JP2022163742A - Medium processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a medium processing device that can continuously perform processing for reading images and magnetic information from a plurality of sheet-like media set in a supply part.SOLUTION: A medium processing device 1 performs receiving operation by which a plurality of sheet-like media 2 set in a supply part 6 are conveyed along a conveyance passage 24 one by one to obtain images and magnetic information therefrom and then are stored in a holder box 8 at a receiving position A. After finishing the receiving operation, the medium processing device 1 moves the holder box 8 at the receiving position A to a separating position B and arranges a new holder box 8 at the receiving position A. This enables the medium processing device 1 to make the newly arranged holder box 8 to store a plurality of sheet-like media 2 newly set in the supply part 6, and further enables the holder box 8 at the separating position B to perform sorting motion of sorting the specific sheet-like medium 2 to the holder box 8 at a sorting position C, in parallel with the receiving operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a media processing apparatus for processing sheet media such as checks and promissory notes.

A media processing device for processing sheet media brought into a bank for settlement processing is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-200013. The medium processing apparatus of the same document conveys a sheet-like medium set in a supply unit along a U-shaped conveying path passing through an image scanner and a magnetic head to obtain a front side image and a back side image of the sheet medium, Obtaining magnetic information from magnetic ink characters printed on a sheet of media. In addition, the media processing device prints characters such as "settlement completed" on the sheet-shaped medium for which the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information have been acquired normally, and is connected to the downstream end of the transport path. Store in the first pocket. Further, the media processing device guides the sheet-like medium for which settlement is impossible because each image or magnetic information cannot be acquired normally to a branch path branching from the middle of the conveying path, and is connected to the downstream end of the branch path. stored in the second pocket.

JP 2019-91136 A

Some media processing devices transmit each image and magnetic information obtained from a sheet medium to an external device, and the external device determines whether or not payment for the sheet medium is possible. be. In this case, after transmitting each image and magnetic information of the sheet-shaped medium to the external device, the medium processing device waits for input of the determination result of the sheet-shaped medium from the external device. Then, when the judgment result indicating that the settlement is possible is input, the sheet-like medium is resumed to be conveyed and stored in the first pocket. Also, when a judgment result indicating that settlement is impossible is input, the sheet-like medium is led from the conveying path to a branch path and sorted into the second pocket. Therefore, the media processing apparatus must hold the sheet-like medium on the conveying path until the judgment result is input from the external device, and continuously feeds the plurality of sheet-like media from the supply unit. cannot accept.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to obtain images and magnetic information from a plurality of sheet-like media set in a feeding section even when the sheet-like media are sorted after waiting for a command from an external device. An object of the present invention is to provide a medium processing device capable of continuously performing reading processing.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a medium processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a supply unit in which a plurality of sheets of sheet-like media are set, a transport path for transporting the sheet-like media set in the supply unit, a conveying mechanism that conveys the sheet medium one by one along the conveying path to reach a first delivery section, an image reading section that obtains a surface image from each sheet medium passing through the conveying path, and the conveying path. a magnetic information reading section for acquiring magnetic information of magnetic ink characters printed on the sheet-shaped medium from each passing sheet-shaped medium; a check reader provided with an ejection mechanism for ejecting the medium to the first delivery section; a holder box arranged at a preset reception position and capable of accommodating a plurality of the sheet media arranged in the thickness direction; a reception position medium storage mechanism that moves a given sheet medium to the reception position and stores it in the holder box in an arrangement order according to the order of movement; a first holder box moving mechanism for moving to a separation position different from the first holder box, a second holder box arranged at a distribution position different from the reception position and the separation position, the reception position, the separation position, and the distribution a third holder box arranged in a storage space set at a position different from the position, a second holder box moving mechanism for moving the third holder box from the storage space to the reception position, and the sheet medium and a second transfer section capable of holding the second sheet-shaped medium positioned at the head of the plurality of sheet-shaped media arranged in the holder box arranged at the separation position in the arrangement order. a separation position medium take-out mechanism for moving the sheet media to a delivery section; and a separation position medium storage for moving the sheet-shaped media in the second delivery section to the separation position and storing them in the holder box in an arrangement order according to the order of movement. a distribution position medium storage mechanism that moves the sheet medium in the second delivery section to the distribution position and stores the sheet medium in the second holder box; the image reading section; the magnetic information reading section; a reception control unit that drives and controls the transport mechanism, the reception position medium storage mechanism, the first holder box moving mechanism, and the second holder box movement mechanism; the separation position medium ejection mechanism; and the separation position medium storage mechanism , and a distribution control unit that drives and controls the distribution position medium storage mechanism , wherein when a plurality of sheet-like media are set in the supply unit, the reception control unit conveys each of the plurality of sheet-like media and extracts the surface image and the surface image from each sheet-like medium. Acquisition of the magnetic information is carried out to reach the delivery unit, and every time each sheet medium arrives at the delivery unit, a receiving operation is performed to store the sheet medium in the holder box, and when the receiving operation is completed, the receiving operation is performed. moving the holder box to the separation position and placing the third holder box at the reception position; When a sorting command is input from the external device to sort the sheet-like medium stored n-th from the top in the arrangement order of the sheet-like medium in the second holder box to the second holder box, the After moving the sheet-shaped medium from the holder box at the separation position to the second delivery section, the medium feeding operation is performed n−1 times to store the sheet-shaped medium from the second delivery section into the holder box; Next, the sheet-like medium is moved from the holder box to the second delivery section, and then the sheet-like medium in the second delivery section is moved to the sorting position and transferred to the second holder box. It is characterized by performing a sorting operation to accommodate.

According to the present invention, each of the plurality of sheet-like media set in the supply section is conveyed along the conveying path of the check reader, the surface image and the magnetic information are read, and the sheet-shaped medium is placed in the holder box at the reception position. be transported. Further, when all of the plurality of sheet-like media set in the supply section are accommodated in the holder box located at the reception position, the holder box is moved from the reception position to the separation position. Then, a new third holder box is placed in the empty reception position. Therefore, in the medium processing device, after continuously reading the surface images and magnetic information from all of the plurality of sheet-like media initially set in the supply section and storing them in the holder box, the sheets are newly set in the supply section. A plurality of sheets of sheet-like media can also be accommodated in the third holder box by continuously reading the surface images and magnetic information of the sheet-like media.

Here, when it is necessary to sort a specific sheet-like medium out of a plurality of sheet-like media accommodated in the holder box, a sorting command is input from an external device to the medium processing apparatus. The sorting command includes information that designates where a specific sheet medium is positioned in the holder box in the arrangement direction. Therefore, when a distribution command for distributing the n-th sheet medium is input from an external device, the medium processing apparatus transfers the sheet medium between the holder box moved from the reception position to the separation position and the second transfer section. The medium feeding operation for moving the medium back and forth is repeated n-1 times, then the sheet-like medium positioned at the head of the arrangement order in the holder box is moved to the second delivery section, and then the sheet in the second delivery section A sorting operation is performed to store the shaped medium in the second holder box located at the sorting position. As a result, the medium processing device uses the separation position, the distribution position, and the second transfer section to distribute the sheet media to be distributed to the second holder box located at the distribution position. In other words, the medium processing apparatus distributes the sheet media to be distributed without using the transport path of the check reader, the first transfer section, and the receiving position. Therefore, in the media processing device, the receiving process of conveying all the sheet-like media set in the feeding section along the conveying path to acquire the surface image and the magnetic information and the sorting process of distributing the sheet-like media are carried out in parallel. can be done by Therefore, even when the media processing device distributes the sheet-like media after waiting for a command from an external device, the processing of reading the surface images and magnetic information from the plurality of sheet-like media set in the supply unit can be continuously performed. It can be carried out.

In the present invention, a second magnetic information reading section is provided that can contact the sheet medium placed in the second delivery section, and the distribution control section operates the second magnetic information reading section in the distribution operation. The magnetic information can be acquired from the sheet-like medium moving from the second delivery section to the sorting position. In this way, the magnetic information of the sheet-like media distributed to the second holder box can be obtained. Therefore, based on the magnetic information, it is possible to identify the sheet-like medium accommodated in the second holder box.

In the present invention, a third holder box moving mechanism for moving the holder box arranged at the separation position to the storage space, and a holder box movement control section for driving and controlling the third holder box moving mechanism. Then, the holder box movement control unit transmits sorting end information to the external device to the effect that input of the sorting command for all the sheet-like media in the holder box arranged at the separation position is completed. , the holder box arranged at the separation position can be moved to the storage space after the sorting operation corresponding to the sorting command immediately before the sorting end information is completed. In this way, since the separation position can be vacated, after a plurality of sheet-like media newly set in the supply section are housed in the third holder box located at the reception position, the third holder box The holder box can be moved from the receiving position to the separating position.

In the present invention, a fourth holder box moving mechanism for moving the second holder box from the sorting position to the receiving position, and a fifth holder box for moving the third holder box from the receiving position to the storage space. a moving mechanism; and a receiving position medium take-out mechanism that moves the sheet media sheet by sheet from the second holder box arranged at the receiving position to the first delivery section until the second holder box is empty. , and an ejection control unit that drives and controls the fourth holder box moving mechanism, the fifth holder box moving mechanism, the reception position medium ejection mechanism, and the ejection mechanism, wherein the ejection control unit moves to the separation position. When receiving from the external device the sorting end information to the effect that the input of the sorting command for all the sheet-like media in the holder boxes placed in the When the receiving operation is not performed when the sorting operation corresponding to the command is finished, the third holder box at the receiving position is moved to the storage space, and then the second holder box is moved. to the receiving position, and then move the sheet-like medium in the second holder box to the first delivery section, and arrange the sheet-like medium in the first delivery section. A discharge operation for discharging the sheet medium to the supply unit may be performed each time the sheet medium is fed. With this configuration, the plurality of sheet-like media distributed to the second holder box arranged at the distribution position can be continuously discharged to the supply section.

In the present invention, the transport path extends linearly between the supply section and the first delivery section, and the supply section side is the first direction in the extending direction of the transport path. , the receiving position is set in the second direction of the first delivery section and at a position overlapping the first delivery section when viewed from the extension direction, and The second transfer section is provided next to the check leader in a vertical direction and an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the extending direction, and the separation position is in the second direction of the second transfer section from the extending direction. The receiving position, the separating position, the sorting position, and the storage space may overlap when viewed from the orthogonal direction. With this configuration, the sheet medium set in the supply section is linearly conveyed to reach the reception position. Also, the sheet medium is linearly conveyed between the separation position and the second delivery section. Therefore, it is easier to prevent or suppress the occurrence of jamming in the sheet medium than in the case where the path along which the sheet medium moves is curved. Also, the reception position, the separation position, the distribution position, and the storage space are arranged in the orthogonal direction. Therefore, it becomes easy to provide a mechanism for moving the holder box between them.

In the present invention, there is provided a holder box moving mechanism for moving the holder boxes among the receiving position, the separating position, the sorting position, and the storage space, and the holder box moving mechanism moves the first holder box. The mechanism may also serve as the second holder box moving mechanism. By doing so, it becomes easier to reduce the number of parts compared to the case where the first holder box moving mechanism and the second holder box moving mechanism are provided separately.

In the present invention, the sheet-like medium is set in the supply section in an upright state, is transported in the upright state along the transport path, and is conveyed in the upright state through the holder box and the second storage medium. and the third holder box.

According to the present invention, even when sheet media are sorted after receiving a command from an external device, the process of reading surface images and magnetic information from a plurality of sheet media set in the supply unit is continuously performed. be able to.

1 is a perspective view of a main part of a media processing device as viewed from the front side; FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main part of the media processing device as viewed from the rear side; It is a top view at the time of seeing the principal part of a media processing apparatus from upper direction. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a check reader; FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a holder box; 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the media processing device; FIG. 4 is a flow chart of operations for receiving a sheet medium. 4 is a flow chart of an operation for ejecting a specific sheet medium; An explanatory diagram of the operation of sorting sheet media

(overall structure)
A media processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the main part of the media processing device as seen from the front side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main part of the media processing device as seen from the rear side. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the main part of the media processing device as viewed from above. 1 to 3, the housing of the media processing device is omitted except for the front panel. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the main part of the check reader.

A media processing device 1 processes sheet media 2 such as checks and promissory notes brought into a bank for payment processing. On the surface of the sheet-like medium 2, the reference number of the sheet-like medium 2, the date of settlement, the information of the drawer, the information of the financial institution, etc. are written. Also, on the surface of the sheet-like medium 2, the amount of money and the like are written in magnetic ink characters. An endorsement may be written on the back surface of the sheet medium 2 . The media processing device 1 is communicably connected to a high-level device 3 (external device) for performing settlement using the brought-in sheet-like medium 2 .

The media processing apparatus 1 conveys a plurality of sheet-like media 2 set in a supply section 6 protruding forward from a front panel 5 one by one, and processes a front side image, a back side image, and a magnetic field from each sheet-like medium 2 . Get the magnetic information of ink characters. The medium processing device 1 also transmits the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information obtained from each sheet medium 2 to the host device 3 . On the host device 3 side, based on the received images and magnetic information, it is determined whether or not payment can be made using each sheet medium 2 .

When the judgment is made on the host device 3 side, the host device 3 transmits the judgment result to the media processing device 1 . Here, when the determination result is input from the host device 3 , the medium processing device 1 stores the sheet medium 2 determined to be able to be settled in the media processing device 1 . Also, the sheet-like medium 2 for which settlement is judged to be impossible is returned to the supply section 6 .

In the following description, directions orthogonal to each other are defined as the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. Further, the X direction is defined as the front-rear direction of the media processing apparatus 1, the direction in which the supply unit 6 protrudes from the front panel 5 is defined as the X1 direction, and the opposite side thereof is defined as the X2 direction. Further, the Y direction is the width direction (perpendicular direction) of the media processing device 1, one of the width directions is the Y1 direction, and the other is the Y2 direction. The Z direction is defined as the vertical direction of the media processing device 1, the downward direction is defined as the Z1 direction, and the upward direction is defined as the Z2 direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the media processing device 1 includes a check reader 7 having a supply unit 6, and a holder box 8 arranged at a reception position A set in the X2 direction of the check reader 7. As shown in FIG. Next to the check reader 7 in the media processing device 1 in the Y1 direction, a medium delivery section 9 (second delivery section) is provided. A magnetic information reading section 10 (second magnetic information reading section) and a printing section 11 are installed in the medium delivery section 9 . The magnetic information reading section 10 has a magnetic head. The printing unit 11 has a printer. A separation position B where the holder box 8 can be arranged is set in the X2 direction of the medium delivery section 9 . The medium delivery portion 9 and the separation position B overlap when viewed in the X-axis direction. A distribution position C is set next to the separation position B in the Y1 direction. A holder box 8 (second holder box) is arranged at the sorting position C. As shown in FIG. A storage space D is provided in the Y1 direction of the sorting position C. As shown in FIG. A plurality of holder boxes 8 (third holder boxes) are arranged in the storage space D. As shown in FIG. When viewed from the Y direction, reception position A, separation position B, distribution position C, and storage space D overlap.

Further, the medium processing apparatus 1 moves the sheet-like medium 2 from the check reader 7 to the reception position A between the check reader 7 and the reception position A, and stores it in the holder box 8 at the reception position A. A medium storage mechanism 13 and a reception position medium take-out mechanism 14 for returning one sheet of the sheet-like medium 2 in the holder box 8 at the reception position A to the check reader 7 are provided. Further, the media processing apparatus 1 has a separation position medium take-out mechanism that moves the sheet medium 2 in the holder box 8 placed at the separation position B to the medium delivery section 9 between the medium delivery section 9 and the separation position B. 15, and a separation position medium accommodation mechanism 16 that moves the sheet medium 2 in the medium delivery section 9 to the separation position B and accommodates it in the holder box 8 at the separation position B. FIG. Further, the media processing apparatus 1 includes a distribution position medium storage mechanism 17 between the medium delivery section 9 and the distribution position C that stores the sheet-like medium 2 in the medium delivery section 9 in the holder box 8 at the distribution position C. Prepare.

In addition, the media processing device 1 is provided with a storage shelf E in the Y2 direction of the reception position A, the separation position B, the sorting position C, and the storage space D. As shown in FIG. The storage shelf E can store more holder boxes 8 than the storage space D. The holder box 8 stored in the storage shelf E can be taken out in the X2 direction. Further, the media processing device 1 has a holder box moving mechanism 20 (a first holder box moving mechanism, a second holder a box moving mechanism, a third holder box moving mechanism, a fourth holder box moving mechanism, and a fifth holder box moving mechanism). The holder box moving mechanism 20 moves the holder box 8 among the reception position A, the separation position B, the sorting position C, the storage space D, and the storage shelf E.

As shown in FIG. 4, the check reader 7 has a check reader main body 22 positioned in the X2 direction of the front panel 5. As shown in FIG. The supply portion 6 protrudes from the check reader main body 22 in the X1 direction. The sheet medium 2 is set in the supply section 6 in an upright state. The supply unit 6 is provided with a sensor 23 for detecting that the sheet medium 2 has been set. The sensor 23 is, for example, a mechanical device whose switch is operated when the sheet medium is inserted into the supply unit 6 .

The check reader main body 22 has a transport path 24 for transporting the sheet-like medium 2 set in the supply section 6 . A transfer section 25 (first transfer section) is connected to the rear end of the transport path 24 . The transport path 24 extends linearly between the supply section 6 and the transfer section 25 . The transfer section 25 extends linearly from the rear end of the transport path 24 . The X direction is the extension direction of the transport path 24 . The check reader main body 22 also includes a transport mechanism 27 that transports the sheet medium 2 one by one along the transport path 24 to reach the delivery section 25 . The conveying mechanism 27 includes a first drive source 27 a such as a motor, and a plurality of conveying rollers 27 b that can contact the sheet medium 2 . The sheet medium 2 is transported along the transport path 24 in an upright state.

The check reader main body 22 also includes an image reading section 29 for acquiring a front side image and a back side image from each sheet-like medium 2 passing through the conveying path 24, 2, a magnetic information reading unit 30 for obtaining magnetic information of the magnetic ink characters printed on the magnetic ink characters. The image reading section 29 includes a pair of image scanners facing each other with the reading section facing the transport path 24 side. The magnetic information reading section 30 has a magnetic head. Further, the check reader main body 22 is provided with a discharge mechanism 31 for discharging the sheet-like medium 2 in the delivery section 25 to the supply section 6 via the transport path 24 . In this example, the transport mechanism 27 also serves as the discharge mechanism 31 . That is, when the first driving source 27a is driven in the forward direction and the conveying roller 27b rotates in the forward direction, the sheet medium 2 in the supply section 6 is conveyed in the X2 direction along the conveying path 24 and transferred to the delivery section 25. reach. When the first driving source 27a is driven in the opposite direction to rotate the conveying roller 27b in the reverse direction, the conveying mechanism 27 functions as a discharging mechanism 31 to move the sheet medium 2 in the delivery section 25 along the conveying path 24 to X1. direction and discharged to the supply unit 6 .

The reception position A is set in the X2 direction of the transfer section 25 . When viewed from the X-axis direction, the delivery section 25 and the reception position A overlap. The reception position A is located on an extension line of the transport path 24 . At the reception position A, a holder box 8 is arranged.

The reception position medium storage mechanism 13 includes a second drive source 13 a such as a motor, and a plurality of transport rollers 13 b for transporting the sheet medium 2 in the transfer section 25 . The reception position medium storage mechanism 13 drives the plurality of conveying rollers 13b by driving the second drive source 13a, conveys the sheet medium 2 in the delivery section 25 in the X2 direction, and stores it in the holder box at the reception position A. Send to 8.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the holder box 8. As shown in FIG. The holder box 8 includes an elongated rectangular bottom plate 8a extending in the front-rear direction X with a constant width, a rectangular first side plate 8b extending upward from the Y1-direction edge of the bottom plate 8a, and the Y2-direction edge of the bottom plate 8a. and a rectangular second side plate 8c extending upward from the . The first side plate 8b and the second side plate 8c face each other in the Y direction. The holder box 8 also includes a third side plate 8d that connects the X2-direction edge of the vertically extending first side plate 8b and the X2-direction edge of the vertically extending second side plate 8c. The first side plate 8b has a notch portion 8e extending in the X2 direction at the edge in the X1 direction. The sheet medium 2 is inserted into the holder box 8 from the X1 direction in an upright state, and stored in the holder box 8 in an upright state. In the holder box 8, a plurality of sheet-like media 2 are arranged in the thickness direction.

When the holder box 8 already contains a plurality of sheets of the sheet-like medium 2, the sheet-like medium 2 fed into the holder box 8 by the receiving position medium containing mechanism 13 is a plurality of sheets in the holder box 8. is inserted at the end of the sheet-like medium 2 in the arrangement direction. In this example, the sheet medium 2 newly fed into the holder box 8 is inserted in the Y2 direction of the sheet medium 2 already accommodated in the holder box 8 . As a result, the reception position medium accommodation mechanism 13 accommodates the sheet-like media 2 moving from the transfer section 25 to the reception position A in the holder box 8 in the order of arrangement according to the order of movement. Specifically, the plurality of sheet media 2 stored in the holder box 8 are arranged in the order in which they were inserted into the holder box 8 from the Y1 direction side toward the Y2 direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the receiving position medium take-out mechanism 14 uses a feeding roller 14a for feeding one sheet of the sheet medium 2 from the holder box 8 arranged at the receiving position A in the X1 direction, and the feeding roller 14a. It includes a plurality of transport rollers 13b for transporting the sheet medium 2 delivered from the holder box 8 in the X1 direction, and a second drive source 13a for driving the delivery roller 14a and the plurality of transport rollers 13b. The receiving position medium containing mechanism 13 and the receiving position medium removing mechanism 14 share the plurality of conveying rollers 13b and the second drive source 13a. When the second drive source 13a is driven in the forward direction, the plurality of conveying rollers 13b are rotated forward, and the sheet medium 2 moves from the delivery section 25 to the reception position A side. When the second drive source 9a is driven in the reverse direction, the delivery roller 14a and the plurality of transport rollers 9b rotate in the reverse direction, and the sheet medium 2 inside the holder box 8 at the receiving position A moves to the transfer section 25. do.

5, the delivery roller 14a protrudes inside the holder box 8 from the Y1 direction through a notch 8e formed in the holder box 8. As shown in FIG. As a result, the delivery roller 14a comes into contact with the sheet medium 2 located closest to the Y1 direction in the holder box 8 at the receiving position. Therefore, the reception position medium take-out mechanism 14 moves the sheet medium 2 positioned at the head of the arrangement order among the plurality of sheet mediums 2 arranged in the holder box 8 to the delivery section 25 . In other words, the reception position medium take-out mechanism 14 moves the sheet-like medium 2 positioned closest to the Y1 direction among the sheet-like media 2 accommodated in the holder box 8 to the transfer section 25 .

Next, the separation position medium take-out mechanism 15 includes a third driving source 15a such as a motor, a delivery roller 15b for delivering one sheet of the sheet medium 2 from the holder box 8 arranged at the separation position B in the X1 direction, and a delivery A plurality of conveying rollers 15c for conveying in the X1 direction the sheet-like medium 2 fed out in the X1 direction from the holder box 8 by the rollers 15b. As shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 5, the delivery roller 15b, like the delivery roller 14a of the receiving position medium take-out mechanism 14, passes through a notch 8e formed in the holder box 8 arranged at the separation position B. It protrudes inside the holder box 8 from the Y1 direction. As a result, the delivery roller 15b comes into contact with the sheet-like medium 2 located closest to the Y1 direction in the holder box 8. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the separation position medium take-out mechanism 15 moves the sheet medium 2 positioned at the head of the arrangement order among the plurality of sheet mediums 2 arranged in the holder box 8 to the medium delivery section 9 . In other words, the separation position medium take-out mechanism 15 moves the sheet medium 2 positioned closest to the Y1 direction among the sheet mediums 2 accommodated in the holder box 8 to the medium delivery section 9 .

The separation position medium storage mechanism 16 includes a third drive source 15a such as a motor, and a plurality of transport rollers 15c for transporting the sheet medium 2 in the medium delivery section 9 to the separation position B. FIG. The separation position medium storage mechanism 16 and the separation position medium extraction mechanism 15 share the plurality of conveying rollers 15c and the third drive source 15a. When the third drive source 15a is driven in the forward direction, the plurality of transport rollers 15c rotate forward, and the sheet medium 2 is transported from the medium delivery section 9 in the X2 direction to the holder box at the separation position B. sent to 8. When the third drive source 15a is driven in the reverse direction, the feeding roller 15b rotates and the plurality of conveying rollers 15c rotate in the reverse direction. As a result, of the sheet media 2 in the holder box 8 at the separation position B, the sheet media 2 located closest to the Y1 direction moves to the medium delivery section 9 .

Here, the sheet-like medium 2 sent from the medium delivery section 9 to the holder box 8 at the separation position B by the separation-position medium accommodating mechanism 16 will , is inserted at the end of the plurality of sheet-like media 2 in the arrangement direction in the holder box 8 . In this example, the sheet medium 2 newly fed into the holder box 8 is inserted in the Y2 direction of the sheet medium 2 already accommodated in the holder box 8 . As a result, the separation position medium accommodation mechanism 16 accommodates the sheet media 2 moving from the medium delivery unit 9 to the separation position B in the holder box 8 in the order of movement. Specifically, the plurality of sheet media 2 stored in the holder box 8 are arranged in the order in which they were inserted into the holder box 8 from the Y1 direction side toward the Y2 direction.

Therefore, after the sheet-like medium 2 is moved from the holder box 8 at the separating position B to the medium delivery section 9 by the separating-position medium take-out mechanism 15 (arrow F in FIG. 3), the sheet-like medium 2 is removed as the medium. When it is moved from the transfer section 9 to the holder box 8 at the separation position B (arrow G in FIG. 3), the sheet-like medium positioned at the head of the arrangement direction in the holder box 8 at the separation position B is displaced. Move to the tail of the direction. That is, the sheet medium 2 moves from the end in the Y1 direction of the bundle of sheet media 2 arranged in the holder box 8 to the end in the Y2 direction.

The distribution position medium storage mechanism 17 includes a fourth drive source 17a such as a motor, and a plurality of transport rollers 17b for transporting the sheet medium 2 in the medium delivery section 9 to the distribution position C. The distribution position medium storage mechanism 17 drives the plurality of transport rollers 17b by driving the fourth drive source 17a, and moves the sheet medium 2 in the medium delivery section 9 along the transport path curved in the X2 direction toward the Y1 direction. transport along. As a result, the sheet medium 2 in the medium delivery section 9 is sent to the holder box 8 arranged at the sorting position C. As shown in FIG. Here, when the holder box 8 already contains a plurality of sheet-like media 2, the sheet-like media 2 fed into the holder box 8 by the distribution position medium containing mechanism 17 are divided into a plurality of sheets in the holder box 8. is inserted at the end of the sheet-like medium 2 in the arrangement direction.

Next, in the storage space D, a plurality of holder boxes for storing the sheet-like medium 2 for which the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information of the sheet-like medium 2 have been read are sorted for each payment month. 8 is placed. Also, in the storage space D, an empty holder box 8 is arranged. The storage shelf E stores holder boxes 8 containing sheet media 2 sorted by month of payment.

The holder box moving mechanism 20 includes a holder box holding section 34 and a holding section moving mechanism 35 . The holding portion moving mechanism 35 includes a guide portion 36 that guides the holder box holding portion 34 in the Y direction and the Z direction, and a fifth drive source 35a such as a motor. The holder moving mechanism 35 is driven by the fifth drive source 35a to move the holder box holder 34 in the Y and Z directions and stop it at an arbitrary position. Also, the holder box moving mechanism 20 stops the holder box holding unit 34 in the X2 direction at the reception position A, in the X2 direction at the separation position B, in the X2 direction at the sorting position C, or in the X2 direction at an arbitrary position in the storage space D. In some cases, a holder box receiving mechanism 37 is provided that pulls out the holder box positioned in the X1 direction of the holder box holding portion 34 in the X2 direction and holds it in the holder box holding portion 34 . The holder box receiving mechanism 37 receives the holder box 8 in the holder box holding portion 24 by engaging the holder box 8 with a hook that advances and retreats in the X direction, for example. Further, the holder box moving mechanism 20 pushes out the holder box 8 held by the holder box holding portion 34 in one of the X1 direction and the X2 direction, and moves the reception position A, separation position B, distribution position C, storage space D, Alternatively, a holder box transfer mechanism 38 for moving to the storage shelf E is provided. As a result, the holder box moving mechanism 20 moves the holder box 8 among the reception position A, the separation position B, the distribution position C, the storage space D, and the storage shelf E.

(control system)
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the control system of the media processing device 1. As shown in FIG. A control system of the media processing device 1 is configured around a control unit 40 having a CPU. The control unit 40 is communicably connected to the host device 3 . A sensor 23 is connected to the input side of the controller 40 . Also, the magnetic information reading section 10 , the printing section 11 , the image reading section 29 , and the magnetic information reading section 30 are connected to the control section 40 . Further, on the output side of the control unit 40, the transport mechanism 27 and ejection mechanism 31 of the check reader 7, the reception position medium storage mechanism 13, the reception position medium removal mechanism 14, the separation position medium removal mechanism 15, and the separation position medium storage mechanism 16 are provided. , the distribution position medium containing mechanism 17 and the holder box moving mechanism 20 are connected. More specifically, the magnetic head of the magnetic information reading section 10 , the printer of the printing section 11 , the image scanner of the image reading section 29 , and the magnetic head of the magnetic information reading section 30 are connected to the control section 40 . The first drive source 27a, the second drive source 13a, the third drive source 15a, the fourth drive source 17a, and the fifth drive source 35a are connected to the output side of the controller 40 . Note that the control unit 40 of the media processing device 1 may be provided on the host device 3 side as part of the control unit 40 of the host device 3 .

The control unit 40 includes a reception control unit 41 that drives and controls the image reading unit 29 , the magnetic information reading unit 30 , the transport mechanism 27 and the reception position medium accommodation mechanism 13 . It also has a distribution control unit 42 that drives and controls the separation position medium ejection mechanism 15 , the separation position medium storage mechanism 16 , the distribution position medium storage mechanism 17 , and the magnetic information reading unit 30 . Further, the control section 40 includes a holder box movement control section 43 that drives and controls the holder box movement mechanism 20 . The control unit 40 also includes an ejection control unit 44 that drives and controls the holder box moving mechanism 20 , the reception position medium ejection mechanism 14 , and the ejection mechanism 31 . Further, the control unit 40 includes a sorting control unit 45 that drives and controls the separation position medium extraction mechanism 15 , separation position medium storage mechanism 16 , sorting position medium storage mechanism 17 , and holder box moving mechanism 20 .

When the sensor 23 detects that a plurality of sheet media 2 have been set in the supply unit 6, the reception control unit 41 drives the transport mechanism 27 and the reception position medium storage mechanism 13 to supply the plurality of sheets. Each sheet-shaped medium 2 is transported along the transport path 24 to reach the delivery section 25, and each time the sheet-shaped medium 2 reaches the delivery section 25, the sheet-shaped medium 2 is placed in the holder box at the reception position A. 8 performs the acceptance operation. In addition, the reception control unit 41 drives and controls the image reading unit 29 and the magnetic information reading unit 30 in parallel with the driving control of the conveying mechanism 27 to read the front side image and the back side image from the sheet medium 2 conveyed on the conveying path 24 . , and read magnetic information. As a result, the reception control unit 41 reads the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information from each of the plurality of sheets of the sheet medium 2 set in the supply unit 6, and the sheet medium 2 is conveyed along the conveying path. All the sheet media 2 are accommodated in the holder box 8 in an arrangement order that matches the order in which they passed through 24 .

Further, when the reception operation is completed, the reception control unit 41 drives and controls the holder box moving mechanism 20 to move the holder box 8 from the reception position A to the separation position B. FIG.

When a distribution command is input from the host device 3 , the distribution control unit 42 distributes the sheet media 2 to be distributed from the holder box 8 at the separation position B to the holder box 8 at the distribution position C. The sheet-like medium 2 to be sorted is the sheet-like medium 2 for which the front side image, the back side image, or the magnetic information cannot be normally acquired, and the settlement is impossible. Also, the sheet-like medium 2 to be discharged is the sheet-like medium 2 for which settlement is not possible due to incomplete descriptions that can be determined from the front side image and the back side image.

Here, when the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information are transmitted from the medium processing device 1, the host device 3 receives a processing number according to the order in which the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information were acquired, A front side image, a back side image, and magnetic information are stored in a form associated with each other. Therefore, the host device 3 knows where the sheet medium 2 with the specific processing number is positioned from the top in the holder box 8 . Further, the host device 3 takes out the sheet-like medium 2 from the holder box 8 at the reception position A, stores the sheet-like medium 2 in the holder box 8 at the reception position A, and removes the sheet-like medium 2 from the holder box 8 at the separation position B. , storing the sheet-like medium 2 in the holder box 8 at the separating position B, storing the sheet-like medium 2 in the holder box 8 at the sorting position C, and holding the holder box 8 at the receiving position A Ejection of the sheet-like media 2 from , movement of the holder box 8 among the reception position A, the separation position B, the distribution position C, the storage space D, and the storage shelf E are monitored, and these operations occur. Each time, the position of each holder box 8 and the arrangement order of each plurality of sheet media 2 in each holder box 8 are updated. Therefore, the host device 3 knows in which holder box 8 among the receiving position A, the storage space D, and the storage shelf E the sheet-like medium 2 with a specific processing number is stored. In addition, the position of the sheet-like medium 2 with a specific processing number within the holder box 8 is grasped. Therefore, in the sorting command from the host device 3, the position information of the holder box 8 containing the sheet-shaped media 2 to be sorted and the order of arrangement of the sheet-shaped media 2 to be sorted in the holder box 8 are included. It contains information indicating that it is stored in the n-th position from the top.

The distribution control unit 42 distributes the sheet medium 2 stored n-th from the top in the arrangement order of the sheet medium 2 in the holder box 8 arranged at the separation position B to the holder box 8 at the distribution position C. When a sorting command to the effect of sorting is input from the host device 3, the sheet-shaped medium 2 is moved from the holder box 8 located at the separation position B to the medium delivery section 9, and then the sheet-shaped medium 2 is moved to the medium delivery section 9. Then, the operation of feeding the medium to be accommodated in the holder box 8 is performed n-1 times. Further, when the media feeding operation is completed n−1 times, the distribution control unit 42 moves the sheet medium 2 from the holder box 8 located at the separation position B to the medium delivery unit 9, and then moves the sheet medium 2 to the medium delivery unit 9. A sorting operation of moving a certain sheet medium 2 to a sorting position C and storing it in the holder box 8 is performed.

Here, when a medium feeding operation is performed to move the sheet-like medium 2 as indicated by arrows F and G in FIG. ) moves to the end of the arrangement order (the end in the Y2 direction). Therefore, when the medium feeding operation is performed n-1 times, the sheet medium 2, which was positioned nth in the order of arrangement when the sorting command was input, is positioned at the head (end in the Y1 direction) of the order of arrangement. . Therefore, when the sorting operation is performed next, the sheet medium 2 to be sorted is stored in the holder box 8 at the sorting position C from the holder box 8 via the medium delivery section 9 .

Also, the distribution control section 42 drives the magnetic information reading section 10 in the distribution operation. Here, the magnetic information reading section 10 can come into contact with the sheet-like medium 2 in the medium delivery section 9 . Accordingly, the distribution control section 42 acquires the magnetic information from the sheet medium 2 moving from the medium delivery section 9 to the distribution position C. FIG. Furthermore, the distribution control unit 42 transmits the acquired magnetic information to the host device 3 . Here, when performing the medium feeding operation, the distribution control unit 42 drives the printing unit 11 to endorse the sheet-like medium 2 moving from the medium delivery unit 9 to the holder box 8 arranged at the separation position B. may be printed.

When the holder box movement control unit 43 receives from the host device 3 distribution end information indicating that the input of the distribution command for all the sheet-like media 2 in the holder box 8 placed at the separation position B is completed, The holder box 8 at the separating position B is moved to the storage space D after the sorting operation corresponding to the sorting command immediately before the sorting end information is completed. That is, when all the sheet media 2 in the holder box 8 placed at the separation position B are sorted, the holder box movement control unit 43 retracts the holder box 8 to the storage space D and opens the separation position B. do.

Further, when a holder box movement command including a movement source position and a movement destination position is input from the host device 3, the holder box movement control unit 43 moves the holder box 8 to the reception position A, the separation position B, and the distribution position C. , storage space D, and storage shelf E.

When the discharge control unit 44 receives from the host device 3 distribution end information indicating that the input of the distribution command for all the sheet-like media 2 in the holder box 8 arranged at the separation position B is completed, the distribution ends. If the reception operation is not performed when the distribution operation corresponding to the distribution command immediately before the information is completed, the holder box 8 at the reception position A is evacuated to the storage space D and then placed at the distribution position C. A replacement operation for moving the holder box 8 to the receiving position A is performed. When the replacement operation is completed, the ejection control unit 44 drives the reception position medium ejection mechanism 14 and the ejection mechanism 31 to transfer the sheet media 2 one by one from the holder box that has been moved to the reception position A. 25, and ejecting operation for ejecting the sheet-like medium 2 to the supply unit 6 every time the sheet-like medium 2 moves to the delivery unit 25 is performed. As a result, the ejection control unit 44 ejects all the sheet media 2 in the holder box that has moved to the reception position A to the supply unit 6 .

Note that, if the reception operation is being performed when the distribution operation corresponding to the distribution command immediately before the distribution end information ends, the ejection control unit 44 waits for the reception operation to finish. After the receiving operation is completed, the ejection control unit 44 moves the holder box 8 at the receiving position A to the separation position B, the storage space D, or the storage shelf E based on the holder box movement command from the host device 3. Let Thereafter, the ejection control unit 44 moves the holder box 8 at the sorting position C to the reception position A, and performs an ejection operation for ejecting the sheet-like medium 2 from the holder box 8 moved to the reception position A.

Next, when a journalizing instruction is input from the host device 3, the journalizing control unit 45 distributes the sheet medium 2 in the specific holder box 8 to the holder box 8 for storage that is stored for each payment month.

That is, in this example, the host device 3 acquires the settlement month from the surface image transmitted from the media processing device 1 by character recognition or the like, and stores the processing number and the settlement month in a form associated with each other. Further, in the storage space D, a holder box 8 is arranged for storing the sheet medium 2 for each settlement month. Furthermore, the host device 3 knows where in the storage space D the holder box 8 corresponding to the month of payment is arranged. Therefore, the host device 3 designates, as a journalizing command, the movement source position of the holder box 8 containing the sheet-shaped media 2 to be journalized and the arrangement order of the sheet-shaped media 2 to be journalized, as well as the target settlement month. The movement source position of the journalizing holder box 8 for accommodating the sheet-like media 2 is specified, and the sheet-like media 2 to be journalized are accommodated in the journalizing holder box 8 . Here, the journalizing command is input from the host device 3 to the media processing device 1 during a time period such as nighttime when the sheet-like media 2 are not received.

For example, the settlement month of the n-th sheet-like medium 2 in the arrangement order in the holder box 8 arranged in the first position of the storage space D is April, and this sheet-like medium 2 is placed in the second position of the storage space D. When a journalizing command is input from the host device 3 to the media processing device 1 to move the holder box 8 placed in the storage space D to the While moving to the separating position B, the holder box 8 of the settlement month to be journalized, which is placed at a predetermined position in the storage space D, is moved to the sorting position C. After moving the sheet-shaped medium 2 from the holder box 8 located at the separation position B to the medium delivery section 9, the journalizing control section 45 accommodates the sheet-shaped medium 2 from the medium delivery section 9 to the holder box 8. The medium feeding operation is performed n-1 times. When the media feeding operation is completed n−1 times, the journalizing control unit 45 moves the sheet medium 2 from the holder box 8 located at the separation position B to the medium delivery unit 9, and then moves the sheet medium 2 to the medium delivery unit 9. A certain sheet medium 2 is accommodated in a holder box 8 at a sorting position C. As shown in FIG. Then, the journalizing control unit 45 returns the holder box 8 arranged at the separation position B to the movement source position in the storage space D. Also, the holder box 8 arranged at the sorting position C is returned to the original position of the storage space D. Alternatively, when the holder box 8 arranged at the sorting position C becomes full, the holder box 8 is moved from the sorting position C to the storage rack E.

(Example of operations for accepting sheet media, sorting sheet media, and ejecting sheet media)
FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the operation for receiving the sheet-like medium 2 set in the supply section 6. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the operation of distributing the sheet medium 2 for which settlement is impossible.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the sensor 23 detects that a plurality of sheet media 2 have been set in the supply unit 6 (step ST1), the media processing apparatus 1 detects the sheet media set in the supply unit 6. The sheet-like medium 2 is conveyed one by one along the conveying path 16 until it reaches the transfer section 25 (step ST3) until there are no more sheets 2 (step ST2). Further, the medium processing device 1 acquires the surface image, the back surface image, and the magnetic information of the sheet-like medium 2 when each sheet-like medium 2 is conveyed on the conveying path 16 (step ST4). Further, the medium processing device 1 transmits the acquired front side image, back side image, and magnetic information of the sheet medium 2 to the host device 3 (step ST5).

In addition, the medium processing device 1 puts the sheet medium 2 into the holder box 8 at the reception position A each time the sheet medium 2 with the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information reaches the transfer section 25. Accommodate (step ST6). Then, the medium processing apparatus 1 repeats steps ST1 to ST6 as long as the sheet-like medium is present at the receiving position A. FIG. As a result, the plurality of sheet-like media 2 set in the supply section 6 are temporarily accommodated in the holder box 8 after all the front side images, back side images and magnetic information are read.

Further, when all the sheet media 2 set in the supply unit 6 are accommodated in the holder box 8 located at the receiving position A, the media processing apparatus 1 moves the holder box 8 located at the receiving position A to the separating position B. (step ST7). The media processing device 1 also places the empty holder box 8 in the storage space D at the reception position A (step ST8).

On the other hand, when the host device 3 acquires the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information from the medium processing device 1 (step ST9), the processing number assigned in the order in which the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information were acquired, The image on the front side, the image on the back side, and the magnetic information are stored in an associated form (step ST10). As a result, the host device 3 can ascertain where the sheet-like medium 2 with the specific processing number is located in the holder box 8 from the top in the arrangement direction. Also, the host device 3 determines whether or not payment can be made with each sheet medium 2 based on the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information (step ST11).

Here, when the host device 3 that has received the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information determines that it is necessary to separate the specific sheet medium 2 from the other sheet mediums 2, as shown in FIG. Then, a sorting command is input from the host device 3 to sort the n-th sheet medium 2 from the top of the holder box 8 located at the separation position B (step ST11). When a sorting command is input to the medium processing device 1 (step ST12), the medium processing device 1 performs a medium feeding operation to move the sheet medium 2 back and forth between the holder box 8 located at the separation position B and the medium delivery section 9. is repeated n−1 times (steps ST13, ST14, ST15), and then the sheet medium 2 positioned at the head of the arrangement order in the holder box 8 is moved to the medium delivery section 9 (step ST16). , is sent from the medium delivery section 9 to the holder box 8 located at the sorting position C (step ST17). Further, when moving the sheet medium 2 from the medium delivery unit 9 to the sorting position C, the medium processing apparatus 1 acquires magnetic information of the sheet medium 2 and transmits it to the host device 3 .

After that, when the media processing apparatus 1 receives from the host device 3 distribution end information indicating that the input of the distribution command for all the sheet-like media 2 in the holder box 8 placed at the separation position B is completed, The holder box 8 at the separation position B is moved to the storage space D after the sorting operation corresponding to the sorting command immediately before the sorting end information is completed.

Further, when the media processing device 1 receives the distribution end information from the host device 3, if the reception operation is not performed when the distribution operation corresponding to the distribution command immediately before the distribution end information is completed, the reception position After the holder box 8 in A is evacuated to the storage space D, an exchange operation is performed to move the holder box 8 in the distribution position C to the reception position A (step ST18). After that, the medium processing apparatus 1 moves the sheet-like medium 2 in the holder box 8 moved to the receiving position A to the receiving position A, and every time the sheet-like medium 2 is placed in the delivery section 25, the sheet-like medium 2 is moved to the receiving position A. 2 to the supply unit 6 is performed. As a result, the medium processing device discharges all the sheet-like media 2 in the holder box 8 moved to the reception position A to the supply unit 6 (step ST19).

Note that the media processing device 1 waits for the reception operation to end when the reception operation is being performed when the distribution operation corresponding to the distribution command immediately before the distribution end information ends. After the reception operation is completed, the media processing device 1 moves the holder box 8 at the reception position A to the separation position B, the storage space D, or the storage shelf E according to the holder box movement command from the host device 3 . After that, the media processing apparatus 1 moves the holder box 8 at the sorting position C to the receiving position A, and thereafter performs the discharging operation of discharging the sheet-like medium 2 from the holder box 8 moved to the receiving position A.

According to this example, a plurality of sheet-like media 2 set in the supply unit 6 are conveyed along the conveying path 24 of the check reader 7 to read the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information. 7 to the holder box 8 at the receiving position A. As a result, the surface images and magnetic information are continuously read for all of the plurality of sheet-like media 2 set in the feeding section 6 . Further, when all of the plurality of sheet media 2 set in the supply unit 6 are accommodated in the holder box 8 located at the reception position A, the holder box 8 is moved from the reception position A to the separation position B, and At position A, a new empty holder box 8 is placed. Therefore, after continuously reading the surface image and the magnetic information from each of the plurality of sheet-like media 2 set in the feeding section 6 first, the plurality of sheets of the sheet-like medium 2 newly set in the feeding section 6 are scanned. Also, the surface image and magnetic information of each sheet-like medium 2 can be continuously read and accommodated in the next holder box 8 .

In addition, the media processing device 1 that has received the ejection command to eject the n-th sheet-shaped medium 2 moves the sheet-shaped medium between the holder box 8 and the medium delivery section 9 that have been moved from the reception position A to the separation position B. The medium feeding operation for moving the medium 2 back and forth is repeated n−1 times, then the sheet-like medium 2 positioned at the head of the arrangement order in the holder box 8 is moved to the medium delivery section 9 , and then the medium delivery section 9 A sorting operation of storing the sheet-like medium 2 in the sorting position C in the second holder box 8 is performed. As a result, the media processing apparatus 1 distributes the specific sheet medium 2 to the holder box 8 at the distribution position C using the separation position B, the distribution position C, and the medium transfer section 9 . In other words, the medium processing apparatus 1 distributes the specific sheet media 2 without using the transport path 24 and the transfer section 25 of the check reader 7 and the receiving position A. FIG. Therefore, in the medium processing apparatus 1, all the sheet-like media 2 set in the supply unit 6 are conveyed along the conveying path 24 to acquire surface images and magnetic information, and the sheet-like media 2 are sorted. Sorting can be performed in parallel. Therefore, even when the medium processing apparatus 1 distributes the sheet-like media 2 after waiting for a command from the host device 3 , the media processing apparatus 1 can extract the front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic information from the plurality of sheets of the sheet-like medium 2 set in the supply unit 6 . can be performed continuously.

Furthermore, in this example, when the media processing apparatus 1 receives the sorting end information indicating that the sorting command input for all the sheet-like media 2 in the holder box 8 placed at the separation position B is completed, The holder box 8 at the separation position B is moved to the storage space D after the sorting operation corresponding to the sorting command immediately before the sorting end information is completed. As a result, the separation position B can be emptied, so that a plurality of sheets of the sheet medium 2 newly set in the supply section 6 are arranged at the reception position A while the medium feeding operation and sorting operation are being performed. In the case where the holder box 8 is stored, the holder box 8 can be moved from the reception position A to the separation position B. As shown in FIG. Therefore, a new holder box 8 can be arranged at the reception position A, and a plurality of sheet media 2 newly set in the supply section 6 can be received.

Further, in this example, the discharge control unit 44 sends distribution end information indicating that the input of the distribution command for all the sheet-like media 2 in the holder box 8 arranged at the separation position B is completed to the external device. , the holder box 8 at the receiving position A is moved to the storage space D if the receiving action is not performed when the distributing action corresponding to the distributing command immediately before the distributing end information is completed. A replacement operation is performed to move the holder box 8 at the sorting position C to the reception position A, and then an ejection operation is performed to eject the sheet medium 2 from the holder box 8 at the reception position A to the supply unit 6 . Therefore, the plurality of sheet-like media 2 sorted into the holder box 8 at the sorting position C can be continuously discharged to the supply section 6 .

Further, in this example, the medium processing device 1 acquires the magnetic information of the sheet-like medium 2 moving to the sorting position C from the medium delivery section 9 and transmits it to the host device 3 . Therefore, the host device 3 can identify the ejected sheet-like medium 2 based on the magnetic information.

(Example of operation for journalizing sheet media)
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of sorting sheet media. When the sheet medium 2 is not accepted, such as at night, a journalizing instruction is input from the host device 3 to the medium processing device 1 (step ST21). The journalizing command, for example, moves the n-th sheet medium 2 in the holder box 8 placed at the first position in the storage space D to the holder box 8 placed at the second position in the storage space D. It is.

When a journalizing command is input to the media processing device 1 (step ST22), the media processing device 1 moves the holder box 8 arranged at a specific position in the storage space D to the separation position B, The holder box 8 arranged at a specific position is moved to the sorting position C (step ST23). Then, the medium processing device 1 moves the sheet-shaped medium 2 from the holder box 8 at the separation position B to the medium delivery section 9, and then stores the sheet-shaped medium 2 from the medium delivery section 9 into the holder box 8. The operation is performed n-1 times (step ST24, step ST25, step ST26). After that, the medium processing device 1 moves the sheet medium 2 from the holder box 8 located at the separation position B to the medium delivery section 9 (step ST2
7) After that, the sheet medium 2 in the medium delivery section 9 is housed in the holder box 8 moved to the distribution position C (step ST28).

After that, the media processing device 1 returns the holder box 8 arranged at the separation position B to the original position. Also, the holder box 8 placed at the sorting position C is returned to the original position. Alternatively, when the holder box 8 arranged at the sorting position C becomes full, the holder box 8 is moved to the storage rack E.

In this example, when sorting a specific sheet medium 2 from the holder box 8 to another holder box 8, it is not necessary to convey the sheet medium 2 along a conveying path having a branch path. There is no need to guide the sheet-like medium 2 conveyed along the conveying path to the branch path. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress jamming of the sheet medium 2 while it is being conveyed. Also, the sorted sheet media 2 are conveyed to the storage space D or the storage shelf E together with the holder box 8 . Therefore, when the sorted sheet-like media 2 are stored in the storage space D or the storage rack E, the sheet-like media 2 are not jammed.

Here, in this example, the transport path 24 extends linearly between the supply section 6 and the transfer section 25 . The reception position A is set in the X2 direction of the transfer section 25, and overlaps with the transfer section 25 when viewed from the X direction. Therefore, the sheet medium 2 is linearly transported from the supply section 6 to the reception position A via the transfer section 25 . Therefore, it is easier to prevent or suppress the occurrence of jamming in the sheet-like medium 2, compared to the case where the moving path is curved. The separation position B is set in the X2 direction of the medium delivery section 9 and overlaps the medium delivery section 9 when viewed from the X direction. Therefore, the sheet medium 2 is linearly conveyed when the medium feeding operation is performed. Therefore, it is easy to prevent or suppress the occurrence of jamming in the sheet medium 2 during the medium feeding operation.

The reception position A, the separation position B, the distribution position C, and the storage space D are arranged in the Y direction and overlap when viewed from the Y direction. Therefore, it becomes easy to provide the holder box moving mechanism 20 for moving the holder boxes among the reception position A, the separation position B, the distribution position C, and the storage space D.

(Modification)
In this example, a plurality of sorting mechanisms including the separation position B, the medium delivery unit 9, the sorting position C, the separation position medium take-out mechanism 15, the separation position medium storage mechanism 16, and the sort position medium storage mechanism 17 may be provided. In this case, the sheet media 2 can be sorted and sorted in parallel using a plurality of sorting mechanisms. Further, by using a plurality of sorting mechanisms, it is possible to perform a plurality of sorting operations for the sheet medium 2 in parallel.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Medium processing apparatus 2... Sheet-like medium 3... Upper apparatus (external apparatus) 5... Front panel 6... Supply part 7... Check reader 8... Holder box 8a... Bottom plate 8b... First Side plate 8c...Second side plate 8d...Third side plate 8e...Notch 9...Medium delivery part 9a...Second driving source 9b...Conveyance roller 10...Magnetic information reading part 11...Printing part 13 Reception position medium storage mechanism 13a Second drive source 13b Plural transport rollers 14 Reception position medium removal mechanism 14a Delivery roller 15 Separation position medium removal mechanism 15a Third drive source 15b... Feeding roller 15c... Conveyance roller 16... Separation position medium accommodation mechanism 17... Distribution position medium accommodation mechanism 17a... Fourth drive source 17b... Conveyance roller 20... Holder box movement mechanism (first holder box movement mechanism, second holder box moving mechanism, third holder box moving mechanism, fourth holder box moving mechanism, fifth holder box moving mechanism), 22... check reader main body, 23... sensor, 24... transport path, 25... delivery section , 27... transport mechanism, 27a...
First driving source 27b Conveying roller 29 Image reading unit 30 Magnetic information reading unit 31 Discharge mechanism 34 Holder box holding unit 35 Holding unit moving mechanism 35a Fifth driving source 36 ... guide section 37 ... holder box receiving mechanism 38 ... holder box delivery mechanism 40 ... control section 41 ... reception control section 42 ... distribution control section 43 ... holder box movement control section 44 ... ejection control section 45 …Sort control unit, X direction …Extension direction of conveying path, Y direction …Width direction, Z direction …Vertical direction

Claims (7)

A supply unit in which a plurality of sheet-like media are set, a conveying path for conveying the sheet-like medium set in the supplying unit, and a first sheet-like medium conveying the sheet-like media one by one along the conveying path. 1. A conveying mechanism for reaching a delivery section, an image reading section for acquiring a surface image from each sheet-shaped medium passing through the conveying path, and magnetic ink printed on each sheet-shaped medium from each sheet-shaped medium passing through the conveying path. a magnetic information reading unit that acquires magnetic information of characters, and a check reader that includes a discharge mechanism that discharges the sheet medium from the first delivery unit to the supply unit through the transport path;
a holder box arranged at a preset reception position and capable of accommodating a plurality of sheet-like media arranged in a thickness direction;
a receiving position medium containing mechanism that moves the sheet-shaped media in the first delivery section to the receiving position and stores them in the holder box in an arrangement order according to the order of movement;
a first holder box moving mechanism for moving the holder box arranged at the reception position to a separation position different from the reception position;
a second holder box arranged at a sorting position different from the reception position and the separation position;
a third holder box arranged in a storage space set at a position different from the reception position, the separation position, and the distribution position;
a second holder box moving mechanism for moving the third holder box from the storage space to the reception position;
a second delivery section capable of holding the sheet medium;
A separation position medium take-out mechanism for moving the sheet-shaped medium located at the head of the arrangement order among the plurality of sheet-shaped media arranged in the holder box arranged at the separation position to the second delivery section. When,
a separation position medium storage mechanism that moves the sheet media in the second delivery section to the separation position and stores them in the holder box in an arrangement order according to the order of movement;
a distribution position medium storage mechanism that moves the sheet-like medium in the second delivery section to the distribution position and stores it in the second holder box;
a reception control unit that drives and controls the image reading unit, the magnetic information reading unit, the transport mechanism, the reception position medium storage mechanism, the first holder box moving mechanism, and the second holder box moving mechanism;
a distribution control unit that drives and controls the separation position medium pickup mechanism, the separation position medium storage mechanism, and the distribution position medium storage mechanism;
When a plurality of sheet-shaped media are set in the supply section, the reception control section conveys each of the plurality of sheet-shaped media and acquires the surface image and the magnetic information from each sheet-shaped medium. to reach the delivery portion, and every time each sheet medium reaches the delivery portion, a receiving operation is performed to store the sheet-shaped medium in the holder box, and when the receiving operation is completed, the holder box is separated from the holder box. position to place the third holder box at the reception position;
The sorting control unit is capable of communicating with an external device, and the sheet-shaped medium contained in the holder box arranged at the separation position is the n-th sheet-shaped medium from the top of the arrangement order of the sheet-shaped media. to the second holder box is input from the external device, the sheet-like medium is moved from the holder box at the separation position to the second delivery section, and then the sheet-like medium is A medium feeding operation is performed n−1 times to accommodate the sheet medium from the second delivery section to the holder box, then the sheet medium is moved from the holder box to the second delivery section, and then, The medium processing apparatus is characterized by performing a sorting operation of moving the sheet-like media in the second delivery section to the sorting position and storing them in the second holder box. a second magnetic information reading unit capable of coming into contact with the sheet medium arranged in the second delivery unit;
The distribution control section operates the second magnetic information reading section in the distribution operation to acquire the magnetic information from the sheet-like medium moving from the second delivery section to the distribution position. Item 1. The media processing device according to item 1. a third holder box moving mechanism for moving the holder box arranged at the separation position to the storage space;
a holder box movement control unit that drives and controls the third holder box movement mechanism;
has
The holder box movement control unit receives from the external device distribution end information indicating that the input of the distribution command for all the sheet-like media in the holder box arranged at the separation position is completed. 3. The holder box arranged at the separation position is moved to the storage space after the sorting operation corresponding to the sorting command immediately before the sorting end information is completed. Media processor. a fourth holder box moving mechanism for moving the second holder box from the sorting position to the receiving position;
a fifth holder box moving mechanism for moving the third holder box from the reception position to the storage space;
a receiving position medium take-out mechanism for moving the sheet-like media sheet by sheet from the second holder box arranged at the receiving position to the first delivery section until the second holder box is empty;
an ejection control unit that drives and controls the fourth holder box moving mechanism, the fifth holder box moving mechanism, the reception position medium ejection mechanism, and the ejection mechanism;
When the discharge control unit receives, from the external device, distribution end information indicating that the input of the distribution command for all the sheet media in the holder box arranged at the separation position is completed, When the receiving operation is not performed when the distributing operation corresponding to the distributing command immediately before the distributing end information is completed, the third holder box at the receiving position is moved to the storage space. After performing an exchange operation of moving the second holder box to the reception position after the second holder box is moved, the sheet-shaped medium in the second holder box is moved to the first delivery section, and the sheet-shaped medium is moved to the first delivery section. 2. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet-like medium is discharged to the supply unit each time the sheet-like medium is placed in the first delivery unit. the conveying path extends linearly between the supply section and the first delivery section;
When the feeding section side is set as the first direction and the other side is set as the second direction in the extending direction in which the conveying path is extended,
The reception position is set in the second direction of the first delivery section and at a position overlapping the first delivery section when viewed from the extension direction,
The second delivery part is provided next to the check leader in the vertical direction and the orthogonal direction orthogonal to the extending direction,
The separation position is set at a position in the second direction of the second delivery portion overlapping the second delivery portion when viewed from the extension direction,
5. The media processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the receiving position, the separating position, the sorting position, and the storage space overlap when viewed from the orthogonal direction. . a holder box moving mechanism for moving the holder box between the reception position, the separation position, the distribution position, and the storage space;
4. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said holder box moving mechanism also serves as said first holder box moving mechanism, said second holder box moving mechanism, and said third holder box moving mechanism. The sheet-shaped medium is set in the supply unit in an upright state, is conveyed in the upright state along the conveying path, and is in the upright state in the holder box, the second holder box, and the third holder box.

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