WO1999003071A1

WO1999003071A1 - Game medium and banknote transfer system using air stream

Info

Publication number: WO1999003071A1
Application number: PCT/JP1997/002344
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takatoshi Takemoto; Kazunari Kawashima; Yoichi Yoneda
Original assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ace Denken
Priority date: 1997-07-07
Filing date: 1997-07-07
Publication date: 1999-01-21
Also published as: AU3359197A

Abstract

A game medium and banknote transfer system (8000) for recovery of game media and banknotes comprises a safe (8100) for housing game media and banknotes, transfer containers (8500) each having a banknote storage portion (8510) and a game medium storage portion (8520), a transfer tube (6110) for transferring the transfer containers (8500) between an island (1) and the safe (8100), an air stream generating mechanism (7200) for generating air stream in the transfer tube (6110) to move the transfer containers (8500), a plurality of container catching mechanisms (2760) inserted into and provided at those positions of the transfer tube (6110), which correspond to the island (1) and the safe (8100) and for catching the transfer containers (8500), game medium introduction machines (7300) provided on the container catching mechanisms (2760) of the island (1) for introducing game media into the transfer container (8500), a banknote introduction machine (2700) provided on the container catching mechanisms (2760) corresponding to the island (1) for introducing banknotes into the transfer containers (8500), game medium discharge machines (7300) provided on the container catching mechanisms (2760) of the safe (8100) for taking out game media received in the transfer containers (8500), a banknote discharge machine (2800) provided on the container catching mechanisms (2760) of the safe (8100) for taking out banknotes received in the transfer container (8500), and a control system (PCS) for receiving a game medium recovery demand and a banknote recovery demand from any one of game machines (2) to control recovery of game media and banknotes.

Description

Description Game media using airflowBill transport system Technical field The present invention uses an airflow to collect and supply game media such as coins and medals and bills to a plurality of gaming machines, etc., arranged in a game arcade. The present invention relates to a game medium and a bill transfer system that uses a game medium and a bill transfer system, and more particularly to a game medium and a bill transfer system suitable for storing and transferring a game medium and a bill in a common transfer container. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a game arcade, a large number of one or more types of gaming machines such as slot machines, pachinko gaming machines and the like are arranged. In order to play games using these gaming machines, it is necessary to put gaming media such as coins and medals into the gaming machines. On the other hand, a gaming machine such as a slot machine pays out a predetermined number of coins or tokens as a prize if the game satisfies certain conditions. Therefore, this type of gaming machine is provided with a mechanism for storing a certain amount of coins, tokens, and the like to be paid out as a prize.

In the amusement arcade, there are exchange machines that convert banknotes into coins, and game media lending machines that lend game media such as tokens according to the insertion of banknotes and coins. The player plays a game by inserting a banknote or coin and borrowing a token, or exchanging banknotes for coins with a money changer.

In such amusement arcades, the amount of game media stored in each of the gaming machines becomes excessive when inserted and becomes small when dispensed, so it is necessary to collect and supply game media. In addition, currency exchange machines and game media rental machines require collection of banknotes and supply of game media. By the way, a transport device for supplying a game medium to a game machine or collecting a game medium from the game machine has been proposed. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 1-128966 / 1990, 52-685 / 35, Japanese Patent Publication No. 55/870/70, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 52-824878 discloses an apparatus for conveying game media such as coins using an air flow.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-128866 discloses a device for supplying coins by air flow. This device consists of a coin transport conduit that connects equipment that requires coins, and a blower that discharges air from the coin transport conduit to form an air stream and transport coins to the target equipment. With one. This device also collects coins. However, the collection is carried out by a belt conveyor without using airflow.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 52-65853, Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 55-30870, and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. A coin collection device has been disclosed, in which coins and medals put into equipment are collected in units of islands, and the collected coins and medals are transported by air to a collection box installed in a specific location. I have. In these devices, a pneumatic transport pipe for pneumatic transport, a branch pipe connecting each device to the pneumatic transport pipe, and a blower for sucking air in the pneumatic transport pipe through the collection box described above. And one. In this device, air is generated in the pneumatic transport pipe by sucking air in the pneumatic transport pipe by a blower, and coins are transported by the air flow.

On the other hand, a transport device using an air flow has been proposed to collect bills from gaming machines and game media rental machines. For example, Japanese Patent No. 25111692 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-185357, which are patented in Japan, disclose devices for transporting banknotes using an air flow. I have.

The device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2511 1692 discloses a bill transport tube for transporting bills pneumatically, a blower for sucking air in the bill transport tube, and repairs pneumatically transported bills. And a bill collector. This device transports banknotes by forming an air flow in the same manner as in the transport of coins described above. An apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 3-185573 is a transport path having a hollow portion for transporting bills by air, an exhaust device for sucking air in the transport path via an exhaust valve, It has a detector that detects the passage of banknotes in the transport path, and an inference unit that performs fuzzy inference based on the detection results of the detector and the like and determines the adjustment amount of the exhaust valve. This device also transports bills directly by air flow.

However, the above-described device for transporting the game medium by the air flow transports the game medium itself by the air flow generated in the pipe. For this reason, there is a problem that the game medium and the pipe wall or the like come into contact with each other to be damaged, or the game medium easily stays in the pipe.

Similarly, the above-described device for transporting banknotes by air flow transports the banknotes themselves by the airflow generated in the pipe. For this reason, there is a problem that bills tend to contact the tube wall and the like and stay in the tube. In particular, the charging caused by the bills rubbing against the tube wall causes the bills to adhere closely to the tube wall, and the sent bills may not arrive at the target position. This also causes clogging.

In addition, in order to be able to carry both game media and bills, it is necessary to separately lay a game media transport tube and device and a bill transport tube and device. For this reason, a large space is required for laying, and the laying work requires dogs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to prevent damage to a transported object and a device for transporting the transported object, prevent clogging of the transported object, perform smooth transport, and achieve a small space. An object of the present invention is to provide a game media and a bill transport system that can be easily laid by utilizing a game media. According to the present invention, a game medium for collecting game media and bills from an island including a plurality of gaming machines A safe for storing game media and bills,

A transfer container having a bill storage unit for storing bills to be transported, and a game medium storage unit for storing game media to be transported,

A transfer pipe for transferring the transfer container between the island and the safe,

An air flow generating mechanism for generating an air flow in the transfer pipe and moving a transfer container existing in the transfer pipe;

A plurality of container capturing mechanisms for inserting and installing the transport pipes at positions corresponding to the island and the safe, respectively, for capturing the transport containers moving in the transport pipe;

A plurality of game media introduction machines installed corresponding to the installation positions of the plurality of container capturing mechanisms corresponding to the islands and for introducing game media to the captured transport containers;

A plurality of bill introducing machines installed corresponding to the installation positions of the plurality of container capturing mechanisms corresponding to the islands and for introducing bills into the captured transport containers;

A game media ejector installed corresponding to the position of the container capturing mechanism corresponding to the safe, for taking out the game media contained in the captured transport container and storing it in the safe;

A banknote ejector that is installed corresponding to the installation position of the container capturing mechanism corresponding to the safe, and that takes out the banknotes stored in the captured transport container and stores them in the safe;

And a control system for receiving a game medium collection request and a bill collection request from any one of the gaming machines, and controlling the collection of the game medium and the bill. .

The game medium accommodating section and the bill accommodating section of the transport container are arranged in series along the moving direction of the transport container, and the game medium introducing machine and the bill introducing machine are adjacent to each other at the installation position of the container capturing mechanism. The game media and bills are introduced into the transported container at the same position where they are captured, and the game media ejector and bill ejector are installed adjacent to the container catching mechanism. By being installed in accordance with the position, it is possible to discharge the game medium and the bill from the transported container at the same position captured. The transport container has an opening for introducing a game medium formed at an upper portion of the game medium storage portion, an opening for discharging a game medium formed at a lower portion of the game medium storage portion, and a bill formed at an upper portion of the bill storage portion. An opening for introduction, an opening for discharging bills formed in a lower part of the bill storage section, and a shirt section for opening and closing the opening of the game medium storage section. Each of the medium dischargers has a drive mechanism that protrudes and retracts into the space in the container capturing mechanism that communicates with the transport pipe, and changes the open / close state of the shirt portion of the transport container. Each of the introduction machine and the bill discharging machine can have a drive mechanism for protruding and retracting bills, which is protruded and retracted into the space communicating with the transport pipe in the container capturing mechanism.

The shirt portion of the transport container may be an inner container having one passage port, which is rotatably included in the transport container in the game medium storage portion.

When the control system receives the game medium collection request, the control system activates the container capturing mechanism corresponding to the gaming machine that has issued the collection request, cancels the operation of the container capturing mechanism capturing the transport container, and releases the air. After controlling the flow generating mechanism and transporting the transport container to the game medium introducing machine corresponding to the game machine that has issued the collection request, the game medium introducing machine issues a game medium introducing instruction to the game medium introducing machine. In response to the completion, the container catching mechanism corresponding to the safe is operated, the container catching mechanism that is catching the transport container is deactivated, and the air flow generating mechanism is controlled, and the transport container is moved to the above state. After being transported to the game media discharger in the vault, a game media discharge instruction is issued to the game media discharger, and further, when a bill collection request is received, a container capturing mechanism corresponding to the game machine that has issued the collection request is activated. Actuation At the same time, the operation of the container capturing mechanism that is capturing the transport container was released, and the air flow generating mechanism was controlled to transport the transport container to the bill introduction machine corresponding to the gaming machine that issued the collection request. Thereafter, a bill introduction instruction is issued to the bill introduction machine, and when the introduction of the bill is completed, the container catching mechanism corresponding to the safe is activated, and the container catching mechanism for catching the transport container is released. Then, after controlling the airflow generating mechanism to transport the transport container to the banknote ejector corresponding to the safe, the banknote ejector can issue a banknote eject instruction.

The control system described above keeps the transport container, which contains only banknotes, in the safe. In the case where a game medium collection request is received, the transfer container is moved to the game medium introduction machine corresponding to the game machine that has issued the game medium collection request, and the game medium is introduced into the game medium introduction machine. After that, the transport container is moved to the safe, and the game media discharger and the banknote discharger corresponding to the safe discharge the game media and bills, and the transport container containing only the game media is transferred to the safe. If a bill collection request is received before moving, the transport container is moved to the bill introduction machine corresponding to the gaming machine that has issued the bill collection request, and the bill introduction machine introduces a bill. Thereafter, the transport container is moved to the safe, and the game medium discharger and the banknote discharger corresponding to the safe can discharge the game medium and the banknote.

Further, according to the present invention, in a game media / banknote transport system for collecting and supplying game media to an island including a plurality of gaming machines, the game media and a safe for storing game media are transported. A transport container for storing the game medium, a transport tube for transporting the transport container between the island and the safe, and generating an air flow in the transport tube to move the transport container present in the transport tube And a plurality of container catching mechanisms, each of which is installed at a position corresponding to an island and a safe in the above-mentioned transport pipe and captures a transport vessel moving in the transport pipe, and an air flow generating mechanism for the island and the safe. A plurality of game media introduction / discharge machines installed corresponding to the installation positions of the corresponding plurality of container capturing mechanisms, for introducing game media into the captured transport containers, and for removing game media from the transport containers, Installed corresponding to the installation positions of multiple container capturing mechanisms corresponding to islands, corresponding to the installation positions of multiple banknote introducing machines for introducing banknotes into captured transport containers and container capturing mechanisms corresponding to safes A banknote ejector for taking out the banknotes stored in the captured transport container and storing them in the above safe, a game media collection request, a game media supply request, and a A game medium / banknote transport system comprising: a control system for receiving a banknote collection request and performing a game media collection control and a supply control; and a banknote collection control.

The game medium storage section and the bill storage section of the transport container are arranged in series along the moving direction of the transfer container. By being installed adjacent to the installation position of the above-mentioned container capturing mechanism, game media are introduced and discharged, and bills are introduced into the captured transport container at the same position. The ejecting machine and the bill ejecting machine are installed adjacent to each other in accordance with the installation position of the above-mentioned container catching mechanism, so that the game media can be introduced and ejected from the transported container at the same position, and the bill can be ejected. Discharge can be performed.

The transport container has an opening for introducing a game medium formed at an upper portion of the game medium storage portion, an opening for discharging a game medium formed at a lower portion of the game medium storage portion, and a bill formed at an upper portion of the bill storage portion. It has an opening for introduction, an opening for discharging bills formed in the lower part of the bill storage section, and a shirt section for opening and closing the opening of the game medium storage section. A drive mechanism that protrudes and retracts into the space communicating with the transport pipe in the container capturing mechanism and changes the open / close state of the shirt portion of the transport container. In addition, a drive mechanism for projecting and pushing out banknotes, which protrudes and retracts into a space in the container capturing mechanism that communicates with the transport pipe, can be provided.

When the control system receives the game medium collection request, the control system activates the container capturing mechanism corresponding to the gaming machine that has issued the collection request, cancels the operation of the container capturing mechanism capturing the transport container, and releases the air. After controlling the flow generating mechanism to transport the transport container to the game medium introduction / discharge machine corresponding to the game machine which has issued the collection request, the game medium introduction / discharge machine issues a game medium introduction instruction to the game medium introduction / discharge machine, and In response to the completion of the introduction, the container catching mechanism corresponding to the safe is operated, the container catching mechanism for catching the transport container is deactivated, and the air flow generating mechanism is controlled, and the transport container is removed. After moving to the game media introduction / discharge machine corresponding to the above safe, a game media discharge instruction is issued to the game media introduction / discharge machine, and when a game medium supply request is accepted, the game media introduction / discharge corresponding to the safe is received. A game media introduction instruction is issued to the machine, and in response to the completion of the introduction of the game medium, the container catching mechanism corresponding to the game machine that has issued the supply request is operated and the container capturing the transport container. Release the operation of the trapping mechanism, and After controlling the generating mechanism to move the transfer container to the game medium introduction / discharge machine corresponding to the game machine which has issued the supply request, the game medium introduction / discharge instruction is issued to the game medium introduction / discharge machine. When a bill collection request is received, the container catching mechanism corresponding to the gaming machine that has issued the billing request is activated, and the container catching mechanism for catching the transport container is released, and the airflow generating mechanism is activated. After controlling the transport, the transport container is transported to the bill introduction machine corresponding to the gaming machine that issued the collection request, and then a bill introduction instruction is issued to the bill introduction machine. In addition to activating the container capturing mechanism corresponding to the above, releasing the operation of the container capturing mechanism capturing the transport container, controlling the airflow generating mechanism, and transporting the transport container to the banknote ejector corresponding to the safe. After having been sent, It is possible to produce a bill discharge instructions to the machine.

The control system, when receiving a game medium supply request before moving the transport container containing the game medium to the safe, up to the game medium introduction / discharge machine corresponding to the game machine that issued the game medium supply request. By moving the transfer container, the game medium introduction / discharge machine can cause the game medium to be introduced.

If the control system receives a game medium collection request before moving the transport container containing only the banknotes to the safe, the above-described game media introduction / discharge machine corresponding to the game machine that has issued the game medium collection request. After the transfer container is moved and the game medium introduction / discharge machine introduces the game medium, the transfer container is moved to the safe, and the game medium introduction / discharge machine and the banknote discharge machine corresponding to the safe are transferred to the game machine. If a bill collection request is received before the media and bills are ejected and the transport container containing only the game media is moved to the safe, the bill corresponding to the gaming machine that issued the bill collection request After the transfer container is moved to the introducing machine, and the bill introducing machine introduces the bill, the transfer container is moved to the safe, and the game medium discharging machine corresponding to the safe and the bill discharging machine are provided with the game medium. You And discharge of banknotes.

Further, according to the present invention, in a game medium / banknote transport system for collecting game media and banknotes from an island including a plurality of gaming machines, a safe for storing the game media and banknotes and a banknote to be transported are provided. A transport container that individually has a bill storage unit that stores therein, a game medium storage unit that stores game media to be transported, and the transport container A transport pipe for transporting between the island and the safe, an air flow generating mechanism for generating an air flow in the transport pipe and moving a transport container present in the transport pipe, At least one game media introducing machine for introducing game media into the transport container; and at least one game media introducing machine for introducing banknotes into the transport container corresponding to the island; A game media ejector installed to take out the game media contained in the safe and installed in the transport container and stored in the safe, and installed in the safe and stored in the captured transport container And a position corresponding to each of the installation positions of the game media introducing machine, the bill introducing machine, the game media ejecting machine, and the bill ejecting machine of the transport tube. Insert each And a plurality of container capturing mechanisms for capturing a transport container moving in the transport pipe, and for receiving a game medium collection request and a bill collection request from any of the gaming machines, and performing a collection control of the game medium and the bill. And a control system for the game media and a bill transport system. The transport container has an opening for introducing a game medium formed at an upper portion of the game medium storage portion, an opening for discharging a game medium formed at a lower portion of the game medium storage portion, and a bill formed at an upper portion of the bill storage portion. An opening for introduction, an opening for discharging bills formed in a lower part of the bill storage section, and a shirt section for opening and closing the opening of the game medium storage section. Each of the medium dischargers has a drive mechanism that protrudes and retracts into the space in the container capturing mechanism that communicates with the transport pipe, and changes the open / close state of the shirt portion of the transport container. Each of the introduction machine and the bill discharging machine can have a drive mechanism for protruding and retracting bills, which is protruded and retracted into the space communicating with the transport pipe in the container capturing mechanism.

Further, according to the present invention, in a game media / banknote transport system for collecting and supplying game media to an island including a plurality of gaming machines, the game media and a safe for storing game media are transported. A transport container for storing the game medium, a transport tube for transporting the transport container between the island and the safe, and generating an air flow in the transport tube to move the transport container present in the transport tube Air flow generation mechanism, and installed in correspondence with islands and safes, introducing game media into transport containers, and transport containers A plurality of game media introduction / discharge machines for taking out game media from Japan, and at least one machine corresponding to the island, a banknote machine for introducing banknotes into the transport container, and a machine corresponding to the safe The banknote ejector for taking out the banknotes stored in the transport container and storing them in the safe, and the installation position of the game medium introduction and ejection machine, the banknote introduction machine, and the banknote ejection machine of the transport tube. A plurality of container capturing mechanisms that are inserted and installed at the corresponding positions and capture the transport containers that move in the transport pipe, and a request to collect game media, a request to supply game media, and a request to collect bills from one of the gaming machines And a control system for controlling the collection and supply of the game media and the control for collecting the banknotes.

The transport container has an opening for introducing a game medium formed at an upper portion of the game medium storage portion, an opening for discharging a game medium formed at a lower portion of the game medium storage portion, and a bill formed at an upper portion of the bill storage portion. It has an opening for introduction, an opening for discharging bills formed in the lower part of the bill storage section, and a shirt section for opening and closing the opening of the game medium storage section. Each having a drive mechanism for protruding and retracting into the space in communication with the transport pipe in the container capturing mechanism and for changing the open / close state of the shirt portion of the transport container; Each of the ejectors can have a drive mechanism that protrudes and retracts toward the inside of the space that communicates with the transport pipe in the container capturing mechanism and pushes out the bills.

Further, according to the present invention, in a transport container that moves in a transport pipe by an air flow and stores and transports game media and bills, a bill storage unit that stores bills to be transported, and a game media to be transported, A game medium accommodating portion to be accommodated, an opening for introducing a game medium formed in an upper portion of the game medium accommodating portion, an opening for discharging a game medium formed in a lower portion of the game medium accommodating portion, and an upper portion in the bill accommodating portion. An opening for opening a bill to be formed, an opening for discharging a bill formed in a lower part of the bill housing section, and a shirt section for opening and closing an opening of the game medium housing section. The transport container is provided, wherein the game medium storage units are arranged in series along the moving direction of the transport container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a game medium / banknote transport system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the transport container of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the transport container.

FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c are explanatory views showing the operation of the coin introduction / discharge machine. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a coin introduction / discharge machine.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the appearance of the bill introducing machine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the bill introducing machine.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a shirt evening mechanism of the bill introducing machine.

FIG. 10a, FIG. 10b, FIG. 10c, FIG. 10d, and FIG. 10e are diagrams showing a procedure for introducing bills into the transport container.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a shirt evening mechanism of a bill discharging machine.

Fig. 12a, Fig. 12b, and Fig. 12c are diagrams showing the procedure for discharging bills from the transport container.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of the container capturing mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration inside the slot machine 2. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal unit.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a bill conveyance introduction process of the information processing device. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a bill conveyance and discharge process of the information processing apparatus. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a coin transport introduction process of the information processing device. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a coin transport ejection process of the information processing device. FIG. 21a, FIG. 21b, FIG. 21c, and FIG. 21d are flowcharts showing combinations of the above processes.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a form of a device installed in the container capturing mechanism 270. FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing another example of the game medium / bill transport system of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of the airflow switching unit. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In addition, the present invention can be applied to the conveyance of game media such as coins and medals and bills. It is particularly suitable for transporting coins as a game medium. Therefore, in the following embodiment, a case where a coin is transported as a game medium will be described as an example. Of course, the device used in the following description is applicable to transporting game media other than coins.

The system of the present invention is a game medium / bill transfer system used as a transfer system for a playground, which is installed in a game arcade and is used as a game arcade transport system for storing coins and bills in a common transport container and transporting them by airflow. In amusement arcades, a plurality of gaming machines such as coin games, for example, slot machines are arranged in one or two rows on a common base to form a group of gaming machines called "islands".

Figure 1 shows an example of gaming machine layout on an island in a game arcade. FIG. 1 shows an example in which an island 1 is configured by arranging a plurality of (n) slot machines 2 in one row on a stand (not shown). Here, the number of units and the number of columns can be arbitrary numbers. 2 n slot machines may be arranged in two rows of n units each. For example, 20 slot machines can be arranged in two rows of 10 slot machines on a stand. In addition, the island 1 may include other devices for inserting and removing coins and bills, such as a coin and bill exchange device. With reference to FIG. 1, an outline of a game arcade transport system of the present invention will be described. The transport system shown in the figure is configured by arranging a transport system 800 on the island 1 for collecting and supplying coins and collecting bills. The transport system 800 is a safe 8100 for storing coins and bills, a transport pipe 6110, and an air flow generating mechanism 7 for generating an air flow in the transport pipe 6110. 200, a transport container 850, which is used for transporting coins and banknotes, and moves in the transport tube 611 by air flow, and introduces coins into the transport container 850, and transport containers. A coin introduction and ejection machine 7300 to remove coins from 8500, a bill introduction machine 2700 to introduce banknotes to the transport container 8500, and a bill from the transport container 8.500. Banknote ejector 280 000 for taking out paper, a container capturing mechanism 276 000 for capturing a transport container 850, which moves in the transport pipe 611, and one of the slot machines 2. Accepting coin collection request, coin supply request, and bill collection request, coin collection and supply control and bill collection control And a control system PCS to do.

As the transfer pipe 6110, a pipe having a cross-sectional shape and a cross-sectional area capable of movably accommodating the transfer container 8500 therein is used. This tube has a structure that can maintain the inside airtight even if the inside is sucked, and has a structure that can maintain the cross-sectional shape against the atmospheric pressure even if the pressure is lower than the atmospheric pressure. In addition, it is formed by setting the material and shape. For the transfer pipe 6110, for example, a light-weight and flexible material that can be bent freely is used so that it can be arranged under the ceiling or under the floor. For example, a flexible hose is used. Of course, the pipe to be used as the transfer pipe 6110 is not limited to such a plastic hose. However, if such a hose is used, each transfer pipe can be freely bent, so that the pipe becomes easy. In addition, this type of hose is easy to process such as cutting, and is light, so that construction is easy even when the transfer system of the present invention is installed on site.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 1, the air flow generating mechanism 7200 is composed of two air flow generating devices 7210L, 7210R disposed at both ends of the transfer pipe 6110. Consists of Each of the air flow generators 7210L and 7210R has a procedure for sucking air, and generates an air flow in the transfer pipe 6110. When moving the transfer container 8500 in the transfer pipe 6110, only the airflow generator 7210L (or 7210R) located at the end in the movement direction Performs suction. As a result, an air flow is generated in the transfer pipe 6110 in the moving direction of the transfer container 8500, and the transfer container 8500 is moved by the air flow. The operation of each of the air flow generators 7210L and 7210R is controlled by the terminal unit TU.

The transport container 850 forms a banknote storage unit 850 for storing banknotes and a coin storage unit 850 for storing coins in a cylindrical container. The bill storage portion 8510 and the coin storage portion 8520 are arranged in series along the moving direction of the transport container 85500.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container capturing mechanism 2760 is inserted into the transfer pipe 6110 at the positions of the plurality of slot machines 2 and the storage 8100. The container capturing mechanism 27600 captures, positions, and fixes the moving transport container 85500 at the position where it is inserted and installed.

In the container capturing mechanism 2760 corresponding to the slot machine 2, a bill ejector 2800 and a coin introduction / ejection machine 7300 are installed adjacent to each other. Further, a banknote discharger 280 00 and a coin introduction and discharger 730 are installed adjacent to each other in the container capturing mechanism 270 corresponding to the safe 810. With this arrangement, the present transport system enables the introduction / discharge of banknotes and the introduction / ejection of coins while the transport container 8500 is fixed by the same container capturing mechanism 2760. I have. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 2 includes a game execution unit 10 for playing a game, a handle 15 for performing an operation when the game is executed, and a bill slot for receiving bills. A bill receiving unit 40 having 41, a coin receiving unit 50 having a coin slot 51 for receiving coins, a plurality of hoppers (not shown) for storing and paying out coins, and dispensed. It has a tray 60 for storing coins.

As described above, in this transport system, coins and bills are transported in one transport pipe 6 1 Since the transfer is performed by 10, it is easy to lay the transfer pipe 6110. In addition, since the coins and bills are transported in a state of being stored in the transport container 8500, there is no damage or jamming of the coins and bills, and there is no damage to the device due to collision of the coins. Further, since the coin introducing machine 7300 and the bill introducing machine 2700 (or the bill ejecting machine 2800) can be arranged adjacent to each other, the installation space can be reduced. Further, in a state in which the transport container 850 is fixed by the same container capturing mechanism 276, the introduction and discharge of bills and the introduction and discharge of coins can be performed, so that the transport operation can be performed efficiently.

Next, details of the transfer container 8500 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 3, the transport container 85500 includes an outer container 7510 that covers the bill storage portion 8510 and the coin storage portion 8520, and a coin storage portion of the outer container 7510. It has an inner container 7520 that is arranged at the position of 850 and functions as a shirt, and a driving force transmission mechanism 7530 for rotating the inner container 7520.

As shown in FIG. 4, the outer container 7510 is formed in a hollow, substantially cylindrical shape, and the two surfaces in the moving direction reduce friction with the transfer pipe 6110 during moving, respectively. To be hemispherical. In the bill storage portion 8510 of the outer container 7510, a bill introduction port 2920 is formed on the upper side, and a bill discharge port 29330 is formed on the lower side. Similarly, a coin accommodating portion 8510 of the outer container 7510 has a coin inlet 75111 on the upper side and a coin outlet 7512 on the lower side. Here, the bill inlet 292 and the bill outlet 293 0 have a size that allows a bundle of bills B to be inserted and pushed out. The coin inlet 751 and the coin outlet 7512 have a shape and an area that allow a plurality of coins to pass smoothly, and that do not allow the coins to stay in the container when the coin is ejected. In this example, as shown in Fig. 4, the coin introduction port 7 5 1 1, the coin ejection port 7 5 1 2, the bill introduction port 2 9 20, and the bill ejection port 2 9 3 0 Is formed.

The inner container 7520 is formed into a hollow cylindrical shape, and as shown in FIG. It is rotatably contained in the outer container 7510 with its cylindrical surface facing the cylindrical surface of the outer container 7510. On the cylindrical surface of the inner container 752, there is formed one coin passing port 752 22 force S. The passing port 7522 has the same substantially rectangular shape as the coin inlet 711 and the coin outlet 7512 of the outer container 5110. However, the passage 752 2 has an opening angle R 3 that is larger than the opening angle R 1 of the inlet 75 1 1 of the outer container 75 110 and smaller than the closing angle R 2. Note that the inner container 7520 is included in the outer container 7510 with a frictional resistance that does not cause rotation of the transfer container 8500 due to vibration or impact.

The inner container 7520 is connected to a driving force transmitting mechanism 7530 for transmitting a driving force given from the outside. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner container 7520 has an axial center 7521 protruding outside the hollow portion along the rotation axis. A gear 7530 for transmitting the driving force given from the outside to the shaft 7521 and rotating the inner container 7520 is fixed to the shaft 752. The gear 7530 is covered with a hemispherical cover of the outer container 7510 as shown in FIG. 2 to prevent damage due to collision or the like. In addition, a connection port 7513 is formed in the outer container 7510 so as to enable external connection to the gear 7530.

As shown in FIG. 5 a, FIG. 5 b, and FIG. 5 c, the inner container 7520 is rotated in the outer container 7510 by a driving force applied from the outside, and the coin passing port 752 The position of the outer container 7 5 10 is the coin introduction port 7 5 1 1 surrounding the coin introduction port 7 5 1 1 (Fig. 5a), the coin ejection port 7 5 1 2 is around the coin ejection port 7 (Fig. 5c), the coin introduction port 7 5 1 1 and the coin discharge slot 7 5 1 2 The transfer position is changed to a position that does not overlap (Fig. 5b). The coin passage opening 752 2 is set to the introduction position (Fig. 5a) when coins are introduced, and to the ejection position (Fig. 5c) when coins are ejected. After the coin is introduced and discharged, it is returned to the transport position (Fig. 4b) and moved in that state. At this time, the transport container 850 is moved in the transport pipe 611 while the inlet 715 and the outlet 715 of the outer container 750 are closed. Therefore, no coin leakage will occur. Furthermore, in order to accurately position the inner container 7520, the outer container 7510 has a protruding portion 7519 protruding inward from the circular plane, and the inner container 7520 Has a cut groove 7529 at a position corresponding to the protruding portion 7519 on the circular plane. The protruding portions 7 5 19 and the cut grooves 7 5 9 are used to limit the rotation range of the inner container 7 5 0, and the inner container 7 5 Prevents clockwise rotation and prevents clockwise rotation from the discharge position (Fig. 5c). For this reason, even when the rotation drive mechanism 760 tries to rotate more than a desired amount of rotation at the time of coin introduction and discharge, the inner container 750 is accurately positioned. Conversely, by controlling the rotation drive mechanism 760 (see FIG. 3) so that the coin is rotated more than the desired amount when the coin is introduced and ejected, the inner container 7 5 Even when 20 rotates, the inner container 7520 can be accurately positioned. In addition, a sensor that detects the position of the inner container 7520 is installed in the container capturing section 2761 (see Fig. 3), and the detection result is used to position the inner container 7520. You may do it.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, weight portions 7514 having notches 7515 for positioning are provided at both ends in the moving direction of the transport container 8500. The weight portion 7514 is provided to prevent the rotation of the transport container 8500. This makes it possible for the transfer container 8500 to arrive at the coin introduction / discharge machine 7300 in a correct posture. The cutout portion 7515 formed in the weight portion 7514 is for engaging a pin for catching and positioning the transport container 8500. The V-groove is provided for accurate engagement with the pin. In FIG. 4, illustration of the hemispherical cover of the outer container 7510, the inner container 7520, and the like is omitted.

Next, the coin introduction / discharge machine 7300 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 6, a coin introduction / ejection machine 7300 is provided with a rotation drive mechanism 7600 for rotating the inner container 7520 of the transport container 8500 captured by the container capturing section 2760. 0 and the coin guide formed on the container catching part 2 7 6 1 of the container catching mechanism 2 7 6 0 A shirt mechanism 7700 for opening and closing the inlet and the coin outlet. These mechanisms are supported by the container catcher 2761.

In this example, the rotary drive mechanism 760 is provided with a motor 760, which is a driving force source, and a motor 750, which is used as a driving force source. The driving force transmission mechanism is transmitted to the motor. The driving force transmission mechanism 7620 is used for transmitting the rotational force from the gear 7620 to the gear 7620 fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor A gear 762 2, a member 762 3 for supporting the gear 762 2 so as to be able to swing around a rotation shaft of the motor 760, and a member for positioning the member 762 3 It consists of 7 6 2 4 The actuator 762 is composed of, for example, a solenoid having a movable iron core 765, and changes the protrusion length of the movable iron core 725.

The motor 760 and the actuator 762 operate in response to a signal supplied from the container rotation drive circuit 760. In addition, the container rotation drive circuit 7630 controls the operations of the module 7610 and the actuator 7664 in accordance with a signal from the terminal unit TU.

When coins are introduced and ejected, the projecting length of the movable iron core 762 of the actuator is shortened, and one end of the member 762 is pulled up. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the gear 762 2 is connected to the inner container 7520 via the connection port opened in the container holder 2756 and the outer container 7510. Connected to gear 7530. Then, the motor 760 rotates, and the rotation is transmitted to the gears 762, 762, 750, thereby rotating the inner container 750. Specifically, when coins are introduced, the inner container 750 is rotated from the transfer position (FIG. 5B) to the introduction position (FIG. 5A), and after a certain time from the start of introduction, the transfer position (FIG. 5B) ). When the coin is ejected, the coin is rotated from the transfer position (Fig. 5b) to the ejection position (Fig. 5c), and after a certain time, is returned to the transfer position (Fig. 5b).

After the coin has been introduced and ejected, the movable length of the movable core 762 of the actuator is increased, and the gear 762 is located outside the inner surface of the container catching part 276. Will be raised. Note that the gears 762 1 and 7622 of the rotation drive mechanism 7600 and the gear 7530 of the transport container 8500 can be replaced with rubber rollers. Further, the rubber roller of the rotation drive mechanism 760 may be pressed against the circumferential surface of the inner container 7520 to directly rotate the inner container 7520. In this case, the gear 7530 of the transfer container 8500 is not required, and the transfer container 8500 has a simpler configuration. The container catching part 2 7 6 1 has a coin introduction port 7 7 1 1 formed at a position (upper side) facing the coin introduction port 7 5 1 1 of the captured transport container 8 500. A coin discharge port 7 7 2 2 is formed at a position (lower side) facing the coin discharge port 7 5 1 2 of 0. In this example, the coin inlet 7 7 1 1 and the coin outlet 7 7 2 1 of the container catcher 2 7 6 1 are the coin inlet 7 5 1 1 and the coin outlet 7 of the transport container 8500. It has the same shape and size as 5 12. In order to prevent coins from being clogged, the coin introduction port 771 1 of the container catching part 276 1 is slightly smaller than the coin introduction port 7 5 1 1 of the transport container 850 The coin discharge port 7 7 2 1 of the capturing section 2 7 6 1 may be slightly larger than the coin discharge port 7 5 12 of the transport container 8500.

The shirt evening mechanism 7700 for coin introduction and discharge is divided into an inlet shirt evening section 7710 and a discharge mouth shirt evening section 7720. The inlet shirt section 7 7 10 is used to open and close the coin inlet port 7 7 1 1 of the container capturing section 2 7 6 1, and to slide the shutter 7 7 1 2 7 7 1 3 The shirt outlet 7 7 0 2 slides the shirt 7 7 2 2 for opening and closing the coin outlet 7 7 2 1 of the container catching section 2 7 6 1 and the shirt 7 7 2 2 It consists of 7 7 2 3 Each of the actuators 77013 and 7723 is, for example, a solenoid having a movable iron core, and changes the protruding length of the movable iron core.

At the time of coin introduction, the projecting length of the movable core of Actuyue 7 7 13 is shortened, the shirt 7 7 12 slides, and the coin introduction port 7 7 1 1 of the container catching section 2 7 6 1 It is in an open state. Then, when the introduction is completed, the movable iron core of Actu Yue 7 7 1 3 is lengthened, the shirt 7 7 12 is returned to its original position, and coins The inlet 7 7 1 1 is closed.

When the coin is ejected, the outlet 772 is slid by the actuator 772 3 and the coin outlet 772 1 of the container catching section 276 1 is opened. When the discharging is completed, the discharging shirt 7722 is returned to the original position, and the coin discharging port 7721 is closed.

The actuators 7713 and 7723 operate according to the signal supplied from the shirt switching drive circuit 7730. The shirt switching drive circuit 770 controls the operation of the actuators 713 and 732 in response to a signal from the terminal unit TU.

The coin introduction / discharge machine 7300 described above eliminates the outlet shirt evening section 7720 from the configuration and closes the opening 7722 of the container catching section to introduce the coin. Dedicated coin introduction machine. In addition, by omitting the shirt opening section 7710 from the inlet and closing the opening 7712 of the container catching section, it becomes a coin discharging machine exclusively for coin discharging.

Next, the bill introducing machine 2700 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 7, the banknote introduction machine 2700 is installed following the banknote receiving section 40. This bill introduction machine 27100 has a bill movement mechanism 2710 and a shirting mechanism 2750 for bill introduction (see FIG. 9). These are supported by the container capturing part 2761.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bill moving mechanism 2710 accumulates the bills, the bill accumulating unit 2720 that forms a bundle of bills, and depresses the accumulated bundle of bills. And a bill introduction unit 2730 inserted into the bill storage unit 8510 of the transport container 850000.

The banknote storage unit 272 0 supports the banknotes, and has a bottom plate 272 1 having an opening 2723 for pushing out the banknotes at the center thereof, and is disposed on both sides of the bottom plate 272 1. And a guide member 2 7 2 2 for aligning bills.

The bottom plate 272 21 sequentially stacks the bills sent from the guide section 44 of the bill receiving section 40 and accumulates the bills at that position. The above guide member 2 7 2 2 272 It is installed on both sides of 1 with a width L between which banknotes can be aligned. The guide members 2722 accumulate bills sent from the guide section 44 in a uniform width. The height of the guide member 2722 is set so that the thickness of the accumulated banknote bundle is h. Therefore, the height of the stacked bill bundle may be compared with the value h to output a bill collection request.

The above-mentioned bill introduction section 2730 is provided with a linear movement mechanism 2731 for realizing a long-stroke linear movement, and a bill pushing section 2740 for pushing down a bill. The rack 2 732 (shown in Fig. 7 is covered by a cover) with a suitable stroke, the pinion and pinion drive motor 2734 (see Fig. 7) that engage with this rack, and the limit switch 27 that sets the stroke 38T and 2738B, and a support plate 2737 for supporting these limit switches.

On the outside of the rack 2 732, there is a locking portion 2 7 for pressing the limit switch.

33 are provided. When the locking portion 2733 presses the limit switch 2738T, the limit switch 2738T outputs a stroke upper limit signal indicating that the displacement of the rack 2732 has reached the upper limit. On the other hand, when the locking portion 2733 presses the limit switch 2738B, the limit switch 2738B outputs a stroke lower limit signal indicating that the displacement of the rack 2732 has reached the lower limit. The outputs of these limit switches 2738T and 2738B are input to the bill introduction drive circuit 2739. Thus, the bill introduction drive circuit 2739 can automatically push down and return the bill pushing down member 2740. Of course, the operation may be performed by inputting to the terminal unit TU and controlling the operation of the bill introduction drive circuit 2739 by the terminal unit. The outputs of the limit switches 2738T and 2738B, especially the output of the limit switch 2738T, can also be used as an operation completion signal. Therefore, these outputs can be sent to the terminal unit TU and used for generating a completion report signal to the information processing device PS. The arrangement interval between the above-mentioned limit switches 2738 T and 2738 B is determined according to the pressing depth of a bill pressing mechanism described later. Here, the stroke is set such that the stroke that the push-down bar 2741 can reach can be secured up to the vicinity of the inner bottom surface of the container 850 captured by the container capturing section 2761. In the case of a banknote ejecting machine 280 described later, a limit switch 273 8 is used to realize a stroke having a depth that passes through the transport container 850 and reaches a lower banknote safe. The arrangement interval between T and 2738B is set.

As shown in FIG. 8, the bill pressing member 274 0 is in contact with the bill and presses down the pressing bar 274 1 and supports the pressing bar 274 1. It has a support member 2 7 4 2 linked to the motion mechanism 2 7 3 1 to transmit the linear motion to the bar 2 7 4 1.

As shown in FIG. 9, an opening 272 for introducing a bill is formed on the upper side of the container capturing section 276 1 in which the bill introducing machine 270 is installed. The opening 2 7 2 3 is formed at the same position as the opening 2 7 2 3 of the bottom plate 2 7 2 0 and the bill introduction opening 2 9 2 0 of the captured and fixed transport container 8500. ing. Through these openings, the bill pushing member 2740 pushes the bill down into the bill accommodating portion 8510 of the transport container 85500.

As shown in FIG. 9, the shirt evening mechanism 275 5 0 for introducing the banknote is used to move the shirt evening 272 4 that seals the banknote introduction slot 272, and the shirt evening 272 4. A rotary solenoid 2751 that outputs the driving force of the motor, a power transmission mechanism 27552 that converts the driving force into a linear motion and transmits it to the shirt 274, and a support 2 that supports these 7 5 3 The rotary solenoid 275 5 1 is driven by a shirt drive circuit 275 59 in response to a signal from the terminal unit TU.

Here, a procedure of introducing a bill into the transport container 850000 by the bill introducing machine 270000 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10E. Fig. 10a to Fig. 10e show the steps of introducing bills step by step.

First, at the stage of FIG. 10a, a state is shown in which the transport container 8500 is captured and positioned by the container capturing section 2761. At this stage, the shirt evening 2 7 2 4 is still It is closed.

At the next stage of Figure 10b, the shirts 2 7 2 4 are opened and the stacks of stacked bill bundles B come into contact with the tip 2 7 4 1 a of the bill pushing bar 2 7 4 1 Indicates the status. Here, the tip 2 7 4 1 a of the bill push-down bar 2 7 4 1 a is in contact with the bill along the width direction of the bill at the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the stacked bill bundle. . This is to make the bundle of bills folded in two when the bill pushing bar 2 7 4 1 is pushed down.

Next, at the stage of FIG. 10c, the bill push-down bar 2 7 4 1 is further pushed down by the linear motion mechanism 2 7 3 1, and the tip 2 7 4 1 a is opened at the opening 2 7 of the bottom plate 2 7 2 1 23, and also through the opening 2920 of the transport container 8500, and the folded portion of the bill is being inserted into the container 8500.

At the stage shown in Fig. 10d, the bill push-down bar 2 7 4 1 is further pushed down by the linear motion mechanism 2 7 3 1, and its tip 2 7 4 1a force Opening 2 9 9 of the transfer container 8 5 0 0 This is a state in which it has reached nearly 30. In this state, the banknote is in a state where the folded portion is being inserted into the transport container 8500. In this state, the banknote bundle is not restricted by the opening width of the slit 2720. Therefore, it is in a state of being spread until it touches the inner wall in the transfer container 8500 by its own elasticity. In such a state, the banknote bundle B cannot pass through the slits 2720 and 2730 by itself. Therefore, even if the container 850 is transported with the slits 2720 and 2730 open, the bills do not fall out of the container 850.

The stage in Fig. 10d is the lower limit of the linear motion stroke. Accordingly, the limit switch 2732B is pressed by the locking portion 2733 to operate. As a result, the limit switch 2738B outputs a stroke lower limit signal. This stroke lower limit signal is sent to the bill introduction drive circuit 2739. Therefore, the bill introduction drive circuit 2739 reverses the rotation of the motor 2734 and raises the bill push-down bar 2741. At the stage of FIG. 10e, a state in which the banknote depressing bar 2741 is raised is shown. After that, when the locking portion 2732 presses the limit switch 2738T and the upper stroke limit signal is output from the limit switch 2738T, the bill introduction driving circuit 2732 9 outputs a bill introduction completion signal to the terminal unit TU.

Next, the banknote ejection machine 2800 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG.

The banknote discharger 280 00 discharges the banknote bundle stored in the banknote storage section 850 of the transport container 850 to the outside of the transport container 850, and Storage 6

This is a device for storing data in 600 (see Fig. 12). Although this device has differences in introduction and discharge, the basic structure is the same as that of the banknote introduction machine described with reference to Figs.

Common to 700. Therefore, common elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and differences will be mainly described here.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, the container catching section 2756 in which the bill ejecting machine 280 00 is disposed has a bill introduction port 292 of the captured transport container 850 and a bill ejecting section. At the position facing the outlet 293 0, a bill inlet 2 7 2 3 and a bill outlet 2 7 6 2 are formed, respectively. The shirt output mechanism 2 7500 of the banknote ejector 280 0 0 also has a shirt 2 7 2 5 that seals the banknote exit 2 7 6 2 of the container capturing section 2 7 6 1, and the shutter 2 7 The same drive is performed on 2 4 and 2 7 2 5.

Further, in the banknote ejection machine 280, the displacement stroke of the linear motion mechanism 273 1 is wide. Therefore, the rack 2732 becomes longer, and the arrangement interval between the limit switches 2738T and 2738B also becomes longer accordingly.

Next, a procedure of discharging bills from the transport container 850 by the bill discharging machine 2800 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A to 12C. Fig. 12a to Fig. 12c show the steps of the bill ejection step by step.

First, in the stage shown in Fig. 12a, the transport container 850 is captured by the container capturing section 2761, and the bill pushing is performed with the two openings 2732 and 2762 being opened. The lowering bar 2 7 4 1 is pushed down by the linear motion mechanism 2 7 3 1 and its tip 2 7 41 a has reached the vicinity of the banknote discharge opening 2930 of the transport container 8500. In this state, the banknote bundle B is not bound by the opening width of the banknote discharge opening 2930. Therefore, it is in a state of being spread until it touches the inner wall of the bill storage portion 850 of the transport container 850 by its own nature. At this stage, the stroke of the linear motion has not yet reached the lower limit.

At the stage shown in FIG. 12b, the banknote depressing bar 2741 is further depressed, and the tip 2741a of the banknote passes through the opening 2930 and reaches the storage portion 6600. It is in a state. The banknote bundle is being inserted into the storage section 660. The storage unit 660 shown in the figure is provided with a member 669 to push up the stored bill bundle B. Therefore, the bill pusher 2 7 4 1

Push down the bundle against 9 In this way, the bill bundle is pushed down to a depth where it can spread in the storage section 660. This is the limit switch 2

7 3 8 Detected by B and the stroke lower limit signal is output to the terminal unit.

The stage shown in FIG. 12C is a state in which the bill push-down bar 2741 is lifted above the transport container 8500. At this time, in the storage section 660, the pushing-up member 669 is in a state of pushing up the bill bundle B in the safe. In this way, the banknote bundle B is stored in the storage section 660, and is collected as a collected banknote bundle B L.

Next, the container capturing mechanism will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, the container capturing mechanism 2 760 includes a container capturing section 276 1 inserted and connected to the transport pipe 611, and a transport container 8 in the container capturing section 276 1. And a lock mechanism 279 90 for capturing, positioning and fixing 500.

At least the inner periphery of the container capturing portion 276 1 is formed in a circular shape, and through holes 276 are provided at two locations on the bottom side for projecting a stop pin 270 to be described later. is there. Further, on the upper side of the container catching part 2761, two inlets 2732 and 7712 for introducing bills and coins are formed. On the lower side are two outlets 2 7 6 2 and 7 7 2 2 for the ejection of banknotes and coins Is formed. FIG. 13 shows a case in which a banknote discharger 280 and a coin introduction and discharger 730 are arranged. When the bill introduction machine 270 00 is arranged in place of the bill ejection machine 280 00, the bill ejection port 276 2 is not provided. At both ends of the container capturing section 276 1, connecting sections 276 3 for connecting the transfer pipe 611 are provided. Although not shown, the above-described shirting mechanism and the rotation drive mechanism are fixed to the container capturing section 2761. Further, the container capturing section 2761 is provided with a container detection sensor 2769 (see FIG. 16) for detecting the presence of the container.

The lock mechanism 2790 is protruded and retracted into the container catching section 2761, and serves as a stopper for the transport container 850 and also serves as a positioning pin. 270) and a drive mechanism 27980 that causes the pin 2770 to protrude and retract into the container capturing section 2761. The pin 2770 has, for example, a pyramid shape at the tip end as shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, it is formed in a shape in which a deformed hexagonal pyramid or an octagonal pyramid is vertically divided into two. Then, they are arranged so that the sides with many ridges face each other, and sandwich the transport container 8500 therebetween. An angle is selected so as to be engaged with the notch portion 715 provided in the weight portion 715 of the transport container 850 described above.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the drive mechanism 2780 converts the rotation of the solenoid 2781 into a linear motion and converts the rotation of the solenoid 2781 into a linear motion. A power transmission mechanism 27782 for transmitting power to the motor, a support section 27873 for supporting them, and a lock mechanism drive circuit 27878. The lock mechanism drive circuit 28787 independently drives the two solenoids 28781 according to the instruction from the terminal unit TU.

When the container capturing mechanism 2770 is operated, first, the pin 2770 on the leeward side is protruded. Then, the transport container 850 carried by the air flow stops at the pin 270, and when the container detecting sensor detects it, the other pin 770 on the windward side is also protruded. As a result, the transport container 8500 is fixed at a desired position in the container capturing section 2761 in a desired posture. The operation of the container capturing mechanism 2 7 6 0 is released. The two protruding pins 2770 are simultaneously pulled down. Next, details of the slot machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. As shown in Fig. 14, the slot machine 2 has a main hopper 30 for paying out coins used in the game and a sub hopper for transporting the supplied coins.

3 and 5 inside.

The coin receiving unit 50 of the slot machine 2 has a coin identification unit 52 (see FIG. 16) for determining the authenticity and denomination of the inserted coin, and capturing a captureable coin. The coin discriminator 52 counts the number of coins taken.

It also has 4 3, and outputs information such as the denomination and the number of coins taken in to the corresponding terminal unit TU. Coins taken in by the coin discriminator are sent to the main hopper 30 via a chute (not shown) and accumulated.

The bill accepting unit 40 has a bill validator 42 (see FIG. 16) that determines the authenticity and denomination of the inserted bill and takes in the receivable bill. The bill validator 42 has a counter 43 for counting the number of sheets taken in, and outputs the denomination information and the number information of the taken bills to the corresponding terminal unit TU. The banknotes taken into the banknote recognizer 42 are stored in the banknote storage unit 2720 through the guide unit 44 described in FIG.

The main hopper 30 has a coin storage section 31 for storing coins, and a sending section 32 for paying out the stored coins in response to a payout instruction from the game execution section 10. The delivery section 32 is provided with a coin delivery mechanism and a drive mode (not shown) for the coin, and a hopper drive circuit 38 for driving the mode. The capacity of coins that can be stored in the main hopper 30 is an amount that can be paid out at least a plurality of times.

Further, the main hopper 30 is provided with coin accumulation state detection sensors 33 and 34 for detecting the accumulation state of coins. The coin accumulation state detection sensors 33 and 34 are constituted by, for example, microswitches, individually detect the accumulation state, and send a signal indicating the detection result to the terminal unit TU. Specifically, the coin accumulation state detection sensor 34 detects that the amount of coins stored is equal to a predetermined number of stored coins. Activated when the amount becomes less than the lower limit to detect a decrease in the amount of coins. The coin accumulation state detection sensor 33 is activated when the accumulated coin amount becomes larger than a predetermined upper limit of the storage amount, and detects an increase in the coin amount. The terminal unit TU fetches a signal from the coin accumulation state detection sensor 34 that notifies a decrease in the coin amount as a coin supply request signal for the corresponding slot machine 2. Further, a signal from the coin accumulation state detecting sensor 33 for notifying an increase in the coin amount is taken in as a coin collection request signal.

Although not shown, the main hopper 30 discharges coins stored in the coin storage unit 31 using the delivery unit 32 through the overflow mechanism 60 to shut the coin introduction / ejection machine 7300. It is equipped with a mechanism to send to 7 7 1 5 overnight. This mechanism is used, for example, when collecting coins in the slot machine 2. Specifically, upon receiving a collection command from the terminal unit TU, the hopper drive circuit 38 controls the above mechanism to send coins to the counter 7 This is continued until the passage of is detected.

The sub hopper 35 has a coin storage section 36 for storing coins guided by the coin introduction / discharge machine 7300 and a coin storage section 3 1, and a coin storage section 3 1 for storing coins in the coin storage section 36. It has a mechanism 37 for transporting. This mechanism 37 is used when supplying coins to the slot machine 2. Specifically, upon receiving a supply command from the terminal unit TU, the hopper drive circuit 39 controls the mechanism 37 to store all the coins in the coin storage unit 36 into the coin storage unit 31. To be transported.

The safe 8100 has a coin storage unit and coins stored in the coin storage unit. And a collection mechanism (not shown) for conveying the coin ejected by the coin introduction / ejection machine 7300 to the coin storage unit.

The supply mechanism sends a certain amount of coins in the coin storage to the shutter 770 of the coin introduction / ejection machine 730 in response to the coin supply instruction. The collection mechanism sends all coins ejected by the coin introduction / ejection machine 730 to the coin storage unit.

Next, refer to Fig. 1 and Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 for the control system PCS. I will explain.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control system PCS includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of terminal units TU arranged corresponding to the coin introduction / ejection machines 7 300 of the slot machine 2 and the safe 8 100, and an air flow generator 72 10. Terminal unit TUs arranged corresponding to each other, an information processing device PS for performing control processing according to a signal received from the terminal unit TU, and a signal line group connecting the information processing device PS and each terminal unit TU. With SB.

When the information processing device PS receives a coin supply request, a coin collection request, and a bill collection request from each terminal unit TU corresponding to the slot machine 2 via the signal line group SB, the control target terminal unit TU In response, various instructions are issued via the signal line group SB. This instruction includes an operation instruction of the air flow generator 7 210, an operation release instruction of the opening mechanism 2 7900, a coin introduction / discharge machine 7 300 coin introduction / discharge instruction, a bill introduction machine 2 700 It includes a bill introduction instruction and a bill ejection instruction of the bill ejection machine 2800. In addition, the information processing apparatus PS always keeps track of the current position of the transport container 8500, and determines the direction of the air flow and the operation content of the lock mechanism 2790 from the current position and the position of the movement destination. .

The information processing device PS is configured by a computer system. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the information processing device PS includes a central processing unit (CPU) 210, a memory 220, an interface (IZF) 230, and a storage device 240. Prepare.

The interface 230 has a communication control function for information transmission, and is connected to all terminal units TU via the signal line group SB.

For example, a hard disk device is used as the storage device 240, and stores a program to be executed by the information processing device PS, data to be processed, data to be processed, and the like. The CPU 210 loads the programs stored in the storage device 240 into the memory 220 and sequentially executes the programs on the memory 220, thereby realizing a process shown in a flowchart described later.

All terminal units TU shown in Figure 1 are computer systems It consists of. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, it has a central processing unit (CPU) 110, a memory 120, and an interface (I / F) 130.

A part of the memory 120 of the terminal unit TU is provided with a ROM in which a program executed by the CPU 110 is stored.

The interface 130 includes a plurality of ports for outputting control information and inputting a detection signal of a sensor, and a communication control function for information transmission, and communicates with the information processing device PS via the signal line group SB. Connected. This communication control function notifies the information control device PS of a coin replenishment recovery request, a bill collection request, an operation completion report, and the like. The interface 130 is connected to various sensors and driving circuits in the corresponding slot machine 2 or the airflow generating device 72 10 to detect coin accumulation status and control the driving mechanism. . FIG. 16 shows a connection state of the terminal unit TU corresponding to the slot machine 2.

Next, the transport operation in the above transport system will be described.

The information processing device PS performs a bill transfer introduction process B1 shown in FIG. 17, a bill transfer discharge process B2 shown in FIG. 18, a coin transfer introduction process C1 shown in FIG. 19, and a coin transfer process shown in FIG. The transfer operation is controlled by selectively executing the transfer and discharge process C2. First, the operation of collecting bills will be described.

In the bill collection operation, the information processing device PS performs the bill transport introduction process B1 in FIG. 17 in response to the bill collection request, and the bill transport discharge process B in FIG. 18 in response to the notice of completion of the bill introduction. Perform 2

In FIG. 17, the information processing apparatus PS first determines whether or not the transport container 8500 is located at the request source of the bill collection request (step 600). When the transport container 8500 is standing by at the safe container capturing mechanism 2760, the information processing device PS sends an airflow generation instruction to the terminal unit TU corresponding to the airflow generation device 7210L. Get out (Step 60 1). As a result, the airflow generation device 7210L starts suction, and an airflow from the safe 8100 side to the island 1 side is generated in the transfer pipe 6110. Further, the information processing device PS issues a container capture instruction to the terminal unit TU of the slot machine 2 that has issued the request (step 602). Terminal unit receiving this The unit TU instructs the lock mechanism drive circuit 27787 to protrude the pin 2770 on the leeward side (in this case, the airflow generation device 710L side). Next, the information processing device PS issues a container opening instruction to the terminal unit TU corresponding to the safe 8100 (step 603). The terminal unit TU receiving this instructs the lock mechanism drive circuit 2787 to lower the two pins 2770. As a result, the transport container 8500 is released from the restraint, and moves in the transport pipe 6110 by an air flow. Then, it is stopped by contacting the pin 277 0 of the lock mechanism of the container capturing mechanism 276 0 corresponding to the slot machine 2 which has requested. In the container capturing mechanism 2760 where the transport container 850 has arrived, the container detection sensor 27669 detects the presence of the transport container 850, and the detection signal drives the terminal unit TU and the lock mechanism. Sent to circuit 2 7 8 7. In response to this detection signal, the lock mechanism drive circuit 2787 drives the solenoid 2781 so as to raise the remaining pins 27770. As a result, the transport container 850 is sandwiched between the two pins, and is accurately positioned. On the other hand, the terminal unit TU that has received the detection signal from the container detection sensor 2769 sends a signal to the effect that the transport container has been captured to the information processing device PS. Upon receiving the signal (step 604, YES), the information processing apparatus PS issues a bill introduction instruction to the terminal unit TU of the slot machine 2 that has requested (step 605). The terminal unit TU that has received the instruction instructs the bill introduction drive circuit 2739 to introduce the bill. Then, the banknote is introduced into the transport container 850 in the procedure described with reference to FIGS. 10a to 10e.

In FIG. 18, the information processing apparatus PS first determines whether or not the transport container 8500 is in the safe 8100 (step 700). When the transport container 850 is on the island 1, the information processing device PS instructs the terminal unit TU of the airflow generation device 720R to generate an airflow (step 701). As a result, the airflow generation device 7210R starts suction, and an airflow is generated in the transport pipe 6110 from the island 1 side to the safe 8100 side. Then, the information processing device PS issues a container capturing instruction to the terminal unit TU of the safe 8100 (step 720). The terminal unit TU that received this signal sends the lock mechanism drive circuit 2787 to the leeward side (this In the case of, instruct the pin 2770 of the airflow generator 7210R side to protrude. Further, the information processing device PS issues a container opening instruction to the terminal unit TU of the slot machine 2 (step 703). The terminal unit TU receiving this instructs the lock mechanism driving circuit 2787 to lower the two pins 2770. As a result, the transport container 8500 is released from the restraint, and moves in the transport pipe 2100 on the air flow. When the position of the lock mechanism of the banknote ejector 2800 of the safe 8100 is reached, the pin 2770 is brought into contact with the pin 2770 and stopped. At this time, in the banknote ejection machine 2800, the container detection sensor 2769 detects the presence of the transport container 8500, and sends a detection signal to the terminal unit TU and the lock mechanism drive circuit 2787. The lock mechanism driving circuit 2787 drives the solenoid 2781 so as to raise the remaining pins 27770 in response to the detection signal. As a result, the transport container 8500 is sandwiched between the two pins, and is accurately positioned. On the other hand, the terminal unit TU that has received the detection signal from the container detection sensor 2769 sends a signal notifying the capture of the container to the information processing device PS. Receiving this signal (step 704, YES), the information processing apparatus PS instructs the terminal unit TU of the bill ejecting machine 2800 to eject the bill (step 705). As a result, the banknotes are ejected in the procedure described with reference to FIGS. 12a to 12c.

Next, the coin collecting operation will be described.

In the coin collection operation, the information processing device PS executes the coin transport introduction process C1 in FIG. 19 in response to the coin collection request to the collection request source, and in response to the coin introduction completion notification, The coin transport / ejection process C2 in FIG. 20 is performed on 8100.

In FIG. 19, the information processing apparatus PS determines whether or not the transport container 8500 is located at the coin collection request source (step 7900). For example, when the transport container 8500 is in the safe 8100, an instruction is issued to the terminal unit TU of the airflow generator 7210 so that air flows from the safe 8100 to the island 1 side (step 790 1) Instructs the terminal unit TU of the collection request source to operate the lock mechanism 2790 (step 7902). Then, lock the terminal unit TU of the safe 8100. Command to cancel the operation of the lock mechanism 2790 (step 7903), and release the transfer container 850000. As a result, the transport container 8500 is carried by the airflow, and is captured and fixed at the position of the coin introduction / ejection machine 7300 to be collected. Then, the information processing device PS issues a coin introduction instruction to the terminal unit (step 7905). In response to this, in the coin introduction / discharge machine 7300 to be collected, the driving force transmission mechanism 7620 is driven, and the inner container 7520 is rotated to the introduction position (FIG. 5A). Then, the introduction port of the container capturing section 276 1 is opened, and coins are introduced into the transport container 850. When the coin introduction is completed, the introduction port of the container capturing section 276 1 is closed, the driving force transmission mechanism 760 2 rotates in the reverse direction, and the inner container 750 2 moves to the transport position (Fig. 5b). Is returned to.

In FIG. 20, the information processing apparatus PS first determines whether or not the transport container 850 is located at a coin discharge destination (in this case, a safe 8100) (step 7910). When the transport container 8500 is on the island 1, the information processing device PS operates the terminal unit of the airflow generator 7210 so that an airflow is generated from the island 1 side to the safe 8100 side. An instruction is issued to the TU (step 7911), and an operation of the lock mechanism 2790 is instructed to the terminal unit TU of the safe 8100 (step 7907). Then, the terminal unit TU of the coin introduction / discharge machine 7300 is instructed to release the operation of the lock mechanism 2790 (step 7980). As a result, the transport container 8500 containing the coin is moved to the coin introduction / discharge machine 7300 of the safe 8100, where it is captured and fixed. Subsequently, the information processing apparatus PS issues a coin ejection instruction to the terminal unit TU of the safe 8100 (step 7910). In response to this, in the coin introduction / discharge machine 7300 of the safe 8100, the driving force transmission mechanism 7620 is driven, and the inner container 7520 is rotated to the discharge position (Fig. 5c). You. Then, the outlet of the container capturing section 2761 is opened, and the coins in the transport container 8500 are discharged. The discharged coins are stored in the storage container of the safe 8100. When the ejection of the coin is completed, the driving force transmission mechanism 7620 rotates in the reverse direction, and the inner container 7520 returns to the transport position (FIG. 5B).

Next, a coin supply operation will be described. In the coin supply operation, the coin transport introduction process C 1 (FIG. 19) is executed for the safe 8100 in response to the coin supply request, and then, in response to the coin introduction completion notification, The coin transport / ejection process C 2 (FIG. 20) is performed for the slot machine 2 that has requested the supply.

In FIG. 19, when the transport container 8500 is in the safe 8100, the information processing device PS issues a coin introduction instruction to the terminal unit TU of the safe 8100 (step 7900) ). As a result, coins are introduced into the transfer container 8500 in the coin introduction / discharge machine 7300 of the safe 8100 by the above-described procedure.

When coin introduction is completed, in FIG. 20, the information processing device PS issues an instruction to generate an airflow from the safe 8100 to the island 1 (step 791 1), and the supply request source is issued. Instruct the terminal unit TU to operate the lock mechanism 2790 (step 7912). Then, the terminal unit TU of the safe 8100 is instructed to release the operation of the lock mechanism 2790 (step 7913), and the transfer container 8500 is released. As a result, the transport container 850 is moved to the coin introduction / ejection machine 730 of the coin supply destination, and is captured by the container capturing section 276 1. Then, the information processing apparatus PS issues a coin discharge instruction to the terminal unit TU of the supply request source (step 7915). In response, the coin introduction / discharge machine 7300 at the supply destination discharges the coin in the above-described procedure, and the discharged coin is stored in the storage unit 31. FIG. 2 1 a —Explained with reference to FIG.

In the present embodiment, the efficiency of the transport operation is improved by combining the above-described banknote transport introduction process B1, the banknote transport discharge process B2, the coin transport introduction process C1, and the coin transport discharge process C2. I have.

For example, in response to a coin collection request, a coin supply request was issued from another slot machine 2 on island 1 in the course of performing coin transfer introduction processing C 1 for slot machine 2 on island 1 In this case, as shown in Fig. 2 la, the information processing device PS performs the coin transport introduction process C1, and then performs the coin transport discharge process C2 to the slot machine 2 that has requested coin supply on the island 1. I do. Thus, Island 1 The movement of the coin within the box can process both the coin collection request and the coin supply request, so that the time required for the transport operation is greatly reduced.

In addition, in response to the coin collection request, a bill collection request was issued from another slot machine 2 on island 1 in the course of performing the coin transfer introduction process C 1 for slot machine 2 with island 1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2 lb, the information processing device PS performs the coin transfer introduction process C 1 and then executes the bill transfer introduction process B 1 for the slot machine 2 that has requested bill collection on the island 1. Is carried out. Then, the coin transport and discharge processing C2 and the bill transport and discharge processing B2 are performed on the safe 8100, and the coins and bills collected on the island 1 are stored in the safe 8100.

Conversely, in response to a bill collection request, a coin collection request is issued from another slot machine 2 on the island 1 in the course of performing the bill transfer introduction processing B 1 for the slot machine 2 on the island 1. If issued, the information processing device PS performs the banknote transfer introduction process B1 as shown in Fig. 21c, and then transfers the coin to the slot machine 2 that requested the coin collection on Island 1. Introduce process C1. Then, the coin transport and discharge processing C2 and the bill transport and discharge processing B2 are performed on the safe 8100, so that the coins and bills collected on the island 1 are stored in the safe 8100. Further, in response to a bill collection request, if a coin collection request is issued from the same slot machine 2 in the process of performing the bill transfer introduction process B 1 for the slot machine 2 having the island 1, the information processing is performed. As shown in FIG. 2Id, the device PS performs the banknote transfer introduction process B1, and then performs the coin transfer introduction process C1 to the same slot machine 2. Then, the coins and bills collected in the island 1 are stored in the safe 8100 by executing the coin transfer and discharge processing C2 and the bill transfer and discharge processing B2 for the safe 8100. Note that coins and bills are also introduced in the same slot machine 2 when the bill collection request and the coin collection order are reversed.

By the way, in the above description, the container capturing mechanism 2760 has a bill introducing machine 2700 and a coin introduction and ejection machine 7300 (or a bill ejection machine 2800 and a coin introduction and ejection machine 7300). ) Has been described. However, as shown in Figure 22 It is also possible to arrange and use any one of the banknote introduction machine 270 00, the coin introduction and ejection machine 730, and the banknote ejection machine 280, in the container capturing mechanism 270,600. However, in this case, the inlets and outlets where no equipment is installed should be fixedly covered with shirts 8001. This makes it possible to support a slot machine 2 that accepts only coins and a transport system that has a safe 8100 dedicated to coins (or bills).

In the above description, the coin introduction / discharge machine 7300 is arranged in each of the safe 8100 and the slot machine 2. However, instead of the coin introduction / discharge machine 7300, one of a coin introduction machine exclusively for coin introduction and a coin ejection machine exclusively for coin ejection may be arranged. For example, by disposing a coin discharging machine in the safe 8100 and a coin introducing machine in the slot machine 2, a transport system that performs only a collecting operation from the island 1 for coins is realized.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The transfer system shown in FIG. 23 differs from the above-described transfer system in the mechanism for generating the airflow. In this example, the number of the air flow generators 7210 may be one, and the transfer pipes 6110 are laid in a loop. Both ends of the transfer pipe 6110 and the air flow generator 7210 are connected to a newly provided switching valve section 7220. Here, the switching valve section 7220 forms an airflow generating mechanism 7200 in combination with the airflow generating apparatus 7210, and controls the direction of the airflow generated in the transfer pipe 6110. Switch.

FIG. 24 shows an example of the structure of the switching valve section 720. As shown in Fig. 24, the switching valve section 720 has three pipe connection ports (A, B, C), and port A is connected to the air flow generators 7210, ports B and C. Are connected to the loop-shaped transfer pipes 6110 respectively. Further, the switching valve section 722 is provided with a shirt 7221 which selectively seals the ports B and C, a rosin solenoid 722 2 for driving the shirt 7221, and a port. Air hole 7 2 23 formed on C side, air hole shirt 7 2 2 4, Rotary solenoid 7 2 25 for opening and closing the shirt 7 2 4 4, formed on port B side It has an air hole 7 2 2 6, a shirt for air hole 7 2 2 7, and a rotary solenoid 7 2 2 8 for driving the opening and closing of the shirt 7 2 2 7. You.

Here, each drive state of the rotary solenoids 7222, 7225, and 7228 is controlled by the switching valve drive circuit 7230. The switching valve drive circuit 7230 is connected to the terminal unit TU, and performs the above control according to an instruction from the terminal unit TU.

The air hole 652 3 is set to have a size that allows sufficient air to flow into the collection and transport pipe system 6100 to generate an air flow. Therefore, when the opening cross-sectional area is reduced, a plurality of openings may be provided.

The switching valve section 7220 exclusively controls the state in which the air flow from the port C to the port B and the state in which the air flow from the port B to the port C are generated in the loop-shaped transfer pipe 611110. Realize. In the condition where airflow is generated from port C to port B, the shirt shuts off port C from port A, as shown in Figure 13. Port C side shirts for air holes 7 2 2 4 open air holes 7 2 2 3 and port B side shirts for air holes 7 2 2 7 seal air holes 7 2 2 6 I do. Conversely, when airflow is generated from port B to port C, shirt 722 shuts off port B for port A. Port C side air hole shirt 7 2 2 4 closes air hole 7 2 2 3, and Port B side air hole shirt 7 2 2 7 closes air hole 7 2 2 6 Open state. The processing of the information processing apparatus PS is the same as the processing in the transport system in FIG. 1 except for the processing for switching the direction of the airflow. When moving the transport container 8500 from the safe 8100 to the island 1, the information processing device PS sends air from the port C to the port B to the terminal unit TU corresponding to the switching valve drive circuit 7230. Instruct them to create a flow. Conversely, when moving the transport container from Island 1 to Safe 8100, instruct terminal TU to create an airflow from Port B to Port C.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. Game media for collecting game media and bills from an island including multiple gaming machines · In a bill transport system,

A safe for storing game media and bills,

A control system for receiving a game medium collection request and a bill collection request from any of the gaming machines, and performing a control for collecting the game medium and the bill, and a control system for controlling the collection of the game medium and the bill.

2. In the game media and bill transport system according to claim 1,

The game medium storage section and the bill storage section of the transport container are moved in the moving direction of the transport container. Are arranged in series along

The game media introduction machine and the bill introduction machine are installed adjacent to each other in accordance with the installation position of the container capturing mechanism, thereby introducing the game media and the bill to the transported container at the same captured position.

The gaming media discharger and the banknote discharger are disposed adjacent to each other in accordance with the installation position of the container capturing mechanism, thereby discharging the game media and the banknotes from the captured transport container at the same position.

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

3. In the game media and bill transport system according to claim 1,

The transport container has an opening for introducing a game medium formed at an upper portion of the game medium storage portion, an opening for discharging a game medium formed at a lower portion of the game medium storage portion, and a bill formed at an upper portion of the bill storage portion. An opening for introduction, an opening for discharging bills formed in the lower part of the bill storage section, and a shirt section for opening and closing the opening of the game medium storage section; Each of the dischargers has a drive mechanism that protrudes and retracts into a space communicating with the transport pipe in the container capturing mechanism, and changes an open / closed state of a shirt portion of the transport container.

Each of the bill introducing machine and the bill ejecting machine has a drive mechanism for protruding and retracting bills that protrudes and retracts into the space in the container capturing mechanism that communicates with the carrying pipe.

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

4. In the game media and bill transport system according to claim 3,

The shirt portion of the transport container is an inner container having one passage port, which is rotatably included in the transport container in the game medium storage portion.

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

5. In the game media and bill transport system according to claim 1, The control system is

When the game medium collection request is received, the container capture mechanism corresponding to the gaming machine that has issued the collection request is activated, and the container capture mechanism capturing the transport container is released, and the air flow generation mechanism is activated. After the control, the transport container is transported to the gaming media introducing machine corresponding to the gaming machine that has issued the collection request, the game media introducing instruction is issued to the gaming media introducing machine, and the introduction of the gaming media is completed. In response, the container catching mechanism corresponding to the safe is activated, the container catching mechanism for catching the transport container is released, and the airflow generating mechanism is controlled to transfer the transport container to the game medium of the safe. After being conveyed to the discharging machine, a game medium discharging instruction is issued to the gaming medium discharging machine,

Further, upon receipt of the bill collection request, the container catching mechanism corresponding to the gaming machine which has issued the billing request is activated, and the container catching mechanism for catching the transport container is released. After the transport container is transported to the bill introducing machine corresponding to the gaming machine that has issued the collection request, a bill introduction instruction is issued to the bill introducing machine, and in response to the completion of the bill introduction, the safe In addition to activating the container catching mechanism corresponding to the above, the container catching mechanism that is capturing the transport container is deactivated, and the airflow generating mechanism is controlled to transfer the transport container to the banknote ejector corresponding to the safe. After having been conveyed, a bill ejection instruction is issued to the bill ejection machine.

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

6. The game media according to claim 5, in the bill transfer system,

The control system is

If a game media collection request is received before the transfer container containing only the banknotes is moved to the safe, the transfer container is moved to the game medium introduction machine corresponding to the gaming machine that issued the game medium collection request, After having the game media introduction machine introduce the game media, the transport container is moved to the safe, and the game media and the bill ejection machine corresponding to the safe are ejected with the game media and bills. And

If a bill collection request is received before the transport container containing only the game media is moved to the safe, a bill introduction machine corresponding to the gaming machine that issued the bill collection request is received. Then, the transfer container is moved, and after the bill introduction machine performs the introduction of the bill, the transfer container is moved to the safe, and the game medium and the bill discharge machine corresponding to the safe are provided with the game medium and the bill. To discharge

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

7. In the game media and bill transport system for collecting and supplying game media to islands that include multiple gaming machines,

A safe for storing game media,

A transport container for storing the game media to be transported,

Installed in accordance with the installation positions of multiple container capturing mechanisms corresponding to islands and safes, introduced game media into the captured transport containers, and introduced multiple game media to remove game media from the transport containers Ejector,

Equipped with a control system for receiving a game medium collection request, a game medium supply request, and a bill collection request from any of the gaming machines, and performing a game medium collection control and a supply control, and a bill collection control.

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

8. In the game media and bill transport system according to claim 7, The game medium storage section and the bill storage section of the transport container are arranged in series along the moving direction of the transport container,

The game media introduction / discharge machine and the banknote introduction machine are installed adjacent to each other in accordance with the installation position of the container capturing mechanism, so that the game media can be introduced and discharged to the transported container at the same captured position. , And the introduction of banknotes,

The game media introduction / discharge machine and the banknote ejection machine are installed adjacent to each other in accordance with the installation position of the container capturing mechanism, so that the game media can be introduced and discharged to the transported container at the same captured position. , Do bill ejection

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

9. In the game media and bill transfer system according to claim 7,

The transport container has an opening for introducing a game medium formed at an upper portion of the game medium storage portion, an opening for discharging a game medium formed at a lower portion of the game medium storage portion, and a bill formed at an upper portion of the bill storage portion. An opening for introduction, an opening for discharging bills formed in the lower part of the bill storage section, and a shirt section for opening and closing the opening of the game medium storage section. A drive mechanism that protrudes and retracts into the space that communicates with the transport pipe in the container capturing mechanism, and that changes the open / close state of the shirt portion of the transport container;

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

10. In the game media and bill transport system according to claim 9,

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

11. The game media and bill transport system according to claim 7,

The control system is

When the game medium collection request is received, the container capture mechanism corresponding to the gaming machine that has issued the collection request is activated, and the container capture mechanism capturing the transport container is released, and the air flow generation mechanism is activated. After controlling, the transport container is transported to the game medium introduction / discharge machine corresponding to the game machine which has issued the collection request, and then a game medium introduction instruction is issued to the game medium introduction / discharge machine, and the introduction of the game medium is completed Accordingly, the container catching mechanism corresponding to the safe is activated, the container catching mechanism for catching the transport container is deactivated, and the airflow generating mechanism is controlled so that the transport container corresponds to the safe. After moving to the game media introduction / discharge machine, issue a game media discharge instruction to the game media introduction / discharge machine,

Upon receiving the game medium supply request, the game medium introduction instruction is issued to the game medium introduction / discharge machine corresponding to the safe, and upon completion of the introduction of the game medium, the container corresponding to the game machine which has issued the supply request. Activate the trapping mechanism, release the operation of the container trapping mechanism that is trapping the transport container, and control the airflow generation mechanism to the game media introduction / discharge machine corresponding to the gaming machine that has issued the supply request. After moving the transfer container, a game medium discharge instruction is issued to the game medium introduction / discharge machine,

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

1 2. In the game media and bill transport system according to claim 11, The control system is

If a request to supply a game medium is received before the transport container containing the game media is moved to the safe, the transport container is moved to the game media introduction / discharge machine corresponding to the gaming machine that issued the game medium supply request. , Causing the game medium introduction / discharge machine to introduce a game medium.

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

1 3. In the game media and bill transfer system according to claim 11,

The control system is

If a game media collection request is received before the transport container containing only banknotes is moved to the safe, the transport container is moved to the game media introduction / discharge machine corresponding to the gaming machine that issued the game media collection request. After the game media introduction / discharge machine introduces the game media, the transport container is moved to the safe, and the game media introduction / discharge machine and the banknote discharge machine corresponding to the safe discharge the game media and bills. To do

If a bill collection request is received before the transport container containing only the game media is moved to the safe, the transport container is moved to the bill introduction machine corresponding to the gaming machine that issued the bill collection request. After causing the bill introducing machine to introduce bills, the transport container is moved to a safe, and a game medium discharging machine and a bill discharging machine corresponding to the safe discharge game media and bills.

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

1 4. Game media for collecting game media and bills from an island containing multiple gaming machines · In a bill transport system,

A safe for storing game media and bills,

An air flow is generated in the transfer pipe, and the transfer container existing in the transfer pipe is moved. Airflow generating mechanism for

A game media introduction machine installed for at least one of the islands for introducing the game media into the transport container;

A bill introduction machine installed at least one for each island for introducing bills into the transport container,

A game medium discharger for taking out the game media stored in the transport container and storing the game media in the safe,

A banknote dispenser that is installed in correspondence with the safe and takes out the banknotes contained in the captured transport container and stores them in the safe;

In order to capture a transport container that is inserted and installed at a position corresponding to each of the installation positions of the game medium introducing machine, the banknote introducing machine, the game medium ejecting machine, and the banknote ejecting machine on the conveying tube, and moves in the conveying tube. A plurality of container capturing mechanisms;

15. In the game media and bill transport system according to claim 14,

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

1 6. In a game media and bill transfer system for collecting and supplying game media to an island that includes multiple game machines,

A safe for storing game media,

A transport container for storing the game media to be transported,

A plurality of game media introduction / ejection machines installed corresponding to islands and safes, for introducing game media into transport containers, and for removing game media from transport containers,

A banknote dispenser that is installed in correspondence with the safe and takes out the banknotes stored in the transport container and stores them in the safe;

The plurality of transport tubes are inserted and installed at positions corresponding to the respective installation positions of the game medium introduction / discharge machine, the banknote introduction machine, and the banknote discharge machine, and are configured to capture the transport containers moving in the transport tube. A container capturing mechanism,

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

1 7. In the game medium ♦ bill transport system according to claim 16,

The transport container has an opening for introducing a game medium formed at an upper portion of the game medium storage portion, an opening for discharging a game medium formed at a lower portion of the game medium storage portion, and a bill formed at an upper portion of the bill storage portion. An opening for introduction, an opening for discharging bills formed in the lower part of the bill storage section, and a shirt section for opening and closing the opening of the game medium storage section. Each is connected to the transport pipe in the above-mentioned container capturing mechanism. Has a drive mechanism for changing the open / closed state of the shirt evening part of the transport container,

Each of the banknote introduction machine and the banknote discharger has a drive mechanism for protruding and retracting the banknotes into and out of the space in the container capturing mechanism that communicates with the transport pipe.

A game media characterized by the following features: · Bill transfer system.

1 8. In a transport container that moves inside the transport pipe by air flow and stores and transports game media and bills,

A bill storage unit for storing the bills to be transported, a game medium storage unit for storing the game media to be transported, an opening for introducing a game medium formed at an upper portion of the game medium storage unit, and a lower portion of the game medium storage unit. An opening for discharging a game medium to be formed, an opening for introducing a bill formed in the upper part of the bill storage unit, an opening for discharging a bill formed in the lower part of the bill storage unit, and an opening for the game medium storage unit With a shirt evening part to open and close the part,

The bill storage unit and the game medium storage unit are arranged in series along the moving direction of the transport container.

A transport container characterized by the above-mentioned.