WO1998037521A1 - Bill conveying system using air flow - Google Patents

Abstract

A bill conveying system for recovering bills from grouped playing machines (2) installed in a place of amusement, comprises conveyance containers (2900) for conveying bills, a storage unit (6600) for storing bills recovered from the playing machines (2), a recovery conveyance system (6100) for conveying the conveyance containers (2900) in circulation paths for the groups of the playing machines (2) between the groups and the storage unit (6600) to convey the conveyance containers (2900), an air flow generating mechanism (6500) for generating an air flow in the recovery conveyance system (6100) to move the conveyance containers (2900) in the recovery conveyance system (6100), a bill input machine (2700) for inputting bills into the conveyance containers (2900), installed at individual playing machines (2) in the recovery conveyance sytem (6100), a bill ejecting machine (2800) installed at the storage unit (6600) in the recovery conveyance system (6100) for ejecting the bills from the conveyance containers (2900), so as to store the bills in the storage unit (6600), and a control system (CS) for accepting bill recovery request from the playing machines (2) to control the recovery of bills.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a banknote transport system that is installed in a game arcade and is used for transporting a transported object such as a bill, and more particularly, to a banknote transport system that uses an airflow to transport a transported object. The present invention relates to a bill transport system for transport. More specifically, from each of the islands that are arranged in a plurality of amusement arcades and each include a plurality of gaming machines and the like, the bills inserted by the player are inserted into the equipment included in the islands. The present invention relates to a bill transport system suitable for collection using an air flow. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A number of one or more types of gaming machines, such as slot machines and pachinko gaming machines, are arranged in a game arcade. Gaming machines are generally arranged in groups called islands. Among these gaming machines, there are devices in which bills are inserted into the gaming machine and the game is played. In addition, instead of the banknotes themselves, coins or game media, for example, a game such as a token such as a medal may be used to play the game. In this case, at least one game media lending machine for lending medals to the player, generally a plurality of machines, should be installed in the game hall. In addition, at least one currency exchange machine for exchanging bills into coins will be provided. A player inserts a bill into one of the game media lending machines, and exchanges the bills into coins using a currency exchange machine to receive the required token lending. In this way, in the amusement arcade, bills are inserted into gaming machines, game media lending machines, and currency exchange machines. Therefore, it is necessary to collect the inserted banknotes. If banknotes are manually collected from various devices, there are problems such as theft and other accidents may occur, and the collector may be lost. Therefore, it is desired to install a collection device for collecting bills inserted in various devices such as gaming machines, game media lending machines, and currency exchange machines.

By the way, in order to collect bills from gaming machines and game media lending machines, transport devices using airflow have been proposed. 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 by using an air flow. I have.

 The apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 25111692 includes a bill transport tube for transporting bills by air, a blower for sucking air in the bill transport tube, and a supplementary device for pneumatically transported bills. And a bill collector to be repaired. 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. 3-18-537 discloses a transport path having a hollow portion for pneumatically transporting bills, and an exhaust device for sucking air in the transport path through an exhaust valve. A detector that detects passage of banknotes in the transport path, and a fuzzy inference unit that performs fuzzy inference based on the detection result of the detector and the like and determines an adjustment amount of the exhaust valve. This device also conveys bills by air flow.

However, the above-described device basically generates a straight air flow in the pipe, and conveys the bill itself, which is a conveyed object, by the air flow. For this reason, there is a problem that the banknote easily comes into contact with the pipe wall and the like and stays in the pipe. In particular, the charging caused by the bills rubbing against the tube wall causes the bills to adhere to the tube wall, and the sent bills may not arrive at the target position. This can also cause clogging. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to ensure that bills can be transported to a destination without adhering to a pipe wall, to prevent clogging, and to reliably collect bills from a plurality of islands. It is an object of the present invention to provide a banknote transport system capable of performing the above. According to the present invention, in a gaming machine where a plurality of gaming machines are arranged, in a bill transport system for collecting bills from each gaming machine,

 A transport container for storing bills,

 A storage unit for storing bills collected from each gaming machine,

 A collecting and conveying pipe system for forming a circulation path for each of the groups between the gaming machine and the storage unit, for conveying the conveying containers, and

 An air flow generation mechanism for generating an air flow in the collection and conveyance system and moving a conveyance container existing in the collection and conveyance system;

 A bill introduction machine inserted and installed at a position of each gaming machine in the collection and conveyance pipe system, and introducing a bill into a conveyance container conveyed in the collection and conveyance pipe system;

 A bill discharging machine for inserting and installing a bill at the position of the storage unit in the collection and conveyance system and discharging the banknote from the conveyance container conveyed in the collection and conveyance system and storing it in the storage unit; A control system for receiving a collection request and performing banknote collection control should be provided.

 A bill transfer system is provided.

A plurality of branch pipes, one for each of the groups, A trunk pipe for connecting the plurality of branch pipes and connecting to the banknote ejector, and a connecting section between the branch pipes and the main pipe, and a connecting section on an upstream side of the air flow. At least one guide mechanism, the guide mechanism guides the transport container conveyed in the trunk pipe into the corresponding branch pipe, and guides the transport vessel into the corresponding branch pipe without guiding into the branch pipe. It is possible to realize a transport mode and switch to one of the modes in response to a signal instructing switching.

 A plurality of shirt mechanisms are further provided to be inserted into at least one of the connecting sections of the branch pipes with the main pipe, and the shirt mechanisms correspond to the main pipes. It is possible to realize a mode in which the branch pipe is in the communicating state and a mode in which the branch pipe is in the cutoff state, and can be configured to be able to switch to one of the modes in response to a signal instructing switching.

 A curved portion may be formed at a connection portion of the branch pipe with the main pipe in order to guide the transport container.

 The airflow generating mechanism is installed in the main pipe at two locations on both ends of the banknote ejector, and an airflow generating device that generates an airflow.The airflow generated by the airflow generating apparatus is transmitted to the main pipe. The switching valve is constituted by two switching valves for transmitting the airflow generated by the airflow generating device to the main pipe, and serves as a starting point and an end point of the airflow in the main pipe. A mode and a mode in which the airflow generated by the airflow generating device is shut off to make the above-mentioned trunk pipe in a communicating state are realized, and either one of the modes is performed according to a switching instruction signal. Can be configured to be switchable.

 The control system may be configured to generate and output a signal instructing the switching of the two switching valves, and to switch the two switching valves to mutually opposing modes based on the signal.

The above-mentioned bill introduction machine is a container which catches the above-mentioned conveyance container which moves inside the above-mentioned collection conveyance tube system. A capturing mechanism, a container detection sensor for detecting that the transport container has been captured, and a bill moving mechanism for introducing bills into the captured transport container when capture is detected by the container detection sensor. The bill discharging machine comprises: a container capturing mechanism for capturing the transport container moving in the collection and transport pipe system; a container detecting sensor for detecting that the transport container has been captured; When the detection sensor detects capture, the control system comprises a bill moving mechanism that discharges bills from the transported container being captured, and the control system responds to the bill collection request with respect to the guide mechanism. Instruct the switching so that the transport container is guided to the branch pipe corresponding to the requesting gaming machine, and instruct the bill introducing machine corresponding to the requesting gaming machine to operate the container capturing mechanism. And, in response to the processing of instructing the bill ejecting machine to release the transport container in the container catching mechanism, and in response to the bill introduction end notification from the bill introducing machine, the bill ejecting machine is operated by the container catching mechanism. It can be configured to instruct the operation and to instruct the bill introducing machine of the notification source to release the transport container in the container capturing mechanism.

The bill introduction machine includes a container capturing mechanism that captures the transport container that moves in the collection and transport pipe system, a container detection sensor that detects that the transport container has been captured, and a capture that is performed by the container detection sensor. Is detected, a bill moving mechanism that introduces bills into the captured transport container is configured, and the bill ejector is configured to capture the transport container that moves in the collection and transport pipe system. And a container detection sensor for detecting that the transport container has been captured, and a bill moving mechanism for discharging banknotes from the captured transport container when capture is detected by the container detection sensor. The control system, in response to the bill collection request, instructs the guide mechanism to switch so that the transport container is guided to a branch pipe corresponding to the requesting gaming machine. , And instructs the shut-off mechanism to switch the air flow in the branch pipe corresponding to the requesting gaming machine, and instructs the bill introducing machine corresponding to the requesting gaming machine to operate the container capturing mechanism. Actuation In response to the process of instructing the banknote ejector to release the transport container in the container capturing mechanism, and notifying the shirtless mechanism in response to the banknote introduction end notification from the banknote introducing machine, Instructs switching so that air flow occurs in the branch pipe corresponding to the original bill introduction machine, instructs the above-mentioned bill ejection machine to operate the container catching mechanism, and instructs the bill issuing machine of the notification source to use the container. And processing for instructing release of the transport container in the capturing mechanism.

 A plurality of container standby units are further provided at positions upstream of the above-mentioned group with respect to the air flow of the branch pipes, each of which is individually installed and holds a transport container that does not store bills. be able to. In addition, at least the same number of the transport containers as the number of the container standby units can be provided.

The container standby unit is configured by a container capturing mechanism that captures the transport container that moves in the branch pipe, and the bill introducing machine is a container capturing mechanism that captures the transport container that travels in the collection and transport system. A container detection sensor for detecting that the transport container has been captured, and a bill moving mechanism for introducing bills into the captured transport container when capture is detected by the container detection sensor. The banknote discharger includes a container capturing mechanism that captures the transport container moving in the collection and transport pipe system, a container detection sensor that detects that the transport container has been captured, and the container detection sensor. When the capture is detected by, a bill moving mechanism that discharges the bill from the transported container that is being captured is constituted, and the control system responds to the bill collection request according to the bill collection request. It instructs the bill introducing machine corresponding to the requesting gaming machine to operate the container capturing mechanism, and releases the transport container in the container capturing mechanism to the container standby section corresponding to the same branch pipe as the bill introducing machine. In response to the process of instructing release and the notification of completion of the introduction of the bill from the bill introduction machine, the operation of the container capturing mechanism is instructed to the bill ejection machine. Processing for instructing the mechanism to release the transport container; and paper from the bill ejector. In response to the notice of completion of bill ejection, the control unit instructs the guide mechanism to switch the transport container to a branch pipe having a container standby unit that does not hold the transport container, and instructs the container standby unit to: The operation of the container capturing mechanism may be instructed, and the banknote ejector may be configured to perform a process of instructing the container capturing mechanism to release the transport container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a bill transfer system of the present invention.

 FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an island in the bill transport system of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the slot machine.

 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the switching valve used in the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a configuration of a branch portion of a transport pipe used in the bill transport system of the present invention.

 FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a container used for conveying bills.

 FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the container.

 FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the upper surface of the container.

 FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the bill introducing machine used in the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a supply state of bills to the bill introducing machine.

 FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a mechanism for performing stop positioning while capturing a container in the bill introducing machine.

 FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of a shirt evening mechanism in the bill introducing machine. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between a container used for transporting banknotes and pins used for capturing and stopping and positioning the container.

 Figures 14A, B, C, D and E are explanatory diagrams showing a process of introducing a bill in a bill introducing machine.

 FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a mechanism for capturing and positioning a container in the banknote ejection machine used in the present invention.

 FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the shut-off mechanism of the banknote ejector.

Fig. 17 F, G and H are explanatory diagrams showing the process of discharging bills in the bill discharging machine. is there.

 FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a mechanism that performs stop positioning while performing capture of a container in a container standby unit.

 FIG. 19 is another sectional view of the container standby section.

 FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing another example of the bill introducing machine used in the present invention. FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing an example of a supply state of bills to the bill introducing machine. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a shirt provided in the above-mentioned bill introducing machine.

 FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing an example of the operation of a shirt provided in the above-mentioned bill introduction machine.

 FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of the control system used in the present invention.

 FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing device used in the present invention. FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing various devices in the slot machine and corresponding terminal units.

 FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a banknote ejection machine and a corresponding terminal unit.

 FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing various devices in the branching unit and the container standby unit, and the corresponding terminal units.

 FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing various devices in the branching unit and corresponding terminal units.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing in the information processing system. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for setting a processing order after examining various requests from the terminal unit. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a procedure for introducing a bill.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a procedure for discharging bills.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a procedure for returning the transport container to the original state. FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the configuration of the branching 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.

 The system of the present invention is a system that is installed in a game arcade and collects bills from various devices into which bills are inserted. In particular, this is a game center transport system that stores bills in containers and transports the containers 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". Amusement arcades usually have multiple island powers of this type. The transport system of the present invention can be installed for collecting bills from these islands.

 Figure 1 shows an example of gaming machine layout on an island in a game arcade. FIG. 1 shows an example in which four slot machines 2 are arranged in one row on a gantry 3 to form an island 1. In this example, four slot machines 2 are arranged in one row on the gantry 3, but the number and the number of rows are not limited to this. For example, 20 slot machines may be arranged in two rows of 10 slot machines, and 2 n slot machines may be arranged in two rows of n machines on the gantry 3. In FIG. 1, the islands 1 are arranged in parallel. Usually, such an arrangement is common force ^ not limited to this.

Although FIG. 1 and the following description show only a configuration for collecting bills inserted into the slot machine, the present invention is not limited to this. If game media rental machines such as medals, coin changers, etc. are provided on the island, this includes the collection of bills. In addition, when a game media lending machine, a money changer, etc. are provided independently, the present invention is also applied to collection of bills therefrom. In this case, for example, the ability to treat a single currency exchange machine etc. as a device included in any island By treating it as an island, it can be targeted for bill collection.

 With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an outline of the game arcade transport system of the present invention will be described.

 As shown in FIG. 1, the transport system of the present invention includes a plurality of branch pipes 6110 passing through each of the plurality of rows of islands 1 along the rows of the slot machine 2, and communicating with the plurality of branch pipes 6110. A trunk pipe 6 12 0 that forms a circulation path as a whole, a branch section 6 13 0 for connecting the branch pipe 6 1 10 to the trunk pipe 6 1 20, and a banknote to be stored and transported. And a plurality of transport containers 2900.

 Further, in the transport system of the present invention, a banknote introduction machine 2700 (refer to FIG. 2) for introducing banknotes into the transport container 2900 in each branch pipe 6110 and in each slot machine 2. In order to supply the transport container 2900 to the bill introducing machine 2700, a container standby unit 6400 for holding the transport container 2900 is inserted and connected. .

 The trunk pipe 6120 has a safe S for storing the collected bills, and an airflow generating mechanism 6 for generating airflow in the branch pipe 6110 and the trunk pipe 6120. 5 0 0 is inserted and connected.

 The safe S is composed of a bill ejecting machine 2800 for discharging bills from the transport container 2900 that is conveyed in the main pipe 6120, and a storage unit 6 for storing the discharged bills. 600.

The air flow generating mechanism 65 00 includes an air flow generating device 65 10 that generates an air flow by suction, and two switching valve portions 65 2 0 for switching the position where the air flow is generated. Having. The switching valve section 650 is disposed with the banknote discharging machine 280 of the safe S interposed therebetween. When one of the main pipes 610 is open, the other is closed, and the transfer container 209 is disposed. The state for transporting 0 0 from the container standby unit 6400 to the banknote ejector 2800 and the state for transporting 0 0 from the banknote ejector 2800 to the container standby unit 6400. Realize You. In the example of FIG. 1, the transport container 2900 is transported counterclockwise through the circulation path formed by the main pipe and the branch pipe by the air flow generated according to this switching. Of course, the direction of circulation of the transfer container 2900 is not limited to this.

 In this embodiment, the container standby section 6400 of each island 1 and the branch section 6130 near the container standby section 6400 are connected to a common terminal unit TU. Under the control of the terminal unit TU, the capture and release of the transport container 2900 in the container standby unit 6400 and the switching of the transport path in the branch unit 6130 are controlled. The other branching unit 6130 is also connected to another terminal unit TU, and the switching of the transport path is controlled. In addition, the banknote ejector 280 of the safe S, the switching valve 650, the airflow generator 650, and the other terminal units TU are connected to control the operation.

 The branch pipes 6110 are provided for each group of the slot machines 2 divided into groups, and are arranged according to the arrangement of the slot machines 2 belonging to the corresponding group. The branch pipe 6110 is communicated with the main pipe 6120 via the branching section 6130. In the example of FIG. 1, the slot machines 2 are grouped in units of islands 1, and the branch pipes 6110 are also arranged in parallel with the islands 1. The arrangement of the branch pipes 6110 is not limited to this. For example, if slot machines 2 in the same row on all islands 1 are grouped together, the branch pipes 6110 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the islands 1. In addition, when slot machines 2 are placed on multiple floors of a game arcade, and slot machines 2 at the same position on each floor are grouped into one group, the spill pipe 6 11 10 is arranged in a vertical direction. Become.

As shown in FIG. 2, a banknote introduction machine 2700 provided in the slot machine 2 is inserted and connected to each branch pipe 6110, as shown in FIG. Each slot machine 2 is provided with a game execution unit 10 and a terminal unit TU, in addition to the bill introducing machine 2700. This terminal unit TU is connected to the bill introduction machine 2700, It monitors and controls its operation.

 In the example shown in FIG. 1, the control system CS for controlling the transport system includes a plurality of terminal units TU arranged for each slot machine 2, a container standby unit 6400, and an upstream side Terminal unit TU arranged corresponding to branch 6 13 0, terminal unit TU arranged corresponding to downstream branch 6 13 0, banknote ejector 2 800 and switching valve 6 5 2 0 A terminal unit TU that is arranged correspondingly, an information processing device PS that fetches a signal and sends a signal to the terminal unit TU that requires an instruction, and a signal line that connects the information processing device PS and each terminal unit TU. It has a group SL and a bus BL.

 For example, when the control system CS and the transport system are arranged for each floor of a game arcade, a management computer MC for managing each information processing device PS is separately provided, and each of the information processing devices PS Connect to the management computer MC via the communication line CL.

 The signal line group SL includes a necessary number of signal lines according to the number of signals output from the terminal. Therefore, the terminal units TU having different numbers of output signals have different numbers of signal lines included in the signal line group SL connected thereto. Note that the signal line group SL may be standardized so as to include the same number of signal lines.

 Next, specific examples of each element constituting the transport system of the present invention will be described.

 For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine 2 includes a game execution unit 10 for playing a game, a handle 15 for executing a game, and a game machine for paying out coins used in the game. It has a hopper 30, a bill receiving section 40, and a coin receiving section 50.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the bill receiving unit 40 is capable of accepting a bill by accepting the insertion of a bill, a bill inlet 41, and determining the authenticity and denomination of the inserted bill. It has a bill validator 42 for taking in bills and a guide part 44 for guiding the taken bills inside. The banknote recognition section 42 is provided with a counter 43 for counting the number of sheets taken in (see FIG. 26). The bill validator 42 outputs the information of the denomination and also outputs the information of the number of coins counted by the cash register 43. These denomination information and information on the number of pieces taken in are input to the corresponding terminal unit TU.

 In FIG. 3, a coin receiving unit 50 is provided with a coin insertion slot 51 and a coin identification unit for determining the authenticity and denomination of a coin inserted therein, and taking a coin that can be received. (Not shown). The taken-in coin is sent to the game machine hopper 30 via a chute (not shown). The banknote receiving unit 40 and the coin receiving unit 50 have their outputs connected to the terminal unit TU corresponding to the slot machine 2.

 As shown in FIG. 3, the game machine hopper 30 has a coin storage section 31 for storing coins, and a payout section 3 2 for paying out the stored coins in response to a payout instruction from the game execution section 10. Having. The delivery section 32 is provided with a coin delivery mechanism, a drive mode for the coin, and a drive circuit for the mode (not shown). The gaming machine hobber 30 pushes up the coins stored in the coin storage unit 31 through the delivery unit 32 through a passage (not shown), and supplies the coins to the game execution unit 10. The capacity of coins that can be stored by the game machine hopper 30 is an amount that can be paid out at least a plurality of times.

The game machine hopper 30 has an overflow mechanism 60 for collecting coins that have overflowed when the stored coins exceed the capacity. The overflow mechanism 60 has, as a part thereof, a counter 61 for counting the number of coins ejected. The output of the counter 61 is connected to the terminal unit TU corresponding to the game machine hopper 30 and the count value is output to the terminal unit TU. (Not shown). If the number of overflowing coins exceeds a predetermined amount, coins are collected.

 The game machine hopper 30 is provided with a coin accumulation state detection sensor 33 for detecting the accumulation state of coins. The output of the coin accumulation state detection sensor 33 is connected to the terminal unit TU, and sends a signal indicating the coin accumulation state to the terminal unit TU (not shown). The coin accumulation state detection sensor 33 is constituted by, for example, a micro switch or the like, and is activated when the amount of coins stored in the game machine hopper 30 becomes smaller than a predetermined storage amount. Detects a decrease in volume. The terminal unit TU receives this signal as a coin supply request signal for the corresponding slot machine 2. Then, the supply of coins is performed according to the coin supply request signal. In the present invention, the conveyance of coins is not directly related, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

 Next, a description will be given of a transfer pipe and a portion for performing path switching.

The branch pipe 611 and the main pipe 6120 have a size and shape capable of transporting the transport container 2900 in the hollow portion without any interruption. For example, in both cases, a flexible plastic hose is used. Of course, it is not limited to such a 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 when installing the transfer system of the present invention on site, the construction is easy. A switching valve 650 is provided at a connection point with the mechanism 650. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the switching valve 6520 includes an openable and closable shirt 652, a rotary solenoid 652 for opening and closing the shirt 652, and air, Hole 6 5 2 3 and air hole shirt evening 6 5 2 4 and air hole shirt evening 6 5 2 4 It has a rotary solenoid 6525 that opens and closes. Here, the drive states of the rotary solenoids 652 and 6525 are controlled by a switching valve drive circuit 65226 provided corresponding to the switching valve 6520. The switching valve drive circuit 6 5 2 6 is connected to the terminal unit TU, and performs the above control according to an instruction from the terminal unit TU. The air holes 6532 are set to have a size that allows sufficient air to flow into the collection / conveyance pipe system 6100 to generate airflow. Therefore, when the opening cross-sectional area is reduced, a plurality of openings may be provided.

 As shown in FIG. 4, the switching valve 6520 has three ports A, B, and C, and switches the communication and cutoff states by selectively opening and closing the shutter 6521. In other words, the shirt 652 1 shuts off ports A-B and seals them, and also communicates with ports A-C ("A-C communication-A-B shut-off" mode) and port A- It shuts off and seals C, and exclusively realizes the state of connecting ports A and B ("A-B communication · A-C shut-off" mode).

 The shirt 652 for air holes is opened and closed in conjunction with the shirt 652 1 above. In other words, open the air hole 6 5 2 3 in the above "A-C communication · A-B shut-off" mode, and open the air hole 6 5 2 in the "A-B communication-A-C shut-off" mode. 3 is driven to open and close to close.

As shown in FIG. 1, the switching valve 6520 is disposed on both ends of the banknote ejector 2800 with respect to the main pipe 6120 so that the banknote ejector 2800 is interposed therebetween. They are inserted one by one. Here, in FIG. 1, the switch disposed on the left side of the banknote discharger 280 00 is a switching valve 6520 L, and the switch disposed on the right side of the banknote discharger 280 0 is the switching valve 65. 2 As OR, the connection relation for each is as follows. The switching valve 6520L is connected to the main pipe 612 from the island 1 to the port A, and the main pipe 6120 connected to the banknote discharger 280 to the port B, And an air flow generator at port C 6 5 Piping 6 5 3 0 communicating with 10 is connected.

 The switching valve 652 OR is connected to the main pipe 612 from the banknote ejector 280 to port A, the main pipe 612 to the island 1 to port B, and the port Piping to the air flow generator 6510 is connected to C. 6530 Force is connected. The switching valves 6520 L and R assume different switching states.

 In the case of the switching valve 6520 L, if the shirt 652 1 is set to the "8-(: communication '8-B shut-off") mode shown in Fig. 4, the main pipe connected to port A 6 1 2 4, the air in the collection / conveyance pipe system 6 100 (not shown in FIG. 4) (see FIG. 1) is sucked in from the connection port A through the connection port C by the air flow generator 6510. At this time, since the air hole shirt 6 5 2 4 is in a state of opening the air hole 6 5 2 3, air flows into the collection and transport pipe system 6 100 from the air hole 6 5 2 3. As a result, an airflow is generated from the air hole 6532 through the bill discharging machine 28800 and passing through the collection and transport system 6100. On the other hand, the shirt 6521 In the "A-B communication · A-C cutoff" mode, the connection port A is not sucked from the connection port C. At this time, the shirt for air hole 6 5 2 4 is replaced with the air hole 6 5 2 3 Shut off Therefore, when sucked from the connection port B side, an air flow is generated from the connection port A to the connection port B. That is, an air flow is generated toward the banknote ejecting machine 2800. Is done.

On the other hand, in the case of the switching valve 652 OR, if the shirt shirt 6521 is set to the "A-C communication · A-B cut-off" mode shown in Fig. 4, air is connected from the banknote ejector 280 It is sucked from the port A through the connection port C by the air flow generator 6510. At this time, since the air hole shirt 652 4 is in a state of opening the air hole 652 3, air flows into the collection / conveyance pipe system 6100 from the air hole 6532 3. As a result, an airflow is generated from the air hole 652, via the collection / conveyance pipe system 610, and passing through the banknote discharger 280,000. On the other hand, if you set the shirt 6 5 2 1 to "A-B communication · A-C cutoff" mode, Connection port A will not be sucked from connection port C. At this time, the air hole shirt 652 4 closes the air hole 652 3. Therefore, when sucked from the connection port B side, an air flow is generated from the connection port A to the connection port B. In other words, an airflow is generated from the banknote ejector 280 00 to the collection and transport pipe system 6100 (see Fig. 1).

 In this way, by switching the respective operation modes of the switching valves 6520 L and R in a corresponding manner, the transport container 2900 is taken into the banknote discharger 2800 and the transport container 2900 is taken in. It is possible to control the return of 900 from the banknote ejector 280 to the container standby unit 640.

 In other words, when transporting the transport container 2900 from the container standby section 6400 to the banknote discharger 2800, the switching valve 6520L makes the main pipe 6120 open. Conversely, the switching valve 6520R closes the main pipe 612 and gives the main pipe 612 the suction force of the airflow generating device 650. This allows air to flow from the air hole of the switching valve 652 OR through the container standby section 6400, the bill introduction machine 2700, the bill ejection machine 2800, and the switching valve 6520R. An air flow is generated that flows into the generator 6510. When the transport container 2900 is transported from the banknote ejector 2800 to the container standby section 6400, the switching valve 6520R sets the trunk pipe 6120 to the communicating state, and the reverse. In addition, the switching valve 6520L closes the main pipe 612, and gives the main pipe 612 the suction force of the airflow generator 650. As a result, air is discharged from the air hole of the switching valve 6520 L through the banknote discharger 2800, the container standby section 6400, the bill introduction machine 2700, and the switching valve 6520L. The airflow flowing into the flow generator 6510 is generated.

At the branch point between the branch pipe 6110 and the main pipe 6120, a branch section 6130 force is inserted and connected. The branching section 6130 branches the airflow from the main pipe 6120 into the corresponding branch pipe 6110 and the airflow from the corresponding branch pipe 6110 into the main pipe 6. 1 2 0 Divided into those that shed. In addition, a branch pipe 611 0 0 is provided to branch the transfer vessel 2 9 0 from the main pipe 6 12 0 or to merge the transport vessel 2 9 0 0 to the main pipe 6 1 2 0 smoothly. Is gently curved at the connection with the main pipe 6120. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, each branching section 6130 is inserted and connected to a branch pipe 6110 and a main pipe 6120, respectively. It has a guide mechanism 6230 for guiding the transfer container 2900 in the transfer direction.

 The shirt evening mechanism 6210 has two ports A and B, and is a mechanism for setting the port and the pipe to one of the communication-blocking states. As its structure, for example, the ports A and B of the switching valve 6520 shown in FIG. 4, the shirt evening corresponding to the shirt evening 6521, and the rotary solenoid equivalent to the mouth resting solenoid 6522 (See FIG. 28), while not having the port C, the air hole 652 3 and the air hole shirt 652 4. The driving state of the mouth-to-door solenoid driving the shirt evening is controlled by a shirt evening switching drive circuit 6240 provided corresponding to the branching section 6130. By this control, each shirting mechanism 6 210 takes a different state from each other. That is, when one of the shirting mechanisms 6 210 is in the communicating state, the other is in the blocking state.

 The guide mechanism 6230 includes, for example, a plate-shaped or rod-shaped guide 6231 and a rotary solenoid 6232 that switches the position of the guide. However, the guide mechanism 6230 can be omitted from the configuration of the branching section 6130 for joining the airflow from the branch pipe 6110 to the main pipe 6120. The driving state of the guide driving section 622 32 is also controlled by the shirt switching drive circuit 620 provided corresponding to the branching section 610.

The shirt switching drive circuit 6240 is connected to the terminal unit TU, and performs the above control in accordance with an instruction from the terminal unit TU. Note that the example shown in FIG. 5 shows a configuration in which the branching section 6130 includes both the shirt mechanism 6210 and the guide mechanism 6230. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 35, it is also possible to omit the shirting mechanism 620 from the structure, and to always generate an air flow in all the branch pipes 610. That is, only the guide mechanism 6230 is provided in the branch section 6130 on the upstream side of the airflow, and the guide mechanism 623 is not provided in the downstream branch section 6130. Is also possible. In this case, the hollow part of the main pipe 612 is made larger than the hollow part of the branch pipe 610 in order to make the strength of the air flow in each part of the collection and transfer pipe system 6100 uniform. May be. Next, the transfer container 2900 will be described.

 The container 2900 has a cylindrical structure having a side surface and an end surface. The side surface and the end surface are large enough to accommodate bills in an internal space formed by surrounding them. The side surface may have a structure having two slits for use in introducing and discharging bills. These two slits are provided at positions facing each other on the side surface. Further, the two slits have a cross-sectional shape capable of passing a folded bill. The container 29 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 and FIG.

The container 2900 has a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. The outer peripheral surface of this cylinder has slits 292 and 290 provided at two symmetrical locations. These slits 2920 and 2930 are formed of through holes having a shape and an area that allow a bill to be inserted in a folded state. In the example of FIG. 6, the slits 2920 and 2930 are provided such that their longitudinal directions are respectively parallel to the longitudinal direction of the container 2900. The length in the longitudinal direction of the slits 292 0 and 230 3 is, for example, slightly larger than the width of the bill B (the length in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) as shown in FIG. I do. The reason for this size is that bills (duplicate This is because the edge of each banknote comes in contact with the inner wall of the container 290, and the alignment of the banknote bundle is improved. The first reason that the slits 292 0 and 293 0 were of a size that could be inserted by folding the bill into two was that the bill was folded in two to form a U-shape, and the bill was inserted into the container. When doing so, it is less likely to buckle. The second reason is that, after the bill bundle is stored in the container 2900, the folded bundle of bills spreads due to its own nature and cannot pass through the slit 1920. However, it is possible to prevent the bill from slipping out.

 At both ends of the container 2900, a weight portion 2940 having a positioning notch 2940 is provided. The weight portion 294 is provided to prevent the container 290 from rotating. This makes it possible for the container 2900 to arrive at the banknote introduction machine 2700 and the banknote ejection machine 2800 in a correct posture. The notch 2941, as shown in FIG. 13, is for engaging a pin for capturing and positioning the container 2900. The V-groove is for guiding the pin and engaging it accurately.

 On one side of the slit 2920 of the container 2900 in the longitudinal direction, a mechanism 2950 for preventing bills from popping out is provided. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pop-out prevention mechanism 2950 is provided with a cantilevered lever 2 rotatably between the opening surface of the slit 2920 and the inside of the container 2900. 951, a support portion 2952 for supporting the lever 2951 in a cantilever manner so as to be rotatable, and the above-mentioned lever 29951 attached to the slit 2920 to maintain the opening surface. And a biasing elastic member 2 95 3. When the lever 295 is located on the opening surface of the slit 292, the opening length of the portion of the slit 292 which is not covered by the lever 295 is Its length is determined so that it is smaller than the width of the bill.

Normally, the protrusion preventing mechanism 2950 is operated by the elastic member 2953. The bar 2951 is positioned so as to cover a part of the opening surface of the slit 2920 on one end side. Therefore, the banknote bundle accommodated in the container 2900 has a part of the opening surface of the slit 2920 covered by the lever 2951. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the bill from jumping out.

 Also, when the banknote bundle is folded in two and inserted into the slit 2920, one side of the banknote bundle comes into contact when the banknote bundle is folded into two. Pushed inside 0. At this time, the axial component of the container 2900 is applied to the lever 2951 by the action of the flexible member 2953. Due to this component force, the banknote bundle is pressed against the inner surface of the axial end 2913 of the container 2900, and between the lever 2950 and the inner wall surface of the end of the container 2900. Sandwiched between. As a result, a frictional force is generated evenly on the periphery of the bill included in the bill bundle. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the banknotes from being disturbed due to the imbalance of the frictional force applied to the banknote bundle. That is, the banknote bundle is orderly inserted into the container 2900.

 In the above description, a cylindrical container is used as the container, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other forms of containers can be used. For example, it may be a rectangular tube.

 Next, the banknote introduction machine will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14 and FIG. 26. As shown in FIG. 9, the banknote introduction machine 270 00 follows the banknote receiving unit 40 Provided. The bill introduction machine 270 00 has a bill moving mechanism 270 and a container capturing mechanism 276.

As shown in FIG. 11, the container capturing mechanism 2 760 includes a container capturing section 276 1 inserted and connected to the branch pipe 210, and a container 2 9 in the container capturing section 276 1. It has a locking mechanism 279 0 for capturing, positioning and fixing 00. As shown in FIG. 11, at least the inner periphery of the container capturing portion 27661 is formed in a circular shape, and the stopper pin 270, which will be described later, protrudes at two locations on the bottom side. A through hole 2 7 6 2 is provided. Note that, in FIGS. 9 and 12, the container catching portion 276 1 shows a shape that penetrates through a solid prism, but is not limited thereto. For example, a pipe shape as shown in FIG. 14 can be used. At both ends of the container capturing section 2761, connecting sections 2763 for connecting the branch pipes 210 are provided. The container capturing section 2761 is provided with a container detection sensor 2769 (see Fig. 26) that detects the presence of a container and a clogging detection sensor 2701 (see Fig. 26). The locking mechanism 2790 is protruded and retracted into the above-mentioned container catching section 2761, and serves as a stopper for the container 2900 and also serves as a positioning pin. (Also referred to as a pin), and a driving mechanism 2780 for making the pin 2770 come and go in the container catching 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 the container 290 is sandwiched therebetween. An angle is formed so as to be engaged with the cutout portion 294 1 provided in the weight portion 294 of the container 290 described above.

 The drive mechanism 2780 includes, for example, a rotary solenoid 2781 and a power transmission mechanism 2782 that converts the rotation of the solenoid 2781 into linear motion and transmits the linear motion to the pin. It has a support portion 2783 for supporting them, and a lock mechanism drive circuit 27989 (see FIG. 26). The lock mechanism driving circuit 2789 drives the two solenoids 2781 independently of each other in accordance with an instruction from the terminal unit TU.

Next, the bill moving mechanism 2710 will be described. Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 10, the banknotes are accumulated to form a banknote stack, and the banknote storage unit 272, which forms the bundle of banknotes, is pushed down, and is inserted into the container 2900. It has a bill introduction section 2730.

 The banknote storage unit 272 0 supports the banknotes, and has a stage 272 1 having an opening 272 3 for pushing the banknotes at the center thereof, and is disposed on both sides of the bottom plate 272 1. Guide member 2 7 2 2 for aligning the banknotes, a shirt 2 7 2 4 disposed below the stage 2 7 2 1 and closing the opening 2 7 2 3 so that it can be opened and closed. And a shirt driving mechanism 2750 for opening and closing the 2724.

 The bottom plate 2721 sequentially stacks bills sent from the guides 44 of the bill receiving unit 40 and accumulates the bills at the positions. The guide members 2722 are installed on both sides of the bottom plate 2721 with a width L that allows banknotes to be aligned. The guide member 2722 stores the bills sent from the guide section 44 in a uniform width. The height of the guide member 272 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 this h to output a bill collection request.

 As shown in FIG. 12, the shut-off drive mechanism 2750 is a rotary solenoid 2751 that outputs a driving force for moving the shirt 274, and this driving force is represented by a straight line. A power transmission mechanism 2752 that converts the motion into motion and transmits it to the shutter 2724, a support section 27553 that supports them, and a shutter drive that drives the rotary solenoid 2751 Circuit 2 759 (see FIG. 26).

 The above-mentioned bill introduction unit 2730 includes a linear motion mechanism 2731 for realizing a long-stroke linear motion, and a bill pushing unit 2740 for pushing down a bill.

The linear motion mechanism 2731 has a rack 2732 (covered in FIG. 9) having a necessary stroke, a pinion (not shown) and a pinion (not shown) that mesh with the rack. On-drive mode 2 7 3 4 (Refer to Fig. 26), limit switches 2 7 3 8 T and 2 7 3 8 B for setting the stroke, and indicating board 2 supporting these limit switches

7 3 7

 The rack 2732 is provided with a limit switch pressing locking portion 2733 on the outside thereof. When the locking part 2733 pushes the above-mentioned limit switch 2738T, the limit switch 2738T sets the stroke upper limit indicating that the displacement of the rack 2732 reaches the upper limit. Output a signal. On the other hand, when the locking portion 2732 pushes the above-mentioned limit switch 2738B, the limit switch 2738B sets the stroke lower limit indicating that the displacement of the rack 2732 has reached the lower limit. Output a signal. The outputs of these limit switches 2738T and 2738B are input to a bill introduction drive circuit 2739, though not shown. Accordingly, the bill introduction drive circuit 2739 can automatically push down and return the bill pushing member 2740. Of course, the operation may be performed by inputting the information 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 in accordance with the pushing-down depth of a bill pushing-down mechanism described later. Here, the stroke is set such that the stroke that the push-down bar 2741 can reach can be ensured to the vicinity of the inner bottom surface of the container 2900 captured by the container capturing unit 2761. In the case of a bill ejector 280, which will be described later, a limit switch 273 8 is provided so as to realize a stroke having a depth that passes through the container 290 and reaches a lower banknote safe. T and 2 7 3

8 Arrangement interval with B is set. As shown in FIG. 10, the bill pushing member 2 7 4 0 supports the pushing bar 2 7 4 1 and the pushing bar 2 7 4 1 in contact with the bill and pushes the bill down, and the linear motion described above. It has a support member 2 7 4 2 that links with the mechanism 2 7 3 1 and transmits linear motion to the bar 2 7 4 1.

 Next, the introduction of bills into the container 900 by the bill introducing machine will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 14 shows the state of changing step by step from A to E.

 First, in the stage A, a state where the container 290 is captured by the container capturing section 270600 and positioned is shown. At this stage, the shirt is still closed.

 In the stage B, the shirt 2 7 2 4 is opened, and the tip 2 7 4 1 a of the bill push-down bar 27 4 1 a is in force contact with the stacked bill bundle B. Here, the tip 2 741 a of the bill pushing down bar 2741 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-down bar 2 7 4 1 is pushed down.

 Then, in stage C, the bill push-down bar 2741 is further pushed down by the linear motion mechanism 2731, and its tip 2724 1a force ^ the opening of the stage 2721 3 , And also pass through the slit 2920 of the container 2900, and is being inserted into the folded partial force container 2900 of the bill. At this stage, the bill bundle B is pressed in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 14 by the lever 295 1 of the pop-out prevention mechanism 295 50 shown in FIG. For this reason, a frictional force is generated at an edge portion along the longitudinal direction of the banknote bundle B, which serves as resistance against pushing down the banknote bundle. As a result, even if slippery banknotes are present in the banknote bundle, resistance is generated against such banknotes, so that the banknotes are pressed down evenly.

Next, in the stage D, the banknote depressing bar 2 7 4 1 is moved by the linear motion mechanism 2 7 3 1 The tip is further pushed down, and its tip is in the state of reaching the vicinity of the slit of the container. In this state, the banknote is in a state in which the folded portion is being inserted into the container 2900. In this state, the banknote bundle is not restricted by the opening width of the slit 2720. Therefore, due to its own nature, it is in a state of being spread until it touches the inner wall in the container 2900. In such a state, the bill bundle B cannot pass through the slits 2720 and 2730 by itself. Therefore, even if the container 2900 is transported with the slits 2720 and 2730 open, the bills do not fall out of the container 2900.

 Stage D is the lower limit of the linear motion stroke. Accordingly, the limit switch 2738B is pressed by the locking portion 27333 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 2 739 reverses the rotation of the motor 2 7 3 4 and raises the bill push-down bar 2 7 4 1Step E is a state where the bill push-down bar 2 7 4 1 is pulled up Is shown. After that, when the locking portion 2733 pushes the limit switch 2738T and the stroke upper limit signal is output from the limit switch 2738T, the bill introduction drive circuit 27 39 outputs a bill introduction completion signal to the terminal unit TU.

 Next, the banknote ejector will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17. FIG.

The banknote ejecting machine 280 00 is a device for discharging a banknote bundle accommodated in the container 2900 out of the container 2900 and storing it in the storage section 6600. This device has the same basic structure as that of the bill introduction machine 2700 described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13, though there are differences between introduction and discharge. Therefore, common elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and differences will be mainly described here. First, the first difference is that the displacement stroke of the linear motion mechanism 2731 is wide. Therefore, the rack 2732 becomes longer, and the arrangement interval between the limit switches 2738T and 2738B also becomes longer accordingly.

 The second difference is that, as shown in FIG. 15, a shirt 275 is also provided on the bottom side of the container capturing section 276 1. This is because the banknote bundle in the container 2900 is discharged from the lower part of the container and stored in the storage section 6600. Since the shirt evening 272 5 operates in common with the shirt evening 272 4, for example, as shown in FIG. can do.

 As with the bill introduction machine 270, the bill ejecting machine 280,000 has various sensors 2769, 2701 and various drive circuits 2778, 2759, 2732 9 (see Figure 27). These are connected to a terminal unit TU arranged corresponding to the banknote ejecting machine 280.

 The discharge of bills from the container 2900 to the storage section 6600 by the bill discharge machine will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 17 shows how it changes step by step from F to G? You.

 First, in the stage F, the state is the same as the stage D in FIG. 14 described above. In other words, at the stage F, the bill pushing-down bar 2741 is pushed down by the linear motion mechanism 2731, and its tip 2741a force reaches the vicinity of the slit 2930 of the container 2900. It has been done. In this state, the banknotes are not restricted by the opening width of the slit 2720 in this state. Therefore, it is in a state of being expanded until it touches the inner wall in the container 2900 by its own elasticity. At this stage, the stroke of the linear motion has not yet reached the lower limit.

In the stage G, the bill push-down bar 2 7 4 1 is pushed down by the linear motion mechanism 2 7 3 1 and its tip 2 7 4 1 a passes through the slit 2 9 3 0 of the container 2 900 and the storage section It is the state that reached within 6600. The banknote bundle is being inserted into the storage section 660. The storage unit 660 shown in FIG. 17 is provided with a member 669 to push up the accumulated bill bundle B. Therefore, the bill pushing-down bar 2741 pushes down the bill bundle against the pushing-up member 6699. In this way, the bill bundle is pushed down in the storage section 660 to a depth where it can spread. This point is detected by the limit switch 2738B, and a stroke lower limit signal is output to the terminal unit.

 Then, stage H is a state in which the bill push-down bar 2741 is pulled up above the container 2900. At this time, the push-up member 6699 in the storage section 660 has pushed up the bill bundle B in the safe.

 Next, the container standby section 6400 will be described with reference to FIGS. The container standby section 6400 is a device for capturing and holding the container 2900. As shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, this device includes the same lock mechanism 2790 as the banknote introduction machine 2700. The container 290 is captured by the lock mechanism 279. However, since the container standby section 6400 does not introduce bills, it does not have a shirt evening mechanism and an opening that is opened and closed by the shirt evening mechanism. Note that elements common to the bill introduction machine 2700 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

 In addition, the container standby section 6400 includes a container detection sensor 2 769, a solenoid 2 7 8 1 for allowing the pins to move in and out, and a lock mechanism driving circuit 2 for driving the solenoid 2 7 8 1. 7 89 (see Figure 28).

 The system for transporting banknotes has been described above.

Next, another example of the bill introducing machine and the bill ejecting machine will be described with reference to FIGS. The apparatus shown in FIG. 20 differs from the apparatus described so far in the point of the shirting mechanism, and is common in other points. Therefore, we explain mainly the differences I do.

 As shown in FIG. 20, a double-sided and rotating shirt 272 is shown in an opening 272 3 provided at the center of the stage 272 1. As shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, the shirt 272 has a support plate 2724 b and a rotating plate 2724 a supported by the support plate. One side of the rotating plate 2724a is rotatably supported, and is self-returnable by a spring (not shown). In this example, no special drive is required for the shirt. By being pushed by the push-down bar, it rotates against the force of the spring. When the push-down bar retracts upward, it returns to its own power by the force of the spring.

 Next, the configuration of the control system used in the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

 The control system CS of the present invention can control the transport system as an independent system. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 24, it can be incorporated in a part of a system for managing the entire game arcade. In the control system of FIG. 24, basically, one control system CS is configured corresponding to the floor 600. Each control system CS is composed of an information processing device PS and a plurality of terminal units TU connected thereto via a signal line group SL and a bus BL. The information processing device PS of each control system CS is connected to a management computer MC via an information transmission line CL. Each information processing device PS has information on the events that occurred on the floor where it is placed, such as the number of coins received, the number of coins received, the number of coins paid out, the number of coins stored in a coin safe, the number of bills received, and banknotes Various information such as the number of safes stored is sent to the management computer MC via the information transmission line CL.

The information processing device PS is configured by a computer system. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the information processing device PS includes a central processing unit (CPU) 210 , A memory 220, an interface (IZF) 230, and a storage device 240. The information transmission line C, the signal line group SL connected to each terminal unit TU, and the bus BL are connected to the interface 230. The interface 230 has a communication control function for transmitting information. This interface 230 can be connected to an external device such as a storage device.

 The communication control functions of the interface 230 include control of communication with the terminal unit TU via the bus BL and control of communication with the management computer MC via the information transmission line CL. . In the communication with the terminal unit TU, the information processing device PS manages the bus access right, and the information processing device PS transmits a message to all or a specific terminal unit TU. Further, the information processing device PS sends a data transmission request to a specific terminal unit TU, and in response to this, the specific terminal unit puts the requested data on a telegram and processes the information via the bus BL. Send to the device PS The interface 230 has a corresponding input port (not shown) for each of the plurality of signal line groups S. That is, this input port exists for the terminal unit TU to which the signal line group SL is connected. The CPU 210 examines the input port, and when a signal that needs to be processed by the information processing device is input, information indicating the content of the signal together with the source information indicating the source of the signal, Link to the end of the queue.

When the CPU 210 checks the input port, it compares the input port with the contents of this queue. That is, if the current status is the same as the content linked to the queue, it is determined that the signal of the input port has not changed. On the other hand, for an input port to which a signal that is not linked to the queue is input, information indicating the source of the signal and information indicating the content of the signal are linked at the end of the queue. I do. And For an input port that is not currently outputting a signal that has been linked to the queue, unlink the signal from the queue. This causes the queued signal to move up the queue after the released signal is placed next to the queue. The CPU 210 executes processing from the top of this queue. Therefore, it can be said that this queue gives the priority of the processing of the information processing device PS.

 Also, the CPU 210 checks the input port to detect whether or not there is a response to the instruction given to the specific terminal unit TU. In this case, the response does not always come from the terminal unit TU to which the instruction was directed. Information about the environment in which the symmetry is located may be collected at different terminal units TU.

 When a signal input to the input port is linked to the queue, it can be linked to a higher position depending on the content of the signal and / or the transmission source. be able to.

 For example, a hard disk device is used as the storage device 240, and stores programs executed by the information processing device, data to be processed, data to be processed, and the like. The program stores the program sent from the management computer MC via the information transmission line CL in the storage device 240. In addition, a program stored in a recording medium such as a floppy disk or an optical disk may be installed. For example, a program recorded on a floppy disk can be stored in the storage device 240 by connecting a floppy disk drive to the interface 230. Also, a recording medium such as a ROM in which the program is written can be mounted.

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 the processing indicated by the flowchart described later. I do. Next, the terminal unit TU will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 29.

 In the transport system shown in FIG. 1 which is one of the typical embodiments of the present invention, the terminal unit TU has a plurality of types as shown in FIGS. There can be a class of embodiments.

 Each of the terminal units TU shown in Fig. 26-Fig. 29 is composed of a computer system. That is, it has a central processing unit (CPU) 110, a memory 120, and an interface (I / F) 130. The memory 120 is provided with a ROM as a part thereof. This ROM is a storage medium for storing programs executed by the CPU 110. Of course, as in the case of the above-described information processing apparatus PS, a storage device such as a hard disk device may be separately provided to store the program. Alternatively, the program may be stored on a floppy disk, an optical disk, or the like, and these may be read through a reading device. Of course, necessary programs, data, and the like may be received from the information processing device PS via the signal line group SL.

The signal line group SL is connected to the interface 130. The interface 130 has a communication control function for transmitting information. In addition, the interface 130 allows connection of an external device such as a storage device. The CPU 110 receives various signals input through the interface 130, checks the content of the input information, and if there is information that needs to be notified to the information processing device PS, Information to be notified is notified using a predetermined signal line in the signal line group SL. For example, for each of a plurality of signal lines constituting the signal line group SL, the meaning is defined in advance and dedicated, and when an event occurs, a signal is placed on a signal line corresponding to the event. The occurrence of the event can be notified. More specifically, request signals such as a coin supply request, a coin collection request, and a bill collection request are assigned to dedicated signal lines, respectively. Also, the operation completion report signal can be assigned to another signal line.

 When there are many types of signals, assigning dedicated signal lines to each of them causes a problem that the number of signal lines increases. Therefore, information can be coded and transmitted using several signal lines. In this case, an encoder and a decoder are required, but much information can be notified with a small number of signal lines. It can also be extended to various systems. Here, it is assumed that these signal lines are assigned for each event.

 Next, the connection relationship between each terminal unit TU shown in FIGS. 26 to 29 and the corresponding device will be described.

 The terminal unit TU shown in FIG. 26 is provided for a gaming machine, that is, provided for a slot machine 2. The terminal unit TU is provided for each slot machine 2. To this terminal unit TU, various sensors (not shown) for detecting the type of coins, the amount of accumulated coins, and the like, and a counter 43 provided in the bill validator 42 are connected. In addition, regarding the bill introduction machine 270, a container detection sensor 276, a clogging detection sensor 270, a bill introduction drive circuit 273 for driving the motor 273, and a solenoid, A shirt drive circuit 2 759 driving the 2 7 5 1 and a lock mechanism drive circuit 2 7 8 9 driving the solenoid 2 7 8 1 are connected. When the terminal unit TU detects the accumulation of a predetermined number (one or more) of bills by the output of the count 43, the terminal unit TU issues a bill collection request to the information processing device PS.

The terminal unit TU shown in FIG. 27 is provided in correspondence with the banknote ejector 280 and the airflow generating mechanism 250. The terminal unit TU is connected to a banknote accumulation state detection sensor provided in the banknote safe S and a power supply provided in a banknote recognition unit of the banknote safe S. Further, to this terminal unit TU, a switching valve driving circuit 652 26 provided for the switching valve 6520 of the airflow generating mechanism 2500 is connected. Further In addition, regarding the bill ejection machine 280, a container detection sensor 276 9 and a clogging detection sensor 270 01, a bill introduction drive circuit 273 9 that drives a motor 273 4 and a solenoid 2 A shutter drive circuit 2 759 that drives 7 5 1 and a lock mechanism drive circuit 2 7 8 9 that drives a solenoid 2 7 8 1 are connected.

 The terminal unit TU shown in FIG. 28 is provided in correspondence with the container standby section 6400 and a plurality of branch sections 6130 for branching the transport container from the main pipe to the branch pipe. . The terminal unit TU is connected to a container detection sensor 27969 provided in each container standby section 640 and a lock mechanism drive circuit 27989. In addition, it is also connected to a shirt switching drive circuit 3240 provided in each of the branch sections 6130. The shutdown switching drive circuit 3240 drives the solenoids 6232, 6211 and 6211.

 The terminal unit TU shown in FIG. 29 is provided corresponding to a plurality of branch portions 6130 for merging the transport container from the branch pipe to the main pipe. The terminal unit TU is connected to a shut-off switching drive circuit 620 provided in each of the above-mentioned branch sections 610.

 Next, the operation of the transport system of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 30 to 34.

 First, in the transfer system described below, in principle, the airflow generator 6510 is always operated. Then, by controlling the various devices, a counterclockwise airflow is generated in a circulation path formed by any one branch pipe 6110 and the main pipe 6120, and the transfer container 2900 is formed. Transport from the starting position to the destination position. Of course, a control mode in which the operation of the air flow generator is turned on and off as part of the control can be adopted. However, the following description is based on the assumption that the operation is always performed.

In the transfer system described below, various requests from devices such as slot machines Signals and status signals are sent to the information processing device using a signal line group assigned to each device. Instructions and instructions from the information processing device are sent to the respective devices via the bus BL. Of course, the present invention is not limited to such a signal transmission system, but here, the operation will be described on the premise of such a system.

 FIG. 30 shows a general processing flow of the information processing apparatus PS.

 Here, a request to be processed is selected from various requests (step 101). This selection picks up the first priority from a preset queue and processes the request. Normally, as will be described later, the information processing apparatus PS links various request signals sent via the signal line group SL to a queue in the order in which they are generated in principle, and sequentially executes the request signals from a higher order. That is, contents to be processed relating to the request are extracted (step 102), and processing corresponding to the contents is executed (step 104). The contents of the processing include, for example, a bill collection request in the case of the present invention. Then, if the processing is completed, it ends there. If there is a matter to be continued, the process returns to step 101 again to execute the processing (step 105).

 Here, the setting of a queue used for selecting a processing target will be described with reference to FIG. This queue is equivalent to a priority order table in that processing is performed in that order.

First, the information processing device PS checks the input port of the interface 230 (step 501). It is determined whether any request signal exists in any of the signal line groups (step 503). If the request signal exists, the request source information indicating the request source and the request contents are read for the input port (step 504). Then, if there is another unprocessed request, this request signal is linked to the end of the queue (step 505). Here, it is checked whether or not the priority signal is given to the request signal in advance (step 506). If some priority is given If so, the queue is reset (step 507). As described above, it is possible to set in advance the objects to be selected in step 101 of FIG. This processing is performed by the information processing device PS as needed.

 Next, the procedure for collecting bills will be described with reference to FIGS.

 Here, it is assumed that one transfer container 2900 is normally held in each container standby unit 6400. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this. The case where the container 2900 force S exists at an arbitrary position may be used. However, in that case, a process of searching for the existing position of the transport container 2900 is required as preprocessing.

 To collect bills, the container is transported from the container standby unit 6400 to the bill introduction machine 2700 that is the target of bill collection, the transport container is conveyed, and the bills are introduced. It is carried out by the operation of transporting the bills to the machine 280 and discharging the bills, and the operation of transporting the transport container to the container standby unit 640.

 First, the operation of transporting the transport container to the slot machine 2 to be collected and introducing bills will be described with reference to FIG.

 The information processing apparatus PS checks whether there is a bill collection request by looking at the signal of the corresponding input port. In response to this collection request, the information processing apparatus PS first issues a route setting instruction to the terminal unit TU that controls the switching valve 6520 and the branching unit 6130 (step 6001). According to this instruction, the state of the switching valve 6520 and the branching section 6130 are switched so that air flows are generated in the branch pipes 6110 arranged in the slot machine 2 to be collected. Further, the information processing apparatus PS issues a container capturing instruction to the terminal unit TU of the slot machine 2 to be collected (step 62). In response to this, the terminal unit TU instructs the lock mechanism drive circuit 27989 to protrude a pin farther from the container standby unit 6400.

Next, the information processing device PS starts the terminal unit of the container standby unit 640 where the air flow is generated. Instruct TU to open the container it is capturing (step 603). In response to this, the terminal unit TU instructs the lock mechanism driving circuit of the target container standby unit 6400 to lower the pin. As a result, the container 2900 is released from the constraint, and moves in the branch pipe 2100 by the air flow. At this time, the container 2900 is transported while maintaining its posture due to the presence of the weight portion. Then, the banknote introduction machine 270, upon arrival of the container to be stopped after coming into contact with the pin of the lock mechanism of the banknote introduction machine 270 corresponding to the slot machine 2 to be collected, detects the container. The sensor 2769 detects the presence of the container, and the detection signal is sent to the terminal unit TU and the lock mechanism driving circuit 2789. In response to this detection signal, the lock mechanism drive circuit 2789 drives the solenoid 2781 so as to raise the remaining pins. As a result, the container 2900 is sandwiched between the two pins. Since the tip of the pin engages with the notch 2940 of the weight 2940, the container 2900 can be 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 indicating that the transport container has been captured to the information processing device PS. Upon receiving the signal (Step 604, Y E S), the information processing apparatus PS instructs the terminal unit TU of the slot machine 2 to be collected to introduce a bill (Step 605). The terminal unit TU that has received the instruction instructs the bill introduction drive circuit 2739 to introduce the bill. As a result, the banknote is introduced into the transport container in the procedure described with reference to FIG.

 Next, the operation of transporting the transport container 2900 to the banknote ejecting machine 2800 to discharge the banknote will be described with reference to FIG.

The information processing device PS checks whether there is a notice of the end of introduction of the bill by looking at the signal of the corresponding input port. If there is a notice of the end of introduction, the information processing apparatus PS first sends a route setting to the terminal unit TU that controls the switching valve 6520 and the branching unit 6130. An instruction is given (step 701). By this instruction, the switching valve 6520 and the branching section 6130 secure airflow at the branch pipe 6110 in which the bill introduction machine 2700 in which the introduction of bills has been completed is disposed. So that the state is switched. Then, the information processing device PS issues a container capturing instruction to the terminal unit TU corresponding to the bill ejecting machine 2800 (step 720). In response to this, the terminal unit TU instructs the lock mechanism drive circuit 2789 to protrude the pin on the transport direction side of the container. Further, the information processing device PS instructs the terminal unit TU of the banknote introduction machine 270 to open the captured container (step 703). In response, the terminal unit TU instructs the lock mechanism drive circuit 27989 to lower the pin. As a result, the container 2900 is released from the restraint and moves in the branch pipe 2100 by the air flow. Then, it is merged with the main pipe at the branching section 6130, and is conveyed to the banknote ejecting machine 2800. At this time, the container 2900 is conveyed while maintaining its posture due to the presence of the weight portion 2840, and when the container 2900 reaches the position of the lock mechanism of the banknote ejecting machine 2800, it comes into contact with the pin. Will be stopped.

 At this time, when the container detecting sensor 2769 of the banknote ejection machine 28000 detects the existence of the container 290, the detection signal is sent to the terminal unit TU and the lock mechanism driving circuit 27989. . The lock mechanism drive circuit 2789 drives the solenoid 2781 so as to raise the remaining pins according to the detection signal. As a result, the container 2900 is sandwiched between the two pins. At this time, the tip of the pin engages with the cutout portion 294 of the weight portion 294, so that the container 290 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 container has been captured 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 discharging machine to discharge the bill (step 705). As a result, the banknotes can be The exhaust power is done.

 Next, the operation of returning the container to the container standby section 6400 will be described with reference to FIG. The information processing apparatus PS checks whether or not the discharge of the bill has been completed by looking at the signal of the corresponding input port. When the end of the discharge is notified, the information processing apparatus PS issues a route setting instruction to the branch unit 613 and the terminal unit TU of the airflow generating mechanism 650 (step 801). As a result, the shirt evening mechanism at the branching section and the switching valve 6520 are arranged so that the air flow is secured from the banknote discharging machine 2800 to the empty container standby section 6400. The state is switched. Further, the information processing apparatus PS issues a container capturing instruction to the terminal unit TU of the container standby unit 6400 at the transfer destination (step 802). In response to this, the terminal unit TU instructs the lock mechanism drive circuit 27989 to protrude the pin on the far side from the banknote ejecting machine 280.

 Next, the information processing apparatus PS instructs the terminal unit TU of the banknote ejection machine 280 to open the captured container (step 803). In response to this, the terminal unit TU instructs the lock mechanism drive circuit of the banknote ejector 280 to lower the pin. As a result, the container 2900 is released from the restraint and moves in the main pipe 2100 by the air flow. Then, it is branched to the branch pipe 6111 and transported to the container standby section 6400 at the transport destination. At this time, the transport container 2900 is transported while maintaining its posture due to the presence of the weight portion. Then, it comes into contact with the pin of the lock mechanism of the container standby unit 6400 at the transport destination and is stopped.

In the container waiting section 6400 where the container has arrived, the container detection sensor 2769 detects the presence of the container, and the detection signal is sent to the terminal unit TU and the lock mechanism drive circuit 2789. In response to this detection signal, the lock mechanism drive circuit 2789 drives the solenoid 2781 so as to raise the remaining pins. As a result, the container 2900 is sandwiched between the two pins. On the other hand, a detection signal was received from the container detection sensor 2 7 6 9 The terminal unit TU sends a signal indicating that the transport container has been captured to the information processing device PS. When the information processing device PS receives the signal (step 804, YES), the information processing device PS shifts the execution target to the next process.

 The bills are collected by a combination of the above operations.

 Further, in the above-described transport system, bill collection of a plurality of systems can be performed in parallel. The information processing device PS comprehensively manages the operation status of the transport system, and selectively executes the three processes shown in FIGS. 32 to 34 according to requests. However, the selection of the processing is performed so that troubles such as collision of the transport container 2900 do not occur. Thus, besides performing the above three processes continuously for one transport container, for example, after performing the process of FIG. 32 for a certain transport container held in the container standby unit 6400, However, it is also possible to carry out the processing of FIG. 33 on another transport container in which the introduction force of the bill has already been terminated. This enables efficient transport operation.

 In the above processing, the introduction and discharge of the banknote are started in accordance with the instruction issued from the information processing apparatus PS, but the introduction and the discharge of the banknote may be started without the instruction. In such a form, for example, upon receipt of a container capture instruction, the bill introduction unit 2700 can automatically start the introduction of a bill after waiting for detection of capture of a transport container. Similarly, the bill ejection machine 280 00 can automatically start the ejection of bills after the detection of the capture of the transport container. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of processing in the control system and increase the efficiency of the transfer operation.

 Note that a new process may be configured by a combination of the respective steps of the above three processes.

 Further, the transport container may be arranged at a position other than the container standby section 6400, for example, at the banknote discharging machine 2800 or the banknote introducing machine 2700.

In addition, it is possible to control such that a plurality of transport containers are transported simultaneously. For example, one The processing of FIG. 33 and the processing of FIG. 34 can be simultaneously performed on the branch pipe 6110 of FIG.

 In addition, the container standby unit 6400 may be omitted from the configuration, and the bill introducing machine 2700 located at the most upstream of each island 1 may have the function of the container standby unit 6400. In this case, for example, the instruction to catch and release the container standby unit 6400 in FIGS. 32 and 34 is issued to the banknote introduction machine 2700 located at the most upstream of the same island 1. I do. In addition, when the bill introduction machine 2700 is a collection target, in the processing of FIG. 32, only a bill introduction instruction is performed.

 Further, the container standby section 6400 may be omitted from the configuration, and only one transfer container may be arranged. In this case, for example, the banknote ejection machine 2700 is provided with the function of the container standby unit 6400, and the processing in FIG. 34 is omitted.

Claims

The scope of the claims 1. In a game arcade in which a plurality of gaming machines are arranged, in a bill transport system for collecting bills from each gaming machine,  A transport container for storing bills,  A storage unit for storing bills collected from each gaming machine,  A collecting and conveying pipe system for forming a circulation path for each of the groups between the gaming machine and the storage unit, for conveying the conveying containers, and  An air flow generation mechanism for generating an air flow in the collection and conveyance system and moving a conveyance container existing in the collection and conveyance system;  A bill introduction machine inserted and installed at a position of each gaming machine in the collection and conveyance pipe system, and introducing a bill into a conveyance container conveyed in the collection and conveyance pipe system;  A bill discharging machine for inserting and installing a bill at the position of the storage unit in the collection and conveyance system and discharging the banknote from the conveyance container conveyed in the collection and conveyance system and storing it in the storage unit; A control system for receiving a collection request and performing banknote collection control should be provided.  A bill transfer system characterized by the following. 2. In the bill transfer system according to claim 1,  The collecting and conveying pipe system is  A plurality of branch pipes, one for each of the above groups, A main pipe for connecting the plurality of branch pipes and connecting to the banknote dispenser, and a connecting section between each of the branch pipes and the main pipe, and a connecting section on an upstream side of the airflow. Having at least one guide mechanism,  The guide mechanism realizes a mode in which the transport container conveyed in the main pipe is guided into a corresponding branch pipe, and a mode in which the transport vessel is transported in the main pipe without being guided into the branch pipe. A bill transfer system characterized by switching to any one of the modes according to the situation. 3. In the bill transport system according to claim 2,  A plurality of shirting mechanisms inserted and installed in at least one of the connecting portions of the branch pipes with the main pipe,  The shirt mechanism realizes a mode in which a corresponding branch pipe is connected to the main pipe and a mode in which the pipe is shut off, and according to a signal instructing switching, one of the modes is provided. Switch to mode  A bill transfer system characterized by the following. 4. In the bill transfer system according to claim 2,  A curved portion is formed at the connection portion of the branch pipe with the main pipe to guide the transport container.  A bill transfer system characterized by the following. 5. In the bill transfer system according to claim 2,  The airflow generating mechanism is  An airflow generator for generating an airflow; At two locations on both ends of the banknote ejector, two switching valves, which are inserted and installed in the main pipe and transmit the air flow generated by the air flow generating device to the main pipe, Each of the switching valves is  The air flow generated by the air flow generation device is transmitted to the main pipe, and the start and end points of the air flow in the main pipe are cut off, and the air flow generated by the air flow generation apparatus is cut off. A mode in which the trunk pipe is in a communication state is realized, and the mode can be switched to one of the modes in response to a switching instruction signal.  A bill transfer system characterized by the following. 6. In the bill transfer system according to claim 5,  The control system generates and outputs a signal for instructing switching of the two switching valves, and switches the two switching valves to opposing modes based on the signal.  A bill transfer system characterized by the following. 7. In the bill transfer system according to claim 2,  The bill introduction machine includes a container capturing mechanism that captures the transport container that moves in the collection and transport pipe system, a container detection sensor that detects that the transport container has been captured, and a capture that is performed by the container detection sensor. And a bill moving mechanism for introducing bills into the captured transport container when  The bill discharging machine includes a container capturing mechanism that captures the transport container that moves in the collection and transport pipe system, a container detection sensor that detects that the transport container has been captured, and a capture that is performed by the container detection sensor. And a bill moving mechanism for discharging bills from the transport container being captured when  The control system is In response to the bill collection request, the guide mechanism is instructed to switch so that the transport container is guided to the branch pipe corresponding to the requesting gaming machine, and the guide mechanism is responded to the requesting gaming machine. Processing to instruct the bill introducing machine to operate the container capturing mechanism, and instruct the bill ejecting machine to release the transport container in the container capturing mechanism;  In response to the above-mentioned bill introduction end notification from the bill introduction machine, the banknote ejection machine is instructed to operate the container capturing mechanism, and the notification source bill introduction machine is required to release the transport container in the container capturing mechanism. Having a process to instruct  A bill transfer system characterized by the following.  8. The bill transfer system according to claim 3,  The bill introduction machine includes a container capturing mechanism that captures the transport container that moves in the collection and transport pipe system, a container detection sensor that detects that the transport container has been captured, and a capture that is performed by the container detection sensor. And a bill moving mechanism for introducing bills into the captured transport container when  The bill discharging machine includes a container capturing mechanism that captures the transport container that moves in the collection and transport pipe system, a container detection sensor that detects that the transport container has been captured, and a capture that is performed by the container detection sensor. And a bill moving mechanism for discharging bills from the transport container being captured when  The control system is In response to the bill collection request, the guide mechanism is instructed to switch so that the transfer container is guided to the branch pipe corresponding to the requesting gaming machine, and the shirt mechanism is transmitted to the requesting gaming machine. Instructs switching so that air flow is generated in the corresponding branch pipe, instructs the bill introducing machine corresponding to the requesting gaming machine to operate the container capturing mechanism, and instructs the bill discharging machine to operate the container. In response to the process of instructing release of the transport container in the capturing mechanism, and in response to the bill introduction completion notification from the bill introduction machine, the airflow flows into the branch pipe corresponding to the notification source bill introduction machine to the shirt evening mechanism. Command switching to occur A process for instructing the bill ejecting machine to operate the container capturing mechanism and instructing the notification source bill introducing machine to release the transport container in the container capturing mechanism.  A bill transfer system characterized by the following. 9. In the bill transfer system according to claim 2,  Each of the branch pipes has a plurality of container standby units that are individually installed at positions upstream of the above-mentioned group with respect to the air flow and that hold transport containers that do not contain bills.  A bill transfer system characterized by the following. 10. The bill transfer system according to claim 9,  A bill transport system comprising at least the same number of the transport containers as the number of the container standby units. 1 1. In the bill transfer system according to claim 10,  The container standby unit has a container capturing mechanism that captures the transport container moving in the branch pipe,  The bill introduction machine includes a container capturing mechanism that captures the transport container that moves in the collection and transport pipe system, a container detection sensor that detects that the transport container has been captured, and a capture that is performed by the container detection sensor. And a bill moving mechanism for introducing bills into the captured transport container when The bill discharging machine includes a container capturing mechanism that captures the transport container that moves in the collection and transport pipe system, a container detection sensor that detects that the transport container has been captured, and a capture that is performed by the container detection sensor. Is detected, paper is removed from the carrying container And a bill moving mechanism for discharging bills,  The control system is  In response to the bill collection request, instructs the bill introducing machine corresponding to the requesting gaming machine to operate the container capturing mechanism, and instructs the container standby unit corresponding to the same branch pipe as the bill introducing machine to: A process of instructing release of the transport container in the container capturing mechanism,  In response to the bill introduction completion notification from the bill introduction machine, the operation of the container capturing mechanism is instructed to the bill ejection machine, and the transfer container in the container capturing mechanism is notified to the notification source bill introduction machine. Processing to instruct the release of  In response to the bill ejection completion notification from the bill ejection machine, the guide mechanism is instructed to switch so that the transport container is guided to a branch pipe having a container standby unit that does not hold the transport container, and the container standby is performed. A processing unit for instructing the unit to operate a container capturing mechanism, and instructing the bill ejector to release a transport container in the container capturing mechanism. 1 2. In a bill transfer system for transferring a transfer container for storing bills in a game arcade where a plurality of gaming machines are arranged,  A transport pipe system for transporting the transport containers by forming a circulation path corresponding to the arrangement of the gaming machines;  An airflow generator for generating an airflow;  And two switching valves, which are inserted and installed in the conveying pipe system and transmit the air flow generated by the air flow generator to the conveying pipe system,  Each of the switching valves is The air flow generated by the air flow generating device is transmitted to a conveying pipe system, and the starting and ending points of the air flow in the conveying pipe system are determined by the air flow generated by the air flow generating device. And a mode in which the transfer pipe system is set in a communication state, and can be switched to one of the modes in response to a signal instructing switching.  A bill transport system characterized by the above.