JP2004102341A - Medium-handling device capable of issuing medium such as multiple kinds of passbooks - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To unify the set directions of media such as passbooks to two or more hoppers in a medium handling device which can issue media, such as multiple kinds of passbooks. <P>SOLUTION: In a passbook-handling device 100, a paying-out conveyance path 132, 134 are set so as to join to a main conveyance path 130 on the downstream side of an optical reading section 122 and the upstream side of a print section 124 respectively, in directions of the upstream direction and along with the main conveyance path 130. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a media handling device capable of issuing a plurality of types of media such as passbooks used for transactions at financial institutions.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, automated teller machines (hereinafter referred to as ATMs) have been used for depositing and withdrawing money from users at financial institutions and the like. ATMs handle banknotes, passbooks, transfer papers, cards and the like and execute various transactions. Some ATMs have a function of storing unused passbooks in the device and issuing a new stored passbook when there is no more space for printing on the passbook being handled. .
[0003]
In recent years, financial institutions have prepared a plurality of types of passbooks, such as a so-called character passbook, in addition to a simple passbook. For this reason, the ATM handles a plurality of types of passbooks, and the ATM is provided with a mechanism for issuing a plurality of types of passbooks. As a technique relating to an ATM capable of issuing a plurality of types of passbooks, for example, there is a technique described in JP-A-2000-293934. In such an ATM capable of issuing a plurality of types of passbooks, a plurality of feed-out transport paths for transporting the passbook from each of a plurality of hoppers accommodating a plurality of types of passbooks to a main transport path for performing bookkeeping and the like are provided.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The passbook requires processing such as printing after it is issued. In the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-293734, a plurality of types of passbooks are fed from a plurality of hoppers provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of a printing unit provided in an ATM, respectively, in a feeding path in different transport directions. And transported to the printing section. Since the printing direction on the passbook in the printing unit is constant, the setting direction of the passbook on the hopper is different for each hopper. Therefore, an ATM administrator who sets a passbook in the hopper has to set the passbook in the hopper in accordance with the transport direction of the feeding transport path. Such a passbook storage operation that requires attention in the setting direction is complicated for the administrator. Such a problem is not limited to the issue of a passbook, but is a common problem in the issuance of a medium for transactions in a financial institution, such as a ticket or a card.
[0005]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a medium handling apparatus capable of issuing a plurality of types of media such as passbooks, and to unify the setting directions of the media such as passbooks to a plurality of hoppers. With the goal.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects]
In order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, the present invention employs the following configuration in a medium handling device capable of issuing a card-shaped or booklet-shaped transaction medium used for a transaction at a financial institution. That is, the medium handling device of the present invention includes a plurality of storage sections for storing a plurality of types of media for each type, and a main transport path common to each storage section for transporting the medium to the outside in a predetermined direction. And a plurality of feed-out transport paths for transporting the medium from the plurality of storage units to the main transport path. At least two of the plurality of feeding transport paths are provided so as to merge with the main transport path in the same direction.
[0007]
Here, the “medium” includes various media such as a passbook, a cut sheet, and a card. According to the present invention, when a medium is issued, the medium stored in the plurality of storage units can be transported in the same direction with respect to the main transport path by the at least two feed-out transport paths. Therefore, it is possible to unify the directions in which the media are set in the plurality of storage units.
[0008]
The medium handling apparatus further includes a processing unit that performs a predetermined process on the medium on the main transport path, and an outlet for removing the medium to the outside is provided at one end of the main transport path. In the case where the at least two feed-out transport paths are provided, when the take-out port side of the main transport path is the downstream side, and the opposite side of the downstream side is the upstream side, the It is preferable to be provided so as to join the transport path.
[0009]
Here, the “predetermined process” includes processes such as printing on a medium and reading and writing of magnetic data on a magnetic stripe provided in the medium. Since there is usually a space that is not effectively utilized on the upstream side and the downstream side of the processing unit, the above-described configuration allows the at least two pay-out transport paths to join either the upstream side or the downstream side of the processing unit. This makes it possible to use the space more effectively and to make the medium handling apparatus compact.
[0010]
In the medium handling device, it is preferable that the storage unit is provided in an upper stage or a lower stage of the processing unit.
[0011]
By doing so, the storage section and the processing section can be easily installed at a position where they do not interfere with each other, so that the degree of freedom in the installation position of the processing section on the main transport path can be increased. Further, since the space in which the storage unit can be installed can be widened, a large number of media can be stored in the storage unit.
[0012]
In the medium handling apparatus including the processing unit, the at least two feed-out transport paths may be provided so as to join the main transport path in a downstream direction, but the main transport path may be provided in an upstream direction. It is preferable to be provided so as to join the road.
[0013]
When the at least two feeding transport paths are provided so as to join the main transport path in the downstream direction, the distance of the main transport path from the take-out port to the processing unit tends to be long. For this reason, when the medium is transported from the storage section to the main transport section, that is, when handling a normal medium that does not issue the medium, it takes a long time to transport the medium. According to the present invention, such a problem can be avoided.
[0014]
In the medium handling apparatus of the present invention, the at least two feed-out transport paths may be provided, for example, to join the main transport path in a direction orthogonal to the main transport path, but in a direction along the main transport path. Is preferably provided so as to merge with the main transport path.
[0015]
By doing so, the medium handling apparatus can be made compact in the direction orthogonal to the main transport path.
[0016]
In the medium handling apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that each of the storage sections corresponding to the at least two pay-out transport paths is detachable from the medium handling apparatus.
[0017]
By doing so, the administrator of the medium handling device can remove the storage unit from the device and store the medium, so that the convenience of the medium handling device can be improved.
[0018]
In the above-described medium handling device, it is preferable that each of the storage sections corresponding to the at least two pay-out transport paths has compatibility.
[0019]
By doing so, a plurality of storage sections can be exchanged and used, so that the convenience of the medium handling apparatus can be further improved.
[0020]
Note that, in the medium handling device of the present invention, the storage direction of the medium in the storage unit may be horizontal with the medium lying on the bottom surface of the storage unit, It is preferable that the medium is placed vertically with the medium upright.
[0021]
This makes it easier for the administrator of the medium handling apparatus to put the medium into and out of the storage unit than when the medium is placed horizontally.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Configuration of passbook handling device:
B. Passbook handling processing:
C. Modification:
[0023]
A. Configuration of passbook handling device:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a passbook handling apparatus 100 as one embodiment. The internal structure of the passbook handling apparatus 100 viewed from the side is schematically illustrated. The passbook handling apparatus 100 is mounted on an automatic cash transaction apparatus installed in a bank or the like. As will be described later, the passbook handling apparatus 100 is provided with a printing unit, has a function of printing a transaction on the passbook being handled, and issuing a new passbook when there is no more printing space.
[0024]
The passbook handling apparatus 100 includes a main transport path 130 for transporting the passbook. In the main transport path 130, an insertion port 170 for inserting or removing a passbook is provided at an end (not shown) of an operation panel (front side) provided in front of the automatic teller machine. At the other end of the main transport path 130, two evacuation units 136a and 136b for temporarily suspending the processing of the passbook being handled are provided. Here, the right side of the figure, that is, the insertion port 170 side of the main transport path 130 is defined as the downstream side, and the left side of the figure, that is, the retreating parts 136a and 136b side of the main transport path 130 is defined as the upstream side.
[0025]
The main transport path 130 includes a plurality of transport rollers 140, and the transport rollers 140 rotate to transport a passbook. The transport roller 140 is driven by a motor (not shown). In addition, in order to avoid complexity of illustration, only one transport roller 140 is denoted by a reference numeral in the figure.
[0026]
In the transport path 130, a magnetic read / write unit 120, an optical read unit 122, and a print unit 124 are provided from the downstream side to the upstream side. Further, a page break mechanism 150 is provided upstream of the printing unit 124.
[0027]
The magnetic read / write unit 120 reads and writes information on a magnetic stripe included in the passbook. The information on the magnetic stripe includes a financial institution number, an account number, data on the type of passbook, and the like. The optical reading unit 122 reads a page mark and a printed line written on the passbook. A line to be printed by the printing unit 124 is specified based on the read result. The printing unit 124 prints data related to the transaction on a predetermined line of the passbook. Since each of these processes is performed on the passbook in a predetermined direction, the passbook needs to be transported on the main transport path 130 in a predetermined direction required for each process.
[0028]
A passbook issuing unit 160 is provided above the main transport path 130, the optical reading unit 122, and the printing unit 124. By doing so, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom regarding the installation position of the optical reading unit 122 and the printing unit 124 on the main transport path 130. Further, since the passbook issuing unit 160 and a space in which the hopper unit, which will be described later, provided in the passbook issuing unit 160 can be widened, a large number of passbooks can be accommodated in the hopper unit. In the present embodiment, the passbook issuing unit 160 is provided at the upper stage of the main transport path 130, the optical reading unit 122, and the printing unit 124. However, the passbook issuing unit 160 is provided at the lower stage of the main transport path 130 and the magnetic read / write unit 120. You may.
[0029]
The passbook handling apparatus 100 of this embodiment can issue two types of passbooks. As shown, the passbook issuing unit 160 includes a front hopper unit 162 for storing the passbook 300A on the front side, and a rear hopper unit 164 for storing the passbook 300B on the rear side. Each of the front hopper section 162 and the rear hopper section 164 has different types of passbooks 300A, 300B in the same unified direction, that is, with the sewing machine binding side facing downward and the cover side facing upstream, The hopper portions 162 and 164 are stored in a vertically installed state with respect to the bottom surface. By doing so, the administrator of the passbook handling apparatus 100 can easily put the passbooks 300A and 300B into and out of the hopper sections 162 and 164.
[0030]
Information on the types of the passbooks 300A and 300B is registered in a control unit 110, which will be described later, by the manager of the passbook handling apparatus 100 at the time of maintenance such as storage and replacement of the passbooks. A sensor for detecting the type of the passbook stored in the passbook issuing unit 160 may be provided, and the detection result may be registered.
[0031]
A feeding roller 166 is provided at the front of the front hopper 162, and the feeding roller 166 feeds the passbook 300A to a feeding transport path 132 connected to a lower portion of the front hopper 162 when a new passbook is issued. . The feeding transport path 132 is provided so as to merge with the main transport path 130 in a direction along the main transport path 130 toward the upstream direction.
[0032]
A feed roller 168 is provided at the front of the rear hopper 164. The feed roller 168 feeds the passbook 300B to a feed conveyance path 134 connected to a lower portion of the rear hopper 164 when a new passbook is issued. . The feeding transport path 134 is provided so as to join the main transport path 130 in the direction along the main transport path 130 toward the upstream direction, similarly to the feeding transport path 132. Note that the passbook 300A fed from the front hopper 162 is directly conveyed to an upstream printing position when printing a cover described later. Further, the passbook 300B fed from the rear hopper 164 is once conveyed to the upstream evacuation unit 136b at the time of printing on the cover, and then conveyed to return to the downstream printing position.
[0033]
In this embodiment, the feeding transport path 132 is provided between the magnetic read / write unit 120 and the optical reading unit 122 so as to join the main transport path 130. The feeding transport path 134 is provided so as to join the main transport path 130 on the upstream side of the page feed mechanism 150. In this embodiment, the optical reading unit 122 and the printing unit 124 correspond to the processing unit of the present invention. By arranging the front hopper unit 162 and the rear hopper unit 164 and the feed-out transport paths 132 and 134 in this manner, the space in the apparatus can be effectively used, and the passbook handling apparatus 100 can be made compact.
[0034]
In the present embodiment, since the two feed-out transport paths 132 and 134 are provided so as to merge with the main transport path 130 in the same direction, the front hopper section 162 and the rear hopper section 164 are accommodated in the same direction. The completed passbooks 300A and 300B can be transported in the same direction with respect to the main transport path 130. Further, since the feed-out transport paths 132 and 134 are provided so as to merge toward the upstream side, in the main transport path 130, the magnetic read / write unit 120, the optical read unit 122, the print unit It is possible to prevent the distance to 124 from becoming long.
[0035]
The operation of each unit of the passbook handling apparatus 100 is controlled by the control unit 110. The control unit 110 is configured as a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like inside. In addition, in order to avoid complication of illustration, illustration of connection between the control unit 110 and each part is omitted in the figure.
[0036]
B. Passbook handling processing:
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the passbook handling process. This is a process performed by the CPU of the control unit 110. When a passbook is inserted into the insertion slot 170 by the user, the control unit 110 drives the transport rollers 140 to transport the passbook to a predetermined optical reading position. Then, the optical reading unit 122 reads a page mark or a printed line written on the passbook, and specifies a line to be printed (step S110). Next, the passbook is transported to a predetermined magnetic read / write position, and the magnetic data of the magnetic stripe is read by the magnetic read / write unit 120 (step S120). Next, the passbook is conveyed to a predetermined printing position, and the data related to the transaction is printed on the passbook by the printing unit 124 (step S130). Then, it is determined whether the printing is completed (step S140). When the printing is completed, the passbook is transported to the magnetic read / write position, the magnetic read / write unit 120 writes magnetic data on the magnetic stripe provided in the passbook (step S180), and the processed passbook is returned from the insertion slot 170 (step S180). Step S190).
[0037]
In step S140, when printing of the last line of the page being printed has been completed, if all printing has not been completed, it is necessary to print on the next page. Is determined (step S150). If there is a page to be turned, the passbook is transported to a predetermined page turning position, and the page turning mechanism 150 turns the page (step S160). Then, the passbook is conveyed to the optical reading position, and the optical reading unit 122 reads a page mark or a printed line (step S170), specifies a printed line, and performs printing until there is no more data to be printed (step S170). Step S130). In step S150, if there is no page to be turned in the passbook, a new passbook issuing process described below is performed (step S200).
[0038]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the new passbook issuing process. This is a process performed by the CPU of the control unit 110, and is a process of step 200 in FIG. First, the control unit 110 determines whether a passbook of the same type as the passbook being handled is stored in the front hopper 162 or the rear hopper 164 (step S210). As described above, in the control unit 110, the manager of the passbook handling apparatus 100 has registered information on the types of passbooks stored in the respective hoppers 162 and 164. Thus, the above determination can be made. If a passbook of the same type as the passbook being handled is not stored in any hopper, a new passbook cannot be issued, and an error process is performed (step S310). This error process is a process for notifying the user that a new passbook of the same type as the passbook being handled cannot be issued, so that the process is performed at the counter. Next, the passbook is transported to the magnetic read / write position, the magnetic read / write unit 120 writes magnetic data on a magnetic stripe provided in the passbook (step S320), and the processed passbook is returned from the insertion slot 170 (step S330).
[0039]
If it is determined in step S210 that a new passbook of the same type as the passbook being handled is stored in the front hopper unit 162 or the rear hopper unit 164, the passbook being handled (old passbook) is stored in the evacuation unit 136a. It is transported and temporarily held (step S220). Next, a hopper storing the same type of passbook as the old passbook is specified, a new passbook is fed out from the hopper, and is conveyed to the main conveyance path 130 (step S230).
[0040]
Next, the new passbook is conveyed to the printing position, and the printing unit 124 performs predetermined printing such as the store number, account number, and name of the financial institution on the cover of the new passbook (step S240). Next, the new passbook is transported to the page turning position, and the page turning mechanism 150 turns the cover (step S250). Next, the new passbook is transported to the optical reading position, and the page is confirmed by the optical reading unit 122 (step S260). Next, the new passbook is transported to the page turning position, and the page turning mechanism 150 turns the page (step S270). Next, the new passbook is transported to the optical reading unit, and the optical reading unit 122 reads predetermined information (step S280) and specifies a print line, and prints the remaining prints that have not yet been printed on the old passbook. Is performed (step S290). Then, it is determined whether the printing is completed (step S300). If the printing has not been completed, the processes of steps S270 to S300 are repeated until the printing is completed.
[0041]
If the printing is completed in step S300, the new passbook is transported to the magnetic read / write position, and the magnetic read / write unit 120 writes the magnetic data on the magnetic stripe provided in the new passbook (step S340). It is returned from the insertion slot 170 (step S350). Next, the old passbook held in the save unit 136a is transported to the magnetic read / write position, and the magnetic read / write unit 120 writes magnetic data on the magnetic stripe provided in the old passbook (step S360), and inserts the processed old passbook. It is returned from the mouth 170 (step S370). With the above processing, the new passbook issuing processing and the passbook handling processing are completed.
[0042]
According to the passbook handling apparatus 100 of the present embodiment described above, since the two feed-out transport paths 132 and 134 are provided so as to join the main transport path 130 in the same direction, the front hopper section 162 In addition, different types of passbooks can be stored in the rear hopper 164 in a unified setting direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the manager of the passbook handling apparatus 100 from storing the passbook in each of the hoppers 162 and 164 in the wrong setting direction.
[0043]
C. Modification:
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various embodiments can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are possible.
[0044]
C1. Modification 1
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a passbook handling apparatus 100A as a modification. Similar to the passbook handling apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the internal structure of the passbook handling apparatus 100A viewed from the side is schematically shown. The passbook handling apparatus 100A is the same as the passbook handling apparatus 100 except that the passbook issuing section 160A is different from the passbook issuing section 160 of the passbook handling apparatus 100.
[0045]
As shown in the figure, the passbook issuing section 160A includes hopper mounting sections 161a and 161b for mounting detachable cassette hoppers 162A and 164A, respectively. The administrator of the passbook handling apparatus 100A can remove the cassette hoppers 162A and 164A from the apparatus and store the passbook. In the present embodiment, the cassette type hoppers 162A and 164A are interchangeable, and their mounting locations can be interchanged. With such a configuration, the convenience of the passbook handling apparatus 100A can be improved.
[0046]
C2. Modified example 2:
In the above-described embodiment, the feed-out transport paths 132 and 134 are provided so as to join on the downstream side and the upstream side of the processing unit (the optical reading unit 122 and the printing unit 124) in the direction along the main transport path 130. Not limited to The present invention is generally configured such that a plurality of feeding transport paths are provided so as to merge in the same direction with respect to the main transport path. For example, the respective feeding transport paths merge from a direction orthogonal to the main transport path. It may be provided as follows. Further, each feed-out transport path may be provided so as to join the main transport path at either the upstream side or the downstream side of the processing section.
[0047]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an outline of the arrangement of a main transport path 130B, feed-out transport paths 132B and 134B, a front hopper section 162B, a rear hopper section 164, and a printing section 124B as a modification. As shown in the figure, the feeding transport paths 132B and 134B, the front hopper 162B, and the rear hopper 164B are provided on the upstream side of the printing unit 124B. The feed-out transport paths 132B and 134B are provided so as to merge from a direction orthogonal to the main transport path 130B. Even with such a configuration, different types of passbooks can be stored in each hopper in a unified set direction.
[0048]
C3. Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, the passbook handling apparatus 100 can issue two types of passbooks, but may issue more types of passbooks.
[0049]
C4. Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, an example in which the medium handling apparatus of the present invention is applied to a passbook handling apparatus is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can generally handle a card-like or booklet-like transaction medium used for transactions at a financial institution. Therefore, in addition to a passbook, a handling device that handles other media such as a single form and a card. Applicable to The present invention is particularly suitable for an apparatus that handles a medium that requires processing such as printing in a predetermined direction after issuance, such as a transfer card.
[0050]
Further, the medium that can be issued by the medium handling device does not need to be a single type, and a plurality of types of media may be issued. For example, a passbook, a ticket, and a card may be issued.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the medium handling apparatus which can issue several types of media, such as a passbook, the setting direction of the media, such as a passbook, to a several hopper can be unified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a passbook handling apparatus 100 as one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a passbook handling process.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a new passbook issuing process.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a passbook handling apparatus 100A as a modified example.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an outline of the arrangement of a main transport path 130B, feed-out transport paths 132B and 134B, a front hopper section 162B, a rear hopper section 164, and a printing section 124B as a modified example.
[Explanation of symbols]
100, 100A passbook handling device 110 control unit 120 magnetic read / write unit 122 optical read units 124, 124B printing units 130, 130B main transport paths 132, 132B, 134, 134B feed-out transport paths 136a, 136b evacuation Unit 140: Conveying roller 150: Page break mechanism 160, 160A: Passbook issuing unit 161a, 161b: Hopper mounting unit 162, 162B: Front hopper unit 162A, 164A: Cassette type hopper 164, 164B: Rear hopper unit 166, 168: Feeding out Roller 170: Insertion opening 300A, 300B: Passbook

Claims (6)

A media handling device capable of issuing a card-shaped or booklet-shaped transaction medium used for transactions at a financial institution,
A plurality of storage units for storing a plurality of types of the medium for each type,
A main transport path common to each of the storage sections for transporting the medium in a predetermined direction to the outside,
A plurality of feed-out transport paths for transporting the medium from the plurality of storage units to the main transport path, respectively,
At least two of the plurality of feeding transport paths are provided so as to merge in the same direction with the main transport path,
Media handling equipment. The medium handling device according to claim 1, further comprising:
On the main transport path, a processing unit that performs a predetermined process on the medium,
At one end of the main transport path, a take-out port for taking out the medium to the outside is provided,
The at least two feed-out transport paths are configured such that, when the take-out port side of the main transport path is a downstream side and an opposite side of the downstream side is an upstream side, the main transport path is upstream and downstream of the processing unit. Provided to join the transport path,
Media handling equipment. The medium handling device according to claim 2,
The at least two feeding transport paths are provided so as to join the main transport path toward the upstream direction,
Media handling equipment. The medium handling device according to claim 1,
The at least two feed-out transport paths are provided so as to join the main transport path in a direction along the main transport path.
Media handling equipment. The medium handling device according to claim 1,
The respective storage sections corresponding to the at least two feed-out transport paths are detachable from the medium handling device.
Media handling equipment. The medium handling device according to claim 5, wherein
Each of the storage sections corresponding to the at least two feed-out transport paths has compatibility.
Media handling equipment.

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