JP2006342540A - Money container unlocking mechanism, and money recovery system equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To implement low-cost prevention of illegal conduct, i. e. illegal steal of money from a money outlet of a money container during transportation of the same, by a third party. <P>SOLUTION: There is provided a money container unlocking mechanism 20 to implement the prevention of the illegal conduct, which functions to unlock an openable door arranged in the money outlet of the portable money container 10 mounted in a cash handling device, and is formed separately from the cash handling device. The unlocking mechanism is comprised of a holding device 21, an authentication device, and an unlocking device. The holding device detachably holds the money container and is unportable. The authentication device determines whether release of a lock of the money container is permitted or not. The unlocking device releases the lock on conditions that the money container is held in the holding device and that unlocking permission is authenticated by the authentication device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a money container unlocking device configured separately from a cash handling device for unlocking an open / close door provided at a cash outlet of a portable money container mounted in a cash handling device. The present invention relates to a lock mechanism and a money collection system including the same.

  A wide variety of cash handling apparatuses that handle cash, such as game machines installed in casinos, automatic teller machines (ATMs), and the like, are known. Among such cash handling apparatuses, there are those in which a portable money container is mounted inside, and cash is stored in the money container (Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, etc.).

  In a game machine in which a stacker (money container) can be mounted inside, such as the game machine described in Patent Document 1, generally, when collecting money such as inserted banknotes, a staff member stores the money. Collect them together. Specifically, the clerk removes the stacker containing money from the game machine, then attaches another stacker (empty stacker) to the game machine, and removes the removed stacker at a predetermined money collection location (security room, etc.). ). Then, the lock of the opening / closing door provided at the money collection outlet of the stacker is unlocked at the money collection place, and the money in the stacker is taken out. When unlocking the door, for example, it is unlocked with a key or unlocked by inputting an unlocking code. The person who performs this unlocking operation is usually performed by the staff who carried the stacker, one or more other staff who takes out the money, or both.

  Patent Document 2 describes an automatic cash transaction apparatus (cash handling apparatus) in which a detachable cash safe (money container) is mounted. The cash safe used in the automatic cash transaction apparatus includes a card reader that reads a personal identification number in an official card held by an attendant, and a keyboard for the attendant to input the personal identification number. When unlocking the cash safe, the clerk causes the card reader to read the code number in his clerk card, and then inputs the code number using the keyboard. Thereby, the control part provided in the cash safe compares the password read by the card reader with the password entered from the keyboard. As a result of this comparison, if these passwords match each other, the electromagnetic lock (lock) of the open / close door provided at the cash outlet of the cash safe is released.

  In general, it is necessary to provide sufficient security means to prevent money inside the money container from being illegally taken out. Therefore, in the conventional money container, as described above, the door of the money outlet is locked with a lock, and if there is no key or unlocking code for unlocking this lock, The money cannot be taken out.

JP 11-47348 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-242884

  However, in the conventional money container, there is a problem that any person who has the key or knows the unlocking code can take out the money in the money container anywhere. More specifically, conventionally, what is necessary for unlocking the lock of the money container has been portable such as a key and an unlocking code. Therefore, it is possible for a person who possesses the key or a person who knows the unlocking code to perform an illegal act of illegally taking out money from the money outlet of the money container during transportation of the money container. Become. In addition, in the money container described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, a double security is required in which two keys, a clerk card and a personal identification number, are required to unlock the lock. As long as it is portable, the problem cannot be solved.

  In addition, as a measure for preventing the fraud, a measure for constantly monitoring the money container during transportation is conceivable. However, enormous system costs and human costs are required to perform such monitoring. Therefore, there is a problem that the loss due to the fraud and the introduction cost cannot be balanced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to prevent fraudulent acts of fraudulently extracting money from the money outlet of the money container during transportation. An object is to provide an unlocking mechanism for a money container and a money collection system including the same.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 unlocks the opening / closing door provided at the money outlet of the portable money container mounted in the cash handling apparatus. A mechanism for unlocking a money container that is configured separately from the holder, and a non-portable holding device that detachably holds the money container and authenticating whether or not to allow the unlocking of the lock An unlocking device for unlocking the lock on the condition that the money storage device is held by the authentication device and that the unlocking is permitted by the authentication device; It is characterized by having.
In this unlocking mechanism, the first condition that the portable money container is held by a non-carryable holding device, and authentication that permits the unlocking of the lock of the money container by the authentication device was performed. If the two conditions of the second condition are not satisfied, the lock cannot be unlocked. Needless to say, other conditions may be added in addition to these two conditions. Due to the first condition, the lock of the money container can be unlocked only at the place where the holding device is installed, and the place other than that place, for example, the transportation of the money container It can't be done in the route. As a result, an illegal act of illegally extracting money from the money outlet of the money container can be prevented only by monitoring the place where the holding device is installed. Therefore, the cost required for monitoring can be reduced as compared with the conventional case where it is necessary to always monitor the transport of the money container.
The “authentication” performed by the authentication device is a process for confirming whether or not the person who unlocks the lock of the money container is a person having a legitimate authority. Accepting the operation of inserting and turning a predetermined key, judging whether the input unlock code is appropriate, reading the recorded content recorded on the recording medium, and whether the recorded content is appropriate Judging whether or not.
Further, “impossible to carry” means that the holding device is so large or heavy that it cannot be easily carried by a person, or the holding device has a structure that cannot be easily carried by a person.

The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the unlocking mechanism for money container of claim 1, the authentication device performs biometric authentication.
In this unlocking mechanism, the unlocking of the money container is performed by biometric authentication, that is, a process for determining whether a person who performs authentication using a biometric feature that can identify an individual is a person with legitimate authority. Authenticates whether to allow the lock. Therefore, compared to authentication processing using a key or an authentication code that can be obtained by another person, it is possible to suppress authentication by which unauthorized unlocking is permitted for a person without a legitimate authority. .

Further, the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that in the unlocking mechanism for the money container of claim 1 or 2, it has a collecting device for collecting money in the money container through the money outlet. It is.
In this unlocking mechanism, in addition to the unlocking process for unlocking the lock of the money container and opening the opening / closing door of the money outlet, the money collecting process for collecting the money in the money container by the collecting device may be performed. it can. Therefore, in the process of collecting money in the money container, the opportunity for the person to access the money can be reduced as compared with the case where the person performs this process.

Further, the invention of claim 4 is configured separately from the cash handling device for unlocking the open / close door provided at the money outlet of the portable money container mounted in the cash handling device. An unlocking mechanism for the money container, wherein the money container is detachably held, and the holding device is not portable, and the lock is held on the condition that the money container is held by the holding device. An unlocking device for unlocking and a recovery device for recovering money in the money container through the money outlet.
In this unlocking mechanism, the lock cannot be unlocked unless the condition that the portable money container is held by a holding device that cannot be carried is satisfied. Needless to say, other conditions may be added in addition to this condition. According to the above conditions, the lock of the money container can be unlocked only at the place where the holding device is installed, and at a place other than that place, for example, a place in the transport path of the money container. I can't. As a result, an illegal act of illegally extracting money from the money outlet of the money container can be prevented only by monitoring the place where the holding device is installed. Therefore, the cost required for monitoring can be reduced as compared with the conventional case where it is necessary to always monitor the transport of the money container.
Further, in this unlocking mechanism, the unlocking process of unlocking the money container and opening the opening / closing door of the money outlet and the money collection process for collecting the money in the money container by the collecting device are also performed. be able to. Therefore, in the process of collecting money in the money container, the opportunity for the person to access the money can be reduced as compared with the case where the person performs this process.

Further, the invention of claim 5 is the unlocking mechanism for money container according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the collection device is located at a position facing the money outlet of the money container held by the holding device. It is provided with a recovery port, and the holding device includes a shielding part that shields the money outlet, the money recovery port, and the space between them from the outside in the holding state of the money container. To do.
In this unlocking mechanism, when the money container is held by the holding device, the money outlet of the money container, the money collection port of the collecting device, and the space between them are shielded from the outside by the shielding portion. Is done. Therefore, while money in the money container moves from the money outlet to the money collection port, the money cannot be accessed from the outside. Therefore, according to this unlocking mechanism, after the lock of the money container is unlocked and the money can be taken out from the money outlet, the money is inserted into the money collection port of the recovery device. The money cannot be taken out from the outside.

The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that in the unlocking mechanism for money container of claim 3, 4 or 5, it has a detecting device for detecting the presence or absence of money in the money container.
In this unlocking mechanism, after the money in the money container is collected by the collection device, it can be confirmed by the detection device whether money remains in the money container. This eliminates the need for human confirmation, thereby reducing the opportunity for humans to access money.

The invention of claim 7 is the unlocking mechanism for a money container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the holding device includes a transmission terminal for transmitting an electric signal, The apparatus transmits an unlocking signal, which is an electrical signal for causing the lock to unlock the lock, with the holding device holding the money container.
In this unlocking mechanism, the lock of the money container can be unlocked by the unlocking signal transmitted from the unlocking device. As a result, money storage that uses an electric lock (a lock that is unlocked by receiving an unlocking signal from the outside) as a lock for the money container, which generally has a higher security function than a mechanical lock that can be unlocked with a key. This unlocking mechanism can also be applied to the container. Note that the unlock signal is preferably encrypted from the viewpoint of enhancing the security function.

The invention of claim 8 is the unlocking mechanism for money container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, wherein the holding device is provided with a power supply terminal, and the holding device is the money. It has a power feeding device that supplies power to the lock from the power feeding terminal in a state where the container is held.
In this unlocking mechanism, power can be supplied from the power feeding device to the lock provided in the money container that requires power to unlock. This eliminates the need to provide a power source for the lock of the money container in the money container. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the money container that employs such a lock can be reduced. Note that a large number of money containers are generally used at a time by consumers such as casinos and financial institutions that operate a large number of cash handling devices. For this reason, if the unit price of the money container is high, the introduction cost of the money container borne by the operator or the like becomes too high, and the balance between the loss due to the fraud and the introduction cost becomes worse, and there is a merit of the introduction. Disappear. Therefore, in a money container using a lock that requires electric power to be unlocked by the present unlocking mechanism, the merit of reducing the manufacturing cost is great.

Further, the invention of claim 9 is provided with a cash outlet for taking out the money accommodated in the cash handling device, the door provided at the money outlet, and the door being locked. An unlocking mechanism for a money container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the money container and the cash handling apparatus are provided separately from each other and configured to be portable. It is characterized by having.
This money collection system employs the above-described unlocking mechanism as an unlocking mechanism for unlocking the lock of the money container, so that fraudulent actions for illegally extracting money from the money outlet of the money container can be performed at low cost. It can be effectively prevented.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cash outlet that is mounted in a cash handling apparatus and for taking out the money accommodated therein, an opening / closing door provided at the money outlet, and locking the opening / closing door. A portable money container having a lock to be carried, a non-portable holding device that detachably holds the money container, and the lock is released on condition that the money container is held by the holding device. An unlocking device for locking, and an unlocking mechanism for a money container provided with a recovery device for recovering money in the money container through the money outlet, and carrying the money container into the unlocking mechanism. A loading / unloading device for mounting on the holding device of the unlocking mechanism, and a carry-out device for unloading the money container from the unlocking mechanism after the recovery device of the unlocking mechanism collects money from the money container. Characterized by having a transport mechanism A.
In this money collection system, since the unlocking mechanism of claim 4 described above is adopted as the unlocking mechanism for unlocking the lock of the money container, an illegal act of illegally taking out money from the money outlet of the money container Can be effectively prevented at low cost. In addition to the unlocking process of unlocking the money container and opening the door of the money outlet, the money collection process of collecting the money in the money container with a collection device can also be performed. Compared with the case where a person performs the process of collecting money in the vessel, the opportunity for the person to access the money can be reduced. As a result, security is improved.
In addition, in this money collection system, by providing the loading / unloading device, it is possible to automate the process of loading the money container into the unlocking mechanism and mounting it on the holding device of the unlocking mechanism. In addition, by providing the transport mechanism, it is possible to automate the process of unloading the money container from the unlocking mechanism after the recovery device of the unlocking mechanism collects money from the money container. As a result, compared with the case where these processes are performed manually, it is possible to reduce the chance of access to the unlocking mechanism by the person who has performed the process.

As mentioned above, according to invention of Claim 1 thru | or 10, the fraudulent act which takes out money illegally from the money outlet of the money container during conveyance of the money container can be prevented effectively at low cost. Has an excellent effect.
In particular, according to the invention of claim 2, since it is possible to prevent the unauthorized person from being authorized to permit the unlocking of the lock, an excellent effect of improving the security is achieved. The
In addition, according to the inventions of claims 3 and 4, since humans can reduce opportunities to access money, compared with the case where a person performs a process of collecting money in a money container, security is improved. An excellent effect is achieved.
In addition, according to the invention of claim 5, a malicious person touches the money after the money can be taken out from the money outlet until the money is put into the money collecting port of the collecting device. Since this is not possible, an excellent effect of improving security is achieved.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when checking whether or not money remains in the money container after the money is collected, a confirmation work by a human becomes unnecessary, and therefore, the opportunity for the human to access the money is reduced. And the excellent effect of improving the security is achieved.
Moreover, according to the invention of claim 7, an excellent effect that it can be applied also to a money container using an electric lock is exhibited.
Further, according to the invention of claim 8, there is an excellent effect that it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the money container using the lock that requires electric power for unlocking.
Further, according to the invention of claim 10, the process of carrying the money container into the unlocking mechanism and mounting it on the holding device and the process of unloading the money container from the unlocking mechanism can be automated. Compared with the case where it is performed manually, it is possible to reduce the chance of access to the unlocking mechanism by a person who has performed the operation, and the excellent effect of improving the security can be achieved.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, the present invention is a cash collection device provided with an unlocking mechanism for unlocking an opening / closing door provided at a cash outlet of a portable stacker (money container) mounted in a game machine which is a cash handling device. An embodiment applied to the system (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “Embodiment 1”) will be described. Note that the game machine of the first embodiment is installed in a casino.
First, a slot machine that is a game machine to which the stacker is mounted will be briefly described.
FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an example of the slot machine, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the slot machine. The slot machine 1 is configured by mounting various components inside and outside the casing. The housing has a main body 2 and a top box 3 attached to the upper part thereof. A front door 4 is attached to the front surface of the main body 2 through a hinge 5 provided on the left side thereof so as to be opened and closed. ing. A monitor 6 is accommodated in the main body 2, and a stacker storage box 7, an electrical box 8, a power supply unit 9, and the like are provided below the monitor 6. The stacker storage box 7 is mounted with a stacker described later for storing banknotes (money) inserted from the banknote slot 4a of the front door 4. The electrical box 8 houses the control circuit and other electrical components of the slot machine 1. Since this slot machine has the same configuration and operation as a well-known slot machine installed in a casino or the like, detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, the money collection system according to the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire money collection system according to the first embodiment.
The present money collection system includes a portable stacker 10 and an unlocking device for a money container that is configured separately from the slot machine 1 for unlocking an opening / closing door provided at a money collection outlet of the stacker 10. And an unlocking unit 20 as a mechanism. In the present system, when collecting banknotes inserted into the slot machine 1, first, a casino clerk removes the stacker 10 in the slot machine 1 from the slot machine 1. Specifically, the clerk unlocks the front door 4 and opens the front door 4 by inserting a dedicated key into the key hole 4 b of the front door 4 and turning it. Next, a key different from the key for the front door 4 is inserted into a key hole 7a provided in the stacker storage box 7 and turned to unlock the front door of the stacker storage box 7, and the front door is opened. Open. Thereby, the front surface of the stacker 10 accommodated in the stacker storage box 7 (the surface provided with the handle 10a in FIG. 1) can be exposed. Thereafter, the clerk takes out the stacker 10 from the slot machine 1 by holding the handle 10a of the stacker 10 and pulling it out to the front side. After taking out the stacker 10 in this way, the clerk sets another stacker (empty stacker) in the stacker storage box 7, closes and locks the front door of the stacker storage box 7, and closes the front door 4. And lock. The taken-out stacker 10 is transported by a staff member to a security room which is a predetermined money collection place.

  The unlocking unit 20 is installed in this security room. The unlocking unit 20 is fixed on a work table (not shown) installed in the security room by a method that cannot be easily removed, and is not portable. The unlocking unit 20 includes a holding device 21 having a mounting portion 21a to which the stacker 10 can be mounted on the upper surface. When the lower part of the stacker 10 is fitted into the mounting portion 21a, the holding device 21 locks and holds the stacker 10 by a lock mechanism (not shown). On the bottom surface of the mounting portion 21 a, a money collection port 25 is opened at a position facing the money collection port of the stacker 10 held by the holding device 21. As will be described later, when the opening / closing door of the money collection outlet provided on the bottom surface of the stacker 10 is opened, the money collection port 25 communicates with the money collection outlet. Further, in a state where the holding device 21 holds the stacker 10, the lower part of the stacker 10 is fitted in the mounting portion 21 a serving as a shielding portion. That is, there is only a slight gap between the lower side surface of the stacker 10 and the inner wall of the mounting portion 21a, and the bottom surface of the stacker 10 cannot be accessed from the outside. Therefore, the money collection outlet of the stacker 10, the money collection port 25 of the holding device 21, and the space between them are shielded from the outside.

Further, a transmission terminal 26 for transmitting an unlocking signal to an electric lock provided in the stacker 10 and a power supply terminal 27 for supplying electric power to the electric lock are provided on the bottom surface of the mounting portion 21a. Yes. When the stacker 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 21 a of the holding device 21, these terminals 26 and 27 come into contact with a receiving terminal and a power receiving terminal, which will be described later, provided on the bottom surface of the stacker.
Further, the unlocking unit 20 includes a control box 22. Inside the control box 22 and the holding device 21, an authentication device, an unlocking device, a detection device, a power feeding device, and the like, which will be described later, are accommodated. Note that the authentication apparatus according to the first embodiment performs biometric authentication using fingerprints, and the fingerprint reading unit 23 is provided on the upper surface of the control box 22. An operation button 24 is also provided on the upper surface of the control box 22.

Next, the configuration of the stacker 10 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the back side of the stacker 10. The stacker 10 according to the first embodiment is provided with a banknote inlet 11 at the upper part of the back surface thereof. When the stacker 10 is mounted inside the slot machine 1, the banknote inlet 11 is opposed to the outlet of the banknote conveyance path communicating with the banknote insertion port 4 a on the slot machine body side, and is conveyed through the banknote conveyance path. The bill that has been inserted is inserted. The banknotes inserted into the banknote inlet 11 are stored in a banknote storage space formed inside the stacker 10. In addition, on the bottom surface of the stacker 10, an opening / closing door 13 that opens and closes the money outlet 12 is provided. This open / close door 13 can be opened and closed in the direction of arrow A in the figure by a hinge (not shown) provided on the front side of the stacker. At the end of the open / close door 13 on the back side of the stacker, an engaged portion 13a is provided. The engaged portion 13a engages with an engaging portion (not shown) of the electric lock 14 provided at the lower portion of the stacker. When the engaging part of the electric lock 14 is engaged with the engaged part 13 a of the opening / closing door 13, the opening / closing door 13 is locked. Further, the bottom surface of the electric lock 14 is exposed on the bottom surface side of the stacker 10. On the bottom surface of the electric lock 14, when the stacker 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 21 a of the holding device 21 of the unlocking unit 20, the receiving terminal 15 that contacts the transmission terminal 26 of the mounting portion 21 a and the power supply terminal 27. And a power receiving terminal 16 in contact with the power receiving terminal 16. The electric lock 14 is operated by the electric power supplied from the power receiving terminal 16. When the unlocking signal transmitted from the unlocking unit 20 side is received by the receiving terminal 15, the engaging portion is driven and this engagement is performed. The engagement state between the joint portion and the engaged portion 13a of the opening / closing door 13 is released.

Next, the structure of the unlocking unit 20 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the stacker 10 and the unlocking unit 20.
The unlocking unit 20 of the first embodiment includes a holding device 21, an authentication device 31, an unlocking device 32, a recovery device 33, a power feeding device 34, and the like.
The holding device 21 includes a transmission terminal 26 and a power supply terminal 27 provided in the mounting portion 21a, the lock mechanism 28, and the like, and the configuration thereof is as described above.

  The authentication device 31 authenticates whether or not the unlocking of the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10 is permitted, and performs biometric authentication using a fingerprint based on the fingerprint read by the fingerprint reading unit 23. Specifically, the authentication device 31 includes a reading control unit that controls the fingerprint reading unit 23, a fingerprint information database in which fingerprint information of a person who has the authority to unlock the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10 is registered, and fingerprint reading And a comparison / determination unit that determines whether the fingerprint read by the unit 23 matches any of the fingerprint information in the fingerprint information database. Upon receiving the operation signal from the operation button 24, the reading control unit of the authentication device 31 controls the fingerprint reading unit 23 to read the fingerprint. When the authentication device 31 determines that the fingerprint read by the fingerprint reading unit 23 matches any of the fingerprint information in the fingerprint information database, the authentication device 31 transmits an authentication completion signal to the unlocking device 32.

  When the unlocking device 32 determines that the first condition that the stacker 10 is held by the holding device 21 and the second condition that the authentication device 31 is authenticated to permit the unlocking are satisfied, the transmission is transmitted. An unlock signal is transmitted through the terminal 26. Specifically, regarding the first condition, it is determined that the first condition is satisfied by receiving a lock completion signal from the lock mechanism 28 of the holding device 21. As for the second condition, it is determined that the second condition is satisfied by receiving an authentication completion signal from the authentication device 31.

  The collection device 33 collects banknotes in the stacker 10 through the money collection outlet 12. Specifically, the recovery device 33 includes a money recovery port 25 provided on the bottom surface of the mounting portion 21 a of the holding device 21, an open / close detection sensor (not shown) that detects the open / close state of the open / close door 13 of the stacker 10, and not shown. A suction device, a detection device (not shown) that detects the presence or absence of money in the stacker 10, and a collected banknote storage (not shown) are provided. When the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10 is unlocked by the unlocking device 32 and the open / close door 13 is opened, this is detected by the open / close detection sensor. In response to this detection result, the suction device operates for a certain period of time. As a result, the banknotes inside the stacker are drawn into the collected banknote storage part through the money collection port 25 by the suction force and collected. Thereafter, the presence or absence of money in the stacker 10 is detected by the detection device. As a result of this detection, when it is detected that money remains in the stacker 10, the suction device is operated again to attempt collection. On the other hand, when it is detected that no money remains in the stacker 10, a collection completion signal is transmitted to the lock mechanism 28 and the power feeding device 34, and the collection process is terminated.

In addition, as a collection | recovery banknote accommodating part, the collection bag installed in the inside of the worktable to which this unlocking unit 20 was attached is used, for example, and a collection bag is conveyed to a safe before a collection bag becomes full. It may be.
Moreover, as a collection | recovery banknote accommodating part, you may make it connect with the banknote collection path extended from the money collection port 25, for example using the safe arrange | positioned in the basement of a security room. In this case, since the collected banknotes can be sent directly to the safe, security is improved.
Moreover, although the collection | recovery apparatus 33 of this Embodiment 1 collects the banknote in the stacker 10 with a suction force, it collects by dropping the banknote in the stacker 10 with its own weight, without using such a suction force. You may do.

  The power feeding device 34 supplies power to the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10 via the power feeding terminal 27. When the power supply device 34 receives a lock completion signal from the lock mechanism 28 of the holding device 21, the power supply device 34 starts power supply. In addition, when a collection completion signal is received from the collection device 33, power supply is terminated.

Next, the operation of the unlocking unit 20 having the above configuration will be described.
First, when an attendant who has collected the stacker 10 from the slot machine 1 visits the security room, the attendant attaches the stacker 10 to the attachment portion 21 a of the holding device 21 of the unlocking unit 20. As a result, the lock mechanism 28 locks the stacker 10 and the stacker 10 cannot be removed from the unlocking unit 20. Then, the lock mechanism 28 transmits a lock completion signal to the unlocking device 32 and the power feeding device 34. The power supply device 34 that has received the lock completion signal starts supplying power from the power supply terminal 27 to the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10. Thereafter, when the clerk presses the operation button 24 with his / her finger placed on the fingerprint reading unit 23, the authentication device 31 controls the fingerprint reading unit 23 to read the fingerprint of the clerk and performs the above-described authentication process. When the authentication process is normally completed, an authentication completion signal is transmitted from the authentication device 31 to the unlocking device 32.

  When receiving the lock completion signal from the lock mechanism 28 and the authentication completion signal from the authentication device 31, the unlocking device 32 transmits an unlock signal from the transmission terminal 26 to the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10. That is, the unlocking device 32 does not transmit the unlock signal unless it receives both the lock completion signal and the authentication completion signal. The electric lock 14 of the stacker 10 that has received this unlocking signal controls the driving mechanism such as a solenoid to operate the engaging portion 17, and engages the engaging portion 17 with the engaged portion 13 a of the open / close door 13. Release the state. When the door 13 is unlocked in this way, the door 13 is opened by its own weight, and the money outlet 12 of the stacker 10 is opened, and this is detected by the opening / closing detection sensor of the collection device 33. Thereby, the collection | recovery apparatus 33 collect | recovers the banknotes in the stacker 10 to the collection | recovery banknote accommodating part via the money collection port 25 from the money collection outlet 12 with the attraction | suction force by the suction device.

  When the detection device of the recovery device 33 confirms that no money remains in the stacker 10, the recovery device 33 transmits a recovery completion signal to the lock mechanism 28 and the power supply device 34. The power supply device 34 that has received this collection completion signal ends the power supply to the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10. Further, the lock mechanism 28 that has received the collection completion signal releases the lock of the stacker 10. As a result, the stacker 10 can be removed from the mounting portion 21a of the holding device 21, so that the clerk removes the empty stacker 10 from the mounting portion 21a. The empty stacker 10 is transported and stored by a staff member to a predetermined stacker storage location, for example, a wagon for transporting a plurality of stackers to the slot machine 1 on the casino floor. After that, the empty stacker 10 is mounted on the slot machine 1 again and reused.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the first condition that the stacker 10 is held by the holding device 21 of the unlocking unit 20, and the electricity of the stacker 10 by the authentication device 31 of the unlocking unit 20. The electric lock 14 cannot be unlocked unless the two conditions of the second condition that the authentication permitting the unlocking of the lock 14 has been made are not satisfied. Due to the first condition, the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10 can be unlocked only in the security room where the holding device 21 is installed. For example, the stacker 10 It cannot be done at any place in the transportation route. Therefore, if only a limited narrow area such as a security room is monitored, it is possible to effectively prevent an illegal act of illegally taking out banknotes from the money collection outlet 12 of the stacker 10.
In the first embodiment, the unlocking unit 20 performs the money collection process of collecting the banknotes in the stacker 10 by the collecting device 33. Therefore, compared with the conventional case where a person has performed the process of collecting banknotes in the stacker 10, the opportunity for humans to access the banknotes can be reduced, and security can be improved.
In the first embodiment, when the stacker 10 is held by the holding device 21, the money outlet 12 of the stacker 10, the money collection port 25 of the collection device 33, and the space between them are the holding device 21. It is comprised so that it may be shielded from the exterior by the mounting part 21a. Therefore, while the banknote in the stacker 10 moves from the money outlet 12 to the money collection port 25, the banknote cannot be accessed from the outside. Therefore, after the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10 is unlocked and the bill can be taken out from the money outlet 12, the bill is inserted into the money collection port 25 of the collection device 33. Since it cannot be taken out from the outside, security can be improved.
Moreover, in this Embodiment 1, since the collection | recovery apparatus 33 collect | recovers the banknotes in the stacker 10, it will check with a detection apparatus whether the banknotes remain in the stacker 10, Therefore, no banknotes remain in the stacker 10. Compared to the conventional case where humans have confirmed whether or not, it is possible to reduce opportunities for humans to access banknotes and improve security.
Further, in the first embodiment, since the power required by the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10 is supplied from the power supply device 34 of the unlocking unit 20, it is not necessary to provide the stacker 10 with a power source for the electric lock 14. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the stacker 10 can be reduced and the unit price of the stacker 10 can be reduced as compared with the case where a power source is provided in the stacker 10. As a result, when the casino operating the slot machine 1 introduces the money collection system, the introduction cost when introducing a large amount of the stacker 10 can be greatly reduced, and the use of the money collection system is promoted. be able to.

Note that the unlocking unit 20 of the first embodiment is configured to automate the money collection process of taking out and collecting the money in the stacker 10 in addition to the unlocking process of unlocking the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10. The money collection process may be performed manually by a staff member. That is, the recovery device 33 of the unlocking unit 20 may be omitted.
In the first embodiment, the case where the authentication process performed by the authentication device 31 is biometric authentication using fingerprints. However, other biometric authentication such as vein authentication and retinal authentication may be used. It may be an authentication process. As an authentication process other than the biometric authentication, for example, a process in which an attendant inserts a dedicated key into a keyhole provided in the authentication device 31 and turns it to authenticate. Further, for example, there is a process of operating the operation unit provided in the authentication device 31 to determine whether or not the unlocking code input by the attendant is appropriate. In addition, for example, a reading unit that reads authentication data recorded on a recording medium such as an IC card is provided in the authentication device 31, and processing for determining whether or not the authentication data read by the reading unit is appropriate may be mentioned.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “embodiment 2”) will be described. In the second embodiment, a part of the work performed by the staff in the money collection system of the first embodiment is automated, and the basic configurations and operations of the stacker 10 and the unlocking unit 20 are the same as those described above. Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, only the portions different from the first embodiment will be described in the following description. In addition, the work to be automated in the second embodiment is specifically the work of mounting the stacker 10 removed from the slot machine 1 to the holding device 21 of the unlocking unit 20, and the removal of the stacker 10 from the unlocking unit 20. It is an operation of transporting to a predetermined stacker storage location.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of the entire money collection system according to the second embodiment.
The present money collection system includes a portable stacker 10 and an unlocking device for a money container that is configured separately from the slot machine 1 for unlocking an opening / closing door provided at a money collection outlet of the stacker 10. An unlocking unit 120 as a mechanism and a transport mechanism for the stacker 10 are provided. This transport mechanism includes a loading / unloading device 141 that loads the stacker 10 into the unlocking unit 120 and mounts the stacker 10 on the holding device 121 of the unlocking unit 120, and after the collection device of the unlocking unit 120 collects banknotes from the stacker 10. The stacker 10 is composed of an unloading device 142 for unloading the stacker 10 from the unlocking unit 120. The stacker 10 in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  The loading / unloading device 141 is configured by a belt conveyor or the like that conveys the stacker 10 in a state where the stacker 10 is placed. The loading / unloading device 141 extends to the outside and the inside through the wall of the security room. The wall of the security room is provided with an inlet 151 having a size that allows the stacker 10 mounted on the loading / unloading device 141 to pass therethrough, and it is difficult for humans to enter through the entrance 151. It has become. An end of the loading / unloading device 141 located inside the wall of the security room extends to the inside of the unlocking unit 120. When the staff places the stacker 10 collected from the slot machine 1 on the end of the loading / unloading device 141 located outside the wall of the security room and presses the button 143, the loading / unloading device 141 unloads the stacker 10. Transport to the lock unit 120. Then, the carry-in mounting device 141 mounts the stacker 10 on the mounting portion 121 a of the holding unit 121 of the unlocking unit 120.

  The carry-out device 142 is also composed of a belt conveyor or the like that conveys the stacker 10 in a state where the stacker 10 is placed, and extends outside and inside through the wall of the security room. The wall of the security room is provided with an outlet 152 having a size that allows the stacker 10 placed on the carry-out device 142 to just pass through. The design makes it difficult for a person to enter through the outlet 152. It has become. The end of the carry-out device 142 located inside the security room wall extends to the inside of the unlocking unit 120. When the processing in the unlocking unit 120 is completed, the carry-out device 142 receives the stacker 10 attached to the unlocking unit 120 and conveys it to the outlet 152 side. Then, the carry-out device 142 conveys the stacker 10 to the outside of the security room via the outlet 152.

Note that the stacker 10 transported out of the security room by the unloading device 142 may be received by the staff from the unloading device 142 and transported to a stacker storage location such as a wagon. Alternatively, the stacker 10 may be automatically received from the carry-out device 142 without a staff member and conveyed to a stacker storage location such as a wagon.
In the second embodiment, even an attendant cannot enter the security room.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the stacker 10 and the unlocking unit 120.
The unlocking unit 120 of the second embodiment includes a holding device 121, an unlocking device 132, a recovery device 33, a power feeding device 34, and the like. Since the unlocking unit 120 does not perform authentication processing by the authentication device, the unlocking unit 120 does not include the authentication device, fingerprint reading unit, operation buttons, and the like provided in the first embodiment. The holding device 121 is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment except that the holding device 121 is configured to accommodate the stacker 10 that has been transported by the loading / unloading device 141.

  When the banknotes in the stacker 10 are collected in the second embodiment, the clerk who has collected the stacker 10 from the slot machine 1 places the stacker 10 on the end of the loading / unloading device 141 located outside the security room, and presses the button 143. Push. Then, the loading / unloading device 141 transports the stacker 10 to the unlocking unit 120 and mounts the stacker 10 on the mounting portion 121 a of the holding portion 121 of the unlocking unit 120. When the stacker 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 121a, the lock mechanism 28 locks the stacker 10, and a lock completion signal is transmitted from the lock mechanism 28 to the unlocking device 132 and the power feeding device 34. The power supply device 34 that has received the lock completion signal starts supplying power from the power supply terminal 27 to the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10.

  On the other hand, when receiving the lock completion signal from the lock mechanism 28, the unlocking device 132 transmits an unlock signal from the transmission terminal 26 to the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10. That is, the unlocking device 132 does not transmit the unlock signal unless it receives the lock completion signal. The electric lock 14 of the stacker 10 that has received this unlocking signal controls a driving mechanism such as a solenoid to operate the engaging portion 17 to unlock the open / close door 13. Thereby, the money outlet 12 of the stacker 10 is opened, and the banknotes in the stacker 10 are collected by the collection device 33 as in the first embodiment.

  When the detection device of the recovery device 33 confirms that no money remains in the stacker 10, the recovery device 33 transmits a recovery completion signal to the lock mechanism 28 and the power supply device 34. The power supply device 34 that has received this collection completion signal ends the power supply to the electric lock 14 of the stacker 10. Further, the lock mechanism 28 that has received the collection completion signal releases the lock of the stacker 10. Thereby, the stacker 10 can be detached from the mounting portion 21a of the holding device 21. In the second embodiment, a collection completion signal is also transmitted from the collection device 33 to the carry-out device 142. The carry-out device 142 that has received this collection completion signal receives the stacker 10 attached to the unlocking unit 120 and conveys it outside the security room.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when collecting the banknotes in the stacker 10 taken out from the slot machine 1, there is no opportunity for a human to touch the banknotes, so that very high security can be realized. it can.
In the money collection system according to the second embodiment, the money collected by the collection device 33 is counted by a dedicated clerk or bundled in a predetermined unit. Therefore, an apparatus for automating such work may also be included in the money collection system.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the lock of the stacker 10 is the electric lock 14 that is unlocked by receiving an unlock signal from the outside has been described. However, a mechanical lock may be used. The mechanical lock means one that is unlocked by engaging an unlocking object with the lock of the stacker 10.
In the first and second embodiments described above, the stacker 10 used in the slot machine 1 which is a game machine installed in a casino has been described as an example. However, a game machine other than a slot machine or cash is handled. The same applies to the stacker 10 used in other cash handling apparatuses such as an automatic teller machine (ATM).

The schematic block diagram of the whole money collection | recovery system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. (A) is a perspective view which shows an example of a slot machine. (B) is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the slot machine. The perspective view from the back side of the stacker with which the slot machine is mounted | worn. The functional block diagram of the unlocking unit which unlocks the same stacker and the lock of this stacker. The conceptual diagram of the whole money collection | recovery system which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The functional block diagram of the stacker and unlocking unit in the money collection system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 10 Stacker 11 Bill entrance 12 Money collection exit 13 Door 14 Electric lock 15 Reception terminal 16 Power reception terminal 20,120 Unlocking unit 21,121 Holding device 23 Fingerprint reading part 24 Operation button 25 Money collection port 26 Transmission terminal 27 Feeding terminal 31 Authentication device 32, 132 Unlocking device 33 Recovery device 34 Power feeding device 141 Loading / unloading device 142 Unloading device

Claims (10)

An unlocking mechanism for a money container that is configured separately from the cash handling apparatus, which unlocks the lock of the door provided at the money outlet of the portable money container mounted in the cash handling apparatus. There,
A non-portable holding device that detachably holds the money container;
An authentication device for authenticating whether or not to permit the unlocking of the lock;
An unlocking device for unlocking the lock, on condition that the money container is held by the holding device, and that the authentication device permits authentication to be unlocked;
An unlocking mechanism for a money container characterized by comprising: The unlocking mechanism for a money container according to claim 1,
The unlocking mechanism for a money container, wherein the authentication device performs biometric authentication. In the unlocking mechanism for money container according to claim 1 or 2,
An unlocking mechanism for a money container, comprising a collection device for collecting money in the money container through the money outlet. An unlocking mechanism for a money container that is configured separately from the cash handling apparatus, which unlocks the lock of the door provided at the money outlet of the portable money container mounted in the cash handling apparatus. There,
A non-portable holding device that detachably holds the money container;
An unlocking device for unlocking the lock on the condition that the money container is held by the holding device;
A collecting device for collecting money in the money container through the money outlet;
An unlocking mechanism for a money container characterized by comprising: In the unlocking mechanism for a money container according to claim 3 or 4,
The collection device includes a money collection port at a position facing the money collection port of the money container held by the holding device,
The holding device includes a lock unit that shields the money collection port, the money collection port, and a space between them from the outside in a holding state of the money container. . In the unlocking mechanism for a money container according to claim 3, 4 or 5,
An unlocking mechanism for a money container, comprising a detection device for detecting the presence or absence of money in the money container. In the unlocking mechanism for money container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6,
The holding device includes a transmission terminal for transmitting an electrical signal;
The unlocking device transmits an unlocking signal, which is an electric signal for causing the lock to perform an unlocking operation, in a state where the holding device holds the money container. Unlocking mechanism for container. In the unlocking mechanism for a money container according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7,
The holding device includes a power supply terminal;
An unlocking mechanism for a money container, comprising: a power supply device that supplies power to the lock from the power supply terminal in a state where the holding device holds the money container. Money that is mounted in a cash handling device and that can be carried with a money outlet for taking out the money stored inside, a door provided at the money outlet, and a lock that locks the door A container,
A money collection system comprising the unlocking mechanism for a money container according to claim 1, which is configured separately from the cash handling apparatus. Money that is mounted in a cash handling device and that can be carried with a money outlet for taking out the money stored inside, a door provided at the money outlet, and a lock that locks the door A container,
A holding device that detachably holds the money container, an unlocking device that unlocks the lock on the condition that the money container is held by the holding device; and An unlocking mechanism for a money container provided with a collecting device for collecting money via the money outlet;
A loading / unloading device that loads the money container into the unlocking mechanism and mounts it on a holding device of the unlocking mechanism, and the money storage after the recovery device of the unlocking mechanism collects money from the money container A money collection system comprising: a transport mechanism including a carry-out device for carrying the container out of the unlocking mechanism.

Images