Money processing device and money processing method

Abstract

To prevent money from popping out of an outlet of a discharge unit.SOLUTION: A money processing device 100 includes: a storage unit 101; a discharge unit 102 with an outlet 104 for removing money held by the discharge unit from the discharge unit to outside the device; a transport unit 106 that transports the money ejected from the storage unit to the discharge unit and discharges the money to the discharge unit using a transport channel 107; and a control unit 108 that outputs control signals to the storage unit and the transport unit for discharging the money, and that discharges the money to the discharge unit in a first mode when the money to be discharged to the discharge unit meets predetermined conditions, and discharges the money to the discharge unit in a second mode when the money to be discharged to the discharge unit does not meet the predetermined conditions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a currency processing device and a currency processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional banknote processing device is described in Patent Document 1. The conventional banknote processing device is a device used in a change dispenser that dispenses banknotes from a banknote storage vault as change from a dispensing port.

[0003] The dispensing section of the conventional banknote processing device has a structure in which a plurality of stacked banknotes are dispensed all at once through the dispensing port. Specifically, in this dispensing section, when the shutter closes the dispensing port, the banknotes to be dispensed are stacked while being aligned against the shutter, and after the shutter opens the dispensing port, the stacked banknotes are pushed by the pusher and dispensed through the dispensing port. In this dispensing section, the banknote holder holds down the stacked banknotes at the timing when the pusher pushes out the banknotes, thereby preventing the banknotes from passing through the dispensing port and falling. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5136019 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The dispensing section of the above-mentioned conventional banknote processing device is not suitable for dispensing a large amount of banknotes because when this dispensing section tries to dispense a large amount of banknotes, it must repeatedly perform the operation of the shutter closing the dispensing port to stack multiple banknotes and the operation of the pusher pushing out the banknotes while the bill holder holds down the stacked banknotes.

[0006] There is a demand for a currency processing device that can prevent currency from flying out of the outlet of the discharge section when the currency is discharged to the discharge section, without having a complex structure like conventional banknote processing devices.

[0007] The technology disclosed herein prevents coins from flying out of the outlet of the dispensing section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The technology disclosed herein relates to a currency processing device. A storage section that dispenses stored coins; a discharging section for discharging currency, the discharging section having an outlet for removing the currency held by the discharging section from the discharging section to the outside of the device; a conveying unit that conveys the money fed from the storage unit to the discharge unit using a conveying path connecting the storage unit and the discharge unit, and discharges the money to the discharge unit; The device is equipped with a control unit that outputs a control signal for discharging coins to the storage unit and the transport unit, and when the coins discharged to the discharge unit satisfy predetermined conditions, the control unit discharges the coins to the discharge unit in a first mode, and when the coins discharged to the discharge unit do not satisfy the predetermined conditions, the control unit discharges the coins to the discharge unit in a second mode.

[0009] Here, currency may be either or both of paper money and coins.

[0010] The discharge unit has an outlet. The currency held in the discharge unit is taken out of the device through the outlet. The structure of the discharge unit is simple. The discharge unit may have a structure that does not include a drive unit such as a shutter or a stage.

[0011] The control unit causes the device to execute a coin discharging operation by outputting a control signal to the storage unit and the transport unit. The control unit switches between a first mode and a second mode for discharging coins. The first mode is a mode used when the coins discharged to the discharge unit satisfy a predetermined condition, and the second mode is a mode used when the coins discharged to the discharge unit do not satisfy the predetermined condition. Switching between the first mode and the second mode in accordance with the coins discharged to the discharge unit prevents the coins from flying out of the outlet of the discharge unit.

[0012] The transport unit may transport the currency at a first speed in the first mode, and transport the currency at a second speed slower than the first speed in the second mode.

[0013] In the first mode, the conveying section conveys the coins at a first speed. The discharge speed to the discharge section is relatively high. Since the coins discharged to the discharge section are coins with a low risk of abnormal discharge, even if the discharge speed is high, the coins are prevented from flying out of the outlet. Since the conveying speed is high in the first mode, the time required to discharge the coins is shortened.

[0014] In the second mode, the conveying unit conveys the coins at a second speed that is slower than the first speed. Because the discharge speed to the discharge unit is slow, when coins with a high risk of abnormal discharge are discharged to the discharge unit, the coins are prevented from flying out of the outlet. Because the discharge speed is slowed only for coins with a high risk of abnormal discharge, it is possible to avoid the time required to discharge the coins being long when a large number of coins are continuously discharged.

[0015] The discharge unit has a shutter that opens and closes the outlet, The control unit outputs a control signal to the discharging unit for discharging the coins, The discharge unit may open the shutter in the first mode, and close the shutter in the second mode at least when money is discharged to the discharge unit.

[0016] In the first mode, the discharge unit opens the shutter of the outlet. Since the coins discharged to the discharge unit are coins with a low risk of abnormal discharge, the coins are prevented from flying out of the open outlet when discharged to the discharge unit. The user can take out the coins held in the discharge unit at any time through the open outlet.

[0017] In the second mode, the discharge unit closes the shutter, which prevents the coin from flying out of the outlet when a coin that is at high risk of being discharged abnormally is discharged to the discharge unit.

[0018] The currency handling device further includes a temporary storage unit connected to the transport path and configured to store and feed currency, In the first mode, the transport unit transports the bills fed from the storage unit directly to the discharge unit, In the second mode, the conveying unit may convey the coins dispensed from the storage unit to the temporary storage unit, and the temporary storage unit may store the coins, and the conveying unit may convey the coins dispensed from the temporary storage unit to the discharge unit.

[0019] In the first mode, the transport unit transports the currency directly from the storage unit to the discharge unit. Since the currency has a low risk of being discharged abnormally, the currency discharged to the discharge unit is prevented from flying out of the outlet.

[0020] In the second mode, the transport unit transports the currency from the storage unit to the discharge unit via the temporary storage unit. Although the currency has a high risk of being discharged abnormally, by transporting the currency through the temporary storage unit, the currency is prevented from flying out of the outlet.

[0021] The conveying section may convey the currency at a first speed in the first mode, and convey the currency at a second speed slower than in the first mode when the currency is conveyed from the temporary storage section to the discharge section in the second mode.

[0022] In the second mode, the money is transported from the temporary storage section to the discharge section at a slow second speed, thereby preventing the money from flying out of the outlet.

[0023] In the second mode, the transport unit may transport the currency at the first speed when the currency is transported from the storage unit to the temporary storage unit.

[0024] Since the transport of currency from the storage section to the temporary storage section is relatively fast, the processing time in the second mode is shortened.

[0025] the discharge section has a shutter that opens and closes the opening, The control unit outputs a control signal to the discharging unit for discharging the coins, The discharge unit may open the shutter in the first mode, and close the shutter in the second mode when the money is transported from the temporary storage unit to the discharge unit.

[0026] In the second mode, when money is discharged to the discharge section, the shutter of the discharge section is closed, so that the money is prevented from flying out of the take-out opening.

[0027] The currency handling device further includes an identification unit that is located on the transport path and identifies the currency fed from the storage unit with respect to the predetermined conditions, The control unit may switch between the first mode and the second mode based on a result of the identification by the identification unit.

[0028] The recognition unit may recognize characteristics of the currency including the denomination, the state of the currency itself, and / or the transportation state of the currency. The control unit can appropriately switch between the first mode and the second mode based on the recognition result of the recognition unit.

[0029] The control unit may switch between the first mode and the second mode in a full collection process in which all of the currency stored in the storage unit is discharged to the discharge unit.

[0030] In the full collection process, a large amount of coins may be discharged to the discharge section. Switching between the first and second modes makes it possible to reduce the time required for the full collection process while preventing coins from flying out of the outlet.

[0031] The control unit may switch between the first mode and the second mode in a designated number collection process in which a designated number of currency notes is discharged to the discharge unit.

[0032] Even in a designated number of coins collection process in which only a portion of the coins stored in the storage unit are collected, a large amount of coins may be discharged to the discharge unit. Switching between the first mode and the second mode makes it possible to reduce the time required for the designated number of coins collection process while preventing coins from flying out of the outlet.

[0033] The control unit may switch between the first mode and the second mode in a batch process in which currency to be dispensed is divided into a predetermined number of currency bills and dispensed to the dispensing unit.

[0034] The batch process may be a process of stopping conveyance of the coins when the number of the coins discharged to the discharge unit reaches a designated number, and restarting conveyance when the coins are removed from the discharge unit. The batch process may be applied to the full collection process or the designated number collection process.

[0035] The predetermined number may be equal to or less than the number of coins that the ejection unit can hold.

[0036] The predetermined condition is related to a risk of occurrence of an abnormal discharge in which the coin discharged to the discharge unit jumps out of the outlet, The control unit may perform the discharge in the first mode when a risk of occurrence of the discharge abnormality is low, and perform the discharge in the second mode when a risk of occurrence of the discharge abnormality is high.

[0037] The first mode is a mode in which the risk of an abnormal discharge occurring is low. Because the risk of an abnormal discharge occurring is low, discharging of coins in the first mode can prevent coins from flying out of the outlet of the discharging unit.

[0038] The second mode is a mode for when there is a high risk of an abnormal discharge occurring. Discharging of currency in the second mode can prevent currency with a high risk of an abnormal discharge occurring from flying out of the outlet of the discharging unit.

[0039] Switching between the first and second modes in response to the risk of an abnormal discharge occurrence prevents all coins from flying out of the outlet of the discharge unit.

[0040] The risk of occurrence of the discharge abnormality may be determined by at least one of the denomination of the coin, the size of the coin, the thickness of the coin, and the degree of unevenness of the coin. The size of the coin, the thickness of the coin, or the degree of unevenness of the coin corresponds to the condition of the coin itself.

[0041] For example, the size of coins may differ depending on the denomination. Depending on the orientation of the coin when it is discharged to the discharge section, small sized coins may slip past a stopper provided in the discharge section that prevents the coin from flying out. Small sized coins have a higher risk of flying out of the outlet when discharged to the discharge section. The denomination or size of the coin may be identified by, for example, an identification unit. Furthermore, the coins stored in one storage section may be of a single denomination and may be of a single size. The control unit may determine the risk of an abnormal discharge occurring based on which storage section the coin was dispensed from.

[0042] Worn and thin coins are more likely to bend due to their low rigidity, and may slip through the side of the stopper. Thinner coins have a higher risk of flying out of the outlet when discharged to the discharge section. Also, for example, new bills that have large irregularities caused by folding are more likely to fly out of the outlet when discharged to the discharge section. Also, for example, with regard to the irregularities on the coin, coins with large irregularities due to intaglio printing and / or coins with large irregularities due to holograms may have a higher risk of flying out of the outlet when discharged to the discharge section. The thickness of the coin or the size of the irregularities on the coin may be identified, for example, by the identification unit.

[0043] The risk of occurrence of a discharge abnormality may be determined by at least one of whether the coin is folded or not, whether the coin is torn or not, the hardness or softness of the coin, and whether or not there is something attached to the coin. The whether or not the coin is folded or not, the hardness or softness of the coin, or the presence or absence of something attached to the coin corresponds to the condition of the coin itself.

[0044] A folded coin may slip past the stopper due to its reduced size. A torn coin may also slip past the stopper due to its reduced size. Worn and softened coins may slip past the stopper. Coins with attachments may slip past the stopper, unlike normal coins without attachments. The recognition unit may recognize, for example, whether the coin is folded, whether the coin is torn, the hardness or softness of the coin, or whether there is attachment to the coin.

[0045] The risk of occurrence of the discharge abnormality may be determined by at least one of skew of currency during transport, chain of currency during transport, overlap of currency during transport, and width-jumping of currency during transport. The skew of currency during transport, chain of currency during transport, overlap of currency during transport, and width-jumping of currency during transport correspond to the transport state of currency.

[0046] A slanted coin may slip past the stopper because the orientation of the coin when it is discharged to the discharge section is different from that of a normal coin. The rear coin of two chained coins may be lifted up by the impeller of the discharge section, and there is a high risk that the coin will pass over the stopper and fly out of the outlet. Overlapping coins have a higher risk of flying out of the outlet compared to normal coins. Coins that are transported to one side in the width direction on the transport path may receive uneven force from the impeller when discharged to the discharge section, causing them to change direction and slip past the stopper. Coins that are transported to one side have a high risk of flying out of the outlet. Slanted coins during transport, chained coins during transport, overlapping coins during transport, or width-shifting coins during transport may be identified by, for example, an identification unit.

[0047] The currency processing device disclosed herein comprises: A storage section that dispenses stored coins; a discharging section for discharging currency, the discharging section having an outlet for removing the currency held by the discharging section from the discharging section to the outside of the device; a conveying unit that conveys the money fed from the storage unit to the discharge unit using a conveying path connecting the storage unit and the discharge unit, and discharges the money to the discharge unit; a temporary storage unit connected to the transport path and configured to store and dispense currency; a control unit that outputs a control signal for discharging the currency to the storage unit, the transport unit, and the temporary holding unit, and executes discharging the currency in a first mode when there is a low risk of an abnormal discharge of the currency discharged to the discharge unit jumping out of the outlet, and executes discharging the currency in a second mode when there is a high risk of an abnormal discharge of the currency discharged to the discharge unit, The temporary storage unit is a stack type temporary storage unit that reduces the risk of abnormal discharge of stored currency, In the first mode, the transport unit transports the bills fed from the storage unit directly to the discharge unit, In the second mode, the conveying unit conveys the coins dispensed from the storage unit to the temporary storage unit, and the temporary storage unit stores the coins, and the conveying unit conveys the coins dispensed from the temporary storage unit to the discharge unit.

[0048] When the risk of abnormal coin discharge is low, the control unit executes the discharge of the coin in the first mode. In the first mode, the transport unit transports the coin fed from the storage unit directly to the discharge unit, so that the coin is quickly discharged while preventing the coin from flying out of the take-out opening.

[0049] When there is a high risk of abnormal coin discharge, the control unit discharges the coin in the second mode. In the second mode, the transport unit transports the coin dispensed from the storage unit to the discharge unit via the temporary storage unit. The stack-type temporary storage unit stores coins in a stacked manner, so that the constraints on the coin are temporarily released. Thereafter, the coin dispensed from the temporary storage unit has a low risk of abnormal coin discharge, particularly the risk of abnormal coin discharge caused by abnormal conveyance. In the second mode, coins dispensed from the temporary storage unit and having a low risk of abnormal coin discharge are discharged to the discharge unit, so that the coins are prevented from flying out of the take-out opening.

[0050] The disclosed method for handling currency comprises the following steps: The coins are dispensed from the storage area, A conveying unit conveys the coins fed from the storage unit toward a discharge unit having an outlet for removing the coins from the device; When the money to be discharged to the discharge unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the money is discharged to the discharge unit in a first mode; When the money to be discharged to the discharge unit does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the money is discharged to the discharge unit in a second mode.

[0051] Since the operation mode is switched between the first mode and the second mode depending on the coins discharged to the discharge section, the coins are prevented from flying out from the outlet of the discharge section. Effect of the Invention

[0052] The currency handling device and the currency handling method can prevent currency from flying out of the outlet of the discharge section. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0053] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a currency processing device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure for currency processing by the currency processing device of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a currency processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for currency processing by the currency processing device of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a currency handling device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the currency handling device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure for currency processing by the currency processing device of FIGS. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the currency transport route. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for currency processing by the currency processing device of FIGS. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the currency transport path. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows the coins ejected from the outlet of the ejection section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of a currency handling apparatus and a currency handling method will be described with reference to the drawings. The currency handling apparatus and the currency handling method described herein are merely examples.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a currency handling device 100. The currency handling device 100 processes currency. The currency handling includes a process of discharging currency stored inside the currency handling device 100 to the outside of the currency handling device 100. This process is, for example, a total collection process in which the currency handling device 100 discharges all currency stored in the storage unit 101 to the outside of the currency handling device 100 from the discharge unit 102. Alternatively, the process is, for example, a designated number collection process in which the currency handling device 100 discharges a designated number of currency, which is a part of the currency stored in the storage unit 101, to the outside of the currency handling device 100 from the discharge unit 102. A batch process may be applied to the total collection process or the designated number collection process. The batch process is a process in which the transport of currency is stopped when the number of currency discharged to the discharge unit 102 reaches a designated number, and the transport is resumed when the currency is removed from the discharge unit 102. The batch process is repeated once or a plurality of times in the total collection process or the designated number of collection processes.

[0056] The currency handling device 100 includes a storage unit 101. The storage unit 101 is located within the housing of the currency handling device 100. The storage unit 101 is a container that stores currency. The storage unit 101 has one container or multiple containers. The multiple containers store currency independently of one another. The storage unit 101 dispenses the stored currency. For example, the multiple containers dispense currency independently of one another.

[0057] The currency handling device 100 is equipped with a discharge unit 102. The discharge unit 102 discharges currency outside the currency handling device 100. The discharge unit 102 provides communication between the inside and outside of the housing of the currency handling device 100. The discharge unit 102 can hold one or more currency. Due to limitations on the size of the discharge unit 102, there is a limit to the number of currency that the discharge unit 102 can hold. The maximum number of currency that the discharge unit 102 can hold is less than the maximum number of currency that can be stored in the storage unit 101. The designated number for batch processing is equal to or less than the number of currency that the discharge unit 102 can hold.

[0058] The discharge unit 102 has a sensor 103. The sensor 103 detects the currency held by the discharge unit 102. The sensor 103 outputs a detection signal related to the presence or absence of currency and / or the amount of currency to the control unit 108 described later. The discharge unit 102 has an outlet 104. The outlet 104 connects the inside and outside of the discharge unit 102. A user of the currency handling device 100 can remove currency held in the discharge unit 102 from the discharge unit 102 through the outlet 104. For example, when the currency handling device 100 executes a full recovery process or a designated number recovery process, the user removes currency through the outlet 104 once or multiple times. The user includes an operator of the currency handling device 100. The discharge unit 102 may have a shutter 105 that opens and closes the outlet 104.

[0059] The currency handling device 100 is equipped with a transport unit 106. The transport unit 106 has a transport path 107 that connects the storage unit 101 and the discharge unit 102. The transport unit 106 transports the currency dispensed from the storage unit 101 one by one along the transport path 107, with spaces between them (see the solid arrows in FIG. 1). The transport unit 106 also discharges the currency to the discharge unit 102. As described above, the discharge unit 102 holds the currency.

[0060] The currency handling device 100 is equipped with a control unit 108. The control unit 108 is electrically connected to the storage unit 101, the discharge unit 102, and the transport unit 106 (see the dashed arrows in FIG. 1). The control unit 108 outputs control signals to the storage unit 101, the discharge unit 102, and the transport unit 106 for the currency handling device 100 to perform a currency discharge operation.

[0061] The control unit 108 switches between discharging of currency in the first mode and discharging of currency in the second mode by outputting control signals to the storage unit 101, the discharge unit 102, and the transport unit 106. The first mode is a mode used when the currency discharged to the discharge unit 102 satisfies a predetermined condition, and the second mode is a mode used when the currency discharged to the discharge unit 102 does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

[0062] Here, the predetermined condition relates to the risk of occurrence of an abnormal discharge, in which the coins discharged to the discharge unit 102 fly out from the outlet 104. When the risk of an abnormal discharge is low, the control unit 108 executes the discharge in the first mode, and when the risk of an abnormal discharge is high, the control unit 108 executes the discharge in the second mode. In the following description, the risk of an abnormal discharge may be referred to as the "risk of an abnormal discharge."

[0063] The risk of occurrence of a transport abnormality is determined by, for example, at least one of the denomination of the currency and the size of the currency. The size of the currency may differ depending on the denomination of the currency. Smaller currency may fly out from the outlet 104 depending on the orientation of the currency when it is discharged to the discharge unit 102. Smaller currency has a higher risk of flying out from the outlet 104 after being discharged to the discharge unit 102.

[0064] The storage unit 101 has multiple containers, and each container may store a specific denomination of coins. The memory 109 stores the denomination of coins stored in each container. The control unit 108 can determine the risk of an abnormal discharge of the coin based on the information in the memory 109 and the information of the container from which the coin was dispensed.

[0065] For example, the conveying unit 106 may convey currency at a first speed in the first mode, and convey currency at a second speed slower than the first speed in the second mode. Even for currency with a high risk of abnormal discharge, the speed at which it is discharged to the discharge unit 102 is low, thereby preventing the currency from flying out of the outlet 104. In addition, because the conveying unit 106 conveys currency with a low risk of abnormal discharge at high speed, the currency handling device 100 can complete processing in a short time.

[0066] For example, the dispensing unit 102 may open the outlet 104 in the first mode, and close the outlet 104 by the shutter 105 in the second mode. The shutter 105 may close the outlet 104 at least when the coin is dispensed to the dispensing unit 102. Even for coins with a high risk of dispense abnormalities, the outlet 104 is closed, preventing the coin from flying out of the outlet 104. Since the dispensing unit 102 opens the outlet 104 for coins with a low risk of dispense abnormalities, the user can remove the coin from the dispensing unit 102 at any time. The currency handling device 100 can complete processing smoothly.

[0067] In the second mode, the conveying unit 106 may convey the currency at a second speed, and the discharge unit 102 may close the outlet 104 .

[0068] Fig. 2 shows a control procedure when the currency handling apparatus 100 of Fig. 1 executes a full collection process. The default mode of the currency handling apparatus 100 is the first mode.

[0069] In step S21, the storage unit 101 dispenses money. In step S22, the control unit 108 acquires from the memory 109 information on the discharge abnormality risk for the dispensed money.

[0070] In the next step S23, the control unit 108 judges whether or not there is a high risk of an abnormal discharge. If the judgment in step S23 is No, the control unit 108 selects the first mode in step S24. In the next step S25, the transport unit 106 transports the coin to the discharge unit 102 at a high first speed, and the discharge unit 102 keeps the outlet 104 open. The discharge unit 102 holds the transported coin. Since the transport unit 106 transports coins with a low risk of an abnormal discharge at high speed, the currency handling device 100 can reduce the time required for processing. In addition, since the discharge unit 102 opens the outlet 104 for coins with a low risk of an abnormal discharge, the user can remove the coin from the discharge unit 102 at any time. The currency handling device 100 can complete processing smoothly.

[0071] If the determination in step S23 is Yes, the control unit 108 selects the second mode in step S26. In the subsequent step S25, the transport unit 106 transports the coin to the discharge unit 102 at a second slow speed, and / or the discharge unit 102 closes the outlet 104. This prevents coins with a high risk of abnormal discharge from flying out of the outlet 104 of the discharge unit 102. The discharge unit 102 holds the transported coins.

[0072] In step S27, the control unit 108 judges whether the number of coins held by the dispensing unit 102 has reached the maximum number that can be held. If the judgment in step S27 is Yes, in step S28, the currency handling device 100 temporarily stops the currency dispensing operation and waits for the user to remove the coins held by the dispensing unit 102 through the removal port 104. The control unit 108 judges that the coins have been removed based on the output signal of the sensor 103. Once the coins have been removed, in step S21, the storage unit 101 resumes paying out the coins.

[0073] Furthermore, in step S27, the control unit 108 may determine whether the number of coins held by the dispensing unit 102 has reached a predetermined number that is less than the maximum number held, for example, a number designated for batch processing when batch processing is applied to the full collection process.

[0074] If the determination in step S27 is No, in step S29, the control unit 108 determines whether the remaining number of coins stored in the storage unit 101 has reached zero based on a signal from the storage unit 101. If the determination in step S29 is No, the storage unit 101 continues to dispense coins in step S21. If the determination in step S29 is Yes, the process in FIG. 2 ends.

[0075] In addition, the control procedure when the currency processing device 100 executes the specified number of coin collection process is the same as the flowchart in Figure 2, except that in step S29, the control unit 108 determines whether or not the specified number of coins has been discharged to the discharge unit 102.

[0076] Figure 3 shows currency handling apparatus 200. Figure 4 shows the control procedure when currency handling apparatus 200 executes a full recovery process. Currency handling apparatus 200 is a modified version of currency handling apparatus 100 of Figure 1. Each configuration in the modified version of the currency handling apparatus may be applied to currency handling apparatus 100 of Figure 1 individually or in combination with other configurations, within a reasonable range. Furthermore, the currency handling method described below may be applied to the currency handling method of Figure 2, within a reasonable range.

[0077] The currency handling device 200 includes a storage unit 201, a discharge unit 202, a transport unit 206, a control unit 208, and a memory 209. The discharge unit 202 includes a sensor 203 and an outlet 204. The discharge unit 202 may include a shutter 205. The transport unit 206 includes a transport path 207.

[0078] The currency handling device 200 includes a recognition unit 210. The recognition unit 210 is located on the transport path 207. The recognition unit 210 performs recognition on currency dispensed from the storage unit 201 based on a predetermined condition, that is, on the risk of transport abnormality.

[0079] The recognition unit 210 recognizes the denomination of the currency. The recognition unit 210 may also recognize the size, thickness, and unevenness of the currency. The recognition unit 210 may, for example, recognize that the currency has become thinner due to wear. A thinner currency is more likely to bend due to its lower rigidity, and therefore has a higher risk of jumping out of the outlet 204 when discharged to the discharge unit 202. The recognition unit 210 may also recognize that a new bill has been folded, for example, resulting in large unevenness. A currency with large unevenness has a higher risk of jumping out of the outlet 204 when discharged to the discharge unit 202. The recognition unit 210 may also recognize currency with large unevenness due to intaglio printing and / or currency with large unevenness due to a hologram. For example, regarding the unevenness of the currency, a currency with large unevenness may have a higher risk of jumping out of the outlet 204 when discharged to the discharge unit 202.

[0080] The recognition unit 210 may also recognize whether the currency is folded or torn, the hardness or softness of the currency, and whether there is any matter attached to the currency.

[0081] Bent coins have a high risk of flying out of the outlet 204 due to their reduced size. Torn coins also have a high risk of flying out of the outlet 204 due to their reduced size. Worn and softened coins have a high risk of flying out of the outlet 204. Coins with deposits, unlike normal coins without deposits, have a high risk of flying out of the outlet 204.

[0082] The recognition unit 210 may further recognize skewing of currency during conveyance, chaining of currency during conveyance, overlapping of currency during conveyance, and squashing of currency during conveyance.

[0083] Since a slanted coin has a different orientation when discharged to the discharge section 202 than a normal coin, there is a high risk that the coin will fly out of the outlet 204. The rear of two chained coins may be flipped up by the impeller 211 of the discharge section 202, and there is a high risk that the coin will fly out of the outlet 204. Overlapping coins have a higher risk of flying out of the outlet 204 than normal coins. Coins transported to one side in the width direction on the transport path 207 are subject to uneven force from the impeller 211 when discharged to the discharge section 202, causing them to change direction, and there is a high risk that the coin will fly out of the outlet 204.

[0084] The recognition unit 210 outputs a signal related to the recognition result to the control unit 208. The control unit 208 determines the risk of abnormality in the transport of the currency based on the recognition result.

[0085] Fig. 4 shows a control procedure when the currency handling apparatus 200 of Fig. 3 executes a full collection process. The default mode of the currency handling apparatus 200 is the first mode.

[0086] In step S41, the storage unit 201 dispenses the money. In step S42, the transport unit 201 transports the money to the recognition unit 210. In step S43, the recognition unit 210 recognizes the money.

[0087] In step S44, the control unit 208 judges whether or not there is a high risk of abnormal discharging based on the identification result in step S43. If the judgment in step S44 is No, the control unit 208 selects the first mode in step S45. In the following step S46, the transport unit 206 transports the currency at a high first speed to the discharge unit 202, and the discharge unit 202 keeps the outlet 204 open. The discharge unit 202 holds the transported currency. Since the transport unit 206 transports currency with a low risk of abnormal discharging at high speed, the currency handling device 200 can reduce the time required for processing. In addition, since the discharge unit 202 opens the outlet 204 for currency with a low risk of abnormal discharging, the user can remove the currency from the discharge unit 202 at any time. The currency handling device 200 can complete processing smoothly.

[0088] If the determination in step S44 is Yes, the control unit 208 selects the second mode in step S47. In the subsequent step S46, the transport unit 206 transports the coin to the discharge unit 202 at a slow second speed, and / or the discharge unit 202 keeps the outlet 204 closed. This prevents coins with a high risk of abnormal discharge from flying out of the outlet 204 of the discharge unit 202. The discharge unit 202 holds the transported coins.

[0089] In step S48, the control unit 208 judges whether the number of coins held by the dispensing unit 202 has reached the maximum number that can be held. If the judgment in step S48 is Yes, in step S49, the currency handling device 200 temporarily stops the currency dispensing operation and waits for the user to remove the coins held by the dispensing unit 202 through the removal opening 204. The control unit 208 judges that the coins have been removed based on the output signal of the sensor 203. Once the coins have been removed, in step S41, the storage unit 201 resumes paying out the coins.

[0090] In step S48, the control unit 108 may determine whether the number of coins held by the dispensing unit 202 has reached a predetermined number that is less than the maximum number that can be held, for example, a number designated in batch processing.

[0091] If the determination in step S48 is No, then in step S410, the control unit 208 determines whether the remaining number of coins stored in the storage unit 201 has reached zero based on a signal from the storage unit 201. If the determination in step S410 is No, the storage unit 201 continues to dispense coins in step S41. If the determination in step S410 is Yes, the process in FIG. 4 ends.

[0092] In addition, the control procedure when the currency handling device 200 executes the specified number of currency collection process is the same as the flowchart in Figure 4, except that in step S410, the control unit 208 determines whether or not the specified number of currency has been discharged to the discharge unit 202.

[0093] FIG. 5 shows the currency handling device 1. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the currency handling device 1. FIG. 7 shows the control procedure when the currency handling device 1 executes a full recovery process. The currency handling device 1 is a modified version of the currency handling device 100 of FIG. 1 or the currency handling device 200 of FIG. 3. Each configuration in the modified version of the currency handling device may be applied, individually or in combination with other configurations, to the currency handling device 100 of FIG. 1 or the currency handling device 200 of FIG. 3, within a reasonable range. Furthermore, the currency handling method described below may be applied, within a reasonable range, to the currency handling method of FIG. 2 or the currency handling method of FIG. 4.

[0094] The currency handling device 1 is a banknote handling device that handles loose banknotes. The currency handling device 1 is a recycler. The currency handling device 1 is installed, for example, in a financial institution. The currency handling device 1 may be installed alone or may be combined with other devices, for example, a coin handling device that handles coins and / or a check handling device that handles checks. The location where the currency handling device 1 is installed is not limited to a specific location.

[0095] A user of the currency handling device 1 is, for example, a customer of a financial institution. The user can use the currency handling device 1 to perform deposit transactions and withdrawal transactions. A user of the currency handling device 1 is, for example, a staff member of the financial institution. The staff member performs a process of collecting banknotes stored in the currency handling device 1, for example.

[0096] (Structure of currency handling device) The currency handling device 1 has a processing unit 11 and a safe unit 13. The processing unit 11 is located at the top of the currency handling device 1. The safe unit 13 is located below the processing unit 11. The safe unit 13 protects the stored items at a predetermined security level or higher. The security level of the safe unit 13 is higher than that of the processing unit 11.

[0097] The processing unit 11 has a deposit unit 21. The deposit unit 21 is a portion where a user inserts banknotes, for example, during a deposit process. The deposit unit 21 is box-shaped and is open to the outside of the currency processing device 1. The deposit unit 21 can hold multiple banknotes. The deposit unit 21 has a mechanism for feeding the held banknotes into the processing unit 11 one by one.

[0098] The processing unit 11 has a dispensing unit 22. The dispensing unit 22 is a portion where banknotes are discharged in, for example, a dispensing process or a collection process. The dispensing unit 22 is an example of a discharge unit.

[0099] Fig. 11 illustrates an example of the structure of the dispensing unit 22. The dispensing unit 22 is box-shaped and can hold a plurality of banknotes 10 in a stacked manner, as shown virtually in Fig. 11. The dispensing unit 22 has a bladed wheel 223. The bladed wheel 223 rotates in synchronization with the transport of the banknotes 10 discharged to the dispensing unit 22. The bladed wheel 223 stacks the plurality of banknotes 10 in sequence inside the dispensing unit 22.

[0100] The dispensing unit 22 has an outlet 221. The dispensing unit 22 is open to the outside of the currency handling device 1 through the outlet 221. A user can manually remove the banknotes 10 held in the dispensing unit 22 through the outlet 221. The dispensing unit 22 has a shutter 222. The shutter 222 opens and closes the outlet 221.

[0101] The dispensing unit 22 has two stoppers 224. The two stoppers 224 are positioned at an interval in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the banknotes 10 and horizontally. The stoppers 224 stand upright in the dispensing unit 22. Each of the two stoppers 224 interferes with the banknotes 10. The stoppers 224 prevent the banknotes 10 from flying out of the outlet 221 when the rotating impeller 223 ejects the banknotes 10 into the dispensing unit 22. When a user manually removes the banknotes from the dispensing unit 22 through the outlet 221, the stoppers 224 are pushed down by the banknotes 10.

[0102] The dispensing unit 22 also has a sensor 225 (see FIG. 6). The sensor 225 detects the banknotes held by the dispensing unit 22.

[0103] Returning to FIG. 5, the processing unit 11 has a temporary storage unit 23. The temporary storage unit 23 stores banknotes and pays out the stored banknotes. The temporary storage unit 23 is, for example, a winding-type storage unit. The winding-type storage unit has a drum and a tape. The drum winds up the banknotes that have entered the temporary storage unit 23 together with the tape. The banknotes are paid out of the temporary storage unit 23 by pulling out the tape wound around the drum. Various known structures can be adopted for the temporary storage unit 23.

[0104] The processing unit 11 has a looped conveying path 40. The looped conveying path 40 has rollers, a belt, a driving motor, and a guide. The looped conveying path 40 conveys the banknotes one by one with a space between them. The banknotes are conveyed along the looped conveying path 40 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in FIG. 5. The banknotes are conveyed with the edge of their long side facing forward. It should be noted that the banknotes may also be conveyed with the edge of their short side facing forward.

[0105] The processing section 11 has a first branch path 41, a second branch path 42, and a third branch path 43. The first branch path 41, the second branch path 42, and the third branch path 43 are each branched from the loop transport path 40. The deposit section 21 is connected to the loop transport path 40 via the first branch path 41. The withdrawal section 22 is connected to the loop transport path 40 via the second branch path 42. The temporary holding section 23 is connected to the loop transport path 40 via the third branch path 43. A branch section is interposed at each of the connection point between the first branch path 41 and the loop transport path 40, the connection point between the second branch path 42 and the loop transport path 40, and the connection point between the third branch path 43 and the loop transport path 40. The branch section selectively switches the transport direction of the banknotes. The structure of the branch section is known.

[0106] The processing unit 11 has a recognition unit 24. The recognition unit 24 is located on the loop transport path 40. The recognition unit 24 recognizes each and every banknote passing through the recognition unit 24. The recognition unit 24 has a sensor for acquiring the characteristics of the banknote. The recognition unit 24 has, for example, an image sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultraviolet sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a thickness sensor. The thickness sensor has, for example, a roller that holds the banknote in the thickness direction. The recognition unit 24 recognizes the denomination, authenticity, and fitness of the banknote based on the characteristics of the banknote. The recognition unit 24 also recognizes whether the banknote is folded, whether the banknote is torn, and whether there is any attachment on the banknote. The recognition unit 24 also recognizes the size of the unevenness of the banknote due to intaglio printing or hologram. The recognition unit 24 further recognizes the skew of the banknote during transport, the chain of banknotes during transport, the overlap of banknotes during transport, and the width of the banknote during transport. In other words, the recognition unit 24 recognizes abnormal transport of the banknote. Here, the skewing of a banknote refers to the angle of inclination of the banknote with respect to the conveying direction being greater than a predetermined allowable angle. The chaining of banknotes refers to the distance between banknotes being smaller than the allowable distance between banknotes. The overlapping of banknotes refers to at least a portion of a plurality of banknotes being overlapped. The width-justified movement of a banknote refers to the banknote being conveyed shifted to one side from the center of the conveying path in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the banknotes.

[0107] The recognition unit 24 may also recognize, for example, that a banknote has become thinner due to wear, that the banknote has become uneven due to folding, and / or that the banknote has become softer due to wear.

[0108] The safe section 13 has a storage section. The currency handling device 1 in Fig. 5 has a first storage section 31, a second storage section 32, a third storage section 33, a fourth storage section 34, a fifth storage section 35, and a sixth storage section 36. Of these, the fourth storage section 34 and the fifth storage section 35 are integrated in a vertically stacked state. The number of storage sections is not limited to a specific number.

[0109] The first storage section 31, the second storage section 32, the third storage section 33, the fourth storage section 34, the fifth storage section 35, and the sixth storage section 36 are each a stack-type storage section. In the stack-type storage section, banknotes placed in the storage section are stored by being stacked up and down on a lifting platform. Unlike the winding-type storage section, the stack-type storage section does not restrain the stored banknotes.

[0110] The safe section 13 has a fourth branch path 44, a fifth branch path 45, and a sixth branch path 46. The fourth branch path 44, the fifth branch path 45, and the sixth branch path 46 are each branched off from the loop conveying path 40. The first storage section 31, the second storage section 32, the third storage section 33, and the fourth storage section 34 are connected to the loop conveying path 40 via the fourth branch path 44. The fifth storage section 35 is connected to the loop conveying path 40 via the fifth branch path 45. The sixth storage section 36 is connected to the loop conveying path 40 via the sixth branch path 46. A branch is interposed at each of the connection point between the fourth branch path 44 and the loop conveying path 40, the connection point between the fifth branch path 45 and the loop conveying path 40, and the connection point between the sixth branch path 46 and the loop conveying path 40.

[0111] 5 is an example. The number of storage units in the safe 13, the arrangement of the storage units, and the structure of each storage unit are not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

[0112] The transport unit 4 transports banknotes using the loop transport path 40 and the first to sixth branch paths 41-46. Passage sensors are provided at various locations on the loop transport path 40 and the first to sixth branch paths 41-46. The passing sensors are optical, ultrasonic or mechanical sensors that detect the passage of banknotes. The transport unit 4 controls the branching units based on control signals from the control unit 51 (described later) and detection signals from the passing sensors. As a result, the banknotes are transported to a predetermined destination.

[0113] 5 is an example. The configuration of the conveying path and the branch paths can be changed as appropriate depending on the arrangement of the deposit unit 21, the withdrawal unit 22, the temporary holding unit 23, the recognition unit 24, and the storage units 31-36.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 6, the currency handling device 1 includes a control unit 51. The control unit 51 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and an I / O circuit. The CPU executes programs. The memory stores programs and data for the operation of the currency handling device 1. The memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) and / or a read only memory (ROM). The I / O circuit inputs and outputs electrical signals between the control unit 51 and each device connected to the control unit 51. The deposit unit 21, the withdrawal unit 22, the temporary holding unit 23, the recognition unit 24, the transport unit 4, the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, the fourth storage unit 34, the fifth storage unit 35, and the sixth storage unit 36 ​​are connected to the control unit 51 so as to be able to transmit and receive signals.

[0115] The currency handling device 1 includes an external memory 25. The external memory 25 stores the denominations and numbers of banknotes stored in each of the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, the fourth storage unit 34, the fifth storage unit 35, and the sixth storage unit 36. The external memory 25 is connected to the control unit 51 so as to be able to send and receive signals.

[0116] When the control unit 51 receives a signal related to a user's instruction, it outputs a control signal to the deposit unit 21, the withdrawal unit 22, the temporary holding unit 23, the recognition unit 24, the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, the fourth storage unit 34, the fifth storage unit 35, the sixth storage unit 36, and the transport unit 4 so that the currency handling device 1 performs an operation corresponding to the instruction. The operations performed by the currency handling device 1 when executing various processes will be described below.

[0117] (Deposit processing) The deposit process is a process of storing banknotes in the currency handling device 1. A user inserts banknotes to be deposited into the deposit unit 21. The deposit unit 21 feeds the banknotes one by one into the processing unit 11. The transport unit 4 transports the banknotes to the recognition unit 24. The recognition unit 24 recognizes the banknotes.

[0118] The transport unit 4 transports the banknotes to the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, the fourth storage unit 34, the fifth storage unit 35, or the sixth storage unit 36 ​​according to the recognition result of the recognition unit 24. The storage units 31-36 store the banknotes. For example, the first to fifth storage units 31-35 may be of different denominations and each may store banknotes of a single denomination, and the sixth storage unit 36 ​​may store banknotes that are not stored in the first to fifth storage units 31-35. The transport unit 4 transports the banknotes that the recognition unit 24 has recognized as rejected banknotes to the dispensing unit 22 to return them to the user.

[0119] When the deposit process is completed, the external memory 25 stores information about the bills stored in the storage units 31-36.

[0120] The currency handling device 1 is also capable of deposit processing using the temporary storage unit 23. The temporary storage unit 23 plays the role of escrow in the deposit processing. That is, in the deposit processing, the temporary storage unit 23 temporarily stores the banknotes that have been recognized by the recognition unit 24. When the user performs a confirmation operation to approve the amount of the banknotes stored in the temporary storage unit 23 as the deposit amount, the temporary storage unit 23 pays out the banknotes and the storage units 31-36 store the banknotes, and the deposit processing is completed. When the user performs a cancellation operation, the temporary storage unit 23 pays out the banknotes and the transport unit 4 transports the banknotes to the dispensing unit 22. The banknotes are returned to the user, and the deposit processing is completed.

[0121] (Withdrawal process) The withdrawal process is a process of dispensing banknotes stored in the currency handling device 1 out of the device. When a user specifies the denomination and number of banknotes to be withdrawn, the storage unit 31-35 storing the banknotes to be withdrawn dispenses the banknotes. The transport unit 4 transports the banknotes dispensed from the storage unit 31-35 to the recognition unit 24. The recognition unit 24 recognizes the banknotes. The transport unit 4 transports banknotes that are determined to be normal banknotes by the recognition unit 24 to the withdrawal unit 22. The withdrawal unit 22 holds the banknotes. The shutter 222 of the withdrawal unit 22 closes the outlet 221.

[0122] The recognition unit 24 determines banknotes that are skewed, linked, and / or overlapped, i.e., abnormally transported, as rejected banknotes. The recognition unit 24 also determines banknotes of an abnormal denomination different from the designated denomination as rejected banknotes. The transport unit 4 transports banknotes that are determined to be rejected banknotes, for example, to the sixth storage unit 36. The sixth storage unit 36 ​​stores the rejected banknotes.

[0123] When all of the banknotes to be dispensed have been discharged to the dispensing unit 22, the shutter 222 opens the outlet 221. The dispensing process is completed when the user removes the banknotes from the dispensing unit 22. After the dispensing process, the external memory 25 updates the data related to the banknotes stored in the storage units 31-36.

[0124] (Collection processing) The collection process is a process in which the currency handling device 1 dispenses the banknotes stored in the storage units 31-36 to the outside of the device. The collection process is similar to the dispensing process, but differs from the dispensing process in that (1) all banknotes, including rejected banknotes, are discharged to the dispensing unit 22 when the collection process is performed, and (2) the shutter 222 of the dispensing unit 22 opens the take-out port 221 during the collection process.

[0125] The collection process includes a full collection process in which all of the banknotes stored in the storage unit 31-36 are dispensed, and a designated number of collection process in which a designated number of banknotes are dispensed from among the banknotes stored in the storage unit 31-36.

[0126] When a user, in this case a financial institution staff member, designates a storage unit to be collected, the designated storage units 31-36 feed out the banknotes for collection. The transport unit 4 transports the banknotes to the dispensing unit 22 via the recognition unit 24. The dispensing unit 22 holds the banknotes. The maximum number of banknotes that the dispensing unit 22 can hold is less than the maximum number of banknotes that can be stored in the storage unit. Therefore, the dispensing unit 22 becomes full during the collection process. The financial institution staff member removes the banknotes from the dispensing unit 22 through the outlet 221 before the dispensing unit 22 becomes full or when the dispensing unit 22 becomes full. Because the outlet 221 is open, the staff member can smoothly remove the banknotes from the dispensing unit 22 at any time.

[0127] Here, in the collection process, banknotes are discharged to the dispensing unit 22 with the outlet 221 of the dispensing unit 22 open. If the banknotes to be discharged to the dispensing unit 22 are transported in a normal state, the banknotes discharged to the dispensing unit 22 interfere with the stopper 224 and therefore do not fly out from the outlet 221.

[0128] However, when the banknotes discharged to the dispensing unit 22 are skewed, the banknotes may not interfere with the stoppers 224 and may slip between the stoppers 224 as illustrated in Fig. 11, causing the banknotes 20 to fly out of the outlet 221. Banknotes flying out due to transport abnormalities are particularly likely to occur when the size of the banknotes is small.

[0129] Bills may fly out not only when they are slanted, but also when they are chained or overlapped. When a chain or overlap of bills occurs, the following bill may not enter between the blades of the impeller 223 and be thrown up by the blades, which may result in the bill passing over the stopper 224 and flying out of the outlet 221.

[0130] Furthermore, if banknotes are pushed together, when they are discharged into the withdrawal section 22, the force is not applied evenly from the two impellers 223, but is applied unevenly, which may cause the banknote to change direction and slip between the stoppers 224 or pass over the stoppers 224, causing the banknote to fly out of the withdrawal opening 221.

[0131] The currency handling device 1 prevents banknotes from flying out of the outlet 221 during the full collection process or the designated number collection process. Specifically, the control unit 51 judges the risk of abnormal discharge of the banknote based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 24. Then, the currency handling device 1 discharges banknotes with a low risk of abnormal discharge to the dispensing unit 22 in the first mode, and discharges banknotes with a high risk of abnormal discharge to the dispensing unit 22 in the second mode.

[0132] Next, a control method for the full collection process of the currency handling device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 shows a control procedure when the currency handling device 1 of Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 executes the full collection process. Fig. 8 shows the transport path of banknotes when the currency handling device 1 executes the full collection process.

[0133] In step S71, the storage unit 31-36 to be collected feeds out banknotes. In step S72, the transport unit 4 transports the banknotes to the recognition unit 24. In step S73, the recognition unit 24 recognizes the banknotes. In Fig. 8, the storage unit to be collected is the first storage unit 31. As shown by the solid arrow in the upper diagram of Fig. 8, the banknotes fed from the first storage unit 31 are transported from the fourth branch path 44 through the loop transport path 40 to the recognition unit 24.

[0134] Here, the transport unit 4 transports the banknotes at a first speed. The first speed is a relatively high transport speed. The storage units 31-36 feed the banknotes at a speed corresponding to the first speed.

[0135] In step S74, the control unit 51 judges whether or not the risk of abnormal discharge of the banknote is high based on the recognition result in step S73. Banknotes with abnormal transport such as skewing, chaining, overlapping, or width-shifting are judged to have a high risk of abnormal discharge. If the judgment in step S74 is No, the transport unit 4 transports the banknote to the dispensing unit 22 in step S75. The transport speed of the banknote is the first speed. As shown by the solid arrow in the upper diagram of FIG. 8, banknotes with a low risk of abnormal discharge are transported from the loop transport path 40 to the dispensing unit 22 via the second branch path 42. The outlet 221 of the dispensing unit 22 is open. Although the discharge speed of the banknote to the dispensing unit 22 is relatively high, the risk of abnormal discharge is low, and therefore the banknotes discharged to the dispensing unit 22 are prevented from jumping out of the outlet 221.

[0136] If the determination in step S74 is Yes, in step 76, the transport unit 4 transports the banknote to the temporary holding unit 23. As indicated by the dashed arrow in the upper diagram of Fig. 8, banknotes with a high risk of discharge abnormality are transported from the loop transport path 40 via the third branch path 43 to the temporary holding unit 23. The temporary holding unit 23 stores banknotes with a high risk of discharge abnormality.

[0137] In step S74, it is possible to determine rejected banknotes including banknotes that have been abnormally conveyed and banknotes with an abnormal denomination, rather than determining banknotes that have a high risk of being discharged abnormally, which include banknotes that have been abnormally conveyed. In other words, if the banknote is normal, the determination in step S74 may be No, and if the banknote is rejected, the determination in step S74 may be Yes.

[0138] In step S77, the control unit 51 judges whether the number of banknotes held by the dispensing unit 22 has reached the maximum number that can be held. If the judgment in step S77 is Yes, in step S78, the currency handling device 1 temporarily stops the discharge operation of banknotes and waits for a person to remove the banknotes held by the dispensing unit 22 through the removal port 221. The control unit 51 judges that the banknotes have been removed based on the output signal of the sensor 225. Once the banknotes have been removed, in step S71, the storage unit to be collected resumes feeding out banknotes.

[0139] In step S77, the control unit 51 may determine whether or not the number of banknotes held by the dispensing unit 22 has reached a predetermined number that is less than the maximum number that can be held, for example, a number designated in batch processing.

[0140] If the determination in step S77 is No, in step S79, the control unit 51 determines whether the remaining number of banknotes stored in the storage unit to be collected has reached zero based on a signal from the storage unit. If the determination in step S79 is No, the storage unit continues to feed out banknotes in step S71.

[0141] If the determination in step S79 is Yes, then in step S710 the control unit 51 determines whether or not there are any banknotes in the temporary holding unit 23. If the determination in step S710 is Yes, then all of the banknotes stored in the storage unit to be collected have been discharged to the dispensing unit 22, and the process in Fig. 7 ends. If the determination in step S710 is No, then in step S711 the control unit 51 changes the mode related to the discharge of banknotes from the first mode to the second mode.

[0142] In the next step S712, the temporary holding unit 23 feeds out the stored banknotes. The transport unit 4 transports the fed banknotes from the third branch path 43 through the loop transport path 40 and the second branch path 42 to the dispensing unit 22, as shown by the solid arrow in the lower diagram of FIG. 8. At this time, the transport unit 4 transports the banknotes at a second speed. The second speed is slower than the first speed. The temporary holding unit 23 feeds out the banknotes at a speed corresponding to the second speed. The banknotes transported to the dispensing unit 22 are banknotes with a high risk of discharge abnormality, but because the transport speed is low, the discharge speed at which the banknotes are discharged to the dispensing unit 22 is also low. Even banknotes with a high risk of discharge abnormality are prevented from flying out of the outlet 221.

[0143] Note that, during the transport in step S712, the recognition unit 24 may omit recognition of the banknotes because all banknotes are discharged to the dispensing unit 22.

[0144] In step S713, the control unit 51 determines whether the remaining number of banknotes stored in the temporary storage unit 23 has reached zero. If the determination in step S713 is No, the temporary storage unit 23 continues to feed out banknotes in step S712. If the determination in step S713 is Yes, all of the banknotes stored in the storage unit to be collected have been discharged to the dispensing unit 22, and the process in Fig. 7 ends.

[0145] Even if the currency handling device 1 performs a collection process with the outlet 221 of the dispensing unit 22 open, it is possible to prevent banknotes from flying out of the outlet 221. Because the outlet 221 remains open, a person in charge can take out banknotes held in the dispensing unit 22 at any time.

[0146] Furthermore, by using the temporary holding unit 23, banknotes with a low risk of abnormal discharging can be transported at high speed, while banknotes with a high risk of abnormal discharging can be transported together at a low speed.

[0147] As a result, the currency handling device 1 can complete the collection process smoothly and in a short time.

[0148] 7, instead of changing the conveying speed of the banknotes from the first speed to the second speed in response to a change from the first mode to the second mode, the shutter 222 may close the outlet 221. Although there is a high risk of abnormal discharge of the banknotes discharged to the dispensing unit 22, closing the outlet 221 prevents the banknotes from flying out of the outlet 221.

[0149] In addition, in step S711, in accordance with the change from the first mode to the second mode, the conveying speed of the banknotes may be changed from the first speed to the second speed, and the shutter 222 may close the outlet 221.

[0150] In addition, the control procedure when the currency processing device 1 executes the specified number of banknotes collection process is the same as the flowchart in Figure 7, except that in step S79, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the specified number of banknotes have been discharged to the withdrawal unit 22.

[0151] FIG. 9 shows a control procedure different from that of FIG. 7 when the currency handling device 1 of FIGS. 5 and 6 executes a full collection process.

[0152] In step S91, the storage unit 31-36 to be collected dispenses banknotes. In step S92, the control unit 51 acquires information on the discharge abnormality risk of the banknote dispensed from the storage unit from the external memory 25. The control unit 51 may determine the discharge abnormality risk for the first to fifth storage units 31-35 that store banknotes by denomination, based on the denomination associated with the storage unit. In addition, since the sixth storage unit 36 ​​stores rejected banknotes generated during a dispensing process, as described above, the control unit 51 may determine that the banknote dispensed by the sixth storage unit 36 ​​has a high discharge abnormality risk.

[0153] In step S93, the control unit 51 determines whether or not there is a high risk of abnormal discharge of the banknote based on the information acquired in step S92. If the determination in step S93 is No, in step S94, the transport unit 4 transports the banknote to the dispensing unit 22. The transport speed of the banknote is a first speed. The outlet 221 of the dispensing unit 22 is open. Although the discharge speed of the banknote to the dispensing unit 22 is relatively high, the risk of abnormal discharge is low, and therefore the banknote discharged to the dispensing unit 22 is prevented from flying out of the outlet 221.

[0154] If the determination in step S93 is Yes, in step S95, the transport unit 4 transports the banknote to the escrow unit 23. The escrow unit 23 stores banknotes that have a high risk of being discharged abnormally.

[0155] In step S96, the control unit 51 determines whether the number of banknotes held by the dispensing unit 22 has reached the maximum number of banknotes that can be held. If the determination in step S96 is Yes, in step S97, the currency handling device 1 temporarily stops the dispensing operation of banknotes and waits for a person to remove the banknotes held by the dispensing unit 22 through the removal port 221. The control unit 51 determines that the banknotes have been removed based on the output signal of the sensor 225. Once the banknotes have been removed, in step S91, the storage unit to be collected resumes feeding out banknotes.

[0156] In step S96, the control unit 51 may determine whether or not the number of banknotes held by the dispensing unit 22 has reached a predetermined number that is less than the maximum number that can be held, for example, a number designated in batch processing.

[0157] If the determination in step S96 is No, in step S98, the control unit 51 determines whether the remaining number of banknotes stored in the storage unit to be collected has reached zero based on a signal from the storage unit. If the determination in step S98 is No, the storage unit continues to feed out banknotes in step S91.

[0158] If the determination in step S98 is Yes, the control unit 51 determines in step S99 whether or not there are any banknotes in the temporary holding unit 23. If the determination in step S99 is Yes, all of the banknotes stored in the storage unit to be collected have been discharged to the dispensing unit 22, and the process in Fig. 9 ends. If the determination in step S99 is No, the control unit 51 changes the mode related to the discharge of banknotes from the first mode to the second mode in step S910.

[0159] In the next step S911, the temporary holding unit 23 pays out the stored banknotes. The transport unit 4 transports the fed banknotes to the dispensing unit 22. At this time, the transport unit 4 transports the banknotes at a second speed. The second speed is slower than the first speed. The banknotes transported to the dispensing unit 22 are banknotes with a high risk of discharge abnormalities, but because the transport speed is slow, the discharge speed at which the banknotes are discharged to the dispensing unit 22 is also slow. Even banknotes with a high risk of discharge abnormalities are prevented from flying out of the outlet 221.

[0160] In step S912, the control unit 51 determines whether the remaining number of banknotes stored in the temporary storage unit 23 has reached zero. If the determination in step S912 is No, the temporary storage unit 23 continues to feed out banknotes in step S911. If the determination in step S912 is Yes, all of the banknotes stored in the storage unit to be collected have been discharged to the dispensing unit 22, and the process in Fig. 9 ends.

[0161] In step S910 of the flow in FIG. 9, instead of changing the conveying speed of the banknotes from the first speed to the second speed in response to the change from the first mode to the second mode, the shutter 222 may close the outlet 221.

[0162] In addition, in step S910, in accordance with the change from the first mode to the second mode, the conveying speed of the banknotes may be changed from the first speed to the second speed, and the shutter 222 may close the outlet 221.

[0163] In addition, the control procedure when the currency processing device 1 executes the specified number of banknotes collection process is the same as the flowchart in Figure 9, except that in step S98, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the specified number of banknotes have been discharged to the withdrawal unit 22.

[0164] Here, the temporary storage unit 23 is not limited to being a winding type storage unit, and may be a stack type storage unit like the first to sixth storage units 31-36. In a stack type storage unit, the constraint of stored banknotes is temporarily released. Therefore, if a banknote with a transport abnormality is stored in a stack type storage unit, the transport abnormality of the banknote fed out from the stack type storage unit is resolved or reduced. If the temporary storage unit 23 is a stack type storage unit, even if the banknote has a high risk of being discharged abnormally due to a transport abnormality, the risk of the banknote being discharged abnormally is reduced by storing the banknote in the temporary storage unit 23.

[0165] Therefore, the currency handling device 1 equipped with the escrow unit 23 consisting of a stack-type storage unit may omit step S711 in the flow of Fig. 7. In other words, if banknotes with a high risk of discharge abnormality are transported to the escrow unit 23 in step S76, the risk of transport abnormality of the banknotes paid out from the escrow unit 23 is reduced, and therefore the control unit 51 can omit changing the mode from the first mode to the second mode.

[0166] Similarly, in a currency handling device 1 equipped with a temporary storage unit 23 consisting of a stack-type storage unit, step S910 may be omitted in the flow of FIG.

[0167] The currency handling apparatus 1 can prevent banknotes from flying out of the outlet 221 of the dispensing unit 22 during the full collection process or the designated number of banknote collection process.

[0168] In step S712 of the flow in Fig. 7 or step S911 of the flow in Fig. 9, the currency handling device 1 may transport the banknotes dispensed by the temporary holding unit 23 directly to the dispensing unit 22 without passing through the recognition unit 24 (see the lower diagram in Fig. 10). This reduces the number of drive points through which the banknotes pass on the transport path, thereby preventing the banknotes from becoming jammed.

[0169] It should be noted that the configuration of the currency handling device 1 shown in Fig. 5 is just one example. The technology disclosed herein is applicable to currency handling devices with various configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0170] 1. Currency handling equipment 22 Withdrawal Department (Discharge Department) 221 Outlet 222 Shutter 23 Temporary Holding Department 24 Identification section 31 First storage section 32 Second storage section 33 Third storage section 34 4th storage section 35 5th storage section 36 6th Storage Section 40 Loop conveyor 42 Second Fork 43 Third Junction 44 Fourth Junction 45 5th Junction 46 6th Junction 51 Control section 100 Money handling equipment 101 Storage section 102 Discharge section 104 Outlet 105 Shutter 106 Conveyor 107 Transport Path 108 Control Unit 200 Money handling equipment 201 Storage section 202 Discharge section 204 Outlet 205 Shutter 206 Transport section 207 Transport Path 208 Control Unit 210 Identification unit

Claims

1. A storage section that dispenses stored coins; a discharging section for discharging currency, the discharging section having an outlet for removing the currency held by the discharging section from the discharging section to the outside of the device; a conveying unit that conveys the money fed from the storage unit to the discharge unit using a conveying path connecting the storage unit and the discharge unit, and discharges the money to the discharge unit; A currency processing device comprising: a control unit that outputs a control signal for discharging currency to the storage unit and the transport unit, and when the currency to be discharged to the discharge unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit discharges the currency to the discharge unit in a first mode, and when the currency to be discharged to the discharge unit does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the control unit discharges the currency to the discharge unit in a second mode.

2. The currency handling device according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying unit conveys currency at a first speed in the first mode and conveys currency at a second speed slower than the first speed in the second mode.

3. The discharge unit has a shutter that opens and closes the outlet, The control unit outputs a control signal to the discharging unit for discharging the coins, The currency processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the discharge unit opens the shutter in the first mode, and closes the shutter in the second mode at least when currency is discharged to the discharge unit.

4. The machine further includes a temporary storage unit connected to the transport path and configured to store and dispense currency, In the first mode, the transport unit transports the bills fed from the storage unit directly to the discharge unit, A currency processing device as described in claim 1, wherein in the second mode, the transporting unit transports the currency dispensed from the storage unit to the temporary storage unit, and the temporary storage unit stores the currency, and the transporting unit transports the currency dispensed from the temporary storage unit to the discharge unit.

5. 5. The currency processing device according to claim 4, wherein the conveying unit conveys currency at a first speed in the first mode, and conveys currency at a second speed slower than that in the first mode when the currency is conveyed from the temporary storage unit to the discharge unit in the second mode.

6. The currency handling device according to claim 5 , wherein in the second mode, the transport unit transports currency at the first speed when the currency is transported from the storage unit to the temporary holding unit.

7. the discharge section has a shutter that opens and closes the opening, The control unit outputs a control signal to the discharging unit for discharging the coins, A currency processing device as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the discharge section opens the shutter in the first mode, and closes the shutter in the second mode when currency is transported from the temporary holding section to the discharge section.

8. The machine further includes a recognition unit that is located on the transport path and recognizes the money fed from the storage unit with respect to the predetermined conditions, The currency processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the recognition result of the recognition unit.

9. A currency processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit switches between the first mode and the second mode during a full recovery process in which all of the currency stored in the storage unit is discharged to the discharge unit.

10. A currency processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit switches between the first mode and the second mode in a specified number recovery process in which a specified number of currency notes is discharged to the discharge unit.

11. A currency processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit switches between the first mode and the second mode in a batch process in which the currency to be discharged is divided into a predetermined number and discharged to the discharge unit.

12. The currency handling device according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined number is equal to or less than the number of currency that the ejection unit can hold.

13. The predetermined condition is related to a risk of occurrence of an abnormal discharge in which the coin discharged to the discharge unit jumps out of the outlet, A currency processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the control unit performs the discharge in the first mode when the risk of the discharge abnormality occurring is low, and performs the discharge in the second mode when the risk of the discharge abnormality occurring is high.

14. The currency processing device according to claim 13, wherein the risk of occurrence of the discharge abnormality is determined by at least one of the denomination of the currency, the size of the currency, the thickness of the currency, and the magnitude of the unevenness of the currency.

15. The currency processing device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the risk of an ejection abnormality occurring is determined by at least one of whether the coin is folded, whether the coin is torn, the hardness or softness of the coin, and whether or not there is any attachment to the coin.

16. A currency processing device as described in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the risk of the occurrence of an ejection abnormality is determined by at least one of the following: skewing of currency during transport, chaining of currency during transport, overlapping of currency during transport, and pushing together of currency during transport.

17. A storage section that dispenses stored coins; a discharging section for discharging currency, the discharging section having an outlet for removing the currency held by the discharging section from the discharging section to the outside of the device; a conveying unit that conveys the money fed from the storage unit to the discharge unit using a conveying path connecting the storage unit and the discharge unit, and discharges the money to the discharge unit; a temporary storage unit connected to the transport path and configured to store and dispense currency; a control unit that outputs a control signal for discharging the currency to the storage unit, the transport unit, and the temporary holding unit, and executes discharging the currency in a first mode when there is a low risk of an abnormal discharge of the currency discharged to the discharge unit jumping out of the outlet, and executes discharging the currency in a second mode when there is a high risk of an abnormal discharge of the currency discharged to the discharge unit, The temporary storage unit is a stack type temporary storage unit that reduces the risk of abnormal discharge of stored currency, In the first mode, the transport unit transports the bills fed from the storage unit directly to the discharge unit, In the second mode, the conveying unit conveys the currency dispensed from the storage unit to the temporary storage unit, and the temporary storage unit stores the currency, while the conveying unit conveys the currency dispensed from the temporary storage unit to the discharge unit.

18. The coins are dispensed from the storage area, A conveying unit conveys the coins fed from the storage unit toward a discharge unit having an outlet for removing the coins from the device; When the money to be discharged to the discharge unit satisfies a predetermined condition, the money is discharged to the discharge unit in a first mode; A currency processing method, comprising: discharging a currency to the discharge section in a second mode when the currency to be discharged to the discharge section does not satisfy the specified condition.

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