JP3968296B2 - Form handling device that can handle multiple forms at once - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a form handling apparatus that handles forms.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automatic cash transaction apparatus (hereinafter referred to as ATM) is used for depositing and withdrawing money from a financial institution or the like. ATM handles bills, coins, passbooks, forms such as transfer paper, cards, etc., and performs various transactions. An ATM user usually inserts a passbook / form or card into a slot provided separately in the ATM for each transaction, and performs various input processes according to guidance from the ATM. .
[0003]
In recent years, when a user performs a plurality of transactions, there is also a case in which a plurality of forms can be successively inserted into a document insertion slot one by one and executed (for example, see Patent Document 1). . With this technique, it is possible to shorten the processing time per user in ATM.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-249145
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, it has been troublesome to insert a plurality of forms into the insertion slot one by one in the conventional ATM. Such a problem is not limited to ATM, but is a problem common to form handling apparatuses that handle forms. That is, the conventional form handling apparatus has room for improvement in terms of user convenience.
[0006]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to improve the convenience of a form handling apparatus.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, the present invention employs the following configuration for a form handling apparatus that performs a predetermined process on a predetermined form. That is, the form handling device of the present invention detects an insertion slot for inserting a plurality of the above-mentioned forms in a stacked manner, and whether or not the form is inserted in the insertion slot. And a feeding mechanism for feeding the plurality of forms one by one to a conveyance path for conveying the forms, and a predetermined process installed on the conveyance path for each of the plurality of forms. And a processing unit to perform.
[0008]
Here, examples of the “forms” include a transfer paper, various application papers, various notification papers, and the like. In the present invention, the user can insert a plurality of forms into the insertion slot in a lump. Further, since it is possible to detect whether or not a form is inserted into the insertion slot and to feed out the form when it is inserted, the user does not need to specify the number of inserted sheets. As a result, user convenience can be improved.
[0009]
In the form handling apparatus according to the present invention, the plurality of forms includes a plurality of types of forms, and further includes an identification unit for identifying the type of the drawn-out forms, and the processing unit includes: Based on the identification result, the processing according to the type of the form may be performed.
[0010]
By doing so, it is possible to identify each of a plurality of types of inserted forms and process them all together.
[0011]
The form handling apparatus may further include a collection unit that collects and collects the form processed by the processing unit for each type of form.
[0012]
By doing so, it is possible to easily sort processed forms for a plurality of types of forms.
[0013]
In the form handling apparatus of the present invention, the insertion slot may be capable of inserting a passbook.
[0014]
Conventionally, in a form handling apparatus capable of handling a passbook, a passbook insertion slot and a form insertion slot have been prepared separately. For this reason, the user has to insert the passbook and the forms into separate insertion slots, and the operability is poor. In the present invention, since the insertion port for the passbook and the insertion port for the forms are integrated, the operability for the user can be improved. Note that a plurality of bankbooks may be overlapped and inserted into the insertion slot. In this case, for example, a plurality of passbooks can be collectively recorded.
[0015]
In the above-mentioned form handling device, the passbook is further installed so as to be branched from the transfer path, and the passbook is transferred when the passbook is inserted into the insertion port, and the passbook transfer path for transferring the passbook. You may make it provide the switching part which switches a direction to the said bankbook conveyance path, and the bankbook process part which is installed on the said bankbook conveyance path and performs the process peculiar to the said bankbook.
[0016]
By carrying out like this, since the passbook processing part on a passbook conveyance path can perform the process peculiar to a passbook, the length of a conveyance path direction can be shortened.
[0017]
In the form handling apparatus, the passbook transport path may be provided so as to join the transport path between the branch and the processing unit.
[0018]
By doing so, the processing unit can perform processing common to the forms and the passbook, such as printing processing.
[0019]
The present invention can be configured as an invention of a control method for a form handling apparatus in addition to the above-described form handling apparatus. Further, the present invention can be realized in various modes such as a computer program that realizes these, a recording medium that records the program, and a data signal that includes the program and is embodied in a carrier wave. In addition, in each aspect, it is possible to apply the various additional elements shown above.
[0020]
When the present invention is configured as a computer program or a recording medium on which the program is recorded, the entire program for controlling the operation of the form handling apparatus may be configured, or only the portion that performs the function of the present invention. It may be configured. The recording medium includes a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punch card, a printed matter on which a code such as a barcode is printed, a computer internal storage device (RAM or Various types of computer-readable media such as a memory such as a ROM and an external storage device can be used.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Configuration of automatic transaction equipment:
B. Structure of form handling mechanism:
C. Transfer process:
D. Variation:
[0022]
A. Configuration of automatic transaction equipment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an appearance of an automatic transaction apparatus 100 as one embodiment. This automatic transaction apparatus 100 is installed in a financial institution such as a bank, and is an apparatus for performing deposit / withdrawal processing and the like in accordance with user operations. As shown in the figure, the automatic transaction apparatus 100 includes a form handling mechanism 101, a statement issuing mechanism 102, a card handling mechanism 103, a coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism 104, a bill deposit / withdrawal mechanism 105, a customer operation unit 106, The customer detection sensor 107 is provided.
[0023]
The form handling mechanism 101 handles forms such as transfer sheets, and performs image processing of forms and printing processing on forms as will be described later. The form handling mechanism 101 of this embodiment can also handle a passbook. The form handling mechanism 101 corresponds to the form handling apparatus of the present invention.
[0024]
The statement slip issuing mechanism 102 prints / issues a statement slip according to the transaction. The card handling mechanism 103 has a magnetic card read / write function and an IC card read / write function, and handles magnetic cards and IC cards used for transactions. The coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism 104 deposits / withdraws coins. The bill deposit / withdrawal mechanism 105 deposits / withdraws bills. The customer operation unit 106 includes a touch panel, displays guidance for dealings with the customer, and inputs instructions from the customer. Customer detection sensor 107 detects that a customer has approached the front of automatic transaction apparatus 100.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the automatic transaction apparatus 100. The automatic transaction apparatus 100 includes the functional blocks illustrated in hardware. The main body control unit 200 includes a CPU and a memory, and controls the operation of each unit in the automatic transaction apparatus 100. The customer display unit 201 displays a guidance screen for dealings with customers on the touch panel. The customer operation unit 202 inputs an instruction related to a transaction from a customer using a touch panel. The banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 203 performs processing such as authenticity determination, classification, and counting of banknotes. The coin deposit / withdrawal unit 204 performs processing such as authenticity determination, classification, and counting of coins. The passbook / form printing unit 205 performs a printing process on the passbook and the form. The journal unit 206 acquires a customer transaction history. The attendant display unit 207 displays various information for the attendant who manages the automatic transaction apparatus 100. The clerk operation unit 208 includes operation buttons and the like, and inputs various instructions from the clerk. The statement slip printing unit 209 performs a transaction slip printing process. The card read / write unit 210 reads / writes information on a magnetic card or an IC card. The storage unit 211 stores a program executed by the CPU of the main body control unit 200. The power supply unit 212 supplies power to each unit in the automatic transaction apparatus 100. The line control unit 213 is connected to an external host computer 214 via a communication line, and controls communication with the host computer 214.
[0026]
B. Structure of form handling mechanism:
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the form handling mechanism 101. The internal structure of the form handling mechanism 101 viewed from the side is schematically shown. The form handling mechanism 101 includes transport paths 301a, 301b, and 301c for transporting forms and passbooks. Hereinafter, the entire conveyance paths 301a, 301b, and 301c are also referred to as conveyance paths 301. The conveyance path 301 includes a plurality of conveyance rollers 315, and the conveyance roller 315 rotates to convey the form and the passbook. The transport roller 315 is driven by a motor (not shown). In addition, in order to avoid the complexity of illustration, only the one conveyance roller 315 was attached | subjected the code | symbol in the figure. Further, the conveyance roller 315 is not limited to the illustrated one, and a large number are provided.
[0027]
Here, the left side of the figure, that is, the front side of the form handling mechanism 101 is defined as the upstream side, and the right side of the figure, that is, the back side of the form handling mechanism 101 is defined as the downstream side. An insertion port 310 is provided at the most upstream portion of the conveyance path 301 to insert a form and a passbook and take out a returned form and a passbook. A plurality of forms and passbooks can be overlapped and inserted into the insertion port 310 of this embodiment. By integrating the insertion port for forms and the insertion port for bankbooks, customer operability can be improved. In the vicinity of the insertion port 310, a feeding mechanism for feeding out the form and the passbook to the transport path 301 is provided. Details of the feeding mechanism will be described later.
[0028]
An identification sensor 321 is provided on the downstream side of the take-in roller 314. The identification sensor 321 of this embodiment optically identifies the type of form and passbook based on the identification information recorded on the form and passbook. And based on this identification result, a conveyance direction and a part of processing content are determined. By doing so, it is possible to automatically switch between the processing for the form and the processing for the passbook, thereby improving the convenience for the customer.
[0029]
The conveyance path 301 branches into a conveyance path 301 b and a passbook conveyance path 303 on the downstream side of the identification sensor 321. The conveyance of the form to the conveyance path 301 b and the conveyance of the passbook to the passbook conveyance path 303 are switched by the gate 316 based on the identification result of the identification sensor 321. A scanner 322 is provided in the transport path 301b. The scanner 322 acquires an image for performing image processing of a form. The passbook transport path 303 is provided with a magnetic read / write unit 323. The magnetic read / write unit 323 reads and writes information on the magnetic stripe provided in the passbook. The information on the magnetic stripe includes a financial institution number, an account number, and data on the type of passbook.
[0030]
The conveyance path 301b and the passbook conveyance path 303 are provided to join the conveyance path 301c on the downstream side of the scanner 322 and the magnetic read / write unit 323. An image reader 324 is provided in the conveyance path 301 c after joining the conveyance path 301 b and the passbook conveyance path 303. The image reader 324 reads a bar code, a page mark, and a printed line written on the passbook. Based on the reading result, a position where a printing unit to be described later should print is specified. Since the image reader 324 is used only for the passbook, it may be provided in the passbook transport path 303.
[0031]
On the downstream side of the image reader 324, a form save unit 304 for temporarily holding a form being handled is provided so as to branch from the conveyance path 301c. The conveyance of the form from the conveyance path 310 to the form saving unit 304 is switched by a gate 317. Although not shown here, the form saving unit 304 can distinguish and hold a form in which an image is normally read by the scanner 322 and a form in which a reading error has occurred.
[0032]
A printing unit 325 is provided on the downstream side of the gate 317. The printing unit 325 prints data relating to the transaction at a predetermined position of the form and the passbook based on the reading result of the image reader 324. A page break mechanism 326 is provided on the downstream side of the printing unit 325. The page break mechanism 326 turns the page when there is no more space to be printed on the prepared page of the passbook.
[0033]
A passbook issuing unit 327 is provided on the upper stage of the conveyance path 301c. In this embodiment, the passbook issuing unit 327 includes two passbook hopper units 327a and 327b for storing two types of passbooks separately, and can issue two types of passbooks. The passbook issuing unit 327 issues a new passbook when there are no more pages to be printed in the passbook being printed. The passbook issued from the passbook issuing unit 327 is fed out to the transport path 301c via the feed-out transport path 305. The feeding conveyance path 305 is provided so as to merge with the conveyance path 301 c on the downstream side of the page break mechanism 326.
[0034]
On the downstream side of the junction between the conveyance path 301c and the feeding conveyance path 305, when there are no more pages to be printed on the passbook being printed, the passbook saver 306 temporarily holds the passbook being handled. Is provided. The transfer of the passbook from the transfer path 301 c to the passbook saving unit 306 is switched by the gate 318.
[0035]
On the downstream side of the gate 318, a passbook collection unit 330 for collecting a passbook that the customer forgot to take from the insertion port 310, and two form collection units 328 and 329 for collecting processed forms by type, Is provided. The passbook and the form transport from the transport path 301c to each part are performed via the passbook collection transport path 307 and the form collection transport paths 308 and 309, respectively, and are switched by the gates 318, 319, and 320. In this embodiment, the two form collection units 328 and 329 are provided, but more may be provided. By providing a plurality of form collection units and collecting them separately, an attendant of the automatic transaction apparatus 100 can easily sort the processed forms.
[0036]
The operation of each part of the form handling mechanism 101 is controlled by the control unit 300. The control unit 300 is configured as a microcomputer including a CPU, RAM, ROM, and the like inside. In addition, in order to avoid complication of illustration, illustration of the connection with the control unit 300 and each part was abbreviate | omitted in the figure.
[0037]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism includes a medium detection sensor 311, a pickup roller 312, a feed roller 313, and a take-in roller 314. The medium detection sensor 311 of this embodiment includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the presence or absence of a medium depending on whether the light receiving element receives light from the light emitting element. Another sensor may be used as the medium detection sensor 311. When the medium detection sensor 311 detects that the form P or the passbook is inserted into the insertion port 310, the pickup roller 312, the feed roller 313, and the take-in roller 314 are driven by a motor (not shown), and the form P and the passbook are 1 Each sheet is taken into the conveyance path 301a.
[0038]
C. transaction:
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a transaction flow by the automatic transaction apparatus 100. This is processing performed by the main body control unit 200. First, a transaction standby screen is displayed by the customer display unit 201 (step S100). When the customer detection sensor 107 detects that the customer has approached the front of the automatic transaction apparatus 100 (step S110), the customer display unit 201 allows the customer to deposit, withdraw, transfer, or balance. A transaction selection screen for selecting a desired transaction type such as an inquiry is displayed (step S120). Next, when the transaction type is selected by the customer and the transaction type is input by the customer operation unit 202 (step S130), the selected transaction is performed (step S140).
[0039]
Here, the transfer process will be described as an example of the transaction in step S140. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the transfer process. When the customer inserts one or more transfer sheets into the insertion slot 310 and the transfer sheet is detected by the medium detection sensor 311 (step S200), the pickup roller 312, the feed roller 313, and the intake roller 314 are driven. Then, the inserted transfer sheet is fed out to the conveyance path 301a (step S210). Then, it is detected that the form fed out by the identification sensor 314 is a transfer sheet, and the gate 316 and the conveyance roller 315 are driven to convey the transfer sheet to the form conveyance path 302. Next, the image of the transfer paper is read by the scanner 322 (step S220). Then, it is determined whether or not there is an image reading error (step S230).
[0040]
In step S230, if there is an error in reading the transfer sheet image, the transfer sheet is saved in the form saving unit 304 (step S240). Then, it is determined whether or not the transfer sheet remains in the insertion slot 310 (step S250). If the transfer sheet remains in the insertion slot 310, the process returns to step S210. If no transfer sheet remains in the insertion slot 310, the transfer sheet saved in the form saving unit 304 is conveyed and returned to the customer from the insertion slot 310 (step S260).
[0041]
If there is no error in reading the image of the transfer paper in step S230, the total transfer amount is calculated (step S270). Then, it is determined whether or not the transfer sheet remains in the insertion slot 310 (step S280). If the transfer sheet remains in the insertion slot 310, the process returns to step S210. If no transfer sheet remains in the insertion slot 310, it is determined whether or not there is a transfer (step S290). If the total transfer amount is not 0 yen, the transfer is judged as “present”.
[0042]
If there is a transfer in step S290, the transfer destination and the transfer amount are displayed on the customer display unit 201, and the transfer amount is confirmed by the customer (step S300). If there is no transfer, the process jumps to post-processing (step S380) described later.
[0043]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a transfer amount confirmation screen G displayed on the touch panel. As shown in the figure, a transfer amount for each transfer destination, a transfer total amount, a confirmation button B2 for approving these, a correction button B1 for correcting the transfer contents, and the like are displayed.
[0044]
In step S310, when the correction button B1 is pressed on the confirmation screen G shown in FIG. 7 and there is a correction instruction from the customer, correction processing is performed (step S320), and the process returns to step 300.
[0045]
In the correction processing, an operation screen for correction processing is displayed on the touch panel, and correction can be performed for each transfer destination, that is, for each transfer sheet, by the operation of the touch panel by the customer. For example, the transfer destination can be corrected, or the transfer amount can be corrected. You can also cancel part of the transfer details. Further, it is also possible for the customer to correct the transfer sheet returned in step S260 and insert it again into the insertion slot 310 or insert a new transfer sheet to add the transfer contents. It is also possible to correct the transfer contents by inserting a new transfer form and overwriting the already registered transfer contents.
[0046]
In step S310, when the confirmation button B2 is pressed and the transfer contents are approved, a payment method selection screen is displayed by the customer display unit 201, and the payment method selected by the customer is displayed by the customer operation unit 202. Input (step S330). In this embodiment, “card”, “cash”, and “passbook” can be selected as the payment method.
[0047]
If “card” is selected as the payment method in step S330, a guidance screen for conducting a transaction using the card is displayed on the customer display unit 201, and the card is received by the card handling mechanism 103. Card processing such as reading the password and entering the password. When “cash” is selected as the payment method, a guidance screen for performing a transaction with cash is displayed on the customer display unit 201, and the cash is received by the banknote deposit / withdrawal mechanism 105 and the coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism 104. Cash processing, such as counting. When “passbook” is selected as the payment method, a guidance screen for performing transactions using the passbook is displayed by the customer display unit 201, accepting the passbook, reading magnetic stripes, reading bar codes, etc. Perform passbook processing such as.
[0048]
Next, the transaction content is displayed by the customer display unit, the transaction content by the customer is confirmed (step S350), and communication with the center host computer 214 is performed (step S410). Then, a transaction statement slip is issued by the statement slip issuing mechanism 102 (step S420). Then, predetermined post-processing is performed (step S380). Post-processing includes printing on transfer paper and passbooks, turning pages of passbooks, issuing new passbooks, returning cards, changes, passbooks, writing magnetic stripes, collecting passbooks and forms, Perform processing such as displaying the transaction end screen. The transfer process is completed by the above process.
[0049]
According to the automatic transaction apparatus 100 of the present embodiment described above, a plurality of forms can be overlapped and inserted into the insertion slot and processed. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.
[0050]
D. Variation:
As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to such embodiment at all, and implementation in various aspects is possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary. It is. For example, the following modifications are possible.
[0051]
D1. Modification 1:
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a plurality of forms of the same type are overlapped and inserted into the insertion slot 310 and processed together is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of different types of forms may be overlapped and inserted into the insertion slot 310 and processed one by one. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of transactions as a modified example. When a customer inserts a plurality of forms at the same time into the insertion slot 310 and the forms are detected by the medium detection sensor 311 (step S400), the pickup roller 312, the feed roller 313, and the take-in roller 314 are driven to insert the forms. Is fed out to the conveyance path 301a (step S410). Then, the type of the form fed out by the identification sensor 314 is identified (step S420). Then, transaction processing corresponding to the type of form, such as transfer processing, is performed (step S440). When the transaction process is completed for one form, it is determined whether or not an unprocessed form remains in the insertion slot 310 (step S440). If the form remains, steps S410 to S430 are repeated. If the form does not remain, the transaction is terminated. By doing this, a plurality of different types of forms can be overlapped and inserted into the insertion slot 310, the form type can be identified, and processing can be performed one by one according to the form type. Can be improved.
[0052]
D2. Modification 2:
In the above embodiment, the conveyance path 301b and the passbook conveyance path 303 are branched, but it is not necessary to branch. However, by branching the conveyance path 301b and the passbook conveyance path 303, processing that should be performed only on the passbook can be performed on the book conveyance path 303, so the length of the form handling mechanism 101 in the conveyance path direction. Can be shortened.
[0053]
D3. Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, in the transfer process shown in FIG. 6, only a plurality of transfer sheets are collectively inserted into the insertion slot 310 and the payment method is selected later. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, the insertion slot 310 of the form handling mechanism 101 according to the present embodiment can insert a form and a passbook so that, for example, a plurality of transfer sheets and a passbook can be collectively inserted into the insertion slot 310. It may be inserted so that a payment method using a passbook is automatically selected.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a plurality of forms can be inserted and processed in a lump in a form handling apparatus. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an appearance of an automatic transaction apparatus 100 as one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of the automatic transaction apparatus 100.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a form handling mechanism 101;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a feeding mechanism.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a transaction flow by the automatic transaction apparatus 100.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a transfer process.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transfer amount confirmation screen G displayed on the touch panel.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of transactions as a modified example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Automatic transaction apparatus 101 ... Form handling mechanism 102 ... Statement issue mechanism 103 ... Card handling mechanism 104 ... Coin depositing / withdrawing mechanism 105 ... Banknote depositing / withdrawing mechanism 106 ... Customer operation part 107 ... Customer detection sensor 200 ... Main body control part 201 ... customer display unit 202 ... customer operation unit 203 ... banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 204 ... coin deposit / withdrawal unit 205 ... bankbook / form printing unit 206 ... journal unit 207 ... attendant display unit 208 ... attendant operation unit 209 ... statement slip Printing unit 210 ... card read / write unit 211 ... storage unit 212 ... power supply unit 213 ... line control unit 214 ... host computer 300 ... control units 301, 301a, 301b, 301c ... transport path 303 ... passbook transport path 304 ... form save unit 305 ... Feed-out conveyance path 306... Passbook saving unit 307... Passbook collection conveyance path 308, 309... Form collection conveyance path 3 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 0 ... Insertion port 311 ... Medium detection sensor 312 ... Pick-up roller 313 ... Feed roller 314 ... Acquisition roller 315 ... Conveyance roller 316-320 ... Gate 321 ... Identification sensor 322 ... Scanner 323 ... Magnetic read / write part 324 ... Image reader 325 ... Printing part 326 ... Page break mechanism 327 ... Passbook issuer 327a, 327b ... Passbook hopper part 328, 329 ... Form collection part 330 ... Passbook collection part

Claims (2)

A form handling apparatus that performs a predetermined process on a predetermined form,
A passbook can be inserted, and an insertion slot for inserting a plurality of the forms,
A feeding mechanism that detects whether or not the forms are inserted into the insertion slot, and feeds the plurality of forms one by one to a transport path for transporting the forms when they are inserted. When,
A processing unit that is installed on the conveyance path and performs a predetermined process on each of the plurality of forms;
A bankbook conveyance path installed so as to branch from the conveyance path, and for conveying the bankbook;
When the passbook is inserted into the insertion port, a switching unit that switches the transfer direction of the passbook to the passbook transport path;
A passbook processing unit installed on the passbook transport path and performing processing specific to the passbook;
Form handling device equipped with. The form handling apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The passbook conveyance path is provided so as to merge with the conveyance path between the branch and the processing unit.
Form handling device.

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