Patent Publication Number: US-7913831-B2

Title: Intelligent cash box system and method for transmitting code information

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application of co-pending application Ser. No. 10/702,533 which was filed on Nov. 5, 2003 entitled BILL HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING CODE INFORMATION, By Koji Kuroiwa et al. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to bill handling technology, in particular, an intelligent cash box system and a method for transmitting code information for identifying a bill handling apparatus from which a stacker is recovered. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,755 issued to Michael Walsh discloses a soft count tracking system for a currency operated host gaming machine. This soft count tracking system comprises an identification adapter provided with an integral active electronic component adapted to store a unique serial number, means for placing the identification adapter in data communication with the host machine, a currency note validator with microcontroller, means for placing the currency note validator in data communication with the identification adapter for interrogating the identification adapter for identification number, a storage mechanism that includes integral nonvolatile storage memory means, and means for placing the storage mechanism in data communication with the currency note validator thereby to receive and hold information from the identification adapter, and a soft count supervisor adapted to be placed in detachable data communication with the memory means to interrogate and extract data from the same. The soft count supervisor comprises a computer, including software means to provide spread sheet data manipulation of the data extracted from the memory means. This system, however, is disadvantageous in that it involves a complicated structural system that may sometimes induce malfunction because the system requires an on-line connection of a host computer, a validator and a stacker to transfer necessary information therebetween via conversion software. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent cash box system and a method for transmitting code information for identifying a bill handling apparatus from which a stacker is recovered. Another object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent cash box system and a method for transmitting bill information capable of collating an amount of collected bills in a plurality of stackers with an amount of bills considered genuine and stored in the stackers without connection of the validators to any control host computer. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent cash box system that comprises a validator and a stacker removably attached to the validator to transmit necessary information from a control circuit in the validator to an intelligent storage in the stacker in non-contact communication between the control circuit and intelligent storage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An intelligent cash box system according to the present invention comprises: validating means ( 2 ) attached in a bill handling apparatus ( 1 ); sensing means ( 45 ) mounted in the validating means ( 2 ); control means ( 47 ) connected to the sensing means ( 45 ); a card ( 3 ) bearing at least a code recorded on the card ( 3 ) for identifying the bill handling apparatus ( 1 ); stacking means ( 4 ) attached to the validating means ( 2 ) for accumulating bills ( 44 ) considered as genuine by the validating means ( 2 ); and an intelligent storage ( 5 ) provided in the stacking means ( 4 ). The card ( 3 ) can be inserted into the validating means ( 2 ) so that the sensing means ( 45 ) detects the code on the card ( 3 ) and bill information on the bill ( 44 ), and forwards the code and bill information to the control means ( 47 ) which then transmits the code and bill information to the intelligent storage ( 5 ) for storage therein. The code information identifies the bill handling apparatus ( 1 ) from which the stacking means ( 4 ) is removed, and the bill information enables to collate an amount of collected bills in a plurality of the stacking means ( 4 ) with an amount of bills ( 44 ) considered genuine and stored in the stacking means ( 4 ) without connection of the validating means ( 2 ) to any control host computer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description in connection with preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a prior art bill handling apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of drive mechanism in the bill handling apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an electric circuit used in the bill handling apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the bill handling apparatus with a push plate moved to the acceptant position. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the bill handling apparatus with the push plate moved to the stacked position. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the bill handling apparatus with a stacker removed from the apparatus. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of attachment and stack levers both in the original position. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the attachment lever in the operative position and the stack lever in the original position. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the attachment and stack levers both in the operative position. 
         FIG. 10  is an electric circuit of an intelligent cash box according to the present invention through photocoupler communication between a validator and a stacker. 
         FIG. 11  is an electric circuit of the intelligent cash box according to the present invention through photocoupler communication between the stacker and an information collector. 
         FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of the stacker. 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of the stacker. 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of the stacker. 
         FIG. 15  is a flow chart showing a sequence for collecting bills from the stacker of the bill handling apparatus. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a prior art bill handling apparatus  1  comprises a validator  2  provided with an inlet  11  into which a bill  44  is inserted, and a stacker  4  defining a storage chamber  30  for accumulating bills  44  considered genuine by validator  2 . Validator  2  comprises a convey device  26  for transporting bill  44  inserted from inlet  11  along a generally L-shaped passageway  13  extending from inlet  11  to an outlet  12 , and a control circuit  47  provided in validator  2  for supplying convey device  26  with drive signals. Convey device  26  and control circuit  47  provided in validator  2  are disposed in an L-shaped frame  25  made of metallic panels. Convey device  26  comprises convey belts  14  for transporting bill  44  along passageway  13 , and drive pulleys  15  for driving convey belts  14 , and a plurality of idle rollers  16  to  19  for supporting convey belts  14 . 
     Provided in the vicinity of passageway  13  is a detection sensor  45  that comprises an optical sensor  20  for detecting an optical feature of bill  44  moving along passageway  13 , and a magnetic sensor  21  for detecting a magnetic feature of bill  44 . A pinch roller  22  is positioned opposite to the magnetic sensor  21  to push bill  44  toward magnetic sensor  21 . Inlet sensor  23  located at inlet  11  detects insertion of bill  44  into inlet  11 . An outlet sensor  24  located at outlet  12  detects discharge of bill  44  from validator  2 . For example, each of inlet sensor  23  and outlet sensor  24  comprises photocoupler of light emitting diode and photo-transistor, and optical sensor  20  comprises photocoupler of infrared ray emitting diode and photo-transistor. 
     Removably attached to a bottom of validator  2  is portable or mobile stacker  4  that, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , comprises a cash box  6  formed with a storage chamber  30  and a housing  31 . Storage chamber  30  receives a back plate  33  and a compression spring  34  for resiliently urging back plate  33  toward housing  31 . A pusher  35  is mounted in housing  31  to press supplied bill  44  into cash box  6 . Pusher  35  comprises a push plate  37  for pressing bill  44  into storage chamber  30 , a link mechanism  36  connected to push plate  37  at the one end for driving push plate  37 , and a rack  38  connected to the other end of link mechanism  36 . Link mechanism  36  comprises a pair of links  41 ,  42  connected to each other to form an X shape. Link  41  has one end  41   a  rotatably connected to push plate  37  and the other end  41   b  rotatably connected to cash box  6 . Link  42  has one end  42   a  rotatably connected to push plate  37  and the other end  42   b  rotatably connected to rack  38  that is meshed with a pinion  43  driven by a convey motor  50  provided in validator  2 . 
     Connected to output shaft of convey motor  50  is a rotary encoder  51  that produces pulse signals in response to rotation of convey motor  50  to count the pulse signals from rotary encoder  51  by any pulse detector (not shown) in order to determine the moved position of bill  44  along passageway  13 . Output gear  50   a  mounted on output shaft of convey motor  50  is drivingly connected to a first gear  52  mounted on a first shaft  53  through a reduction device  60 . A second gear  54  mounted on first shaft  53  is engaged with a third gear  55  protruded from validator  2 . Third gear  55  is drivingly connected to a sixth gear  58  through fourth and fifth gears  56  and  57 . A sixth gear  58  has a pinion shaft  59  on which pinion  43  is mounted. 
     Accordingly, when convey motor  50  is rotated in one direction, rack  38  is upwardly moved as shown in  FIG. 3  to the upward position, while push plate  37  is moved away from a channel  32   a  to allow bill  44  to be moved between push plate  37  and back plate  33  from channel  32   a  in cash box  6 . In this condition, when convey motor  50  is rotated in the other direction, rack  38  is downwardly moved, while push plate  37  is moved toward back plate  33  through link mechanism  36 , and therefore, push plate  37  can press bill  44  supplied through channel  32   a  into cash box  6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , an attachment lever  70  and a stack lever  71  have a generally similar shape, and are rotatably mounted on shafts  72 ,  73  mounted on frame  25  between the original position shown in  FIG. 7  and operative position shown in  FIG. 9 . Attachment lever  70  has a round end  70   a  to which a cam portion  74  of stacker  4  may be brought into contact. Stack lever  71  has a round end  71   a  to which an end  38   a  of rack  38  may be brought into contact. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , upper end  38   a  of rack  38  extends through an opening  74   a  of cam portion  74  to be brought into contact to round end  71   a  of stack lever  71 . Also, attachment lever  70  and stack lever  71  are resiliently urged toward their original positions respectively by springs  75 ,  76 . In the original position, the other end  70   b  of attachment lever  70  is positioned within an attachment sensor  80  of light emitting diode and light receiving transistor. Also, in the original position, the other end  71   b  of stack lever  71  is positioned within stack sensor  81  of light emitting diode and light receiving transistor. When stacker  4  is not attached in frame  25 , attachment lever  70  is in the original position shown in  FIG. 7 . When stacker  4  is attached in frame  25  as shown in  FIG. 5 , cam portion  74  comes into contact to round end  70   a  of attachment lever  70  to rotate attachment lever  70  in the clockwise direction from the original position of  FIG. 7  to the operative position of  FIGS. 8 and 9  against resilient force of spring  75  and self-weight of attachment lever  70  so that attachment sensor  80  detects attachment of stacker  4  to validator  2  because the other end  70   b  of attachment lever  70  is removed from attachment sensor  80 . 
     Push plate  37  is in the blocking position shown in  FIG. 1  wherein push plate  37  covers channel  32   a  of cash box  6  to prevent unauthorized drawing of bill  44  from stacker  4 . When rack  38  is moved to the downward position of  FIG. 5 , push plate  37  presses bill  44  to the stacked position to release the engagement of rack  38  with stack lever  71  that is then returned to the original position of  FIG. 6 . Adversely, when rack  38  is moved to the upward position, push plate  37  is moved to the acceptant position of  FIG. 4  to receive bill  44 , rack  38  moves stack lever  71  to the operative position of  FIG. 9  against resilient force of spring  76  and own weight of stack lever  71 . In lieu of attachment lever  70  and stack lever  71  rotatably mounted on frame  25 , other means may be provided for example such as attachment rod and stack rod each slidable on frame  25 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in a prior art bill handling apparatus  1 , an inlet sensor  23 , an optical sensor  20 , attachment sensor  80  and stack sensor  81  are connected through an amplifier  48  to input terminals of a control circuit  47  whose output terminal is connected to a motor control circuit  46  for controlling a convey motor  50 . Upon insertion of bill  44  into inlet  11 , detection sensor  45  detects physical feature, namely optical and magnetic patterns of bill  44  routed to control circuit  47  that validates bill  44  and decides denomination of bill  44  in view of electric signals indicative of physical feature of bill  44 . The read data is stored in control circuit  47  as bill information. 
     When bill  44  is inserted into inlet  11  of validator  2 , inlet sensor  23  detects insertion of bill  44  to produce a detection signal to input terminal of control circuit  47  through amplifier  48 . At the moment, control circuit  47  forwards a drive signal to motor control circuit  46  of convey device  26  to drive convey motor  50  and drive pulley  15  in the forward direction so that convey belts  14  carries bill  44  inwardly along passageway  13 . 
     Then, convey motor  5  is rotated in one direction to upwardly move rack  38  as shown in  FIG. 4  and simultaneously move push plate  37  from the blocking position to the acceptant position so that bill  44  is carried in the standby position from channel  32   a  between back plate  33  and push plate  37 . Discharge sensor  24  detects arrival of bill  44  at the standby position. Here, when convey motor  50  is rotated in the adverse direction, rack  38  is downwardly moved and bill  44  is pressed into cash box  6  by push plate  37  that is urged toward back plate  33  by link mechanism  36 . Stack lever  71  of  FIG. 7  automatically detects movement of push plate  37  to certainly and forcibly put bill  44  into cash box  6  by operation of push plate  37  at the accurate timing. 
     Meanwhile, personnel must collect stackers housed in bill handling apparatuses such as parent gamming machine, for example, a slot machine, keeping sufficient security in cooperation of several people. In this case, while one of them takes stacker  4  out of gamming machine, another should put the taken stacker  4  on a predetermined shelf of a container, and still another staff conveys the container in work allotment. If one of staffs carelessly puts the stacker  4  on a wrong shelf of container, no longer or hardly it is possible to confirm on which gamming machine the stacker  4  is removed from, and therefore, there is a defect that prompt check cannot be made regarding agreement between a total amount of collected bills from stackers  4  and bill&#39;s amount recorded through gamming machines. 
       FIG. 10  shows an electric circuit used in a new intelligent cash box system according to the present invention that is provided invalidator  2  and stacker  4  with an intelligent storage  5 . In this system, control circuit  47  comprises a code memory  32  as a part thereof, and a validator light emitter  61  and a validator light receiver  63  each connected to control circuit  47 . Validator light emitter  61  comprises a transistor  64  as a validator switching element, and a light emitting diode  62  as a validator light emitting element connected to one of main terminals, namely an emitter of transistor  64 . A control terminal, namely base of transistor  64  is connected to control circuit  47 , and the other of the main terminals, namely a collector is connected to a power source not shown. Validator light emitter  63  comprises a light receiving transistor  65  connected to control circuit  47 . 
     Intelligent storage  5  mounted in stacker  4  comprises a tracking memory  99 , a stack light emitter  66 , a stack light receiver  67 , a stack control circuit  87  connected to tracking memory  99 , stack light receiver  66  and stack light emitter  67 , and a battery  98  for supplying electric power to each circuit of intelligent storage  5 . In this embodiment, tracking memory  99  has computing or calculating means for counting denomination or type and number of bills  44  scanned by detection sensor  45 , but control circuit  47  or code memory  32  may have similar computing or calculating means for counting denomination or type and number of bills  44  as required. Tracking memory  99  may be a part of stack control circuit  87 . 
     Stack light emitter  66  comprises a transistor  86  as a stacker switching element, and a light emitting diode  85  as a stacker light emitting element connected to emitter, one of main terminals of transistor  86 . Control terminal or base of transistor  86  is connected to stack control circuit  87 , and collector or the other of main terminals of transistor  86  is grounded. Stack light receiver  67  comprises a light receiving transistor  88  as a light receiving element, and a resistor  84  for grounding emitter of light receiving transistor  88 . Collector of light receiving transistor  88  is connected to stack control circuit  87 . Connected in parallel relation to resistor  84  is a field effect transistor (FET)  91  as a gate element whose gate is connected to a capacitor  93  and a light receiving transistor  90  as a noise sensor, and emitter of light receiving transistor  90 . 
     When stacker  4  in the separated condition of  FIG. 6  is attached to validator  2  as shown in  FIG. 4 , light emitting diode  62  of validator light emitter  61  is incorporated with light receiving transistor  88  of intelligent storage  5  without contact to each other to form a first photocoupler as shown in  FIG. 10 . Likewise, light receiving transistor  65  of validator light receiver  63  is incorporated with light emitting diode  85  of intelligent storage  5  without contact to each other to form a second photocoupler. Light receiving transistor  65  receives light pulses indicative of information from light emitting diode  85  to confirm the status of stack control circuit  87  by control circuit  47  for example on whether previous information in tracking memory  99  has been deleted or whether unnecessary information is stored in tracking memory  99 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , an information collector  8  comprises a collection light emitter  39 , a collection light receiver  40 , a collection control circuit  94  connected to collection light emitter  39  and collection light receiver  40  at each input terminal, and a printer  27  connected to an output terminal of collection control circuit  94 . Collection light emitter  39  comprises a transistor  97  with a control terminal or base connected to collection control circuit  94 , and a light emitting diode  96  connected to emitter of transistor  97  whose collector is grounded. Collection light receiver  40  comprises a light receiving transistor  95  connected between collection control circuit  94  and earth or ground. When intelligent storage  5  is positioned in front of information collector  8 , as shown in  FIG. 11 , light receiving transistor  95  of collection light receiver  40  is incorporated with light emitting diode  85  of intelligent storage  5  without contact to each other to form a third photocoupler for transmitting light pulses from stack light emitter  66  to collection light receiver  44 . Similarly, light emitting diode  96  of collection light emitter  39  is mated with light receiving transistor  88  of intelligent storage  5  in the non-contact condition to form a fourth photocoupler for transmitting light pulses from collection light emitter  39  to stack light receiver  67 . For example, control circuit  47  confirms the status of stack control circuit  87  whether tracking memory  99  contains any information or unnecessary information or whether tracking memory  99  can do its function well. 
     The method for transmitting code information according to the present invention is described hereinafter in connection with  FIG. 15 . Initially, as shown in  FIG. 15  ( a ), a printer  7  is connected to a supervising computer  28  to record a code on a card  3  by printer  7  and issue card  3  from printer  7  so that issued card  3  bears the recorded code for identifying a specific bill handling apparatus, and the code can be optically or magnetically read out by detection sensor  45 . For example, the code is recorded with bar codes, symbols, numerals or alphabets on card  3  or by perforating card  3  to form a punch card to denote a machine number for identifying a parent slot machine. Preferably, the recorded code includes invisible, indecipherable or incomprehensible letters, devices, symbols or alphabets. Otherwise, the code can be recorded on card  3  with ferrous ink to magnetically detect the code for example with a magnetic head. In this embodiment, assume an entertainment area equipped with a number of gamming machines that each has a bill handling apparatus with a stacker  4  for accumulating bills  44  to be collected. Each bill handling apparatus should store a code as a supervision number for identifying the gamming machine on which bill handling apparatus is mounted. To this end, supervising computer  28  with printer  7  provides a card issue machine for dispensing cards  3  that bear recorded or printed different codes for identifying the gamming machines or validators  2 . 
     Then, as shown in  FIG. 15  ( b ), when issued card  3  is inserted into inlet  11  of validator  2 , inlet sensor  23  detects insertion of card  3  to produce a detection signal to control circuit  47  that supplies drive signals to motor control circuit  46 . Accordingly, convey motor  50  rotates in the forward direction to inwardly move card  3  along passageway  13  by driving convey belts  14 , while detection sensor  45  scans and converts the code on card  3  into electric signals to control circuit  47  to store the code in code memory  32 . Then, control circuit  47  provides motor control circuit  46  with reverse drive signals to rotate convey motor  50  in the adverse direction so that card  3  is returned to inlet  11 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 15  ( c ), stacker  4  with intelligent storage  5  is attached in position within frame  25  of validator  2  so that attachment lever  70  rotates from the original position of  FIG. 7  to the operative position of  FIG. 9 , and attachment sensor  80  detects installation of stacker  4  to generate a detection signal to control circuit  47 . 
     After control circuit  47  receives the detection signal from attachment sensor  80 , control circuit  47  forwards pulse array signals indicative of code data stored in code memory  32  to base of transistor  64  to intermittently drive transistor  64  in the ON-OFF mode. In this case, control circuit  47  receives parallel signals of code information stored in code memory  32 , and converts them into series pulse array signals indicated by binary code of “0” and “1” for base of transistor  64 . Operation of transistor  64  in the ON-OFF mode causes light emitting diode  62  to blink in accordance with series pulse array signals, and light receiving transistor  88  receives optical pulse signals from light emitting diode  62  and transmits them to stack control circuit  87  that forwards the series signals to tracking memory  99  for storage therein as code information. 
     After all code information is stored in stack control circuit  87  or tracking memory  99 , stack control circuit  87  supplies drive signals to base of transistor  86  to intermittently operate transistor  86  in the ON-OFF mode and thereby cause light emitting diode  85  of intelligent storage  5  to blink in the predetermined mode. Light receiving transistor  65  of validator light receiver  63  receives light signals from light emitting diode  85  and supplies them to control circuit  47  to confirm storage of code information in stack control circuit  87  or tracking memory  99 . When light receiving transistor  90  receives disturbing light before attachment of stacker  4  to frame  25 , electric current flows through light receiving transistor  90  to reduce gate voltage of FET  91  that is then turned OFF so that pulse array signals are not routed to stack control circuit  87  although light receiving transistor  88  receives light signals from light emitting diode  62 . Pulse array signals stored as code information in stack control circuit  87  or tracking memory  99  cannot be decoded unless they are read out through a specific decoding software. 
     After that, in use of gamming machine, users throw each bill  44  into inlet  11  and detection sensor  45  detects physical feature of bill  44  moving along passageway  13  and forwards it to control circuit  47  that validates authenticity of bill  44 . When control circuit  47  decides bill  44  as genuine, bill  44  is accumulated in stacker  4 . Control circuit  47  transmits electric signals indicative of denomination or type and value of genuine bill  44  as bill information to tracking memory  99  through stacker control circuit  47  for storage of bill information in tracking memory  99 , each time bill  44  is stacked in stacker  4 , while computing means in tracking memory  99  calculates total number or total of each denomination of stored bills  44 . In this case, similarly to code information, control circuit  47  converts parallel signals of bill information into series pulse array signals indicated by binary code of “0” and “1”, and sends them to base of transistor  64 . Operation of transistor  64  in the ON-OFF mode causes light emitting diode  62  to blink in accordance with the series pulse array signals, and light receiving transistor  88  receives light signals from light emitting diode  62  and transmits them to stack control circuit  87  and tracking memory  99  for storage therein as bill information. 
     After all bill information is stored in stack control circuit  87  or tracking memory  99 , stack control circuit  87  again supplies drive signals to base of transistor  86  to intermittently operate transistor  86  in the ON-OFF mode and thereby cause light emitting diode  85  of intelligent storage  5  to blink in the predetermined mode so that light receiving transistor  65  of validator light receiver  63  receives light signals from light emitting diode  85  and supplies them to control circuit  47  to confirm storage of bill information in stack control circuit  87  or tracking memory  99 . Alternatively, control circuit  47  may transmit code and bill information to stack control circuit  87  or tracking memory  99  for storage of these information therein each time bill  44  is stacked in stacker  4 , not when control circuit  47  receives detection signal from attachment sensor  80 . 
     In collecting bills  44  preserved in stacker  4 , an operator opens a door (not shown) of gamming machine, grips and pulls a handle  6   a  provided on a front surface of intelligent cash box  6  shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  to remove cash box  6  from stacker  4 , and take out bills  44  from cash box  6 . Handle  6   a  is rotatably mounted around brackets  6   b  on cash box  6 . Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 15  ( e ), stacker  4  is turned upside down and put on information collector  8  in position to, as shown in  FIG. 11 , form the third photocoupler by combination of light receiving transistor  95  of collector light receiver  40  and light emitting diode  85  of intelligent storage  5  and the fourth photocoupler by combination of light emitting diode  96  of collector light emitter  39  and light receiving transistor  88  of intelligent storage  5 . Here, when collection control circuit  94  forwards drive signals to base of transistor  97  to cause light emitting diode  96  to flash in the specific ON-OFF mode of coded signals. 
     Under the condition, light receiving transistor  88  receives light signals from light emitting diode  96  to supply the coded signals to stack control circuit  87  that thereby provides base of transistor  86  with drive signals to drive transistor  86  in the ON-OFF mode to transmit code and bill information stored in tracking memory  99  to collection control circuit  94 . In response to operation of transistor  86 , light emitting diode  85  flashes to generate light signals that are received by light receiving transistor  95 . Thus, collection control circuit  94  provides printer  27  with code information for identifying the gamming machine and bill information for indicating denomination or type and value of bills to record these information on sheet  9  by printer  27 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15  ( f ), data printed on sheet  9  is then optically read by a scanner  10 , and forwarded from scanner  10  to a confirmative computer  29 . In this case, when bill information indicated on display of confirmative computer  29  corresponds to the number and denomination or type of bills  44  collected from cash box  6  as mentioned above, the data is stored in confirmative computer  29  for supervision. Then, data stored in tracking memory  99  of stacker  4  is deleted when information collector  8  finishes reading out data from tracking memory  99 , when a reset switch (not shown) in stacker is operated or when light receiving transistor  88  receives light signals from light emitting diode  62  after stacker  4  is attached to frame  25  for reuse of stacker  4 , or in one of other cases. Without printing the information by printer  27 , information collector  8  may directly be connected to confirmative computer  29  via conducting wires to directly supply the information to confirmative computer  29  for input or printing. 
     The embodiments according to the present invention can produce the following advantages utilizing card  3  bearing code information: 
     [1] Code information received by information collector  8  serves to promptly and exactly identify the bill handling apparatus  1  from which stacker  4  is removed. 
     [2] Bill handling apparatus  1  may have the simplified structure of electric circuits because there is no need for connecting control circuit  47  on line with supervising computer because validator  2  detects code information indicated on card  3  for identifying bill handling apparatus and store the information. 
     [3] Bill handling apparatus  1  or validator  2  does not require any additional hardware to receive code information because a common detection sensor  45  can be used to discern bill&#39;s physical property and code recorded on card  3  and to store the code in stacker  4 . 
     [4] Prompt and accurate check can be made between collected bills and bill information stored in stacker  4 . 
     [5] Code information for identifying bill handling apparatus  1  can easily be changed by inserting a card  3  of a different code into validator  2  for storage of the code information. 
     [6] A code different from manufacture number of parent machine or bill handling apparatus can be recorded on card  3 . 
     Moreover, the embodiments of the present invention can present the following advantages utilizing photocouplers: 
     [1] There is no need of electric connection with jacks and plugs between validator  2  and stacker  4  and between stacker  4  and information collector  8 , and stacker  4  can easily be attached to validator  2  and information collector  8 . 
     [2] Non-contact transmission of bill information and code information can be made between validator  2  and stacker  4  and between stacker  4  and information collector  8  avoiding mechanical contact failure and damage from external electric impact. 
     [3] Two way communication by a pair of photocouplers between validator  2  and stacker  4  and between stacker  4  and information collector  8  enables confirmation of failure of a mated device. 
     [4] Stacker  4  can be moved and attached to validator  2  together with intelligent storage  5 . 
     [5] Stacker  4  can be compatible for reuse by erasing information in tracking memory  99 . 
     [6] Tracking memory  99  always stores data of current or updated amount of bills in stacker  4  because bill information is stored in real time in tracking memory  99  each time bill  44  is pressed into stacker  4 . 
     [7] No information can be read out from tracking memory  99  without photocouplers conforming to stacker  4  and exclusive software applied to information collector  8  for decoding pulse array signals from stacker  4 , for improved security and prevention of unauthorized information retrieval. 
     [8] Tracking memory  99  has the function for storing, adding and computing bill information. 
     The foregoing embodiment shows an example of the present invention applied to a bill handling apparatus of gamming machine such as slot machine, however, it should be understood that the present invention also can be applied to cash dispensers, vending machines, exchangers or other bill handling machines installed in banks, amusement facilities or other transaction areas. Also, in lieu of bills, coupons, scrip, tokens may be used to validate and stack them and store the amount or total amount of them in a similar method.