JP2018194895A - Banknote counting system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a banknote counting system capable of managing an entire use frequency of a plurality of banknote counting devices respectively installed at a plurality of installation places.SOLUTION: A management server 23 receives, from a plurality of banknote counting devices 12 installed at a plurality of installation locations TB respectively, a device identifier for identifying the banknote counting device 12, a location identifier for specifying the installation location TB where the banknote counting device 12 is installed, and count data of the banknote counting device 12. Then, a use frequency of each banknote counting device 12 is managed in association with the device identifier and the location identifier on the basis of the count data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The technology disclosed here relates to a bill counting system including a plurality of bill counting devices.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, casino management systems have been proposed in which a bill counter is installed in each table, and count data of these bill counters is acquired by a management server via a network and centrally managed.

  Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a comprehensive money management system in a casino that uses an RFID-enabled casino passing, an RFID chip tray, a bill verification unit, an RFID reading unit and an antenna, an inventory system, and a chip authentication network. .

International Publication WO2013 / 177286

  In a casino, the usage frequency of the bill counter installed at each table depends on the customer collection rate for each table. For this reason, the occurrence frequency of the endurance failure of each banknote counter is fixed by the table on which the banknote counter is installed. That is, banknote counters installed on a table with a high customer collection rate have a high failure rate due to high usage frequency, while banknote counters installed on a table with a low customer acquisition rate have a low failure rate due to low usage frequency. Becomes lower. However, at present, the frequency of use is not managed for the entire plurality of banknote counters installed on each table.

  Moreover, the above problem is a problem that may occur in a banknote counting system provided with a plurality of banknote counting devices respectively installed at a plurality of installation locations other than the casino management system.

  The technology disclosed herein has been made in view of such a point, and provides a banknote counting system capable of managing the overall usage frequency of a plurality of banknote counting apparatuses respectively installed at a plurality of installation locations. Objective.

  The technology disclosed herein is a banknote counting system, which includes a plurality of banknote counting apparatuses, a management server that manages counting operations of the plurality of banknote counting apparatuses, and the banknote counting apparatuses installed at a plurality of installation locations, respectively. And a communication network configured to allow communication with the management server, wherein the management server specifies a device identifier for identifying the bill counting device from the plurality of bill counting devices, and the bill. Receiving the location identifier for identifying the installation location where the counting device is installed and the counting data of the bill counting device, and determining the usage frequency of the plurality of bill counting devices based on the counting data as the device identifier. And managed in association with the location identifier.

  According to this configuration, the management server identifies a device identifier that identifies the bill counting device from a plurality of bill counting devices that are respectively installed at a plurality of installation locations, and a location that identifies the installation location where the bill counting device is installed. The identifier and the counting data of the bill counting device are received. Then, the usage frequency of each bill counting device is managed in association with the device identifier and the location identifier based on the counting data. That is, the management server manages the usage frequency of each bill counting device in association with the installation location. Thus, for example, based on the usage frequency, the installation location of the banknote counting device is replaced and the failure frequency is leveled, or on the basis of the usage frequency, some banknote counting devices are replaced and a large amount of failures occur. It is possible to take appropriate measures such as preventing the banknotes in advance, and the stable operation of the bill counting device can be maintained.

  And the said management server is comprised so that the 1st banknote counter used as replacement | exchange object may be specified from among these several banknote counters based on the usage frequency of these banknote counters. Is preferred.

  Thereby, the bill counting device to be replaced is automatically specified based on the frequency of use.

  Furthermore, the management server specifies a second banknote counting device to be replaced with the first banknote counting device from among banknote counting devices that are used less frequently than the first banknote counting device among the plurality of banknote counting devices. And it is preferable that the first and second banknote counting devices are configured to be notified as a combination for replacement.

  Thereby, since the combination of the banknote counting apparatus which replaces is notified by the management server, it becomes unnecessary for the manager to consider which banknote counting apparatus to replace, and the burden on the manager is reduced.

  In addition, the management server transmits a first signal indicating that the first and second banknote counting devices are to be exchanged, and each of the plurality of banknote counting devices includes a display unit, When the first signal is received, it is preferable that a notification indicating that the bill counting device is a replacement target is made via the display unit.

  Thereby, since the notification that the banknote counting device is the replacement target is performed via the display unit of the banknote counting device itself to be replaced, it is possible to prevent a mistake in the replacement of the banknote counting device to be replaced. .

  In addition, when the management server recognizes from the apparatus identifier and the place identifier transmitted from the plurality of banknote counting devices that the banknote counting apparatus different from the notified combination has been replaced, there is an error in the replacement. It is preferable to be configured to notify that there is.

  Thereby, when there is a mistake in the banknote counting device to be exchanged, the management server notifies the administrator, so that the administrator can immediately notice even if there is a mistake.

  In the bill counting system described above, the installation location may be a casino table.

  According to the present disclosure, the management server manages the usage frequency of each banknote counting device in association with the installation location, so that it is possible to take appropriate measures in advance and maintain stable operation of the banknote counting device. Can do.

System configuration example of casino management system which is an example of bill counting system Example of casino table status Illustration of usage frequency management of banknote counter in embodiment (A) to (c) are examples of changes in usage frequency data managed by the management server The flowchart which shows the operation example in embodiment (A)-(c) is a screen example of the management server in the embodiment Example of displaying a rotation error warning in a bill counter Example of bill counter configuration Example of bill counter configuration

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration example of a casino management system which is an example of a bill counting system according to the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a casino table state. In the configuration of FIG. 1, a plurality (six in the example of FIG. 1) casino tables TB are managed in units called pits. Each casino table TB is provided with an IC tag reader 11 and a bill counter 12 which is an example of a bill counter in the present disclosure. The IC tag reader 11 and the bill counter 12 are connected via a communication network. Are connected to the pit server 21. The pit server 21 is connected to the management server 23 via the floor server 22. The bill counter 12 can be removed from the casino table TB. The bill counter 12 installed on the casino table TB can communicate with the management server 23 via a communication network by connecting to a cable connector on the casino table TB, for example. Moreover, the banknote counter 12 is provided with the touch panel 12b. The touch panel 12b functions as a display unit that displays data related to the counting operation and the like, and as an input unit that performs operations of the bill counter 12 and setting inputs.

  A dealer DL is arranged in each casino table TB. Each dealer DL has an IC tag 14 on which dealer information including at least dealer identification information for identifying itself is recorded. A pit manager PM for managing a plurality of casino tables TB is arranged in the pit. The pit manager PM carries an IC tag 25 in which information for identifying itself is recorded and a handy type IC tag reader 26.

  Before starting the game, the dealer DL installs a bill storage box BX called a drop box at a predetermined position on the casino table TB. A bill insertion slot 16 is formed on the top plate of the casino table TB, and the bills inserted into the slot 16 are stored in the bill storage box BX. Each banknote storage box BX is provided with an IC tag 13 in which box information including at least box specifying information for specifying the banknote storage box BX is recorded. The IC tag 13 is configured to be positioned in the vicinity of the IC tag reader 11 when the bill storage box BX is installed on the casino table TB. Moreover, the banknote counter 12 has an IC tag reader 12a separately. When the dealer DL operates the bill counter 12, the dealer DL causes the IC tag reader 12 a to read the information of its own IC tag 14. The management server 23 can control whether or not the counting operation is permitted for the bill counter 12 connected to the communication network.

  The following operations are performed when changing chips. The dealer DL receives banknotes from customers. The dealer DL causes the IC tag reader 12a of the bill counter 12 to authenticate the held IC tag 14. The bill counter 12 communicates with the management server 23 via the pit server 21 and the floor server 22. The management server 23 recognizes the bill counter 12 and receives dealer specific information of the dealer DL, and further receives box specific information of the bill storage box BX from the IC tag reader 11 installed on the casino table TB. Thereafter, the counting operation of the bill counter 12 is permitted. For example, when the management server 23 does not receive the dealer identification information of the dealer DL, the counting operation is not permitted. Such control makes it possible to prevent unnecessary counting operations of the bill counter 12.

  Thereafter, the dealer DL operates the bill counter 12 to count bills received from customers. The count data at this time is transmitted from the bill counter 12 to the management server 23 via the pit server 21 and the floor server 22. When the counting is finished, the dealer DL delivers the chip to the customer based on the counting result. Further, the bills for which counting has been completed are inserted into the bill storage box BX from the insertion port 16.

(Management of usage frequency of bill counter)
FIG. 3 is an image diagram of usage frequency management of the bill counter 12 in the embodiment. In FIG. 3, it is assumed that three bill counters 12 (counters 1 to 3) are respectively installed on three casino tables TB (Tables 1 to 3). The bill counter 12 installed on the casino table TB can communicate with the management server 23 via the communication network 1. Each bill counter 12 transmits its manufacturing number, the table number of the installed casino table TB, and the counting data to the management server 23 via the communication network 1. The production number is an example of a device identifier that identifies the bill counter 12. The table number is an example of a location identifier that identifies the installation location where the bill counter 12 is installed.

  The management server 23 includes a database (DB) 231 for managing the usage frequency of each bill counter 12. The management server 23 receives the manufacturing machine number, the table number, and the counting data from each bill counter 12. Then, the usage frequency of each bill counter 12 is managed in the database 231 in association with the production number and the table number based on the received count data.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of changes in usage frequency management data managed in the database 231. Now, it is assumed that the actual value of the counted number is managed for each banknote counter 12 in association with the production number and the table number for each banknote 231 (FIG. 4A). Here, the actual value of the counted number is data representing the usage frequency of the bill counter 12. Thereafter, each bill counter 12 transmits count data to the management server 23 every time a counting operation is performed. The management server 23 updates the actual value of the counted number in the database 231 based on the received count data. And when the actual value of the counted number of a certain banknote counter 12 exceeds 500 sheets, for example, the management server 231 replaces the banknote counter 12 with another banknote counter 12 having a small actual number of counted sheets. And informing (FIG. 4B). Here, since the counted number of the banknote counter 12 of the manufacturing number machine 1001 exceeds 500, this is replaced with the banknote counter 12 of the manufacturing number machine 1003 having the smallest number of counting. In accordance with this notification, for example, an administrator of the casino system switches the bill counter 12 of the manufacturing number machine 1001 and the bill counter 12 of the manufacturing number machine 1003. When the management server 23 receives the manufacturing number and the table number transmitted from each bill counter 12 and confirms that the replacement has been normally performed, the management server 23 determines the correspondence between the manufacturing number and the table number in the database 231. Update. And the actual value of the counted number of the banknote counter 12 replaced is cleared to zero. By performing such replacement, the failure frequency of the bill counter 12 can be leveled.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example in the embodiment. In the flow of FIG. 5, on the floor side, each dealer DL turns on the power of the banknote counter 12 installed on its casino table TB. And the table number of casino table TB where the said banknote counter 12 was installed is input, for example via the touch panel 12b (S11). The bill counter 12 transmits the input table number and its own manufacturing number to the management server 23 (S12). The management server 23 receives the table number and the manufacturing number number transmitted from the bill counter 12 and registers them in the database 231 (S21). If the received table number and manufacturing machine number are already registered in the database 231, new registration is not necessary.

  Thereafter, each time the bill counter 12 performs a bill counting operation on the casino table TB (S13), it transmits the table number and count data to the management server 23 (S14). The management server 23 receives the table number and count data transmitted from the banknote counter 12, and updates the database 231 based on the received count data (S22). In the example of FIG. 4, the counted number indicated by the received count data is added to the actual value of the counted number. And the management server 23 judges whether the banknote counter 12 with which the usage frequency data managed by the database 231 satisfy | fills predetermined conditions exists (S23). In the example of FIG. 4, the predetermined condition is that the actual value of the counted number exceeds 500. And when the banknote counter 12 which satisfy | fills a predetermined condition exists (it is YES at S23), the management server 23 displays the rotation warning regarding the said banknote counter 12 (S24). Specifically, a warning that the banknote counter 12 satisfying the predetermined condition and the banknote counter 12 that is used less frequently than the banknote counter 12 is replaced is displayed.

  FIG. 6 is a screen example of the management server 23. FIG. 6A is an example of a standby screen of the management server 23, and menu buttons are arranged on the left side of the screen. The menu buttons include a rotation warning button B1 and a counter status display button B2. When the administrator presses the button B2 on the standby screen in FIG. 6A, for example, a counter state display screen as shown in FIG. 6B is displayed. On this screen, when YES in S23 of FIG. 5, that is, when there is a bill counter 12 satisfying a predetermined condition, a rotation warning button B3 is displayed on the screen. On the other hand, when S23 in FIG. 5 is NO, that is, when there is no banknote counter 12 that satisfies the predetermined condition, the rotation warning button B3 is not displayed on the screen.

  When the administrator presses the button B3, a rotation warning screen as shown in FIG. 6C is displayed. On this rotation warning screen, the combination of the bill counters 12 to be replaced is displayed. Here, it is assumed that when the button B1 is pressed on the standby screen of FIG. 6A, the screen directly shifts to the rotation warning screen of FIG. 6C.

  The manager 2 who receives the rotation warning from the management server 23 moves to the floor side and replaces the bill counter 12 (S15). Note that the manager 2 may issue a replacement instruction to the pit manager PM or the like on the floor side instead of replacing the banknote counter 12 by himself / herself. After the replacement, the manager 2 or the like turns on the power of the bill counter 12. And the table number of the casino table TB in which the said banknote counter 12 was newly installed is input via the touch panel 12b, for example (S16). The bill counter 12 transmits the input table number and its own manufacturing number to the management server 23 (S17). The management server 23 receives the table number and the manufacturing machine number transmitted from the banknote counter 12 (S25), and based on the received table number and the manufacturing machine number, has the banknote counter 12 been correctly replaced? It is confirmed whether or not (S26). When the rotation is OK, that is, when the replacement is correctly performed (YES in S27), the management server 23 deletes the display of the banknote counter 12 after the replacement from the rotation warning screen of FIG. The table number and the manufacturing machine number are registered in the database 231 (S28). On the other hand, when the replacement is not performed correctly (NO in S27), a rotation error is warned (S29). For example, as shown in FIG. 6C, a message such as “The exchange counter is incorrect” is displayed on the rotation warning screen.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the management server 23 installs the manufacturing number of the banknote counter 12 and the banknote counter 12 from the banknote counters 12 installed on the casino tables TB, respectively. The table number of the casino table TB and the count data of the bill counter 12 are received. Then, the actual value of the counted number as the usage frequency of each bill counter 12 is managed in association with the manufacturing number machine and the table number based on the count data. That is, the management server 23 manages the usage frequency of each bill counter 12 in association with the casino table TB. Thereby, for example, based on the usage frequency, appropriate measures such as replacing the banknote counter 12 to equalize the failure frequency can be taken, and the stable operation of the banknote counter 12 can be maintained. And the casino operation side can hold down apparatus cost by the failure rate in the durable surface of the banknote counter 12 falling.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the banknote counter 12 used as the object of replacement | exchange is automatically specified based on use frequency, and the combination of the banknote counter 12 which replaces is alert | reported by the management server 23. FIG. . This eliminates the need for the administrator to consider which bill counter 12 is to be replaced, thereby reducing the burden on the administrator. Furthermore, when there is a mistake in the banknote counter 12 to be exchanged, the management server 23 notifies the manager, so that the manager can immediately notice even if there is a mistake.

(Modification)
In the above embodiment, when the actual value of the counted number of the banknote counter 12 exceeds 500, a warning is given to replace the banknote counter 12. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the threshold value for the warning determination may be a number other than 500. In addition, for example, the actual value of the counted number may be managed for each type of banknote, and when the counted number of a specific type of banknote exceeds a predetermined number, the replacement may be warned. Or you may change the threshold value of the judgment which warns according to the type | mold of the banknote counter 12, years, etc. FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the usage frequency of the bill counter 12 is managed based on the number of bills counted. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. In addition, for example, the usage frequency is managed using data such as a period during which the bill counter 12 is installed and the number of times the counting operation is performed. Also good. Or you may manage a use frequency using the data of the rejection rate of the banknote counter 12. FIG.

  In the above embodiment, a warning is given to replace the bill counter 12, but a warning may be issued to replace the bill counter 12 instead of or in addition to this. For example, when the actual value of the counted number of the banknote counter 12 exceeds a predetermined number, a warning is given to replace the banknote counter 12, and when the installation period of the banknote counter 12 exceeds a predetermined number of years, the banknote counter A warning may be given to replace the machine 12 with a new one.

  In the above embodiment, the bill counter 12 having a small number of actual counts is simply selected as a counterpart to be replaced with the bill counter 12 whose actual number of counts exceeds a predetermined number. However, this indication is not restricted to this, For example, you may make it select the banknote counter 12 with the smallest cumulative value of the count number at that time. Or you may make it select from the banknote counter 12 installed within the predetermined distance from the banknote counter 12 to replace.

  In the above embodiment, the rotation warning is displayed on the screen of the management server 23, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In addition, for example, the management server 23 may issue a rotation warning by voice. Or you may make it perform a rotation warning in the banknote counter 12 side used as the object of replacement. That is, the management server 23 transmits a signal indicating that it is a replacement target to the bill counter 12 that is a replacement target. The bill counter 12 that has received this signal may display, for example, on the touch panel 12b that it is a replacement target. Furthermore, you may make it change the screen color of the touchscreen 12b into the same color (for example, red) about the two banknote counters 12 which comprise the combination which replaces | exchanges.

  In the above embodiment, a rotation error warning is displayed on the screen of the management server 23, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a rotation error warning may be issued on the side of the bill counter 12 in which an incorrect replacement has been performed. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the banknote counter 12 may display on the touch panel 12b, for example, that the self has been mistakenly replaced.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the description has been given by taking the casino management system that manages the bill counter 12 installed on the casino table TB as an example. However, the bill counting system in the present disclosure is not limited to the casino management system as described above, and includes a plurality of bill counting devices and a management server that manages the counting operation of these bill counting devices. The present disclosure can be applied to any system configured so that the bill counting device and the management server installed in each place can communicate with each other via a communication network. For example, in a game arcade where a plurality of game machines are arranged, the use frequency management as described in the above embodiment may be performed for a plurality of machine sands installed between game machines.

(Example of bill counter configuration)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the bill counter 12 and is a plan view showing an internal configuration around the bill stacking unit. In FIG. 8, the sugar beet rubber 40 has four rubbers 41a, 41b, 42a, and 42b. By rotating about the axis perpendicular to the paper surface, the bills are struck and stably accumulated. The rubbers 42a and 42b are shorter in length than the rubbers 41a and 41b. A circle C1 is a track through which the ends of the rubbers 41a and 41b pass, and a circle C2 is a track through which the ends of the rubbers 42a and 42b pass. Due to the presence of the long rubbers 41a and 41b, even a short bill can be struck and the accumulation is stabilized. In addition, since the long rubbers 41a and 41b and the short rubbers 42a and 42b are alternately provided, the overlap between the rubbers is reduced when the sugar rubber 40 is rotated, and the catching can be prevented.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the bill counter 12 and is a perspective view illustrating a configuration around the hopper portion. In FIG. 9, the hopper part is provided with guide parts 51 for suppressing the spread of the banknote BL on both sides of the banknote BL. By this guide part 51, the spread of the banknote BL due to the behavior during feeding is suppressed, and the banknote BL is prevented from dropping off. Further, a small-diameter shaft guide 52 that regulates the height of the bill BL is provided. Since the guide 52 suppresses the skew of the bill BL due to the behavior during feeding, the rejection is reduced and jamming is prevented.

1 communication network 12 banknote counter (banknote counter)
12b Touch panel (display unit)
23 Management Server TB Casino Table (Installation Location)

Claims (6)

A plurality of bill counting devices;
A management server for managing counting operations of the plurality of bill counting devices;
The bill counting device installed at each of a plurality of installation locations, and the management server are provided with a communication network configured to be communicable,
The management server is
Each of the plurality of bill counting devices receives a device identifier that identifies the bill counting device, a location identifier that identifies the installation location where the bill counting device is installed, and count data of the bill counting device.
A bill counting system that manages the usage frequency of the plurality of bill counting devices in association with the device identifier and the location identifier based on the counting data. In the bill counting system according to claim 1,
The management server is
A bill counting system that identifies a first bill counting device to be replaced from among the plurality of bill counting devices based on the frequency of use of the plurality of bill counting devices. In the bill counting system according to claim 2,
The management server is
The second bill counting device to be replaced with the first bill counting device is identified from among the bill counting devices that are used less frequently than the first bill counting device among the plurality of bill counting devices,
The banknote counting system characterized in that the first and second banknote counting devices are notified as a combination for replacement. In the bill counting system according to claim 3,
The management server transmits a first signal indicating that the management server is a replacement target to the first and second bill counting devices,
Each of the plurality of bill counting devices includes a display unit, and when the first signal is received, the plurality of bill counting devices perform notification indicating that the bill counting device is a replacement target via the display unit. Banknote counting system. In the bill counting system according to claim 3,
The management server is
When it is recognized from the device identifier and the location identifier transmitted from the plurality of banknote counting devices that the banknote counting device is different from the notified combination, it is notified that there is an error in the replacement. A bill counting system. In the bill counting system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The banknote counting system, wherein the installation location is a casino table.