JP7281341B2 - Form processing device, form processing system, and form processing method in form processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a form processing apparatus, a form processing system including the form processing apparatus, and a form processing method in the form processing apparatus.

Patent Literature 1 listed below discloses a form processing apparatus installed in a financial institution. When the form processing device accepts a transactionable type of form, the control unit of the form processing device executes settlement processing using data obtained from the form. When the form processing device accepts a form whose type cannot be specified, the control unit returns the form to the customer and notifies the customer to inquire at the counter of the financial institution by the display operation unit.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-40480

In the case of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200010, for a form that cannot be adjusted by the form processing apparatus, a counter clerk must manually perform the adjustment process instead of the form processing apparatus. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the form processing apparatus in order to reduce the work at the window and improve usability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a form processing apparatus, a form processing system, and a form processing method in the form processing apparatus that can improve usability.

The present invention comprises acquisition means for acquiring payment amount information from a form, acceptance means for accepting an input of payment amount information, and payment based on the payment amount information acquired from the form by the acquisition means as settlement of a first payment transaction. Receiving, as settlement of the second payment transaction, settlement means for receiving payment based on the payment amount information received by the reception means, and outputting the contents of the second payment transaction according to completion of settlement of the second payment transaction. and output means.

Further, according to the present invention, the form processing apparatus further includes an apparatus main body provided with an intake port for taking in the form, and the obtaining means retrieves the form taken into the apparatus main body through the intake port. Image data of the form is obtained, payment amount information is obtained from the image data, and the reception means receives input of payment amount information by receiving input of numbers, characters, or codes. and

Also, the present invention is characterized in that the form processing device further includes selection means for selecting either the first payment transaction or the second payment transaction.

Further, according to the present invention, the form processing apparatus includes specifying means for specifying, based on the image data acquired by the acquiring means, the type of the form corresponding to the image data, and the specifying means for specifying the type of the form. and guidance means for guiding the second payment transaction when it cannot be specified.

Also, the present invention is characterized in that the output means issues a recording medium on which the content of the second payment transaction is described.

Also, the present invention is characterized in that the output means externally transmits the content of the second payment transaction.

Further, in the present invention, the accepting means can accept input of information on the payment deadline for the second payment transaction, and when the payment deadline accepted by the accepting means has expired, the settlement means , canceling the second payment transaction.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the receiving means receives input of personal information for specifying a person who inputs payment amount information.
The acceptance means may include means for starting acceptance of input of payment amount information based on operation of a second payment transaction start operation display displayed on the display operation section. The guidance means may include means for displaying the second payment transaction start operation display and a guidance display for guiding the user to operate the second payment transaction start operation display on the display operation unit.
The selection means may include a second payment transaction start selection display separate from the second payment transaction start operation display, which is an operation display operated to start the second payment transaction. The acceptance means may include means for starting acceptance of payment amount information based on operation of the second payment transaction start selection display displayed on the display operation unit.
The second payment transaction initiation operation display may be different from the second payment transaction initiation selection display.

Further, the present invention provides a form processing apparatus having accepting means for accepting input of payment amount information, and settlement means for accepting payment based on the payment amount information accepted by said accepting means as settlement of a payment transaction, and said settlement means. and a terminal that determines whether each payment transaction stored in the storage means is completed or remains uncompleted. be.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the form processing system further includes notification means for notifying information of the unfinished payment transaction at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing may be the tightening timing.
The form processing system may be a system for performing a payment transaction in which a payment amount recorded in a form is paid and a part of the form is returned. The form processing apparatus comprises an apparatus main body provided with an intake port for taking in a form, and acquisition means for acquiring payment amount information from the form taken into the apparatus main body through the intake port. may The settlement means accepts payment based on the payment amount information acquired from the form by the acquisition means as settlement of the first payment transaction included in the payment transaction, and as settlement of the second payment transaction included in the payment transaction, Payment based on the payment amount information received by the receiving means may be received. transaction type information, wherein the storage means indicates which of a plurality of payment types including the first payment transaction and the second payment transaction the payment transaction settled by the payment means is, and The payment transaction may be stored in association with transaction status information indicating whether or not part of the form has been returned. The terminal determines, for each said first payment transaction and each said second payment transaction stored in said storage means, whether said payment transaction is completed or remains incomplete based on said transaction status information. may

Further, the present invention is a form processing method in a form processing apparatus including acquisition means for acquiring payment amount information from a form and acceptance means for accepting input of payment amount information, wherein the settlement of the first payment transaction includes: a first settlement step of receiving payment based on payment amount information acquired from a form by an acquisition means; and payment based on the payment amount information received by said reception means as settlement of a second payment transaction instead of said first settlement step. A form processing method in a form processing device, comprising: a second payment step of accepting; and an output step of outputting the content of the second payment transaction upon completion of the second payment step.
The form processing apparatus may further include an apparatus body provided with an intake port for taking in the form and a display operation section for operating and displaying predetermined information. The obtaining means may obtain the image data of the form taken into the apparatus main body through the intake port, and acquire the payment amount information from the image data.
The form processing method includes a receiving step of starting receiving payment amount information by the receiving means based on operation of a second payment transaction start operation display displayed on the display operation unit; and a specifying step of specifying a type of a form corresponding to the image data based on the acquired image data; and if the type of the form cannot be specified in the specifying step, the second payment transaction start is displayed on the display operation unit. The method may further include a display step of displaying an operation display and a guidance display for guiding the user to operate the second payment transaction initiation operation display.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve usability of the form processing apparatus.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a form used in one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a form in a separated state after a receipt stamp is entered; 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a form processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a form processing device that constitutes a form processing system; FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the form processing device; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the form processing device; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing details of processing performed in the form processing device in payment transaction. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display contents of the display operation unit of the form processing apparatus; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display contents of a display operation unit; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display contents of a display operation unit; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display contents of a display operation unit; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display contents of a display operation unit; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display contents of a display operation unit; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display contents of a display operation unit; 4 is a flow chart showing details of processing performed in the form processing device in payment transaction. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display contents of a display operation unit; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display contents of a display operation unit; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display contents of a display operation unit; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a receipt issued from a form processing device; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display contents of a display operation unit; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a table stored in a server that configures the form processing system; FIG. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the contents of processing performed in the form processing device at the time of payment transaction according to the modification; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display contents of a display operation unit;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Below, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing an example of a form F used in one embodiment of the present invention. The form F is, for example, a statement of payment or a payment slip issued by an administrative agency, a retailer, or the like. After the form F is delivered by mail to a user such as a customer who should pay taxes, public utility charges, product charges, etc., the user brings it to a financial institution such as a bank for payment of the charge.

The entire form F is, for example, a rectangular piece of paper. In the form F, a receipt F1 to be returned to the user after payment and a copy F2 to be kept at the financial institution where the form F was brought in are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction LD of the form F. there is The copy F2 is, for example, a delivery note F2A that is stored in a financial institution after payment of the charge, and a delivery notice F2B that is sent to the payee, such as an administrative agency or a seller that issued the form F after payment of the charge. and may include

On the surface FA of each of the receipt F1, the statement of delivery F2A, and the statement of delivery F2B, a title T, information J regarding the amount of the charge to be paid, that is, the amount of payment, and a frame-shaped stamp field R are printed in advance. ing. The information J includes not only letters and numbers but also various symbols such as codes (two-dimensional codes such as barcodes). The information J includes at least payment amount information J1 regarding the payment amount and information J2 on the payment deadline, ie, payment deadline.

As shown in FIG. 1, the form F when it reaches the user is in a state in which the receipt F1 and the copy F2 are integrated. The form F is provided with a boundary line L1 (see broken line) between the receipt F1 and the copy F2. A boundary line L2 (see one-dot chain line) between the delivery note F2A and the delivery notice F2B is provided on the copy 2F. Each of the boundary lines L1 and L2 extends straight across the form F along the lateral direction SD perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LD. A boundary line L1 and a boundary line L2 are straight lines printed on the form F in advance. In this embodiment, the boundary line L1 is formed with perforations M that linearly extend on the boundary line L1 along the lateral direction SD.

When the user brings the form F to a manned counter at a financial institution, the person in charge at the counter informs the user of the payment amount based on the payment amount information J1 described in the form F. It should be noted that if the date of the user's visit to the financial institution has passed the payment deadline in the information J2 described in the form F, there is a possibility that arrears have been incurred. Further, if the issuer of the form F has already issued a reminder to the user, a reminder fee may be incurred in addition to the overdue charge. Therefore, the counter clerk investigates the added amount such as the overdue amount and the dunning fee amount, and informs the user of the total amount obtained by adding the added amount to the payment amount described in the payment amount information J1 as the total amount of charges to be paid. The user settles the fee by paying in cash the fee notified by the staff or by transferring the fee from the user's own account to the payee.

When the payment is completed, the clerk fills in the receipt stamp A, which is evidence information of the completion of the payment, in each seal column R of the form F, as shown in FIG. After that, the staff separates the form F into a receipt F1 and a copy F2. When the attendant hands over the receipt F1 to the user, the payment transaction between the user and the attendant is completed. In other words, the payment transaction is incomplete just because the payment is completed, and the entire payment transaction is completed when the receipt F1 with the receipt mark A is handed over to the user after the payment is completed.

The copy F2 is once collected by the financial institution, and then separated into a payment slip F2A and a payment notice F2B, which are then sent to their respective destinations. When separating the delivery note F2A and the delivery notice F2B, the boundary line L2 may be cut with scissors or the like, or a perforation M may be provided in advance on the boundary line L2 so that the boundary line L1 and the boundary line L1 are separated. The delivery note F2A and the delivery notice F2B may be separated at the perforations M by the same procedure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the form processing system 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. A form processing system 100 is installed in a financial institution. A form processing system 100 includes a form processing device 1 installed in, for example, an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) corner in a financial institution, a server 101 as an example of storage means and notification means installed in the backyard of the financial institution, and a terminal 102 as an example of notification means installed at the window of a financial institution.

The form processing apparatus 1, the server 101, and the terminal 102 are communicably connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 103 configured by a wired or wireless communication line. Note that the server 101 may be part of the form processing apparatus 1 or the terminal 102 . In this embodiment, it is assumed that customer service staff called concierges are stationed at the entrances and exits of financial institutions. If a user who visits an entry agency has any questions, he or she first consults with a waiter.

The form processing apparatus 1 is an automatic transaction apparatus that performs the payment transaction between the user and the clerk regarding the form F in the previous explanation, and will be described in detail later. The server 101 stores, as a transaction history, information on payment transactions for which settlement in the form processing apparatus 1 has been completed. The terminal 102 is a so-called personal computer and is operated by a counter staff. Terminal 102 determines for each payment transaction stored on server 101 whether the entire payment transaction has been completed or remains incomplete.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the form processing device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The form processing device 1 includes a vertically long box-shaped device main body 2 . In the front surface 3, which is the side surface on the front side of the apparatus main body 2, the upper area 3A is shifted rearward from the lower area 3B by one step, so that a boundary area extending horizontally between the upper area 3A and the lower area 3B is formed. 3C is formed.

A display operation unit 4 configured by, for example, a liquid crystal monitor with a touch panel is provided in the upper portion of the upper area 3A. The display operation unit 4 functions as an example of reception means, selection means, and guidance means. In the upper region 3A on the right side of the display operation unit 4, a recess 3D recessed to the rear side is formed. An input section 7 composed of a PIN pad or the like is arranged vertically. Below the display operation unit 4 in the upper region 3A, a slit-shaped intake/ejection port 8 elongated to the left and right, and a plate-shaped tray 9 that borders the lower end of the intake/ejection port 8 and protrudes forward horizontally. and are provided.

In the upper portion of the lower region 3B of the front surface 3, for example, in a region on the right side, a slit-shaped banknote insertion port 10 and a banknote withdrawal port 11 elongated in the left-right direction are arranged vertically. The banknote insertion port 10 and the banknote withdrawal port 11 are collectively opened and closed by a shutter 12 that is bent in a substantially L shape across the lower area 3B and the boundary area 3C. A coin dispensing port 13 is provided in a region on the left side of the banknote insertion port 10 and the banknote dispensing port 11 in the upper portion of the lower region 3B, and at the same position as the coin dispensing port 13 in the horizontal direction in the boundary region 3C. is provided with a coin slot 14 . The coin dispensing port 13 and the coin slot 14 are collectively opened and closed by a shutter 15 that is bent into a substantially L shape like the shutter 12 . The shutter 12 may be divided into a shutter that opens and closes only the banknote insertion port 10 and a shutter that opens and closes only the banknote withdrawal port 11 . Similarly, the shutter 15 may be divided into a shutter that opens and closes only the coin dispensing port 13 and a shutter that opens and closes only the coin insertion port 14 .

Note that each of the display operation unit 4, the receipt outlet 5, the card inlet 6, the input unit 7, the take-in outlet 8, the bill input port 10, the bill outlet 11, the coin outlet 13, and the coin inlet 14 The position can be changed arbitrarily as long as it is a position that is easy for the user to access. Further, the banknote slot 10 and the banknote withdrawal slot 11 may be combined as a banknote slot, and the coin slot 13 and the coin slot 14 may be combined as a coin slot.

Payment transactions that can be performed by the form processing apparatus 1 include a first payment transaction that is an automatic transaction using the form F, and a second payment that is different from the first payment transaction and does not require the use of the form F. There are transactions. Briefly explaining the first payment transaction, the user first stands in front of the form processing device 1 . Then, the user puts the form F in a longitudinal and horizontal posture in the front-to-rear direction of the form processing apparatus 1 so that the front side of the form F faces upward so that the receipt F1 is at the end, that is, the receipt F2 is at the beginning. It is placed on the tray 9 and inserted into the intake/discharge port 8. As a result, the form F is taken into the device main body 2 through the take-in/out port 8 . Then, in the form processing apparatus 1, the payment amount information J1 (see FIG. 1, etc.) printed on the form F is read, and the payment amount is displayed on the display operation section 4. FIG. A user who settles a payment amount in cash inserts cash into the opened banknote slot 10 or coin slot 14 . A user who wants to make an account settlement with a cash card for a payment amount inserts his or her own cash card into the card slot 6 and then inputs a personal identification number or the like using the input unit 7 .

When either cash settlement or account settlement is completed, a receipt mark A is entered in each stamp field R in the form F in the form processing apparatus 1, and the form F is cut at the perforations M to produce a receipt F1. and F2 (see FIG. 2). The copy F2 is collected in the form processing apparatus 1, and the receipt F1 is ejected from the intake/ejection port 8 to the outside of the apparatus body 2 and returned to the user. When change is generated in cash settlement, the change is returned to the user from the banknote dispensing port 11 or the coin dispensing port 13. - 特許庁In the case of account settlement, a receipt indicating the account balance and the like is issued from the receipt outlet 5 . In each case of cash settlement and account settlement, a receipt indicating the details of the current payment transaction may be issued from the receipt outlet 5 .

Thus, the first payment transaction is a payment transaction in which settlement, entry of the receipt mark A on the form F, separation of the form F, and return of the receipt F1 to the user are completed within the form processing apparatus 1. FIG. On the other hand, in the second payment transaction, the user mainly manually inputs the payment amount for the form F that is not handled by the form processing apparatus 1, and the payment amount is settled by the form processing apparatus 1. This is a payment transaction in which the reception stamp A is entered, the form F is separated, and the receipt F1 is returned to the user by the counter staff. Hereinafter, the first payment transaction may be referred to as "normal transaction" and the second payment transaction may be referred to as "manually entered transaction". The first payment transaction and the second payment transaction are described in detail later.

Next, the essential parts of the form processing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the upper part of the form processing apparatus 1 as viewed from the right side. The left side in FIG. 5 is the front side of the form processing apparatus 1, the right side in FIG. 5 is the rear side of the form processing apparatus 1, and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. . In the following description, the front-back direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction of the form processing apparatus 1 will be used. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 5 omits illustration of the receipt outlet 5, the card slot 6, the input section 7, and the like, which were explained with reference to FIG. A form processing unit 20 is provided in the upper part of the apparatus body 2 of the form processing apparatus 1 .

In relation to the form processing unit 20 , a transport path 21 for transporting the form F inserted into the intake/discharge port 8 is provided inside the apparatus main body 2 . The transport path 21 is a space that extends along the trajectory of the form F transported inside the apparatus main body 2 . The width direction of the transport path 21 coincides with the left-right direction. The transport path 21 includes a first transport path 21A extending horizontally rearward from the inlet/outlet 8 to the front of the rear surface 22 of the apparatus body 2, and a second transport path 21A extending downward after being curved from the rear end of the first transport path 21A. 2 conveying path 21B and a third conveying path 21C extending forward after curving from the lower end of the second conveying path 21B.

The form F inserted into the intake/discharge port 8 and taken into the transport path 21 is transported in this order on the first transport path 21A, the second transport path 21B and the third transport path 21C. Therefore, in the transport path 21, the first transport path 21A is located on the upstream side near the inlet/outlet 8 in the transport direction of the form F (hereinafter simply referred to as the "transport direction"), and the third transport path 21C is located on the upstream side. , downstream from the inlet/outlet 8 . The form F conveyed in the conveying path 21 normally advances along the front-rear direction while maintaining a posture in which two sides (two upper and lower sides shown in FIG. 1) of the form F are aligned with the front-rear direction. The form processing unit 20 includes a conveying unit (returning means) 25, a collecting unit 26, a take-in/discharge unit 27, a separating unit (returning means) 28, a reading unit 29 as an example of an acquiring unit, and an alignment unit 31. , an entry section 33 , and a detection section 34 .

The transport unit 25 includes a plurality of transport rollers 40 distributed over the entire transport path 21 . Each transport roller 40 is a cylindrical body elongated in the left-right direction. The transport section 24 also includes a motor (not shown) that rotates these transport rollers 40 forward and backward. The conveying roller 40 that rotates forward conveys the form F in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the conveying roller 40 downstream in the conveying direction within the conveying path 21 . The reverse-rotating conveying roller 40 conveys the form F in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the conveying roller 40 to the upstream side in the conveying direction within the conveying path 21 . The transport rollers 40 may be arranged in pairs to face each other and be in contact with each other in the transport path 21 . The two paired rollers convey the form F upstream or downstream in the conveying path 21 by rotating in mutually opposite directions with the form F sandwiched between them. Note that the other rollers (except for the correction roller 47 ), which will be described later, are configured in the same manner as the take-in/discharge roller 41 .

The collection unit 26 is a space secured within the apparatus main body 2 for storing the copy F2 (see FIG. 2) of the form F after separation. The collection unit 26 is connected to the downstream end in the transport direction of the third transport path 21C, that is, to the front end of the third transport path 21C.

The take-in/out unit 27 takes in the form F inserted into the take-in/eject port 8 into the first transport path 21A, and transports all or part of the form F in the first transport path 21A to the take-in/out port 8. It is a configuration for discharging. The intake/discharge portion 27 includes at least a pair of intake/discharge rollers 41 arranged so as to sandwich the front end portion adjacent to the intake/discharge port 8 in the first conveying path 21A from above and below, and these intake/discharge rollers 41. and a motor (not shown) that rotates forward and backward.

The separation unit 28 is configured to separate the forms F at the perforations M, and is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction, that is, on the rear side of the intake/discharge unit 27 in the first transport path 21A. The separation unit 28 includes a cutting member 42 , an actuator 43 , a first roller 44 and a second roller 45 , and a motor (not shown) that rotates the first roller 44 and the second roller 45 forward and backward.

The cutting member 42 is a cutter made of metal or resin, and the cutting edge 42A of the cutting member 42 extends in the left-right direction. The cutting member 42 is movable in a moving direction (vertical direction in FIG. 5) crossing or perpendicular to the first transport path 21A so that the cutting edge 42A can cross the first transport path 21A. As shown in FIG. 5, the cutting member 42 at the standby position is separated from the first conveying path 21A to one side (upper side in FIG. 5) in its moving direction. The actuator 43 is composed of, for example, a motor, and moves the cutting member 42 along the movement direction.

At least one pair of each of the first rollers 44 and the second rollers 45 is provided along the first transport path 21A. The two first rollers 44 in each pair are arranged in contact with each other within the first transport path 21A, and the two second rollers 45 in each pair are arranged in contact with each other within the first transport path 21A. They are arranged facing each other. A plurality of the first rollers 44 and the second rollers 45 may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction so as to overlap each other when viewed in the left-right direction. The first roller 44 is located upstream of the second roller 45 in the transport direction, and the cutting member 42 is located between the first roller 44 and the second roller 45 in the transport direction.

The reading unit 29 is arranged downstream of the separation unit 28 in the transport direction in the first transport path 21A, and crosses the first transport path 21A in the left-right direction. The reading unit 29 optically reads the image of the surface of the form F from above to obtain image data of the form F, and is composed of a line sensor such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor), for example. .

The alignment section 31 corrects the posture of the form F to eliminate the skew state, that is, to correct the skew, and is arranged around the separation section 28 in the transport direction on the first transport path 21A. Alignment section 31 includes positioning section 46 , correction roller 47 , and a motor (not shown) that rotates correction roller 47 .

The positioning portion 46 is formed in a block shape elongated in the front-rear direction. A side surface of the positioning portion 46 facing the first transport path 21A is a flat contact surface along the traveling direction of the form F in the first transport path 21A. The correction roller 47 is arranged at the same position as the positioning portion 46 in the front-rear direction, and faces the first transport path 21A. Unlike the other rollers, the correction roller 47 rotates around a rotation axis (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction. The form F conveyed in the first conveying path 21A is moved to the contact surface of the positioning portion 46 by contacting the rotating correction roller 47 . Although there are cases where the form F is conveyed in an oblique state that is inclined with respect to the traveling direction, the posture of the form F is corrected and the oblique state is eliminated by bringing the form F to the contact surface. do.

The writing unit 33 is arranged downstream of the reading unit 29 in the transport direction in the first transport path 21A, that is, at the rear end of the first transport path 21A, facing the first transport path 21A from above. A lower end surface of the entry portion 33 is provided with a stamp portion 33A for entering a receipt stamp A (see FIG. 2) in each stamp column R of the form F. As shown in FIG. A pattern corresponding to the inverted receipt mark A is engraved on the stamp portion 33A. The stamping portion 33A may be composed only of this pattern, or part or all of the stamping portion 33A may be composed of a print head (not shown) configured by a dot impact printer or the like. In this case, the entire receipt stamp A and the date portion of the payment date in the receipt stamp A are reproduced by the print head and printed on the form F. The entry unit 33 may be able to enter information other than the receipt stamp A in the form F. The form processing unit 20 also includes a driving unit (not shown) such as an actuator that moves the entry unit 33 up and down.

As an example, the detection unit 34 is arranged between the reading unit 29 and the writing unit 33 in the transport direction. The detection unit 34 is, for example, a photointerrupter, and includes a light emitting element 34A and a light receiving element 34B arranged with the first transport path 21A interposed therebetween. When there is no document F between the light emitting element 34A and the light receiving element 34B, detection light (not shown) emitted by the light emitting element 34A is received by the light receiving element 34B. If the form F exists between the light emitting element 34A and the light receiving element 34B, the detection light is blocked by the form F. When the form F passes between the light emitting element 34A and the light receiving element 34B, the detection light is again received by the light receiving element 34B. The detection unit 34 detects passage of the form F between the light emitting element 34A and the light receiving element 34B by blocking or receiving such detection light.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the form processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. In addition to the form processing unit 20, a receipt printing unit 51 as an example of output means, and a card processing unit 52 and a cash processing unit 53 as examples of settlement means are provided in the apparatus body 2 of the form processing apparatus 1. It is The receipt printing unit 51 is a printer or the like for printing receipts, and a laser printer or a thermal printer can be used as the receipt printing unit 51 . The receipt printing unit 51 prints a receipt and discharges it to the receipt outlet 5 . A card processing part 52 reads necessary information from the cash card inserted in the card entrance 6 for account settlement, and ejects the cash card from the card entrance 6 in accordance with the suspension or termination of the payment transaction. For cash settlement, the cash processing unit 53 counts and stores the cash inserted into the banknote slot 10 or the coin slot 14, calculates the change, and dispenses the cash to be returned such as change. The coin is thrown out to the coin slot 11 or the coin outlet 13.例文帳に追加

The form processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 54 as an example of acquisition means, reception means, payment means, output means, identification means, and guidance means. The control unit 54 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The display/operation unit 4 , the input unit 7 , the form processing unit 20 , the receipt printing unit 51 , the card processing unit 52 and the cash processing unit 53 are electrically connected to the control unit 54 . The control unit 54 controls display contents on the display/operation unit 4 and receives operations of the touch panel of the display/operation unit 4 and the input unit 7 by the user or the like. The control unit 54 causes the form processing unit 20, the receipt printing unit 51, the card processing unit 52, and the cash processing unit 53 to execute respective processes for payment transactions. In particular, the control unit 54 and the reading unit 29 of the form processing unit 20 constitute an OCR (Optical Character Reader).

The form processing apparatus 1 includes a shutter actuator 55, an interface (I/F) section 56 as an example of output means, and a storage section 57 as separate parts electrically connected to the control section 54. Including further. The controller 54 opens and closes the shutter 12 and the shutter 15 by operating the shutter actuator 55 . The I/F section 56 is connected to the aforementioned LAN 103, and the control section 54 can communicate with the server 101, terminal 102, etc. via the I/F section 56 (see FIG. 3).

Various types of information are stored in the storage unit 57. In particular, types of forms F to be handled by the form processing apparatus 1 are grouped into templates or the like and stored in advance. Specifically, the storage unit 57 stores dictionary information 57A that is referred to when the control unit 54 performs character recognition on the image data acquired by the reading unit 29 . The dictionary information 57A is data for recognizing descriptions of characters, numbers, etc. in the form F of the corresponding type, and a plurality of dictionary information 57A are provided according to the type of the form F to be handled. The dictionary information 57A includes feature information corresponding to each type of form F. FIG. The feature information includes the shape and size of the form F, the positions of characters and numbers, and the types of characters and numbers.

Further, the feature information in the dictionary information 57A includes appearance identification information such as the size of the form F and the characteristic pattern of the ruled lines, position information of the seal field R in the form F, presence or absence of perforations M, and separation in the form F. Contains location information. Thus, the dictionary information 57A functions as identification data for identifying the type of the form F from the image of the form F included in the image data of the form F. FIG. The control unit 54 can communicate with an external dictionary server (not shown) via the I/F unit 56 to acquire the latest feature information stored in this dictionary server and update the dictionary information 57A. You can.

A form F registered in the storage unit 57 with dictionary information 57A is a form F to be handled by the form processing apparatus 1. A form F without dictionary information 57A registered in the storage unit 57 is a form F. This is a form F that is not handled by the processing device 1 . Forms F not to be handled include, for example, forms F in which some information such as payment amount information J1 is handwritten.

The contents of the processing performed in the form processing apparatus 1 at the time of payment transaction will be described mainly with reference to the flowchart of FIG. A standby screen 61 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display operation unit 4 of the form processing apparatus 1 in the standby state. On the standby screen 61, a guide message 61A is displayed, and touch keys such as a transaction start key 62, a manual input transaction selection key (second payment transaction start selection display) 63, and an attendant call key 64 are also displayed. In the following description, all the names ending with "key" are touch keys.

A user who comes to a financial institution with a form F asks a receptionist how to make a payment transaction using the form F. If this form F is the object of a normal transaction, the waiter informs the user that processing by the form processing apparatus 1 is possible, guides the user to the form processing apparatus 1, and displays the transaction on the standby screen 61. The user is prompted to touch the start key 62 . When the transaction start key 62 is touched, the control unit 54 of the form processing device 1 accepts that the normal transaction has been selected. On the other hand, when the manual input transaction selection key 63 is touched, the control unit 54 accepts that the manual input transaction has been selected. In this manner, by touching either the transaction start key 62 or the manual transaction selection key 63 on the display operation unit 4, either normal transaction or manual transaction can be selected. When the clerk call key 64 is touched, the control unit 54 calls the clerk by sounding a buzzer (not shown) provided in the form processing apparatus 1, for example.

When the normal transaction is selected by touching the transaction start key 62 (step S1), the control unit 54 takes in the user's form F (step S2). Specifically, first, in response to the touch of the transaction start key 62, the control unit 54 switches and displays the start screen 65 shown in FIG. Note that a caution screen (not shown) may be displayed between the standby screen 61 and the start screen 65 to warn the user not to insert a fragile form F, for example.

On the start screen 65, an attendant call key 64 is displayed, along with a guide message 65A prompting the insertion of the form F, and a cancel key 66 to be touched to cancel the current transaction. The starting screen 65 may display an illustration showing the position where the form F is to be inserted in the form processing apparatus 1 . A user who sees the guidance text 65A inserts the form F with the front surface FA facing upward into the intake/discharge port 8 so that the copy F2 is at the top. When the leading edge of the form F on the backup F2 side is caught between the pair of take-in/discharge rollers 41, the controller 54 rotates the take-in/discharge roller 41 and the conveying roller 40 forward to take in the form F. The sheet is taken into the first transport path 21A in the apparatus main body 2 from the discharge port 8 (step S2). As a result, the form F is conveyed rearward in the first conveying path 21A with the backup F2 at the front while maintaining its longitudinal and horizontal posture, and passes through the reading section 29. As shown in FIG.

When the form F passes through the reading unit 29, the control unit 54 causes the reading unit 29 to read the image data of the front side FA of the form F (step S3). In step S3, the control unit 54 identifies the type of the form F corresponding to the image data by collating the image data of the front side FA read from the form F with the dictionary information 57A of the storage unit 57 as OCR processing. . A form F whose type has been identified by the control unit 54 is a form F that can be received by the form processing apparatus 1 . Further, the control unit 54 acquires payment amount information J1 and the like from the image data by identifying characters and numbers contained in the image data as OCR processing.

A form F whose type cannot be specified by the control unit 54 is an out-of-target form F that cannot be accepted by the form processing apparatus 1 . If the type of the form F could not be specified (NO in step S4), the controller 54 reverses the conveying rollers 40 and the intake/discharge rollers 41 to return the form F from the intake/discharge port 8. (step S5). Note that the intake/discharge port 8 may be divided into an intake port for taking in the forms F and a discharge port for discharging the forms F.

If the type of the form F can be identified (YES in step S4), the control unit 54 displays the confirmation screen 67 shown in FIG. Switching display is performed on the display operation unit 4 (step S6). On the confirmation screen 67, an attendant call key 64 and a cancel key 66 are displayed, as well as a guidance text 67A prompting confirmation of payment details, a payment amount display field 67B, a payment note display key 68, and a confirmation key 69. is displayed. The control unit 54 displays the payment amount in the payment amount information J1 read from the form F in step S3 in the payment amount display column 67B. When the payment note display key 68 is touched by the user, the control section 54 causes the display operation section 4 to display the image data itself of the front surface FA of the form F read in step S3.

When the user confirms the payment amount and touches the confirmation key 69, the control unit 54 switches and displays an input screen 70 shown in FIG. Accept (step S7). On the input screen 70, a staff call key 64 and a cancel key 66 are displayed, along with a guidance text 70A prompting the user to input personal information, a personal information display field 70B, an input key 71, a delete key 72, A continuation key 73 is displayed. The personal information in this embodiment is, for example, the user's telephone number, and correspondingly, the input key 71 is a numeric keypad. The user inputs his/her telephone number by operating the input key 71 . The control unit 54 displays the telephone number entered by the user in the personal information display field 70B. If the user has entered an incorrect telephone number, the user can touch the delete key 72 to delete the entered content and re-enter the telephone number. Note that the input screen 70 may allow input of other personal information such as the name of the user.

When the user who has entered the telephone number touches the continuation key 73, the control unit 54 performs the above-described cash settlement or account settlement (step S8). For example, at the time of cash settlement, the control unit 54 switches and displays a payment screen 74 shown in FIG. The payment screen 74 displays an attendant call key 64 and a cancel key 66, as well as a guidance text 74A prompting payment, a payment amount display field 74B, a payment amount display field 74C, and a change amount display field 74D. , and the completion key 75 are displayed. The payment screen 74 may display an illustration showing a position where cash is to be inserted in the form processing apparatus 1 .

The control unit 54 displays the payment amount in the payment amount information J1 read from the form F in step S3 in the payment amount display column 74B. The control unit 54 displays the total amount of cash inserted into the banknote slot 10 or the coin slot 14 by the user as the amount of money deposited in the money amount display field 74C. When the received amount is larger than the paid amount, the control unit 54 displays the difference as the amount of change in the amount of change display field 74D. When the user touches the completion key 75 in a state in which the amount of money received is greater than or equal to the amount of payment, the payment is completed. Thus, in step S8, the control unit 54 accepts payment based on the payment amount information J1 acquired from the form F in step S3 as settlement of a normal transaction, which is an example of the first payment transaction.

After the settlement is completed, the control unit 54 stamps and separates the form F that has been temporarily held in the transport path 21 (step S9). Specifically, the control unit 54 reverses the conveying roller 40 to convey the form F toward the intake/discharge port 8 , and corrects the posture of the form F by the alignment unit 31 . Then, the control unit 54 adjusts the position of the form F in the conveying direction in the first conveying path 21A by the conveying unit 25, and then lowers the entry unit 33 so that the stamp portion 33A of the entry unit 33 is placed on the form F. It is brought into contact with the surface FA, and a receipt mark A is entered in the corresponding portion of the surface FA. After that, the control unit 54 conveys the form F by the conveying unit 25 until the perforations M of the stamped form F reach directly below the cutting member 42 of the separation unit 28 . Then, the control unit 54 lowers the cutting member 42 at the standby position to at least the perforations M to separate the forms F.

After separation, the receipt F1 is positioned closer to the intake/discharge port 8 than the copy F2 and is sandwiched between the pair of first rollers 44, The reserve F2 is sandwiched between the pair of second rollers 45. As shown in FIG. In this state, the controller 54 reversely rotates the first roller 44 and the conveying roller 40 and the take-in/discharge roller 41 on the upstream side of the first roller 44 . As a result, the receipt F1 advances in the first conveying path 21A, is ejected from the intake/ejection port 8 to the outside of the apparatus body 2, and is returned to the user (step S10).

When returning the receipt F1, the control unit 54 switches and displays the return screen 76 shown in FIG. On the return screen 76, the attendant call key 64 is displayed, a guidance message 76A prompting the receipt of the receipt F1, and a warning message 77 to warn against forgetting to take the return items such as the receipt F1. Is displayed. The return screen 76 may display an illustration indicating the position where the receipt F1 is to be returned in the form processing apparatus 1 . Further, if there is change, the return screen 76 may display a guidance message to the effect that the change will be returned after the receipt F1 is returned.

At the same timing as the return of the receipt F1, the control unit 54 causes the second roller 45 and the transport roller 40 on the downstream side of the second roller 45 to rotate forward. As a result, the backup F2 moves backward in the first transport path 21A, passes through the second transport path 21B and the third transport path 21C in order, and is recovered by the recovery section 26 in the apparatus main body 2. FIG.

If there is change, the control section 54 opens the corresponding shutters of the shutters 12 and 15 and returns the change (step S11). At that time, the control unit 54 switches and displays a change screen 78 shown in FIG. The change screen 78 displays the attendant call key 64 and a warning message 77, as well as a guidance message 78A prompting the user to receive change and a change amount display field 78B. The control unit 54 displays the amount of change in the amount of change display field 78B. The change screen 78 may display an illustration showing the position where the change is returned in the form processing apparatus 1 .

Then, the control unit 54 transmits information about the current payment transaction to the server 101 as transaction information (step S12). The transaction information includes the transaction number, the type of the current payment transaction ( transaction type information: normal transaction or manual transaction), the date and time of the transaction (for example, the date and time when the payment was completed), and the user's personal information (in this embodiment, phone number) and a transaction status flag (transaction status information) (see FIG. 21 described later). The transaction number is an identification number that differs for each form F, is also called a payment slip serial number, and is assigned by the control unit 54 . The transaction status flag indicates whether the payment transaction has been completed by returning the stamped receipt F1 to the user after settlement, or has not been completed by not returning the stamped receipt F1 to the user. contains information about whether In the case of a normal transaction, the payment transaction is completely completed at the stage of step S12, so the transaction status flag is "completed". Note that the form processing apparatus 1 may be able to process a plurality of forms F in one ordinary transaction by taking in and temporarily holding a plurality of forms F. FIG.

On the other hand, the contents of the processing when the form F brought by the user is the object of the manual input transaction will be described mainly with reference to the flow chart of FIG. In this case, the waiter guides the customer to the form processing apparatus 1 and prompts the customer to touch the manual input transaction selection key 63 on the standby screen 61 (see FIG. 8). When a manual input transaction is selected by touching the manual input transaction selection key 63 (step S1), the control unit 54 switches and displays an input screen 79 shown in FIG. The input screen 79 displays an attendant call key 64, a cancel key 66, and a continuation key 73, as well as a guidance text 79A prompting the user to enter a payment term, a payment term display field 79B, and an input key 80. be done. The input key 80 is, for example, a numeric keypad. By operating the input key 80, the user inputs the payment term information J2 (see FIG. 1) described in the form F. FIG. The control unit 54 accepts the input of this information J2 and displays the payment deadline in the payment deadline display column 79B.

When the user who has entered the payment term touches the continuation key 73 to confirm the input of the payment term (YES in step S21), the control unit 54 compares the payment term with today's date. It is checked whether or not the form F, which is the subject of the current manual input transaction, has expired (step S22). If the payment deadline is earlier than today's date, that is, if the payment has expired, as described above, processing by the counter staff is required to calculate late fees. Therefore, if the payment term has expired (YES in step S22), the control unit 54 switches and displays the guidance screen 81 shown in FIG. 17 on the display operation unit 4 (step S23). On the guide screen 81, the staff call key 64 is displayed, along with a guide message 81A to the effect that the current manual transaction cannot be accepted in the form processing apparatus 1, and the user is instructed to go to the window with the form F. A guide message 81B is displayed to the effect that it is urged to do so. Thus, when the payment deadline has expired, the control unit 54 cancels the manual input transaction. Therefore, the manual input transaction this time is taken over by the person in charge at the window and executed correctly. In the case of a normal transaction, the control unit 54 can calculate the additional amount such as the late payment charge based on the dictionary information 57A, and accept the payment of the additional amount together with the initial payment amount in the form processing apparatus 1. .

If the time limit has not expired (NO in step S22), the control unit 54 switches and displays a payment screen 82 shown in FIG. receives the input of the payment amount information J1 described in (step S24). Note that the form F may include a two-dimensional code indicating the payment amount information J1. (not shown)), the control unit 54 may accept the input of the payment amount information J1 by holding it over the two-dimensional code. The payment screen 82 displays an attendant call key 64, a cancel key 66, and a completion key 75, as well as a guidance text 82A prompting the user to enter a payment amount, an individual amount display field 82B, and a total amount display field 82C. , and a numeric keypad 83 are displayed.

When the user operates the numeric keypad 83 to input the payment amount for one case, that is, one sheet of form F, and touches the confirmation key 83A, the control unit 54 displays the individual amount display column 82B for one case, The payment amount is displayed in this individual amount display column 82B. If there is a second or subsequent form F, each time the user operates the numeric keypad 83 to input the payment amount and touches the confirmation key 83A, the individual amount display field 82B corresponding to the second or subsequent form F is displayed. and payment amounts are displayed in order from the top. In this embodiment, a maximum of nine individual amount display columns 82B can be displayed in one manual transaction, and a message to that effect may be displayed on the payment screen 82 as a guide. Further, the individual amount display fields 82B for nine sheets may be displayed at the stage before inputting the amount to be paid. Since the delete key 84 is displayed in each individual amount display column 82B, the user can delete this individual amount display column 82B or this individual amount display column by touching the delete key 84 of the individual amount display column 82B to be deleted. The payment amount in 82B can be deleted from the payment screen 82. In the total amount display column 82C, the sum of the payment amounts of all the individual amount display columns 82B displayed on the payment screen 82 is displayed.

When the user touches the completion key 75 after finishing inputting the payment amount for the necessary forms F, the control unit 54 assigns a transaction number to each form F and associates it with the corresponding payment amount. Further, the control unit 54 displays the input screen 70 (see FIG. 11) as in step S7, receives input of personal information by the user (step S25), and associates it with the corresponding transaction number. The control unit 54 that has received the input of the personal information displays the payment screen 74 (see FIG. 12) as in step S8, and settles the account (step S26). In step S26, the control unit 54 accepts payment based on the payment amount information J1 accepted in step S24 as settlement of the manually input transaction, which is an example of the second payment transaction.

If there is change, the control section 54 opens the shutter 12 and the shutter 15 as in step S11 and returns the change (step S27). Then, the control unit 54 outputs the details of the manual input transaction upon completion of the settlement of the current manual input transaction (step S28). Specifically, the control unit 54 prints the receipt 85 shown in FIG. The receipt 85 includes a title 85A, a message 85B prompting the user to bring the receipt 85 to the window, and a transaction content 85C of the current manual input transaction. As the transaction details 85C, the transaction number, personal information (telephone number in this case) corresponding to the transaction number, and the settled payment amount are listed for each transaction number, and the total payment amount is also listed. . The control unit 54 may automatically number the reception number, which is the order in which the transaction is received at the counter, and write it on the receipt 85, or issue a numbered tag on which the reception number is written after the receipt 85. good too. Of course, the numbered ticket may be issued from a ticket issuing machine (not shown) other than the form processing apparatus 1 in response to the operation of the user or the receptionist, or the receipt 85 is issued. Note that the receipt 85 is an example of a recording medium, and instead of the receipt 85, a magnetic card, for example, may be used as the recording medium.

The control unit 54 switches and displays an issue screen 86 shown in FIG. The issuance screen 86 displays an attendant call key 64 and a cautionary statement 77, a guidance statement 86A urging the user to receive change and a receipt 85 and go to the window, and a change amount display field 86B. Is displayed. The issuance screen 86 may display an illustration showing the position where the receipt 85 and change are returned in the form processing apparatus 1 . The control unit 54 displays the amount of change in the amount of change display column 86B. If there is no change, the wording regarding receipt of change is omitted from the guide message 86A, and the change amount display field 86B is hidden.

Furthermore, as part of the process of step S28, the control unit 54 externally transmits the content of the current manual input transaction, that is, the transaction information for each transaction number to the server 101 via the I/F unit 56. FIG. As described above, the transaction information includes the transaction number, the type of payment transaction this time (in this case, a manual input transaction), the date and time of the transaction (the date and time when the payment was completed), the user's personal information, and the transaction status flag. including. In the case of a manual input transaction, since the user's form F has not been stamped, the transaction status flag is "incomplete" at the time of step S28.

Server 101 stores table 87 shown in FIG. In the table 87, the transaction information of the normal transaction and the manually input transaction transmitted from the form processing apparatus 1 are grouped in the order of the transaction number. This makes it possible to grasp the completion and non-completion of the entire payment transaction for each individual payment transaction.

In the case of a manual input transaction, when the user who has completed the settlement with the form processing apparatus 1 brings the receipt 85 and the form F to the counter and hands them to the clerk at the counter, the clerk confirms the payment amount described in the received form F. and the payment amount for each transaction number written on the receipt 85 are compared. If the payment amount written on the form F and the payment amount written on the receipt 85 match, the clerk judges that the payment for this form F has been completed, and puts the seal in each stamp column R in this form F. , the receipt F1 is separated, and the separated receipt F1 is handed over to the user.

When the clerk receives a plurality of forms F, the payment amount of all the forms F and the payment amount of any transaction number in the receipt 85 are successfully collated, stamped and separated (return of the receipt F1). When this is completed, the current manual input transaction is completed. In response to this, the clerk operates the terminal 102 and instructs the server 101 to update the transaction status flags linked to all the transaction numbers in this manual input transaction from "incomplete" to "complete." Send instructions. Upon receiving this instruction, the control unit (not shown) of the server 101 updates the transaction status flag associated with the corresponding transaction number in the table 87 from "incomplete" to "completed" (see FIG. 21 (see transaction status flags with transaction numbers from 1 to 9).

Note that the table 87 may be displayed on the screen (not shown) of the terminal 102 . In this case, even if the person in charge of the window does not receive and check the receipt 85 from the user, the person in charge authenticates the person based on the personal information obtained from the user, and the transaction information linked to the personal information is entered in the table 87. can be specified. In this case, the transaction information may include payment amount information, so that the clerk checks the payment amount information in the transaction information with the payment amount information J1 of the form F, seals the form F, and separates it. can proceed to the processing of As the personal information, biometric information such as the user's face and fingerprints may be used. Information-based personal authentication (so-called biometric authentication) is performed.

The transaction information stored in the table 87 is the transaction information for the current day, and is deleted from the table 87 as a reconciliation process at closing timing such as the end of the business hours of the day, and stored in another storage area in the server 101. stored in history. At this timing, it is assumed that the form F corresponding to the transaction number whose transaction status flag remains "incomplete" was taken away by the user without being stamped and separated at the window. be

Therefore, at the closing timing, if there is a transaction number in the table 87 whose transaction status flag remains "incomplete", the server 101 or the terminal 102 notifies the attendant to that effect. . As an example of notification, the existence of an incomplete manual input transaction may be highlighted on the screen (not shown) of the server 101 or the terminal 102, or an alarm may be issued by a buzzer or the like. As a result, the clerk contacts the user based on the telephone number linked to the transaction number whose transaction status flag remains "incomplete", and visits the counter to seal and separate the form F. can be encouraged to do so. This allows the entire payment transaction to be completed. It should be noted that not only the closing timing but also each “incomplete” transaction number may be notified at each timing when a predetermined time has passed after being stored in the table 87 . In other words, it is sufficient that the information on the payment transaction that remains uncompleted is notified from the server 101 or the terminal 102 at a predetermined timing.

As described above, in the case of the form F to be handled by the form processing apparatus 1, the form processing apparatus 1 can settle based on the payment amount information J1 acquired from the form F as part of a normal transaction. Imprinting and separation can also be completed to complete the entire normal process. On the other hand, in the case of the form F that is not handled by the form processing apparatus 1, if the user inputs the payment amount information J1 described in the form F, the payment amount information Settlement based on J1 is possible. As a result, the clerk at the counter to whom the settled form F is brought in does not have to manually handle the settlement of the form F, and based on the content of the second payment transaction output from the form processing apparatus manual transactions can be completed. As a result, the form processing apparatus 1 can perform one-stop processing for most of the payment transactions, even for forms F that are not subject to handling. Therefore, at the counter, the handling of cash associated with payment is not required, thereby reducing the burden of operations. Furthermore, by unifying the settlement procedures in the form processing apparatus 1 for all the target and non-target forms F, the contents of these settlements can be aggregated together, so that, for example, closing work time can be shortened. The form F to be handled by the form processing apparatus 1 can be settled not only by normal transactions but also by manual transactions.

In the above-described embodiment, the user guided by the waiter selects normal transaction or manual transaction by operating the standby screen 61 (see FIG. 8). A modification of the processing in the form processing apparatus 1 assuming that there is no reception staff will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 22 . In FIG. 22, the same processing steps as those in FIG. 7 are given the same step numbers as those in FIG. 7, and detailed descriptions of those processing steps are omitted.

If there is no waiting staff, the user inserts the form F into the intake/discharge port 8 of the form processing apparatus 1 for the time being. In response to this, the control unit 54 of the form processing apparatus 1 fetches the user's form F (step S2), reads the image data of the front side FA of this form F (step S3), and accepts this form F. A decision is made as to whether or not it is possible (step S4). If the form F is acceptable (YES at step S4), the control unit 54 executes the above-described steps S6 to S12 as a normal transaction.

If the form F cannot be accepted and the type cannot be specified (NO in step S4), the control unit 54 returns this form F from the intake/discharge port 8 (step S5), and the selection screen shown in FIG. 88 is switched and displayed on the display operation unit 4 (step S31). On the selection screen 88, a staff call key 64, a cancel key 66, and a continuation key (second payment transaction start operation display) 73 are displayed. A guidance message 88A to the effect that it is not possible and a guidance message 88B to the effect that the continuation key 73 should be touched if the payment transaction is to be continued as a manual input transaction is displayed. In other words, when the type of the form F cannot be identified, the control unit 54 guides the user to manual input transactions using the selection screen 88 of the display operation unit 4 .

When the user viewing the selection screen 88 touches the continuation key 73 to select the continuation of the manual input transaction (YES in step S32), the control unit 54 performs the above-described steps S21 to S28 as the manual input transaction. (See FIG. 15) is executed. As a result, settlement of manually entered transactions can be executed by the form processing apparatus 1 . If the form F cannot be accepted (NO in step S4), the control unit 54 omits the user's selection on the selection screen 88 (steps S31 and S32), and performs the manual input transaction after step S21. can be started promptly. On the other hand, when the user viewing the selection screen 88 touches the cancel key 66 (NO in step S32), the control unit 54 determines that the current transaction has been canceled and returns to the standby state.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

For example, the form processing apparatus 1 may be installed in a store such as a convenience store instead of a financial institution. In that case, the store clerk takes on the role of the window attendant mentioned above.

If the payment deadline need not be considered, the processing of steps S21 to S23 regarding the payment deadline may be omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, a form F for which the type cannot be specified is treated as a form F that cannot be accepted by the form processing apparatus 1. The specified form F may also be subject to manual input transactions as a form F that cannot be accepted by the form processing apparatus 1 .

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 form processing device 2 device main body 4 display operation unit 8 intake/discharge port 29 reading unit 51 receipt printing unit 52 card processing unit 53 cash processing unit 54 control unit 56 I/F unit 85 receipt 100 form processing system 101 server 102 terminal F Form J1 Payment amount information J2 Payment deadline information

Claims (11)

an apparatus main body provided with an intake port for taking in a form and a display operation unit for operating and displaying predetermined information;
an acquisition means for acquiring image data of the form from the form taken into the apparatus main body through the intake port and acquiring payment amount information from the image data;
receiving means for receiving input of payment amount information;
settlement means for accepting payment based on the payment amount information acquired from the form by the acquisition means as settlement of the first payment transaction, and accepting payment based on the payment amount information received by the acceptance means as settlement of the second payment transaction; ,
output means for outputting the content of the second payment transaction in response to the completion of settlement of the second payment transaction ;
an identifying means for identifying, based on the image data acquired by the acquiring means, a type of form corresponding to the image data;
Guidance means for guiding the second payment transaction when the identification means cannot identify the type of the form,
The accepting means includes means for starting accepting input of payment amount information based on operation of a second payment transaction start operation display displayed on the display operation unit,
The form processing apparatus, wherein the guide means includes means for displaying the second payment transaction start operation display and a guide display for guiding the user to operate the second payment transaction start operation display on the display operation unit. 2. The form processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said accepting means accepts input of payment amount information by accepting input of numbers, characters or codes. further comprising selection means for selecting between said first payment transaction and said second payment transaction;
the selection means includes a second payment transaction start selection display that is an operation display operated to start the second payment transaction, the second payment transaction start selection display being separate from the second payment transaction start operation display;
3. The form processing according to claim 2, wherein said receiving means includes means for starting receiving payment amount information based on said second payment transaction start selection display displayed on said display operation unit being operated. Device. 4. The form processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said second payment transaction start operation display is different from said second payment transaction start selection display. The form processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said output means issues a recording medium on which the content of said second payment transaction is recorded. The form processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said output means externally transmits the content of said second payment transaction. The receiving means can receive input of payment deadline information for the second payment transaction,
The form processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, if the payment deadline accepted by said accepting means has expired, said settlement means cancels said second payment transaction. The form processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said accepting means accepts input of personal information for specifying a person who inputs payment amount information. A form processing system for performing a payment transaction of paying a payment amount recorded in a form and returning part of the form,
An apparatus main body provided with an intake port for taking in a form, an acquisition means for acquiring payment amount information from the form taken into the apparatus main body through the intake port, and a receptionist for accepting an input of payment amount information. means, as a settlement of a first payment transaction included in the payment transaction , accepting payment based on the payment amount information acquired from the form by the acquisition means, and as settlement of a second payment transaction included in the payment transaction, the acceptance settlement means for receiving payment based on the payment amount information received by the means; and return means for returning part of the form taken into the main body of the device from the intake port after settlement of the first payment transaction. a form processing device having
Transaction type information indicating which of a plurality of payment types including the first payment transaction and the second payment transaction the payment transaction settled by the payment means is, and the payment storage means for storing in association with transaction status information indicating whether or not a part of the form has been returned for the transaction ;
a terminal for determining, for each said first payment transaction and each said second payment transaction stored in said storage means, whether said payment transaction is completed or remains incomplete based on said transaction status information; , Form processing system. 10. The form processing system according to claim 9, further comprising notification means for notifying information of said payment transactions that remain incomplete at closing timing. an apparatus main body provided with an intake port for taking in a form and a display operation unit for operating and displaying predetermined information; A form processing method in a form processing apparatus including acquiring means for acquiring image data and acquiring payment amount information from the image data , and receiving means for accepting input of payment amount information,
a first settlement step of accepting payment based on the payment amount information acquired from the form by the acquisition means as settlement of the first payment transaction;
a reception step of starting reception of payment amount information by the reception means based on the operation of the second payment transaction start operation display displayed on the display operation unit;
a second payment step of accepting payment based on the payment amount information accepted by the acceptance means as a payment of a second payment transaction instead of the first payment step;
an output step of outputting the content of the second payment transaction in response to completion of the second payment step ;
a specifying step of specifying, based on the image data acquired by the acquiring means, a type of form corresponding to the image data;
a display step of displaying, on the display operation unit, the second payment transaction start operation display and a guidance display for guiding the user to operate the second payment transaction start operation display when the type of the form cannot be specified in the identification step; and a form processing method in a form processing apparatus.

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