RU2788436C1 - Storage medium processing apparatus and method for connecting units in a storage medium processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: computing technology.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a storage medium processing apparatus and to a method for connecting units in a storage medium processing apparatus. Storage medium processing apparatus comprises: a first unit and multiple second units connected to the first unit. Each of the multiple second modules comprises the following: a transport mechanism used to transport the storage medium; and a storage medium detection node, which detects the storage medium transported via the transport mechanism and transmits a signal indicating the detection of the storage medium to the first unit. The first unit determines the order of connections of the multiple second units with the first unit based on the signal transmitted by each storage medium detection node from the multiple second units.

EFFECT: higher accuracy of mounting and easier assembly and installation of the multiple units attached to the main body of the apparatus.

12 cl, 19 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The present invention relates to a media handling apparatus and a method for connecting blocks in a media handling apparatus.

The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-067631, filed March 29, 2019, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-041286, filed March 10, 2020, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

State of the art

Conventionally, a paper sheet processing apparatus capable of adding a plurality of units having a function corresponding to a user's requirements has been known to the main body of the apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the media handling apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, by connecting the main body of the apparatus and the unit having one or more stacking units, it is possible to add one or more stacking units outside the main body of the unit, whereby the paper sheets loaded into the main body of the apparatus can sorted by target stacking nodes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application First Publication No. H07-267513

Disclosure of the essence of the invention

Problem solved by the invention

Here, in this type of paper sheet handling apparatus, it is necessary to attach each unit to the main body of the apparatus in such an order as to sort the paper sheets loaded into the main body of the apparatus into target stacking units. In the main body of the device, it is necessary to establish the connection order of each unit. For this reason, for example, when an operator who installs the paper sheet handling apparatus makes a mistake in the connection order of mounting each unit to the main body of the apparatus, or makes a mistake in establishing the connection order of each unit in the main body of the apparatus, it is not possible to accurately sort the paper sheets loaded in the main body of the device, along the stowage nodes of the target block. Such a problem occurs not only in a paper sheet handling apparatus for processing paper sheets, but also in other media processing apparatuses such as money processing apparatuses for processing money.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a media processing apparatus and a method for connecting blocks of a medium processing apparatus that can accurately and easily determine the connection order of a plurality of blocks connected to the apparatus main body.

Troubleshooter

A media handling device according to the approach of the present invention comprises: a first block; and a plurality of second blocks attached to the first block. Each of the plurality of second blocks includes: a transport mechanism that transports the media; and a media detecting node that detects the media transported by the transport mechanism and transmits a signal indicating the detected media to the first block. The first block determines the connection order of the plurality of second blocks to the first block based on a signal transmitted from each carrier detection node of the plurality of second blocks.

The method for connecting blocks of a media processing device according to the approach of the present invention is a method for connecting blocks of a media processing device comprising a first block to a plurality of second blocks connected to the first block, and comprises the steps of: receiving from each of the plurality of second blocks a signal, indicating detection of a medium transported by the second unit itself; and detecting a connection order of the plurality of second blocks with the first block based on the order of signals received from each of the plurality of second blocks.

The result of using the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a media handling apparatus and a method for connecting blocks in a media handling apparatus capable of accurately and easily specifying the connection order of a plurality of second units connected to the first unit.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of an interior configuration of the media handling apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a front view of a counting unit and a stacking unit of the media processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the interior of the counting unit and the stacking unit of the media processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a counting unit and a stacking unit of the media processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the main body of the stacking unit of the media handling apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the main body of the stacking unit of the media handling apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a method for setting the connection order of the stacking units with the counting unit of the media processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8 shows a connection order setting method when the counting unit and the stacking unit of the media processing apparatus according to the embodiment are connected in parallel.

Fig. 9 is an example of connection interaction when the counting unit and stacking unit according to the embodiment are connected in parallel.

Fig. 10 is an example of the receiving state of the counting unit of the reception signal generated by each stacking unit when the counting unit and the stacking unit of the media processing apparatus according to the embodiment are connected in parallel.

Fig. 11 is a display example of a display screen of the media handling apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart of a connection ordering process performed by the counting unit of the media processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart of a paper sheet detection process performed by the stacking unit of the media handling apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart of a connection order saving process performed by the stacking unit of the media processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart of a connection order transmission process performed by the stacking unit of the media processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart of a process for checking the continuity of the extension unit by the counting unit of the media processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram of the connection state between the counting unit and the stacking unit in the media processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 18 is an example of information transmitted to the control node of the counting unit according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 19 is an example of the receiving state of the counting unit of the reception signal generated by each stacking unit when the counting unit and the stacking unit of the media processing apparatus according to the second embodiment are connected in series.

Implementation of the invention

Media handling device

Hereinafter, the media processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of the general configuration of the media handling apparatus according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 2 is a front view of the counting unit 2 and the stacking unit 3 of the media processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 3 shows a front cross-sectional view of the counting unit 2 and the stacking unit 3 of the media processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the counting unit 2 and the stacking unit 3 from the side of the stacking unit 3 .

In FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the stacking unit 3 from the side of the counting unit 2 in the state with the cover removed.

In FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the stacking unit 3 from the side of the stacking unit 4 in the state with the cover removed.

The media processing apparatus 1 is a device capable of combining units having one or more functions. One or more functions include, for example, a function to classify media such as paper sheets and money by type (e.g., denomination) and stack in predetermined quantities set in advance, as well as a function to pack each predetermined amount of media such as paper sheets. and the money that has already been stowed. In the media handling apparatus 1, desired sequences of functions can be demonstrated by attaching one or a plurality of units (for example, stacking units 3 to 6 (not shown) to the counting unit 2, which is the main body of the apparatus. A unit having one or more functions, attached to counting unit 2, also called an expansion unit.

In the media handling apparatus 1, the counting unit 2 controls the operation of the extension units (in the embodiment, the stacking units 3 to 6). In the control system of the media handling apparatus 1, the counting unit 2 is located on the upper side and the expansion unit is located on the lower side. In this media processing apparatus 1, an operator (not shown) controls the operation display unit 24 (display, see FIG. 2) provided in the counting unit to command an operation by which a predetermined operation is performed in response to the instruction.

As an example, the apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described, the case in which four stacking units 3 to 6 having different stacking section numbers are attached to the counting unit 2. The media processing apparatus 1 has a function of classifying paper sheets 100 such as banknotes, securities and golden tickets loaded into the receiving unit 21 of the counting unit 2 according to the type (for example, denomination) of each paper sheet 100 and stacking the paper sheets in predetermined quantities. at each of the stacking sections 32, 42, 52, 62 of the stacking blocks 3, in which the stacking locations are set in advance for each type of paper sheets 100.

In the following description, the side of the operation display unit 24 (the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 1) of the media handler 1 is defined as the front surface, and the opposite side of the operation display unit 24 of the media handler 1 (the back side of the paper surface in FIG. 1) is defined as reverse surface or rear surface. Further, when the media handler 1 is viewed from the front, the side of the counting unit 2 is determined to be on the right side (on the right side of the paper surface in Fig. 1), and when the media handler 1 is viewed from the front, the plurality of packaging units 3 to 6 are determined as being on the left side (on the left side of the paper surface in Fig. 1). Further, the side of the reject unit 23 (the top side of the paper surface in FIG. 1) is defined as the top side when the media handler 1 is viewed from the front, and the side of the take-up unit 21 (the bottom side of the paper surface in FIG. 1) is defined as the bottom side, if the media processing unit 1 is viewed from the front. Further, in the transport direction media handling device 1 in which paper sheets 100 are loaded into the receiving unit 21 of the counting unit 2 are transported to the stacking units 3 to 6, the side of the receiving unit 21 is defined as the incoming side, while the side of the sections 32, 42, 52, 62 is defined as the outgoing side.

counting block

First, the counting unit 2 of the media processing apparatus 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the counting unit 2 includes a receiving unit 21, a counting unit main body 22, a rejecting unit 23, an operation display unit 24 (see FIG. 2), and a control unit 25. The raw paper sheets 100 are loaded into the receiving unit 21. The main body 22 of the counting unit identifies and transports the loaded paper sheets 100. The rejected paper sheets are deposited in the rejection unit 23. The operation display portion 24 is used to control the media handling apparatus 1 . The control section 25 controls the entire media handling device 1 . In the embodiment, the paper sheets 100 loaded into the receiving unit 21 are rectangular bills in plan view, such as 10,000 yen bill, 5,000 yen bill, 2,000 yen bill, 1,000 yen bill, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the receiving unit 21 is provided in the lower right region of the counting unit 2 when viewed from the front. The receiving assembly 21 has an open assembly 211, a bottom wall 212, a side wall 213, a back wall 214, a front wall 215 (see FIG. 2), a note press 216, and a push roller 217. The open assembly is fully open across the front surface and the right surface on bottom right side of block 2 counting. The paper sheets 100 are placed on the bottom wall 212. The side wall 213 extends along the left edge of the bottom wall 212 and extends vertically upward relative to the bottom wall 212. The back wall 214 extends along the rear side of the take-up assembly 21 and covers at least the entire rear surface of the open assembly 211. The front wall 215 extends along the side of the front surface facing the rear wall 214. The pressure press 216 presses the paper sheets 100 placed on the bottom wall from the top side against the bottom wall 212. A push roller 217 is provided under the bottom wall 212. A receiving space for storage of loaded paper sheets 100 is formed by the bottom wall 212, the side wall 213, the back wall 214 and the front wall 215 described above.

The bottom wall 212 has a flat surface. The paper sheets 100 are arranged in a state in which one surface of the paper sheets 100 is in contact with the flat surface of the bottom wall 212. The bottom wall 212 is inclined towards the upper right side with respect to the horizontal plane as viewed from the front. The plurality of paper sheets 100 placed on the bottom wall 212 are shifted to the left along the slope of the bottom wall 212. As a result, the plurality of paper sheets 100 placed on the bottom wall 212 are stacked in the receiving space in a state with a long side portion of each of the paper sheets 100 adjacent to the side wall 212 provided along the left edge of the bottom wall 212, whereby the positions are aligned in the width direction.

The distance between the back wall 214 and the front wall 215 is set to be slightly larger than the length of the paper sheets 100 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, at least one of the two short sides of the plurality of paper sheets 100 placed on the bottom wall 212 is adjacent to the back wall 214 or to the front wall 215, whereby the paper sheets 100 are stacked in the receiving space at positions in the longitudinal direction substantially aligned with back wall 214 and front wall 215.

A through hole (not shown) is provided on the side wall 213 in the immediate vicinity of the bottom wall 212 in the thickness direction. This through hole (not shown) extends along the side edge of the bottom wall 212 of the side wall 313 and is longer than the longitudinal side portion of the paper sheet 100. Therefore, after the sheets are separated one by one by the push roller 217 from the bottom layer in the stacked state (see the bottom side of the bottom wall 212), the paper sheets 100 stacked on the bottom wall 212 are conveyed to the side of the main body 22 by passing through a through hole (not shown) of the side wall 213.

The plurality of paper sheets 100 are transported one by one from the through hole (not shown) provided in the side wall 213 to the side of the main body 22 of the counting unit in a state in which the long side assembly is in contact with the side wall 213. Therefore, the plurality of paper sheets 100 are transported in the media handling apparatus 1 in which the width direction is the same as the transport direction.

The push press 216 is provided to move in the vertical direction along the side wall 213.

The press press 216 presses the paper sheets in the downward direction with a force corresponding to the number of paper sheets 100 stacked in the receiving space (thickness of the paper sheets 100 in the stacked state). Thus, in the receiving space 21, at least the paper sheet in the lowest layer of the stacked paper sheets 100 is in close contact with the bottom wall 212, and therefore the separation of the paper sheets can be performed accurately by the push roller 217.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body of the counter includes a push roller 221, a separating roller 222, an endo counting unit transport mechanism 223, a detection unit 224, and a unit 225. The push roll 221 pushes the paper sheets 100 transported from the receiving unit 21 (receiving space) of the counting unit main body 22. The separating roller 222 separates the paper sheets pushed one by one by the push roller 221. The transport mechanism 223 in the counting unit transports the pushed paper sheets 100. The detecting unit 224 performs the detection of the pushed paper sheets 100 and the pushing state. The identification node 225 identifies the authenticity of the pushed paper sheets 100, etc. The identification device consists of a detection node 224 and an identification node 225 .

A push roller 221 and a separating roller 221 are provided in close proximity to the descending side of the through hole (not shown) of the side wall 213. The push roller 221 and the separating roller 222 are positioned to face each other in the thickness direction of the paper sheets 100. The paper sheets 100 are routed between the push roller 221 and the separating roller 222 so as to be delivered one by one to the transport mechanism 223 of the endo counting unit due to the rotation of these rollers 221 and 222.

The endo counting unit transport 223 has a receiving transport path 223a, an identification transport path 223b, a reject side transport path 223c, and an output transport path 223d. The receiving path 223a transports the paper sheets 100 taken from the receiving unit 21 to the main body 22 of the counting unit. The identification transport path 223b is connected to the end portion of the receiving transport path 223a opposite the receiving node 21. The reject side transport path 223c is connected to the opposite end of the receiving transport path 223a on the identification transport path 223b. The output path 223d of the conveyance is the end node of the identification path 223b of the conveyance, and is attached to the same end portion to which the conveyance path 223c is attached to the reject side.

The receiving conveyance path 223a communicates with a through hole (not shown) of the side wall 213 at the receiving portion 21, and extends from the receiving portion 21 side to the left side. The detection unit 224 is provided on the exit side of the push roller 221 and the separating roller 222 on the input conveying path 223a.

The detecting unit 224 detects whether the paper sheets 100 are taken into the counting main body 22, and detects the conveying state of the incoming paper sheets 100. The detecting unit 224 detects the presence or absence of double supply based on light transmission or the physical thickness of the conveyed paper sheets 100. quantity means a state in which at least a portion of two or more paper sheets 100 overlap each other. The detecting unit 224 also detects the presence or absence of skew based on the difference in detection times of each of the two ends in the longitudinal direction of the paper sheets 100 being transported. . In addition, the detection unit 224 detects the presence or absence of the nearest feeding paper sheets 100 based on the interval between detection times of paper sheets 100 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction. Thus, the main body 22 of the counting unit can detect double feeding, skew, and nearby feeding paper sheets 100 with the detecting unit 224, and determine whether the paper sheets 100 are transported normally.

The identification transport path 223b extends substantially perpendicular to the input transport path 223a from the end on the opposite side of the receiving node 21 on the receiving transport path 223a. An identification node 225 is provided at an intermediate position of this identification transport path 223b.

The identification node 225 has an optical sensor (not shown) and an image pickup device (not shown). The optical sensor has a plurality of light emitting elements emitting light of different wavelengths and a light receiving element that receives light emitted by these light emitting elements. The image pickup apparatus acquires image information of the paper sheet 100 when the paper sheet 100 conveyed along the conveying identification path 223b is irradiated with light from the light emitting element at a predetermined frequency.

The identification unit 225 irradiates the paper sheets 100 conveyed along the identification conveyance path 223b with visible light and ultraviolet rays by means of a plurality of light emitting elements. The identification unit 225 acquires image information of the paper sheets 100 at the time of visible light irradiation and at the time of ultraviolet irradiation by means of the image pickup device. The identifying unit 225 compares this acquired image information with the reference image data generated in advance for each type of paper sheets 100, and determines the type of reference image data, which can be determined to be the same as the type (value) of the paper sheets 100.

A paper sheet whose type (value) is determined by the existing reference image data that matches in this way is determined as the paper sheet 100 without deviation in identification. The paper sheets 100 without deviating from the identification are transported to the output transport path 223d, which will be described later, to deliver them to the common transport path 311 of the stacker 3 . On the other hand, a paper sheet whose type cannot be determined because any reference image data for determining a match is missing is determined as the paper sheet 100 having an identification anomaly. The paper sheets 100 having an identification anomaly become reject paper sheets, which are transported to the conveyance path 223c to the reject side to be stored in the reject section 23 .

The path 223c transportation to the side of the rejection extends from the branch node provided at the other end of the identification path 223b transport, to a place in the immediate vicinity of the node 23 rejection.

The reject unit 23 is provided in the upper right region of the counting unit 2 when viewed from the front. The reject unit 23 has an inlet 231, a bottom wall 232, a side wall 233, a back wall 234, and an impeller 235. The inlet 231 is always open through the front surface and the right side surface on the upper right side of the counting unit 2. The paper sheets 100 are placed on the bottom wall 232. The side wall 233 extends along the left edge of the bottom wall 232 and extends vertically upward relative to the bottom wall 232. The back wall 234 extends along the rear side of the culling unit 23 and covers at least the entire rear surface of the entry assembly 231. The bottom wall 232, side wall 233, and back wall 234 described above form a reject space for storing rejected paper sheets.

The bottom wall 232 has a flat surface. The rejected paper sheets are placed in a state in which one surface of the rejected paper sheets is in contact with the flat surface of the bottom wall 232. The bottom wall 232 is set to be inclined towards the upper right side with respect to the horizontal plane as viewed from the front. A plurality of rejected paper sheets located on the bottom wall 232 are shifted to the left. As a result, a plurality of reject paper sheets are stacked in the reject space in a state in which the long side portion of each paper sheet 100 adjacent to the side wall 233 extends along the left edge of the bottom wall 232, whereby the positions are aligned in the width direction.

A paddle 235 is provided on the top side of the bottom wall 232 and near the end of the transport path 223c to the reject side. The blade 235 includes a rotating body 235a capable of rotating about the axis of rotation, and a plurality of blades 235b spaced at regular intervals around the entire circumference of the rotating body 235a in a circular direction.

Each vane 235b is bent in the same direction along the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation of the rotating body 235a away from the main end assembly on the side of the rotating body 235a towards the outer tip portion. In an embodiment, each blade 235b curves in a counterclockwise direction along a circular direction about the axis of rotation of the rotating body 235a. As a result, the deflected paper sheets conveyed one by one along the conveyance path 223c to the reject side are fed one by one between the mutually adjacent blade 235b and blade 235b of the impeller 235, and thus are conveyed while rotating towards the reject space.

When the rejected paper sheets placed between the mutually adjacent paddle 235b and paddle 235b abut against the side wall 233 and are fed from the space between paddle 235b and paddle 235b, they are sequentially placed on the bottom wall 232 while advancing towards the bottom wall 232 of the reverse side of the blade body 235b in the direction of rotation. That is, the rejected paper sheets are judged as rejected paper sheets and are thus output to the reject unit 23 to be stacked in bottom-up order, that is, in the order in which they were taken into the counting unit main body 22 from the receiving unit 21 .

The reject unit 23 has a reject paper sheet detection sensor (not shown) which detects the presence or absence of reject paper sheets stacked in the reject space, and a reject paper sheet notification unit (not shown) in which the illumination state is switched based on the detection result of this. a sensor for detecting rejected paper sheets.

The reject paper sheet detection sensor (not shown) is a sensor for being able to detect the presence/absence of rejected paper sheets and the stacking state in the reject space of the reject unit 23 . As such a sensor, various sensors such as an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a capacitive sensor can be used. As an optical sensor, a light-transmitting or reflective sensor can be used, which can detect the presence/absence state and stacking of reject paper sheets in the reject space by detecting, by means of the light receiving element, the level of received light emitted by the light emitting element. The magnetic sensor can detect the presence/absence and stacking status of the rejected paper sheets in the reject space by measuring the change in the magnetic flux generated in the reject space. The capacitive sensor can detect the presence/absence and stacking status of rejected paper sheets in the reject space by measuring the change in capacitance in the reject space.

The reject paper sheet notification unit (not shown) has a light emitting element such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED). The reject paper sheet notification unit changes the notification mode based on the reject paper detection result in the reject space detected by the reject paper detection sensor. For example, the reject paper sheet notification portion may turn on an LED when a reject paper sheet detection sensor detects that a rejected paper sheet is present in the reject space. The reject paper sheet notification portion may turn off the LED when the reject paper sheet detecting sensor detects that there is no reject paper sheet in the deflection space. Additionally, the reject paper sheet notification unit may cause the LED to flash when the rejected paper sheets stacked in the reject space are fully quantitatively picked.

Preferably, the reject paper sheet notification assembly (not shown) described above is provided in a location easily visible to the operator. For example, the bottom wall 232 of the reject unit 23 may be made of transparent or translucent synthetic resin or the like, and the aforementioned LED may be located under the transparent or translucent bottom wall 232. As a result, the light emitted by the LED of the reject paper notification unit sheets, illuminates the entire transparent or translucent bottom wall 232 and becomes visible to an operator (not shown) through the receiving assembly 231. Examples of the transparent or translucent synthetic plastic material described above include acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, polyethylene terephthalate (polyethylene terephthalate, PET) and etc.

A reject paper sheet notification assembly (not shown) may be provided in a cover 236 (see FIG. 2) that covers the top side of the deflection assembly 23 . In this case, also, when making the cover 236 from transparent acrylic resin and the like, the light emitted from the LED of the reject paper notification unit illuminates the entire transparent cover 236, and since the cover 236 is located in the upper position, closer to the line of sight of the operator (not shown), it is easily visible to the operator (not shown).

The exit path 223d of the conveyance, which branches off from the branch node of the identification path 223b of the conveyance and extends to the left side, is connected to the transport mechanism 31 of the endo-laying unit 3 of the stacking.

The counting unit 2 has a control node 25 . The control section 25 includes an arithmetic logic unit such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a storage device such as Read Only Memory (ROM) and Random Access Memory (RAM). The ROM stores a control program for controlling the counting unit 2 and the stacking units 3 to 6, and image reference data (main data) that serves as a reference for identification with the identification node 225 described above, etc. The RAM stores data, etc. .Identification and counting result. The control section 25 implements each function for controlling the counting unit 2 and the stacking units 3 to 6 by loading the control program stored in the ROM.

Stacking block

Next, the stacking unit 3 connected to the counting unit 2 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the stacker 3 includes a stacker main body assembly 30, an endolayer transport mechanism 31, a stacker 32, an impeller 33, a control node 34, a storage device 35, an optical sensor 36, and a status display node 37 (see FIG. 2).

The control unit 34 and the memory unit 35 are housed inside the stacker main body unit 30 . The control section 34 is an arithmetic computing unit such as a CPU and controls the entire stacking unit 3 by executing a control program stored in the storage device 35. The storage unit 35 is a storage device such as ROM or RAM. In the storage section 35, in addition to the control program for performing general control of the stacking unit 3, the result of calculation by the control unit 34, etc. is temporarily stored. Additionally, in the storage section 35, type information is stored in advance (see Fig. 9), to distinguish between the type of stacker 3 (for example, a type such as a stacker and a stacker) and identification information to identify the stacker 3 (CPU unique ID or communication device unique ID: see FIG. 18).

As shown in FIG. 5, the stacker main body assembly 30 is a tubular member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The assembly walls 301 and 301 for separating from other blocks extend along the counting block 2 side (right side) and along the other stacking blocks 4-6 side (left side) of the stacking block main body assembly 30, respectively.

Two block connecting studs 302 and 302 are provided on the upper side of the dividing wall 301 on the side of the counting unit 2 of the main body of the counting unit 30 . The two block connecting studs 302 and 302 are provided at the same height position and are spaced in a front-to-back direction. The block connection studs 302 and 302 fit into the block connection holes of the module (not shown) provided at appropriate locations in the partition wall (not shown) on the stacking block side of the counting unit 2, or into the connection holes 303 (see FIG. 6) provided in corresponding places of the dividing wall in another stacking block. Thus, the counting unit 2 and each of the stacking units 3 to 6 are positioned and connected in perfect alignment at their positions in the vertical direction and in the left-right direction.

Returning to FIG. 3, the endolayer transport mechanism 31 has a common transport path 311 and a transport path 312 for a branch. The common transport path 311 and the branch transport path 312 are driven independently by separate drive motors.

The common conveyance path 311 is provided on the upper side of the stacker main body assembly 30 and extends in the horizontal direction (left to right direction). The transport input node 311a (see FIG. 5) is provided on the side of the common transport path 311 counting unit 2 . The input conveying unit 311a is seamlessly connected to the output path 223d of the counting unit 2 in a state in which the counting unit 2 is connected to the stacking unit 3. Therefore, the common transport path 311 of the stacking unit 3 and the output transport path 223d of the counting unit 2 are fully connected, and the paper sheets 100 conveyed from the output transport path 223d of the counting unit 2 are delivered along the common transport path 311 of the stacking unit 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the common conveyance path 311 after the inlet conveyance 311a, an optical sensor 36 is provided for detecting paper sheets 100. The optical sensor 36 is positioned at a location where paper sheets 100 conveyed along the common conveyance path 311 can be detected. When the optical sensor 36 detects the paper sheets 100 transported along the common conveyance path 311, the optical sensor 36 generates a signal indicating that the paper sheets 100 have been detected and transmits a signal to the control unit 25 of the counting unit 2.

The exit node 311b transportation (see Fig. 6) is provided on the opposite side (on the side block 4 stacking) common path 311 transportation from the block 2 counting. The output conveyance 311b is seamlessly connected to the input conveyance 411a of the common conveyance path 411 in the stacking block 4 in a state in which the stacking block 4 is connected to the opposite side of the counting block 2 of the stacking block 3. Therefore, the common conveyance path 311 of the stacker 3 and the common conveyance path 411 of the stacker 4 are completely connected, and the paper sheets 100 conveyed along the common conveyance path 311 of the stacker 3 are delivered to the common conveyance path 411 of the stacker 4.

Returning to FIG. 3, a branch transport path 312 is provided at the exit transport section 311b of the general transport path 311. The branch transport path 312 runs in a direction different from the horizontal direction in which the general transport path 311 runs.

The branch transport path 312 extends from the general transport path 311 in a downward direction perpendicular to the general transport path 311. By switching the conveyance path of the paper sheets 100 conveyed along the common conveyance path 311 to the branch conveyance path 312, the paper sheets 100 are conveyed along the branch conveyance path 312 in a downward direction perpendicular to the common conveyance path 321, which is a direction other than the horizontal direction. Switching between the transport of paper sheets 100 transported along the common transport path 311 to the common transport path 411 of the stacker 4 associated with the stacker 3 or to the transport path 312 for branching is performed by a transport sorting mechanism (not shown). This transport sorting mechanism (not shown) decides whether to transport the paper sheets 100 along the common transport path 411 of the stacker 4 or transport the paper sheets 100 to the branch transport path 312 side, and with it, the transport direction of the paper sheets 100 is switched.

A plurality of horizontal transport paths 312a are provided, connected to a plurality of intermediate positions of the transport path 312 for a branch. Each horizontal transport path 312a runs substantially horizontally. In an embodiment, four horizontal transport paths 312a connect to branch transport path 312 at four intermediate positions at substantially equal intervals. Each horizontal path 312a transportation passes in close proximity to the corresponding node 32 laying. The selection of the horizontal conveyance path 312a to distribute the paper sheets 100 to the branch conveyance paths 312 and sorting is performed by a sorting conveyance mechanism (not shown) similar to the sorting conveyance mechanism described above.

An impeller 33 is provided at the end of each horizontal conveyance path 312a on the stacking unit 32 side. The impeller 33 is rotatable about an axis of rotation provided near the end of the horizontal conveyance path 312a. The impeller 33 has the same configuration as the impeller 235 described above. The impeller 33 includes a rotating housing 331 with the possibility of rotation around the axis of rotation and a plurality of blades 332 spaced at regular intervals around the entire circumference of the rotating housing 331 in a circular direction.

Each blade body 332 curves in the same direction in the circumferential direction about the axis of rotation of the rotating body 331 from the main end node on the side of the rotating body 331 side to the outer portion of the tip. In an embodiment, each blade body 332 is bent in a counterclockwise direction along a circumferential direction about the axis of rotation of the rotating body 331. As a result, the paper sheets 100 conveyed along the horizontal conveyance path 312a are fed one by one between the mutually adjacent blade body 332 and the body 332 the blades of the impeller 33 and are thus conveyed in rotation to the side of the stacking unit 32 .

The paper sheets 100 placed between the mutually adjacent blade body 332 and the blade body 332 are adjacent to the bottom wall 322 of the placement space of the stacking assembly 32 to be described later, are fed between the blade body 332 and the blade body 332, and then sequentially stacked on the stacking area 32 while being pushed towards the side of the bottom wall 322 of the accommodation space by the reverse vane body 322 in the direction of rotation.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of stacking portions 32 are arranged in the vertical direction of the stacking block main body assembly 30 in the stacking block 3. In the stacking unit 3 of the embodiment, four stacking units 32 are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the vertical direction of the stacking unit main body unit 30 . Since each of the stacking sections 32 has the same configuration, only one stacking unit 32 of the four stacking sections 32 will be described in the present description.

The stacking unit 32 comprises an entry unit 321 which is always open on the front side, a bottom wall 322 of the accommodation space, a rear wall 323 of the accommodation space that extends at least the rear side of the entry unit 321, and a sliding platform 324 on which the paper sheets 100 are placed. The bottom wall 322 of the stowage space, the rear wall 323 of the stowage space, and the sliding platform 324 of the stacker 32 form a stowage space for stacking and accommodating a plurality of paper sheets 100.

The bottom wall 322 of the placement space of the stowage unit 32 has a flat surface. The paper sheets 100 are stacked in a state in which a long side portion of each of the paper sheets 100 that are fed one after the other from the impeller 33 is in contact with the flat surface of the stacking unit 32 . The flat surface of the bottom wall 322 of the accommodation space is inclined towards the lower right side with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, a plurality of paper sheets 100 placed on the bottom wall 322 of the accommodation space are shifted to the left side in a state in which their long side portion abuts against the bottom wall 322 of the accommodation space and one surface abuts against the sliding platform 324 (movable wall 324a described below) . Therefore, the paper sheets 100 are stacked in the stacking space in a state in which their positions in the width direction are aligned.

The sliding platform 324 includes a movable wall 324a against which one surface of each of the paper sheets 100 abuts, and a sliding mechanism 324b (see FIG. 4) that slides along this movable wall 324a in the forward and backward direction of the stacker main body assembly 30 .

The movable wall 324a extends along the right edge of the accommodation space bottom wall 322 and is set to rotate in a predetermined range of angles, with the axis located along the right edge of the accommodation space bottom wall 322 serving as the axis of rotation. In an embodiment, the movable wall 324a is positioned to be rotatable, moving between the extraction position P1 (the position of the movable wall 324a in the second step, counting from the top in FIG. 2) located in a substantially perpendicular state with respect to the bottom wall 322 placement space, and a stacking position P2 (the position of the movable wall 324a corresponding to the uppermost position of the stacking assembly 32 in FIG. 2) that rotates a predetermined angle in a direction (counterclockwise) closer to the bottom wall 322 of the placement space than the position extract P1.

When the movable wall 324a is at the laying position P2, the movable wall 324a is in a state of slight inclination towards the extraction position (locating space bottom wall 322) with respect to the vertical line. Therefore, when the plurality of paper sheets 100 contact the movable wall 324a in the stacking state, the movable wall 324a is pressed toward the ejection position P1 by the weight of the paper sheets 100.

On the other hand, the movable wall 324a is displaced towards the stacking position P2 by a displacement member 324c (see FIG. 2) such as a spring. When the weight of the paper sheets 100 stacked on the movable wall 324a becomes larger than the biasing force of the spring, the movable wall 324a rotates towards the extraction position P1 by an amount corresponding to the number of paper sheets 100 stacked on the movable wall 324a. When the number of paper sheets 100 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (for example, 300 sheets) stacked on the movable wall 324a, the movable wall 324a rotates until it reaches the ejection position P1 and stops.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sliding mechanism 324b has a guide (not shown) that slidably supports the movable wall 324a in the forward direction and the rear direction, and a drive motor (not shown) which slides the movable wall 324a in the forward direction or rearward direction along guide.

In the stacking unit 3, the driving motor is driven to slide the movable wall 324a forward along the guide, whereby at least a portion of the paper sheets 100 stacked on the movable wall 324a can be positioned longitudinally on the outside of the receiving node 321 block 32 laying (the position of the movable wall 324a in the second stage of the node 32 laying, counting from above in Fig. 4). As a result, in the stacking unit 3, an operator (not shown) can easily remove the paper sheets 100 from the stacking unit 32.

The stacking unit 32 includes a paper sheet notification unit (not shown) having the same configuration as the rejected paper sheet notification unit (not shown) described above. The paper sheet notifying unit performs notifications such as turning on, off, flashing, and flashing an LED according to the presence/absence of paper sheets in the stacking station 32, the number of paper sheets (for example, a full state), and the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the stacking unit main body portion 30, on the left side adjacent to each stacking unit 32, a status display unit 37 corresponding to the stacking unit 32 is provided.

The status display portion 37 has a liquid crystal display portion 37a, and the liquid crystal display portion 37a displays a status such as the number of paper sheets 100 stacked in the stacking space of the stacking portion 32.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the embodiment, the stacking blocks 3-6 are connected to the counting block 2 in the appropriate order. Block 4 laying has three nodes 42 laying. Block 5 laying has two nodes 52 laying. Block 6 laying has one node 62 laying. These stacking units 4 to 6 differ only in the stacking unit numbers 42, 52, 62 respectively provided in the stacking units 4 to 6, and have the same (common) functions with the same configurations as the endo stacker transport mechanism 31 and the transport sorting mechanism (not shown) described above, such as the endoblock transport mechanisms 41, 51, 61 and the sorting transport mechanism (not shown). In the stacking units 4 to 6, the same configuration as that of the stacking unit 3 described above will be described as necessary without detailed description.

As described above, in the media processing apparatus 1, different types of expansion units having different functions are attached (added for expansion) to the counting unit 2 in accordance with the number of media types and processing content. For example, in the media handling apparatus 1, one or a plurality of types of stacking units and/or a packaging unit for packing stacked paper sheets may be connected to the counting unit 2. As a result, the media handling apparatus 1 can respond flexibly to changes in functions (stacking, packaging, etc.) required by the user, and thus the number of options can be easily increased without changing the design.

As described above, in the media processing apparatus 1, a plurality of types of stacking units 3 to 6 having different stacking area numbers are attached to the counting unit 2. The connection cable is connected to the corresponding connection terminal in each of the stacking units 3-6. This connection cable is connected to the connection port provided in the counting unit 2.

Here, in the counting unit, in order to determine which stacking unit of the target stacking unit preset for each type of paper sheets, the paper sheets loaded in the receiving unit are to be sorted and stacked, it is necessary to set the connection order of the stacking units attached to the counting unit. Therefore, the installer who installs the media handling unit must, in order, connect the connection cable of each stacker to the specific connection port provided on the counting unit. However, when the number of stacking units connected to the counting unit increases, there is a risk that the installer will make a mistake in the connection order of the connecting cables of the stacking units connected to the connection ports of the counting unit.

Therefore, in the media processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, setting the connection order of the stacking units 3-6 with respect to the counting unit 2 can be performed accurately by the installer regardless of the connection order of the connecting cable of each stacking unit 3-6 to the connection port of the counting unit 2.

Example of attaching an expansion unit

Hereinafter, an example of attaching the stacking blocks 3 to 6 to the counting block 2 will be described.

In FIG. 7 shows a method for setting the connection order of stacking blocks 3-6 to a counting block.

In FIG. 8 shows a connection order setting method when the counting unit 2 and stacking units 3 to 6 are connected in parallel.

In FIG. 9 shows an example of connection interaction when the counting unit 2 and stacking units 3 to 6 are connected in parallel. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the cable connection interaction between the counting unit 2 and each of the stacking units 3-6 is parallel.

In FIG. 10 shows an example of the receiving state of the reception signal generated by each of the stacking units 3 to 6 in the counting unit 2 when the counting unit 2 and the stacking units 3 to 6 are connected in parallel.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the media processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, four different types of stacking units 3, 4, 5, and 6 are attached to the counting unit 2 in this order. The connection ports 30a, 40a, 50a, 60a respectively provided in the stacking units 3-6 and the connection ports P1-Pn provided in the counting unit 2 are connected by connecting cables 38, 48, 58, 68. Therefore, the stacking units 3-6 and the counting unit 2 is connected in parallel by connecting cables 38, 48, 58, 68. Information is transmitted and received through these connecting cables. In the media processing apparatus 1, the number of connection ports P1-Pn provided in the counting unit 2 is equal to the maximum number of stacking units that can be connected to one counting unit 2.

In the examples shown in FIG. 8 and 9, the connection cable 38 is connected to the connection port 30a of the stacking unit 3 and to the connection port P1 of the counting unit 2. The connection cable 48 is connected to the connection port 40a of the stacking unit 4 having three stacking units 42 and to the connection port P3 of the counting unit 2. The connection cable 58 is connected to the connection port 50a of the stacking unit 5 having two stacking units 52 and to the connection port P2 of the counting unit 2. The connection cable 68 is connected to the connection port 60a of the stacking unit 6, which has one stacking unit 62, and to the connection port P4 of the counting unit 2.

As shown in FIG. 7 and 10, when the paper sheets 100 are transported along the common transport paths 311, 411, 511, and 611 of the stacking units 3-6, the paper sheets 100 that travel along each common transport path 311-611 are detected by the optical sensors 36, 46, 56, 66 respectively provided on the common transport paths 311-611.

In the paper sheet handling apparatus 1, the passage of the paper sheets 100 along the common transport path 311 of the stacking unit 3 is detected by the optical sensor 36, and the detection signal generated by the optical sensor 36 and the block type information are transmitted to the connection port P1 of the counting unit 2.

Thereafter, the passage of the paper sheets 100 along the common transport paths 411-611 of the stacking units 4-6 is detected by optical sensors 46-66 provided on the common transport paths 411-611. The detection signals generated by the optical sensors 46-66 and the block type information are transmitted to the connection ports P3, P2 and P4 of the counting block 2 in the order of detection by the optical sensors 46-66.

Display screen

As described above, information associated with the media handling apparatus 1 is displayed on the display screen 241 of the operation display portion 24 . An example of a display screen 241 of the operation display portion 24 will be described.

In FIG. 11 shows an example of display on the display screen 241 of the operation display unit 24 .

As shown in FIG. 11, looking at the operation display portion 24 from the front, the display screen 241 includes a first display area 2411 extending in the vertical direction. The first display area 2411 is linearly displayed in the vertical direction along the left edge node of the display screen 241 .

In the first display area 2411, a plurality of function buttons 241a-2411c (operation buttons) are provided. When the operator presses any of the function select buttons 2411a-2411c, various settings and controls are performed corresponding to the selected function select button.

Looking at the operation display portion 24 from the front, the display screen 241 includes a second display area 2412 from the lower edge of the first display area 2411 to the right. The second area 2412 display is located linearly along the bottom side of the screen 241 display.

The second display area 2412 shows a device connection status diagram 2412a showing the status of connections to the counting unit 2 of the media processing apparatus 1 described above, the stacking unit 2 connected to the counting unit 2, the cover 7 of the terminal accommodation space, and the like. device attachment shows which type of stacking unit 3, packing unit (not shown), terminal housing space cover 7, etc. are connected to the counting unit 2, which is the base of the media processing apparatus 1. In the embodiment, a case is shown in which, in addition to four stacking units 3 connected to the counting unit 2, a cover 7 of the terminal accommodation space is attached to the last stacking unit 3 of the four stacking units 3 . In the diagram 2412a showing the state of device connections, when banknotes are stacked in the stacking area 32, visibility is improved by displaying in color and the like. This makes it easier for the operator to know which stacker 32 is being filled with banknotes.

More specifically, as will be described later, a diagram 2412a showing the connection of devices and created in accordance with the number and type of blocks determined or recognized by setting a plurality of blocks is displayed in the second display area 2412. That is, when the control portion 25 recognizes that the device configuration is as shown in FIG. 1, a device attachment state diagram 2412a is displayed in which four stacking units 3 and a terminal housing space cover 7 are attached after the last stacking unit 3. Additionally, by increasing or decreasing the number of blocks and performing block setting operations, the control node 25 recognizes the new connection configuration and displays the corresponding device attachment state diagram 2412a.

As described above, the first display area 2411 and the second display area 2412 in front view are substantially L-shaped with preset function selection buttons 2411a-2411 and function selection buttons 2412b and 2412c located in respective areas. Additionally, the display screen 241 includes a third display area 2413, which is separated by a first display area 2411 and a second display area 2412.

In the third display area 2413, for example, when a predetermined setting is selected using the function select buttons 2411a to 2411c of the first display area 2411, a setting screen corresponding to the selected setting is displayed. The third display area 2413, for example, displays a chart showing the counting result of the money counted by the media processing apparatus 1 and the connection state between the counting unit 2, the stacking unit 3, and the cover 7 of the terminal accommodation space.

The width of the first display area 2411 and the second display area 2412 automatically changes according to the size and width of the function select buttons 2411a-2411c, 2412b, 2412c and the device connection status chart 2412a. Part of the first display area 2411 and the second display area 2412 increases or decreases depending on whether the function buttons 2411a-2411c, 2412b, and 2412c are displayed.

How to set the connection order of expansion units

Next, the method of establishing the connection order of the stacking blocks 3 to 6 with the counting block 2 will be described.

The media handling apparatus 1 has a stacking mode and a connection order setting mode. In the stacking mode, the media handling device 1 sorts and stacks the paper sheets 100 loaded on the receiving unit 21 of the stacking unit 2 of the stacking units 32, 42, 52 of the stacking units 3 to 6 corresponding to the paper sheet type. In the connection order setting mode, the media handling apparatus 1 transports the paper sheets 100 that have been loaded into the receiving unit 21 of the counting unit 2 to the cover 7 of the terminal accommodation space along the common transport paths 311, 411, 511, 611 of the stacking units 3-6, without any -or sorting by any of the stacking blocks 3-6.

The connection order of the stacking blocks 3 to 6 with the counting block 2 described below is set in the connection order setting mode described above. This connection order setting mode is performed when the media handler 1 is installed because the installer who installs the media handler 1 also sets the connection order of the expansion unit to the counter 2 .

The process of setting the order of connections in the counting block

First, the connection order setting process performed by the control unit 25 of the counting unit 2 will be described.

In FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the connection order setting process performed by the counting unit 2 of the media processing apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 12, in step S101, the control unit 25 of the counting unit 2 uses the push roller 217 to take the paper sheets 100 loaded in the receiving unit 21 of the counting unit 2 into the main body unit 22 of the counting unit 2. After being received, the counting sheets 100 are delivered to the transport mechanism 31 of the endo stacker of the stacking unit 3 by the transport mechanism 223 of the endo count unit.

In step S102, the control unit 25 determines whether, from the stacking unit 3, a detection signal generated by detecting, with the optical sensor 36, the paper sheets 100 transported by the transport mechanism 31 of the endo stacker (common transport path 311) and the block type information for the stacking unit 3 are received. styling.

When the control unit 25 determines that the detection signal from the optical sensor 36 and the block type information for the stacking unit 3 have been received (S102: YES), the control unit 25 proceeds to the process at S103. When the control unit 25 determines that the detection signal from the optical sensor 36 and the block type information for the stacking unit 3 have not been received (S102: NO), the control unit 25 proceeds to the process at S106.

In step S103, the control portion 25 increments the order counter value “n” indicating the order of reception of the detection signal received from the stacker 3 by “+1”. In an embodiment, "n" for the order counter is set to "0" as an initial value at the start of the connection ordering mode. When the detection signal generated by detecting the paper sheet 100 is received from the optical sensor 36 of the stacking unit 3, the order counter value “n” becomes “1”. As a result, the control portion 25 decides that the detection signal received from the stacker 3 is the first received signal and that the connection order of the stacker 3 is first. Therefore, the control unit 25 decides that the extension unit connected to the connection port P1 of the counting unit 2 is the stacking unit 3 and that this stacking unit 3 is connected first.

In step S104, the control portion 25 stores the order counter value “n (= 1)” updated in step S103 in a storage device (not shown) such as a ROM of the control portion 25.

In step S105, the control unit 25 transmits the order counter value “n (= 1)” calculated in step S103 to the control unit 34 of the stacking unit 3 which is the transmission source of the paper sheet 100 detection signal and the unit type information. In the embodiment, the control section 25 transmits the order counter value “1” to the control section 34 of the stacking unit 3, and returns to the process in step S102.

Then, after deciding that a detection signal indicating detection of the paper sheet 100 and module type information have not been received from the optical sensor 36 of the stacking unit 3 (step S102: NO), in step S106, the control unit 25 determines whether the time Tx has exceeded , during which the paper sheet detection signal 100 has not been received from the stacker 3, a predetermined time Tn (Tx>Tn). In the exemplary embodiment, the predetermined time Tn is set to "3 seconds". After deciding that the detection signal from the optical sensor 36 of the stacking unit 3 is not received for more than “3 seconds”, the control unit 25 decides that there is a conveyance error (creasing) of the paper sheet 100 in the stacking unit 3 or that the stacking unit 3 the stacking block is the last stacking block attached to the counting block 2 and ends the connection order setting mode.

In step S106, after determining that the time Tx during which the detection signal is not received from the optical sensor 36 of the stacking unit 3 does not exceed the predetermined time Tn (3 seconds) (step S106: NO), the control unit 25 returns to the process in step S102 . The control unit 25 waits for receiving a detection signal from the stacker until it is determined that the time Tx during which the detection signal is not received from the optical sensor exceeds the predetermined time Tn.

The control unit 25 repeats the above processes of steps S101 to S106 until the paper sheets 100 have passed all stacking units 3 to 6.

The process of detecting paper sheets in the stacking unit

Next, the paper sheet detection process performed by the control unit 34 of the stacking unit 3 will be described. This paper sheet detection process is performed in the connection ordering mode described above.

In FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a paper sheet detection process performed by the control section 34 of the stacker 3 .

As shown in FIG. 13, in step S201, the control unit 34 of the stacking unit 3 controls the transport sorting mechanism (not shown). The control unit 34 of the stacking unit 3 does not transport the paper sheet 100 received from the output transport path 223d of the counting unit 2 to the branch transport path 312, but instead transports the paper sheet 100 along the common transport path 311 to deliver the paper sheet 100 to the common path 411 transport block 4 stacking.

In step S202, the control unit 34 determines whether the optical sensor 36 has detected the paper sheet 100 transported along the common transport path 311.

After determining that the optical sensor 36 has detected the paper sheet 100 conveyed along the common transport path 311 (S202: YES), in S203, the control unit 34 transmits to the control unit 25 of the counter unit 2 a detection signal generated based on the signal of the optical sensor 36 that detected paper sheet 100, and completes the process.

On the other hand, after deciding that the optical sensor 36 has not detected the paper sheet 100 transported along the common transport path 311 (step S202: NO), the control unit 34 executes the process in step S204.

In step S204, the control unit 34 determines whether the time Tx during which the paper sheet 100 is not detected by the optical sensor 36 has exceeded the predetermined time Tn (Tx>Tn). In the exemplary embodiment, the predetermined time Tn is set to "3 seconds". After determining that the time Tx during which the paper sheet 100 is not detected by the optical sensor 36 has exceeded "3 seconds" (Step S204: YES), the control unit 34 judges that an error (e.g., wrinkle) has occurred in the stacking unit 3 sheet 100, and ends the process.

On the other hand, after deciding that the time Tx during which the paper sheet 100 is not detected by the optical sensor 36 is “3 seconds” or less (step S204: NO), the control unit 34 returns to step S202 and continuously determines whether the paper sheet 100 by the optical sensor 36 until the time Tx during which the paper sheet 100 is not detected by the optical sensor 36 exceeds the predetermined time “3 seconds”.

The process of maintaining the order of connections in the stacking block

Next will be described the process of maintaining the order of connections performed by the node 34 of the control unit 3 stacking. This connection ordering process is performed in the connection order setting mode described above.

In FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process of keeping the connection order performed by the control unit 34 of the stacking unit 3 .

As shown in FIG. 14, in step S301, the control unit 34 of the stacking unit 3 determines whether the order counter value “n” has been received from the control unit 25 of the counting unit 2 (step S105 in FIG. 12). After determining that the order counter value “n” has been received (S301: YES), the control section 34 proceeds to the process in S302. On the other hand, after determining that the order counter value "n" has not been received (Step S301: NO), the control section 34 waits until the order counter value "n" is received from the control section 25. In an embodiment, the order counter value “n” first received by the control node 34 is “1”.

In step S302, the control section 34 stores the order counter value “n (= 1)” received from the control section 25 of the counting unit 2 in the memory section 35 and ends the process.

The control section 34 of the stacking unit 3 transmits the order counter value “n (= 1)” stored in the memory section 35 to the control section 25 of the counting unit 2 in response to a pre-submitted transmission request.

The process of transferring the order of connections in the stacking block

Next, the connection order transmission process performed by the control unit 34 of the stacking unit 3 will be described. This connection order transfer process is performed in the connection order setting mode described above.

In FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the connection order transmission process performed by the control unit 34 of the stacking unit 3 .

In step S401, the control unit 34 of the stacking unit 3 determines whether there is a connection order transmission request from the control unit 25 of the counting unit 2 .

After determining that there is a transmission order transmission request from the control node 25 of the counting unit 2 (step S401: YES), in step S402, the control node 34 transmits the order counter value “n (= 1)” stored in the memory portion 35 to the node 25 control unit 2 counting.

On the other hand, after determining that there is no request to transmit the connection order from the control node 25 of the counting unit 2 (step S401: NO), the control node 34 waits until a transmission request occurs (the process in step S401 is repeated) .

As an example of the connection order transmission request described above, there is a case where the main power supply of the media handling apparatus 1 is turned off. Even if the contents of the connection order memory of the expansion unit of the control section 25 stored in RAM or the like are erased by turning off the main power supply of the media processing apparatus 1, the control section 25 of the counting unit 2 can acquire the connection order stored in each expansion unit. Therefore, the connection order of the stacking units 3-6 can be set to the initial state without setting the media handler 1 to the connection order setting mode and without performing the operation of transporting the paper sheets 100 and establishing the connection order of the stacking units 3-6 again.

The control section 25 of the counting unit 2 executes a connection order transmission request and based on the order counter sequence value “nx” received in the previous connection order setting process from each extension unit (stacking units 3 to 6 in the embodiment) and the sequence value “nt” counters of the order received in the current connection order setting process can check the continuity of changes in the connection order of extension units, changes in types of extension units, increase or decrease in the number of extension units, and the like.

Continuity Check Process

Next, a process for checking the continuity of the expansion unit using the control unit 25 of the counting unit 2 will be described.

In FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the expansion unit continuity check process executed by the control section 25 of the counting unit 2.

In step S501, the control section 25 of the counting unit 2 calls the order counter sequence value “nx” for each of the stacking units 3 to 6 obtained in the previous connection order setting process received from each stacking unit 3 to 6 (expansion unit) stored in the storage device (not shown) such as the ROM of the control unit 25 .

In step S502, the control section 25 of the counting unit 2 calls the order counter sequence value “nt” of each of the stacking units 3 to 6 obtained in the current connection ordering process.

In step S503, the control unit 25 compares the order counter sequence values "nx" obtained the previous time with the order counter sequence values "nt" received this time from each stacking unit (expansion unit). When the order counter sequence values "nt" received this time and the order counter sequence values "nx" received last time are exactly the same (nt=nx), the control section 25 proceeds to the process in step S504. When at least some of the order counter sequence values “nt” and the order counter sequence values “nx” are different (nt > nx or nt < nx), the control section 25 proceeds to the process in step S505.

In step S504, when the control unit 25 has determined that the values "nx" of the sequence of order counters received last time, the sequences of order counters "nt" obtained this time are exactly the same (Step S504: YES), the control unit 25 decides that there is no change in the connection state (connection order, increase/decrease, block type) of stacking blocks 3 to 6 (expansion blocks) connected to the counting unit 2.

On the other hand, when the control unit 25 decides that at least some of the order series order counter sequence values “nx” obtained last time and the order counter sequence values “nt” obtained this time are different (step S504: NO ), in step S505, the control unit 25 decides that the connection state (connection order, increase/decrease, block type) of the stacking units (expansion units) 3 to 6 connected to the counting unit 2 has changed.

Next, in step S506, the control section 25 requires the installer to reset the connection order by displaying on the operation display section 24 (FIG. 1) that it is necessary to retransport the paper sheets 100 and reset the connection order of each stacking unit, and then completes process.

In the above embodiment, a case is presented in which the control section 25 of the counting unit 2 performing the termination of the connection order setting mode when the predetermined time Tn of being in the detection signal state indicating that the detection signal of the paper sheet 100 is not inputted from any of the optical sensors 36 has elapsed. , 46, 56, 66 of the stackers 3-6 during the connection ordering mode, and determines that the stackers 3-6 that output the detection signals from the optical sensors 36, 46, 56, 66 that were last received during of this connection order setting mode last received from stacking units 3-6 furthest from counting unit 2. However, the method of detecting the stacking units 3-6 last attached to the stacking unit among the stacking units 3-6 connected to the counting unit 2 is not limited to this.

For example, an installer (not shown) who installs the media handling apparatus 1 can input the number of stacking units (expansion units) connected to the counting unit 2 from the operation display unit 24 of the counting unit 2 in advance. By doing this, the control section 25 compares the number of stacking units entered in advance with the order counter value “n”, and when the updated order counter value “n” corresponds to the input number, it can be determined that the stacking unit 3-6 which transmitted the counter “ n” order is the stacking block last connected to the counting block 2.

Further, in the media processing apparatus 1, the stacker last connected to the counting unit 2 can be detected by attaching the terminal accommodation space cover 7 at the downstream end of the plurality of stackers 3 to 6 (in the embodiment, the stacker 6) connected in series with block 2 counting. Specifically, the attachment of the terminal accommodation space cover 7 is detected by the stacking unit 3 to 6, and a signal indicating that the terminal accommodation space cover 7 is attached is transmitted to the control unit 25 of the counting unit 2. By doing this, the control unit 25 can determine that the block among the stacking units 3 to 6 which transmitted the signal indicating that the terminal accommodation space cover 7 is attached is the unit last attached to the counting unit 2. In this case, each of the stacking units 3 to 6 may include a dedicated detection sensor for detecting the cover 7 of the terminal accommodation space. By providing the cover 7 of the terminal accommodation space so as to intersect the optical axis of each optical sensor provided in the common path 311, 411, 511, 611 of transporting the stackers 3-6, the optical sensor can detect the cover 7 of the terminal accommodation space. In this case, the standard configuration can be used as is and the cost of the product is reduced.

As described above, in the embodiment, the media processing apparatus 1 has the following configuration.

(1) The media processing apparatus 1 comprises a counting unit 2 (first unit) and a plurality of stacking units 3-6 (second units) connected to the counting unit 2, wherein the plurality of stacking units 3-6 respectively comprise a common path 311, 411, 511, 611 transport (transport mechanism) that transports the paper sheet 100 (media), and an optical sensor 36, 46, 56, 66 (media detection unit) that detects the paper sheet 100 transported along the common transport path 311, 411, 511, 611 , and configured to determine the connection order of the plurality of stackers 3-6 with the counting unit 2 based on signals indicating that the optical sensors 36, 46, 56, 66 of the plurality of stackers 3-6 have detected the paper sheet 100.

With such a configuration, the media processing apparatus 1 determines the connection order of the plurality of stackers 3-6 with the counting unit 2 based on the detection signal of the paper sheet 100 received from each of the stackers 3-6. Therefore, the connection order of the plurality of stacking blocks 3 to 6 with the counting block 2 can be precisely, easily and automatically set. Further, it is not necessary to provide physical installation means (switch or the like), and thus product costs can be reduced.

(2) The counting unit 2 is configured to determine the connection order of the plurality of stacking units 3-6 with the counting unit 2 based on the order in which detection signals indicating the detection of paper sheets 100 are received and transmitted from each of the optical sensors 36, 46, 56, 66 sets of 3-6 stacking blocks.

With this configuration, the counting unit 2 determines the connection order of the stacking units 3 to 6 based on the order of the detection signals of the paper sheets 100 received from each of the plurality of stacking units 3 to 6, and therefore can accurately and easily set the connection order of the plurality of stacking units 3 to 6 with block 2 counting. Further, it is not necessary to provide physical installation means (switch or the like), and thus the product cost can be reduced.

(3) The counting unit 2 is configured to be arranged higher in order than the plurality of stacking units 3 to 6 in the control system of the media processing apparatus 1.

In the control system of the media processing apparatus 1, in order to control the lower order stacking units 3 to 6, a higher order counting unit 2 is needed to recognize the connection order of the respective stacking units 3 to 6 of the stacking units 3 to 6. With such a configuration, the counting unit 2 can automatically recognize the connection order of the respective stacking units 3 to 6, and therefore can properly control the stacking units 3 to 6.

(4) The plurality of stacking units 3-6 are configured to have common functions (in an embodiment, common transport paths 311, 411, 511, 611, optical sensors 36, 46, 56, 66, and transport sorter).

In this type of media handling apparatus 1, it is desirable that each of the plurality of stacking units 3-6 have a common function in terms of versatility and performance. As an example of a common function, each of the plurality of stacking units 3-6 has a common transport path 311, 411, 511, 611 for transporting paper sheets 100, optical sensors 36, 46, 56, 66, and a transport sorting mechanism (not shown) for sorting paper sheets. sheets 100 and transport to the target stacking block 3-6.

When the processing apparatus 1 is installed in the field, from the point of view of transportation advantages of the media processing apparatus 1, it is preferable to transport the counting unit 2 and each of the stacking units 3 to 6 separately, and then to connect the counting unit 2 and the stacking units 3 to 6 by mounting at the location installation. Since the media processing apparatus 1 described above can automatically determine and arrange the connection order of a plurality of stacking units 3 to 6 with the counting unit 2 based on a detection signal indicating detection of paper sheets 100 received from each of the stacking units 3 to 6, the apparatus 1 processing media can accurately and easily establish the connection order of the stacking units 3 to 6 with the counting unit 2 during installation.

(5) Among the plurality of expansion units, at least one expansion unit (for example, a packing unit) has a function different from that of another expansion unit (for example, a stacking unit) (for example, a packing function for wrapping a paper strip around a stack of paper sheets).

With such a configuration in the media processing apparatus 1, the counting unit 2 and a plurality of expansion units having different functions and connected to the counting unit 2 can be easily connected in any order. Therefore, in the media processing apparatus 1, the counting unit 2 and a plurality of expansion units having different functions can be respectively connected in an arbitrary order, and the flexibility of connecting the units in the media processing apparatus 1 can be improved.

(6) The counting unit 2 is a counting unit having a receiving unit 21 (receiving unit) that receives paper sheets 100, and an endo counting unit conveying mechanism 223 (transport unit) capable of conveying the paper sheets 100 received by this receiving unit 21 to the side a plurality of stacking units 3-6, wherein the plurality of stacking units 3-6 are expansion units respectively having a common transport path 311, 411, 511, 611 (first transport path) for transporting the paper sheets 100 in a horizontal direction (first direction); a path 312, 412, 512, 612 for transporting the paper sheets 100 in a vertical direction (second direction) other than the horizontal direction; and an optical sensor 36, 46, 56, 66 (detecting device) that detects the paper sheets 100 conveyed along the common conveyance path or the branch conveyance path, wherein the plurality of stacking units 3 to 6 are joined in a state in which at least a common the transport path or the transport path for the branch are associated with each other; and a counting unit 2 for determining the connection order of the stacking units 3-6 based on the order of receiving signals indicating the detection of paper sheets 100 transported along at least a common transport path or along a transport path for a branch of the associated stacking units 3-6, by the corresponding optical sensor 36, 46, 56, 66 sensors 3-6 stacking.

With this configuration, by connecting a plurality of stacking units 3-6 to a counting unit 2 in the media handling apparatus 1, it is possible to increase the flexibility of sorting the paper sheets 100 identified and counted by the counting unit 2 and transported to the stacking units 3-6. For example, by making stacking units 3-6 have a plurality of stacking units 32, 42, 52, 62 stacking paper sheets 100 or serving as packing units that pack bundles of stacked paper sheets 100 instead of stacking units 3-6, it becomes possible stacking and packaging of numerous denominations. On the other hand, if the number of expansion units connected to the counting unit 2 increases, the wiring of the expansion units to the counting unit 2 becomes more difficult. As described above, the media processing apparatus 1 determines the connection order of the plurality of expansion units 3 with the counting unit 2 based on a signal indicating detection of the paper sheets 100 received from an optical sensor provided in each of the expansion units. Therefore, the media processing apparatus 1 can accurately, easily and automatically determine the connection order of the extension units with the counter 2 . Additionally, it is not necessary to provide physical installation means (switch or the like), and thus product costs can be reduced.

(7) The counting unit 2 is set to notify the stacking units 3-6 of the corresponding connection order for the determined connection order of the stacking blocks 3-6.

With this configuration, as a result, the counting unit 2 is able to notify each of the stacking units 3-6 of the connection order of the stacking unit 3-6 itself, and each of the stacking units 3-6 can recognize its own connection order among the plurality of stacking units 3-6 .

(8) A plurality of stacking units 3-6 are respectively configured to have storage units 35, 45, 55 and 65 that store the connection order reported by the counting unit 2.

With such a configuration, each of the plurality of stacking units 3-6 can store its own connection order in the storage unit 35, 45, 55, 65. As a result, in the media handling apparatus 1, after the power is turned on, the counting unit 2 can obtain the connection order from the storage unit 35, 45, 55, 65 of the stacking units 3 to 6 without requiring the paper sheets 100 to be retransported to set the connection order. .

(9) A plurality of stacking units 3-6 are configured to transmit their own connection order stored in the storage units 35, 45, 55, 65 to the counting unit 2.

With this configuration, since each of the plurality of stacking units 3 to 6 transmits its own connection order to the counting unit 2, the counting unit 2 can recognize the connection order of the plurality of stacking units 3 to the counting unit 2 without requiring the paper sheets 100 to be re-transported after the power is turned on.

The counting unit 2 is configured to receive the connection order (first connection order) in the previous cycle from the plurality of stacking units 3 to 6 in the first time sequence (previous cycle in step S501 of FIG. 16), receive the connection order (second connection order) in the current cycle from a plurality of stacking blocks 3-6 in the second time sequence after the first time sequence in chronological order (the current cycle in step S502 of FIG. 16), comparing the connection order in the previous cycle received in the first time sequence with the connection order in the current cycle received at the second time sequence, and determining whether there is continuity (identification) between the order of connections in the previous cycle and the order of connections in the current cycle (step S503 in FIG. 16).

With such a configuration, if the counting unit 2 determines that there are duplications or gaps in the connection order received from the plurality of stacking units 3-6 in the previous cycle and the current cycle, the counting unit 2 can recognize the possibility of reconnecting the plurality of stacking units 3-6 between the previous period and the current period, and may request that the order of the connections be set to the initial state. That is, the counting unit 2 determines whether there is continuity (identification) in the connection order between the previous cycle and the current cycle received from the plurality of stacking units 3-6. When the counting unit 2 determines that there is no continuity (identification), the counting unit 2 may transport the paper sheets again and determine the connection order in the latest state.

(11) An operation display portion (display) 24 is further provided that displays information associated with the media processing apparatus 1, the operation display portion 24 being configured to have a first display area 2411 and a second display area 2412 that is adjacent to or adjacent to the first area 2411 display, and a certain order of connections between block 2 counting and blocks 3-6 stacking is displayed at least in the first area 2411 display or in the second area 2412 display.

With this configuration, since the connection order between the counting unit 2 and the stacking units 3 to 6 determined by the control unit 25 is displayed at least in the first display area 2411 or in the second display area 2412 of the operation display unit 24, the connection state of the unit can be easily set.

(12) A first 2411 display area extending in the vertical direction with respect to the display area of the operation display unit 24 and a second display area 2412 extending in the left-right direction with respect to the display area of the operation display unit 24 are provided, and the state of the connections between the counting unit 2 and the blocks 3-6 stacking is displayed on the second area 2412 of the display.

With this configuration, since the connection status of the counting unit 2 and stacking units 3 to 6 is displayed in the second display area 2412 extending in the left-right direction of the display area, the connection status of each unit can be seen at a glance and visibility is improved.

(13) The second display area 2412 is configured to extend in any of the left-right directions from either end extending in the vertical direction of the first display area 2411.

With this configuration, the first display area 2411 and the second display area 2412 are arranged in an approximately L-shape when viewed from the front. As a result, since the function select buttons 2411a to 2411c for controlling the media processing apparatus 1 are located in the vertical direction of the operation display unit 24 and the connection state of the unit is displayed in the left-right direction of the operation display unit 24, they are easy to visually recognize and visibility can be be further improved.

Second Embodiment

In the above embodiment, the case where the counting unit 2 and stacking units (expansion units) 3 to 6 are connected in parallel will be described as an example, but the counting unit 2 and stacking units 3 to 6 (expansion units) can also be connected in series.

Hereinafter, the case of the media processing apparatus 1A when the counting unit 2A and the stacking units 3A to 6A are connected in series will be described. In the media processing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment, the same configurations and functions as those of the media processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and will be described as necessary.

In FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration for explaining the state of connections between the counting unit 2A and the stacking units 3A to 6A in the media processing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the connections made by the cable between the counting unit 2A and the stacking units 3A-6A are serial.

In FIG. 18 shows an example of information transmitted to the control section 25 of the counting unit 2A according to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 19 shows a case of the counting unit 2A and stacking units 3A-6A of the media processing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment in which they are connected in series, an example of the reception state in the counting unit 2A of reception signals generated in each stacking unit 3A-6A.

As shown in FIG. 17, in the media processing apparatus 1A, the serial terminals 30b, 40b, 50b, 60b respectively provided in the stacking units 3A to 6A and the serial connection connector PT of the counting unit 2A are connected by a common serial cable 80. Therefore, the stacking units 3A to 6A and the stacking unit 2A counts are connected in series, and information can be transmitted and received through a common serial cable 80.

Optical sensors 36, 46, 56, 66 are respectively provided in stacking units 3A-6A. The optical sensors 36, 46, 56, 66 transmit to the control unit 25 of the counting unit 2A a detection signal generated when the paper sheet 100 is detected via a common sequence cable 80.

Additionally, control units 34, 44, 54, 64 are respectively provided in stacking units 3A-6A. Each control node 34, 44, 54, 64 stores unique block identification information for identifying the stacking block 3A-6A containing the control node, and block type information (see FIG. 18) for determining the type of stacking block 3A-6A containing the control node. . The control node 34, 44, 54, 64 transmits the block identification information and the block type information together with the detection signal generated by the optical sensor 36, 46, 56, 66 via the common serial cable 80 to the control node 25 of the counting block 2A.

The above example of unit identification information for unit identification contains information such as a unique identifier (ID) of a central processing unit (CPU) mounted in each stacking unit and a unique ID of a communication device mounted in each stacking unit. Further, examples of block type information for determining the block type include stacking block type information differing in the number of stacking blocks, block type differing in functions such as stacking and packing, and the like. With regard to transmitting a unique ID , for example, the first (or last) few bytes of a sequence of information (a plurality of bytes) to be transmitted may be used as information indicating a unique ID, or unique ID information associated with a paper sheet detection signal may be transmitted separately.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, block identification information and block type information are set for each of the stacking blocks 3A-6A. Specifically, the block identification information “003” and the block type “stacking block (4 stacking units)” are set in the stacking block 3A. The block identification information “001” and the block type “stacking block (3 stacking units)” are set in the stacking block 4A. The block identification information “002” and the block type “stacking block (2 stacking units)” are set in the stacking block 5A. The block identification information “004” and the block type “stacking block (1 stacking unit)” are set in the stacking block 6A.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, in the paper sheet handling apparatus 1A, the paper sheets 100 are sequentially conveyed along the common conveyance paths 311, 411, 511, and 611 from the respective stackers 3A to 6A in a connection ordering mode.

First, the paper sheets 100 are transported along the transport path 311 from the stacker 3A. Then, the detection signal generated by the optical sensor 36 of the stacking unit 3A, the block identification information “003” from the control unit 34, and the block type information “block stacking (4 stacking units)” are transmitted to the control unit 25 of the counting unit 2A.

Then, the paper sheets 100 are transported along the common transport path 411 of the stacker 4A. Then, the detection signal generated by the optical sensor 46 of the stacking unit 4A, the block identification information “001” from the control unit 44, and the block type information “stacking unit (3 stacking units)” are transmitted to the control unit 25 of the counting unit 2A.

The paper sheets 100 are transported along the common transport path 511 of the stacker 5A. Then, the detection signal generated by the optical sensor 56 of the stacking unit 5A, the block identification information “002” from the control unit 54, and the block type information “stacking unit (2 stacking units)” are transmitted to the control unit 25 of the counting unit 2A.

Finally, the paper sheets 100 are transported along the common transport path 611 of the stacker 6A. Then, the detection signal generated by the optical sensor 66 of the stacking unit 6A, the block identification information “004” from the control section 64, and the block type information “stacking unit (1 stacking unit)” are transmitted to the control section 25 of the counting unit 2A.

Then, the paper sheets 100 are transported to the terminal accommodation space cover 7 attached at the end of the counting unit 2A, and the connection order setting is completed.

The control unit 25 of the counting unit 2A for each stacking unit determines the stacking unit based on the block identification information and the block type information transmitted from the corresponding control unit 34, 44, 54, 64 of the stacking units 3A to 6A, and stores the connection order of the stacking units, which defined for that type, and so on. in the storage device 35, 45, 55, 65. The control unit 25 establishes the connection order of the stacking units 3A-6A in the order in which the detection signals transmitted by the optical sensors 36, 46, 56, 66 are received.

In the above embodiment, the case has been described as an example in which a plurality of types 3-6 (3A-6A) are connected in series with the counting unit 2 (2A), but the unit connected with the counting unit 2 (2A) is not limited to the stacking unit . For example, a packing unit having the function of tying a predetermined number of media with a tape may be connected to a counting unit 2 (2A), or a packing unit, etc. may be connected in any combination to a stacking unit or another unit.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been presented and described in which the medium to be transported to establish the connection order was the paper sheet 100, but the medium is not limited to the paper sheets 100 and may be, for example, money.

The block connection method according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the case of establishing the block connection order constituting the data processing apparatus, and can be applied to the block connection method of the device main body in various other devices.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the media processing apparatus 1A has the following configuration.

(14) The counting unit 2A and the plurality of stacking units 3A-6A are configured to be connected in series via a common serial cable 80, and the plurality of stacking units 3A-6A transmit their own unique identification information to the counting unit 2A in addition to information indicating the connection order of the units 3A -6A stacking stored in the nodes 35, 45, 55, 65 of the storage device (optical sensor detection signals 36, 46, 56, 66).

When the plurality of stacking units 3A-6A and the counting unit 2A are connected in series, the counting unit 2A cannot recognize from which of the plurality of stacking units 3A-6A information indicating the connection order has been received. Therefore, block 2A requires unique identification information to identify the plurality of stacking blocks 3A-6A. Therefore, the plurality of stacking units 3A-6A transmit their own unique identification information to the counting unit 2A in addition to information indicating their own connection order (optical sensor detection signals 36, 46, 56, 66), by which the counting unit 2A, by associating the unique identification information of the plurality stacking blocks 3A-6A with connection order can determine a particular block from the plurality of stacking blocks 3A-6A and recognize the connection order. Further, since the counting unit 2A and the plurality of stacking units 3A-6A can be connected in series, the plurality of stacking units 3A-6A belonging to the system configuration and other expansion units can be expanded indefinitely regardless of the number of connection ports of the counting unit 2A.

(15) A connection method of blocks of a media processing apparatus 1A having a counting block 2A and a plurality of stacking blocks 3A to 6A connected to the counting block 2A, and which determines the connecting order of the plurality of stacking blocks 3A to 6A to the counting block 2A (connection order determination method for the media handling apparatus 1A), wherein the method is configured to transport paper sheets 100 to each of the plurality of stackers 3A-6A, receive signals from the output of each of the plurality of stackers 3A-6A according to the transport of the paper sheets 100, and determine the connection order a plurality of stacking units 3A-6A with a counting unit 2A based on the order of outputs of the plurality of stacking units 3A-6A.

With such a configuration, since the media processing apparatus 1A determines the connection order of the plurality of stackers 3A to 6A to the counting unit 2A based on the detection signals of paper sheets 100 received from each of the stackers 3A to 6A, the connection order of the plurality can be accurately, easily and automatically stacking blocks 3A-6A with counting block 2A. Additionally, it is not necessary to provide physical installation means (switch or the like), and product costs can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, a case has been presented and described in which a connection state diagram 2412a for the devices of the counting unit 2, the stacking unit 3, the cover 7 of the terminal accommodation space, and the like is displayed in the second display area 2412 of the display screen 241 of the operation display unit 24 , but the embodiment is not limited to this example. The control node 25 may display a device connection status diagram 2412a in the first display area 2411 or both areas, the first display area 2411 and the second display area 2412.

With such a configuration, the connection state diagram of the device can be properly displayed on the screen in at least the first display area 2411 or in the second display area 2412 even in the case of a device configuration that vertically connects the stacking units 3, etc. to the counting unit 2, and in the case of a device configuration in which stacking units 3 and the like are connected to the counting unit 2 horizontally or vertically.

In the above embodiment, the case in which the first display area 2411 and the second display area 2412 are orthogonal to each other has been described as an example, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the first display area 2411 and the second display area 2412 may be in contact with each other, or there may be a gap between the first display area 2411 and the second display area 2412 with respective display areas adjacent to each other.

Even with this configuration, since the first display area 2411 and the second display area 2412 are arranged to extend in the vertical direction and in the left-right direction of the display screen 241, it is possible to improve the usability of the function selection buttons 2411a to 2411c provided in the first display area 2411 , and improve the visibility of the counting block and stacking block connection status diagram 2412a displayed on the second display area 2412.

Industrial applicability

The present invention can be applied to a media handling apparatus and to a method for connecting blocks of a media handling apparatus.

Reference positions

1 - Media handling device

2 - Counting block

21 - Receiving node

22 - Node of the main body of the counting unit

223 - The mechanism for transporting the endo counting unit

223a - Receiving transport path

223b - Identification path of transport

223c - Transport path to reject side

223d - Output way of transportation

23 - Rejection unit

24 - Operation display unit (display)

241 - Display screen

25 - Control unit

3-6 - Stacking block

30, 40, 50, 60 - Assembly of the main body of the stacking unit

31, 41, 51, 61 - Transport mechanism of the endo-layer unit

311: 411, 511, 611 - General transportation route

312, 412, 512, 612 - Branch path

32, 42, 52, 62 - Stacking unit

33, 43, 53, 63 - Impeller

34, 44, 54, 64 - Control unit

35, 45, 55, 65 - Storage unit

36, 46, 56, 66 - Optical sensor

37, 47, 57, 67 - Status display unit

100 - Paper sheet

P1-Pn - Connecting port.

Claims (44)

1. A media handling device, comprising: first block; and a plurality of second blocks connected to the first block, and each block of the set of second blocks contains: a transport mechanism for transporting the carrier; a media detecting unit for detecting the media transported by the transmission mechanism and transmitting a signal indicating to the first unit the detection of the media signal, and a second block control node configured to transmit type information regarding the type of the second block to the first block, wherein the first block is configured to determine the type of the second block based on the type information transmitted by the control node of the second block and determine the connection order of the second block relative to the first block, based on the signal transmitted from the carrier detection node of the second block, the type of which has been determined. 2. The media processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first unit is configured to determine a connection order based on the order in which a signal transmitted from each media detection node of the plurality of second modules is received. 3. The media handling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first block is a counting block containing: a receiving node for receiving the media; and a transport node for transporting the medium received by the receiving node towards the plurality of second blocks, wherein each of the plurality of second blocks is an extension block comprising: a first transport path along which the medium is transported in a first direction; a second transport path in which the carrier is transported in a second direction different from the first direction; and a detecting device configured to detect a medium transported on the first transport path or on the second transport path and transmit a signal indicating detection of the medium to the counting unit, a plurality of expansion units are interconnected in a state of at least a first transport path or a second transport path of adjacent expansion units connected to each other, and the counting unit is configured to determine the connection order of the plurality of extension units based on the order in which the signals transmitted from each detector of the plurality of extension units are received. 4. The media processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein for each of the plurality of second blocks, the first block is configured to notify the second block corresponding to the connection order of the detected connection order of the second block. 5. The media handling apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of second blocks further comprises a memory node storing the connection order reported by the first block. 6. The media handling apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of second blocks is configured to notify the first block of the connection order of the second block itself stored in the storage node. 7. The media handling apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of second blocks is configured to transmit a first signal indicating the connection order of the second block itself and a second signal indicating the connection order of the second block itself, wherein the first block is configured to determine whether the connection order indicated by the first signal and the connection order indicated by the second signal are the same. 8. The media handling apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first block and a plurality of second blocks are connected in series; and each of the plurality of second blocks is configured to transmit, to the first block, unique identification information of the second block itself, in addition to information indicating the connection order of the second block itself stored in the storage unit. 9. The media handling device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a display configured to display information related to the media handling device, wherein the display has a first display area and a second display area provided proximate or in contact with the first display area, and at least the first display area or the second display area displays the determined connection order on the screen. 10. The media handling apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first display area extends in a vertical direction with respect to the display display area, and the second display area extends in a left-right direction with respect to the display display area, wherein the second display area displays the state of the connections between the first unit and the plurality of second units. 11. A method for connecting blocks of a media processing device, wherein the module processing device comprises a first block and a plurality of second blocks connected to the first block, comprising the steps of: receiving from each of the plurality of second blocks a signal indicating detection of media transported by the second block itself; receiving, from each of the plurality of second blocks, type information regarding the type of the second block; and determining the type of the second block based on the type information received; and determining the connection order of the second block with respect to the first block based on the order of signals received from the second block whose type has been determined. 12. A method for connecting blocks of a media handling device according to claim 11, in which the first block is the counting block and contains: a receiving unit for receiving media; and a transport node for transporting the medium received by the receiving node to a plurality of second units, the second block is an expansion block and contains: the transport path along which the carrier is transported, and a detection device for detecting a medium transported along the transport path and transmitting a signal indicating detection of the medium, a plurality of expansion units are mutually connected in a state of at least a first transport path or a second transport path of adjacent expansion units connected to each other, a plurality of expansion units are configured to sequentially transport media along the transport path of each of the plurality of expansion units, each of the plurality of expansion units is configured to detect a medium transported along the transportation path of the expansion unit, and the counting unit is configured to determine the connection order of the plurality of extension units based on the order in which a signal transmitted from each of the detectors of the plurality of extension units is received.

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