Banknote processing device

Abstract

To provide a highly reliable banknote processing device.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: A banknote processing device 10 includes: a lower unit 200 with a plurality of banknote cassettes 210 for accommodating banknotes arranged in a short direction; and an upper unit 100 located above the lower unit and movable in a direction 510 in which the plurality of banknote cassettes are arranged, for inserting and removing banknotes from the upper side of the corresponding banknote cassette among the plurality of banknote cassettes in the longitudinal direction of the banknote cassette. Since banknotes are inserted and removed from the upper side of the banknote cassettes 210 in the longitudinal direction of the banknote cassettes, abnormalities in banknotes that cause them to be damaged or go missing when they are inserted and removed are prevented, thereby improving reliability.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a banknote processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Inside an automated teller machine (ATM) installed in financial institutions, stores, etc., there is provided a banknote processing apparatus that performs deposit and withdrawal processing of banknotes. As banknote processing apparatuses, for example, those described in Japanese Patent No. 3697116 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent No. 5092598 (Patent Document 2) are known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] With the recent spread of electronic money and the like, the growth rate of the number of newly installed ATMs that handle cash has been on a decreasing trend. Under this situation, the demand for cost reduction per ATM device has become even greater than before. Along with this, there may also be a demand for an increase in the banknote processing capacity per ATM device. However, simply increasing the banknote processing capacity increases the footprint of the ATM device, making it difficult to install the ATM device in a store with limited space.

[0005] Conventional banknote processing devices often consist of multiple banknote cassettes with stacking and separating functions, connected by a banknote transport path to a processing unit that handles banknote deposits, withdrawals, authentication, and temporary holding. The banknote processing device described in Patent Document 1 achieves a lower cost and simpler device configuration compared to the banknote processing device described in Patent Document 2 by standardizing the separation and dispensing mechanism of each banknote storage unit and shortening the banknote transport path.

[0006] However, in the device described in Patent Document 1, the deposit / withdrawal unit (C2) moves over the top of the banknote storage compartments (c1~c5) to deposit and withdraw banknotes. Therefore, the stage section (102) rises through the banknote entry / exit (101) at the top of the banknote storage compartments (c1~c5), and is structured to enter the lower part of the deposit / withdrawal unit (C2). Consequently, the device described in Patent Document 1 requires precise positioning control between the deposit / withdrawal unit (C2) and each banknote storage compartment (c1~c5). Furthermore, in the device described in Patent Document 1, because the banknote entry / exit (101) at the top of each banknote storage compartment (c1~c5) is open, if an abnormality such as a jam occurs during banknote accumulation or dispensing, the banknote may remain around the banknote entry / exit (101), and when the deposit / withdrawal unit (C2) moves, the banknote may be damaged or lost.

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable banknote processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, a banknote processing device according to the present invention comprises a lower unit having a plurality of banknote cassettes for storing banknotes arranged in a row in the short direction, and an upper unit located above the lower unit and movable in the direction in which the plurality of banknote cassettes are arranged, and which inserts and removes banknotes from the upper side of a corresponding banknote cassette in the longitudinal direction of the banknote cassette. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, since banknotes are inserted and removed from the upper side of the banknote cassette in the longitudinal direction of the banknote cassette, it is possible to suppress damage or loss of banknotes due to abnormalities during insertion and removal, thereby improving reliability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] External view of a banknote processing device. [Figure 2] External view of an ATM device with a built-in banknote processing unit. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of a banknote processing device. [Figure 4] Side view of a banknote processing device. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of a banknote processing device. [Figure 6] A perspective view of a banknote cassette. [Figure 7] Diagram illustrating the deposit counting process. [Figure 8] Diagram illustrating the deposit collection process. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram of the deposit collection process, showing the operation of the push plate. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram of the deposit collection process, showing how banknotes are transferred between the upper unit and the banknote cassette. [Figure 11] An explanatory diagram showing how to handle banknotes when banknotes of a different denomination are being transported to the banknote cassette. [Figure 12] Diagram illustrating the withdrawal process. [Figure 13] A diagram illustrating the withdrawal process, following Figure 12. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In this embodiment, a banknote processing device 10 that improves reliability by inserting and removing banknotes in the longitudinal direction from the upper side of the banknote cassette 210 will be described. [Examples]

[0012] The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the banknote processing apparatus 10. FIG. 2 shows an external view of the ATM apparatus 1. FIG. 3 shows a front view of the banknote processing apparatus 10. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the banknote processing apparatus 10. In the following drawings, for ease of understanding, some parts may be shown transparently.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the banknote processing apparatus 10 is composed of an upper unit 100 and a lower unit 200. The upper unit 100 has functions as a deposit / withdrawal port for depositing and withdrawing banknotes, a function of discriminating banknotes, a function of temporarily holding banknotes in deposit / withdrawal paper processing, and a separation / accumulation function of taking out and storing banknotes from the lower unit 200, as will be described later.

[0014] A plurality of banknote cassettes 210a to 210e are arranged side by side in the lower unit 200. The upper unit 100 runs on rails ********a, ********b provided in the arrangement direction of the banknote cassettes 210a to 210e as shown by arrow 510. Hereinafter, when not distinguishing between the banknote cassettes 210a to 210e, they are referred to as the banknote cassette 210. When not distinguishing between the rails ********a, ********b, they are also referred to as the rail 300. Inside the banknote cassette 210, a stage portion 212 for placing banknotes and moving them up and down is provided.

[0015] The ATM apparatus 1 controls the banknote processing apparatus 10 according to operations from the user. When the upper unit 100 reaches the target banknote cassette 210, it stops and performs deposit / withdrawal processing of banknotes in the direction of arrow 520. Arrow 520 indicates the general direction of banknote conveyance. Although details will be described later, banknotes are conveyed in their longitudinal direction (so-called longitudinal conveyance), and are deposited / withdrawn (put in and taken out) longitudinally from the upper side of the banknote cassette 210.

[0016] In conventional banknote processing apparatuses, banknotes are often conveyed in their short-side direction. However, one of the features of this embodiment is that banknotes are put in and taken out longitudinally from the upper side of the banknote cassette 210.

[0017] It should be noted that there are some tags with incomplete numbers in the original text (such as etc.), which may affect the integrity of the understanding of the translated text. If possible, it is recommended to provide complete and accurate information for a more accurate translation.Each banknote cassette 210 contains banknotes of predetermined denominations. One or more of the banknote cassettes 210 can be used as collection cassettes to collect banknotes that cannot be recycled, such as severely damaged banknotes (defective banknotes) or banknotes of unknown authenticity (counterfeit banknotes), or they can be used as loading and collection cassettes to collect banknotes from other banknote cassettes or, conversely, to replenish banknotes in other cassettes.

[0018] The upper unit 100 further includes a wireless power supply unit 190. Each banknote cassette 210 has a receiving unit 230. The upper unit 100 supplies power wirelessly from the wireless power supply unit 190 to the receiving unit 230 of the banknote cassette located below it (corresponding banknote cassette).

[0019] Figure 2 illustrates the outline of the ATM device 1 that uses the banknote processing device 10. The ATM device 1 includes, for example, a card / receipt slot 2, a passbook slot 3, a banknote slot 4, a coin slot 5, and a customer operation unit 6.

[0020] Card / Statement Slot 2 is a mechanism for taking in cash cards and credit cards inserted by ATM users, and for ejecting the inserted cards and statements. Passbook Slot 3 is a mechanism for taking in passbooks inserted by ATM users, and for ejecting the inserted passbooks. Banknote Slot 4 is a mechanism for inserting and removing banknotes when ATM users deposit or withdraw banknotes. Coin Slot 5 is a mechanism for inserting and removing coins when ATM users deposit or withdraw coins. Customer Operation Unit 6 consists of an ATM operation screen display and a touch panel for ATM users to input operations.

[0021] A banknote processing device 10 is located below the banknote slot 4. Banknotes inserted through the banknote slot 4 are authenticated by the banknote processing device 10 and stored in banknote cassettes 210 of the predetermined denominations. In the case of withdrawal, the banknote processing device 10 takes banknotes from the banknote cassettes 210 of the predetermined denominations and sends them to the banknote slot 4.

[0022] Figure 5 is a detailed front view of the upper unit 100. The upper unit 100 consists of a processing mechanism 100a that primarily performs banknote identification, stacking, and separation, and a storage mechanism 100b that performs banknote deposits, withdrawals, and temporary holding. The processing mechanism 100a is an example of a "banknote processing unit". The storage mechanism 100b is an example of a "banknote storage unit". The upper unit 100 is movably mounted above the lower unit 200 such that the separation and stacking mechanism 108 covers the banknote opening 214.

[0023] The processing mechanism 100a includes a control unit 101, a recognition unit 102 as a "banknote recognition unit", a separation mechanism 104, a stacking mechanism 106, a separation and stacking mechanism 108 as a "separation and stacking unit", a transport path 110, and a switching gate 112.

[0024] The control unit 101 controls the operation of the banknote processing device 10 and operates according to instructions from the control device (not shown) of the ATM device 1.

[0025] The identification unit 102 performs tasks such as determining whether a banknote is genuine or damaged and identifying its denomination. The separation mechanism 104 takes in banknotes from the storage mechanism unit 100b. The stacking mechanism 106 stores the banknotes into the storage mechanism unit 100b. The separation and stacking mechanism 108 stores and dispenses banknotes in and out of the banknote cassette 210. The transport path 110 transports banknotes longitudinally within the processing mechanism unit 100a. The switching gate 112 switches the direction of banknote transport within the processing mechanism unit 100a.

[0026] One of the features of the banknote processing device 10 of this embodiment is that the functional unit 108, which separates and stacks banknotes with respect to the banknote cassette 210, is provided only within the processing mechanism 100a of the upper unit 100, and not in each banknote cassette 210. The banknote processing device 10 of this embodiment simplifies the overall configuration and reduces manufacturing costs by integrating the functions of separating and stacking banknotes, identifying banknotes, and temporarily holding banknotes within the upper unit 100.

[0027] In Figure 5, a thickness detection sensor (not shown) is positioned near the left side of the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 to detect overlapping (double feeding) of banknotes dispensed from the banknote cassette 210.

[0028] The identification unit 102 mainly consists of a thickness detection sensor, an image detection sensor, and a magnetic sensor (all symbols omitted). The image detection sensor acquires an image of the banknote. The magnetic sensor reads the magnetic code provided on the banknote.

[0029] The separation mechanism 104 comprises a feed roller 104a and a gate roller 104b. Together with the pickup roller 158, which will be described later, the separation mechanism 104 has the function of separating and dispensing banknotes one by one from the storage mechanism 100b.

[0030] Each roller is surrounded by a high-friction material such as rubber. The banknotes, picked up one by one by the pickup roller 158, are drawn into the transport path 110 by the feed roller 104a. At this time, a gate roller 104b, which does not rotate in the banknote transport direction due to a one-way clutch, prevents double feeding of banknotes.

[0031] The stacking mechanism 106 mainly consists of a pair of rollers for transporting banknotes. Together with the alignment mechanism 160, which will be described later, the stacking mechanism 106 stacks banknotes one by one into the storage mechanism section 100b while aligning them.

[0032] The details of the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 will be described later, but the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 consists of a pickup roller, a feed roller, an impeller, a gate roller, and the like.

[0033] The storage mechanism 100b includes a banknote entry / exit 150 located at the top, a top plate 152, a push plate 154, and a bottom plate 156. The top plate 152 and the push plate 154 can move up and down together or individually. Banknotes are inserted onto the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 from the direction of arrow 530 through the upper banknote entry / exit 150. As described later, by moving the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 in the vertical direction, the storage mechanism 100b can function as both a banknote entry / exit slot and a banknote temporary holding section. The pickup roller 158 contacts the top banknote among the banknotes accumulated on the top plate 152 and the push plate 154, picks it up, and passes the banknotes one by one to the separation mechanism 104.

[0034] The alignment mechanism 160 restricts the positions of the banknotes on both the left and right sides (both sides in the short direction) in the direction of banknote release to prevent the banknotes released from the stacking mechanism 106 into the storage mechanism section 100b from scattering. As described later, depending on the processing, banknotes may be stored between the top plate 152 and the pressing plate 154. The top plate 152 has a hole (not shown) through which the pickup roller 158 passes, and the pickup roller 158 located at the top of the top plate 152 can scrape out banknotes between the top plate 152 and the pressing plate 154.

[0035] The upper unit 100 is equipped with running rollers 180a and 180b. As each running roller 180a and 180b rotates on rails 300a and 300b, the upper unit 100 moves along the upper side of the lower unit 200.

[0036] Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the banknote cassette 210. The banknote cassette 210 includes a stage section 212, a drive section 212A, an opening 214, a shutter section 216, and a handle 218.

[0037] The stage unit 212 holds stacks of banknotes and moves up and down within the banknote cassette 210. The drive unit 212A moves the stage unit 212 up and down. The opening 214 facilitates the exchange of banknotes with the upper unit 100.

[0038] The shutter unit 216 opens and closes the opening 214. The shutter unit 216 is designed to slide open in the direction of arrow 540, either manually or by an actuator (not shown), when the banknote cassette 210 is loaded into the lower unit 200, so as not to interfere with the handling of banknotes. The handle 218 is used by maintenance personnel or security guards when removing the banknote cassette 210 from the banknote processing device 10 and carrying it.

[0039] As described above, the banknote cassette 210 does not have a mechanism for stacking or separating banknotes. In this embodiment, each banknote cassette 210 of the banknote processing device 10 achieves the stacking and separation of banknotes in the banknote cassette 210 by sharing the separation and stacking mechanism 108 provided in the upper unit 100.

[0040] The dimensions of the shutter portion 216 will now be explained. Of the two sides of the rectangular shutter portion 216, the dimension of the side corresponding to the shorter side of the banknote (the bidirectional arrow 216X in Figure 6) is set to be slightly longer than the length of the banknote in the shorter side. Of the sides of the shutter portion 216, the dimension of the side corresponding to the longer side of the banknote (the bidirectional arrow 216Y in Figure 6) is set to be shorter than the length of the banknote in the longer side. In other words, it is preferable that the area of ​​the shutter portion 216 be set to the minimum area necessary for the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 in the upper unit 100 to contact the banknotes in the banknote cassette 210 through the opening 214 and dispense (separate) the banknotes one by one. By setting the area of ​​the shutter portion 216, that is, the area of ​​the opening 214, to the minimum necessary for the passage of banknotes, banknotes can be inserted and removed one by one with high reliability.

[0041] Power and communication to the actuators and sensors built into the banknote cassette 210 may be provided from the banknote processing unit 10 via a detachable power connector (not shown) provided on the banknote cassette 210.

[0042] The system is not limited to this configuration. As shown in Figure 1, a wireless power supply unit 190 may be provided on the upper unit 100, and a receiving unit 230 may be provided on each banknote cassette 210, allowing for wireless power supply and communication from the upper unit 100 to the banknote cassette 210 directly below it. In other words, when the upper unit 100 is positioned above a predetermined banknote cassette 210 to insert or remove banknotes, wireless power supply and communication are performed between it and that banknote cassette 210. This eliminates the need for connectors for wired connections, and allows the single wireless power supply unit (wireless power supply board) 190 mounted on the upper unit 100 to be shared among the banknote cassettes 210, simplifying the configuration of the banknote processing device 10 and reducing its manufacturing cost.

[0043] As described above, in the banknote processing device 10 of this embodiment, an opening 214 for banknotes to pass through is provided on the upper side (upper left side in Figure 1) of the banknote cassette 210, and the upper unit 100 is movably mounted above the lower unit 200 such that the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 covers the opening 214. The upper unit 100 moves back and forth along the upper surface of the lower unit 200 in the direction in which each banknote cassette 210 is arranged, without interfering with the banknote cassette 210, and when it reaches a predetermined banknote cassette 210, it wirelessly supplies power and communicates with that predetermined banknote cassette 210, and also inserts and removes banknotes.

[0044] The processing mechanism 100a of the upper unit 100 is provided so as to cover the opening 214 and protrude slightly from the side of the banknote cassette 210. The area of ​​the opening 214 is set to the minimum necessary for banknotes to pass through, thereby preventing jams from occurring when inserting or removing banknotes, and preventing banknotes from falling out of the banknote cassette 210 during separation and stacking, thus improving reliability.

[0045] Next, we will explain the processes performed by the banknote processing device 10. The banknote processing device 10 performs three main processes: (1) deposit counting, (2) deposit collection, and (3) withdrawal.

[0046] Deposit counting is a process in which the denomination and number of banknotes inserted by a user during a deposit transaction are determined by the identification unit 102, which identifies the denomination, and by temporarily holding the banknotes while determining their authenticity and whether they are genuine or damaged.

[0047] The deposit and collection process is the process of storing the temporarily held, confirmed banknotes into a designated banknote cassette 210 after the denomination and number of banknotes inserted by the user have been determined in the deposit counting process (after the user has approved the counting result).

[0048] The withdrawal process involves dispensing banknotes of the denominations and quantities specified by the user from a designated banknote cassette 210 and transporting them to the storage mechanism 100b, which serves as the withdrawal slot.

[0049] The deposit counting process will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7 is a simplified explanatory diagram to make the operation of the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 easier to understand.

[0050] (1A) Normal deposit counting process

[0051] Figures 7(1) to 7(3) are used to explain the movement of the banknotes 700 during normal deposit counting and the operation of the top plate 152 and the pressing plate 154. As shown by the arrow 530 in Figure 7(1), the banknotes 700 to be deposited are placed on the top plate 152 and the pressing plate 154 either by being inserted from the top of the storage mechanism 100b or by a banknote taking mechanism (not shown).

[0052] As shown in Figure 7(2), the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 rise together until the topmost banknote of the placed banknotes 700 comes into contact with the upper pickup roller (see reference numeral 158 in Figure 3). As a result, the banknotes are accumulated on the bottom plate 156 one by one along the route shown by the thick arrow, with the denomination being determined and the number of banknotes being counted. In the same manner, once all the banknotes have accumulated on the bottom plate 156, the banknote dispensing operation is completed, and the process moves on to confirming the counting results with the user.

[0053] (1B) Counting of deposits when rejected banknotes exist

[0054] The process for counting banknotes that cannot be accepted when they are inserted by the user will be explained using Figures 7(1), 7(2), and 7(4) to 7(6). As shown in Figures 7(1) and 7(2), if a rejected banknote 702 is detected while the banknotes on the top plate 152 and the pressing plate 154 are being transported onto the bottom plate 156, as shown in Figure 7(4), the transport of the rejected banknote 702 is temporarily stopped.

[0055] Then, only the press plate 154 is lowered as indicated by the arrow. As shown in Figure 7(5), the rejected banknote 702 is transported onto the press plate 154. As shown in Figure 7(6), the press plate 154 is raised again, and the remaining banknotes are transported between the press plate 154 and the bottom plate 156. In other words, ultimately the rejected banknote 702 is contained in the space between the top plate 152 and the press plate 154, and all the other banknotes are on the bottom plate 156. The rejected banknote 702 can also be returned to the user by moving the top plate 152 aside. Alternatively, the rejected banknote 702 can be dispensed again, examined again, and if it is determined not to be a rejected banknote, it may be placed on top of the other banknotes on the bottom plate 156.

[0056] (2) Payment collection processing

[0057] The deposit and collection process will be explained using Figures 8 and 9. After the deposit counting process is completed and the user approves the type and number of banknotes inserted, in Figure 7(3), the push plate 154 is moved under the banknotes 700 that are placed on the bottom plate 156 and towards the upper separation mechanism 104 (not shown) to dispense the banknotes 700 (banknote pick-up operation). Figures 8(1) and 8(2) schematically illustrate this process.

[0058] Figures 8(1) and 8(2) show dashed arrows indicating that the press plate 154 retracts to the right in the figure and goes under the banknote 700. In reality, as shown in Figure 9, the press plate 154 retracts in the direction towards the back (Z direction) in Figure 8 and goes under the banknote 700. Multiple recesses are formed on the upper surface of the base plate 156, with its Z-direction end open, so that the press plate 154 can go under the banknote 700 placed on the base plate 156. The press plate 154 is formed in a comb-tooth shape that can pass through these multiple recesses. In Figure 9, the comb-tooth portion of the press plate 154 enters the recess of the base plate 156 from the right side in the Z direction, allowing the press plate 154 (the comb-tooth portion) to go under the banknote on the base plate 156.

[0059] Returning to Figure 8, as shown in Figure 8(1), when the push plate 154 rises until it contacts the pickup roller (not shown), as shown in Figure 8(4), the banknotes are transported (stored) one by one along the route of the thick arrows, with the denomination being identified, toward the banknote cassette 210 of the predetermined denomination in the lower unit 200.

[0060] The details of the banknote transfer mechanism between the upper unit 100 and the banknote cassette 210 will be explained using Figure 10. Figure 10 corresponds to Figure 8(4). As shown in Figure 10, banknotes on the push plate 154 are scraped out by the pickup roller 158, transported along the dashed route in Figure 10, and stored in the banknote cassette 210 by the separation and accumulation mechanism 108.

[0061] At this time, the shutter 216 of the banknote cassette 210 moves to the left as indicated by arrow 540 in Figure 10, forming an opening 214 on the upper left side of the banknote cassette 210, which is the banknote storage opening. The stage portion 212 of the banknote cassette 210 is then raised to the position where it can receive banknotes, and the stage portion 212 is gradually lowered according to the number of banknotes placed on the stage portion 212.

[0062] If the inserted banknotes are not of a single denomination but include banknotes of different denominations, it is not possible to store banknotes of different denominations in the same banknote cassette 210. In this case, the banknotes of different denominations are temporarily held in the storage space between the push plate 154 and the bottom plate 156, and after all other banknotes of the same denomination are stored in the banknote cassette 210, the upper unit 100 is moved to the banknote cassette 210 corresponding to the temporarily held banknotes of different denominations, and the temporarily held banknotes of different denominations are stored in that banknote cassette 210.

[0063] If a banknote is determined to be a rejected banknote during the authentication process while it is being stored and transported, that rejected banknote is temporarily held in the storage space between the push plate 154 and the bottom plate 156. After all other valid banknotes have been stored in the banknote cassette 210, the upper unit 100 is moved to the banknote cassette 210 designated as the collection cassette, and the temporarily held rejected banknote is transported to the collection banknote cassette 210.

[0064] Figures 11(1) to 11(4) schematically illustrate the above-described banknote transport. When a different denomination (or rejected banknote) 704 is detected while the banknotes between the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 are being stored and transported to the stage section 212 of the banknote cassette 210 (Figure 11(1)), the dispensing of the banknotes between the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 is temporarily stopped, and the banknote of the wrong denomination (or rejected) 704 is transported onto the bottom plate 156 (Figure 11(2)).

[0065] If the remaining banknotes are of the same denomination and are not rejected banknotes, the storage and transport to the stage section 212 of the banknote cassette 210 is resumed (Figure 11(3)). After all the banknotes between the top plate 152 and the push plate 154 have been stored and transported, the upper unit 100 moves to the top of the banknote cassette (or collection cassette) 210-2 in order to store the banknotes of different denominations (or rejected banknotes) 704 on the bottom plate 156 into the corresponding banknote cassette (or collection cassette) 210-2. Then, in order to feed out the banknotes of different denominations (or rejected banknotes) 704 on the bottom plate 156 and store them in the banknote cassette 210-2, the push plate 154 performs a banknote pick-up operation (dotted arrow) (Figure 11(4)) as described in Figures 8(1) to 8(3), and stores and transports them onto the stage section 212 of the banknote cassette 210-2.

[0066] In the above explanation, if there are multiple denominations of banknotes temporarily held, the upper unit 100 is first moved to the banknote cassette 210 of the denomination with the largest number of banknotes, and the banknotes of the target denomination are stored in that banknote cassette. At this time, banknotes of denominations other than the target denomination and rejected banknotes are sorted and accumulated on the bottom plate 156 (Figure 11). After that, the upper unit 100 is moved to the banknote cassette 210 of the next largest number of banknotes of the denomination, and the storage operation described above is repeated.

[0067] (3) Withdrawal processing

[0068] The operation of the cash withdrawal process will be explained using Figures 12 and 13. The upper unit 100 is moved onto the banknote cassette 210 of the denominations to be withdrawn. As shown in Figure 12, the push plate 154 is lowered to a position where it overlaps with the bottom plate 156, securing space for storing the banknotes to be dispensed from the banknote cassette 210. The top plate 152 is located just above the separation opening of the stacking mechanism 106 and serves as a lid to prevent banknotes from scattering into the space above. Alternatively, the top plate 152 may be located directly above the bottom plate 156 as an integral part of the push plate 154.

[0069] Then, the stage portion 212 of the banknote cassette 210 is raised until the banknotes come into contact with the pickup roller 108A of the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 and a certain pressure is applied (separation position).

[0070] At this time, the longitudinal length of the banknotes exposed from the opening 214 of the banknote cassette 210 (bidirectional arrow 710) is less than or equal to half the longitudinal length of the banknotes, preferably less than or equal to one-third. As a result, more than half of the surface area of ​​the banknotes is located inside the banknote cassette 210, and compared to the conventional configuration in which the entire top of the banknote cassette is open for banknote delivery, banknote jams and deviations of banknotes from the cassette during separation and stacking can be reduced, improving reliability. Then, the feed roller 108B and pickup roller 108A of the separation and stacking mechanism 108 are rotated to feed banknotes from the banknote cassette 210. At this time, the gate roller 108D (details omitted), which is arranged coaxially with the impeller 108C for banknote storage, prevents double feeding. The banknotes that pass between the feed roller 108B and the gate roller 108D are collected in the storage space between the top plate 152 and the pressing plate 154.

[0071] Immediately after passing between the feed roller 108B and the gate roller 108D, a thickness detection sensor (not shown) determines whether there are any double feeds. If a double feed is detected, the dispensing of banknotes from the banknote cassette 210 is temporarily stopped. As shown in Figure 13, the push plate 154 rises towards the top plate 152, and the double-feed banknotes (rejected banknotes) are accumulated below the push plate 154 (above the bottom plate 156). After that, the push plate 154 descends again towards the bottom plate 156, and dispensing from the banknote cassette 210 continues until all remaining dispensed banknotes are transported onto the push plate 154. Once all dispensed banknotes are transported to the top of the push plate 154, the top plate 152 retracts, and dispensing to the user takes place.

[0072] The rejected banknotes, temporarily held between the press plate 154 and the base plate 156, are moved to the top of the press plate 154 by a pick-up operation similar to that shown in Figures 11(3) and 11(4). Simultaneously, the upper unit 100 moves onto the collection cassette, and the rejected banknotes are transported to the collection cassette and collected.

[0073] When dispensing banknotes of multiple denominations, the upper unit 100 is moved to the top of the banknote cassette 210 corresponding to each denomination, and the dispensing operation described above is performed.

[0074] As described above, in the banknote processing device 10 of this embodiment, the upper side of the banknote cassette 210 and the lower side of the movable upper unit 100 overlap, and banknotes are inserted and removed from the upper side of the banknote cassette 210. Therefore, according to this embodiment, there is no need to make the banknote cassette 210 and its internal components bite into the upper unit 100, and the occurrence of banknote jams can be reduced. Even if a banknote jam occurs, the jammed banknote will not detach from the connecting part and become lost during the connecting operation, etc., thus realizing a highly reliable banknote processing device.

[0075] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since each banknote cassette 210 shares the separation and accumulation mechanism 108 built into the upper unit 100, there is no need to provide a separation and accumulation function within each banknote cassette, which simplifies the configuration of the banknote processing device 10 and reduces costs.

[0076] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, banknotes are transported only within a closed area of ​​the upper unit 100, and the storage mechanism 100b of the upper unit 100 provides both a deposit / withdrawal section and a temporary holding section, thus enabling miniaturization of the banknote processing device 10 and reducing costs.

[0077] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the separation and stacking mechanism 108 of the upper unit 100 separates and stacks banknotes from the longitudinal direction of the banknotes in relation to the single opening 214 provided in each banknote cassette 210. Therefore, even if the banknotes are of varying sizes (lengths in the longitudinal direction), the alignment mechanism 160 can easily align the banknotes, thereby improving reliability.

[0078] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Those skilled in the art can make various additions and modifications within the scope of the present invention. The features described in the embodiments can also be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 1: ATM device, 10: banknote processing device, 100: upper unit, 100a: processing mechanism, 100b: storage mechanism, 101: control unit, 102: identification unit, 104: separation mechanism, 106: accumulation mechanism, 108: separation and accumulation mechanism, 110: transport path, 112: switching gate, 150: banknote entry / exit, 152: top plate, 154: push plate, 156: bottom plate, 200: lower unit, 210: banknote cassette, 214: opening, 216: shutter unit

Claims

1. A banknote processing device, a lower unit in which a plurality of bill cassettes for storing bills are arranged in a row in a lateral direction; an upper unit that is located above the lower unit and is movable in an arrangement direction of the plurality of banknote cassettes, the upper unit inserting and removing banknotes from an upper side of a corresponding one of the plurality of banknote cassettes in a longitudinal direction of the corresponding banknote cassette; Equipped with a banknote opening portion through which banknotes are inserted and removed is provided on a side of an upper portion of each of the banknote cassettes; a separating and stacking unit for inserting and removing banknotes into and from the banknote opening is provided on a lower side of the upper unit; The upper unit is movably provided above the lower unit such that the separation and stacking unit covers the banknote opening. Banknote processing machine.

2. The upper unit is provided with a bill validator. The banknote processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the banknote opening is provided on only one of both sides in a longitudinal direction of an upper portion of the banknote cassette, The separation and stacking section is provided only on one of both longitudinal sides of the lower part of the upper unit, the one side corresponding to the banknote opening. The banknote processing device according to claim 2 .

4. A shutter section is provided for opening and closing the bill opening, and the opening area of ​​the bill opening is set to the minimum required for passing bills. The banknote processing device according to claim 3.

5. When a banknote in the banknote cassette reaches a predetermined position where the banknote is separated by the separating and stacking unit, more than half of the banknote in the longitudinal direction is located within the banknote cassette. The banknote processing device according to claim 4.

6. the upper unit includes a wireless power supply unit for wirelessly supplying power to a corresponding one of the plurality of banknote cassettes, The plurality of banknote cassettes each include a receiving unit that receives power wirelessly supplied from the wireless power supply unit. The banknote processing device according to claim 5 .

7. The upper unit includes: A bill storage unit serving as a deposit / withdrawal port and a temporary storage unit; a banknote processing unit provided adjacent to the banknote storage unit and having the banknote discrimination unit and the separation and stacking unit. The banknote processing device according to claim 6.

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