Prize payout device

Abstract

To provide a miniaturized prize put-out device.SOLUTION: The prize put-out device 1 includes a device body 3 provided with a put-out port 13B for prizes P, a storage part 33 provided in the device body 3 for storing the prizes P, a plurality of delivery parts 42 provided in the device body 3 for delivering the prizes P from the storage part, and a moving part 54 common to the plurality of delivery parts 42. The moving part 54 receives the prize P fed by each of the plurality of feeding parts 42 and moves to the dispensing port 13B. While the moving part 54 moves to the feeding part 42 of one of the feeding units 12 and finishes receiving the prize P from the feeding part 42, in the other feeding unit 12, the feeding part 42 moves between the feeding position and the retreat position, and the plurality of storage parts 33 circulate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As an example of a prize dispensing device, Patent Document 1 below discloses a prize dispensing machine installed in gaming establishments such as pachinko parlors. The prize dispensing machine includes multiple storage sections aligned in the left-right direction and a box-shaped main body that houses these storage sections. Each storage section stores prizes that can be exchanged for gaming media such as pachinko balls. Each storage section includes a feeding section that dispenses prizes and a payout section in which the prizes dispensed by the feeding section are placed. The top plate of the main body is provided with multiple openings aligned in the left-right direction, and directly below each opening is a corresponding storage section. When a prize dispensed by the feeding section is placed in the payout section of the storage section, the payout section rises, and the prize on the payout section is exposed through the opening corresponding to the storage section, allowing gaming establishment staff and players to remove the prize through the opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-25822 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is always a desire to make prize dispensing devices smaller, 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 through which prizes are dispensed, corresponding to each storage section, and a dispensing section that transports the dispensed prizes to the opening is provided for each storage section, so there is a limit to how small the machine can be made.

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

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention provides a prize payout device including a device main body with a prize payout outlet, a storage section for storing prizes, and a plurality of payout sections for paying out prizes from the storage section, and multiple units arranged vertically within the device main body, and a movable section that is movable up and down and common to the multiple units, receiving prizes paid out by each of the multiple units and rising to the payout outlet. While the movable section rises to a unit among the multiple units that is the payout target and receives the prize from the unit that is the payout target, the other units among the multiple units perform a payout preparation operation so that the payout section will pay out the prize. After receiving the prize from the payout section of the other unit, the movable section rises to the payout outlet.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the payout preparation operation of the other unit may be performed in parallel with the payout of the prize from the unit to be paid out.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of storage sections in each of the units may be circumferentially movable, and the feeding preparation operation may include circumferentially moving the plurality of storage sections included in the other unit.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the payout section in each unit may be movable between a payout position where the payout section pays out prizes from one of the storage sections and a retracted position where the payout section is retracted from the payout position. The payout preparation operation may include the payout section included in the other unit moving between the retracted position and the payout position.

[0010] The plurality of storage sections may be provided on an annular orbit within each of the units. Each of the storage compartments may be capable of storing a plurality of the prizes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the prize payout device can be made smaller. [Brief explanation 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; [Figure 2] This is an oblique view of a returnable box used in the prize dispensing device. [Figure 3] A schematic right side view of the inside of the main body of the prize payout device. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the prize payout device. [Figure 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 replenishment processing. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device body with the storage unit pulled out for the replenishment process. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device main body during the counting and identification process. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of an area B surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 10 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device body during the payout process. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic right side view of the feeding section in the device body during the feeding and dispensing process. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic right side view of the feeding section. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic right side view of the feeding section. [Figure 15] 10 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device body during the payout process. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device body during the payout process. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a schematic right side view of the inside of the device body during the payout process. FIG. [Figure 18] This is a diagram showing a first example of a payout pattern for prizes paid out by the payout process. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of a prize payout pattern. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third example of a prize payout pattern. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth example of a prize payout pattern. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fifth example of a prize payout pattern. [Figure 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. [Figure 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] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the gaming system when a prize is forgotten to be picked up. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[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 parlor such as a pachinko parlor. The prize payout device 1 includes a terminal unit 2 forming its upper part, and a device main body 3 arranged below the terminal unit 2.

[0014] The terminal unit 2 is a POS terminal whose main function is to manage inventory data for prizes P, known as special prizes. A display / operation unit 4, configured, for example, by a liquid crystal touch panel, is provided in the front area of ​​the terminal unit 2. The display / operation unit 4 may be separated into a display unit and an operation unit. A card slot 2A through which cards issued to players by the gaming parlor are 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 gaming media, such as pachinko balls, that a player has acquired through play is associated with the card. A prepaid value that can be exchanged for gaming media to start or continue play may also be associated with the card.

[0015] An example of a prize P is a card having a thickness of a few millimeters. In this embodiment, three types of prizes P are provided according to monetary value: a grand prize, a medium prize, and a small prize; however, there may also be an extra large prize with a monetary value higher than the grand prize. The surface color of the prize P varies depending on the type of prize P. For 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 device located in an unmanned prize exchange corner in an amusement facility, where the player himself or herself completes the procedures for exchanging the prize P. In this case, the player inserts a card into the card slot 2A of the terminal unit 2 and then operates the display / operation unit 4 to input a payout instruction for the prize P to the prize payout device 1. The device main body 3 then pays out the type and number of prizes P (in this embodiment, "number of prizes") corresponding to the payout instruction, and the terminal unit 2 updates the inventory data for the prizes P. The player receives the card returned through the card slot 2A and the prize P paid out from the device main body 3. Note that the following description assumes that the prize payout device 1 is a self-service device. However, a store clerk may be present near the prize payout device 1 and hand the prize P to the player after receiving it from the prize payout device 1.

[0017] The device main body 3 is a prize dispensing machine that dispenses 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, a plurality of payout units (units) 12 provided within the housing 11, and a door 13 supported by the housing 11.

[0018] The left-right direction of the plane of FIG. 1 coincides with the left-right direction X of the device body 3, the direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 coincides with the front-rear direction Y of the device body 3, and the up-down direction 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 a left side X1 and a right side X2, the front-rear direction Y includes a front side Y1 that coincides with the front side of the plane of FIG. 1 and a rear side Y2 that coincides with the rear side of the plane of FIG. 1, and the up-down direction Z includes an upper side Z1 and a 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 elongated 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. Each of the pair of side walls 16 is a rectangular plate that is long in the vertical direction Z. The left side wall 16 X1 is provided between the left ends of the top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15, and the right side wall 16 X2 is provided between the right ends of the top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15. The rear wall 17 is also a rectangular plate that is long in the vertical direction Z. It is provided between the rear ends of the top wall 14 and the bottom wall 15 and also between the rear ends of the pair of side walls 16. An opening 11A is formed in the front surface of the housing 11 and is 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 the internal space 11B of the housing 11.

[0020] The payout unit 12 stores the prizes P together with the returnable boxes 5. In this embodiment, three payout units 12 are lined up 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-to-rear direction Y. As shown in FIG. 1, when each payout unit 12 is completely housed within the housing 11, it is in a storage position in the front-to-rear direction Y. Each payout unit 12 can be pulled out through the opening 11A of the housing 11 to a pull-out position Y1 forward of the storage position (see FIG. 6). The housing 11 is provided with an electric unit locking mechanism 18 (see FIG. 4) that locks and unlocks each payout unit 12 in the storage position. An electromagnetic lock or the like can be used as the unit locking 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 that is 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 arranged 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 approximately rectangular plates extending in the longitudinal direction L of the returnable box 5, and are arranged parallel to each other so as to face each other along their respective plate thickness directions. The direction in which the pair of side walls 21 face each other is the short side direction S of the returnable box 5, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. Furthermore, 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 the shape of a substantially rectangular plate with a plate thickness direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction L. Two partition walls 22 are erected between one end edge and the other end edge of the pair of side walls 21 in the longitudinal direction L, and the remaining four partition walls 22 are erected between the middle parts of the pair of side walls 21, lined up at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction L. Therefore, five storage spaces 24, each of which is substantially rectangular and of equal size, are formed in the returnable box 5 and 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 in the shape of a generally rectangular plate 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 that other side as a generally rectangular entrance / exit 25.

[0025] The returnable box 5 includes openings 26 provided separately from the entrance / exit 25. The openings 26 are provided in pairs at the same positions as each storage space 24 in the longitudinal direction L (five pairs in this embodiment). That is, five openings 26 are provided on each side of the returnable box 5 in the short direction S, lined up at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction L. The two openings 26 in each pair are at the same position in the longitudinal direction L and configured to be symmetrical with respect to the center of the returnable box 5 in the short direction S. Each opening 26 is slit-shaped to expose the storage space 24 to the outside, cuts out an end of the bottom wall 23 in the short direction S, cuts out the side wall 21 on the same side as the end in the short direction S along the depth direction D, and extends linearly up to just before the entrance / exit 25.

[0026] When the returnable container 5 is circulating and containing prizes P, it is in a basic position 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. Because each storage space 24 is the same size, a predetermined number of prizes P—20 in this embodiment—are stored in each storage space 24. Therefore, the returnable container 5 as a whole can store a maximum of 100 prizes P. Multiple prizes P are stored in a stacked state in each storage space 24, with their thickness direction aligned with the short-side direction S and standing upright from the bottom wall 23. In this state, the portion of each prize P facing the entrance / exit 25 protrudes beyond the entrance / exit 25. In addition, in a storage space 24 (see the right-most storage space 24 in FIG. 2 ) containing the predetermined number of prizes P, portions of the prizes P located at both ends of the short-side direction S are exposed from the openings 26 on the same side in the short-side direction S. In this embodiment, the type of multiple prizes P stored in one returnable box 5 is one of the following: a grand prize, a medium prize, and a small prize, but the type of prize P may differ for each storage space 24.

[0027] Next, the feeding units 12 will be described in detail. Figure 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 vertical 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] Referring to the lower unit 12A, each feeding unit 12 includes a box-shaped housing 31 that forms its outer shell. A substantially rectangular loading opening 31A and a substantially rectangular plate-shaped door 31B that opens and closes the loading opening 31A are provided on the top surface of the housing 31. The door 31B is connected to the housing 31 via a hinge 31C provided at its front end, and is opened and closed by rotating about the hinge 31C. An opening 31D that exposes the internal space 31F of the housing 31 to the front side Y1 is formed across almost the entire front surface of the housing 31. A handle 31E is provided on the front surface of the housing 31 in an area above the opening 31D on the upper side Z1 (see FIG. 5).

[0029] The internal space 31F of the housing 31 of each feeding unit 12 is provided with a pair of left and right conveyance bodies 32 and a plurality of (here, four) storage sections 33. Each conveyance body 32 is formed of an endless chain or belt, and has, for example, a substantially rectangular ring shape when viewed from the left-right direction X. The conveyance body 32 moves in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction when 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 conveyance body 32 constitute a movement mechanism 34.

[0030] Each storage section 33 is tray-shaped and extends in the left-right direction X. The internal space of each storage section 33 is large enough to accommodate a returnable container 5 extending in the left-right direction X. An upwardly facing storage section 33 (see, for example, the storage section 33 on the upper side Z1 of the lower unit 12A in FIG. 3 ) has an entrance 33A that is open across the entire top surface, and slit-shaped openings (not shown) cut out in both the 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 coincide with the openings 26 (see FIG. 2) of the returnable container 5, and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction X.

[0031] One returnable box 5 is loaded into each storage section 33. As a result, the prize P in the returnable box 5 is stored in both the storage section 33 and the dispensing unit 12. In the storage section 33 loaded with the returnable box 5, the openings described above are aligned with the openings 26 of the returnable box 5. In this embodiment, the same type of prize P is stored in one returnable box 5, so one storage section 33 is loaded with the same type of prize P, and one dispensing unit 12 stores the same type of prize P. As an example, the lower unit 12A stores only the grand prize, the middle unit 12B stores only the medium prize, and the upper unit 12C stores only the small prize. Of course, the type of prize P may differ for each storage section 33 in each dispensing unit 12.

[0032] These storage units 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 move in a circular motion by operation of the movement mechanism 34, these storage units 33 move in a circular motion together with the conveying bodies 32. The circular motion of the conveying bodies 32 and the storage units 33 is sometimes referred to as a "rotary operation." Furthermore, each storage unit 33 is rotatable around a rotation axis (not shown) extending in the left-right direction X at the connection portion with the conveying body 32.

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

[0034] A detection unit 37 is disposed at the rear end of the internal space 31F of the housing 31 of each payout 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 drive 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. Details will be described later.

[0035] A payout mechanism 41 is provided in the internal space 31F of the housing 31 of each payout unit 12, in the region Z2 below the transport body 32 and storage section 33. The payout mechanism 41 includes a payout section 42 that pays out prizes P from the storage section 33. Since there are multiple payout units 12 (three in this embodiment), there are also multiple payout sections 42 throughout the prize payout device 1. Since these payout units 12 are lined up in the vertical direction Z, the multiple payout 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. Furthermore, in each payout unit 12, multiple storage sections 33 (four in this embodiment) are provided for each payout section 42, and the payout section 42 and the corresponding four storage sections 33 form one payout unit 12. In each of the feeding units 12, the feeding mechanism 41 is provided with only one feeding section 42 in this embodiment, but a plurality of feeding 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 forms a substantially triangular loop when viewed from the left-right direction X; rollers 44 arranged inside the payout belt 43, one at each vertex of the substantially triangle; 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 extending in the left-right direction X. A claw-shaped push-out piece 43A protrudes 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 driven and rotated by the driving force of the same drive unit.

[0037] The entire payout mechanism 41 can rotate about 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 drive unit (not shown) such as a motor. When the payout mechanism 41 is in the payout position, the payout unit 42 is also in the payout position, and when the payout mechanism 41 is in the retracted position, the payout unit 42 is also in the retracted position. In other words, the payout unit 42 can move between the payout position and the retracted position in accordance with the rotation of the payout mechanism 41. When the payout unit 42 is in the payout position, as shown in FIG. 3 , the payout belt 43 is located rearward Y2 from the payout roller 45 and the counter roller 46, two rollers 44 are aligned in the front-to-rear direction Y, the remaining roller 44 is located below Z2 the two rollers 44, and the flat portion 43B of the payout belt 43 between the two rollers 44 is horizontal along the front-to-rear direction Y. Furthermore, the opposing roller 46 faces the payout roller 45 from the upper side Z1, and the flat portion 43B is at the same height as the space between the payout roller 45 and the opposing roller 46. The payout portion 42 in the payout 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 by approximately 30 degrees or more from the payout position in a right side view, it is disposed in a retracted position (see FIG. 7) that avoids the circular trajectory of each storage section 33 in which returnable boxes 5 are loaded. When the payout mechanism 41 is in the retracted position, the payout unit 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 unit 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 aligned in 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 has a vertically long box shape large enough to cover the opening 11A of the housing 11, and is flat in the front-to-rear direction Y when in the closed position (see also FIG. 1) with the opening 11A 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 positioned in the open position, exposing the entire opening 11A to the front side Y1 (see FIG. 5). The following description will be given assuming that the door 13 is in the closed position unless otherwise specified. 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 cabinet 11, i.e., the upper surface of the top wall 14. The upper surface 13A is provided with only one payout opening 13B that is elongated in the left-right direction X (see also Figure 5). Therefore, compared to when multiple payout openings 13B are provided, the prize payout device 1 can be made more compact. The payout opening 13B is connected to the internal space 13C of the door 13. The door 13 further includes a shutter 52 that opens and closes the payout opening 13B. The shutter 52 is formed in the shape of a plate that is elongated in the left-right direction X. The shutter 52 is slidable in the front-rear direction Y between a closed position (see also Figure 1) in which the payout opening 13B is closed, and an open position (see Figure 17) in which the shutter 52 retracts to the space directly below the top wall 14 and opens the payout opening 13B. The space directly below the top wall 14 is the upper end of the internal space 11B of the cabinet 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 is connected to the internal space 31F of the housing 31 through the opening 31D on the front surface of the housing 31 of each payout unit 12 in the storage position. A payout mechanism 53 is provided in the internal space 13C, which pays out prizes P in each payout unit 12 to the payout opening 13B. In other words, the payout mechanism 53 is integrated into the door 13, which opens and closes the opening 11A of the housing 11. This allows the prize payout device 1 to be made even more compact.

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

[0043] Figure 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, which is 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 the other control units described below. 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 Figure 1), reads necessary information from the card, and ejects the card from the card slot 2A after reading. 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. The control unit 61 is also 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 sensor described above) associated with the movement mechanism 34, detection unit 38, and dispensing mechanism 41 of each dispensing unit 12. The control unit 61 is also electrically connected to electrical components associated with the unit locking mechanism 18 and door locking mechanism 51.

[0045] The control unit 61 controls the operation of these electrical components to execute a replenishment process for replenishing 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 the player's card 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 memory 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 inventory quantity) in the returnable boxes 5 loaded in each storage section 33 of each payout unit 12. The memory unit 64 also stores various information such as past abnormality history and prize P payout history.

[0047] The replenishment process, counting and identification process, and feeding and dispensing process will be described below in that order. In the replenishment process, the store clerk selects one of the feeding units 12 to be the target of the replenishment process by operating the display operation unit 4. The control unit 61 then releases the lock on the selected feeding unit 12 by the unit lock mechanism 18, thereby allowing the feeding 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 toward the front Y1, the feeding unit 12 is pulled out to the pulled-out position 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] When the feeding unit 12 is pulled out to the pulled-out position, the door 31B on the top surface of the housing 31 is located further forward Y1 than the housing 11 of the device main body 3, i.e., outside the housing 11. In this state, a 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 motion, so that one empty storage section 33 is located directly below the loading opening 31A, as shown in FIG. 7. An empty storage section 33 refers to a storage section 33 that has not been loaded with a returnable box 5, or a storage section 33 that has been loaded with an empty or nearly empty returnable box 5. The storage section 33 located directly below the loading opening 31A is in the loading position with the entrance / exit 33A facing the upper side Z1. In the feeding unit 12 in which the conveying body 32 is moving in a circular motion, the feeding 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 bold arrow in FIG. 7, passes through the loading opening 31A, and inserts it from the upper side Z1 into the entrance 33A of the storage section 33 in the loading position. This loads the returnable box 5 into the storage section 33 in the loading position, and the prize P inside the returnable box 5 is loaded into the dispensing unit 12. A positioning rib (not shown) on one of the returnable box 5 and the storage section 33 fits into a positioning groove (not shown) on the other, thereby positioning the returnable box 5 and the storage section 33 in which the returnable box 5 is loaded. After the returnable box 5 is loaded into the storage section 33 in 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] After the returnable container 5 is loaded into the storage section 33, the store clerk closes the door 31B and grasps the handle 31E of the feeding unit 12 in the pulled-out position to return it to the stored position. Then, the control section 61 locks the feeding unit 12 in the stored position using the unit locking mechanism 18. This completes the replenishment process for the feeding unit 12.

[0052] A store clerk can pull out the feeding unit 12 to the pulled-out position or push it back to the stored position by operating the handle 31E provided on the front of each feeding unit 12. The feeding unit 12 may be moved manually by the store clerk or automatically by a drive device such as a DC motor or a stepping motor provided inside 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 payout unit 12, when the storage section 33 that is the subject of the counting and identification process approaches the detection unit 37, the first position change mechanism 35 tilts the storage section 33 to a rearward-facing position with the entrance / exit 33A facing the rear side Y2. Note that in the rearward-facing storage section 33, the entrance / exit 33A faces slightly diagonally upward rather than straight to the side in order to prevent the prize P from falling out of the entrance / exit 25 of the returnable box 5 that has been set therein.

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

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

[0056] 10, an example of the detection unit 38 is the color sensor described above, which includes a light-emitting unit 71 formed of 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 the prize P, which is the 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 ​​for analysis, and based on the analysis results, counts the prizes P and identifies the authenticity and type of the prizes P.

[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, and the detection results of the detection unit 38 are illustrated on the right. As the detection unit 38 rises, the detection unit 38 outputs waveforms W1 of the R data, G data, and B data, respectively, 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 roughly matches the outline of multiple continuous convex shapes. Therefore, in each waveform W1, a relatively large valley V1 appears due to a sudden change in data at the portion corresponding to the boundary (gap) between adjacent prizes P. The detection unit 38 selects a waveform W1 from 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 the sum of 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 part 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 calculated by adding 1 to the count value of the valley V2.

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

[0061] The counting and identification process ends when the rising detection unit 38 completes counting and identification of all the prizes P in each storage space 24 of the returnable containers 5 loaded in the rear-facing storage unit 33 and descends to the standby position. In this way, it is possible to both count and identify the prizes P with one detection unit 38. This makes it possible to save space for the detection unit 38 and improve the processing speed of the counting and identification process.

[0062] The counting and identification process may be performed on all dispensing units 12 at once, or may be performed individually on a predetermined dispensing unit 12 selected by a store clerk through operation of the display operation unit 4. Furthermore, the counting and identification process may be performed on the returnable boxes 5 loaded in all storage sections 33 in each dispensing unit 12, or may be performed only on the returnable boxes 5 loaded in the storage section 33 specified by the store clerk. In either case, the control unit 61 updates the inventory number of prizes P in each storage section 33 in the device main body 3 each 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 payout 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. Note that an IC chip storing 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 contactlessly reading the identification information from the IC chip.

[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 container 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 that have been paid out by the payout process are paid out from the machine through the payout opening 13B. When a player is positioned 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 command, the control section 61 first performs the payout process. Specifically, with reference to the lower unit 12A, the control section 61 moves the conveying body 32 in a circular motion. As a result, when the storage section 33 that is the target of the payout process approaches the moving section 54 of the payout mechanism 53, the second position change mechanism 36 tilts it to a forward-facing position with the entrance / exit 33A facing the front side Y1. In addition, in the forward-facing storage section 33, the entrance 33A is not directly to the side but faces slightly diagonally upward to prevent the prize P from falling out of the entrance 25 of the set returnable box 5.

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

[0066] 11, when the lowest prize P in the returnable box 5 loaded in the storage section 33 in the forward position reaches a position approximately at the same height as the flat section 43B of the payout belt 43 of the payout section 42 in the payout mechanism 41 in the payout position, the control section 61 stops the circular movement of the conveyor 32. At this time, the payout section 42 in 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 and positions 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 in a circular movement to rotate the payout roller 45. At this time, in the payout mechanism 41, the payout belt 43 moves in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the right side, and the payout roller 45 rotates counterclockwise. The push-out piece 43A attached to the circulating payout belt 43 moves horizontally to the front side Y1 on the flat portion 43B of the pay-out 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 to the front side Y1. In this way, the payout section 42 in the payout position pays out a prize P from one storage section 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, and is pushed toward the moving section 54, passing between the feed roller 45 and the opposing roller 46, and is placed on one of the receiving sections 55 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 feed section 42 in the returnable box 5 loaded in the storage section 33 in the forward-facing position are dispensed one by one in order, starting with 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 causes the conveying body 32 to move slightly in a circular motion, temporarily raising the storage unit 33, which is in a forward-facing position, and during this time moves the dispensing unit 42 in the left-right direction X. The control unit 61 then causes the conveying body 32 to move in a circular motion in the opposite direction, lowering the storage unit 33 to its original position, allowing the dispensing unit 42 to dispense a prize P from a storage space 24 other than the original storage space 24 from which the prize P was previously dispensed. In this case, the prize P dispensed from the other storage space 24 is accumulated in a receiving unit 55 other than the previous receiving unit 55 in the moving unit 54.

[0070] The payout unit 42 will be described in detail. Figure 12 is a schematic right side view of the payout unit 42 during a payout process. Assuming that the payout unit 42 is in the payout position, of the three rollers 44 arranged inside the payout belt 43 of the payout unit 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 attached to the frame 82, a count lever 84, a first sensor 85, a second sensor 86, and a second drive unit 87, and a rack-and-pinion mechanism 88. The frame 82 supports the payout roller 45, the counter roller 46, and the belt unit 80. While supported by the frame 82, the belt unit 80 is rotatable 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 it, and is also transmitted via the transmission belt 81 to the second roller 44B 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 of the count lever 84 is disposed in the gate space G between the payout 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 from the tip portion 84A. The second sensor 86 is a light-shielding sensor whose detection light is blocked by the pushing piece 43A when the second sensor 86 is in the standby position indicated by the dotted line.

[0073] The second drive unit 87 is configured, for example, by a stepping motor. The rack-and-pinion mechanism 88 includes a rack 88A, which is part of the belt unit 80 and extends downward Z2 while curving along the rotation direction 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 drive unit 87 is transmitted to the pinion 88B via a reduction gear (not shown), causing the pinion 88B to rotate. 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 drive unit 87. Changing the position of the belt unit 80 adjusts the height position of the push-out piece 43A of the payout belt 43. 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 moves the payout belt 43 in a circular motion to rotate 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. As a result, this prize P passes through the gate space G between the pay-out roller 45 and the opposing roller 46 and is delivered to the receiving unit 55 of the moving unit 54.

[0075] A 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, causing the count lever 84 to swing 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. Thereafter, 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 that was at the bottom of the returnable box 5 has been normally dispensed 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 its normal position with the flat portion 43B of the payout belt 43 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 into 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 Figure 13, it is assumed that a jamming error occurs in which the lowest prize P1 gets stuck in the gate space G, causing the remaining prizes P in the returnable container 5 to tilt downward toward the rear. When a jamming error occurs, even if the extrusion piece 43A returns to the standby position as the payout 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, blocking 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 must 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 payout belt 43 pushes the following prize P2 to the front side Y1 before the prize P1 has released 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 activates 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, and therefore 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 virtually separated, and 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 in the returnable container 5 (see Figure 12) is bent so that its rear end is shifted upward Z1, the push-out piece 43A that enters the opening 26 of the returnable container 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 miss error. When a miss 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 miss 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 engagement margin. Therefore, the control unit 61 activates the second drive unit 87 to raise the belt unit 80 to the retry position shown in Figure 14. Then, when the payout belt 43 moves in a circular motion, 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 prizes P in the returnable container 5 onto the moving unit 54 while resolving jamming errors and miss-fire errors as necessary. When all storage spaces 24 of the returnable container 5 set in the storage unit 33 (see the lower unit 12A in FIG. 11), which was previously in a horizontal position, are emptied, the control unit 61 raises the moving unit 54 to the payout unit 42 of the payout mechanism 41 of another payout unit 12 (the middle unit 12B in FIG. 15), as shown in FIG. 15. In the middle unit 12B, the payout mechanism 41 is in the payout position, and one storage unit 33 is in a forward-facing position on the payout unit 42, allowing the payout of prizes P from the returnable container 5 set in this storage unit 33. Therefore, the control unit 61 pays out prizes P from the returnable container 5 set in this storage unit 33 onto the moving unit 54.

[0083] When moving the moving unit 54 from the lower unit 12A to dispense a prize P from the middle unit 12B in this manner, the control unit 61 first rotates the dispensing mechanism 41 of the lower unit 12A to the retracted position, then moves the conveyor 32 around, and sets the storage unit 33 with another returnable box 5 in a forward-facing position in preparation for dispensing in the lower unit 12A. Then, as shown in FIG. 16 , the control unit 61 returns the dispensing mechanism 41 of the lower unit 12A to the dispensing position and lowers the moving unit 54 from which the prize P from the middle unit 12B has been dispensed. The control unit 61 then dispenses the prize P onto the moving unit 54 from the returnable box 5 set in the storage unit 33 in the forward-facing position in the lower unit 12A. This process of dispensing prizes P from multiple storage units 33 across the circular movement of the conveyor 32 in one dispensing unit 12 (the lower unit 12A in this explanation) is referred to as "crossing the rotary."

[0084] When crossing a rotary is required, as described above, while the moving section 54 moves to the payout section 42 of one of the payout units 12 (the unit to be paid out) and finishes receiving the prize P from that payout section 42, the payout sections 42 of the other payout units 12 move between the payout position and the retracted position, and the multiple storage sections 33 move in a circle (payout preparation operation). Thereafter, the moving section 54 receives the prize P from the payout section 42 of that other payout unit 12. In this way, when paying out prizes P from multiple payout units 12 collectively, the control section 61 effectively utilizes 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 that payout section 42, and prepares the other payout unit 12 (lower unit 12A in this explanation) to pay out the prize P (payout preparation operation).

[0085] In other words, the control unit 61 executes the payout of prizes P from the middle unit 12B and the payout preparation (payout preparation operation) 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. Furthermore, if the payout process can be completed in the shortest time in this way, 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 parlor. This reduces the number of replenishment processes and reduces the burden on store staff.

[0086] When the required number of prizes P have been dispensed onto the moving section 54, the dispensing process is completed. Then, the control section 61 starts the payout process. Specifically, the control section 61 slides the shutter 52 to the open position shown in FIG. 17. This opens the payout opening 13B on the top surface 13A of the door 13 to the upper side Z1. Then, the control section 61 raises the moving section 54 to the payout position shown in FIG. 17. By rising to the payout position, the moving section 54 moves to the payout opening 13B. In other words, the moving section 54 receives prizes P from each of the payout sections 42 of the multiple payout units 12 in order, and then rises to the payout opening 13B. As a result, the prizes P dispensed onto each moving section 54 of the moving section 54 are exposed to the upper side Z1 from the payout opening 13B and are paid out of the machine.

[0087] In this way, the moving section 54 is a common moving section for the payout sections 42 of the multiple payout units 12 mounted vertically, and receives the prizes P paid out by each of the payout sections 42 of the multiple payout units 12. Therefore, by providing a moving section 54 for each payout section 42, the prize payout 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 falling, its movement trajectory can be aligned along the vertical direction Z. This allows the prize payout 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 previously in the open position, 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 players from forgetting to collect the prize P and to shorten the time it takes to collect the prize P. Furthermore, since the payout opening 13B is provided on the door 13, the payout opening 13B is close to players positioned on the front side Y1 of the prize payout device 1, making it easy for them to collect the prize P paid out at the payout opening 13B. Furthermore, when one moving section 54 receives prize P from each payout 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 and transport prize P from each payout unit 12, thereby reducing errors such as prize P getting stuck at the joints.

[0089] 18 to 26 are diagrams showing examples of payout patterns 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 opening 13B, and this divides the payout opening 13B 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, from the left. Each of these dispensing sections 13D corresponds to one of the five receiving sections 55 that is located at the same position in the left-right direction X. Each pair of corresponding dispensing section 13D and receiving section 55 corresponds to one of the five storage spaces 24 (see FIG. 2) in the returnable box 5 set in the storage section 33 of each feeding unit 12 that is located at the same position in the left-right direction X.

[0091] In each of Figures 18 to 26, a prize P marked "Large" indicates a grand prize, a prize P marked "Medium" indicates a medium prize, and a 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 taking into consideration the ease of taking out the prizes P. For example, for prizes P that are 3 mm thick, the upper limit is 10. Therefore, multiple prizes P can be stacked in each payout section 13D up to the predetermined upper limit.

[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 corresponding to the payout instruction from the inventory data stored in the memory unit 64. This payout pattern is information about the payout destinations that minimize the number of payout sections 13D to which prizes P are to be paid out among the five payout sections 13D, and the type and number of prizes P to be paid out to those payout sections. The control unit 61 executes the payout process based on the determined payout pattern. Therefore, in the payout process of the payout process, the receiving unit 55 corresponding to the payout section 13D that is the payout destination receives the prize P from the storage unit 33 and transports it to that payout section 13D. Therefore, the control unit 61 and the receiving unit 55 function as an example of a payout unit that pays out prizes P from the storage unit 33 to the payout destinations. In this way, when the payout destination is configured with the minimum number of payout sections 13D, the player is less likely to miss the prize P paid out to the payout destination, and can receive the prize P without any hassle. Therefore, the prize payout device 1 can prevent the player from forgetting to collect the prize P, improving usability. A specific example will be explained below.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 18, when paying out a single type of prize P up to the upper limit number, 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. Multiple prizes P are paid out in a stacked state in the payout section 13D, which is the payout destination. This allows the player to receive multiple prizes P paid out to a single payout section 13D all at once, further improving the usability of the prize payout device 1. In this embodiment, the leftmost payout section 13DA is given priority as the payout destination, but other payout sections 13DA may also be given priority as the payout destination. This also applies to the following specific examples.

[0094] As shown in Figure 19, when more than the upper limit number of one type of prize P are to be paid out, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern in which these prizes P are paid out divided among multiple payout sections 13D, and executes the payout process to realize this payout pattern. In Figure 19, the upper limit number of prizes P are paid out in a stacked state in one payout section 13DA, and the remaining fractional number of prizes P are paid out in the adjacent payout section 13DB, ​​but the prizes P may also be paid out equally divided among 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 miss the prize P paid out to the payout section, and can more easily receive the prize P. Therefore, the prize payout device 1 prevents the player from forgetting to pick up the prize P, further improving usability. Note that, depending on the situation, the multiple payout sections 13D serving as payout destinations may not be adjacent but may be spaced apart. The same applies to the following specific examples.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 20, when multiple types of prizes P are to be paid out in total up to the upper limit, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern in which the prizes P are paid out in a stacked state, separated by type, in one of the payout sections 13D. In this case, the control unit 61 arranges the prizes P separated by type from the bottom Z2 in order of value (grand prize, medium prize, small prize, or vice versa). The control unit 61 then executes a payout process to realize this payout pattern. In this embodiment, because the grand prize is stored in the lower unit 12A, the medium prizes are stored in the middle unit 12B, and the small prizes are stored in the upper unit 12C, the prizes P are stacked in the payout section 13D in the order of grand prize, medium prize, and small prize from the bottom Z2. A 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 multiple types of prizes P are to be paid out in total in quantities greater than the upper limit, there are multiple payout sections 13D to which the prizes are to be paid out. In this case, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern in which these prizes P are paid out in a stacked state, separated by type, in each of the minimum number of payout sections 13D. In this case, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern so that prizes P of the same type are not paid out separately in multiple payout sections 13D. If the number of prizes P of a type that accounts for 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 will consolidate the prizes P of this type into one payout section 13D, and arrange the remaining prizes P of the types (small prizes and medium prizes in FIG. 21) in order of value in other payout sections 13D. The control unit 61 then executes a payout process to realize this payout pattern. In this case, the player can easily grasp the breakdown of each type of prize P paid out to the plurality of payout sections 13D. Therefore, the prize payout device 1 can be made even more user-friendly.

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

[0099] If the inventory of prizes P is decreasing and the number and variety of prizes specified in the payout instruction are large, it is expected that it will be difficult to realize the free payout pattern described above. Taking this into consideration, the control unit 61 determines a payout pattern based on the inventory data stored in the memory unit 64 using the following procedure. First, the control unit 61 calculates the acceptability of a first payout pattern (see Figures 20 and 23) in which multiple types of prizes P are paid out together in one payout section 13D. Regarding the acceptability of a payout pattern, if the moving unit 54 can pay out all of the prizes P by simply lifting up to the payout outlet 13B once during the payout process, the payout pattern is OK, and if the moving unit 54 cannot pay out all of the prizes P by simply lifting up to the payout outlet 13B once during the payout process, the payout pattern is not OK.

[0100] If the first payout pattern is NG, the control unit 61 calculates the acceptability of a second payout pattern (see Figure 21), which pays out prizes P in multiple payout sections 13D without dividing the same type of prize 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 (for example, the grand prize) is divided and paid out to one payout section 13D and another payout section 13D, and other types of prize P are also paid out to the other payout section 13D. In 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 to 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 each type of prize P to be paid out, so the player is less likely to overlook the prize P paid out to the payout destination and can receive the prize P without any hassle. Therefore, the prize payout device 1 prevents players 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 (for example, a grand prize and a medium prize) are each divided and paid out into one payout section 13D and another payout section 13D, and the other type of prize P (small prize) is also paid out into the other payout section 13D. In the fourth payout pattern, the grand prize and medium prizes are stacked in this order in one payout section 13D, and the remaining grand prizes, remaining medium prizes, 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 the acceptability of a fifth payout pattern (see FIG. 26) in which all prizes P of each type are divided and paid out into one payout section 13D and another payout section 13D. In the fifth payout pattern, the grand prize, medium prizes, and small prizes 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 adding one payout section 13D as the payout destination and repeating the calculations for the second to fifth payout patterns. Note that even if the number of payout sections 13D is increased to five (the maximum number), if it is not possible to pay out all prizes P by simply raising the moving unit 54 to the payout outlet 13B once, the control unit 61 determines the optimal payout pattern by repeating the calculations for the first to fifth payout patterns, taking into account the multiple raising and lowering of the moving unit 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 compartments 13D and the moving unit 54 are raised and lowered, thereby concentrating the prizes P in as few payout compartments 13D as possible and dispensing them with the minimum number of payouts. In the case of non-self-service prize dispensing devices, it is common for a store clerk to present the actual prizes P dispensed from the prize dispensing device to the player by type, and then stack and hand these prizes P to the player. In a self-service prize dispensing device 1 in which the exchange process for prizes P is performed by the player alone, there is no need to present the actual prizes P to the player by type. Multiple types of prizes P are concentrated in the payout compartment 13D and dispensed in a stacked state, allowing the player to receive the prizes P with minimal effort. This minimizes the effort required to gather multiple types of prizes P and prevents players from forgetting to pick up prizes P. As part of the payout process, the control unit 61 may notify the player of the information about the prize P to be paid out by displaying it on the display operation unit 4, for example.

[0106] Furthermore, if the prizes P are paid out preferentially starting 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 of each returnable box 5 in each dispensing unit 12 will be depleted in order. This makes it possible to minimize the number of storage spaces 24 that contain fractional prizes P, and allows store staff to easily visually check the inventory of prizes P in each returnable box 5.

[0107] The type of prize P to be placed in the returnable container 5 may be predetermined for each storage section 33 of each dispensing unit 12 and stored in the memory section 64. If a returnable container 5 containing a prize P of a type different from the designated type is placed in the storage section 33 during the replenishment 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. The control section 61 may continue the dispensing process by performing a degenerate operation in which the storage section 33 containing the incorrect type of prize P is excluded from the dispensing target in the subsequent dispensing process. The correctness of the type of prize P in each storage space 24 of the returnable container 5 may be temporarily stored in the memory section 64. In this case, in each storage section 33, only the storage space 24 containing the incorrect type of prize P may be excluded from the dispensing target, and the prizes P in the other storage spaces 24 may be paid out as normal prizes.

[0108] In addition to storage spaces 24 with an incorrect type of prize P, examples of storage spaces 24 that are not eligible for payout include storage spaces 24 where the counting and identification process could not be performed due to accuracy concerns due to the small number of prizes P stored (for example, less than five). Other examples include storage spaces 24 where the counting results of the prize P are unknown, and storage spaces 24 where the aforementioned clogging error or miss error has occurred. Even if such storage spaces 24 that are not eligible for payout exist, the prize payout device 1 operates in a degenerated state without causing an error downtime, so transactions can continue without keeping players waiting. Handling of storage spaces 24 that are not eligible for payout can be carried out during an idle time when there are no player transactions.

[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 host device for the prize payout device 1. There may be only one server 91, or the gaming system 90 may be configured with multiple servers. The gaming system 90 may further include a settlement machine 92 for cashing out prepaid value 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 banknote dispensing port 92B through which banknotes are dispensed, and a coin dispensing port 92C through which coins are dispensed. The settlement machine 92 may be installed near the prize payout device 1. The prize payout device 1 and the settlement machine 92 are each 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 players perform transactions themselves, there is a risk that players may forget to take their prize P or card with the prize payout device 1, and there is a risk that players may forget to take their card or settlement money with the settlement machine 92. Therefore, both the prize payout device 1 and the settlement machine 92 have a function that can collect leftover items and return them to the owner later if they are forgotten. This function can reduce the burden on store staff who deal with forgotten items.

[0111] With regard to leaving a prize P, card, or settlement money (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as "object") behind, each of the prize payout device 1 and the settlement machine 92 includes a residual sensor 93 that detects remaining objects and a human presence sensor 94 that detects the presence of a person nearby (see FIG. 4). In the prize payout device 1, if the residual sensor 93 detects that the object (e.g., prize P at the payout opening 13B) remains after a predetermined time has passed without any operation by the player after the object is dispensed, the control unit 61 determines that the object has been left behind. As another example, if the residual sensor 93 detects that the object remains even though the human presence sensor 94 does not detect a nearby player after the object is dispensed, the 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 or 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 flowchart showing the process when a prize P is left behind. When the control unit 61 of the prize payout device 1 determines that a prize P on the moving unit 54 has been 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 shut down (step S2). At this time, the control unit 61 notifies a store clerk of the error down by displaying a message on the display / operation unit 4 or sounding a buzzer, and stores in the memory unit 64 information indicating that a prize P was left behind during the current payout process. The information is stored in the memory unit 64 in association with the history of the current payout process. Furthermore, the information is sent to the server 91 in association with 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, such as the player's card identification information.

[0114] The prize P collected inside the device main body 3 remains on the moving part 54. If the player realizes that he left the prize P behind and immediately returns, inserting his card into the card slot 2A, the control part 61 will end the error down and notification, and will quickly return the prize P to the player from the payout opening 13B by sliding the shutter 52 to the open position again and raising the moving part 54 to the payout position. In this case, the left-behind information will store information that the prize P has been returned to the player.

[0115] Upon receiving the alert, the store clerk rushes to the scene and ends the error down and alert by operating the display operation unit 4, opens the door 13 to the open position (see Figure 5), and removes the prize P that was just collected from the moving unit 54. The store clerk then pulls out the payout unit 12 that had stored the prize P to the pull-out position (see Figure 6), returns the prize P to the returnable box 5 inside the payout unit 12, and returns the payout unit 12 to the storage position.

[0116] The store clerk then operates the display operation unit 4 so that the data for the prize P that was returned this time is managed separately from the inventory data for the prize P in the memory unit 64. In response to this, the control unit 61 reflects the data for 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, and 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 moving unit 54, the transaction may be able to continue without an error downtime occurring.

[0117] When a player who has forgotten to retrieve a prize P inserts the card into the card slot 2A on the same day or the following day, the control unit 61 refers to the payout history associated with the card. Alternatively, the control unit 61 may refer to the payout history associated with the player's card in response to a store clerk who receives a request from the player to return the forgotten prize P operating the display operation unit 4. If there is forgotten prize information associated with the history, the control unit 61 executes a payout process based on the data of the forgotten prize P in the forgotten prize information and returns the prize P to the player through the payout opening 13B (step S6). At this time, in consideration of the case where the player does not realize that he or she has forgotten to retrieve the prize P, the control unit 61 may notify the player via the display operation unit 4 or the like that the prize P was previously forgotten. The content of this notification may include data (type and number) of the forgotten prize P.

[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 payout unit 12, and hand the prize P in the payout unit 12 back to the player. Note that the left-behind information may include an image (photographed by a surveillance camera, etc.) of the player who left the prize P behind, and the prize P may be returned to the player after identity verification 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 information for that prize P in the memory unit 64 (step S7). At this time, the control unit 61 notifies the server 91 to update the forgotten prize information in the same way, and the server 91, having received the notification, updates the forgotten prize information to indicate that the prize P has been returned to the player (step S8).

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

[0121] There is a wholesaler that delivers prizes P to gaming establishments, and the wholesaler (strictly speaking, a staff member of the wholesaler) brings the prizes P packed in a returnable box 5 to the gaming establishment. When the wholesaler operates the display and operation unit 4 of the prize payout device 1, the lock on the payout unit 12 that is located in the storage position within the device main body 3 is released, so the wholesaler can open the door 13, pull out the payout unit 12 from the storage position, and replenish the prizes P into the payout unit 12. When the wholesaler has finished replenishing the prizes P, he returns the payout 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 complete.

[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 a labor shortage. If the wholesaler is responsible not only for replenishing the prize P but also for managing the inventory of the prize P after replenishment, the workload of the store clerk can be further reduced. In this case, the inventory of prizes P in the prize payout device 1 continues to be the wholesaler's inventory (property of the wholesaler), and the prizes P paid out to players from the prize payout device 1 are treated as prizes P delivered to the gaming facility, and compensation is paid by the gaming facility to the wholesaler. Meanwhile, the payout of prizes P from the prize payout device 1 remains the responsibility of the store clerk.

[0123] In this way, when a wholesaler and a gaming facility, which are separate organizations, handle the prizes P in 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 replenishment process to replenish the prizes P in the prize payout device 1, a second operation of the display operation unit 4 for a counting and identification process to check the inventory 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 generally only permitted to perform the fourth operation on the display operation unit 4, which is used for the payout process of paying out prizes P from the prize payout device 1 to players. Conversely, the fourth operation is not permitted for wholesalers, and the first and second operations are not permitted for clerks, but the third operation is permitted subject to the restrictions described below. The authority for these first to fourth operations, the relationship between the wholesaler ID and 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 operating mode depending on the wholesaler ID or clerk ID input via the display operation unit 4.

[0125] For example, when a wholesaler comes to deliver prizes P before the opening of an amusement parlor, and inputs the wholesaler ID using 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 inform the wholesaler that replenishment processing, counting identification processing, and error removal processing are possible. When the wholesaler performs a first operation on the display operation unit 4, the control unit 61 unlocks the payout unit 12 using the unit lock mechanism 18, and the wholesaler can pull out the payout unit 12, which is in the storage position, from the prize payout device 1 and replenish the payout unit 12 with prizes P.

[0126] When the wholesaler returns the dispensing unit 12, which has been refilled with prizes P, to the storage position and then performs a second operation on the display operation unit 4, the control unit 61 counts the number of prizes P refilled into the dispensing unit 12 using the detection unit 38 as a counting and identification process, prints the counting result using the receipt issuing unit 63 to create an inventory list, and issues it to the receipt issuing port 2B. The control unit 61 may also print an invoice based on this refill number using the receipt issuing unit 63 and issue it to the receipt issuing port 2B. In this way, the invoice amount for the prizes P may be determined based on the refill number, or the invoice amount may be automatically added each time a prize P is paid out in a subsequent dispensing process. The invoice amount after the automatic addition is the latest invoice amount determined at that time. In this way, the timing for determining the invoice amount may be set to either the time of refill (when the prizes are stored) or the time of payout (when the prizes are removed from the storehouse) by operating the display operation unit 4. Information on the determined invoice 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 a third operation on the display operation unit 4. This causes the control unit 61 to unlock the payout unit 12 using the unit lock mechanism 18, allowing the wholesaler to pull out the payout unit 12 and clear the error. A third operation by a store clerk may also be permitted. Instead of the third operation on the display operation unit 4 by the store clerk, the payout unit 12 may be unlocked by remote operation from the wholesaler after receiving a call from the gaming facility. Alternatively, the payout unit 12 may be unlocked by the store clerk entering a time-based one-time password notified by the wholesaler on the display operation unit 4. In either case, the store clerk can pull out the unlocked payout unit 12, remove the prize P, and refill it to clear the error.

[0128] When the store clerk returns the dispenser 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 counts the number of prizes P in stock in the dispenser unit 12 by executing a counting and identification process. If the stock number matches before and after the error occurred, 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 number does not match before and after the error occurred, the prize payout device 1 returns to its normal state, provided that this fact is stored as history in the memory unit 64 and reported to the wholesaler as necessary. If the stock number does not match before and after the error occurred, 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. Furthermore, the various features described above can be combined as appropriate.

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

[0131] 1 Prize payout device 3. Device body 11A aperture 12 Feeding unit (unit) 13 Door 13B Payment outlet 33 Storage area 42 Feeding section 54 Moving Section P Prize Z vertical direction

Claims

1. a device body provided with a prize payout outlet; A plurality of units each having a storage section for storing prizes and a plurality of payout sections for paying out prizes from the storage section, the units being arranged in a vertical direction within the device body; a moving part that can be raised and lowered and is common to the plurality of units, and that receives the prizes paid out by each of the units and rises to the payout opening; while the moving unit rises to a unit among the plurality of units that is a prize-setter and receives the prize from the unit that is a prize-setter, the other units among the plurality of units perform a payout preparation operation for the payout unit to pay out the prize; A prize payout device in which the moving unit rises to the payout outlet after receiving a prize from the payout unit of the other unit.

2. A prize payout device as described in claim 1, wherein the payout preparation operation of the other unit is performed in parallel with the payout of the prize from the unit to be paid out.

3. In each of the units, the plurality of storage sections are circumferentially movable, A prize payout device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the payout preparation operation includes the multiple storage sections included in the other unit moving in a circular motion.

4. In each of the units, the payout section is movable between a payout position where the prize is paid out from one of the storage sections and a retracted position where the prize is retracted from the payout position, A prize payout device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the payout preparation operation includes the payout section included in the other unit moving between the retracted position and the payout position.

5. A prize payout device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the multiple storage sections are arranged on a circular orbit within each unit.

6. A prize payout device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each storage section is capable of storing multiple prizes.

Images