Currency processing system, currency processing device, program, and currency processing method

Abstract

To provide a currency processing system or the like capable of suppressing fraudulence act in which a store clerk takes a dispensed currency by herself / himself.SOLUTION: A currency processing system 1 includes a depositing / dispensing machine 10 that performs dispensing processing of currency, and a change machine 20 that is different from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 and performs depositing processing of currency. The depositing / dispensing machine 10 is restricted, when a predetermined condition is established, from dispensing currency to the change machine 20 and the restriction is lifted on a condition that an amount of currency dispensed by the dispensing processing matches an amount of currency deposited in the change machine 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a currency handling system, a currency handling device, a program, and a currency handling method. [Background technology]

[0002] The currency handling system described in Patent Document 1 includes a first currency handling device that dispenses currency, and a setting unit that sets information indicating the amount that can be dispensed from the first currency handling device based on a preset upper limit for the amount that can be dispensed from the first currency handling device, the amount of currency dispensed from the first currency handling device, and the amount of currency deposited into the first currency handling device or the second currency handling device. In the currency handling system described in Patent Document 1, for example, after an employee dispenses currency from the first currency handling device and deposits it into the first currency handling device or the second currency handling device, the amount that the employee can dispense is set to the upper limit minus the amount dispensed and plus the amount deposited. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-145042 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The currency handling system described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in that it is unable to prevent fraud in which a person working at a store (hereinafter referred to as a "clerk") takes some of the currency when it is withdrawn from a first currency handling device without depositing it into the first currency handling device or the second currency handling device. The present invention aims to provide a currency handling system and the like that can prevent fraudulent practices such as a store clerk taking the currency that has been dispensed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention, which was completed with the above-mentioned objective in mind, is a currency handling system comprising a first currency handling device that performs currency withdrawal processing, and a second currency handling device that is different from the first currency handling device and performs currency deposit processing, wherein the first currency handling device is restricted from performing currency withdrawal processing to the second currency handling device when a predetermined condition is met, and the restriction is lifted on the condition that the amount of currency withdrawn by the withdrawal processing matches the amount of currency deposited into the second currency handling device. Here, the first currency handling device may be restricted from performing a currency dispensing process to the second currency handling device every time the first currency handling device performs a currency dispensing process to the second currency handling device. In addition, the first currency handling device may be restricted from performing a currency dispensing process to the second currency handling device when the total amount of dispensing to the second currency handling device reaches a predetermined amount. Furthermore, when the first currency handling device is restricted from performing a currency dispensing process to the second currency handling device, the first currency handling device may allow a currency exchange process instead of the currency dispensing process. From another perspective, the present invention is a currency processing device that performs a currency withdrawal process and is connected to a deposit processing device that performs a currency deposit process, wherein the withdrawal process of currency to the deposit processing device is restricted when a predetermined condition is met, and the restriction is lifted on the condition that the amount of currency withdrawn by the withdrawal process matches the amount of currency deposited into the deposit processing device. From another perspective, the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute a function of restricting withdrawal processing from a first currency processing device that performs currency withdrawal processing to a second currency processing device that is different from the first currency processing device and performs currency deposit processing when a predetermined condition is met, and a function of lifting the restriction on the condition that the amount of currency withdrawn from the first currency processing device and the amount of currency deposited into the second currency processing device match. From another perspective, the present invention is a currency handling method that restricts withdrawal processing from a first currency handling device that handles currency withdrawal processing to a second currency handling device that is different from the first currency handling device and handles currency deposit processing when a predetermined condition is met, and lifts the restriction on the condition that the amount of currency withdrawn from the first currency handling device matches the amount of currency deposited in the second currency handling device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent fraudulent practices in which a store clerk takes the money that has been dispensed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a currency handling system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a depositing / dispensing machine, a change machine, and a server. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an operation display unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a storage unit of the server. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a replenishment process performed in the system. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by a control unit of a depositing / dispensing machine. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by a control unit of the server. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by a control unit of the server. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an operation display unit. [Figure 12]10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by a control unit of a depositing / dispensing machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a currency handling system 1 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as "system 1") according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the depositing / dispensing machine 10, the change machine 20, and the server 30. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation display unit 13. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit 32 of the server 30. As shown in FIG.

[0009] The system 1 includes, for example, a depositing / dispensing machine 10 installed in a back-of-house area 91 where customers are prohibited from entering, and a change machine 20 and a POS register 29 installed in a front area 92 where customers can enter, in a store 90 of a commercial facility. A plurality of change machines 20 and POS registers 29 may be installed in the front area 92. Fig. 1 shows an example in which three change machines 20 and POS registers 29 are installed, and the three change machines 20 consist of a first change machine 20A, a second change machine 20B, and a third change machine 20C.

[0010] The system 1 also includes a server 30 capable of communicating with the depositing and dispensing machine 10 and the change machine 20 via a network 40. The server 30 may be installed within the store 90 in which the depositing and dispensing machine 10 and the change machine 20 are installed, or may be installed outside the store 90. The network 40 is not particularly limited as long as it is a communication network used for data communication between devices, and examples of the network 40 include the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), and a local area network (LAN). The communication line used for data communication may be either wired or wireless, and a combination of these may be used. An example of a wireless LAN is WiFi (registered trademark).

[0011] (cash deposit / withdrawal machine 10) The depositing and dispensing machine 10 comprises a control unit 11 that controls the entire device, and a memory unit 12 used to store data, etc. The depositing and dispensing machine 10 also comprises an operation display unit 13 that can display operation reception screens and images and receive input operations from store clerks, and a communication unit 14 such as a communication interface used for communication with the server 30. The depositing and dispensing machine 10 also comprises, inside a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing, a banknote processing unit 15 that processes the deposit and dispensing of banknotes, a coin processing unit 16 that processes the deposit and dispensing of coins, and a wrapped coin storage unit 17 that stores wrapped coins. Hereinafter, banknotes and coins may be collectively referred to as currency.

[0012] The storage unit 12 can be exemplified by a storage device such as a semiconductor memory. The operation display unit 13 can be exemplified as a touch panel that combines a display device that displays still images, moving images, etc. with a position input device. The operation display unit 13 displays an operation screen for the store clerk to operate and information related to the amount of currency in stock. In addition, the operation display unit 13 allows the store clerk to input various commands to the control unit 11 by touching the operation buttons on the operation screen with his / her finger.

[0013] The control unit 11 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown). The control unit 11 has a receiving unit 111 that receives information from the server 30, a transmitting unit 112 that transmits information to the server 30, and an authentication unit 113 that authenticates the store clerk operating the depositing and dispensing machine 10. The control unit 11 also has a reception unit 114 that accepts withdrawal processing, and a withdrawal processing unit 115 that performs the withdrawal processing. The control unit 11 also has a restriction unit 116 that restricts the execution of the withdrawal processing when the reception unit 114 accepts the withdrawal processing, and a display control unit 117 that controls the operation display unit 13.

[0014] The authentication unit 113 authenticates the clerk using identification information (e.g., ID) of the clerk operating the depositing / dispensing machine 10. For example, if the operation / dispensing machine 10 is configured so that the clerk inputs his / her own identification information, a personal identification number, etc., the authentication unit 113 performs authentication based on the clerk's identification information and personal identification number input via the operation / display unit 13. Alternatively, the authentication unit 113 may be a card reader provided in the depositing / dispensing machine 10 that reads an ID card or the like carried by the clerk. In this case, the authentication unit 113 authenticates the clerk based on information read from the ID card or the like by the card reader.

[0015] The reception unit 114 accepts a request to perform a predetermined process when a store clerk touches a predetermined operation button displayed on the operation display unit 13. For example, the reception unit 114 accepts a request to perform a withdrawal process when a store clerk touches an operation button for withdrawal displayed on the operation display unit 13. The reception unit 114 accepts, along with a request for a withdrawal process, identification information of the change dispenser 20 into which the coins dispensed by this withdrawal process will be deposited (in other words, information as to which change dispenser 20 (e.g., the first change dispenser 20A) among the multiple change dispensers 20) and the amount to be dispensed.

[0016] The dispensing processing unit 115 controls the banknote handling unit 15 and the coin handling unit 16 to dispense the amount of money received by the reception unit 114. At that time, the dispensing processing unit 115 may eject wrapped coins from the wrapped coin storage unit 17. When the dispensing processing unit 115 has performed a dispensing process, the transmitting unit 112 transmits dispensing information to the server 30. The dispensing information includes the amount of money dispensed, information about the clerk who dispensed the money (ID number), time, etc.

[0017] When the state of the dispensed flag of the change machine 20 (for example, the first change machine 20A) related to the dispensing request accepted by the acceptance unit 114 is ON, the restriction unit 116 restricts the execution of a dispensing process for replenishing change in this change machine 20. Furthermore, when the state of the dispensed flag of the change machine 20 related to the dispensing request accepted by the acceptance unit 114 switches from ON to OFF, the restriction unit 116 lifts the restriction on the dispensing process.

[0018] When the limiting unit 116 limits the dispensing process, the display control unit 117 causes the operation display unit 13 to display an error screen 190 as shown in Fig. 3. The error screen 190 displays, for example, a message saying "This change machine cannot be refilled."

[0019] (Change machine 20 and POS register 29) The change machine 20 includes a control unit 21 that controls the entire device, and a memory unit 22 used to store data, etc. The change machine 20 also includes an operation display unit 23 that can display an operation reception screen and images and receive input operations from a store clerk, and a communication unit 24 such as a communication interface used for communication with the server 30. The change machine 20 also includes a banknote processing unit 25, a coin processing unit 26, and a wrapped coin storage unit 27.

[0020] The operation display unit 23 displays an operation screen for the store clerk to operate, and information related to the inventory of coins stored in each of the banknote handling unit 25, the coin handling unit 26, and the wrapped coin storage unit 27. In addition, the operation display unit 23 allows the store clerk to input various commands to the control unit 21 by touching the operation buttons on the operation screen with his / her finger.

[0021] The control unit 21 is composed of a CPU (not shown), a ROM (not shown), and a RAM (not shown). The control unit 21 has a transmission unit 212 that transmits information to the server 30, and an authentication unit 213 that authenticates the store clerk operating the change machine 20. The control unit 21 also has a deposit processing unit 214 that performs deposit processing, and a display control unit 215 that controls the operation display unit 23.

[0022] The authentication unit 213 authenticates the store clerk who operates the change dispenser 20 and the POS register 29. For example, if the operation and display unit 23 is configured so that the store clerk inputs his or her own identification information and PIN number, the authentication unit 213 authenticates the store clerk based on the identification information and PIN number of the store clerk input via the operation and display unit 23. Alternatively, the authentication unit 213 may be a card reader provided in the change dispenser 20 or the POS register 29 that reads an ID card or the like held by the store clerk. In this case, the authentication unit 213 authenticates the store clerk based on information read from the ID card or the like by the card reader.

[0023] The deposit processing unit 214 performs the deposit processing by controlling the banknote processing unit 25 and the coin processing unit 26. When the deposit processing unit 214 performs the deposit processing, the transmission unit 212 transmits the deposit information to the server 30. The deposit information includes the deposit amount, information (ID number) of the clerk who made the deposit, the time, etc. When the number of coins of each denomination stored in the change dispenser 20 falls below a predetermined number for each denomination, the display control unit 215 causes the operation display unit 23 to display a screen indicating that change should be replenished.

[0024] The POS register 29 (see FIG. 1) is placed above the banknote handling unit 25 and the coin handling unit 26, and is used as a management device that manages the change dispenser 20. The POS register 29 may be a tablet terminal. Furthermore, the communication unit 24 of the change dispenser 20 may communicate with the POS register 29, and a communication unit (not shown) of the POS register 29 may communicate with the server 30. In other words, the change dispenser 20 may communicate with the server 30 via the POS register 29.

[0025] (Server 30) The server 30 includes a control unit 31 that controls the entire device, a memory unit 32 used to store data, etc., a display unit 33 used to display operation reception screens and images, an operation unit 34 that accepts user input operations, and a communication unit 35 used to communicate with the deposit / withdrawal machine 10 and the change machine 20.

[0026] The storage unit 32 can be, for example, a semiconductor memory or a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 32 stores the name, identification information, PIN number, etc. of the store clerk. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 32 also stores the state of the dispensed flag, the total dispensed amount, and the balance for each change dispenser 20 in association with each other.

[0027] The control unit 31 is composed of a CPU (not shown), a ROM (not shown), and a RAM (not shown). The control unit 31 has a receiving unit 311 that receives information from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 and the change machine 20, and a transmitting unit 312 that transmits information to the depositing / dispensing machine 10. The control unit 31 also has a management unit 313 that manages the state of the dispensed flag of the change machine 20 based on the information from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 and the change machine 20. The control unit 31 also has an extraction unit 314 that extracts the state of the dispensed flag of the change machine 20 when the depositing / dispensing machine 10 inquires about the state of the dispensed flag of the change machine 20.

[0028] When the dispenser 20 (for example, the first dispenser 20A) has a dispensed flag that is OFF and the management unit 313 receives dispense information for this dispenser 20 from the depositing / dispensing machine 10, the management unit 313 turns the dispensed flag for the dispenser 20 ON and updates the total amount dispensed to the dispenser 20. In other words, the management unit 313 updates the total amount dispensed from the dispenser 20 to the amount dispensed included in the dispense information received from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 this time.

[0029] When the management unit 313 receives deposit information from a change machine 20 (for example, the first change machine 20A) while the dispensed flag of this change machine 20 is ON, the management unit 313 sets the new total withdrawal amount to the value obtained by subtracting the deposited amount included in the deposit information currently received from the change machine 20 from the total withdrawal amount of the change machine 20 stored in the memory unit 32. Furthermore, when the total withdrawal amount becomes 0, the management unit 313 turns the dispensed flag of the change machine 20 OFF.

[0030] When the depositing / dispensing machine 10 inquires about the state of the dispensed flag of the change machine 20 (for example, the first change machine 20A), the extraction unit 314 extracts the state of the dispensed flag stored in the memory unit 32 in association with the identification information of the change machine 20. The state of the dispensed flag extracted by the extraction unit 314 is transmitted to the depositing / dispensing machine 10 by the transmission unit 312.

[0031] An example of the replenishment process performed in the system 1 will be described below with reference to a sequence diagram. Fig. 5 is an example of a sequence diagram of a replenishment process performed in the system 1. Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a sequence from a scene in which a store clerk replenishes change into the first change dispenser 20A after the store 90 opens for business. After authentication, when the store clerk starts a withdrawal operation to replenish change from the deposit / dispensing machine 10 to the first change dispenser 20A (S501), the deposit / dispensing machine 10 inquires of the server 30 about the status (ON or OFF) of the withdrawal flag of the first change dispenser 20A to be replenished (S502).

[0032] The server 30 extracts the state of the dispensed flag of the first change dispenser 20A stored in the storage unit 32 (S503), and transmits the state of the dispensed flag to the depositing / dispensing machine 10 (S504). The process of S503 is performed by the extraction unit 314, and the process of S504 is performed by the transmission unit 312. When a store clerk dispenses money for the first time after the store 90 opens for business, the initial setting of the dispensed flag is OFF, so here, it transmits the information that the dispensed flag is OFF.

[0033] The depositing / dispensing machine 10 receives the information that the dispensed flag is OFF (S505), and performs a dispensing process to replenish the first change dispenser 20A with change (S506). The process of S505 is performed by the receiving unit 111, and the process of S506 is performed by the dispensing processing unit 115. The dispensing processing unit 115 dispenses the amount to be dispensed to the first change dispenser 20A that has been accepted by the acceptance unit 114. Then, the depositing / dispensing machine 10 transmits information about the dispensing to replenish the first change dispenser 20A (hereinafter, may be referred to as "dispensing information") to the server 30 (S507).

[0034] The server 30 receives the withdrawal information (S508), updates the state of the withdrawal completion flag to ON, and stores the total withdrawal amount (S509). The processing of S508 is performed by the receiving unit 311, and the processing of S509 is performed by the management unit 313.

[0035] Similarly, when the dispensed flag of the first change machine 20A is ON and a store clerk starts a dispensing operation to replenish change from the deposit / dispensing machine 10 to the first change machine 20A (S510), the deposit / dispensing machine 10 inquires of the server 30 about the state of the dispensed flag of the first change machine 20A to be replenished (S511).

[0036] The server 30 extracts the state of the dispensed flag of the first change machine 20A to be replenished, which is stored in the memory unit 32 (S512), and transmits the state of the dispensed flag to the depositing / dispensing machine 10 (S513). At this time, the state of the dispensed flag of the first change machine 20A is ON, so the server 30 transmits to the depositing / dispensing machine 10 that the dispensed flag of the first change machine 20A is ON.

[0037] The depositing / dispensing machine 10 receives the information that the dispensed flag is ON (S514), and issues an error notification without carrying out the dispense process (S515). The process of S515 is a process in which the display control unit 117 displays an error screen 190 as shown in Fig. 3 on the operation display unit 13. The dispense process accepted in S510 is restricted by the restriction unit 116.

[0038] On the other hand, when the first change dispenser 20A has performed the deposit process (S516), the first change dispenser 20A transmits deposit information to the server 30 (S517). The server 30 receives the deposit information (S518) and updates the state of the dispensed flag and the total amount dispensed based on the total amount dispensed to the first change dispenser 20A stored in the storage unit 32 (for example, the total amount dispensed to the first change dispenser 20A related to the dispensing process of S506) and the amount deposited to the first change dispenser 20A related to the depositing process of S516. Fig. 5 shows a case where the total amount dispensed to the first change dispenser 20A related to the dispensing process of S506 and the amount deposited to the first change dispenser 20A related to the depositing process of S516 are the same. In this case, the state of the dispensed flag for the first change dispenser 20A is updated to OFF, and the total amount dispensed is stored as 0 (S519). If the amount deposited into the first change dispenser 20A relating to the deposit process of S516 is less than the total withdrawal amount of the first change dispenser 20A stored in the storage unit 32, the server 30 stores the amount obtained by subtracting the amount deposited into the first change dispenser 20A relating to the deposit process of S516 from the total withdrawal amount stored in the storage unit 32 as a new total withdrawal amount of the first change dispenser 20A. In such a case, the state of the withdrawal completion flag of the first change dispenser 20A remains ON.

[0039] When the state of the dispensed flag of the first change machine 20A is OFF and a store clerk starts a dispensing operation to replenish change from the deposit / dispensing machine 10 to the first change machine 20A (S520), the deposit / dispensing machine 10 inquires of the server 30 about the state of the dispensed flag of the first change machine 20A to be replenished (S521).

[0040] The server 30 extracts the state of the dispensed flag of the first change machine 20A to be replenished, which is stored in the memory unit 32 (S522), and transmits the state of the dispensed flag to the depositing / dispensing machine 10 (S523). At this time, the state of the dispensed flag of the first change machine 20A is OFF, so the server 30 transmits to the depositing / dispensing machine 10 that the dispensed flag of the first change machine 20A is OFF.

[0041] The depositing / dispensing machine 10 receives the information that the dispensed flag is OFF (S524) and performs a dispensing process to replenish the first change dispenser 20A with change (S525).The depositing / dispensing machine 10 then transmits dispensing information to replenish the first change dispenser 20A to the server 30 (S526). The server 30 receives the withdrawal information (S527), updates the state of the withdrawal completion flag to ON, and stores the total withdrawal amount (S528). The processes of S520 to S528 are the same as the processes of S501 to S509 described above. Furthermore, although the subsequent processes are omitted, the depositing / dispensing machine 10 restricts or lifts the restriction on dispensing money depending on the state of the dispensed flag of the change dispenser 20.

[0042] Next, an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the depositing / dispensing machine 10 will be described with reference to a flowchart. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the control unit 11 of the depositing / dispensing machine 10. The control unit 11 repeatedly executes this processing at predetermined intervals (for example, every 1 millisecond). The control unit 11 determines whether a dispensing operation has been performed to replenish change in the change dispenser 20 (S601). The processing of S601 is processing in which the reception unit 114 determines whether a predetermined operation button for dispensing change displayed on the operation display unit 13 has been touched. If a dispensing operation has not been performed (NO in S601), the control unit 11 ends this processing. On the other hand, if a dispensing operation has been performed (YES in S601), the control unit 11 inquires of the server 30 about the state of the dispensing completion flag of the change dispenser 20 to be replenished (S602).

[0043] Thereafter, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the status of the withdrawal completion flag has been received from the server 30 (S603). If not received (NO in S603), the control unit 11 waits until it is received. On the other hand, if it has been received (YES in S603), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the withdrawal completion flag is OFF (S604).

[0044] If the withdrawal completion flag is OFF (YES in S604), the control unit 11 performs the withdrawal process (S605). The process of S605 is performed by the withdrawal processing unit 115. Then, the control unit 11 transmits the withdrawal information to the server 30 (S606), and ends the process.

[0045] On the other hand, if the withdrawal completion flag is not OFF (NO in S604), the control unit 11 issues an error notification (S607) and terminates the process without performing the withdrawal process. The process of S607 is a process in which the display control unit 117 causes the operation display unit 13 to display an error screen 190 as shown in FIG.

[0046] Next, an example of processing performed by the control unit 31 of the server 30 will be described using a flowchart. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the control unit 31 of the server 30. The control unit 31 repeatedly executes this processing at predetermined intervals (for example, every 1 millisecond). The control unit 31 determines whether or not dispensing information has been received from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 (S701). If dispensing information has been received (YES in S701), the control unit 31 stores the total amount dispensed in association with the identification information of the change dispenser 20 from which the money is to be dispensed, turns on the dispensed flag (S702), and ends the process.

[0047] If dispensing information has not been received (NO in S701), the control unit 31 determines whether deposit information has been received from the change dispenser 20 (S703). If deposit information has not been received (NO in S701), the server 30 ends the process. On the other hand, if deposit information is received (YES in S703), the server 30 determines whether the total withdrawal amount stored in association with the identification information of the change dispenser 20 into which the deposit was made matches the deposited amount (S704).

[0048] If they match (YES in S704), the control unit 31 turns OFF the dispensed flag stored in association with the identification information of the change dispenser 20 (S705). The control unit 31 also updates the balance information of the change dispenser 20 (S706). On the other hand, if they do not match (NO in S704), the control unit 31 updates the total withdrawal amount stored in association with the identification information of the change dispenser 20 to which the money is to be deposited (S707), and ends the process. In the process of S707, the new total withdrawal amount is determined by subtracting the current deposit amount from the total withdrawal amount stored in association with the identification information of the change dispenser 20. The management unit 313 performs the processes in S704 to S707.

[0049] As described above, the system 1 includes the depositing / dispensing machine 10 (an example of a first currency processing device) that performs a currency dispensing process, and the change machine 20 (an example of a second currency processing device) that is different from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 and performs a currency depositing process. When a predetermined condition is met (for example, when the dispensed flag is ON), the depositing / dispensing machine 10 is restricted from performing a currency dispensing process to the change machine 20 (S515), and the restriction is lifted when the amount dispensed by the dispensing process (an example of the currency amount) matches the amount deposited into the change machine 20 (an example of the currency amount) (S525).

[0050] According to the system 1 configured as described above, restrictions on the dispensing process for replenishing the change machine 20 (for example, the first change machine 20A) are lifted on the condition that the amount dispensed to replenishing the change machine 20 (for example, the first change machine 20A) matches the amount deposited into the change machine 20, thereby preventing, for example, fraudulent acts such as a store clerk taking the dispensed coins for himself. In other words, if restrictions on the dispensing process for the change machine 20 are not lifted, the change machine 20 cannot be replenished with change, and it becomes clear that not all of the coins dispensed to replenishing the change into the change machine 20 the previous time have been deposited into the change machine 20, making it more difficult for a store clerk to try to take the dispensed coins for himself. Furthermore, even if a store clerk accidentally forgets to deposit some of the coins that were dispensed to replenish the change dispenser 20, the restriction on the dispensing process to the change dispenser 20 is not lifted, making it clear that the coins have not been properly deposited into the change dispenser 20, so it is possible to quickly recognize that the clerk has carelessly forgotten to deposit the coins.

[0051] In the system 1, each time the depositing / dispensing machine 10 executes a process of dispensing money to a change machine 20 (for example, the first change machine 20A), it is restricted from executing the process of dispensing money to this change machine 20. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of money that can be fraudulently obtained, even if, for example, a store clerk commits fraud by taking the money that has been dispensed. Note that the depositing / dispensing machine 10 may set an upper limit on the amount of money that can be dispensed to replenish one change machine 20. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of money that can be fraudulently obtained.

[0052] The server 30 acquires the amount dispensed from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 to the change machine 20 and also acquires the amount deposited from the change machine 20, so that it is possible to grasp the movement of currency and to grasp the inventory of each change machine 20. Furthermore, in order to monitor the inventory of each change machine 20, a monitoring device (for example, a monitoring server) may be provided separately from the server 30. Every time the server 30 acquires the amount deposited from the change machine 20, it notifies the monitoring device of the amount deposited into the change machine 20, so that the monitoring device can monitor the inventory of each change machine 20.

[0053] In the above-described system 1, the server 30 may issue a warning if, after money is dispensed from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 to replenish the change machine 20 (for example, the first change machine 20A), an amount equal to the amount dispensed is not deposited into the change machine 20 within a predetermined time (for example, one hour). For example, the server 30 may send an instruction to issue a warning to the operation / display unit 13 of the depositing / dispensing machine 10 or the operation / display unit 23 of the change machine 20.

[0054] Furthermore, in the above-described system 1, the restriction on the dispensing process from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 for replenishing the change machine 20 is lifted on the condition that the amount dispensed from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 for replenishing the change machine 20 matches the amount deposited into the change machine 20, but this is not particularly limited to such an embodiment. For example, the restriction on the dispensing process may be lifted on the condition that the number of coins of each denomination dispensed from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 for replenishing the change machine 20 (an example of the amount of currency) matches the number of coins of each denomination deposited into the change machine 20. For example, when 30 100-yen coins and 10 1000-yen bills are dispensed from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 for replenishing the first change machine 20A, the restriction on the dispensing process may be lifted when 30 100-yen coins and 10 1000-yen bills are deposited into the first change machine 20A. This makes it possible to highly reliably prevent fraudulent acts, such as a store clerk taking the money that has been dispensed.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above-described system 1, when a store clerk replenishes a change dispenser 20 (e.g., the first change dispenser 20A) with coins dispensed from the depositing / dispensing machine 10, the change dispenser 20 (e.g., the first change dispenser 20A) may inquire of the server 30 about the state of its own dispensed flag (e.g., the first change dispenser 20A) and determine whether to perform a deposit process depending on the state of the dispensed flag. More specifically, the change dispenser 20 may check the state of its own dispensed flag and perform a deposit process (e.g., the process of S516) if the dispensed flag is ON, but may not perform a deposit process if the dispensed flag is OFF. This prevents the store clerk from mistakenly refilling a change dispenser 20 (e.g., the second change dispenser 20B) other than the change dispenser 20 (e.g., the first change dispenser 20A) that is the target of replenishment.

[0056] Furthermore, the processes performed by the depositing and dispensing machine 10, the change dispenser 20, and the server 30 described above can be realized by the cooperation of software and hardware resources. In this case, the CPU of the control unit (e.g., control unit 11) of each device (e.g., depositing and dispensing machine 10) executes a program that realizes each function of that device, thereby realizing each function. For example, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded is provided to each device (e.g., depositing and dispensing machine 10), and the CPU of the device (e.g., depositing and dispensing machine 10) reads the program stored in the recording medium. Alternatively, the CPU of the device (e.g., depositing and dispensing machine 10) downloads the program via the network 40. In these cases, the program read from the recording medium or the downloaded program itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program itself and the recording medium on which it is recorded constitute the present invention.

[0057] The program realizing the functions of the depositing / dispensing machine 10 causes the computer to execute a function of restricting the dispensing process from the depositing / dispensing machine 10, which performs the dispensing process of currency, to a change machine 20, which is different from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 and performs the depositing process of currency, when a predetermined condition is met, and a function of lifting the restriction on the condition that the amount of currency dispensed from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 matches the amount of currency deposited in the change machine 20.

[0058] The depositing and dispensing machine 10 described above is an example of a currency processing device that performs a currency dispensing process and is connected to a change machine 20 (an example of a depositing and dispensing device) that performs a currency depositing process. The depositing and dispensing machine 10 is restricted from performing a currency dispensing process to the change machine 20 when a predetermined condition is met, and the restriction is lifted on the condition that the amount of currency dispensed in the dispensing process matches the amount of currency deposited in the change machine 20.

[0059] Furthermore, the currency processing method performed by the system 1 described above is a currency processing method in which, when a predetermined condition is met, withdrawal processing from the deposit / withdrawal machine 10, which performs the currency withdrawal processing, to the change machine 20, which is different from the deposit / withdrawal machine 10 and performs the currency deposit processing, is restricted, and the restriction is lifted on the condition that the amount of currency withdrawn from the deposit / withdrawal machine 10 matches the amount of currency deposited into the change machine 20.

[0060] Second Embodiment FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a system 2 according to the second embodiment. The system 2 according to the second embodiment differs from the system 1 according to the first embodiment in that when the total amount dispensed to the change machine 20 reaches a predetermined amount, the depositing / dispensing machine 10 is restricted from dispensing currency to the change machine 20. Below, the differences between the system 2 according to the second embodiment and the system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. The same components in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0061] The system 2 includes a depositing / dispensing machine 10, a change dispenser 20, and a server 230 corresponding to the server 30. The server 230 differs from the server 30 in that the control unit 231 corresponds to the control unit 31. The control unit 231 differs from the control unit 31 in that the management unit 323 corresponds to the management unit 313. When the dispensed flag of the change machine 20 (for example, the first change machine 20A) is OFF, the management unit 323 turns the dispensed flag of the change machine 20 ON when the total amount dispensed from the deposit / dispensing machine 10 to this change machine 20 reaches a predetermined amount.

[0062] Then, similar to the management unit 313, when the management unit 323 receives deposit information from a change machine 20 (for example, the first change machine 20A) while the dispensed flag of this change machine 20 is ON, the management unit 323 sets the new total withdrawal amount to the value obtained by subtracting the deposited amount included in the deposit information currently received from the change machine 20 from the total withdrawal amount of the change machine 20 stored in the memory unit 32. Furthermore, when the total withdrawal amount becomes 0, the management unit 323 turns the dispensed flag of the change machine 20 OFF.

[0063] Next, an example of processing performed by the control unit 231 of the server 230 will be described using a flowchart. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by control unit 231 of server 230. Control unit 231 repeatedly executes this processing at predetermined intervals (for example, 1 millisecond). In the flowchart shown in Fig. 9, the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0064] When the control unit 231 receives dispensing information from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 (YES in S701), it determines whether the total dispensing amount of the change dispenser 20 to be dispensed has reached a predetermined amount (S910). If the total dispensing amount has reached the predetermined amount (YES in S910), the control unit 231 stores the total dispensing amount in association with the identification information of the change dispenser 20, and turns on the dispensed flag (S911). On the other hand, if the total dispensing amount has not reached the predetermined amount (NO in S910), the control unit 231 ends the process.

[0065] As a result, in the system 2, when the total amount dispensed to the change machine 20 (for example, the first change machine 20A) reaches a predetermined amount, the depositing / dispensing machine 10 is restricted from dispensing currency to this change machine 20. In other words, a store clerk can dispense currency from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 to replenish the change machine 20 any number of times until the total amount dispensed to replenish the change machine 20 reaches the predetermined amount. Therefore, even if there are multiple people replenishing currency in the change machine 20, each person can dispense currency, thereby improving convenience.

[0066] Furthermore, according to System 2, similar to System 1, restrictions on the dispensing process for replenishing the change machine 20 (for example, the first change machine 20A) are lifted on the condition that the amount withdrawn from the deposit / withdrawal machine 10 for replenishing the change machine 20 matches the amount deposited into the change machine 20, thereby preventing fraudulent acts such as a store clerk taking the coins that have been dispensed.

[0067] In the system 2, the depositing / dispensing machine 10 may obtain the total withdrawal amount for each change dispenser 20 from the server 230, and may display the amount that can be withdrawn on the operation / display unit 13. Furthermore, if the amount obtained by adding the withdrawal amount related to the withdrawal processing request accepted by the acceptance unit 114 to the total withdrawal amount exceeds a predetermined amount, the operation / display unit 13 may display a message indicating that the withdrawal amount exceeds the allowable value.

[0068] Third Embodiment FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a system 3 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation display unit 13. As shown in FIG. System 3 according to the third embodiment differs from system 2 according to the second embodiment in that depositing / dispensing machine 310, which corresponds to depositing / dispensing machine 10, allows equivalent exchange when the withdrawal of currency to change machine 20 is restricted because the total amount withdrawn to this change machine 20 has reached a predetermined amount. Below, the differences between system 3 according to the third embodiment and system 2 according to the second embodiment will be described. The same components in the second and third embodiments will be designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] The system 3 includes a depositing / dispensing machine 310 corresponding to the depositing / dispensing machine 10, a change dispenser 20, and a server 230. The depositing / dispensing machine 310 differs from the depositing / dispensing machine 10 in that a control unit 320 corresponds to the control unit 11. The control unit 320 has the receiving unit 111, transmitting unit 112, authentication unit 113, acceptance unit 114, withdrawal processing unit 115 and restriction unit 116 that are included in the control unit 11, a display control unit 327 that corresponds to the display control unit 117, and a currency exchange unit 328 that performs currency exchange processing.

[0070] When the limiting unit 116 limits the dispensing process, the display control unit 327 causes the operation display unit 13 to display an error screen 390 as shown in Fig. 11. The error screen 390 displays the words "This change machine cannot be refilled" and "Do you want to exchange money?", as well as a non-exchange button 391 which is an operation button displaying the words "Do not exchange money" and an exchange button 392 which is an operation button displaying the words "Exchange money."

[0071] When the exchange button 392 on the error screen 390 is pressed, the exchange unit 328 controls the banknote handling unit 15 and the coin handling unit 16 to exchange the currency inserted into the banknote receiving unit or the coin receiving unit. For example, when a 10,000 yen bill is inserted into the banknote receiving unit of the banknote handling unit 15, the exchange unit 328 ejects ten 1,000 yen bills to the banknote outlet. Alternatively, when a 1,000 yen bill is inserted into the banknote receiving unit of the banknote handling unit 15, the exchange unit 328 ejects ten 100 yen coins to the coin outlet.

[0072] Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the control unit 320 of the depositing / dispensing machine 310. The control unit 320 repeatedly executes this processing at preset intervals (for example, 1 millisecond). In the flowchart shown in Fig. 12, the same processes as those in the flowchart shown in Fig. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0073] If the withdrawal completion flag is not OFF (NO in S604), the control unit 320 displays an error screen 390 as shown in FIG. 11 to notify the error (S1207). The processing of S1207 is processing performed by the display control unit 327. Thereafter, the control unit 320 determines whether or not the exchange button 392 has been pressed (S1208). Then, if the exchange button 392 has been pressed (YES in S1208), the control unit 320 performs the exchange processing (S1209) and ends the processing. The processing of S1209 is processing performed by the exchange unit 328. On the other hand, if the exchange button 392 has not been pressed (NO in S1208), in other words, if the non-exchange button 391 has been pressed, the control unit 320 ends the process without performing the withdrawal process or the exchange process.

[0074] As described above, in the system 3, when the depositing / dispensing machine 310 is restricted from dispensing currency to the change dispenser 20, the depositing / dispensing machine 310 allows the exchange process instead of the dispensing process. This allows the store clerk to perform the exchange even when the total amount dispensed by the change dispenser 20 reaches a predetermined amount and the store clerk is unable to dispense money to replenish the currency. This prevents the change dispenser 20 from running out of change, thereby improving convenience.

[0075] In addition, the depositing / dispensing machine 10 of the system 1 may allow equivalent exchange when the depositing / dispensing machine 310 is restricted from performing the process of dispensing money to the change machine 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1, 2, 3... currency processing system, 10,310... depositing / dispensing machine (first currency processing device, an example of a currency processing device), 11, 21, 31, 231, 320... control unit, 13... operation display unit, 20... change machine (second currency processing device, an example of a deposit processing device), 30, 230... server, 40... network, 117, 327... display control unit

Claims

1. A currency handling system including a first currency handling device that performs a currency dispensing process and a second currency handling device that is different from the first currency handling device and performs a currency deposit process, The first currency processing device When a predetermined condition is met, the dispensing process of the currency to the second currency processing device is restricted, The restriction is lifted on the condition that the amount of money dispensed by the dispensing process matches the amount of money deposited in the second money processing device. A currency processing system characterized by:

2. The first currency handling device is restricted from performing a currency dispensing process to the second currency handling device every time the first currency handling device performs a currency dispensing process to the second currency handling device.

2. The currency handling system according to claim 1.

3. When the total amount of money dispensed to the second currency processing device reaches a predetermined amount, the first currency processing device is restricted from performing a process of dispensing money to the second currency processing device.

2. The currency handling system according to claim 1.

4. When the first currency processing device is restricted from performing a currency dispensing process to the second currency processing device, the first currency processing device allows an exchange process instead of the currency dispensing process. The currency handling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A currency processing device that performs a currency dispensing process and is connected to a deposit processing device that performs a currency deposit process, When a predetermined condition is met, the withdrawal process of the currency to the deposit processing device is restricted, The restriction is lifted on the condition that the amount of money dispensed by the dispensing process matches the amount of money deposited into the deposit processing device. A currency processing device characterized by:

6. On the computer, a function of restricting, when a predetermined condition is met, a dispensing process from a first currency processing device that performs a dispensing process of currency to a second currency processing device that is different from the first currency processing device and performs a depositing process of currency; a function of releasing the restriction on the condition that the amount of money dispensed from the first money handling device and the amount of money deposited into the second money handling device match; A program that executes the following.

7. restricting a withdrawal process from a first currency processing device that performs a currency withdrawal process to a second currency processing device that is different from the first currency processing device and that performs a currency deposit process when a predetermined condition is met; The restriction is lifted on the condition that the amount of money dispensed from the first money handling device and the amount of money deposited in the second money handling device match. Currency handling methods.

Images