GB2246899A

GB2246899A - Cash processing system

Info

Publication number: GB2246899A
Application number: GB9112008A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kazuyuki Nakajima
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 1990-06-13
Filing date: 1991-06-04
Publication date: 1992-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2011-06-04
Also published as: JPH0447397A; KR920001372A; KR940005825B1; GB9112008D0; JP2726552B2; GB2246899B

Abstract

In a cash processing system, cash is moved between a plurality of units (1a to 1d) by using loading safes. When a loading safe (3) is detached from a given unit, information associated with the denominations and number of cash moved from or into the loading safe (3) is stored in a memory section arranged in the loading safe (3) and is transmitted to a transaction controller. When the loading safe is attached to another unit, the storage contents of cash read out from the memory section of the loading safe are transmitted to the transaction controller. The transaction controller checks whether the storage contents of cash in the loading safe at the time of detachment coincide with those at the time of attachment. If they coincide with each other, information associated with the cash storage state of a balance count table corresponding to the unit to which the loading safe is attached, which is arranged in the transaction controller, is updated in accordance with the cash storage sate of the loading safe. <IMAGE>

Description

"CASH PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING CASH" The present invention relates to a cash processing system, used in, e.g., a bank, in which a plurality of units for managing cash deposit and withdrawal, i.e., banknotes, are installed, and banknotes and their information in the respective units can be collectively managed.

Conventionally, in banking facilities, e.g., a bank, paying/receiving units and automatic depositing/ withdrawing units have been arranged in each branch office and managed by a cash center for checking the state of each unit in each branch office.

Each of he units described above, e.g., paying/receiving units, automatic depositing/withdrawing units, and units in the cash center, has a cash counting function, a function of storing cash in a cassette or the like, a function of outputting count and storage results by means of a display or a printer, a function of controlling data transmission to an external unit, and the like.

In such a system, a cash management function of each single unit and a collective cash data management function based on data transmission can be realized.

However, when cash is to be moved between given units, since some manual operation is indispensable for such movement, operation errors may be caused. For example, a value based on data management may not coincide with the actual amount of cash. In addition, the movement of cash accompanies cumbersome operations, e.g., the exchange of data slips and rechecking (recounting) of cash.

In such a system in which cash is moved between various types of units, therefore, omission of recounting of cash, reduction in number of data slip, and prevention of human errors, in each unit upon movement of cash, cannot be realized. For this reason, management of the balance of cash in each unit and collective management of the overall system cannot be reliably performed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cash processing system, in which cash is moved between various types of units and omission of a recounting operation, reduction in number of data slips, and prevention of human errors, upon movement of cash, can be realized.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cash processing system which can reliably perform management of the balance of cash in each unit and collective management of the overall system.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a cash processing system comprising a plurality of cash dispensing device having a first cash storage means for storing cash to be disposed in accordance with a predetermined operation, second cash storage means detachably coupled to the cash dispensing device, for storing cash to be replenished to the cash dispensing device, first memory means arranged at the second cash storage means, for storing data item representing an identification information, the information identifying the second cash storage means at which the first memory means arranged, second memory means for storing data item representing an identification information of the second cash storage means to be coupled to one of the cash dispensing device, reading means arranged at the cash dispensing device, for reading the data item stored in the first memory means, when the second cash storage means is coupled to the cash dispensing device, comparing means for comparing the data item read by the reading means with the data item stored in the second memory means, and means for generating a signal indicating that the second cash storage means is correctly coupled to the cash dispensing device, when the comparison means determines that the data items are identical.

According to the cash processing system of the present invention, in which cash is moved between various types of units, omission of recounting in each unit, a reduction in number of data slips, and prevention of errors due to manual operations, upon movement of cash, can be realized. In addition, management of the cash balance in each unit and collective management of the system can be reliably performed.

This invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing an arrangement of a cash management system; Fig. 2 is a view showing a relationship between an automatic transaction apparatus, a banknote classifying unit, and a loading safe; Fig. 3 is a view showing an outer appearance of a transaction controller; Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal arrangement of the transaction conWroller; Fig. 5 is a view showing a storage format of a balance count table; Fig. 6 is a view showing a storage format of a dispensation/reception division table; Fig. 7 is a view showing an outer appearance of a depositing/withdrawing apparatus; Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal arrangement of the depositing/withdrawing apparatus;; Fig. 9 is a view showing a storage format of a RAM in the depositing/withdrawing apparatus; Fig. 10 is a view showing an internal arrangement of a depositing/withdrawing unit; Figs. 11 and 12 are views for explaining the flow of each banknote in a depositing operation; Fig. 13 is a view for explaining the flow of each banknote in a withdrawing operation; Fig. 14 is a view showing the flow of each banknote in a deposited banknote returning operation; Fig. 15 is a view for explaining the flow of each banknote in a recovery operation of banknotes when a customer forgets to remove them; Fig. 16 is a view for explaining the flow of each banknote in a loading operation of banknotes; Fig. 17 is a view for explaining the flow of a rejected banknote; Fig. 18 is a view for explaining the flow of each banknote in a close inspection;; Fig. 19 is a view showing an outer appearance of the loading safe; Fig. 20 is a block diagram showing an internal arrangement of the cash management system; Fig. 21 is a view showing a storage format of a data memory of the loading safe; Fig. 22 is a sectional view showing an internal arrangement of the banknote classifying unit; Fig. 23 is a view showing a storage format of a data memory of the banknote classifying unit; Figs. 24 and 25 are views, each showing a display of the balance of banknotes and the like on a display section of a cash management apparatus; Fig. 26 is a diagram showing a storage format of the data memory map incorporated in a data storage section; Fig. 27 is a flow chart explaining how the bank note classifying unit supplies bank notes to the loading safe;; Figs. 28A and 28b are a flow chart explaining how bank notes are supplied to the depositing/withdrawing apparatus and receives bank notes therefrom; and Fig. 29 is a flow chart explaining how the cash management apparatus operates after the loading safe has been detached from the depositing/withdrawing apparatus and set within the bank note classifying unit.

An embodiment of the present invention wil' be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a cash processing system in a bank or the like. The respective units arranged in a branch office F are connected to each other through an office LAN 4. The following components are connected to the LAN 4: a plurality of depositing/withdrawing units la, lb, lc, and 1d as automatic transaction apparatuses; a banknote classifying unit 2, an entry unit 5, a balance collating unit 6, an LAN connecting adaptor 8, and a transaction controller 9 for the collective control and operation management of the respective units.

As shown in Fig. 2, loading safes (cash cassettes) 3 are selectively loaded in the automatic transaction apparatuses la, ..., and the banknote classifying unit 2, thus allowing movement of cash. In this embodiment, each of the depositing/withdrawing units la to Id and the banknote classifying unit 2 is a cash processing means, and each loading safe 3 is a cash storage means.

In addition, the transaction controller 9 includes a management means.

Referring back to Fig. 1, the transaction controller 9 is connected to a leased line 120 through a modem 10a. This leased line 120 is connected to a computer center 122 through a modem 121. The computer center 122 stores transaction information in units of accounts of customers who use the automatic transactic apparatuses and the like. When the transaction record of a given account is updated on the basis of transaction information transmitted from the transaction controller 9, the transaction information based on this updating is returned to the transaction controller 9.

The transaction controller 9 is connected to a public line 123 through a modem 10b so as to transmit various types of information to various types of destinations. A monitor center 124, a radio station 125, and a service center 126 are connected to the public line 123. Various guide information are constantly supplied via radio channels from the radio station 125 to a patrol car 127 which patrols a predetermined district to perform maintenance of automatic transaction apparatuses installed in the district.

With this operation, the monitor center 124 repairs the automatic transaction apparatuses la, ..., by remote control on the basis of information transmitted from the transaction controller 9 while an unmanned operation of the automatic transaction apparatuses la, ... is performed on a holiday or the like. If a failure which cannot be repaired occurs, or it is determined that stocks of some type of medium or cash, set in the automatic transaction apparatuses la, must be replenished, a command is supplied from the monitor center 124 to the radio station 125 through the public line 123, and the command is sent from the radio station 125 to the patrol car 127 on patrol. With this operation, a corresponding automatic transaction apparatus is repaired by the patrol car 127.

The transaction controller 9 will be described below with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring to Fig. 3, a display section 201 constituted by a plasma display is arranged on a main body 200 to display operation states of the automatic transaction apparatuses la, ... and the like. A general key unit 202 is arranged below the display section 201. The general key unit 202 is operated by a clerk in a normal operation or are used to switch display contents of the display section 201. In addition, the functions of the respective keys of the key unit 202 are displayed on a lower portion of the screen of the display section 201 at the corresponding positions. By depressing one key of key unit 202 in accordance with this display, a predetermined function can be selected or input.The function of each key of the general key unit 202 can be switched to another function, and a corresponding display on the lower portion of the screen of the display section 201 is switched accordingly.

A keyboard 203 is arranged on a front surface portion of the main body 200. This keyboard 203 need not be operated in a normal operation. Even if the keyboard 203 is operated, an input is logically considered to be invalid. However, in a special case, e.g., rewriting various conditions stored in the automatic transaction apparatuses la, ... or giving a special command to the automatic transaction apparatuses la, ..., an input by means of the keyboard 203 becomes valid.

A card read section 205 and a card holding section 206 are arranged above the keyboard 203. The card read section 205 serves to read magnetic information recorded on a magnetic stripe portion of a magnetic card carried by a clerk. Magnetic cards include a "person n charge" card, a manager card, a "maintenance person" card, and the like. For example, display contents on the display section 201 and an operative menu are switched in accordance with the type of a card. More specifically, the type of a card is determined by a card number (registered in advance in accordance with a card type) of the magnetic information recorded on the magnetic card, and incorporated processing programs are switched in accordance with the card type. While the card is stored in the card holding section 206, the magnetic information read by the card read section 205 is considered to be valid.

A single slip printing section 204 is arranged on a side portion of the display section 201. When a clerk sets a single slip in the single slip printing section 204, required information is printed on the slip. When the clerk operates the general key unit 202, operation states of, e.g., the automatic transaction apparatuses la, ... or the balance information of cash or a medium is printed on this single slip.

An insertion slit 207 is formed in a side surface portion 200a of the main body 200 so as to receive a floppy disk (FD) in which control programs are stored or data in the transaction controller 9 is retrieved.

Furthermore, a control circuit of the transaction controller 9 has an arrangement shown in Fig. 4. More specifically, a main control section 220 for controlling the overall transaction controller 9 is arranged. The following components are connected to this main control section 220: the display section 201; the general key unit 202; the keyboard 203; the single slip printing section 204; the card read section 205; and the card holding section 206.In addition, the following components are connected to the main control section 220: a program memory section 208 for storing control programs; a data memory section 209 for storing data required to execute a program; a magnetic disk unit 210 having a magnetic disk as a nonvolatile memory on which a program to be written in the program memory section 208 or necessary data of the data stored in the data memory section 209 is recorded, and the records of transactions executed by the automatic transaction apparatuses la, ... are written; and a reader/writer section 215 for performing a recording/reproducing operation with resect to an FD inserted into the insertion slit 207. The data memory section 209 i-. backed up by a battery (not shown) to protect stored data when a power source for the transaction controller 9 is turned off. Furthermore, the following components are connected to the main control section 220: a modem interface 211 to be connected to a modem 12a; a modem interface 212 to be connected to a modem 12b; an interface 213 for connecting the section 220 to the LAN 4; and an external printing section interface 214 to be connected to an external printing unit capable of outputting a large amount of printing data which cannot be printed by the single slip printing section 204.

The above-mentioned interfaces 211 to 214 serve to perform output control of data transmitted from the main control section 220 in accordance with a predetermined procedure. In addition, the interfaces 211 to 214 receive various data and output them to the main control section 220.

Cash operation/management in the automatic transaction apparatuses la to 1d by the transaction controller 9 will be described below. As shown in Fig. 5, the data memory section 209 of the transaction controller 9 includes a balance count table 209a for storing balance counts and maximum storage counts in units of denominations in each of the automatic transaction apparatuses la to ld. In addition, as shown in Fig. 6, the data memory section 209 includes a dispensation/reception division table 209b for storing dispensation/reception divisions and counts in units of safes in each of the automatic transaction apparatuses la, ....When cash is received/dispensed in/from given safes in the automatic transaction apparatuses la, ... upon a customer or clerk transaction, machine numbers, dispensation/ reception divisions and counts of the respective safes are set in the dispensation/reception division table 209. Dispensation/reception divisions include "dispensation" indicating the dispensation of cash from a safe, "reception" indicating reception of cash in a safe, and "present" indicating the balance count of a safe. Furthermore, the data storage section 209 stores information associated with cash stored/moved in/from the banknote classifying unit 2, in addition to the information associated with the automatic transaction apparatuses la to ld.

The depositing/withdrawing apparatuses la to 1d will be described below with reference to Figs. 7 to 9.

The depositing/withdrawing apparatuses la to 1d have the same structure.

Referring to Fig. 7, a substantially L-shaped operating portion 13 is formed on the front surface of a casing 12. A bankbook insertion slit 14, a card insertion slit 15, and a slip issue slit 16 are formed in a vertical operating portion 13a of the operating portion 13.

A depositing/withdrawing opening 17 as a banknote receiving portion serving both as a depositing opening and a withdrawing opening is formed in a horizontal operating portion 13b. A door 18 which can be freely opened/closed is arranged on the depositing/withdrawing opening 17. In addition, a CRT display section 19 incorporating a touch sensor is arranged on the horizontal operating portion 13b. The CRT display section 19 displays an operation procedure or other information on the CRT screen by illustration or in characters or prompts, thereby guiding a user. In addition, when a display portion corresponding to "password", "amount", "account number", or "approval", "confirmation", or "cancel" of a transaction is depressed, a corresponding operation is performed.

As shown in Fig. 8, the following components are arranged in the casing 12: a main control section 31 for controlling the overall apparatus; a magnetic card read section 32 for receiving a card A inserted from the card insertion slit 15 and reading account information such as a password and an account number from a magnetic stripe portion on the card A; a slip processing unit 33 for issuing a slip, on which transaction contents are printed, from the slip issue slit 16; and a bankbook printing section 34 for reading a magnetic stripe portion of a bankbook B inserted from the bankbook insertion slit 14 and recording transaction contents on the bankbook B and journal paper (not shown).

In addition, a depositing/withdrawing unit 35, a customer service unit 36, an audio guide unit 37, and a clerk operating section 38 are arranged in the casing 12. The depositing/withdrawing unit 35 receives banknotes P inserted into the depositing/withdrawing slit 17 and dispenses banknotes P of a designated amount of money to the slit 17. In addition, when the loading safe 3 is set, the unit 35 loads banknotes in the respective safes, and performs a close inspection of banknotes in the respective safes through the loading safe 3. The customer service unit 36 is constituted by the CRT display section 19. The audio guide unit 37 guides a customer by an audio means such as a speaker (not shown). The clerk operating section 38 has an internal monitor used for clerks.The loading safe 3 loaded in the depositing/withdrawing unit 35 is connected to the main control section 31 through an interface 44, thus allowing the exchange of data therebetween.

Furthermore, a RAM 39, a floppy disk 40, a transmission control section 41, and a power supply section 42 are arranged in the casing 12. The RAM 39 stores storage states of banknotes in each safe and the loading safe loaded in the depositing/withdrawing unit 35 in accordance with an inspection result from an inspecting section (to be described later) in the depositing/withdrawing unit 35. The floppy disk 40 serves as a data file on which information, of banking facilities, required for remittance transaction, e.g,.

bank names and branch office names are recorded in the order of the kana syllabary. The transmission control section 41 controls data transmission between the main control section 31 and the LAN 4. As shown in Fig. 9, the amount of money stored in each safe is stored in the RAM 39.

Referring back to Fig. 8, an external remote monitor 43 used by only clerks is connected to the main control section 31.

Local processing (inspection of an internal state of the apparatus), e.g., balance detection, safe exchange, and journal replenishment is designated by using the clerk operating section 37 and the remote monitor 43.

The main control section 31 is connected to the loading safe 3 set in the depositing/withdrawing unit 35 through an interface (not shown) so that, for example, setting of the loading safe 3 in the depositing/ withdrawing unit 35 is confirmed upon data exchange between the main control section 31 and the loading safe 3. With this arrangement, data associated with a storage state of each safe of this apparatus is transmitted from the main control section 31 and vice versa.

Fig. 1C shows an arrangement of the depositing/ withdrawing unit 35. Referring to Fig. 10, reference numeral 50 denotes an upper unit of a depositing/ withdrawing mechanism; and 51, a lower unit thereof.

A banknote receiving/dispensing unit 52 is arranged in the upper unit 50 at an upper portion of a front surface (facing a customer) thereof in correspondence with the depositing/withdrawing slit 17. This banknote receiving/dispensing unit 52 comprises a receiving roller 53, a floor, a banknote storage chamber 55, and the like. A fourth safe 3 as a loading safe is mounted at a rear portion in the upper unit 50, thus constituting a loading banknote storage portion 23.

In the lower unit 51, a first safe 57 as a 10,000-yen safe and a second safe 58 as a 1,000-yen safe are arranged to respectively constitute banknote storage portions 59 and 60. In addition, a third safe 61 is arranged as a depositing safe for storing invalid banknotes (which cannot be dispensed), such as 5,000-yen notes, banknotes to be discharged, and banknotes to be recovered. The third safe 61 constitutes a banknote storage portion 62, a collecting portion 63, and a recovery box 64. Collecting/extracting units 65 are respectively provided to the safes 57, 58, 61, and 3.

In addition, flappers 67 are respectively arranged in the safes 57, 58, 61, and 3 to form spaces 66, each serving as a collecting portion capable of collecting, e.g., 100 banknote;. Each collecting/extracting unit 65 described above is constituted by a pickup roller 67a, an elevator 68, a press plate 69, and the like.

An inspecting section 70 is arranged in the upper unit 50 at a front center portion in the vertical direction. In addition, a dispensed-banknote temporary collecting portion 37 and received-banknote temporary collecting portion 38 are arranged on the left of the inspecting section 70.

Banknote convey paths (R1 to R8) are formed in the units 50 and 51 to convey the banknotes P to the respective portions. Gates 73a to 73t, each having a rotary solenoid (not shown) as a driving source, are arranged at branch portions of the banknote convey paths. Banknote passage detectors 74a to 74w are respectively arranged midway along the banknote covey paths R. In addition, banknote detectors (remainder check sensors) 75a to 75d and 76 are respectively arranged at collecting portions where the banknotes P are collected.

Each of the banknote passage detectors 74a to 74w and the banknote detectors 75a to 75d and 76 has a known arrangement constituted by a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element.

The flows of banknotes in the apparatus having the above-described arrangement will be described below.

Figs. 11 and 12 show the flow of each banknote in a depositing operation.

When, for example, a display portion corresponding to "depositing" of the CRT display section 19 is depressed by a user, the door 18 of the depositing/ withdrawing slit 7 is opened. In this state, the user puts banknotes P of various denominations together into the banknote storage chamber 55 in a vertical position with their upper surfaces facing in different directions. The door 18 is then closed. When it is detected that the door 18 is closed, the floor 54 is vertically vibrated to align the banknotes P. Thereafter, the receiving roller 53 is rotated to receive the banknotes P one by one starting from the forefront banknote. The banknotes P received by this receiving roller 53 are conveyed through the banknote convey path R1 to be counted by the banknote passage detector 74a.

Each banknote P is guided to the inspecting section 70, in which the denomination (types of banknotes), authenticity, and direction of the upper surface of the banknote P are discriminated (judged). The banknote P is conveyed through the banknote convey path R2. If it is discriminated that the upper surface of the banknote P faces in a forward direction, the banknote P is conveyed upward through a first distribution gate 73a and is conveyed through second and third distribution gates 73b and 73c. Furthermore, the direction of the banknote P is changed by a fourth distribution gate 73d, and the banknote P is collected in the received-banknote temporary collecting portion 38.

If it is discriminated that the upper surface of the banknote P faces in a reverse direction, the banknote P is conveyed through the first and second distribution gates 73a and 73b. The route of the banknote P is then changed by the third distribution gate 73c and by a fifth distribution gate 73e, and the banknote P is reversed and collected in the receivedbanknote temporary collecting portion 38. With this operation, banknotes P are collected in the collecting portion 38 with their upper surfaces facing in the same direction.

If the banknote P (rejected note) is discriminated by the inspecting section 70 to be a banknote to be rejected (e.g., a counterfeit banknote or a banknote which cannot be judged), the rejected banknote P is conveyed to a dispensed-banknote temporary collecting portion 37 through the first, second, third, and fourth distribution gates 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d so as to be collected in the collecting portion 37. When the banknotes P in the banknote storage chamber 55 run out, the rejected banknote P collected in the dispensedbanknote temporary collecting portion 37 are dispensed into the storage chamber 55 as a bundle. Thereafter, the door 8 is opened to return the banknotes to the user.

The banknotes P collected in the received-banknote temporary collecting portion 38 are corveyed to the banknote storage chamber 55 as a bundle and are taken in and conveyed again when, for example, the user inputs a "confirmation" signal through the CRT display section 9.

The received banknotes P are inspected. Thereafter, the convey path R is switched to a downward path by the first distribution gate 73a so that the banknotes P are conveyed to the lower unit 51.

The banknotes which are discriminated by the inspecting section 70 to be 10,000-yen banknotes are horizontally conveyed through eleventh, sixth, and seventh gates 73k, 73f, and 73g. The route of the 10,000-yen banknotes is then changed by an eighth gate 73h, and the banknotes are collected in a collecting portion 66 of a 10,000-yen safe.

The route of 1,000-yen banknotes is changed by the seventh distribution gate 73g, and the banknotes are collected in a collecting portion 66 of a 1,000-yen safe 58.

Old 10,000- and 1,000-yen notes, 5,000-yen notes, and rejected banknotes are changed in route by the sixth distribution gate 73f and are collected in the depositing safe 61 through ninth and tenth distribution gates 73i and 73j.

When all the banknotes P are collected in the collecting portions 66 of the respective safes 57, 58, and 61, the banknotes P in the safes 57 and 58 are pressed downward by the press plates 69, lock by the flappers 67, and stored below the flappers 67, thereby completing the depositing operation.

If a "disapproval" signal is input while the banknotes P are collected in the received-banknote temporary collecting portion 38, the banknotes P in the collecting portion 38 are returned to the banknote storage chamber 55. Thereafter, the door 8 is opened to return the banknotes P to the user. When the banknotes P are taken out from the banknote storage chamber 55, the door 8 is closed.

Fig. 13 shows the flow of each banknote in a withdrawing operation.

Assume that a withdrawal transaction is selected, and an amount of money to be withdrawn is input. In this case, in the respective safes 57 and 58, the stored banknotes P are pressed downward by the press plates 69 to release the locking of the flappers 67. Furthermore, the elevators 68 are moved upward to take out the banknotes P and bring them into contact with the pickup rollers 67a, thereby preparing a withdrawing operation.

Assume that 10,000- and 1,000-yen banknotes are respectively picked up one by one from the 10,000-yen safe 57 and the 1,000-yen safe 58 by rotating the pickup rollers 67a. The picked 10,000- and 1,000-yen banknotes are respectively counted and horizontally conveyed forward to be guided into the upper unit 50. These banknotes are then conveyed to the inspecting section 70. The banknotes P which are discriminated to be authentic by the inspecting section 70 are collected in the dispensed-banknote temporary collecting portion 37 through the first, second, third, and fourth distribution gates 73a, 73b, 73c, and 73d. When the collected banknotes P reach a designated amount of money, a pickup operation is stopped.Thereafter, the dispensed banknotes P collected in the dispensed-banknote temporary collecting portion 37 are released, as a bundle, to the banknote storage chamber 55, and the door 18 is opened to dispense the banknotes P to the user. When the user takes out the banknotes P, the door 18 is closed, thus completing the withdrawal transaction.

Note that the banknotes (rejected notes) P which are discriminated to be banknotes unsuitable for dispensation by the inspecting section 70 are conveyed to the lower unit 51 through the first distribution gate 73a.

The rejected banknotes are then conveyed to the collecting portion 63 of the depositing safe 61 through the eleventh, sixth, ninth, and tenth distribution gates 73k, 73f, 73i, and 73j so as to be collected in the collection portion 63.

The flow of each banknote in a received-banknote returning operation will be described below with reference to Fig. 14.

If, for example, a "cancel" signal is input through the CRT display section 9 after the banknotes P are collected in the received-banknote temporary collecting portion 38 in a depositing operation, the banknotes P are released, as a bundle, to the banknote storage chamber 55. Thereafter, the door 8 is opened to return the banknotes P to a user.

Fig. 15 shows the flow of each banknote in a case wherein banknotes which a user forgets to take out are recovered.

If the user does not take out the dispensed banknotes P a predetermined period of time after the door 8 is opened, the door 8 is closed first. Then, the banknotes P are taken in one by one to be recovered by the recovery box 64 in the depositing safe 61 through the inspecting section 70 and the first, eleventh, sixth, ninth, and tenth distribution gates 73a, 73k, 73f, 73i, and 73j.

The flow of each banknote in a banknote loading (replenishing) operation will be described below with reference to Fig. 16.

If a banknote loading mode is selected by a clerk while the banknotes P are set in the loading safe 3, a loading operation of the banknotes P is started. The banknotes P are picked up one by one by the pickup roller 67a of the loading safe 3 and are conveyed to the inspecting section 70 through the second, third, and fifth distribution gates 73b, 73c, and 73e. In the inspecting section 70, the denominations are judged.

The banknotes P judged by the inspecting section 70 are conveyed downward through the first distribution gate 73a and are further conveyed through the eleventh and sixth distribution gates 73k and 73f. In this case, the route of 1,000-yen banknotes is changed by the seventh distribution gate 73g, and the banknotes are collected in the collecting portion 66 of the 1,000-yen safe 58.

10,000-yen banknotes are conveyed through the seventh distribution gate 73g, and their route is changed by the eighth distribution gate 73h. The banknotes are then collected in the collecting portion 66 of the 10,000-yen safe 57. Subsequently, the 1,000- and 10,000-yen banknotes are respectively stored in the banknote scorage portions 59 and 60 under pressure.

Note that the banknotes P which are judged, by the inspecting section 70 in the loading operation, to be rejected are distributed upward by the first distribution gate 73a and are collected in the dispensedbanknote temporary collecting portion 37 through the second and third distribution gates 73b and 73c. At this time, banknotes (to be loaded) which pass through the second distribution gate 73b and the rejected banknotes overlap each other in the convey path R4 between the second and third distribution gates 73b and 73c. For this reason, if banknotes are rejected, a pickup operation of banknotes to be loaded is immediately stopped, and the pickup operation is resumed after the rejected banknotes pass through the convey path R4.Alternatively, the picked banknotes (to be loaded) and the rejected banknotes are conveyed while they overlap each other, and both the types of banknotes are collected in the dispensed-banknote temporary collecting portion 37. Subsequently, when the banknotes P in the loading safe 3 run out, the loading operation is completed.

If banknotes are rejected, they are conveyed from the dispensed-banknote temporary collecting portion 37 to the banknote storage chamber 55. Subsequently, the rejected banknotes are received one by one by the receiving roller 53 and are judged by the inspecting section 70 again. The banknotes whose denominations are discriminated are guided to the lower unit 51 through the first distribution gate 73a and are stored in the safes 57 and 58 in units of denominations.

The banknotes which are rejected again are guided upward through the first distribution gate 73a. The route of the rejected banknotes is then changed by the second distribution gate 73b, and the banknotes are stored in the loading safe 3.

In the above-described embodiment, the banknotes P are loaded only from the loading safe 3 in a loading operation. However, a loading operation can be performed by setting banknotes (to be loaded) in the banknote storage portion 62 of the depositing safe 1.

The flow of each banknote in a close inspecting operation will be described below with reference to Fig. 18.

The banknotes taken out from the 10,000-yen safe 57 or the 1,000-yen safe 58 are conveyed to the upper unit 50 and are judged by the inspecting section 70.

Subsequently, the route of the banknotes is changed by the first and second distribution gates 73a and 73b so that the banknotes are stored in the loading safe 3.

If rejected notes, e.g., banknotes which cannot be judged, are discriminated by the inspecting section 70, the rejected banknotes are conveyed downward through the first distribution gate 73a and are collected in the collecting portion 63 of the depositing safe 61 through the eleventh, sixth, ninth, and tenth distribution gates 73k, 73f, 73i, and 73j.

In the embodiment described above, the first safe 57 is used as the 10,000-yen safe; the second safe 58, the 1,000-yen safe; the third safe 61, the depositing safe; and the fourth safe 3, the loading safe. However, the first safe 57 may be used as a 1,000-yen safe or a safe for storing banknotes of a denomination other than the above-mentioned denominations. In addition, the second safe 58 may be used as a 10,000-yen safe or a safe for storing banknotes of a denomination other the above-mentioned denominations. Furthermore, especially in a case wherein the depos'ting/withdrawing apparatuses la, ... are used on holidays, if banknotes for dispensation or replenishment are stored in the banknote storage portion 62 of the third safe 61 and the loading safe 3, these safes 61 and 3 can be used as dispensing safes.

As shown in Fig. 19, the loading safe 3 is designed such that a cover 82 is arranged on one surface of a rectangular parallelepiped safe main body 81 to be pivoted on a roller shaft 83 so as to be freely opened and closed. An automatic lock 84 for controlling an opening/closing operation of the cover 82 is arranged in the middle of the bottom surface of the main body 81. A hole 86 in which a lock plate 85 is fitted is formed in a central portion of the automatic lock 84. In addition, a detector 88 is arranged on a side surface of the main body 81. The detector 88 detects extraction or insertion of a banknote from the depositing/withdrawing unit 35 of the loading safe 3 on the basis of the magnetic force of a magnet 87 of the cover 82. The lock plate 85 is arranged on a lower middle end portion of the cover 82.The lock plate 85 has a lock mechanism 89 for controlling an opening/closing operation of the cover 82. The lock mechanism 89 is designed to be fitted in the hole 86. In a lock release operation, the lock plate 85 is rotated by an external key 90 to close the cover 82. In addition, a display section 91 is provided on a side surface of the main body 81.

A control circuit of the loading safe 3 comprises a control section 92 for controlling the overall loading safe 3, as shown in Fig. 20, and the following components, as shown in Fig. 21: a data memory 93 for storing banknote counts in units of denominations in the loading safe 3, replenishment designation data, loading safe opening/closing record and time data, and the like; an interface 94 to be used when the loading safe 3 is to be connected to one of the deposing/withdrawing apparatuses la, ... or the banknote classifying unit 2; a ROM 95 for storing control programs; a banknote convey mechanism 96 for receiving and extracting banknotes; the display section 91; and the detector 88.The replenishment designation data represents the number of bank notes which should be supplied to the safes 57, 58, ... of the depositing/withdrawing apparatuses la, lb .... when the loading safes 3 are set in the apparatuses la, lb, ..., respectively. The data memory 93 is constituted by an EEPROM or a RAM backed up by a battery (not shown).

In addition, in order to clarify management, a detector (not shown) for detecting an opening/closing operation of the cover 82 of the loading safe 3 is arranged on the cover 82. In this arrangement, if the cover 82 is manually opened, cash data stored in the data memory 93 of the loading safe 3 is cleared, and no data is set until a counting/collating operation is performed in the banknote classifying unit 2.

The banknote classifying unit 2 comprises a count unit 101 and a storage unit 102 for replenishing the loading safe 3 with the banknotes P, as shown in Fig. 22. An ID card insertion slit 103 is formed in the front surface of the count unit 101. An ID card for storing an operator number and the like is inserted into the ID card insertion slit 103. The count unit 101 includes a hopper 104 below the ID card insertion slit 103. The banknotes P with which the loading safe 3 is replenished are put into the hopper 104. An inspecting section 105 is arranged in the center of the unit 2 behind the hopper 104. The inspecting section 105 serves to discriminate the denominations of banknotes P sequentially taken out from the hopper 104. A rejected banknote collecting portion 106 for collecting rejected banknotes is arranged at an upper portion of the unit 2 above the inspecting section 105.A damaged banknote collecting portion 107 for collecting damaged banknotes is arranged adjacent to the rejected banknote collecting portion 106. With this arrangement, the banknotes P determined by the inspecting section 105 to be rejected banknotes are conveyed to the rejected banknote collecting portion 106. The banknotes P determined by the inspecting section 105 to be damaged banknotes are conveyed to the damaged banknote collecting portion 107.

The banknotes determined by the inspecting section 105 to be authentic banknotes are conveyed to the loading safe 3, which is mounted in the unit 2 in advance, through the convey path R10.

The banknote classifying unit 2 comprises a main control section 110 for controlling the overall banknote classifying unit 2, as shown in Fig. 20, and the following components, as shown in Fig. 23: a data memory 111 for storing a storage state of cash loaded in the loading safe 3 and a storage state of cash in the unit 2; an interface 112 for interfacing the loading safe 3 with the unit 2; a ROM 113 for storing control programs; a banknote convey mechanism 114 for conveying the banknotes P through the convey path R10 and the like; a display section 115; the inspecting section 105; a printer 117 for printing out a storage state of the banknotes P in each of the depositing/withdrawing apparatuses la, ...; and a transmission control section 118 for controlling data transmission between the main control section 110 and the above-mentioned LAN 4.The data memory 111 is constituted by an EEPROM or a RAM backed up by a battery (not shown).

An operation of the banknote classifying unit 2 having the above-described arrangement will be described below (see Fig. 27).

Replenishment of the loading safe 3 with the banknotes P by means of the banknote classifying unit 2 will be dcscribed below. Assume that the loading safe 3 is set in the banknote classifying unit 2 and the banknotes P with which the loading safe 3 is replenished are put into the hopper 104 of the unit 2, as shown in Fig. 22. In this case, when the control section 110 sends a connection enabling signal to the control section 92 in response to a connection request signal therefrom, the control section 110 of the banknote classifying unit 2 is connected to the control section 92 in the loading safe 3 through the interfaces 122 and 94.

When "start" is designated, the banknotes P put into the hopper 104 are sequentially taken out and conveyed to the inspecting section 105. The banknotes P which are determined by the inspecting section 105 to be authentic are conveyed into the loading safe 3 thorough the convey path R10. In this case, the control section 110 of the banknote classifying unit 2 determines the number of banknotes P stored in the loading safe 3 in accordance with a determination result from the inspecting section 105, and stores the determined number data in the data memory 111. At the same time, the control section 110 outputs the data to the control section 92 in the loading safe 3 through the interfaces 112 and 94. With this operation, the control section 92 causes the data memory 9 to store the data of the denominations and number of banknotes P in the loading safe 3.

When the loading safe 3 is detached from the banknote classifying unit 2, the control section 110 outputs the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is stored in the data memory 111, to the main control section 220 of the transaction controller 9 through the transmission control section 118, the LAN 4, and the LAN interface 213. The main control section 220 stores the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is supplied from the banknote classifying unit 2, in the dispensation/reception division table 209b of the data memory section 209.

Replenishment of the depositing/withdrawing apparatus la with the banknotes P by means of the loading safe 3 will be described below (see Fig. 28).

The loading safe 3, in which a predetermined number of banknotes P are stored by the banknote classifying unit 2 in the above-described manner, is set in the depositing/withdrawing unit la, as shown in Fig. 10. In this case, when the main control section 31 sends a connection enabling signal to the control section 92 in response to a connection request signal therefrom, the main control section 31 of the depositing/withdrawing apparatus la is connected to the control section 92 in the loading safe 3 through the interfaces 44 and 94.

With this operation, the control section 92 outputs the data of the denominatioIs and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is stored in the data memory 93, to the main control section 31.

Subsequently, the main control section 31 stores the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3 in the RAM 39, and transmits the data as an inquiry to the main control section 220 of the transaction controller 9 through the transmission control section 41, the LAN 4, and the LAN interface 213. The main control section 220 compares the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is supplied from the depositing/withdrawing apparatus la, with the data of the same contents, which is stored in the dispensation/reception division table 209b of the data memory section 209. If they do not coincide with each other, a storage error of cash in the loading safe 3 is informed by the display section 201.At the same time, a signal representing the storage error is transmitted to the main control section 31 of the depositing/ withdrawing apparatus la through the LAN interface 213, the LAN 4, and the transmission control section 41. The main control section 31 performs error processing in response to the storage error signal supplied from the transaction controller 9.

In contrast to this, if the denominations and number of the banknotes stored in the loading safe 3 coincide with the contents stowed in the dispensation/ reception division table 209b, the main control section 220 updates the storage contents of the balance count table 209a of the data memory section 209, which correspond to the loading safe of the depositing/ withdrawing apparatus la, in accordance with the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is supplied from the apparatus la.

In addition, the main control section 220 transmits a signal representing normal loading of the banknotes into the loading safe 3 to the main control section 31 of the depositing/withdrawing apparatus la through the LAN interface 213, the LAN 4, and the transmission control section 41.

In response to the signal representing the normal loading of the banknotes into the loading safe 3, the main control section 31 reads out the storage count data of denominations corresponding to the denominations of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, and compares the data with proper cash balance data. If it is determined that the cash balance of a given denomination is insufficient, the main control section 31 determines loading of banknotes corresponding to the shortage and outputs a command for loading banknotes corresponding to the shortage to the control section 92.With this operation, the banknotes P stored in the loading safe 3 are loaded in the first or second safe 57 or 58, and the abovedescribed loading operation is performed. When the safe is replenished with the banknotes corresponding to the shortage by this loading operation, the main control section 31 outputs a loading end signal to the control section 92. In response to this signal, the control section 92 updates the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is stored in the data memory 93, in accordance with the contents of the loaded banknotes.

Upon completion of the loading operation, the main control section 31 transmits the data of the machine number, the cash balance in each safe, and the storage count of each denomination to the main control section 220 of the transaction controller 9 through the transmission control section 41, the LAN 4, and the LAN interface 213. The main control section 220 updates the storage contents of the balance count table 209a of the data memory section 209, which correspond to the depositing/withdrawing apparatus la, in accordance with the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in each safe, which is supplied from the depositing/withdrawing apparatus la. At the same time, the contents of cash moved from the loading safe 3 to the first or second safe 57 or 58 are stored in the dispensation/reception division table 209b.

When the loading safe 3 is detached from the depositing/withdrawing apparatus la, the main control section 31 outputs the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is stored in the RAM 39, to the main control section 220 of the transaction controller 9 through the transmission control section 41, the LAN 4, and the LAN interface 213. The main control section 220 stores the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is supplied from the depositing/ withdrawing apparatus 1, in the dispensation/reception division table 209b of the data memory section 209.If an amount represented by the number of banknotes of a given denomination stored in the depositing/withdrawing apparatus la exceeds a proper cash balance when the loading safe 3 is set in the apparatus la, close inspection processing of the excess amount is determined, and the extra banknotes P are sequentially taken out from the first or second safe 57 or 58 to be conveyed to the loading safe 3, thus performing close inspection processing. When the banknotes corresponding to the excess amount are inspected by this close inspection processing, the main control section 31 outputs a close inspection end signal to the control section 92.

With this operation, the control section 92 updates the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is stored in the data memory 93, in accordance with the contents of the close inspection processing.

Upon completion of the close inspection processing, the main control section 31 transmits the data of the machine number, the cash balance of each safe, and the storage count of each denomination to the main control section 220 through the transmission control section 41, the LAN 4, and the LAN interface 213. The main control section 220 updates the storage contents of the balance count table 209a of the data memory section 209, which correspond to the depositing/withdrawing apparatus la, in accordance with the data of the denomination and number of banknotes stored in each safe, which is supplied from the apparatus la. At the same time, the contents of cash moved from the first or second safe 57 or 58 to the loading safe 3 are stored in the dispensation/reception division table 209b.

When the loading safe 3 is detached from the depositing/withdrawing apparatus la, the main control section 31 outputs the data of the denomination and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is stored in the RAM 39, to the main control section 220 of the transaction controller 9 through the transmission control section 41, the LAN 4, and the LAN interface 213. The main control section 220 stores the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is supplied from the depositing/ withdrawing apparatus la, in the dispensation/reception table 209b of the data memory section 209.

In addition, loading operations and close inspection operations in other depositing/withdrawing apparatuses ib, ... by means of the loading safes 3 are performed in the same manner as described above.

When the loading safe 3, which has been detached from the depositing/withdrowing apparatus la, is set in the banknote classifying unit 2, and the control section 110 of the unit 2 is connected to the control section 92 in the loading safe 3, the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3 is read out from the data memory 93 by the control section 92 and is output to the control section 110 (see Fig. 29).

With this operation, the control section 110 stores the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3 in the data memory 111, and transmits the data as an inquiry to the main control section 220 of the transaction controller 9 through the transmission control section 118, the LAN 4, and the LAN interface 213. The main control section 220 compares the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is supplied from the banknote classifying unit 2, with the data of the same contents stored in the dispensation/reception division table 209b of the data memory section 209.If they do not coincide with each other, a storage error of cash in the loading safe 3 is informed by the display section 201, and a signal representing the storage error is transmitted to the control section 110 of the banknote classifying unit 2 through the LAN interface 213, the LAN 4, and the transmission control section 118. The control section 110 performs error processing in response to the storage error signal supplied from the transaction controller 9.

If the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3 coincides with the contents stored in the dispensation/reception division table 209b, the main control section 220 updates the storage contents of the balance count table 209a of the data memory section 209, which correspond to the loading safe 3 of the banknote classifying unit 2, in accordance with the data of the denominations and number of banknotes stored in the loading safe 3, which is supplied from the unit 2. In addition, the main control section 220 transmits a signal representing normal loading of banknotes in the loading safe 3 to the control section 110 of the banknote classifying unit 2 through the LAN interface 213, the LAN 4, and the transmission control section 118.

In response to the signal representing the normal loading, the control section 110 reads out storage count data of denominations corresponding to the denominations stored in the loading safe 3, and displays the read data on the display section 115.

The banknote classifying unit 2 picks up bank notes stored in the loading safe 3, determins the number thereof, and unloads the bank notes from the loading safe 3. After that, bank notes are loaded into the loading safe 3 by the unit 3.

Replenishment of the depositing/withdrawing apparatuses la, ... may be performed by using the banknotes P which are determined to be excess banknotes in other depositing/withdrawing apparatuses and loaded in the loading safes 3.

As has been described above, in a system wherein movement of cash between units is performed by using loading safes, when a loading safe is detached from a given unit, the contents of cash to be moved together with the loading safe are stored in a memory section in the loading safe, and are transmitted to a transaction controller. When the loading safe is attached to another unit, the storage contents of cash read out from the memory section of the loading safe are transmitted to the transaction controller. The transaction controller checks whether the storage contents of cash of the loading safe at the time of detachment coincide with those at the time of attachment.If they coincide with each other, the cash storage data, of a balance count table, corresponding to the unit to which the loading safe is attached, is updated in accordance with the storage state of cash in the loading safe.

With this arrangement, in a system wherein cash is moved between various types of units, accurate movement of cash can be performed without requiring a recounting operation in each unit upon movement of cash, thereby preventing errors due to manual operations and allowing accurate recognition of the cash balance in each unit.

In the above-described embodiment, the transaction controller is used as a cash management apparatus for managing the respective automatic transaction apparatuses and the like. However, such management may be performed by the banknote classifying unit or by performing data collation between the units without using a management apparatus.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 24, a balance state of each unit and loading safe (cassette) may be displayed on the display section of the cash management apparatus. With this operation, collective management of cash in a business office of banking facilities can be realized, thus properly giving instructions, e.g., an instruction for replenishing a unit with banknotes from a loading safe, which has already been set in the unit, an instruction for exchanging loading safes, and an instruction for recovering extra cash, by comparing corresponding balance data with a predetermined criterion.

Furthermore, with regard to even a loading safe which is not set in any of the units, since balance data stored in the loading safe immediately before it is detached from the unit has been transmitted to the cash management apparatus, the data can be displayed, as shown in Fig. 25, thus allowing the loading safe to be included in the range of management.

More specifically, when the person in charge of the maintenance of the cash processing system sees the data displayed on the CRT screen and recognizes that the cassettes in the ATM need to be replaced with others, he or she operates the console of the system, thereby displaying various data items on the CRT screen as is illustrated in Fig. 25. From the data items, he or she knows that the safe No. 05 can be used, that the safe No. 03 is empty and can therefore be filled with bank notes, and that the safe No. 04 can be removed from the ATM and used.

The safe No. 03 can be set within the ATM, exactly in the same way as has been described with reference to Figs. 27 and 28. To use the safe No. 01, this safe needs to be set within the ATM. The safe No. 04 can be detached from the ATM and used again, in the same way has has been described with reference to Fig. 29.

The data items displayed on the screen, as is shown in Fig. 24, can be obtained from the data items shown in Fig. 5, though they are not in one-to-one correspondence with the data items shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 26 shows the storage format of the data memory map 209. Seeing the data items shown in Fig. 25, the person in charge of the system maintenance selects the loading safe which is to be used. The data showing the particulars of the selected loading safe is stored in the data memory.

This data is used to determine whether any loading safe set within the ATM is the selected safe or not, what is the denomination of the notes contained in the loading safe set within the ATM, and how many notes are contained in the selected safe.

In the embodiment described above, the cash processing system is based on yen as a circulating currency. However, the present invention can be applied to cash processing systems based on other circulating currencies such as dollars. Such an application is apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims:

1. A cash processing system comprising: a plurality of cash dispensing devices having a first cash storage means for storing cash to be disposed in accordance with a predetermined operation; second cash storage means detachably coupled to said cash dispensing device, for storing cash to be replenished to said cash dispensing device; first memory means arranged at said second cash storage means, for storing data item representing an identification information, the information identifying said second cash storage means at which said first memory means arranged; second memory means for storing data item representing an identification information of said second cash storage means to be coupled to one of said cash dispensing device;; reading means arranged at said cash dispensing device, for reading the data item stored in said first memory means, when said second cash storage means is coupled to said cash dispensing device; comparing means for comparing the data item read by said reading means with the data item stored in said second memory means; and means for generating a signal indicating that said second cash storage means is correctly coupled to said cash dispensing device, when said comparison means determines that the data items are identical.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said system further comprises: third memory means, arranged at each of said plurality of cash dispensing device, for storing data representing the amount of the cash stored in said cash storage means.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said system further comprises: updating means for updating the data item stored in said third memory means according to the amount of cash to be replenished, when receiving the signal from said signal-generating means.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said system further comprises: fourth memory means for storing data item representing the amount of cash stored in said first cash storage means and a data item representing an appropriate amount of cash which is to be stored in said first cash storage means; a second comparing means for comparing the data item representing the amount of cash stored in said first cash storage means with the data item representing the appropriate amount of cash; cash-replenishing means connected to said second comparing means, for supplying cash from said second cash storage means to said first cash storage means when a comparison result by said comparing means indicates that the cash stored in said second cash storage means is less than the appropriate amount.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first memory means includes a memory section for storing the serial number of said second cash storage means.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said second memory means includes a memory section for storing the serial number of said second cash storage means to be connected to said cash dispensing device.

7. A system according to claim 6, further comprising third comparing means for comparing the serial number stored in the memory section of said second memory means with the serial number stored in the memory section of said third memory means.

8. A system according to claim 1, further comprising cash-loading means for loading cash into said second cash storage means.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said cash dispensing device includes a bank note-processing unit.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein each of said first, second and third memory means includes a memory section for storing data items representing the number of bank notes and a specified denomination.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein said first memory means has a memory section for storing data items representing the number of bank notes of each denomination and indicating to be replenished the cash.

12. A method of processing cash stored in a cash dispensing device, comprising the steps of: storing data item representing the amount of the cash stored in said cash dispensing device, in first memory means; storing cash to be replenished by said cashprocessing means, in cash storage means; storing data item representing the serial number of said cash storage means, in second memory means arranged at cash storage means; storing data item representing the serial number of said cash storage means in third memory means; connecting said cash storage means to said cash dispensing device; reading data item stored in said second memory means, when said cash storage means is connected to said cash dispensing device; comparing the data item read from said second memory means with the data item stored in said third memory means; and means for generating a signal indicating that the second cash storage is correctly coupled to said dispending device, when said comparing means determines that the identification data items are identical.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said method further comprises a step of: updating the data item stored in said first memory means, when the data items'stored in said second and third memory means are identical.

14. A cash processing system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 26.

15. A method of processing cash, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 27 to 29.