Bill processing device

Abstract

To prevent false detection by a bill detection unit.SOLUTION: A bill processing device 1 that performs a payment operation of conveying and storing an input bill W to and in a relevant storage 18 under a condition that the bill is genuine, includes: a bill detection unit 22 that detects the bill W conveyed to the storage 18; and a control unit 23 that causes the operation of storing the bill W in the storage 18 to be performed under a condition that the bill W is detected by the bill detection unit 22. When the bill W is not detected by the bill detection unit 22, the control unit 23 causes the bill detection unit 22 to perform detection again in a state in which the bill W is bent.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a banknote processing device applied to an automatic change dispenser or the like has been proposed in Patent Document 1. In this banknote processing device, banknotes inserted through a deposit unit are transported to and stored in a corresponding storage vault on the condition that the banknotes are genuine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-032911 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The banknote processing device is provided with a banknote detection unit that detects the presence or absence of banknotes transported to the storage vault. This banknote detection unit is composed of an optical sensor, and detects the absence of banknotes when the light emitted by the light-emitting element is received by the light-receiving element, and detects the presence of banknotes when the light emitted by the light-emitting element cannot be received by the light-receiving element.

[0005] In recent years, however, it has become known that banknotes are coated with photosensitive materials such as holograms. When banknotes coated with such photosensitive materials are transported to a storage unit, light emitted from the light-emitting element is reflected by the photosensitive material and received by the light-receiving element, which can result in a false detection that no banknotes are present even though the banknotes are being transported to the storage unit.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a banknote processing device that can prevent erroneous detection by a banknote detection unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the banknote processing device of the present invention is a banknote processing device that performs a deposit operation in which inserted banknotes are transported to a corresponding storage unit and stored, on the condition that they are genuine, and is equipped with a banknote detection unit that detects the banknotes transported to the storage unit, and a control unit that performs an operation to store the banknote in the storage unit, on the condition that the banknote is detected by the banknote detection unit, and is characterized in that, if the banknote is not detected by the banknote detection unit, the control unit causes the banknote detection unit to detect the banknote again in a bent state.

[0008] The present invention is also characterized in that, in the above-mentioned banknote processing device, the storage cabinet is provided with a pusher member which moves back and forth between a reference position and an advanced position, thereby storing banknotes transported to the accumulation area of ​​the storage cabinet in the storage area of ​​the storage cabinet, and the control unit causes the banknote detection unit to detect the banknotes in the accumulation area with the pusher member positioned at the reference position, and if the banknote is not detected by the banknote detection unit, moves the pusher member advanced a predetermined amount from the reference position toward the advanced position, thereby causing the banknote detection unit to detect the banknote again in a bent state.

[0009] Further, in the banknote processing device according to the present invention, the banknote detection unit is configured by an optical sensor. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, when a banknote is not detected by the banknote detection unit, the control unit causes the banknote detection unit to detect the banknote again in a bent state, thereby preventing erroneous detection caused by the banknote being coated with a photosensitive material. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a banknote handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic diagram of a control system of the banknote handling apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a side view that illustrates a schematic internal structure of the storage unit illustrated in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the pusher member and the bill detection unit shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view that illustrates a schematic internal structure of the storage unit illustrated in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the banknote verification control process performed by the control unit shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view that illustrates a schematic internal structure of the storage unit illustrated in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view that illustrates a schematic internal structure of the storage unit illustrated in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view that illustrates a schematic internal structure of the storage unit illustrated in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a storage structure for a banknote processing device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a banknote processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the banknote processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The banknote processing device 1 illustrated here is applied as an automatic change dispenser in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, and includes a device main body 1a.

[0015] Such device body 1a is formed at the front with a deposit port 10 for inserting banknotes and a withdrawal port 11 for dispensing stored banknotes as change. The withdrawal port 11 is opened and closed by a shutter 12 and is normally closed by the shutter 12. A collection box 13 is detachably provided at the bottom of the front part of device body 1a.

[0016] In the device main body 1a, a deposit section 14, a withdrawal section 15, a validation section 16, a discrimination section 17, a storage box 18, and an inspection box 19 are provided, and are connected by a banknote transport mechanism 20.

[0017] The deposit unit 14 introduces banknotes inserted from the deposit port 10 into the inside. The withdrawal unit 15 dispenses banknotes to the withdrawal port 11. The validation unit 16 validates the authenticity and denomination of banknotes. The discrimination unit 17 discriminates the denomination and number of banknotes.

[0018] The storage 18 stores banknotes, and includes one for storing 1,000 yen banknotes and one for storing a mixture of banknotes other than 1,000 yen banknotes. The reconciliation storage 19 is used as a temporary holding section during settlement processing and the like.

[0019] The configuration of the storage 18 will be described. Since the configuration of the storage 18 itself is publicly known, it will be described briefly here. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the internal structure of the storage 18 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the storage 18 is configured to include a storage wall portion 181, a pressing portion 182, and a pusher member 183.

[0020] The storage wall 181 constitutes the front wall of the storage cabinet 18, and is supported by both left and right side walls (not shown) of the storage cabinet 18 with a gap formed between the storage wall 181 and the storage bottom 184. The left and right side walls of the storage cabinet 18 are each erected on the storage bottom 184.

[0021] The storage wall 181 is provided with kick rollers 181a. Two kick rollers 181a are provided, each of which is rotatable around a central axis of a shaft member (not shown) extending in the left-right direction. These kick rollers 181a are linked to a roller motor (not shown), and rotate clockwise or counterclockwise when driven by the roller motor. A part of the outer circumferential surface of the kick roller 181a protrudes rearward from the storage surface, which is the rear surface of the storage wall 181.

[0022] The pressing portion 182 is provided on the rear side of the storage wall portion 181. The pressing surface of the pressing portion 182 faces the storage surface. The left-right width of the pressing portion 182 is larger than the left-right width of the storage surface.

[0023] Such a pressing portion 182 is supported by a rear storage wall 185 of the storage 18 via a link mechanism 182a, and is displaceable in the front-rear direction in a manner of approaching and moving away from the rear storage wall 185. Such a pressing portion 182 is constantly biased forward, that is, toward the storage wall portion 181, by a biasing means 182b such as a spring.

[0024] The pusher member 183 is provided between the storage wall portion 181 and the pressing portion 182. As shown in Fig. 4, the pusher member 183 is configured by connecting the lower ends of a pair of left pusher portion 183a and right pusher portion 183b to a pusher bottom portion 183c. The pusher member 183 is formed such that the distance between the left pusher portion 183a and the right pusher portion 183b is larger than the left-right width of the storage wall portion 181.

[0025] A pusher roller 183d is rotatably provided on the right end portion of the pusher bottom portion 183c of the pusher member 183. This pusher roller 183d rolls on the upper surface of the storage bottom portion 184. In addition, the left end portion of the pusher bottom portion 183c is connected to the pusher drive mechanism 21 (see FIG. 2) via a connecting member (not shown).

[0026] The pusher drive mechanism 21 is an actuator equipped with a motor or the like, and moves the pusher member 183 in the front-rear direction. Driven by the pusher drive mechanism 21, the pusher member 183 moves forward and backward along the front-rear direction on the upper surface of the storage bottom 184 between a rearmost reference position K1 shown in Fig. 3 and a frontmost advanced position K2 shown in Fig. 5. Note that a pusher bottom 183c of the pusher member 183 passes through the lower area of ​​the storage wall 181 when the pusher member 183 moves forward and backward between the reference position K1 and the advanced position K2.

[0027] Here, the reference position K1 is a position between the storage wall portion 181 and the pressing portion 182, and an accumulation area S1 is formed between the storage wall portion 181 and the pressing portion 182, and a storage area S2 is formed between the pressing portion 182 and the storage wall portion 181. In a normal state, the pusher member 183 is disposed at the reference position K1. The advanced position K2 is a position where the storage wall portion 181 relatively passes between the left pusher portion 183a and the right pusher portion 183b.

[0028] The operation of the pusher member 183 will be described. When the pusher member 183 advances from the reference position K1 to the advance position K2 by being driven by the pusher drive mechanism 21 while the banknotes are transported to the accumulation area S1, the storage wall portion 181 passes relatively between the left pusher portion 183a and the right pusher portion 183b. As a result, the banknotes transported to the accumulation area S1 pass relatively between the left pusher portion 183a and the right pusher portion 183b while deforming their shape, and move to the rear side of the pusher member 183. In this case, the number of banknotes in the storage area S2 increases, but the increased thickness of the banknotes is absorbed by the pressing portion 182 moving backward against the biasing force of the biasing means 182b.

[0029] The pusher member 183 thus moved to the advanced position K2 is then retracted backward by the drive of the pusher drive mechanism 21. At this time, the pressing portion 182 also moves backward against the biasing force of the biasing means 182b. Thereafter, the pusher member 183 moves to the reference position K1, thereby storing the banknote in the storage area S2.

[0030] In addition to the above configuration, the banknote processing device 1 also includes a banknote detection unit 22 and a control unit 23. The banknote detection unit 22 is, for example, an optical sensor, and detects the presence or absence of banknotes in the storage 18. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the banknote detection unit 22 is provided inside the storage 18, on the front and right side of the storage wall 181, via a support member (not shown). When the light emitted by the light-emitting element 221 is received by the light-receiving element 222, the banknote detection unit 22 detects the absence of banknotes, whereas when the light emitted by the light-emitting element 221 cannot be received by the light-receiving element 222, the banknote detection unit 22 detects the presence of banknotes. That is, as shown in Fig. 4, when the light emitted from the light-emitting element 221 is reflected by the front surface of the right pusher unit 183b and received by the light-receiving element 222, the banknote detection unit 22 detects the absence of banknotes. As a result, the front surface of the right pusher unit 183b constitutes the reflective surface of the banknote detection unit 22. When the pusher member 183 advances to the advanced position K2, the light emitted from the light emitting element 221 cannot be received by the light receiving element 222.

[0031] The control unit 23 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the banknote processing device 1 in accordance with the programs and data stored in the memory unit 24. The control unit 23 includes a deposit operation control processing unit 231 that controls the deposit operation.

[0032] In addition, the control unit 23 may be realized, for example, by having a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a program, that is, by software, or may be realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0033] In the banknote processing device 1 having the above-mentioned configuration, when a banknote inserted by being deposited into the deposit port 10 is detected by a deposit sensor (not shown) of the deposit unit 14, the deposit operation control processing unit 231 of the control unit 23 drives the banknote transport mechanism 20 to transport the banknote to the discrimination unit 16. When discrimination of the banknote in the discrimination unit 16 is insufficient, the deposit operation control processing unit 231 transports the banknote via the banknote transport mechanism 20 to the deposit unit 14 and returns it to the deposit port 10 once.

[0034] Furthermore, when the validator 16 determines that the banknote is not genuine, the deposit operation control processor 231 transports the banknote through the banknote transport mechanism 20 to the dispensing unit 15 and causes it to be dispensed from the dispensing port 11 .

[0035] On the other hand, when the bill is identified as genuine by the validator 16, the deposit operation control processor 231 performs a deposit operation to transport the bill determined to be genuine through the bill transport mechanism 20 to the accumulation area S1 (the area in front of the pusher member 183 located at the reference position K1) of the storage vault 18 according to the bill denomination.

[0036] Incidentally, if a banknote jam or the like occurs during transport of the banknote in the deposit operation, the deposit operation control processing unit 231 of the control unit 23 performs the following banknote confirmation control.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of the banknote verification control performed by the control unit 23 shown in Fig. 2. It is assumed that the pusher member 183 is disposed at the reference position K1.

[0038] In this banknote verification control, the deposit operation control processing unit 231 of the control unit 23 judges whether or not the banknote detection unit 22 has detected a banknote (step S101).

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, when a banknote W is transported to the accumulation area S1 and the banknote detection unit 22 detects the banknote W (step S101: Yes), the deposit operation control processing unit 231 issues a banknote remaining notification by displaying on a display unit (not shown) or the like that a banknote W remains (step S102), and then returns the procedure to end the current processing.

[0040] By notifying the user of remaining banknotes in this manner, the user can be made aware that banknotes W remain in the storage 18, and can be prompted to remove the banknotes W.

[0041] On the other hand, if the banknote detection unit 22 does not detect the banknote W (step S101: No), the deposit operation control processing unit 231 drives the pusher drive mechanism 21 to move the pusher member 183 forward to the intermediate position K3 between the reference position K1 and the forward position K2, as shown in Figure 8 (step S103).

[0042] Incidentally, cases in which the banknote detection unit 22 does not detect banknote W in step S101 include when banknote W is not transported to the accumulation area S1, or when banknote W has been transported to the accumulation area S1 but light from the light-emitting element 221 is reflected by the photosensitive material applied to the banknote W and received by the light-receiving element 222.

[0043] As described above, by moving the pusher member 183 to the intermediate position K3, when a banknote W is transported to the stacking area S1, the banknote W can be bent as shown in Fig. 9. To explain in more detail, the left portion of the banknote W can be extended so as to gradually incline leftward as it moves forward by the left pusher portion 183a, while the right portion of the banknote W can be extended so as to gradually incline rightward as it moves forward by the right pusher portion 183b.

[0044] The deposit operation control processor 231, which has thus moved the pusher member 183 to the intermediate position K3, determines whether or not the banknote detection unit 22 has detected a banknote (step S104).

[0045] If the banknote detection unit 22 detects a banknote W (step S104: Yes), the deposit operation control processing unit 231 drives the pusher drive mechanism 21 to move the pusher member 183 to the reference position K1 (step S105), and then performs the processing of the above-mentioned step S102 before returning the procedure and terminating this processing.

[0046] This allows the user to recognize that the banknotes W remain in the storage 18 as described above, and encourages the user to remove the banknotes W.

[0047] On the other hand, if the banknote detection unit 22 does not detect the banknote W (step S104: No), the deposit operation control processing unit 231 drives the pusher drive mechanism 21 to move the pusher member 183 to the reference position K1 (step S106), and then returns the procedure to end this processing.

[0048] As described above, according to the banknote processing device 1 which is an embodiment of the present invention, when a banknote W is not detected by the banknote detection unit 22, the control unit 23 causes the banknote detection unit 22 to detect the banknote W again in a bent state, thereby preventing erroneous detection caused by the banknote W being coated with a photosensitive material.

[0049] Moreover, since the pusher member 183 only needs to be moved to the intermediate position K3 between the reference position K1 and the advance position K2, no new parts or the like are required, and only a software update such as changing the program stored in the memory unit 24 is required. This means that the system can be easily applied to banknote processing devices 1 already on the market, and good versatility can be achieved while suppressing increases in manufacturing costs.

[0050] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications can be made.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the banknote detection unit 22 is provided inside the storage cabinet 18, in front of and to the right of the storage wall 181, but in the present invention, the location of the banknote detection unit is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the presence or absence of banknotes in the stacking area.

[0052] Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, it is preferable to appropriately adjust the threshold value for determining whether or not light is received by the light receiving element 222 in the banknote detection unit 22. That is, it is preferable to periodically measure the output value of light received by the light receiving element 222 when the pusher member 183 is placed at the reference position K1, and adjust the threshold value according to the magnitude of the output value. This makes it possible to satisfactorily detect the presence or absence of banknotes W even if the output value of light emitted from the light emitting element 221 changes slightly over time due to stains caused by banknotes W transported to the storage 18, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...banknote processing device, 1a...device main body, 10...deposit port, 11...withdrawal port, 13...collection box, 14...deposit section, 15...withdrawal section, 16...validation section, 17...discrimination section, 18...storage box, 183...pusher member, 19...inspection box, 20...banknote transport mechanism, 21...pusher drive mechanism, 22...banknote detection section, 221...light emitting element, 222...light receiving element, 23...control section, 231...deposit operation control processing section, 24...memory section, K1...reference position, K2...advance position, K3...intermediate position, S1...accumulation area, S2...storage area, W...banknote.

Claims

1. A banknote processing device that performs a depositing operation of transporting and storing inserted banknotes to a corresponding storage unit on the condition that the banknotes are genuine, a bill detection unit that detects bills transported to the storage vault; a control unit that performs an operation of storing the banknote in the storage vault on condition that the banknote is detected by the banknote detection unit; Equipped with The banknote processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the banknote is not detected by the banknote detection unit, the control unit causes the banknote detection unit to detect the banknote again in a bent state.

2. the storage vault includes a pusher member that moves back and forth between a reference position and an advanced position to store the banknotes, which have been transported to a stacking area of ​​the storage vault, in a storage area of ​​the storage vault; 2. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the banknote detection unit to detect the banknote in the stacking area when the pusher member is disposed at the reference position, and when the banknote detection unit does not detect the banknote, the control unit moves the pusher member forward from the reference position toward the advanced position by a predetermined amount, thereby causing the banknote detection unit to detect the banknote again in a bent state.

3. 3. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, wherein the banknote detection unit is configured by an optical sensor.

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