Money processing system, money processor, and money processing method

Abstract

To finalize an unknown money stock in a money processor without a close inspection to be performed by the money processor.SOLUTION: A money processing system includes a first money processor that includes a collection unit which collects money and pays money from the collection unit, a second money processor that uses the money paid by the first money processor to perform money processing, a memory unit that stores a money stock, which includes information with which money types collected in the collection unit of the first money processor and the numbers of notes and coins of different money types can be identified, and a control unit that updates the money stock on the basis of pieces of money type information set in the collection unit and the numbers of notes and coins paid from the collection unit. When the second money processor identifies and counts the notes and coins paid from the collection unit through payment processing and the money types and the numbers of notes and coins of the respective money types are identified, the control units updates the money stock on the basis of a result of identification and counting performed by the second money processor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a currency handling system, a currency handling device, and a currency handling method that can identify the denomination and number of coins by denomination stored in the currency handling device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, currency handling devices have been used that store currency in a storage unit within the device and perform deposit and withdrawal processes. To avoid situations where the storage unit does not have enough currency and is unable to perform a withdrawal process, or where the storage unit has too much currency and is unable to perform a deposit process, the currency handling device manages the amount of currency stored in the storage unit by denomination as inventory. When performing a deposit or withdrawal process, the currency handling device identifies the denomination and number of coins by denomination of the currency to be deposited or withdrawn, and updates and determines the inventory after the process.

[0003] For example, if multiple coins that are supposed to be dispensed one by one from a storage unit are dispensed in a stack during a dispensing process, the amount of coins in the storage unit becomes unknown, and the inventory cannot be determined. Patent Document 1 discloses a device that detects multiple transfers of overlapping coins, stores the coins in a reject box, and updates the inventory by assuming that two coins were transferred overlapping. After updating the inventory, this device performs a reconciliation process that identifies all coins stored in the storage unit and checks the denomination and number of coins by denomination, and if there is an error in the inventory updated based on the assumed number of rejected coins, it corrects and determines the inventory. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2016-177599 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional currency handling devices perform a reconciliation process to determine the balance when the balance becomes unknown, but other currency processes such as deposit processes and withdrawal processes cannot be performed while the reconciliation process is being performed. As a result, the reconciliation process takes time, and there are cases where the currency handling device cannot be used for normal purposes such as deposit processes and withdrawal processes for an extended period of time.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the prior art, including the above-mentioned problems, and one of its purposes is to provide a currency handling system, currency handling device, and currency handling method that can determine the inventory amount in the currency handling device without performing a reconciliation process in the currency handling device, even if the inventory amount in the currency handling device becomes unknown. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The currency handling system of the present disclosure includes a first currency handling device having a storage unit for storing currency and dispensing currency from the storage unit; a second currency handling device that performs currency handling using currency dispensed by the first currency handling device; a memory unit that stores inventory including information that can identify the denomination and number of currency by denomination of currency stored in the storage unit of the first currency handling device; and a control unit that updates the inventory based on the denomination information set in the storage unit and the number of currency dispensed from the storage unit, and when the second currency handling device identifies and counts the currency dispensed from the storage unit during the dispensing process, the control unit updates the inventory based on the identification and counting results obtained by the second currency handling device. The first currency handling device may include the storage unit and the control unit. An external device communicably connected to the first currency handling device and the second currency handling device may include the storage unit and the control unit. The storage unit may be a mixed storage unit that stores coins of a plurality of denominations in a mixed state. When coins are dispensed from the mixed storage unit, the control unit may put the storage unit into an undetermined inventory state in which the number of coins of each denomination stored therein cannot be determined.

[0008] In the above configuration, when the first currency processing device executes a dispensing process and is unable to identify the number of coins by denomination dispensed from the storage unit during the dispensing process, causing the inventory to become undetermined, the control unit may update the inventory based on the recognition and counting results obtained by the second currency processing device.

[0009] In the above configuration, when the first currency processing device performs a dispensing process and the inventory amount becomes undetermined, if the first currency processing device identifies and counts the currency dispensed from the storage unit during the dispensing process and the denomination and number of currency by denomination are identified, the control unit may update the inventory amount based on the identification and counting results obtained by the first currency processing device.

[0010] In the above configuration, when the first currency processing device executes a dispensing process and the inventory amount becomes undetermined, the control unit may update the inventory amount based on the identification and counting results obtained by the first currency processing device and the second currency processing device, when the second currency processing device identifies and counts some of the currency dispensed from the storage unit in the dispensing process, and the first currency processing device identifies and counts some of the currency dispensed from the storage unit in the dispensing process, thereby identifying the denomination and number of each denomination of all currency dispensed from the storage unit in the dispensing process.

[0011] In the above configuration, the first currency processing device and the second currency processing device may further include a cassette that is detachable from the first currency processing device, the first currency processing device stores the currency to be dispensed in the cassette attached to the first currency processing device, and the control unit may update the inventory of the first currency processing device based on the results of the second currency processing device, to which the cassette is attached, feeding out and identifying and counting the currency from the cassette.

[0012] In the above configuration, the first currency processing device has a mixed storage section that stores currency of multiple denominations in a mixed state, and a denomination-specific storage section that stores currency of a single denomination, and when executing a dispensing process to store the currency to be dispensed in the cassette, the currency may be dispensed from at least one of the mixed storage section or the denomination-specific storage section, and when executing a dispensing process to dispense currency to a dispensing destination other than the cassette, the currency may be dispensed only from the denomination-specific storage section.

[0013] In the above configuration, the first currency processing device has a mixed storage section that stores multiple denominations of currency in a mixed state, a denomination-specific storage section that stores currency of a single denomination, and a display section that displays information, and when executing a withdrawal process to withdraw currency to a withdrawal destination other than the cassette, the currency withdrawn from the mixed storage section and the currency withdrawn from the denomination-specific storage section are withdrawn in a distinguishable manner, and information indicating that identification and counting of the currency withdrawn from the mixed storage section is required is displayed on the display section.

[0014] In the above configuration, the first currency processing device has a mixed storage unit that stores multiple denominations of currency in a mixed state, and the control unit may update the inventory amount based on the results of the second currency processing device identifying and counting all currency stored in the cassette after the first currency processing device performs a withdrawal process in which the currency from the mixed storage unit is withdrawn and stored in the cassette.

[0015] In the above configuration, the first currency processing device has a mixed storage section that stores currency of multiple denominations in a mixed state, and a denomination-specific storage section that stores currency of a single denomination, and the control section may update the inventory amount based on the results of the second currency processing device identifying and counting the currency dispensed from the mixed storage section from among the currency stored in the cassette after the first currency processing device performs a dispensing process in which the first currency processing device dispenses currency from the mixed storage section and the denomination-specific storage section and stores it in the cassette.

[0016] In the above configuration, the first currency processing device has a mixed storage section that stores multiple denominations of currency in a mixed state, and the memory section further stores a flag indicating that the inventory amount is in an undetermined state, and the control section may update the flag to indicate that the inventory amount is in an undetermined state when the first currency processing device dispenses currency from the mixed storage section. The memory unit may store a flag indicating whether the balance is in an undetermined state or a determined state, and the control unit may update the flag so that it is clear whether the balance is in an undetermined state or a determined state.

[0017] In the above configuration, the first currency processing device has a mixed storage section that stores currency of multiple denominations in a mixed state, and during a withdrawal process to withdraw currency of the denomination assigned to the mixed storage section, the total number of currency of each denomination to be withdrawn from the mixed storage section may be calculated, and currency equal to this total number may be fed out and withdrawn from the mixed storage section.

[0018] In the above configuration, the control unit may calculate the deemed number of coins of each denomination withdrawn from the mixed storage unit by dividing the total number of coins withdrawn from the mixed storage unit by the number of denominations assigned to the mixed storage unit, and may update the number of coins of each denomination stored in the mixed storage unit included in the inventory to the deemed number obtained by subtracting the deemed number of coins withdrawn from the total number of coins.

[0019] In the above configuration, the control unit may calculate a deemed withdrawal number of each denomination of coins withdrawn from the mixed storage unit by multiplying the total number of coins withdrawn from the mixed storage unit by a mixing ratio indicating the ratio of the number of coins of each denomination to the total number of coins of all denominations stored in the mixed storage unit before the withdrawal process was executed, and may update the number of coins of each denomination stored in the mixed storage unit included in the inventory to a deemed number obtained by subtracting the deemed withdrawal number from the number of coins.

[0020] The currency processing device of the present disclosure comprises a storage unit that stores currency within the device, a memory unit that stores inventory including information that can identify the denomination and number of currency by denomination of the currency stored in the storage unit, and a control unit that updates the inventory based on the denomination information set in the storage unit and the number of currency dispensed from the storage unit, and when another currency processing device identifies and counts the currency dispensed from the storage unit during the dispensing process and the denomination and number of currency by denomination of the currency, the control unit obtains information related to the identification and counting results from the other currency processing device and updates the inventory based on the information.

[0021] The currency handling method of the present disclosure includes a step of a first currency handling device having a storage unit for storing currency, executing a dispensing process to dispense currency from the storage unit, a step of a second currency handling device recognizing and counting the currency dispensed from the storage unit, and a step of updating inventory information including information that can identify the denomination and number of currency by denomination stored in the storage unit of the first currency handling device based on the recognition and counting results obtained by the second currency handling device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the currency handling system, currency handling device, and currency handling method disclosed herein, even if the inventory of a currency handling device becomes unknown, the inventory can be determined without performing an inspection process on the currency handling device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a currency handling system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a currency handling system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining how to use the dispensing unit of the cash return machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the back machine. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the front device. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of determining the inventory of the cash return machine after dispensing change funds for the cash register from the cash return machine. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of determining the balance in the back machine after the change fund for the front machine is dispensed from the back machine. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example in which the back machine inventory is determined after the change fund for the front machine is dispensed from the back machine. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a dispensing process carried out at the cash back machine. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a dispensing process of a cash return machine using a cassette as a dispensing destination. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process for determining the inventory amount of a back-up machine that has become undetermined. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of dispensing processing of a return machine using a tray as a dispensing destination. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of data used in a currency processing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, a currency handling system, a currency handling device, and a currency handling method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] [Currency Processing System Overview] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a currency handling system according to this embodiment. The currency handling system includes a currency handling device 10. The currency handling device 10 has at least one mixed storage section 11. The currency handling device 10 may further have one or more denomination-specific storage sections 12.

[0026] The mixed storage unit 11 stores coins of multiple denominations in a mixed state. Storing coins in a mixed state by a storage unit refers to a state in which multiple denominations of coins are stored in one storage unit, and the denomination of the coin dispensed from that storage unit cannot be identified. The denomination-specific storage unit 12 is a single-denomination storage unit that stores coins of one denomination. In the example shown in Figure 1, the mixed storage unit 11 stores coins of denomination A and denomination B in a mixed state. On the other hand, the denomination-specific storage unit 12 stores only coins of denomination C.

[0027] 1 indicates the amount of currency stored in the storage units 11 and 12 of the currency handling device 10. The storage unit inventory 51 includes information that can identify the denominations and numbers of currency by denomination stored in the storage units 11 and 12 of the currency handling device 10.

[0028] The storage unit inventory 51 includes a flag indicating whether the number of coins of each denomination has been confirmed. When the flag is "0," this indicates that the number of coins has been confirmed, and when the flag is "1," this indicates that the number of coins has not been confirmed, i.e., the number of coins is an unconfirmed number. The flag may indicate that the number is unconfirmed and that a reconciliation process needs to be performed to count the number of coins. For example, if a predetermined error, such as a jam in the device, occurs during a dispensing process, or if a dispensing process is performed in which coins are dispensed without being identified from the mixed storage unit 11, the flag may be set to a value indicating that a reconciliation process is required.

[0029] The term "confirmed number" refers to the number of coins that has been determined to be that number within the currency handling system based on the currency processing content executed by the currency handling device 10 or another currency handling device included in the currency handling system. When a dispensing process is executed to dispense coins from the denomination-specific storage section 12 without an error such as a jam, the number of coins by denomination in the denomination-specific storage section 12 becomes confirmed. For example, the number that the currency handling device determines to be that number is the confirmed number. On the other hand, the term "unconfirmed number" refers to the number of coins that cannot be determined within the currency handling system. For example, the number that the currency handling device cannot determine to be that number and provisionally assumes to be that number is the unconfirmed number. When an error such as a jam occurs during a dispensing process, or when a dispensing process is executed to dispense coins from the mixed storage section 11 without identifying them, the number of coins by denomination in the mixed storage section 11 becomes unconfirmed.

[0030] The example of storage unit inventory 51 shown in Figure 1 indicates that it has been determined that there are Pa coins of denomination A stored in the mixed storage unit 11, Pb coins of denomination B stored, and Pc coins of denomination C stored in the denomination-specific storage unit 12.

[0031] The currency handling device 10 can execute a dispensing process. The currency handling device 10 can dispense currency one by one from the mixed storage section 11 and the denomination-specific storage section 12, and count the number of currency while dispensing the currency. In the dispensing process, currency is dispensed one by one from at least one of the mixed storage section 11 and the denomination-specific storage section 12, and is discharged outside the device.

[0032] Upon receiving an instruction to perform a dispensing process to dispense Y coins of denomination C, the currency handling device 10 dispenses Y coins from the denomination-specific storage unit 12 (S1), as shown in the dashed frame 22 in Figure 1. After executing the dispensing process, the currency handling device 10 updates the storage unit inventory 51 (S3). The number of coins of denomination C is updated from Pc to (Pc-Y) in the updated storage unit inventory 52.

[0033] When money is dispensed from the denomination-specific storage unit 12, the money handling device 10 can update and confirm the storage unit inventory based on the number of dispensed coins. Therefore, in the updated storage unit inventory 52, the flag for the number of coins of denomination C remains at "0", indicating a confirmed state.

[0034] When the currency handling apparatus 10 receives an instruction for a dispensing process to dispense X coins of denomination A, it dispenses X coins from the mixed storage unit 11. Similarly, when the currency handling apparatus 10 receives an instruction for a dispensing process to dispense X coins of denomination B, or when it receives an instruction for a dispensing process to dispense a total of X coins of denominations A and B, it dispenses X coins from the mixed storage unit 11. That is, when the currency handling apparatus 10 receives an instruction for a dispensing process to dispense coins from the mixed storage unit 11, it calculates the total number of coins of each denomination to be dispensed from the mixed storage unit 11, as shown in the dashed frame 21 in FIG. 1 , and dispenses that total number of coins from the mixed storage unit 11. Note that the instruction for the dispensing process is not limited to a mode in which the number of coins by denomination is specified, but may be a mode in which the instruction is given by specifying the number of coins to be dispensed from which storage unit. For example, upon receiving an instruction to dispense Y coins from the denomination-specific storage section 12 and X coins from the mixed storage section 11, the currency handling device 10 may execute the instructed dispensing process. Information on the denominations of coins to be stored in each storage section of the currency handling device 10 is set in advance. For example, the currency handling device 10 stores storage section settings including information on the denominations of coins to be stored in each storage section, and a specific example will be described later.

[0035] After dispensing the coins from mixed storage unit 11, currency handling device 10 updates storage unit inventory 51 (S3). Currency handling device 10 can determine that X coins have been dispensed from mixed storage unit 11, but because mixed storage unit 11 stores coins in a mixed state, it cannot determine how many of the X coins are of denomination A and how many are of denomination B.

[0036] Therefore, after dispensing X coins from the mixed storage unit 11, the currency processing device 10 updates the number of coins of denomination A from Pa to a provisional number, or assumed number, of Da, and updates the number of coins of denomination B from Pb to a provisional number, or assumed number, of Db, as shown in the updated storage unit inventory 52.

[0037] When an undetermined number of coins occurs, the currency handling device 10 sets a flag (turns the flag on) to indicate that the storage unit inventory is in an undetermined state. Therefore, after dispensing currency from the mixed storage unit 11, the currency handling device 10 updates the flags for currency of denomination A and currency of denomination B from "0", which indicates a determined state, to "1", which indicates an undetermined state, as shown in the updated storage unit inventory 52.

[0038] The deemed numbers Da and Db of the undetermined number are determined based on settings. For example, the currency handling device 10 may consider half of the X number of dispensed coins to be coins of denomination A and the other half to be coins of denomination B, setting the deemed numbers Da to (Pa-X / 2) and the deemed numbers Db to (Pb-X / 2). The settings for the deemed numbers Da and Db may be changeable. Examples of setting the deemed numbers will be described later.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1, the currency processing system tracks the currency dispensed from the mixed storage section 11 of the currency processing device 10 (S4), and when the currency is mechanically processed (S5), it updates and confirms the number of unconfirmed currency based on the details of the mechanical processing (S6).

[0040] For example, when currency processing device 10 dispenses currency into a container and the currency in that container is deposited into another currency processing device, storage unit inventory 52 is updated based on the results of this device performing a deposit process to identify and count the currency in the container.

[0041] As shown in the dashed frame 30 in Figure 1, if the recognition and counting result indicates that the total X coins stored in the container consist of Xa coins of denomination A and Xb coins of denomination B (X = Xa + Xb), the currency handling system updates storage unit inventory 52 of currency handling device 10 based on the recognition and counting result. In other words, currency handling device 10 updates storage unit inventory 52 by determining the number of coins by denomination dispensed from mixed storage unit 11 based on the result of recognition and counting of those coins by another currency handling device.

[0042] Specifically, as shown in storage unit inventory 53 in FIG. 1 , the currency handling device 10 updates the number of coins of denomination A from the assumed number Da to (Pa-Xa), and updates the number of coins of denomination B from the assumed number Db to (Pb-Xb). The updated numbers are determined based on the numbers Pa and Pb of coins of each denomination in storage unit inventory 51 that were determined before the currency handling device 10 executed the dispensing process and the numbers Xa and Xb of coins of each denomination that were determined by recognition and counting in another currency handling device. When the undetermined number of coins becomes determined, the currency handling device 10 lowers the flag (turns the flag off) so that it is clear that the storage unit inventory is determined. Therefore, as shown in the updated storage unit inventory 53, the flags for denominations A and B are updated from "1," indicating an undetermined state, to "0," indicating a determined state.

[0043] In this way, in the currency handling system, when currency stored in the mixed storage unit 11 is dispensed without being identified by denomination and the storage unit inventory of the currency handling device 10 becomes undetermined, the storage unit inventory is then updated and determined based on the results of the dispensed currency being identified and counted by the currency handling device. In other words, the storage unit inventory of the mixed storage unit 11, which has become undetermined after a dispensing process, waits until the dispensed currency is identified (mechanically identified) by the currency handling device in another currency process such as a deposit process, and is then updated and determined based on the number of coins by denomination obtained by mechanical identification.

[0044] In the currency handling system, the storage unit inventory that has become undetermined is determined without performing a reconciliation process to check the currency remaining in the mixed storage unit 11. Because there is no need to perform a reconciliation process to determine the storage unit inventory, a situation in which the currency handling device 10 is unable to perform other currency processes while performing a settlement process can be avoided, and the currency handling device 10 can continue to be used as usual even after the storage unit inventory becomes undetermined.

[0045] For example, if 100 coins are dispensed from the mixed storage unit 11, which stores a total of 1,500 coins of denomination A and denomination B mixed together, a conventional reconciliation process would identify and count the 1,400 coins remaining in the mixed storage unit 11. On the other hand, a currency handling system can identify and count the 100 coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit 11 to determine the inventory in the storage unit. Furthermore, the currency handling system can determine the inventory in the storage unit using the results of identifying and counting coins obtained while using the currency handling device 10 for normal purposes such as deposit processing and replenishment processing, rather than performing the reconciliation process required when an error such as a jam occurs. This reduces the processing load on the currency handling system related to determining the inventory in the storage unit.

[0046] (Variation) The inventory of the storage section of the currency handling device 10 may be determined before the results of identifying and counting all currency dispensed from the currency handling device 10 are obtained.

[0047] For example, if the currency processing device 10 dispenses a total of X coins of denominations A and B from the mixed storage section 11 and Y coins of denomination C from the denomination-specific storage section 12 into one container, it may be possible to determine the storage section inventory 52 before all coins in the container are identified and counted.

[0048] Specifically, when the coins in the container are deposited into another currency processing device, once the total number of coins of denomination A and denomination B identified in the deposit process reaches X, the breakdown of the number of coins of denomination A and the number of coins of denomination B that make up X becomes clear. Once the breakdown is clear, even if there are unidentified coins of denomination C remaining, i.e., even if the deposit process has not been completed, the inventory in the storage unit can be updated and confirmed based on the number of coins of denominations A and B.

[0049] Although an example has been described in which two denominations of coins are mixed and stored in the mixed storage unit 11, three or more denominations of coins may be mixed and stored. In this case, too, the number of coins by denomination dispensed from the mixed storage unit 11 can be identified as described above, and the inventory amount in the storage unit can be determined.

[0050] Although an example has been described in which the currency handling device 10 is provided with a denomination-specific storage section 12 for comparison with the mixed storage section 11, the currency handling device 10 may also be provided with only a mixed storage section 11. Although an example has been described in which one mixed storage section 11 is provided, the currency handling device 10 may also be provided with two or more mixed storage sections 11. In this case as well, the number of coins by denomination dispensed from each mixed storage section 11 can be identified as described above, and the storage section inventory can be determined.

[0051] Although an example has been described in which coins dispensed from the currency handling device 10 are recognized and counted by another currency handling device, it is also possible for the dispensed coins to be deposited back into the currency handling device 10 and recognized and counted by the currency handling device 10. In this case as well, the number of coins by denomination dispensed from the mixed storage unit 11 can be determined based on the recognition and counting results obtained by the currency handling device 10, and the storage unit inventory can be updated as described above.

[0052] The other currency processing that is executed after the currency processing device 10 executes the dispensing process and that identifies and counts the currency dispensed from the mixed storage unit 11 is not limited in type or name as long as it is a currency processing that obtains the number of dispensed currency by denomination. For example, the other currency processing may be a deposit processing that identifies and counts the currency and stores it in a storage unit within the currency processing device, or a replenishment processing that replenishes the identified and counted currency in a storage unit. The other currency processing may be a currency exchange processing that identifies and counts the currency and stores it in a storage unit within the currency processing device, and then dispenses currency of a different denomination. The other currency processing may be a currency processing called a counting processing or the like, in which the other currency processing device identifies and counts the currency within the device and then discharges it outside the device without storing it in a storage unit.

[0053] Although the example has been described in which the storage unit inventory is determined after the currency handling device 10 executes one dispensing process to dispense currency from the mixed storage unit 11, it is also possible to have the storage unit inventory determined after multiple dispensing processes are executed. In this case, too, it is possible to wait until the results of identifying and counting all currency dispensed from the mixed storage unit 11 are obtained by another currency process, and then identify the number of currency by denomination dispensed from the mixed storage unit 11 as described above, and determine the storage unit inventory.

[0054] The currency handling system is not limited to an embodiment including one currency handling device 10, and may include multiple currency handling devices 10. In this case, for example, a device identification number may be assigned to each currency handling device 10, and a container identification number may be assigned to the container that stores dispensed currency, so that the currency handling system can identify the correspondence between the currency handling device 10 and the currency dispensed by that device by associating the device identification number with the container identification number. This allows the number of coins by denomination dispensed from each currency handling device 10 to be identified as described above, and the inventory amount in the storage unit of each currency handling device 10 to be determined.

[0055] Although an example has been described in which coins dispensed from mixed storage unit 11 of currency handling device 10 are identified and counted in a single currency process to identify the number of coins by denomination, an embodiment in which coins are identified and counted in multiple currency processes to identify the number of coins by denomination may also be used. For example, if coins dispensed from currency handling device 10 are identified and counted in multiple currency processes executed by different currency handling devices, the storage unit inventory may be determined after waiting for the number of coins dispensed from mixed storage unit 11 by denomination to be identified in the multiple currency processes.

[0056] The currency dispensed from currency handling device 10 is not limited to being recognized and counted by one currency handling device, but may be recognized and counted by multiple currency handling devices. For example, if some of the currency dispensed from currency handling device 10 are recognized and counted by another currency handling device and the rest are recognized and counted by yet another currency handling device, the inventory amount in the storage unit may be determined after the number of each denomination of currency dispensed from mixed storage unit 11 is determined based on the recognition and counting results obtained by each currency handling device.

[0057] When the currency handling system 10 dispenses currency into a container, the type of container is not particularly limited, and may be a cassette-type container, a bag-type container, or a tray-type container. When the currency handling system obtains a container identification number and distinguishes between multiple containers based on the container identification number, the container identification number of each container may be obtained using conventional technology. For example, the container identification number may be manually input by an operator who operates the currency handling system 10 to perform the dispensing process. The container identification number may be input by reading the container identification number attached to the container or a graphic code in which the container identification number is encoded using a reading device such as a scanner or camera. The container identification number may be obtained from a memory element that stores the container identification number using wired or wireless communication technology.

[0058] The storage and updating of various information such as the device identification number, container identification number, and storage unit inventory amount is not limited to being performed by the currency handling device 10, but may be performed by another device included in the currency handling system. For example, the currency handling system may include a server device, and the server device may store and update information such as the storage unit inventory amount.

[0059] [Specific example of currency handling system] Next, specific examples of the currency handling device 10 and currency handling system will be described. There are no particular limitations on where the currency handling system can be used, but the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the currency handling system is used in a store that sells products to customers. The currency handled by the currency handling system may be banknotes, coins, or both banknotes and coins. When a transaction with a customer takes place in a store, at least one of banknotes and coins is exchanged between the store and the customer, but for simplicity's sake, the following description will focus on coins only.

[0060] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a currency handling system 1. The currency handling system 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes two types of currency handling devices 100 and 200. The currency handling device 100 is an example of the currency handling device 10 of FIG. 1. The currency handling device 200 is an example of another currency handling device that processes currency dispensed by the currency handling device 10 described in FIG. 1. The currency handling system 1 shown in FIG. 2 further includes a cash register 300.

[0061] The currency handling device 200 and the cash register 300 are installed at a checkout counter in a store and are used to deposit the product price received from a customer and to dispense change to be given to the customer when making a transaction with the customer. On the other hand, the currency handling device 100 is installed, for example, in a place called a back office of a store and is used to dispense coins called a change fund that are used as change for the currency handling device 200 and the cash register 300. The currency handling device 100 may also be used to deposit coins collected from the currency handling device 200 or the cash register 300. Hereinafter, the currency handling device 100 will be referred to as the back machine 100 and the currency handling device 200 as the front machine 200 to distinguish them from each other.

[0062] The front desk machine 200 and the back desk machine 100 are communicatively connected via a network 2. The currency handling system 1 may further include a server device 3 that acquires various information from the front desk machine 200 and the back desk machine 100 via the network 2 and performs processes such as storing, updating, and determining the inventory in the storage section of the front desk machine 200 and the inventory in the storage section of the back desk machine 100.

[0063] Cash register 300 has an operation unit and a display unit used to input the type and price of a product, and a drawer 315 for depositing and withdrawing coins. Cash register 300 may also have a reading device such as a camera or scanner that reads product information from graphic codes such as barcodes. After the cashier operating cash register 300 operates the operation unit, display unit, reading device, etc. to confirm the transaction amount with the customer, he or she opens drawer 315 and deposits the coins paid by the customer into drawer 315. If necessary, the cashier returns the change coins taken out of drawer 315 to the customer.

[0064] The front desk device 200 is connected to an operation display unit 203 equipped with a touch-panel liquid crystal display device. Based on various information input by an operator via the operation display unit 203, the front desk device 200 executes a deposit process for coins paid by customers and a dispensing process for coins to be returned as change to customers. The front desk device 200 may be connected to a reading device such as a camera or scanner that reads product information from graphic codes such as barcodes. For example, after the transaction amount with a customer is determined using the operation display unit 203 or the reading device, the front desk device 200 executes a deposit process in which the coins paid by the customer are received in the deposit unit 210, identified and counted, and the deposit amount is calculated. The front desk device 200 stores the deposited coins in a storage unit 240 within the device. If the deposit amount exceeds the transaction amount, the front desk device 200 executes a dispensing process and dispenses coins equivalent to the change amount obtained by subtracting the deposit amount from the transaction amount from the dispensing unit 220. The operator of the front desk device 200 may be a store clerk or a customer.

[0065] The return machine 100 is equipped with an operation display unit 103 that has a touch panel type liquid crystal display device. The return machine 100 accepts various information input from an operator via the operation display unit 103 and performs various monetary processes such as dispensing change funds and depositing coins collected from the checkout counter. The operator of the return machine 100 is a store clerk such as a cashier.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 2, a deposit unit 110 that accepts deposited coins is provided at the front top surface of the housing of the recycling device 100. A reject box 191 that rejects coins that cannot be deposited and a return unit 192 that returns foreign matter that has been mixed with deposited coins and thrown into the deposit unit 110 are provided at the front surface of the housing of the recycling device 100. The reject box 191 can be pulled out to the outside of the front surface of the housing and removed from the recycling device 100. A vertical center portion 190 of the housing of the recycling device 100 can be pulled out to the outside of the front surface of the housing. An overflow box 193 that stores coins when the storage section becomes full with coins and can no longer store them is provided inside the center portion 190. The overflow box 193 can be removed from the recycling device 100 by pulling the center portion 190 out to the outside of the front surface of the housing.

[0067] A dispensing unit 120 is provided at the bottom of the front face of the housing of the back-end machine 100. The dispensing unit 120 can be pulled out to the outside of the front face of the housing. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining how to use the dispensing unit 120. As shown in FIG. 3, a cassette 270 removed by opening the attachment / detachment unit 271 of the front machine 200 and a tray 370 removed by opening the drawer 315 of the cash register 300 can be attached to the dispensing unit 120 pulled out to the outside of the housing.

[0068] When the dispensing unit 120 with the tray 370 attached is returned to the inside of the housing of the cash return device 100 and a predetermined operation is performed on the operation display unit 103, the cash return device 100 dispenses the change fund for the cash register 300 into the tray 370. The tray 370 containing the change fund is removed from the dispensing unit 120 pulled out to the outside of the housing and attached to the drawer 315 of the cash register 300.

[0069] When the dispensing unit 120 with the cassette 270 attached is returned to the inside of the housing of the back machine 100 and a predetermined operation is performed on the operation display unit 103, the back machine 100 dispenses the change fund for the front machine 200 into the cassette 270. The cassette 270 containing the change fund is removed from the dispensing unit 120 that has been pulled out to the outside of the housing and attached to the front machine 200.

[0070] (Example of back machine configuration) Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cash-back machine 100. Fig. 4(a) is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the cash-back machine 100. Fig. 4(b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the coin processing unit 101 of the cash-back machine 100.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 4(a), the cash machine 100 includes a coin processing unit 101, a control unit 102, an operation and display unit 103, a memory unit 104, and a communication unit 105. The operation and display unit 103 includes a touch panel type liquid crystal display device, and is used to input various information related to coin processing and display various information.

[0072] The communication unit 105 is used to communicate with external devices via the network 2. The external devices include the front desk device 200 and the server device 3. The memory unit 104 is a non-volatile memory device used to store various information necessary for the operation of the back desk device 100.

[0073] The control unit 102 controls the functions and operations of each unit constituting the back-up machine 100. The control unit 102 can control each unit by referring to various information stored in a dedicated storage device or the storage unit 104, based on operations performed on the operation / display unit 103, information received from an external device via the communication unit 105, etc. For example, a program corresponding to the control unit 102 is pre-stored in a dedicated memory, and the function and operation of the control unit 102 are realized by the program being executed by hardware such as a CPU. The control unit 102 controls each unit to realize the functions and operations of the back-up machine 100 described in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the processing and operation of the back-up machine 100 realized by the control unit 102 may be described as being executed by the back-up machine 100. According to an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 102 is, for example, one or more general-purpose processing circuits such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a digital signal processor, or a dedicated processing circuit such as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

[0074] The coin processing unit 101 can perform multiple types of coin processing, including deposit processing, dispensing processing, and counting processing. The coin processing unit 101 includes a depositing unit 110, a dispensing unit 120, a recognition unit 130, multiple storage units 140, transport units 150 (150a, 150b), chutes 160 (160a to 160d), gates 161 (161a to 161c), and a feeding unit 180. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the depositing unit 110 not only accepts multiple coins to be inserted, but is also configured to be able to attach a cassette 270 and deposit coins fed from the cassette 270. The transporting unit 150 includes an upper transporting unit 150a and a lower transporting unit 150b.

[0075] (Deposit processing on the back machine) During the deposit process, coins received by the deposit unit 110 fall into the feeding unit 180. The feeding unit 180 can receive multiple coins from the deposit unit 110 and feed them one by one to the upper transport unit 150a. The recognition unit 130 identifies the coins transported by the upper transport unit 150a. The recognition unit 130 identifies the denomination of the coin. The recognition unit 130 may also identify the authenticity of the coin and the fitness, which indicates the degree of damage to the coin. The recognition unit 130 includes at least one sensor selected from a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, and an image sensor. Based on the recognition result by the recognition unit 130, the number of coins of each denomination deposited is identified. Of the recognized coins, coins that can be deposited are stored in the storage unit 140. Each coin is stored in the corresponding storage unit 140 by opening a gate 161a provided in the upper transport unit 150a corresponding to the storage unit 140 and dropping the coin into the chute 160a. Although only one set of gate 161a and chute 160a is shown in FIG. 4(b), a gate 161 and a chute 160 are provided corresponding to each storage unit 140. During a deposit process, if the storage unit 140 is full of coins and cannot store a depositable coin identified by the recognition unit 130, the coin is stored in the overflow box 193 via gate 161c and chute 160c of the upper transport unit 150a. If there is a coin or foreign object that cannot be fed from the feeding unit 180, a gate 181 at the bottom of the feeding unit 180 opens and the coin is returned from the return unit 192.

[0076] The storage units 140 can store coins and dispense the stored coins. In the example shown in Fig. 4(b), the cash recycling machine 100 has eight storage units 140, and each storage unit 140 is assigned one or more denominations to store and is used as a denomination-specific storage unit 140 or a mixed storage unit 140. For example, if six of the eight storage units 140 are assigned to one denomination and used as denomination-specific storage units 140, and two are assigned to two denominations and used as mixed storage units 140, the cash recycling machine 100 will be able to process coins of 10 denominations in each coin processing.

[0077] (Withdrawal processing of back machine) As shown in Fig. 4(b), a cassette 270 and a tray 370 are detachably attached to the dispensing unit 120. Dispensing processing is performed with at least one of the cassette 270 and the tray 370 attached to the dispensing unit 120. In the dispensing processing of the cash recycling machine 100, the coins to be dispensed do not pass through the recognition unit 130, and therefore, the coin recognition processing is not performed.

[0078] During a dispensing process, coins to be dispensed are fed one by one from one or more storage units 140 while the number of coins is being counted. Coins to be dispensed into cassette 270 fall from feed outlet 141a of storage unit 140 onto lower transport unit 150b. Lower transport unit 150b transports the coins received from storage unit 140 and stores them in cassette 270.

[0079] Meanwhile, coins to be dispensed into tray 370 are stored in tray 370 from the payout port 141b of the storage unit 140 via chute 160d. Although only one chute 160d is shown in FIG. 4(b), a chute 160d is provided corresponding to each storage unit 140. Tray 370 of cash register 300 is divided into multiple storage units by partition plates, and each storage unit can store coins by denomination. A chute 160d is provided corresponding to each storage unit of tray 370, and coins dispensed from each storage unit 140 of cash machine 100 are stored in the corresponding predetermined storage unit provided in tray 370 via chute 160d. For example, the storage unit 140 that stores coins of denomination J and the storage unit of tray 370 that stores coins of denomination J are connected via the chute 160, and the storage unit 140 that stores coins of denomination K and the storage unit of tray 370 that stores coins of denomination K are connected via the chute 160. This allows coins dispensed from each storage unit 140 to be stored in a predetermined storage unit of tray 370.

[0080] (Counting process of the bag machine) The counting process is performed to identify the denomination and number of coins per denomination of coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140, and to separate the coins by denomination. During the counting process, coins received by the depositing unit 110 fall into the feeding unit 180. The feeding unit 180 feeds the multiple coins received from the depositing unit 110 one by one to the upper transport unit 150a, and the recognition unit 130 recognizes each coin. Based on the recognition result by the recognition unit 130, the denomination and number of coins per denomination of coins received by the depositing unit 110 are identified.

[0081] When two denominations of coins are separated by denomination, coins of one denomination among the coins recognized by the recognition unit 130 are stored in the reject box 191 via gate 161b and chute 160b, and coins of the other denomination are stored in the overflow box 193 via gate 161c and chute 160c.

[0082] When three denominations of coins are sorted by denomination, coins of the first denomination are stored in the reject box 191 via the gate 161b and the chute 160b, and coins of the second and third denominations are stored in the overflow box 193 via the gate 161c and the chute 160c. When the coins of the first denomination are removed from the reject box 191 and emptied, and the coins in the overflow box 193 are re-inserted into the depositing unit 110 and a predetermined operation is performed on the operation and display unit 103, the coins in the depositing unit 110 are fed out from the feeding unit 180, transported by the upper transport unit 150a, and recognized by the recognition unit 130. Coins of the second denomination are stored in the reject box 191 via the gate 161b and the chute 160b, and coins of the third denomination are stored in the overflow box 193 via the gate 161c and the chute 160c. In this way, coins of the first to third denominations are sorted by denomination.

[0083] Even when four or more denominations of coins are to be separated by denomination during the counting process, the coins can be separated by denomination by repeating the process of storing coins of one denomination in the reject box 191, storing coins of other denominations in the overflow box 193, and re-inserting the coins in the overflow box 193 into the deposit section 110.

[0084] (Example of front machine configuration) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the front desk machine 200. Fig. 5(a) is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the front desk machine 200. Fig. 5(b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the coin processing unit 101 of the front desk machine 200.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 5(a), the front desk machine 200 includes a coin processing unit 201, a control unit 202, an operation and display unit 203, a memory unit 204, and a communication unit 205. The operation and display unit 203 is equipped with a touch panel type liquid crystal display device, and is used to input and display various information related to coin processing.

[0086] The communication unit 205 is used to communicate with external devices via the network 2. The external devices include the back device 100 and the server device 3. The memory unit 204 is a non-volatile memory device used to store various information necessary for the operation of the front device 200.

[0087] The control unit 202 controls the functions and operations of each unit constituting the front desk device 200. The control unit 202 can control each unit by referring to various information stored in a dedicated storage device or the storage unit 204, based on operations performed on the operation / display unit 103, information received from an external device via the communication unit 205, etc. For example, a program corresponding to the control unit 202 is pre-stored in a dedicated memory, and the function and operation of the control unit 202 are realized by the program being executed by hardware such as a CPU. The control unit 202 controls each unit to realize the functions and operations of the front desk device 200 described in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the processing and operation of the front desk device 200 realized by the control unit 202 may be described as being executed by the front desk device 200. According to an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 102 is, for example, one or more general-purpose processing circuits such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a digital signal processor, or a dedicated processing circuit such as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

[0088] The coin processing unit 201 can perform multiple types of coin processing, including deposit processing, withdrawal processing, replenishment processing, and reconciliation processing. The coin processing unit 201 includes a depositing unit 210, a withdrawal unit 220, a recognition unit 230, multiple storage units 240, transport units 250 (250a, 250b), chutes 260 (260a to 260c), gates 261 (261a to 261c), and a feeding unit 280. The transporting unit 250 includes an upper transporting unit 250a and a lower transporting unit 250b.

[0089] (Deposit processing at the front desk) During a deposit process, coins received by the deposit unit 210 fall into the feeding unit 280. The feeding unit 280 can receive multiple coins from the deposit unit 210 and feed them one by one to the upper transport unit 250a. The recognition unit 230 identifies the coins transported by the upper transport unit 250a. The recognition unit 230 identifies the denomination of the coin. The recognition unit 230 may also identify the authenticity of the coin and the fitness, which indicates the damage level of the coin. The recognition unit 130 includes at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, and an image sensor. Based on the recognition result by the recognition unit 230, the number of deposited coins by denomination is identified. Among the identified coins, coins that cannot be deposited are returned from the withdrawal unit 220 via the chute 260c by opening a gate 261c provided on the upper transport unit 250a. Depositable coins are stored in the storage unit 240. Each coin is stored in the corresponding storage unit 240 by opening a gate 261a provided on the upper transport unit 250a corresponding to the storage unit 240 and dropping the coin into a chute 260a. Although only one set of gate 261a and chute 260a is shown in FIG. 5(b), a gate 261a and a chute 260a are provided corresponding to each storage unit 240.

[0090] The storage units 240 can store coins and dispense the stored coins. In the example shown in FIG. 5(b), the front desk machine 200 has eight storage units 240. Each storage unit 240 is assigned one or more denominations to store and is used as a denomination-specific storage unit 240 or a mixed storage unit 240. For example, if six of the eight storage units 240 are assigned one denomination and used as denomination-specific storage units 240, and two are assigned two denominations and used as mixed storage units 140, the front desk machine 200 will be able to process coins of 10 denominations in each coin processing.

[0091] In addition, if the storage section 240 is full of coins during the deposit process and is unable to store the depositable coins identified by the recognition section 230, it is also possible to store these coins in the cassette 270 via the gate 261b of the upper conveying section 250a and the chute 260b.

[0092] (Withdrawal processing at the front desk) During a dispensing process, coins to be dispensed are fed out one by one in order from one or more storage units 240 and fall onto lower transport unit 250b. Lower transport unit 250b transports the coins received from storage units 240 to feeding unit 280. For example, after all coins to be dispensed have been transported to feeding unit 280, gate 281 provided on the bottom surface of feeding unit 280 opens, and the coins in feeding unit 280 fall into dispensing unit 220 and are dispensed.

[0093] If the storage unit 240 includes the mixed storage unit 240, during a dispensing process, coins are recognized by the recognition unit 230 and dispensed after recognition. In this case, coins conveyed by the lower conveying unit 250b to the feeding unit 280 are fed one by one by the feeding unit 280 to the upper conveying unit 250a, where they are recognized by the recognition unit 230. Based on the recognition result, coins to be dispensed fall from the open gate 261c into the chute 260c and are dispensed from the dispensing unit 220. Coins not to be dispensed are returned to the mixed storage unit 240 from which they were dispensed, via the chute 260a, from the gate 261a provided in the upper conveying unit 250a corresponding to the storage unit 240 that dispensed the coin.

[0094] (Refilling the front desk machine) Cassette 270, which is detachably attached to front unit 200, can store and dispense coins. During a replenishment process in which change funds stored in cassette 270 are dispensed from cassette 270 to replenish storage unit 240, coins dispensed one by one from cassette 270 fall onto lower conveying unit 250b. Lower conveying unit 250b conveys coins received from cassette 270 to dispensing unit 280. Dispensing unit 280 dispenses coins received from lower conveying unit 250b one by one to upper conveying unit 250a. After recognition unit 230 recognizes the coins conveyed by upper conveying unit 250a, gate 261a corresponding to storage unit 240, which is the replenishment destination of the coins, opens, and the coins are replenished to storage unit 240 via chute 260a.

[0095] Cassette 270 stores coins of multiple denominations in a mixed state. For this reason, during the replenishment process, coins of denominations that are not to be replenished to storage unit 240 may be dispensed from cassette 270. After being recognized by recognition unit 230, coins of denominations that are not to be replenished are returned to cassette 270 via opened gate 261b and chute 260b. In the replenishment process, the process of dispensing coins from cassette 270 and identifying them by recognition unit 230, storing coins to be replenished in storage unit 240, and returning coins that are not to be replenished to cassette 270 is repeated until the predetermined number of coins is replenished to storage unit 240.

[0096] (Front machine inspection processing) During the reconciliation process to identify the denominations and the number of coins by denomination stored in the cassette 270, all coins in the cassette 270 are fed and dropped onto the lower conveying unit 250b. The lower conveying unit 250b conveys all coins received from the cassette 270 to the feeding unit 280. The feeding unit 280 feeds the coins one by one to the upper conveying unit 250a, and the recognition unit 230 recognizes each coin. The recognized coins are returned to the cassette 270 from the opened gate 261b via the chute 260b. After all coins in the cassette 270 have been fed and the cassette 270 is emptied, the denominations and the number of coins by denomination stored in the cassette 270 are identified based on the recognition result of the fed coins by the recognition unit 230. Similarly, when the number of coins in the storage unit 240 becomes uncertain, the reconciliation process is executed to feed all coins in the target storage unit 240 and recognize and count them.

[0097] [Example 1 of how to determine inventory in the collection department] 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of determining the storage unit inventory of the mixed storage unit 140 after the change fund for the cash register 300 has been dispensed from the recycling machine 100. The number of coin denominations constituting the change fund is not limited, but for ease of explanation, similar to the example in FIG. 1, the description will be given using an example in which coins of denominations A and B are stored in the mixed storage unit 140 of the recycling machine 100, and coins of denomination C are stored in the denomination-specific storage unit 140. Also, similar to the storage unit inventory 51 shown in FIG. 1, the description will be given assuming that processing begins with Pa coins of denomination A, Pb coins of denomination B, and Pc coins of denomination C stored in the recycling machine 100.

[0098] The operator of the return machine 100 attaches the tray 370 removed from the cash register 300 to the dispensing unit 120 of the return machine 100 and performs a predetermined operation on the operation display unit 103 to instruct the dispensing of the change fund for the cash register 300. In response to this operation, the return machine 100 starts the dispensing process based on the change fund setting 403 prepared in advance for the cash register 300, as shown in FIG.

[0099] The change fund setting 403 is set to dispense Qa coins of denomination A, Qb coins of denomination B, and Qc coins of denomination C. The coins of denomination A and denomination B are stored in the mixed storage unit 140. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the backing machine 100 calculates the total number (Qa+Qb) of the number of coins of denomination A to be dispensed and the number of coins of denomination B to be dispensed, Qb, and dispenses this total number of coins from the mixed storage unit 140 (S11). The backing machine 100 dispenses the coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B into predetermined storage units of the tray 370 attached to the dispensing unit 120. The coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B are stored in an empty predetermined storage unit. A state is reached in which coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B are mixed and stored in one storage unit of the tray 370.

[0100] Coins of denomination C are stored in the denomination-specific storage section 140. The recycling machine 100 dispenses Qc coins of denomination C from this denomination-specific storage section 140 (S12). The recycling machine 100 dispenses Qc coins of denomination C to a predetermined storage section of the tray 370 attached to the dispensing section 120. In the tray 370, coins of denomination C are stored in a storage section different from the storage sections in which coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B are stored.

[0101] After completing the dispensing process, the cash dispenser 100 updates the storage unit inventory (S13). Because the number of coins of denomination C before the dispensing process was Pc, the number of coins of denomination C in the updated storage unit inventory 501 becomes (Pc-Qc). Because the number of coins of denomination C is the fixed number, the flag for denomination C remains unchanged from before the update, at "0" indicating the fixed state.

[0102] On the other hand, for coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140, the cash back machine 100 can determine that the total number of dispensed coins is (Qa+Qb), but cannot determine the breakdown of the numbers of coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B. For this reason, in the storage unit inventory 501, the number of coins of denomination A is deemed to be Da, the number of coins of denomination B is deemed to be Db, and the flags for denominations A and B are set to "1", indicating an undetermined state.

[0103] After completing the dispensing process, the cash machine 100 displays a guide screen 601 on the screen of the operation display unit 103 instructing the user to deposit the coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B that were dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 into the designated storage unit of the tray 370 from the deposit unit 110 (S14).

[0104] At this time, if there are coins stored in the reject box 191, information instructing the user to empty the reject box 191 is displayed on the guidance screen 601. Similarly, if there are coins stored in the overflow box 193, information instructing the user to empty the overflow box 193 is displayed on the guidance screen 601. Subsequent processing is performed with the reject box 191 and overflow box 193 empty.

[0105] After checking the guidance screen 601, the operator pulls out the dispensing unit 120 to the outside of the front of the housing of the cash return machine 100, and removes from the tray 370 the total (Qa+Qb) coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B that were dispensed in the previous dispensing process, and inserts them into the depositing unit 110. When the operator presses the insertion completion button displayed on the guidance screen 601 of the operation display unit 103, the cash return machine 100 executes a counting process. In the counting process, the coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B inserted into the depositing unit 110 are mechanically identified (S15).

[0106] Specifically, a counting process is executed, and the coins inserted into the depositing unit 110 are identified by the recognition unit 130, and the number of coins of denomination A (Ra) and the number of coins of denomination B (Rb) are specified. The coins in the depositing unit 110 are also sorted by denomination, and the coins of denomination A Ra are stored in the reject box 191, and the coins of denomination B Rb are stored in the overflow box 193 (S16). The reject box 191 and the overflow box 193 are emptied before the counting process begins. Therefore, only coins of denomination A are stored in the reject box 191, and only coins of denomination B are stored in the overflow box 193.

[0107] After completing the counting process, the back-up machine 100 updates the storage unit inventory 501 (S17). Because the number of coins of denomination A before the dispensing process was Pa and the number of coins of denomination B was Pb, the updated storage unit inventory 502 shows the number of coins of denomination A as (Pa-Ra) and the number of coins of denomination B as (Pb-Rb). The updated numbers of coins of denominations A and B are determined based on the determined numbers of Pa and Pb and the Ra and Rb obtained by recognition and counting by the back-up machine 100. Therefore, in the storage unit inventory 502, the flags for denominations A and B become "0", indicating a determined state.

[0108] The cash-back machine 100 displays a guidance screen 602 on the screen of the operation display unit 103 instructing the user to remove coins of denomination A from the reject box 191 and coins of denomination B from the overflow box 193 and store them in the tray 370 (S18).

[0109] After checking the guidance screen 602, the operator removes coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B from the reject box 191 and overflow box 193, respectively, and stores them in the storage sections of the tray 370 corresponding to each denomination. As a result, the tray 370 is now stored with the change reserve of coins Ra of denomination A, coins Rb of denomination B, and coins Qc of denomination C, sorted by denomination.

[0110] [Example 2 of how to determine inventory in the storage department] 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of determining the storage unit inventory of the mixed storage unit 140 after the change fund for the front desk unit 200 has been dispensed from the back-up machine 100. The number of coin denominations constituting the change fund is not limited, but as with the example of FIG. 6, an example will be explained in which coins of denominations A and B are stored in the mixed storage unit 140 of the back-up machine 100, and coins of denomination C are stored in the denomination-specific storage unit 140. Also, as with the example of FIG. 6, the explanation will be given assuming that processing begins with Pa coins of denomination A, Pb coins of denomination B, and Pc coins of denomination C stored in the back-up machine 100.

[0111] The operator of the back machine 100 loads an empty cassette 270 into the dispensing unit 120 of the back machine 100 and performs a predetermined operation on the operation display unit 103 to instruct the dispensing of the change fund for the front machine 200. In response to this operation, the back machine 100 starts the dispensing process based on the change fund setting 402 prepared in advance for the front machine 200, as shown in FIG.

[0112] The change fund setting 402 is set to dispense Qa coins of denomination A, Qb coins of denomination B, and Qc coins of denomination C. The coins of denomination A and B are stored in the mixed storage unit 140. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the backing machine 100 calculates the total number (Qa+Qb) of the number of coins of denomination A to be dispensed and the number of coins of denomination B to be dispensed, Qa, and dispenses this total number of coins from the mixed storage unit 140 (S21). The backing machine 100 dispenses the coins of denomination A and the coins of denomination B into the cassette 270 attached to the dispensing unit 120.

[0113] Coins of denomination C are stored in the denomination-specific storage section 140. The recycling machine 100 dispenses Qc coins of denomination C from this denomination-specific storage section 140 (S22). The recycling machine 100 dispenses Qc coins of denomination C into the cassette 270 attached to the dispensing section 120. A total of (Qa+Qb) coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B, and Qc coins of denomination C are stored mixed together in the cassette 270.

[0114] After completing the dispensing process, the cash dispenser 100 updates the storage unit inventory (S23). Because the number of coins of denomination C before the dispensing process was Pc, the number of coins of denomination C in the updated storage unit inventory 511 becomes (Pc-Qc). Because the number of coins of denomination C is the fixed number, the flag for denomination C remains unchanged from before the update, at "0" indicating the fixed state.

[0115] On the other hand, for coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140, the cash back machine 100 can determine that the total number of dispensed coins is (Qa+Qb), but cannot determine the breakdown of the numbers of coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B. For this reason, in the storage unit inventory 511, the number of coins of denomination A is the deemed number Da, the number of coins of denomination B is the deemed number Db, and the flags for denominations A and B are set to "1", indicating an undetermined state.

[0116] When the dispensing process is completed, the operator removes the cassette 270 from the dispensing unit 120 of the back-office machine 100 and attaches it to the front desk machine 200 (S24). The front desk machine 200 executes a replenishment process to replenish the coins in the cassette 270 to the storage unit 240. During the replenishment process, the recognition unit 230 identifies the coins to be replenished to the storage unit 240. This makes it possible to identify the number of coins of denomination A and the number of coins of denomination B stored in the cassette 270. The replenishment process may be executed when the cassette 270 is attached to the front desk machine 200, or when the user performs a predetermined operation. The replenishment process may be executed based on a predetermined schedule, or when the amount of coins stored in at least one of the storage units 240 falls below a predetermined threshold. During the replenishment process, all of the coins in the cassette 270 may be replenished, or only a portion of the coins in the cassette 270 may be replenished.

[0117] When the total number (Ra+Rb) of coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B replenished to storage unit 140 in front machine 200 becomes equal to the total number (Qa+Qb) of coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B dispensed from mixed storage unit 140 of back-up machine 100, the number of coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B dispensed from mixed storage unit 140 is determined (S25). The number of coins of denomination A Ra and the number of coins of denomination B Rb replenished to storage unit 140 in front machine 200 become the breakdown of the total (Qa+Qb) coins dispensed from mixed storage unit 140 of back-up machine 100.

[0118] The back-off machine 100 acquires information related to the recognition and counting results obtained by the front-desk machine 200 via the network 2. When the back-off machine 100 recognizes based on the acquired information that Ra coins of denomination A and Rb coins of denomination B, totaling (Qa+Qb), have been dispensed from the cassette 270, it updates the storage unit inventory 511 (S26).

[0119] Since the number of coins of denomination A before the dispensing process to cassette 270 is Pa and the number of coins of denomination B is Pb, the number of coins of denomination A in the updated storage unit inventory 512 will be (Pa-Ra) and the number of coins of denomination B will be (Pb-Rb). The updated number of coins of denominations A and B is a confirmed number calculated based on the confirmed number of Pa and Pb coins and the Ra and Rb coins obtained by recognition and counting by front desk device 200. Therefore, in storage unit inventory 512, the flags for denominations A and B become "0", indicating a confirmed state.

[0120] [Example 3 of how to determine inventory in the storage department] 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of determining the inventory amount of the mixed storage unit 140 after the change fund for the front unit 200 is dispensed from the back unit 100. As in the example shown in FIG. 7, even in a situation where all of the coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 of the back unit 100 to the cassette 270 have not been recognized by the recognition unit 230 of the front unit 200, the inventory amount of the mixed storage unit 140 can be determined.

[0121] As in Fig. 7, the cassette 270 storing the change fund in the back-up device 100 is attached to the front desk device 200 (S21 to S24), and as shown in Fig. 8, Ta coins of denomination A and Tb coins of denomination B are fed from the cassette 270 and replenished into the storage unit 140 (S31). At this time, the total number (Ta+Tb) of coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B replenished into the storage unit 140 in the front desk device 200 is less than the total number (Qa+Qb) of coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 of the back-up device 100. For this reason, the number of coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 in the back-up device 100 remains undetermined. In other words, at least one of the coins of denomination A and the coins of denomination B dispensed by the back machine 100 remains in the cassette 270, and the number of coins dispensed by denomination cannot be determined.

[0122] Even in this case, as shown in Figure 8, the storage unit inventory of the mixed storage unit 140 can be determined by removing the cassette 270 from the front machine 200 (S32), attaching it to the deposit unit 110 of the back machine 100, and performing a deposit process to deposit all coins in the cassette 270 into the back machine 100 (S33).

[0123] In the deposit process of the cash recycling machine 100, all coins remaining in the cassette 270 are fed out and recognized by the recognition unit 130. The recognized coins of denomination A and denomination B are stored in the mixed storage unit 140 corresponding to these denominations, and the coins of denomination C are stored in the denomination-specific storage unit 140 corresponding to denomination C. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the recognition and counting results show that the number of coins of denomination A is Va, the number of coins of denomination B is Vb, and the number of coins of denomination C is Vc, the cash recycling machine 100 updates the storage unit inventory amount 511 shown in FIG. 7 (S34).

[0124] After the update, in the storage unit inventory 522, the number of coins of denomination A will be (Pa-Ta), the number of coins of denomination B will be (Pb-Tb), and the number of coins of denomination C will be (Pc-Qc+Vc), and all flags for denominations A to C will be set to "0", indicating a confirmed state.

[0125] Of the coins of denominations A and B dispensed into cassette 270 in the previous dispensing process (FIG. 7: S21, S22), only Ta coins of denomination A and Tb coins of denomination B were used for replenishment by front desk device 200 (FIG. 8: S31), and the remaining coins were returned to back desk device 100 in the depositing process (S33). Therefore, in storage unit inventory 522, the number of coins of denomination A changes from Pa coins before the dispensing process to (Pa-Ta) coins, and the number of coins of denomination B changes from Pb coins before the dispensing process to (Pb-Tb) coins. The back desk device 100 can determine storage unit inventory 522 by obtaining the recognition and counting results (Ta, Tb) of the coins that were fed from cassette 270 by front desk device 200 and used in the replenishment process.

[0126] For example, before the store opens, change funds for the front desk device 200 are dispensed from the back desk device 100 and stored in the cassette 270, and the store opens while the cassette 270 is attached to the front desk device 200 and the coins in the cassette 270 are replenished in the storage unit 240. After the store closes, the cassette 270 is removed from the front desk device 200, and a deposit process is executed to deposit the coins remaining in the cassette 270 into the back desk device 100, thereby determining the inventory in the storage unit of the mixed storage unit 140 as described above.

[0127] In addition, when the front desk machine 200 has used only a portion of the coins in the cassette 270 to replenish the storage section 240 (S31), the front desk machine 200 may perform an inspection process to identify the denomination and number of coins by denomination remaining in the cassette 270, thereby determining the inventory in the storage section of the back desk machine 100.

[0128] By performing an inspection process at the front desk machine 200 to check the coins stored in the cassette 270, the number of coins of denomination A and the number of coins of denomination B that have already been dispensed from the cassette 270 and used in the replenishment process, as well as the number of coins of denomination A and the number of coins of denomination B remaining in the cassette 270, are identified.

[0129] By adding up the number of coins used in the replenishment process and the number of coins obtained by examining the coins remaining in cassette 270 that were not used in the replenishment process in the reconciliation process, the number of coins of denomination A and the number of coins of denomination B dispensed from mixed storage section 140 during the dispensing process of backing machine 100 can be determined, and the storage section inventory of mixed storage section 140 can be determined.

[0130] The storage unit inventory can also be determined when overflow coins are stored in cassette 270. When overflow coins that could not be stored in cassette 270 because storage unit 240 is full are stored in cassette 270 during a deposit process, front desk machine 200 stores the denominations and the number of coins by denomination of the overflow coins stored in cassette 270 in memory unit 204.

[0131] For example, assume that cassette 270 contains Wa overflow coins of denomination A and Wb overflow coins of denomination B when the cash return machine 100 performs a deposit process or the front desk machine 200 performs an inspection process to check the coins remaining in cassette 270. In this case, the inventory of the storage unit of the cash return machine 100 can be updated and determined based on the numbers Ta and Tb of coins of denominations A and B used for replenishment by the front desk machine 200 and the numbers Va and Vb of coins of denominations A and B obtained by inspecting the coins in cassette 270. Specifically, the number of coins of denomination A dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 in the dispensing process of the cash return machine 100 is identified as (Ta + Va - Wa) and the number of coins of denomination B dispensed as (Tb + Vb - Wb), and these numbers can be subtracted from the numbers Pa and Pb of coins of denominations A and B before the dispensing process to determine the inventory of the storage unit. In this case, the number of coins of denomination A in the storage unit inventory is (Pa-Ta+Wa), and the number of coins of denomination B is (Pb-Tb+Wb).

[0132] [Example of coin processing flow] A specific example of the flow of processing performed in the currency handling system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0133] (Withdrawal destination determination process) 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a dispensing process performed by the cash return machine 100. When a dispensing process is started in the cash return machine 100, the cash return machine 100 determines whether the coins are to be dispensed to the cassette 270 for the front desk machine 200 or the tray 370 for the cash register 300 (step S101).

[0134] For example, the cash return machine 100 determines the withdrawal destination based on the operation performed on the operation display unit 103. For example, the cash return machine 100 may automatically determine the withdrawal destination by detecting, using a sensor provided in the withdrawal unit 120, whether the cassette 270 or the tray 370 is attached to the withdrawal unit 120.

[0135] If the withdrawal destination is the cassette 270 (step S101; cassette), the back machine 100 executes a withdrawal process in which the cassette 270 attached to the withdrawal unit 120 is the withdrawal destination (step S102). If the withdrawal destination is the tray 370 (step S101; tray), the back machine 100 executes a withdrawal process in which the tray 370 attached to the withdrawal unit 120 is the withdrawal destination (step S103).

[0136] (Withdrawal process of a back machine using a cassette as the withdrawal destination) Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the dispensing process of the cash recycling machine 100, which uses the cassette 270 as the dispensing destination. The process shown in Fig. 10 corresponds to the process of step S102 shown in Fig. 9. The cash recycling machine 100 determines whether the denominations of coins to be dispensed include the denominations of coins stored in the mixed storage unit 140 (step S201).

[0137] If the denomination of the coins to be dispensed does not include the denomination of the coins stored in the mixed storage unit 140 (step S201; No), the recycling machine 100 dispenses the number of coins to be dispensed of each denomination from one or more denomination-specific storage units 140 and stores them in the cassette 270 (step S202).The recycling machine 100 updates and confirms the storage unit inventory of the denomination-specific storage unit 140 based on the denomination assigned to the denomination-specific storage unit 140 from which the coins stored in the cassette 270 were dispensed and the number of coins counted at the time of dispensing (step S203), and terminates the dispensing process.

[0138] If the denomination of coins to be dispensed includes the denomination of coins stored in the mixed storage unit 140 (step S201; Yes), the cash back machine 100 stores the coins dispensed from the denomination-specific storage unit 140 in the cassette 270 (step S204) and stores the coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 in the cassette 270 (step S205).

[0139] In step S204, similarly to step S202, the number of coins to be dispensed for each denomination is dispensed from one or more denomination-specific storage units 140 and stored in the cassette 270. However, if there is no need to dispense coins from the denomination-specific storage units 140, the processing of step S204 is not executed.

[0140] In step S205, the number of coins equal to the total number of coins of each denomination dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 is dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 and stored in the cassette 270. When coins are dispensed from multiple mixed storage units 140, a process is performed in which each mixed storage unit 140 dispenses the number of coins equal to the total number of coins of each denomination dispensed and stores them in the cassette 270.

[0141] The cash backing machine 100 updates the storage unit inventory of the denomination-specific storage unit 140 and the storage unit inventory of the mixed storage unit 140 (step S206). As explained in Figures 1 to 8, the storage unit inventory of the denomination-specific storage unit 140 remains confirmed after the update, while the storage unit inventory of the mixed storage unit 140 remains unconfirmed. Therefore, the cash backing machine 100 enters a standby state, waiting for processing to confirm the storage unit inventory of the mixed storage unit 140 (step S207), and ends the dispensing process to the cassette 270.

[0142] The cash backing machine 100, which is now in a standby state, tracks the money dispensed into the cassette 270. When the results of identifying and counting the money in the cassette 270 are obtained, the cash backing machine 100 starts the cash inventory determination process.

[0143] (Inventory confirmation processing) Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process (inventory determination process) for determining the storage unit inventory of the mixed storage unit 140 that has become undetermined. The process shown in Fig. 11 is started after step S207 shown in Fig. 10. The back-end machine 100 determines whether all of the coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 have been recognized and counted and the inventory can be determined, based on the number of coins by denomination included in the recognition and counting result of the front desk machine 200 and the number of coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140.

[0144] Specifically, the back-off machine 100 determines whether or not all coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 to the cassette 270 have been recognized by the recognition unit 230 of the front desk machine 200 (step S301).

[0145] When all coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 to the cassette 270 in the back-office machine 100 are recognized by the recognition unit 230 of the front desk machine 200 (step S301; Yes), the back-office machine 100 updates the storage unit inventory of the mixed storage unit 140 based on the recognition and counting result obtained by the front desk machine 200 (step S303), and ends the process. These processes correspond to the processes described in FIG. 7.

[0146] If all coins dispensed from the mixed storage section 140 to the cassette 270 by the back machine 100 have not been identified by the recognition section 230 of the front desk machine 200 (step S301; No), that is, if there are coins among the dispensed coins that have not been identified by the recognition section 230 remaining in the cassette 270, the back machine 100 will enter a standby state, waiting for the coins remaining in the cassette 270 to be identified by the front desk machine 200 or the back machine 100 (step S302; No).

[0147] When a deposit process is executed to deposit coins remaining in cassette 270 that have not been used by front desk device 200 into back desk device 100, and the coins remaining in cassette 270 are identified by recognition unit 130 (step S302; Yes), back desk device 100 updates the storage unit inventory amount of mixed storage unit 140 (step S303) and ends the process. Similarly, when front desk device 200 executes a reconciliation process and the coins remaining in cassette 270 are identified by recognition unit 230 (step S302; Yes), back desk device 100 updates the storage unit inventory amount of mixed storage unit 140 (step S303) and ends the process. These processes correspond to the processes described in FIG. 8.

[0148] (Payment processing of a back machine using a tray as the payment destination) 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of dispensing processing in the bag machine 100, with the tray 370 as the dispensing destination. The processing shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to the processing in step S103 shown in FIG.

[0149] In the currency handling system 1, a dispensing process for dispensing currency from the mixed storage unit 140 of the cash handling device 100 can be limited to a dispensing process having a cassette 270 as the dispensing destination. In other words, when a dispensing process having a tray 370 as the dispensing destination is executed, the denomination of the coins to be dispensed can be limited to the denominations assigned to the denomination-specific storage unit 140 so that currency is not dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140. When a dispensing process having a tray 370 as the dispensing destination is executed without such a restriction, a counting process can be executed immediately after the dispensing process to determine the inventory amount in the storage unit of the cash handling device 100. Whether or not to restrict the dispensing of currency from the mixed storage unit 140 when a dispensing process having a tray 370 as the dispensing destination may be changeable by settings.

[0150] The cash return machine 100, which has started a dispensing process with the tray 370 as the dispensing destination, determines whether or not the setting is set to limit the dispensing source to the denomination-specific storage unit 140 (step S401).

[0151] If the denominations of coins to be dispensed to the tray 370 are limited to the coin denominations stored in the denomination-specific storage units 140 (step S401; Yes), the recycling machine 100 dispenses the number of coins to be dispensed of each denomination from the denomination-specific storage units 140 and stores them in the tray 370 (step S402). The recycling machine 100 updates and confirms the storage unit inventory of the denomination-specific storage units 140 based on the denominations assigned to the denomination-specific storage units 140 that are the source of the coins stored in the tray 370 and the number of coins counted at the time of dispensing (step S411), and terminates the dispensing process.

[0152] If there is no setting to limit the destination of coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 to cassette 270 (step S401; No), the cash back machine 100 determines whether the denomination of coins to be dispensed includes the denomination of coins stored in the mixed storage unit 140 (step S403).

[0153] If the denominations of coins to be dispensed to the tray 370 do not include the denominations of coins stored in the mixed storage unit 140 (step S403; No), the recycling machine 100 dispenses the number of coins to be dispensed of each denomination from the denomination-specific storage unit 140 and stores them in the tray 370 (step S402). The recycling machine 100 updates and confirms the storage unit inventory of the denomination-specific storage unit 140 based on the denominations assigned to the denomination-specific storage unit 140 from which the coins stored in the tray 370 were dispensed and the number of coins counted at the time of dispensing (step S411), and terminates the dispensing process.

[0154] For example, let us say that of the eight storage sections 140 that the cash machine 100 has, only one is a mixed storage section 140 and the remaining seven are denomination-specific storage sections 140. If the change fund for the cash register 300 consists only of coins of the denominations assigned to the denomination-specific storage section 140 (step S403; No), the processes of steps S402 and S411 are executed.

[0155] If the denomination of coins to be dispensed to the tray 370 includes the denomination of coins stored in the mixed storage unit 140 (step S403; Yes), the cash recycling device 100 stores the coins dispensed from the denomination-specific storage unit 140 in the tray 370 (step S404) and stores the coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 in the tray 370 (step S405). In step S404, as in step S402, the number of coins dispensed of each denomination is dispensed from the denomination-specific storage unit 140 and stored in the tray 370. In step S405, the number of coins equal to the total number of coins dispensed of each denomination from the mixed storage unit 140 is dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 and stored in the tray 370. However, if there is no need to dispense coins from the denomination-specific storage unit 140, the processing of step S404 is not executed.

[0156] The tray 370 is divided into multiple storage sections by partitions. The tray 370 is used by storing coins by denomination in each storage section. Each coin dispensed from the denomination-specific storage section 140 is stored by denomination in each storage section of the tray 370. Coins of multiple denominations dispensed from the mixed storage section 140 are stored in a mixed state in one storage section of the tray 370, but are removed after the dispensing process and sorted by denomination through a counting process.

[0157] Before starting the counting process, the recycling machine 100 determines whether the classification storage section, which classifies and stores coins by denomination during the counting process, is empty (step S406). If the classification storage section is not empty (step S406; No), the recycling machine 100 empties the classification storage section (step S407).

[0158] In the example shown in Fig. 6, the reject box 191 and overflow box 193 used in the counting process correspond to the classification storage section. If the reject box 191 and the overflow box 193 are not empty, the recycling machine 100 displays a screen on the operation display section 103 instructing the operator to empty them. Whether the reject box 191 and the overflow box 193 are empty can be determined, for example, by providing sensors in the reject box 191 and the overflow box 193 that detect coins in each box and based on the detection results of the sensors. For example, the coins remaining in the box can be detected by irradiating detection light from a light-emitting section into the box and detecting a change in the light intensity of the detection light with a light-receiving section that receives the detection light.

[0159] When it is confirmed that the classification storage section is empty (Step S406; Yes), the recycling machine 100 starts the counting process. In the counting process, coins of multiple denominations dispensed from the mixed storage section 140 to the storage section of the tray 370 are inserted from the deposit section 110 and recognized by the recognition section 130 (Step S408). The recognized coins are sorted by denomination and stored in the classification storage section (Step S409). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the coins are sorted by denomination using the reject box 191 and the overflow box 193.

[0160] After completing the counting process, the recycling machine 100 instructs the operator to store the coins in the classification storage section in the storage sections of the tray 370 by denomination (step S410). The recycling machine 100 updates and confirms the inventory amount in the mixed storage section 140 based on the recognition and counting results obtained in the counting process (step S411), and ends the process. These processes are performed as described in Figure 6.

[0161] [Examples of data used in currency processing systems] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of data used in the currency handling system 1. Each piece of data shown in Fig. 13 is stored and used in at least one of the memory unit 104 of the back machine 100, the memory unit 204 of the front machine 200, and the memory unit of the server device 3.

[0162] FIG. 13(a) shows an example of change fund settings for the front desk device 200 and the cash register 300, and an example of storage unit settings for the back desk device 100, the front desk device 200, and the cash register 300.

[0163] The cash handling system 1 includes a cash return machine 100, a front desk machine 200, and a cash register 300, and these machines are distinguished by machine numbers (identification numbers). In the example shown in Figure 13(a), "F001" is the machine number of the front desk machine 200, "F002" is the machine number of the cash register 300, and "B001" is the machine number of the cash return machine 100.

[0164] The change fund settings register, for each device number, the denomination and number of coins per denomination of the change fund to be dispensed from the return machine 100. When the return machine 100 stores the change fund to be dispensed in the cassette 270, the cassette number, which is the identification number of the cassette 270, is registered in the cassette number field of the change fund settings.

[0165] The example shown in Figure 13(a) shows that for the front desk machine 200 with the machine number "F001", a change fund containing 100 coins of denomination A, 200 coins of denomination B, 300 coins of denomination C, and 300 coins of denomination D will be dispensed to the cassette 270 with the cassette number "C001". For the cash register 300 with the machine number "F002", no cassette number is registered, so a change fund containing 150 coins of denomination A will be dispensed to the tray 370.

[0166] Even when the currency handling system 1 includes multiple front desk machines 200, each front desk machine 200 is distinguished by its machine number, and the cassettes 270 used by each front desk machine 200 are distinguished by their cassette numbers. This allows the currency dispensed from the cash handling machine 100 to each cassette 270 to be tracked based on the machine number and cassette number, and the inventory amount in the mixed storage section 140 of the cash handling machine 100 to be determined, as described above.

[0167] The storage unit settings register the storage unit numbers (identification numbers) of the storage units provided in the back machine 100, front machine 200, and cash register 300, the usage type of each storage unit, and one or more denominations assigned to each storage unit. The usage type indicates whether the storage unit is a mixed storage unit or a denomination-specific storage unit. The usage type "mixed" indicates that the storage unit is used as a mixed storage unit that stores coins of multiple denominations registered in the denomination item, and "single" indicates that the storage unit is used as a denomination-specific storage unit that stores coins of one denomination registered in the denomination item.

[0168] The example shown in Figure 13(a) indicates that in a cash machine 100 with device number "B001", the storage unit 140 with storage unit number "1" is used as a mixed storage unit 140 that stores a mixture of coins of denominations "A" and "B". Also, the storage units 140 with storage unit numbers "2" and "3" are used as denomination-specific storage units 140 that store coins of denominations "C" and "D", respectively.

[0169] During a deposit process, the deposited coins are stored in the corresponding storage unit based on the denomination recognition result by the recognition unit and the storage unit settings. During a withdrawal process, the number of coins to be dispensed is paid out one by one from the storage unit that stores the coins to be dispensed based on the storage unit settings. During a replenishment process, the coins to be replenished are replenished to the storage unit corresponding to the coin denomination based on the storage unit settings.

[0170] FIG. 13(b) shows an example of the storage unit inventory of the cash vending machine 100 before the change dispensing process is executed. The example shown in FIG. 13(b) shows that in the cash vending machine 100 with device number "B001," 600 coins of denomination A and 300 coins of denomination B are mixed and stored in the mixed storage unit 140 with storage unit number "1." It also shows that the denomination-specific storage unit 140 with storage unit number "2" stores 800 coins of denomination C, and the denomination-specific storage unit 140 with storage unit number "3" stores 700 coins of denomination D. The storage unit inventory flag item indicates whether the number of coins in each storage unit 140 is in a confirmed state or an unconfirmed state. The example shown in FIG. 13(b) shows that the number of coins in each storage unit 140 with storage unit numbers "1" to "3" are all in a confirmed state. In the above example, the flag for a confirmed state is "0" and the flag for an unconfirmed state is "1", but in FIG. 13, these flags are indicated as "confirmed" and "unconfirmed".

[0171] Figure 13(c) shows an example of the inventory in the storage section after the back machine 100 has dispensed the change fund for the front machine 200 with device number "F001" based on the change fund setting shown in Figure 13(a).

[0172] Based on the change fund setting of the front desk device 200 shown in Figure 13(a), the back desk device 100 dispenses 300 coins of denomination C from the denomination-specific storage device 140 with storage device number "2", and dispenses 300 coins of denomination D from the denomination-specific storage device 140 with storage device number "3". As a result, the storage device inventory shown in Figure 13(b) is updated, and as shown in Figure 13(c), the number of coins in the denomination-specific storage device 140 of denomination C with storage device number "2" becomes 500 (= 800 - 300), and the number of coins in the denomination-specific storage device 140 of denomination D with storage device number "3" becomes 400 (= 700 - 300). In these denomination-specific storage devices 140, the flags remain "confirmed".

[0173] The change fund setting of the front desk device 200 shown in Figure 13(a) is set to dispense 100 coins of denomination A and 200 coins of denomination B. The back desk device 100 stores coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B in the mixed storage section 140 with storage section number "1," and therefore dispenses 300 coins (= 100 + 200), which is the total number of coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B, from the mixed storage section 140. As a result, the storage section inventory shown in Figure 13(b) is updated as shown in Figure 13(c), and the flags of the mixed storage section 140 with storage section number "1," i.e., the flag for the number of coins of denomination A and the flag for the number of coins of denomination B, are set to "undetermined."

[0174] In the updated storage unit inventory shown in Figure 13(c), the number of denomination A coins is updated to the deemed number "Da", and the number of denomination B coins is updated to the deemed number "Db". The deemed numbers Da and Db are calculated based on settings prepared in advance. The deemed numbers Da and Db are calculated based on the deemed dispensed number of each denomination that is deemed to have been dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140. Figure 13(d) shows an example of the deemed dispensed number calculated based on the first to fourth settings.

[0175] The first setting is a setting in which the deemed number of coins of each denomination dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 is the number obtained by dividing the number of coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 by the number of denominations. When a total of 300 coins are dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 with storage unit number "1" that stores coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B, the deemed number of coins of denomination A and coins of denomination B is 150, which is the number of coins dispensed (300) divided by the number of denominations (2), as shown in Figure 13(d). Therefore, the deemed number Da of denomination A in the storage unit inventory in Figure 13(c) is 450, which is the number before dispensing (600) minus the deemed number of coins dispensed (150), and the deemed number Db of denomination B is 150, which is the number before dispensing (300) minus the deemed number of coins dispensed (150).

[0176] The second setting is a setting in which the deemed number of coins of each denomination dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 is the number dispensed multiplied by the mixing ratio in the mixed storage unit 140 before the dispense. The mixing ratio is the ratio of the number of coins of each denomination to the total number of coins stored in the mixed storage unit 140. From the storage unit inventory before the dispense shown in Figure 13(b), the mixing ratio of coins of denomination A in the mixed storage unit 140 with storage unit number "1" is 2 / 3 (= 600 coins / (600 coins + 300 coins)), and the mixing ratio of coins of denomination B is 1 / 3 (= 300 coins / (600 coins + 300 coins)). When a total of 300 coins are dispensed from this mixed storage unit 140, as shown in Figure 13(d), the deemed number of coins of denomination A to be dispensed is 200 (= 300 × 2 / 3), and the deemed number of coins of denomination B to be dispensed is 100 (= 300 × 1 / 3). Therefore, the deemed number Da of denomination A in the storage unit inventory in Figure 13(c) is 400, obtained by subtracting the deemed number of coins to be dispensed (200) from the 600 coins before dispensing, and the deemed number Db of denomination B is 200, obtained by subtracting the deemed number of coins to be dispensed (100) from the 300 coins before dispensing.

[0177] The third setting is a setting in which the deemed number of coins of each denomination dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 is the same as the number of coins dispensed. When a total of 300 coins are dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 with storage unit number "1", the deemed number of coins of denomination A and the deemed number of coins of denomination B are 300, as shown in Figure 13(d). Therefore, the deemed number Da of denomination A in the storage unit inventory in Figure 13(c) is 300, obtained by subtracting the deemed number of coins dispensed (300) from the 600 before the dispense, and the deemed number Db of denomination B is 0 (zero), obtained by subtracting the deemed number of coins dispensed (300) from the 300 before the dispense.

[0178] The fourth setting is a setting in which the deemed number of coins dispensed of each denomination dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 is set to 0 (zero), regardless of the number of coins dispensed. Even when a total of 300 coins are dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140 with storage unit number "1," the deemed number of coins dispensed of denomination A and the deemed number of coins dispensed of denomination B are set to 0 (zero), as shown in Figure 13(d). Therefore, the deemed number Da of denomination A in the storage unit inventory in Figure 13(c) remains at 600 coins, as before the dispense, and the deemed number Db of denomination B remains at 300 coins, as before the dispense.

[0179] It is possible that the number of coins in the storage unit inventory in FIG. 13(c) may be a negative value. In this case, the deemed number can be set to 0. The deemed number of coins in the mixed storage unit 140 calculated in this manner is used for various coin processing by the recycling machine 100. For example, in a dispensing process performed by the recycling machine 100, a determination is made based on the deemed number of coins in the mixed storage unit 140 as to whether the number of coins to be dispensed can be dispensed from the mixed storage unit 140. For example, in a depositing process performed by the recycling machine 100, a determination is made based on the deemed number of coins in the mixed storage unit 140 as to whether the deposited coins can be stored in the mixed storage unit 140.

[0180] A store using the cash machine 100 can select which of the first to fourth settings to use to calculate the deemed number, depending on how the cash machine 100 is used. For example, if the number of coins of each denomination remaining in the mixed storage section 140 after coins are dispensed from the mixed storage section 140 is sufficient as a guideline, the store can select the first or second setting. If it is desired to avoid a situation in which the mixed storage section 140 is empty during a dispensing process and the dispensing process cannot be completed, the store can select the third setting. If it is desired to avoid a situation in which the mixed storage section 140 is full during a depositing process and the depositing process cannot be completed, the store can select the fourth setting.

[0181] (Variation) The contents described as modified examples in the explanation of Fig. 1 also apply to the specific examples described in Fig. 2 to Fig. 13. Each of the specific examples described in Fig. 2 to Fig. 13 may be modified and executed as described in each modified example of Fig. 1.

[0182] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the storage unit inventory of the back machine 100 is stored in the memory unit 104 of the back machine 100, and the back machine 100 updates and confirms the storage unit inventory, but it may also be an embodiment in which the storage unit inventory is stored in the server device 3, and the server device 3 acquires information on the currency processing performed in the back machine 100 and the currency processing performed in the front machine 200, and updates and confirms the storage unit inventory. If the storage of the storage unit inventory and the processing related to the storage unit inventory are all performed in the back machine 100, the currency handling system 1 may not include the server device 3.

[0183] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which a front desk machine 200 and a cash register 300 are used together with a back desk machine 100, but the currency processing system 1 may be configured in a manner that does not include a front desk machine 200 or does not include a cash register 300.

[0184] In this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the currency handling system 1 includes the back machine 100, the front machine 200, the cash register 300, and the server device 3, but this configuration is a functional outline, and the configuration of the currency handling system 1 is not limited to this physical configuration. The form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to the above example, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0185] The above describes an embodiment of a currency processing system with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the aspects described in the embodiments, and may be implemented in an embodiment with various improvements, changes, and modifications based on the knowledge of a person skilled in the art, as long as it does not deviate from the intent of the above description. [Explanation of symbols]

[0186] 1. Currency Processing System 2 Network 3. Server equipment 10 Currency Processing Equipment 11 Mixed storage area 12 Denomination-specific storage section 100 Currency processing equipment (back machine) 101, 201 Coin Processing Unit 102, 202 control section 103, 203 Operation display section 104, 204 Storage section 105, 205 Communications Department 110, 210 Deposit Department 120, 220 Withdrawal Section 130, 230 Identification section 140, 240 storage section (mixed storage section, denomination-specific storage section) 150, 250 conveyor 160, 260 shots Gates 161 and 261 180, 280 Payout section Gate 281 191 Reject Box 192 Return Section 193 Overflow Box 200 Currency Processing Machine (Front Machine) 270 cassettes 300 Cash Register 315 Drawer 370 Tray

Claims

1. a first currency processing device having a storage unit for storing currency and dispensing currency from the storage unit; a second currency processing device that performs currency processing using the currency dispensed by the first currency processing device; a storage unit configured to store an inventory including information that can identify the denomination and number of coins by denomination of the coins stored in the storage unit of the first currency processing device; a control unit that updates the inventory amount based on denomination information set in the storage unit and the number of coins dispensed from the storage unit; Including, The control unit updates the inventory amount based on the recognition and counting result obtained by the second currency processing device when the second currency processing device recognizes and counts the currency dispensed from the storage unit in the dispensing process and the denomination and number of the currency by denomination are identified. A currency processing system characterized by:

2. The currency handling system described in claim 1, characterized in that when the first currency processing device executes a dispensing process and is unable to identify the number of coins by denomination dispensed from the storage unit during the dispensing process, and the inventory becomes undetermined, the control unit updates the inventory based on the identification and counting results obtained by the second currency processing device.

3. The control unit When the first currency processing device executes a dispensing process and the inventory amount becomes undetermined, When the first currency processing device identifies and counts the currency dispensed from the storage unit in the dispensing process and the denomination and number of the currency per denomination are identified, the inventory amount is updated based on the identification and counting result obtained by the first currency processing device.

2. The currency handling system according to claim 1.

4. The control unit When the first currency processing device executes a dispensing process and the inventory amount becomes undetermined, When the second currency processing device recognizes and counts some of the currency dispensed from the storage unit in the dispensing process and the first currency processing device recognizes and counts some of the currency dispensed from the storage unit in the dispensing process, and the denominations and numbers of all currency dispensed from the storage unit in the dispensing process are identified, the inventory amount is updated based on the recognition and counting results obtained by the first currency processing device and the second currency processing device.

2. The currency handling system according to claim 1.

5. Cassettes detachable from the first currency processing device and the second currency processing device further comprising The first currency processing device stores currency to be dispensed in the cassette attached to the first currency processing device, The control unit updates the inventory amount of the first currency processing device based on the result of the second currency processing device, to which the cassette is attached, feeding and recognizing and counting the currency from the cassette.

4. The currency handling system according to claim 1, wherein:

6. The first currency processing device a mixed storage unit that stores coins of multiple denominations in a mixed state; A denomination-specific storage section for storing coins of a single denomination; and When a dispensing process is executed to store the coins to be dispensed in the cassette, the coins are dispensed from at least one of the mixed storage unit and the denomination-specific storage unit, When a dispensing process is executed to dispense currency to a dispensing destination other than the cassette, currency is dispensed only from the denomination-specific storage unit.

6. The currency handling system according to claim 5.

7. The first currency processing device a mixed storage unit that stores coins of multiple denominations in a mixed state; a denomination-specific storage section for storing coins of a single denomination; A display unit that displays information and When a dispensing process is executed to dispense currency to a dispensing destination other than the cassette, the currency is dispensed in a manner that allows distinction between the currency dispensed from the mixed storage unit and the currency dispensed from the denomination-specific storage unit, Displaying information on the display unit indicating that the coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit need to be identified and counted 6. The currency handling system according to claim 5.

8. The first currency processing device A mixed storage section that stores multiple denominations of coins in a mixed state and The control unit After the first currency processing device executes a dispensing process of dispensing currency from the mixed storage unit and storing the currency in the cassette, The second currency processing device updates the inventory amount based on the result of identifying and counting all the currency stored in the cassette.

6. The currency handling system according to claim 5.

9. The first currency processing device a mixed storage unit that stores coins of multiple denominations in a mixed state; A denomination-specific storage section for storing coins of a single denomination; and The control unit After the first currency processing device executes a dispensing process in which the currency in the mixed storage unit and the denomination-specific storage unit is dispensed and stored in the cassette, The second currency processing device updates the inventory amount based on a result of identifying and counting currency dispensed from the mixed storage unit among currency stored in the cassette.

6. The currency handling system according to claim 5.

10. The first currency processing device A mixed storage section that stores multiple denominations of coins in a mixed state and The storage unit further stores a flag indicating that the balance is in an undetermined state, The control unit updates the flag to indicate that the inventory amount is in an undetermined state when the first currency processing device dispenses currency from the mixed storage unit.

10. The currency handling system according to claim 1.

11. The first currency processing device A mixed storage section that stores multiple denominations of coins in a mixed state and During a dispensing process for dispensing coins of the denominations assigned to the mixed storage unit, The total number of coins of each denomination to be dispensed from the mixed storage unit is calculated, and the total number of coins is fed out and dispensed from the mixed storage unit. The currency handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The control unit Dividing the total number of coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit by the number of denominations allocated to the mixed storage unit, calculates the deemed dispensed number of coins of each denomination dispensed from the mixed storage unit; The number of coins of each denomination stored in the mixed storage unit, which is included in the inventory, is updated to a deemed number obtained by subtracting the deemed number of coins to be withdrawn from the number of coins.

12. The currency handling system according to claim 11.

13. The control unit multiplying the total number of coins dispensed from the mixed storage unit by a mixing ratio indicating the ratio of the number of coins of each denomination to the total number of coins of all denominations stored in the mixed storage unit before the dispensing process was executed, to calculate the deemed dispensed number of coins of each denomination dispensed from the mixed storage unit; The number of coins of each denomination stored in the mixed storage unit, which is included in the inventory, is updated to a deemed number obtained by subtracting the deemed number of coins to be withdrawn from the number of coins.

12. The currency handling system according to claim 11.

14. a storage unit for storing currency within the device; a storage unit that stores an inventory amount including information that can identify the denomination and number of coins by denomination of the coins stored in the storage unit; a control unit that updates the inventory amount based on denomination information set in the storage unit and the number of coins dispensed from the storage unit; Equipped with When another currency processing device recognizes and counts the currency dispensed from the storage unit in the dispensing process and the denomination and number of the currency by denomination are identified, the control unit acquires information related to the recognition and counting result from the other currency processing device and updates the inventory amount based on the information. A currency processing device characterized by:

15. a step of executing a dispensing process by a first currency processing device having a storage unit that stores currency, and dispensing currency from the storage unit; a step in which a second currency processing device identifies and counts the currency dispensed from the storage unit; updating an inventory including information that can identify the denomination and number of coins by denomination stored in the storage unit of the first currency processing device based on the recognition and counting result obtained by the second currency processing device; A currency processing method comprising:

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