Currency identification device

Abstract

To provide a currency identification device that can adjust a determination criterion such that, in a case where new currencies are issued, a received number of the new currencies can be increased.SOLUTION: A currency identification device 100 includes: a state acquisition unit 6 that acquires a state concerning suitability of a currency; and a control unit 7 that determines suitability of the currency based on a numerical value corresponding to the state concerning suitability of the currency acquired by the state acquisition unit 6, and a numerical range in which the currency is determined to be suitable. The control unit 7 is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range in which the currency is determined to be suitable based on a statistical value of a result of determination of suitability.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a currency discrimination device, and more particularly to a currency discrimination device including a state acquisition unit that acquires a state regarding the validity of currency.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a currency discrimination device including a state acquisition unit that acquires a state regarding the validity of currency has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a banknote discrimination device including a sensor (state acquisition unit) that detects features of a banknote to be discriminated and outputs detection data, an evaluation unit that refers to determination reference conditions and evaluates the banknote to be discriminated based on the detection data from the sensor, and a control unit that determines whether to accept the banknote to be discriminated according to the evaluation degree when it is evaluated that the determination reference is satisfied by the evaluation unit. In Patent Document 1, determination reference conditions are created based on sample data of a plurality of banknotes.

[0004] Although not disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a new banknote (currency) is issued, it is difficult to obtain sufficient sample data for creating a determination reference for determining whether to accept the banknote at the time of issue. Therefore, it is conceivable to set the determination reference based on conventional data. However, depending on new anti-counterfeiting measures introduced for new banknotes, etc., the sensor (state acquisition unit) may not be able to accurately detect the features of the banknote, and the detection result of the sensor may be affected. Therefore, there is a problem that even if it is a legitimate newly issued banknote, it is determined as a counterfeit note and cannot be accepted. Thus, there is a need for a currency discrimination device capable of adjusting the determination reference so that the number of newly issued currencies that can be accepted can be increased when a new currency is issued.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] This invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of this invention is to provide a currency discrimination device capable of adjusting a judgment criterion so that the number of accepted new currency notes can be increased when new currency is issued.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0007] To achieve the above object, a currency discrimination device according to one aspect of this invention includes a state acquisition unit that acquires a state regarding the propriety of currency, a control unit that determines the propriety of currency based on a numerical value corresponding to the state regarding the propriety of currency acquired by the state acquisition unit and a numerical range determined to be appropriate, and the control unit is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate based on a statistical value of the determination result of propriety.

[0008] In the currency discrimination device according to the above aspect, as described above, the control unit is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate based on a statistical value of the determination result of propriety. As a result, when the ratio of currency that is not determined to be appropriate is high in the statistical value of the determination result of propriety, it is considered that a new genuine currency is determined to be inappropriate. Therefore, the control unit can change the numerical range so as to accept the new currency by shifting the numerical range determined to be appropriate. As a result, it is possible to adjust the judgment criterion so that the number of accepted new currency notes can be increased when new currency is issued.

[0009] In the currency discrimination device according to the above-described one aspect, preferably, the control unit is configured to perform control to widen the numerical range determined to be appropriate based on the statistical value of the determination result of suitability so that the number of currencies determined to be appropriate increases. With this configuration, when many newly issued currencies are determined to be inappropriate within the set numerical range, the control unit can widen the numerical range so as to accept the new currencies.

[0010] In the currency discrimination device according to the above-described one aspect, preferably, the currency is a banknote, the state acquisition unit is configured to detect the light transmittance or reflectance of the banknote as a state related to suitability, and the control unit is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate based on the statistical value of the determination result of suitability according to the light transmittance of the banknote. With this configuration, by the state acquisition unit detecting the light transmittance or reflectance, the difference in designs depending on the type of banknote can be detected. Further, since the control unit shifts the numerical range determined to be appropriate according to the light transmittance, the numerical range can be adjusted according to the design of the new banknote.

[0011] In this case, preferably, the state acquisition unit is configured to detect the light transmittance for each part obtained by dividing the banknote into a plurality of parts, and the control unit is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate for each of the plurality of parts. With this configuration, by dividing into a plurality of parts and obtaining the light transmittance for each part, the numerical range can be adjusted so that the number of new banknote parts whose light transmittance is not within the numerical range determined to be appropriate can increase the number of accepted new banknotes, and thus the numerical range can be adjusted for each part.

[0012] In the currency discrimination device configured such that the status acquisition unit detects the light transmission amount or reflection amount of banknotes as the status regarding propriety, preferably, when the ratio of banknotes determined to be appropriate to the total number of inserted banknotes is less than the set value, the control unit is configured to perform control to shift the range determined to be appropriate, and when the light transmission amount of banknotes of a predetermined ratio or more among the banknotes determined to be inappropriate is less than the lower limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate, control is performed to decrease the lower limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate so that the number of banknotes determined to be appropriate increases, and when the light transmission amount of banknotes of a predetermined ratio or more among the banknotes determined to be inappropriate is greater than the upper limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate, control is performed to increase the upper limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate so that the number of banknotes determined to be appropriate increases. Here, since the light transmission amounts of a plurality of new banknotes are considered to have almost no difference from each other, when many new banknotes are determined to be inappropriate and the ratio determined to be appropriate becomes less than the predetermined value, the portion where the frequency of the light transmission amount exceeding the upper limit value or falling below the lower limit value is high can be regarded as the light transmission amount of the new banknotes. Therefore, with such a configuration, at least one of the upper limit value or the lower limit value can be widened according to the light transmission amount of the new banknotes determined to be inappropriate, so that the control unit can widen the numerical range determined to be appropriate so that new banknotes are determined to be appropriate and the number of accepted banknotes increases.

[0013] In the currency discrimination device according to the above aspect, preferably, the control unit is configured to perform control to determine that genuine currency is appropriate and that non-genuine currency is inappropriate, and is configured to perform control to shift the range determined to be appropriate when the ratio of banknotes determined to be appropriate to the total number of inserted currencies is less than the set value. With such a configuration, for example, when a new currency is issued and the ratio of banknotes determined to be appropriate to the total number of inserted currencies is low, the set value can be adjusted so that more new currencies can be accepted.

[0014] In this case, preferably, the control unit is configured to perform control to shift the range determined to be appropriate by a predetermined period from the currency issue date when a new currency is issued. Here, since sufficient data based on the state of the new currency can be obtained after the predetermined period has elapsed, the numerical range can be adjusted so that the number of acceptable new currency notes can be increased based on the data. Therefore, by being configured to perform control to shift the range determined to be appropriate by a predetermined period from the currency issue date, the numerical range adjusted based on the data is shifted, and it is possible to suppress the range from becoming excessively narrow or excessively wide.

[0015] In the currency identification device according to the above aspect, preferably, the control unit is configured to perform control to return the numerical range determined to be appropriate to the original state after a predetermined number of days have elapsed since the control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate was performed. With this configuration, for example, if the manufacturer (operator) sets the predetermined number of days to a number of days during which the numerical range can be set, the manufacturer (operator) can respond during the predetermined number of days, and when it is determined that there is no problem even if the numerical range is returned to the original state, the manufacturer (operator) can set the numerical range without performing any particular operation.

[0016] In this case, preferably, the control unit is configured not to perform control to return the numerical range to the original state when an operation to change the numerical range determined to be appropriate is received after performing control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate. With this configuration, for example, when the manufacturer (operator) adjusts the numerical range based on the state of the new currency, it is possible to suppress the return to the original numerical range, so that the numerical range based on the state of the new currency can be set.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide a currency identification device capable of adjusting the judgment criteria so as to be able to increase the number of acceptable new currency notes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the overall configuration of a currency identification device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the currency includes coins 110 and banknotes 120.

[0021] (Overall Configuration of Currency Identification Device) First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the overall configuration of a currency identification device (coin changer) 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0022] The currency identification device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a host device and is configured to be connectable to a POS (point of sales) register device or the like that receives operations such as deposit confirmation. The currency identification device 100 is installed in a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store and is a device that constructs a part of the POS system. The currency identification device 100 is used in a usage state where a customer performs accounting by himself / herself (self - use state) or a usage state where a seller (administrator) performs accounting or the like. The currency identification device 100 includes a box - shaped housing 100a.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the currency discrimination device 100 is provided with a deposit slot 1, a payout slot 2, a conveyance path 3, a storage 4, a collection unit 5, a state acquisition unit 6, and a control unit 7.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the deposit slot 1 includes a coin deposit slot 1a into which coins 110 are deposited and a bill deposit slot 1b into which bills 120 are deposited. The coin deposit slot 1a is provided with an opening for depositing the coins 110. Further, the bill deposit slot 1b is formed with a slit that matches the length in the longitudinal direction of the largest bill 120 used so that the bill 120 can be deposited along the short side direction of the bill 120.

[0025] The payout slot 2 includes a change coin slot 2a for paying out coins 110 among the change, a coin return slot 2b for returning the coins 110 that have been rejected for acceptance, and a bill return slot 2c for returning the bills 120. From the bill return slot 2c, the change bills 120 and the bills 120 that have been rejected for acceptance are returned.

[0026] The conveyance path 3 is a flow path for conveying the deposited coins 110 or bills 120 to the storage 4. The conveyance path 3 includes, for example, a belt conveyor.

[0027] The storage 4 includes a coin storage and a bill storage. The coin storage includes a 1-yen coin storage for storing 1-yen coins 110, a 50-yen coin storage for storing 50-yen coins 110, a 5-yen coin storage for storing 5-yen coins 110, a 100-yen coin storage for storing 100-yen coins 110, a 10-yen coin storage for storing 10-yen coins 110, and a 500-yen coin storage for storing 500-yen coins 110. Further, the bill storage includes a 1000-yen storage for storing 1000-yen bills 120, a mixed storage for storing 2000-yen bills 120 and 5000-yen bills 120, and a 10000-yen storage for storing 10000-yen bills 120.

[0028] The collection unit 5 is provided for collecting the bills 120 in the storage 4. The collection unit 5 is, for example, configured to be removable from the currency discrimination device 100.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the state acquisition unit 6 is configured to acquire the state regarding the propriety of the banknote 120. The propriety of the banknote 120 refers to whether it can be accepted. A genuine banknote is judged to be suitable, and a non-genuine banknote is judged to be inappropriate. Note that even a genuine banknote may be judged to be inappropriate due to dirt and deterioration. The state acquisition unit 6 includes an optical sensor that detects the light transmittance of the banknote 120 as the state regarding the propriety.

[0030] The state acquisition unit 6 is configured to detect the light transmittance for each part obtained by dividing the banknote 120 into a plurality of parts. The state acquisition unit 6 is, for example, a sensor including an infrared irradiation unit and a light receiving unit, and the luminance value received by the light receiving unit is sent to the control unit 7. For example, the banknote 120 is divided into 250 locations, and the transmittance is acquired at each location. One or a plurality of state acquisition units 6 may be provided in the currency discrimination device 100.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control unit 7 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 7 is configured to perform control regarding the operation of the currency discrimination device 100. For example, the control unit 7 is configured to perform control such as discriminating the inserted currency, controlling to store the currency in the storage 4, and controlling to pay out the currency from the storage 4.

[0032] The control unit 7 is configured to judge the propriety of the banknote 120 based on the value corresponding to the state regarding the propriety of the banknote 120 acquired by the state acquisition unit 6 and the numerical range judged to be appropriate. The numerical range judged to be appropriate is set based on the statistical distribution based on the data of a plurality of banknotes 120. The numerical range judged to be appropriate differs depending on the type of the banknote 120 and the divided parts of the banknote 120.

[0033] When the value acquired by the state acquisition unit 6 is included within the numerical range determined to be appropriate, the control unit 7 determines that it is appropriate; otherwise, it determines that it is not appropriate. At this time, for each part obtained by dividing the banknote 120 into a plurality of parts, it is determined whether it is included within the numerical range determined to be appropriate. Then, the parts obtained by dividing the banknote 120 into a plurality of parts are comprehensively judged, and when there are a predetermined number of locations where the numerical value corresponding to the state regarding the propriety of the banknote 120 acquired by the state acquisition unit 6 is not included within the numerical range determined to be appropriate, it is determined that it is not appropriate. The predetermined number is set to be 1 or more. The control unit 7 is configured to perform control to determine that genuine currency is appropriate and that non-genuine currency is not appropriate.

[0034] Specifically, when the banknote 120 is inserted into the banknote insertion port 1b, the control unit 7 is configured to acquire the light transmittance, which is information on the state of the inserted banknote 120, from the state acquisition unit 6. When the light transmittance is within the numerical range considered appropriate, the control unit 7 determines that it is appropriate, accepts the inserted banknote 120, and stores it in the storage bin 4. Also, when it is determined that it is not appropriate, the control unit 7 is configured to return the banknote 120 from the banknote return port 2c. The control unit 7 also acquires the type of the banknote 120 based on the light transmittance acquired by the state acquisition unit 6. Further, when the banknote 120 is inserted, the control unit 7 discriminates which type it is and whether it is an old banknote from the information acquired by the state acquisition unit 6. Specifically, it is configured to comprehensively judge the light transmittances of a plurality of parts obtained by dividing the banknote 120 and determine which appropriate numerical range for which type of old or new banknote to base the judgment on.

[0035] The control unit 7 is configured to store the inserted currency and the propriety of the currency. Then, it obtains the ratio of the banknotes 120 determined to be appropriate to the total number of inserted banknotes 120, and acquires a statistical value of the judgment results of propriety according to the light transmittance of the banknotes 120. For the banknotes 120 for which it is not determined to be appropriate, it estimates which type of banknote 120 it is from the locations where the light transmittance is included within the numerical range determined to be appropriate, and adds it to the total number of banknotes 120 inserted into the currency identification device 100.

[0036] The control unit 7 is configured to perform control to shift a numerical range determined to be appropriate based on a statistical value of a determination result of suitability according to the light transmittance of the banknote 120.

[0037] Specifically, the control unit 7 is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate when the ratio of banknotes 120 determined to be appropriate to the total number of banknotes 120 inserted is less than a set value. The set value is appropriately set by the manufacturer (operator), and is set to 70%, for example. The control unit 7 is configured to perform control to widen the numerical range determined to be appropriate based on the statistical value of the determination result of suitability so that the number of banknotes 120 determined to be appropriate increases. The control unit 7 is configured to perform either control to increase the upper limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate or control to decrease the lower limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate.

[0038] When the light transmittance of banknotes 120 of a predetermined ratio or more among the banknotes 120 determined to be inappropriate is less than the lower limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate, the control unit 7 is configured to perform control to decrease the lower limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate so that the number of banknotes 120 determined to be appropriate increases. At this time, the control unit 7 is configured to shift the lower limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate. The shift value at this time may be set based on the lower limit value, or the increase amount may be determined by the standard deviation. When setting the shift value based on the lower limit value, it is set at a ratio to the lower limit value, for example, 10% smaller than the lower limit value. Note that the shift value is set for each part of the banknote 120. The predetermined ratio is set to 30% of the banknotes 120 determined to be inappropriate, for example.

[0039] Further, when the light transmittance of a predetermined ratio or more of the banknotes 120 determined to be inappropriate is greater than the upper limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate, the control unit 7 is configured to perform control to increase the upper limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate so that the number of banknotes 120 determined to be appropriate increases. The shift value at this time may be set based on the upper limit value, or the increase amount may be determined by the standard deviation of the statistical value. The control unit 7 is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate for each of the plurality of parts. When setting the shift value based on the upper limit value, it is set as a ratio to the upper limit value, for example, making it 10% larger than the upper limit value. Note that the shift value is set for each part of the banknote 120. The predetermined ratio is set, for example, to 30% of the banknotes 120 determined to be inappropriate.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows the distribution of the light transmittance in one part of the same type of banknotes 120 inserted and the numerical range determined to be appropriate. In FIG. 4, the light transmittance is plotted on the horizontal axis and the frequency is plotted on the vertical axis. As shown in FIG. 4, the statistical value of the light transmittance of a plurality of genuine banknotes 120 is obtained, and a numerical range determined to be appropriate is set so that all the statistical values are included. Note that depending on the part of the banknote 120, there are cases where the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the statistical value are set as the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the numerical range, and cases where the upper limit value of the numerical range is larger than the upper limit value of the statistical value or the lower limit value of the numerical range is smaller than the lower limit value of the statistical value.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4(A), when the ratio of the banknotes 120 determined to be appropriate to the total number of the inserted banknotes 120 is less than the set value and many of the banknotes 120 determined to be inappropriate exceed the upper limit value of the numerical range, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the control unit 7 is configured to shift the upper limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate. Specifically, it is configured to increase the transmittance of the upper limit value.

[0042] When a new banknote 120 is issued, the control unit 7 is configured to perform control to shift the range determined to be appropriate by a predetermined period from the issue date of the banknote 120. The predetermined period is a period during which information regarding the new banknote 120 can be acquired. The predetermined period is set to, for example, three months. Note that the information regarding the date and time may be calculated by the currency discrimination device 100 itself, or the information regarding the date and time may be transmitted from the management server to the currency discrimination device 100. After the predetermined period has elapsed, the control unit 7 does not perform control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate.

[0043] The control unit 7 is configured to perform control to return the numerical range determined to be appropriate to the original state after a predetermined number of days have elapsed since the control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate was performed. The predetermined number of days is set based on the number of days during which the manufacturer (operator) can reset the numerical range determined to be appropriate. The predetermined number of days is set to, for example, one week. In the case of FIG. 4, after shifting the numerical range from FIG. 4(A) to FIG. 4(B), when the predetermined number of days has elapsed, the control unit 7 is configured to return to the numerical range of FIG. 4(A).

[0044] After the control unit 7 performs control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate, if an operation to change the numerical range determined to be appropriate is received, the control unit 7 is configured not to perform control to return the numerical range to the original state. For example, when the manufacturer (operator) registers the changed numerical range after resetting the numerical range, the control unit 7 is configured not to perform control to return the numerical range to the original state.

[0045] Based on FIG. 5, the flow of control for the control unit 7 to change the numerical range determined to be appropriate will be described. In step S1, the subsequent steps differ depending on whether the ratio of the banknotes 120 determined to be appropriate is less than a predetermined value. If it is less than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S2; otherwise, the process returns to step S1.

[0046] In step S2, the steps to proceed differ depending on whether the banknote 120 determined to be inappropriate exceeds the upper limit value of the numerical range. If it exceeds the upper limit value of the numerical range, the process proceeds to step S3 to shift the upper limit value. Also, in step S2, if the banknote 120 determined to be inappropriate does not exceed the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0047] Step S4 has different steps to proceed depending on whether it is below the lower limit value of the numerical range. If it is below the lower limit value of the numerical range, the process proceeds to step S5 to shift the lower limit value. Also, in step S4, if the banknote 120 determined to be inappropriate does not fall below the lower limit value, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0048] In step S6, the steps to proceed differ depending on whether a predetermined number of days have elapsed after shifting the upper limit value or the lower limit value. If the predetermined number of days have elapsed, the process proceeds to step S7; otherwise, it returns to step S6. In step S7, the steps to proceed differ depending on whether the numerical range has been reset. If it has been reset and input is accepted, the process ends, and the appropriateness of the banknote 120 is determined within the reset numerical range. In step S7, if it has not been reset, the process proceeds to step S8 to restore the numerical range for which it is determined to be appropriate. Then, the appropriateness of the banknote 120 is determined within the restored numerical range.

[0049] (Effects of this Embodiment) In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0050] In this embodiment, as described above, the control unit 7 is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range for which it is determined to be appropriate based on the statistical value of the determination result of appropriateness. As a result, in a location where the ratio of currency determined not to be appropriate is high from the statistical value of the determination result of appropriateness, it is considered that a new genuine currency is determined not to be appropriate. Therefore, by the control unit 7 shifting the numerical range for which it is determined to be appropriate, the numerical range can be changed to accept new currency. As a result, when a new currency is issued, the judgment criteria can be adjusted so that the number of accepted new currency can be increased.

[0051] Also, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 7 is configured to perform control to widen the numerical range determined to be appropriate based on the statistical value of the determination result of suitability so that the currency determined to be appropriate increases. Thereby, when many of the newly issued currencies are determined to be inappropriate within the set numerical range, the control unit 7 can widen the numerical range to accept the new currency.

[0052] Also, in the present embodiment, as described above, the currency is the banknote 120, the state acquisition unit 6 is configured to detect the light transmittance or reflectance of the banknote 120 as the state regarding suitability, and the control unit 7 is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate based on the statistical value of the determination result of suitability according to the light transmittance of the banknote 120. Thereby, by the state acquisition unit 6 detecting the light transmittance or reflectance, it is possible to detect the difference in design depending on the type of the banknote 120. Further, since the control unit 7 shifts the numerical range determined to be appropriate according to the light transmittance, the numerical range can be adjusted according to the design of the new banknote 120.

[0053] Also, in the present embodiment, as described above, the state acquisition unit 6 is configured to detect the light transmittance for each part obtained by dividing the banknote 120 into a plurality of parts, and the control unit 7 is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate for each of the plurality of parts. Thereby, by obtaining the light transmittance for each part by dividing it into a plurality of parts, the numerical range can be adjusted so that the number of new banknotes 120 accepted can be increased for the parts of the new banknote 120 whose light transmittance is not included within the numerical range determined to be appropriate, and thus the numerical range can be adjusted for each part.

[0054] Also, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 7 is configured to perform control to shift the range determined to be appropriate when the ratio determined to be appropriate with respect to the total number of inserted banknotes 120 is less than the set value, and when the light transmittance of a predetermined ratio or more of the banknotes 120 determined to be inappropriate is less than the lower limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate, control is performed to decrease the lower limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate so that the number of banknotes 120 determined to be appropriate increases, and when the light transmittance of a predetermined ratio or more of the banknotes 120 determined to be inappropriate is greater than the upper limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate, control is performed to increase the upper limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate so that the number of banknotes 120 determined to be appropriate increases. Here, since the light transmittances of a plurality of new banknotes 120 are considered to have almost no difference from each other, when many of the new banknotes 120 are determined to be inappropriate and the ratio determined to be appropriate becomes less than the predetermined value, the portion with a high frequency of the light transmittance exceeding the upper limit value or falling below the lower limit value can be regarded as the light transmittance of the new banknotes 120. Therefore, with such a configuration, at least one of the upper limit value or the lower limit value can be widened according to the light transmittance of the new banknotes 120 determined to be inappropriate, so that the control unit 7 can widen the numerical range determined to be appropriate so that the new banknotes 120 are determined to be appropriate and the number of accepted banknotes increases.

[0055] Also, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 7 is configured to perform control to determine that genuine currency is appropriate and that non-genuine currency is inappropriate, and to perform control to shift the range determined to be appropriate when the ratio determined to be appropriate with respect to the total number of inserted currencies is less than the set value. Thereby, for example, when a new currency is issued and the ratio determined to be appropriate with respect to the total number of inserted currencies is low, the set value can be set so that more new currencies can be accepted.

[0056] Also, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 7 is configured to perform control to shift the range determined to be appropriate by a predetermined period from the currency issuance date when a new currency is issued. Here, since sufficient data based on the state of the new currency can be obtained after the predetermined period has elapsed, the numerical range can be adjusted so that the number of accepted new currencies can be increased based on the data. Therefore, by being configured to perform control to shift the range determined to be appropriate by a predetermined period from the currency issuance date, the numerical range adjusted based on the data is shifted, and it is possible to suppress the range from becoming excessively narrow or excessively wide.

[0057] Also, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 7 is configured to perform control to return the numerical range determined to be appropriate to the original state after a predetermined number of days have elapsed since the control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate was performed. Thereby, for example, if the manufacturer (operator) sets the predetermined number of days to a number of days during which the numerical range can be set, the manufacturer (operator) can respond during the predetermined number of days, and when it is determined that there is no problem even if the numerical range is returned to the original state, the manufacturer (operator) can set the numerical range without performing any particular operation.

[0058] Also, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the control unit 7 receives an operation to change the numerical range determined to be appropriate after performing the control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate, the control unit 7 is configured not to perform the control to return the numerical range to the original state. Thereby, for example, when the manufacturer (operator) adjusts the numerical range based on the state of the new currency, it is possible to suppress the return to the original numerical range, and thus the numerical range based on the state of the new currency can be set.

[0059] [Modification Example] The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the above embodiment, and further includes all changes (modification examples) within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0060] For example, in this embodiment, an example where the currency discrimination device is a change machine has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In this case, the currency discrimination device may be a vending machine.

[0061] Also, in this embodiment, an example where the state acquisition unit acquires the state regarding the suitability of banknotes has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the state acquisition unit may acquire information regarding the suitability of coins. In this case, the state acquisition unit may be configured to acquire, for example, the reflection amount of light irradiated with visible light instead of the light transmittance.

[0062] Also, in this embodiment, an example where the control unit shifts so that the numerical range for determining appropriate currency becomes wider so that the number of currencies determined to be appropriate increases has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the control unit may perform control to shift so that the numerical range for determining appropriate currency becomes narrower in order to reduce the number of currencies determined to be appropriate.

[0063] Also, in this embodiment, an example where the state acquisition unit acquires the light transmittance of banknotes has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the state acquisition unit may, for example, irradiate visible light to acquire the light reflection amount, or may be configured to acquire an image.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0064] 6 State acquisition unit 7 Control unit 100 Currency discrimination device 120 Banknote

Claims

1. A state acquisition unit that acquires a state regarding the suitability of currency; A control unit that determines the suitability of the currency based on a numerical value corresponding to the state regarding the suitability of the currency acquired by the state acquisition unit and a numerical range determined to be appropriate; and The control unit is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate based on a statistical value of the determination result of suitability. A currency identification device.

2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to perform control to widen the numerical range determined to be appropriate based on a statistical value of the determination result of suitability so that the currency determined to be appropriate increases. Currency identification device.

3. The currency is a banknote, The state acquisition unit is configured to detect the amount of light transmitted through or reflected by the banknote as a state regarding suitability, The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate based on a statistical value of the determination result of suitability according to the amount of light transmitted through or reflected by the banknote. Currency identification device.

4. The state acquisition unit is configured to detect the amount of light transmitted through each of a plurality of parts into which the banknote is divided, The control unit according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is configured to perform control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate for each of the plurality of parts. Currency identification device.

5. The control unit is configured to perform control to shift the range determined to be appropriate when the ratio of banknotes determined to be appropriate to the total number of banknotes inserted is less than a set value, and among the banknotes determined to be inappropriate When the amount of light transmitted through a predetermined ratio or more of the banknotes is less than the lower limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate, the lower limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate is reduced so that the banknotes determined to be appropriate increase. When the amount of light transmitted through a predetermined ratio or more of the banknotes determined to be inappropriate is greater than the upper limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate, the upper limit value of the numerical range determined to be appropriate is increased so that the banknotes determined to be appropriate increase. The currency identification device according to claim 3, which is configured to perform control.

6. The control unit is configured to perform control to determine that genuine currency is appropriate and that non-genuine currency is inappropriate, and to perform control to shift the range determined to be appropriate when the ratio of the currency determined to be appropriate to the total number of the inserted currency is less than a set value. The currency identification device according to claim 1.

7. The control unit is configured to perform control to shift the range determined to be appropriate by a predetermined period from the issue date of the currency when new currency is issued. The currency identification device according to claim 6.

8. The control unit is configured to perform control to return the numerical range determined to be appropriate to the original state after a predetermined number of days have elapsed since the control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate was performed. The currency identification device according to claim 1.

9. The control unit is configured not to perform control to return the numerical range to the original state when an operation to change the numerical range determined to be appropriate is received after the control to shift the numerical range determined to be appropriate is performed. The currency identification device according to claim 8.

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