JP5129339B2 - How to make change reserve - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to banknote processing, in particular, a method and apparatus for sorting banknotes to provide change reserves, and a method and system for recognizing income at a cash collection point and supporting opening and closing processing of the cash collection point. .

  At retail sites such as supermarkets and fast food restaurants, customers also conduct transactions through POS (Point of Sales) at sites other than retail such as toll collection and banking transactions where cash is used. For example, the POS implements a cash register operated by a cashier. The POS can implement a self-checkout system, toll booth, bank, cash drawer, or other system where cash transactions are performed. Usually, at those transaction places, at the end of a business day or a work shift, sales data received from the POS and cash settlement processing for performing settlement and settlement of cash collected in the POS are performed.

  The cash drawer is usually inserted into the POS by the cashier or another agent at the beginning of a business day or at the beginning of a work shift. Usually, the cash drawer accommodates a change reserve including a plurality of coins and banknotes of a predetermined amount made of a specific denomination. The change reserve is used to make change for customer transactions during work shifts or business days. The POS records sales data from each customer transaction. Sales from customer transactions generated in POS are collected in cash drawers and mixed with change reserves.

  At the end of the business day or at the end of the work shift, the cash drawer is withdrawn from the POS. Bills and coins are extracted from the change drawer and counted manually or by a conventional bill counter or coin counter. The remaining checks, coupons and other non-banknote documents are also counted. The total amount of cash drawer banknotes, coins, checks, coupons and non-banknote documents is compared to the initial change reserve plus the sales recorded in the POS.

  At some sites, all counted banknotes, coins and checks are kept in a safe along with other sales on the day until they are taken to the bank by an armored car for deposit. The armored car will return with the newly supplied cash at the beginning of the next business day. The newly supplied cash is used as an initial change reserve in each cash register that constitutes the POS, and may be pre-sorted as individual initial change reserves in advance by the bank, Sometimes it must be sorted. When employees sort, individual initial change reserves are prepared either manually or by placing banknotes on a conventional banknote counter.

  At other sites, after the banknotes are counted, the initial change reserve is sorted from the sales before the day's sales are deposited with the bank. The initial change reserve banknotes are sorted manually or by hanging the banknotes on a conventional banknote counter. Each initial change reserve is then returned to each cash drawer in the POS and stored in a safe for later use or given to a cashier for on-the-job use.

  Manual counting of banknotes and sorting of initial change reserves from sales have many drawbacks. It takes time, increases responsibility for employees, and increases the possibility of miscounting the initial change reserve, resulting in a shortage or excess of proceeds deposited into the bank.

  Conventional banknote counters are used to increase the efficiency of banknote counting processing. A banknote counter normally counts all the banknotes thrown into the machine. Some banknote counters can set the upper limit number of straps (strap limit) as the total number of banknotes to be counted so that a predetermined number of banknotes can be bundled. In another bill counter, a strap limit for the number of bills is set for each specific denomination, and once the strap limit for each denomination is reached, it is configured to stop.

  However, the conventional banknote counter is not designed to sort the initial change reserve from banknotes that are sold at the same time while counting all the banknotes. For example, normally, all the banknotes must be once applied to the banknote counter for counting, and the banknote counter must be applied to sort the banknotes for the initial change reserve again. Therefore, it is necessary to switch the setting of the banknote processing machine between different processes of counting and sorting, or separately prepare the banknote counter for counting banknotes and the banknote counter for sorting initial change reserves. There is.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention uses a banknote handling apparatus having an insertion slot, an identification unit, and a plurality of stacker units to determine a predetermined number or a predetermined amount of money while determining the amount of collected banknotes. A method of creating a change reserve including banknotes of a plurality of denominations, the step of receiving banknotes collected at the slot, and identifying each banknote received at the slot by an identification unit, and at least denominations Determining the total amount of bills received at the slot, accumulating the amount of each bill based on the identification result by the identification unit, change reserve setting and identification Based on the results, the banknotes are classified into change reserve banknotes and remaining banknotes other than the change reserve banknotes, and all the change reserve banknotes are combined into one stacker. A step of accumulating in a unit, a step of accumulating the remaining banknotes in a stacker unit other than the stacker unit in which the banknotes for change funds are accumulated, and a predetermined number or a predetermined amount of accumulated banknotes for change funds And a step of stopping the accumulation of the banknotes for change reserve after reaching.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the two or more change reserves are created by repeating the steps, the change reserves may be accumulated in separate stacker units. .

According to an embodiment, the remaining banknotes may be stacked on different stacker units according to denomination. Alternatively, all of the remaining banknotes may be accumulated in one stacker unit.

According to one embodiment, the present invention further includes the number or amount of banknotes accumulated in the change reserve stacker unit until the change reserve to be created reaches a predetermined number or amount, or the predetermined number. Alternatively, it may include a step of notifying at least one of the remaining number or amount of money to be accumulated in the change reserve stacker unit until the predetermined amount is reached. Moreover, you may come to utilize the stacker unit located in the upper part among these stacker units as the said change reserve stacker unit. Further, the present invention further includes a step of receiving recorded transaction data from the outside, and when the received transaction data includes data indicating excess or shortage of money in past transactions, the change reserve setting And a step of changing.

According to one embodiment of the present invention , the present invention uses a banknote handling apparatus having an insertion slot, an identification unit, and a plurality of stacker units to determine a predetermined number or a predetermined amount of money while determining the amount of collected banknotes. A method for creating a change reserve including banknotes of a plurality of denominations, wherein a banknote collected and collected from a POS is received at the slot, and a banknote received at the slot is identified by the identification unit. A step of determining at least a denomination, a step of accumulating the amount of each banknote based on an identification result by the identification unit to calculate a total amount of banknotes collected from the POS, and a change preparation Classifying the banknote into a change reserve banknote and a remaining banknote other than the change reserve banknote based on the gold setting and the identification result; and for the change reserve A step of accumulating all the bills in one stacker unit, a step of accumulating the remaining bills in a stacker unit other than the stacker unit in which the bills for change reserve are accumulated, and a bill for each change reserve After reaching the predetermined number or amount, the step of stopping the accumulation of the change reserve banknote, the step of receiving transaction data recorded by the POS, and the total amount of the banknotes collected from the POS And a step of comparing the sales data of the POS included in the transaction data.

  These and other features of the present invention are included in or are made apparent from the following detailed description of various embodiments of the present invention.

The front view which shows the example of the longitudinal direction cross section of a banknote processing apparatus. The front view which shows the example of the longitudinal direction cross section of a banknote processing apparatus. The front view which shows the example of the longitudinal direction cross section of a banknote processing apparatus. The front view which shows the example of the longitudinal direction cross section of a banknote processing apparatus. The front view which shows the example of the longitudinal direction cross section of a banknote processing apparatus. The front view which shows the example of the longitudinal direction cross section of a banknote processing apparatus. The block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of a banknote processing apparatus. The flowchart showing the banknote classification method which concerns on one Example of this invention. The block diagram and flowchart of the system which provides the change reserve which concerns on one Example of this invention. The block diagram and flowchart of the balance adjustment system which concerns on one Example of this invention.

  “Bills” refers to US or foreign banknotes. “US banknotes” refers to the US $ 1, $ 2, $ 5, $ 10, $ 20, $ 50, and $ 100 banknotes in the US legal currency, and “foreign banknotes” are euros, Japanese yen, and British pounds. Any banknote issued by a government agency other than the United States. “Money” and “currency” are synonymous terms with “banknote”.

  “Reject” refers to an invalid banknote or a banknote that could not be identified by the banknote handling apparatus. For example, rejects include skew banknotes, bent banknotes, folded banknotes, torn banknotes, and dirty banknotes. In addition, rejects may be selected or not selected denominations and / or foreign banknotes not identified as being used in the banknote handling device, such as fake bills, blank papers, coupons, checks, etc. Includes documents other than banknotes. The counterfeit bills are handled in the same manner as other rejected bills, and are subjected to different processes such as being assigned to different discharge locations in the bill processing device, stopping the operation of the bill processing device at the time of detection, and generating an alarm sound.

  1 to 6 illustrate an example of a banknote processing apparatus that realizes banknote classification. The banknote handling apparatus is shown as an example, and is not intended to limit the methods and systems disclosed hereinafter to the examples of the banknote handling apparatus disclosed. For example, devices of the type described in US Pat. Nos. 6,711,180 and 7,040,476 can also be utilized in the methods disclosed herein.

  The banknote handling apparatus is preferably small and has a desktop size.

  As is well known, the size of a US banknote is approximately 2.5 inches x 6 inches (6.5 cm x 15.5 cm). All US banknotes are the same size, but in many foreign countries the dimensions differ for each denomination. The banknote handling apparatus may be configured to process documents having the same dimensions or various dimensions.

  1 to 6, the banknote handling apparatus or system includes a slot 102, an identification unit 104, a transport mechanism 106, and two or more discharge stacker units 108. Various types of transport mechanisms such as conveyors, flexible blades, vacuums, and the like can be used for transporting banknotes in the apparatus. The banknotes may be conveyed in either the short side or the long side.

  The insertion slot 102 is generally a hopper that receives a bundle of banknotes to be inserted into the banknote processing apparatus. The input port 102 may also be configured to correspond to a change drawer from the POS or to be used directly together.

  The identification unit 104 is provided along the conveyance path 106 between the insertion port 102 and the stacker unit 108. One or more sensors 105 are arranged in the identification unit 104 to detect one or more predetermined features with respect to the banknotes transported in the identification unit 104. The sensor 105 may be set to detect features on the front and / or back side of the bill. The sensor 105 may include a double-sided detector that can simultaneously detect the front and back sides of a bill.

  The classification plate 112 is arranged along the conveyance path 106 so as to correspond to each stacker unit 108, and the conveyance path 106 branches off from each classification plate 112 and reaches each stacker unit 108. The sorting plate 112 serves to discharge banknotes to the stacker unit 108.

  The banknote handling apparatus may include one or a plurality of stacker units 108 that receive the sorted banknotes. The stacker unit 108 may include an impeller 114 that aligns and stacks banknotes discharged from the transport path 106. The stacker unit 108 (or other mechanism in the banknote handling apparatus) may be configured to be able to band or pack banknotes. The stacker unit 108 may also be configured to accommodate a change drawer from a POS or directly together.

  The stacker units 108 are arranged close to each other along a part of the transport path 106. However, one or a plurality of stacker units may be arranged apart from each other. For example, the single or plural stacker units 108 may be arranged at the front end of the conveyance path 106 in the upper part of the banknote processing apparatus, and the other single or plural stacker units 108 may be arranged at the rear end of the conveyance path in the lower part of the banknote processing apparatus.

  A safe cash box 116 may be connected to or included in the banknote handling apparatus (FIG. 6). The sorting plate 112 sends out banknotes from the transport path 106 to the stacker unit 108 of the cash box 116. The cash box 116 may include an impeller 114 for aligning and collecting banknotes discharged from the transport path 106 and a mechanism for banding or wrapping banknotes. The cash box 116 is preferably removable from the banknote handling apparatus in order to safely transfer the banknotes inside. During the processing of banknotes, the cash box 116 is locked and fixed to the banknote processing apparatus by a key lock 121 so that only authorized users can remove and transfer the banknotes. FIG. 6A shows the cash box 116 removed from the banknote handling apparatus. The cover 117 of the cash box 116 is locked by a key lock 119 so that only authorized users can access the bills accumulated inside. This provides a safe system for sorting and transporting banknotes.

  According to the present invention, any number of stacker units 108 may be allocated as much as possible so as to receive banknotes corresponding to change money, banknotes corresponding to sales, and / or rejects. For example, one or a plurality of stacker units 108 arranged at the lower part of the banknote handling apparatus may be allocated to sales, and one or more stacker units 108 at the upper part of the banknote handling apparatus may be allocated to a reject or change reserve.

  Bill counting and sorting can be performed as fast as the microprocessor and transport mechanism allow. Of course, it may be used at a speed lower than the technically possible speed in consideration of cost, noise, and speed requirements in a specific environment.

According to FIG. 7, the banknote handling apparatus includes a display unit 118.
The display unit 118 can be used to indicate the number or amount of banknotes accumulated in each stacker unit 108. The display unit 118 can count down the requested number or amount of bills as they are sorted and accumulated until a predetermined amount of bills are stacked on each stacker unit 108. For example, the display unit 118 may be an LED display, a monitor, or other electronic display means. The display unit 118 may be provided in each stacker unit 108 or may be provided as a part of the centralized display unit. The display may be simple or complex depending on the requirements of a specific application. Further, a printer 124 may be included in or added to the system to print various types of reports.

  The banknote handling apparatus includes a controller 120 having one or more processors for controlling the operation of the banknote handling apparatus. For example, the controller 120 executes processing for bill sorting and counting requests, performs signal processing, and performs various sensors, an identification unit 104, a transport mechanism 106, a sorting plate 112, an impeller 114, and a display unit 118. Control etc. To perform the various methods described herein, the controller 120 is programmed with software and / or firmware to operate in accordance with FIGS.

  The banknote handling apparatus includes a memory unit 122 for storing data. The memory unit 122 is, for example, information on the denominations of banknotes to be processed, the upper limit of the number and amount of money to be processed, the upper limit of the total number of banknotes to be processed and the total amount, counting and / or classification. Data such as the number of bills, denominations, and amounts of money are stored. The memory unit 122 can store data of each transaction and data of a plurality of transactions. According to the present invention, the amount, denomination, and number of sheets included in the change reserve can be preset or set by an operator.

  Depending on the usage environment, it is desirable to provide a security level for restricting a specific operation to a specific user. For example, only the administrator can change the amount of banknotes included in the change reserve. Security functions can be set by passwords, pin numbers, machine-readable ID cards, and other methods that restrict access.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for sorting banknotes according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method is performed by software that instructs the banknote handling apparatus to count and sort banknotes while sorting one or more change reserves. The software is stored in the memory unit 122 and executed by the controller 120. For example, the method is used in a retail environment to count and sort banknotes collected from a POS and sort change reserves that are used as change for customer transactions on that day.

  According to FIG. 8, a bundle of banknotes is inserted into the insertion slot of the banknote processing apparatus (step S1). A bundle of banknotes may be in a mixed state or in a state of being arranged in a predetermined denomination. A bundle of banknotes may include only banknotes or non-banknote documents. The operation may be started automatically when the bill is placed in the slot, for example, a sensor detects the presence of a bundle of bills, or the operator presses a switch, key, button on the bill processing device. It may be manually started by operating.

The banknotes are transported one at a time through the identification unit on the transport path of the banknote processing apparatus (step S2). The identification unit identifies whether each banknote is a valid banknote (step S3). If the banknote is a valid banknote, the identification unit determines the denomination of the banknote (step S4), and determines whether the banknote is a banknote to be included in the change reserve or another banknote (step S4). S5).
The banknotes are sorted and accumulated in the designated change reserve stacker unit (step S6) or in other banknote stacker units (step S7). The banknotes may be accumulated according to denomination. If the banknote is not a valid banknote, the reject is sent to a designated stacker unit such as a reject stacker unit for accumulation (step S8), or banknote processing so that the reject can be manually removed before restarting The device is stopped or paused. The process continues until there are no more bills or until the bills to be counted reach a predetermined upper limit.

  For each stacker unit, a predetermined upper limit number of banding or packaging can be set. When the bills of one or all stacker units reach a predetermined upper limit, stacking of bills on a specific stacker unit or all stacker units is stopped or paused so that the bills can be taken out. When the banknotes are removed, banknote accumulation is resumed.

  The banknotes accumulated in any of the stacker units may be bundled every predetermined number or amount (for example, 50 sheets for a group of bundles or $ 100 for a group of bundles). A group of bundled banknotes is bound or packaged, for example, so as to wrap the bundled banknotes with tape.

  In step S <b> 3, the identification unit detects one or more predetermined features for the banknotes conveyed through the identification unit. The predetermined feature that identifies the banknote is based on one of many variables. The variables are whether the banknote processing device performs authenticity identification, whether to perform counting, whether to identify the denomination of the banknote, and, for example, size, thickness, color, magnetic, optical reflection This is related to the characteristics of bills to be examined, such as property, absorbency, permeability, electrical conductivity, serial number. The identification unit includes various types such as a size detector, a density sensor, an upper optical scan head, a lower optical scan head, one or more magnetic sensors, a sled sensor, an infrared light sensor, an ultraviolet light / fluorescence scan head, and an image scanner. However, the present invention is not limited to these combinations.

  Step S3 includes identifying whether the banknote is the front side or the back side. If the identification unit identifies that the bill is a valid surface, the identification unit continues to step S4 where the denomination of the bill is determined. However, if the bill is not a valid front surface, the identification unit also identifies whether it is a valid back surface. If the bill is a valid back side, the identification unit continues to step S4 where the denomination of the bill is determined. If the banknote is not a valid back side or front side, the process continues to step S8 where the rejects are conveyed to the reject stacker unit and accumulated. Identification of whether the banknote is the front surface or the back surface may be performed simultaneously or in reverse order.

  In other embodiments, when the banknote is in the wrong direction (eg, the front or back side is the top surface), the banknote may be conveyed to the banknote reversing unit before continuing to step S5 or S8. The banknote reversing unit can rotate the banknotes in an appropriate direction before sorting and / or transporting to the stacker unit.

  Step S5 includes a step of determining whether or not banknotes should be sorted and whether or not they are designated for change reserves. For example, change reserves are placed in cash drawers and used to make change in POS transactions. However, the method of the present invention is not limited to sorting change reserves used in cash drawers, but may be used to sort banknote groups used for other purposes.

  The change reserve includes a predetermined number of denominations having different predetermined amounts. The banknote handling apparatus is configured such that the user can set in advance the total amount of change reserve, the denomination of banknotes included in the change reserve, and / or the number or amount of money for each denomination. Alternatively, these are determined based on information received from the POS regarding sales, replenishment processing, transfer processing, and the like.

  The predetermined number or the predetermined amount of banknotes sorted as the change reserve can be the same as the total change reserve set in advance by the user. For example, if the user presets the total amount of change reserve of $ 100, the amount of change reserve to be sorted is $ 100.

  However, the predetermined number or the predetermined amount of change reserve banknotes may be calculated based on the total change reserve set by the user and the second input amount. For example, if the total amount of change reserve set by the user is $ 100, but there is a shortage of banknotes at a certain POS during the previous work shift, and a $ 60 banknote is being transferred to the POS (for example, replenishment) Transaction = $ 60), and the bill amount calculated for sorting as change reserve is $ 160. As another example, if the total amount of change reserve set up by the user is $ 100, but a banknote is exceeded at a certain POS and a banknote of $ 40 is being transferred from the POS during the previous work shift (For example, transfer transaction = $ 40), the bill amount calculated for sorting as change reserve is $ 60.

  In the following, different embodiments for creating change money are described. The change money may include a combination of other banknotes, and is not limited to the embodiments described below.

  As one aspect, for example, the banknote handling apparatus is configured to provide a change reserve including a predetermined number of each of the selected plural denominations (for example, $ 1 banknote 20 sheets, $ 5 banknote 6 sheets, $ 10 5 bills, 5 $ 20 bills, total $ 200). As another aspect, the change reserve may be configured to include the total amount. At this time, the change reserve is distributed among the selected denominations according to the order of insertion into the banknote processing apparatus (for example, the total amount allocated to the selected banknote exceeds $ 100 or $ 100, This amount is distributed according to the order in which it is inserted into the banknote handling apparatus). As yet another aspect, the change reserve can be set at a total amount so as to include at least a minimum number of banknotes of a certain denomination (for example, at least one selected denomination is included and the total amount is $ 100 or over $ 100).

  The banknote handling apparatus determines whether the banknote used as the change reserve has reached or exceeded a predetermined number or a predetermined amount. When the predetermined number or amount of banknotes has not been reached or exceeded, the banknotes are accumulated in the changer stacker unit (step S6). When the banknote for change reserve reaches or exceeds the predetermined amount, the banknote is accumulated in the stacker unit for the remaining banknotes. (Step S7)

  When the denomination of the banknote included in the change reserve is designated in advance, the banknote handling apparatus determines whether the banknote is one of the designated denominations. If the banknote matches the specified denomination and does not reach or exceed the predetermined number or predetermined amount required for the change reserve, the banknote is accumulated in the stacker unit for change reserve (step S6). ). If the banknote is different from the designated denomination and / or reaches or exceeds the predetermined number or the predetermined amount, the banknote is stacked on the remaining banknote stacker unit.

  When the number or amount of denominations included in the change reserve is designated, the banknote handling apparatus also determines whether the designated denomination has reached or exceeded the predetermined number or amount. If the banknote matches one of the designated denominations, and the designated denomination has not reached or exceeded the specified number or amount, and the specified total number or amount has not been reached or exceeded The bills are accumulated in the changer stacker unit (step S6). If the banknote is different from the specified denomination, the specified denomination has reached or exceeded the predetermined number or amount, and / or the specified total number or amount has been exceeded, the banknote Are accumulated in the remaining banknote stacker unit (step S7).

  In step S6, the banknotes constituting the change reserve are sorted out from other banknotes and stacked in one or more stacker units. When banknotes of change reserves are stacked on one stacker unit, the change money may be stacked in a mixed state or may be classified according to denomination. When change reserve banknotes are stacked on a plurality of stacker units, the change reserve banknotes are classified by denomination before being stacked. The stacker unit designated to receive the change reserve may be any available stacker unit, including a discharge stacker unit and / or a reject stacker unit.

  When denominations are classified, each specific denomination may be accumulated in a separate stacker unit, or two or more specific denominations may be accumulated in the same stacker unit. When two or more denominations are accumulated in the same stacker unit, different denominations can be accumulated with an offset using a mechanical arrangement method known as a known technique (for example, one denomination Banknotes are offset laterally with respect to banknotes of other denominations), or a piece of paper is inserted.

  When the banknote denomination of the change reserve is determined in advance, the banknote that is not a specific denomination is accumulated in another stacker unit or reject stacker unit together with the remaining banknote that is not a change reserve. Furthermore, when the number of banknotes or amount of the specific denomination of the change reserve is determined in advance, and the number of banknotes or amount of the specific denomination reaches the predetermined number or amount, the subsequent banknote of the specific denomination Are stacked together with the remaining banknotes into another stacker unit or reject stacker unit.

  One or more change reserves may be separated from the remaining banknotes. For example, if a banknote bundle is collected from only one POS, one change reserve is separated, and if a banknote bundle is collected from a plurality of POS, a plurality of change money is separated. May be.

  If two or more change reserves are separated, the change reserves may each be accumulated in separate stacker units, or two or more change reserves may be accumulated in the same stacker unit. Absent. When two or more change reserves are accumulated in the same stacker unit, different change reserves can be offset and accumulated using a mechanical arrangement known in the art, or a piece of paper can be inserted. It may be separated by doing.

  Before proceeding to step S7, steps S5 and S6 can be repeated in sequence several times to sort each change reserve continuously. For example, when the banknotes accumulated as the first change reserve reaches a predetermined number or a predetermined amount, the accumulation of the first change reserve on the stacker unit is stopped, and the second change reserve on the stacker unit is stopped. Accumulation begins.

  The change reserve may be sorted at the same time. For example, before proceeding to step S7, steps S5 and S6 are repeated many times in parallel to accumulate each change reserve in each stacker unit. The predetermined number or amount of banknotes included in the change reserve can be increased by the number of change reserves to be sorted (for example, $ 100 change reserve × 5 = $ 500).

  In step S7, the remaining banknotes may be stacked in one stacker unit, or may be classified into a plurality of stacker units. When the remaining banknotes are stacked on one stacker unit, the remaining banknotes may be stacked in a mixed state or may be classified according to denomination. When the remaining banknotes are stacked on a plurality of stacker units, the remaining banknotes may be classified by denomination before being stacked. The stacker unit designated to receive the remaining banknotes may be any stacker unit including a discharge stacker unit and / or a reject stacker unit.

  When classified by denomination, each specific denomination of the remaining banknotes may be accumulated in a separate stacker unit, or two or more specific denominations may be accumulated in the same stacker unit. The remaining banknotes may be accumulated in the same stacker unit as the change reserve, or may be accumulated in a different stacker unit. When the remaining banknotes are accumulated in the same stacker unit as the change reserve, the change reserve and the remaining banknotes are accumulated by offsetting using a mechanical arrangement method known as a known technique, What is necessary is just to isolate | separate by inserting a paper piece.

  If the denominations of the remaining banknotes are determined in advance, the remaining banknotes that are not specific denominations are accumulated in another discharge stacker unit or reject stacker unit.

  Information about processed banknotes is displayed at any time during processing or at the end of processing. The information may be displayed on a display unit on the banknote processing apparatus or may be displayed on a display connected to the banknote processing apparatus. The display may be complex or simple depending on the accounting needs required at a particular location.

  The information may include the number, denomination, and / or the amount of banknotes accumulated in the banknote handling device (eg, 3 rejects, 5 $ 1 banknotes, 7 $ 5 banknotes, 3 sheets $ 10 bills, or $ 200). For example, the information specifies the number of sheets, denominations and / or banknotes in each stacker unit, the amount of banknotes in the change reserve, the remaining amount of banknotes, and / or the total amount of banknotes. The display value may be initialized to zero, or may be initialized to another value such as a value representing the number or amount of banknotes in batch processing before being processed by the banknote processing apparatus. After the banknote is identified as a valid banknote in step S3 and the denomination is determined in step S4 (or after the documents are classified and accumulated in the stacker unit in step S5), the amount of the banknote displayed on the display is Increased appropriately. For example, each display amount is increased by one, or the value displayed on the display is increased by the amount of the banknote.

  The information can also include the remaining number or amount of banknotes to be accumulated in the banknote handling device up to a predetermined number or amount (eg for change reserve). For example, the information includes the remaining number or amount of banknotes to be accumulated in each stacker unit, the total remaining number and / or denomination of banknotes to be accumulated, the remaining total amount to be accumulated, etc. You can also. The display value may be initialized to a number representing the total amount of remaining banknotes to be stacked. After the banknote is identified as a valid banknote in step S3 and the denomination is determined in step S4 (or after the documents are classified and accumulated in the stacker unit in step S5), the amount of the banknote displayed on the display Is reduced. For example, each display amount is reduced by 1 or the value displayed on the display is reduced by the amount of the bill. The information on the display can also include the reason or code that the document was identified as rejected.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram and flowchart illustrating a system for providing change reserves according to one embodiment of the present invention. The system can be used at a financial institution to generate new change reserves and funds (eg, working capital) for use with cash drawers to facilitate customer transactions. However, the use of this system is not intended to be limited to use at financial institutions. For example, the system can be used at retail sites or various sites other than retail, such as casinos and toll booths where cash is used for transactions.

  The system includes at least one cash drawer 202 and a banknote handling device 230. The cash drawer 202 is included in a POS, for example, and is connected to a computer terminal (not shown) for recording customer transactions. The initial change reserve including the given number of coins and banknotes is included in the cash drawer 202, for example, at the beginning of an employee's work shift or business day period. Subsequently, bills 212 and coins 214 in the transaction are collected in the cash drawer 202.

  At the end of the period, the banknotes 212 collected in the cash drawer 202 are extracted and inserted into the slot of the banknote processing device 230. The banknote processing apparatus 230 performs identification, counting, classification, and accumulation of banknotes by the method described above with reference to FIG. The banknote processing device 230 is configured such that the user can designate in advance the total amount of change reserve, the denomination of banknotes included in the change reserve, and / or the number or amount of banknotes of each denomination.

  Coins 214 collected in the cash drawer 202 are similarly counted at the end of the period. Coins are counted by a coin counter 240 or manually. For example, the coin counter 240 may be included in the banknote processing device 230 or may be an independent counter. The coin counter 240 performs the same processing on the coins as the bill processing device 330 performs on the bills (for example, counting and sorting of coins used as change reserves).

  Banknotes 212 and coins 214 sorted as change reserves are stored in a safe or a vault until the next work shift or business day. The remaining banknotes 212 and coins 214 are also stored in the safe and vault separately from the change reserve until they are carried to the central bank vault.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram and a flowchart showing an income settlement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system is used to make new change reserves or cash to be used in POS cash drawers for the next business day or employee work shift. In addition, the system can be used to check whether the sales amount obtained from the customer transaction is balanced with the sales amount collected in the POS.

  The system can be used at retail sites such as supermarkets and fast food restaurants. However, it is not intended to limit the use of the system as such. For example, the system may be used in various non-retail locations such as financial institutions, casinos, tollgates, etc. where cash is used for purchases, transactions or collections.

  The system includes at least one POS 302, a store server 310, a cash settlement terminal 320, and a banknote processing device 330 connected to a computer network. The system can be used to settle sales collected from a single POS 302, and can also be used to settle sales at a site having a plurality of POS 302.

  An initial change reserve, including the coins and banknotes granted, is included in each POS at the start of an employee's work shift or business day to create change for customer transactions. Subsequently, banknotes 312, coins 314, non-banknote documents 316 (eg, checks, coupons, food stamps, etc.) in the transaction are collected in the POS 302.

  Each POS 302 records data from the transaction and transmits the data to the store server 310 over the network. Subsequently, the data is transmitted from the store server 310 to the cash settlement terminal 320. For example, the recorded data can be used as sales (for example, profits) related to transactions performed at a POS during business days or employee work shifts, etc., as well as for change transactions (for example, changes to customers in transactions). Cash). The recorded data can include selected specific types of transactions (eg, cash transactions, credit card transactions, check transactions, etc.) or all transactions performed at the POS within a period of time. The recorded data can include a record indicating a shortage of one or more denominations in a particular POS 302.

  The banknotes 312 collected in the POS 302 at the end of the period are extracted and inserted into the insertion port of the banknote processing apparatus 330. The banknote 312 may be separated from the non-banknote document 218 before being inserted into the banknote processing apparatus 330, or when the banknote 312 is inserted into the banknote processing apparatus 330, the banknote 312 remains mixed with other non-banknote documents 218. It doesn't matter. The banknote processing apparatus 330 identifies, counts, classifies, and accumulates the banknotes 312 by the method described above with reference to FIG.

  The banknote processing apparatus 330 is configured such that the user can specify in advance the total amount of change reserves and the denominations of banknotes included in the change reserves and / or the number or amount of each denomination. However, the total number or amount of banknotes included as change reserves in the POS 302 and / or the number or amount of banknotes for different denominations included in the change reserves for the POS 302 are determined based on information obtained from the POS 302. Or can be adjusted dynamically.

  For example, during the period (for example, during one work shift, one business day, multiple work shifts, during multiple business days), the POS 302 may cause a shortage or excess of the total number of banknotes or the number of banknotes of a specific denomination. When there is a shortage of banknotes of a specific denomination at POS 302, banknotes of a specific denomination are replenished (for example, replenishment transactions). When there is an excess of banknotes of a specific denomination at POS 302, banknotes of a specific denomination are transferred (for example, transfer transaction). The POS 302 records replenishment and transfer transaction data indicating the state of shortage or excess of banknotes in the POS 302 in order to adjust the total number and total amount of change reserve banknotes and the number and amount of banknotes of each denomination. By adjusting, it becomes possible to provide change reserves having different denominations and amounts of banknotes reflecting the required amount of transactions in a specific POS 302.

  Information regarding the banknote 312 counted by the banknote handling apparatus 330 is transmitted to the cash settlement terminal 320. For example, the banknote processing device 330 can transmit the total amount of banknotes counted, the amount of change banknotes, and the amount of remaining banknotes (for example, sales by banknotes). The banknote handling apparatus 330 can also transmit the number or amount of banknotes in each stacker unit, the number of banknotes of each denomination, the number of rejects, the reason for rejection, the identified reject value, and the like. The banknote information can be transmitted at any time after all of the banknotes have been processed, or after each banknote has been identified until it is classified and stacked on the stacker unit.

  Coins 314 collected in POS 302 are counted at the end of the period. Coins 314 can be counted by a coin counter 340 or manually. For example, the coin counter 340 may be included in the banknote processing apparatus 330 or may be an independent counter. The coin counter 340 performs the same function as the bill processing device 330 processes bills on coins (for example, counting and sorting coins used as change reserves).

  Information about the counted coins 314 can be transmitted to the cash settlement terminal 320 via a network, or can be manually input. For example, the information includes the total amount of coins 314 and the income amount of coins. The coin profit amount is calculated by subtracting the coin amount of the initial change reserve from the total amount of coins 314 collected in the POS. The coin profit amount can be calculated by the cash settlement terminal 320, the coin counter 340, or manually.

  Non-banknote documents 316 (for example, checks, food stamps, coupons, etc.) collected at the POS 302 at the end of the period are also counted and input to the cash settlement terminal 320 in the same manner as the reject 318 from the banknote processing apparatus 330. Non-banknote documents 316 and rejects 318 can be counted 352 manually. However, if the non-banknote document 316 has machine-readable identification features (eg, a barcode), the non-banknote document 316 can be scanned by the ID unit 250 (eg, a barcode scanner). Non-banknote documents 316 can be excluded if the system can separate cash transactions from check transactions, food stamp transactions, coupon transactions, and the like.

The cash settlement terminal 320 calculates the difference between the sales recorded in the POS 302 and the sales collected from the POS 302 (difference = sales−income). Sales profit is calculated by the following algorithm. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to this.
Sales Revenue = Bill Revenue Revenue + Coin Revenue Revenue + Non-Bill Paper Document + Reject Bill Revenue Revenue = Total Bill-Banknote Amount of Initial Change Reserve Coin Sales Revenue = Total Coin-Coin Amount of Initial Change Reserve

  Variations, derivations, and modifications of this algorithm are within the scope of this disclosure.

  The cash settlement terminal 320 includes or is connected to a display 260 that displays a calculation result. The cash settlement terminal 320 also includes or is connected to a printer 324 that prints a report based on the calculation result. Typically, if the transaction is realized without errors, sales will match the total amount of banknotes, coins and non-banknote documents in the POS at the end of the business day or work shift minus the change reserve. To do. In this case, the display 360 indicates that there is no difference between sales and sales. However, if there is a shortage or excess in sales, the display 360 displays the difference between the sales and the sales.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, and various changes and improvements related thereto have become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention should be construed broadly and should be limited only by the claims, not by the embodiments described above.

Claims (8)

A method for creating a change reserve including a predetermined number or a plurality of denominations of a plurality of denominations while determining the amount of the collected banknotes using a banknote processing apparatus having an insertion slot, an identification unit, and a plurality of stacker units Because
Receiving banknotes collected at the slot;
Identifying each banknote received at the insertion slot by an identification unit, and determining at least a denomination;
Accumulating the amount of each banknote based on the identification result by the identification unit in order to calculate the total amount of the banknote received at the slot;
Based on the change reserve setting and the identification result, the banknotes are classified into change reserve banknotes and remaining banknotes other than the change reserve banknotes;
Accumulating all of the change reserve banknotes in one stacker unit;
Stacking the remaining banknotes in a stacker unit other than the stacker unit in which the change banknotes are stacked;
Stopping the accumulation of the change reserve banknotes after each accumulated change reserve banknote has reached a predetermined number or amount;
A change reserve preparation method characterized by comprising: The method of claim 1, comprising:
When creating each of the two or more change reserves by repeating the steps, each change reserve is accumulated in a separate stacker unit. The method according to claim 1 or 2 , comprising:
The change bill preparation method, wherein the remaining banknotes are accumulated in different stacker units according to denominations. The method according to claim 1 or 2 , comprising:
A change reserve preparation method, wherein all of the remaining banknotes are accumulated in one stacker unit. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising:
Until the change reserve to be created reaches a predetermined number or amount, the number or amount of banknotes accumulated in the change reserve stacker unit, or until the predetermined number or amount, the change reserve stacker. Informing at least one of the remaining number or amount of money to be accumulated in the unit;
A change reserve preparation method characterized by including: A method according to any of claims 1 to 5 , comprising
Of the plurality of stacker units, a stacker unit located at an upper part is used as the change reserve stacker unit. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising:
Receiving recorded transaction data from outside;
When the received transaction data includes data indicating excess or deficiency of money in past transactions, changing the change reserve setting;
A change reserve preparation method characterized by including: A method for creating a change reserve including a predetermined number or a plurality of denominations of a plurality of denominations while determining the amount of the collected banknotes using a banknote processing apparatus having an insertion slot, an identification unit, and a plurality of stacker units Because
Receiving bills collected from the POS and collected at the slot;
Identifying the banknote received at the slot by the identification unit, and determining at least a denomination;
Accumulating the amount of each banknote based on the identification result by the identification unit to calculate the total amount of banknotes collected from the POS;
Based on the change reserve setting and the identification result, the banknotes are classified into change reserve banknotes and remaining banknotes other than the change reserve banknotes;
Accumulating all of the change reserve banknotes in one stacker unit;
Stacking the remaining banknotes in a stacker unit other than the stacker unit in which the change banknotes are stacked;
Stopping the accumulation of the change reserve banknotes after each accumulated change reserve banknote has reached a predetermined number or amount;
Receiving transaction data recorded by the POS;
Comparing the total amount of banknotes collected from the POS with the sales data of the POS included in the transaction data;
A change reserve preparation method characterized by including:

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