Automatic transaction device

Abstract

To enable banknotes to be neatly stored in a banknote storage unit.SOLUTION: An automatic transaction device includes: a first banknote storage unit; a second banknote storage unit; a transport unit that conveys banknotes at at least a first speed or a second speed slower than the first speed; and a control unit that, after controlling the transport unit to transport the banknotes stored in the first banknote storage unit to the second banknote storage unit at the second speed, controls the transport unit to transport the banknotes stored in the second banknote storage unit to the first banknote storage unit at the second speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated transaction device. [Background technology]

[0002] In an automatic transaction device such as an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine), transported banknotes (for example, deposited banknotes) are stored in a banknote storage unit such as a stacker (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-99811 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-123684 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-67580 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When transported banknotes are stored in the banknote storage unit, static electricity that has built up on the banknotes during transport can cause the banknotes to be stored in a disorderly manner. More specifically, when transported banknotes fall onto banknotes already stored in the banknote storage unit, they are scattered to the left and right due to repulsion caused by static electricity, and the ends of the banknotes can come into contact with or lean against the left and right guides on the inside of the banknote storage unit.

[0005] When the number of banknotes stored in this disorderly state increases, problems occur in the banknote storage unit, such as malfunction of the stage on which the banknotes are stacked, banknote jams, banknote feeding problems, skewed banknote feeding, etc. For example, malfunction of the stage may occur when moving the stage up and down, making it impossible to raise the stage due to increased friction caused by contact between the ends of banknotes and the left and right guides, or when lowering the stage, banknotes may temporarily become stuck and then fall, causing the disorderly storage of banknotes to reoccur.

[0006] Such disorder of stored banknotes is likely to occur in an environment where static electricity is likely to be generated, particularly in a dry environment with low humidity such as winter.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic transaction apparatus that can store banknotes in an organized manner in a banknote storage section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the device is an automatic teller machine comprising: a first banknote storage unit; a second banknote storage unit; a transport unit that transports banknotes at least at a first speed or a second speed that is slower than the first speed; and a control unit that controls the transport unit to transport banknotes stored in the first banknote storage unit to the second banknote storage unit at the second speed, and then controls the transport unit to transport the banknotes stored in the second banknote storage unit to the first banknote storage unit at the second speed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, banknotes can be stored in an organized manner in the banknote storage section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an automatic transaction device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an automatic transaction device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a banknote processing unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating the flow of banknotes during a banknote alignment operation in the banknote processing unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating the flow of banknotes during the banknote aligning operation in the banknote processing unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic example of a connecting portion of a transport path. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an automated transaction apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0013] The functional configuration of the automatic transaction apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 shows the main functional configuration related to the banknote alignment function of the automatic transaction apparatus 1, and functional configurations related to other functions are not shown.

[0014] 1 includes a first banknote storage unit 11, a second banknote storage unit 12, a transport unit 13, and a control unit 14. The automatic transaction apparatus 1 may further include a centering unit 15.

[0015] Banknotes are stored in the first banknote storage unit 11 and the second banknote storage unit 12. The transport unit 13 transports the banknotes at least at a first speed or a second speed slower than the first speed. The control unit 14 controls the transport unit 13 to transport the banknotes stored in the first banknote storage unit 11 to the second banknote storage unit 12 at the second speed, and then controls the transport unit 13 to transport the banknotes stored in the second banknote storage unit 12 to the first banknote storage unit 11 at the second speed. The control unit 14 performs such control, for example, during a non-transaction period. The centering unit 15 centers the banknotes being transported at the second speed.

[0016] According to such a functional configuration relating to the banknote alignment function, by transporting the banknotes stored in the first banknote storage unit 11 back and forth between the first banknote storage unit 11 and the second banknote storage unit 12 at the second speed, the banknotes with reduced static charge are stored again in the first banknote storage unit 11, so there is no risk of the banknotes being stored in a disordered state due to static electricity, and the banknotes can be stored in an orderly manner in the first banknote storage unit 11. Furthermore, by further providing a centering unit 15, the banknotes can be stored in the first banknote storage unit 11 in a more orderly manner. Below, an automatic transaction apparatus 1 equipped with such a banknote alignment function will be described in more detail.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an automated transaction apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0018] The automated teller machine 1 illustrated in Fig. 2 is an ATM installed in, for example, a branch of a financial institution such as a bank, a convenience store, etc. The automated teller machine 1 illustrated in Fig. 2 includes a control unit 21, a display input unit 22, a passbook processing unit 23, a card processing unit 24, a coin processing unit 25, and a banknote processing unit 26.

[0019] The control unit 21 includes a processor 211, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 212, a communication interface 213, a graphics processing unit 214, a storage device 215, and an input / output interface 216, which are interconnected by a bus 217. Although not shown, the control unit 21 may further include an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like connected to the bus 217. In this case, some of the functions of the control unit 21 may be provided by the FPGA, the ASIC, or the like.

[0020] The processor 211 may be, for example, a single processor, or a multi-processor or multi-core processor. The processor 211 executes various programs such as an OS (Operating System) program and application programs to control each unit of the automated transaction apparatus 1 and control the overall operation of the automated transaction apparatus 1. The processor 211 provides, for example, the function of the control unit 14 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0021] The RAM 212 temporarily stores part of the program executed by the processor 211 and is used as a working storage area for the processor 211 .

[0022] The communication interface 213 is connected to a network (not shown) and communicates with an external device (not shown) (for example, a host computer) via the network.

[0023] The graphics processing unit 214 is connected to the display device 221 of the display input unit 22, and causes the display device 221 to display various screens such as a transaction screen in accordance with control signals from the processor 211.

[0024] The storage device 215 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various programs executed by the processor 211 and various data required for executing the programs.

[0025] The input / output interface 216 is connected to the touch panel 222 of the display / input unit 22, the passbook processing unit 23, the card processing unit 24, the coin processing unit 25, and the banknote processing unit 26. The input / output interface 216 performs input / output of signals between the processor 211 and, for example, the touch panel 222, the passbook processing unit 23, the card processing unit 24, the coin processing unit 25, and the banknote processing unit 26. The input / output interface 216 may be further connected to a portable storage medium interface that is capable of writing and reading information to and from a portable storage medium.

[0026] The display / input unit 22 is a display with a touch panel that includes a display device 221 and a touch panel 222 arranged on the display device 221. The display device 221 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displays various screens such as a transaction screen. The touch panel 222 detects an input operation on the touch panel 222 and outputs a signal according to the detection result to the processor 211.

[0027] The passbook processing unit 23 takes in a passbook inserted into a passbook insertion / ejection section (not shown) and ejects the taken-in passbook from the passbook insertion / ejection section. The passbook processing unit 23 also reads and writes information from and to the magnetic stripe of the taken-in passbook, and records entries in the taken-in passbook.

[0028] The card processing unit 24 takes in cards inserted into a card insertion / ejection section (not shown) and ejects the taken cards from the card insertion / ejection section. The card processing unit 24 also reads and writes information from the magnetic stripe and IC chip of the taken cards. The card processing unit 24 also prints transaction details on a receipt and ejects the receipt with the printed transaction details from the card insertion / ejection section.

[0029] The coin processing unit 25 performs the functions of discriminating, storing, replenishing, etc. coins. It also deposits and dispenses coins from a coin deposit and withdrawal unit (not shown). The banknote processing unit 26 performs the functions of discriminating, storing, replenishing, etc. banknotes. It also deposits and dispenses banknotes from a banknote deposit and withdrawal unit 261 (see FIG. 3).

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the banknote processing unit.

[0031] The banknote processing unit 26 illustrated in Figure 3 includes a banknote deposit / withdrawal section 261, a primary holding section 262, a reject storage 263 (263a, 263b), a transport section 264, a discrimination section 265, a centering mechanism 266, stackers 267 (267a, 267b, 267c, 267d), and cassettes 268 (268a, 268b).

[0032] The banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 261 accepts deposited banknotes and discharges withdrawn banknotes. The primary holding unit 262 temporarily stores deposited banknotes accepted by the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 261. The rejected box 263 stores banknotes that the user forgets to take from the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 261 and banknotes that are rejected as a result of banknote validation by the validator 265 (for example, unfit notes).

[0033] The transport unit 264 transports banknotes between each unit, such as the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 261, the primary holding unit 262, the reject storage 263, the stacker 267, and the cassette 268. In FIG. 3, the transport unit 264 is schematically shown as a line connecting each unit. The transport unit 264 transports banknotes at least at a first speed or a second speed that is slower than the first speed. For example, the transport unit 264 transports banknotes at the first speed during normal operation and at the second speed during banknote alignment operation. The transport unit 264 provides, for example, the function of the transport unit 13 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0034] The validator 265 validates the authenticity, denomination, newness, condition, etc. of banknotes. The validator 265 also detects the deviation (direction and amount of deviation) of the center of the width direction of the banknote from the center of the width direction of the conveyance path along which the banknote is conveyed.

[0035] The centering mechanism 266 centers banknotes based on the results of misalignment detection by the discrimination unit 265, for example, during a banknote alignment operation. Centering a banknote means moving the banknote toward the center of the conveyance path so that the center of the banknote in the width direction is located at the center of the width direction of the conveyance path along which the banknote is conveyed. The centering mechanism 266 provides, for example, the function of the centering unit 15 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0036] The stackers 267 store banknotes used in transactions by denomination. For example, stacker 267a stores 10,000-yen banknotes, stacker 267b stores 5,000-yen banknotes, stacker 267c stores 2,000-yen banknotes, and stacker 267d stores 1,000-yen banknotes. The cassettes 268 store banknotes for collection or replenishment. For example, cassette 268a stores banknotes for collection, and cassette 268b stores banknotes for replenishment. The stackers 267 and cassettes 268 provide, for example, the functions of the first banknote storage unit 11 and the second banknote storage unit 12 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0037] 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the flow of banknotes during a banknote alignment operation in the banknote processing unit. The banknote alignment operation is an operation performed under the control of the processor 211, and is performed, for example, during a transaction suspension period of the automated transaction apparatus 1. Here, an example will be described in which the banknote alignment operation is performed to align the banknotes stored in the stacker 267a.

[0038] In this banknote alignment operation, first, as indicated by the thick arrow in Fig. 4, the banknotes stored in the stacker 267a are transported to and stored in the cassette 268a via the discrimination unit 265 and the centering mechanism 266. The banknotes are transported at a second speed by the transport unit 264. The centering mechanism 266 also centers the banknotes based on the result of detection of misalignment by the discrimination unit 265.

[0039] In this way, the amount of static electricity charged on the banknotes stored in the stacker 267a is reduced by transporting the banknotes to the cassette 268a at the second speed, and the banknotes are centered by the centering mechanism 266, so that the banknotes stored in the stacker 267a are stored in an orderly manner in the cassette 268a. The mechanism by which the amount of static electricity charged on the banknotes is reduced by transporting them at the second speed will be described later.

[0040] Next, as indicated by the thick arrow in Fig. 5, the banknotes stored in cassette 268a are transported to stacker 267a via validation unit 265 and centering mechanism 266, and stored therein. The transport of the banknotes at this time is also performed at the second speed by transport unit 264. Also in this case, centering mechanism 266 centers the banknotes based on the result of detection of misalignment by validation unit 265.

[0041] In this way, the banknotes stored in cassette 268a are transported to stacker 267a at the second speed, thereby reducing the amount of static electricity charged on the banknotes, and the centering mechanism 266 centers the banknotes, so that the banknotes stored in cassette 268a are stored neatly in stacker 267a.

[0042] By such a banknote alignment operation, banknotes can be stored in the stacker 267a in an orderly manner. As a result, there is no risk of problems occurring in the stacker 267a, such as stage malfunctions, banknote jams, banknote feed failures, and skewed banknote feed.

[0043] As described above, in the banknote handling unit 26, the amount of static electricity charged to the banknotes is reduced by transporting the banknotes at the second speed. The mechanism for this will be described below.

[0044] In the transport unit 264, banknotes are transported between each unit (for example, between the stacker 267a and the cassette 268a) using a plurality of transport paths. At the connecting portions of the transport paths, banknotes are transferred from the upstream transport path to the downstream transport path.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a typical example of a connecting portion of the transport path.

[0046] 6, each conveyance path 2641 conveys banknotes 31 by two opposing conveyance belts 2642, 2643 that are driven by the rotation of pulleys 2644, 2645 while sandwiching the banknotes 31. For example, conveyance path 2641a conveys banknotes 31 by two opposing conveyance belts 2642a, 2643a that are driven by the rotation of pulleys 2644a, 2645a while sandwiching the banknotes 31.

[0047] Then, at the connecting portion of the conveying path 2641, the banknotes 31 that have been in contact with the conveying belts 2642 and 2643 on the upstream conveying path 2641 are peeled off from the conveying belts 2642 and 2643 and transferred to the downstream conveying path 2641. For example, at the connecting portion between the conveying paths 2641a and 2641b, the banknotes 31 that have been in contact with the conveying belts 2642a and 2643a on the upstream conveying path 2641a are peeled off from the conveying belts 2642a and 2643a and transferred to the downstream conveying path 2641b.

[0048] When the banknotes 31 are peeled off the conveyor belts 2642 and 2643 at this time, the banknotes 31 are charged with static electricity due to peeling electrification. It is generally known that the amount of charge due to peeling electrification depends on the peeling speed. More specifically, when the peeling speed is slow, small electrostatic discharges occur continuously, resulting in a small amount of charge, while when the peeling speed is fast, electrostatic discharge is suppressed, resulting in an increased amount of charge. In other words, the slower the peeling speed, the more continuous small electrostatic discharges occur, resulting in a smaller amount of charge, while the faster the peeling speed, the more electrostatic discharges are suppressed, resulting in an increased amount of charge (until the amount of charge reaches saturation, however).

[0049] In consideration of these characteristics of peeling charge, the banknote processing unit 26 transports banknotes at a slow second speed during banknote alignment operation, thereby continuously generating small electrostatic discharges when the banknotes 31 are peeled from the conveying belts 2642, 2643 at the connecting portion of the conveying path 2641, thereby reducing the amount of electrostatic charge on the banknotes 31.

[0050] As described above, according to this embodiment, the banknotes can be stored in an organized manner in the stacker 267a by the banknote alignment operation described above.

[0051] In this embodiment, the banknote alignment operation may be performed to align the banknotes stored in stacker 267b, 267c, or 267d. In this case, the banknotes stored in stacker 267b, 267c, or 267d are transported back and forth between stacker 267b, 267c, or 267d and cassette 268a at the second speed. Also, in the banknote alignment operation, the banknotes stored in stacker 267a, 267b, 267c, or 267d may be transported back and forth between stacker 267a, 267b, 267c, or 267d and cassette 268b instead of cassette 268a at the second speed.

[0052] In this embodiment, the banknote alignment operation may be performed to align the banknotes stored in cassette 268a or 268b. In this case, the banknotes stored in cassette 268a or 268b may be transported back and forth between stacker 267a, 267b, 267c, or 267d at a second speed.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the banknote alignment operation may be performed, for example, during a period when automatic reconciliation is not performed, when no work is performed by an attendant, or when no transactions with customers are performed in the automated transaction apparatus 1. Note that automatic reconciliation refers to automatically performing cash reconciliation to distinguish between cash stored in the automated transaction apparatus 1 and determine the amount on hand by denomination.

[0054] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Automatic transaction equipment 11 First bill storage compartment 12 Second bill storage compartment 13 Conveying section 14 Control Unit 15 Centering section 21 Control Unit 22 Display Input Unit 23 Passbook Processing Unit 24 Card Processing Unit 25 Coin Handling Unit 26 Banknote processing unit 31 banknotes 211 processor 212 RAM 213 Communication Interface 214 Graphics Processing Unit 215 Storage device 216 Input / Output Interface 217 Bus 221 Display device 222 Touch Panel 261 Banknote deposit and withdrawal section 262 Primary holding department 263, 263a, 263b Reject warehouse 264 Transport Unit 265 Identification Department 266 Centering Mechanism 267, 267a, 267b, 267c, 267d stackers 268, 268a, 268b cassettes 2641, 2641a, 2641b conveying path 2642, 2642a, 2642b conveyor belt 2643, 2643a, 2643b conveyor belt 2644, 2644a, 2644b pulleys 2645, 2645a, 2645b pulleys

Claims

1. a first banknote storage unit; a second banknote storage unit; a transport unit that transports banknotes at least at a first speed or a second speed that is slower than the first speed; a control unit that controls the transport unit to transport the banknotes stored in the first banknote storage unit to the second banknote storage unit at the second speed, and then controls the transport unit to transport the banknotes stored in the second banknote storage unit to the first banknote storage unit at the second speed; An automatic transaction device comprising:

2. a centering unit that centers the banknote being transported at the second speed; 2. The automated transaction device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The control unit performs the control during a trading suspension period.

3. The automatic transaction device according to claim 1 or 2.

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