Token Vending Machine

Abstract

To provide a token vending machine which allows convenient management of token coins stored in a coin storage box. [Solution] A token vending machine equipped with a plurality of coin storage boxes 3 that each store different types of token coins within a housing, each coin storage box 3 having a storage box main body 31, a coin discharge port 312a formed in the storage box main body 31, a display 34 arranged in the storage box main body 31, and an electronic chip arranged in the storage box main body 31 so as to be electrically connected to the display 34, which records quantity data of the token coins stored in the corresponding coin storage box 3 and displays the quantity data on the display 34.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a token vending machine, and more particularly to a token vending machine that displays the remaining amount of token coins. [Background technology]

[0002] Regarding conventional token vending machines, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, cash is inserted and exchanged for token coins of various denominations equivalent to the same amount, which can be used in gaming machines such as slot machines and table games.

[0003] However, the remaining amount of token coins in the current token vending machine must be recorded manually, and such manual recording and management not only requires high labor costs but also has the potential for oversights and errors in the records, so improvements are needed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Taiwan Utility Model Registration No. M515176 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a token vending machine that improves at least one of the problems of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a token vending machine comprising: a housing having a housing body and at least one holding member disposed within the housing body; and a plurality of coin storage boxes each storing different types of token coins and held by the holding member, The present invention provides a token vending machine, wherein each of the coin storage boxes is configured to have a storage box body, a coin discharge port formed in the storage box body, a display disposed on the storage box body, and an electronic chip disposed on the storage box body so as to be electrically connected to the display, which records quantity data of the token coins stored in the corresponding coin storage box and causes the quantity data to be displayed on the display. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In this invention, each coin storage box is equipped with a display and an electronic chip that records the quantity data of the token coins stored in the coin storage box and displays this quantity data on the display, which makes it easier to manage the token coins stored in each coin storage box and solves the problem of missing or incorrect records that occurs when managing them manually. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an embodiment of a token vending machine of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front panel module of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the front panel module of the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the coin removal box in the front panel module of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coin storage box of the same embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the coin storage box of the same embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a coin ejection guide member in the coin storage box of the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the coin storage box of the embodiment with the top plate omitted. [Figure 10]10 is a partial side view showing the positional correspondence relationship between the rail means of the front panel module, the coin removal box, and each coin storage box of the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In order to more clearly explain the objectives, technical means, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical means in the embodiments of the present invention in combination with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. It should be apparent that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention depicted and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided below in the accompanying drawings does not constitute any limitation on the protection scope of the present invention, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a token vending machine 10 of the present invention, and as shown, this token vending machine 10 sells entertainment token coins (not shown). The token vending machine 10 of this embodiment comprises a housing 1, a front panel module 2, and six coin storage boxes 3. The housing 1 has a housing main body 11 formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that opens toward the front, and two plate-like holding members 12 arranged vertically and spaced apart within the housing main body 11, and the six coin storage boxes 3 are arranged and held by the two upper and lower holding members 12 in two upper and lower rows of three each. Note that the number of coin storage boxes 3 is not limited to the above, and may be more than one. Furthermore, the number of holding members 12 is not limited to the above and can be adjusted according to the number of coin storage boxes 3 to be held, for example, and at least one must be placed. If the housing 1 has two holding members 12 placed vertically with a gap between them, at least one of the multiple coin storage boxes 3 can be held by the upper holding member 12, and at least one of the multiple coin storage boxes 3 can be held by the lower holding member 12.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5, the front panel module 2 is disposed in front of the housing body 11 and shields the front opening of the housing body 11, and the front panel module 2 has an upper wall portion 21 connected to the housing body 11, a front panel 22 connected to the peripheral edge of one side of the upper wall portion 21, a first lower wall portion 23 connected to the peripheral edge of the lower side of the front panel 22, a second lower wall portion 24 connected to the peripheral edge of the lower side of the upper wall portion 21, rail means 25 disposed on the inner surface of the front panel 22 facing the housing body 11, a coin withdrawal box 26 connected to the first lower wall portion 23, and a card reader 27 disposed on the upper wall portion 21, and a coin withdrawal opening 231 is formed in the first lower wall portion 23 so as to be connected to the coin withdrawal box 26.

[0012] The front panel 22 may be configured with a touch panel or a display and an operation panel, and serves as a user interface for operating the token vending machine 10 of the present invention. For example, the type and quantity of token coins to be purchased can be selected and input on the front panel 22. The coin withdrawal box 26 is configured to have a main body 261 arranged on the first bottom wall portion 23, a coin guide portion 262 arranged above the main body 261, and a door member 263 pivotally supported in front of the main body 261, the main body 261 defining an accommodation space 261a capable of accommodating token coins, the coin guide portion 262 being formed in a funnel shape that opens upward, and the door member 263 being located at a position corresponding to the coin withdrawal opening 231.

[0013] The rail means 25 extends vertically along the front panel 22 and has three first rail members 251 corresponding respectively to the three coin storage boxes 3 held by the upper holding member 12, and a second rail member 252 arranged below the first rail member 251 and having three second rail openings 252a formed therein corresponding respectively to the three coin storage boxes 3 held by the lower holding member 12.

[0014] 6 to 9, two upper and lower rows of three coin storage boxes 3 arranged and held by one upper and one lower holding member 12 each store different types (e.g., denominations) of token coins, and for example, different types of token coins having denominations of 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, etc. can be stored for each type in a total of six coin storage boxes 3. Each coin storage box 3 is configured to have a storage box main body 31, a coin discharge port 312a formed in the storage box main body 31, a display 34 arranged in the storage box main body 31, an electronic chip 36, and a power supply terminal 37.

[0015] Each storage box body 31 includes a bottom plate 311, a front plate 312 connected to the bottom plate 311, a rear plate 313 connected to the bottom plate 311 on the opposite side of the front plate 312, two side plates 314 connected to the bottom plate 311, the front plate 312, and the rear plate 313 and arranged parallel to each other, and a top plate 32 connected to the front plate 312, the rear plate 313, and each side plate 314. A coin discharge opening 312a is formed in the front plate 312, and a coin discharge guide member 33 is disposed in the coin discharge opening 312a, so that token coins stored in each coin storage box 3 can be discharged from the coin discharge guide member 33. Each coin discharge guide member 33 includes a curved guide plate 331 curved downward, two side plates 332 connected to the curved guide plate 331, and a top plate 333 connected to the two side plates 332. Furthermore, each coin storage box 3 is fitted with a handle 35 pivotally attached to the front plate 312, so that the entire coin storage box 3 can be conveniently removed from the holder 12 using the handle 35. An electronic chip 36 is disposed on the rear plate 313 of the storage box body 31 so as to be electrically connected to the display 34 and a counter (not shown) provided on the display 34 for detecting that a token coin is discharged from the coin discharge guide member 33, and the electronic chip 36 records the number data (remaining amount data) of token coins stored in the corresponding coin storage box 3, and updates the number data and displays this number data on the display 34 every time the counter detects that a token coin is discharged.

[0016] With this configuration, the number (remaining amount) of token coins stored in the coin storage box 3 can be easily seen on the display 34 when the front panel module 2 is opened, making it easy to manage, and eliminating the problem of missing or erroneous records that occur during manual management. Furthermore, the electronic chip 36 transmits this data to an external party (e.g., the casino's management department), allowing the external party to grasp and manage the remaining amount of token coins in each coin storage box 3 of each token vending machine 10. Then, for example, the casino's management department can dispatch personnel to replenish token coins to each token vending machine 10 at an appropriate time based on this quantity data (remaining amount data).

[0017] The power terminal 37 is located on the rear plate 313, and by connecting it to a cable that connects to an external power source (for example, a power outlet), it is possible to provide the electricity necessary to operate the display 34 and the electronic chip 36. Also, by installing an indoor positioning system (IPS) in the coin storage box 3, it is possible to determine the location of the coin storage box 3, thereby preventing theft or loss of the coin storage box 3.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2, 6 and 10, each first rail member 251 is arranged at a position corresponding to each coin discharge guide member 33 of each coin storage box 3 held by the upper holding member 12, and the second rail member 252 has three second rail openings 252a arranged at positions corresponding to each coin discharge guide member 33 of the three coin storage boxes 3 held by the lower holding member 12, so that when a user purchases token coins, the token coins from the coin storage box 3 corresponding to the type of token coin to be purchased are discharged from the coin discharge opening 312a through the coin discharge guide member 33 and fall into the coin withdrawal box 26, and the user can then manually open the door member 263 to obtain the purchased token coins.

[0019] The card reader 27 reads the amount deposited on a prepaid card (membership card), for example, and uses that amount to pay for the token coins purchased by the user; however, this can be achieved using conventional technology, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0020] In addition, the token vending machine 10 of the present invention may further include a bill acceptance module, a credit card payment module, an identity verification module (not shown), a two-dimensional code reading module (not shown), an anti-tilt sensor module (not shown), an uninterruptible power supply system (UPS, not shown), and a receipt generation module (not shown). The bill acceptance module allows users to pay with cash instead of a prepaid card (membership card), and the credit card payment module allows users to pay with a credit card instead of a prepaid card (membership card). The identity verification module requires users to insert their membership card to verify their identity. The two-dimensional code reading module can read a two-dimensional barcode (not shown) displayed on a user's mobile device, for example, to provide more convenient operation, and the receipt generation module can print and dispense a receipt listing the token coin purchase details. The anti-tilt sensor module can detect tilt of the housing 1 of the token vending machine 10 of the present invention, and can sound a siren when, for example, the token vending machine 10 is shaken and the coin storage box 3 is displaced, or when the token vending machine 10 of the present invention is carried away by a suspicious person. The uninterruptible power supply system can provide operating power to the token vending machine 10 of the present invention even when the power supply is cut off.

[0021] To sum up, the token vending machine 10 of the present invention has an electronic chip 36 that records the number of token coins stored in the coin storage box 3 and displays the number on the display 34, which makes it easier to manage the token coins stored in each coin storage box 3 and solves the problem of missing or incorrect records that occurs when managing them manually, thereby certainly achieving the purpose of the present invention.

[0022] The above-described embodiments are illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make slight changes or modifications to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention should be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0023] 10 Token Vending Machine 1 chassis 11. Main body 12 Retaining member 2 Front Panel Module 21 Upper wall 22 Front Panel 23 First lower wall portion 231 Coin removal opening 24 Second lower wall 25 Rail Means 251 first rail member 252 Second rail member 252a Second rail opening 26 Coin Removal Box 261 Main body 261a Containment Space 262 Coin Guide 263 Door parts 27 Card Reader 3 Coin Storage Box 31 Storage box body 311 Bottom plate 312 Front Plate 312a Coin outlet 313 Rear plate 314 Side Plate 32 Top plate 33 Coin ejection guide member 331 Curved guide board 332 Side plate 333 Top plate 34 Display 35 Handle 36 Electronic Chip 37 Power terminal

Claims

1. A token vending machine comprising: a housing having a housing body and at least one holding member disposed within the housing body; and a plurality of coin storage boxes each storing different types of token coins and held by the holding member, a coin dispenser formed in the storage box body; a display disposed on the storage box body; and an electronic chip disposed on the storage box body so as to be electrically connected to the display, the electronic chip recording quantity data of the token coins stored in the corresponding coin storage box, and displaying the quantity data on the display.

2. a front panel module disposed in front of the housing body; the front panel module is configured with a coin removal opening, a coin removal box disposed in the coin removal opening, and rail means disposed above the coin removal box at a position corresponding to the coin discharge outlet of each of the coin storage boxes, 2. The token vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the token coins stored in each of the coin storage boxes are discharged into the coin withdrawal box via the coin discharge openings and the rail means.

3. 3. The token vending machine according to claim 2, wherein each of the coin storage boxes has a storage box body formed to have a bottom plate, a front plate connected to the bottom plate, a rear plate connected to the bottom plate on the opposite side of the front plate, and two side plates connected to the bottom plate, the front plate, and the rear plate and arranged parallel to each other, and the coin discharge opening is formed in the front plate.

4. 4. The token vending machine according to claim 3, wherein each of the coin storage boxes has a coin discharge guide member disposed at the coin discharge port, and the token coins stored in each of the coin storage boxes are discharged via the coin discharge guide member.

5. 5. The token vending machine according to claim 4, wherein the coin ejection guide member has a curved guide plate formed in a curved shape so as to bend downward, two side plates connected to the curved guide plate, and an upper plate connected to the two side plates.

6. 4. The token vending machine of claim 3, wherein each of said coin storage boxes is fitted with a handle pivotally mounted to said front plate.

7. 4. The token vending machine of claim 3, wherein each of the coin storage boxes further comprises a top plate connected to the front plate, the rear plate and each of the side plates, and a power terminal disposed on the rear plate.

8. the front panel module further includes an upper wall portion connected to the housing body, a front panel connected to one peripheral edge of the upper wall portion, a first lower wall portion connected to a lower peripheral edge of the front panel, and a second lower wall portion connected to a lower peripheral edge of the upper wall portion; the coin removal opening is formed in the first bottom wall portion, and the coin removal box is connected to the first bottom wall portion; 3. The token vending machine according to claim 2, wherein said rail means is disposed on an inner surface of said front panel facing said housing body.

9. the housing has two holding members arranged vertically with a gap therebetween, at least one of the coin storage boxes being held by the upper holding member and at least one of the coin storage boxes being held by the lower holding member, 9. The token vending machine according to claim 8, wherein the rail means includes a first rail member extending vertically along the front panel and corresponding to the coin storage box held by the upper holding member, and a second rail member disposed below the first rail member and having a second rail opening formed therein that corresponds to the coin storage box held by the lower holding member.

10. the coin withdrawal box is configured to have a main body portion disposed on the first lower wall portion, a coin guide portion disposed above the main body portion, and a door member pivotally supported in front of the main body portion, 9. The token vending machine according to claim 8, wherein the main body defines a storage space capable of storing the token coins, the coin guide portion is formed in a funnel shape that opens upward, and the door member is disposed at a position corresponding to the coin removal opening.

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