Coin processing device

Abstract

To provide a coin processing device capable of smoothly executing various types of processing accompanied by print processing as the whole device.SOLUTION: A teller machine 1 includes: a keyboard 50 that accepts operation input to a bill processing unit 10, a crisp bill processing unit 20, and a coin processing unit 30; a display 40 that displays guidance of operation; a storage unit 73 that stores operation history data in the bill processing unit 10, the crisp bill processing unit 20, and the coin processing unit 30; a printer 60 that types out the operation history data on printing paper to print a journal J; a prediction unit 74 that predicts a resource use amount required for typing out the journal J based on a typed out amount of the operation history data to be typed out on the journal J; and a control unit 70 that when operation input of print processing of the journal J is performed through the keyboard 50, causes the display 40 to display the resource use amount before printing of the journal J is started.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a currency processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a currency processing device that is installed in a financial institution, department store, or other store and processes currency for the entire store (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The currency processing performed by a currency processing device installed in a financial institution includes, for example, transaction processing such as deposits and withdrawals by clerks for large customers, withdrawals by clerks of funds taken out to clients, deposits of funds brought back from clients, and closing out the deposit and withdrawal status of the entire financial institution store after the close of business.

[0003] In the closing process, a journal printer prints monthly reports and journals containing operation history data such as transaction processing and deposit / withdrawal processing history (logs) for the currency processing device. In recent years in particular, there have been many cases of cash being left inside the machine, and if a discrepancy occurs during self-surveys (return inside the machine) several times a month, it may be necessary to print journals containing large amounts of past operation history data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-198126 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, journal printers are also used in various processes of currency handling devices, including the closing process, and for example print receipts with deposit information printed on them during the deposit process. Therefore, when a journal with a huge amount of operation history data printed on it is printed during the closing process, other processes that involve printing by the journal printer tend to be delayed, and there is a risk of a decrease in the operational efficiency of the device as a whole.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a currency processing device that can smoothly perform various processes involving printing processing as a whole device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the currency processing device of the present invention is configured to include a currency processing unit that processes currency, an operation unit that accepts operation input to the currency processing unit, a display unit that displays operation instructions, a memory unit that stores operation history data of the currency processing unit, a printing unit that prints the operation history data on printing paper, a prediction unit that predicts the amount of resource usage required for printing by the printing unit based on the printing amount of the operation history data printed on the printing paper, and a control unit that, when an operation input to print the operation history data is received via the operation unit, causes the resource usage to be displayed on the display unit before the operation history data is printed. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The present invention can provide a currency processing device that can smoothly execute various processes involving printing processes as a whole device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an oblique view showing a teller machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] Block diagram of the main parts of the cash dispenser. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a selection screen for selecting classification conditions for operation history data. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a selection screen including a list of operation history data by operator. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a journal output during closing processing. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for checking whether or not to print a journal based on a predicted printing time. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a selection screen that displays a predicted printing time before a journal is printed. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining whether or not to print a journal based on a predicted wear length. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a selection screen that displays a predicted wear length before journal printing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An embodiment of the currency processing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the following, when the number, value, amount, range, etc. of components are mentioned, unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle, the number is not limited to the specific number, and the number may be more or less than the specific number.

[0011] In addition, when referring to the shape or positional relationship of components, etc., this includes things that are substantially similar or approximate to those shapes, etc., unless otherwise specified or considered to be clearly different in principle.

[0012] In addition, the drawings may exaggerate characteristic parts to make the features easier to understand, and the dimensional ratios of the components may not be the same as in reality.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a teller machine 1 that processes banknotes and coins, which is one embodiment of a currency processing device. The teller machine 1 is mainly installed in a store such as a financial institution, can be used by store employees, and can manage currency processing throughout the store. The teller machine 1 performs, for example, transaction processing such as deposits and withdrawals by employees to large customers, withdrawal processing of money taken out by employees to business partners, deposit processing of money taken home by employees from business partners, and closing processing of the deposit and withdrawal status of the entire store after business hours. In the following explanation, the operator side of the teller machine 1 is referred to as the front, the opposite side of the operator from the teller machine 1 is referred to as the rear, and the left and right sides when looking at the teller machine 1 from the operator are referred to as the left and right.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the cash dispenser 1 comprises a banknote processing unit 10 which performs processes such as depositing and withdrawing banknotes, a new note processing unit 20 which performs processes such as dispensing new notes, and a coin processing unit 30 which performs processes such as depositing and withdrawing coins, arranged from left to right in the order of the banknote processing unit 10, the new note processing unit 20, and the coin processing unit 30.

[0015] The banknote processing unit 10 performs a banknote deposit process in which banknotes inserted through a banknote deposit / withdrawal port 11 located approximately in the center of the front of the banknote processing unit 10 are sorted by denomination and stored in a banknote storage unit inside the machine, and a banknote withdrawal process in which banknotes fed from the banknote storage unit are paid out of the machine from the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 11.

[0016] The banknote processing unit 10 is equipped with a banknote acceptance unit (not shown) that identifies the authenticity and denomination of banknotes deposited in the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 11 and accepts only genuine banknotes. The banknote acceptance unit sorts and stores the accepted genuine banknotes by denomination. Furthermore, if a banknote inserted into the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 11 is a counterfeit, unidentifiable or foreign banknote, the banknote acceptance unit will not accept the banknote and will discharge it from the deposit rejection port 12.

[0017] The new note processing unit 20 performs a new note deposit process in which new notes inserted through a new note deposit / withdrawal port 21 provided at the upper front part of the new note processing unit 20 are sorted by denomination and stored in a new note storage unit inside the machine, and a new note dispensing process in which new notes dispensed from the new note storage unit are paid out from the new note deposit / withdrawal port 21 to the outside of the machine.

[0018] The coin processing unit 30 performs a coin deposit process in which coins inserted through a coin deposit port 31 provided on the top surface of the coin processing unit 30 are sorted by denomination and stored in a coin storage unit within the machine, and a coin withdrawal process in which coins dispensed from the coin storage unit are paid out from the machine through a coin withdrawal box 32.

[0019] The coin processing unit 30 is equipped with a coin acceptance unit (not shown) that identifies the authenticity and denomination of coins deposited in the coin deposit port 31 and accepts only genuine coins. The coin acceptance unit sorts the accepted genuine coins by denomination and stores them. The coin acceptance unit also sorts the accepted genuine coins by denomination and stores them. In addition, if a coin inserted into the coin deposit port 31 is a counterfeit coin, an unidentifiable coin, or a foreign coin, the coin acceptance unit will not accept the coin and will discharge it from the deposit rejection port 33.

[0020] The teller machine 1 is provided with a display 40 as a display unit and a keyboard 50 as an operation unit. The display 40 and the keyboard 50 are placed on the upper surface of the coin processing unit 30.

[0021] An operation screen including a plurality of icons and input forms that are registered in advance in response to initial settings or an operator's operation is displayed on the display 40.

[0022] The keyboard 50 accepts operation inputs via key presses by an operator. The keyboard 50 is also provided with a card reader (not shown) that reads a card identifying the operator. The operation of the cash dispenser 1 is limited to cases where an operator authenticated by the card reader has the authority to access the cash dispenser 1.

[0023] The display 40 and the keyboard 50 may be a touch panel that accepts touch operation input. The display 40 configured as a touch panel has a button function that accepts selection of an icon displayed on the display 40, for example, when it detects an operator's touch input to the icon.

[0024] The teller machine 1 is provided with a printer 60 as a printing unit that prints operation history data, such as transaction processing and deposit / withdrawal processing history (log) by the teller machine 1 on printing paper to print receipts, journals, monthly reports, etc. The printer 60 is placed on the upper surface of the coin processing unit 30. The printing paper is removably loaded inside the printer 60.

[0025] The cash dispenser 1 is provided with a control unit 70 that controls the operation of the cash dispenser 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 70 includes an operation control unit 71, a display control unit 72, a storage unit 73, and a prediction unit 74.

[0026] The operation control unit 71 controls the operation of various devices that constitute the cash dispenser 1. The display control unit 72 controls various screens that are displayed on the display 40.

[0027] The memory unit 73 stores various information necessary for the operation of the teller machine 1. The memory unit 73 also stores operation history data such as transaction processing and deposit / withdrawal processing history (log) by the teller machine 1. The memory unit 73 also stores printing history data including the initial length (e.g., 100 m) of the printing paper stored in the printer 60 and the consumed length of the printing paper from an unused state to the present. The consumed length of the printing paper stored in the memory unit 73 is updated every time a printing process is performed, and is initialized when unused printing paper is loaded into the printer 60.

[0028] The prediction unit 74 predicts the resource usage required for printing by the printer 60 based on the print volume when printing the operation history data stored in the storage unit 73 on printing paper. Note that the resource usage is, for example, the printing time required for printing by the printer 60 or the consumed length of the printing paper, but is not limited to these.

[0029] Next, the main operations of the printer 60 in the various processes executed by the cash dispenser 1 will be described.

[0030] <Deposit processing> When an operator operates the display 40 and keyboard 50 to select a deposit process, the banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 11 and coin deposit slot 31 open, and the coins are inserted. The banknote processing unit 10 identifies the authenticity and denomination of the inserted banknotes, and sorts them by denomination into banknote storage units within the machine for storage. The coin processing unit 30 also identifies the authenticity and denomination of the inserted coins, and sorts them by denomination into coin storage units within the machine for storage.

[0031] Deposit information such as the denominations of correctly identified coins and the total amount is shown on the display 40, and after the operator confirms the total amount etc., the deposit is confirmed by completing the operation via the keyboard 50, and the printer 60 prints a receipt with the deposit information printed on the printing paper.

[0032] <Withdrawal process> The operator operates the display 40 and keyboard 50 to select a dispensing process and inputs the number of bills of each denomination and the amount to be dispensed. Based on this input operation, the teller machine 1 dispenses bills from the bill storage unit of the bill processing unit 10 to the bill deposit / withdrawal port 11, or dispenses coins from the coin storage unit of the coin processing unit 30 to the coin withdrawal box 32. After the operator confirms that the withdrawal has been performed normally, he or she removes the bills and coins from the bill deposit / withdrawal port 11 and the coin withdrawal box 32.

[0033] In parallel with the above-mentioned withdrawal process, the printer 60 prints out a receipt on which withdrawal information, such as the amount by denomination and the total amount, is printed on printing paper.

[0034] <Tightening process> The operator operates the display 40 and the keyboard 50 to select, via the selection screen S1 shown in Figure 3, the classification conditions for the operation history data to be output to the cash dispenser 1 during the closing process.

[0035] The selection screen S1 includes an icon I10 for "inquiry by operator" and an icon I11 for "inquiry by closing account by subject." When either the icon I10 or the icon I11 is selected via key input on the keyboard 50 and the selection is confirmed via the execution key on the keyboard 50, the display control unit 72 displays another operation screen on the display 40 to realize the function corresponding to the selected icon I10 or icon I11.

[0036] When the icon I10 of "Query by Operator" is selected on the selection screen S1, the display control unit 72 switches the screen displayed on the display 40 from the selection screen S1 to the selection screen S2 shown in FIG.

[0037] The selection screen S2 includes a list listing summaries of operation history data for each operator of the cash dispenser 1. This list includes information about the operator (operator number, operator name, operator rank) and the total amount of withdrawal payment and the total amount of remittance withdrawal payment for each operator as a summary of operation history data for each operator in the withdrawal process.

[0038] On the selection screen S2, the keyboard 50 accepts an operation input via the arrow keys to select an operator from the list, an operation input via the execute key to confirm the selection of an operator, and an operation input to start detailed printing of operation history data related to the selected operator. Note that on the selection screen S2, in addition to selection by operator, detailed printing of operation history data of all operators can also be selected.

[0039] The operation control unit 71 calls up from the storage unit 73 the details of the operation history data relating to the operator selected on the selection screen S2, and controls the printer 60 to print the journal J shown in FIG. 5 in which the details are printed.

[0040] Similarly, when the icon I11 of "Closing inquiry by subject" is selected on the selection screen S1, the display control unit 72 switches the screen displayed on the display 40 from the selection screen S1 to a selection screen (not shown) that displays operation history data by subject (total balance, on-hand balance, safe balance, etc.) to the cash dispenser 1. On this selection screen, the keyboard 50 accepts an operation input via the arrow keys to select a subject, an operation input via the execute key to confirm the selection of the subject, and an operation input to start printing details of the operation history data related to the selected subject. Then, the operation control unit 71 controls the printer 60 to call up details of the operation history data related to the selected subject from the storage unit 73 and print a journal with the details printed on it.

[0041] In this way, during the closing process, the printer 60 prints the journal J according to the classification conditions selected on the selection screen S3. However, if a discrepancy occurs when performing a self-scrutiny (internal return) several times a month, for example, the printer 60 must print out a large amount of operation history data, which may cause delays to other operations of the cash dispenser 1, such as deposit and withdrawal processing, which use the printer 60.

[0042] Therefore, in the cash dispenser 1, before starting the print process of the journal J, the resource usage required for printing the journal J is displayed on the display 40, and the operator is prompted to confirm whether or not to start the print process of the journal J. Below, the flow of displaying the resource usage before starting the print process will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0043] First, the operator selects in advance via the display 40 and the keyboard 50 whether or not to display the resource usage before starting printing of the journal J, and if the resource usage is to be displayed in advance before starting printing of the journal J, whether to use the printing time or the consumption length as the resource usage.

[0044] When the printing time is selected as the resource usage, the printing process of the journal J is executed based on the flowchart shown in Fig. 6. Specifically, when the keyboard 50 accepts an operation input to print the journal J (step S10), the prediction unit 74 calls up the data volume of the operation history data to be printed in the journal J from the storage unit 73, and predicts the printing time required to print the journal J with the operation history data printed thereon (step S11). The printing time is calculated based on the data volume of the operation history data, the print layout of the journal J, the printing speed of the printer 60, and the like.

[0045] Next, the control unit 70 determines whether or not the printing time predicted by the prediction unit 74 (predicted printing time) exceeds a preset allowable printing time (for example, 5 minutes) (step S12).

[0046] If the predicted printing time exceeds the preset allowable printing time (No in step S12), the display control unit 72 displays the selection screen S3 shown in Figure 7 on the display 40, which allows the user to select whether or not to start the printing process of journal J (step S13).

[0047] The selection screen S3 includes a window I20 that displays the estimated print time. In addition, the bottom of the selection screen S3 includes an "Execute" icon I21 for executing the printing process of journal J, a "Cancel" icon I22 for canceling the printing process of journal J, a "Data Storage" icon I23 for saving the operation history data selected on the selection screen S2 in an external memory, and a "Send by Email" icon I24 for sending the operation history data selected on the selection screen S2 to an email address whose destination has been set in advance via a communication network (not shown).

[0048] When the keyboard 50 accepts the selection input of the "Cancel" icon I22, the "Data storage" icon I23, or the "Send by email" icon I24 on the selection screen S3 ("No" in step S14), the operation control unit 71 cancels the print process of the journal J, and when the "Data storage" icon I23 or the "Send by email" icon I24 is selected, the operation history data is saved in an external memory or sent to a preset destination email address, and then the cash dispenser 1 is returned to a standby state. In this way, the operator can cancel the print process of the journal J in consideration of the predicted print time. In addition, the operator can view the operation history data output to an external memory or the like outside the cash dispenser 1.

[0049] On the other hand, if the keyboard 50 accepts the selection input of the "Execute" icon I21 on the selection screen S3 ("Yes" in step S14), or if the predicted printing time does not exceed the preset allowable printing time ("Yes" in step S12), the operation control unit 71 controls the printer 60 to print the journal J (step S15).

[0050] On the other hand, when the consumption length is selected as the resource usage amount, the printing process of the journal J is executed based on the flowchart shown in Fig. 8. Specifically, when the keyboard 50 accepts an operation input to print the journal J on which the operation history data is printed (step S20), the prediction unit 74 calls up the data volume of the operation history data to be printed on the journal J from the storage unit 73, and predicts the consumption length of the printing paper when printing the operation history data on the journal J (step S21). The consumption length of the printing paper is calculated based on the data volume of the operation history data, the printing layout of the journal J, the printing speed of the printer 60, etc.

[0051] Next, the control unit 70 determines whether or not the wear length predicted by the prediction unit 74 (predicted wear length) exceeds a preset allowable wear length (for example, 3 m) (step S22).

[0052] If the predicted wear length exceeds the preset allowable wear length (No in step S22), the display control unit 72 displays on the display 40 a selection screen S4 shown in Fig. 9 for selecting and inputting whether or not to start printing processing of the journal J (step S23). The selection screen S4 includes a window I25 showing the predicted wear length in addition to the icons I21 to I24 of the selection screen S3.

[0053] When the keyboard 50 accepts the selection input of the "Cancel" icon I22, the "Data storage" icon I23, or the "Send by email" icon I24 on the selection screen S4 ("No" in step S24), the operation control unit 71 cancels the print process of the journal J, and when the "Data storage" icon I23 or the "Send by email" icon I24 is selected, the operation history data is saved in an external memory or sent to a preset destination email address, and then the cash dispenser 1 is returned to a standby state. In this way, the operator can cancel the print process of the journal J in consideration of the predicted wear length. In addition, the operator can view the operation history data output to an external memory or the like outside the cash dispenser 1.

[0054] On the other hand, if the keyboard 50 accepts the selection input of the "Execute" icon I22 on the selection screen S4 ("Yes" in step S24), or if the predicted wear length does not exceed the preset allowable wear length ("Yes" in step S22), the operation control unit 71 controls the printer 60 to print the journal J (step S25).

[0055] In addition, the control unit 70 adds the consumed length of the printing paper consumed in association with printing of the journal J to the cumulative consumed length of the printing paper that has been printed on from the unused state up to the present time, which is stored in the memory unit 73.

[0056] Note that the control unit 70 may determine whether the printer 60 can print the journal J without replacing the printing paper between steps S21 and S25.

[0057] Specifically, the control unit 70 judges whether or not the predicted wear length exceeds the printable length of the print paper stored in the memory unit 73. The printable length is the length of the print paper that can be printed at the present time, calculated from the initial length of the print paper in an unused state and the accumulated wear length of the print paper that has been printed to date.

[0058] If the predicted consumption length exceeds the printable length, the paper runs out during printing and the printing paper needs to be replaced. Therefore, the display control unit 72 displays a selection screen (not shown) on the display 40 to allow the operator to select and input whether to execute the printing process without replacing the printing paper, or to execute the printing process after replacing the printing paper in advance.

[0059] When the keyboard 50 receives a selection input for executing a printing process without replacing the printing paper, the operation control unit 71 controls the printer 60 to start printing the journal J.

[0060] On the other hand, when the keyboard 50 accepts a selection input to execute the printing process after replacing the printing paper, new printing paper is loaded into the printer 60 and the accumulated wear length is reset to zero. As a result, the wear length predicted by the execution of the printing process falls below the printable length, and the operation control unit 71 controls the printer 60 to start printing the journal J. This makes it possible to avoid running out of paper in the middle of printing.

[0061] In this way, the teller machine 1 of this embodiment is configured to include a banknote processing unit 10 that processes banknotes, a new note processing unit 20 that processes new notes, and a coin processing unit 30 that processes coins, a keyboard 50 that accepts operation inputs to the banknote processing unit 10, the new note processing unit 20, and the coin processing unit 30, a display 40 that displays operation instructions, a memory unit 73 that stores operation history data of the banknote processing unit 10, the new note processing unit 20, and the coin processing unit 30, a printer 60 that prints the operation history data on printing paper to print a journal J, a prediction unit 74 that predicts the amount of resource usage required for printing the journal J based on the printing amount of the operation history data printed on the journal J, and a control unit 70 that, when an operation input for printing the journal J is received via the keyboard 50, causes the display 40 to display the amount of resource usage before starting the printing process of the journal J.

[0062] According to this configuration, the operator can check the resource usage required to print journal J before starting the printing process of journal J, thereby preventing delays in other tasks that use printer 60 due to the printing of journal J by printer 60, and various processes involving the printing process of printer 60 can be executed smoothly as a whole cash dispenser 1 device.

[0063] In addition, the cash dispenser 1 only needs to display the resource usage required for printing the journal J on the display 40 before printing begins, thereby prompting the operator to confirm whether or not to start printing immediately. It is not essential that both printing time and consumption length be selectable as resource usage; only one of printing time or consumption length may be selected.

[0064] Furthermore, the selection screens S3 and S4 may display the estimated printing time and estimated wear length required for the printing process of the journal J.

[0065] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the printing of a journal J on which operation history data is printed has been described as an example of the printing process of the printer 60, but the present invention is also applicable to, for example, a monthly report on which monthly report data regarding transaction processing of the cash register 1 is printed.

[0066] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways other than those described above without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention extends to such modifications. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1: Teller machine 10: banknote processing section (currency processing section), 11: banknote deposit / withdrawal port, 12: deposit reject port 20: New bill processing section (currency processing section), 21: New bill deposit / withdrawal port 30: coin processing section (currency processing section), 31: coin deposit port, 32: coin withdrawal box, 33: deposit reject port 40: Display (display unit) 50: Keyboard (operation section) 60: Printer (printing section) 70: control unit, 71: operation control unit, 72: display control unit, 73: storage unit, 74: prediction unit

Claims

1. a currency processing unit for processing currency; An operation unit that accepts operation input to the currency processing unit; A display unit that displays operation instructions; A storage unit for storing operation history data of the currency processing unit; a printing unit that prints the operation history data on a printing paper; a prediction unit that predicts a resource usage amount required for printing by the printing unit based on a print amount of the operation history data to be printed on the printing paper; a control unit that, when a command to print the operation history data is input via the operation unit, causes the resource usage amount to be displayed on the display unit before the operation history data is printed; A currency processing device comprising:

2. The currency processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the resource usage is a printing time required to print the operation history data.

3. The currency processing device described in claim 2, characterized in that the control unit displays a selection screen on the display unit for selecting and inputting whether or not to print the operation history data when the printing time predicted by the prediction unit exceeds a predetermined allowable printing time.

4. The currency processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the resource usage is the consumption length of the printing paper required to print the operation history data.

5. The currency processing device described in claim 4, characterized in that the control unit displays a selection screen on the display unit to select whether or not to print the operation history data when the wear length of the printing paper predicted by the prediction unit exceeds a predetermined allowable wear length.

6. the storage unit stores an initial length of the printing paper in an unused state and a printable length of the printing paper calculated from a cumulative worn length of the printing paper that has been printed on up to the present time; The currency processing device described in claim 4, characterized in that the control unit displays a selection screen on the display unit to select whether or not to print the operation history data when the consumption length of the printing paper predicted by the prediction unit exceeds the printable length.

Images