Patent Publication Number: US-2013241143-A1

Title: Paper sheet processing device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a paper sheet processing device configured to process a bill, an information recording medium in the form of card, a piece of paper recording thereon information such as a barcode (all of these are hereinafter collectively referred to as paper sheets). 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Traditionally, for example, in a game arcade, a casino, or the like, a card processing device (hereinafter also referred to as card reader/writer) is set up which writes various information such as personal information of a user or game information into a recording medium in the form of card (magnetic card, IC card, or the like), or reads information recorded. Such a card processing device is required to be capable of grasping the presence of a card inserted therein. This is because, in cases where the card processing device is shut down for some reasons (power outage, breakdown, or the like), if the card processing device is not able to grasp the presence of the card after recovery (when initialized), the manager of the device need to do a work for confirming the presence of the card by opening the card processing device. 
     To address this issue, for example, PTL 1 discloses a card processing device configured to execute a process of confirming whether a card is in the conveyance path, by using a sensor, during a recovering process. With such a card processing device, the manager no longer needs to conduct the work for confirming whether a card is in the conveyance path when recovering, after the card processing device is shut down. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 128912/2005 (Tokukai 2005-128912) 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     To reliably grasp the presence of the card when the card processing device is shut down as hereinabove described, the number of sensors installed needs to be increased. However, doing so causes an increase in the number of components for detecting the card in the conveyance path, which leads to an increase in the costs. 
     The present invention is made in view of the above problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a paper sheet processing device with a reduced number of components for detecting a paper sheet in the conveyance path, which enables reduction of the costs. 
     Technical Solution 
     To achieve the object, an aspect of the present invention described in claim  1  is a paper sheet processing device including an insertion port through which a paper sheet is inserted, a conveyance path in which the paper sheet inserted into the insertion port is conveyed, a sensor for detecting the paper sheet in the conveyance path, and a read unit capable of reading the paper sheet inserted, the paper sheet processing device, including a control unit configured to execute paper sheet detection processing for detecting the paper sheet in the conveyance path, based on a detection result from the sensor and a read result from the read unit. 
     In the paper sheet processing device, for example, after the device is shut down, the sensor detects the paper sheet and the read unit which reads the paper sheet also performs a detection process to check if there is a paper sheet. Therefore it is possible to reduce the number of sensors mounted in the conveyance path, while enabling reduction of the costs for the device. 
     Another aspect of the present invention described in claim  2  is the paper sheet processing device adapted so that the control unit executes the paper sheet detection processing before the paper sheet is inserted into the insertion port. 
     In the structure, the paper sheet detection processing is executed before the paper sheet is inserted. This disables insertion of two or more paper sheets in a row mistakenly, which contributes to reliable prevention of troubles in conveying a paper sheet, or clogging by a paper sheet. 
     Another aspect of the present invention described in claim  2  or  3  further including a conveyor configured to convey the paper sheet in the conveyance path, wherein when the paper sheet is detected by the paper sheet detection processing, the control unit performs the paper sheet detection processing again after the paper sheet is conveyed by the conveyor. 
     In the structure, the paper sheet detection processing is executed again after the conveyance of the paper sheet by the conveyor. This enables, for example, reliably grasping a situation where the paper sheet is not conveyed by the conveyor due to slippage or the like. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     The present invention realizes a paper sheet processing device with a reduced number of components for detecting a paper sheet in the conveyance path, which enables reduction of the costs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the entire structure of an exemplary paper sheet processing device (card processing device) related to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a state where a card storage is opened in the card processing device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of the card processing device shown in  FIG. 2 , which is viewed from the opposite side. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the card processing device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the card processing device shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the card processing device shown in  FIG. 1 , which is viewed from a side. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the card storage, wherein (a) is a diagram showing a state where the number of cards is small; (b) is a diagram showing a state where the storage is full of cards; (c) is a diagram showing a state where the casing structuring the card storage is opened. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a driving mechanism which individually drives the shutter and the pressing unit. 
         FIG. 9  shows gears structuring the driving mechanism, wherein (a) is a diagram showing one aspect of the gears, and (b) is a diagram showing another aspect of the gears. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram showing a mode of individually driving the shutter and the pressing unit, wherein (a) is a diagram showing a reference position, (b) is a diagram showing a state where only the shutter is driven, and (c) is a diagram showing a state where only the pressing unit is driven. 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing an exemplary structure of a control unit which controls an operation of the card processing device. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart (Part 1) showing a control operation of the card processing device. 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart (Part 2) showing a control operation of the card processing device. 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart (Part 3) showing a control operation of the card processing device. 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart (Part 4) showing a control operation of the card processing device. 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart (Part 5) showing a control operation of the card processing device. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The following describes one embodiment of a paper sheet processing device related to the present invention, with reference to attached drawings. Note that the paper sheet processing device of the present embodiment is settable for various gaming machines set up in hotels, casinos, game arcade, or the like, and is a device (hereinafter, card processing device) configured to process a user-owned recording medium in the form of card (hereinafter, card). The card processing device of the present embodiment is configured to be capable of reading, rewriting information recorded on the card inserted by the user, and collecting and issuing a card as needed. Further, the card processing device of the present embodiment is configured to be able to process a plurality of types of cards (magnetic cards, IC cards, IC/magnetic cards). 
     First, with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6 , the entire structure of the card processing device of the present embodiment is described. 
     Of these figures,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the entire structure of the card processing device.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a state where the card storage in the card processing device of  FIG. 1  is opened.  FIG. 3  is a diagram showing the card processing device shown in  FIG. 2 , which is viewed from the opposite side.  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the card processing device shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the card processing device shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the card processing device shown in  FIG. 1 , which is viewed from a side. 
     The card processing device  1  has a base  1 A having a frame  1 B to which various components are mounted. When the device  1  is set in a not-shown gaming machine, a front surface  2  integrally formed with the frame  1 B is exposed to the outside. The front surface  2  has an insertion port  2   a  capable of receiving and ejecting a card. A user inserts his/her own card (magnetic card, IC card, IC/magnetic card) C into the insertion port  2   a , and when the game ends, the card C is returned to the user or collected (in the present embodiment, the cards to be collected are IC cards and IC/magnetic cards). Therefore, the frame  1 B is provided with card storage  5  capable of accommodating cards which are inserted by users and collected. Note that the insertion port  2   a  preferably has a curvature to make its middle portion opened wider in an up-down direction, so as to enable insertion of a bent card. Further, the cards accommodated in the card storage  5  may be cards on which new information is recorded and issued to users. 
     The card C has various information such as information about the user (ID information), information about the gaming value (amount-of-money information), or the like recorded thereon, which are read or rewritten by a reader/writer (read unit) mounted inside. Note that such information is handled by a not-shown external device, and the user is able to receive various game media within a range of the amount-of-money information recorded on the card to play games. Further, the game information of the user, for example, may be also handled as tracking information. In regard to the amount-of-money information, point information or the like may be awarded which is used in a game arcade, or separately exchanged with an amount of money value. 
     The frame  1 B is provided with a card conveyance path  6  configured to convey the card in the same direction the card was inserted. In the present embodiment, the conveyance process is made different depending on whether the card inserted is a magnetic card or an IC card (including a magnetic/IC card). Specifically, when the card inserted is a magnetic card, the card, when inserted by the user, is stopped at a predetermined position (at a position such that the trailing end of the card project from the insertion port  2   a ). That is, in cases of the magnetic card, the card is not conveyed to inside the device, and is stopped at a predetermined position, to read the information for processing (in some cases, rewriting process) at that position. 
     To this end, the card conveyance path  6  has a shutter  8  for stopping the card inserted at a position such that the trailing end of the card projects from the insertion port  2   a . This shutter  8  is driven to open or close according to the type of the cards inserted. The specific structure of the shutter  8 , and the method of opening/closing drive are detailed later. 
     In the card conveyance path  6  is arranged an insertion detection sensor  10  for detecting insertion of the card, which is on the insertion port  2   a  of the position where the shutter  8  is mounted (see  FIG. 6 ). Further, a reader/writer (magnetic head)  12  capable of reading/rewriting magnetic information is mounted in a position facing the insertion detection sensor  10 , specifically, in a position corresponding to a magnetic information recording area (formed in a shape of a belt extended in a conveyance direction) on the magnetic card to be inserted (see  FIG. 3 ). Further, in a position immediately before the position where the shutter  8  is mounted, there is a magnetic information reading completion sensor  13  which detects completion of reading magnetic information by the magnetic head  12  (see  FIG. 6 ). Since the magnetic information is recorded on a belt-like magnetic seal attached to the card, this magnetic information reading completion sensor  13  is in a position at which the magnetic seal on the card inserted is read. In other words, by detecting the leading end of the card inserted by the magnetic information reading completion sensor  13 , the signal indicating the completion of reading the magnetic information is generated. Note that the insertion detection sensor  10  and the magnetic information reading completion sensor  13  also have a function of a card position detection sensor which detects the card in the card conveyance path  6 , in addition to the above described detection process. 
     At the downstream of the shutter  8  is mounted a card conveyor  15  capable of conveying a card. The card conveyor  15  of the present embodiment is capable of conveying the card inserted from the insertion port  2   a  in the direction of the insertion, and capable of conveying a card in the device main body towards the insertion port  2   a . The conveyor  15  has a drive motor  20  serving as a drive source mounted to the frame  1 B, and a plurality of drive rollers  22 ,  23 ,  24  rotated by the drive motor  20  and capable of conveying the card. In this case, the drive rollers  22 ,  23  are mounted upstream of the card storage  5 , and the drive roller  24  is arranged inside the card storage  5 . 
     The drive rollers  22 ,  23 ,  24  are attached to the middle positions of the drive shafts  22   a ,  23   a ,  24   a  which rotatably crosses the frame  1 B, respectively. The drive shaft  24   a  is rotated by having a gear  24   c  fixed to its end portion engaged with an output gear  20   a  fixed to an output shaft of the drive motor  20 . Further, the drive shaft  24   a  has at its end portion on the opposite side a pulley or a timing pulley (hereinafter, pulley)  24   d , and the pulley  24   d  is connected with the pulley or timing pulleys  22   d ,  23   d  provided on the end portions of the drive shafts  22   a ,  23   a , via a conveyor belt  25 . This way, the drive rollers  22 ,  23 ,  24  are driven in sync with one another with the rotation of the drive motor  20 . Note that, as illustrated in the figure, the conveyor belt  25  may be wound about a tension roller as needed so as to prevent loosening of the conveyor belt  25 . 
     The drive rollers  22 ,  23 ,  24  are provided with pinch rollers  22   p ,  23   p ,  24   p  facing the drive rollers  22 ,  23 ,  24 , respectively. The card inserted into the insertion port  2   a  is conveyed through nip portions between the drive rollers and the pinch rollers. The pinch rollers are fixed to spindles  22   f ,  23   f  rotatably supported in the frame  1 B, and a spindle  24   f  rotatably supported inside the card storage  5  (casing  5 A), respectively. Note that the pinch roller  24   p  provided in the casing  5 A functions as a pressing roller which applies a biasing force to the uppermost one of cards stacked and accommodated. 
     Inside the frame  1 B is mounted an IC reader/writer (RFID antenna; read unit)  30  capable of reading/rewriting information to an IC chip embedded to an IC card inserted. The IC reader/writer  30  is disposed in a middle portion at a position where the drive rollers  22 ,  23  are arranged. The IC card inserted is temporarily stopped while its trailing end is sandwiched between the drive roller  22  and the pinch roller  22   p , and its leading end is sandwiched between the drive roller  23  and the pinch roller  23   p , and the IC reader/writer  30  performs reading/rewriting of information during this state. Further, in the card conveyance path  6 , a card position detection sensor configured to detect the card position is arranged immediately in front of the card storage  5  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     Note that, in the present embodiment, the magnetic information reading completion sensor (card position detection sensor)  13  and the card position detection sensor  32  are mounted, spaced from each other by a distance longer than the length of the card to be handled, relative to the conveyance direction. The IC reader/writer (RFID antenna; read unit)  30  is mounted between these sensors  13  and  32 . This way, even when the sensors  10 ,  13 ,  32  are not able to detect the position of the card, the presence of the card is confirmed by obtaining the card information from the IC reader/writer  30  (by reading the ID information of the card). In other words, it is possible to reduce the number of sensors mounted for detecting the card position, with a setting such that the ID information of the card is obtained from the IC reader/writer  30 , when a predetermined control operation is performed in a later-described control unit. 
     Next, the following describes components related to the structure of the card storage  5  for accommodating cards. The card storage  5  has a casing  5 A in a shape of substantially rectangular parallel piped, in which cards inserted are stacked and accommodated. The casing  5 A has on its trailing end side a spindle  40 , and this spindle  40  is rotatably supported by the frame  1 B, so as to be rotatable about the frame  1 B as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . Note that  FIG. 1  shows the closed state (locked state), and  FIG. 2  shows the opened state. 
     At the lower part of the front end surface of the casing  5 A is an opening  41  corresponding to the shape of the card, which enables the cards to be carried in. The cards carried in the casing through the opening  41  are successively stacked. Carrying in the cards into the casing  5 A, and carrying out of the cards accommodated in the casing  5 A are done by the drive roller  24 . 
     In the present embodiment, the cards carried into the casing  5 A are stacked successively on the lower side of the other, and the pinch roller  24   p  is placed on the upper most one of the cards being stacked so as to press the cards towards the drive roller  24 . Specifically, the both ends of the spindle  24   f  project from long holes  42  formed in the stacking direction on two side surfaces of the casing  5 A. These projected portions of the spindle  24   f  are kept from falling off by retainer  24   h . The spindle  24   f  is supported to be slidable in an up-down direction along the long hole  42 . The casing  5 A is provided with biasing means for biasing the spindle  24  always downwards (towards the cards stacked). In this case, the biasing means is structured by a biasing spring  45  which is horizontally provided and tensioned at the lower part on the both sides of the casing  5 A. By having this biasing spring  45  contacting the upper side of the retainer  24   h , the spindle  24   f  (pinch roller  24   p ) is always biased downwards. More specifically, on the both sides of the casing  5 A, there are projections  45   a  (see  FIG. 4 ) which are spaced from each other in a horizontal direction by a predetermined distance. These projections  45   a  hold the both ends of the biasing spring  45 . The middle portion of the biasing spring  45  is brought into contact with the retainer  24   h . This way, the biasing spring  45  always biases the spindle  24   f  downwards. 
     Further, in the casing  5 A is arranged pressing units  50  which press upwards the lowermost one of cards stacked. This pressing units  50  are provided in two positions upstream of the drive shaft  24   a  of the drive roller  24 , respectively, and are apart from each other along the drive shaft by a predetermined distance. Thus, the drive roller  24  and the pinch roller (pressing roller)  24   p  are positioned between the pressing units  502  in two positions. 
     The pressing units  50  are moveable along the stacking direction, between a position to apply a pressing force against the biasing force to the cards stacked and biased by the pinch roller  24   p , and a position where no pressing force is applied. When the pressing unit  50  is moved to the position to apply the pressing force, a card carried into the casing  5 A through the opening  41  is stopped by the pressing unit  50 , and is placed at the lowermost end of the stack of cards. Further, when the pressing unit  50  is moved to the position where no pressing force is applied, the stack of cards are biased by the pinch roller  24   p , and the both ends of the lower most one of the cards abut a pair of flanges  41   a  on the left and right which are formed at the opening of the casing and extend in a direction corresponding to the length of the casing (during this state, the lowermost one of cards abut the drive roller  24 , and driving of the drive roller  24  enables issuing of a card from the stack stored inside). Note that the structure and a method of driving the pressing unit  50  are described later. 
     Inside the card storage  5  is arranged a storage detection sensor  35  capable of detecting that the card storage is full of cards, and detecting that the card storage  5  is not locked to the frame  1 B (opened state). Further, inside the card storage  5  is arranged an empty sensor  36  capable of detecting that the card storage  5  has no card. 
     The following specifically describes a structure and an operation, whereby the storage detection sensor  35  detects the state in which the card storage  5  is full of cards, and detects a state in which the card storage  5  is opened. Note that  FIG. 7  ( a ) to (c) are referred to, when describing the operation. 
     The storage detection sensor  35  is structured by a photo sensor, and is structured to generate a detection signal when a later-described moveable component moves relatively to the light emitting/receiving portion  35   a  structured in a U-shape. In an upper portion on one side surface of the casing  5 A, a substantially T-shaped moveable component  53  is supported so as to be rotatable about a fulcrum  53 A. The moveable component  53  is provided with an abut portion  53   a  extending towards the insertion port. To this abut portion  53   a , the retainer  24   h  (biasing spring  45 ) abuts when being ascended. When the cards are successively stacked in the casing  5 A (causing the spindle  24   f  to ascend), the retainer  24   h  abuts the abut portion  53   a  when the storage is full of cards (see  FIG. 7  ( a ) and ( b )). 
     The moveable component  53  is provided with a bent portion  53   b  bent towards the upper surface side of the casing  5 A (see  FIG. 5 ), and a pulling spring  55  is provided between this bent portion  53   b  and the casing  5 A. This way, the moveable component  53  is always biased in a clockwise direction, about the fulcrum  53 A as shown in  FIG. 7  ( a ). Further, the moveable component  53  has an extended portion  53   c  extending downwards. The leading end of the extended portion  53   c  is a bent portion  53   d  bent in an L-shape, towards the inside of the casing. Note that the bent portion  53   d  is arranged so as to be in a position in the light emitting/receiving portion  35   a , during the sate shown in  FIG. 7  ( a ). 
     In the structure, while the casing  5 A is not full of cards, the moveable component  53  is in the state shown in  FIG. 7  ( a ), and the bent portion  53   d  is positioned in the light emitting/receiving portion  35   a . Therefore, a detection signal detecting the full state is not generated. Then, when the casing  5 A is being filled up with cards, the retainer  24   h  (biasing spring  45 ) abuts the abut portion  53   a . When the casing  5 A is full of cards, the moveable component  53  is rotated counter clockwise about the fulcrum  53 A (see  FIG. 7  ( b )). At this point, the bent portion  53   d  also rotates with the movable component  53 , and shifts from inside the light emitting/receiving portion  35   a  towards the insertion port and departs the light emitting/receiving portion  35   a . Thus, a detection signal for detecting such a state (full state) is generated. On the other hand, irrespective of the full state, when the casing  5 A is opened (lock is released) and rotates about the spindle  40  as shown in  FIG. 7  ( c ), the moveable component  53  also rotates along with the casing  5 A. Therefore, the bent portion  53   d  also rotates with the movable component  53 , and departs the light emitting/receiving portion  35   a . Thus, detection signal for detecting such a state (opened state of the casing) is generated. 
     As described, the storage detection sensor  35  enables detection of the state where the card storage  5  is full of cards, and the state where the card storage  5  is not locked on the frame  1 B (not closed), with a single structure. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 10 , the following describes the specific structure of the above described shutter  8 , a method of opening and closing the shutter, the specific structure of the above described pressing unit  50 , and the method of driving the pressing unit. 
     The shutter  8  and the pressing unit  50  are structured to be driven by a single drive source. In the present embodiment, the shutter  8  and the pressing unit  50  are driven and controlled by rotation of the drive motor  60  supported by the frame  1 B. Specifically, the output gear  60   a  of the drive motor  60  is engaged with a cam gear  61  rotatably supported by the frame  1 B. Rotating this cam gear  61  drives the shutter  8  and the pressing unit  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the shutter  8  is rotatably provided to the spindle  8 A supported by the frame  1 B. The shutter  8  is formed by a plate  8   a  which is bent to form a predetermined shape, and has a pair of stoppers  8   b  configured to abut the card actually inserted and stop the card, and an engagement portion  8   c  on one end side, which is pendent downward from the spindle  8 A. Between the shutter  8  and the spindle  8 A is a rotation biasing spring  62  wound about the spindle  8 A, which always biases the shutter  8  in a direction of closing (a direction to block insertion of a card). With the rotation biasing spring  62 , the shutter  8  is rotatably supported on the spindle  8 A with some play. With this play in rotation of the shutter  8 , when the card stops at a portion of the shutter  8  due to some error, it is possible to pull out the card without any damage to the card, and to prevent a damage to the mechanism. 
     Between the shutter  8  and the cam gear  61  is a linking component  63  extended along the card conveyance path  6 . The linking component  63  has on its one end side an engagement portion  63   a  which engages with a cam groove  61 A formed on one side surface of the cam gear  61  (see  FIG. 9  ( b )), and has on the other end side an abut portion  63   b  which contacts the engagement portion  8   c  of the shutter  8 . Further, the linking component  63  has a long holes  63   c ,  63   d  along the direction the linking component  63  is extended, and pins  1   d ,  1   e  projecting from the frame  1 B are positioned to this holes. This way, the linking component  63  is slidable in the direction the linking component  63  is extended. 
     When the linking component  63  slides in a direction D 1 , during the closed state of the shutter  8  shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 10  ( a ) (this state is hereinafter referred to as reference position, which blocks insertion of a card), the abut portion  63   b  presses the engagement portion  8   c  to rotate the shutter  8  about the spindle  8 A in a direction for opening. Further, when the linking component  63  during this state slides in a direction D 2 , the shutter  8  rotates until the engagement portion  8   c  abuts the abut portion  63   b  due to the biasing force of the rotation biasing spring  62 , thus returning to the reference position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the pressing units  50  are rotatably provided to the spindle  50 A supported by the frame  1 B. The pressing units  50  are arranged at the leading ends of the pair of extended portions  50   b  respectively so as to project upward, each of the extended portions  50   b  being formed by bending a plate  50   a  towards the trailing end (a direction opposite to the insertion port) from the spindle  50 A as the center so as to form a predetermined shape. Further, the plate  50   a  has a linking portion  50   c  bent towards the insertion port side. This linking portion  50   c  has on its leading end an engagement portion  50   d  which engages with a cam groove  61 A formed on the cam gear  61 . 
     The cam groove  61 A formed on one side surface of the cam gear  61  has a shape as shown in  FIG. 9  ( b ). With this cam groove  61 A are engaged the engagement portion  63   a  of the linking component  63  and the engagement portion  50   d  of the linking portion  50   c  which is integrally formed with the pressing unit  50 . The cam groove  61 A has a shape such that an operation of the shutter  8  or the pressing unit  50  stops the operation of the other. Specifically, the engagement portion  63   a  for driving the shutter  8  and the engagement portion  50   d  for driving the pressing unit  50  each engaged with the cam groove  61 A in the form of ring have a phase difference of 90°, and the shape of the cam is such that rotation of the cam gear  61  reciprocates the linking component  63  independently in horizontal directions, and reciprocates the linking portion  50   c  independently in the up-down directions. Note that reciprocation of the linking portion  50   c  in the up-down directions rotates the plate  50   a  about the spindle  50 A, and the pressing unit  50  reciprocates in the up-down directions with the rotation of the plate  50   a.    
     The cam gear  61  is controlled to rotate by ±90° from the reference position so that the cam groove  61 A formed on the cam gear  61  takes three positions, i.e., the reference position, a position of +90° rotation, and a position of −90° rotation, with the rotation of the cam gear  61 , thus causing the shutter  8  and the pressing unit  50  to take different positions. Note that on the other side surface of the cam gear  61  is a ring  61 B having in its portion a notch (structuring a detecting portion)  61 C, as shown in  FIG. 9  ( a ), and by detecting the notch  61 C, the light emitting/receiving portion  65   a  of the reference position detection sensor  65  provided in frame  1 B detects the reference position. 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , the relationship between the above three positions (shapes of the cam groove  61 A) when the cam gear  61  rotates from the reference position by ±90°. 
       FIG. 10  ( a ) shows the reference position. In this state, the shutter  8  is in the closed position, and the pressing unit  50  is in the pressing position (a position to abut the lowermost one of cards stored in the card storage  5 , and lifting the cards against the biasing force). 
     When the drive motor  60  is rotated from the state shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ) to rotate the cam gear  61  by 90°, in an direction R 1 , the cam groove  61 A tracts the linking component  63  in a D 1  direction via the engagement portion  63   a , while the engagement portion  50   d  is maintained in the same position without moving upwards or downwards (see  FIG. 10  ( b ) and  FIG. 8 ). When the linking component  63  slides in the D 1  direction, the shutter  8  rotates against the biasing force by the rotation biasing spring  62  due to the above described engagement relation, thereby opening the shutter  8 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . In other words, rotating the cam gear  61  by 90° in the direction R 1 , the shutter  8  is driven to open, while the pressing unit  50  stays in the pressing state. 
     Further, when the drive motor  60  is again rotated to rotate the cam gear  61  by 90° in the direction R 2  during the state shown in  FIG. 10  ( b ), the linking component  63  slides in the D 2  direction. Due to the above described engagement relation, the shutter  8  rotates due to the biasing force exerted by the rotation biasing spring  62  to return to the reference position shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ), thereby closing the shutter  8 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Note that the pressing unit  50  stays in the pressing state without being driven. 
     When the drive motor  60  is rotated to rotate the cam gear  61  by 90° in the direction R 2  during the state shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ), the cam groove  61 A stays in the same position without drawing the engagement portion  63   a , while the engagement portion  50   d  is moved upward (see  FIG. 10  ( c )). When the engagement portion  50   d  moves upward, the plate  50   a  rotates clockwise about the spindle  50 A, causing the pressing unit  50  to move downwards. The cards stored in the card storage  5  are therefore not pressed. This way, the lowermost one of cards abuts the drive roller  24 . 
     When the drive motor  60  is rotated during the state shown in  FIG. 10  ( c ) to rotate the cam gear  61  by 90° in the direction R 1 , the engagement portion  50   d  moves downwards to return to the reference position shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ), and the pressing units  50  press the lowermost one of cards stacked and stored in the card storage  5 . The shutter  8  stays in the closed state, without being driven. 
       FIG. 11  is a control block diagram showing a structure of the control unit which controls basic operations of the card processing device. 
     In the card processing device  1  are mounted a control circuit board  100  which controls operations of the above described drive components. On the control circuit board  100  is mounted a CPU  102  capable of driving the drive motor  20  configured to convey the cards, a drive motor  60  configured to drive the shutter  8  and the pressing unit  50 , a magnetic head (reader/writer)  12  configured to read/write information from/to a magnetic card, a reader/writer (RFID antenna; read unit)  30  configured to read/write information from/to the IC card; a ROM  103  storing a program for operating the above described various drive devices; and a control RAM  105 . 
     The CPU  102  is connected to the drive circuit which drives the devices via the I/O port  110 , and the operation of the each device is controlled by control signals from the CPU  102 , according to the operation program. The CPU  102  is capable of receiving, via the I/O port  110 , a signal from the insertion detection sensor  10  for detecting insertion (ejection) of a card, a signal from the magnetic information reading completion sensor  13  for detecting that the magnetic information is read, a signal from the card position detection sensor  32  for detecting the card passing by, a signal for detecting that the storage detection sensor  35  is full of cards accommodated (or detecting that the card storage  5  is opened), a signal from the empty sensor  36  detecting that the card storage  5  has ran out of the cards, and a signal from the reference position detection sensor  65  detecting the reference position. Based on these detection signals, the drive motors  20 ,  60  and the reader/writers  12 ,  30  are controlled. Note that the CPU  102  is capable of receiving, via the I/O port  110 , a signal from the insertion detection sensor  10 , the magnetic information reading completion sensor (card position detection sensor)  13 , the card position detection sensor  32 , and the reader/writer  30 , which signal is for checking whether the presence of a card position (remaining card). When there is no card remains in the device card, a predetermined process is executed as hereinbelow described. 
     Further, the CPU  102  is connected to a control circuit  200  which executes the game process and which is mounted within the main body of the not-shown gaming machine, and for example the data such as gaming value information is transmitted/received between to/from the gaming machine. 
     Further, the CPU  102  of the control circuit board  100  is capable of transmitting/receiving data to/from the external device  300 . For example, information (user ID information, account information, or the like) read by the reader/writers  12 ,  30  is transmitted. 
     Next, the following describes a control operation of the above described card processing device  1  with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 12  to  FIG. 16 . Note that the following deals with an operation taking place after the card processing device  1  is booted (encompassing re-booting for restoration after temporarily shut down of the device due to power outage, or the like). 
     First, the drive motor  20  is driven for a predetermined amount to convey a card towards the insertion port  2   a  (S 1 ). This step is executed because there is a possibility that a card may remain in the card conveyance path, when the device is booted (rebooted). Next, the card detection process is executed (S 2 ). This card detection process is to make sure any card remaining in the device at the time of booting (rebooting) the device is reliably detected, and includes steps shown in  FIG. 16 . Note that the S 1  may be omitted as long as the intervals between sensors  10 ,  13 ,  32 , and the RFID antenna  30  are such that the length of the card in the conveyance direction is reliably detected. 
     The following describes a card detection process with reference to  FIG. 16 . 
     As described above, with the card conveyance process of S 1 , it is possible to reliably detect a card present (remaining) with the sensors  10 ,  13 ,  32  or with the RFID antenna  30 , even if the card is in a position where the card is not detected. First, there is determined whether the insertion detection sensor  10  detected a card (S 61 ). When no card is detected (S 61 ; No), there is determined whether the card position detection sensors  13 ,  32  detect a card (S 62 ). When no card is detected in this S 62  (S 62 ; No), the RFID antenna  30  executes a process of reading the card ID (S 63 ). When no card ID is read (S 63 ; No), there is no card in the device. Therefore, the process returns to a later-described ordinary control operation (processes of S 3  and thereafter). 
     When a presence of a card is confirmed in S 61 , S 62 , S 63 , the drive motor  20  is driven a predetermined amount to convey the card towards the insertion port  2   a  (S 65 ; No, S 66 ). This driving of the drive motor  20  is executed a predetermined number of times (twice in the present embodiment). In other words, driving of the drive motor  20  as describe above ejects the card remaining inside the device, when the device is booted (rebooted), and allows insertion of a new card. 
     Meanwhile, when steps  61  to  63  are executed for the third time (S 65 ; Yes), an error signal is transmitted to the CPU (S 68 ), and no subsequent processes are executed. Such a circumstance indicates that the card remains in the device despite the process of ejecting the card, which means the card cannot be conveyed due to some troubles (slippage of conveyance rollers, or other troubles in conveyance). Therefore, in such a case, an error signal is transmitted to the external device  30 . 
     Note that an error signal may be transmitted, as soon as the presence of the card is confirmed, without executing the steps S 65 , S 66 . 
     When no card is detected through the steps S 61 , S 62 , S 63 , the processes of S 3  and thereafter shown in  FIG. 12  are executed. In the processes of S 3  and thereafter, the storage detection sensor  35  arranged in the card storage  5  determines whether or not a moveable component  53  is detected (S 3 ). As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  ( c ), this is for determining whether the casing  5 A of the card storage  5  is closed. When the casing  5 A is opened, the bent portion of the moveable component  53  is apart from the light emitting/receiving portion  35   a . Therefore, a signal is generated to indicate the moveable component  53  is not detected. This signal as an error signal is transmitted to the CPU (S 3 ; No, S 4 ), and no subsequent process is executed. In this regard, it is possible to transmit the error signal to the external device  300 , so as to notify a management person that the card storage  5  is not locked. 
     On the other hand, in S 3 , when the storage detection sensor  35  detects the moveable component  53  (S 3 ; Yes), the subsequent processes of the card are executed. First, there is determined by the insertion detection sensor  10  whether a card is inserted into the insertion port  2   a  (S 5 ). When the insertion detection sensor  10  detects insertion of a card (S 5 ; Yes), the information on the card inserted is read by the magnetic head (reader/writer)  12  (S 6 ). In this case, the card inserted by the user may be a magnetic card or an IC card (IC/magnetic card). If no magnetic data is recorded on the card inserted, that card is processes as an IC card (S 7 ; No). 
     Further, even when magnetic data is recorded, if the magnetic data read contains data (IC card determination data) that indicates that the card is an IC card, that card is processed as an IC card (S 7 ; Yes, S 8 ; Yes). 
     In the determination process of S 7  and S 8 , if it is determined that the card inserted is an IC card, the process of reading by the magnetic head (reader/writer)  12  is ended, and a process of driving the shutter  8  (opening process) is executed (S 10 ). As hereinabove described, the shutter  8  and the pressing unit  50  are first in the reference position shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ). Therefore, the drive motor  60  is rotated by a predetermined amount from the state shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ) to rotate the cam gear  61  by 90° in the direction R 1 . Since the reference position is detected by the reference position detection sensor  65 , the stop position (the number of rotation) of the drive motor  60  is accurately controlled. This way, the shutter  8  opens and the card locked state is cancelled as shown in  FIG. 10  ( b ) (S 10 ). 
     The drive motor  20  is further driven to convey the IC card to a predetermined position, i.e., the position of the reader/writer(RFID antenna)  30  (S 11 ). The stop control of the drive motor  20  may be done based on the amount of rotation of the drive motor  20 , or based on the card detection signal from the card position detection sensor  32 . 
     When the IC card is conveyed to the predetermined position, the shutter  8  is closed (S 12 ). The shutter  8  in this case is opened by the process of S 10  (see  FIG. 10  ( b )). From this state, the drive motor  60  is rotated to rotate the cam gear  61  by 90° in the direction R 2 , to bring back the shutter  8  to the reference position, as shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ). The stop control of the drive motor  60  is accurately done by detecting the reference position of the cam gear  61  with the reference position detection sensor  65 . This way, the shutter  8  is closed as shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ). This prevents the card from being mistakenly inserted (S 12 ). 
     The process ends after the IC card is conveyed to the predetermined position, the reader/writer (RFID antenna)  30  is driven while the shutter  8  is closed, information reading/writing process is executed with respect to the IC card (S 13 ), as hereinabove described. For example, when the above described process is ended, the user is playing the game at the gaming machine while the IC card is inserted. 
     Meanwhile, when the card inserted is determined as to be a magnetic card in S 8 , the process of reading by the magnetic head (reader/writer)  12  is ended (S 15 ), when the magnetic information reading completion sensor  13  detects the card (S 14 ). In this case, the insert position is regulated by closing the shutter  8  (see  FIG. 10  ( a )), and the user is not able to insert the magnetic card further inside. When the user ends the game, the card is pulled out by the user. It is possible to execute a process of rewriting the information with the magnetic head  12 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an operation for returning the IC card inserted to the user after S 13  (hereinafter, card delivering process A; a process continued from S 13 ). The IC card inserted may have been subjected to a process of writing new information with the reader/writer (RFID antenna)  30 . 
     Since the shutter  8  at this time is in the reference position shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ) and is closed through S 12 , the shutter  8  is first driven to be opened to return the IC card (S 21 ). As in S 10 , the drive motor  60  is rotated by a predetermined amount from the state shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ) to rotate the cam gear  61  by 90° in the direction R 1 . This opens the shutter  8  and cancels the card locked state. 
     The drive motor  20  is further driven by a predetermined amount to convey the IC card towards the insertion port  2   a  (S 22 ). Then, the card detection process is executed to check if there is a card remaining in the card conveyance path (S 23 ). The card detection process here includes the processes shown in  FIG. 16 , except for S 61 , and there is determined whether a card is detected at any one of positions of the card position detection sensors  13 ,  32  and the RFID antenna  30 . Detecting the presence of the card in this process means that the card remains despite the conveyance process to convey the card towards the insertion port  2   a , due to some troubles. Therefore, an error signal is generated (S 68 ). 
     While the insertion detection sensor  10  determines whether a card is detected (S 24 ), if the player pulls out the IC card projecting from the insertion port  2   a  and the insertion detection sensor  10  no longer detects the IC card (S 24 ; No), the shutter  8  is closed again (S 25 ). As in S 12 , the drive motor  60  is rotated to rotate the cam gear  61  by 90° in the direction R 2  to bring back the shutter  8  from the state shown in  FIG. 10  ( b ) to the reference position shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ). 
     When the state of detecting the IC card by the insertion detection sensor  10  continues a predetermined time, it means that the user forgot to take the card, or the card is not ejected. Therefore, for example, an error signal is transmitted to the external device  300 , and the process is halted (step  24 ; Yes, step  26 ; Yes, S 27 ). In this case, a superordinate device  300  may warn by a lamp or an alarm. 
       FIG. 14  shows an operation for issuing a card stored in the card storage  5  to the user (hereinafter, card delivering process B). In this case, an IC card delivered from the card storage  5  is subjected to a process of writing information by the reader/writer (RFID antenna)  30 , before being issued to the user. 
     When issuing the IC card, the pressing unit  50  is first driven to cancel the pressing state (S 31 ). As hereinabove described, the shutter  8  and the pressing unit  50  are in the reference position as shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ), and the pressing unit  50  is pressing the lowermost one of cards. The drive motor  60  is rotated by the predetermined amount from the state shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ) to rotate the cam gear  61  by 90° in the direction R 2 . This lowers the pressing unit downwards as shown in  FIG. 10  ( c ), and the cards stored in the card storage  5  are no longer pressed. As such, the lowermost one of cards abuts the drive roller  24 . 
     During this state, the drive motor  20  is driven to convey the IC card to a predetermined position, towards the insertion port  2   a  (S 32 ). The predetermined position here is a position corresponding to the reader/writer (RFID antenna)  30 , and the stop control of the drive motor  20  may be done based on the amount of rotation of the drive motor  20 , or based on the card detection signal from the card position detection sensor  32 . Note that in S 32 , the condition for stopping the conveyance for conveying the IC card from the card storage  5  to the position for writing information by the reader/writer (i.e., condition for stopping the drive motor) is set, for example, to the point when the trailing end of the IC card passes the card position detection sensor  32  (no longer detected). If the card position detection sensor  32  keeps detecting the IC card for a predetermined time from the start of operation for conveying the IC card, it is determined that a conveyance error has occurred. In this case the drive motor may be reversed to return the IC card temporarily to the card storage  5 , and then conveyed again to the predetermined position. Alternatively, it is possible to use the RFID antenna  30  for detecting the IC card (for monitoring the IC card). This way, waiting for the predetermined time is not necessary. For example, it is possible to determine that a conveyance error has occurred, when the IC card is not detected by the RFID antenna  30  in a position where the IC card would reach after being conveyed N steps by the drive motor. As described, while the IC card is conveyed, the presence of the IC card is always monitored by a plurality of sensors. 
     When the IC card is conveyed to the predetermined position, the drive motor  60  is rotated by a predetermined amount to rotate the cam gear  61  by a 90° in the direction R 1 , thereby bringing back the pressing unit  50  to the reference position shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ). In other words, the pressing unit  50  is moved upwards by driving the drive motor  60 , pressing the cards stored in the card storage  5  (S 33 ). Note that the stop control of the drive motor  60  is accurately done by detecting the reference position of the cam gear  61  with the reference position detection sensor  65 . 
     Then, the process of writing information is executed by the reader/writer (RFID antenna)  30  (S 34 ), and the IC card is issued to the user through the steps of the card delivering process A shown in  FIG. 13  (S 35 ). 
       FIG. 15  shows a process for storing the IC card inserted into the card storage  5 , after S 13  shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     In a storing process, the drive motor  20  is first driven to convey the IC card towards the card storage  5  (S 41 ). At this point, since the pressing unit  50  is in the reference position shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ), the IC card is placed under the lower most one of cards through the opening  41  of the casing  5 A. The drive motor  20  is stopped temporarily upon rotating a predetermined amount, and the IC card is stopped immediately before the pressing unit  50 . 
     During this state, the drive motor  60  is rotated by a predetermined amount to rotate the cam gear  61  by 90° in the direction R 2 , thus moving the pressing unit downwards as shown in  FIG. 10  ( c ) (S 42 ). This way, the IC card carried into the card storage abuts the drive roller  24  and can be further carried inside. 
     After that, the drive motor  20  is again rotated by a predetermined amount to convey the IC card to a predetermined position inside the card storage (to the stack position) (S 43 ). Subsequently, the card detection process is executed to check if there is any card remaining in the card conveyance path (S 44 ). In other words, when the presence of the card is confirmed in this process, it means that the card remains despite the conveyance process of the card to the card storage  5 . It is therefore determined that some troubles have occurred, and an error signal is generated (S 68 ). 
     After the IC card is conveyed to the predetermined position, the drive motor  60  is rotated by a predetermined amount to rotate the cam gear  61  by 90° in the direction R 1 , thus bringing back the pressing unit  50  to the reference position shown in  FIG. 10  ( a ) (S 45 ). This way, the pressing unit  50  is moved upward, pressing the newly stored IC card, and then the storing process is ended. Note that after S 45  ends, if the storage detection sensor  35  does not detect the moveable component  53 , it means that the card storage  5  is full of cards. In this case, a full-state signal is transmitted to the CPU (S 46 ; No, S 47 ). 
     In the structure of the embodiment described above, when the card processing device is booted or when the card processing device is initialized after being shut down due to power outage or the like, the presence of a card can be detected by the detect sensors  10 ,  13 ,  32  arranged along the card conveyance path. Further, a card is also detected by the read unit (RFID antenna)  30  which reads information on the card. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of sensors mounted in the card conveyance path  6 , and reduction of the costs for the device is possible. Further, as described in the process of delivering a card from the card storage  5 , the RFID antenna  30  can be also used for, for example, monitoring the occurrence of time-out in the conveyance operation of an ordinary IC card. This enables further delicate conveyance control. 
     Further, in the above embodiment, the card detection process is executed before a card is inserted into the insertion port  2   a , as in S 1  and S 2  of  FIG. 12 . This disable insertion of two or more cards in a row mistakenly, which contributes to reliable prevention of troubles in conveying a card, or clogging by a card. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , in the above described card detection process, when a card is detected by the detect sensors  10 ,  13 ,  32  and the read unit (RFID antenna)  30 , the drive motor is driven to convey the card towards the insertion port, and then the card detection process is executed again. This enables, for example, reliably grasping a situation where the card is not conveyed by the conveyor due to slippage or the like at the portion of the conveyance rollers. Since the remaining card is conveyed towards the card insertion port  2   a , the card is reliably ejected when initializing the card processing device after the card processing device is shut down due to power outage or the like. It is therefore possible to prepare for appropriate processing of newly inserted card. 
     Further, in the above-described embodiment, the card detection process is executed as needed during the card process (S 23 , S 44 ). This reliably prevents the card to remain in the card conveyance path during the card process. 
     Thus, an embodiment of the present invention is described hereinabove. It should however be noted that the number of detect sensors mounted and the method of detection in the present invention are not limited as long as a card in the conveyance path is detected by the detect sensor arranged in the conveyance path and the read unit for reading card information. Further, the read unit may be any given read unit as long as it is capable of reading information recorded on the card. For example, the read unit may be a magnetic reader/writer, or a sensor (e.g., line sensor) capable of reading information. 
     Further, the above-described embodiment is structured to be able to process a multiple types of card (magnetic card, IC card). However, the present invention is applicable to a device capable of processing a single type of card. For example, by removing the magnetic head part in the structure shown in  FIG. 1 , the device can be structured as a device capable of processing an IC card. In this case, the magnetic information reading completion sensor  13  detects insertion of the card, and serves as the sensor (card position detection sensor) for detecting the remaining card. Further, the above-described embodiment deals with a case where the paper sheet is a card; however, the present invention may be applied to a device configured to process various paper sheets such as bills. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           1 . Card Processing Device (Paper Sheet Processing Device) 
           2   a . Insertion Port 
           5 . Card Storage 
           6 . Card Conveyance Path 
           10 . Insert Detect Sensor (Card Position Detection Sensor) 
           13 . Magnetic Information Reading Completion Sensor (Card Position Detection Sensor) 
           32 . Card Position Detection Sensor 
           30 . RFID Antenna (Read Unit) 
         C. Card