JP6879152B2 - Media processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus.

The banknote deposit / withdrawal machine (medium processing device) is provided in, for example, an automated teller machine (ATM) or the like, and performs banknote deposit processing, withdrawal processing, and the like.

In the deposit processing of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine, first, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine stores the banknotes (medium) inserted by the customer in the customer service section, separates the stored banknotes one by one, and separates the stored banknotes one by one. It is supplied to the discrimination unit provided inside through the supply port. Then, the discrimination unit discriminates each banknote, and the banknotes determined to be abnormal banknotes (fake banknotes, non-defective banknotes, etc.) by the discrimination unit are returned to the customer service department through the return port. The customer service section is not provided with a partition or the like for distinguishing between banknotes that have not been discriminated by the discrimination section and banknotes that have been discriminated by the discrimination section and returned to the customer service section. Therefore, the above-mentioned banknote deposit / withdrawal machine will continue to supply the banknotes to the discriminating section, but at this time, the banknotes that have not yet been discriminated by the discriminating section are returned to the customer service section. Abnormal banknotes will be supplied. Banknotes once discriminated by the discriminating department are supplied to the discriminating department again and do not have to be discriminated again. However, whether or not all of the plurality of banknotes stored in the customer service department are discriminated by the discriminating department, that is, customer service. If it is not possible to determine whether or not the discrimination of the plurality of banknotes stored in the banknotes has been completed, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine will continue to supply the banknotes to the banknotes.

Therefore, in order to stop the supply of banknotes to the discrimination section at an appropriate timing while avoiding the occurrence of undiscriminated banknotes, in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine, a plurality of banknotes stored in the customer service section are used. Is determined whether or not all of the banknotes have been discriminated by the discriminating section, that is, whether or not the discriminating of a plurality of banknotes stored in the customer service section has been completed. For example, in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, the discrimination unit reads the serial number printed on the banknote, and the banknotes are discriminated by the matching of the read serial numbers and the order of the banknotes. I was judging.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-164399

However, when the internal configuration of the device of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine (media processing device) is changed, it cannot be determined whether or not the discrimination of the banknote (medium) has been completed by the determination of the disclosure of Patent Document 1. ..

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is a new and improved medium capable of determining whether or not the discrimination of the medium has been completed. The purpose is to provide a processing device.

In order to solve the above problems, according to a certain viewpoint of the present invention, the first storage unit for storing a plurality of media and the plurality of media are distinguished from each other, and the identification information described in each medium is used. The discriminating unit to be read, the first transporting unit that transports each medium from the first storage unit to the discriminating unit in the first order, and the medium for which a predetermined discrimination result has been obtained by the discriminating unit. The second transport unit that returns to the first storage unit in the second order, which is the reverse of the first order, and the identification information of the medium read by the discrimination unit are used as the first identification information. A first storage unit that stores in the first order and a second storage unit that stores the identification information of the medium returned to the first storage unit as the second identification information in the second order. The determination unit includes a determination unit for determining whether or not the discrimination for the plurality of media has been completed by the discrimination unit, and the determination unit stores the first identification information in the second storage unit. If it matches the second identification information, it is next to the first identification information stored in the first storage unit after the first identification information, and the second identification information. It is determined whether or not the subsequent second identification information stored in the second storage unit matches, or the preceding information stored in the first storage unit before the first identification information. Provided is a medium processing apparatus for determining whether or not the first identification information and the preceding second identification information stored in the second storage unit before the second identification information match. To.

The medium processing device may further include a second storage unit for storing the medium for which a predetermined discrimination result has not been obtained by the discrimination unit.

When transported from the first storage unit to the discrimination unit by the first transport unit, the plurality of media may be separately transported.

When transported from the discrimination unit to the first storage unit by the second transport unit, the medium is stored in the storage unit and then transported from the storage unit to the first storage unit. You may.

The storage unit may function as a transport unit for transporting the medium.

The discrimination unit may obtain the predetermined discrimination result by discriminating the medium from the abnormal medium.

The identification information may be a serial number printed on the medium.

The first storage unit may be a customer service unit that accepts the input of the medium from the customer and returns the medium to the customer.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medium processing apparatus capable of determining whether or not the discrimination of media has been completed.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic structure of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detailed structure of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the determination method in the payment processing which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing (the 1) for demonstrating the payment process which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) for demonstrating the payment process which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing (the 3) for demonstrating the payment process which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing (the 4) for demonstrating the payment process which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing (the 5) for demonstrating the payment process which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing (the 6) for demonstrating the payment process which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing (7) for demonstrating the payment process which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detailed structure of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 which concerns on a comparative example. It is explanatory drawing (the 1) for demonstrating the payment process which concerns on a comparative example. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) for demonstrating the deposit process which concerns on a comparative example. It is explanatory drawing (the 3) for demonstrating the deposit process which concerns on a comparative example.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, so that duplicate description will be omitted.

Further, in the present specification and the drawings, a plurality of components having substantially the same or similar functional configurations may be distinguished by adding different numbers after the same reference numerals. However, if it is not necessary to distinguish each of a plurality of components having substantially the same or similar functional configurations, only the same reference numerals are given. Further, similar components of different embodiments may be distinguished by adding different alphabets after the same reference numerals. However, if it is not necessary to distinguish each of the similar components, only the same reference numerals are given.

An embodiment of the present invention described below is for depositing and withdrawing banknotes provided in an ATM used in a financial institution, a cash processing device installed in a branch office of a financial institution, a backyard of a store, or the like. An example of application to a banknote deposit / withdrawal machine for processing will be described. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to being applied to the above-mentioned banknote deposit / withdrawal machine, and is applied to a medium processing device such as an automatic ticket voucher that processes media such as cash vouchers, tickets, and slips. It may be applied and is not particularly limited.

<< Basic configuration of banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 >>
First, with reference to FIG. 1, the basic configuration of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine (media processing device) 10 will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10. The banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 is provided in an ATM or the like to perform banknote deposit processing, withdrawal processing, and the like. The banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 may be a device that only performs banknote deposit processing, or may be a device that only performs banknote withdrawal processing. Here, the deposit processing is a process of discriminating banknotes inserted by a customer or the like, counting them, and storing them in a storage unit in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10. Further, the withdrawal process is a process of counting the banknotes stored in the storage unit of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 and paying them out to the customer or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10 includes a control unit 100, a transport unit 110, a customer service unit (first storage unit) 120, an identification unit 130, a storage unit 140, and a temporary storage unit (a temporary storage unit (1st storage unit) 120. It mainly has a second storage unit) 150, a cassette 160, a first storage storage 170, a second storage storage 180, and a shutter 190. In the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10, basically, one or a plurality of banknotes are put into the customer service unit 120, separated one by one and transported to the discrimination unit 130, and the discrimination is performed by the discrimination unit 130. Will be. Then, the discriminated banknotes are mainly transported to the temporary storage unit 150. Further, when all the banknotes inserted into the customer service unit 120 are discriminated, these banknotes are stored in the cassette 160 for each denomination. Depending on the discrimination result by the discrimination unit 130, the banknotes may be returned to the customer service unit 120 or stored in the first and second storages 170 and 180. The details of each part of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 will be described below.

(Control unit 100)
The control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that is an arithmetic processing unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and arithmetic parameters used by the CPU, a program used in the execution of the CPU, and an appropriate change in the execution thereof. It is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like that temporarily stores the parameters to be executed. Such a control unit 100 controls the overall operation of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10. For example, the control unit 100 controls a transport unit 110, an actuator (not shown), various sensors (not shown), etc. provided in the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10 based on the information stored in the storage unit 140 described later. To do. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 100 determines whether or not all of the plurality of banknotes stored in the customer service unit 120 are discriminated by the discriminating unit 130, that is, discriminating a plurality of banknotes stored in the customer service unit 120. Includes a determination unit 102 that determines whether or not the banknotes have made a round.

(Transport section 110)
The transport unit 110 includes a transport path for receiving bills (not shown), a transport roller for rotating the transport path (not shown), a switching unit for guiding bills (not shown), and a drive mechanism for driving the transport roller (not shown). (For example, a DC servo motor, a pulse motor, etc.) are included, and banknotes are transported to various places in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10. For example, the transport rollers are arranged so as to face each other across the transport path, and when the transport roller is controlled by the control unit 100 and rotates, the transport path moves in a predetermined direction to transport bills. it can. Further, the blades provided in contact with the transport path can switch the transport direction of banknotes. The transport unit 110 may be branched and provided as described later.

(Customer Service Department 120)
The customer service unit 120 stores a plurality of banknotes inserted by a customer or the like, and also stores banknotes to be returned to the customer or the like. Specifically, the customer service unit 120 can separate a plurality of stored banknotes one by one and supply them to the transport unit 110. By doing so, the banknotes can be inserted into the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 one by one. Will be taken in.

(Discrimination Department 130)
The discrimination unit 130 can discriminate banknotes that pass through the discrimination unit 130 one by one. Specifically, the discrimination unit 130 incorporates a plurality of types of sensors (not shown) such as an image sensor such as an OCR (Optical Charger Recognition) and a authenticity sensor such as a magnetic sensor (not shown). Positive loss of banknotes such as denomination (for example, 10,000 yen ticket, 5,000 yen ticket, 2,000 yen ticket, 1,000 yen ticket), authenticity (true ticket / fake ticket), whether it is a genuine ticket or a lost ticket Distinguish the status, the transport status such as double feeding, the front and back of bills, etc. Then, the discrimination unit 130 makes a normal determination or an abnormality determination based on the above-mentioned discrimination result with respect to the banknotes passing through the discrimination unit 130.

Specifically, the true ticket means a medium that has been identified as a banknote by the discrimination unit 130, and the fake ticket means a medium that has not been identified as a banknote. In addition, a genuine banknote is a banknote that has been identified as a genuine banknote with less dirt and is suitable for use in deposit / withdrawal processing, and a loss ticket is identified as a genuine banknote. Of the banknotes, those that are not suitable for deposit / withdrawal processing due to a lot of dirt, etc., and banknotes that cannot be used for deposit / withdrawal processing because they are overseas banknotes, etc. Then, the discrimination unit 130 determines that the discriminated medium is an abnormal banknote (abnormal medium) whose denomination is unknown or cannot be accepted, based on factors such as fake tickets and lost tickets. On the other hand, the discrimination unit 130 determines that the other media are normal bills (normal media).

Further, the collection destination of the banknotes is determined based on the normal determination or the abnormality determination (discrimination result) of the discrimination unit 130. In the following description, the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10 will be described as determining the collection destination of the corresponding bills based on the discrimination result by the discrimination unit 130, but the present embodiment is limited to this. The collection destination of the corresponding medium may be determined according to the information (state of the medium, information written on the medium, etc.) related to the medium (cash voucher, ticket, slip, etc.) to be processed.

In addition, the discrimination unit 130 can perform the above-mentioned discrimination and count the bills for which the denomination has been determined. Further, the discrimination unit 130 can also read the identification information for identifying each banknote printed on each banknote.

The identification information is a serial number printed on each banknote, and is, for example, a character string given to each banknote and composed of alphanumeric characters or the like pre-printed on the banknote. The serial number (identification information) read by the discrimination unit 130 is stored in the storage unit 140, which will be described later, together with the discrimination result by the discrimination unit 130 as information for identifying each banknote.

(Memory unit 140)
The storage unit 140 is realized from a data storage storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) device, and stores the result obtained by the discrimination unit 130. For example, the storage unit 140 may include a serial number storage area 200 for storing the identification information (serial number) read by the discrimination unit 130. The storage unit 140 may store various control programs (software) for controlling the entire bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10.

(Temporary storage 150)
The temporary storage unit 150 temporarily stores the banknotes inserted into the customer service unit 120 by the customer. The temporary storage unit 150 was not temporarily determined to be an abnormal banknote (specifically, the discrimination unit 130 did not determine it as an abnormal banknote) until the payment process (payment transaction) was completed by the customer's operation, that is, until the payment amount was confirmed. Banknotes) are stored. On the other hand, if the payment process is canceled by the customer's operation, the banknotes stored in the temporary storage unit 150 will be returned to the customer service unit 120.

(Cassette 160)
The cassette 160 stores banknotes that can be used in transactions with customers. For example, a stage (not shown) that can be moved up and down by an elevating mechanism is provided inside the cassette 160, and banknotes stored in the cassette 160 are accumulated on the stage. Further, the cassette 160 is provided with a supply mechanism (not shown), and the supply mechanism can supply the banknotes in the cassette 160 one by one to the transport unit 110. The cassette 160 may include a plurality of cassette units (not shown) having the same structure. In this case, each cassette unit individually stores the banknotes of each denomination.

(First storage 170)
The first storage 170 is a storage unit for storing banknotes of denominations that are not used for transactions with customers, such as 2000-yen bills, among the banknotes inserted into the customer service unit 120 at the time of deposit transaction. The banknotes carried by the unit 110 can be accumulated.

(Second storage 180)
The second storage 180 is a withdrawal reject storage that stores banknotes determined by the discrimination unit 130 to be unsuitable for withdrawal to customers at the time of withdrawal transactions. Further, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 may have a third storage (not shown), and the third storage is, for example, a fake ticket by discrimination at the time of deposit processing or withdrawal processing. It is a fake ticket store that stores banknotes that are determined to exist.

(Shutter 190)
The shutter 190 is provided on the side of the customer service unit 120 facing the customer or the like, and by opening and closing the shutter 190, the customer service unit 120 is released when the customer or the like inserts or takes out the banknotes, and the banknotes are deposited and withdrawn. When taking in the inside of 10, the customer service unit 120 is closed.

<< Background to the embodiment of the present invention >>
Next, prior to the description of the embodiment of the present invention, the background of the present inventor forming the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, a banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 according to a comparative example, which is a banknote deposit / withdrawal machine that the present inventor has been studying, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the detailed configuration of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 according to the comparative example, and more specifically, the customer service unit 120, the discrimination unit 130, and the temporary storage unit 150 in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20. And the positional relationship of the transport unit 112 is schematically shown. The banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 has the same basic configuration as the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 of FIG. 1 described above.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 according to the comparative example, the customer service unit 120 has a supply port 122 for supplying banknotes from the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130 in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20, and the banknote input / withdrawal. A return port 124 for returning banknotes from the inside of the gold machine 20 to the customer service unit 120 is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20, the transport unit 112 makes a round from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120 to the return port 124 of the customer service unit 120 after passing through the discrimination unit 130. It is stretched like this. Further, the transport section 112 between the discrimination section 130 and the return port 124 of the customer service section 120 is provided with a transport section extending to the temporary storage section 150, specifically, a branch section 112c. A blade 306 is provided at the branch point where the transport unit 112 and the branch unit 112c branch, and by controlling the blade 306, the banknote transport direction can be set to the direction toward the temporary storage unit 150, or the customer service unit 120. It can be directed toward the return port 124 of. The transport section 112 and the branch section 112c are continuously provided, and are driven so as to transport banknotes in the same direction (clockwise direction in the drawing).

Next, the outline of the deposit processing in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 according to the comparative example will be described. The banknotes inserted into the customer service unit 120 by the customer or the like are separated one by one and supplied to the transport unit 112 via the supply port 122, and are transported to the discrimination unit 130 by the transport unit 112. Then, the banknotes discriminated by the discriminating unit 130 are transported to the collection destination according to the discriminating result. Specifically, the banknotes determined to be normal banknotes by the discrimination unit 130 are transported to the temporary storage unit 150, and the banknotes determined to be abnormal banknotes are returned to the customer service unit 120 via the return port 124. Further, if all of the plurality of banknotes inserted into the customer service unit 120 by the customer or the like are discriminated by the discrimination unit 130 and the payment process (payment transaction) is completed by the operation of the customer or the like, the payment process (payment transaction) is temporarily performed. The banknotes stored in the storage unit 150 are stored in the cassette 160, and the banknotes returned to the customer service unit 120 are collected by the customer or the like.

Since the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 according to the comparative example has a configuration in which the banknotes determined to be abnormal banknotes are returned directly from the discrimination unit 130 to the customer service unit 120, the plurality of abnormal banknotes are these abnormal banknotes. Will be returned to the return port 124 of the customer service unit 120 in the same order as when the banknotes were supplied from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130.

Next, the details of the deposit processing in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 according to the comparative example will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. 12 to 14 are explanatory views for explaining the deposit processing according to the comparative example. In detail, the upper figures of FIGS. 12 to 14 schematically show the movement of banknotes at each stage of the deposit processing in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20, and the lower table of these figures shows the deposit processing. The state of the table stored in the serial number storage area 200 of the storage unit 140 at each stage is shown.

In the serial number storage area 200, there are two pieces of information used for determining that all the banknotes stored in the customer service unit 120 have been discriminated by the discriminating unit 130, that is, the discrimination of the stored banknotes has been completed. It is stored as a table, a deposit bill numbering table 230, and an abnormal bill numbering table 240.

Specifically, the deposit bill serial number table 230 reads the serial numbers (identification information) of the bills read by the discrimination unit 130 in the order read by the discrimination unit 130, that is, from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. Store in the order in which they were supplied. The abnormal banknote serial number table 240 stores the identification information (serial number) of the banknotes that are determined to be abnormal banknotes by the discrimination unit 130 and returned to the customer service unit 120 in the order in which they are returned to the customer service unit 120. In the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 according to the comparative example, the abnormal banknotes are supplied from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130 in the order in which the abnormal banknotes are returned to the return port 124 of the customer service unit 120. It is the same as the order when it was done.

First, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 12, six banknotes (banknote 1, banknote 2, banknote 3, banknote 4, banknote 5, banknote 6) are placed in the customer service section 120 of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 according to the comparative example. It shall be input by the customer, etc. At this stage, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 12, the deposit bill serial number table 230 and the abnormal bill serial number table 240 are not discriminated and the serial number is read by the discriminating unit 130. Not stored. In the deposit bill numbering table 230 and the abnormal bill numbering table 240, the heading number (INDEX) indicating the order in which the information is stored is attached to the upper row, and the lower row is the lower row. , The serial number is stored.

Subsequently, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 separates the banknotes inserted into the customer service unit 120 one by one and conveys them to the discrimination unit 130. Then, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 conveys the banknotes determined to be normal banknotes to the temporary storage unit 150 and the banknotes determined to be abnormal banknotes to the customer service unit 120 based on the discrimination result in the discrimination unit 130.

Specifically, the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 20 sequentially conveys the bills 1 to 5 to the discrimination unit 130. Then, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 conveys the banknote 1, the banknote 2, and the banknote 4 determined to be abnormal banknotes by the discrimination unit 130 to the customer service unit 120, and temporarily stores the banknotes 3 and 5 determined to be normal banknotes. It is transported to 150 and is in a state as shown in the upper part of FIG. 13 (first deposit stage).

As shown in the lower part of FIG. 13, in the first deposit stage as described above, the deposit bill serial number table 230 stores the serial numbers of the bills read by the discrimination unit 130 in the order of reading. Specifically, the deposit bill numbering table 230 stores the serial numbers of these bills in the order of bill 1, bill 2, bill 3, bill 4, and bill 5. Further, the abnormal banknote serial number table 240 stores the serial numbers of the banknotes that are determined to be abnormal banknotes by the discrimination unit 130 and returned (returned) to the customer service unit 120 in the order in which they are returned to the customer service unit 120. Specifically, the abnormal bill numbering table 240 stores the serial numbers of these bills in the order of bill 1, bill 2, and bill 4. In addition, in FIG. 13 and FIGS. 4 to 10 and 14 referred to in the following description, specific serial numbers are used as the serial numbers stored in the deposit bill serial number table 230 and the abnormal bill serial number table 240. Instead of, the name of the banknote (eg, "Banknote 1") is shown.

Subsequently, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 continues to transport the banknotes from the customer service unit 120. Specifically, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 sequentially conveys the banknote 6, the banknote 1, the banknote 2, and the banknote 4 stored in the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. Then, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 conveys the banknotes 2 and 4 determined to be abnormal banknotes to the customer service unit 120, and the banknotes 6 and 1 determined to be normal banknotes to the temporary storage unit 150. FIG. It will be in the state shown in the upper row (second deposit stage).

Then, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 14, in the second deposit stage as described above, the deposit bill serial number table 230 is newly stored in the order in which the serial numbers of the bills read by the discrimination unit 130 are read. .. At this time, in the deposit bill serial number table 230, the serial number stored in the first deposit stage described above is deleted, and the serial number of the bill read by the discrimination unit 130 in the second deposit stage is stored. Specifically, the deposit bill numbering table 230 stores the serial numbers of these bills in the order of bill 6, bill 1, bill 2, and bill 4.

Here, the determination unit 102 of the control unit 100 determines whether or not all the banknotes stored in the customer service unit 120 have been discriminated by the discrimination unit 130, that is, whether or not the discrimination of the stored banknotes has been completed. Specifically, the determination unit 102 stores the serial number stored in the deposit bill serial number table 230 at the second deposit stage (see the lower part of FIG. 14) and the abnormal bill serial number table 240 at the first deposit stage. The banknotes with the same serial number are searched for by comparing with the serial number (see the lower part of FIG. 13). Specifically, in the example of the lower part of FIG. 13 and the lower part of FIG. 14, the serial number (banknote 1) of the banknote corresponding to INDEX 1 of the deposit banknote serial number table 230 at the second deposit stage and the first deposit stage. The serial number (banknote 1) of the bill corresponding to INDEX 0 in the abnormal bill serial number table 240 in the above is the same. In the following description, a banknote in which the serial number stored in the deposit bill serial number table 230 and the serial number stored in the abnormal bill serial number table 240 match (corresponding to bill 1 in the above example) is used. , Called the same serial number detection banknote.

Subsequently, the determination unit 102 includes a deposit bill numbering table 230 at the second deposit stage (see the lower part of FIG. 14) and an abnormal bill numbering table 240 at the first deposit stage (see the lower part of FIG. 13). A banknote having a serial number stored in each table after the same serial number detection banknote is searched for, and the banknotes having the same serial number are searched for. Specifically, in the example of the lower part of FIG. 13 and the lower part of FIG. 14, the serial number (banknote 2) of the banknote corresponding to INDEX 2 of the deposit banknote serial number table 230 at the second deposit stage and the first deposit stage. The serial number (banknote 2) of the bill corresponding to INDEX 1 of the abnormal bill serial number table 240 of the above is the same. In the following description, after the same serial number detection bill, the bill in which the serial number is stored in each of the tables is referred to as a subsequent bill. On the other hand, a banknote in which the serial number is stored in each of the above tables before the same serial number detection banknote is called a preceding banknote.

Then, the determination unit 102 has a deposit bill numbering table 230 at the second deposit stage (see the lower part of FIG. 14) and an abnormal bill numbering table 240 at the first deposit stage (see the lower part of FIG. 13). When there are two or more banknotes with the same serial number (in the above example, banknote 1 and banknote 2), and the order of the banknotes with the same serial number is the same in both tables (in the above example). Determines that the order of the banknote 1 and the banknote 2 is the same in the abnormal banknote numbering table 240 and the deposit banknote numbering table 230).

That is, in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 according to the comparative example, the determination unit 102 searches for the presence / absence of the same serial number detection banknote, and further determines whether or not the serial numbers of the subsequent banknotes match. It was judged whether or not the discrimination had been completed.

If the determination unit 102 does not determine that the banknotes have been identified at this stage, the abnormal banknote serial number table 240 is in the second deposit stage, as shown in the lower area 420 of FIG. The serial numbers of the banknotes (banknotes 2 and 4) returned to the customer service unit 120 in step 2 are additionally stored. At this time, in the abnormal banknote serial number table 240, the serial number stored in the first deposit stage described above is not erased, and the serial number is not stored in the table (area 420) for the second time. The serial number of the banknote returned to the customer service unit 120 at the payment stage will be stored.

Then, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 repeats the above-mentioned deposit step until it is determined by the determination unit 102 that the banknotes have been identified.

However, when the internal configuration of the device of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine is changed, it cannot be determined that the banknotes have been discriminated by the above-mentioned determination method. Specifically, since the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20 according to the comparative example has a configuration in which the banknotes determined to be abnormal banknotes are returned directly from the discrimination unit 130 to the customer service unit 120, the plurality of abnormal banknotes have these abnormalities. The banknotes are returned to the return port 124 of the customer service unit 120 in the same order as when the banknotes are supplied from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. Further, in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 20, the deposit banknote serial number table 230 discriminates the serial numbers of the banknotes read by the discriminating unit 130 in the order read by the discriminating unit 130, that is, from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120. It is stored in the order in which it was supplied to the unit 130. Further, the abnormal banknote serial number table 240 stores the serial numbers of the banknotes that are determined to be abnormal banknotes by the discrimination unit 130 and returned to the customer service unit 120 in the order in which they are returned to the customer service unit 120. Is the same as the order when the abnormal banknotes are supplied from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130, so that the serial number of the abnormal banknote is the order when the serial number of the abnormal banknote is supplied from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. Store in.

On the other hand, when the internal configuration of the device of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine is changed, the abnormal banknotes are the abnormal banknotes when the abnormal banknotes are supplied from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. They will be returned to the return port 124 of the customer service unit 120 in the reverse order. In such a case, since the order in which the abnormal banknotes are returned is reversed, the determination method of the comparative example, that is, the same serial number detection banknote is searched, and whether or not the serial numbers match in the subsequent banknotes is determined. With such a method of determination, it becomes impossible to determine whether or not the discrimination of banknotes has been completed.

Therefore, the present inventor has come to create an embodiment of the present invention in view of such a situation. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the customer service unit is in the reverse order (second order) of the abnormal banknotes being supplied from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. Even if the banknotes (media) stored in the customer service unit 120 are returned to the return port 124 of the 120, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine (media processing device) 10 can determine whether or not the discrimination of the banknotes (media) stored in the customer service unit 120 has been completed. Can be provided. The details of such an embodiment of the present invention will be sequentially described below.

<< Embodiment of the present invention >>
<Detailed configuration of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention>
First, a detailed configuration of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 has the same basic configuration as the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 described above with reference to FIG. Therefore, here, the description of the basic configuration of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be omitted, and the detailed configuration of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a detailed configuration of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the customer service unit 120, the discrimination unit 130, and temporary storage in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 The positional relationship between the unit 150 and the transport unit 110 is schematically shown.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the present embodiment, as in the above-mentioned comparative example, the banknotes are sent to the customer service unit 120 from the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130 in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10. A supply port 122 for supplying banknotes and a return port 124 for returning banknotes from the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 to the customer service unit 120 are provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a transport unit 110 having a form different from that of the transport unit 112 according to the comparative example. Specifically, in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10, the transport unit (first transport unit) 110 extends from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120, passes through the discrimination unit 130, and extends to the temporary storage unit 150. There is. Further, a part of the transport unit 110 is branched and extended between the discrimination unit 130 and the temporary storage unit 150 so as to go in a direction different from that of the temporary storage unit 150. In the following description, the portion where the transport unit 110 is branched is referred to as a storage unit 110d. The storage unit 110d is a transport unit that branches off from the transport unit 110, and therefore, the storage unit 110d can transport banknotes as a transport unit. Further, the storage unit 110d can function as a storage unit for temporarily storing the banknotes by temporarily stopping the transportation of the banknotes. Further, in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the present embodiment, a blade 302 is provided at a branch point where the transport unit 110 toward the temporary storage unit 150 and the storage unit 110d branch off, and the direction of the blade 302 is provided. By controlling the above, the transport direction of the banknotes can be set to the direction toward the temporary storage section 150 or the direction toward the storage section 110d.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the transfer unit 110 branches and extends between the customer service unit 120 and the identification unit 130 (second branch unit 110b). A transport unit) is provided, and the branch unit 110b transports banknotes (for example, abnormal banknotes) that pass through the discrimination unit 130 to the return port 124 of the customer service unit 120. Specifically, a blade 304 is provided at a branch point where the transport unit 110 and the branch unit 110b branch, and by controlling the direction of the blade 304, the direction in which the banknotes are transported is directed toward the discrimination unit 130. Or the direction toward the customer service unit 120.

When a banknote passes through the discrimination unit 130 and is returned to the return port 124 of the customer service unit 120, the banknote passes through a part of the transport unit 110 and further passes through the branch unit 110b to return the banknote. It will be returned to 124. That is, a part of the route when the banknotes are supplied from the customer service unit 120 to the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 and the route when the banknotes are returned from the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 to the customer service unit 120 are common. It means that you are doing it. Further, when the banknotes are supplied from the customer service unit 120 into the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10, the transport unit 110 and the storage unit 110d are oriented in the directions from top to bottom and from right to left in FIG. Transport banknotes. On the other hand, when the banknotes are returned from the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 to the customer service unit 120, the transport unit 110, the branch unit 110b, and the storage unit 110d are arranged in FIG. 2, from bottom to top and from left to right. Transport the banknotes in the direction toward. Therefore, in the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the supply and return of bills can be switched by switching the transport direction of the transport unit 110 or the like.

Further, in the above description, the storage unit 110d has been described as being formed by the transport unit branched from the transport unit 110, but the present embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, the temporary storage unit 150. It may be a storage for banknotes having a similar structure. In this case, for example, the storage unit, which is the storage unit 110d, has a structure in which the receiving port for the transported banknotes and the discharging port for the received banknotes are common, and the storage unit is the received banknotes. The stored banknotes will be ejected in the reverse order of.

Next, the outline of the deposit processing in the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the banknotes inserted into the customer service unit 120 by the customer or the like are separated one by one and supplied to the transport unit 110 via the supply port 122, and are transported to the discrimination unit 130 by the transport unit 110. .. Then, the banknotes discriminated by the discriminating unit 130 are transported to the collection destination according to the discriminating result.

Specifically, in the present embodiment described below, the banknotes determined to be normal banknotes by the discrimination unit 130 are transported to the temporary storage unit 150, and the banknotes determined to be abnormal banknotes are temporarily stored in the storage unit 110d. It is assumed that the banknotes are collected and then passed through the discrimination unit 130 and returned to the return port 124 of the customer service unit 120. However, in the present embodiment, the banknotes are not limited to being transported as described above. For example, in the present embodiment, the banknotes determined to be abnormal banknotes by the discrimination unit 130 are transported to the temporary storage unit 150 or the like (may be another storage unit), and the banknotes determined to be normal banknotes are After being temporarily accumulated in the storage unit 110d, it may be returned to the return port 124 of the customer service unit 120 through the discrimination unit 130.

Further, if all of the plurality of banknotes inserted into the customer service unit 120 by the customer or the like are discriminated by the discrimination unit 130 and the payment process (payment transaction) is completed by the operation of the customer or the like, the payment process (payment transaction) is temporarily performed. The banknotes stored in the storage unit 150 are stored in the cassette 160, and the banknotes returned to the customer service unit 120 are collected by the customer or the like.

The banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which banknotes determined to be abnormal banknotes are once accumulated in the storage unit 110d, then passed through the discrimination unit 130 and returned to the customer service unit 120. Therefore, the plurality of abnormal banknotes are arranged in an order (second order) opposite to the order (first order) when these abnormal banknotes are supplied from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. It will be returned to the return port 124 of the customer service unit 120. The details of the deposit processing according to this embodiment will be described later.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, by providing the storage unit 110d as a part of the transport unit, a storage unit having the same configuration as the temporary storage unit 150 is provided, or as in the comparative example. Compared with the case where the transport unit 112 is provided so as to make a round from the customer service unit 120 through the discrimination unit 130 to the customer service unit 120, it is possible to suppress an increase in the manufacturing cost and volume of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10. Further, in the present embodiment, until the amount of banknotes that can be accumulated in the storage unit 110d is reached, the transport unit 110 or the like is moved in the direction of stopping or returning the transport (from bottom to top and from left to right in FIG. 2). This is because the banknotes can be continuously transported in the supply direction (the direction from top to bottom and from right to left in FIG. 2) without transporting the banknotes in the direction (direction). , It is also possible to shorten the processing time of the deposit processing of banknotes.

In the following description, the storage unit 110d will be described as being capable of accumulating up to three banknotes, but the present embodiment is not limited to this and is accumulated in the storage unit 110d. The amount of banknotes that can be used can be appropriately adjusted in consideration of the manufacturing cost, volume, and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 is not limited to the detailed configuration as shown in FIG. 2, and the abnormal banknotes determined to be abnormal banknotes by the discrimination unit 130 serve customers. The configuration is not particularly limited as long as the components are returned to the return port 124 of the customer service unit 120 in the reverse order of the order in which they are supplied from the supply port 122 of the unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130.

Further, also in the present embodiment, it is determined that in the serial number storage area 200 of the storage unit 140, all the banknotes stored in the customer service unit 120 have been discriminated by the discriminating unit 130, that is, the banknotes have been discriminated once. The information used for this is stored as a deposit bill numbering table (first storage unit) 210 and an abnormal bill numbering table 220 (second storage unit) (see FIGS. 4 to 10).

Specifically, in the deposit bill numbering table 210 according to the present embodiment, the serial number (identification information) of the bills read by the discrimination unit 130 is read by the discrimination unit 130, that is, the customer service, as in the comparative example. It is stored in the order in which it is supplied from the supply port 122 of the unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. On the other hand, in the abnormal banknote serial number table 220 according to the present embodiment, when the identification information (serial number) of the banknote determined to be an abnormal banknote by the discrimination unit 130 and returned to the customer service unit 120 is returned to the customer service unit 120. Store in the order of. In the present embodiment, the order in which the abnormal banknotes are returned to the return port 124 of the customer service unit 120 is the order in which these abnormal banknotes are supplied from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. Is the opposite. Therefore, in the abnormal banknote serial number table 220 according to the present embodiment, the serial numbers of the abnormal banknotes are assigned in the reverse order of the order in which the abnormal banknotes are supplied from the supply port 122 of the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. Store. The details of the deposit bill numbering table 210 and the abnormal bill numbering table 220 will be described later.

Further, each time the deposit step is performed in the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10, the deposit bill serial number table 210 newly stores the serial number of a series of bills read by the discrimination unit 130. Therefore, in the next new deposit stage, the deposit bill serial number table 210 erases all the serial numbers stored in the previous deposit stage, and a series of readings by the discrimination unit 130 in the new deposit stage. Store the new serial number of the banknote. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, each time the return step is carried out in the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10, the abnormal bill serial number table 220 stores the serial numbers of the returned series of bills. Specifically, the abnormal banknote serial number table 220 is stored so as to add the serial number of the banknote returned in the new return stage without erasing the previously stored serial number. The details of the deposit stage and the return stage will be described later.

<< Determining method according to the embodiment of the present invention >>
The detailed configuration of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the determination method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a determination method in the deposit processing according to the present embodiment. The determination method according to the present embodiment described below is performed by the determination unit 102 of the control unit 100 described above. That is, in the determination method, whether or not all the plurality of banknotes stored in the customer service unit 120 are discriminated by the discrimination unit 130 by the determination unit 102, in other words, the discrimination of the plurality of banknotes stored in the customer service unit 120 is performed. This is a method for determining whether or not a round has been completed.

Explaining the main flow of the determination method according to the present embodiment, the determination unit 102 stores the serial number (first identification information) stored in the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the abnormal bill serial number table 220. Search for the same serial number detection banknote that matches the serial number (second identification information). Further, when the same serial number detection bill having the same serial number exists, the determination unit 102 has an abnormality with the serial number stored in the deposit bill serial number table 210 in the subsequent bill of the same serial number detection bill. Search for a banknote that matches the serial number stored in the banknote serial number table 220, or in the preceding banknote of the same serial number detection banknote, the serial number stored in the deposit banknote serial number table 210 and the abnormal banknote notation. Search for banknotes that match the serial numbers stored in the number table 220. Then, when there are banknotes having the same serial number in the succeeding banknote or the preceding banknote, the determination unit 102 determines that the discrimination of the banknotes has been completed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the determination method according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of steps from step S101 to step S121. The details of each step of the determination method according to the present embodiment will be described below.

In the example described below, it is assumed that the banknotes inserted into the customer service unit 120 by the customer include abnormal banknotes.

(Step S101)
The determination unit 102 sets the heading number (INDEX) of the bill to be searched in the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the abnormal bill serial number table 220 to 0. Therefore, when searching for banknotes having the same serial number, the determination unit 102 determines whether the serial numbers match in order from the banknote whose heading number is 0.

(Step S103)
The determination unit 102 confirms whether or not the banknote has been conveyed to the storage unit 110d based on the discrimination result of the discrimination unit 130, the sensing result of the sensor (not shown) provided in the storage unit 110d, and the like. The determination unit 102 proceeds to step S105 if the banknotes are transported to the storage unit 110d, and proceeds to step S121 if the banknotes are not transported to the storage unit 110d.

(Step S105)
The determination unit 102 confirms whether the serial number is stored in the corresponding heading number (INDEX) (0 at the first time) of the deposit bill serial number table 210. The determination unit 102 proceeds to step S107 if the serial number is stored in the corresponding heading number, and proceeds to step S121 if the serial number is not stored in the corresponding heading number.

(Step S107)
The determination unit 102 confirms whether the serial number is stored in the corresponding heading number (INDEX) (0 at the first time) of the abnormal bill serial number table 220. The determination unit 102 proceeds to step S109 if the serial number is stored in the corresponding heading number, and proceeds to step S117 if the serial number is not stored in the corresponding heading number.

(Step S109)
The determination unit 102 includes a serial number stored in the corresponding heading number (INDEX) (0 for the first time) of the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the corresponding heading number (INDEX) (0 for the first time) of the abnormal bill serial number table 220. ) Is compared with the serial numbers stored in), and it is determined whether or not these serial numbers match. The determination unit 102 proceeds to step S111 when the serial numbers match (when the same serial number detection banknote exists), and proceeds to step S119 when the serial numbers do not match. At this time, even if the abnormal banknote serial number table 220 contains two serial numbers that match the serial numbers stored in the corresponding heading numbers of the deposit bill serial number table 210. , The determination unit 102 determines whether or not the serial number stored in the corresponding heading number of the abnormal banknote serial number table 220 matches the serial number stored in the corresponding heading number of the deposit bill serial number table 210. To do.

(Step S111)
The determination unit 102 sets the serial number in the subsequent bills in which the serial numbers are stored in the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the abnormal bill serial number table 220 after one of the same serial number detection bills searched in step S109 described above. Determine if they match. The determination unit 102 proceeds to step S113 when the serial numbers match on the succeeding banknotes, and proceeds to step S115 when the serial numbers do not match on the succeeding banknotes.

(Step S113)
The determination unit 102 determines that the discrimination of the banknotes has been completed, and ends the process.

(Step S115)
The determination unit 102 sets the serial number in the preceding bill in which the serial number is stored in the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the abnormal bill serial number table 220 immediately before the same serial number detection bill searched in step S109 described above. Determine if they match. The determination unit 102 proceeds to step S113 when the serial numbers of the preceding banknotes match, and proceeds to step S117 when the serial numbers do not match on the preceding banknotes.

(Step S117)
The determination unit 102 sets the heading number (INDEX) of the banknote to be searched in the deposit banknote serial number table 210 by one larger, and further sets the heading number (INDEX) of the banknote to be searched in the abnormal banknote serial number table 220. ) Is set to 0, and the process returns to step S105.

(Step S119)
The determination unit 102 sets the heading number (INDEX) of the banknote to be searched in the abnormal banknote serial number table 220 by one, and returns to step S107.

(Step S121)
The determination unit 102 determines that the discrimination of the banknotes has not been completed, and ends the process.

<Example>
The determination method according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the determination method in the deposit processing according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10 while showing a specific embodiment. 4 to 10 are explanatory views for explaining the deposit processing according to the present embodiment. In detail, the upper figures of FIGS. 4 to 10 schematically show the movement of banknotes at each stage of the deposit processing in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10, and the lower table of these figures shows the deposit processing. The state of the table stored in the serial number storage area 200 of the storage unit 140 at each stage is shown. It should be noted that the examples shown below are merely examples of the deposit processing according to the present embodiment, and the deposit processing according to the present embodiment is not limited to the following examples.

First, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 4, six banknotes (banknote 1, banknote 2, banknote 3, banknote 4, banknote 5, banknote 6) are attached to the customer service unit 120 of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the present embodiment. Is input by the customer, etc. At this stage, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 4, the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the abnormal bill serial number table 220 are not discriminated by the discriminating unit 130 and the serial number is not read. Not stored. In the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the abnormal bill serial number table 220, the heading number (INDEX) indicating the order in which the serial numbers are stored is stored in the upper row, respectively, and in the lower row. Stores the serial number.

Subsequently, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 separates the banknotes inserted into the customer service unit 120 one by one and conveys them to the discrimination unit 130. Then, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 conveys the banknotes determined to be normal banknotes to the temporary storage unit 150 based on the discrimination result in the discrimination unit 130, and conveys the banknotes determined to be abnormal banknotes to the storage unit 110d. In the present embodiment, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 serves the banknotes until the amount of banknotes accumulated in the storage unit 110d reaches the amount of banknotes that can be accumulated in the storage unit 110d (three in this case). The banknotes are transported from the section 120 to the discrimination section 130, and the banknotes are continuously transported to the collection destination according to the discrimination result of the discrimination section 130.

Specifically, the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10 sequentially conveys the bills 1 to 3 to the discrimination unit 130. Then, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 conveys the banknote 1, the banknote 2, and the banknote 3 determined to be abnormal banknotes by the discrimination unit 130 to the storage unit 110d, and is in a state as shown in the upper part of FIG. 5 (first time). Deposit stage).

As shown in the lower part of FIG. 5, the deposit bill serial number table 210 stores the serial numbers of the bills read by the discrimination unit 130 in the order of reading. Specifically, the deposit bill serial number table 210 stores the serial numbers of these bills in the order of bill 1, bill 2, and bill 3. On the other hand, the abnormal banknote serial number table 220 does not store the serial number at this point because there are no banknotes returned to the customer service unit 120. As described above, in FIGS. 4 to 10, as the serial numbers stored in the deposit bill serial number table 230 and the abnormal bill serial number table 240, instead of the specific serial number, the name of the bill is used. (For example, "banknote 1") is shown.

In the present embodiment, since the banknotes are transported and accumulated in the storage unit 110d at this stage (step S103 in FIG. 3), has the determination unit 102 completed the discrimination of the banknotes according to the flowchart of FIG. 3 described above? Will be determined. However, since the serial number is not stored in the abnormal bill serial number table 240 (step S105 in FIG. 3), the determination unit 102 finally determines that the discrimination of the bill has not been completed (FIG. 3). Step S121), the process is terminated.

Therefore, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 continues the deposit processing because the banknotes have not been discriminated through.

Next, in the present embodiment, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 passes the banknotes 1, banknotes 2, and banknotes 3 accumulated in the storage unit 110d through the discrimination unit 130 and returns them to the customer service unit 120. At this time, since the banknotes accumulated in the storage unit 110d are returned to the customer service unit 120 first, the banknotes accumulated in the storage unit 110d are in the reverse order in which these banknotes are transported from the customer service unit 120. It will be returned to the customer service department 120 in the order of. Specifically, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 returns these banknotes to the customer service unit 120 in the order of banknote 3, banknote 2, and banknote 1. Then, the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10 is in a state as shown in the upper part of FIG. 6 (first return stage).

Then, the abnormal banknote serial number table 220 stores the serial numbers of the banknotes that are determined to be abnormal banknotes by the discrimination unit 130 and returned to the customer service unit 120 in the order in which they are returned to the customer service unit 120. Specifically, the abnormal bill numbering table 220 stores the serial numbers of these bills in the order of bill 3, bill 2, and bill 1.

Subsequently, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 further continues to transport the banknotes from the customer service unit 120. At this time, all the serial numbers (see the lower part of FIG. 6) stored in the deposit bill serial number table 210 are deleted. Specifically, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 sequentially conveys the banknote 4, the banknote 5, the banknote 6, and the banknote 3 stored in the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. Then, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 conveys the banknotes 5, 6, and 3 determined to be abnormal banknotes to the storage unit 110d, and conveys the banknotes 4 determined to be normal banknotes to the temporary storage unit 150. FIG. It will be in the state shown in the upper row (second deposit stage).

Then, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, the deposit bill serial number table 210 newly stores the serial numbers of the bills read by the discrimination unit 130 in the order of reading. Specifically, the deposit bill numbering table 210 stores the serial numbers of these bills in the order of bill 4, bill 5, bill 6, and bill 3. On the other hand, at this stage, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, the abnormal banknote serial number table 220 remains in a state where the serial numbers of the banknote 3, the banknote 2, and the banknote 1 stored in the previous return stage are stored. ..

In the present embodiment, since the banknotes are transported and accumulated in the storage unit 110d at this stage (step S103 in FIG. 3), has the determination unit 102 completed the discrimination of the banknotes according to the flowchart of FIG. 3 described above? Will be determined.

Specifically, since the serial numbers are stored in the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the abnormal bill serial number table 220, they correspond to steps S105 and S107 of FIG. 3, and therefore, the determination unit 102 has the same serial number. It is possible to proceed to step S109 of FIG. 3 for searching for the detected banknote.

Then, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, the serial number (banknote 3) of the bill with the heading number (INDEX) 3 of the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the bill with the heading number (INDEX) 0 of the abnormal bill serial number table 220. Matches the serial number of (banknote 3). Therefore, since it corresponds to step S109 of FIG. 3 (the same serial number detection banknote exists), the determination unit 102 can proceed to the next step S111.

However, in step S111 for determining the match of the serial numbers of the subsequent bills, the serial numbers of the subsequent bills do not match because the serial numbers are not stored next to the same serial number detection bills in the deposit bill serial number table 210. It becomes. Therefore, the determination unit 102 proceeds to step S115 for determining the match of the serial numbers of the preceding banknotes. Further, in step S115 for determining the matching of the serial numbers of the preceding banknotes, the serial numbers of the preceding banknotes do not match because the serial numbers are not stored before the same serial number detection banknote in the abnormal banknote serial number table 220. It becomes. Therefore, the determination unit 102 determines that the discrimination of the banknotes has not been completed (step S121 in FIG. 3), and ends the process. Then, since the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10 has not completed the discrimination of the bills, the deposit processing is further continued.

Next, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 returns the banknotes 3, the banknotes 6, and the banknotes 5 accumulated in the storage unit 110d to the customer service unit 120. At this time, since the banknotes accumulated in the storage unit 110d are returned to the customer service unit 120 first, these banknotes are returned to the customer service unit 120 in the reverse order of being transported from the customer service unit 120. Will be done. More specifically, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 returns these banknotes to the customer service unit 120 in the order of banknote 3, banknote 6, and banknote 5. Then, the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10 is in a state as shown in the upper part of FIG. 8 (second return stage).

Then, the abnormal banknote numbering table 220 is included in the abnormal banknote numbering table 220 in the order in which the serial numbers of the banknotes determined to be abnormal banknotes by the discrimination unit 130 and returned to the customer service unit 120 are returned to the customer service unit 120. Is additionally stored in the column (area 400 in FIG. 8) in which the serial number of is not stored. Specifically, the abnormal bill numbering table 220 stores the serial numbers of these bills in the area 400 in the order of bill 3, bill 6, and bill 5.

Subsequently, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 further continues to transport the banknotes from the customer service unit 120. At this time, all the serial numbers (see the lower part of FIG. 8) stored in the deposit bill serial number table 210 are deleted. Specifically, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 sequentially conveys the banknote 2, the banknote 1, and the banknote 3 stored in the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. Then, the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10 conveys the bill 2, the bill 1, and the bill 3 determined to be abnormal bills to the storage unit 110d, and is in a state as shown in the upper part of FIG. 9 (third deposit stage).

Then, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, the deposit bill serial number table 210 is newly stored in the order in which the serial numbers of the bills read by the discrimination unit 130 are read. Specifically, the deposit bill serial number table 210 stores the serial numbers of these bills in the order of bill 2, bill 1, and bill 3. On the other hand, at this stage, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, the abnormal banknote serial number table 220 remains in the state of storing the serial numbers stored in the return stage carried out so far.

In the present embodiment, since the banknotes are transported and accumulated in the storage unit 110d at this stage (step S103 in FIG. 3), has the determination unit 102 completed the discrimination of the banknotes according to the flowchart of FIG. 3 described above? Will be determined.

More specifically, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, since the serial numbers are stored in the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the abnormal bill serial number table 220, they correspond to steps S105 and S107 of FIG. Therefore, the determination unit 102 can proceed to step S109 of FIG. 3 for searching for the same serial number detection banknote.

Then, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, the serial number (banknote 2) of the bill with the heading number (INDEX) 0 of the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the bill with the heading number (INDEX) 1 of the abnormal bill serial number table 220. Matches the serial number (banknote 2) of. Therefore, since it corresponds to step S109 of FIG. 3 (the same serial number detection banknote exists), the determination unit 102 can proceed to the next step S111.

Further, in step S111 for determining the match of the serial numbers of the subsequent bills, the serial number (banknote 1) of the bill with the heading number (INDEX) 1 of the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the heading number of the deposit bill serial number table 210 ( INDEX) 2 matches the serial number (banknote 1) of the banknote. Therefore, the determination unit 102 determines that the discrimination of the banknotes has been completed (step S113), and ends the process.

Next, a case where the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 is in the state of FIG. 10 different from that of FIG. 9 will be described at the third deposit stage. Specifically, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 sequentially conveys the banknote 2, the banknote 1, the banknote 3, and the banknote 6 stored in the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. Then, the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 conveys the banknote 1, the banknote 3, and the banknote 6 determined to be abnormal banknotes to the storage unit 110d, and the banknote 2 determined to be a normal banknote to the temporary storage unit 150. FIG. It will be in the state shown in the upper row (third deposit stage).

Then, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, the deposit bill serial number table 210 is newly stored in the order in which the serial numbers of the bills read by the discrimination unit 130 are read. Specifically, the deposit bill numbering table 210 stores the serial numbers of these bills in the order of bill 2, bill 1, bill 3, and bill 6. However, since the serial number of the bill 1 could not be read by the discrimination unit 130, the serial number is not stored in the heading number (INDEX) 1 of the deposit bill serial number table 210 corresponding to the bill 1, and instead Information indicating that the serial number could not be read is stored.

Then, in the present embodiment, since the banknotes are transported and accumulated in the storage unit 110d at this stage (step S103), the determination unit 102 has completed the discrimination of the banknotes according to the flowchart of FIG. 3 described above. The judgment will be made.

More specifically, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, since the serial numbers are stored in the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the abnormal bill serial number table 220, they correspond to steps S105 and S107 of FIG. Therefore, the determination unit 102 can proceed to step S109 of FIG. 3 for searching for the same serial number detection banknote.

Then, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, the serial number (banknote 2) of the bill with the heading number (INDEX) 0 of the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the bill with the heading number (INDEX) 1 of the abnormal bill serial number table 220. Matches the serial number (banknote 2) of (banknote 2). Therefore, since it corresponds to step S109 of FIG. 3 (the same serial number detection banknote exists), the determination unit 102 can proceed to the next step S111. However, in step S111 for determining the match of the serial numbers of the subsequent bills, the serial numbers of the subsequent bills do not match because the serial numbers are not stored next to the same serial number detection bills in the deposit bill serial number table 210. Then, the determination unit 102 proceeds to step S115 for determining the match of the serial numbers of the preceding banknotes. Further, in step S115 for determining the matching of the serial numbers of the preceding bills, the serial numbers of the preceding bills do not match because the serial numbers are not stored before the same serial number detection bills in the deposit bill serial number table 210. It becomes. Then, the determination unit 102 repeats step S109 and the like according to the flowchart of FIG. 3, and continues the search for the same serial number detection banknote having the same serial number.

Next, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, the serial number (banknote 3) of the bill with the heading number (INDEX) 2 of the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the heading number (INDEX) 0 of the abnormal bill serial number table 220. It matches the serial number of the banknote (banknote 3). Therefore, since it corresponds to step S109 of FIG. 3 (the same serial number detection banknote exists), the determination unit 102 can proceed to the next step S111. However, in step S111 for determining the match of the serial numbers of the subsequent bills, the serial number (banknote 6) of the bill next to the same serial number detection bill in the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the same serial number in the abnormal bill serial number table 220. Since the serial number (banknote 2) of the banknote next to the number-detected banknote does not match, the determination unit 102 proceeds to the next step S115. Further, in step S115 for determining the matching of the serial numbers of the preceding bills, since the serial numbers are not stored before the same serial number detection bills in the deposit bill serial number table 210, the serial numbers of the preceding bills do not match. Become. Then, the determination unit 102 repeats step S109 and the like according to the flowchart of FIG. 3, and further continues the search for the same serial number detection banknote having the same serial number.

Next, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 10, the serial number (banknote 6) of the bill with the heading number (INDEX) 3 of the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the heading number (INDEX) 4 of the abnormal bill serial number table 220. It matches the serial number of the banknote (banknote 6). Therefore, since it corresponds to step S109 of FIG. 3 (the same serial number detection banknote exists), the determination unit 102 can proceed to the next step S111. Then, in step S111 for determining the match of the serial numbers of the subsequent bills, the serial numbers of the subsequent bills do not match because the serial numbers are not stored next to the same serial number detection bills in the deposit bill serial number table 210. It will be. Therefore, the determination unit 102 proceeds to the next step S115. However, in step S115 for determining the match of the serial numbers of the preceding bills, the serial number (banknote 3) of the bill before the same serial number detection bill in the deposit bill serial number table 210 and the same serial number in the abnormal bill serial number table 220. Since the serial number (banknote 3) of the banknote before the number-detected banknote matches, the determination unit 102 determines that the discrimination of the banknotes has been completed (step S113), and ends the process.

That is, in the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 20 according to the comparative example, it is determined that the discrimination of the bills has been completed by searching for the same serial number detection bills and further determining whether or not the serial numbers match in the subsequent bills. Was. On the other hand, in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the identification of banknotes is completed by searching for the same serial number detection banknote and further determining whether or not the serial numbers of the succeeding banknote and the preceding banknote match. It is judged that it has been done.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the banknotes determined to be abnormal banknotes by the discrimination unit 130 are returned to the customer service unit 120 in the reverse order of being transported from the customer service unit 120 to the discrimination unit 130. Even in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 as described above, the discrimination of banknotes has been completed by searching for the same serial number detection banknote and further determining whether or not the serial numbers match in the succeeding banknote or the preceding banknote. It can be determined that.

<< Supplement >>
In the above description, the deposit processing in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 has been described as an example, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the deposit process, for example, in the withdrawal process of the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10. It can also be applied. Further, in the above description, the customer service unit 120, the temporary storage unit 150, and the storage unit 110d are mentioned as the storage in the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 in which the banknotes are stored, but the storage is limited to such a storage. Other storages may be used instead of being used. Further, as described above, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the application to the banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 10 for depositing / withdrawing banknotes, and is a medium for processing media such as cash vouchers, tickets, and slips. It can also be applied to processing equipment.

Each step in the deposit processing and determination method according to the embodiment of the present invention described above does not necessarily have to be processed in the order described. For example, each step may be processed in an appropriately reordered manner. Further, each step may be partially processed in parallel or individually instead of being processed in chronological order. Further, the processing of each step does not necessarily have to be processed according to the described method, and may be processed by another functional unit, for example, by another method.

Further, at least a part of the deposit processing and determination methods according to the above-described embodiment can be configured by software as an information processing program for operating a computer, and when configured by software, these methods A program that realizes at least a part of the program is stored in a recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), and the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10 or the like, or another device connected to the bill deposit / withdrawal machine 10. It may be read by and executed. The recording medium is not limited to a removable one such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and may be a fixed recording medium such as a hard disk device or a memory. Further, a program that realizes at least a part of these methods may be distributed via a communication line (including wireless communication) such as the Internet. Further, the program may be encrypted, modulated, compressed, and distributed via a wired line or wireless line such as the Internet, or stored in a recording medium.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person having ordinary knowledge in the field of technology to which the present invention belongs can come up with various modifications or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. , These are also naturally understood to belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

10, 20 Banknote deposit / withdrawal machine 100 Control unit 102 Judgment unit 110, 112 Transport unit 110b, 112c Branch unit 110d Storage unit 120 Customer service unit 122 Supply port 124 Return port 130 Discrimination unit 140 Storage unit 150 Temporary storage unit 160 Cassette 170 1st Storage 180 Second storage 190 Shutter 200 Serial number storage area 210, 230 Deposit bill serial number table 220, 240 Abnormal bill serial number table 302, 304, 306 Blade 400, 420 area

Claims (8)

A first storage unit that stores multiple media and
A discrimination unit that discriminates the plurality of media and reads the identification information described in each of the media.
A first transport unit that transports each medium from the first storage unit to the discrimination unit in a first order, and a first transport unit.
A second transport unit that returns the medium for which a predetermined discrimination result has been obtained by the discrimination unit to the first storage unit in a second order opposite to the first order.
A first storage unit that stores the identification information of the medium read by the discrimination unit as the first identification information in the first order.
A second storage unit that stores the identification information of the medium returned to the first storage unit as the second identification information in the second order.
A determination unit that determines whether the discrimination against the plurality of media by the discrimination unit has been completed, and a determination unit.
With
The determination unit
When the first identification information matches the second identification information stored in the second storage unit,
Subsequent first identification information stored in the first storage unit after the first identification information, and subsequent storage in the second storage unit after the second identification information. It is determined whether or not the second identification information matches, and
Or
The preceding first identification information stored in the first storage unit before the first identification information and the preceding first identification information stored in the second storage unit before the second identification information. Determining if the second identification information matches.
Media processing equipment. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage unit for storing the medium for which a predetermined discrimination result has not been obtained by the discrimination unit. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the first storage unit conveys the media from the first storage unit to the discrimination unit, the plurality of media are separated and conveyed. When the medium is transported from the discrimination unit to the first storage unit by the second transport unit, the medium is stored in the storage unit and then transported from the storage unit to the first storage unit. The medium processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The medium processing device according to claim 4, wherein the storage unit functions as a transport unit for transporting the medium. The medium processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the discrimination unit obtains the predetermined discrimination result by discriminating the medium from an abnormal medium. The medium processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the identification information is a serial number printed on the medium. The medium processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first storage unit is a customer service unit that receives input of the medium from a customer and returns the medium to the customer.

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