Prize put-out device

Abstract

To provide a prize put-out device whose size can be reduced.SOLUTION: A prize put-out device 1 includes: a device body 3 having a housing 11 with an opening 11A, a door 13 for opening / closing the opening 11A, and a prize put-out port 13B; a storage part provided in the housing 11 for storing a prize; and a moving part 54 for receiving a prize fed from the storage part and moving it to the put-out port 13B. The moving part 54 is integrated into the door 13. The door 13 has an inner space 11B. The put-out port 13B is communicated with the inner space 11B. The moving part 54 moves in the inner space 11B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a prize dispensing device. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of a prize payout device, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a prize payout machine installed in amusement parlors such as pachinko parlors. The prize payout machine includes a plurality of storage sections arranged in the left-right direction and a box-shaped main body that houses these storage sections. Each storage section stores prizes to be exchanged for gaming media such as pachinko balls. Each storage section includes a payout section that pays out prizes and a payout section on which the prizes paid out by the payout section are placed. A top plate of the main body is provided with a plurality of openings arranged in the left-right direction, and a corresponding storage section is disposed directly below each opening. In the storage section, when the prizes paid out by the payout section are placed on the payout section, the payout section rises and the prizes on the payout section are exposed from the openings corresponding to the storage sections, so that staff and players at the amusement parlor can take out the prizes from the openings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-25822 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is always a demand for smaller prize dispensing devices, and measures to achieve this have been taken in the goods dispensing machine of Patent Document 1. However, in this goods dispensing machine, there are multiple openings on the top surface of the main body from which the prizes are dispensed, corresponding to each storage section, and a dispensing section that transports the dispensed prizes to the openings is provided for each storage section, so there is a limit to how small the machine can be.

[0005] This invention has been made against this background, and has an object to provide a prize payout device that can be made compact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a prize payout device that includes a housing with an opening and a device main body having a door for opening and closing the opening and having a prize payout outlet, a storage section provided within the housing for storing prizes, and a moving section that receives prizes paid out from the storage section and moves to the payout outlet.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the moving part is integrated with the door. The door may have an internal space. The outlet may be in communication with the internal space. The moving part may move within the internal space.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the moving section is capable of ascending and descending, the door may have an upper surface, and the dispensing opening may be formed on the upper surface of the door.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the device body may further include a storage unit including the storage section, and the opening may be an opening for pulling out the storage unit.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, only one dispensing outlet is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the prize payout device can be made smaller. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a prize payout device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] An oblique view of a returnable box used in the prize dispensing device. [Diagram 3] A schematic right side view of the inside of the prize payout device's main body. [Figure 4]A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the prize payout device. [Diagram 5] A schematic oblique view of the prize payout device with the door open. [Figure 6] A schematic oblique view of the prize dispensing device with the storage unit pulled out for a replenishment process. [Figure 7] 13 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device body with the storage unit pulled out for refilling processing. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device main body during the counting and identification process. FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 9 is an enlarged view of a region B surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 13 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device body during the payout process. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a schematic right side view of the payout section in the device body during the payout process. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic right side view of the payout section. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a schematic right side view of the payout section. [Figure 15] 13 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device body during the payout process. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device body during the payout process. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device body during the payout process. FIG. [Figure 18] A figure showing a first example of a payout pattern of prizes paid out by the advance payout process. [Figure 19] A figure showing a second example of a prize payout pattern. [Figure 20] A figure showing a third example of a prize payout pattern. [Figure 21] A figure showing a fourth example of a prize payout pattern. [Figure 22]A figure showing a fifth example of a prize payout pattern. [Diagram 23] A figure showing a sixth example of a prize payout pattern. [Figure 24] A figure showing a seventh example of a prize payout pattern. [Diagram 25] A figure showing an eighth example of a prize payout pattern. [Figure 26] A figure showing a ninth example of a prize payout pattern. [Figure 27] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a gaming system including a prize payout device. [Figure 28] 13 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the gaming system when a prize is forgotten to be picked up. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a prize payout device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The prize payout device 1 is installed in an amusement arcade, such as a pachinko parlor. The prize payout device 1 includes a terminal unit 2 forming an upper part thereof, and a device main body 3 arranged below the terminal unit 2.

[0014] The terminal unit 2 is a POS terminal having a main function of managing inventory data of prize P called special prize. A display operation section 4, which is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel, is provided in the front area of ​​the terminal unit 2. The display operation section 4 may be divided into a display section and an operation section. A card slot 2A through which a card issued to a player from a gaming establishment is inserted and removed, and a receipt issuing slot 2B through which receipts are issued are formed in the front area of ​​the terminal unit 2. The number of game media, such as pachinko balls, that a player has acquired through a game is associated with the card. A prepaid value that is exchanged for game media to start or continue a game may also be associated with the card.

[0015] An example of the prize P is a card having a thickness of about several millimeters. In this embodiment, three types of prize P are provided according to monetary value, namely, a grand prize, a medium prize, and a small prize, but there may also be an extra large prize having a monetary value higher than the grand prize. The surface color of the prize P varies depending on the type of prize P. As an example, the surface of the grand prize is red, the surface of the medium prize is blue, and the surface of the small prize is green. The prizes P are distributed in the market in a state where they are stored in a returnable box 5.

[0016] In this embodiment, the prize payout device 1 is a self-service type that is placed in an unmanned prize exchange corner in an amusement facility, and the procedure for exchanging the prize P is carried out by the player himself. In this case, the player inputs a payout instruction for the prize P to the prize payout device 1 by inserting a card into the card slot 2A of the terminal unit 2 and then operating the display operation unit 4. As a result, the device main body 3 pays out the type and number of prizes P (in this embodiment, "number of pieces") according to the payout instruction, and the terminal unit 2 updates the inventory data of the prize P. The player receives the card returned from the card slot 2A and the prize P paid out from the device main body 3. In the following description, it is assumed that the prize payout device 1 is a self-service type, but it is also possible that a store clerk is present near the prize payout device 1 and the clerk receives the prize P from the prize payout device 1 and then hands it over to the player.

[0017] The device main body 3 is a prize payout machine that pays out prizes P, and also a prize storage machine that has the function of storing prizes P. The device main body 3 includes a box-shaped housing 11 that forms the outer shell of the device main body 3, a plurality of payout units (storage units) 12 provided within the housing 11, and a door 13 supported by the housing 11.

[0018] The left-right direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1 coincides with the left-right direction X of the device body 3, the direction substantially perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 coincides with the front-rear direction Y of the device body 3, and the up-down direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1 coincides with the up-down direction Z of the device body 3. The left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y are included in the horizontal direction. The left-right direction X includes the left side X1 and the right side X2, the front-rear direction Y includes the front side Y1 that coincides with the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1 and the rear side Y2 that coincides with the rear side of the paper surface of FIG. 1, and the up-down direction Z includes the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2. In addition, in FIG. 2 and subsequent figures that do not show the left-right direction X or the up-down direction Z, the left-right direction of the figure is the same as the left-right direction X, and the up-down direction of the figure is the same as the up-down direction Z (see FIG. 27, etc.).

[0019] The housing 11 is formed in a vertically long box shape. The housing 11 has a top wall 14, a bottom wall 15, a pair of left and right side walls 16, and a rear wall 17. The top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15 are each a rectangular plate shape. Each of the pair of side walls 16 is a rectangular plate shape that is long in the vertical direction Z, and the left side wall 16 on the left side X1 is installed between the left ends of the top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15, and the right side wall 16 on the right side X2 is installed between the right ends of the top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15. The rear wall 17 is a rectangular plate shape that is long in the vertical direction Z, and is installed between the rear ends of the top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15, and is also installed between the rear ends of the pair of side walls 16. An opening 11A is formed on the front surface of the housing 11, bordered by the front ends of the top wall 14, the bottom wall 15, and the pair of side walls 16 (see also FIG. 5). The opening 11A communicates with an internal space 11B of the housing 11.

[0020] The payout unit 12 stores the prize P together with the returnable box 5. In this embodiment, three payout units 12 are arranged in the vertical direction Z in the internal space 11B of the housing 11. Each payout unit 12 is supported by each side wall 16 of the housing 11 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction Y. As shown in FIG. 1, each payout unit 12 is in a storage position in the front-rear direction Y when completely stored in the housing 11. Each payout unit 12 can be pulled out through the opening 11A of the housing 11 to a pull-out position (see FIG. 6) on the front side Y1 of the storage position. The housing 11 is provided with an electric unit lock mechanism 18 (see FIG. 4) that locks and unlocks each payout unit 12 at the storage position. An electromagnetic lock or the like can be used as the unit lock mechanism 18.

[0021] Before describing the feeding unit 12 in detail, the returnable box 5 will be described. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the returnable box 5. The returnable box 5 is formed in a box shape elongated in a predetermined direction and is made of, for example, resin. The returnable box 5 integrally includes a pair of side walls 21 arranged opposite to each other, a plurality of partition walls 22 installed between the pair of side walls 21, and a bottom wall 23.

[0022] The pair of side walls 21 are formed in the shape of a generally rectangular plate extending in the longitudinal direction L of the returnable box 5, and are arranged in parallel to face each other along the thickness direction of each plate. The direction in which the pair of side walls 21 face each other is the short side direction S of the returnable box 5 that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. In addition, the depth direction D of the returnable box 5 is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction L and the short side direction S.

[0023] In this embodiment, six partition walls 22 are provided, and each partition wall 22 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape having a plate thickness direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction L. Two partition walls 22 are installed between one end edge and the other end edge in the longitudinal direction L of the pair of side walls 21, and the remaining four partition walls 22 are installed between the middle parts of the pair of side walls 21 while being lined up at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction L. Therefore, in the returnable box 5, five storage spaces 24 that are substantially rectangular parallelepiped in size are formed lined up at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction L.

[0024] The bottom wall 23 has a plate thickness direction that coincides with the depth direction D, and is formed into a generally rectangular plate shape that is long in the longitudinal direction L. The bottom wall 23 is connected to each of the side walls 21 and each of the partition walls 22 from one side in the depth direction D (the lower side in FIG. 2), and closes each storage space 24 from that one side. An end of each storage space 24 on the other side in the depth direction D (the upper side in FIG. 2) is opened to the other side as a generally rectangular entrance / exit 25.

[0025] The returnable box 5 includes an opening 26 provided separately from the entrance / exit 25. The openings 26 are provided in pairs at the same positions as the respective storage spaces 24 in the longitudinal direction L, and five pairs in this embodiment. That is, the openings 26 are provided in pairs at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction L on both sides of the returnable box 5 in the transverse direction S. The two openings 26 in each pair are at the same positions in the longitudinal direction L and are configured to be symmetrical with respect to the center of the returnable box 5 in the transverse direction S. Each opening 26 is a slit-like shape that exposes the storage space 24 to the outside, and cuts out an end of the bottom wall 23 in the transverse direction S, cuts out the side wall 21 on the same side as the end in the transverse direction S along the depth direction D, and extends linearly to the front of the entrance / exit 25.

[0026] The attitude of the returnable box 5 when it is circulating with prizes P stored therein is a basic attitude with each entrance / exit 25 facing upward as shown in FIG. 2. The prizes P are stored in each storage space 24 through the entrance / exit 25. Since the size of each storage space 24 is equal, a predetermined number of prizes P, 20 in this embodiment, are stored in each storage space 24. Therefore, the returnable box 5 as a whole can store a maximum of 100 prizes P. The multiple prizes P are stored in each storage space 24 in a stacked state with their plate thickness directions aligned with the short side direction S and standing up from the bottom wall 23, and in this state, the part of each prize P on the entrance / exit 25 side protrudes from the entrance / exit 25. In addition, in the storage space 24 (see the storage space 24 at the right end in FIG. 2) in which the predetermined number of prizes P described above are stored, a part of the prize P located at both ends of the short side direction S is exposed from the opening 26 on the same side in the short side direction S. In this embodiment, the types of the multiple prizes P stored in one returnable box 5 are either a grand prize, a medium prize, or a small prize, but the type of prize P may be different for each storage space 24.

[0027] Next, the feeding units 12 will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device main body 3. Hereinafter, of the three feeding units 12 lined up in the up-down direction Z, the lowest feeding unit 12 will be referred to as the "lower unit 12A," the middle feeding unit 12 will be referred to as the "middle unit 12B," and the topmost feeding unit 12 will be referred to as the "upper unit 12C."

[0028] With reference to the lower unit 12A, each of the feeding units 12 includes a housing 31 formed in a box shape forming an outer shell thereof. A substantially rectangular loading opening 31A and a substantially rectangular plate-like door 31B for opening and closing the loading opening 31A are provided on the upper surface of the housing 31. The door 31B is connected to the housing 31 via a hinge 31C provided on its front end, and is opened and closed by rotating about the hinge 31C. An opening 31D is formed over almost the entire front surface of the housing 31, exposing the internal space 31F of the housing 31 to the front side Y1. A handle 31E is provided on the front surface of the housing 31 in an area Z1 above the opening 31D (see FIG. 5).

[0029] The internal space 31F of the housing 31 of each pay-out unit 12 is provided with a pair of left and right conveying bodies 32 and a plurality of (here, four) storage sections 33. Each conveying body 32 is formed of an endless chain or belt, and has, for example, a substantially rectangular ring shape as viewed from the left-right direction X. The conveying body 32 moves in a circular motion in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions as viewed from the left-right direction X by receiving a driving force from a driving section such as a motor (not shown). The driving section and the conveying body 32 constitute a moving mechanism 34.

[0030] Each storage section 33 is in the form of a tray elongated in the left-right direction X. The internal space of each storage section 33 has a size that is just large enough to accommodate a returnable box 5 elongated in the left-right direction X. The upwardly oriented storage section 33 (for example, see the storage section 33 on the upper side Z1 of the lower unit 12A in FIG. 3) has an entrance 33A that opens over the entire top surface, and slit-shaped openings (not shown) cut into both front and rear side walls. The same number of openings are formed in the front and rear walls of the storage section 33 at positions that match the openings 26 (see FIG. 2) of the returnable box 5, and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction X.

[0031] Each storage section 33 is loaded with one returnable box 5. As a result, the prize P in the returnable box 5 is stored in the storage section 33 and also in the pay-out unit 12. In the storage section 33 in which the returnable box 5 is loaded, the openings described above are aligned with the openings 26 of the returnable box 5 one by one. In this embodiment, the same type of prize P is stored in one returnable box 5, so that one storage section 33 is loaded with the same type of prize P, and one pay-out unit 12 stores the same type of prize P. As an example, only the big prize is stored in the lower unit 12A, only the medium prize is stored in the middle unit 12B, and only the small prize is stored in the upper unit 12C. Of course, the type of prize P may be different for each storage section 33 in each pay-out unit 12.

[0032] These storage sections 33 are arranged in a ring shape along the rotation direction R of the pair of left and right conveying bodies 32 and are installed between these conveying bodies 32. Therefore, when the left and right conveying bodies 32 rotate by the operation of the moving mechanism 34, these storage sections 33 rotate together with the conveying bodies 32. The rotation of the conveying bodies 32 and the storage sections 33 is sometimes called a "rotary operation." Moreover, each storage section 33 is freely rotatable around a rotation axis (not shown) extending in the left-right direction X at the connection portion with the conveying bodies 32.

[0033] Each payout unit 12 is provided with a first position change mechanism 35 that temporarily tilts the storage section 33 located near the lower rear corner in the rotation area of ​​the transport body 32 to a backward position, and a second position change mechanism 36 that temporarily tilts the storage section 33 located near the lower front corner in the rotation area of ​​the transport body 32 to a forward position. Each of the first position change mechanism 35 and the second position change mechanism 36 is composed of a guide rail or the like. Although each storage section 33 may change to a backward or forward position midway, in principle it moves around like a gondola while rotating to maintain an upward position.

[0034] A detection unit 37 is disposed at the rear end of the internal space 31F of the housing 31 of each pay-out unit 12. The detection unit 37 includes a detection section 38 and a holder 39 that supports the detection section 38. The detection section 38 is a so-called color sensor, and is provided on the front surface of the holder 39. The detection unit 37 is supported by the rear wall 31G of the housing 31, and moves up and down by receiving a driving force from a driving section (not shown) such as a stepping motor. At that time, the detection section 38 detects the type and number of prizes P in the returnable box 5 stored in the nearest storage section 33. This will be described in detail later.

[0035] In the internal space 31F of the housing 31 of each pay-out unit 12, a pay-out mechanism 41 is provided in a region Z2 below the transport body 32 and the storage section 33. The pay-out mechanism 41 includes a pay-out section 42 that pays out the prize P from the storage section 33. Since there are multiple pay-out units 12 (three in this embodiment), there are also multiple pay-out sections 42 in the entire prize payout device 1. Since these pay-out units 12 are lined up in the vertical direction Z, the multiple pay-out sections 42 are also lined up in the vertical direction Z. With this configuration, the prize payout device 1 can be made smaller in the horizontal direction. In addition, in each pay-out unit 12, multiple storage sections 33 (four in this embodiment) are provided for each pay-out section 42, and the pay-out section 42 and the corresponding four storage sections 33 constitute one pay-out unit 12. In each of the payout units 12, the payout mechanism 41 is provided with only one payout section 42 in this embodiment, but a plurality of payout sections 42 may be provided side by side in the left-right direction X.

[0036] The payout unit 42 includes an endless payout belt 43 that is in the shape of a substantially triangular ring when viewed from the left-right direction X, rollers 44 that are arranged at each apex of the substantially triangle inside the payout belt 43, a payout roller 45 having an outer circumferential surface made of, for example, urethane, and an opposing roller 46 that faces the payout roller 45. These rollers have a central axis that extends in the left-right direction X. A claw-shaped push-out piece 43A is provided protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the payout belt 43. In this embodiment, only one push-out piece 43A is provided, but multiple push-out pieces 43A may be provided side by side at equal intervals. The payout belt 43 moves in a circular motion when at least one of the rollers 44 is driven and rotated by a drive unit such as a motor (a first drive unit 83 described later, see FIG. 12). The pay-out roller 45 is driven and rotated by the drive unit. In other words, the pay-out belt 43 and the pay-out roller 45 are interlocked by the drive force of the same drive unit.

[0037] The entire payout mechanism 41 can rotate around a rotation axis (not shown) located directly above the payout roller 45 between a payout position and a retracted position by receiving a driving force from a driving unit (not shown) such as a motor. When the payout mechanism 41 is in the payout position, the payout section 42 is also in the payout position, and when the payout mechanism 41 is in the retracted position, the payout section 42 is also in the retracted position. In other words, the payout section 42 can move between the payout position and the retracted position in response to the rotation of the payout mechanism 41. In the payout section 42 in the payout position, as shown in FIG. 3, the payout belt 43 is located on the rear side Y2 of the payout roller 45 and the counter roller 46, two rollers 44 are aligned in the front-rear direction Y, and the remaining roller 44 is located on the lower side Z2 of the two rollers 44, and the flat portion 43B between the two rollers 44 in the payout belt 43 is horizontal along the front-rear direction Y. Further, the opposing roller 46 faces the pay-out roller 45 from the upper side Z1, and the flat portion 43B is at the same height as between the pay-out roller 45 and the opposing roller 46. The pay-out portion 42 in the pay-out position can slide in the left-right direction X by receiving a driving force from a driving unit (not shown) such as a motor.

[0038] In the standby state, the payout mechanism 41 is in the payout position. When the payout mechanism 41 rotates clockwise from the payout position by approximately 30 degrees or more in a right side view, the payout mechanism 41 is disposed in a retracted position (see FIG. 7) that avoids the circumferential trajectory of each storage section 33 in which the returnable box 5 is loaded. When the payout mechanism 41 is in the retracted position, the payout section 42 is also in the retracted position. The retracted position is a position retracted to the front side Y1 or the lower side Z2 from the payout position. In the payout section 42 in the retracted position, the payout belt 43 is located on the lower side Z2 than the payout roller 45 and the counter roller 46, the flat portion 43B of the payout belt 43 is along the up-down direction Z (specifically, diagonally downward), and the counter roller 46 faces the payout roller 45 from the rear side Y2.

[0039] The door 13 is a vertically long box-like shape large enough to cover the opening 11A of the housing 11, and is flat in the front-rear direction Y in the closed position (see also FIG. 1) in which the opening 11A is closed as shown in FIG. 3. The left end of the door 13 is connected to the housing 11 via a hinge 50 (see FIG. 5) and is rotatable about the hinge 50. When the door 13 in the closed position rotates clockwise in a plan view, it is disposed in the open position and the entire area of ​​the opening 11A is exposed to the front side Y1 (see FIG. 5). In the following, unless otherwise specified, the description will be given on the assumption that the door 13 is in the closed position. The housing 11 is provided with an electric door lock mechanism 51 (see FIG. 4) that locks and unlocks the door 13 in the closed position. An electromagnetic lock or the like can be used as the door lock mechanism 51.

[0040] The upper surface 13A of the door 13 is at approximately the same height as the upper surface of the housing 11, that is, the upper surface of the top wall 14. The upper surface 13A is provided with only one long payout outlet 13B in the left-right direction X (see also FIG. 5). Therefore, compared to a case in which multiple payout outlets 13B are provided, the prize payout device 1 can be made smaller. The payout outlet 13B communicates with the internal space 13C of the door 13. The door 13 further includes one shutter 52 that opens and closes the payout outlet 13B. The shutter 52 is formed in a plate shape long in the left-right direction X. The shutter 52 is slidable in the front-rear direction Y between a closed position (see also FIG. 1) in which the payout outlet 13B is closed and an open position (see FIG. 17) in which the shutter 52 retreats to the space directly below the top wall 14 and opens the payout outlet 13B. The space directly below the top wall 14 is the upper end of the internal space 11B of the housing 11. The shutter 52 is opened and closed by the driving force of a driving unit (not shown) such as a motor provided in the housing 11 or the door 13.

[0041] Almost the entire rear surface of the door 13 is open. Therefore, the internal space 13C of the door 13 communicates with the internal space 31F of the housing 31 through the opening 31D on the front surface of the housing 31 of each pay-out unit 12 in the storage position. A pay-out mechanism 53 that pays out prizes P in each pay-out unit 12 to the pay-out opening 13B is provided in the internal space 13C. In other words, the pay-out mechanism 53 is integrated with the door 13 that opens and closes the opening 11A of the housing 11. This allows the prize pay-out device 1 to be further miniaturized.

[0042] The dispensing mechanism 53 includes a moving section 54. The moving section 54 is a rectangular plate-shaped elevator that has a plate thickness direction that coincides with the vertical direction Z and is long in the left-right direction X. The moving section 54 is divided into a plurality of receiving sections 55 arranged in the left-right direction X. In this embodiment, the moving section 54 is an integrated body, and the boundaries between adjacent receiving sections 55 are indicated by dotted lines (see FIG. 5). The number of receiving sections 55 provided is the same as the number of storage spaces 24 of the returnable box 5 (here, five). The moving section 54 moves up and down between a waiting position set near the lower end of the internal space 13C of the door 13 and a dispensing position set at the upper end of the internal space 13C by receiving a driving force from a driving section (not shown) such as a motor.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the prize payout device 1. The prize payout device 1 includes a control unit 61 as an example of a determination unit and a payout unit. The control unit 61 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and has a built-in timer, etc. The same applies to other control units described later. The control unit 61 is built into, for example, the terminal unit 2. The terminal unit 2 further includes a card processing unit 62 that processes cards, and a receipt issuing unit 63. The card processing unit 62 takes in a card inserted into the card slot 2A (see FIG. 1), reads necessary information from the card, and ejects the card from the card slot 2A after reading it. The receipt issuing unit 63 is composed of a printer, and prints a receipt and issues it to the receipt issuing port 2B.

[0044] The control unit 61 is electrically connected to the display operation unit 4, card processing unit 62, and receipt issuing unit 63 of the terminal unit 2. In addition, the control unit 61 is electrically connected to electrical components (the drive unit described above) associated with the shutter 52 of the terminal unit 2. The control unit 61 is electrically connected to electrical components (the drive unit and sensors described above) associated with the movement mechanism 34, detection unit 38, and payout mechanism 41 in each payout unit 12. The control unit 61 is also electrically connected to electrical components associated with the unit lock mechanism 18 and door lock mechanism 51.

[0045] The control unit 61 controls the operation of these electrical components to execute a refill process for refilling prizes P, a counting and identification process for counting and identifying the prizes P in each payout unit 12 of the device main body 3, and a payout process for paying out the prizes P in each payout unit 12 and paying them out of the machine (i.e., outside the cabinet 11). In relation to these processes, the control unit 61 displays necessary information on the display operation unit 4, accepts instructions in response to operations of the display operation unit 4 by store clerks or players, processes players' cards using the card processing unit 62, and issues receipts using the receipt issuing unit 63.

[0046] The device main body 3 further includes a memory unit 64. The memory unit 64 is composed of a storage device such as a non-volatile memory or a hard disk drive. The memory unit 64 is electrically connected to the control unit 61. The memory unit 64 stores, for each storage space 24, the type and number of prizes P stored (also called the number in stock) in the returnable boxes 5 loaded in each storage section 33 of each pay-out unit 12. The memory unit 64 also stores various information such as the history of past abnormalities and the pay-out history of the prizes P.

[0047] The refilling process, the counting and identification process, and the pay-out process will be described below in that order. In the case of the refilling process, the store clerk operates the display operation unit 4 to select one of the pay-out units 12 to be the target of the refilling process. The control unit 61 then releases the lock on the selected pay-out unit 12 by the unit lock mechanism 18, thereby allowing the pay-out unit 12 to be pulled out to the pull-out position, and also releases the lock on the door 13 by the door lock mechanism 51.

[0048] Next, when the store clerk opens the door 13 to the open position as shown in Fig. 5 and grabs the handle 31E of the unlocked feeding unit 12 and pulls it to the front side Y1, the feeding unit 12 is pulled out to the pulled-out position as shown in Fig. 6 (see the lower unit 12A in Fig. 6). In this way, only one feeding unit 12 is pulled out at a time.

[0049] In the feeding unit 12 pulled out to the pull-out position, the door 31B on the top surface of the housing 31 is disposed on the front side Y1 of the housing 11 of the device main body 3, that is, outside the housing 11. In this state, the store clerk opens the door 31B of the feeding unit 12 to open the loading opening 31A to the upper side Z1. Before the door 31B opens, the control unit 61 moves the conveyor 32 in a circular movement, so that one empty storage unit 33 is disposed directly below the loading opening 31A, as shown in FIG. 7. The empty storage unit 33 refers to a storage unit 33 that is not loaded with a returnable box 5, or a storage unit 33 that is loaded with a returnable box 5 that is empty or near empty. The storage unit 33 disposed directly below the loading opening 31A is in a loading position with the entrance 33A facing the upper side Z1. In addition, in the payout unit 12 in which the conveying body 32 is moving in an orbit, the payout mechanism 41 is placed in a retracted position so as not to come into contact with the moving conveying body 32 or the storage section 33 (see the lower unit 12A).

[0050] The store clerk lowers the returnable box 5 in the basic position containing the prize P as shown by the thick arrow in FIG. 7, passes through the loading port 31A, and inserts it from the upper side Z1 into the entrance 33A of the storage section 33 at the loading position. As a result, the returnable box 5 is loaded into the storage section 33 at the loading position, and the prize P in the returnable box 5 is loaded into the pay-out unit 12. Note that the returnable box 5 and the storage section 33 in which the returnable box 5 is loaded are positioned relative to each other by a positioning rib (not shown) provided on one of the returnable box 5 and the storage section 33 fitting into a positioning groove (not shown) provided on the other. When the returnable box 5 is loaded into the storage section 33 at the loading position and the door 31B is closed, the control section 61 may move the conveyor 32 around so that another empty storage section 33 is positioned at the loading position.

[0051] When the store clerk closes the door 31B after the returnable box 5 is loaded into the storage section 33 and grasps the handle 31E of the feeding unit 12 in the pull-out position to return it to the storage position, the control section 61 locks the feeding unit 12 in the storage position by the unit lock mechanism 18. This completes the refilling process for the feeding unit 12.

[0052] A store clerk can pull out the payout units 12 to the pull-out position or push them into the storage position by operating a handle 31E provided on the front of each payout unit 12. The payout units 12 may be moved manually by a store clerk or automatically by a drive device such as a DC motor or a stepping motor provided in the housing 11.

[0053] In the case of the counting and identification process, the control unit 61 moves the conveying body 32 in a circular motion, referring to the lower unit 12A in Fig. 8. Then, in the pay-out unit 12, when the storage unit 33 to be subjected to the counting and identification process approaches the detection unit 37, the first position change mechanism 35 tilts the storage unit 33 to a rearward position in which the entrance / exit 33A faces the rear side Y2. In the storage unit 33 in the rearward position, the entrance / exit 33A faces slightly diagonally upward, not straight to the side, in order to prevent the prize P from falling out of the entrance / exit 25 of the set returnable box 5.

[0054] In the lower unit 12A in Fig. 8, the storage section 33 at the lower end on the rear side is in a rearward facing position, and the entrance 33A of this storage section 33 faces the rear side Y2. The returnable box 5 loaded in this storage section 33 is also in a rearward facing position with the entrance 25 facing the rear side Y2, and the prize P in the returnable box 5 is stacked in the vertical direction Z and protrudes from the entrance 25 to the rear side Y2, and the rear end surface of the prize P faces the detection unit 37 side (strictly speaking, diagonally upward).

[0055] When the storage section 33 changes from an upward posture to a sideways posture and approaches the detection unit 37 in this way, the control section 61 stops the circular movement of the conveyor 32. At this time, in the payout unit 12, the detection sections 38 in the detection unit 37 are at the same position in the left-right direction X for each storage space 24 of the returnable box 5 loaded in the storage section 33 in the backward posture (see FIG. 9). In this state, the control section 61 raises the detection unit 37, for example, from a standby position at the lower end. At that time, each detection section 38 rises while facing the storage space 24 at the same position in the left-right direction X in the returnable box 5 from the rear side Y2. The detection section 38 counts and identifies the prizes P stored in the storage spaces 24 at the same position in the left-right direction X and stacked in the up-down direction Z one by one in order from the lower side Z2 in a non-contact manner.

[0056] 10, an example of the detection unit 38 is the color sensor described above, which includes a light-emitting unit 71 configured with an LED, a light-receiving unit 72 that receives reflected white light emitted by the light-emitting unit 71, and an analysis unit 73 that analyzes the light received by the light-receiving unit 72. In this case, the light-emitting unit 71 irradiates light H1 onto a prize P, which is an object to be detected, and the light-receiving unit 72 receives the reflected light H2. The analysis unit 73 converts the reflected light received by the light-receiving unit 72 into RGB values ​​and analyzes them, and counts the prizes P and identifies the authenticity and type of the prizes P based on the analysis results.

[0057] Specifically, the analysis unit 73 includes an analysis unit 73R that detects R data representing the red component in the RGB values ​​of the reflected light, an analysis unit 73G that detects G data representing the green component in the RGB values, and an analysis unit 73B that detects B data representing the blue component in the RGB values. In Fig. 10, the prize P and the detection unit 38 are illustrated on the left side, and the detection result of the detection unit 38 is illustrated on the right side. As the detection unit 38 rises, the detection unit 38 outputs waveforms W1 of the R data, G data, and B data, as shown on the right side of Fig. 10.

[0058] Each waveform W1 corresponds to the light H1 tracing the convex shape of the rear end of the prize P stacked in the vertical direction Z in the returnable container 5, and therefore approximately matches the contours of multiple continuous convex shapes. Therefore, in each waveform W1, a relatively large valley V1 appears due to a sudden change in data at a portion corresponding to the boundary (gap) between adjacent prizes P. The detection unit 38 selects a waveform W1 among these waveforms W1 in which a significantly large valley V appears, and counts the number of valleys V1 in this waveform W1 to count the prizes P. The number of prizes P is the value obtained by adding 1 to the count value of the valley V1.

[0059] If the valley V1 is small in any of the waveforms W1, the detection unit 38 generates a waveform W2 whose total value is equivalent to adding up all the R data, G data, and B data. In the waveform W2, a valley V2 larger than the valley V1 of each waveform W1 appears in the portion corresponding to the boundary between adjacent prizes P, so the detection unit 38 can accurately count the prizes P by counting the number of valleys V2. The number of prizes P is the count value of the valleys V2 plus 1.

[0060] The detection unit 38 obtains the RGB value of one pulse of the prize P every time it rises by 0.1 mm. Therefore, if the prize P is 3 mm thick, the detection unit 38 obtains the RGB value of 30 pulses of one prize P, performs color discrimination based on the RGB value of each pulse, and identifies the authenticity and type of one prize P based on these color discrimination results. Specifically, if the color discrimination result of a prescribed number or more of the 30 pulses for one prize P is a predetermined color (e.g., red), the detection unit 38 identifies the type of this prize P as a red grand prize. The detection unit 38 with such high resolution can accurately identify the type of prize P even if it is a relatively thin prize P with a thickness of, for example, 1.5 mm, or a prize P with many transparent parts.

[0061] When the rising detection unit 38 has completed counting and identification of all the prizes P in each storage space 24 of the returnable container 5 loaded in the rear-facing storage unit 33 and has descended to the standby position, the counting and identification process ends. In this way, both the counting and identification of the prizes P can be performed by a single detection unit 38. This makes it possible to save space related to the detection unit 38 and to improve the processing speed of the counting and identification process.

[0062] The counting and identification process may be performed at once in all of the dispensing units 12, or may be performed individually in a specific dispensing unit 12 selected by a store clerk through operation of the display operation unit 4. The counting and identification process may also be performed in each dispensing unit 12 for the returnable boxes 5 loaded in all of the storage sections 33, or may be performed only for the returnable boxes 5 loaded in the storage section 33 designated by the store clerk. In any case, the control unit 61 updates the number of prizes P in stock in each storage section 33 in the device main body 3 every time the counting and identification process is performed.

[0063] Inventory data of prizes P (type and number of prizes P in stock) in each storage section 33 in each pay-out unit 12 is compiled in a table (not shown) in association with identification information assigned to each storage section 33, and stored in the memory section 64. In particular, inventory data of prizes P in each of the storage spaces 24 arranged in the left-right direction X in the returnable box 5 set in the storage section 33 is stored in the memory section 64 as a breakdown of the inventory data of prizes P in each storage section 33. An IC chip storing the identification information may be built into the prize P, and the detection section 38 may identify the authenticity and type of the prize P by reading the identification information from the IC chip in a non-contact manner.

[0064] The payout process will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The payout process includes a payout process in which prizes P are paid out one by one from the returnable box 5 onto the receiving section 55 of the moving section 54, and a payout process in which the prizes P on the moving section 54 paid out by the payout process are paid out from the payout opening 13B to the outside of the machine. When a player is located at the front side Y1 of the prize payout device 1 and operates the display operation section 4 of the terminal unit 2 to input a payout instruction, the control section 61 first performs the payout process. Specifically, the control section 61 moves the conveyor 32 in a circular motion with reference to the lower unit 12A. As a result, when the storage section 33 to be the subject of the payout process approaches the moving section 54 of the payout mechanism 53, the second position change mechanism 36 tilts the storage section 33 to a forward position with the entrance / exit 33A facing the front side Y1. In addition, when the storage section 33 is in a forward-facing position, the entrance / exit 33A faces slightly diagonally upwards rather than straight to the side to prevent the prize P from falling out of the entrance / exit 25 of the set commuter box 5.

[0065] In the lower unit 12A in Fig. 11, the storage section 33 at the upper end on the front side is in a forward-facing position, and the entrance 33A of this storage section 33 faces the front side Y1. The returnable box 5 loaded in this storage section 33 is also in a forward-facing position with the entrance 25 facing the front side Y1, and the prize P in the returnable box 5 is stacked in the vertical direction Z and protrudes from the entrance 25 to the front side Y1, and the front end face of the prize P faces the door 13 side (strictly speaking, diagonally upward).

[0066] 11, when the lowest prize P in the returnable box 5 loaded in the forward-facing storage section 33 reaches a height position substantially the same as the flat section 43B of the payout belt 43 of the payout section 42 in the payout mechanism 41 at the payout position, the control section 61 stops the circular movement of the conveyor 32. At this time, the payout section 42 at the payout position is positioned directly below this returnable box 5.

[0067] Next, the control unit 61 raises the moving unit 54 from the standby position to position the upper surface of the moving unit 54 at approximately the same height as the flat portion 43B of the payout belt 43, and then moves the payout belt 43 in the payout unit 42 to rotate the payout roller 45. At this time, in the payout mechanism 41, the payout belt 43 moves counterclockwise in a right side view, and the payout roller 45 rotates counterclockwise. The push-out piece 43A provided on the payout belt 43 that moves in a circle moves horizontally to the front side Y1 on the flat portion 43B of the payout belt 43. At that time, the push-out piece 43A enters the opening 26 (see FIG. 2) of the returnable box 5 loaded in the storage unit 33 in a forward position, hooks the lowest prize P in the storage space 24 of the returnable box 5, and pushes it out to the front side Y1. In this way, the payout section 42 in the payout position pays out a prize P from one of the storage sections 33 in a forward-facing position.

[0068] The prize P dispensed to the front side Y1 comes into contact with the feed roller 45 which is driven to rotate, passes between the feed roller 45 and the opposing roller 46, and is pushed toward the moving section 54, and is placed on one of the receiving sections 55 which is located at the same position in the left-right direction X in the moving section 54. Then, as the circular movement of the feed belt 43 and the rotation of the feed roller 45 are repeated, the prizes P in the storage space 24 located directly above each of the feed sections 42 in the returnable box 5 loaded in the storage section 33 which is in a forward-facing position are dispensed one by one in order, starting from the prize P on the lower side Z2, and are accumulated on the receiving section 55.

[0069] Each time a prize P is dispensed, the control unit 61 gradually lowers the moving unit 54 from the standby position so that the dispensed prize P is accumulated on the upper side Z1 in the receiving unit 55. The control unit 61 also moves the conveying body 32 slightly in a circular motion to temporarily raise the storage unit 33 in the forward position, and moves the dispensing unit 42 in the left-right direction X during that time. Thereafter, the control unit 61 moves the conveying body 32 in a circular motion in the opposite direction to lower the storage unit 33 to its original position, so that the dispensing unit 42 can dispense a prize P from a storage space 24 other than the original storage space 24 from which the prize P was just dispensed. In this case, the prize P dispensed from the other storage space 24 is accumulated in the moving unit 54 in a receiving unit 55 other than the previous receiving unit 55.

[0070] The payout section 42 will be described in detail. FIG. 12 is a schematic right side view of the payout section 42 during a payout process. Assuming that the payout section 42 is in the payout position, of the three rollers 44 arranged on the inside of the payout belt 43 of the payout section 42, the roller 44 closest to the payout roller 45 is referred to as the first roller 44A, the roller 44 located on the rear side Y2 of the first roller 44A is referred to as the second roller 44B, and the roller 44 located on the lower side Z2 of the first roller 44A and the second roller 44B is referred to as the third roller 44C. The payout belt 43 and these three rollers 44 constitute a belt unit 80. The second roller 44B and the payout roller 45 are connected by a circular transmission belt 81.

[0071] The payout unit 42 further includes a frame 82, a first drive unit 83, a count lever 84, a first sensor 85, a second sensor 86, and a second drive unit 87 attached to the frame 82, and a rack-and-pinion mechanism 88. The frame 82 supports the payout roller 45, the counter roller 46, and the belt unit 80. In a state where the belt unit 80 is supported by the frame 82, the belt unit 80 can rotate up and down around a rotation axis (not shown) located closer to the payout roller 45 than the first roller 44A. The driving force generated by the first drive unit 83 is transmitted to the payout roller 45 to rotate the payout roller 45, and is also transmitted to the second roller 44B via the transmission belt 81 to move the payout belt 43 in a circular motion. Therefore, the payout belt 43 and the payout roller 45 are interlocked as described above.

[0072] The count lever 84 can swing in the front-rear direction Y around an axis extending in the left-right direction X. A tip portion 84A forming the upper end portion of the count lever 84 is disposed in the gate space G between the pay-out roller 45 and the opposing roller 46. The first sensor 85 is a light-shielding sensor whose detection light is blocked by a base portion (not shown) of the count lever 84 on the opposite side to the tip portion 84A. The second sensor 86 is a light-shielding sensor whose detection light is blocked by the push piece 43A when the second sensor 86 is in the standby position indicated by the dotted line.

[0073] The second driving unit 87 is configured by, for example, a stepping motor. The rack and pinion mechanism 88 includes a rack 88A that extends downward Z2 while curving along the rotation direction of the belt unit 80 as a part of the belt unit 80, and a pinion 88B supported by the frame 82. The rack 88A and the pinion 88B are meshed with each other. The driving force of the second driving unit 87 is transmitted to the pinion 88B via a reduction gear (not shown), so that the pinion 88B rotates, and the belt unit 80 rotates up and down in conjunction with the rotation of the pinion 88B. The control unit 61 can change the position of the belt unit 80 by adjusting the number of pulses input to the second driving unit 87. The height position of the push-out piece 43A of the pay-out belt 43 is adjusted by changing the position of the belt unit 80. The belt unit 80 may be slid linearly instead of rotating around the first roller 44A.

[0074] In the payout process, as described above, the control unit 61 rotates the payout belt 43 and the payout roller 45, so that the push-out piece 43A of the payout belt 43 departs from the standby position and enters the opening 26 of the returnable box 5, hooking the lowest prize P and pushing it out to the front side Y1. This causes the prize P to pass through the gate space G between the pay-out roller 45 and the opposing roller 46 and be delivered to the receiving unit 55 of the moving unit 54.

[0075] The prize P passing through the gate space G pushes down the tip 84A of the count lever 84, causing the count lever 84 to swing, and the base of the count lever 84 blocks the detection light of the first sensor 85. This allows the first sensor 85 to detect that one prize P is present in the gate space G. When the prize P passes through the gate space G, the tip 84A is no longer pushed down, so the count lever 84 swings in the opposite direction, and the base of the count lever 84 no longer blocks the detection light of the first sensor 85. This allows the first sensor 85 to detect that one prize P has passed through the gate space G. After that, when the push-out piece 43A returns to the standby position and blocks the detection light of the second sensor 86, the control unit 61 determines that the one prize P at the bottom of the returnable box 5 has been normally delivered and handed over to the receiving unit 55.

[0076] 12, when the prize P in the returnable box 5 is horizontal, the belt unit 80 is in the normal position where the flat portion 43B of the payout belt 43 is horizontal. Therefore, the push-out piece 43A that has entered the opening 26 of the returnable box 5, the front and rear ends of the lowest prize P in the returnable box 5, and the gate space G are at the same height. Therefore, the push-out piece 43A reliably contacts the rear end of the prize P and pushes it out to the gate space G, and the pay-out roller 45 can reliably deliver the prize P to the receiving section 55.

[0077] As shown in Fig. 13, a jamming error is assumed in which the lowest prize P1 gets jammed in the gate space G, causing the remaining prizes P in the returnable box 5 to tilt downward toward the rear. When a jamming error occurs, even if the push-out piece 43A returns to the standby position as the pay-out belt 43 moves in a circular motion and blocks the detection light of the second sensor 86, the prize P1 remains in the gate space G and blocks the detection light of the first sensor 85. When a state occurs in which the detection light of both the first sensor 85 and the second sensor 86 is blocked, the control unit 61 determines that a jamming error has occurred.

[0078] To resolve the jamming error, the prize P1 in the gate space G needs to be released to the front side Y1 by rotating the payout roller 45. However, because the rotation of the payout roller 45 and the circular movement of the payout belt 43 are synchronized, if the push-out piece 43A of the pay-out belt 43 pushes the following prize P2 to the front side Y1 before the prize P1 escapes from the gate space G, there is a risk that multiple prizes P will be jammed in the gate space G.

[0079] Therefore, the control unit 61 operates the second drive unit 87 to lower the belt unit 80 to the retracted position shown in Fig. 13. Then, even if the payout belt 43 moves in a circular motion in conjunction with the rotation of the payout roller 45, the push-out piece 43A does not reach the following prize P2, so the prize P2 cannot be pushed forward Y1. By idling the payout belt 43 in this way, the drive of the payout roller 45 and the drive of the payout belt 43 are pseudo-separated, so that the escape of the prize P1 from the gate space G by the payout roller 45 can be prioritized.

[0080] If the lowest prize P (see FIG. 12) in the returnable box 5 is bent so that its rear end is shifted upward Z1, the push-out piece 43A that enters the opening 26 of the returnable box 5 is at a lower position than the rear end of the prize P and cannot contact the rear end of the prize P, resulting in no engagement, and a strike-out error. When a strike-out error occurs, the lowest prize P does not reach the gate space G, and the push-out piece 43A returns to the standby position as the pay-out belt 43 moves in a circular motion, blocking the detection light of the second sensor 86. When the detection light of the second sensor 86 is blocked without blocking the detection light of the first sensor 85, the control unit 61 determines that a strike-out error has occurred.

[0081] To eliminate the miss, it is necessary to position the push-out piece 43A at the same height as the rear end of the lowest prize P to ensure an appropriate catch. Therefore, the control unit 61 operates the second drive unit 87 to raise the belt unit 80 to the retry position shown in Fig. 14. Then, when the payout belt 43 moves in a circle, the push-out piece 43A can come into contact with the lowest prize P3 and push it out to the front side Y1.

[0082] As described above, the control unit 61 pays out the prize P in the returnable box 5 onto the moving unit 54 while resolving jamming errors and miss-striking errors as necessary. When all the storage spaces 24 in the returnable box 5 set in the storage unit 33 (see the lower unit 12A in FIG. 11), which was in a horizontal position until now, become empty, the control unit 61 raises the moving unit 54 to the pay-out unit 42 of the pay-out mechanism 41 of another pay-out unit 12 (middle unit 12B in FIG. 15) as shown in FIG. 15. In the middle unit 12B, the pay-out mechanism 41 is in the pay-out position, one storage unit 33 is in a forward position on the pay-out unit 42, and the prize P can be paid out from the returnable box 5 set in this storage unit 33. Therefore, the control unit 61 pays out the prize P from the returnable box 5 set in this storage unit 33 onto the moving unit 54.

[0083] When moving the moving part 54 from the lower unit 12A to dispense the prize P from the middle unit 12B in this way, the control part 61 rotates the dispensing mechanism 41 of the lower unit 12A to the retreat position once in preparation for dispensing in the lower unit 12A, then moves the conveying body 32 around, and puts the storage part 33 in which another returnable box 5 is loaded into a forward-facing position. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 16, the control part 61 returns the dispensing mechanism 41 of the lower unit 12A to the dispensing position and lowers the moving part 54 from which the prize P from the middle unit 12B has been dispensed. Then, the control part 61 dispenses the prize P onto the moving part 54 from the returnable box 5 set in the storage part 33 in the forward-facing position in the lower unit 12A. Dispensing the prize P from a plurality of storage parts 33 in this way, with the conveying body 32 moving around in one dispensing unit 12 (the lower unit 12A in this explanation), is called "crossing the rotary".

[0084] When it is necessary to cross the rotary, as described above, while the moving section 54 moves to the payout section 42 of one of the payout units 12 and finishes receiving the prize P from the payout section 42, the payout section 42 of the other payout unit 12 moves between the payout position and the retreat position, and the multiple storage sections 33 move around. Thereafter, the moving section 54 receives the prize P from the payout section 42 of the other payout unit 12. In this way, when the prizes P of multiple payout units 12 are paid out together, the control section 61 effectively uses the time until the moving section 54 moves to the payout section 42 of the payout unit 12 (middle unit 12B in this explanation) and finishes receiving the prize P from the payout section 42, and prepares to pay out the prize P in the other payout unit 12 (lower unit 12A in this explanation).

[0085] In other words, the control unit 61 executes the payout of the prize P from the middle unit 12B and the payout preparation from the lower unit 12A in parallel, so that the payout process can be completed in the shortest time, thereby shortening the transaction time between the player and the prize payout device 1. Also, if the payout process can be completed in the shortest time like this, it is possible to store multiple types of prizes P together in each payout unit 12 instead of storing a fixed type of prize P in each payout unit 12, so that the types of prizes P in each payout unit 12 can be optimized according to the operation of the gaming establishment. This reduces the number of replenishment processes and reduces the burden on the store staff.

[0086] When the required number of prizes P are dispensed onto the moving part 54, the dispensing process is completed. Then, the control unit 61 starts the dispensing process. Specifically, the control unit 61 slides the shutter 52 to the open position shown in FIG. 17. This opens the dispensing outlet 13B on the upper surface 13A of the door 13 to the upper side Z1. Then, the control unit 61 raises the moving part 54 to the dispensing position shown in FIG. 17. The moving part 54 moves to the dispensing outlet 13B by rising to the dispensing position. In other words, the moving part 54 receives the prizes P from each of the dispensing parts 42 of the multiple dispensing units 12 in order, and then rises to the dispensing outlet 13B. This causes the prizes P dispensed onto each moving part 54 of the moving part 54 to be exposed to the upper side Z1 from the dispensing outlet 13B and paid out to the outside of the machine.

[0087] In this way, the moving section 54 is a common moving section for the pay-out sections 42 of the multiple pay-out units 12 mounted vertically, and receives the prizes P paid out by each of the pay-out sections 42 of the multiple pay-out units 12. Therefore, by providing a moving section 54 for each pay-out section 42, the prize pay-out device 1 can be made more compact than when there are multiple moving sections 54. Furthermore, if the moving section 54 is capable of rising and lowering, the movement trajectory can be aligned along the up-down direction Z. This allows the prize pay-out device 1 to be made even more compact in the horizontal direction.

[0088] Then, when the player directly receives the prize P on the moving part 54 at the payout opening 13B, the control unit 61 lowers the moving part 54 to the standby position and slides the shutter 52, which was in the open position until then, to the closed position. This ends the payout process and completes the series of payout processes. Since there is only one payout opening 13B, it is possible to prevent the player from forgetting to pick up the prize P and to shorten the time it takes to receive the prize P. In addition, since the payout opening 13B is provided on the door 13, the payout opening 13B is close to the player positioned on the front side Y1 of the prize payout device 1, so that the player can easily receive the prize P paid out to the payout opening 13B. In addition, when one moving section 54 receives prize P from each pay-out unit 12 and transports it to the payout outlet 13B, the number of joints between the multiple components can be reduced compared to when multiple components receive prize P from each pay-out unit 12 and transport it, thereby suppressing errors such as prize P getting stuck at the joints.

[0089] Each of Figures 18 to 26 shows an example of a payout pattern of prizes paid out by the payout process. When the moving section 54 is raised to the payout position, five receiving sections 55 of the moving section 54 are aligned in the left-right direction X at one payout outlet 13B, and this payout outlet 13B is divided into a plurality of (five in this embodiment) payout sections 13D aligned in the left-right direction X.

[0090] Hereinafter, the five dispensing sections 13D may be referred to as dispensing section 13DA, dispensing section 13DB, ​​dispensing section 13DC, dispensing section 13DD, and dispensing section 13DE, respectively, from the left end. Each of these dispensing sections 13D corresponds to any one of the five receiving sections 55 that is located at the same position in the left-right direction X. A pair of dispensing section 13D and receiving section 55 that correspond to each other corresponds to any one of the five storage spaces 24 (see FIG. 2) in the returnable box 5 set in the storage section 33 of each pay-out unit 12 that is located at the same position in the left-right direction X.

[0091] In each of Figures 18 to 26, the prize P marked "Large" indicates a grand prize, the prize P marked "Medium" indicates a medium prize, and the prize P marked "Small" indicates a small prize. In each payout section 13D, the upper limit number of prizes P that can be stacked on the receiving section 55 is set in consideration of the ease of removing the prizes P. For example, in the case of a prize P with a thickness of 3 mm, the upper limit number is 10. Therefore, in each payout section 13D, multiple prizes P can be stacked up to the predetermined upper limit number.

[0092] When a payout instruction is input by a player prior to the payout process, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern for the type and number of prizes P according to the payout instruction from the inventory data stored in the memory unit 64. This payout pattern is information on the payout destination that minimizes the number of payout sections 13D to which the prizes P are paid out among the five payout sections 13D, and the type and number of prizes P to be paid out to the payout destination. The control unit 61 executes the payout process based on the determined payout pattern. Therefore, in the payout process in the payout process, the receiving unit 55 corresponding to the payout section 13D that is the payout destination receives the prize P in the storage unit 33 and transports it to the payout section 13D. Therefore, the control unit 61 and the receiving unit 55 function as an example of a payout unit that pays out the prize P in the storage unit 33 to the payout destination. In this way, when the payout destination is configured with the minimum payout section 13D, the player is unlikely to overlook the prize P paid out to the payout destination, and can receive the prize P without any trouble. Therefore, the prize payout device 1 can prevent the player from forgetting to pick up the prize P, improving usability. A specific example will be described below.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 18, when one type of prize P is paid out in an upper limit number or less, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern in which the prizes P are paid out in a stacked state in one of the payout sections 13D, and executes the payout process to realize this payout pattern. A plurality of prizes P are paid out in a stacked state in the payout section 13D that is the payout destination. This allows the player to receive a plurality of prizes P paid out to one payout section 13D all at once, so that the prize payout device 1 is more convenient to use. In this embodiment, the leftmost payout section 13DA is preferentially selected as the payout destination, but the other payout sections 13DA may be preferentially selected as the payout destination. The same applies to the following specific examples.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 19, when more than the upper limit number of one type of prize P is to be paid out, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern in which the prizes P are divided and paid out to multiple payout sections 13D, and executes a payout process to realize this payout pattern. In Fig. 19, the upper limit number of prizes P are paid out in a stacked state to one payout section 13DA, and the remaining fractional amount of prizes P is paid out to the adjacent payout section 13DB, ​​but the prizes P may be paid out equally to the payout sections 13DA and 13DB.

[0095] It is preferable that the multiple payout sections 13D serving as payout destinations are adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 19. In other words, when there are multiple payout sections 13D serving as payout destinations, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern in which these payout sections 13D are adjacent to each other. In this way, when the payout destinations are configured with the smallest number of adjacent payout sections 13D, the player is less likely to overlook the prize P paid out to the payout destination, and can receive the prize P more easily. Therefore, the prize payout device 1 can prevent the player from forgetting to take the prize P, thereby further improving usability. Note that, depending on the situation, the multiple payout sections 13D serving as payout destinations may be separated from each other and not adjacent to each other. The same applies to the following specific examples.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 20, when a total of a plurality of types of prizes P is paid out in an amount equal to or less than the upper limit number, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern in which the prizes P are paid out in a state in which they are separated by type and in a stacked state in any one of the payout sections 13D. In this case, the control unit 61 arranges the prizes P separated by type in order of value (grand prize, medium prize, small prize, or the reverse order) from the lower side Z2. Then, the control unit 61 executes a payout process so that this payout pattern is realized. In this embodiment, the grand prize is stored in the lower unit 12A, the medium prize is stored in the middle unit 12B, and the small prize is stored in the upper unit 12C, so that the prizes P are stacked in the payout section 13D in the order of the grand prize, medium prize, and small prize from the lower side Z2. The player can easily grasp the breakdown of the prizes P paid out in a stacked state in the payout section 13D by type. Therefore, the prize payout device 1 can be made even easier to use.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 21, when a total of multiple types of prizes P are paid out in a number greater than the upper limit, there are multiple payout sections 13D to which the prizes are paid out. In this case, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern in which the prizes P are paid out in a state in which they are separated by type and in a stacked state in each of the minimum number of payout sections 13D. At that time, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern so that prizes P of the same type are not paid out separately to multiple payout sections 13D. If the number of prizes P of a type that occupies the majority of the prizes P to be paid out (grand prizes in FIG. 21) is equal to or less than the upper limit, the control unit 61 causes this type of prize P to be collected together in one payout section 13D, and the remaining types of prizes P (small prizes and medium prizes in FIG. 21) to be arranged in order of value in another payout section 13D. Then, the control unit 61 executes a payout process so as to realize this payout pattern. In this case, the player can easily grasp the breakdown by type of the prizes P paid out to the multiple payout sections 13D. Therefore, the prize payout device 1 can be made more user-friendly.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 22, when multiple types of prizes P are paid out in total more than the upper limit, if the number of the majority type of prize P (grand prize in Fig. 22) is greater than the upper limit, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern in which the prizes P of this type are paid out in multiple payout sections 13D. In this case, the control unit 61 causes the upper limit number of prizes P of this type to be collected together in one payout section 13D, and the remaining prizes P of this type and other types of prizes P (small prizes and medium prizes in Fig. 22) are arranged in order of value in another payout section 13D. The control unit 61 then executes a payout process to realize this payout pattern.

[0099] When the number of prizes P in stock is decreasing and the number of prizes in the payout instruction is large, it is assumed that it will be difficult to realize the free payout pattern described above. In consideration of this, the control unit 61 determines the payout pattern in the following procedure based on the stock data stored in the memory unit 64. First, the control unit 61 calculates the quality of the first payout pattern (see Figures 20 and 23) in which multiple types of prizes P are paid out collectively in one payout section 13D. Regarding the quality of the payout pattern, if the moving unit 54 can pay out all the prizes P by simply rising once to the payout outlet 13B during the payout process, the payout pattern is good (OK), and if the moving unit 54 cannot pay out all the prizes P by simply rising once to the payout outlet 13B during the payout process, the payout pattern is bad (NG).

[0100] If the first payout pattern is NG, the control unit 61 calculates the suitability of a second payout pattern (see Figure 21), in which the same type of prize P is paid out in multiple payout sections 13D without dividing the prizes P into multiple payout sections 13D.

[0101] If the second payout pattern is NG, the control unit 61 calculates the acceptability of a third payout pattern (see FIG. 24) in which one type of prize P (e.g., the grand prize) is divided and paid out to one payout section 13D and another payout section 13D, and the other types of prize P are also paid out to the other payout section 13D. In the case of the third payout pattern, only the grand prize is stacked in one payout section 13D, and the remaining grand prize, all medium prizes, and all small prizes are stacked in this order in the other payout section 13D.

[0102] In this way, when there are multiple payout sections 13D as payout destinations, but the number of these payout sections 13D is the minimum, the control unit 61 determines a third payout pattern in which the same type of prize P is paid out divided into multiple payout sections 13D. In this case, the small number of payout sections 13D as payout destinations is prioritized over the ease of understanding the breakdown of the types of prizes P to be paid out, so that the player is less likely to overlook the prize P paid out to the payout destination and can receive the prize P without hassle. Therefore, the prize payout device 1 can prevent the player from forgetting to pick up the prize P, improving usability.

[0103] If the third payout pattern is NG, the control unit 61 calculates the acceptability of a fourth payout pattern (see FIG. 25) in which two types of prizes P (e.g., a grand prize and a medium prize) are each divided and paid out to one payout section 13D and another payout section 13D, and the other type of prize P (small prize) is also paid out to the other payout section 13D. In the case of the fourth payout pattern, the grand prize and the medium prize are stacked in this order in one payout section 13D, and the remaining grand prize, remaining medium prize, and all small prizes are stacked in this order in the other payout section 13D.

[0104] If the fourth payout pattern is NG, the control unit 61 calculates whether or not the fifth payout pattern (see FIG. 26) is acceptable, in which the prizes P of all types are divided and paid out to one payout section 13D and another payout section 13D. In the case of the fifth payout pattern, the grand prize, the medium prize, and the small prize are stacked in this order in each of the multiple payout sections 13D. If the fifth payout pattern is NG, the control unit 61 determines the optimal payout pattern by increasing the payout section 13D to be the payout destination by one and repeating the calculation for the second to fifth payout patterns. Note that, even if the payout sections 13D are increased to five (the maximum number), if the moving section 54 cannot pay out all the prizes P by only rising once to the payout outlet 13B, the control unit 61 determines the optimal payout pattern by repeating the calculation for the first to fifth payout patterns, taking into account the multiple lifting and lowering of the moving section 54. Then, the control unit 61 executes the payout process based on the finally determined payout pattern.

[0105] In this way, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern that minimizes the number of times the payout section 13D and the moving section 54 are raised and lowered, so that the prizes P are concentrated in as few payout sections 13D as possible and paid out in the minimum number of payouts. In the case of a prize payout device that is not a self-service type, the clerk in charge presents the actual prizes P paid out from the prize payout device to the player by type, and then stacks and hands these prizes P to the player. In the prize payout device 1 that is a self-service type in which the exchange process of the prizes P is performed by the player alone, it is not necessary to present the actual prizes P to the player by type, and multiple types of prizes P are concentrated in the payout section 13D and paid out in a stacked state, so that the player can receive the prizes P with fewer actions. This minimizes the effort required to gather multiple types of prizes P, and prevents the player from forgetting to pick up the prizes P. In addition, the control unit 61 may inform the player of the information on the prize P to be paid out by displaying it on the display operation unit 4 as part of the payout process.

[0106] Furthermore, if the prizes P are paid out preferentially from the leftmost or rightmost dispensing section 13D (in this embodiment, the leftmost dispensing section 13DA), the prizes P in the leftmost or rightmost storage space 24 in each returnable box 5 in each pay-out unit 12 will be depleted in turn. This makes it possible to minimize the number of storage spaces 24 that contain a fractional number of prizes P, and allows store clerks to easily visually check the stock of prizes P in each returnable box 5.

[0107] In each storage section 33 of each pay-out unit 12, the type of prize P in the returnable box 5 to be set may be predetermined and stored in the memory section 64. When a returnable box 5 storing a prize P of a type different from the designated type is set in the storage section 33 during the refill process, the control section 61 temporarily stores in the memory section 64 that the type of prize P in this storage section 33 is incorrect in the subsequent counting and identification process. In the subsequent pay-out process, the control section 61 may continue the pay-out process by performing a degenerate operation in which the storage section 33 containing the incorrect type of prize P is not subject to pay-out. The correctness of the type of prize P in each storage space 24 in the returnable box 5 may be temporarily stored in the memory section 64. In that case, in each storage section 33, only the storage space 24 containing the incorrect type of prize P may be excluded from the pay-out target, and the prize P in the other storage spaces 24 may be paid out as normal prizes.

[0108] Examples of storage spaces 24 that are not eligible for payout include storage spaces 24 where the type of prize P is incorrect, as well as storage spaces 24 where the number of prizes P stored is small (for example, less than five) and therefore counting and identification processing cannot be performed due to reasons of accuracy. Further examples include storage spaces 24 where the counting result of the prize P is unknown, and storage spaces 24 where the above-mentioned clogging error or miss-swing error has occurred. Even if such storage spaces 24 that are not eligible for payout exist, the prize payout device 1 operates in a degenerate manner without error down, so that transactions can be continued without making the player wait. Handling of storage spaces 24 that are not eligible for payout may be carried out during idle times when there are no transactions by players.

[0109] FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram of a gaming system 90 including a prize payout device 1. The gaming system 90 further includes a server 91, which is a higher-level device for the prize payout device 1. There may be only one server 91, or the server 91 may be configured by multiple servers. The gaming system 90 may further include a settlement machine 92 for cashing out prepaid values ​​associated with a player's card. The settlement machine 92 is provided with a card slot 92A through which a player inserts or removes a card, a bill dispensing port 92B through which a bill dispensing amount is dispensed, and a coin dispensing port 92C through which a coin dispensing amount is dispensed. The settlement machine 92 may be installed near the prize payout device 1. Each of the prize payout device 1 and the settlement machine 92 is communicatively connected to the server 91 via a wireless or wired communication network N.

[0110] Since both the prize payout device 1 and the settlement machine 92 are devices where the player performs transactions by himself, there is a risk that the player may forget to take the prize P or the card in the prize payout device 1, and there is a risk that the player may forget to take the card or the settlement money in the settlement machine 92. Therefore, each of the prize payout device 1 and the settlement machine 92 has a function to collect the forgotten items and return them to the owner later when they are forgotten. This function can reduce the burden on the store staff who deal with forgotten items.

[0111] Regarding leaving prize P, cards, or payment money (hereinafter collectively referred to as "objects") behind, each of prize payout device 1 and settlement machine 92 includes a residual sensor 93 that detects remaining objects, and a human presence sensor 94 that detects the presence of people nearby (see FIG. 4). In prize payout device 1, if the residual sensor 93 detects the remaining object (e.g., prize P at payout opening 13B) after a predetermined time has passed without any operation by the player after the object is dispensed, control unit 61 determines that the object has been left behind. As another example, if the residual sensor 93 detects the remaining object even though the human presence sensor 94 does not detect a nearby player after the object is dispensed, control unit 61 may determine that the object has been left behind.

[0112] Furthermore, if a new card is inserted into the card slot 2A within an unusually short time after the player removes the prize P after the prize P has been dispensed, the control unit 61 may determine that the prize P has been left behind. In this case, it is assumed that the next player removes the prize P that the previous player left behind and immediately inserts his / her own card into the card slot 2A. The control unit 95 provided in the settlement machine 92 may also perform the same process as the control unit 61 in determining whether the prize P has been left behind.

[0113] FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing the process when the prize P is left behind. When the control unit 61 of the prize payout device 1 determines that the prize P on the moving unit 54 is left behind during the payout process (step S1), the control unit 61 lowers the moving unit 54 to the standby position and slides the shutter 52 to the closed position, thereby recovering the prize P into the device main body 3 and causing the prize payout device 1 to go into error shutdown (step S2). At that time, the control unit 61 notifies the store clerk of the error shutdown by displaying on the display operation unit 4 or by using a buzzer or the like, and stores in the storage unit 64 information that the prize P was left behind during the current payout process. The information that is left behind is linked to the history of the current payout process and stored in the storage unit 64. Furthermore, the information that is left behind is sent to the server 91 linked to the history of the current payout process and is also stored in the server 91 (step S3). The history of the current payout process also includes information for identifying the player who left the prize P behind, for example, the identification information of the player's card.

[0114] The prize P collected in the device main body 3 remains on the moving part 54. If the player realizes that he left the prize P behind and returns immediately, inserting the card into the card slot 2A, the control unit 61 ends the error down and notification, slides the shutter 52 to the open position again, and raises the moving part 54 to the payout position, thereby quickly returning the prize P to the player from the payout opening 13B. In this case, the left-behind information stores the fact that the prize P has been returned to the player.

[0115] The store clerk who rushes to the scene upon receiving the notification operates the display operation unit 4 to end the error down and notification, opens the door 13 to the open position (see FIG. 5), and removes the prize P that was just collected from the moving unit 54. The store clerk then pulls out the pay-out unit 12 that had stored the prize P to the pull-out position (see FIG. 6), returns the prize P to the return box 5 inside the pay-out unit 12, and returns the pay-out unit 12 to the storage position.

[0116] The store clerk then operates the display operation unit 4 so that the data of the prize P that was returned this time is managed in the memory unit 64 separately from the inventory data of the prize P. In response to this, the control unit 61 reflects the data of the prize P that was left behind this time in the left-behind information, and manages it separately from the inventory data in the memory unit 64 (step S4). At this time, the control unit 61 notifies the server 91 to update the left-behind information in the same way, so that the server 91, upon receiving the notification, updates the left-behind information this time (step S5). Note that in a prize dispensing device 1 that is configured so that the prize P that was left behind and collected in the device main body 3 is collected in a reject unit (not shown) separate from the movement unit 54, the transaction may be able to continue without an error downtime occurring.

[0117] When a player who has forgotten to take the prize P inserts the card into the card slot 2A on the same day or the next day, the control unit 61 refers to the history of the payout process linked to the card. Alternatively, the control unit 61 may refer to the history of the payout process linked to the card of the player in response to an operation of the display operation unit 4 by a store clerk who has received a request from the player to return the prize P that was left behind. If there is any left-behind information linked to the history, the control unit 61 executes the payout process based on the data of the prize P left behind in the left-behind information, and returns the prize P to the player from the payout opening 13B (step S6). At that time, in consideration of the case where the player does not realize that the prize P has been left behind, the control unit 61 may notify the player that the prize P was left behind last time by the display operation unit 4 or the like. The content of this notification may include data (type and number) of the prize P that was left behind.

[0118] Instead of automatically returning the prize P by inserting the card, a store clerk who receives a return request may open the door 13, pull out the pay-out unit 12, and hand the prize P in the pay-out unit 12 back to the player. Note that the left-behind information may include an image (photographed by a security camera, etc.) of the player who left the prize P behind, and the prize P may be returned to the player after identity authentication using this image.

[0119] When the return of the forgotten prize P is completed as described above, the control unit 61 reflects this in the forgotten prize P information in the memory unit 64 (step S7). At this time, the control unit 61 notifies the server 91 to update the forgotten prize P information in the same manner, and the server 91, having received the notification, updates the forgotten prize P information to indicate that the prize P has been returned to the player (step S8).

[0120] In the case where the card discharged into the card slot 2A is left behind, the control unit 61 may execute the same process as when the prize P is left behind. However, the left behind card may be collected in a rejection unit (not shown) provided in the device main body 3. In the case where the card discharged into the card slot 92A is left behind in the settlement machine 92, or the settlement amount discharged into the banknote dispensing port 92B or the coin dispensing port 92C is left behind in the settlement machine 92, the control unit 95 may execute the same process as when the prize P is left behind in the prize payout device 1. However, the left behind card or settlement amount may be collected in a rejection unit (not shown) provided separately in the settlement machine 92 according to the card or settlement amount.

[0121] There is a wholesaler that delivers the prizes P to the amusement facility, and the wholesaler (strictly speaking, the wholesaler's staff) brings the prizes P packed in a returnable box 5 to the amusement facility. When the wholesaler operates the display operation section 4 of the prize payout device 1, the lock of the pay-out unit 12 arranged in the storage position within the device main body 3 is released, so that the wholesaler can open the door 13 and pull out the pay-out unit 12 from the storage position to replenish the prizes P into the pay-out unit 12. When the wholesaler has finished replenishing the prizes P, he returns the pay-out unit 12 to the pull-out position and closes the door 13, and the wholesaler's replenishment of the prizes P into the prize payout device 1 is completed.

[0122] As described above, an operation in which the wholesaler replenishes the prize P in the prize payout device 1 can reduce the workload of store clerks who are suffering from labor shortages. If the wholesaler is responsible not only for replenishing the prize P but also for managing the inventory of the prize P after replenishing, the workload of the store clerk can be further reduced. In this case, the inventory of the prize P in the prize payout device 1 continues to be the wholesaler's inventory (property of the wholesaler), and the prize P paid out to players from the prize payout device 1 is paid for by the game facility to the wholesaler as the prize P delivered to the game facility. Meanwhile, the payout of the prize P from the prize payout device 1 remains the responsibility of the store clerk.

[0123] In this way, when a wholesaler and a game store, which are separate organizations, handle the prizes P of the prize payout device 1, it is desirable that the wholesaler and the store clerk are each given authority to operate the display operation unit 4 of the prize payout device 1. Specifically, the wholesaler is authorized to perform a first operation of the display operation unit 4 for a refill process to refill the prize payout device 1 with prizes P, a second operation of the display operation unit 4 for a counting and identification process to check the stock of the prizes P in the prize payout device 1, and a third operation of the display operation unit 4 for an error release process to release an error such as a prize P jam that has occurred in the prize payout device 1.

[0124] On the other hand, the clerk is in principle only permitted to perform the fourth operation of the display operation unit 4 for the payout process of paying out the prize P in the prize payout device 1 to the player. Conversely, the wholesaler is not permitted to perform the fourth operation, and the clerk is not permitted to perform the first and second operations, but is permitted to perform the third operation, subject to the restrictions described below. The authority for these first to fourth operations, the wholesaler ID, and the relationship between the clerk ID assigned to the clerk are stored in the memory unit 64 of the prize payout device 1. Therefore, the control unit 61 of the prize payout device 1 switches the operation mode depending on the wholesaler ID or clerk ID input by the display operation unit 4.

[0125] For example, when a wholesaler comes to deliver prizes P before the opening of an amusement facility, and inputs a wholesaler ID via the display operation unit 4 of the prize payout device 1, the control unit 61 of the prize payout device 1 performs authentication using the wholesaler ID, and then displays a guide screen on the display operation unit 4 to the effect that replenishment processing, counting identification processing, and error reset processing are possible. Then, when the wholesaler performs a first operation on the display operation unit 4, the control unit 61 releases the lock on the payout unit 12 by the unit lock mechanism 18, so that the wholesaler can pull out the payout unit 12 from the storage position from the prize payout device 1 and replenish the payout unit 12 with prizes P.

[0126] When the wholesaler returns the pay-out unit 12 refilled with prizes P to the storage position and then performs the second operation of the display operation unit 4, the control unit 61 counts the number of prizes P refilled into the pay-out unit 12 by the detection unit 38 as a counting and identification process, prints the counting result by the receipt issuing unit 63 to create an inventory list, and issues it to the receipt issuing port 2B. The control unit 61 may print an invoice based on this refill number by the receipt issuing unit 63 and issue it to the receipt issuing port 2B. In this way, the billing amount for the prizes P may be determined based on the refill number, or the billing amount may be automatically added each time the prizes P are paid out by the subsequent pay-out process. The billing amount after the automatic addition is the latest billing amount determined at that time. In this way, the timing at which the billing amount is determined may be set to either the time of refill (when entering the warehouse) or the time of payout (when leaving the warehouse) by the operation of the display operation unit 4. Information on the determined billing amount may be automatically notified to the wholesaler by the prize payout device 1.

[0127] When an error occurs in the prize payout device 1, the wholesaler performs the third operation on the display operation unit 4. This causes the control unit 61 to unlock the payout unit 12 by the unit lock mechanism 18, so that the wholesaler can pull out the payout unit 12 to clear the error. The third operation by the store clerk may be permitted. The payout unit 12 may be unlocked by remote operation from the wholesaler who has received a call from the gaming store, rather than the third operation on the display operation unit 4 by the store clerk. Alternatively, the payout unit 12 may be unlocked by the store clerk inputting a time-limited one-time password notified by the wholesaler on the display operation unit 4. In any case, the store clerk can pull out the unlocked payout unit 12, remove the prize P to clear the error, and refill it.

[0128] When the store clerk returns the payout unit 12, which has been refilled with prizes P, to the storage position and then operates the display operation unit 4, the control unit 61 executes a counting and identification process to count the number of prizes P in stock in the payout unit 12. If the stock numbers match before and after the error occurs, the prize payout device 1 returns to its normal state, and the prize payout process can then be executed. On the other hand, if the stock numbers do not match before and after the error occurs, the prize payout device 1 returns to its normal state, provided that this is stored as history in the memory unit 64 and is reported to the wholesaler as necessary. If the stock numbers do not match before and after the error occurs, the prize payout device 1 does not have to return to its normal state until the wholesaler is present.

[0129] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. In addition, the various features described above can be combined as appropriate.

[0130] For example, in this embodiment, the prize payout device 1 is formed by a set of the terminal unit 2 and the device main body 3, but the terminal unit 2 may be a device provided independently of the device main body 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1 Prize payout device 3. Device body 11. Cabinet 11A aperture 11B Internal space 12 Payout unit (storage unit) 13 Door 13B Payment outlet 33 Storage area 42 Payout section 54 Mobile section P Prize Z vertical direction

Claims

1. A device body having a housing with an opening and a door for opening and closing the opening, and provided with a prize payout outlet; A storage section provided within the housing for storing prizes; a moving unit that receives the prize dispensed from the storage unit and moves to the payout outlet, A prize dispensing device, wherein the moving part is integrated into the door.

2. The door has an interior space, The outlet is in communication with the internal space, A prize payout device as described in claim 1 , wherein the moving part moves within the internal space.

3. The moving part is capable of ascending and descending, the door having a top surface; A prize dispensing device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the dispensing outlet is formed on the upper surface of the door.

4. The device body further includes a storage unit including the storage section, A prize payout device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening is an opening for withdrawing the storage unit.

5. A prize payout device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein only one payout outlet is provided.

Images