value segment is used to indicate the token's currency value information.
[0006] According to one embodiment of this application, a QR code is set on both the front and back of the token body, and the identity coding information of the token body contained in the QR code on both the front and back sides is the same.
[0007] According to another embodiment of this application, a coin acceptor is capable of recognizing and accepting the aforementioned tokens.
[0008] According to another embodiment of this application, a scanning module is included; the scanning module has a built-in customized image acquisition algorithm and encoding extraction logic, and the scanning module is able to scan QR codes and extract identity encoding information.
[0009] According to another embodiment of this application, the scanning module only responds to QR codes generated by the encryption system according to customized rules.
[0010] According to another embodiment of this application, the coin acceptor includes a control module, which has a built-in encrypted encoding database. The encrypted encoding database stores the identity encoding information of each token. The control module can compare the identity encoding information extracted by the scanning module with the encrypted encoding database to identify the authenticity of the token.
[0011] According to another embodiment of this application, the control module is capable of parsing the currency value information corresponding to the currency value segment of the identity encoding information.
[0012] According to another embodiment of this application, the system includes an identification channel with a coin slot at one end and a coin outlet at the other end, a scanning module correspondingly disposed within the identification channel for real-time scanning of the QR code on the token; a coin dispensing channel connected to the coin outlet for tokens identified as genuine to enter; a coin return channel connected to the coin outlet for tokens identified as counterfeit to enter; and a coin infeed / refund driving module electrically connected to a control module. When the control module determines that the token is genuine, the coin infeed / refund driving module connects the coin outlet to the coin dispensing channel; when the control module determines that the token is counterfeit, the coin infeed / refund driving module connects the coin outlet to the coin return channel.
[0013] According to another embodiment of this application, the coin return driving module includes a stop member disposed at the coin outlet of the identification channel. Under normal conditions, the stop member prevents the token from entering the coin dispensing channel and causes it to flow to the coin return channel. When the control module determines that the token is genuine, the control module controls the coin return driving module to drive the stop member to move, so that the token falls into the coin dispensing channel.
[0014] The token according to the embodiments of this application has at least the following beneficial effects: the token is provided with a QR code generated by the encryption system according to customized rules, and the QR code is associated with only a unique identity code information. By reading the QR code on the token body, the identity code information of the token can be identified, thereby realizing the verification of the authenticity of the token. At the same time, the identity code information of the token can also be obtained to facilitate the management of the token.
[0015] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description
[0016] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the token structure according to one embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the structure of a coin-operated machine according to another embodiment of this application; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A front view of a coin-operated machine; Figure 4 for Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the coin-operated machine taken by section line AA; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a coin-operated machine; Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the working process of a coin-operated machine.
[0017] Figure label: 100. Token; 110. Token ontology; 120. QR code; 1000 Coin acceptor; 200 Scanning module; 210 Camera; 220 Fill light plate; 300 Control module; 400 Recognition channel; 410 Coin slot; 420 Coin outlet; 500 Coin feeding channel; 510 One-way baffle; 600 Coin return channel; 610 Coin return port; 620 Coin return stop groove; 700 Coin feeding / returning drive module; 710 Stop; 800 Coin jamming module; 810 Coin jamming lever; 820 Upper side plate; 821 Baffle; 830 Half-moon pressure plate. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.
[0019] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.
[0020] In the description of this application, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.
[0021] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly defined, terms such as "setup," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this application in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.
[0022] In the description of this application, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0023] This application provides a token and a coin acceptor that can improve the security of token recognition and the convenience of token management in entertainment devices.
[0024] Please see Figure 1 One embodiment of this application proposes a token 100, which includes a token body 110. The surface of the token body 110 is provided with a QR code 120. The QR code 120 is associated with the identity code information of the token 100. Each QR code 120 of the token 100 is associated with only a unique identity code information. By reading the QR code 120 on the token body 110, the identity code information of the token 100 can be identified, thereby realizing the verification of the authenticity of the token 100.
[0025] The identity information associated with QR code 120 includes a fixed segment, a variable segment, and a currency value segment. The fixed segment identifies the issuing entity of token 100, the variable segment identifies the serial number of token 100, and the currency value segment identifies the currency value of token 100. In other words, the identity information of each token 100 is composed of these three segments, ensuring the uniqueness and traceability of token 100. For example, the fixed segment identifies the unique identity of the entertainment equipment merchant, the variable segment gives each token 100 a unique serial number to ensure that the variable segment of each token 100 from the same merchant is not repeated, and the currency value segment clearly identifies the actual use value of the token 100. This allows tokens of the same size to correspond to multiple different currencies, reducing the cost of producing tokens 100 for merchants and simplifying the management process of tokens 100.
[0026] It is worth noting that the QR code 120 for each token 100 is generated by an encryption system according to customized rules based on its associated identity information. The following is an example of how the encryption system generates the QR code 120: First, input the information of the token issuer (entertainment equipment merchant information) to generate a fixed-length fixed segment, forming a unique identifier representing the token issuer. Then, the encryption system generates several fixed-length independent serial numbers, i.e., variable segments, according to a specific incrementing rule, ensuring that the variable segments of each token are unique and increasing the security of the token. Next, a fixed-length value segment is set according to the token issuer's needs, for example, "01" corresponds to 1 value, "10" corresponds to 10 value, and "50" corresponds to 50 value. The mapping rule between the value segment and the actual value is preset in the encryption system. The fixed segment, variable segment, and value segment are then concatenated according to a specific combination rule, such as concatenating the fixed segment first, the variable segment in the middle, and the value segment last. Finally, the concatenated identity code information is mapped to a customized non-standard QR code 120 matrix, such as a 37×37 matrix module, using a specific encoding rule, forming a customized non-standard QR code 120.
[0027] It is worth noting that the encoding rules, module structure, and fault tolerance logic of the above-mentioned encryption system do not follow publicly available QR code standards such as ISO / IEC18004, thereby preventing the token from being cracked and counterfeited through existing publicly available standard QR code encoding rules and enhancing the security of token use.
[0028] Understandably, the QR code 120 generated by the final encryption system is produced on the surface of the token 100 through etching, printing, or laser engraving processes, which has good wear resistance and anti-tampering performance, and avoids the QR code 120 becoming blurry and invalid due to long-term use.
[0029] In some embodiments, each token 100 has a QR code 120 generated on both sides, and the QR codes 120 on both sides are exactly the same, so users do not need to distinguish the direction of insertion when inserting the token, which is convenient for use.
[0030] The aforementioned token 100 requires the use of coin acceptor 1000; therefore, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figures 2 to 5 Another embodiment of this application proposes a coin acceptor 1000, which can identify and receive the aforementioned tokens 100, collect and identify customized QR codes 120, and extract fixed segments, variable segments and currency value segments from the identity encoding information based on the identified customized QR code 120 image.
[0031] Specifically, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the coin acceptor 1000 includes a scanning module 200; the scanning module 200 has a built-in customized image acquisition algorithm and encoding extraction logic, and can scan the QR code 120 and extract the identity encoding information. It is understood that the scanning module 200 only responds to the QR code 120 generated by the encryption system according to customized rules, and will not recognize non-customized QR codes 120 or standard QR codes 120.
[0032] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the coin acceptor 1000 also includes a control module 300 for verifying identity code information. The control module 300 has a built-in encrypted encoding database, which stores the identity code information of each token 100 under customized encoding rules. The control module 300 can compare the identity code information extracted by the scanning module 200 with the encrypted encoding database. If the identity code information matches the information recorded in the encrypted encoding database, the token 100 is identified as genuine. If the identity code information does not match the information recorded in the encrypted encoding database, the token 100 is determined to be fake. The coin acceptor 1000 uses this method to identify the authenticity of the token 100.
[0033] Understandably, the scanning module 200 transmits the identity encoding information to the control module 300 via a customized UART communication protocol.
[0034] Furthermore, after the coin acceptor 1000 recognizes the token 100 as genuine, the control module 300 then parses the value information corresponding to the value segment of the identity code information. The control module 300 completes the value exchange of the token 100 based on the value information, thereby continuing to provide subsequent services of the coin acceptor 1000, such as game startup, device power-on, or product delivery.
[0035] In some embodiments, such as Figures 2 to 5As shown, the coin acceptor 1000 includes a housing and a token transport channel built into it. The token transport channel includes an identification channel 400 and a coin dispensing channel 500 and a coin return channel 600 located below the identification channel 400. The upper end of the identification channel 400 is set as the coin insertion port 410, and the lower end of the identification channel 400 is set as the coin dispensing port 420. The coin dispensing port 420 is connected to both the coin dispensing channel 500 and the coin return channel 600.
[0036] A scanning module 200 is installed on one side of the identification channel 400. The scanning module 200 includes a camera 210 and a fill light plate 220. The camera 210 is used to capture the image of the QR code 120 on the surface of the token 100, and the fill light plate 220 provides uniform illumination when the light is insufficient to ensure that the image is clear and distinguishable. When the token 100 enters the identification channel 400 from the coin slot 410, it slides down the channel under the action of gravity. When it passes the scanning module 200, the scanning module 200 captures the QR code 120 of the token 100 in real time and extracts its identity code information. After extraction, the identity code information is transmitted to the control module 300 to verify the authenticity of the token 100.
[0037] Furthermore, the coin acceptor 1000 is equipped with a coin infeed / outfeed drive module 700 at the coin outlet 420 of the identification channel 400. The coin infeed / outfeed drive module 700 includes a stop 710, which is located at the coin outlet 420 of the identification channel 400. Under normal conditions, the stop 710 prevents the token 100 from entering the coin dispensing channel 500 and causes it to flow to the coin return channel 600. When the control module 300 determines that the token 100 is genuine, the control module 300 controls the coin infeed / outfeed drive module 700 to drive the stop 710 to move, so that the token 100 falls into the coin dispensing channel 500. When the control module 300 determines that the token 100 is fake or the scanning module 200 fails to extract the identity code information of the token 100, the stop 710 remains in place, and the token 100 slides along the coin return channel 600 to the coin return channel 600 for coin return operation.
[0038] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the coin return channel 600 includes a coin return opening 610 and a coin return retainer 620. The coin return opening 610 is located on the outer casing of the coin acceptor 1000 at the lower end of the coin return channel 600. The coin return retainer 620 is correspondingly located at the lower end of the coin return opening 610. The coin return retainer 620 is used to temporarily hold the tokens 100 that slide out from the coin return channel 600 to prevent them from falling directly to the ground and being lost, making it convenient for users to retrieve them.
[0039] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the coin acceptor 1000 includes a coin handling module 800, which includes a coin pick 810, a crescent-shaped pressure plate 830, and an upper side plate 820. The upper side plate 820 forms a side wall portion of the recognition channel 400. A baffle 821 extends from one end of the upper side plate 820 along the width direction of the recognition channel 400. The coin pick 810 is rotatably mounted on the housing of the coin acceptor 1000. The crescent-shaped pressure plate 830 is located on the upper side plate 820. Inside the housing 000, the coin-operated paddle 810 and the crescent-shaped pressure plate 830 are configured to work together. The crescent-shaped pressure plate 830 abuts against the baffle 821 of the upper side plate 820. When the token 100 is stuck, the coin-operated paddle 810 is rotated to apply a pushing force along the width direction of the recognition channel 400 to the crescent-shaped pressure plate 830. This push force causes the baffle 821 to move the upper side plate 820 along the width direction of the recognition channel 400, thereby increasing the width of the recognition channel 400 and solving the coin-stuck problem.
[0040] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the coin acceptor 1000 also includes a one-way baffle 510, which is hinged to the side wall of the coin feeding channel 500. The one-way baffle 510 is formed into an inverted V-shaped structure, with a thickened design at the end of the baffle 821 to achieve a counterweight design, thereby enabling the one-way baffle 510 to automatically reset. The one-way baffle 510 can only rotate downwards, so that the token 100 passing through the one-way baffle 510 can only enter the device downwards and cannot return upwards from the coin feeding channel 500 to the recognition channel 400. In this way, malicious behavior such as fixing the token 100 with ropes, tape, etc., and repeatedly recognizing and continuously triggering the coin feeding signal can be prevented. Preferably, the one-way baffle 510 is made of metal and has good wear resistance.
[0041] Please refer to the following: Figure 6 The flowchart of the coin acceptor 1000 shown and Figures 1 to 5 To understand the token 100 and the coin acceptor 1000, the detailed workflow of the coin acceptor 1000 is as follows: The user inserts 100 tokens into coin slot 410; The identification channel 400 receives the token 100, which is then transmitted to the scanning module 200 under the influence of gravity. The scanning module 200 collects the QR code 120 on the surface of the token 100; If the scanning module 200 fails to collect the data, the token 100 will slide along the return channel 600 to the return port 610 under the action of the return drive module 700, thus completing the return operation. If the scanning module 200 successfully collects the QR code 120 and extracts the identity code information from it, it transmits the identity code information to the control module 300. The control module 300 compares the identity code information with the identity code information stored in the encrypted code database; If the comparison results match, token 100 is identified as genuine, and the stop 710 of the coin feeding / returning drive module 700 is moved to guide the coin outlet 420 to the coin dispensing channel 500, so that token 100 falls into the coin dispensing channel 500 through the coin outlet 420, completing the coin dispensing. At the same time, the control module 300 parses the coin value information corresponding to the coin value segment of the identity code information, and the control module 300 completes the value exchange of token 100 according to the coin value information, so as to continue the subsequent services of the coin acceptor 1000, such as game start-up, device power-on or product dispensing. If the comparison results are inconsistent, token 100 is identified as counterfeit. Then, under the action of the coin return driving module 700, token 100 slides along the coin return channel 600 to the coin return port 610 to complete the coin return operation.
[0042] The above-described coin acceptor's operating method establishes a "generation-recognition-comparison-coin value analysis" coin acceptance and recognition process. Compared with traditional recognition technologies, the encoding rules of this process are customized, making it more difficult to crack. The scanning module 200 only recognizes customized QR codes, and the recognition logic is simple and efficient. The token 100 can be adapted to identify multiple coin values using tokens of the same specification. In summary, this coin acceptance and recognition process significantly improves the security of token use and the efficiency of token management for issuers.
[0043] The embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of this application. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.
Claims
1. A token, characterized in that, The token includes a token body with a QR code. The QR code is associated with the identity code information of the token body and is generated by the identity code information through an encryption system according to customized rules.
2. The token according to claim 1, characterized in that, The identity encoding information includes a fixed segment, a variable segment, and a currency value segment; wherein, the fixed segment is used to identify the token issuing entity, the variable segment is used to identify the token's serial number, and the currency value segment is used to indicate the currency value information of the token.
3. The token according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, The QR code is set on both the front and back of the token body, and the identity code information of the token body contained in the QR code on both the front and back sides is the same.
4. A coin-operated machine, characterized in that, The coin acceptor is capable of recognizing and accepting the tokens as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. The coin-operated machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The coin acceptor includes a scanning module; the scanning module has a built-in customized image acquisition algorithm and encoding extraction logic, and the scanning module can scan the QR code and extract the identity encoding information.
6. The coin-operated machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The scanning module only responds to QR codes generated by the encryption system according to customized rules.
7. The coin-operated machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The coin acceptor includes a control module with a built-in encrypted encoding database. The encrypted encoding database stores the identity encoding information of each token. The control module can compare the identity encoding information extracted by the scanning module with the encrypted encoding database to identify the authenticity of the token.
8. The coin-operated machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control module is able to parse the currency value information corresponding to the currency value segment of the identity code information.
9. The coin-operated machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, include: The identification channel has a coin slot at one end and a coin dispensing slot at the other end. The scanning module is correspondingly installed in the identification channel and is used to scan the QR code on the token in real time. A coin delivery channel, which is connected to the coin outlet, allows genuine tokens to enter; A refund channel, which is connected to the coin outlet, is provided for counterfeit tokens to enter. The coin deposit / refund driving module is electrically connected to the control module. When the control module determines that the token is genuine, the coin deposit / refund driving module connects the coin outlet to the coin withdrawal channel; when the control module determines that the token is counterfeit, the coin deposit / refund driving module connects the coin outlet to the coin withdrawal channel.
10. The coin-operated machine according to claim 9, characterized in that, The coin return / return drive module includes a stopper, which is disposed at the coin outlet of the identification channel. Under normal conditions, the stopper prevents the token from entering the coin dispensing channel and directs it to the coin return channel. When the control module determines that the token is genuine, the control module controls the coin advance / return drive module to move the stop, so that the token falls into the coin drop channel.