WO2016157917A1

WO2016157917A1 - Banknote-counting device

Info

Publication number: WO2016157917A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/001890
Authority: WO
Inventors: 忠藤田; 孝幸船元; 厚志矢内; 俊夫西川; 理恵子首藤; 直明籠谷; 純一石垣
Original assignee: グローリー株式会社
Priority date: 2015-04-03
Filing date: 2016-04-04
Publication date: 2016-10-06
Also published as: JP2016197317A

Abstract

A banknote-counting device (1) is provided with a setting unit (2) configured so that banknotes (B) are set, a holding unit (4), a conveying unit (5), and a discriminating unit (3). The setting unit (2) and the holding unit (4) are configured so that it is possible to see at least a portion of the banknotes (B) that are set and the banknotes (B) that are held. A conveying path (51, 52, 53) is configured so that it is always possible to see at least a portion of the banknotes while the banknotes are being conveyed along the conveying path.

Description

Bill counting device

The technology disclosed herein relates to a bill counting device.

Patent Document 1 describes a banknote counting device for identifying and counting banknotes. This device is a desktop type. This bill counting device is provided at the upper part of the housing and includes a take-in portion in which bills to be counted are placed, an identifying portion that is disposed in the housing and identifies bills, and bills after recognition are accumulated. And an accumulating unit.

JP 2013-250909 A

By the way, in the banknote counting device described in Patent Document 1, a banknote placed in a take-in unit (corresponding to a set unit for setting banknotes) is once sent into the housing, and thereafter, It is accumulated in a stacking part (corresponding to a holding part that holds bills) that opens to the outside of the body. A person can see the banknotes placed in the take-in section and can also see the banknotes accumulated in the stacking section. However, a person cannot see a banknote between the taking-in part and the stacking part.

Such a bill counting device may be used when, for example, in a facility such as a game hall, a person in charge of the game hall performs identification and counting of a banknote handed over from a customer. By using the bill counting device, bills can be accurately counted. However, when the bill is once taken into the bill counting device and disappears during counting, the bill is handed over from the customer and placed in the take-up portion, and passes through the inside of the housing and is collected in the stacking portion. It is difficult to show the customer that the bill is the same. As a result, the reliability of the counting result is impaired.

The technology disclosed herein has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the technology is to make it possible to always view the bills to be counted during the counting operation.

The technology disclosed herein relates to a bill counting device configured to identify and count bills. The bill counting device includes a set unit configured to set the bills to be counted, an identifying unit configured to identify and count the bills fed out from the set unit, and the identifying unit. One piece of the banknote that has a holding part configured to hold the banknote after identification, and a conveyance path that connects between the set part and the holding part, and that is fed out from the set part And a conveyance unit configured to convey the identification unit to the holding unit after passing through the identification unit.

And the said setting part is comprised so that at least one part of the said banknote set to the said setting part can be seen, and the said holding | maintenance part can see at least one part of the said banknote hold | maintained at the said holding part. The transport unit is configured so that at least a part of the banknote can be seen at all times while the banknote is being transported along the transport path.

According to this configuration, the banknote is transported from the set unit along the transport path to the holding unit. The identification unit performs identification and counting of the banknotes until the banknotes reach the holding unit from the set unit.

The set unit is configured so that at least a part of the set banknote can be seen. The holding unit is also configured so that at least a part of the banknote held can be seen.

The transport unit is configured to be able to always see a part of the bill being transported. You can also see the bills being transported.

Therefore, this banknote counting apparatus is configured so that the banknote can always be seen from the set part to the holding part through the identification part. Since this banknote counting apparatus counts while a person looks at a banknote, it is possible to ensure high reliability of the counting result.

The said conveyance path is comprised by the guide arrange | positioned so as to oppose the surface and the back surface of the said banknote conveyed, The opening part opened along the said conveyance path is provided between the said guides. The transport unit may transport the banknote along the transport path in a state where a part of the banknote protrudes from the opening.

By carrying out like this, a conveyance part is comprised so that a banknote may be conveyed along a conveyance path in the state which a part of banknote protruded outside from the opening part provided between guides. A person can always see a banknote being conveyed.

The said identification part is comprised by the tunnel shape which has the entrance part into which the said banknote approachs, and the exit part from which the said banknote retreats, The said identification part is a conveyance direction destination of the said banknote when the said banknote passes. It is good also as a shape which becomes a state before a part of the back side of the conveyance direction of the said banknote enters into the said entrance part in the state where the part of the side came out from the said exit part.

According to this configuration, the identification unit is configured in a tunnel shape in which bills entering from the entrance part exit from the exit part. The identification part is also in a shape in which a part of the banknote in the conveyance direction is out from the outlet part and a part of the banknote in the conveyance direction rear side is in a state before entering the inlet part. Therefore, even when the bill passes through the recognition unit, it is avoided that the entire bill enters the recognition unit and is not visible from the outside. A person can always see the banknote from the set part to the holding part through the identification part.

The set part is open at least upward, and is configured to set the banknote in a state where the long edge of the banknote is set up downward, and the opening of the transport path opens upward. The conveying unit is configured to convey in the longitudinal direction in a state where the banknote is stood up so that an upper part of the banknote jumps out from the opening, and the holding unit is opened at least upward. It is good also as being comprised so that the said banknote may be hold | maintained in the state stood up with the longitudinal edge of the said banknote facing down.

Since the set unit is opened upward, banknotes set in a standing state on the set unit can be viewed from above the device. Since the holding portion is also opened upward, the banknote held in the state where it is raised on the holding portion can be seen from above the apparatus. Moreover, since the banknote currently conveyed along a conveyance path is the state stood up so that it might jump out from the opening part opened upwards, it can be seen from the upper direction of an apparatus. Thus, when the bill counting device counts bills, a person can always see the bill from above the device.

The said identification part has an optical sensor which acquires the image of the surface of the said banknote, and a back surface, a thickness sensor which detects the thickness of the said banknote, and a magnetic sensor which detects the magnetic characteristic of the said banknote, The said optical sensor Is extended and arranged over the entire short length of the banknote transported longitudinally, and the thickness sensor and the magnetic sensor are respectively below the opening and the banknote It is good also as arrange | positioning in the height corresponding to the part covered with the said guide.

By doing so, since the optical sensor is arranged extending over the entire short length of the banknote, it is possible to acquire an image of the entire front surface and an image of the entire back surface of the banknote. Information used for identification (for example, identification of true / false, harm, and denomination) can be increased, and the accuracy of identification is improved. In addition, identification can be performed quickly based on a large amount of information, and the time required for identification is shortened.

On the other hand, the thickness sensor and the magnetic sensor are disposed below the opening of the transport path and at a height corresponding to a portion covered with the guide in the banknote in a standing state. For this reason, the thickness sensor and the magnetic sensor cannot acquire information on the portion of the banknote that protrudes from the opening. However, if it is only to determine whether or not two or more banknotes are overlapped by detecting the thickness of the banknotes, it is possible to make an accurate determination by detecting the thickness in a part of the banknotes. . In addition, although the amount of information that can be acquired for the magnetic sensor is also small, as described above, this bill counting device can count while a person is viewing the bill to be counted. Even if the amount of information that can be acquired by the magnetic sensor is reduced, the banknote can be identified by the information acquired by the magnetic sensor and the information that is visually recognized by the person. It is possible to ensure high reliability.

The optical sensor, the thickness sensor, and the magnetic sensor may be sequentially arranged in the banknote transport direction.

By doing so, it is possible to sequentially acquire the images of the front and back surfaces, the thickness information, and the magnetic characteristics of the banknote passing in the standing state by the optical sensor, the thickness sensor, and the magnetic sensor. Become.

The set part is open at least upward, and is configured to set the banknote in a state where the long edge of the banknote is set up downward, and the opening of the transport path opens upward. The conveying unit is configured to convey in the longitudinal direction in a state where the banknote is stood up so that an upper part of the banknote jumps out from the opening, and the holding unit is opened at least upward. And is configured to hold the banknote in a state where the longitudinal edge of the banknote is set up downward, and the inlet portion of the identification unit has an upward slope with respect to the conveyance direction of the banknote. It may be inclined.

By doing so, even when the edge of the banknote in the conveyance direction is bent or bent, the entrance is inclined so as to have an upward slope. The bill enters the entrance portion while the edge portion and the entrance portion gradually intersect. This makes it possible to correct the bending and folding of the edge on the side of the banknote conveyance direction. The banknotes are prevented from being jammed at the entrance of the identification unit.

The guide roller for feeding the banknote into the identification unit may be disposed at a position in the transport direction corresponding to the inclined portion of the entrance unit.

A force is applied to the location of the guide roller that feeds out banknotes. By arrange | positioning a guide roller in the position of the conveyance direction corresponding to the inclination location of an entrance part, the intensity | strength of the arrangement location of a guide roller is securable.

The banknote counting device is further provided with a cover member that is provided so as to cover the banknotes that have jumped out from the opening, and is transported along the transport path. At least a part of the banknote may be configured to be always visible through the cover member.

It is possible to protect bills being conveyed by the cover member. It becomes possible to carry out bills smoothly.

At least a part of the transport path is made of a light transmissive material, and at least a part of the banknotes transported along the transport path is made of the light transmissive material in the transport path. It may be configured so that it can be always seen through the configured part.

Even with this configuration, it is possible to always see the bills being conveyed. That is, it is not necessary to convey a banknote in a state where a part of the banknote protrudes outside from an opening provided in the conveyance path. Thereby, it becomes possible to comprise a conveyance path so that the banknote currently conveyed may be protected, and it becomes possible to convey a banknote smoothly. In addition, you may comprise a part of the conveyance path with a light-transmitting material, comprising a conveyance path so that a part of banknote may jump out from the opening part provided in the conveyance path.

According to the bill counting apparatus, bills can always be seen when counting bills.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance which looked at the banknote counter from the front side. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance which looked at the banknote counter from the back side. It is a top view of a bill counting device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a banknote counter. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the identification part of a banknote counter. It is a perspective view which shows the modification regarding the conveyance part of a banknote counter. It is a perspective view which shows the modification regarding the identification part of a banknote counter. It is the figure which made the use state of the guide of a banknote counter, and the figure made into the open state. It is a front view of a bill counting device which made a guide open state. It is a perspective view which shows the inner side part of a 1st guide. It is the schematic which shows the structure of a rejection part when a switching part exists in a 1st position. It is a top view of a switching part. It is the schematic which shows the structure of a rejection part when a switching part exists in a 2nd position. It is a perspective view of the internal structure of a set part. It is the figure which looked at a part of set part in a set state from the upper part. It is the figure which looked at a part of set part in the set state from the front. It is the figure which looked at a part of set part in the extended state from the upper part. It is a figure which shows the modification regarding the setting part of a banknote counter. It is the figure which looked at the frame of the feeding belt concerning a modification from the lower part. It is a top view which shows the structure of a holding | maintenance part. It is a perspective view which shows the light-up structure provided in the holding | maintenance part. It is sectional drawing which shows a light-up structure. It is a perspective view which shows the structure around the connector of a banknote counter. It is an enlarged view of the surroundings of the location where the 2nd display was attached. It is a top view which shows the modification regarding the display of a banknote counter. It is a figure which shows the state which removed the 1st display from the apparatus main body. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure relevant to the display of a chip | tip exchange pattern in a banknote counter. It is an example of a screen at the time of bill counting. It is an example of a display screen of a chip exchange pattern. It is an example of a display screen of a selected chip exchange pattern. It is a flowchart which shows the example of operation | movement of the banknote processing apparatus and the person in charge operating this from banknote counting to chip | tip exchange. It is an example of the screen which highlighted and displayed the chip | tip exchange pattern selected in candidate display mode. It is an example of the display screen which shows both currency identification information and the count value of a banknote. It is an example of the display screen which shows both currency identification information and the count value of a banknote. (A)-(d) is an example of the change of the screen display accompanying the operation state of a banknote counter. It is another example of the display screen which shows both currency identification information and the count value of a banknote. It is another example of the display screen which shows both currency identification information and the count value of a banknote. It is another example of the display screen which shows both currency identification information and the count value of a banknote. It is another example of the display screen which shows both currency identification information and the count value of a banknote.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a bill counting device will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the following description shows an example of a banknote counting device.

(Overall configuration of the device)
1 and 2 show the appearance of a bill counting device 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as device 1). The device 1 performs bill identification and counting. The device 1 identifies at least the authenticity and denomination of the banknote. The device 1 can identify and count a plurality of currencies. The currency to be counted is set in advance. The currency to be counted can be changed. The apparatus 1 is used for identifying and counting bills handed over from customers in facilities such as a game hall, for example. For example, a customer hands a bill to a person in charge at a game hall when the bill is exchanged for a chip used for a game.

The device 1 is a desktop type that is used by being placed on a table, counter, desk, table or the like. The device 1 is small and does not take up space when placed on a table or the like. In the following, for convenience of explanation, the right front side of FIG. 1 is referred to as the front of the apparatus 1, the left back side of the paper is referred to as the back of the apparatus 1, the right back side of the paper is referred to as the right of the apparatus 1, and the left front side of FIG. . The person in charge usually uses the apparatus 1 with the front side of the apparatus 1 facing toward him.

The apparatus 1 is composed of two parts, an upper part 11 and a lower part 12, overlapping in the vertical direction. The upper part 11 and the lower part 12 of the device 1 are separated by a partition plate 13.

The upper part 11 of the apparatus 1 is configured to perform identification and counting while conveying bills to be counted. The apparatus 1 includes a set unit 2 configured to set bills to be counted, an identification unit 3 configured to identify and count banknotes, and a configuration configured to hold the identified banknotes. And a transport unit 5 configured to transport the banknotes fed from the set unit 2 one by one through the identification unit 3 to the holding unit 4.

The lower part of the apparatus 1 is configured to accommodate various devices necessary for operating the apparatus 1. Specifically, although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower part of the apparatus 1 accommodates a control unit 6 (see FIG. 4) that controls the operation of each

unit

2, 3, 4, and 5. The lower part of the apparatus 1 also houses a motor that is a driving source for various operations performed in each of the

units

2, 3, 4, and 5, a gear that transmits driving force, and the like. Further, a connector 7 (see FIGS. 4 and 23) is provided at the lower portion of the apparatus 1. The connector 7 is connected to a power cord for supplying power to the device 1 and a cable for connecting the device 1 to the external device or connecting the external device to the device 1.

The apparatus 1 also includes two displays, a first display 81 and a second display 82, in the example disclosed herein. The first display 81 is a display mainly for the person in charge to see. The second display 82 is a display mainly for the customer to see. The display contents of the first display 81 and the second display 82 can be confirmed from a monitoring camera attached to a ceiling portion of a facility such as a game hall, for example.

The set unit 2 is arranged on the right side of the front part of the apparatus 1 as shown in FIGS. The upper surface of the partition plate 13 functions as a set surface on which the bills B are set in the setting unit 2. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the setting unit 2 is configured to set the banknote B in a state where the long edge of the banknote B is down and standing on the upper surface of the partition plate 13. The set unit 2 is opened above and forward of the device 1. When the banknote B is set in the set unit 2, the upper part of the banknote B and the rear part in the transport direction (as will be described later, the leading side in the transport direction of the banknote B is the tip of the banknote B, and the opposite side is the back of the banknote B. The rear part of time) jumps up and forward of the device 1, respectively. The person in charge and the customer can see at least a part of the bill B set in the setting unit 2.

The setting unit 2 is configured to be able to set a plurality of banknotes B at a time in a state where they are arranged in the horizontal direction. Banknotes B of different sizes may be mixed together. The set unit 2 has a bill B feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism feeds the bills B set in the setting unit 2 one by one.

The identification unit 3 is arranged on the right side of the central portion of the apparatus 1 in the front-rear direction. The identification unit 3 and the set unit 2 are adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction of the device 1. The identification unit 3 includes an entrance 341 through which the bill B enters and an exit 342 from which the bill B exits. The banknotes drawn out from the set unit 2 pass through the identification unit 3. The identification unit 3 has a sensor that acquires information about the banknote B. The identification unit 3 determines whether the banknote B is an acceptable normal banknote or an unacceptable reject banknote based on information acquired by the sensor when the banknote B passes. The identification unit 3 also counts normal banknotes.

The holding part 4 is arranged on the left side of the front part of the device 1. The holding unit 4 and the set unit 2 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction of the device 1. The upper surface of the partition plate 13 functions as a holding surface that holds the banknote B in the holding unit 4. The holding unit 4 holds the bill B in a state where the bill B is erected on the upper surface of the partition plate 13 with the longitudinal edge of the bill B facing down. The holding | maintenance part 4 is comprised so that the several banknote B can be hold | maintained at once in the state arranged in the horizontal direction. The holding part 4 is opened upward, forward and leftward of the device 1. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the upper part of the bill B held by the holding unit 4 jumps upward from the holding unit 4. The person in charge and the customer can see the bill B held in the holding unit 4.

The conveyance unit 5 has a conveyance path provided from the setting unit 2 to the holding unit 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the conveyance path includes a first conveyance path 51, a second conveyance path 52, and a third conveyance path 53. The conveyance path as a whole is arranged so as to form a U shape in plan view.

The conveyance unit 5 conveys the sheet B one by one in a state where banknotes B are erected on the upper surface of the partition plate 13. Each of the

transport paths

51, 52, and 53 is configured by

guides

55, 56, and 57 that are arranged at predetermined intervals in the horizontal direction. The

guides

55, 56, and 57 are opposed to the front and back surfaces of the bill B that is conveyed in an upright state. The heights of the

guides

55, 56, and 57 are lower than the height of the bill B (that is, the short length). An opening 50 that opens upward is provided between the guides. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the upper part of the bill B being conveyed jumps upward from the opening 50. The person in charge and the customer can see the bill B being conveyed.

As shown in FIG. 2, a branch path 58 is connected to a connection portion between the first transport path 51 and the second transport path 52. A reject portion 54 is configured by a part of the second conveyance path 52 and the branch path 58. The reject part 54 is a part that discharges the banknote B determined as a reject banknote by the identifying part 3. The reject part 54 opens upward and opens on the right side surface of the rear part of the apparatus 1 to form a reject port 54a. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, a part of the reject banknote B paid out to the reject unit 54 jumps out from the reject port 54 a to the right side of the apparatus 1, and an upper part of the reject banknote B is the reject unit 54. Jump upward from. The person in charge and the customer can see the reject banknote B.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram related to the operation of the apparatus 1. The set unit 2, the identification unit 3, the holding unit 4, and the transport unit 5 are electrically connected to the control unit 6 so that signals can be transmitted and received.

The first display 81 and the second display 82 are also electrically connected to the control unit 6. The first display 81 is configured by a touch panel type display. The person in charge can perform various operations on the first display 81. The second display 82 is not a touch panel display, and only displays. The first display 81 and the second display 82 display at least the count result.

The controller 6 is connected with a first sensor 61, a second sensor 62, a third sensor 63, a fourth sensor 64, and a fifth sensor 65. Each of the first to fifth sensors 61 to 65 detects the bill B and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 6. As shown in FIG. 3, the first sensor 61 is disposed in the vicinity of the set unit 2. The first sensor 61 detects that the bill B is set in the setting unit 2. The second sensor 62 is disposed in the second transport path 52. When the second sensor 62 detects the passage of the bill B, the conveyance between the normal bill and the reject bill is switched as will be described later. The third sensor 63 is disposed in the third conveyance path 53. The third sensor 63 detects that the banknote B has been paid out to the holding unit 4. The fourth sensor 64 is disposed in the vicinity of the reject port 54a. The fourth sensor 64 detects that the banknote B paid out to the reject port 54a has been extracted from the reject port 54a. The fifth sensor 65 is disposed in the holding unit 4. The fifth sensor 65 detects that the banknote B held by the holding unit 4 has been removed.

Next, the counting operation of the device 1 will be described. When the person in charge sets the banknote B handed over from the customer in the setting unit 2, the first sensor 61 detects the banknote B. The control unit 6 receives the detection result of the first sensor 61 and feeds the bills B from the set unit 2 one by one.

The bill B fed out from the set unit 2 passes through the identification unit 3. The identification part 3 acquires the information regarding the banknote B with a sensor, and determines whether each banknote is an acceptable normal banknote or an unacceptable reject banknote based on the information. For example, when the bill B is a currency other than the currency to be counted, it is determined to be a reject bill. Moreover, when two or more banknotes are overlapped and conveyed, it is determined that the banknote is a reject banknote. Furthermore, it is determined that the bill with uncertain authenticity is also a reject bill. The identification unit 3 also identifies the denomination of normal banknotes. The identification unit 3 also counts normal banknotes.

The banknote B that has passed through the identification unit 3 is transported by the transport unit 5 to reach the second transport path 52 from the first transport path 51. If the bill B is a normal bill when the second sensor 62 detects the passage of the bill B, the bill B is transported to the third transport path 53 as it is.

The bill B that has reached the third transport path 53 passes through the third sensor 63 and is then paid out to the holding unit 4. The holding unit 4 sequentially holds the banknotes B that have been paid out. The bills B are held side by side in the horizontal direction. In response to the detection result of the third sensor 63, the control unit 6 feeds the next banknote B from the set unit 2. The control unit 6 displays the count value on the first display 81 and the second display 82 in real time during the counting operation.

When the second sensor 62 detects the passage of the banknote B, if the banknote B is a reject banknote, the control unit 6 temporarily stops the transport unit 5. Then, the control part 6 operates the conveyance part 5 so that the banknote B located in the 2nd conveyance path 52 is conveyed in reverse direction. The bill B is transported from the second transport path 52 toward the branch path 58 and is paid out to the reject unit 54. In this state, the operation of the device 1 stops. The person in charge removes the reject banknote B paid out to the reject unit 54 by hand. When the fourth sensor 64 detects that the reject banknote B has been removed, the control unit 6 resumes the counting operation of the device 1.

If all the counting of the bills B to be counted is completed by paying out all the bills B set in the setting unit 2, the control unit 6 displays the counting result, that is, the total amount, in the first display 81 and the second display 82. To display. Thus, the counting operation of the device 1 is completed. After the counting is completed, the person in charge removes the banknote B held by the holding unit 4 by hand. The fifth sensor 65 detects that the banknote B has been removed.

(Conveying path configuration)
Next, the configuration of the conveyance path will be described in more detail. The first transport path 51 includes a first guide 55 and a second guide 56. The second transport path 52 includes a second guide 56 and a third guide 57. The third conveyance path 53 includes a second guide 56 and a third guide 57. The branch path 58 includes a first guide 55 and a third guide 57.

The first guide 55 extends in the front-rear direction on the right side of the apparatus 1 from the rear part of the apparatus 1 to the center part in the front-rear direction. The first guide 55 constitutes a part of the right side surface of the device 1. The first guide 55 also constitutes a part of the identification unit 3 on one side across the conveyance path of the bill B.

The second guide 56 is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the device 1. The second guide 56 extends in the front-rear direction from the rear part to the front end part of the apparatus 1. The second guide 56 constitutes a part of the set part 2 and a part of the holding part 4. The second guide 56 also constitutes a part of the identification unit 3 on one side across the conveyance path of the bill B.

The third guide 57 constitutes a part of the rear surface of the apparatus 1 and a part of the left side surface. The third guide 57 is substantially L-shaped in plan view.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first guide 55 and the third guide 57 are arranged so as to surround the second guide 56 arranged in the central portion of the apparatus 1. The first transport path 51, the second transport path 52, and the third transport path 53 configured by the first guide 55, the second guide 56, and the third guide 57 are U-shaped in plan view. An opening 50 that opens upward is provided along the U-shaped conveyance path.

The height of each of the first guide 55, the second guide 56, and the third guide 57 is lower than the short length of the smallest bill B among the bills B that can be counted in the apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 1, between the set part 2 and the holding | maintenance part 4, the banknote B jumps upwards from the opening part 50 opened upwards. For this reason, a person can see the bill B being conveyed from above the apparatus 1. Moreover, this apparatus 1 has the set part 2 opened upward and forward. A person can see the bill B set in the setting unit 2 from above the device 1. Moreover, the several banknote B set to the setting part 2 is located in the horizontal direction in the respectively standing state. All of the plurality of banknotes B set in the setting unit 2 can be viewed from above the apparatus 1. The holding part 4 is also opened upward, forward and leftward. A person can see the banknote B held in the holding unit 4 from above the device 1. Moreover, the several banknote B hold | maintained at the holding | maintenance part 4 is arranged in the horizontal direction in the respectively standing state. All of the plurality of banknotes B held by the holding unit 4 can be viewed from above the device 1.

The person in charge and the customer can always see the bill B from above the device 1 while the device 1 is counting. Thereby, the apparatus 1 can ensure the high reliability of the counting result.

-Other forms related to the transport unit-
In the above-described configuration, the banknotes B are conveyed in the longitudinal direction in a standing state. Unlike this, you may comprise a banknote counter so that the banknote B may be conveyed longitudinally or short-sided. In this configuration, for example, a part of the bill B being conveyed may be caused to jump out of the opening to the side of the bill counting device.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a cover member 510 made of a light transmissive material may be attached in the transport unit 5. As a result, the bills B transported along the

transport paths

51, 52, 53 can always be viewed through the cover member 510. The cover member 510 can protect the bill B being conveyed. As a result, the banknote B can be transported smoothly.

Moreover, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, by comprising a part of guide which comprises each conveyance path with a light-transmitting material, a part of banknote B currently conveyed along each conveyance path can be seen. You may comprise so that it can do. In this configuration example, the guide need not be lower than the height of the bill B as described above. That is, a part of the bill B being transported is transported along each transport path through the portion of the guide made of a transparent material without having to jump out from the opening provided between the guides. It becomes possible to see at least a part of the bill B.

(Configuration of identification unit)
Next, the configuration of the identification unit 3 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 shows a portion of the identification unit 3 formed on the second guide 56. FIG. 10 shows a portion of the identification unit 3 formed on the first guide 55. The identification unit 3 includes an optical sensor 31 that acquires images of the front and back surfaces of the bill B, a thickness sensor 32 that detects the thickness of the bill B, and a magnetic sensor 33 that detects the magnetic characteristics of the bill B. Based on the image of the bill B acquired by the optical sensor 31 and the magnetic properties of the bill B acquired by the magnetic sensor 33, it is determined whether the bill B is a currency to be counted, whether it is a genuine note or a fake note , Whether it is a genuine note or a non-defective note, and the denomination of the bill B are determined. Moreover, based on the information of the thickness of the banknote B detected by the thickness sensor 32, it is determined whether the banknote B is one sheet or two or more sheets are overlapped and conveyed.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the optical sensor 31 is disposed on each of the front side and the back side of the banknote B that is transported in the longitudinal direction with the longitudinal edge thereof standing downward. The optical sensor 31 is disposed so as to extend over the entire short length of the bill B. The upper end of the optical sensor 31 is a position higher than the upper end of the largest bill B among the bills B that can be counted in the apparatus 1 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

The thickness sensor 32 is disposed on the advance side of the optical sensor 31 in the transport direction (that is, the direction from the left to the right in FIG. 5). The thickness sensor 32 is configured by a roller that is disposed on the front side and the back side of the banknote B that is conveyed longitudinally in an upright state, and that sandwiches the banknote B in the thickness direction. The thickness sensor 32 and the optical sensor 31 are arranged at a distance that does not affect the operation. The thickness sensor 32 is also disposed at a predetermined height position from the partition plate 13. The thickness sensor 32 is disposed at a height corresponding to the portion of the bill B covered by the guide 55. The height of the thickness sensor 32 corresponds to approximately the center in the short direction of the largest bill B (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) among the bills B that can be counted in the apparatus 1. The bill B is transported in a state where the long edge of the bill B hits the upper surface of the partition plate 13. For this reason, the thickness sensor 32 disposed at the height position always holds the bill B passing through the identification unit 3.

The magnetic sensor 33 is disposed on the advance side in the transport direction with respect to the thickness sensor 32. Therefore, the optical sensor 31, the thickness sensor 32, and the magnetic sensor 33 are arranged in this order from the front to the rear of the apparatus 1. The magnetic sensor 33 and the thickness sensor 32 are arranged at a distance that does not affect the operation. The magnetic sensor 33 is also disposed at a predetermined height position from the partition plate 13. The magnetic sensor 33 is disposed at a height corresponding to the portion of the bill B covered by the guide 55. The height of the magnetic sensor 33 corresponds to approximately the center in the short direction of the smallest bill B among the bills B that can be counted in the apparatus 1. By arranging the magnetic sensor 33 at the height position, the magnetic characteristics of the banknote B passing through the identification unit 3 can be detected without fail.

Since the optical sensor 31 is disposed so as to extend over the entire short length of the banknote B, it is possible to acquire images of the entire front surface and back surface of the banknote B. Since the amount of information used for identification increases, the accuracy of identification is improved. Moreover, identification can be performed quickly based on a large amount of information, and the time required for identification is shortened.

On the other hand, the thickness sensor 32 and the magnetic sensor 33 are disposed below the opening 50 of the conveyance path. The thickness sensor 32 and the magnetic sensor 33 cannot acquire information on the portion of the banknote B that has popped out from the opening 50. However, if the thickness of the banknote B is detected to determine whether or not two or more banknotes B are overlapped, an accurate determination can be made if the thickness is detected in a part of the banknote B. Is possible. Further, although the amount of information that can be acquired by the magnetic sensor 33 is relatively small, as described above, the device 1 can perform counting while watching a bill B to be counted. Even if the amount of information that can be acquired by the magnetic sensor 33 decreases, the accuracy and reliability of the identification of the device 1 does not decrease.

When the light from the outside enters the position where the optical sensor 31 is disposed, the accuracy of the image acquired by the optical sensor 31 is lowered. Moreover, the optical sensor 31 is extended to the position higher than the upper end of the banknote B conveyed by standing as mentioned above. Therefore, the identification unit 3 includes a cover unit 34 that covers the optical sensor 31. The cover part 34 protrudes above the first guide 55 and the second guide 56. The cover part 34 extends in the front-rear direction of the apparatus 1 (the left-right direction in FIG. 5). This prevents light from entering the location where the optical sensor 31 is disposed.

As shown in FIG. 1, an inlet portion 341 into which the bill B enters is formed on the front side of the cover portion 34. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the exit part 342 from which the banknote B withdraws is formed in the rear side of the cover part 34. As shown in FIG. By the cover part 34 having the entrance part 341 and the exit part 342, the identification part 3 becomes a tunnel shape. The inlet portion 341 continues to the set portion 2. The outlet 342 is continuous with the opening 50 of the transport unit 5. The distance from the upper surface of the partition plate 13 to the upper ends of the inlet portion 341 and the outlet portion 342 is longer than the short length of the largest bill B among the bills B that can be counted in the apparatus 1. The optical sensor 31, the thickness sensor 32, and the magnetic sensor 33 are all located within the range from the upper surface of the partition plate 13 to the upper ends of the inlet portion 341 and the outlet portion 342. The optical sensor 31, the thickness sensor 32, and the magnetic sensor 33 are all located on the side of the bill B that is conveyed in an upright state.

As shown in FIG. 5, the entrance portion 341 is inclined so as to have an upward gradient with respect to the conveyance direction of the bill B. The root of the inclined portion of the inlet portion 341 is located at the upper end portion of the set portion 2. The inclination angle θ of the inlet portion 341 is 45 ° or less in the apparatus 1 shown in FIG. By tilting the entrance 341, even when the edge of the banknote B entering from the entrance 341 is bent or folded, the edge of the banknote B in the transport direction The bill B enters the entrance 341 while gradually intersecting with the entrance 341. For this reason, the bending and folding of the bill B can be corrected. The banknotes are prevented from being jammed at the entrance 341 of the identification unit 3. The bill B smoothly enters the identification unit 3 at the entrance 341. In addition, the exit part 342 is hardly inclined with respect to the conveyance direction of the banknote B.

A grip roller 35 is disposed on the front side of the device 1 with respect to the optical sensor 31. The grip roller 35 is disposed at a distance that does not affect the operation of the optical sensor 31. A guide roller 36 is disposed on the front side of the apparatus 1 with respect to the grip roller 35. The guide roller 36 is disposed at a position in the transport direction corresponding to the inclined portion of the inlet portion 341. The guide roller 36 is a roller that feeds the banknote B into the identification unit 3. Although a force is applied to the location where the guide roller 36 is disposed, the strength of the location can be ensured by arranging the guide roller 36 at a position corresponding to the inclined location of the inlet portion 341.

The guide roller 36 and the grip roller 35 are arranged at a distance that does not affect the operation. The bill B sent to the identification unit 3 by the guide roller 36 surely passes the identification unit 3 by the grip roller 35. Note that the guide roller 36 may be omitted as long as the bill B can be smoothly fed into the identification unit 3 by the grip roller 35 and the separation roller 37 described later.

5 is a separation roller provided in the set unit 2. The separation roller 37 rotates in the direction opposite to the feeding direction of the bills B in order to feed the bills B one by one from the setting unit 2. The separation roller 37 and the guide roller 36 are disposed at a distance that does not affect the operation of each other.

The identification unit 3 has an entrance 341 and an exit 342, and is configured in a tunnel shape through which the bill B passes. As shown in FIG. 5, when the bill B passes through the identification unit 3, a portion of the bill B in the transport direction ahead side exits from the outlet 342, and a portion of the bill B in the transport direction rear side is the entrance portion. This is the state before entering 341 (see the shaded portion in FIG. 5). The cover 34 of the identification unit 3 is configured so that the length in the front-rear direction does not become too long. The distance L from the root of the inlet 341 to the root of the outlet 342 is shorter than the longitudinal length of the banknote B having the smallest size among the banknotes B that can be counted in the apparatus 1. Thereby, even when the banknote B passes the identification part 3, at least one part of the banknote B can be seen. That is, it is avoided that the entire bill B enters the inside of the identification unit 3 and becomes invisible from the outside. Thus, the device 1 can perform counting while a person always looks at the banknote B. This device 1 can ensure high reliability of the counting result.

-Other forms of identification-
In the above configuration, the optical sensor 31 of the identification unit 3 is made longer than the short length of the bill B, and the identification unit 3 is formed in a tunnel shape. However, the length of the optical sensor 31 may be shortened until it becomes equal to or less than the height of the first guide 55 and the second guide. In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the cover part 34 of the identification part 3 can be omitted. The identification unit 3 does not have to be in a tunnel shape. In this configuration, the optical sensor 31 acquires an image of a part of the bill B. Even in this case, the bill B can be identified.

(Guide structure)
As described above, the first guide 55 extends in the front-rear direction from the rear portion of the device 1 to the center portion in the front-rear direction on the right side of the device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the first guide 55 has an I shape in plan view. The first guide 55 constitutes a part of the right side surface of the device 1 as shown in the left views of FIGS. 2 and 8. The first guide 55 extends from the upper part 11 to the lower part 12 of the device 1. The lower end of the first guide 55, so as to be rotatable on the rotation shaft X ₁ around 8 and 9, is attached to the device 1. As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 8, the first guide 55 switches between a state where the first guide 55 stands on the right side of the device 1 and a state where the first guide 55 is inclined to the right side of the device 1 as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, the angle range theta ₁ which the first guide 55 is rotated it is 45 °. The first guide 55 may be rotated by 90 ° or less angle range theta _1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the third guide 57 is substantially L-shaped in plan view. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the third guide 57 constitutes a part of the rear surface of the apparatus 1 and a part of the left side surface. The third guide 57 is provided above the partition plate 13. The third guide 57 is provided only in the upper part 11 of the device 1. Third guide 57 has a lower end portion of the portion constituting the third conveyance path 53, so as to be rotatable on the rotation shaft X ₂ around 8 and 9, is attached to the device 1. The third guide 57 is placed on the partition plate 13 as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 8, and the state where the third guide 57 falls apart from above the partition plate 13 as shown in the right diagram of FIG. Switch to As shown in FIG. 9, the angular range θ _{2 in which} the third guide 57 rotates is 90 °. Note that the third guide 57 may be rotatable in an angle range θ ₂ of 90 ° or more.

The second guide 56 is disposed inside the apparatus 1 with respect to the first guide 55 and the third guide 57. Unlike the first guide 55 and the third guide 57, the second guide 56 is fixed to the device 1.

As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 8, the first conveyance path 51 includes a use state where the distance between the first guide 55 and the second guide 56 is short, and a first guide as illustrated in the right diagram of FIG. 8. As the 55 rotates toward the right side of the apparatus 1, the first guide 55 is switched to an open state away from the second guide 56. The first transport path 51 is opened to the right side of the apparatus 1. When the 1st conveyance path 51 will be in an open state, the identification part 3 will also be in an open state.

The second conveyance path 52 and the third conveyance path 53 are shown in a use state in which the distance between the third guide 57 and the second guide 56 is short, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 8, and in the right diagram of FIG. As described above, when the third guide 57 rotates toward the left side of the device 1, the third guide 57 is switched to an open state away from the second guide 56. The second transport path 52 is opened behind the device 1. The third conveyance path 53 is opened to the left side of the apparatus 1. By rotating the L-shaped third guide 57 by 90 °, both the second transport path 52 and the third transport path 53 can be opened. The first transport path 51, the second transport path 52, and the third transport path 53 are opened in different directions.

When the bill 1 is jammed in any of the

transport paths

51, 52, 53 while the device 1 is counting, the device 1 stops. When the banknote B is jammed in the first conveyance path 51, the person in charge turns the first conveyance path 51 to the open state by rotating the first guide 55 outwardly to the right of the apparatus 1. The first transport path 51 is opened outward at the right side portion of the apparatus 1. The person in charge can see the banknote B jammed in the 1st conveyance path 51, and can remove the said banknote B easily.

Further, when the bill B is jammed in the second transport path 52 or the third transport path 53, the person in charge rotates the third guide 57 to the left outward of the device 1. Thereby, the 2nd conveyance path 52 and the 3rd conveyance path 53 are made into an open state. The second transport path 52 is opened outward at the rear part of the apparatus 1. The third conveyance path 53 is opened outward at the left side of the apparatus 1. The person in charge can see the banknote jammed in the 2nd conveyance path 52 or the 3rd conveyance path 53, and can remove the said banknote B easily.

Also, the first transport path 51, the second transport path 52, and the third transport path 53 are each opened upward. Thereby, it is possible to photograph the opened first transport path 51, second transport path 52, and third transport path 53 from a monitoring camera attached to the ceiling of a facility such as a game hall, for example. When removing the banknote B jammed in the transport path, an effect of preventing the person in charge from performing fraud can be expected.

The first transport path 51, the second transport path 52, and the third transport path 53 are each largely opened toward the outside of the device 1 in three different directions. For this reason, it is possible to easily clean dust and dirt collected in the transport path.

Further, when the first guide 55 is rotated to open the first transport path 51, the identification unit 3 can be opened. As shown in the right view of FIG. 8, the identification unit 3 is provided with an optical sensor 31, a thickness sensor 32, and a magnetic sensor 33. When the identification unit 3 is opened, all of these

sensors

31, 32, and 33 are exposed. Therefore, maintenance of these

sensors

31, 32, and 33 can be performed.

The first guide 55 extends from the upper part 11 to the lower part 12 of the device 1. The first guide 55 is long in the vertical direction. By making the rotation angle θ ₁ of the first guide 55 relatively small, as shown in FIG. 9, the occupied space of the device 1 when the first guide 55 is rotated outward of the device 1 is It can avoid becoming large. The occupied space here is a projected area obtained by projecting the apparatus 1 onto the surface on which the apparatus 1 is placed.

Since the 3rd guide 57 is provided only in the upper part 11 of the apparatus 1, the height is comparatively low. Therefore, even if the rotation angle θ ₂ of the third guide 57 is increased, the occupied space of the device 1 when the third guide 57 is rotated outward of the device 1 is large as shown in FIG. Don't be.

-Other forms of guide-
In the above-described configuration, the first guide 55 and the third guide 57 are attached to the apparatus 1 so as to rotate about the rotation axes X ₁ and X ₂ extending in the horizontal direction. And / or the third guide 57 may be attached to the apparatus 1 so as to rotate around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction, for example.

In addition, the first guide 55 and / or the third guide 57 are not attached to rotate, but the first guide 55 and / or the third guide 57 are, for example, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, or any other direction. You may make it attach to the apparatus 1 so that it may move horizontally. Further, the first guide 55 and / or the third guide 57 may be attached to the apparatus 1 so as to move in the vertical direction.

The L-shaped third guide 57 in plan view may be divided into a guide that configures the second transport path 52 together with the second guide 56 and a guide that configures the third transport path 53 together with the second guide 56.

In addition, the first to

third transport paths

51, 52, 53 can be opened by movably attaching the second guide 56 to the apparatus 1 instead of movably attaching the first guide 55 and the third guide 57. It may be. For example, the second guide 56 may be attached to the apparatus 1 so as to move in the front-rear direction. Further, the second guide 56 may be attached to the apparatus 1 so as to move in the vertical direction.

The layout of the conveyance path shown above is an example. The conveyance path may be arranged in a straight line, for example. The shape of the guide is appropriately changed according to the layout of the conveyance path.

In the above-described configuration, a part of the bill B being conveyed jumps out from the opening. However, you may comprise the 1st guide 55, the 2nd guide 56, and the 3rd guide 57 so that the banknote B in conveyance may not jump out.

In the above-described configuration, the banknotes B are vertically conveyed while standing. Unlike this, you may comprise a banknote counter so that the banknote B may be conveyed longitudinally or short-sided.

(Configuration of reject part)
As described above, the apparatus 1 is provided with the reject unit 54 that holds the discharged reject banknote. The reject unit 54 includes a branch path 58 and a part of the conveyance path that communicates with the branch path 58. The reject unit 54 holds the reject banknote in a state in which a part of the reject banknote protrudes from the reject port 54a. Hereinafter, the configuration of the reject unit 54 will be described in detail.

As described above, the conveyance path is formed in a U shape in plan view as shown in FIG. Specifically, the second conveyance path 52 is bent from the first conveyance path 51 at the first bent portion 511, and the third conveyance path 53 is bent from the second conveyance path 52 at the second bent portion 521.

The first bent portion 511 is provided with a first conveying roller 512 as shown in FIG. The banknote is conveyed by the first conveyance roller 512 so as to be bent from the first conveyance path 51 to the second conveyance path 52. The first transport roller 512 has a plurality of drive rollers 513 arranged in the vertical direction, and a driven roller 514 that sandwiches the bill together with the drive rollers 513. The driven rollers 514 are not provided for all the drive rollers 513 but are provided for some of the drive rollers 513. This driven roller 513 is provided with two driven rollers 514. The driven roller 514 is provided at a position 90 degrees apart around the rotation center of the drive roller 513 so that the bill is bent approximately 90 degrees along the outer periphery of the drive roller 513. FIG. 10 shows the driven roller 514 on the upstream side in the conveyance path.

The second bent portion 521 is provided with a second transport roller 522 as shown in FIG. The bill is conveyed by the second conveyance roller 522 so as to be bent from the second conveyance path 52 to the third conveyance path 53. The second transport roller 522 has a plurality of driving rollers 523 arranged in the vertical direction, and a driven roller 524 that sandwiches the bill together with the driving rollers 523. The driven rollers 524 are not provided in all the drive rollers 523 but are provided in some of the drive rollers 523. This driven roller 523 is provided with two driven rollers 524. The driven roller 524 is provided at a position 90 degrees apart around the rotation center of the drive roller 523 so that the bill is bent approximately 90 degrees along the outer periphery of the drive roller 523.

The first transport roller 512 and the second transport roller 522 are configured to be able to switch the rotation direction. That is, the 1st conveyance roller 512 and the 2nd conveyance roller 522 can switch the conveyance direction of a banknote by the forward direction which a banknote goes to the holding | maintenance part 4 from the setting part 2, and the reverse direction opposite to a forward direction. .

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, the branch path 58 branches off from the conveyance path. The branch path 58 is connected to the first bent portion 511 and extends on an extension line of the second transport path 52, that is, in a straight line with the second transport path 52. The branch path 58 is formed by the rear end portion of the first guide 55 and the third guide 57. The end of the branch path 58 opposite to the branch section from the transport path opens to the right side surface of the rear portion of the apparatus 1 to form a reject port 54a. Further, the branch path 58 opens upward similarly to the second transport path 52. The branch path 58 constitutes a reject portion 54 together with a part of the transport path (specifically, a part of the second transport path 52).

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the first bent portion 511 is provided with a switching portion 59 that switches the path of the banknote from the conveyance path to the branch path 58. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the switching unit 59.

The switching unit 59 has a plurality of (specifically, four) claws 591 arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, and is formed in a comb-like shape as a whole. The claw 591 has a pressing portion 592 and a guide portion 593 and has a wedge shape. The pressing portion 592 and the guide portion 593 are connected at the tip of the claw 591. The pressing portion 592 has a concave curved shape. The guide portion 593 has a shape in which the distal end portion 593a is bent with respect to the proximal end portion 593b. The switching unit 59 is supported at the rear end portion of the first guide 55 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis A extending in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the switching unit 59 is biased by a biasing spring 594 so that the tip of the claw 591 is positioned on the transport path. The switching unit 59 normally contacts a stopper (not shown), so that the tip of the claw 591 is positioned on the conveyance path. This position is referred to as a first position. The biasing spring 594 is an example of a biasing member.

More specifically, the claw 591 is located on the first bent portion 511 in the conveyance path in the first position. The first bent portion 511 is provided with a first transport roller 512. As shown in FIG. 10, the upstream driven roller 514 is disposed between the claws 591. Although not shown, the downstream position of the driven roller 514 on the downstream side is also different from the vertical position of the claw 591. Therefore, even if the claw 591 rotates, it does not interfere with the driven roller 514. Further, the vertical position of the claw 591 is different from the vertical position of the drive roller 513. Therefore, in the first position, the claw 591 enters between the driving rollers 513 without interfering with the driving roller 513. Thereby, the nail | claw 591 crosses the outer periphery of the drive roller 513 by planar view. That is, the claw 591 is in a state of crossing the conveyance path.

When the banknote is transported in the forward direction, the switching unit 59 configured in this way guides the banknote from the first transport path 51 to the second transport path 52 via the first bending section 511, When the bill is transported in the reverse direction, the bill is guided from the second transport path 52 to the branch path 58.

Specifically, the switching unit 59 is normally located at the first position by the biasing force of the biasing spring 594. At this time, the pressing portion 592 of the claw 591 is located at a position where a bill conveyed from the first conveying path 51 to the first bent portion 511 contacts. Therefore, the banknote conveyed in the forward direction from the first conveyance path 51 abuts on the pressing portion 592 and presses the switching portion 59 against the urging force of the urging spring 594. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the switching unit 59 pressed by the bill moves to a second position retracted from the conveyance path (specifically, a position where the claw 591 and the driving roller 513 do not overlap in a plan view).

In the second position, the claw 591 has come out from between the driving rollers 513. The pressing portion 592 has a concave curved shape, and is substantially parallel to the outer periphery of the driving roller 513 when the switching portion 59 is located at the second position. In this state, the pressing unit 592 guides the banknote in the direction along the outer periphery of the driving roller 513. That is, the pressing unit 592 guides the bill so that it is bent from the first transport path 51 toward the second transport path 52. Thus, the switching unit 59 guides the banknote to the second transport path 52 while allowing the banknote to pass in the forward direction.

On the other hand, as described above, the apparatus 1 is temporarily stopped after the banknote determined to be rejected by the identification unit 3 passes through the second sensor 62 of the second transport path 52 in the forward direction, and is transported in the reverse direction. The When the bill passes through the second sensor 62, the bill always passes through the switching unit 59, so that the switching unit 59 is returned to the first position by the biasing force of the biasing spring 594. That is, when the reject banknote is conveyed in the reverse direction, the switching unit 59 is located at the first position. At this time, the guide portion 593 of the claw 591 is located at a position for guiding the bills conveyed in the reverse direction from the second conveyance path 52 to the branch path 58. Specifically, in a state where the claw 591 is located at the first position, the distal end portion 593a overlaps the driving roller 513 in plan view, while the proximal end portion 593b is connected to the second conveyance path 52. It extends along the extension line. That is, the front end portion 593a is in a state of crossing the conveyance path. The guide portion 593 forms a straight conveyance path from the second conveyance path 52 to the branch path 58. Therefore, the banknotes conveyed in the second conveyance path 52 in the reverse direction and sandwiched between the driving roller 513 and the downstream driven roller 514 are guided to the guide unit 593 without being bent toward the first conveyance path 51. Then, it is guided toward the branch path 58. Even if the bill tries to advance along the outer periphery of the driving roller 513, the tip portion 593a of the guide portion 593 is located at a position crossing the outer periphery of the driving roller 513, so that the bill comes into contact with the tip portion 593a, Guided along the portion 593a to the base end portion 593b, and further guided to the base end portion 593b and guided toward the branch path 58. Thereafter, when a part of the reject banknote protrudes from the reject port 54a, the conveyance is stopped. At this time, a part of the reject banknote remains in the second transport path 52. That is, the discharged reject banknote is held by a part of the branch path 58 and the second transport path 52. In addition, when the person in charge extracts the banknote of the rejection part 54, when the banknote remains in the setting part 2, counting of a residual banknote will be restarted.

By adopting such a configuration, the reject unit 54 can be configured by using a part of the transport path, and it is not necessary to provide the reject unit 54 separately from the transport path. Can be formed.

Moreover, since the rejection part 54 hold | maintains a rejection banknote in the state where a part of rejection banknote protruded outside from the rejection port 54a, and does not need to accommodate the whole rejection banknote, it can make a rejection part small. As a result, the device 1 can be formed in a small size.

Furthermore, a part of the rejected banknote remains in the transport path, and the transport path has an opening 50 that exposes a part of the banknote. A part of the rejected banknote can always be visually confirmed.

Further, the branch path 58 is connected to the first bent portion 511 of the transport path. Since the first bent portion 511 is a place where the course of the banknote is changed from the first transport path 51 to the second transport path 52, the path of the banknote is originally transported by connecting the branch path 58 to this place. Easy to switch to road or branch road 58.

Furthermore, since the branch path 58 extends on an extension line of the second transport path 52, when the banknote enters the branch path 58 from the second transport path 52, the banknote is moved in the transport direction in the second transport path 52. If the bill is conveyed as it is, the bill is naturally guided to the branch path 58. That is, the bill can be smoothly guided to the branch path 58.

In addition, when the bill is transported in the forward direction in the transport path, it is retracted to the second position to allow the transport of the bill, and when the bill is transported in the reverse direction in the transport path, the bill is transported to the first position. Since the switching part 59 which guides the banknote to the branch path 58 is provided, the course of the reject banknote is switched from the transport path to the branch path 58 by switching the transport direction of the reject banknote from the forward direction to the reverse direction. Can do. According to this configuration, since a drive source for driving the switching unit 59 is not required, the configuration of the device 1 can be simplified and power consumption can be reduced.

Furthermore, in a state where the switching unit 59 is located at the first position, the guide unit 593 extends along the branch path 58. For this reason, the reject banknote conveyed in the reverse direction and in contact with the guide portion 593 is smoothly guided to the branch path 58.

Further, since the switching unit 59 has a plurality of claws 591 arranged apart from each other and is formed in a comb-teeth shape, the contact area between the bill and the switching unit 59 can be reduced. Resistance when a bill is conveyed can be reduced.

-Other forms related to the reject part-
In the above configuration, the branch path 58 is connected to the first bent portion 511, but the place where the branch path 58 is connected to the transport path is not limited thereto. For example, the branch path 58 may be connected to the second bent portion 521. Furthermore, the branch path 58 may be connected to a portion that extends linearly, such as the first transport path 51, the second transport path 52, or the third transport path 53. Further, the branch path 58 may extend on an extension line of the first transport path 51.

Furthermore, the apparatus 1 is configured to guide the reject banknote to the branch path 58 by switching the transport direction of the reject banknote from the forward direction to the reverse direction, but is not limited thereto. The configuration may be such that the path of the reject banknote is switched from the transport path to the branch path 58 while the reject banknote is transported in the forward direction. For example, the path of the reject banknote can be switched between the transport path and the branch path 58 by driving a member that switches the path such as the switching unit 59 by a solenoid actuator or the like.

(Configuration of set part)
Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the set unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the internal structure of the set unit 2. FIG. 15 is a view of a part of the set unit 2 in the set state as viewed from above. FIG. 16 is a view of a part of the set unit 2 in the set state as viewed from the front. FIG. 17 is a view of a part of the set unit 2 in the extended state as viewed from above.

The setting unit 2 includes an opening 21 into which banknotes are inserted (see FIGS. 1 to 3), a partition plate 13 on which the set banknotes are placed, a feeding belt 22 for feeding out the set banknotes, and a set of banknotes A guard part 23 for preventing contact between the banknote and the feeding belt 22 at the time, a pressing part 24 for pressing the banknote against the feeding belt 22 when the banknote is fed, various rollers, and a motor 26 for driving the feeding belt 22 Have. The set unit 2 is in a set state when a bill is set in the set unit 2, and is in a payout state when the set bill is paid out. The set state and the extended state will be described later.

The opening 21 is formed by the first guide 55 and the second guide 56 and is disposed on the right side of the front portion of the apparatus 1. Here, the opening 21 is a portion formed by the edge of the first guide 55 and the edge of the second guide 56, in other words, the opening edge. As described above, the opening 21 opens upward and forward of the device 1. The upper part of the device 1 corresponds to one side in the width direction of the feeding belt 22 described later in detail. That is, the opening 21 opens on one side in the width direction of the feeding belt 22. Further, the front of the apparatus 1 corresponds to the side opposite to the direction in which bills are fed out of the bill feeding directions by the feeding belt 22. That is, the opening 21 is also open on the opposite side to the direction in which the banknote is fed out of the banknote feeding direction by the feeding belt 22. Therefore, the banknote is inserted into the set unit 2 from the top to the bottom or from the front to the back through the opening 21. The partition plate 13, the feeding belt 22, the guard portion 23, the pressing portion 24, various rollers, and the motor 26 are disposed on the inner side of the opening portion 21.

The feeding belt 22 is an annular endless belt. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the outer peripheral surface of the feeding belt 22 is referred to as “front surface 221”, and the inner peripheral surface is referred to as “back surface 222”. Further, a direction orthogonal to both the thickness direction and the longitudinal direction (circumferential direction) of the feeding belt 22 is referred to as a “width direction”. A plurality of teeth (not shown) extending in the width direction are arranged at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction on the front surface 221 and the back surface 222 of the feeding belt 22. The front teeth and the back teeth have the same shape and are arranged at the same position. That is, the same tooth as the tooth on the front surface 221 is provided on the back surface 222 of the portion of the feeding belt 22 where the tooth is provided on the front surface 221. The feeding belt 22 is disposed on the partition plate 13 in a state where the width direction thereof matches the normal direction of the partition plate 13.

The various rollers include at least a driving roller 251, a driven roller 252, a gate roller 253, a guide roller 36, and a separation roller 37. These rollers are arranged on the same side as the feeding belt 22 with respect to the partition plate 13.

The driving roller 251 is rotationally driven by the motor 26. The motor 26 is disposed on the side opposite to the feeding belt 22 with the partition plate 13 interposed therebetween. The feeding belt 22 is wound around the driving roller 251 and the driven roller 252. A plurality of teeth that mesh with the teeth of the feeding belt 22 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the drive roller 251. Similarly, a plurality of teeth that mesh with the teeth of the feeding belt 22 are also provided on the outer peripheral surface of the driven roller 252. When the driving roller 251 is driven by the motor 26, the feeding belt 22 is driven. The driving roller 251 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 17, and the feeding belt 22 also rotates counterclockwise.

The guide roller 36 and the separation roller 37 are disposed outside the feeding belt 22. On the other hand, the gate roller 253 is disposed inside the feeding belt 22. In a state where no bill is present, the feeding belt 22 is sandwiched between the driving roller 251 and the guide roller 36, and the feeding belt 22 is sandwiched between the gate roller 253 and the separation roller 37.

The guide roller 36 is driven to rotate in the direction of feeding out banknotes. That is, the guide roller 36 rotates clockwise in FIG. The guide roller 36 and the feeding belt 22 feed the banknotes between them.

The separation roller 37 is located upstream of the guide roller 36 in the feeding direction. The separation roller 37 is rotationally driven in a direction opposite to the bill feeding direction. That is, the separation roller 37 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. Even if a plurality of banknotes are about to be fed out by the feeding belt 22, the feeding of the banknotes other than the banknotes in contact with the feeding belt 22 is prevented by the rotation of the separation roller 37 in the opposite direction.

The guard part 23 has a first guard part 231, a second guard part 232, and a drive shaft 233 to which the first guard part 231 and the second guard part 232 are connected. The guard unit 23 is configured to be switchable between a guard state that prevents contact between the banknote and the feeding belt 22 and a retracted state that enables contact between the banknote and the feeding belt 22. When the set unit 2 is in the set state, the guard unit 23 is in the guard state, while when the set unit 2 is in the extended state, the guard unit 23 is in the retracted state.

As shown in FIG. 16, the first guard portion 231 faces the first side surface 223 closer to the opening 21 (that is, farther from the partition plate 13) among the side surfaces of the feeding belt 22 in the guard state. Are arranged as follows. The first guard portion 231 protrudes from the surface 221 of the feeding belt 22 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22.

As shown in FIG. 16, the second guard portion 232 faces the second side surface 224 that is farther from the opening 21 (that is, closer to the partition plate 13) among the side surfaces of the feeding belt 22 in the guard state. Are arranged as follows. The second guard portion 232 protrudes from the surface 221 of the feeding belt 22 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22.

The first guard portion 231 has a first inclined surface 234 that is inclined so as to move away from the surface 221 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22 as it approaches the first side surface 223 in the width direction of the feeding belt 22. Similarly, the second guard portion 232 has a second inclined surface 235 that is inclined so as to be separated from the surface 221 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22 as it is separated from the second side surface 224 in the width direction of the feeding belt 22. . That is, the first inclined surface 234 and the second inclined surface 235 are inclined so as to move away from the surface 221 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22 as the depth of the setting portion 2 increases in the width direction of the feeding belt 22.

The first guard part 231 and the second guard part 232 are connected to the drive shaft 233. The drive shaft 233 extends in the normal direction of the partition plate 13 and is rotatably supported by the partition plate 13. The drive shaft 233 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) disposed on the back side of the partition plate 13.

The guard unit 23 is switched between a guard state and a retracted state when the drive shaft 233 is rotationally driven. In the guard state, as described above, the first guard portion 231 and the second guard portion 232 protrude from the surface 221 of the feeding belt 22 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22. On the other hand, in the retracted state, the first guard portion 231 and the second guard portion 232 are retracted to a position retracted from the surface 221 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22. That is, when viewed in the vertical direction, the first side surface 223 of the feeding belt 22 is hidden by the first guard portion 231 in the guard state, whereas the second side surface 224 of the feeding belt 22 is in the retracted state. Is exposed.

The pressing portion 24 has a main body portion 240, a first contact portion 241, a second contact portion 242, and a drive shaft 243.

The main body 240 has a generally plate shape. The main body 240 is arranged at a position facing the feeding belt 22.

The first contact part 241 and the second contact part 242 are provided so as to protrude from the main body part 240 on the surface of the main body part 240 that faces the feeding belt 22. The first contact portion 241 and the second contact portion 242 are arranged in the vertical direction. In the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22, the first contact portion 241 and the first guard portion 231 face each other, and the second contact portion 242 and the second guard portion 232 face each other.

The first abutting portion 241 has a third inclined surface 244 that is inclined so as to move away from the main body portion 240 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22 as it goes to the back of the set portion 2 in the width direction of the feeding belt 22. Similarly, the second contact portion 242 has a fourth inclined surface 245 that is inclined so as to be away from the main body portion 240 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22 as it goes deeper in the width direction of the feeding belt 22. ing.

The main body 240 is connected to the drive shaft 243. The drive shaft 243 extends in the normal direction of the partition plate 13 and is rotatably supported by the partition plate 13. The drive shaft 243 is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) disposed on the back side of the partition plate 13. The state of the presser 24 is switched between the retracted state and the presser state when the drive shaft 243 is rotationally driven. The presser part 24 is interlocked with the guard part 23. When the guard part 23 is in the guard state, the presser part 24 is in the retracted state, and when the guard part 23 is in the retracted state, the presser part 24 is in the presser state. . When the set unit 2 is in the set state, the presser unit 24 is in the retracted state, while when the set unit 2 is in the extended state, the presser unit 24 is in the presser state.

In the retracted state, the first contact portion 241 and the second contact portion 242 are located at positions sufficiently away from the feeding belt 22. In the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22, a sufficient interval is secured between the first contact portion 241 and the second contact portion 242 and the first guard portion 231 and the second guard portion 232. On the other hand, in the presser state, the first abutting portion 241 and the second abutting portion 242 abut against the bill and press the bill against the surface 221 of the feeding belt 22. As described above, when the presser portion 24 is in the presser state, the guard portion 23 is retracted in conjunction with the presser portion 24, so that the first contact portion 241 and the second contact portion 242 interfere with the guard portion 23. Without touching the banknote.

Subsequently, the operation of the setting unit 2 will be described. When the set unit 2 is in the set state, the guard unit 23 is in the guard state, and the presser unit 24 is in the retracted state. Therefore, when the set unit 2 is viewed from above through the opening 21, the first side surface 223 of the feeding belt 22 is covered with the first guard unit 231 and is not exposed. Therefore, even if it is a case where a banknote is inserted from the upper direction through the opening part 21, ie, the width direction of the feeding belt 22, a banknote is not caught on the 1st side 223 of the feeding belt 22, and a banknote is set. 2 can be inserted smoothly.

Further, at this time, the presser portion 24 is disposed at a position having a sufficient interval between the presser portion 24 and the guard portion 23. Therefore, the banknote can be smoothly inserted into the set unit 2 without contacting the guard unit 23 or the presser unit 24.

Even if the banknote comes into contact with the first guard part 231, the first guard part 231 has the first inclined surface 234. The first inclined surface 234 is inclined so as to move away from the surface 221 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22 as it goes deeper into the set portion 2 in the width direction of the feeding belt 22. Therefore, even if a banknote contacts the 1st guard part 231, a banknote is guided by the 1st inclined surface 234 so that it may leave | separate from the surface 221 of the feeding belt 22 as it advances to the back of the set part 2. In this way, the bill is smoothly guided to the back of the setting unit 2.

Further, a second guard portion 232 is provided at a position facing the second side surface 224 of the feeding belt 22, and the second guard portion 232 protrudes from the surface 221 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22. Therefore, the second guard portion 232 prevents the bill from contacting the payout belt 22 even at the back of the set portion 2.

Further, the second guard portion 232 has a second inclined surface 235 that is inclined so as to move away from the surface 221 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22 as it goes deeper in the set portion 2 in the width direction of the feeding belt 22. . Therefore, even if the banknote contacts the second guard part 232, the banknote is guided by the second inclined surface 235 so as to move away from the surface 221 of the feeding belt 22 as it goes deeper into the set part 2. In this way, the bill is smoothly guided to the back of the setting unit 2.

Furthermore, there is a possibility that the banknote contacts the holding part 24. In particular, in the presser part 24, since the first contact part 241 and the second contact part 242 protrude from the main body part 240, the bill comes into contact with the first contact part 241 or the second contact part 242. There can be. However, the first contact portion 241 has a third inclined surface 244 that is inclined so as to move away from the main body 240 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22 as it goes deeper into the set portion 2 in the width direction of the feeding belt 22. ing. For this reason, even if the bill comes into contact with the first contact portion 241, the bill is guided by the third inclined surface 244 so as to move away from the main body portion 240 as it goes deeper into the set portion 2. In this way, the bill is smoothly guided to the back of the setting unit 2. Further, the second contact portion 242 has a fourth inclined surface 245 that is inclined so as to move away from the main body portion 240 in the thickness direction of the feeding belt 22 as it goes to the back of the set portion 2 in the width direction of the feeding belt 22. ing. Therefore, even if a bill comes into contact with the second contact portion 242, the bill is guided by the fourth inclined surface 245 so as to move away from the main body portion 240 as it goes deeper into the set portion 2. In this way, the bill is smoothly guided to the back of the setting unit 2.

Subsequently, when the set unit 2 is in the extended state, the guard unit 23 is in the retracted state, and the presser unit 24 is in the presser state. When the guard portion 23 is in the retracted state, the surface 221 of the feeding belt 22 can be brought into contact with the banknote, and the banknote is pressed against the surface 221 of the feeding belt 22 when the pressing portion 24 is in the pressing state. . In this way, the bills are appropriately fed out by the feeding belt 22 as the bills come into contact with the surface 221 of the feeding belt 22.

Note that the bills fed out by the feeding belt 22 pass through the separation roller 37, so that only one bill is conveyed to the guide roller 36 and is taken into the identification unit 3 by the guide roller 36.

As described above, even when a bill is inserted from the width direction into the set portion 2 having the opening portion 21 opened on one side in the width direction of the feeding belt 22, by providing the first guard portion 231, It is possible to prevent the bill from being caught on the side surface of the feeding belt 22. Thereby, a banknote can be smoothly inserted into the set part 2.

In addition, by providing the first inclined surface 234 on the first guard portion 231, the bill can be smoothly guided toward the back of the set portion 2 even if the bill contacts the first guard portion 231. .

Also, by providing the second guard part 232, it is possible to prevent the bills from coming into contact with the feeding belt 22 even at the back of the set part 2. Furthermore, by providing the second inclined surface 235 on the second guard part 232, the banknote can be smoothly guided further toward the back of the set part 2 even if the banknote contacts the second guard part 232.

Moreover, even if it is the structure provided with the press part 24 which has the 1st contact part 241 and the 2nd contact part 242, which contact | abuts a banknote when the setting part 2 pays out, the 3rd inclined surface 244 is provided in the 1st contact part 241. Even if the bill comes into contact with the first abutment portion 241 or the second abutment portion 242 by providing the fourth inclined surface 245 on the second abutment portion 242, the bill is moved toward the back of the set portion 2. He can guide you smoothly.

Thus, in the apparatus 1, even when the banknote is inserted into the setting unit 2 through the opening 21 in the width direction of the feeding belt 22, the banknote can be smoothly inserted. Thereby, a banknote can be inserted in the set part 2 from the direction different from a pay-out direction.

In addition, since the opening part 21 is opened also on the opposite side (namely, the front of the apparatus 1) with respect to the direction in which the banknote is fed out in the feeding direction, the banknote can be inserted into the set unit 2 from the feeding direction. Even in this case, the first guard part 231 and the second guard part 232 in the guard state are in a state of projecting from the surface 221 of the feeding belt 22, so that the set unit 2 does not come into contact with the surface 221. Can be inserted into.

-Other forms related to the set part-
In addition, although the set part 2 has the guard part 23, you may abbreviate | omit the guard part 23. FIG. Moreover, although the guard part 23 has the 1st guard part 231 and the 2nd guard part 232, you may abbreviate | omit the 1st guard part 231 or the 2nd guard part 232. The first guard portion 231 and the second guard portion 232 are provided with a first inclined surface 234 and a second inclined surface 235, respectively. At least one of the first inclined surface 234 and the second inclined surface 235 is provided. It may be omitted.

Moreover, although the set part 2 has the presser part 24, the presser part 24 may be omitted. The first contact portion 241 and the second contact portion 242 of the presser portion 24 may be omitted, and the bill may be pressed against the feeding belt 22 by the main body portion 240. Further, any one of the first contact portion 241 and the second contact portion 242 may be omitted. Further, the first contact portion 241 and the second contact portion 242 are provided with a third inclined surface 244 and a fourth inclined surface 245, respectively. At least the third inclined surface 244 and the fourth inclined surface 245 are provided. One may be omitted.

In the above configuration, the opening 21 opens upward and forward, but may be configured to open only upward. In that case, the opening 21 is formed larger than the inserted bill.

Instead of the guard portion 23 that switches between the guard state and the retracted state, the feeding belt 22 that is wound between the driving roller 251 and the driven roller 252 may be switched between the standby state and the operating state. . 18 and 19 show the setting unit 2 in which the feeding belt 22 is configured to switch between a standby state and an operating state. In this configuration, the driving roller 251, the driven roller 252, and the gate roller 253 are each attached to the frame 27. The driven roller 252 and the gate roller 253 are rotatably supported with respect to the frame 27. The drive roller 251 is fixed to the output shaft 261 of the motor 26 as shown in FIG. When the motor 26 operates, the drive roller 251 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 18 via the output shaft 261. Along with this, the feeding belt 22 supported by the frame 27 also rotates counterclockwise.

A gear 262 that rotates integrally with the output shaft 261 is attached to the output shaft 261. Although a detailed illustration is omitted, a torque limiter is interposed between the output shaft 261 and the gear 262. The torque limiter limits the torque transmission between the output shaft 261 and the gear 262 so as to be equal to or less than a predetermined maximum torque.

The frame 27 is supported so as to rotate around the output shaft 261. An engaging portion 271 is fixed to the lower portion of the frame 27. The engaging portion 271 meshes with the gear 262. The engaging portion 271 is configured by a part of the gear (that is, a gear cut out in a fan shape) that is parallel to the gear 262 and meshes with the gear 262. When the gear 262 rotates with the rotation of the output shaft 261, the engaging portion 271 transmits the torque to the frame 27, so that the frame 27 rotates about the output shaft 261.

As shown by a broken line in FIG. 18, when the set portion 2 is in the set state, the frame 27 is urged clockwise around the output shaft 261 by an urging member (for example, a spring) (not shown). Has been. At this time, the feeding belt 22 supported by the frame 27 is located on the left side of the device 1 with respect to the edge of the opening 21 when the set unit 2 is viewed from above. The feeding belt 22 is in a standby state. Even when the banknote is inserted from above through the opening 21, that is, in the width direction of the feeding belt 22, the banknote is not caught on the first side surface 223 of the feeding belt 22, and the banknote is inserted into the setting section 2. Can be inserted smoothly.

When the bill B is fed out after the bill B is set in the setting unit 2, the motor 26 operates. As a result, the output shaft 261 rotates counterclockwise. Along with this, torque is transmitted to the frame 27 through the gear 262 and the engaging portion 271. The frame 27 urged clockwise by the urging member rotates about the output shaft 261 in the counterclockwise direction. As shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 18, the feeding belt 22 moves to the right side of the device 1 from the edge of the opening 21. The feeding belt 22 sandwiches the bill B together with the presser portion 24 in the pressed state. In this way, the feeding belt 22 enters an operating state. As the operation of the motor 26 continues, the bill B is fed out by the feeding belt 22. When the feeding belt 22 is in the operating state, the torque transmitted between the output shaft 261 and the gear 262 by the torque limiter is limited to a predetermined maximum torque. This prevents the frame 27 from rotating further in the counterclockwise direction. As a result, the banknote B can be fed out while maintaining the feeding belt 22 in the operating state.

When all the bills B set in the setting unit 2 are fed out, the operation of the motor 26 is stopped. Along with this, the frame 27 is urged clockwise by the urging member and is switched to the standby state.

Even if such a configuration is adopted, the bill B can be smoothly inserted into the set portion 2 through the opening 21 as in the case of the set portion 2 having the above-described configuration.

(Configuration of holding part)
FIG. 20 shows the configuration of the holding unit 4. The holding unit 4 includes a stopper 41 and a bill holder 43. The stopper 41 hits the leading edge in the transport direction of the bill B transported forward from the apparatus 1 from the third transport path 53 to the holding unit 4 and fulfills the function of aligning the leading edge of the bill B. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 20, the stopper 41 is attached so as to protrude from the left side surface of the second guide 56 to the left outward of the device 1. The stopper 41 is disposed so as to cross in the left-right direction in the holding portion 4 spreading in the front-rear direction.

The stopper 41 is attached to the 2nd guide 56 so that the arrangement position of the front-back direction can be changed (refer the arrow of FIG. 20). The arrangement position of the stopper 41 can be changed in accordance with the size of the bill B to be counted (particularly the length in the longitudinal direction).

The stopper 41 is also attached to the second guide 56 so that its base end portion can be rotated around an axis extending in the vertical direction. The stopper 41 rotates from the side surface of the second guide 56 so as to be substantially perpendicular to the left side surface of the second guide 56, and then rotates toward the front of the device 1 so as to follow the left side surface of the second guide 56. It is possible to change to a state where it falls over. A torsion spring 42 is attached to the base end portion of the stopper 41, and the torsion spring 42 urges the stopper 41 in the clockwise direction in FIG. Accordingly, during the counting process of the bills B, the stopper 41 is in a state of protruding from the side surface of the second guide 56, and functions to align the leading edges of the bills B conveyed to the holding unit 4. On the other hand, when removing the banknote B from the holding part 4, the stopper 41 is pushed by the banknote B and can rotate. When the stopper 41 is retracted, the banknote B can be easily taken out from the holding portion 4.

In the stopper 41, on the surface where the leading edge of the bill B hits, a number of grooves extending in the vertical direction are formed side by side in the horizontal direction. Thereby, the surface where the front-end edge of the banknote B hits has a saw-tooth shape. The holding unit 4 holds the banknote B in an upright state, but the banknote B moves in the horizontal direction (particularly the left side of the apparatus 1) when the leading edge of the banknote B enters the groove provided in the stopper 41. It is prevented. The holding unit 4 can hold a plurality of banknotes at a time in a state where they are arranged in the horizontal direction. The bills B are prevented from falling apart.

The bill holder 43 functions to hold the bill B in a standing state by pressing the front or back surface of the bill B held by the holding unit 4. The bill holder 43 also has a function of pressing and stacking a plurality of banknotes B held by the holding unit 4 in the thickness direction. The bill holder 43 is attached to the third guide 57. The bill holder 43 is attached to a front end portion of a third guide 57 configured in an L shape in a plan view, and extends from there to the front of the device 1. The bill holder 43 is attached to the third guide 57 so that its base end portion can rotate around an axis extending in the vertical direction. The bill holder 43 can rotate in the clockwise direction in FIG. 20 from the state extending in front of the device 1 and in the direction approaching the side surface of the second guide 56 to the direction away from the side surface of the second guide 56. Is possible. A torsion spring 44 is attached to the base end portion of the bill holder 43, and the torsion spring 44 biases the tag holder 43 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.

As is clear from FIG. 20, the left side surface of the second guide 56 in the holding unit 4 is located on the right side of the apparatus 1 with respect to the third conveyance path 53. The banknote B conveyed from the 3rd conveyance path 53 to the holding | maintenance part 4 moves ahead, moving to the right side of the apparatus 1, as shown with a dashed-dotted line in FIG. The bill holder 43 guides the banknote B so that the banknote B transported from the third transport path 53 to the holding unit 4 is brought closer to the side surface of the second guide 56. The bill holder 43, together with the stopper 41, causes the bill B to be held at a predetermined position in the holding unit 4. When the number of banknotes B held in the holding unit 4 increases, the bill holder 43 biased counterclockwise rotates in the horizontal direction in the holding unit 4 by rotating clockwise. Of the plurality of banknotes B held side by side, the outermost banknote B hits the front or back surface of the outermost banknote B, and holds the plurality of banknotes B toward the side surface of the second guide 56. In this way, a plurality of banknotes B can be stably held in an upright state.

When removing the bill B from the holding part 4, the bill holder 43 is pushed by the bill B and can be rotated counterclockwise. Thus, the bill holder 43 is retracted, so that the bill B can be easily taken out from the holding unit 4.

(Light-up structure of holding part)
The apparatus 1 includes first and

second displays

81 and 82, and information related to the counting process is displayed on the first and

second displays

81 and 82. Therefore, the person in charge (or the customer) sees the display contents of the first and

second displays

81 and 82 to start the counting result, indicate that an error has occurred during the counting process, that a reject banknote has occurred, and the like. Can be recognized. However, it can be recognized without having to look at the display contents of the first and

second displays

81 and 82 that the counting process has ended normally, an error has occurred during the counting process, a rejected banknote has occurred, and the like. By doing so, the convenience of the device 1 is improved.

Therefore, in this apparatus 1, the holding unit 4 is provided with a light-up structure, and the holding unit 4 indicates that the counting process has ended normally, an error has occurred during the counting process, and a reject banknote has been generated. It is configured as shown by the color of the light radiated.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the light-up structure includes an LED substrate 45 having LEDs and a mirror 46 that reflects light emitted from the LED substrate 45. The LED substrate 45 is disposed inside the third guide 57 and is configured to emit light toward the front of the apparatus 1. The LED substrate 45 is configured to be capable of emitting light of at least three colors of blue, red, and yellow. The mirror 46 is disposed in front of the LED substrate 45 inside the third guide 57. The mirror 46 is disposed in the vicinity of the base end portion of the bill holder 43 attached to the third guide 57. The mirror 46 is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the LED substrate 45 so as to reflect light emitted from the LED substrate 45 obliquely forward. The bill holder 54 is made of a translucent material, and the light reflected by the mirror 46 passes through the inside of the tag holder 54 and is irradiated on the left side surface of the second guide 56 in the holding unit 4. . When light passes through the inside of the bill holder 54, the light is scattered, so that the entire holding unit 4 is lit up.

The control unit 6 changes the color to light up the holding unit 4 according to the state of the bill counting process. Specifically, when the bill counting process is normally completed, the holding unit 4 is lit up with blue light so that the LED substrate 45 emits blue light. The person in charge can instantly recognize that the counting process has been completed normally by seeing that the holding unit 4 is lit up in blue. Therefore, it is possible to check the counting result by looking at the first or

second display

81 or 82 and to quickly remove the bill B from the holding unit 4. In this way, the efficiency of the counting process can be improved.

The control unit 6 also illuminates the holding unit 4 with yellow light so that yellow light is emitted from the LED substrate 45 when a reject bill is generated during the bill counting process. As described above, when a reject banknote is generated, the apparatus 1 stops with the reject banknote protruding from the reject port 54a, but the person in charge confirms that the holding unit 4 is lit up in yellow. As a result, it becomes possible to instantly recognize that reject bills are generated and the counting process is stopped. Therefore, the person in charge can quickly take out the banknote B from the reject unit 54 and can quickly restart the counting process.

The control unit 6 further holds the LED board 45 so that red light is emitted from the LED board 45 when an error occurs, for example, the banknote B is clogged during the counting process. Light up part 4 with red light. The person in charge can recognize that the error has occurred and the apparatus 1 is stopped instantaneously when the holding unit 4 is lit up in red. Therefore, the person in charge can immediately start releasing the error.

Thus, by performing the light-up of the holding unit 4, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the counting process. Since the holding unit 4 is a place where the bill B is held at the end of the counting process, the person in charge (and the customer) can easily see the holding unit 4. Lighting up the holding unit 4 is effective for promptly informing the person in charge of the state of the apparatus 1. However, the place where the light-up is performed in the apparatus 1 is not limited to the holding unit 4. For example, the set unit 2 may be lit up.

Also, a light-up structure may be provided in the reject unit 54, and when a reject banknote is generated, the reject unit 54 may be lighted up by the light-up structure of the reject unit 54. By doing so, it becomes possible for the person in charge to directly recognize that the rejection of the reject banknote is necessary.

Furthermore, a plurality of LEDs may be embedded along the conveyance path of the conveyance unit 5. In this structure, you may make it light up LED sequentially according to conveyance of the banknote B. FIG. Further, when the banknote B is jammed in the transport path, the LED at the location where the jam has occurred may be turned on.

Further, not only the light-up is performed at the end of the counting process, but the light-up may also be performed in the standby state of the apparatus 1. For example, the standby state of the apparatus 1 that the counting process can be executed may be notified by the color of light up.

Further, during the counting process of the device 1, it may be lit up by flashing, for example, to indicate that it is being processed.

Furthermore, the LED substrate 45 for illuminating the holding unit 4 may be embedded in the side surface of the second guide 56 instead of being disposed inside the third guide 57.

(Connector configuration)
The configuration of the power cord and the connector 7 to which the cable is connected will be described below.

As described above, the set unit 2 is arranged on the front right side of the device 1 (that is, the main body). On the left side of the front part of the device 1, a holding part 4 is arranged. Both the setting unit 2 and the holding unit 4 are provided in the upper part 11 of the apparatus 1. The set part 2 and the holding part 4 are positioned side by side in the horizontal direction at the front part of the apparatus 1.

The lower part 12 of the apparatus 1 has a substantially rectangular outer shape whose front and rear length is longer than the length in the left-right direction, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 23, the connector 7 is provided on the front side when the lower part 12 is divided into two equal parts, the front side and the rear side. Therefore, the connector 7 is disposed at the front portion of the device 1 in the same manner as the setting unit 2 and the holding unit 4.

The connector 7 is provided on the front surface of the lower part 12. The connector 7 is configured to connect a power cord, a USB cable, a LAN cable, and an RS232C cable. The electric wire 71 connected to the connector 7 is disposed so as to extend forward from the front surface of the device 1.

1st display 81 is attached to the upper part of connector 7 in the front part of device 1, as shown virtually in Drawing 1 and Drawing 23. The first display 81 has a liquid crystal panel, for example. The upper end of the first display 81 is attached between the set unit 2 and the holding unit 4 and the connector 7 on the front surface of the device 1.

The first display 81 is inclined obliquely downward and forward as it goes from the upper end to the lower end. The connector 7 is covered from above by the first display 81. When the device 1 is placed on the table 70, the connector 7 is hidden by the first display 81.

As shown in FIG. 23, the device 1 is placed, for example, near the upper edge of the table 70 with the front portion of the device 1 facing the person in charge.

The electric wire 71 connected to the connector 7 can be extended forward from the front surface of the device 1. The electric wire 71 can be extended downward from the edge of the table 70 as it is.

As described above, since the device 1 is provided with the connector 7 to which the electric wire 71 is connected on the front side of the device 1, the electric wire 71 can be extended toward the person in charge and placed on the table. . As a result, the electric wire 71 does not get in the way on the desktop.

In addition, by directing the connector 7 toward the person in charge, the electric wire 71 can be easily attached to and detached from the connector 7.

Moreover, since the set part 2 and the holding | maintenance part 4 are located in a line with the horizontal direction in the front part of the upper part 11, the person in charge who set | placed the banknote on the set part 2 is the same as it is, and the banknote from the holding | maintenance part 4 It can be taken out.

Further, since the first display 81 is arranged above the connector 7, the connector 7 can be hidden by the first display 81.

Moreover, since the 1st display 81 is attached between the set part 2 and the holding | maintenance part 4, and the connector 7, a person in charge puts a banknote in the set part 2, or a holding part, concealing the connector 7. The first display 81 does not get in the way when the bills are taken out from 4.

-Other forms of connectors-
In the above configuration, the connector 7 is provided on the front surface of the lower portion 12 in the apparatus 1. However, the connector 7 may be provided on the front side of the left side surface of the lower portion 12 or on the front side of the right side surface. You may make it provide. By providing the connector 7 on the side close to the person in charge in the apparatus 1, the electric wire 71 connected to the connector 7 does not get in the way on the desktop.

In the above configuration, both the setting unit 2 and the holding unit 4 are provided in the front part of the apparatus 1. Alternatively, the setting unit 2 may be provided at the front part of the device 1 and the holding unit 4 may be provided at the rear part of the device 1. In this configuration, it is desirable to provide the connector 7 at the front part of the device 1 provided with the set part 2. Further, the holding unit 4 may be provided at the front part of the device 1 and the set unit 2 may be provided at the rear part of the device 1. In this configuration, it is desirable to provide the connector 7 at the front of the device 1 provided with the holding unit 4.

(Display configuration)
As described above, the device 1 includes a plurality of

displays

81 and 82 on which at least the counting result of banknotes is displayed. Thus, for example, the first display 81 is mainly a display for the person in charge to see, and the second display 82 is mainly a display for the customer to see, so that both the person in charge and the customer can count the bill counting results. It can be easily confirmed. Each of the plurality of displays is preferably 4 inches or more, for example.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the place where the second display 82 is attached. As shown in FIG. 24, the second display 82 that is one of the plurality of displays is attached to the apparatus 1 via a display support portion 83. The display support portion 83 includes a support shaft 84 that extends in the vertical direction and a mount portion 85 that fixes the second display 82 to the support shaft 84. The display support unit 83 is installed in a mechanism 86 provided in the apparatus 1. Here, the mechanism 86 is configured such that the support shaft 84 is inserted.

The support shaft 84 is configured to be expandable and contractable within a predetermined range in the axial direction, that is, the vertical direction, and is configured to be rotatable around the axis. Thereby, the height of the second display 82 can be freely adjusted, and the direction of the second display 82 in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) can be freely adjusted. Further, the mount portion 85 is configured to be capable of adjusting the mounting angle of the second display 82 with respect to the support shaft 84. Thereby, the direction of the 2nd display 82 in an up-down direction can be adjusted freely. That is, the display support portion 83 is configured to be able to adjust the height and the orientation in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the second display 82. The configuration of the display support portion 83 is not limited to that shown here, and any configuration can be used as long as the display can be adjusted in height and in the vertical and horizontal directions. It doesn't matter.

Further, in the configuration described above, only one mechanism 86 capable of installing the display support portion 83 is provided at the rear right corner of the apparatus 1, but a plurality of mechanisms capable of installing the display support portion 83 are provided. It may be provided. And the attachment position of the 2nd display 82 can be easily changed by selecting the mechanism which installs the display support part 83 from these several mechanisms.

FIG. 25 is a plan view showing another configuration of the bill counting apparatus. In the configuration of FIG. 25, in addition to the mechanism 86,

mechanisms

86 a, 86 b and 86 c on which the display support portion 83 can be installed are provided. The mechanism 86a is provided at the rear left corner of the apparatus 1, the mechanism 86b is provided in front of the left side, and the mechanism 86c is provided in front of the right side. The attachment position of the second display 82 can be easily changed by selecting a mechanism for installing the display support portion 83 from among the

mechanisms

86, 86a, 86b, 86c.

As shown in FIG. 26, the apparatus 1 may be configured such that a first display 81, which is one of a plurality of displays, can be attached to and detached from the main body. For example,

support pieces

87a and 87b fixed by a torque hinge are provided at the rear part of the device 1, and claw

portions

88a and 88b provided on the back surface of the first display 81 are hooked and fixed to the

support pieces

87a and 87b. The configuration. When the first display 81 is removed from the device 1, the

support pieces

87 a and 87 b are preferably removable from the device 1. Further, the

claw portions

88a and 88b are preferably configured to be detachable from the first display 81. In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 26, the first display 81 needs to be operable even when it is detached from the main body of the apparatus 1. Therefore, for example, a rechargeable battery may be built in the first display 81 as a power source, or the first display 81 may be connected to the main body of the apparatus 1 with a power line. Moreover, what is necessary is just to make the 1st display 81 communicable with the apparatus 1 main body by radio | wireless or a wire for transmission / reception of a signal.

26, the first display 81 can be easily attached to and detached from the apparatus 1 main body. Accordingly, since the person in charge can perform, for example, a touch panel operation with the first display 81 removed from the main body of the apparatus 1, the operability of the person in charge is improved. Moreover, since the

support pieces

87a and 87b are being fixed to the apparatus 1 with the torque hinge, when the 1st display 81 is attached, the angle in an up-down direction can be adjusted freely. In addition, the structure which attaches a display is not restricted to what was shown here, What kind of thing may be sufficient if a display is removable to a main body. The first display 81 may be fixed to the device 1 with screws.

In addition, the structure of the banknote counting apparatus 1 mentioned above is an example to the last, and the structure of the banknote counting apparatus provided with the some display is not restricted to what was demonstrated here. For example, the installation position of the display, whether it is a touch panel or not, or whether it is for a person in charge or for a customer is not limited to that disclosed here. Although the device configuration including two displays has been described here, a device configuration including three or more displays may be used.

(Display of replacement chip pattern)
For example, the device 1 according to the present embodiment is installed in a game hall where a game using chips is performed. And the apparatus 1 is comprised so that the combination of the chip | tip which can be exchanged with the money amount which the count value of a banknote (henceforth a chip exchange pattern) is displayed on a screen display part. Thereby, the person in charge of a game can perform the exchange operation | work with a banknote and a chip | tip quickly and correctly.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration related to the display of the chip replacement pattern in the apparatus 1. A configuration that is not directly related to the display of the chip replacement pattern is not shown. As shown in FIG. 27, the apparatus 1 includes an operation input unit 66 that receives an operation input by a user such as a person in charge, a communication control unit 67 that controls communication with the outside, and a screen display unit (in this embodiment, A screen control unit 68 for controlling display contents of the first display 81 and the second display 82). In this embodiment, the operation input unit 66 is realized by a touch panel provided on the first display 81 that is a screen display unit for a person in charge. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be realized by switches or an operation panel provided in the main body of the apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the communication control unit 67 and the screen control unit 68 are realized as one function of the control unit 6 described above, and are realized by, for example, a combination of a microcomputer and a program. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be realized by a system LSI or the like independent of the control unit 6.

And the apparatus 1 is connected so that it can communicate with the high-order server 100 which manages the game hall centrally via the connector 7, for example. The communication control unit 67 receives information serving as a condition for generating a chip exchange pattern from the upper server 100 and sends it to the screen control unit 68. The conditions for generating the chip exchange pattern are, for example, the minimum and maximum values of the usage unit amount in the game using the chip, denomination information indicating the type of the chip amount, and the like. For example, the host server 100 transmits to the device 1 information that serves as a condition for generating a chip replacement pattern in the table on which the device 1 is placed before the game hall starts business. For example, here, information such as a minimum value $ 25, a maximum value $ 1000, and a chip denomination $ 25, $ 50, $ 100 is transmitted to the apparatus 1.

When the device 1 counts banknotes, the screen control unit 68 generates a chip exchange pattern corresponding to the count value and displays it on the first display 81 and the second display 82. The generation of the chip exchange pattern is automatically performed based on the information transmitted in advance from the upper server 100. The arithmetic processing at this time can be executed by, for example, a known exchange algorithm. As will be described later, the chip exchange pattern displayed on the screen may be a plurality of types or a single type. In the present embodiment, the screen control unit 68 has a candidate display mode for displaying a plurality of types of chip replacement patterns together on the screen. The display of the chip replacement pattern is executed, for example, at the timing when the operation input unit 66 is operated.

When the exchange of bills and chips is performed, the communication control unit 67 transmits information on the denomination and number of the exchanged bills to the upper server 100. Thereby, the game hall can easily manage the deposit information.

28A to 28C are examples of screen display. 28A to 28C are assumed to be displayed on the first display 81. Although the same display is made on the second display 82 which is a display screen for customers, the touch panel is not provided on the second display 82, so no touch button is displayed.

FIG. 28A is an example of a screen display when banknotes are counted, and “$ 800” is displayed as the count value D1. D2 is a currency display, and in the figure, the currency code “HKD” of Hong Kong dollar is displayed. D3 is an approval button. When the counting result is approved by the customer, the person in charge presses (touches) the approval button D3 to switch to the display screen of the chip exchange pattern.

FIG. 28B shows an example of a chip exchange pattern display screen, in which plural types (four types in the figure) of chip exchange patterns C1 to C4 are displayed. That is, FIG. 28B is an example of the candidate display mode described above. Since various chip exchange patterns exist, a characteristic chip exchange pattern can be generated by giving a predetermined constraint condition to the generation algorithm.

For example, the chip replacement pattern C1 is given a constraint that “use only the minimum amount of chips”. As a result, a chip replacement pattern C1 including only $ 25 chips, which is the minimum amount here, is generated. The chip replacement pattern C2 is provided with the constraint that “only two types of small chips are used” & “the variation in the total amount of money for each chip is minimum”. As a result, a chip exchange pattern C2 is generated that includes chips of $ 25 and $ 50, and the total amount for each chip is $ 400. The chip replacement pattern C3 is provided with a constraint condition of “use all replaceable chips” & “prioritize small amount chips”. As a result, a chip exchange pattern C3 of 1 $ 100 chip, 2 $ 50 chips, and 24 $ 25 chips is generated. The chip replacement pattern C4 is provided with a constraint that “use all replaceable chips” & “the variation in the total amount of money for each chip is a predetermined value or less”. As a result, a relatively well-balanced chip exchange pattern C4 of three $ 100 chips, five $ 50 chips, and ten $ 25 chips is generated.

FIG. 28C is an example of a display screen of the selected chip replacement pattern, and shows a case where the chip replacement pattern C4 is selected from the screen of FIG. 28B. In FIG. 28C, the chip replacement pattern C4 is displayed alone on the screen. In addition, illustrations imitating real chips are used to make it intuitive and easy to understand. In order to display the chip replacement pattern in an easy-to-understand manner, for example, each chip may be displayed in accordance with the actual color of the chip.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the apparatus 1 and the person in charge operating it from the bill counting to the chip exchange. First, when a person in charge receives a banknote from a customer seeking chip replacement (S11), the person in charge sets the banknote in the setting unit 2 of the apparatus 1 and executes counting (S12). When the counting is completed, the device 1 displays the counting result on the first display 81 and the second display 82 (S13). The screen at this time is as shown in FIG. 28A, for example.

The person in charge puts the counted banknote into, for example, a collection box installed in the amusement hall, and approves the counting result (S14). The approval here is performed, for example, by touching the approval button D3 on the screen of FIG. 28A. Then, the device 1 displays the chip replacement pattern on the first display 81 and the second display 82 (S15). The screen at this time is as shown in FIG. 28B, for example. The customer looks at the second display 82 which is a display screen for the customer and tells the person in charge the desired chip replacement pattern. The person in charge selects a chip replacement pattern according to the customer's instruction (S16). Here, the person in charge touches the position of the chip replacement pattern notified by the customer on the first display 81 which is a display screen for the person in charge.

The apparatus 1 displays the selected chip replacement pattern on the first display 81 and the second display 82 (S17). The screen at this time is as shown in FIG. 28C, for example. The person in charge delivers the chip to the customer according to the displayed chip replacement pattern (S18). If a fraction is given to the count value at the time of chip exchange, the amount of the fraction may be displayed on the screen together with the chip exchange pattern so that the amount is returned when the chip is delivered to the customer.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first and

second displays

81 and 82 for displaying the count value of the banknote can be exchanged for the amount of money represented by the count value D1 of the banknote under the control of the screen control unit 68. Chip exchange patterns C1 to C4 indicating the combination of chips can be displayed. For this reason, when the apparatus 1 is installed, for example, in a game arcade where a game using chips is performed, the person in charge of the game can quickly and accurately perform the exchange operation of bills and chips. In addition, since the chip exchange patterns C1 to C4 are generated using the minimum and maximum values of the usage unit amount in the game and the denomination information indicating the type of the amount of the chip, the device 1 can be used according to the situation. Accurate chip exchange patterns C1 to C4 can be displayed.

In the above embodiment, a plurality of types of chip replacement patterns are displayed on the screen (candidate display mode), and the customer selects one of the chip replacement patterns. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. It is not something that can be done. For example, the control may be performed such that one type of chip replacement pattern is first displayed on the screen, and if the customer does not like the chip replacement pattern, the next chip replacement pattern is displayed on the screen.

In the above embodiment, the chip replacement pattern selected in the candidate display mode is again displayed alone as shown in FIG. 28C, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 30, the selected chip replacement pattern C4 may be highlighted and displayed on the candidate display mode screen. As a mode of emphasis, as shown in FIG. 30, enlargement, edging, highlighting, and various other things can be considered.

Further, the constraint conditions for generating the chip exchange pattern are not limited to those described above, and various other conditions can be considered. For example, there are constrained conditions such as limiting the upper limit number of chips, giving priority to expensive chips, and avoiding specific chips. Further, these constraint conditions may be transmitted from the upper server 100. For example, the constraint condition may be transmitted before the start of business, or the priority order of the constraint condition may be changed according to the customer.

Further, in the above embodiment, the apparatus 1 has two screen display parts, the first and

second displays

81 and 82, and the chip exchange pattern is displayed on each screen display part. It is not limited to. The number of screen display units may be one, or three or more. When there are a plurality of screen display units, the chip replacement pattern may be displayed only on a part of the screen display units.

(Display mode for currency identification information and count values)
31A and 31B are examples of display screens showing both currency identification information and banknote count values. In the example of FIGS. 31A and 31B, a currency code is displayed on the screen as an example of currency identification information. “HKD” is the currency code of Hong Kong dollar. In FIG. 31A, the bill count value VL is displayed at the center of the screen, and the currency identification information CI1 is displayed small at the upper left of the screen. On the other hand, in FIG. 31B, the currency identification information CI2 is displayed large on the left hand of the screen. In the present embodiment, the screen control unit 68 has a display mode (first mode) showing a screen as shown in FIG. 31A as a display mode for currency identification information and banknote count values, and the display mode for currency identification information is first. This mode is different from the mode and has a screen (second mode) as shown in FIG. 31B. That is, in the second mode, the currency identification information CI2 is displayed with more emphasis compared to the first mode.

And the screen control unit 68 can switch the display mode of the currency identification information and the bill count value according to the operation state of the apparatus 1. For example, in the counting state in which the device 1 is performing the counting operation, the first mode (FIG. 31A) is used so that the count value of the banknote is easier to see, while in the standby state in which the device 1 is not performing the counting operation, The second mode (FIG. 31B) is used so that the currency type to be counted is easier to understand.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the screen display according to the operating state of the apparatus 1. 32 is assumed to be displayed on the first display 81. Although the same display is made on the second display 82 which is a display screen for customers, the touch panel is not provided on the second display 82, so no touch button is displayed.

First, FIG. 32A shows an example of a screen when the apparatus 1 is on standby. The screen control unit 68 uses the second mode, and currency identification information is displayed large. At this time, when the person in charge changes the currency type via the operation input unit 66 (here, the touch panel of the first display 81), the content of the currency identification information changes. “MOP” is the currency code of Macau Pataca. The person in charge receives the banknote from the customer, sets the banknote in the setting unit 2 of the apparatus 1, and performs an operation of starting counting. Then, the screen control unit 68 switches the display mode to the first mode. Thereby, it changes to a screen like FIG.32 (b), the display of currency identification information becomes small, and the counted value of a banknote becomes more conspicuous. When the counting is completed, a screen as shown in FIG. When the person in charge depresses the “ACCEPT” button on the touch panel, count value confirmation processing is performed, and after the confirmation processing ends, the screen control unit 68 switches the display mode to the second mode. As a result, the screen returns to the screen as shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the currency control information indicating the currency type set as the counting target and the count value of the banknote are combined in the first and

second displays

81 and 82 by the control of the screen control unit 68. Displayed. Thereby, the person in charge who operates apparatus 1 and the customer who uses apparatus 1 can recognize easily which kind of currency was counted with the counting result of a bill. Moreover, since there are two types of display modes in which the display mode of the currency identification information is different as the display mode of the currency identification information and the count value, for example, the display mode of the currency identification information is appropriately set according to the operating state of the bill counting device 1. Can be selected.

In the above embodiment, the screen control unit 68 has two types of display modes indicating both the currency identification information and the bill count value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may have more than one display mode. Alternatively, it may have only one type of fixed display mode.

Further, in the above embodiment, the description has been given using the currency code as an example of the currency identification information to be displayed. However, the currency identification information is not limited to the currency code, for example, an illustration representing the currency name and currency. Or images may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the device 1 has two screen display parts, the first and

second displays

81 and 82, and displays both the currency identification information and the bill count value on each screen display part. However, this is not a limitation. The number of screen display units may be one, or three or more. Moreover, when there are a plurality of screen display units, both the currency identification information and the bill count value may be displayed only on some screen display units.

Also, the timing for switching the display mode is not limited to that described above. For example, the timing at which the sensor detects that a bill has been placed on the set unit 2, the timing at which the first bill has passed through the identification unit 3, as the timing for switching from the second mode to the first mode for displaying currency identification information large, You may use the timing etc. when the first banknote came out to the holding | maintenance part 4. FIG. Further, a mode for emphasizing and displaying the currency identification information may be used when the apparatus 1 authenticates the person in charge, for example, by reading an ID card, or when changing the setting.

In the above embodiment, the display size of the currency identification information is changed between a plurality of display modes, but the method of changing the display mode of the currency identification information is not limited to this. For example, the color or pattern attached to the currency identification information may be changed, or the brightness to be displayed may be changed. Alternatively, the currency identification information may be displayed blinking in the first mode and displayed without blinking in the second mode.

-Examples of other display modes-
33A and 33B are other examples of display screens showing both the currency identification information and the bill count value. In FIG. 33A, a currency image color, that is, a color (for example, red) representing a currency type is displayed as the currency identification information CI3. On the other hand, in FIG. 33B, the currency code and the image color are displayed together as the currency identification information CI4. That is, the screen control unit 68 displays the currency identification information and the count value of the banknote as a display mode (first mode) for displaying the currency type only in color as shown in FIG. 33A and a currency type as shown in FIG. 33B. May be displayed in characters and colors (second mode). That is, in the second mode, the currency identification information CI4 is displayed more emphasized than in the first mode. And the screen control part 68 uses a 1st mode (FIG. 33A) on the other hand so that it may become easy to see the count value of a banknote in the count state which the banknote counter 1 is performing count operation, for example. In the standby state where 1 is not performing the counting operation, the second mode (FIG. 33B) may be used so that the currency type to be counted is more easily understood.

34A and 34B are other examples of display screens showing both currency identification information and banknote count values. In FIG. 34A, a plurality of currency types (“HKD” Hong Kong dollars and “MOP” Macau Patacas in the figure) that are counted by the bill counting device 1 are displayed as the currency identification information CI5. On the other hand, in FIG. 34B, a plurality of currency types that are candidates for counting are displayed as the currency identification information CI6, and the currency type set as the counting target (here, “HKD” Hong Kong dollar) is compared with other currency types. Is highlighted. In the example of FIG. 34B, “HKD” is highlighted, while the display brightness of “MOP” is lowered. That is, the screen control unit 68 has a display mode for highlighting the currency type set as the counting target as compared with other currency types, as shown in FIG. 34B, as the display mode of the currency identification information and the bill count value. You may do it. For example, when the device 1 has a currency type recognition function, the screen control unit 68 emphasizes the currency type recognized by the device 1 as shown in FIG. 34B when counting the set banknotes. You may make it display.

In addition, when the apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is installed, for example, in a game hall where a game using chips is performed, the bill count value data may be displayed on a monitor provided in the game hall. Is possible. For example, the device 1 is connected to an information system constructed in a game arcade by wire or wireless, and the count data counted by the device 1 can be transmitted to the information system. The transmitted count value is displayed on a monitor connected to the information system via a network. Thereby, the customer of a game hall can see the count value of a banknote through the monitor of a game hall. In this case, the second display 82 that is a screen display unit for customers provided in the apparatus 1 may be omitted.

In addition, although the above description was performed taking the banknote counting device as an example, the display of the currency identification information and the count value as described above may be applied to, for example, a coin counting device that counts coins. Or you may apply also to the apparatus which counts both a banknote and a coin. That is, the contents of the present disclosure can be applied to a money counting apparatus capable of counting money for a plurality of types of currencies.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bill counting device 2 Set part 3 Identification part 31 Optical sensor 32 Thickness sensor 33 Magnetic sensor 36 Guide roller 4 Holding part 5 Conveyance part 50 Openings 51-53 1st-3rd conveyance path 55-57 1st-3rd guide 510 cover member B banknote

Claims

A bill counting device configured to identify and count bills,
A set unit configured to set the bills to be counted; and
An identification unit configured to identify and count the bills fed out from the set unit;
A holding unit configured to hold the banknote after the identification unit performs identification;
It has a conveyance path which connects between the set part and the holding part, and after conveying the bills drawn out from the set part one by one through the identification part, it conveys to the holding part A configured transport unit; and
The set part is configured to be able to see at least a part of the banknote set in the set part,
The holding unit is configured to be able to see at least a part of the banknote held in the holding unit,
The banknote counting device is configured so that at least a part of the banknote can be always seen while the banknote is being transported along the transport path.
The said conveyance path is comprised by the guide arrange | positioned so as to oppose the surface and the back surface of the said banknote conveyed, The opening part opened along the said conveyance path is provided between the said guides. ,
2. The bill counting device according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit transports the bills along the transport path in a state in which a part of the bills protrudes from the opening.
The identification part is configured in a tunnel shape having an entrance part into which the banknote enters and an exit part from which the banknote exits,
When the banknote passes, the identification unit is in a state where a part of the banknote in the transport direction is out of the exit part, and a part of the banknote in the transport direction rear side is before the entrance part. The bill counting device according to claim 2, wherein the bill counting device has a shape to be in a state.
The set part is configured to set the banknote in a state where the banknote is opened at least upward and is set up with the longitudinal edge of the banknote down.
The opening part of the conveyance path is opened upward, and the conveyance part is configured to convey longitudinally in a state where the banknote is stood so that the upper part of the banknote jumps out of the opening part,
The said holding | maintenance part is comprised so that the said banknote may be hold | maintained in the state which was open | released at least upwards and stood up with the longitudinal edge of the said banknote facing down. The bill counting device described in 1.
The identification unit includes an optical sensor that acquires images of the front and back surfaces of the banknote, a thickness sensor that detects the thickness of the banknote, and a magnetic sensor that detects magnetic characteristics of the banknote,
The optical sensor is arranged to extend over the entire short length of the banknote conveyed longitudinally in an upright state,
The thickness sensor and the magnetic sensor are respectively disposed below the opening and at a height corresponding to a portion of the banknote covered by the guide. The bill counting device described.
6. The bill counting device according to claim 5, wherein the optical sensor, the thickness sensor, and the magnetic sensor are arranged in order in the transport direction of the bill.
The set part is configured to set the banknote in a state where the banknote is opened at least upward and is set up with the longitudinal edge of the banknote down.
The opening part of the conveyance path is opened upward, and the conveyance part is configured to convey longitudinally in a state where the banknote is stood so that the upper part of the banknote jumps out of the opening part,
The holding part is configured to hold the banknote in a state where the holding part is open at least upward and is set up with a longitudinal edge of the banknote down.
4. The bill counting device according to claim 3, wherein the inlet portion of the identification unit is inclined so as to have an upward slope with respect to a transport direction of the bill.
The bill counting device according to claim 7, wherein the guide roller for feeding the bill into the identification unit is disposed at a position in the transport direction corresponding to the inclined portion of the inlet portion.
A cover member that is provided so as to cover the banknote that has jumped out of the opening and is made of a light-transmitting material;
9. The system according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the banknotes transported along the transport path can be always viewed through the cover member. The bill counting device described in 1.
At least a part of the transport path is made of a light transmissive material,
It is configured that at least a part of the banknotes being conveyed along the conveyance path can be always seen through the portion constituted by the light-transmitting material in the conveyance path. The bill counting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: