JP7407022B2 - money handling equipment - Google Patents

Description

The technology disclosed herein relates to a money handling device.

Patent Document 1 describes a money handling device. This money handling device includes an extra-safe storage section (that is, a collection cassette). The collection cassette can be attached to and removed from the device main body outside the safe housing. The collection cassette stores the coins dispensed by the storage section within the safe housing. The collection cassette can be used for collection processing. Money can be collected by the person in charge by removing the collection cassette from the main body of the device.

International Publication No. 2018/021156

Consider a case where coins become jammed at the entrance of the collection cassette during a collection process in which money is stored in the collection cassette. The operator manually removes the jammed coins from the entrance of the collection cassette. At this time, the operator may remove money that the money handling device has determined has been stored in the collection cassette. It is difficult to specify which coins were stored in the collection cassette. In order to avoid miscalculation, the money handling device makes the amount of money stored in the collection cassette uncertain.

After the person in charge removes the jammed coin, the money handling device resumes the collection process. However, the amount of money stored in the collection cassette after the collection process is completed remains uncertain.

In the conventional operation, information to the effect that ``the amount of money in the collection cassette is uncertain'' was attached to the collection slip. Note that the collection slip is a slip issued by the money processing device upon completion of the collection process, and this collection slip is sent to the collection destination together with the collection cassette. At the collection destination, the person in charge must re-count the coins stored in the collection cassettes, the amount of which is undetermined, based on the information attached to the collection slip.

Furthermore, since the uncertainty of the amount of money in the collection cassette is equivalent to the uncertainty of the number of coins dispensed by the money handling device, the number of coins stored in the money handling device The amount of money held becomes uncertain. When the amount of money in the money processing device becomes uncertain, a detailed examination process is required to determine the amount of money in the money processing device. The scrutiny process is a process of re-counting the coins in the money handling device, so the scrutiny process generally takes a long time.

The technology disclosed herein eliminates the inconvenience that occurs when the amount of money in the collection unit becomes uncertain during the collection process.

The technology disclosed herein relates to a money handling device. Money handling equipment is
at least one storage unit for storing currency;
a collection unit that collects the coins in the storage unit in order to take out the coins in the storage unit from the device;
In the process of collecting money from the storage unit to the collection unit, if the amount of money stored in the collection unit becomes uncertain, the collection unit is caused to pay out at least a part of the money, The present invention includes a control unit that causes the identification unit to identify the coins dispensed by the collection unit, and performs a close examination process to determine the amount of money stored in the collection unit based on the identification result.

According to this configuration, even if the amount of money in the collection unit becomes uncertain during the collection process, the amount of money can be determined.
In the money handling device, the control unit causes the money fed out by the collection unit to be stored in the storage unit after being identified by the identification unit during the scrutiny process.
Since the coins dispensed by the collection unit are not dispensed out of the device, inspection processing and subsequent collection processing can be appropriately executed.
In another money processing device, the control unit is configured to determine that, when a coin jam occurs at the entrance of the collection unit during the collection process, the amount of money stored in the collection unit has become uncertain. to decide.

The storage section is provided in a safe,
The collection unit may be detachably attached to the money processing device outside the safe.

By doing so, the money inside the safe can be collected using the collection unit provided outside the safe.

The identification unit reads the serial number of the coin during the collection process,
The money processing device further includes a storage unit that stores the serial numbers read by the identification unit in the order in which the money is stored in the collection unit,
The control unit, during the scrutiny process,
causing the identification unit to read the serial number of the coin dispensed by the collection unit,
Based on the read serial number and information on the serial number stored in the storage unit, the amount of money remaining in the collection unit after the coins are dispensed may be determined.

By using the serial number information stored in the storage section, by dispensing a portion of the coins in the collection section, the amount of money remaining in the collection section can be determined.

The control unit causes the collection unit to mix and store coins of different denominations during the collection process,
The identification unit identifies the denomination of the money during the collection process,
The money processing device further includes a storage unit that stores the denominations identified by the identification unit in the order in which the money is stored in the collection unit,
The control unit, during the scrutiny process,
causing the identification unit to identify the denomination of the money dispensed by the collection unit,
Based on the identified denomination and information on the denomination stored in the storage section, the amount of money remaining in the collection section after the coins are dispensed may be determined.

By using the information on the denominations stored in the storage section, the amount of money remaining in the collection section can be determined without having to pay out all the coins in the collection section.

The money handling device may include an operation unit that receives an instruction as to whether or not to carry out a scrutiny process on the money in the collection unit when the money in the collection unit becomes uncertain.

The operator can select execution or non-execution of the scrutiny process.

The money processing device restarts the money collection process from the storage unit to the collection unit after performing a scrutiny process when the money in the collection unit becomes uncertain, or executes the scrutiny process. It is also possible to include a setting section that determines in advance whether or not to restart without restarting .

The operator can preset execution or non-execution of the scrutiny process. This eliminates the need for the operator to stand by near the money handling machine during the collection process.

The storage unit includes a plurality of storage units,
The control unit may store the coins dispensed by the collection unit in the storage unit from which the coins were dispensed, among the plurality of storage units, during the scrutiny process.

Since the coins are stored in the storage unit of the collection source, scrutiny processing can be performed appropriately.

The money processing device further includes a temporary storage unit that temporarily stores money,
The control unit may cause the money that the identification unit identifies as rejected money to be stored in the temporary storage unit during the scrutiny process.

Rejected coins generated during scrutiny processing can be stored separately from normal coins.

The storage unit includes a plurality of storage units,
The control unit may cause the money paid out from each of the plurality of storage units to be stored in the collection unit during the collection process.

The collection unit can, for example, collect coins of different denominations all at once.

The money processing device described above can eliminate the inconvenience that occurs when the amount of money in the collection unit becomes uncertain during the collection process.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a banknote processing device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the banknote processing device. FIG. 3 is a part of a process transition diagram when the amount of money in the collection unit becomes uncertain during the collection process. FIG. 4 is a part of a process transition diagram when the amount of money in the collection unit becomes uncertain during the collection process. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram regarding collation of serial numbers in the scrutiny process. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a banknote processing apparatus having a configuration different from that in FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the money processing device will be described in detail based on the drawings. The following explanation is an example of a money processing device. 1 and 2 show a banknote processing device 1 as a money processing device. The banknote processing device 1 is installed, for example, in a financial institution such as a bank. The banknote processing device 1 is installed, for example, at a teller counter in a bank. The banknote processing device 1 is a device that executes various processes including deposit processing and withdrawal processing.

The banknote processing device 1 has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction. The front of the banknote processing device 1 refers to a portion where a deposit port 211 and a deposit port 221, which will be described later, are formed. The part after the banknote processing device 1 refers to the part opposite to the part where the deposit port 211 and the deposit port 221 are formed.

In addition to being installed in a financial institution, the banknote processing device 1 can be installed in, for example, a back office of a retail store.

(Overall configuration of banknote processing device)
FIG. 1 shows the internal structure of the banknote processing device 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the banknote processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The banknote processing device 1 processes loose banknotes. The banknote processing device 1 has an upper processing section 11 and a lower safe section 13.

The processing section 11 is configured by an upper housing 111. Inside the upper housing 111, a depositing section 21, a dispensing section 22, a temporary storage section 24, an identification section 25, and a part of the transport section 4 are arranged.

The safe section 13 is configured by a safe housing 131. Inside the safe casing 131, a plurality of storage units 31 to 34 and a part of the transport unit 4 are arranged. The safe housing 131 protects the storage units 31 to 34 at a security level higher than a predetermined level. Specifically, the safe housing 131 is formed of a metal plate having a predetermined thickness or more. The security level of the safe housing 131 is higher than that of the upper housing 111.

Although not shown, the safe housing 131 has a door at the front thereof. When the operator opens the door, he or she can pull out the storage units 31 to 34 forward from the safe housing 131. Note that the door is provided with an electronic lock (not shown). The door opens when the operator unlocks the electronic lock.

The deposit unit 21 is a part into which banknotes to be deposited are inserted, for example, during deposit processing. The deposit section 21 has a deposit port 211 . The deposit port 211 opens upward at the front of the upper housing 111. The operator manually inserts banknotes into the deposit section 21 through the deposit port 211. The deposit unit 21 can hold a plurality of banknotes in a stacked state. The deposit unit 21 has a mechanism for taking bills into the bill processing device 1 one by one.

The dispensing unit 22 is a part to which banknotes are conveyed, for example, during dispensing processing. The withdrawal section 22 is also a section to which rejected banknotes generated during deposit processing are conveyed. The dispensing unit 22 can be used for various purposes. The dispensing unit 22 can hold a plurality of banknotes in a stacked state. The withdrawal section 22 has a withdrawal port 221 . The withdrawal port 221 opens into the upper housing 111 at the front of the device. The operator can manually take out the banknotes accumulated in the payout section 22 through the payout port 221. Note that the withdrawal port 221 may be provided with a shutter that opens and closes.

The temporary storage unit 24 temporarily stores (reserves) banknotes to be deposited, for example, during deposit processing. The temporary storage section 24 can dispense stored banknotes. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the temporary storage section 24 is disposed below the dispensing section 22 in the front part of the upper housing 111. In addition, the arrangement position of the temporary storage part 24 is not limited to a specific position.

The temporary storage unit 24 is a tape-type storage unit. The temporary storage unit 24 stores banknotes by winding the banknotes together with tape around a drum. The tape-type storage unit has the advantage that the order of banknotes does not change when storing and dispensing banknotes. The tape-type storage unit also has the advantage of being able to store banknotes of various sizes in a mixed state. The temporary storage section 24 can employ a known configuration of a tape-type storage unit.

The identification unit 25 is disposed on a first conveyance path 411, which will be described later. The identification unit 25 identifies at least the authenticity, denomination, and fitness of each banknote conveyed along the first conveyance path 411 . The identification unit 25 also acquires the serial number of the banknote.

The identification unit 25 also identifies abnormalities in the conveyance of banknotes. Conveyance abnormality means that the conveyance state of the banknote is not a predetermined normal conveyance state, the banknote is in a skewed state in which the inclination angle with respect to the conveyance direction is larger than a predetermined allowable angle, and/or the banknote is continuously conveyed. This refers to a chain state in which the distance between banknotes is smaller than the allowable distance between banknotes. Banknotes with abnormal conveyance are rejected.

The banknote processing device 1 has a first storage section 31 , a second storage section 32 , a third storage section 33 , and a fourth storage section 34 . The first storage section 31 , the second storage section 32 , the third storage section 33 , and the fourth storage section 34 are arranged in the front-rear direction in the safe housing 131 .

The first to fourth storage sections 31 to 34 have the same configuration. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, each of these storage units 31 to 34 is a stack type storage device. A stack type storage device stores banknotes in a stacked manner. The first to fourth storage units 31 to 34 also have transport mechanisms, although not shown. The conveyance mechanism inserts banknotes into the storage unit from outside and stores the banknotes in the storage unit. The conveyance mechanism also throws out the banknotes stored in the storage section from inside the storage section.

The first storage section 31, the second storage section 32, and the third storage section 33 each store banknotes of different denominations, for example. The first storage section 31, the second storage section 32, and the third storage section 33 store banknotes to be deposited during a deposit process, and feed out banknotes to be withdrawn during a withdrawal process. Further, the fourth storage section 34 stores, for example, banknotes that are not stored in other storage sections. The fourth storage section 34 also stores, for example, overflow banknotes that cannot be stored in other storage sections. The fourth storage unit 34 stores banknotes to be deposited. The fourth storage unit 34 does not dispense banknotes during the withdrawal process.

Note that the number, configuration, and arrangement of storage sections within the safe housing 131 may be arbitrary.

The conveyance unit 4 conveys the banknotes one by one within the banknote processing apparatus 1, leaving a space between the banknotes. The transport section 4 has a transport path. Although not shown, the conveyance path is constituted by a combination of a large number of rollers, a plurality of belts, a motor that drives these, and a plurality of guides. The conveying unit 4 conveys the banknote, for example, with the long edge of the banknote facing forward. The conveying unit 4 may convey the banknotes with the short edge of the banknotes facing forward.

The transport section 4 has a first transport path 411 provided within the upper housing 111. The first conveyance path 411 is configured in a loop shape. The first conveyance path 411 is configured to be endless by connecting an upper path 4111 extending in the front-rear direction and a lower path 4112 parallel to the upper path 4111 to each other. The upper path 4111 passes through the identification section 25 . The lower path 4112 does not pass through the identification section 25. The conveyance unit 4 conveys banknotes along the first conveyance path 411 in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 .

The second conveyance path 412 connects the deposit section 21 and the first conveyance path 411 to each other. The second conveyance path 412 conveys banknotes from the deposit section 21 toward the first conveyance path 411 .

The third conveyance path 413 connects the payout section 22 and the temporary storage section 24 with the first conveyance path 411. The third conveyance path 413 conveys banknotes from the first conveyance path 411 toward the payout section 22 or the temporary storage section 24 . A branching mechanism (not shown) is provided at the connection point between the third conveyance path 413 and the first conveyance path 411. The branching mechanism changes the destination of the banknote. The third conveyance path 413 branches in the middle so as to connect to each of the dispensing section 22 and the temporary holding section 24 .

The first to fourth storage sections 31, 32, 33, and 34 are each connected to the first conveyance path 411 via a fourth conveyance path 414. The four fourth conveyance paths 414 each extend in the vertical direction so as to span the upper housing 111 and the safe housing 131, and the four fourth conveyance paths 414 are lined up in the front-rear direction. Each of the fourth conveyance paths 414 conveys banknotes from the first conveyance path 411 toward each of the storage sections 31 to 34, and also conveys banknotes from each of the storage sections 31 to 34 toward the first conveyance path 411. .

Although not shown, a branching mechanism for switching the destination of banknotes is provided at the connection point between the first conveyance path 411 and each of the fourth conveyance paths 414.

Passage sensors that detect the passage of banknotes are provided at various locations on the first to fourth conveyance paths 411 to 414. The transport unit 4 receives commands from a controller 15, which will be described later, and controls each branching mechanism of the transport unit 4 based on a detection signal from a passage sensor. As a result, the banknotes are transported to a predetermined destination.

The banknote processing device 1 has a storage section 35 outside the safe. The external safe storage section 35 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body of the device outside the safe housing 131 (see the white arrow in FIG. 1). The external safe storage section 35 is a removable storage section. The external safe storage section 35 is sometimes referred to as a collection cassette because it is used for collection processing, as will be described later. The external safe storage unit 35 is also called a Secure Transfer Cassette (STC) because it is transported while storing collected banknotes. The external safe storage section 35 is a stack-type storage device that stores banknotes one on top of the other.

The banknote processing device 1 has a mounting portion 36 for mounting the external safe storage portion 35 on the main body of the device.

When the external safe storage section 35 is attached to the main body of the apparatus through the attachment part 36, the external safe storage section 35 is connected to the first conveyance path 411 via the fifth conveyance path 415 and the third conveyance path 413. In other words, the fifth conveyance path 415 branches off from the middle of the third conveyance path 413. The fifth conveyance path 415 conveys banknotes from the first conveyance path 411 toward the external safe storage section 35 and conveys banknotes from the external safe storage section 35 toward the first conveyance path 411.

As shown in FIG. 2, the banknote processing device 1 includes a controller 15 as a control section. The controller 15 includes the above-mentioned deposit section 21, withdrawal section 22, identification section 25, transport section 4, temporary storage section 24, first storage section 31, second storage section 32, third storage section 33, and fourth storage section. The storage section 34 and the mounting section 36 are connected to each other so that signals can be exchanged. The attachment section 36 outputs a signal when the external safe storage section 35 is attached to the main body of the device. If the external safe storage section 35 is removed from the main body of the device, the attachment section 36 will not output a signal. Based on the signal from the attachment part 36, the controller 15 can determine whether the external safe storage part 35 is attached to the apparatus main body or removed from the apparatus main body.

The banknote processing device 1 includes a storage unit 26 that stores various data, an operation unit 27 that is operated by a person, and a communication unit 28 that communicates with a terminal 29. The storage section 26, the operation section 27, and the communication section 28 are also connected to the controller 15 so as to be able to send and receive signals. The operation unit 27 may be configured by, for example, a touch panel type display device. The terminal device 29 is operated by a person in order to perform various tasks using the banknote processing device 1.

The controller 15 includes a depositing section 21, a dispensing section 22, an identification section 25, and a transport section so as to execute various processes when the operation section 27 is operated by a person or when the terminal device 29 is operated by a person. 4, the temporary storage section 24, the first storage section 31, the second storage section 32, the third storage section 33, the fourth storage section 34, and the external storage section 35.

The controller 15 has a setting section 151. The setting unit 151 performs various settings regarding banknote processing. These settings include settings regarding execution and non-execution of detailed examination processing, which will be described later.

(Operation of banknote processing device)
Hereinafter, operations when the banknote processing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration executes various processes will be described.

(Deposit processing)
The banknote processing device 1 stores banknotes in the storage section during deposit processing. The operator inserts banknotes to be deposited into the deposit section 21 . The deposit unit 21 takes in banknotes one by one into the device. The transport section 4 transports the banknotes to the identification section 25 . The identification unit 25 identifies banknotes. The transport unit 4 transports the banknotes to the first storage unit 31 , the second storage unit 32 , the third storage unit 33 , or the fourth storage unit 34 according to the identification result of the identification unit 25 . The storage units 31 to 34 store banknotes. Note that the transport section 4 transports the banknotes that the identification section 25 identifies as rejected to the dispensing section 22 .

When all the banknotes inserted into the deposit section 21 are taken into the banknote processing device 1, the terminal device 29, for example, displays the deposited amount. When the operator confirms the deposit process by operating the terminal device 29 or by operating the operation unit 27, the deposit process ends. The controller 15 causes the storage unit 26 to store data regarding the banknotes stored in the storage units 31 to 34.

In addition, when using the temporary holding part 24 at the time of a deposit process, the conveyance part 4 conveys the banknote which passed the identification part 25 to the temporary holding part 24. The temporary storage section 24 stores banknotes. After all the banknotes inserted into the deposit unit 21 are taken into the banknote processing device 1, the terminal 29 displays the deposited amount, for example. The operator can select between confirming the deposit process and canceling the deposit process by operating the terminal 29 or by operating the operation unit 27. When the operator confirms the deposit processing, the conveyance section 4 transfers the banknotes fed out by the temporary storage section 24 to the first storage section 31, the second storage section 32, the third storage section 33, or the fourth storage section 34. Transport to. The storage units 31 to 34 store banknotes. When the operator cancels the deposit process, the conveyance section 4 conveys the banknotes dispensed by the temporary holding section 24 to the dispensing section 22, for example. The banknotes that were deposited will be returned.

The controller 15 creates a serial number list while performing the deposit processing. The serial number list is a list in which the serial numbers of the banknotes stored in each of the storage units 31 to 34 are arranged in the order of storage in each of the storage units 31 to 34. The controller 15 sequentially stores the serial numbers of the banknotes read by the identification unit 25 in the storage unit 26 during the deposit processing. Thereby, the storage unit 26 can store a list of serial numbers of banknotes arranged in the order of storage in each of the storage units 31 to 34. The created serial number list is used when executing the scrutiny process, as will be described later.

(Withdrawal processing)
The banknote processing apparatus 1 throws banknotes out of the banknote processing apparatus 1 during the withdrawal process. The first to third storage units 31 to 33 feed out banknotes to be withdrawn. The transport section 4 transports the banknotes to the identification section 25 . The identification unit 25 identifies banknotes. The transport section 4 transports the identified banknotes to the dispensing section 22 . The withdrawal unit 22 holds banknotes to be withdrawn. The transport unit 4 transports the rejected banknotes identified by the identification unit 25 to, for example, the fourth storage unit 34 . The fourth storage section 34 stores rejected banknotes. The transport section 4 may transport the rejected banknotes to the temporary storage section 24 .

When all the banknotes to be withdrawn are withdrawn to the dispensing unit 22, the dispensing process ends. The controller 15 erases data regarding the banknotes paid out to the dispensing unit 22 from the storage unit 26.

(Replenishment process)
The banknote processing device 1 can perform replenishment processing using the external safe storage section 35. In other words, the external safe storage section 35 can store banknotes for replenishment. When the external safe storage section 35 is attached to the main body of the device, replenishment processing can be started.

When the replenishment process starts, the external safe storage section 35 dispenses banknotes. The conveyance unit 4 conveys the banknotes from the fifth conveyance path 415 to the identification unit 25 via the third conveyance path 413. The identification unit 25 performs identification.

The transport unit 4 transports the banknotes to the first to third storage units 31 to 33 according to the identification result. The storage units 31 to 33 store banknotes. The controller 15 stores and manages data regarding banknotes stored in the first to third storage units 31 to 33 during the replenishment process in the storage unit 26. The serial number list stored in the storage unit 26, which is the serial number list for each of the first to third storage units 31 to 33, is updated.

Note that the replenishment process can also be executed using the deposit section 21. That is, the operator inserts banknotes to be deposited into the deposit section 21 . The subsequent flow of banknotes is substantially the same as the flow of banknotes during the deposit processing described above.

(Collection processing)
The banknote processing device 1 can perform the collection process using the storage section 35 outside the safe. That is, the conveyance section 4 conveys the banknotes to be collected to the external safe storage section 35.

Specifically, during the collection process, the first to fourth storage units 31 to 34 feed out banknotes to be collected. In one collection process, the number of storage units into which banknotes to be collected are fed is not limited to one. The collection process includes both a case where only one storage section dispenses banknotes to be collected, and a case where each of a plurality of storage sections dispenses banknotes to be collected.

The conveyance section 4 conveys the banknotes fed out from the storage sections 31 to 34 to the identification section 25. The identification unit 25 identifies banknotes. The transport unit 4 transports normal banknotes from the first transport path 411 to the external safe storage unit 35 via the third transport path 413 and the fifth transport path 415. The external safe storage section 35 holds banknotes of a single denomination or banknotes of multiple denominations. The transport unit 4 transports the rejected banknotes identified by the identification unit 25 to the temporary storage unit 24, for example. The temporary storage unit 24 temporarily stores rejected banknotes. After the collection process is completed, the temporary storage unit 24 feeds out the temporarily stored reject paper, and the transport unit 4 transports the rejected banknotes to the original storage units 31 to 34.

When all banknotes to be collected are stored in the external safe storage section 35, the collection process is completed. The operator manually removes the external safe storage section 35 from the attachment section 36 and sends the external safe storage section 35 to a predetermined collection destination.

The controller 15 creates the serial number list 100 while performing the collection process using the external storage section 35 (see the left diagram in FIG. 5). This serial number list 100 is a list in which the serial numbers of banknotes stored in the external safe storage section 35 are arranged in the order of storage into the external safe storage section 35. The controller 15 sequentially stores the serial numbers of the banknotes read by the identification unit 25 in the storage unit 26 during the collection process. Thereby, the storage unit 26 can store the serial number list 100 in which the serial numbers are arranged in the order of storage in the external safe storage unit 35. The serial number list 100 created by the controller 15 is used in the scrutiny process when the amount of banknotes stored in the external safe storage section 35 becomes uncertain during the collection process, as will be described later. Ru.

(Operation of the banknote processing device when the amount of banknotes in the external safe storage section becomes uncertain during collection processing)
Let us consider a case where a banknote jam occurs at the entrance of the external safe storage section 35 while the above-mentioned collection process using the external safe storage section 35 is being performed. When a jam of banknotes occurs at the entrance of the external safe storage section 35, the banknote processing device 1 stops operating. The banknote processing device 1 interrupts the collection process.

After the banknote processing device 1 stops operating, the operator manually removes the banknotes stuck at the entrance. At this time, the operator may remove the banknotes that the banknote processing apparatus 1 determines to be stored in the external safe storage section 35. In this case, the amount of banknotes in the external safe storage section 35 recognized by the banknote processing device 1 and the amount of banknotes actually stored in the external safe storage section 35 will deviate.

In order to suppress the occurrence of miscounts, if a jam of banknotes occurs at the entrance of the external safe storage section 35 during the collection process, the banknote processing device 1 is configured to prevent the banknotes from being stored in the external safe storage section 35. It is determined that the amount of banknotes in stock has become uncertain. The amount of banknotes stored in the external safe storage section 35 after the collection process corresponds to the number and/or amount of banknotes dispensed by the banknote processing device 1. If the amount of banknotes stored in the external safe storage section 35 after the collection process is uncertain, the number and/or amount of banknotes dispensed by the banknote processing device 1 is also uncertain. Therefore, the amount of banknotes remaining in the banknote processing device 1 after the collection process is also uncertain. More precisely, the amount of money in the storage unit from which the banknotes to be collected are fed becomes uncertain.

In conventional banknote handling machines, after the operator removes the banknotes that caused the jam, the collection process is restarted without determining the amount of banknotes stored in the storage area outside the safe. . Even after the collection process is completed, the amount of banknotes stored in the external safe storage section remains uncertain. For a storage unit outside the safe whose amount is uncertain, the banknotes stored in the storage unit are re-counted at the collection destination. In addition, a scrutiny process for the storage section that has become uncertain in the banknote processing device is also performed separately. The scrutiny process is a process of determining the amount of banknotes in the storage unit by re-counting the banknotes stored in the storage unit.

On the other hand, this banknote processing device 1 performs a collection process after removing the banknotes that caused the jam and performing a scrutiny process to determine the amount of banknotes stored in the external safe storage section 35. resume. This eliminates the need to re-count the banknotes at the collection destination after the collection process.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation of the banknote processing apparatus 1 when the amount of banknotes in the external safe storage section 35 becomes uncertain during the collection process will be described.

P1 in FIG. 3 shows the operation of the banknote processing apparatus 1 during the collection process. As shown by solid arrows at P1, the first to fourth storage units 31 to 34 feed out banknotes to be collected. In the illustrated example, the first storage section 31 is feeding out banknotes. The transport section 4 transports the banknotes to the identification section 25 . After the identification unit 25 performs the identification, the transport unit 4 transports the bill to the external safe storage unit 35 . The extra-safe storage section 35 stores banknotes. During the collection process, the controller 15 creates a serial number list 100 regarding the banknotes stored in the external safe storage section 35. The storage unit 26 stores the serial number list 100.

Note that the transport unit 4 transports the rejected banknotes identified by the identification unit 25 to the temporary storage unit 24 as indicated by the broken line arrow P1. The temporary storage unit 24 temporarily stores rejected banknotes.

If a jam of banknotes occurs near the entrance of the external safe storage section 35 during the collection process, the banknote processing device 1 stops its operation. The operator removes the jammed banknotes from the entrance of the external safe storage section 35.

P2 in FIG. 3 shows the operation of the banknote processing apparatus 1 after the jammed banknote is removed. After the jammed banknotes are removed, the controller 15 causes the transport unit 4 to transport all the banknotes remaining on the transport path to the dispensing unit 22. The conveyance unit 4 first conveys the banknotes remaining in the fifth conveyance path 415 and the third conveyance path 413 to the first conveyance path 411, as shown by the broken line arrow at P2. After that, the conveyance unit 4 transfers all the banknotes remaining in the middle of the first conveyance path 411 and the banknotes conveyed from the fifth conveyance path 415 and the third conveyance path 413 to the first conveyance path 411 to the dispensing unit 22. (See the solid line arrow on P2). The operator manually takes out banknotes from the payout section 22 through the payout port 221. The banknote processing device 1 manages this banknote as a banknote paid out from the banknote processing device 1. That is, the banknote processing device 1 excludes banknotes from the banknotes stored in the banknote processing device 1. The banknote processing device 1 also manages this banknote as a banknote that is not stored in the external safe storage section 35.

Note that, contrary to the above, the conveyance unit 4 first withdraws banknotes remaining in the middle of the first conveyance path 411 (excluding banknotes remaining in at least the fifth conveyance path 415). It may be transported to the section 22. Thereafter, the conveyance section 4 conveys at least the banknotes remaining in the fifth conveyance path 415 to the first conveyance path 411, and conveys the banknotes conveyed to the first conveyance path 411 to the dispensing section 22. Good too.

P3 in FIG. 4 shows the operation of the banknote processing apparatus 1 after the banknotes remaining on the transport path are transported to the dispensing unit 22. The bill processing device 1 executes a process of examining the external safe storage section 35. The controller 15 causes the external safe storage section 35 to feed out the banknotes stored therein. The controller 15 also causes the transport section 4 to transport the banknotes fed out by the external safe storage section 35 to the identification section 25 . The identification unit 25 identifies banknotes. The conveyance unit 4 conveys the banknotes determined by the identification unit 25 to be normal banknotes to the original storage unit. In the example of FIG. 4, since the banknotes to be collected are stored in the first storage unit 31, the transport unit 4 transports normal banknotes to the first storage unit 31, as shown by the solid arrow at P4. The first storage section 31 stores banknotes. The storage unit from which the banknotes to be collected have been delivered is a storage unit whose inventory value has become uncertain as a result of the inventory amount of the external safe storage unit 35 becoming uncertain. A storage unit in which banknotes to be collected are not dispensed is a storage unit whose amount remains fixed. The banknotes dispensed by the external safe storage section 35 are not stored in the storage section whose amount is confirmed. This is because the amount of money in the storage section becomes uncertain.

The transport unit 4 transports the rejected banknotes identified by the identification unit 25 during the scrutiny process to the temporary storage unit 24 as indicated by the broken arrow. The temporary storage unit 24 stores rejected banknotes.

The identification unit 25 identifies the banknotes and also reads the serial numbers of the banknotes. The controller 15 identifies the banknotes remaining in the external safe storage section 35 based on the serial numbers read by the identification section 25 and the serial number list 100 of the external safe storage section 35 stored in the storage section 26. . That is, the controller 15 determines the amount of banknotes stored in the external safe storage section 35 by causing the external safe storage section 35 to pay out only some of the banknotes without causing the external safe storage section 35 to pay out all the banknotes. Such scrutiny processing is sometimes referred to as partial scrutiny processing.

Here, in the stack type storage device, the order of the banknotes may be changed when storing the banknotes. The serial number list is created based on the order in which the identification unit 25 reads the serial numbers. If the storage order of the banknotes is changed in the external safe storage section 35, the order of the serial numbers in the serial number list 100 does not match the actual storage order of the banknotes in the external safe storage section 35. Therefore, even if only one banknote is taken out from the external safe storage part 35, its serial number is specified, and the banknote is compared with the serial number list 100, the banknote remaining in the external safe storage part 35 cannot be accurately identified.

Therefore, this banknote processing apparatus 1 verifies the serial numbers of a plurality of banknotes during the partial scrutiny process. As a result, even if the order of the banknotes is changed somewhat during storage, the controller 15 uses the serial number list 100 to accurately determine the banknotes remaining in the external safe storage section 35 after some of the banknotes have been dispensed. can. The controller 15 may check the serial numbers of at least two banknotes against the serial number list 100. In the configuration example described below, the controller 15 checks the serial numbers of five banknotes against a serial number list.

Next, a procedure for collating serial numbers in the partial inspection process will be explained. As described above, the identification unit 25 reads the serial number of the bill dispensed from the external safe storage unit 35 during the partial scrutiny process. When the identification section 25 is able to read the serial numbers of five bills in a row, the controller 15 causes the external safe storage section 35 to stop feeding out the bills. The five serial numbers corresponding to the five banknotes constitute a target group that is a target to be checked against the serial number list 100.

If the serial number cannot be read or if a rejected banknote is generated, the external safe storage unit 35 feeds out five banknotes again, and the identification unit 25 reads the serial number of each banknote. Note that if the identification unit 25 cannot read some of the digits in the serial number, it is assumed that the serial number has been read.

Once the target group of serial numbers for five sheets is determined, the controller 15 compares the target group with the serial number list 100. The controller 15 determines a group (that is, a verification group) corresponding to the target group in the serial number list 100. The five banknotes included in the target group correspond to the banknotes fed out from the external safe storage section 35. In the serial number list 100, the five banknotes included in the matching group indicate the boundary between the banknotes fed out from the external safe storage section 35 and the banknotes remaining in the external safe storage section 35. By specifying the matching group in the serial number list 100, the controller 15 can determine the banknotes remaining in the external safe storage section 35.

Referring to FIG. 5, the procedure for matching the target group with the serial number list will be specifically described. The left diagram in FIG. 5 illustrates the serial number list 100. “12340” and the like in the serial number list 100 are serial numbers. In the serial number list 100 in FIG. 5, the serial numbers on the upper side are the serial numbers of the banknotes that are higher in the order of storage, and the serial numbers on the lower side of the figure are the serial numbers of the banknotes that are lower in the order of storage. The numbers in parentheses are serial numbers in the external safe storage section 35. The serial number corresponds to the number of sheets stored in the external safe storage section 35. The serial number on the right side of FIG. 5 is the serial number of the bill paid out from the external safe storage section 35, and is the serial number read by the identification section 25. The serial numbers on the upper side of the figure are the serial numbers of the banknotes fed out later from the external safe storage section 35, and the serial numbers on the lower side of the figure are the serial numbers of the banknotes fed out first from the external safe storage section 35. .

The controller 15 collates each serial number included in the target group in order from the highest serial number included in the serial number list 100. Thereby, the controller 15 can specify the highest serial number in the serial number list in the target group. In the illustrated example, "12348" is the highest serial number.

Next, the controller 15 specifies a serial number that is four sheets lower than the determined highest serial number (herein referred to as the lowest serial number). In the illustrated example, "12344" is the lowest serial number. Then, the controller 15 determines whether the target group includes a serial number whose digits all match the lowest serial number. The controller 15 also compares the three serial numbers sandwiched between the highest serial number and the lowest serial number in the serial number list with each serial number in the target group, regardless of the order of the serial numbers. I do. During this verification, the controller 15 allows only some digits of the serial numbers to match. The controller 15 performs serial number verification by masking, for example, three digits. In other words, even if three digits do not match, if the remaining digits match, the controller 15 determines that the serial numbers match.

Through the above procedure, the controller 15 identifies, on the serial number list 100, a collation group that includes all serial numbers that match the serial numbers included in the target group, as shown in the figure. In the serial number list 100, the controller 15 deletes information on higher serial numbers including the verification group. This is because the banknotes with the serial numbers included in the verification group are fed out from the external safe storage section 35. By updating the serial number list 100 in this manner, the controller 15 can determine the banknotes remaining in the external safe storage section 35. In other words, the controller 15 can determine the amount of banknotes in the external safe storage section 35.

In the partial inspection process, the amount of banknotes in the external safe storage section 35 can be determined by simply feeding out a part of the banknotes in the external safe storage section 35. This has the advantage of shortening the time required for scrutiny processing. The banknote processing device 1 can promptly restart the interrupted collection process.

Note that instead of performing the partial scrutiny process, the controller 15 may determine the amount of banknotes stored in the external safe storage section 35 by feeding out all the banknotes in the external safe storage section 35. In the following, this process may be referred to as full scrutiny processing as opposed to partial scrutiny processing.

After determining the amount of banknotes in the external safe storage section 35 through the partial scrutiny process or the full scrutiny process, the controller 15 restarts the collection process. At the same time as the collection process, the controller 15 executes a scrutiny process (that is, a partial scrutiny process) for the storage unit whose amount is uncertain.

P4 in FIG. 4 shows the operation of the banknote processing apparatus 1 that restarts the collection process. At P4, the first to fourth storage sections 31 to 34 feed out banknotes to be collected, as indicated by solid arrows. In the illustrated example, the first storage section 31 that has stored banknotes during the above-described scrutiny process is feeding out banknotes to be collected. The first storage unit 31 is a storage unit in which the remaining amount is uncertain.

The transport section 4 transports the banknotes to the identification section 25 . The identification unit 25 identifies banknotes and reads serial numbers. Similarly to the above, the controller 15 determines a target group consisting of the serial numbers of the five bills paid out from the first storage section 31. Once the target group is determined, the controller 15 compares the target group with the serial number list 100 of the first storage unit 31. Through the verification, if the controller 15 identifies a verification group that includes all the serial numbers that match the serial numbers included in the target group in the serial number list 100, the controller 15 identifies the banknotes in the first storage section 31. You can determine the amount of money. In this way, due to the fact that the amount of money in the extra-safe storage section 35 becomes uncertain, the scrutiny process of the storage section whose amount of money has become uncertain is completed. In addition, the conveyance part 4 conveys the banknote paid out from the 1st storage part 31 to the storage part 35 outside a safe. Since the banknote processing apparatus 1 simultaneously performs the collection process and the inspection process when restarting the collection process, the time required for the process can be saved.

The controller 15 continues the collection process even after the scrutiny process for the storage unit is completed until all banknotes to be collected are stored in the external safe storage unit 35 (see the solid line arrow in P4). Incidentally, the rejected banknotes are stored in the temporary storage section 24 as indicated by the broken line arrow P4. Then, when all the banknotes to be collected are stored in the external safe storage section 35, the collection process is completed.

After the collection process is completed, the operator removes the external safe storage section 35 from the banknote processing device 1 and sends it to a predetermined collection destination.

After the collection process is completed, the amount of money in the external safe storage section 35 has been determined, and the amount of money in the banknote processing device 1 has also been determined. The banknote processing device 1 issues a collection slip after completing the collection process. At this time, information to the effect that ``the amount of money in the external storage section of the safe is uncertain'' is not attached.

Note that when the amount of banknotes in the external safe storage section 35 becomes uncertain during the collection process, the controller 15 prompts the operator to select whether or not to execute the scrutiny process. You can also do this. If the operator selects execution of the scrutiny process by operating the operation unit 27 or the terminal 29, the controller 15 executes the above-mentioned partial scrutiny process (or full scrutiny process) and then performs the collection process. resume.

On the other hand, if the operator selects not to perform the scrutiny process, the controller 15 will omit the aforementioned partial scrutiny process (or full scrutiny process) and restart the collection process. When the scrutiny process is omitted, the controller 15 adds information to the collection slip after completing the collection process, stating that ``the amount of money in the storage section outside the safe is uncertain.''

Furthermore, when the collection processing is interrupted based on the operator's previous operation of the operation unit 27 or the terminal device 29, the setting unit 151 of the controller 15 is configured to perform a first inspection process and restart the collection processing. mode or a second mode in which the collection process is restarted without performing the scrutiny process may be set in advance. According to the settings of the setting section 151, the controller 15 operates in the first mode or the second mode when the amount of banknotes in the external safe storage section 35 becomes uncertain during the collection process. Resuming the collection process.

Note that after determining the amount of banknotes in the external safe storage section 35 through the partial scrutiny process or the full scrutiny process, the controller 15 may end the process without restarting the collection process. Since the amount of banknotes in the external safe storage section 35 is determined, the operator can remove the external safe storage section 35 from the banknote processing device 1 and send it to a predetermined collection destination. Such processing is effective, for example, when it is not possible to secure enough time to complete the collection process because it takes time to execute the partial inspection process or the full inspection process.

In the above description, when the collection process is interrupted and the partial examination process is performed, the conveyance unit 4 conveys the banknotes fed out by the external safe storage unit 35 to the original storage unit. Alternatively, the transport section 4 may transport the banknotes fed out by the external safe storage section 35 to the temporary storage section 24 after the identification section 25 identifies them. In this case, the temporary storage section 24 may store both normal banknotes and rejected banknotes.

After the partial scrutiny process and the resumed collection process are completed, the temporary storage unit 24 that has stored the banknotes during the partial scrutiny process feeds out the stored banknotes, and the transport unit 4 For example, it may be transported to the second dispensing section 23. That is, the banknotes paid out from the external safe storage section 35 during the partial inspection process may be paid out outside the banknote processing apparatus 1. The operator manages the banknotes paid out from the banknote processing apparatus 1 separately from the banknotes stored in the external safe storage section 35.

In addition, in the said structure, the controller 15 performs the partial scrutiny process using the serial number of a banknote. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the controller 15 may perform partial inspection processing based on the denomination of the banknote.

Specifically, in the collection process of collecting banknotes of multiple denominations from each of the plurality of storage units 31 to 33, the external safe storage unit 35 stores banknotes of multiple denominations. In this case, the storage section 26 stores information on the denominations of the banknotes stored in the external safe storage section 35 in the order in which they are stored. Based on the denomination information stored in the storage unit 26, the change in denomination in the external safe storage unit 35 can be used to identify the amount of money in the external safe storage unit 35.

When performing the partial inspection process, the controller 15 causes the identification unit 25 to identify the denomination of the bill dispensed by the external safe storage unit 35. The controller 15 specifies the number of banknotes remaining in the external safe storage section 35 based on the denomination identified by the identification section 25 and the information on the denomination stored in the storage section 26.

The technology disclosed herein is not limited to application to the banknote processing device having the configuration described above. FIG. 6 illustrates a banknote processing apparatus 10 having a configuration different from that described above.

The banknote processing apparatus 10 differs from the banknote processing apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 in the arrangement position of the temporary storage section 24. Further, the banknote processing device 10 includes two dispensing sections, a first dispensing section 22 and a second dispensing section 23.

The temporary storage section 24 is disposed at a rear position within the upper housing 111. The sixth conveyance path 416 connects the temporary storage section 24 and the first conveyance path 411 to each other. The sixth conveyance path 416 conveys banknotes from the first conveyance path 411 toward the temporary storage section 24 , and also conveys banknotes from the temporary storage section 24 toward the first conveyance path 411 . A branching mechanism (not shown) is provided at the connection point between the sixth conveyance path 416 and the first conveyance path 411.

The first dispensing section 22 and the second dispensing section 23 are vertically overlapped at the front of the device. The first dispensing section 22 is a section to which banknotes are conveyed, for example, during dispensing processing. The first withdrawal section 22 has a first withdrawal port 221 . The first withdrawal port 221 opens into the upper housing 111 at the front of the device.

The second dispensing section 23 is a section to which rejected banknotes generated during deposit processing are conveyed, for example. The second dispensing unit 23 can be used for various purposes. The second dispensing unit 23 has a second dispensing port 231 . The second withdrawal port 231 opens into the upper housing 111 at the front of the device. The operator can manually take out the banknotes accumulated in the second dispensing section 23 through the second dispensing port 231.

The first dispensing unit 22 and the second dispensing unit 23 are connected to the first conveyance path 411 via a third conveyance path 413.

The banknote processing device 10 executes the various processes described above. The operation of the banknote processing device 10 is similar to the operation of the banknote processing device 1 described above.

Note that the technology disclosed herein is not limited to the banknote processing apparatus that processes loose banknotes as described above. The technology disclosed herein may be applied to a coin processing device.

1 Banknote processing device (money processing device)
10 Banknote processing device (money processing device)
131 Safe box (safe)
15 Controller (control unit)
151 Setting section 22 Dispensing section (reject section), first dispensing section 23 Second dispensing section (reject section)
24 Temporary storage section 25 Identification section 26 Storage section 27 Operation section 31 First storage section 32 Second storage section 33 Third storage section 34 Fourth storage section 35 Storage section outside the safe (collection section)

Claims (12)

at least one storage unit for storing currency;
a collection unit that collects the coins in the storage unit in order to take out the coins in the storage unit from the device;
an identification unit provided on a conveyance path connecting the storage unit and the recovery unit and identifying currency;
In the process of collecting money from the storage unit to the collection unit, if the amount of money stored in the collection unit becomes uncertain, the collection unit is caused to pay out at least a part of the money, a control unit that causes the identification unit to identify the coins dispensed by the collection unit and, based on the identification result, performs a scrutiny process to determine the amount of money stored in the collection unit ;
The control section is a money handling device, wherein the control section stores the money dispensed by the collection section in the storage section after being identified by the identification section during the scrutiny process . at least one storage unit for storing currency;
a collection unit that collects the coins in the storage unit in order to take out the coins in the storage unit from the device;
an identification unit provided on a conveyance path connecting the storage unit and the recovery unit and identifying currency;
In the process of collecting money from the storage unit to the collection unit, if the amount of money stored in the collection unit becomes uncertain, the collection unit is caused to pay out at least a part of the money, a control unit that causes the identification unit to identify the coins dispensed by the collection unit and, based on the identification result, performs a scrutiny process to determine the amount of money stored in the collection unit ;
The control unit is a money processing device that determines that the amount of money stored in the collection unit has become uncertain when a coin jam occurs at an entrance of the collection unit . The storage section is provided in a safe,
The money processing device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the collection unit is detachably attached to the money processing device outside the safe. The identification unit reads the serial number of the coin during the collection process,
further comprising a storage unit that stores the serial numbers read by the identification unit in the order in which the coins are stored in the collection unit,
The control unit, during the scrutiny process,
causing the identification unit to read the serial number of the coin dispensed by the collection unit,
Any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the amount of coins remaining in the collection unit after the coins are dispensed is determined based on the read serial number and information on the serial number stored in the storage unit. The money processing device according to item 1 . The control unit causes the collection unit to mix and store coins of different denominations during the collection process,
The identification unit identifies the denomination of the money during the collection process,
further comprising a storage unit that stores the denominations identified by the identification unit in the order in which the coins are stored in the collection unit,
The control unit, during the scrutiny process,
causing the identification unit to identify the denomination of the money dispensed by the collection unit,
Any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the amount of money remaining in the collecting unit after the coins are dispensed is determined based on the identified denomination and information on the denomination stored in the storage unit. The money processing device according to item 1 . comprising an operation unit that receives an instruction as to whether or not to carry out scrutiny processing of the coins in the collection unit when the coins in the collection unit become uncertain;
The money handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . When the money in the collection unit becomes uncertain, whether to restart the money collection process from the storage unit to the collection unit after performing a scrutiny process, or restart it without performing a scrutiny process. The money handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a setting section that predetermines settings of . 3. The money processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the control section causes the money fed out by the collection section to be stored in the storage section after being identified by the identification section during the scrutiny process. The storage unit includes a plurality of storage units,
The money processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit stores the money dispensed by the collecting unit in the storage unit from which the coin was dispensed, among the plurality of storage units, during the scrutiny process. . further comprising a temporary holding section for temporarily holding the currency;
The money processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit causes the money that the identification unit identifies as rejected money to be stored in the temporary storage unit during the scrutiny process. 2. The money processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines that the amount of money stored in the collection unit has become uncertain when a coin jam occurs at the entrance of the collection unit. The storage unit includes a plurality of storage units,
12. The money handling device according to claim 1, wherein the control section stores the money dispensed from each of the plurality of storage sections into the collection section during the collection process.

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