Abstract:
An IC token for use in a machine such as a gaming device has an IC tag centrally located within a ring of electromagnet wave-absorbing material. The ring is designed to permit a peripheral attachment to the edges of the IC tag with appropriate molding dies to encapsulate the IC token in a resin. The IC token is adapted to be read by a selection device having an antenna along an inclined guide rail while eliminating the possibility of crosstalk between tokens.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is based on an application, number 2004-381357, filed in Japan on Dec. 28, 2004.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention is directed generally to the field of integrated circuit (IC) tags. More specifically the invention relates to the manufacture and use of IC tags with gaming tokens and gaming machines.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Gaming devices often require the user to place a token in the gaming device before the user can play a game. The user will place a coin shaped token into a machine and the machine will process the token recognizing the token as a form of payment. In processing the token, some devices take advantage of the size, shape, weight and rolling characteristics of the coin. Some gaming devices such as slot machines may use the token as an integral part of the game. Modem and more sophisticated gaming devices may even require the use of a token that can communicate with the gaming device. One way this can be accomplished is with the use of an IC tag embedded in or mounted on the token.  
         [0006]     Conventional IC tags consist of an integrated circuit (IC) attached to an antenna typically a small coil of wire, plus some protective packaging. IC tags can come in a variety of forms and sizes. Data is stored in the IC and transmitted through the antenna to a tag reader. IC tags can be either “passive” or “active”, that is they may be powered by electromagnetic energy from the reader or they may be battery powered. IC tags also can also be read-only, read/write, or a combination in which some data is permanently stored while other memory is left accessible for later encoding and updates.  
         [0007]     IC tags packaged in the form of a coin are commonly referred to as IC tokens. The packaging provides the look and feel of a coin, while the IC tag provides a digital storage medium. A gaming device may use information stored in the IC tag to verify the validity of the token or to determine its monetary value. IC tokens are commonly used in Japanese pinball machines, slot machines and other gaming devices. Many non-gaming devices also use IC tokens as a form of payment.  
         [0008]     Some special problems occur when an IC token is used in a gaming device. Many gaming devices process the IC token in the same manner as they would process a regular token or a coin. Typically, a token or coin is placed in a slot of a machine where it can be gravity fed past or through some mechanical and electrical measuring devices that determine validity and/or monetary value based on the weight, size, shape or rolling characteristics of the coin. Thus, these attributes are important in the design and manufacture of the IC token. This is especially true, when the token is an integral part of the gaming experience as in a slot machine or when the device uses the weight, size or shape of the token to determine monetary value.  
         [0009]     Conventional IC tokens sometimes feature an IC tag in which the integrated circuit is packaged in a light weight plastic resin such as polyphenyline sulfide. This produces an IC token that, compared with a regular token, is light weight and less durable. Such tokens are generally unsuitable for use in gaming devices because of the rigorous environments to which they are exposed. The packaging tends to break down over time as the IC tokens are fed into gaming machines, processed, and dropped into hoppers. However, the use of heavier more durable resins in such an IC token increases the cost of the IC token.  
         [0010]     Since these lightweight IC tokens cause problems for gaming devices, techniques have been developed to increase the weight of an IC token. Some IC token designs embed a metal plate with the IC tag in the packaging resin. Other designs increase weight by incorporating a high density material in the resin. Other IC tokens are formed by attaching a metal crest to the IC tag. Some IC tokens are packaged so that an oversized IC tag antenna forms the periphery of the IC token.  
         [0011]     Each of these methods for increasing the weight of the IC token can have some inherent problems. For instance, when a metal plate is embedded in the packaging, the metal plate absorbs some of the radio frequency energy generated by the tag reader resulting in less electromagnetic energy reaching the IC tag. If enough energy is absorbed by the metal plate, the IC tag will not receive enough energy to power itself or generate a signal robust enough for the IC reader to interpret. This problem may be overcome by having the token user orient the coin such that the metal plate is not between the IC tag antenna and the IC tag reader. This, however, places a substantive and unrealistic burden on the token user to orient each token before placing it in a gaming device.  
         [0012]     A composite IC token, formed by incorporating a high density powder or dense fibers in the resin also poses problems. For example, if an inexpensive dense conductive material such as iron is mixed in with the resin the design engineer encounters an engineering tradeoff. A high ratio of iron powder to resin results in the iron absorbing much of the tag reader&#39;s electromagnetic energy while a low ratio results in a light weight token. Use of even more dense materials such as tungsten has been tried but the relatively high cost of such materials makes it an impractical solution.  
         [0013]     Sometimes a metal crest is attached to an IC tag to increase its weight and durability. The crest remains affixed to the coin by contact pressure and friction. This solution is also impractical because many gaming parlors inscribe a trade name or an ornamental design on their gaming tokens. Etching, stamping or printing the name on the metal crest is expensive. Moreover, since the crest remains affixed to the token by contact pressure, the token and the crest often become separated during game play.  
         [0014]     Finally, there are some manufacturing difficulties with the conventional solution of arranging the IC antenna around the IC tag to form the periphery of an IC token. First, the circumference of the token is larger than necessary for an antenna, and the excessive conductive material required to form the periphery increases the cost of manufacturing the token. Second, since the antenna forms the periphery of the IC token, the antenna gage must be large, presenting packaging difficulties in joining the antenna and IC tag especially when they are joined on a semiconductor substrate.  
         [0015]     Accordingly, there is still a need to improve the manner in which IC tokens are rendered compatible for machine use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     An object of the present invention is to provide a low cost high density IC token.  
         [0017]     A second object of the present invention is to provide a durable IC token featuring an ornamental design.  
         [0018]     A third object of the invention is to provide a secure IC token that cannot be accessed unintentionally or illegally.  
         [0019]     A fourth object of the invention is to provide an injection molding die that produces the IC token described in the first three objects.  
         [0020]     A fifth object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing the IC token described in the first three objects.  
         [0021]     A sixth object of the invention is to provide a device that discriminates and separates valid IC tokens from other tokens.  
         [0022]     According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are obtained by; the IC token, the injection molding die, the method of manufacturing the IC token, and the selection device described in this disclosure.  
         [0023]     The IC token of the present invention in its various embodiments is characterized by many attributes that make it superior to conventional IC tokens. First, the IC token is durable and dense having a size, shape, and weight similar to a round or polygon shaped coin enabling gaming devices to process the coin in the same way they process conventional tokens. Thus gaming devices may use traditional technologies to process the token. The devices can use differences in size, shape and weight to determine the tokens value as a monetary substitute. The devices may also exploit the rolling characteristics using gravity fed systems that process the coin. In addition, because the IC token has physical attributes similar to conventional tokens and coins, the IC token can be more easily incorporated in games that use the token or coin itself as part of the gaming experience.  
         [0024]     Second, the IC token contains an embedded IC tag allowing gaming devices with an IC tag reader to communicate with the IC token. This enables gaming parlors and gaming machines to electronically store information in the IC token. For instance a gaming parlor may store the monetary value of the token on the IC tag. Validity information may also be electronically stored on the IC token enabling gaming devices to determine whether a particular IC token is a valid token for that particular device. A sophisticated gaming device may also read and write to the IC token providing an embedded electronic ledger capability.  
         [0025]     Third, the unique packaging of the IC tag allows a gaming device to process multiple tokens in a short period of time without inadvertently reading or writing simultaneously to multiple tokens. An insulating ring mounted around the periphery of the IC tag allows a gaming machine&#39;s tag reader to efficiently communicate with each token while reducing the possibility of IC token to IC token cross talk, radio frequency interference, or illegal access. The absence of a metal plate common in some IC tokens means the user may introduce the coin to a gaming machine without concern for the token orientation. And since the IC tag and the insulating ring are bonded through the resin cover, the possibility of the IC tag separating from the insulating ring during normal game play is minimized.  
         [0026]     Using an injection molding die of the present invention a manufacturer can mass produce the IC token efficiently and inexpensively. A manufacturer can bond an insulating ring quickly and easily to an IC tag module with an appropriate die. The molding die is designed to accept, align, and retain an insulating ring and IC tag module pair for injection molding. When the pair is placed in the die, hot resin, above the critical temperature of electronics in the IC tag can be injected into the molding die, bonding the IC tag to the insulating ring, without damage to the IC tag electronics.  
         [0027]     The injection molding process of the present invention allows a manufacturer to produce the IC token efficiently and inexpensively. Using this process an IC tag is placed into an insulating ring with retention members. The IC tag and insulating ring pair are held together through contact pressure. The pair are then placed on the injection molding die with the insulating ring and the outer circumference of the IC tag suspended in a resin chamber. Hot resin can then be introduced to the chamber without damaging the embedded electronics. When the resin cools, the ring is bonded to the IC tag and the manufacturer has an IC token suitable for use in gaming devices.  
         [0028]     The IC selection device of the present invention can be embedded inside a game machine. The IC selection device accepts an IC token and discriminates between valid and invalid IC tokens. The gaming machine senses the IC token, securely communicates with the IC token, determines whether it is a valid or invalid token, and separates valid from invalid tokens. The selection device may also write to the IC token using the IC token as a ledger. The selection device may also communicate information embedded in the IC token to the gaming machine. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the IC token.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of another embodiment of the IC token.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the IC token taken from the A-A line shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the IC tag module portion of the IC token.  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is an alternative embodiment of the insulating ring of the IC token.  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of a preferred embodiment of a molding die for producing the IC token.  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing selected steps during the injection molding process.  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is a diagram of the IC token selection device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention which set forth the best modes contemplated to carry out the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 1  shows the IC token  100  in a simplistic embodiment with a coin shaped IC tag module  102  surrounded by the insulating ring  104  with a resin cover  106  encapsulating the insulating ring  104  and bonding the insulating ring  104  to the perimeter of the IC tag module  102 . The insulating ring  104  circumscribes the disc shaped IC tag module  102  and serves to prevent unintentional and illegal access of the IC tag by attenuating electromagnetic signals radially disposed to the IC tag module  102 , protect the IC tag module  102  from mechanical forces, and increase the weight and durability of the IC token  100 . Accordingly, the insulating ring  104  is composed of a dense electromagnetic wave absorbing material.  
         [0040]     There are many suitable choices of materials for the insulating ring  104 . An inexpensive ferromagnetic metal such as iron may be the best choice because of its weight, durability, and wave absorbing characteristics. Brass, nickel, copper and stainless steel may also be good choices since a metallic insulating ring  104  can be formed easily and inexpensively using a punch press. To prevent rust the insulating ring  104  may also be covered with a rust proof protective covering. The insulating ring  104  may also be composed of a nonmetallic wave absorbing material such as a carbon composite.  
         [0041]     There are also many suitable materials for the resin cover  106 . The resin material should be chosen in part based on its durability and its thermal and electrical properties. A preferred resin choice is polyphenyline sulfide (PPS).  
         [0042]      FIG. 2  shows an alternate embodiment of the IC token  100 . The basic features from  FIG. 1  remain with some variation in form. The insulating ring  104  still features an outer circumference in the form of circular ring  118 , however, the inner circumference now features a plurality of retention members  120 . The retention members  120  serve to support and hold the IC tag module  102  when it is placed in the insulating ring  104  before the injection molding process. The contact area between the retention members  120  and the IC tag module  102  is small to reduce heat transfer from the insulating ring  104  to the IC tag module  102  during the injection molding process. Through holes  124  facilitate the flow of resin around the insulating ring  104  during the injection molding process. Positioning holes  122  accommodate positioning pins  142  for alignment of the insulating ring  104  in a molding die (not shown).  
         [0043]     In this embodiment, positioning holes  122  are strategically placed in the retention members  120  further reducing heat transfer from the insulating ring  104  to the IC tag module  102  during the injection molding process. However in alternate embodiments, the positioning holes  122  may be placed anywhere on the insulating ring  104  or on the outer perimeter of the IC tag module  102 .  
         [0044]     In this embodiment the positioning holes  122  are circular. However in alternate embodiments the positioning holes may be square, rectangles, polygons or any other suitable shape.  
         [0045]     In this embodiment the circular ring  118  is a circular ring. However, in alternate embodiments the ring may be a quadrangle, a polygon or any other suitable shape.  
         [0046]     In this embodiment there are three through holes  124 . However, alternate embodiments may feature any number of through holes  124  or none at all. Through holes  124 , if used, should be strategically placed to enhance the flow of resin around the insulating ring during the injection molding process.  
         [0047]     This embodiment shows three circular retention members  120 . Three provides mechanical stability and minimizes heat transfer. However, alternate embodiments may feature any number of retention members or, as in  FIG. 1 , none at all. The retention members may be circular, triangular, square, rectangular or any other suitable shape.  
         [0048]     In this embodiment, the resin cover  106  does not completely encapsulate the insulating ring  104 , since the retention members  120  are in contact with the IC tag module  102 . The positioning holes  122  may or may not be covered by the resin cover  106  depending on whether the positioning pins  142  are retracted the injection molding process. The use of optional retention pins (not shown) during the injection molding process will also leave portions of the insulating ring  104  exposed.  
         [0049]      FIG. 3  is the A-A cross section of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . The IC tag module  102  is lenticular in shape and consists of an IC tag  108  encapsulated within a protective covering  116 . Positioning holes  122 B and  122 C accept positioning pins  142  that align the insulating ring  104  in the molding die (not shown). This view shows the circular ring  118  portion of the insulating ring  104  next to positioning holes  122 B and  122 C.  
         [0050]     In this embodiment, the upper side surface  128  and the lower side surface  130  of the resin cover  106  are flat. The injection molding die may feature a template with lettering or an ornamental design that leaves an impression on the upper side surface  128  and/or the lower side surface  130  of the resin cover  106 . Stickers or a stamp pad can also be used to mark the resin cover  106  or the protective covering  116 .  
         [0051]     In this embodiment, the lenticular shaped IC tag module  102  is recessed between two imaginary planes extending from the upper side surface  128  and the lower side surface  130  protecting the IC tag module  102  from mechanical forces. The resin cover  106  outer circumference is flat from upper side surface  128  to lower side surface  130  forming a thin cylinder that allows the IC token  100  to roll smoothly down an inclined rail (not shown).  
         [0052]     The protective covering  116  may be composed of any suitable encapsulating resin. In a preferred embodiment, the protective covering  116  and the resin cover  106  are composed of the same or similar material so that during injection molding process the protective covering  116  and the resin cover  106  are fused together. However, in alternate embodiments the resin cover  106  may be composed of a different material than the protective covering  116 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an IC tag module  102 . The IC tag module  102  consists of an IC tag  108  encapsulated in the protective covering  116 . The IC tag  108  consists of a circular antenna  114  and an integrated circuit (IC)  112  disposed on a semiconductor substrate  110 . The IC tag  108  portion of the IC token enables a tag reader (not shown) to communicate with the IC  112 . The tag reader may retrieve or store information on the IC  112 .  
         [0054]     Although, in this embodiment the circular antenna  114  is circular it may also be disposed in any topology suitable for collecting/radiating electromagnetic energy from/to the tag reader (not shown).  
         [0055]     In this embodiment the antenna and the IC are joined via a semiconductor substrate. In an alternate embodiment the antenna is coupled to the IC without the use of a substrate  110 .  
         [0056]     The protective covering  116  may be composed of any suitable material. Many IC tags  108  use a resin such as polyphenylene sulfide because of its durability and excellent thermal and electrical properties.  
         [0057]      FIG. 5  shows yet another embodiment of the IC token where the insulating ring  104  features a cutout  126  that increases the radio frequency range between the IC tag module  102  and the tag reader (not shown).  
         [0058]      FIG. 6  is an embodiment of the injection molding device used to make the IC token  100 . The injection molding device is designed to accept an IC tag module  102  that has been fitted into the insulating ring  104 . The lower die  132  contains a lower retention portion  134  that cradles the center of the IC tag module  102 . The lower die  132  also feature a concave cavity structure that forms a portion of a resin chamber  140  where resin flows during the injection molding process. Positioning pins  142  mate with the positioning holes  122  when the IC tag module  102  and insulating ring  104  pair are placed on the lower dye. In this position, the IC tag module  102  rests on the lower retention portion  134  with the insulating ring  104  suspended above the concave cavity structure. During the injection molding process, the positioning pins  142  retract to a position where the edge of the positioning pin forms a portion of the resin chamber  140 .  
         [0059]     The lower die  132  also contains a lower cooling compartment  136  proximate to the lower retention portion  134 . A cooling fluid or gas is forced in or out of the compartment to control the temperature of the IC tag module  102  and the resin during the injection molding process. The lower die  132  temperature is maintained hot enough for the liquid resin to flow freely and cool enough so that the IC tag module  102  is not damaged.  
         [0060]     During the injection molding process an upper die  146  rests on the lower die  132  with the upper retention portion  148  cradling the center of the IC tag module  102 , forming the resin chamber  140  around the insulating ring  104  and the periphery of the IC tag module  102 .  
         [0061]     When the positioning pins  142  mate with positioning holes  122 , the injection inlets  152  are adjacent to through holes  124  allowing the resin to easily flow from the upper portion of the resin chamber  140  to the lower portion of the resin chamber  140 .  
         [0062]     The upper die  146  and lower die  132  feature upper and lower retention pins  154 U and  154 B, respectively. The retention pins  154  extend from both the upper die  146  and the lower die  132  die into positioning holes  122  to provide extra stability during the injection molding by securing the insulating ring and dampening vibrations.  
         [0063]     The retention pins  154  may feature a planar portion  155  where the positioning pins mate with the insulating ring  104  to further support the insulating ring  104 . Since the retention pins  154  do not retract during the injection molding process, the resin cover  106  will feature holes where the retention pins  154  supported the insulating ring  104 .  
         [0064]     The upper die  146  contains an upper cooling compartment  150  proximate to the IC tag retention portion. Operating similarly to the lower cooling compartment  136 , the upper cooling compartment  150  is cooled by forced air or fluid.  
         [0065]     Although, this embodiment features both positioning pins  142  and retention pins  154 , alternate embodiments may feature only retention pins  154 , only positioning pins  142 , or neither. This embodiment shows retention pins  154  mating with positioning holes  122 . Alternate embodiments may feature retention pins  154  that make contact directly with the insulating ring  104  without the need for a coupling feature like positioning holes  122 .  
         [0066]     Although this embodiment features both a lower cooling compartment  136  and an upper cooling compartment  155 , an alternate embodiment includes either a lower cooling compartment  136  or an upper cooling compartment  155 .  
         [0067]      FIG. 7  illustrates selected sequential steps in producing an IC Token  100 .  FIG. 7   a  shows a commercially available IC tag module  102 .  FIG. 7B  shows a base module  144  formed by inserting the IC tag module  102  into the insulating ring  104 , with retention members  120  of the insulating ring  104  holding the IC tag module  102  through contact pressure.  FIG. 7   c  shows the base module  144  being preheated to a temperature that will allow the free flow of resin during the injection molding process. (This step may be omitted if heating is not needed to insure the free flow of molten resin).  FIG. 7D  shows the base module positioned on the lower die  132  such that the positioning pins  142  mate with the position holes  122 . The IC tag module  102  is pressed into the lower die until the IC tag module  102  is cradled by the lower module retention portion.  
         [0068]     Next, the upper die  146  is set in place.  FIG. 7   e  shows the structure formed by the upper die  146  and the lower die  132  when the upper die is set in place. Resin chamber  140  is formed around the insulating ring  104  and the outer circumference of the IC tag module  102  with through holes  124  adjacent to the injection inlets  152 . If retention pins  154  are used, the pins emerge from recessed positions to secure the insulating ring  104 . Positioning pins  142  are then retracted. Next, a molten resin is injected into the resin chamber  140  from the injection inlets  152  while the IC tag module  102  is cooled by the lower cooling compartment  136  and upper cooling compartment  150 . When the resin cover  106  has been formed and hardened the retention pins  154  are retracted. The upper die  146  is translated up away from the lower die  132 . The finished IC token  100  is then removed from the lower die  132  with or without the aid of optional ejection pins (not shown).  
         [0069]      FIG. 8  shows the selection device  160  of the present invention. The selection device is embedded in a game machine  162  or other electronic device. The selection device contains a slot  164  that accepts an IC token  100 . The slot  164  width and height are slightly larger than the IC token  100  width and diameter, respectively, preventing larger tokens from being introduced into the selection device  160 . An inclined path  166  is formed by an inclined rail  168  and two supporting walls (not shown). The supporting walls are separated by a width slightly larger than the IC token  100  width. The inclined rail  168  is inclined down from the slot  164  so a coin introduced into the slot will roll to the end of the inclined rail  168 . One of the supporting walls (not shown) may be slide-ably disposed to allow the removal of a jammed IC token  100 .  
         [0070]     When an IC token  100  is introduced into the slot  164  it will roll downhill past an optional material sensor  170  and a tag reader antenna  172  mounted on a base plate  174 . The material sensor will sense the IC token  100  and alert a microprocessor  196 . The tag reader antenna  172  is connected with a tag reader  202  that communicates with the microprocessor  196 . When the IC token rolls by the tag reader antenna  172 , the tag reader  202  will read the electronic data embedded on the IC token and communicate the information to the microprocessor  196 . A tag writer  206  may also write information to the IC token  100  as the coin continues to roll by the tag reader antenna  172 .  
         [0071]     The tag reader antenna  172  is deliberately elongated to extend the amount of time the tag reader  202  and tag writer  206  can communicate with the rolling IC token  100 . Optimally, the tag reader antenna  172  should be at least two times the length of the circular antenna  114 .  
         [0072]     During the read write process, the insulating ring  104  attenuates electromagnetic energy radiated in a radial direction from the circular antenna  114  preventing unintentionally or illegal access of IC token  100  data.  
         [0073]     In this embodiment, the base plate  174  is located some distance away from the slot  164  to minimize the electromagnetic energy that escapes through the slot. The insulating ring  104  also attenuates electromagnetic energy radiating toward the slot  164 . This helps prevent unintentional or illegal access of information on the IC token  100 .  
         [0074]     The optional material sensor  170  can also be used to determine the validity of the IC token  100 . The material sensor  170  can check to see if the insulating ring  104  is composed of the correct material adding yet another security feature.  
         [0075]     The microprocessor  196 , will determine if the IC token  100  is valid. If the token is valid the IC token  100  will continue to the end of the inclined rail  168  where it will drop into a distribution path  176  trigger an acceptance sensor  186  via a contact element  188  and fall further into a acceptance inlet  184 . When the acceptance sensor  186  is triggered, a signal is sent from the acceptance sensor  186  to the microprocessor  196  indicating that a valid IC token  100  has been deposited. If the IC token  100  is invalid the microprocessor  196  will activate a distribution gate  178  that directs the IC token to a return outlet  173  via a return path  180 . Thus a regular coin, a coin from another gaming parlor or any other invalid coin will be returned to the user.  
         [0076]     In a more complex embodiment, the IC token  100  may serve as an electronic ledger. For instance, the IC token  100  may have a value of 1000 yen. The IC token  100  will have that value stored in the IC  112 . When the IC token  100  passes by the tag reader the tag reader will read the 1000 yen. The microprocessor  196  will deduct the cost of the game play, for example 100 yen. Then, the microprocessor will command the tag writer  206  to write 900 yen, the value remaining onto the IC  112 . The microprocessor then triggers the distribution gate  178  feeding the IC token  100  through the return path  180  to the return outlet  173 . If the microprocessor  196  calculates a zero balance the microprocessor  196  will trigger a solenoid  182  to retract the distribution gate  178  and allow the IC token  100  to fall in the acceptance inlet  184 .  
         [0077]     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the amended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.