Banknote processing method

Abstract

To achieve proper banknote processing with identification of registration numbers.SOLUTION: A banknote processing method includes processes of: feeding a banknote sequentially from a deposit unit 21 into the inside of a machine; identifying the banknote fed into the machine sequentially by an identification unit 25; transferring a first banknote identified by the identification unit as being of a first denomination and with a first serial number by a transport unit 4 to first storage units 31 to 34 for the first denomination and storing it in a first storage unit; and transporting a second banknote identified by the identification unit as being of the first denomination and with a second serial number by the transport unit to a second storage unit 35 based on a comparison of the first serial number and the second serial number by a control unit (controller 15) after the first banknote is identified by the identification unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a method for processing banknotes.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a conventional cash automated transaction device. When a user selects a deposit transaction, the cash automated transaction device performs a deposit process. In the deposit process, the cash automated transaction device discriminates banknotes inserted into the deposit / withdrawal slot by a discrimination unit. The discrimination unit discriminates banknotes and identifies serial numbers. The cash automated transaction device returns banknotes for which the number of unidentifiable characters exceeds a predetermined threshold as non-depositable banknotes to the deposit / withdrawal slot.

[0003] When a user selects a withdrawal transaction, the cash automated transaction device performs a withdrawal process. In the withdrawal process, the cash automated transaction device discriminates banknotes fed out from the recycling bin by a discrimination unit. The discrimination unit discriminates banknotes and identifies serial numbers. The cash automated transaction device stores banknotes for which the number of unidentifiable characters exceeds a predetermined threshold as non-withdrawable banknotes in a temporary storage unit.

[0004] Serial numbers of banknotes are used for various purposes in banknote processing. Patent Document 2 describes a conventional banknote processing machine. The banknote processing machine performs a replenishment process. The replenishment process is a process of replenishing the banknote storage cassette with banknotes for withdrawal. In the replenishment process, after the discrimination unit discriminates banknotes inserted into the deposit / withdrawal unit, the banknote processing machine stores the banknotes in the banknote storage cassette. When a plurality of serial numbers sequentially discriminated by the discrimination unit during the replenishment process are consecutive, the banknote processing machine determines that the replenished banknotes are new banknotes with the band seal of the official sealed note removed. The conventional currency processing device described in Patent Document 3 also determines, in the same manner as the banknote processing machine, that the replenished banknotes are new banknotes with the band seal of the official sealed note removed based on the discriminated serial numbers.

[0005] A banknote processing device may use the serial number of banknotes for the management of the stored banknotes. For example, Patent Document 4 describes a banknote processing method that determines the inventory level in the storage section using the serial numbers of banknotes. Specifically, in this banknote processing method, a list of the serial numbers of the banknotes stored in the storage section is stored in the order of storage. When a banknote is dispensed from the storage section, the serial number of the dispensed banknote is read and compared with the list, so that after the dispensing, the banknotes stored in the storage section can be determined.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] It is difficult for the identification unit of a banknote processing device to accurately read all characters of the serial number of a banknote. If it is determined that the serial number has been identified just because all characters have been identified, the number of banknotes for which the serial number cannot be identified will increase significantly. As described in Patent Document 1, conventional banknote processing devices allow several characters of a serial number to be unidentifiable in order to suppress a decrease in processing efficiency.

[0008] However, if the unidentifiability of several characters is allowed, the collation accuracy between the identified serial number and the stored serial number may deteriorate. For example, when collating similar serial numbers. Similarity between serial numbers means that the number of different characters between a plurality of serial numbers is equal to or less than a predetermined number. A plurality of consecutive serial numbers are similar. This is because the number of different characters in a plurality of consecutive serial numbers is one or two. If the unidentifiability of several characters is allowed, even if several characters do not match when collating the identified serial number and the stored serial number, the banknote processing apparatus may determine that the serial numbers are the same. There is a risk that the banknote processing apparatus may determine that all of a plurality of similar serial numbers are the same serial number. The banknote processing apparatus is required to achieve banknote processing that suppresses a decrease in processing efficiency and suppresses a decrease in the collation accuracy of serial numbers.

[0009] The technology disclosed herein is banknote processing involving the identification of serial numbers, and realizes appropriate banknote processing.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] The technology disclosed herein relates to a banknote processing method. This banknote processing method includes the following steps. That is, Banknotes are sequentially fed from the deposit section into the interior of the apparatus, The banknotes fed into the interior of the apparatus are sequentially identified by an identification section, The first banknote identified by the identification section as being of the first denomination and having the first serial number is conveyed by a conveyance section to a first storage section for the first denomination and stored in the first storage section, After the first banknote is identified by the identification section, the second banknote identified by the identification section as being of the first denomination and having the second serial number is conveyed by the conveyance section to a second storage section based on a comparison by a control section between the first serial number and the second serial number.

[0011] Banknote processing is a process of storing banknotes sequentially fed from a deposit section into the interior of the apparatus in a storage section. Before the banknotes are stored in the storage section, the identification section sequentially identifies the banknotes.

[0012] The first banknote identified as the first denomination and the first serial number is conveyed to and stored in the first storage unit. The first storage unit is a storage unit for the first denomination.

[0013] After the first banknote, the second banknote identified by the identification unit as the first denomination and the second serial number is conveyed to the second storage unit based on a comparison between the first serial number and the second serial number. The second banknote is not stored in the first storage unit, or is not stored near the first banknote in the first storage unit. Separating the first banknote and the second banknote enables appropriate banknote processing.

[0014] The control unit determines the similarity between the first serial number and the second serial number. When the first serial number and the second serial number are similar, the conveying unit conveys the second banknote to the second storage unit. When the first serial number and the second serial number are not similar, the conveying unit may convey the second banknote to the first storage unit and store it in the first storage unit.

[0015] When the first serial number and the second serial number are similar, the first banknote and the second banknote are conveyed to different storage units. The first banknote and the second banknote are separated. Appropriate banknote processing becomes possible when the first serial number and the second serial number are similar. When the first serial number and the second serial number are not similar, both the first banknote and the second banknote are conveyed to and stored in the first storage unit.

[0016] The control unit may determine that the first serial number and the second serial number are similar when the number of inconsistent characters in the collation between the first serial number and the second serial number identified by the identification unit is equal to or less than a predetermined number n.

[0017] That is, in banknote processing, it may be acceptable to have n characters of the serial number unidentifiable. Allowing n characters of the serial number to be unidentifiable suppresses a decrease in the efficiency of banknote processing.

[0018] The storage unit stores the serial numbers of the banknotes stored in the first storage unit. In the withdrawal process of the apparatus, the first storage unit pays out the stored banknotes as withdrawal banknotes. In the withdrawal process, the discrimination unit discriminates the banknotes paid out by the first storage unit, and the control unit collates the discriminated serial number with the stored serial number. If the number of different characters between the discriminated serial number and the stored serial number is equal to or less than the predetermined number n, the control unit may determine that the discriminated serial number and the stored serial number are the same.

[0019] In the withdrawal process of the apparatus, when collating the serial number of the banknote paid out and discriminated from the first storage unit with the stored serial number, if the number of different characters is equal to or less than the predetermined number n, the control unit determines that the discriminated serial number and the stored serial number are the same. Allowing a mismatch of up to the predetermined number n during the serial number collation enables accurate banknote management using the serial number without reducing the processing efficiency.

[0020] When the first serial number and the second serial number are similar, as described above, the second banknote is not stored in the first storage unit, or the second banknote is not stored near the first banknote in the first storage unit. Incorrect collation between the first banknote and the second banknote with similar serial numbers is suppressed.

[0021] The predetermined number n may be changeable. Changing the predetermined number n can also mean changing (or adjusting) the similarity degree of the two serial numbers. Depending on the predetermined number n, accurate banknote management using the serial number can be realized, or the processing efficiency can be improved.

[0022] The predetermined number n may be set based on the identification ability of the identification unit. When the identification ability of the identification unit is high, the predetermined number n may be set to a small value. Accurate bill management using the serial numbers can be achieved without reducing the processing efficiency. When the identification ability of the identification unit is low, the predetermined number n may be set to a large value. A decrease in processing efficiency can be suppressed while maintaining accurate bill management using the serial numbers. The predetermined number n may be set by the identification unit itself through self-diagnosis, or may be manually set by the user.

[0023] Before the control unit compares the second serial number with the serial numbers included in a group of bills that are identified as the first denomination by the identification unit and stored in the first storage unit and consist of m bills consecutive to the second bill before the second bill is identified by the identification unit, When a serial number similar to the second serial number is included in the group, the transport unit may transport the second bill to the second storage unit.

[0024] Here, when collating the serial number of the bill paid out from the first storage unit with the stored serial numbers during the withdrawal process, the serial number of the bill paid out from the first storage unit may be collated with the serial numbers of the m stored bills.

[0025] When the second bill is stored in the first storage unit, in the first storage unit, bills with serial numbers similar to the second bill are not stored at least near the second bill. That is, in the first storage unit, bills with mutually similar serial numbers are not stored nearby. During the withdrawal process, since the collation of bills with similar serial numbers themselves is suppressed, incorrect collation is suppressed.

[0026] The m bills may be changeable. The m bills can be set to an appropriate number.

[0027] The first storage unit may be configured to store banknotes in a stacked manner. In a so-called stack-type storage unit, the storage order of banknotes may be reversed with respect to the conveyance order of banknotes to the storage unit. Determining the conveyance destination of the second banknote based on the comparison between each of the serial numbers included in the group of m banknotes and the second serial number can suppress incorrect collation of serial numbers and enable accurate banknote management using serial numbers for the first storage unit that stores banknotes in a stacked manner.

[0028] In the withdrawal process of the apparatus, the second storage unit may be configured not to dispense the stored banknotes as withdrawal banknotes.

[0029] Since the serial numbers of the banknotes stored in the second storage unit are not collated, incorrect collation can be avoided.

[0030] The first storage unit and the second storage unit may be housed in a safe. The apparatus can safely manage the banknotes stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit.

[0031] The second storage unit may be a dispensing unit that dispenses the second banknote to the outside of the apparatus. That is, the second banknote may be returned to the user.

[0032] Notify to prompt the reinsertion of the second banknote paid out to the dispensing unit into the depositing unit. If the second serial number of the second banknote re-fed from the depositing unit into the apparatus is not similar to the serial numbers of the m banknotes most recently stored in the first storage unit, the second banknote may be conveyed to the first storage unit by the conveyance unit and stored in the first storage unit.

[0033] In the process of storing a plurality of banknotes inserted into the depositing unit in the storage unit, if the first banknote and the second banknote with similar serial numbers are consecutively identified, the second banknote is returned to the user. After the second banknote, the banknote identified as the first denomination by the identification unit is stored in the first storage unit consecutively with the first banknote.

[0034] When the returned second banknote is reinserted into the apparatus, the first storage unit may store banknotes other than the first banknote. It may happen that the second serial number does not resemble the serial numbers of the m banknotes most recently stored in the first storage unit. Even if the reinserted second banknote is stored in the first storage unit, banknotes with similar serial numbers are not stored close to each other in the first storage unit. Incorrect collation during the withdrawal process is suppressed.

[0035] The control unit may include the second banknote reinserted into the depositing unit in the transaction related to the banknote initially sent from the depositing unit into the interior of the apparatus.

[0036] Since the reinserted second banknote is managed as a banknote related to one transaction, the banknote processing becomes appropriate.

[0037] The control unit makes a decision to convey the second banknote, which is identified by the identification unit as being of the first denomination and having the second serial number, to the first storage unit for the first denomination by the conveying unit. Thereafter, based on the comparison between the first serial number and the second serial number by the control unit, when a decision is made to change the conveyance destination of the second banknote from the first conveying unit to the second conveying unit, the second banknote may be conveyed to the second storage unit by the conveying unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0038] The above banknote processing method can appropriately perform banknote processing involving identification of serial numbers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0039]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the banknote processing method will be described with reference to the drawings. The banknote processing method described here is an example.

[0041] Figure 8 shows a banknote processing apparatus 100 related to the banknote processing method. The banknote processing apparatus 100 processes loose banknotes.

[0042] The banknote processing apparatus 100 includes a deposit unit 101. The deposit unit 101 sequentially feeds the banknotes stored in the first storage unit 104 of the banknote processing apparatus 100 into the interior of the banknote processing apparatus 100.

[0043] The banknote processing apparatus 100 includes an identification unit 102. The identification unit 102 sequentially identifies the banknotes fed into the interior of the banknote processing apparatus 100. The identification unit 102 performs at least the identification of the denomination of the banknote and the identification of the serial number of the banknote. The identification unit 102 includes sensors and a CPU for performing at least the identification of the denomination of the banknote and the identification of the serial number of the banknote.

[0044] Here, the serial number is provided on the banknote and is used to identify the banknote, and is composed of symbols such as numbers, letters, and signs, as well as those similar to the signs. The serial number is not a random sequence of symbols but a consecutive number. Therefore, the serial numbers of multiple banknotes may be consecutive.

[0045] The currency processing apparatus 100 includes a conveyance unit 103. An identification unit 102 is provided so as to be adjacent to or incorporated in the conveyance unit 103. The conveyance unit 103 conveys the currency identified by the identification unit 102 to the first storage unit 104 or the second storage unit 105.

[0046] The currency processing apparatus 100 includes a first storage unit 104. The first storage unit 104 stores currency. The currency processing apparatus 100 includes a second storage unit 105. The second storage unit 105 holds currency.

[0047] The currency processing apparatus 100 includes a control unit 106. The control unit 106 controls the deposit unit 101, the identification unit 102, the conveyance unit 103, the first storage unit 104, and the second storage unit 105.

[0048] The currency processing method disclosed herein has the following steps. That is, sequentially feed currency from the deposit unit 101 into the interior of the currency processing apparatus 100, sequentially identify the currency fed into the interior of the currency processing apparatus 100 by the identification unit 102, convey the first currency identified by the identification unit 102 as being of the first denomination and having the first serial number to the first storage unit 104 for the first denomination and store it in the first storage unit 104, as indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 8 by the conveyance unit 103, after the first currency has been identified by the identification unit 102, convey the second currency identified by the identification unit 102 as being of the first denomination and having the second serial number to the second storage unit 105 by the conveyance unit 103 based on a comparison of the first serial number and the second serial number by the control unit 106, as indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 8.

[0049] The second currency is not stored in the first storage unit 104. Separating the first currency and the second currency enables appropriate currency processing.

[0050] (Structure of the currency processing apparatus) FIG. 1 shows the overall structure of a banknote processing apparatus according to a banknote processing method. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the banknote processing apparatus. The banknote processing apparatus 1 is a modified example of the banknote processing apparatus 100. The banknote processing apparatus 1 executes at least the deposit processing of loose banknotes and the withdrawal processing of loose banknotes. When the user selects a deposit transaction, the banknote processing apparatus 1 executes the deposit processing. The deposit processing is a process of storing the banknotes inserted into the deposit unit 21 described later in the storage units 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 in the apparatus. When the user selects a withdrawal transaction, the banknote processing apparatus 1 executes the withdrawal processing. The withdrawal processing is a process of paying out the banknotes fed out from the storage units 31, 32, 33, or 34 to the withdrawal unit 22 described later.

[0051] The banknote processing apparatus 1 has an upper processing housing 11 and a lower safe housing 13. The safe housing 13 is formed of a metal plate having a predetermined thickness or more. The security level of the safe housing 13 is higher than that of the processing housing 11.

[0052] The banknote processing apparatus 1 has a deposit unit 21. The deposit unit 21 is located inside the processing housing 11. The deposit unit 21 is, for example, the part where banknotes are inserted during the deposit processing. The deposit unit 21 has a deposit opening 211. The user manually inserts (or places) banknotes into the deposit unit 21 through the deposit opening 211. The deposit unit 21 can hold a plurality of banknotes in a stacked state. The deposit unit 21 has a mechanism for sending out banknotes one by one into the banknote processing apparatus 1.

[0053] The banknote processing apparatus 1 has a withdrawal unit 22. The withdrawal unit 22 is located inside the processing housing 11. The withdrawal unit 22 is, for example, the part where the banknotes fed out from the storage units 31, 32, 33, 34 are conveyed during the withdrawal processing. The withdrawal unit 22 can hold a plurality of banknotes in a stacked state. The withdrawal unit 22 has a withdrawal opening 221. The user can manually take out the banknotes accumulated in the withdrawal unit 22 through the withdrawal opening 221.

[0054] The bill processing apparatus 1 has a reject section 23. The reject section 23 is located inside the processing housing 11. The reject section 23 stores, for example, rejected bills generated during the withdrawal process.

[0055] The bill processing apparatus 1 has a temporary storage section 24. The temporary storage section 24 is located inside the processing housing 11. The temporary storage section 24 temporarily stores, for example, bills to be deposited during the deposit process. The temporary storage section 24 can feed out the stored bills. The temporary storage section 24 is a tape-type storage unit. The temporary storage section 24 stores bills by winding them around a drum together with a tape. The tape-type storage unit has the advantage that the order of the bills does not change during bill storage and bill feeding. Also, the tape-type storage unit has the advantage that it can store bills of various sizes in a mixed state. The temporary storage section 24 can adopt a known structure of the tape-type storage unit.

[0056] The bill processing apparatus 1 has an identification section 25. The identification section 25 is located inside the processing housing 11. The identification section 25 is located in the upper conveyance section 41 described later. The identification section 25 identifies at least the currency, authenticity, denomination, and integrity of each bill conveyed along the upper conveyance section 41. The identification section 25 also identifies the serial number printed on the bill. The identification section 25 optically identifies the serial number. Since the method for identifying the serial number is known, a detailed description is omitted. The identification section 25 can appropriately adopt various known methods.

[0057] The bill processing apparatus 1 has a first storage section 31, a second storage section 32, a third storage section 33, a fourth storage section 34, and a fifth storage section 35. The first storage section 31, the second storage section 32, the third storage section 33, the fourth storage section 34, and the fifth storage section 35 are housed inside the safe housing 13.

[0058] The first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, and the fifth storage unit 35 have the same structure. The first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, and the fifth storage unit 35 are each a stack-type storage unit. The stack-type storage unit stores banknotes stacked in the vertical direction. After storing a banknote (hereinafter referred to as a preceding banknote for the sake of example), the stack-type storage unit stores a subsequent banknote, which is identified after the preceding banknote, on top of the preceding banknote. The first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, and the fifth storage unit 35 each have one storage area and one transport mechanism. The first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, and the fifth storage unit 35 can each store banknotes in the storage area and feed banknotes out of the storage area. The first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, and the fifth storage unit 35 each feed out the previously stored banknotes later.

[0059] The fourth storage unit 34 is a stack-type storage unit. The fourth storage unit 34 has a first storage area 341 and a second storage area 342. The first storage area 341 and the second storage area 342 are independent of each other. The fourth storage unit 34 has a first transport mechanism for the first storage area 341 and a second transport mechanism for the second storage area 342. The fourth storage unit 34 can store banknotes in the first storage area 341 and feed banknotes out of the first storage area 341, and can also store banknotes in the second storage area 342 and feed banknotes out of the second storage area 342. The fourth storage unit 34 also feeds out the previously stored banknotes later.

[0060] The first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, the first storage area 341 and the second storage area 342 of the fourth storage unit 34 store banknotes during the depositing process. The first storage area 341 and the second storage area 342 of the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, and the fourth storage unit 34 may store banknotes of different denominations. Note that a plurality of storage units or storage areas may store banknotes of the same denomination. The first storage area 341 and the second storage area 342 of the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, and the fourth storage unit 34 dispense banknotes during the withdrawal process. The first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, and the fourth storage unit 34 are recycling bins.

[0061] The fifth storage unit 35 stores banknotes that are not stored in the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, and the fourth storage unit 34. The fifth storage unit 35 also stores banknotes recovered from the banknote processing device 1. Hereinafter, the fifth storage unit 35 may be referred to as a collection cassette. In this banknote processing device 1, the fifth storage unit 35 does not dispense banknotes.

[0062] The banknote processing device 1 has a transport unit 4. The transport unit 4 transports banknotes one by one with a space between banknotes inside the banknote processing device 1. The transport unit 4 has a transport path. The transport path is composed of a combination of a number of rollers, a plurality of belts, a motor for driving them, and a plurality of guides. The transport unit 4 transports banknotes with the long side edge of the banknote facing forward. The transport unit 4 may transport banknotes with the short side edge of the banknote facing forward.

[0063] The transport unit 4 has an upper transport unit 41 and a lower transport unit 42. The upper transport unit 41 is located inside the processing housing 11. The lower transport unit 42 is located inside the safe housing 13. Note that the upper transport unit 41 and the lower transport unit 42 are connected to each other via the upper wall forming the safe housing 13.

[0064] The upper transport unit 41 has an endless loop transport path. The upper transport unit 41 transports banknotes along the loop transport path in both the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1.

[0065] The upper conveyance unit 41 also has a plurality of branch paths branching from the loop conveyance path. The plurality of branch paths are respectively connected to the loop conveyance path and the depositing unit 21, the loop conveyance path and the paying-out unit 22, the loop conveyance path and the rejection unit 23, and the loop conveyance path and the temporary storage unit 24. At the connection points between the loop conveyance path and the branch paths, there are branch mechanisms for changing the conveyance destination of the banknotes.

[0066] The lower conveyance unit 42 has a plurality of conveyance paths connected to the loop conveyance path. The plurality of conveyance paths are respectively connected to the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, the first storage area 341 of the fourth storage unit 34, the second storage area 342 of the fourth storage unit 34, and the fifth storage unit 35.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, the banknote processing apparatus 1 includes a controller 15. The controller 15 is an example of a control unit. The controller 15 can be configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and an I / O circuit. The CPU executes programs. The memory stores programs and data for the operation of the banknote processing apparatus 1. The memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The I / O circuit performs input / output of electrical signals between the controller 15 and each device connected to the controller 15. The depositing unit 21, the paying-out unit 22, the rejection unit 23, the temporary storage unit 24, the identification unit 25, the conveyance unit 4, the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, the fourth storage unit 34, and the fifth storage unit 35 are respectively connected to the controller 15 so as to be able to exchange signals.

[0068] The currency processing device 1 has a UI (User Interface) unit 26, a storage unit 27, and a communication unit 28. The UI unit 26 is a part where the user operates and information is provided to the user. The UI unit 26 may be, for example, a touch panel type display device. The storage unit 27 stores various data and the like. The storage unit 27 is, for example, a non-volatile storage device. The communication unit 28 communicates with an external terminal. The UI unit 26, the storage unit 27, and the communication unit 28 are also connected to the controller 15 so as to be able to exchange signals.

[0069] More specifically, the storage unit 27 stores information on the banknotes stored in each of the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, the fourth storage unit 34, and the fifth storage unit 35. The storage unit 27 stores the number of banknotes, the denomination, and the total amount stored in the storage units 31 - 35. The storage unit 27 also stores the serial numbers of each banknote stored in the storage units 31 - 35 in the order of storage. The information associating the storage order of the banknotes with the serial numbers may be referred to as a serial number list 271 hereinafter (see FIG. 5 or FIG. 6). The serial number list 271 enables strict management of the banknotes stored in the storage units 31 - 35.

[0070] When the user operates the UI unit 26, the controller 15 controls the deposit unit 21, the withdrawal unit 22, the reject unit 23, the temporary holding unit 24, the identification unit 25, the transport unit 4, the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, the fourth storage unit 34, and the fifth storage unit 35 in order to execute the process corresponding to the operation. Hereinafter, the operation when the currency processing device 1 executes the deposit process and the withdrawal process will be described.

[0071] (Deposit process) FIG. 3 illustrates the conveyance path of banknotes in the deposit process. The user who has selected a deposit transaction inserts the banknotes to be deposited into the deposit unit 21. As shown by the solid arrows in FIG. 3, the deposit unit 21 feeds the banknotes one by one into the apparatus. The conveyance unit 4 conveys the banknotes to the identification unit 25. The identification unit 25 identifies the banknotes. The identification unit 25 also identifies the serial number of the banknotes. Regarding the identification of the serial number by the identification unit 25, a non-identifiable number of up to a predetermined number n is allowed. That is, if the number of characters that the identification unit 25 cannot identify is n or less, the controller 15 determines that the identification unit 25 has identified the serial number. By allowing a non-identifiable number of several characters, the banknote processing apparatus 1 can improve the processing efficiency. When the number of characters that the identification unit 25 cannot identify exceeds n, the controller 15 determines that the identification unit 25 has failed to identify the serial number. The banknote for which the serial number could not be identified is determined to be a rejected banknote.

[0072] The predetermined number n can be set to any number. The predetermined number n may be set based on the identification ability of the identification unit 25. The identification unit 25 having a CPU may set the predetermined number n by self-diagnosis, or the user may set the predetermined number n manually. When the identification ability of the identification unit 25 is high, the predetermined number n may be made smaller. Accurate banknote management using the serial number can be realized without reducing the processing efficiency. When the identification ability of the identification unit 25 is low, the predetermined number n may be made larger. A decrease in processing efficiency is suppressed while maintaining accurate banknote management using the serial number. Here, n = 3 is assumed.

[0073] The transport unit 4 transports banknotes to the first storage area 341, the second storage area 342 of the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, the fourth storage unit 34, or the fifth storage unit 35 according to the identification result of the identification unit 25. The first storage area 341 or the second storage area 342 of the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, and the fourth storage unit 34 store banknotes for each denomination. The fifth storage unit 35 stores banknotes that are not stored in the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, and the fourth storage unit 34. In FIG. 3, the transport unit 4 transports banknotes to the first storage unit 31, and the first storage unit 31 stores the banknotes. Note that the transport unit 4 transports the banknotes determined to be rejected banknotes to the payout unit 22 as indicated by the dotted arrow. The rejected banknotes are returned to the user. The user re-inserts the returned banknotes into the deposit unit 21 as needed. When all the banknotes inserted into the deposit unit 21 are taken into the banknote processing apparatus 1, the deposit process ends.

[0074] The controller 15 causes the storage unit 27 to store data regarding the banknotes stored in the storage units 31 - 35. The storage unit 27 stores the identification numbers identified by the identification unit 25 in the order of storage of the banknotes for each of the storage units 31 - 35. That is, the storage unit 27 stores the identification number list 271 (see the left figure in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6). The storage unit 27 updates and stores the identification number list 271 of the storage units 31 - 35 each time a deposit process is performed. The latest storage state of the storage units 31 - 35 is reflected in the identification number list 271 stored in the storage unit 27. The controller 15 can determine the on - hand amount of the storage units 31 - 35 based on the identification number list 271 of each of the storage units 31 - 35.

[0075] (Payout Process) FIG. 4 illustrates the conveyance path of banknotes in the withdrawal process. If the user selects a withdrawal transaction, as indicated by the solid arrows in FIG. 4, the first storage area 341 or the second storage area 342 of the first storage unit 31, the second storage unit 32, the third storage unit 33, and the fourth storage unit 34 feeds out the banknotes to be withdrawn. The conveyance unit 4 conveys the banknotes to the identification unit 25. The identification unit 25 identifies the banknotes. The conveyance unit 4 conveys the identified banknotes to the withdrawal unit 22. The withdrawal unit 22 holds the banknotes. The conveyance unit 4 conveys the banknotes identified by the identification unit 25 as rejected banknotes to the rejection unit 23 (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 4). The rejection unit 23 stores the rejected banknotes. When all the banknotes to be withdrawn have been withdrawn to the withdrawal unit 22, the withdrawal process ends.

[0076] (Verification process during withdrawal processing) During the withdrawal process, the controller 15 verifies the serial number of the banknotes fed out from the storage units 31-34, which is the serial number identified by the identification unit 25, with the serial number list 271. Based on the verification of the serial number, the controller 15 determines the remaining balance of the storage units 31-34 after the completion of the withdrawal process.

[0077] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the verification process during the withdrawal process. Regarding the identification of the serial number by the identification unit 25, as described above, non-identification up to n characters is allowed. Similarly, n = 3 may be set. The right diagram in FIG. 5 illustrates the serial number of the banknotes fed out from the storage units 31-34 during the withdrawal process, which is the serial number identified by the identification unit 25. Among "A444444?4", "?" indicates the character that could not be identified.

[0078] When collating the identified serial number with the serial number list 271, if the number of inconsistent characters is three or less, the controller 15 determines that the identified serial number is the same as the serial number in the serial number list 271. In the example of FIG. 5, the controller 15 determines that the identified "A444444?4" is the same as "A44444444" in the serial number list 271. Allowing several unidentifiable characters or several inconsistencies during collation at the time of withdrawal processing enables both an improvement in the processing efficiency of the banknote processing apparatus 1 and the maintenance of the accuracy of banknote management.

[0079] The storage units 31-34 are stack-type storage units, and when storing banknotes, the storage order of the banknotes may be reversed with respect to the conveyance order of the banknotes to the storage units 31-34. Since the serial number list 271 is created according to the order in which the banknotes passed through the identification unit 25, if the storage order of the banknotes is reversed, the order of the banknotes in the serial number list 271 will not match the order of the banknotes actually stored in the storage units 31-34. Therefore, at the time of withdrawal processing, simply collating the serial number of the last banknote fed out from the storage units 31-34 with the serial number list 271 will not accurately identify the banknotes stored in the storage units 31-34 after the completion of the withdrawal processing if the storage order of the last banknote is offset from the order in the serial number list 271.

[0080] After the withdrawal processing is completed, in order to more accurately determine the inventory of the storage units 31-34, the controller 15 performs serial number collation on a group consisting of the serial numbers of a plurality of banknotes during the serial number collation processing at the time of withdrawal processing.

[0081] Specifically, the controller 15 collates the serial numbers of m consecutive banknotes including the banknote last fed out from the storage units 31-34 with each serial number in the serial number list 271. Here, m can be set to an appropriate number. The number of banknotes m constituting the group may be determined based on the maximum number of banknotes whose order may be reversed when the storage units 31-34 store banknotes. Here, m = 5 is assumed.

[0082] In the verification process during the withdrawal process, the controller 15 determines the match of the serial numbers according to the following criteria (1) and (2). (1) Even if there are characters that do not match up to three characters between the identified serial number and the serial number in the serial number list 271, if the other characters match, it is determined that those serial numbers are the same. (2) For the banknote last dispensed from the storage units 31 - 34 and the banknote dispensed fifth from the last, in addition to the criterion in (1), if each character in the lower four digits of the serial number exactly matches each character in the serial number in the serial number list 271, it is determined that those serial numbers are the same.

[0083] In FIG. 5, the identified "A11110001", "A33333333", and "A444444?4" are respectively determined to be the same as "A11110001", "A33333333", and "A44444444" in the serial number list 271 according to the criterion in (1).

[0084] Also, in FIG. 5, the last - dispensed "A55555555" is determined to be the same as "A55555555" in the serial number list 271 according to the criterion in (2), and the "A22222202" dispensed fifth from the last is also determined to be the same as "A22222202" in the serial number list 271 according to the criterion in (2).

[0085] Note that in the verification between groups of serial numbers of multiple banknotes, the order of the identified serial numbers in the right figure of FIG. 5 and the order in the serial number list 271 in the left figure do not have to match. This is because, as described above, the order in the serial number list 271 may deviate from the actual storage order in the storage units 31 - 34.

[0086] As described above, a group in the serial number list 271 corresponding to the group of serial numbers of five banknotes fed out from the storage units 31-34 is determined. In the serial number list 271, the group indicates the boundary between the banknotes fed out from the storage units 31-34 and the banknotes stored in the storage units 31-34. Based on the serial number list 271, the controller 15 can identify the banknotes stored in the storage units 31-34. By performing collation on a group including a plurality of banknotes, even if the storage order of the banknotes is swapped, after the withdrawal process is completed, the controller 15 can accurately identify the banknotes stored in the storage units 31-34.

[0087] (Banknote storage during deposit processing) As described above, when allowing several characters to be unidentifiable in the identification by the identification unit 25 and allowing several characters to be inconsistent in the serial number collation, the collation accuracy between the identified serial number and the stored serial number may deteriorate. For example, when collating a plurality of consecutive serial numbers. Since the number of different characters in a plurality of consecutive serial numbers is one or two, if the banknote processing apparatus 1 allows several characters to be unidentifiable or inconsistent, when collating the serial numbers, a plurality of similar serial numbers will be determined to be the same serial number. In the collation process during the above-described withdrawal process, if an incorrect determination of the serial number occurs, the controller 15 may incorrectly determine the balance in the storage units 31-34. Note that this incorrect determination is not limited to the case where a plurality of serial numbers are consecutive.

[0088] The banknote processing apparatus 1 devises the storage of banknotes during deposit processing so as to suppress incorrect determination of serial numbers in the collation process during withdrawal processing. Specifically, during deposit processing, the controller 15 collates the serial number of the banknote identified by the identification unit 25 with the serial numbers of the banknotes identified earlier than the banknote, and changes the storage destination of the banknote so that banknotes with similar serial numbers are not stored in the same storage unit.

[0089] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the collation process of the serial numbers during the deposit process. As described above, the banknotes fed into the interior of the banknote processing apparatus 1 from the depositing unit 21 during the deposit process are identified by the identification unit 25 for the denomination and the like, and the serial number is also identified. Banknotes of the same denomination are basically stored in the same storage units 31-34. FIG. 6 illustrates the serial number list 271 of a specific storage unit. Note that the serial number list 271 includes not only the banknotes stored in the storage unit but also the serial numbers of the banknotes in transit to the storage unit to be stored in the storage unit. Therefore, the collation between the identified serial number and the serial number list 271 corresponds to the serial numbers of the banknotes identified by the identification unit 25 that were identified earlier than the banknote.

[0090] Here, as illustrated in FIG. 6, it is assumed that a banknote with a serial number of "A11110002" is newly stored in the storage unit based on the identification result of the identification unit 25. The controller 15 collates the identified serial number with the serial number list 271. At this time, the controller 15 targets the serial numbers of the top m banknotes in the serial number list 271 for collation. The top m banknotes in the serial number list 271 are the banknotes stored later in the storage unit and are the banknotes that are consecutive to the banknote with "A11110002" to be stored in the storage unit. Here, m = 5. m may be made to coincide with the number of banknotes m that constitute a group in the collation process during the withdrawal process described above.

[0091] The controller 15 determines the similarity of the serial numbers according to the determination criterion (1) described above in the collation process of the serial numbers during the deposit process. That is, even if there are inconsistent characters up to n characters between the identified serial number and the serial number in the serial number list 271, if the other characters match, it is determined that those serial numbers are similar. n may be made to coincide with n in the case of identification during the deposit process or the withdrawal process described above. Here, n = 3. In the example of FIG. 6, the top "A11110001" in the serial number list 271 is determined to be similar to "A11110002".

[0092] When a plurality of banknotes with similar serial numbers are stored in the storage unit, there is a risk of incorrect determination of banknotes in the verification process of the withdrawal process. Therefore, when a banknote with a serial number similar to that of a banknote already stored in the storage unit is about to be stored, the banknote handling device 1 conveys the banknote to be stored to another storage unit.

[0093] Here, the banknote handling device 1 conveys the banknote to the fifth storage unit 35, and the fifth storage unit 35 stores the banknote (see the dashed arrow in FIG. 3). As a result, it is possible to avoid storing a plurality of banknotes with similar serial numbers in one storage unit. The serial numbers of five consecutive banknotes in the serial number list 271 are not similar to each other. When the serial numbers are verified during the withdrawal process, even if three-character non-identifiability or inconsistency is allowed, misjudgment by the controller 15 is suppressed. Since the banknote handling device 1 can accurately determine the height of the storage unit after the withdrawal process, appropriate banknote handling is realized.

[0094] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart related to the deposit process. The flowchart in FIG. 7 is executed by the controller 15. In step S11 after starting, the controller 15 causes the deposit unit 21 to send out a banknote. In the subsequent step S12, the controller 15 causes the identification unit 25 to identify the banknote. In step S13, the controller 15 determines whether the banknote is a rejected banknote based on the identification result of step S12. If the banknote is a rejected banknote, in step S14, the controller 15 causes the transport unit 4 to convey the rejected banknote to the payout unit 22. The rejected banknote is returned to the user through the payout unit 22.

[0095] In step S13, if the banknote is not a rejected banknote, in step S15, the controller 15 determines the storage unit for storing the banknote based on the denomination. In the subsequent step S16, the controller 15 performs a comparison between the identified serial number and the serial number list 271 (see FIG. 6). Then, in step S17, the controller 15 determines whether a serial number similar to the identified serial number exists among the top five serial numbers in the serial number list 271.

[0096] In step S17, if there are similar serial numbers, the controller 15 causes the transport unit 4 to transport the banknote to the collection cassette, that is, the fifth storage unit 35, in step S18. The fifth storage unit 35 stores banknotes. That is, in step S17, if there are similar serial numbers, the controller 15 determines to change the transport destination of the banknote from the storage unit determined in step S15 to the collection cassette, and executes the control in step S18 so as to transport the banknote to the collection cassette, that is, the fifth storage unit 35 which is the changed transport destination. In step S17, if there are no similar serial numbers, the controller 15 causes the transport unit 4 to transport the banknote to the storage unit determined in step S15 in step S19. The storage unit stores banknotes. Note that step S15 can be omitted, and in this case, the transport destination may be determined based on the result of step S17.

[0097] In step S110, the controller 15 updates the serial number list 271 of the storage units 31 - 35 corresponding to the transport destination of the banknote.

[0098] In the subsequent step S111, the controller 15 determines whether the deposit process has been completed. If the deposit process has not been completed, the process in FIG. 7 returns to step S11, and the controller 15 continues to send out banknotes to the depositing unit 21. If the deposit process has been completed, the process in FIG. 7 ends.

[0099] (Modification example) The banknote processing apparatus 1 may store banknotes of the same denomination separately in a plurality of storage units 31 - 34, for example, the first storage unit 31 and the second storage unit 32 which are recycling bins. In this case, in step S18 of the above flowchart, the banknote processing apparatus 1 may transport the banknote to the second storage unit 32 instead of transporting it to the collection cassette, and in step S19, the banknote processing apparatus 1 may transport the banknote to the first storage unit 31.

[0100] Also, in step S18 of the flowchart described above, instead of transporting the banknote to the collection cassette, the banknote processing apparatus 1 may transport it to the dispensing unit 22. In this case, the banknote processing apparatus 1 may notify the user through the UI unit 26 to reinsert the banknote dispensed to the dispensing unit 22 into the depositing unit 21.

[0101] The depositing unit 21 reinserts the reinserted banknote into the apparatus. The identification unit 25 identifies the serial number of the reinserted banknote, and the controller 15 collates the identified serial number with the serial number list 271. At this timing, the upper serial number in the serial number list 271 may be different from the upper serial number in the serial number list 271 at the timing when the collation for the banknote was initially performed. This is because while the banknote was being dispensed to the dispensing unit 22, a banknote different from the banknote dispensed to the dispensing unit 22 and having a non-similar serial number was stored in the storage units 31-34.

[0102] Therefore, when the serial number of the reinserted banknote is not similar to the upper serial number in the serial number list 271, the reinserted banknote may be stored in the storage units 31-34 that could not be initially stored. In this case, although a plurality of banknotes with similar serial numbers are stored in the same storage units 31-34, the plurality of banknotes with similar serial numbers are not stored close to each other in the storage units 31-33. As a result, in the collation during the dispensing process, a plurality of banknotes with similar serial numbers are not included in the group of m banknotes, so misjudgment is suppressed.

[0103] Note that the controller 15 may include the banknote reinserted into the depositing unit 21 in the transaction related to the banknote initially fed into the apparatus from the depositing unit 21. Since the reinserted banknote is managed as a banknote related to one transaction, the banknote processing becomes appropriate.

[0104] In the above description, the deposit process of steps S11 - S111 was explained as being performed to improve the accuracy of the serial number verification of the banknotes withdrawn during the withdrawal process. However, the deposit process of steps S11 - S111 can also be performed to improve the accuracy of the inspection process that determines the in - storage amount of banknotes in the storage section using the serial number information.

[0105] The banknote processing apparatus to which the banknote processing method disclosed herein is applicable is not limited to the aforementioned banknote processing apparatuses 1 and 100. The banknote processing method disclosed herein is applicable to banknote processing apparatuses with various structures.

Explanation of Signs

[0106] 1 Banknote processing apparatus 100 Banknote processing apparatus 101 Deposit section 102 Identification section 103 Conveying section 104 First storage section 105 Second storage section 106 Control section 21 Deposit section 22 Withdrawal section (second storage section) 25 Identification section 27 Memory section 31 First storage section 32 Second storage section 33 Third storage section 34 Fourth storage section 35 Fifth storage section (second storage section) 4 Conveying section

Claims

1. The bills are fed sequentially from the deposit section into the inside of the device. The banknotes fed into the device are sequentially recognized by a recognition unit, transporting the first banknote identified by the recognition unit as being of a first denomination and having a first serial number to a first storage unit for the first denomination by a transport unit and storing the first banknote in the first storage unit; After the first banknote is recognized by the recognition unit, a second banknote recognized by the recognition unit as being of the first denomination and having a second serial number is transported by the transport unit to a second storage unit based on a comparison between the first serial number and the second serial number by a control unit. Banknote processing method.

2. the control unit determines a similarity between the first serial number and the second serial number, If the first serial number and the second serial number are similar, the transport unit transports the second banknote to the second storage unit; if the first serial number and the second serial number are not similar, transporting the second banknote to the first storage unit by the transport unit and storing the second banknote in the first storage unit. The banknote processing method according to claim 1.

3. the control unit determines that the first serial number and the second serial number are similar when a number of mismatched characters in a comparison between the first serial number and the second serial number identified by the recognition unit is equal to or less than a predetermined number n. The banknote processing method according to claim 2.

4. storing the serial numbers of the banknotes stored in the first storage unit in a storage unit; In the dispensing process of the device, the first storage unit feeds out the stored banknotes as dispensing banknotes, the recognition unit recognizes the banknotes fed out by the first storage unit during the dispensing process, and the control unit compares the recognized serial numbers with stored serial numbers; the control unit determines that the identified serial number and the stored serial number are the same when the number of mismatched characters between the identified serial number and the stored serial number is equal to or less than the predetermined number n. The banknote processing method according to claim 3.

5. The predetermined number n is variable. The banknote processing method according to claim 3 or 4.

6. the predetermined number n is set based on the discrimination ability of the discrimination unit. The banknote processing method according to claim 5.

7. The control unit compares the second serial number with each of the serial numbers included in a group consisting of m banknotes that are consecutive to the second banknote and are identified as the first denomination by the identification unit and stored in the first storage unit before the second banknote is identified by the identification unit. When a serial number similar to the second serial number is included in the group, the transport unit transports the second banknote to the second storage unit. The banknote processing method according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. The m pieces are changeable. The banknote processing method according to claim 7.

9. The first storage unit stores banknotes in a stacked manner. The banknote processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. In the banknote dispensing process of the apparatus, the second storage unit does not dispense the stored banknotes as dispensed banknotes. The banknote processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The first storage unit and the second storage unit are housed in a safe. The banknote processing method according to claim 10.

12. The second storage unit is a dispensing unit that dispenses the second banknote to the outside of the apparatus. The banknote processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

13. A notification is made to prompt the reinsertion of the second banknote paid out to the depositing unit into the depositing unit. When the second serial number of the second banknote re-fed from the depositing unit into the apparatus is not similar to the serial numbers of the m banknotes most recently stored in the first storage unit, the second banknote is transported to the first storage unit by the transport unit and stored in the first storage unit. The control unit includes the second banknote reinserted into the depositing unit in the transaction related to the banknote initially fed from the depositing unit into the apparatus. The banknote processing method according to claim 12.

14. The control unit makes a decision to transport the second banknote identified by the identification unit as being of the first denomination and having the second serial number to the first storage unit for the first denomination by the transport unit. Then, based on the comparison of the first serial number and the second serial number by the control unit, when a decision is made to change the transport destination of the second banknote from the first transport unit to the second transport unit, the second banknote is transported to the second storage unit by the transport unit. The banknote processing method according to claim 13.

15. The control unit makes a decision to transport the second banknote identified by the identification unit as being of the first denomination and having the second serial number to the first storage unit for the first denomination by the transport unit. After that, based on the comparison of the first serial number and the second serial number by the control unit, when a decision is made to change the transport destination of the second banknote from the first transport unit to the second transport unit, the second banknote is transported to the second storage unit by the transport unit. The banknote processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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