PAPER SHEET PROCESSING DEVICE

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a paper sheet processing device with a reduced number of components for detecting the presence of paper sheets on a conveyance path and which is capable of reducing costs. To achieve this aim, the paper sheet processing device has: an insertion port where paper sheets are inserted; a conveyance path along which paper sheets inserted into the insertion port are conveyed; sensors (10, 13, 32) that detect whether or not paper sheets are present on the conveyance path; a read unit (30) capable of reading inserted paper sheets; and a control unit that performs paper sheet detection processing whereby paper sheets present on the conveyance path are detected, based on the detection results of the sensors (10, 13, 32) and the read results of the read unit (30).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a paper sheet processing device configured to process a bill, an information recording medium in the form of card, a piece of paper recording thereon information such as a barcode (all of these are hereinafter collectively referred to as paper sheets).

BACKGROUND ART

Traditionally, for example, in a game arcade, a casino, or the like, a card processing device (hereinafter also referred to as card reader/writer) is set up which writes various information such as personal information of a user or game information into a recording medium in the form of card (magnetic card, IC card, or the like), or reads information recorded. Such a card processing device is required to be capable of grasping the presence of a card inserted therein. This is because, in cases where the card processing device is shut down for some reasons (power outage, breakdown, or the like), if the card processing device is not able to grasp the presence of the card after recovery (when initialized), the manager of the device need to do a work for confirming the presence of the card by opening the card processing device.

To address this issue, for example, PTL 1 discloses a card processing device configured to execute a process of confirming whether a card is in the conveyance path, by using a sensor, during a recovering process. With such a card processing device, the manager no longer needs to conduct the work for confirming whether a card is in the conveyance path when recovering, after the card processing device is shut down.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

• [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 128912/2005 (Tokukai 2005-128912)

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

To reliably grasp the presence of the card when the card processing device is shut down as hereinabove described, the number of sensors installed needs to be increased. However, doing so causes an increase in the number of components for detecting the card in the conveyance path, which leads to an increase in the costs.

The present invention is made in view of the above problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a paper sheet processing device with a reduced number of components for detecting a paper sheet in the conveyance path, which enables reduction of the costs.

Technical Solution

To achieve the object, an aspect of the present invention described in claim 1 is a paper sheet processing device including an insertion port through which a paper sheet is inserted, a conveyance path in which the paper sheet inserted into the insertion port is conveyed, a sensor for detecting the paper sheet in the conveyance path, and a read unit capable of reading the paper sheet inserted, the paper sheet processing device, including a control unit configured to execute paper sheet detection processing for detecting the paper sheet in the conveyance path, based on a detection result from the sensor and a read result from the read unit.

In the paper sheet processing device, for example, after the device is shut down, the sensor detects the paper sheet and the read unit which reads the paper sheet also performs a detection process to check if there is a paper sheet. Therefore it is possible to reduce the number of sensors mounted in the conveyance path, while enabling reduction of the costs for the device.

Another aspect of the present invention described in claim 2 is the paper sheet processing device adapted so that the control unit executes the paper sheet detection processing before the paper sheet is inserted into the insertion port.

In the structure, the paper sheet detection processing is executed before the paper sheet is inserted. This disables insertion of two or more paper sheets in a row mistakenly, which contributes to reliable prevention of troubles in conveying a paper sheet, or clogging by a paper sheet.

Another aspect of the present invention described in claim 2 or 3 further including a conveyor configured to convey the paper sheet in the conveyance path, wherein when the paper sheet is detected by the paper sheet detection processing, the control unit performs the paper sheet detection processing again after the paper sheet is conveyed by the conveyor.

In the structure, the paper sheet detection processing is executed again after the conveyance of the paper sheet by the conveyor. This enables, for example, reliably grasping a situation where the paper sheet is not conveyed by the conveyor due to slippage or the like.

Advantageous Effects

The present invention realizes a paper sheet processing device with a reduced number of components for detecting a paper sheet in the conveyance path, which enables reduction of the costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire structure of an exemplary paper sheet processing device (card processing device) related to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where a card storage is opened in the card processing device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the card processing device shown in FIG. 2, which is viewed from the opposite side.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the card processing device shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the card processing device shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the card processing device shown in FIG. 1, which is viewed from a side.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the card storage, wherein (a) is a diagram showing a state where the number of cards is small; (b) is a diagram showing a state where the storage is full of cards; (c) is a diagram showing a state where the casing structuring the card storage is opened.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a driving mechanism which individually drives the shutter and the pressing unit.

FIG. 9 shows gears structuring the driving mechanism, wherein (a) is a diagram showing one aspect of the gears, and (b) is a diagram showing another aspect of the gears.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mode of individually driving the shutter and the pressing unit, wherein (a) is a diagram showing a reference position, (b) is a diagram showing a state where only the shutter is driven, and (c) is a diagram showing a state where only the pressing unit is driven.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an exemplary structure of a control unit which controls an operation of the card processing device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart (Part 1) showing a control operation of the card processing device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart (Part 2) showing a control operation of the card processing device.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart (Part 3) showing a control operation of the card processing device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart (Part 4) showing a control operation of the card processing device.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart (Part 5) showing a control operation of the card processing device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes one embodiment of a paper sheet processing device related to the present invention, with reference to attached drawings. Note that the paper sheet processing device of the present embodiment is settable for various gaming machines set up in hotels, casinos, game arcade, or the like, and is a device (hereinafter, card processing device) configured to process a user-owned recording medium in the form of card (hereinafter, card). The card processing device of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of reading, rewriting information recorded on the card inserted by the user, and collecting and issuing a card as needed. Further, the card processing device of the present embodiment is configured to be able to process a plurality of types of cards (magnetic cards, IC cards, IC/magnetic cards).

First, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, the entire structure of the card processing device of the present embodiment is described.

Of these figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire structure of the card processing device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the card storage in the card processing device of FIG. 1 is opened. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the card processing device shown in FIG. 2, which is viewed from the opposite side. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the card processing device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the card processing device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the card processing device shown in FIG. 1, which is viewed from a side.

The card processing device 1 has a base 1A having a frame 1B to which various components are mounted. When the device 1 is set in a not-shown gaming machine, a front surface 2 integrally formed with the frame 1B is exposed to the outside. The front surface 2 has an insertion port 2a capable of receiving and ejecting a card. A user inserts his/her own card (magnetic card, IC card, IC/magnetic card) C into the insertion port 2a, and when the game ends, the card C is returned to the user or collected (in the present embodiment, the cards to be collected are IC cards and IC/magnetic cards). Therefore, the frame 1B is provided with card storage 5 capable of accommodating cards which are inserted by users and collected. Note that the insertion port 2a preferably has a curvature to make its middle portion opened wider in an up-down direction, so as to enable insertion of a bent card. Further, the cards accommodated in the card storage 5 may be cards on which new information is recorded and issued to users.

The card C has various information such as information about the user (ID information), information about the gaming value (amount-of-money information), or the like recorded thereon, which are read or rewritten by a reader/writer (read unit) mounted inside. Note that such information is handled by a not-shown external device, and the user is able to receive various game media within a range of the amount-of-money information recorded on the card to play games. Further, the game information of the user, for example, may be also handled as tracking information. In regard to the amount-of-money information, point information or the like may be awarded which is used in a game arcade, or separately exchanged with an amount of money value.

The frame 1B is provided with a card conveyance path 6 configured to convey the card in the same direction the card was inserted. In the present embodiment, the conveyance process is made different depending on whether the card inserted is a magnetic card or an IC card (including a magnetic/IC card). Specifically, when the card inserted is a magnetic card, the card, when inserted by the user, is stopped at a predetermined position (at a position such that the trailing end of the card project from the insertion port 2a). That is, in cases of the magnetic card, the card is not conveyed to inside the device, and is stopped at a predetermined position, to read the information for processing (in some cases, rewriting process) at that position.

To this end, the card conveyance path 6 has a shutter 8 for stopping the card inserted at a position such that the trailing end of the card projects from the insertion port 2a. This shutter 8 is driven to open or close according to the type of the cards inserted. The specific structure of the shutter 8, and the method of opening/closing drive are detailed later.

In the card conveyance path 6 is arranged an insertion detection sensor 10 for detecting insertion of the card, which is on the insertion port 2a of the position where the shutter 8 is mounted (see FIG. 6). Further, a reader/writer (magnetic head) 12 capable of reading/rewriting magnetic information is mounted in a position facing the insertion detection sensor 10, specifically, in a position corresponding to a magnetic information recording area (formed in a shape of a belt extended in a conveyance direction) on the magnetic card to be inserted (see FIG. 3). Further, in a position immediately before the position where the shutter 8 is mounted, there is a magnetic information reading completion sensor 13 which detects completion of reading magnetic information by the magnetic head 12 (see FIG. 6). Since the magnetic information is recorded on a belt-like magnetic seal attached to the card, this magnetic information reading completion sensor 13 is in a position at which the magnetic seal on the card inserted is read. In other words, by detecting the leading end of the card inserted by the magnetic information reading completion sensor 13, the signal indicating the completion of reading the magnetic information is generated. Note that the insertion detection sensor 10 and the magnetic information reading completion sensor 13 also have a function of a card position detection sensor which detects the card in the card conveyance path 6, in addition to the above described detection process.

At the downstream of the shutter 8 is mounted a card conveyor 15 capable of conveying a card. The card conveyor 15 of the present embodiment is capable of conveying the card inserted from the insertion port 2a in the direction of the insertion, and capable of conveying a card in the device main body towards the insertion port 2a. The conveyor 15 has a drive motor 20 serving as a drive source mounted to the frame 1B, and a plurality of drive rollers 22, 23, 24 rotated by the drive motor 20 and capable of conveying the card. In this case, the drive rollers 22, 23 are mounted upstream of the card storage 5, and the drive roller 24 is arranged inside the card storage 5.

The drive rollers 22, 23, 24 are attached to the middle positions of the drive shafts 22a, 23a, 24a which rotatably crosses the frame 1B, respectively. The drive shaft 24a is rotated by having a gear 24c fixed to its end portion engaged with an output gear 20a fixed to an output shaft of the drive motor 20. Further, the drive shaft 24a has at its end portion on the opposite side a pulley or a timing pulley (hereinafter, pulley) 24d, and the pulley 24d is connected with the pulley or timing pulleys 22d, 23d provided on the end portions of the drive shafts 22a, 23a, via a conveyor belt 25. This way, the drive rollers 22, 23, 24 are driven in sync with one another with the rotation of the drive motor 20. Note that, as illustrated in the figure, the conveyor belt 25 may be wound about a tension roller as needed so as to prevent loosening of the conveyor belt 25.

The drive rollers 22, 23, 24 are provided with pinch rollers 22p, 23p, 24p facing the drive rollers 22, 23, 24, respectively. The card inserted into the insertion port 2a is conveyed through nip portions between the drive rollers and the pinch rollers. The pinch rollers are fixed to spindles 22f, 23f rotatably supported in the frame 1B, and a spindle 24f rotatably supported inside the card storage 5 (casing 5A), respectively. Note that the pinch roller 24p provided in the casing 5A functions as a pressing roller which applies a biasing force to the uppermost one of cards stacked and accommodated.

Inside the frame 1B is mounted an IC reader/writer (RFID antenna; read unit) 30 capable of reading/rewriting information to an IC chip embedded to an IC card inserted. The IC reader/writer 30 is disposed in a middle portion at a position where the drive rollers 22, 23 are arranged. The IC card inserted is temporarily stopped while its trailing end is sandwiched between the drive roller 22 and the pinch roller 22p, and its leading end is sandwiched between the drive roller 23 and the pinch roller 23p, and the IC reader/writer 30 performs reading/rewriting of information during this state. Further, in the card conveyance path 6, a card position detection sensor configured to detect the card position is arranged immediately in front of the card storage 5 (see FIG. 6).

Note that, in the present embodiment, the magnetic information reading completion sensor (card position detection sensor) 13 and the card position detection sensor 32 are mounted, spaced from each other by a distance longer than the length of the card to be handled, relative to the conveyance direction. The IC reader/writer (RFID antenna; read unit) 30 is mounted between these sensors 13 and 32. This way, even when the sensors 10, 13, 32 are not able to detect the position of the card, the presence of the card is confirmed by obtaining the card information from the IC reader/writer 30 (by reading the ID information of the card). In other words, it is possible to reduce the number of sensors mounted for detecting the card position, with a setting such that the ID information of the card is obtained from the IC reader/writer 30, when a predetermined control operation is performed in a later-described control unit.

Next, the following describes components related to the structure of the card storage 5 for accommodating cards. The card storage 5 has a casing 5A in a shape of substantially rectangular parallel piped, in which cards inserted are stacked and accommodated. The casing 5A has on its trailing end side a spindle 40, and this spindle 40 is rotatably supported by the frame 1B, so as to be rotatable about the frame 1B as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Note that FIG. 1 shows the closed state (locked state), and FIG. 2 shows the opened state.

At the lower part of the front end surface of the casing 5A is an opening 41 corresponding to the shape of the card, which enables the cards to be carried in. The cards carried in the casing through the opening 41 are successively stacked. Carrying in the cards into the casing 5A, and carrying out of the cards accommodated in the casing 5A are done by the drive roller 24.

In the present embodiment, the cards carried into the casing 5A are stacked successively on the lower side of the other, and the pinch roller 24p is placed on the upper most one of the cards being stacked so as to press the cards towards the drive roller 24. Specifically, the both ends of the spindle 24f project from long holes 42 formed in the stacking direction on two side surfaces of the casing 5A. These projected portions of the spindle 24f are kept from falling off by retainer 24h. The spindle 24f is supported to be slidable in an up-down direction along the long hole 42. The casing 5A is provided with biasing means for biasing the spindle 24 always downwards (towards the cards stacked). In this case, the biasing means is structured by a biasing spring 45 which is horizontally provided and tensioned at the lower part on the both sides of the casing 5A. By having this biasing spring 45 contacting the upper side of the retainer 24h, the spindle 24f (pinch roller 24p) is always biased downwards. More specifically, on the both sides of the casing 5A, there are projections 45a (see FIG. 4) which are spaced from each other in a horizontal direction by a predetermined distance. These projections 45a hold the both ends of the biasing spring 45. The middle portion of the biasing spring 45 is brought into contact with the retainer 24h. This way, the biasing spring 45 always biases the spindle 24f downwards.

Further, in the casing 5A is arranged pressing units 50 which press upwards the lowermost one of cards stacked. This pressing units 50 are provided in two positions upstream of the drive shaft 24a of the drive roller 24, respectively, and are apart from each other along the drive shaft by a predetermined distance. Thus, the drive roller 24 and the pinch roller (pressing roller) 24p are positioned between the pressing units 502 in two positions.

The pressing units 50 are moveable along the stacking direction, between a position to apply a pressing force against the biasing force to the cards stacked and biased by the pinch roller 24p, and a position where no pressing force is applied. When the pressing unit 50 is moved to the position to apply the pressing force, a card carried into the casing 5A through the opening 41 is stopped by the pressing unit 50, and is placed at the lowermost end of the stack of cards. Further, when the pressing unit 50 is moved to the position where no pressing force is applied, the stack of cards are biased by the pinch roller 24p, and the both ends of the lower most one of the cards abut a pair of flanges 41a on the left and right which are formed at the opening of the casing and extend in a direction corresponding to the length of the casing (during this state, the lowermost one of cards abut the drive roller 24, and driving of the drive roller 24 enables issuing of a card from the stack stored inside). Note that the structure and a method of driving the pressing unit 50 are described later.

Inside the card storage 5 is arranged a storage detection sensor 35 capable of detecting that the card storage is full of cards, and detecting that the card storage 5 is not locked to the frame 1B (opened state). Further, inside the card storage 5 is arranged an empty sensor 36 capable of detecting that the card storage 5 has no card.

The following specifically describes a structure and an operation, whereby the storage detection sensor 35 detects the state in which the card storage 5 is full of cards, and detects a state in which the card storage 5 is opened. Note that FIG. 7 (a) to (c) are referred to, when describing the operation.

The storage detection sensor 35 is structured by a photo sensor, and is structured to generate a detection signal when a later-described moveable component moves relatively to the light emitting/receiving portion 35a structured in a U-shape. In an upper portion on one side surface of the casing 5A, a substantially T-shaped moveable component 53 is supported so as to be rotatable about a fulcrum 53A. The moveable component 53 is provided with an abut portion 53a extending towards the insertion port. To this abut portion 53a, the retainer 24h (biasing spring 45) abuts when being ascended. When the cards are successively stacked in the casing 5A (causing the spindle 24f to ascend), the retainer 24h abuts the abut portion 53a when the storage is full of cards (see FIG. 7 (a) and (b)).

The moveable component 53 is provided with a bent portion 53b bent towards the upper surface side of the casing 5A (see FIG. 5), and a pulling spring 55 is provided between this bent portion 53b and the casing 5A. This way, the moveable component 53 is always biased in a clockwise direction, about the fulcrum 53A as shown in FIG. 7 (a). Further, the moveable component 53 has an extended portion 53c extending downwards. The leading end of the extended portion 53c is a bent portion 53d bent in an L-shape, towards the inside of the casing. Note that the bent portion 53d is arranged so as to be in a position in the light emitting/receiving portion 35a, during the sate shown in FIG. 7 (a).

In the structure, while the casing 5A is not full of cards, the moveable component 53 is in the state shown in FIG. 7 (a), and the bent portion 53d is positioned in the light emitting/receiving portion 35a. Therefore, a detection signal detecting the full state is not generated. Then, when the casing 5A is being filled up with cards, the retainer 24h (biasing spring 45) abuts the abut portion 53a. When the casing 5A is full of cards, the moveable component 53 is rotated counter clockwise about the fulcrum 53A (see FIG. 7 (b)). At this point, the bent portion 53d also rotates with the movable component 53, and shifts from inside the light emitting/receiving portion 35a towards the insertion port and departs the light emitting/receiving portion 35a. Thus, a detection signal for detecting such a state (full state) is generated. On the other hand, irrespective of the full state, when the casing 5A is opened (lock is released) and rotates about the spindle 40 as shown in FIG. 7 (c), the moveable component 53 also rotates along with the casing 5A. Therefore, the bent portion 53d also rotates with the movable component 53, and departs the light emitting/receiving portion 35a. Thus, detection signal for detecting such a state (opened state of the casing) is generated.

As described, the storage detection sensor 35 enables detection of the state where the card storage 5 is full of cards, and the state where the card storage 5 is not locked on the frame 1B (not closed), with a single structure.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 8, and FIG. 10, the following describes the specific structure of the above described shutter 8, a method of opening and closing the shutter, the specific structure of the above described pressing unit 50, and the method of driving the pressing unit.

The shutter 8 and the pressing unit 50 are structured to be driven by a single drive source. In the present embodiment, the shutter 8 and the pressing unit 50 are driven and controlled by rotation of the drive motor 60 supported by the frame 1B. Specifically, the output gear 60a of the drive motor 60 is engaged with a cam gear 61 rotatably supported by the frame 1B. Rotating this cam gear 61 drives the shutter 8 and the pressing unit 50.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the shutter 8 is rotatably provided to the spindle 8A supported by the frame 1B. The shutter 8 is formed by a plate 8a which is bent to form a predetermined shape, and has a pair of stoppers 8b configured to abut the card actually inserted and stop the card, and an engagement portion 8c on one end side, which is pendent downward from the spindle 8A. Between the shutter 8 and the spindle 8A is a rotation biasing spring 62 wound about the spindle 8A, which always biases the shutter 8 in a direction of closing (a direction to block insertion of a card). With the rotation biasing spring 62, the shutter 8 is rotatably supported on the spindle 8A with some play. With this play in rotation of the shutter 8, when the card stops at a portion of the shutter 8 due to some error, it is possible to pull out the card without any damage to the card, and to prevent a damage to the mechanism.

Between the shutter 8 and the cam gear 61 is a linking component 63 extended along the card conveyance path 6. The linking component 63 has on its one end side an engagement portion 63a which engages with a cam groove 61A formed on one side surface of the cam gear 61 (see FIG. 9 (b)), and has on the other end side an abut portion 63b which contacts the engagement portion 8c of the shutter 8. Further, the linking component 63 has a long holes 63c, 63d along the direction the linking component 63 is extended, and pins 1d, 1e projecting from the frame 1B are positioned to this holes. This way, the linking component 63 is slidable in the direction the linking component 63 is extended.

When the linking component 63 slides in a direction D1, during the closed state of the shutter 8 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 10 (a) (this state is hereinafter referred to as reference position, which blocks insertion of a card), the abut portion 63b presses the engagement portion 8c to rotate the shutter 8 about the spindle 8A in a direction for opening. Further, when the linking component 63 during this state slides in a direction D2, the shutter 8 rotates until the engagement portion 8c abuts the abut portion 63b due to the biasing force of the rotation biasing spring 62, thus returning to the reference position.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the pressing units 50 are rotatably provided to the spindle 50A supported by the frame 1B. The pressing units 50 are arranged at the leading ends of the pair of extended portions 50b respectively so as to project upward, each of the extended portions 50b being formed by bending a plate 50a towards the trailing end (a direction opposite to the insertion port) from the spindle 50A as the center so as to form a predetermined shape. Further, the plate 50a has a linking portion 50c bent towards the insertion port side. This linking portion 50c has on its leading end an engagement portion 50d which engages with a cam groove 61A formed on the cam gear 61.

The cam groove 61A formed on one side surface of the cam gear 61 has a shape as shown in FIG. 9 (b). With this cam groove 61A are engaged the engagement portion 63a of the linking component 63 and the engagement portion 50d of the linking portion 50c which is integrally formed with the pressing unit 50. The cam groove 61A has a shape such that an operation of the shutter 8 or the pressing unit 50 stops the operation of the other. Specifically, the engagement portion 63a for driving the shutter 8 and the engagement portion 50d for driving the pressing unit 50 each engaged with the cam groove 61A in the form of ring have a phase difference of 90°, and the shape of the cam is such that rotation of the cam gear 61 reciprocates the linking component 63 independently in horizontal directions, and reciprocates the linking portion 50c independently in the up-down directions. Note that reciprocation of the linking portion 50c in the up-down directions rotates the plate 50a about the spindle 50A, and the pressing unit 50 reciprocates in the up-down directions with the rotation of the plate 50a.

The cam gear 61 is controlled to rotate by ±90° from the reference position so that the cam groove 61A formed on the cam gear 61 takes three positions, i.e., the reference position, a position of +90° rotation, and a position of −90° rotation, with the rotation of the cam gear 61, thus causing the shutter 8 and the pressing unit 50 to take different positions. Note that on the other side surface of the cam gear 61 is a ring 61B having in its portion a notch (structuring a detecting portion) 61C, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), and by detecting the notch 61C, the light emitting/receiving portion 65a of the reference position detection sensor 65 provided in frame 1B detects the reference position.

With reference to FIG. 10, the relationship between the above three positions (shapes of the cam groove 61A) when the cam gear 61 rotates from the reference position by ±90°.

FIG. 10 (a) shows the reference position. In this state, the shutter 8 is in the closed position, and the pressing unit 50 is in the pressing position (a position to abut the lowermost one of cards stored in the card storage 5, and lifting the cards against the biasing force).

When the drive motor 60 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 10 (a) to rotate the cam gear 61 by 90°, in an direction R1, the cam groove 61A tracts the linking component 63 in a D1 direction via the engagement portion 63a, while the engagement portion 50d is maintained in the same position without moving upwards or downwards (see FIG. 10 (b) and FIG. 8). When the linking component 63 slides in the D1 direction, the shutter 8 rotates against the biasing force by the rotation biasing spring 62 due to the above described engagement relation, thereby opening the shutter 8, as shown in FIG. 5. In other words, rotating the cam gear 61 by 90° in the direction R1, the shutter 8 is driven to open, while the pressing unit 50 stays in the pressing state.

Further, when the drive motor 60 is again rotated to rotate the cam gear 61 by 90° in the direction R2 during the state shown in FIG. 10 (b), the linking component 63 slides in the D2 direction. Due to the above described engagement relation, the shutter 8 rotates due to the biasing force exerted by the rotation biasing spring 62 to return to the reference position shown in FIG. 10 (a), thereby closing the shutter 8, as shown in FIG. 5. Note that the pressing unit 50 stays in the pressing state without being driven.

When the drive motor 60 is rotated to rotate the cam gear 61 by 90° in the direction R2 during the state shown in FIG. 10 (a), the cam groove 61A stays in the same position without drawing the engagement portion 63a, while the engagement portion 50d is moved upward (see FIG. 10 (c)). When the engagement portion 50d moves upward, the plate 50a rotates clockwise about the spindle 50A, causing the pressing unit 50 to move downwards. The cards stored in the card storage 5 are therefore not pressed. This way, the lowermost one of cards abuts the drive roller 24.

When the drive motor 60 is rotated during the state shown in FIG. 10 (c) to rotate the cam gear 61 by 90° in the direction R1, the engagement portion 50d moves downwards to return to the reference position shown in FIG. 10 (a), and the pressing units 50 press the lowermost one of cards stacked and stored in the card storage 5. The shutter 8 stays in the closed state, without being driven.

FIG. 11 is a control block diagram showing a structure of the control unit which controls basic operations of the card processing device.

In the card processing device 1 are mounted a control circuit board 100 which controls operations of the above described drive components. On the control circuit board 100 is mounted a CPU 102 capable of driving the drive motor 20 configured to convey the cards, a drive motor 60 configured to drive the shutter 8 and the pressing unit 50, a magnetic head (reader/writer) 12 configured to read/write information from/to a magnetic card, a reader/writer (RFID antenna; read unit) 30 configured to read/write information from/to the IC card; a ROM 103 storing a program for operating the above described various drive devices; and a control RAM 105.

The CPU 102 is connected to the drive circuit which drives the devices via the I/O port 110, and the operation of the each device is controlled by control signals from the CPU 102, according to the operation program. The CPU 102 is capable of receiving, via the I/O port 110, a signal from the insertion detection sensor 10 for detecting insertion (ejection) of a card, a signal from the magnetic information reading completion sensor 13 for detecting that the magnetic information is read, a signal from the card position detection sensor 32 for detecting the card passing by, a signal for detecting that the storage detection sensor 35 is full of cards accommodated (or detecting that the card storage 5 is opened), a signal from the empty sensor 36 detecting that the card storage 5 has ran out of the cards, and a signal from the reference position detection sensor 65 detecting the reference position. Based on these detection signals, the drive motors 20, 60 and the reader/writers 12, 30 are controlled. Note that the CPU 102 is capable of receiving, via the I/O port 110, a signal from the insertion detection sensor 10, the magnetic information reading completion sensor (card position detection sensor) 13, the card position detection sensor 32, and the reader/writer 30, which signal is for checking whether the presence of a card position (remaining card). When there is no card remains in the device card, a predetermined process is executed as hereinbelow described.

Further, the CPU 102 is connected to a control circuit 200 which executes the game process and which is mounted within the main body of the not-shown gaming machine, and for example the data such as gaming value information is transmitted/received between to/from the gaming machine.

Further, the CPU 102 of the control circuit board 100 is capable of transmitting/receiving data to/from the external device 300. For example, information (user ID information, account information, or the like) read by the reader/writers 12, 30 is transmitted.

Next, the following describes a control operation of the above described card processing device 1 with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12 to FIG. 16. Note that the following deals with an operation taking place after the card processing device 1 is booted (encompassing re-booting for restoration after temporarily shut down of the device due to power outage, or the like).

First, the drive motor 20 is driven for a predetermined amount to convey a card towards the insertion port 2a (S1). This step is executed because there is a possibility that a card may remain in the card conveyance path, when the device is booted (rebooted). Next, the card detection process is executed (S2). This card detection process is to make sure any card remaining in the device at the time of booting (rebooting) the device is reliably detected, and includes steps shown in FIG. 16. Note that the S1 may be omitted as long as the intervals between sensors 10, 13, 32, and the RFID antenna 30 are such that the length of the card in the conveyance direction is reliably detected.

The following describes a card detection process with reference to FIG. 16.

As described above, with the card conveyance process of S1, it is possible to reliably detect a card present (remaining) with the sensors 10, 13, 32 or with the RFID antenna 30, even if the card is in a position where the card is not detected. First, there is determined whether the insertion detection sensor 10 detected a card (S61). When no card is detected (S61; No), there is determined whether the card position detection sensors 13, 32 detect a card (S62). When no card is detected in this S62 (S62; No), the RFID antenna 30 executes a process of reading the card ID (S63). When no card ID is read (S63; No), there is no card in the device. Therefore, the process returns to a later-described ordinary control operation (processes of S3 and thereafter).

When a presence of a card is confirmed in S61, S62, S63, the drive motor 20 is driven a predetermined amount to convey the card towards the insertion port 2a (S65; No, S66). This driving of the drive motor 20 is executed a predetermined number of times (twice in the present embodiment). In other words, driving of the drive motor 20 as describe above ejects the card remaining inside the device, when the device is booted (rebooted), and allows insertion of a new card.

Meanwhile, when steps 61 to 63 are executed for the third time (S65; Yes), an error signal is transmitted to the CPU (S68), and no subsequent processes are executed. Such a circumstance indicates that the card remains in the device despite the process of ejecting the card, which means the card cannot be conveyed due to some troubles (slippage of conveyance rollers, or other troubles in conveyance). Therefore, in such a case, an error signal is transmitted to the external device 30.

Note that an error signal may be transmitted, as soon as the presence of the card is confirmed, without executing the steps S65, S66.

When no card is detected through the steps S61, S62, S63, the processes of S3 and thereafter shown in FIG. 12 are executed. In the processes of S3 and thereafter, the storage detection sensor 35 arranged in the card storage 5 determines whether or not a moveable component 53 is detected (S3). As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 (c), this is for determining whether the casing 5A of the card storage 5 is closed. When the casing 5A is opened, the bent portion of the moveable component 53 is apart from the light emitting/receiving portion 35a. Therefore, a signal is generated to indicate the moveable component 53 is not detected. This signal as an error signal is transmitted to the CPU (S3; No, S4), and no subsequent process is executed. In this regard, it is possible to transmit the error signal to the external device 300, so as to notify a management person that the card storage 5 is not locked.

On the other hand, in S3, when the storage detection sensor 35 detects the moveable component 53 (S3; Yes), the subsequent processes of the card are executed. First, there is determined by the insertion detection sensor 10 whether a card is inserted into the insertion port 2a (S5). When the insertion detection sensor 10 detects insertion of a card (S5; Yes), the information on the card inserted is read by the magnetic head (reader/writer) 12 (S6). In this case, the card inserted by the user may be a magnetic card or an IC card (IC/magnetic card). If no magnetic data is recorded on the card inserted, that card is processes as an IC card (S7; No).

Further, even when magnetic data is recorded, if the magnetic data read contains data (IC card determination data) that indicates that the card is an IC card, that card is processed as an IC card (S7; Yes, S8; Yes).

In the determination process of S7 and S8, if it is determined that the card inserted is an IC card, the process of reading by the magnetic head (reader/writer) 12 is ended, and a process of driving the shutter 8 (opening process) is executed (S10). As hereinabove described, the shutter 8 and the pressing unit 50 are first in the reference position shown in FIG. 10 (a). Therefore, the drive motor 60 is rotated by a predetermined amount from the state shown in FIG. 10 (a) to rotate the cam gear 61 by 90° in the direction R1. Since the reference position is detected by the reference position detection sensor 65, the stop position (the number of rotation) of the drive motor 60 is accurately controlled. This way, the shutter 8 opens and the card locked state is cancelled as shown in FIG. 10 (b) (S10).

The drive motor 20 is further driven to convey the IC card to a predetermined position, i.e., the position of the reader/writer(RFID antenna) 30 (S11). The stop control of the drive motor 20 may be done based on the amount of rotation of the drive motor 20, or based on the card detection signal from the card position detection sensor 32.

When the IC card is conveyed to the predetermined position, the shutter 8 is closed (S12). The shutter 8 in this case is opened by the process of S10 (see FIG. 10 (b)). From this state, the drive motor 60 is rotated to rotate the cam gear 61 by 90° in the direction R2, to bring back the shutter 8 to the reference position, as shown in FIG. 10 (a). The stop control of the drive motor 60 is accurately done by detecting the reference position of the cam gear 61 with the reference position detection sensor 65. This way, the shutter 8 is closed as shown in FIG. 10 (a). This prevents the card from being mistakenly inserted (S12).

The process ends after the IC card is conveyed to the predetermined position, the reader/writer (RFID antenna) 30 is driven while the shutter 8 is closed, information reading/writing process is executed with respect to the IC card (S13), as hereinabove described. For example, when the above described process is ended, the user is playing the game at the gaming machine while the IC card is inserted.

Meanwhile, when the card inserted is determined as to be a magnetic card in S8, the process of reading by the magnetic head (reader/writer) 12 is ended (S15), when the magnetic information reading completion sensor 13 detects the card (S14). In this case, the insert position is regulated by closing the shutter 8 (see FIG. 10 (a)), and the user is not able to insert the magnetic card further inside. When the user ends the game, the card is pulled out by the user. It is possible to execute a process of rewriting the information with the magnetic head 12.

FIG. 13 shows an operation for returning the IC card inserted to the user after S13 (hereinafter, card delivering process A; a process continued from S13). The IC card inserted may have been subjected to a process of writing new information with the reader/writer (RFID antenna) 30.

Since the shutter 8 at this time is in the reference position shown in FIG. 10 (a) and is closed through S12, the shutter 8 is first driven to be opened to return the IC card (S21). As in S10, the drive motor 60 is rotated by a predetermined amount from the state shown in FIG. 10 (a) to rotate the cam gear 61 by 90° in the direction R1. This opens the shutter 8 and cancels the card locked state.

The drive motor 20 is further driven by a predetermined amount to convey the IC card towards the insertion port 2a (S22). Then, the card detection process is executed to check if there is a card remaining in the card conveyance path (S23). The card detection process here includes the processes shown in FIG. 16, except for S61, and there is determined whether a card is detected at any one of positions of the card position detection sensors 13, 32 and the RFID antenna 30. Detecting the presence of the card in this process means that the card remains despite the conveyance process to convey the card towards the insertion port 2a, due to some troubles. Therefore, an error signal is generated (S68).

While the insertion detection sensor 10 determines whether a card is detected (S24), if the player pulls out the IC card projecting from the insertion port 2a and the insertion detection sensor 10 no longer detects the IC card (S24; No), the shutter 8 is closed again (S25). As in S12, the drive motor 60 is rotated to rotate the cam gear 61 by 90° in the direction R2 to bring back the shutter 8 from the state shown in FIG. 10 (b) to the reference position shown in FIG. 10 (a).

When the state of detecting the IC card by the insertion detection sensor 10 continues a predetermined time, it means that the user forgot to take the card, or the card is not ejected. Therefore, for example, an error signal is transmitted to the external device 300, and the process is halted (step 24; Yes, step 26; Yes, S27). In this case, a superordinate device 300 may warn by a lamp or an alarm.

FIG. 14 shows an operation for issuing a card stored in the card storage 5 to the user (hereinafter, card delivering process B). In this case, an IC card delivered from the card storage 5 is subjected to a process of writing information by the reader/writer (RFID antenna) 30, before being issued to the user.

When issuing the IC card, the pressing unit 50 is first driven to cancel the pressing state (S31). As hereinabove described, the shutter 8 and the pressing unit 50 are in the reference position as shown in FIG. 10 (a), and the pressing unit 50 is pressing the lowermost one of cards. The drive motor 60 is rotated by the predetermined amount from the state shown in FIG. 10 (a) to rotate the cam gear 61 by 90° in the direction R2. This lowers the pressing unit downwards as shown in FIG. 10 (c), and the cards stored in the card storage 5 are no longer pressed. As such, the lowermost one of cards abuts the drive roller 24.

During this state, the drive motor 20 is driven to convey the IC card to a predetermined position, towards the insertion port 2a (S32). The predetermined position here is a position corresponding to the reader/writer (RFID antenna) 30, and the stop control of the drive motor 20 may be done based on the amount of rotation of the drive motor 20, or based on the card detection signal from the card position detection sensor 32. Note that in S32, the condition for stopping the conveyance for conveying the IC card from the card storage 5 to the position for writing information by the reader/writer (i.e., condition for stopping the drive motor) is set, for example, to the point when the trailing end of the IC card passes the card position detection sensor 32 (no longer detected). If the card position detection sensor 32 keeps detecting the IC card for a predetermined time from the start of operation for conveying the IC card, it is determined that a conveyance error has occurred. In this case the drive motor may be reversed to return the IC card temporarily to the card storage 5, and then conveyed again to the predetermined position. Alternatively, it is possible to use the RFID antenna 30 for detecting the IC card (for monitoring the IC card). This way, waiting for the predetermined time is not necessary. For example, it is possible to determine that a conveyance error has occurred, when the IC card is not detected by the RFID antenna 30 in a position where the IC card would reach after being conveyed N steps by the drive motor. As described, while the IC card is conveyed, the presence of the IC card is always monitored by a plurality of sensors.

When the IC card is conveyed to the predetermined position, the drive motor 60 is rotated by a predetermined amount to rotate the cam gear 61 by a 90° in the direction R1, thereby bringing back the pressing unit 50 to the reference position shown in FIG. 10 (a). In other words, the pressing unit 50 is moved upwards by driving the drive motor 60, pressing the cards stored in the card storage 5 (S33). Note that the stop control of the drive motor 60 is accurately done by detecting the reference position of the cam gear 61 with the reference position detection sensor 65.

Then, the process of writing information is executed by the reader/writer (RFID antenna) 30 (S34), and the IC card is issued to the user through the steps of the card delivering process A shown in FIG. 13 (S35).

FIG. 15 shows a process for storing the IC card inserted into the card storage 5, after S13 shown in FIG. 12.

In a storing process, the drive motor 20 is first driven to convey the IC card towards the card storage 5 (S41). At this point, since the pressing unit 50 is in the reference position shown in FIG. 10 (a), the IC card is placed under the lower most one of cards through the opening 41 of the casing 5A. The drive motor 20 is stopped temporarily upon rotating a predetermined amount, and the IC card is stopped immediately before the pressing unit 50.

During this state, the drive motor 60 is rotated by a predetermined amount to rotate the cam gear 61 by 90° in the direction R2, thus moving the pressing unit downwards as shown in FIG. 10 (c) (S42). This way, the IC card carried into the card storage abuts the drive roller 24 and can be further carried inside.

After that, the drive motor 20 is again rotated by a predetermined amount to convey the IC card to a predetermined position inside the card storage (to the stack position) (S43). Subsequently, the card detection process is executed to check if there is any card remaining in the card conveyance path (S44). In other words, when the presence of the card is confirmed in this process, it means that the card remains despite the conveyance process of the card to the card storage 5. It is therefore determined that some troubles have occurred, and an error signal is generated (S68).

After the IC card is conveyed to the predetermined position, the drive motor 60 is rotated by a predetermined amount to rotate the cam gear 61 by 90° in the direction R1, thus bringing back the pressing unit 50 to the reference position shown in FIG. 10 (a) (S45). This way, the pressing unit 50 is moved upward, pressing the newly stored IC card, and then the storing process is ended. Note that after S45 ends, if the storage detection sensor 35 does not detect the moveable component 53, it means that the card storage 5 is full of cards. In this case, a full-state signal is transmitted to the CPU (S46; No, S47).

In the structure of the embodiment described above, when the card processing device is booted or when the card processing device is initialized after being shut down due to power outage or the like, the presence of a card can be detected by the detect sensors 10, 13, 32 arranged along the card conveyance path. Further, a card is also detected by the read unit (RFID antenna) 30 which reads information on the card. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of sensors mounted in the card conveyance path 6, and reduction of the costs for the device is possible. Further, as described in the process of delivering a card from the card storage 5, the RFID antenna 30 can be also used for, for example, monitoring the occurrence of time-out in the conveyance operation of an ordinary IC card. This enables further delicate conveyance control.

Further, in the above embodiment, the card detection process is executed before a card is inserted into the insertion port 2a, as in S1 and S2 of FIG. 12. This disable insertion of two or more cards in a row mistakenly, which contributes to reliable prevention of troubles in conveying a card, or clogging by a card.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the above described card detection process, when a card is detected by the detect sensors 10, 13, 32 and the read unit (RFID antenna) 30, the drive motor is driven to convey the card towards the insertion port, and then the card detection process is executed again. This enables, for example, reliably grasping a situation where the card is not conveyed by the conveyor due to slippage or the like at the portion of the conveyance rollers. Since the remaining card is conveyed towards the card insertion port 2a, the card is reliably ejected when initializing the card processing device after the card processing device is shut down due to power outage or the like. It is therefore possible to prepare for appropriate processing of newly inserted card.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the card detection process is executed as needed during the card process (S23, S44). This reliably prevents the card to remain in the card conveyance path during the card process.

Thus, an embodiment of the present invention is described hereinabove. It should however be noted that the number of detect sensors mounted and the method of detection in the present invention are not limited as long as a card in the conveyance path is detected by the detect sensor arranged in the conveyance path and the read unit for reading card information. Further, the read unit may be any given read unit as long as it is capable of reading information recorded on the card. For example, the read unit may be a magnetic reader/writer, or a sensor (e.g., line sensor) capable of reading information.

Further, the above-described embodiment is structured to be able to process a multiple types of card (magnetic card, IC card). However, the present invention is applicable to a device capable of processing a single type of card. For example, by removing the magnetic head part in the structure shown in FIG. 1, the device can be structured as a device capable of processing an IC card. In this case, the magnetic information reading completion sensor 13 detects insertion of the card, and serves as the sensor (card position detection sensor) for detecting the remaining card. Further, the above-described embodiment deals with a case where the paper sheet is a card; however, the present invention may be applied to a device configured to process various paper sheets such as bills.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 1. Card Processing Device (Paper Sheet Processing Device)
• 2 a. Insertion Port
• 5. Card Storage
• 6. Card Conveyance Path
• 10. Insert Detect Sensor (Card Position Detection Sensor)
• 13. Magnetic Information Reading Completion Sensor (Card Position Detection Sensor)
• 32. Card Position Detection Sensor
• 30. RFID Antenna (Read Unit)
• C. Card

Claims

1. A paper sheet processing device including: an insertion port through which a paper sheet is inserted, a conveyance path in which the paper sheet inserted into the insertion port is conveyed, a sensor for detecting the paper sheet in the conveyance path, and a read unit capable of reading the paper sheet inserted,the paper sheet processing device, comprisinga control unit configured to execute paper sheet detection processing for detecting the paper sheet in the conveyance path, based on a detection result from the sensor and a read result from the read unit.

2. The paper sheet processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the paper sheet detection processing before the paper sheet is inserted into the insertion port.

3. The paper sheet processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a conveyor configured to convey the paper sheet in the conveyance path, wherein when the paper sheet is detected by the paper sheet detection processing, the control unit performs the paper sheet detection processing again after the paper sheet is conveyed by the conveyor.

4. The paper sheet processing device according to claim 2, further comprising a conveyor configured to convey the paper sheet in the conveyance path, wherein when the paper sheet is detected by the paper sheet detection processing, the control unit performs the paper sheet detection processing again after the paper sheet is conveyed by the conveyor.