Paper sheet processor, paper sheet processing system, and paper sheet processing method

Abstract

To provide a paper sheet processor, a paper sheet processing system, and a paper sheet processing method that can simply and smoothly prevent an unusable type of paper sheets from being erroneously processed, even when types of paper sheets that can be used differ for each user such as a store.SOLUTION: A sales deposit machine 10 includes: a paper sheet identification unit for identifying a type of paper sheets to be processed; a storage unit 202 for storing, for each identification information of each user, reference information regarding a type of a gift certificate that cannot be used by each user; a card reader 132 for acquiring identification information of a user who performs processing of the paper sheets; and a control unit 201 for determining whether or not the type of the gift certificate identified by the paper sheet identification unit 115 for the paper sheets to be processed corresponds to the unusable type based on the reference information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the card reader 132, and selectively executing either a normal mode when the type of the gift certificate is usable or an abnormal mode when the type of the gift certificate is unusable, based on the determination result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus, a sheet processing system, and a sheet processing method for processing sheets such as currency and gift certificates. [Background technology]

[0002] In a store, a store clerk uses a cash register to settle the customer's purchases. Recently, stores have been installing payment systems consisting of a reader for purchased items and a self-checkout device. In this payment system, the price of the purchased items read by the reader is reflected in the self-checkout device, and the customer uses the self-checkout device to settle the price of the items they purchased.

[0003] In the above-described payment devices and self-checkout devices, in addition to currency, certain types of vouchers (gift certificates, gift certificates, book vouchers, etc.) that can be used at the store can be used for payment. In this case, the store clerk must check each time whether the voucher that the customer is trying to use for payment is a type of voucher that can be used for payment at the store. Because there are a wide variety of vouchers, this checking process is quite cumbersome for the store clerk.

[0004] The following Patent Document 1 describes a payment device and a self-checkout device that can show a store clerk or customer whether a gift certificate that the customer is trying to use for payment can be used at the store. In this device, whether or not each type of gift certificate can be used is preset. If the payment device or self-checkout device reads a gift certificate of an unusable type, it executes a process to notify the store clerk or customer of this fact. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-174837 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In stores, sheet processing devices are used to manage daily sales. The sheet processing device is installed, for example, in the back yard of the store. A store clerk collects coins and vouchers from the settlement device at a predetermined time and has the collected coins and vouchers processed by the sheet processing device. The sheet processing device counts the processed coins and vouchers to calculate sales and stores the processed coins and vouchers inside.

[0007] In a commercial complex such as a shopping mall or department store where many stores are located, multiple stores may use a single sheet processing device to process coins and coupons. However, the types of coupons that can be used at each store may differ. Therefore, when each store processes coins and coupons using a common sheet processing device, the store must check each sheet to see if any coupons that cannot be used at that store are included in the sheets to be processed, and if any, must remove those coupons from the list of items to be processed. This process is quite cumbersome for store staff.

[0008] In view of such problems, the present invention aims to provide a paper sheet processing device, a paper sheet processing system, and a paper sheet processing method that can easily and smoothly prevent unusable types of paper sheets from being mistakenly processed, even when the types of paper sheets that can be used vary for each user in a store, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus, which includes: a recognition unit that recognizes the type of a sheet to be processed; a storage unit that stores reference information on types of sheets that cannot be used by each user for each user's identification information; an acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the user that processes the sheet; and a control unit that determines whether the type of sheet identified by the recognition unit for the sheet to be processed corresponds to an unusable type based on the reference information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit, and selectively executes a normal mode when the type of sheet is usable or an abnormal mode when the type of sheet is unusable depending on the determination result.

[0010] According to the sheet processing device of this aspect, since reference information is stored for each user's identification information, even if the usable sheets for each user are different, the sheet processing device can determine whether the type of sheet being processed corresponds to a type of sheet that cannot be used by that user, and if the type of sheet being processed corresponds to an unusable type of sheet, an abnormal mode is executed. Therefore, even if each user processes a sheet of an unusable type, it is possible to easily and smoothly prevent the sheet from being processed incorrectly.

[0011] The paper sheet processing device of this embodiment is equipped with an alarm unit that issues a predetermined alarm to the user processing the paper sheets, and the control unit can be configured to notify the alarm unit that the type of paper sheet to be processed is an unusable type in the abnormal mode.

[0012] According to this configuration, the user can know that the paper sheet that he / she has submitted for processing is an unusable paper sheet, and therefore the user can smoothly proceed with the subsequent processing of the paper sheet.

[0013] In the sheet processing apparatus according to this aspect, the control unit may be configured to execute a process of returning the sheet to be processed in the abnormal mode.

[0014] According to this configuration, the user can smoothly proceed with subsequent processing of the returned unusable paper sheets.

[0015] In the paper sheet processing device of this embodiment, the control unit can be configured to accept, in the abnormal mode, a choice of whether to continue processing the paper sheet to be processed, and if the user chooses to continue processing, to perform the same processing on the paper sheet as in the normal mode and to include information about the paper sheet in the history information of unusable paper sheets stored in the memory unit.

[0016] According to this configuration, by selecting to continue processing an unusable type of paper sheet, the user can apply processing similar to that in the normal mode to that type of paper sheet. Furthermore, because the history information includes information that processing similar to that in the normal mode has been applied to an unusable type of paper sheet, the user can appropriately understand that processing in the normal mode has been applied to an unusable type of paper sheet, and can smoothly proceed with processing of that type of paper sheet.

[0017] In the paper sheet processing device of this aspect, the memory unit stores paper sheet information in which the type of paper sheet and characteristic information of the paper sheet are linked for each paper sheet, and the identification unit can be configured to compare the characteristic information acquired from the paper sheet to be processed with the characteristic information in the paper sheet information to identify the type of the paper sheet to be processed, and to link the reference information for each of the identification information to the type of paper sheet in the paper sheet information.

[0018] According to this configuration, the type of paper sheet to be processed can be smoothly identified using the paper sheet information. In addition, since the reference information for each user's identification information is linked to the type of paper sheet in the paper sheet information, it is possible to easily set unusable paper sheets for each user while using the common paper sheet information.

[0019] In the paper sheet processing device according to this aspect, the paper sheet processing device comprises an input section that can input multiple paper sheets at once, a temporary holding section that holds the paper sheets based on the identification result by the identification section, a storage section that stores the paper sheets held in the temporary holding section, and a return section that returns the paper sheets held in the temporary holding section, and the control section is configured to identify the type of all of the paper sheets input into the input section and hold them in the temporary holding section based on the identification result, and then, if none of the paper sheets held in the temporary holding section are of an unusable type, store the paper sheets held in the temporary holding section in the storage section as the normal mode, and, if any of the paper sheets held in the temporary holding section are of an unusable type, return the paper sheets held in the temporary holding section to the return section as the abnormal mode.

[0020] According to this configuration, processing is performed on a plurality of paper sheets at once, which improves user convenience.

[0021] In this case, the paper sheet processing device is provided with an alarm unit that issues a predetermined alarm to the user processing the paper sheets, and the control unit can be configured to notify the alarm unit that the plurality of paper sheets includes an unusable type of paper sheet, along with the type of paper sheet, when the abnormal mode is executed.

[0022] With this configuration, the user can know that the returned paper sheets include unusable paper sheets, along with their types, and can easily remove the unusable paper sheets from the returned paper sheets, allowing the remaining paper sheets to be processed again by the paper sheet processing device.

[0023] Alternatively, the paper sheet processing device may include an input section that can input multiple paper sheets at once, a storage section that stores the paper sheets, and a return section that returns the paper sheets, and the control section may be configured to sequentially identify the type and make the judgment for the multiple paper sheets input into the input section, and to perform a process to store the paper sheets that do not fall into an unusable type in the storage section, and to return the paper sheets that fall into an unusable type to the return section.

[0024] According to this configuration, the usable type of paper sheets can be stored in the storage unit while the unusable type of paper sheets can be returned to the user. Therefore, the user can store the usable type of paper sheets in the paper sheet processing device simply by inserting the multiple sheets, without having to perform the task of removing the unusable type of paper sheets from the multiple sheets.

[0025] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a paper sheet processing system, which includes a recognition unit that identifies the type of paper sheet to be processed, a storage unit that stores reference information on paper sheet types that cannot be used by each user for each user's identification information, an acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the user that processes the paper sheet, a determination unit that determines whether the type of paper sheet identified by the recognition unit for the paper sheet to be processed corresponds to an unusable type based on the reference information that corresponds to the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a mode switching unit that selectively executes a normal mode when the type of paper sheet is usable and an abnormal mode when the type of paper sheet is unusable, depending on the determination result of the determination unit.

[0026] According to the paper sheet processing system of this aspect, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be achieved.

[0027] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a paper sheet processing method in an apparatus or system for processing paper sheets. The paper sheet processing method according to this aspect stores reference information on paper sheet types that cannot be used by each user for each user's identification information, identifies the type of paper sheet to be processed, acquires the identification information of the user who will process the paper sheet, determines whether the type of paper sheet identified by the recognition unit for the paper sheet to be processed corresponds to an unusable type based on the reference information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit, and selectively executes a normal mode when the type of paper sheet is usable or an abnormal mode when the type of paper sheet is unusable depending on the determination result.

[0028] According to the paper sheet processing method of this aspect, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be achieved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper sheet processing device, a paper sheet processing system, and a paper sheet processing method that can easily and smoothly prevent unusable types of paper sheets from being mistakenly processed, even when the types of paper sheets that can be used differ for each user in a store, etc.

[0030] The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments, however, the embodiments shown below are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a usage pattern of a sales deposit machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the sales deposit machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view schematically showing the internal configuration of the sales deposit machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sales deposit machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams showing the configuration of count data of paper sheets stored in a storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams showing the configurations of gift certificate information, user information, and reference information used in processing paper sheets according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of paper sheets in the sales deposit machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of paper sheets in the sales deposit machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a confirmation notification screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an error notification screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of transmitting transmission data to a server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing of paper sheets in the sales deposit machine according to the first modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing of paper sheets in the sales deposit machine according to the first modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a confirmation screen displayed in the error / confirmation notification process according to the first modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing of paper sheets in a sales deposit machine according to the second modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of a selection receiving screen displayed in the selection receiving process according to the second modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the configuration of a confirmation notification screen displayed in the confirmation notification process according to the second modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 18] 18(a) and 18(b) are diagrams showing the configuration of reference information according to the third modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gift certificate processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gift certificate processing server according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the gift certificate processing server in response to reception of request data according to the second embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the configuration of a type error notification screen according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] <Embodiment 1> In the first embodiment, a sales deposit machine 10 is disclosed as an example of a paper sheet processing device. The sales deposit machine 10 accepts and processes paper sheets such as banknotes and coupons, as well as coins. However, the paper sheet processing device according to the present invention is not limited to the sales deposit machine 10 described in the first embodiment below, and may be a device that can process only paper sheets or only coupons.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how a sales deposit machine 10 is used.

[0035] The sales deposit machine 10 is installed in the back yard of the commercial complex F1. The commercial complex F1 houses multiple stores S1, S2, and S3. Each store is equipped with a payment device 21, 22, or 23 for paying for products purchased by customers. For convenience, three stores S1 to S3 are shown in FIG. 1, but the commercial complex F1 may include more stores. Furthermore, the number of payment devices installed in each store is not limited to one, and may be multiple.

[0036] For example, after the end of business hours for the day, a store clerk at each store removes coins and gift certificates from their store's checkout device and has them processed by the sales deposit machine 10. During processing, the clerk has the sales deposit machine 10 read a card that holds identification information that can identify their store. The sales deposit machine 10 associates the read identification information with the processing results of the coins and gift certificates and stores them. The processing results include count data for the processed paper sheets and image data for the processed gift certificates. The sales deposit machine 10 acquires captured images of each paper sheet to identify the paper sheets to be processed. The image data of the gift certificates included in the processing results is the captured image acquired to identify the gift certificates.

[0037] The sales deposit machine 10 can communicate with a server 30 in a management center C1 via an external communication network 40 such as the Internet. The server 30 is a cloud server that manages sales of each store received from multiple sales deposit machines 10. An operator at the management center C1 references the image data of the gift certificate received by the server 30 to check whether the identification results of the gift certificate in the counting data are correct, and if there is an error, corrects the counting data for the gift certificate.

[0038] The management center C1 separately aggregates the sales data of each store. This sales data includes sales made with cash and gift certificates, as well as sales made with credit cards and points. The management center C1 cross-checks the counting data after confirmation from each store with the above sales data. If this cross-check reveals any discrepancies between the counting data and sales data, an operator at the management center C1 will inquire with the corresponding store. If the store is a tenant, the rent for that store is set according to the sales of that store. The tenant is refunded the amount remaining after deducting the rent from the sales.

[0039] When a store's sales include a gift certificate, the management center C1 requests the issuer of the gift certificate for a cash refund according to the face value of the gift certificate. This process is performed by another server of the management center C1. The other server generates request data for each store, including image data of the gift certificate, and sends the generated request data to the server of the issuer of the gift certificate.

[0040] Here, each store can use coupons that have been previously agreed upon with the coupon issuer. Therefore, the types of coupons that can be used at each store may differ from store to store. If a store clerk accidentally settles a transaction using a coupon that cannot be used at their store, they must remove the coupon from the sales slips and have the sales deposit machine 10 process it. If a coupon that cannot be used at the store is mistakenly processed by the sales deposit machine 10, the counting data for that store sent to the server 30 will include data on the coupon that cannot be used at that store. In this case, when the management center C1 requests a cash refund for the coupon from the issuer of the coupon, the issuer will request confirmation from the management center C1, stating that there is no agreement between the issuer and the store regarding the coupon. The management center C1 must respond to these complicated requests one by one.

[0041] Therefore, in this embodiment, the sales deposit machine 10 is provided with a configuration that can prevent cash vouchers that cannot be used in the store from being mistakenly processed by the sales deposit machine 10. This configuration will be described below.

[0042] In the following description, gift certificates are used as examples of the vouchers processed by the sales deposit machine 10. However, the target vouchers are not limited to these, and may be other vouchers that can be used for monetary transactions in the same form as currency, such as gift certificates and book vouchers.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the sales deposit machine 10. As shown in FIG.

[0044] The sales deposit machine 10 includes a paper sheet input section 111, a paper sheet reject section 112, a paper sheet stacker 113, a coin input section 121, a coin reject section 122, a display input section 131, a card reader 132, and a printer 133.

[0045] The paper sheet input unit 111 accepts input of paper sheets to be processed. Multiple paper sheets can be set in the paper sheet input unit 111. The paper sheet input unit 111 takes in the multiple paper sheets set in it one by one. The paper sheets to be processed are banknotes and gift certificates. The paper sheet reject unit 112 ejects paper sheets that have been taken in and whose type cannot be identified. The paper sheet stacker 113 ejects multiple paper sheets that have been taken in and counted in response to a return operation from the user.

[0046] The coin insertion unit 121 accepts coins to be processed. Multiple coins can be inserted into the coin insertion unit 121. The coin insertion unit 121 takes in the multiple inserted coins one by one. The coin reject unit 122 ejects coins that cannot be identified as types among the coins that have been taken in.

[0047] The display input unit 131 displays predetermined information to the user and accepts input from the user in response to the display. The display input unit 131 is configured, for example, with a touch panel. The card reader 132 reads identification information from a card that holds identification information that can identify a store. The printer 133 outputs a receipt on which count information for the processed paper sheets is printed.

[0048] In the configuration of FIG. 2, an IC card capable of reading and writing information using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is used as the card described above. Card reader 132 reads identification information from the card using RFID. The identification information may be any information that can identify the store (user of commercial complex F1). For example, the identification information may be a code assigned to the store or user, or may be identification information attached to the store's cash register. Furthermore, the card and card reader 132 do not need to be RFID-compliant. For example, the card may be configured to hold identification information on a magnetic stripe, and card reader 132 may be configured to read identification information from the magnetic stripe.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view showing a schematic internal configuration of the sales deposit machine 10. As shown in FIG.

[0050] The sales deposit machine 10 is configured to process paper sheets, and includes the paper sheet input section 111, paper sheet rejection section 112, and paper sheet stacker 113 shown in Figure 1, as well as a paper sheet transport section 114, a paper sheet recognition section 115, temporary holding sections 116a and 116b, and paper sheet cassettes 117a and 117b.

[0051] The paper sheet conveying unit 114 conveys paper sheets fed out from the paper sheet input unit 111 to either the paper sheet rejection unit 112, the paper sheet stacker 113, or the temporary holding units 116a and 116b, under control of the control unit 201 (see Figure 3) described below.

[0052] The paper sheet recognition unit 115 captures an image of the paper sheet on the conveying path near the upstream end of the paper sheet conveying unit 114, and transmits the captured image to the control unit 201, which will be described later. The paper sheet recognition unit 115 is equipped with a scanner, and acquires a captured image of the paper sheet conveyed on the conveying path by the scanner.

[0053] The temporary holding units 116a and 116b temporarily hold paper sheets that have not been transported to the paper sheet reject unit 112. Depending on the confirmation of the deposit processing of the paper sheets, the paper sheets held in the temporary holding units 116a and 116b are sent to the paper sheet cassettes 117a and 117b, respectively. The paper sheet cassettes 117a and 117b store the paper sheets sent from the temporary holding units 116a and 116b. When an operation to return the paper sheets taken in from the paper sheet input unit 111 is performed, the paper sheets held in the temporary holding units 116a and 116b are sent to the paper sheet stacker 113 by the paper sheet transport unit 114.

[0054] The sales deposit machine 10 is configured to process coins, and in addition to the coin insertion section 121 and coin rejection section 122 shown in Figure 1, it also includes a coin transport section 123, a coin recognition section 124, temporary holding sections 125a and 125b, coin return sections 126a and 126b, and coin cassettes 127a and 127b.

[0055] The coin transport unit 123 transports coins dispensed from the coin insertion unit 121 to either the coin reject unit 122 or the temporary storage units 125a, 125b under the control of the control unit 201 (see FIG. 3) described below.

[0056] The coin recognition unit 124 captures images of coins on the transport path near the upstream end of the coin transport unit 123, and transmits the captured images to the control unit 201, which will be described later. The coin recognition unit 124 is equipped with a scanner, and uses the scanner to obtain captured images of coins transported on the transport path.

[0057] The escrow units 125a and 125b escrow coins that have not been transported to the coin reject unit 122. Depending on the confirmation of the coin deposit process, the coins escrowed in the escrow units 125a and 125b are sent to the coin cassettes 127a and 127b, respectively. The coin cassettes 127a and 127b store the coins sent from the escrow units 125a and 125b. When an operation is performed to return the coins taken in from the coin insertion unit 121, the coins escrowed in the escrow units 125a and 125b are sent to the coin return units 126a and 126b.

[0058] By pulling the coin reject unit 122 in FIG. 1 forward, it is possible to pull out a unit including the coin reject unit 122 and the coin return units 126a and 126b. This makes it possible to remove coins returned to the coin return units 126a and 126b. Furthermore, by pulling the handle 10a in FIG. 1 forward, it is possible to pull out a unit including the paper sheet cassettes 117a and 117b and the coin cassettes 127a and 127b. This makes it possible to collect the paper sheets and coins stored in the paper sheet cassettes 117a and 117b and the coin cassettes 127a and 127b.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sales deposit machine 10. As shown in FIG.

[0060] In addition to the display input unit 131, card reader 132, and printer 133 shown in Figure 2, the sales deposit machine 10 also includes a control unit 201, a memory unit 202, a communication unit 203, a paper sheet processing unit 204, and a coin processing unit 205.

[0061] The control unit 201 includes an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls each unit according to a program stored in the storage unit 202. The storage unit 202 includes memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a hard disk, and stores the program. The storage unit 202 is also used as a work area when the control unit 201 executes the program. The communication unit 203 communicates with the server 30 under the control of the control unit 201.

[0062] The sheet processing unit 204 includes the components for processing sheets shown in Fig. 3. Specifically, the sheet processing unit 204 includes a sheet input unit 111, a sheet reject unit 112, a sheet stacker 113, a sheet transport unit 114, a sheet recognition unit 115, temporary holding units 116a and 116b, and sheet cassettes 117a and 117b.

[0063] The coin processing unit 205 includes the configuration for processing coins shown in Fig. 3. Specifically, the coin processing unit 205 includes a coin insertion unit 121, a coin rejection unit 122, a coin transport unit 123, a coin recognition unit 124, temporary holding units 125a and 125b, coin return units 126a and 126b, and coin cassettes 127a and 127b.

[0064] In processing paper sheets, the control unit 201 controls the paper sheet input unit 111 so that paper sheets set in the paper sheet input unit 111 are fed out one by one to the paper sheet conveying unit 114. The control unit 201 causes the fed paper sheets to be conveyed by the paper sheet conveying unit 114. During this conveying, the control unit 201 acquires a captured image of the paper sheet from the paper sheet recognition unit 115. The control unit 201 compares the acquired captured image with reference images of paper sheets of each type (denomination and face value) to identify the type of the paper sheet.

[0065] If the type of the paper sheet cannot be identified, the control unit 201 controls the paper sheet transport unit 114 to transport the paper sheet to the paper sheet reject unit 112. If the type of the paper sheet can be identified, the control unit 201 controls the paper sheet transport unit 114 to transport the paper sheet to either the temporary holding unit 116a or 116b. The control unit 201 counts the number of paper sheets for each type whose type has been identified.

[0066] When all the sheets set in the sheet input unit 111 have been transported and counted in this way, the control unit 201 executes either a process of confirming the deposit of these sheets and storing them in the sheet cassettes 117a and 117b, or a process of returning these sheets and not confirming the deposit. These processes will be described later with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0067] In processing coins, the control unit 201 controls the coin insertion unit 121 so that coins set in the coin insertion unit 121 are dispensed one by one to the coin transport unit 123. The control unit 201 causes the dispensed coins to be transported by the coin transport unit 123. During this transport, the control unit 201 acquires a captured image of the coin from the coin recognition unit 124. The control unit 201 compares the acquired captured image with reference images of coins of each type (denomination) to identify the type of the coin.

[0068] If the type of coin cannot be identified, the control unit 201 controls the coin transport unit 123 to transport the coin to the coin reject unit 122. If the type of coin can be identified, the control unit 201 controls the coin transport unit 123 to transport the coin to either the temporary storage unit 125a or 125b. The control unit 201 counts the number of coins of each type whose type can be identified.

[0069] When all coins set in the coin insertion unit 121 have been transported and counted in this way, the control unit 201 accepts an input via the display / input unit 131 as to whether or not to confirm the deposit of these coins. If an input to confirm the deposit is accepted, the control unit 201 stores the count results of these coins in the memory unit 202 as count data to be sent to the server 30, and stores these coins in coin cassettes 127a, 127b. If an input to return these coins without confirming the deposit is accepted, the control unit 201 discards the count results of these coins and stores these coins in the coin return units 126a, 126b.

[0070] 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams showing the structure of the count data of the paper sheets stored in the storage unit 202. FIG.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), counting data is generated for each user ID, which is the store's identification information, and stored in the memory unit 202. The user ID is identification information read from the card by the card reader 132 in FIG. 1 when processing paper sheets. The counting data for each user is configured by linking the counted number of paper sheets for each type processed by the sales deposit machine 10. Here, the type of gift certificate is identified by identification information (gift certificate ID: A0001, etc.) previously attached to the gift certificate.

[0072] Here, gift certificates can be classified into a first category, which is classified by issuer and name of the gift certificate (gift card, local gift certificate, etc.), and a second category, which further subdivides the first category by face value (1,000 yen, 10,000 yen, etc.). The counting data in Figures 5(a) and (b) is constructed by linking the counting results to each type of gift certificate according to the second category. The gift certificate ID "A0001" in Figures 5(a) and (b) is identification information that can identify a gift certificate according to the second category. Therefore, this gift certificate ID can identify the face value of the gift certificate as well as the issuer and name of the gift certificate.

[0073] The count data is sent to the server 30 and is erased from the storage unit 202. Thereafter, when the sales deposit machine 10 processes new paper sheets, the count data corresponding to the counting results is linked to the user ID and stored in the storage unit 202. If the same user processes paper sheets multiple times before the next transmission to the server 30, the count data linked to the user ID of that user is accumulated and updated with each process.

[0074] As described above, the count data for each user ID is further linked to captured images of the gift certificates included in the count data and stored in the storage unit 202. When the count data is transmitted to the server 30, these captured images are also transmitted to the server 30.

[0075] 6(a) to 6(c) are diagrams showing the configuration of various information used in processing paper sheets.

[0076] The gift certificate information in Figure 6(a) is stored in advance in storage unit 202, for example, by the manufacturer of sales deposit machine 10. The gift certificate information covers almost all gift certificates in circulation at the time the gift certificate information is stored in storage unit 202. If a new gift certificate is subsequently circulated, a service person at the manufacturer of sales deposit machine 10 may update and store the gift certificate information, including the new gift certificate, in storage unit 202 at a predetermined timing. Alternatively, control unit 201 of sales deposit machine 10 may periodically access a server that manages gift certificate information, obtain the latest gift certificate information from the server, and update and store the same in storage unit 202.

[0077] As shown in Figure 6(a), gift certificate information is composed of a "gift certificate type," a "gift certificate name," a "gift certificate ID," a "face value," and "face data" linked together. The "gift certificate type" is the type of gift certificate according to the first classification described above. The "gift certificate name" is the name of the gift certificate according to the first classification described above. The "gift certificate ID" is the gift certificate ID described above, which is identification information that can identify a gift certificate according to the second classification. The "face value" is the face value of the gift certificate of the corresponding gift certificate ID.

[0078] "Certificate face data" is data that indicates the characteristics of the corresponding gift certificate. For example, "certificate face data" is information that indicates the feature amount in a specified area on the face of the corresponding gift certificate. In identifying the above-mentioned paper sheets, the control unit 201 compares the certificate face data in the gift certificate information with the captured image of the paper sheet to be processed obtained from the paper sheet identification unit 115, and identifies whether the paper sheet to be processed is a gift certificate with one of the gift certificate IDs in the gift certificate information. The certificate face data may be a reference image of the entire surface of the gift certificate.

[0079] Note that face data for each denomination of banknotes is also stored in the storage unit 202. The face data for a banknote may also be a feature amount of a predetermined area on the banknote, or may be a reference image of the entire surface of the banknote.

[0080] In the above-mentioned identification of paper sheets, the control unit 201 compares these face data with the captured image of the paper sheet to be processed, acquired from the paper sheet identification unit 115, to identify whether the paper sheet to be processed is of a certain type (denomination, gift certificate type). In this identification, the control unit 201 identifies, from all the face data of gift certificates and banknotes, the face data that has the highest consistency with the captured image (feature amounts of the corresponding areas in the captured image). If this highest consistency rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 201 identifies the paper sheet to be processed as the gift certificate or banknote corresponding to the face data. If this highest consistency rate is less than this threshold, the control unit 201 determines that the type of the paper sheet to be processed cannot be identified, and causes the paper sheet reject unit 112 to reject it.

[0081] The user information in FIG. 6(b) is set, for example, by a serviceman of the sales deposit machine 10 and stored in the storage unit 202. The user information is information for managing users (stores) that use the sales deposit machine 10. The user information is configured by linking together a "user ID," a "store type," and a "store name."

[0082] "User ID" is the identification information of the store stored on the card mentioned above. "Store type" is information that distinguishes whether the corresponding store is a store (self-operated) operated by the developer of the commercial complex F1 or a store (tenant) operated by a user other than the developer. "Store name" is the name of the corresponding store.

[0083] The reference information in FIG. 6(c) is set, for example, by a serviceman of the sales deposit machine 10 and stored in the memory unit 202. The reference information specifies whether or not a gift certificate of each "gift certificate type" registered in the gift certificate information can be used by a user (store) using the sales deposit machine 10. The reference information is configured by linking a usability flag between each "gift certificate type" (type A, B, ...) and each "user ID" (U0001, U0002, ...). In FIG. 6(c), "○" indicates usability, and "×" indicates unusability.

[0084] 7 and 8 are flow charts showing the processing of paper sheets in the sales deposit machine 10. FIG.

[0085] 7 is started when the user causes the card reader 132 to read a card, places the paper sheet to be processed in the paper sheet input unit 111, and inputs an instruction to start paper sheet processing into the display input unit 131. When the control unit 201 starts processing of paper sheets (S101: YES), it conveys the paper sheets one by one from the paper sheet input unit 111 and identifies the paper sheets based on the captured image from the paper sheet recognition unit 115 (S102).

[0086] If the sheet cannot be identified (S102: NO), the control unit 201 conveys the sheet from the sheet reject unit 112 (S107). If the sheet can be identified (S103: YES), the control unit 201 conveys the sheet to either the temporary holding unit 116a or 116b (S104), and temporarily stores sheet data consisting of the type of the sheet and a captured image in the storage unit 202 (S105).

[0087] The control unit 201 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S102 to S105 until processing is completed for all of the sheets set in the sheet input unit 111 (S106: NO). When processing is completed for all of the sheets (S106: YES), the control unit 201 executes the process of FIG.

[0088] The control unit 201 compares the paper sheet data temporarily stored in the storage unit 202 with the reference information of the user (see FIG. 6(c)), and determines whether or not the paper sheets to be processed include gift certificates that cannot be used at the user's store (S108). If the determination in step S108 is YES, the control unit 201 executes the abnormal mode process (steps S109 to S112), and if the determination in step S108 is YES, the control unit 201 executes the normal mode process (steps S113 to S118).

[0089] If the determination in step S108 is YES, the control unit 201 transports all of the paper sheets stored in the temporary holding units 116a and 116b to the paper sheet stacker 113 and returns them (S109), and performs an error notification process to notify the user that an unusable gift certificate is included (S110). On the other hand, if the determination in step S108 is YES, the control unit 201 performs a confirmation notification process to confirm with the user whether or not to confirm this deposit process (S113).

[0090] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the confirmation notification screen 300 displayed on the display input unit 131 in step S113 of FIG.

[0091] The confirmation notification screen 300 includes a store display 301 including the identification information (user ID) read from the card by the card reader 132 and the name of the store corresponding to the identification information (see FIG. 6(b)), a total amount 302 of cash (banknotes) processed this time, a total amount 303 of gift certificates processed this time, a total amount 304 of paper sheets processed this time, a cumulative total amount 305 of paper sheets deposited by the user since the previous time the count data was sent to the server 30 and the count data was reset, a message 306 prompting the user to confirm the deposit process, a return button 307, a complete button 308, and an image 309 of the sales deposit machine 10. The total amounts 302, 303, and 304 do not include the amounts of paper sheets that were rejected because they could not be identified.

[0092] If the user wishes to finalize the current deposit process, the user touches the complete button 308. If the user wishes to return all the paper sheets without finalizing the current deposit process, the user touches the return button 307.

[0093] Returning to Fig. 8, when the complete button 308 in Fig. 9 is touched (S114: YES), the control unit 201 stores all of the paper sheets stored in the temporary storage units 116a and 116b in the paper sheet cassettes 117a and 117b (S115). The control unit 201 also updates the count data (see Figs. 5(a) and (b)) with the paper sheet data temporarily stored in the memory unit 202, and then erases the paper sheet data (S116). This causes the control unit 201 to end the current process.

[0094] 9 is touched (S114: NO), the control unit 201 transports all of the paper sheets stored in the temporary holding units 116a and 116b to the paper sheet stacker 113 and returns them (S117), and erases the paper sheet data temporarily stored in the memory unit 202 (S116). This causes the control unit 201 to end the current process.

[0095] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the error notification screen 310 displayed on the display input unit 131 in step S110 of FIG.

[0096] The error notification screen 310 includes a store display 311 similar to that shown in FIG. 9, a message 312 informing the user that the paper sheets being processed include gift certificates that cannot be used at the store, a table 313 displaying the types and numbers of gift certificates that cannot be used, a message 314 informing the user that all paper sheets inserted have been returned and prompting the user to perform further operations, an OK button 315, and an image 316 of the sales deposit machine 10.

[0097] In image 316, an arrow indicates the operation corresponding to the subsequent operation described in message 314, and the position of paper sheet stacker 113 is highlighted (for example, by flashing a predetermined color). Table 313 is configured to be able to display information on three gift certificates at the same time, and if there are four or more unusable gift certificates, a scroll bar is displayed on the right edge.

[0098] After removing the paper sheets from the paper sheet stacker 113, the user removes the gift certificate displayed on the table 313 on the error notification screen 310 and again sets the paper sheets to be processed in the paper sheet input unit 111. In response to this, the user touches the OK button 315 on the error notification screen 310.

[0099] Returning to Fig. 8, when the OK button 315 in Fig. 10 is touched (S111: YES), the control unit 201 erases the paper sheet data temporarily stored in the memory unit 202 (S112). This causes the control unit 201 to end the current process. Thereafter, when the user removes the unusable gift certificate from the returned paper sheets as described above, sets the paper sheets again in the paper sheet insertion unit 111, and inputs to the display input unit 131 to start processing the paper sheets, the processes in Figs. 7 and 8 are executed again.

[0100] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the process of transmitting data to the server 30.

[0101] Here, the transmission data is transmitted in response to a transmission request from server 30. The transmission data includes counting data for each store and captured images of the gift certificates. The transmission request is transmitted from server 30 to sales deposit machine 10 at a predetermined timing, for example, after business hours of commercial complex F1 have ended.

[0102] When the control unit 201 receives a transmission request for transmission data from the server 30 (S201: YES), it determines whether or not the transmission data can be generated (S202). For example, if the sales deposit machine 10 is processing paper sheets when the transmission request is received, the control unit 201 determines NO in step S202. In addition, the determination in step S202 may also be NO if, for example, there is a store that is not processing deposits to the sales deposit machine 10.

[0103] If the control unit 201 is able to generate transmission data when the transmission request is received (S202: YES), it generates the transmission data (S203) and transmits the generated transmission data to the server 30 (S204). If the control unit 201 is not able to generate transmission data when the transmission request is received (S202: NO), it waits until it becomes possible to generate transmission data. Thereafter, when it becomes possible to generate transmission data (S202: YES), the control unit 201 generates transmission data (S203) and transmits the generated transmission data to the server 30 (S204). This causes the control unit 201 to end the processing of FIG. 11.

[0104] When server 30 properly receives the transmission data from sales deposit machine 10, it stores the received transmission data in its own memory and transmits a reception completion response to sales deposit machine 10. Upon receiving this response, control unit 201 of sales deposit machine 10 erases the counting data for each store and the captured image of the gift certificate stored in memory unit 202. In this way, control unit 201 waits for processing of new deposits from each user (store).

[0105] <Effects of the First Embodiment> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, 6(c), 7 and 8, the sales deposit machine 10 (paper sheet processing device) includes a paper sheet recognition unit 115 (recognition unit) that recognizes the type of paper sheet to be processed, a storage unit 202 that stores reference information on the type of gift certificate (paper sheet) that cannot be used at each user (store S1 to S3) for each user ID (identification information) of each user, a card reader 132 (acquisition unit) that acquires the user ID (identification information) of the user who processes the paper sheet, and a card reader 132 (acquisition unit) that recognizes the gift certificate (paper sheet) to be processed by the paper sheet recognition unit 115. The control unit 201 determines whether the type of the gift certificate (paper sheet) identified by the card reader 132 (identification unit) corresponds to an unusable type (S108) based on reference information corresponding to the user ID (identification information) acquired by the card reader 132 (acquisition unit), and selectively executes a normal mode (S113 to S118) when the type of gift certificate (paper sheet) is usable (S108: NO) or an abnormal mode (S109 to S112) when the type of gift certificate (paper sheet) is unusable depending on the determination result.

[0106] According to this configuration, because reference information is stored for each user ID (identification information), even if the gift certificates (paper sheets) that can be used by each user are different, the sales deposit machine 10 (paper sheet processing device) can determine whether the type of gift certificate (paper sheet) that has been processed corresponds to a type of gift certificate (paper sheet) that cannot be used by that user, and if it corresponds to a type of gift certificate (paper sheet) that cannot be used, the abnormal mode (S109 to S112) is executed. Therefore, even if each user processes a gift certificate (paper sheet) of an unusable type, it is possible to easily and smoothly prevent the gift certificate (paper sheet) from being erroneously processed.

[0107] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, 8 and 10, the sales deposit machine 10 (paper sheet processing device) is equipped with a display input unit 131 (notification unit) that issues a predetermined notification to the user processing the paper sheets, and in the abnormal mode (S109 to S112), the control unit 201 causes the display input unit 131 (notification unit) to notify that the type of gift certificate (paper sheet) to be processed is an unusable type (S110, error notification screen 310).

[0108] This configuration allows the user to know that the gift certificate (paper sheet) that he or she has submitted for processing is an unusable gift certificate (paper sheet), allowing the user to smoothly proceed with subsequent processing of the gift certificate (paper sheet).

[0109] As shown in FIG. 8, in the abnormal mode (S109 to S112), the control unit 201 executes a process (S109) of returning the gift certificate (paper sheet) to be processed.

[0110] According to this configuration, the user can smoothly proceed with subsequent processing of the returned unusable gift certificate (paper sheet).

[0111] As shown in Figure 6(a), the memory unit 202 stores gift certificate information (paper sheet information) in which the type of gift certificate (paper sheet) and the face data (characteristic information) of the gift certificate (paper sheet) are linked for each gift certificate (paper sheet), and the paper sheet identification unit 115 (identification unit) compares the captured image (characteristic information) acquired from the gift certificate (paper sheet) to be processed with the face data (characteristic information) in the gift certificate information (paper sheet information) to identify the type of gift certificate (paper sheet) to be processed, and as shown in Figure 6(c), reference information for each user ID (identification information) is linked to the type of gift certificate (paper sheet) in the gift certificate information (paper sheet information).

[0112] According to this configuration, the type of the gift certificate (paper sheet) to be processed can be smoothly identified using the gift certificate information (paper sheet information). Also, since the reference information for each user's user ID (identification information) is linked to the type of gift certificate (paper sheet) in the gift certificate information (paper sheet information), it is possible to easily set unusable gift certificates (paper sheets) for each user using the common gift certificate information (paper sheet information).

[0113] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the sales deposit machine 10 (paper sheet processing device) comprises a paper sheet input section 111 (input section) into which multiple paper sheets including gift certificates can be input all at once, temporary holding sections 116a, 116b that hold paper sheets based on the recognition results by a paper sheet recognition section 115 (recognition section), paper sheet cassettes 117a, 117b (storage sections) that store the paper sheets held in the temporary holding sections 116a, 116b, and a paper sheet stacker 113 (return section) that returns the paper sheets held in the temporary holding sections 116a, 116b. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the control unit 201 performs the process of identifying the type of all paper sheets inserted into the paper sheet insert unit 111 (insertion unit) (S102) and storing them in the temporary storage units 116a and 116b based on the identification results (S103, S104) (S106: YES). If none of the gift certificates (paper sheets) stored in the temporary storage units 116a and 116b is of an unusable type (S108: NO), the control unit 201 performs the process of identifying the type of all paper sheets inserted into the paper sheet insert unit 111 (insertion unit) (S106: YES). In normal mode, the multiple paper sheets held in temporary holding units 116a and 116b are stored in paper sheet cassettes 117a and 117b (storage units) (S115), and if any of the gift certificates (paper sheets) held in temporary holding units 116a and 116b are of an unusable type (S108: YES), in abnormal mode, the multiple paper sheets held in temporary holding units 116a and 116b are returned to paper sheet stacker 113 (return unit).

[0114] According to this configuration, processing is performed on a plurality of paper sheets at once, which improves user convenience.

[0115] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the sales deposit machine 10 (paper sheet processing device) is equipped with a display input unit 131 (alert unit) that provides predetermined alerts to the user processing the paper sheets, and as shown in Figures 8(b) and 10, when the abnormal mode (S109 to S112) is executed, the control unit 201 causes the display input unit 131 (alert unit) to notify that the multiple paper sheets include an unusable type of paper sheet, along with the type of paper sheet (S110, error alert screen 310).

[0116] With this configuration, the user can know that the multiple sheets contain gift certificates (sheets) of an unusable type, along with the type of gift certificate. Therefore, the user can easily remove the unusable type of gift certificates from the multiple returned sheets, and can again process the remaining sheets in the sales deposit machine 10 (sheet processing device).

[0117] <Change example 1> In the above-described first embodiment, if the processed paper sheets include an unusable gift certificate, all of the paper sheets are temporarily returned, and the user removes the unusable gift certificate. In contrast, in the first modification, if a paper sheet being transported through paper sheet transport unit 114 is an unusable gift certificate, the gift certificate is transported to paper sheet stacker 113 and returned, and the other paper sheets are transported to temporary holding units 116a and 116b.

[0118] 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the processing of paper sheets in the sales deposit machine 10 according to the first modified example.

[0119] The flowchart in FIG. 12 includes steps S121 and S122 added to the flowchart in FIG.

[0120] That is, the control unit 201 determines whether the paper sheet being transported by the paper sheet transport unit 114 is a gift certificate that cannot be used at the store, based on the reference information in FIG. 6(c) (S121). If the determination in step S121 is YES, the control unit 201 transports the gift certificate to the paper sheet stacker 113 and returns it (S122). In this case, step S105 is skipped, and the paper sheet data for the gift certificate is not stored. If the determination in step S121 is NO, the control unit 201 executes the processes from step S104 onwards in the same manner as described above.

[0121] In the flowchart of FIG. 13, steps S109 to S112 are omitted and step S123 is added compared to the flowchart of FIG.

[0122] If the paper sheets processed this time include a gift certificate that cannot be used at the store (S108: YES), that is, if the judgment of step S121 in Figure 12 is YES at least once, the control unit 201 executes error / confirmation notification processing (S123).

[0123] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a confirmation screen 320 displayed on the display input unit 131 in the error / confirmation notification process.

[0124] Here, confirmation screen 320 is displayed superimposed on confirmation notification screen 300 in Fig. 9 . Alternatively, confirmation screen 320 may be displayed in the entire display area of ​​display input unit 131. Confirmation screen 320 includes message 321 notifying that gift certificates that cannot be used at the store have been returned to paper sheet stacker 113, table 322 similar to table 313 in Fig. 10 , and OK button 323. After the user understands from confirmation screen 320 that the gift certificates that cannot be used at the store have been returned and the type and number of the returned gift certificates, they touch OK button 323. As a result, confirmation screen 320 disappears and confirmation notification screen 300 is displayed.

[0125] 13, when confirmation screen 320 disappears and confirmation notification screen 300 is displayed, control unit 201 executes the process from step S114 onwards. The process from step S114 onwards is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0126] In the first modification, step S122 in FIG. 12 and step S123 in FIG. 13 correspond to the abnormal mode processing, and steps S104 and S105 in FIG. 12 and steps S113 to S118 in FIG. 13 correspond to the normal mode processing.

[0127] <Effects of Change Example 1> 2 and 3, the sales deposit machine 10 (paper sheet processing device) includes a paper sheet input unit 111 (input unit) into which multiple paper sheets including gift certificates can be input at once, paper sheet cassettes 117a and 117b (storage units) that store the paper sheets, and a paper sheet stacker 113 (return unit) that returns the paper sheets. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the control unit 201 sequentially identifies the type of multiple paper sheets input into the paper sheet input unit 111 (input unit) (S102, S103) and determines whether they can be used (S121), and executes a process to store gift certificates (paper sheets) that do not fall into an unusable type in the paper sheet cassettes 117a and 117b (storage units) (S104), and executes a process to return gift certificates (paper sheets) that fall into an unusable type to the paper sheet stacker 113 (return unit) (S122).

[0128] According to this configuration, usable types of gift certificates (paper sheets) can be stored in paper sheet cassettes 117a, 117b (storage units) while unusable types of gift certificates (paper sheets) can be returned to the user. Therefore, the user can store paper sheets including usable types of gift certificates in sales deposit machine 10 (paper sheet processing device) simply by inserting multiple paper sheets including gift certificates, without having to perform the task of removing unusable types of gift certificates (paper sheets) from the multiple paper sheets.

[0129] In addition, in abnormal mode, the control unit 201 executes a process to return the unusable gift certificate (paper sheet) that was the subject of processing (S122), so that the user can smoothly proceed with subsequent processing of the returned unusable paper sheet.

[0130] <Change example 2> In the first embodiment, if the processed paper sheets include an unusable gift certificate, all of the paper sheets are temporarily returned, and the group of paper sheets from which the unusable gift certificates have been removed is set in the paper sheet input unit 111, and processing of the paper sheets is executed again. In contrast, in the first modified example, even if the processed paper sheets include an unusable gift certificate, the deposit processing of the paper sheets including this gift certificate continues at the user's option.

[0131] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing of paper sheets in the sales deposit machine 10 according to the second modification.

[0132] In the second modification, the same processing as in Fig. 7 is executed, but the subsequent processing is changed from the processing in Fig. 8 to the processing in Fig. 15. The flowchart in Fig. 15 adds steps S131 to S139 to the flowchart in Fig. 8. Note that the processing in normal mode when the determination in step S108 is NO is the same as steps S113 to S118 in Fig. 8.

[0133] If the currently processed paper sheets include a gift certificate that cannot be used at the store (S108: YES), the control unit 201 executes a selection acceptance process (S131).

[0134] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of a selection receiving screen 330 displayed in the selection receiving process.

[0135] Selection acceptance screen 330 includes a store display 331 similar to store display 301 in Fig. 9, a message 332 informing the user that the paper sheets to be processed include gift certificates that cannot be used at the store, a table 333 displaying the types and numbers of the unusable gift certificates, a message 334 inquiring the user as to whether or not to continue processing the paper sheets inserted this time, a continue button 335, a cancel button 336, and an image 337 of the sales deposit machine 10. Table 333 has the same configuration as table 313 in Fig. 10. Message 334 includes a message informing the user that if processing is continued, information about the unusable gift certificates will remain in the history information of unusable gift certificates that have been processed in the same way as in normal mode.

[0136] The user decides whether or not to continue processing the current paper sheet by referring to the selection acceptance screen 330. The user touches a continue button 335 if they want to continue processing, and touches a stop button 336 if they want to stop processing.

[0137] 15, if the cancel button 336 in FIG. 16 is touched (S132: NO), the control unit 201 executes the process from step S109 onwards. The process from step S109 onwards is the same as that in the first embodiment. In this case, all the paper sheets are returned, and a deposit operation is performed again on the group of paper sheets from which the unusable gift certificates have been removed.

[0138] If the continue button 335 in FIG. 16 is touched (S132: YES), the control unit 201 executes a confirmation notification process (S133).

[0139] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the configuration of a confirmation notification screen 300 displayed on the display input unit 131 in the confirmation notification process in step S133 of FIG.

[0140] Compared to the confirmation notification screen 300 in Figure 9, the confirmation notification screen 300 in Figure 17 has an additional message 306a informing the user that an unusable gift certificate will be deposited. The user refers to the confirmation notification screen 300 in Figure 17 and touches either the return button 307 or the complete button 308.

[0141] 15, if the complete button 308 in Fig. 17 is touched (S134: YES), the control unit 201 executes the processes of steps S134 to S137, and if the return button 307 in Fig. 17 is touched, the control unit 201 executes the processes of steps S138 and S139. The processes of steps S135 and S136 are the same as the processes of steps S115 and S116 in Fig. 8, and the processes of steps S138 and S139 are the same as the processes of S117 and S118 in Fig. 8.

[0142] In step S137, the control unit 201 includes information about the unusable gift certificate deposited this time in the history information about the unusable paper sheets that have been processed in the same way as in the normal mode, which is stored in the storage unit 202 separately from the counting data. That is, in the second modified example, this history information is stored in the storage unit 202 separately from the counting data of Figures 5(a) and (b).

[0143] This history information may include the type, face value, captured image, and processing date and time of the unusable gift certificate. The history information is stored in the storage unit 202 separately for each user (each user ID). In this case, in the process of FIG. 11, this history information is also transmitted to the server 30 together with the transmission data.

[0144] <Effects of Change Example 2> As shown in Figure 15, in abnormal mode processing when the judgment in step S108 is YES, the control unit 201 accepts a choice of whether to continue processing the unusable gift certificate (paper sheet) that is the target of processing (S132), and if the user selects to continue processing (S132: YES), the control unit 201 performs the same processing as in normal mode on the paper sheet, and includes information about the unusable gift certificate (paper sheet) in the history information of the unusable gift certificate (paper sheet) stored in the memory unit 202.

[0145] According to this configuration, by selecting to continue processing a gift certificate (paper sheet) of an unusable type, the user can apply the same deposit processing to the gift certificate (paper sheet) as in the normal mode. Furthermore, the fact that processing similar to the normal mode has been applied to the gift certificate (paper sheet) of an unusable type is included in the history information and transmitted to server 30, so server 30 can appropriately understand that processing in the normal mode has been applied to the gift certificate (paper sheet) of an unusable type, and can smoothly proceed with processing of the gift certificate (paper sheet).

[0146] <Change example 3> The reference information set for each store is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 6(c).

[0147] For example, as shown in Fig. 18(a), each store (user ID) may be linked to a type of gift certificate that cannot be used, or each store (user ID) may be linked to a type of gift certificate that can be used.

[0148] Also, as shown in Figure 18(b), stores that accept the same type of usable gift certificates may be grouped together. In the example of Figure 18(b), privately owned stores are grouped together, and tenant stores are grouped together. Stores in the same group accept the same type of usable gift certificates.

[0149] <Embodiment 2> In the second embodiment, a voucher processing system 1 is disclosed as an example of a paper sheet processing system. The voucher processing system 1 processes vouchers. However, the paper sheet processing system according to the present invention is not limited to the voucher processing system 1 described in the second embodiment below, and may be a system capable of processing paper sheets and vouchers, or only paper sheets.

[0150] In the second embodiment, an image of a gift certificate captured by a mobile terminal is sent to a server, and the server determines whether the gift certificate can be used. The gift certificate may be a gift certificate, as in the first embodiment, but may also include other types of gift certificates.

[0151] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gift certificate processing system 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0152] For convenience, Figure 19 illustrates three mobile terminals 51-53 out of many mobile terminals that communicate with the gift certificate processing server 60, and three issuing servers 81-83 out of many issuing servers that communicate with the transaction processing server 70. Figure 19 also illustrates one of many commercial complexes, commercial facility F1, that uses the gift certificate processing system.

[0153] The gift certificate processing system 1 comprises mobile terminals 51-53 and a gift certificate processing server 60. The mobile terminals 51-53 are used by staff at stores S1-S3 included in the commercial complex F1. The mobile terminals 51-53 are mobile phones or tablet terminals equipped with cameras, etc. An application program for the gift certificate processing system 1 is installed on the mobile terminals 51-53.

[0154] The store clerk takes an image of the cash voucher to be processed using a mobile terminal 51-53 and transmits the captured image of the cash voucher to the cash voucher processing server 60. Based on the received captured image, the cash voucher processing server identifies the type and face value of the cash voucher corresponding to the captured image and generates claim data for receiving a refund for the face value of the cash voucher. The claim data includes the captured image received from the mobile terminal 51-53, the identified type and face value of the cash voucher, and store information for the user who transmitted the captured image. The identification results of the cash voucher type and face value included in the claim data are confirmed by an operator of the cash voucher processing server 60 by referring to the captured image and corrected as appropriate.

[0155] The cash voucher processing server 60 transmits the billing data that has been confirmed by the operator to the transaction processing server 70. The transaction processing server 70 transmits the received billing data to the issuer servers 81 to 83 managed by the issuers of the cash vouchers.

[0156] The issuing servers 81-83 refer to the captured image and store information included in the claim data to determine whether the claim is valid. Specifically, the issuing servers 81-83 determine whether the captured image matches a reference image of any gift certificate issued by the issuer, and if so, determine whether the store corresponding to the received store information can use the gift certificate from that issuer. If all of these determinations are YES, a further determination is made as to whether the face value included in the claim data is valid. If all of these determinations are YES, the claim is deemed valid and the refund is processed. If any of the determinations are NO, a confirmation request is sent from the issuing servers 81-83 to the gift certificate processing server 60.

[0157] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the configuration of a gift certificate processing server 60 according to the second embodiment.

[0158] For convenience, Figure 20 shows the mobile terminal 51, transaction processing server 70, and issuing server 81 along with the gift certificate processing server 60. The mobile terminal 51 has a display input unit 51a consisting of a touch panel and a camera 51b capable of capturing images of gift certificates. The gift certificate processing server 60 is capable of communicating with the mobile terminal 51, transaction processing server 70, and issuing server 81 via the external communication network 40. The mobile terminal 51 transmits to the gift certificate processing server 60 request data including an image of the gift certificate to be processed, captured by user operation, and identification information (user ID) of the store (user).

[0159] The gift certificate processing server 60 comprises a control unit 601, a storage unit 602, and a communication unit 603. The control unit 601 comprises an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU, and executes control according to a program stored in the storage unit 602. The storage unit 602 comprises memory such as a ROM, RAM, and hard disk, and stores the program. The storage unit 602 is also used as a work area when the control unit 601 executes control processing. The storage unit 602 also stores gift certificate information, user information, and reference information having the same configuration as the gift certificate information, user information, and reference information in Figures 6(a) to (c). The reference information may have the same configuration as Figure 18(a) or Figure 18(b).

[0160] Using the programs stored in the storage unit 602, the control unit 601 executes the functions of a voucher type identification unit 601a, a user ID acquisition unit 601b, a usability determination unit 601c, and a mode switching unit 601d.

[0161] The gift certificate type identification unit 601a acquires a captured image of the gift certificate from the request data received from the mobile terminal 51, and compares the acquired captured image with the gift certificate information to identify the type and face value of the gift certificate. The user ID acquisition unit 601b acquires identification information (user ID) of the store (user) that made the request from the request data received from the mobile terminal 51. The usability determination unit 601c compares the denomination identified by the gift certificate type identification unit 601a, the user ID acquired by the user ID acquisition unit 601b, and reference information stored in the storage unit 602, and determines whether the gift certificate corresponding to the captured image is usable at the user's store. The mode switching unit 601d selectively executes a normal mode when the type of paper sheet in question is usable, or an abnormal mode when the type of paper sheet in question is not usable, depending on the determination result of the usability determination unit 601c.

[0162] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the voucher processing server 60 in response to receiving request data.

[0163] In the flowchart of Fig. 21, the process of step S302 is executed by the function of user ID acquisition unit 601b, the processes of steps S303 and S304 are executed by the function of coupon type identification unit 601a, the process of step S305 is executed by the function of usability determination unit 601c, and the processes of steps S306 to S308 are executed by the function of mode switching unit 601d. The processes of steps S306 and S307 correspond to normal mode, and the process of step S308 corresponds to abnormal mode. The following description will be given assuming that control unit 601 executes the process of Fig. 21 using these functions.

[0164] When the control unit 601 receives the request data from the mobile terminal 51 constituting the gift certificate processing system 1 (S301: YES), it acquires the user ID from the received request data (S302). The control unit 601 compares the captured image of the gift certificate included in the request data with the gift certificate information stored in the storage unit 602, and identifies the type of gift certificate corresponding to the captured image (S304). The method of identifying the gift certificate is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0165] If the type of the gift certificate cannot be identified from the captured image (S304: NO), the control unit 201 transmits a response (identification error response) to the mobile terminal 51 that transmitted the request data to notify that the type of gift certificate could not be identified (S309), and terminates the processing in Fig. 21. In response to receiving the identification error response, the mobile terminal 51 that transmitted the request displays an identification error notification screen to notify the user that the type of gift certificate could not be identified.

[0166] If the type of the gift certificate can be identified based on the captured image (S304: YES), the control unit 601 compares the identified type with the user ID acquired in step S302 and the reference information stored in the storage unit 602 to determine whether the gift certificate is usable (S305). If the gift certificate is usable (S305: YES), the control unit 601 generates claim data and transmits it to the transaction processing server 70 (S306). This claim data is transmitted from the transaction processing server 70 to the corresponding issuer server, as described above. The control unit 601 transmits a response (normal response) notifying the user that the claim process has been completed successfully to the mobile terminal 51 that transmitted the request data (S307), and the processing of FIG. 21 ends. In response to receiving the normal response, the transmission source mobile terminal 51 displays a normal notification screen to notify the user that the refund request for the gift certificate has been completed successfully.

[0167] If the coupon is unusable (S305: NO), the control unit 601 transmits a response (type error response) to notify the user of this fact to the mobile terminal 51 that transmitted the request data (S308), and terminates the processing in Fig. 21. In response to receiving the type error response, the mobile terminal 51 that transmitted the request displays a type error notification screen to notify the user that the type of coupon was not appropriate.

[0168] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the configuration of the type error notification screen 400.

[0169] The type error notification screen 400 includes a message 401 informing the user that the requested gift certificate cannot be used at the store, a type display 402 indicating the type of gift certificate that is the subject of the request, and an OK button 403. By referring to the type error notification screen 400, the user can understand that the gift certificate for which the user has requested a refund cannot be used at the user's store. This allows the user to smoothly proceed with subsequent actions regarding the gift certificate.

[0170] On the normal notification screen in step S307 of Fig. 21, a message informing that the refund request has been successfully made may be displayed instead of message 401 of Fig. 22. Also, on the identification error notification screen in step S309 of Fig. 21, a message informing that the cash voucher to be processed could not be identified may be displayed instead of message 401 of Fig. 22, and type display 402 may be omitted.

[0171] <Effects of the Second Embodiment> As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the voucher processing system 1 (paper sheet processing system) includes a voucher type identification unit 601a (identification unit) that identifies the type of voucher (paper sheet) to be processed, a storage unit 602 that stores reference information on the type of paper sheet that cannot be used at each user's store for each user's identification information, a user ID acquisition unit 601b (acquisition unit) that acquires the user ID (identification information) of the user who processes the paper sheet, and a voucher type identification unit 601c (identification unit) that identifies the voucher (paper sheet) to be processed by the voucher type identification unit 601a (identification unit). a usability determination unit 601c (determination unit) that determines whether the type of the coupon (paper sheet) corresponds to an unusable type based on reference information corresponding to the user ID (identification information) acquired by a user ID acquisition unit 601b (acquisition unit), and a mode switching unit 601d that selectively executes a normal mode (S306, S307) when the type of coupon (paper sheet) is usable (S305: YES) and an abnormal mode (S308) when the type of coupon (paper sheet) is unusable, depending on the determination result of the usability determination unit 601c (determination unit).

[0172] According to this configuration, reference information similar to that shown in Fig. 6(c) is stored in the storage unit 602 for each user ID (identification information) of a user, so even if the vouchers (paper sheets) that can be used by each user are different, the voucher processing server 60 can determine whether the type of voucher (paper sheet) being processed corresponds to a type of voucher (paper sheet) that cannot be used by that user, and if it corresponds to a type of unusable paper sheet, the abnormal mode (S308) is executed. Therefore, even if each user processes a voucher (paper sheet) of an unusable type, it is possible to easily and smoothly prevent the voucher (paper sheet) from being erroneously processed.

[0173] <Other change examples> In the above-described first and second embodiments, cash vouchers are shown as non-money items to be processed, but the items to be processed are not limited to cash vouchers and may be coupons, discount vouchers, etc. Also, banknotes such as 2,000 yen notes and old banknotes may be set as unusable paper sheets for each store.

[0174] In the first embodiment, the sheet processing device is exemplified by the sales deposit machine 10 installed in the backroom of the commercial complex F1. However, the sheet processing device according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a centralized cash register shared by multiple stores. In this case, the centralized cash register may obtain the user ID of the product to be processed from management information linking the store (user) identification information (user ID) with the store's product group, and determine whether the customer's intended use of the gift certificate is appropriate based on reference information configured similarly to that shown in FIG. 6(c).

[0175] In addition, in the above embodiments 1 and 2, it was determined whether each store (user) could use the type of gift certificate to be processed, but if it could, the expiration date could be obtained from the captured image of the gift certificate, and it could be determined whether the processing date was within the expiration date.

[0176] 7, paper sheets that were not recognized (S103: NO) were transported to the paper sheet rejection unit 112 (S107). However, this is not limiting, and even if the paper sheets were recognized (S103: YES), paper sheets that are not currently in circulation, such as old bills, may be transported to the paper sheet rejection unit 112 without being transported to the escrow units 116a and 116b. Paper sheets that should be reserved in the escrow units 116a and 116b based on the recognition result by the paper sheet recognition unit 115 may be limited to paper sheets of generally usable types.

[0177] 11, if it is not possible to generate the transmission data when the transmission request is received, the transmission data is generated and transmitted to the server 30 when it becomes possible to generate the transmission data thereafter, but the timing of transmitting the transmission data to the server 30 is not limited to this. For example, the transmission data may be generated and transmitted to the server 30 after a processing time has elapsed since it becomes possible to generate the transmission data, or, if a specification of the transmission date and time for the transmission data is received from the server 30, the transmission data may be transmitted at that date and time.

[0178] In addition, in the above modification example 1, when the OK button 323 is touched on the confirmation screen 320 shown in Figure 14, the confirmation notification screen 300 is displayed and the deposit operation from the user is accepted, but the confirmation notification screen 300 displayed at this time may also include content similar to the message 321 and table 322 on the confirmation screen 320.

[0179] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the processing of Figures 7 and 8 was performed by the control unit 201 of the sales deposit machine 10, but this processing may also be shared between a control device provided separately from the sales deposit machine 10 and the control unit 201.

[0180] For example, the control unit 201 of the sales deposit machine 10 may transmit a captured image of the gift certificate to be processed together with the user ID to the control device, and the control device may execute the process of step S108 in Fig. 8 and transmit a determination result as to whether each gift certificate can be used to the control unit 201. If the control unit 201 receives a determination result that any of the gift certificates cannot be used, it executes the process from step S109 onwards (abnormal mode), and if it receives a determination result that all of the gift certificates can be used, it executes the process from step S113 onwards (normal mode). In this case, the control device may store reference information similar to that shown in Fig. 6(c) in its own storage unit.

[0181] In this configuration, the sales deposit machine 10 and the control device constitute the paper sheet processing system according to the present invention. The control device may be installed in the commercial complex F1, or may be installed outside the commercial complex F1 and be able to communicate with the sales deposit machine 10 via an external communication network. In the latter case, the control device may perform the above-mentioned processing by communicating with multiple sales deposit machines 10 installed in multiple commercial complexes. The division of processing between the control unit 201 of the sales deposit machine 10 and the control device is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and the control device may perform the processing independently. In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the processing of FIG. 21 may also be divided between the control unit 601 and the control unit of the mobile terminal 51.

[0182] Furthermore, the device and system configurations and the configurations of various screens shown in the above-described first and second embodiments and their respective modifications are merely examples, and other configurations may be used. For example, in the above-described first embodiment, the paper sheet rejection unit 112 and the paper sheet stacker 113 are individually provided in the sales deposit machine 10. However, only one of them may be provided and used for both rejecting and returning paper sheets. Furthermore, when various screens are displayed, a voice corresponding to a message on the screen may be output to notify the user. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a paper sheet processing device that accepts only cash vouchers, and this device may have a configuration similar to the configuration for processing paper sheets shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. This device does not necessarily have to be configured to accept multiple cash vouchers at once; it may be configured to accept cash vouchers one by one.

[0183] In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0184] 1. Voucher processing system (paper processing system) 10 Sales deposit machine (paper sheet processing device) 51~53 Mobile devices 51a Display input unit (notification unit) 115 Paper sheet recognition unit (recognition unit) 131 Display input unit (notification unit) 132 Card reader (acquisition unit) 111 Paper sheet input section (input section) 116a, 116b Temporary holding section 117a, 117b Paper cassette (storage section) 113 Paper sheet stacker (return section) 201 Control Unit 202 Storage section 601 Control Unit 601a Coupon type identification unit (identification unit) 601b User ID acquisition unit (acquisition unit) 601c Usability judgment part 601d Mode switching section 602 Storage section

Claims

1. a recognition unit for identifying the type of paper sheets to be processed; a storage unit that stores reference information relating to types of paper sheets that cannot be used by each user for each user's identification information; an acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the user who processes the paper sheets; a control unit that determines whether the type of paper sheet identified by the recognition unit for the paper sheet to be processed corresponds to an unusable type based on the reference information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit, and selectively executes a normal mode when the type of paper sheet is usable and an abnormal mode when the type of paper sheet is unusable depending on the determination result. A paper sheet processing apparatus characterized by:

2. 2. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, a notification unit that issues a predetermined notification to the user who processes the paper sheets; the control unit, in the abnormal mode, causes the notification unit to notify that the type of the paper sheet to be processed is an unusable type. A paper sheet processing apparatus characterized by:

3. 2. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, the control unit executes a process of returning the paper sheet to be processed in the abnormal mode. A paper sheet processing apparatus characterized by:

4. 2. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, the control unit, in the abnormal mode, accepts a selection of whether or not to continue processing the paper sheet to be processed, and if the user selects to continue processing, executes the same processing as in the normal mode for the paper sheet, and includes information about the paper sheet in history information about unusable paper sheets stored in the storage unit. A paper sheet processing apparatus characterized by:

5. 2. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, the storage unit stores paper sheet information in which the type of paper sheet and characteristic information of the paper sheet are linked for each paper sheet; the identification unit identifies the type of the paper sheet to be processed by comparing the characteristic information acquired from the paper sheet to the characteristic information in the paper sheet information; the reference information for each of the identification information is linked to the type of the paper sheet in the paper sheet information; A paper sheet processing apparatus characterized by:

6. 2. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, An input section that can input multiple paper sheets at once; a temporary storage unit that stores the paper sheets based on the recognition result by the recognition unit; a storage unit that stores the paper sheets stored in the temporary storage unit; a return unit that returns the paper sheets stored in the temporary storage unit, The control unit After identifying the type of all the paper sheets inserted into the insertion unit and storing them in the temporary storage unit based on the identification result, If none of the paper sheets reserved in the temporary storage unit is of an unusable type, the normal mode is set, and the paper sheets reserved in the temporary storage unit are stored in the storage unit; If any of the paper sheets reserved in the temporary storage unit corresponds to an unusable type, the abnormal mode is set and the paper sheets reserved in the temporary storage unit are returned to the return unit. A paper sheet processing apparatus characterized by:

7. 7. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6, a notification unit that issues a predetermined notification to the user who processes the paper sheets; the control unit, when executing the abnormal mode, causes the notification unit to notify that the plurality of sheets includes an unusable type of sheet, together with the type of the unusable type of sheet. A paper sheet processing apparatus characterized by:

8. 2. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, An input section that can input multiple paper sheets at once; a storage section for storing paper sheets; a return unit that returns the paper sheets, The control unit sequentially identifies the type of the plurality of paper sheets inserted into the insertion unit and performs the determination, and executes a process of storing the paper sheets that do not fall into an unusable type in the storage unit, and executes a process of returning the paper sheets that fall into an unusable type to the return unit. A paper sheet processing apparatus characterized by:

9. a recognition unit for identifying the type of paper sheets to be processed; a storage unit that stores reference information relating to types of paper sheets that cannot be used by each user for each user's identification information; an acquisition unit that acquires the identification information of the user who processes the paper sheets; a determination unit that determines whether the type of the paper sheet identified by the recognition unit for the paper sheet to be processed corresponds to an unusable type based on the reference information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a mode switching unit that selectively executes a normal mode when the type of the paper sheet is usable and an abnormal mode when the type of the paper sheet is unusable, depending on the determination result of the determination unit. A paper sheet processing system characterized by:

10. A paper sheet processing method in an apparatus or system for processing paper sheets, comprising: storing reference information relating to the types of paper sheets that cannot be used by each user for each user's identification information; Identify the type of paper to be processed, Acquire the identification information of the user who processes the paper sheets; determining whether the type of the paper sheet identified by the recognition unit for the paper sheet to be processed corresponds to an unusable type based on the reference information corresponding to the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit; selectively executing a normal mode when the type of the paper sheet is usable and an abnormal mode when the type of the paper sheet is unusable according to the determination result; A paper sheet processing method characterized by:

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