Document handler, controller of gaming machines utilizing document handler and method for indicating deterioration level in document handler

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a paper sheet handling device and a game machine management device in which a drive unit is replaced before the operational lifetime thereof is reached. [Solution] A paper sheet handling device (1) comprises a distinction device (2) that distinguishes the authenticity of paper sheets, a distinction transport passage (10) that is formed inside the distinction device (2), and a drive unit (13) that is detachably installed inside the distinction device (2). The drive unit (13) transports paper sheets inside the distinction device (2) along the distinction transport passage (10). The drive unit (13) comprises a drive sensor (24) that detects a physical value for the inside of the drive unit (13) and a physical property storage device (25) that stores the physical value detected by the drive sensor (24). The physical value for the inside of the drive unit (13) is retrieved from the physical property storage device (25) to display the degradation level of the drive unit (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a document handler that may exchange a drive unit of the document handler before its breakdown, and a controller of gaming machines utilizing a document handler and a method for indicating a deterioration level of the document handler.

[0002] The applicant of this case owns Japanese Patent No. 5,484,866 shown below as Patent Document 1, and according to this patent, they have been manufacturing a lot of document handlers for many years. However, the manufactured machines of this type show a defect that it is less profitability until repair completion of the broken machines because they cannot work for corporate earnings. One of the most failure causes of document handlers lies in degradation or deterioration of the operated drive unit that forms its moving components, and if it is once broken, the gaming machine would not disadvantageously cause the related document handler to work until complete replacement of the wrong parts. The document handler shown in Patent Document 1 is advantageous that a drive unit, a validation unit and a stacker unit may be individually assembled for their easy separation, removal, assemble, maintenance, checking and exchange. In addition, the drive unit is made up of integrally assembled components, and therefore, it is advantageously and removably mounted in a casing and easily detached from the document handler for easy exchange, maintenance and checking of the drive unit.

[0003] Patent Document 2 shows an ATM that includes an escrow cassette, an retrieval cassette with their memories and a controller for receiving the information for the memories through connectors so that the controller may recognize the kind of memories based on memory information. Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5,484,866 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Disclosure No 10-27274. [0004A] Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be combined with 2023351170   07 Jul 2026 any other piece of prior art by a skilled person in the art. Summary of Invention

[0005] Since the drive unit shown in Patent Document 1 continuously works in a document handler and gets out of order, it is impossible to know the time when the machine will fail or to predict failure or malfunction time of the machine. Usually, the drive unit may suddenly break or have trouble into an inoperative or abnormal condition, and therefore, nothing can drive for augmentation of earnings with shutdown of related document handlers or gaming machines, and such unproductive terms continue until exchange to a normal drive. Accordingly, the present invention pertains to a document handler that informs a monitor of the deterioration level or exchange time of the drive unit, a controller of gaming machines utilizing document handlers, and a method for indicating the deterioration level for document handlers. [0005A] In an aspect, the invention provides a document handler including: a validator for discriminating authenticity of a valuable document, a passageway defined within the validator, and a drive unit for transporting the valuable document along the passageway within the validator, wherein: the drive unit is detachably attached to the validator, the drive unit includes one or a plurality of drive sensors for detecting physical values within the drive unit, and a property memory for storing the physical values detected by the drive sensors, the property memory stores drive logs that are converted by digitizing, grading or rating the physical values detected by the drive sensors, such that variations in the physical values from the drive sensors indicate a deterioration level of the drive unit, and the drive unit is removable from the validator to connect the drive unit to a retrieval terminal through a connector in order to retrieve the drive logs from the property memory of the drive unit to the retrieval terminal. [0005B] In another aspect, the invention provides a system comprising a plurality of document handlers each of which includes: a validator for discriminating authenticity of a valuable document, a passageway formed within the validator and a drive unit detachably attached within the validator for transporting the valuable document along the passageway within the validator, wherein: the document handlers are individually connected to a central controller,each of the drive units includes drive sensors for detecting physical values within the drive unit, and a property memory for storing authentic information that identifies the drive unit or document handler, each of the drive units are removable from the validators to connect the drive units to the central controller through respective connectors, and the central controller includes a retrieval terminal for retrieving the physical values and authentic information from the property memory of the drive units through the connectors, a central memory for storing failure rate curve characteristic or failure rate approximation of the drive units, and a property comparator for comparing the 2023351170   07 Jul 2026 physical values of the drive units received by the retrieval terminal or assigning the physical values of the drive units to the failure rate curve characteristic or failure rate approximation to compute a latest exchange time of the drive units in view of the failure rate rise on the failure rate curve characteristic or failure rate approximation.

[0006] A document handler (1) according to the disclosure, includes a validator (2) for discriminating a valuable document, a passageway (10) formed in the validator (2), and a drive unit (13) detachably mounted in validator (2). Drive unit (13) works to convey a valuable document along passageway (10) in validator (2), and therefore, each part of the drive unit (13) is gradually worn through operation of drive unit (13), steadily deteriorating its quality, performance and function. To expect the deterioration, drive unit (13) has one or a plurality of drive sensors (24) for detecting physical values on quality, performance and function of drive unit (13), and a property memory (25) for storing the physical values detected by the drive sensors (24). Variations or differences in physical quantity from drive sensors (24) would indicate the degree or level in deterioration on drive unit (13). Physical values may be continuously, regularly or if necessary searched, taken out and displayed to objectively grasp the deterioration level on quality, performance and function of drive unit (13). [0006A] By way of clarification and for avoidance of doubt, as used herein and except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additions, components, integers or steps. Brief Description of Drawings

[0007] Referring now to embodiments according to the present invention on the a document handler, a controller of gaming machines utilizing the document handlers and a method for indicating deterioration level in the document handler, the drawings illustrate the following: [Figure 1] A sectional view of a document handler according to the present invention; [Figure 2] An exploded view of the document handler showing a drive unit removed from a validator device of the document handler; [Figure 3] A bottom view of the drive unit attached to the document handler of the invention: [Figure 4]     A perspective view showing a clock encoder for the drive unit; [Figure 5]     A sectional view of the drive unit attached to the validator device; [Figure 6] A block diagram showing an electric structure of the drive unit; and 2023351170   07 Jul 2026 1006630570 [Figure 7] A graph of a failure rate curve characteristic of the drive unit. Embodiments to carry out the invention

[0008] Referring now to Figs. 1 to 7, embodiments will be explained hereinafter of a document handler, a controller of gaming machines and a method for indicating a deterioration level in a document handler according to the invention. The terms herein "a document" and "a paper" should be understood as broadest meaning as indicating all valuable papers such as bills, currencies, paper currencies or plastic currencies, coupons, token moneys, securities and scrips.

[0009] Basic Construction of Invention The document handler (1) according to the embodiments of the invention has an improvement in mechanical and electric construction of the drive unit (13) over the prior art drive unit shown in Patent Document 1. The drive unit (13) shown in this embodiment is of course different in mechanical and electric construction from those of the cited one, except the validator (2) that may include a passageway (10) and stacker (3) in the same construction and same function as those in Patent Document 1. Specifically, drive unit (13) of the invention includes one or a plurality of drive sensors (24) for detecting physical values on quality, performance and function of each working component of drive unit (13), and a property memory (25) for storing the physical values detected by the drive sensors (24) to objectively show the aged deterioration or degraded state on quality, performance or function of drive unit (13). The embodiments of the invention described herein, may utilize a prior art validator and a stacker alike those of Patent Document 1.

[0010] Document handler (1) shown in Fig. 1, includes a validator (2) for discriminating authenticity, namely genuine or fake of valuable documents, such as valuable bills or coupons, a passageway (10) formed within the validator (2), and a drive unit (13) for transporting the valuable document within the validator (2). Drive unit (13) includes a conveyor (5) (Fig. 5) for transporting a valuable document inserted into validator (2) along passageway (10) and a pusher (6) for stowing the valuable document transported through passageway (10) by conveyor (5) into a stacker (3). Drive unit (13) has a bottom cover (13a) of Fig. 2 to conceal the bottom surface of drive unit (13).

[0011] Validator (2) shown in Fig. 1, includes a validation sensor (11) for detecting optical features of the valuable document moving through passageway (10) by drive unit (13) to produce detection signals, and a discriminator (12) (Fig. 6) for receiving detection signals from validation sensor (11) to decide authenticity of the valuable document. Sort sensor (11) is for example, a close-contact image sensor (CIS) that may hold optical image data of the valuable document moved along the passageway (10) to generate detection signals that form optical images of the valuable document. Discriminator (12) compares optical image data of valuable document from validation sensor (11) with image data of authentic or genuine valuable document, and when it decides the agreement of read and genuine image data, the valuable document is further transferred through passageway (10) by drive belts (36) of the conveyor (5) to the stacker (3). Then, the bill is conveyed to a standby room (61a) of a container (79) and there a pusher actuator (62) impacts the bill from standby room (61) into container (79). When container (79) is filled with a lot of bills, a facility manager may detach the stacker (3) of filled container (79) from document handler (1) to retrieve the bills within container (79).

[0012] Fig. 3 illustrates a mechanical construction of drive unit (13) that includes a transfer motor (701) as a conveyor (5) for transporting a bill inserted into validator (2) along passageway (10), and a push motor (702) as a pusher (6) for conveying and cramming the bill into container (79) of stacker (3). Reference should be made to Patent Document 1 to more understand the actual construction and function of conveyor (5) and pusher (6) that may utilize the transfer and pusher motors (701, 702) to transport and stow the bill into stacker (3) by means of a power transmission (8). The embodiments of the invention are more advantageous in that a plurality of conveyor sensors (241 to 246) may detect a variety of physical values on quality, performance or functions of every working parts in conveyor (5) that includes the transfer motor (701) and power transmission (8) to generate transfer logs that are digitized, graded or rated from detected physical values, entirely unlike the structure shown in Patent Document. 1

[0013] Conveyor (5) includes a reversible transfer motor (701), a pinion (not shown) mounted on a drive shaft of transfer motor (701), a power transmission (8) drivingly connected to the drive shaft of transfer motor (701), and a drive belt (36) driven by 4 pinion of transfer motor (701) and power transmission (8). Unlike the structure of discrimination conveyor in Patent Document 1, drive belt (36) includes a fore belt (361) to allow rotation of an inlet roller (46) arranged at the front center of passageway (10) to carry the bill back, and a pair of rear belts (362) for carrying the bill more back. Fore and rear belts (361, 362) are driven by transfer motor (701) through power transmission (8). Inlet roller (46) may be rotated through a gear meshed with a further gear rotated by fore belt (361).

[0014] Similarly to the structure shown in Patent Document 1, document handler (1) has a stacker (3) for stowing bills transported along passageway (10), and drive unit (13) includes a pusher (6) for stowing the bill into container (79) of stacker (3). Embodiments of the invention are entirely different from the structure shown in Patent Document 1 in that the embodiments utilize a plurality of stack sensors (251 to 256) that may detect a variety of physical values on quality, performance or functions of every working components in pusher (6) that include pusher motor (702) and power transmission (8) to generate storage logs for the digitized, graded or rated physical values detected by stack sensors (251 to 256).

[0015] Fig. 6 illustrates an electrical construction of drive unit (13) for the present invention. Prior art drive unit shown in Patent Document 1 naturally does not have such an electrical construction as that of the invention. Conveyor (5) includes a clock encoder (45) rotated by fore belt (361) that rotates inlet roller (46) to measure turnover time of transfer motor (701) and produces signals of its number and rate in revolution. In other words, clock encoder (45) may measure rotation time, rotation rate and revolution speed of transfer motor (701). Inlet roller (46) is rotated by or through a gear not shown rotated together with fore belt (361) to convey along passageway (10) bills put into inlet (14).

[0016] In this way, fore belt (361) can drive both of clock encoder (45) and inlet roller (46). Property memory (25) is connected to clock encoder (45) to store actuating time of drive unit (13) clocked by clock encoder (45) and drive logs from drive sensors (24) that may detect a variety of physical values on quality, performance or functions of every working parts in conveyor (5) and pusher (6). Transfer and pusher motors (701, 702) and power transmission (8) are included by conveyor (5) and pusher (6) to generate drive logs that physical values detected by drive sensors (24) are converted by digitizing, grading, scoring or rating so that property memory (25) stores drive logs, essentially differently from the structure in Patent Document 1.

[0017] Electrical Structure of Drive Unit All of drive sensors (24), validation sensor (11) and clock encoder (45) may measure physical values of transfer and pusher motors (701, 702), and are connected to property memory (25) to select physical values detected by drive sensors (24) and save them in necessary memory areas together with time signals clocked by clock encoder (45). Also, validation sensor (11) produces, forms and forwards optical image signals of bills to discriminator (12) to decide authentication, namely genuine or fake of bills therein. When discriminator (12) determines bills to be genuine based on optical image signals, bills are sent to container (79) by conveyor (5) and pusher (6).

[0018] When optical image signals of bills are unqualified to be genuine, discriminator (12) adversely drives conveyor (5) to return bills through passageway (10) toward inlet (14) and again forwardly drives conveyor (5) along validation sensor (11) for repetitive optical validation (revalidation), and property memory (25) may count the number of revalidation to save the revalidation number. Document handler (1) or drive unit (13) is connected to a retrieval terminal (401) of a central controller (300) and property memory (25) through a connector (25a) such as a USB interface to retrieve physical values from and retain them in property memory (25) and show them in retrieval terminal (401). Central controller (300) may include computers such as servers and related peripheral equipment. Fig. 6 illustrates transfer and pusher motors (701, 702) of drive unit (13) and drive sensors (24) for detecting physical values in transfer and pusher motors (701, 702).

[0019] Each of drive sensors (24) may continuously, periodically or if required detect analog or digital physical values of working components in drive unit (13) and forward them to property memory (25) to store physical values in given storage areas. When each of drive sensors (24) catches physical values in drive unit (13), they may convert analog physical values to digital ones (digitizing), grade, score or rate them into drive logs that are forwarded to property memory (25), to store received drive logs in given storage areas. Property memory (25) also may store transfer logs and stack logs for drive logs relating to operating time of transfer and pusher motors (701, 702) clocked by clock encoder (45). While physical values detected in drive sensors (24) are digitized, graded, scored or rated, they are divided into several grades or levels that include blank original figure areas, rates for reference values or predetermined values to separately save them in property memory (25).

[0020] As mentioned above, each of drive sensors (24) may convert analog physical values in drive unit (13) into digital amount or values, grade, score or rate them into drive logs that are forwarded to property memory (25). Instead, drive sensors (24) may forward analog physical values to property memory (25) that may convert analog physical values to digital ones, grade, score or rate them into drive logs for storage. Property memory (25) may retain transfer or stack logs for drive logs in relation to operating time of transfer and pusher motors (701, 702) clocked by clock encoder (45). At the same time property memory (25) stores drive logs detected by drive sensors (24), it also saves authentic information or authenticator such as serial numbers for identifying each of drive units (13) or document handlers (1). Automatically, at the time property memory (25) receives a request signal from an input device (405) of central controller (300) or after a certain period of time receiving the request signal, property memory (25) forwards stored drive logs and authenticator to retrieval terminal (401) from property memory (25) through connector (25a) to keep drive logs and authentic information in retrieval terminal (401).

[0022] When central controller (300) receives drive logs and authenticator sent through connector (25a), it may score physical values detected from drive units (13). Specifically, central controller (300) grades each of physical values and forwards them to a central memory (403) for storage, and graded physical values include elapsed time since previous changed day or maintenance inspection day, number of operation times, total operation number, maximum temperature during operation, number of operation stops, and transportation accuracy (transportation stigmas) of bills. When a total score of physical values in working parts of conveyor (5) or pusher (6) falls out of predetermined tolerance, a property comparator (402) of central controller (300) may recognize possibility of future failure in at least one of conveyor (5) and pusher (6) to generate warning signals and inform a manager of necessity of exchange or maintenance inspection of drive unit (13).

[0023] For example, assuming that a new drive unit (13) originally has a score of 100 points for total physical values and a broken drive unit (13) has a low score of 70 points. The total physical values drops from 100 points to 80 points due to depletion, central controller (300) informs a manager of necessity of exchange or maintenance inspection of drive unit (13). If the function-degrading drive unit (13) is exchanged with new one responsive to the information from central controller (300) to avoid actual breakdown of drive unit (13). For example, when transfer or pusher motor (701, 702) has been working in an atmosphere over top temperature 90°C or over average temperature 80°C, total physical values of drive unit (13) may be reduced depending on the situation. According to added elapsed time, number of operation times, total operation number and number of operation stop, total physical values of drive unit (13) may also be reduced. Moreover, when transfer or pusher motor (701, 702) is driven more than totally 500,000 times since shipping of document handler (1) or previous exchange of drive unit (13), total physical values of drive unit (13) would be needed to be reduced. Property comparators (402) of another type may be used to calculate or predict exchange time or exchange priority order of drive unit (13) in accordance with statistics-converting algorithm. When central controller (300) receives drive logs and authenticator from property memory (25) through connector (25a), property comparator (402) may compare drive logs received by central controller (300) with a failure rate curve characteristic of drive unit (13) retained in central memory (403) as illustrated in Fig. 7. In this case, property comparator (402) may decide how or what situation of deterioration degree the received drive logs have on failure rate curve characteristic. In other words, property comparator (402) may locate drive logs that come under the deteriorated position on failure rate curve characteristic, and then, it may compute latest exchange time or residual time or days until the deteriorated position on failure rate curve characteristic, for example until reaching 80% abrasion loss or slip in quality just before wearout failure in total operation time to indicate calculated latest exchange time in a display (404).

[0025] When central controller (300) receives drive logs and authenticator sent from property memory (25) through connector (25a), property comparator (402) may substitute drive logs for failure-rate approximation or function of drive unit (13) retained in central memory (403). In this case, property comparator (402) may compute residual time or days from the current failure rate position on failure-rate approximation to the latest exchange time or term of drive unit (13), for example until reaching 80% abrasion loss or slip in quality just before wearout failure in total operation time to show latest exchange time or term in display (404).

[0026] Fig. 7 shows the failure rate curve characteristic with the horizontal temporal axis exhibiting operation hours of drive unit (13) and the vertical axis indicating variation of physical values detected from drive sensors (24). Property memory (25) has an oscillator or oscillating circuit that produces clock signals to compute duration, velocity and acceleration of physical values based on clock signals from oscillator in property memory (25). Property memory (25) also stores authenticator to identify drive unit (13) or document handler (1) for supporting property memory (25), and past maintenance inspection history inclusive of repair and checkout of drive unit (13).

[0027] Unlike the structure shown in Patent Document 1, drive sensors (24) of Fig. 6 in conveyor (5) according to the embodiment of the invention, include a conveyor counter (241) for counting each operation time of conveyor motor (701) to forward counted time signals to property memory (25); an overcurrent detection resistor or conveyor ammeter (242) for measuring overcurrent values and the number of overcurrent passing through conveyor motor (701) each time it operates to forward to property memory (25) counted high current values, high current time and high current times; and a conveyor thermal sensor (243) for measuring environmental 8 temperature, high temperature duration and its frequency around conveyor motor (701) each time it operates to forward digital signals of the counted data to property memory (25).

[0028] Each of drive sensors (24) includes a conveyor timer (244) for counting total operation time and its number of conveyor motor (701) each time it operates to forward digital signals of the counted data for drive logs to property memory (25); a conveyor accelerometer (245) of for example crystal type for measuring low acceleration and its frequency each time it operates to forward digital signals of the counted data for drive logs to property memory (25); and a conveyor velocity sensor (246) for measuring rotation velocity of conveyor motor (701) each time it operates to forward digital signals of counted data for drive logs to property memory (25).

[0029] Similarly to conveyor motor (701), push motor (702) has drive sensors (24) that may include a stack counter (251) for counting operation time of stack motor (702) each time it operates to forward counted digital data for drive logs to property memory (25); an overcurrent detection resistor or stack ammeter (252) for measuring overcurrent values and its frequency passing through stack motor (702) each time it operates to forward counted digital data to property memory (25); and a stack thermal sensor (253) for measuring environmental temperature, high temperature duration and its frequency around stack motor (702) each time it operates to forward digital signals of counted data to property memory (25).

[0030] Each of drive sensors (24) includes a stack timer (254) for counting total operation time and its frequency of stack motor (702) each time it operates to forward digital signals of the counted data for drive logs to property memory (25); a stack accelerometer (255) of crystal type for measuring low acceleration and its frequency of stack motor (702) each time it operates to forward digital signals of the counted data for drive logs to property memory (25); and a stack velocity sensor (256) for measuring rotation velocity of stack motor (702) each time it operates to forward digital signals of counted data for drive logs to property memory (25).

[0031] For example, conveyor and stack thermal sensors (243, 253) may include known thermoscope that may indicate digital signals of current change or resistance variation by motor winding temperature changes of conveyor and stack motors (701, 702). In short, clock encoder (45) generates clock signals that may count operation quantity of conveyor and stack motors (701, 702). Property memory (25) may store operation quantity of drive unit (13) measured by clock encoder (45) and drive logs from drive sensors (24).

[0032] Accordingly, conveyor and stack thermal sensors (243, 253) may detect each temperature in conveyor and stack motors (701, 702) each time conveyor (5) and pusher (6) operate, to produce digital signals converted from temperature detection signals and forward them to property memory (25) for saving. Temperature values converted into digital signals are displayed for digitized, graded, scored or rated drive logs to store them in property memory (25). Transport and stack velocity sensors (245, 255) may detect each rotation rate of transport and stack motors (701, 702) to produce converted velocity detection digital signals and forward them to property memory (25) for storage. Digitalized velocity detection signals are displayed for digitized, graded, scored or rated drive logs to store them in property memory (25). It should be noted that reduced amount of physical values or digitized velocity detection signals from transport and stack velocity sensors (245, 256) would indicate aging or deteriorated level of drive unit (13).

[0033] One of major failure causes of drive unit (13) is considered to lie in aging or depletion of working areas that would make up of transport or stack motor (701, 702) and power transmission (8), and so, the following review will be made on each failure cause to replace drive unit (13) before its breakdown: 1.     Abrasion when lapsing the total operation time; 2.     Fatigue breakdown by accumulated cyclic operation; 3.     Overcurrent damage by repetitive overloading; 4.     Heat damage under high temperature atmosphere; 5.     Unusual drop of working velocity; 6.     Unusual drop of working acceleration; and 7.      Cogging of mechanical sliders.

[0034] Abrasion Abrasion breakdown of sliders will be caused by wear according to lapsing the total operation time of transport and stack motors (701, 702) since abrasion loss of these motors (701, 702) would be proportional to their total operation time. For that reason, it would be advisable to count each operation time of transfer and stack motors (701, 702) by transfer and stack counters (241, 251) to send counted time signals to property memory (25) that may compute total operation time of transfer and stack motors (701, 702) for storage.

[0035] Fig. 7 illustrates failure rate of drive unit (13) along the vertical axis and total operation time or number along the horizontal axis to show a bath-tub type or failure rate curve characteristic. Shown curve characteristic is made up of three (3) aging terms or stages, namely initial, contingent and wearout failure stages in time 10 sequence. Initial and contingent failure stages of three stages would be out of consideration because they may assure good quality of drive unit (13) with very rare trouble and during contingent failure stage, it may also expect stable and good consecutive working of drive unit (13) without its happening substantial malfunction. Then, a manager should take notice of the failure rate rise (T) that would rapidly increase failure rates toward the abrasion failure stage.

[0036] For example, experimental data or repairing activities experimentally teach that slide-type transfer or stack motor (701, 701) would reach the failure rate rise (T) after its five hundred (500) operation hours. In other words, the failure rate growth (T) means the approximate arrival at 90% of the total operation hours that drive unit (13) may transit from contingent to abrasion failure stage. For that reason, it would be reasonable to give a manager warning signals from property memory (25) to inform exchange of drive unit (13) in advance to manager when each of transfer and stack motors (701, 702) has totally 400 operation hours that come in 80% abrasion loss (deterioration degree) before abrasion failure stage. In any event, the manager may set an exchange stage of drive unit (13) for 70% to 90% of the total operation hours before the failure rate rise (T) shown in the failure rate curve characteristic or approximation. Property memory (25) is connected to any warning device that may produce acoustic or visual alarms activated by trigger signals from property memory (25). Assuming that neither abrasion, fatigue nor thermal damage occurs in any part of document handler (1) but drive unit (13), failure rate curve characteristic of document handler (1) would be returned to the original normal situation as after exchange of drive unit (13).

[0037] Fatigue Accumulation Even though transfer or stack motor (701, 702) is driven under the low load condition, it may produce fatigue breakdown due to reduced allowable stress range through their repeated operation. Transfer and stack motors (701, 702) would generate fatigue breakdown based on their accumulated multi-operation, as fatigue will be accumulated in transfer or stack motor (701, 702) until fatigue breakdown comes like failure rate curve characteristic shown in Fig. 7. Accumulated fatigue is considered proportional to the number of cumulative repetitive operations in transfer or stack motor (701, 702). In this view, transfer or stack counter (241, 251) or other counters may count operation frequency of transfer or stack motor (701, 702) to forward counted operation frequency signals to property memory (25) that computes cumulative operation frequency of transfer or stack motor (701, 702) and stores them. Assuming fatigue breakdown occurs when cumulative operation frequency of transfer or stack motor (701, 702) empirically comes to 500,000 times, the frequency of transfer or stack motor (701, 702) will come to 80% abrasion with 400,000 operation times, and property memory (25) may produce warning signals to request a manager exchange of drive unit (13).

[0038] Overcurrent Damage One of related components is deformed for some cause that may inhibit smooth operation of drive unit (13), and moreover, the part's deformation may bring a rising load to cause overcurrent flow through transfer or stack motor (701, 702). Frequent overcurrent may cause thermal destruction or breakdown of transfer or stack motor (701, 702). Accordingly, overcurrent detection resister and transfer or stack ammeter (242, 252) are used to measure high current values, its duration and frequency of current flow through transfer or stack motor (701, 702), data of which are then forwarded to property memory (25) that may compute high current values, its duration and frequency through transfer and stack motors (701, 702) and store them. Assuming thermal breakdown by high current occurs when current flow over 10 amperes or more, for more than three seconds and more than five times produces through transfer or stack motor (701, 702), property memory (25) may produce warning signals to request a manager exchange of drive unit (13).

[0039] Thermal Damage at Elevated Temperature Plastic molded electronic devices are usually mounted in transfer and stack motors (701, 702), and they might fail or be broken when they are exposed at a high temperature more than 120oC. For that reason, transfer and stack sensors (243, 253) are used to measure environmental temperature, its duration and frequency around transfer and stack motors (701, 702) data of which is then forwarded to property memory (25) that computes measured environmental temperature, its duration and frequency and stores them. For example, when atmosphere runs on at a temperature over 120C for 30 seconds and 3 times, property memory (25) may consider that such a situation is likely to make electronic devices thermally breakdown under the environment at high temperature to produce warning signals from property memory (25) and urge a manager to exchange drive unit (13).

[0040] Reduction in Operating Rate Drive unit (13) may reduce its operation speed for any specific cause or complex degradation. For instance, when a bill with any adhesive material is transported along passageway (10), the material is adhered to conveyor (5) or pusher (6) to greatly reduce drive performance of drive unit (13). This is the same thing when foreign objects enter conveyor (5) or pusher (6). Then, transfer and stack timers (244, 254) are used to measure total running time and their frequency, and they may count low running rate and its frequency that are forwarded to property memory (25) for storage. When receiving given low running rate or its frequency, property memory (25) produces warning signals and urges a manager to exchange drive unit (13).

[0041] For example, when a customer spills a drop of drink or viscous liquid around inlet (14) of passageway (10), such material may adhere to any of conveyor (5), pusher (6) or power transmission (8) to cause delay or change of drive rate in transfer or stack motor (701, 702). Central controller (300) constantly monitors change in drive rate of transfer and stack motors (701, 702). If they do not drive at a predetermined rate, central controller (300) considers that delay may be caused by adhesive attachment to the mechanism, it will generate warning signals to inform a manager of replacing drive unit (13). Otherwise, when foreign substance such as dust or sand enters passageway (10) through inlet (14), attachment of foreign substance to power transmission (8) causes delay in running rate of transfer or stack motor (701, 702). In this case, conveyor sensors (241 to 246) may digitize delay in transportation by foreign objects, monitor increased transporting load, and produce warning signals to inform a manager to swap drive unit (13).

[0042] Reduction of Working Acceleration Drive unit (13) may encounter acceleration drop due to deformation of any related parts or another cause while decreasing rotational force necessary for transportation or storage of bills. Transport and stack velocity sensors (245, 255) of crystal type are used to detect low acceleration and its frequency of transfer or stack motor (701, 702) to send detected signals to property memory (25) that may compute detected low acceleration and its frequency and stores them. When measuring the predetermined number of low acceleration, property memory (25) generates warning signals to urge a manager to replace drive unit (13).

[0043] Transport and stack acceleration sensors (245, 255) may detect acceleration of transfer and stack motors (701, 702), convert detected acceleration into digital signals each time conveyor (5) and pusher (6) operate, and forward them for drive logs to property memory (25) that indicates and stores digitized, graded, scored or rated drive logs. Physical values from transport and stack acceleration sensors (245, 255) indicate aging or deterioration degree in drive unit (13), as reduction amounts in digitized acceleration detection signals.

[0044] Cogging of Drive Unit If there has been cogging in degraded conveyor (5), valuable document is transported with unusual velocity that may cause optical validation sensors (11) to form inappropriate bill images such as missed, deformed, shrunk, stretched or slipped optical images of bills so that discriminator (12) may not correctly judge bill's authentication. For example, if discriminator (12) may not correctly read an 13 identification indicia such as bar coded print on bills, it will produce wrong signals to adversely and again forwardly operate drive unit (13) for repetitive validation of bills. Property memory (25) may save the number of times of bill's validation operations of discriminator (12) for drive logs.

[0045] Slipping of Drive Unit Property comparator (402) may compare bill length information sent to retrieval terminal (401) from property memory (25) with regular length information stored in central memory (403). If the length of image read by validation sensor (11) is out of the predetermined range, property comparator (402) may decide occurrence of slippage in drive unit (13) during belt-drive of bills. In this case, property memory (25) may count the number of times of slippage during belt-drive, and retrieval terminal (401) reads out the number of slippage times during belt-drive from property memory (25) through input device (405), retrieval terminal (401) and connector (25a). When the number of slippage times is over predetermined frequency saved in central memory (403), property comparator (402) may decide slipping failure of conveyor (5). For example, property memory (25) may store delay time in operation from pusher (6), current flow level in operation from stack ammeter (252), and stack logs from stack acceleration sensor (255) and stack velocity sensor (256) to inform a manager to urge exchange of drive unit (13) before full of bills in container (79) of stacker (3).

[0046] For example, drive unit (13) may measure pulse width of drive signals to transfer or pusher motor (701, 702) to operate pusher (6) or pusher actuator (62) and when drive unit (13) detects a predetermined total pulse length, it may decide full of bills in container (79) of stacker (3). Property memory (25) may hold authenticator information of drive unit (13) or document handler (1) that provides container (79) filled with bills to exchange deteriorated-like stacker (3).

[0047] Each of parts that make up of drive unit (13) is fated to decline quality, performance and function to gradually or step by step deteriorate drive unit (13), as mentioned above, for various causes on transfer motor (701), stack motor (702) and power transmission (8) such as increase in total operation time or accumulative iterative operation frequency, change in circumferential temperature, abnormal rotation output, expansion of abrasion loss, hypofunction or deterioration of strength by repeated operation, fatigue enlargement by repeated low load or slippage on beltdrive.

[0048] However, if actual mechanical, electrical constructions and their functions for drive unit (13) are decided, failure rate curve characteristic of drive unit (13) 14 would be observed, supposed or shown by approximation regarding failure causes, such as abrasion, fatigue, overcurrent damage, thermal damage, reduction in operative rate or acceleration to store failure rate characteristic data or failure rate approximation in central storage (403). Fig. 7 shows failure rate characteristic data or their approximation by bath-tab type-curve, quadratic curve, straight line or other failure characteristic curves. Property memory (25) holds authenticator of drive unit (13) or gaming machine (200) regarding actual operation values of drive unit (13) such as total operation time and number, environmental temperature, duration and frequency of high temperature, low operation velocity and its frequency, low acceleration and its frequency. Retrieval terminal (401) may read out actual operation values of drive unit (13) from property memory (25) through input device (405) and connector (25a).

[0049] Degradation data is retrieved from property memory (25) through input device (405), retrieval terminal (401) and connector (25a) to apply or assign the data to failure rate curve or approximation stored in central memory (403). This makes the failure condition of drive unit (13) clear on failure rate curve characteristic or approximation to know the related failure rate rise (T) and also optimum exchange time of drive unit (13) before the malfunction.

[0050] A plurality of gaming machines (200) are installed in entertainment halls or casinos and each document handler (1) of gaming machines (200) has a validator (2) with a mount chamber (21) where drive unit (13) is attached. Property memory (25) in each drive unit (13) is connected to retrieval terminal (401) of central controller (300) through connector (25a). From a key board or some image input device (405), instruction signals are forwarded to retrieval terminal (401) of central controller (300) through connector (25a) to property memory (25) to retrieve the necessary information within property memory (25) that holds drive logs of physical values and authentication on drive unit (13).

[0051] As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, document handler (1) includes mount chamber (21) formed in a housing (20) of validator (2) for receiving drive unit (13), and a pair of support holes (161) formed in inner walls of mount chamber (21). Drive unit (13) shown in Fig. 2 is removably attached within mount chamber (21) of validator (2) of Fig. 5. Specifically, cylindrical hinges (160) of frame (13b) in drive unit (13) are detachably and rotatably attached in support holes (161) of housing (20) in validator (2) to rotate frame (13b) around support holes (161) of validator (2) and then to put drive unit (13) within mount chamber (21) of validator (2).

[0052] When opening or closing operation of bottom lid (13a) of drive unit (13) 15 prevents power-supply to document handler (1), removal of drive unit (13) from mount chamber (21) may be temporally inhibited. In this case, once stopping powersupply to document handler (1) with opening and closing bottom lid (13a) of drive unit (13), then power-supply may be resumed, and retrieval terminal (401) can detect connection in short time between document handler (1) or drive unit (13) and connector (25a).

[0053] As illustrated in Fig. 5, if retrieval terminal (401) is connected to property memory (25) of drive unit (13) removed from mount chamber (21) of validator (2), retrieval terminal (401) can access or retrieve drive logs or warning signals saved in property memory (25) to exhibit drive logs or warning signals in display (404) or operate alarms.

[0054] Central controller (300) includes a central memory (403) for storing failure rate curve characteristic or failure rate approximation of drive unit (13), a property comparator (402) connected to central memory (403) and retrieval terminal (401). Property comparator (402) may compare physical values of drive unit (13) received by retrieval terminal (401) with failure rate curve characteristic of drive unit (13) retained in central memory (403) or may assign physical values of drive unit (13) to failure rate approximation to compute latest exchange time of drive unit (13) and to exhibit the outputs in display (404).

[0055] Retrieval terminal (401) may read current deterioration level of drive unit (13) based on accumulated physical values, and predict failure rate rise (T) on failure rate curve characteristic in comparing accumulated physical values with failure rate curve characteristic or by assigning accumulated physical values to failure rate approximation to know exchange time of drive unit (13) that comes to deterioration level of 80% before wearout failure.

[0056] Sort sensor (11) of validator (2) may read a coupon of regular size inserted into validator (2), read image information printed on a bill or coupon put into validator (2) and forward image information to property memory (25) through discriminator (12) also connected to property memory (25) to judge authenticity of valuable document by discriminator (12). Central memory (403) also saves regular size information of bill and coupon. Casino facilities may issue coupons that would keep their regular size and configuration with less wrinkle and they are retrieved in a short time to provide for discriminator (12) and property memory (25) good reference values for measuring transfer accuracy of drive unit (13).

[0057] Specific coupons are utilized in limited areas and terms with less degradation than that of currencies circulating through general markets, and so they have less change in dimension upon optically reading sizes of coupons. If there has been unusual transportation of drive unit (13), validation sensor (11) will detect and forward image information of bills in irregular size to discriminator (12) and property memory (25). In this case, discriminator (12) drives conveyor (5) in adverse and forward directions for repetitive validation. Property memory (25) may count the number of revalidation, and it produces warning signals if revalidation number is over the predetermined frequency, for example upon revalidation over five times, property memory (25) judges deterioration in transportation function of conveyor (5).

[0058] Otherwise, when validation sensor (11) detects a longer bill or coupon than a regular size, property memory (25) may consider occurrence of excessive abrasion, slipping or sliding and inform a manager of them. For example, when rubber rollers of conveyor (5) or pusher (6) wear, rotation of rubber rollers increases to detect a longer bill than regular one. In other words, if rubber rollers of conveyor (5) or pusher (6) produce slipping or sliding, validation sensor (11) may detect a longer bill than regular one. Sort sensor (11) may read bar-coded mark printed on coupon to confirm regular length, inserted angles or intervals between encoder pulses for measuring deterioration level in drive unit (13).

[0059] Central controller (300) may automatically inform a manager of degradation and necessity of replacing drive unit (13), specifying repair situation and showing repairing methods based on past maintenance inspection history. Central controller (300) may judge warranty period based on signal / noise ratio data, suggestions of motor replacement based on motor operation numbers, degradation level based on physical values of transfer and stack motors (701, 702), abrasion of gears, degradation progress by average ambient temperature, and content and number of recalled error codes. Central controller (300) may register wrong contents, measures or replacement parts to decide repairment tendency for rapid completion of maintenance and inspection.

[0060] To manufacture the document handler according to the present invention, drive unit (13) is provided with one or a plurality of drive sensors (24) for detecting physical values in drive unit (13) and property memory (25) for saving physical values detected by drive sensors (24). Then, drive unit (13) that already has drive sensors (24) and property memory (25) is detachably attached within mount chamber (21) of validator (2).

[0061] The display method of the document handler according to the present invention, includes the steps of: providing one or a plurality of drive sensors (24) for detecting physical values in drive unit (13) and property memory (25) for saving physical values detected by drive sensors (24); detachably attaching drive unit (13) within validator (2) for discriminating authenticity of valuable documents, the drive unit (13) having drive sensors (24) and property memory (25); transporting valuable documents along passageway (10) formed within validator (2) by drive unit (13); retrieving physical values saved in property memory (25) by retrieval terminal (401) to take out physical values; and indicating fetched physical values on display (404).

[0062] The display method of the document handler according to the present invention, may further include assigning physical values fetched by retrieval terminal (401) to property comparator (402); comparing physical values received by property comparator (402) with failure rate curve characteristic of drive unit (13) stored in central memory (403) or assigning physical values received by property comparator (402) to failure rate approximation of drive unit (13) saved in central memory (403); and computing by property comparator (402) latest exchange time shown by physical values of drive unit (13) to indicate latest exchange time in display (404).

[0063] The embodiments of the invention have explained methods for previously detecting breakdown by wearout through passage of total operation time of drive unit (13), fatigue accumulation by repeated operation, overcurrent damage by repeated overload, thermal damage under high temperature atmosphere, abnormal velocity or acceleration drop, cogging, slipping and sliding. Otherwise, drive sensors (24) may detect other mechanical or electrical breakdown, malfunction or incomplete operation by drive sensors (24) and store them in property memory (25), and when failure time or frequency goes over the predetermined level, property memory (25) may produce warning signals to urge the replacement of drive unit (13).

[0064] Embodiments of the present invention may be altered. For example, when conveyor (5) or pusher (6) is driven with more than 10% rate in variability to the motor control value, property comparator (402) may judge contamination or abrasion in belts or rollers to inform a manager of it. Otherwise, driving load of conveyor (5) or pusher (6) may be digitized, measuring by encoder average velocity of motors driven with a constant torque or surveying time necessary for motors that come to target rates. Customer codes and shipping dates may be written down and stored in property memory (25) of drive unit (13) before shipping of document handler (1) to check insurance periods of time for document handler (1) or drive unit (13), preventing sale of their used items.

[0065] Not shown in drawings, but physical values and exchange of drive unit (13) may be noticed from central controller (300) to mobile terminals of managers in facilities of document handler (1) to certify their quality maintenance. As property memory (25) retains authentication information of drive unit (13) or document handler (1), a manager may investigate actual working environment of drive unit (13) or document handler (1) when drive unit (13) shows unusual physical values. Industrial Applicability

[0066] The document handler according to the present invention may be widely used in the fields that utilize valuable papers such as bills, for example, the fields of gaming machines, ATMs, ticket vending machines, clearing machines or vending machines. Moreover, the controller of gaming machine according to the present invention may be utilized in the various fields for controlling a plurality of gaming machines such as amusement or play facilities or casinos. Description of Symbols

[0067] (1)A document handler, (2) •A validator, (3) •A stacker, (5) •A conveyor, • (6) A pusher, (8) A power transmission, • (10) A passageway, (11) A validation sensor, (12) A discriminator, (13) A drive unit, (13a) A bottom lid, (13b) A frame, (14) An inlet, (21) A mount chamber, (23) A pinion, (24) Drive sensors, (25) A property memory, (36) A drive belt, (45) A clock encoder, (46) An inlet roller, (79) A container, (200) A gaming machine, (300) A central controller, (361) A fore belt, (362) A rear belt, (701) A transfer motor, (702) A pusher motor, (401) A retrieval terminal, (402) A property comparator, (403) A central memory,

Claims

1. A document handler including:a validator for discriminating authenticity of a valuable document,a passageway defined within the validator, anda drive unit for transporting the valuable document along the passageway within the validator, wherein:the drive unit is detachably attached to the validator,the drive unit includes one or a plurality of drive sensors for detecting physical values within the drive unit, and a property memory for storing the physical values detected by the drive sensors,the property memory stores drive logs that are converted by digitizing, grading or rating the physical values detected by the drive sensors, such that variations in the physical values from the drive sensors indicate a deterioration level of the drive unit, andthe drive unit is removable from the validator to connect the drive unit to a retrieval terminal through a connector in order to retrieve the drive logs from the property memory of the drive unit to the retrieval terminal.

2. The document handler of claim 1, wherein the property memory stores authentic information for identifying the document handler or drive unit to which the property memory is attached.

3. The document handler of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the property memory stores a past maintenance inspection history of the drive unit.

4. The document handler of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:the drive unit includes a clock encoder for measuring operation quantity and time of the drive unit, andthe property memory stores the operation quantity and time of the drive unit measured by the clock encoder and drive logs from the drive sensors.

5. The document handler of claim 4, wherein:the drive unit includes a conveyor for transporting the valuable document inserted into the validator along the passageway and a clock encoder for measuring operation quantity and time of the conveyor,the conveyor includes a plurality of conveyor sensors for detecting physical values within the conveyor,the drive logs include transfer logs that are converted by digitizing, grading or rating the physical values detected by the conveyor sensors from the conveyor, andthe property memory stores the operation quantity and time of the conveyor measured by the clock encoder and the transfer logs detected by the conveyor sensors.

6. The document handler of claim 4, wherein the document handler includes a stacker for stowing the valuable document sent along the passageway,the drive unit includes a pusher for stowing the valuable document into a container of the stacker,the pusher includes a plurality of stack sensors for detecting physical values within the pusher,2023351170   07 Jul 2026the drive logs include stack logs that are converted by digitizing, grading or rating the physical values detected by the stack sensors from the pusher,the clock encoder measures operation quantity and time of the pusher, andthe property memory stores the operation quantity and time of the pusher measured by the clock encoder and stack logs detected by the stack sensors.

7. The document handler of claim 5, wherein:the conveyor of the drive unit includes a drive belt for transporting the valuable document, a transfer motor for operating the drive belt and a power transmission for transmitting drive power of the transfer motor to the drive belt, and the drive unit is made up of a single assembly that integrally includes the drive belt, the transfer motor and power transmission to arrange the drive unit in one piece within a mount chamber of a housing in the validator.

8. The document handler of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:the validator includes a housing, a mount chamber formed in the housing to arrange the drive unit in the mount chamber, and a pair of support holes formed in the housing,the drive unit has a frame formed with cylindrical hinges that are detachably and rotatably attached in the support holes of the housing in the validator to rotate the frame around the support holes of the validator and then to put the drive unit within the mount chamber of the validator,the property memory of the drive unit is connected to the retrieval terminal through the connector, when the drive unit is removed from the mount chamber of the validator, andthe retrieval terminal is connected to an input device to forward instruction signals from the input device to the property memory and to retrieve the drive logs from the property memory to the retrieval terminal.

9. A system comprising a plurality of document handlers, each of which includes a validator for discriminating authenticity of a valuable document, a passageway formed within the validator, and a drive unit detachably attached within the validator for transporting the valuable document along the passageway within the validator, wherein:the document handlers are individually connected to a central controller,each of the drive units includes drive sensors for detecting physical values within the drive unit, and a property memory for storing authentic information that identifies the drive unit or document handler,each of the drive units are removable from the validators to connect the drive units to the central controller through respective connectors, andthe central controller includes a retrieval terminal for retrieving the physical values and authentic information from the property memory of the drive units through the connectors, a central memory for storing failure rate curve characteristic or failure rate approximation of the drive units, and a property comparator for comparing the physical values of the drive units received by the retrieval terminal or assigning the physical values of the drive units to the failure rate curve characteristic or failure rate approximation to compute a latest exchange time of the drive units in view of the failure rate rise on the failure rate curve characteristic or failure rate approximation.2023351170   07 Jul 202610. The system of claim 9, wherein:the property memory stores the physical values of the drive unit detected by the drive sensors, the physical values being digitized, graded or rated from the physical values for drive logs,the connector forwards to the retrieval terminal the drive logs stored in the property memory and the authentic information of the drive unit or document handler,the retrieval terminal receives the drive logs and authentic information from the connector, andthe property comparator compares the drive logs received by the retrieval terminal with the failure rate curve characteristic of the drive unit stored in the central memory or assigning the physical values of the drive unit to the failure rate approximation to compute the latest exchange time of the drive unit.

11. The system of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein:each of the drive units includes a clock encoder for measuring operation time of the drive unit, andthe property memory stores the operation time of the drive unit measured by the clock encoder and the drive logs sent from the drive sensors.

12. The system of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the central controller includes a display for indicating the drive logs received by the retrieval terminal, authentic information and the latest exchange time of the drive unit.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein:each of the drive units includes a conveyor for transporting valuable documents put into the validator along a passageway, and a transfer sensor for detecting the physical values within the conveyor,the drive logs include transfer logs that are digitized, graded or rated from the physical values detected from the conveyor by the transfer sensors, andthe property memory stores the operation quantity and time of the conveyor measured by the clock encoder and the transfer logs detected by the transfer sensors.

14. The system of claim 11 or claim 13, wherein:each of the drive units includes a pusher for stowing valuable documents sent along the passageway into a container of a stacker and stack sensors for detecting physical values within the pusher,the drive logs include stack logs that are digitized, graded or rated from the physical values detected from the pusher by the stack sensors,the clock encoder measures operation time of the pusher, andthe property memory stores the operation time of the pusher measured by the clock encoder and the pusher logs sent from the stack sensor.

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