Paper sheet processing device and method

Abstract

To provide a paper sheet processing device and method capable of smoothly recovering from a paper sheet conveyance error.SOLUTION: A paper money processing device includes a conveyance unit 50 that conveys paper money B, a storage unit 30 including storage compartments 31 to 33 for storing the paper money B, and a monitoring unit that detects an error in a conveyance state of the conveyance unit 50. A conveyance path 50 includes a first conveyance path 51 that conveys the paper money B between the storage unit 30 and a paper money reception / dispensation port 21, and a second conveyance path 52 that conveys the paper money B between the first conveyance path 51 and the storage compartments 31 to 33, the first conveyance path 51 and the second conveyance path 52 being configured to transfer the paper money B therebetween. When the monitoring unit detects an error in a conveyance state of the first conveyance path 51 while conveying the paper money B paid out from the paper money reception / dispensation port 21 to the storage compartments 31 to 33, a control unit stops the first conveyance path 51 and continues driving the second conveyance path 52 so as to convey the paper money B being conveyed by the second conveyance path 52 to the storage compartments 31 to 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper sheet processing apparatus and method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a paper sheet processing device which, when transporting the denomination of deposited banknotes to a storage section by a transport means, identifies the denomination of the banknotes in two stages, provisionally and finally, and if the provisionally and finally determined denominations match, stores the banknotes in the storage section for the corresponding denomination, and if the provisionally and finally determined denominations do not match, reverses (switches back) the transport means and stores the banknotes in a collection box located upstream from the storage section (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-94665 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the paper sheet processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, if a transport error such as a jam occurs during transport of banknotes, all transport units are immediately stopped, and then the operator manually turns the transport knob of the transport path or opens part of the transport unit to remove any banknotes remaining on the transport path, thereby resolving the transport error.

[0005] Depending on the timing of a transport error, banknotes may remain near the entrance to the storage unit or collection box. If an operator rotates the transport knob in the wrong direction during error recovery, banknotes that should be removed from the device may be mistakenly placed in the storage unit or collection box, or banknotes that should be returned to the storage unit or collection box may be mistakenly removed from the device, resulting in a discrepancy (discrepancy) between the number data in the storage unit or collection box and the actual number of banknotes. When such a discrepancy occurs, it is necessary to recount all banknotes in the paper sheet processing device, which poses a problem of time and effort required for error recovery.

[0006] Alternatively, depending on the timing of the transport error, banknotes may remain on the boundary between a portion of the transport path that is opened during the error recovery process and another portion of the adjacent transport path that is not opened. If an operator opens a portion of the transport path with banknotes remaining across this boundary, there is a risk that the banknotes will be damaged. Therefore, when opening a portion of the transport path, it is necessary to carefully perform the error recovery process, for example by checking in advance whether or not banknotes are present.

[0007] Therefore, a technical problem arises that must be solved in order to smoothly recover from a paper sheet transport error, and an object of the present invention is to solve this problem. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the paper sheet processing device of the present invention comprises a conveying unit that conveys paper sheets, a storage unit having at least one storage cabinet that stores the paper sheets conveyed by the conveying unit, a control unit that controls the conveying unit, and a monitoring unit that detects errors in the conveying state of the conveying unit, wherein the conveying unit has a plurality of conveying paths that are arranged to be able to hand over the paper sheets to each other and are configured to be independently controllable for forward drive, reverse drive, or stop, and the plurality of conveying paths include a first conveying path that conveys the paper sheets between the storage unit and a deposit port that can feed the paper sheets to the conveying unit, and a second conveying path that conveys the paper sheets between the first conveying unit and each storage cabinet, and when the monitoring unit detects an error in the conveying state of the first conveying path, the control unit stops the first conveying path and continues driving the second conveying path to transport the paper sheets being conveyed by the second conveying path to the storage cabinet.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a paper sheet processing method according to the present invention includes a transport unit that transports paper sheets, a storage unit that has at least one storage case that stores the paper sheets transported by the transport unit, a control unit that controls the transport unit, and a monitoring unit that detects an error in the transport state of the transport unit, wherein the transport unit is provided with a plurality of transport paths that are arranged so that the paper sheets can be delivered to each other and are configured so that they can be independently controlled to be driven in forward rotation, reverse rotation, or stopped, and the plurality of transport paths transport the paper sheets to the storage unit and the transport unit. A paper sheet processing method using a paper sheet processing device including a first transport path that transports the paper sheets between a deposit port from which the paper sheets can be fed and a second transport path that transports the paper sheets between the first transport unit and each storage cabinet, wherein when the paper sheets fed from the deposit port are transported to the storage cabinet and the monitoring unit detects an error in the transport state of the first transport path, the control unit stops the first transport path and continues driving the second transport path to transport the paper sheets being transported by the second transport path to the storage cabinet.

[0010] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the paper sheet processing device of the present invention comprises a conveying unit that conveys paper sheets, a storage unit having at least one storage cabinet that stores the paper sheets conveyed by the conveying unit, a control unit that controls the conveying unit, and a monitoring unit that detects errors in the conveying state of the conveying unit, wherein the conveying unit comprises a plurality of conveying paths that are arranged along the conveying direction in which the paper sheets are conveyed so that the paper sheets can be handed over to each other, and the plurality of conveying paths are configured so that they can be controlled to be driven in forward direction, reverse direction, or stopped independently of each other, and a receiving unit that separably connects adjacent conveying paths, wherein the control unit comprises a position calculation unit that calculates the position of the paper sheets within the conveying unit, and when the monitoring unit detects an error in the conveying state on any of the conveying paths, the control unit drives the conveying path based on the position of the paper sheet calculated by the position calculation unit so that the paper sheet stops at a position within the conveying unit excluding the receiving unit, and then stops the conveying path.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, a paper sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a transport unit that transports paper sheets; a storage unit that has at least one storage case that stores the paper sheets transported by the transport unit; a control unit that controls the transport unit; and a monitoring unit that detects an error in the transport state of the transport unit, wherein the transport unit comprises a plurality of transport paths that are provided along a transport direction in which the paper sheets are transported so that the paper sheets can be delivered to each other, and the plurality of transport paths are configured so that driving or stopping can be controlled independently of each other, and a receiving unit that separably connects the adjacent transport paths, and the control unit controls the The device is provided with a position calculation unit that calculates the position of paper sheets, and when the monitoring unit detects an error in the conveying state on any of the conveying paths, the control unit stops the conveying path on which the error occurred and continues driving the downstream conveying path that follows the conveying path on which the error occurred in the conveying direction to convey the paper sheets being conveyed by the downstream conveying path to the storage cabinet.After that, when the stopping position of the paper sheets after the upstream conveying path has stopped, calculated by the position calculation unit, is the receiving unit, the control unit drives at least one of the adjacent conveying paths on either side of the receiving unit in reverse so as to remove the paper sheets from the receiving unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The present invention allows smooth recovery from a paper sheet transport error. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a currency handling device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a currency processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a currency handling device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a deposit process. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state when a transport error occurs during a deposit process. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second conveyance path is driven while the first conveyance path is stopped to convey banknotes to a storage vault. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a transport error occurs during a replenishment process. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the second conveyance path is driven to convey banknotes to a storage vault while the first and third conveyance paths are stopped. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state when a transport error occurs during a collection process. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the third transport path is driven to transport banknotes to a cassette while the first and second transport paths are stopped. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A currency processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, hereinafter, when referring to the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc. of components, unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly limited to a specific number in principle, the number is not limited to that specific number, and may be more or less than the specific number.

[0015] Furthermore, when referring to the shape or positional relationship of components, etc., it includes things that are substantially similar or approximate to those shapes, etc., unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly considered otherwise in principle.

[0016] In addition, the drawings may exaggerate characteristic parts to make the features easier to understand, and the dimensional proportions of the components may not be the same as in reality. In addition, in cross-sectional views, hatching of some components may be omitted to make the cross-sectional structure of the components easier to understand.

[0017] A currency handling device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the currency handling device 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the currency handling device 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the currency handling device 1. The currency handling device 1 is placed, for example, around a POS register and is used to deposit sales proceeds, dispense change, etc.

[0018] The currency processing device 1 has a body 2 that is roughly rectangular in shape, and the right side of the page in Figure 1 is the coin processing device 10 that stores deposited coins and dispenses the stored coins as needed, and the left side of the page in Figure 1 is the banknote processing device 20 that stores deposited banknotes and dispenses the stored banknotes as needed.

[0019] The coin processing unit 10 has a coin deposit port 11, into which coins are inserted, provided on the front surface of the machine body 2, and a coin withdrawal port 12, from which stored coins are withdrawn, provided below the coin deposit port 11. The coin withdrawal port 12 also serves as a coin reject port from which rejected coins are dispensed from the machine body 2. The coin processing unit 10 has a known configuration, and therefore a detailed description of the coin processing unit 10 will be omitted.

[0020] The banknote processing unit 20 is provided with a banknote deposit / withdrawal port 21 on the front surface of the body 2, into which banknotes are inserted in a stacked state. The banknote deposit / withdrawal port 21 also serves as a banknote withdrawal port for dispensing banknotes stored in the banknote processing unit 20. The banknote deposit / withdrawal port 21 is provided with a detection sensor (not shown) that detects the presence or absence of banknotes. The banknote processing unit 20 is also provided with a banknote deposit reject port 22 below the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 21 as an evacuation section from which banknotes that cannot be stored in the storage section 30 (banknotes not to be stored), which will be described later, are fed from within the body 2 during deposit processing, and a banknote withdrawal reject vault 23 from which banknotes not to be stored are fed from within the body 2 during withdrawal processing.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the currency handling apparatus 1 includes a storage unit 30 and a cassette 40 each capable of storing banknotes B, and a transport unit 50 that transports banknotes B within the machine body 2.

[0022] The storage unit 30 includes three storage cabinets 31 to 33 arranged in order from the front to the rear of the machine body 2. The storage cabinets 31 to 33 are single-denomination storage stackers that store banknotes B of different denominations. In this embodiment, the storage cabinet 31 stores 10,000 yen bills, the storage cabinet 32 ​​stores 5,000 yen bills, and the storage cabinet 33 stores 1,000 yen bills. The denominations of banknotes B stored in the storage cabinets 31 to 33 can be changed as desired, and multiple denominations of banknotes B may be stored in the same stacker, or banknotes B of the same denomination may be stored in multiple stackers. The number of storage cabinets installed in the storage unit 30 is not limited to three, and may be two or less, or four or more.

[0023] The storage cabinets 31 to 33 have the same configuration. Each storage cabinet 31 to 33 is formed in a box shape with an opening at the top, and can deliver banknotes B accumulated on the lifting stages 34 to 36 to the transport unit 50 by kick rollers 37 to 39. The received banknotes B can be accumulated and stored in a horizontal position with their longitudinal directions aligned with the left-right direction of the machine body on the lifting stages 34 to 36 in the vertical direction.

[0024] The cassette 40 is provided below the banknote processing unit 20 inside the machine body 2. The cassette 40 can transfer the banknotes B accumulated on the lifting stage 41 to the transport unit 50 by means of the kick rollers 42, and can accumulate and store the received banknotes B in the vertical direction on the lifting stage 41 in a horizontal position with the longitudinal direction of the machine body aligned with the left-right direction.

[0025] The cassette 40 is configured to be able to store the banknotes B in the storage vaults 31 to 33. That is, for example, if it is found after a deposit process that the amount of stored banknotes B in any of the storage vaults 31 to 33 exceeds a predetermined amount, a certain amount of banknotes B can be collected from any of the storage vaults 31 to 33 as excess banknotes (overflow banknotes) in the cassette 40 so as not to affect the subsequent deposit process. Alternatively, the cassette 40 is configured to be able to collect banknotes B of denominations other than those set to be accepted in the storage vaults 31 to 33 (e.g., 2,000 yen notes) in the cassette 40 as non-designated denomination banknotes. Alternatively, the cassette 40 is configured to be able to collect the banknotes B in the storage vaults 31 to 33 to be collected in the cassette 40 in the case of full collection, in which all currency in the currency processing device 1 is collected at the closing time of a store or the like where the currency processing device 1 is installed, or in the case of residual collection, in which the remaining currency is collected while leaving some currency for the next day's change. The cassette 40 may be configured to be able to feed the banknotes stored therein toward the transport unit 50. That is, in the case of full recovery, since there are no banknotes in the currency processing device 1, it is necessary to load banknotes for change into the currency processing device 1 before the store or the like opens for business the next day. Therefore, the cassette 40 is configured to be able to feed banknotes B for change to the banknote processing unit 20 and distribute them to the storage vaults 31-33. Furthermore, by enabling the feeding of banknotes B in the cassette 40, a replenishment process is possible in which banknotes B previously set in the cassette 40 are replenished to the storage vaults 31-33. When the cassette 40 is detachable from the machine 2, it is preferable to provide a closable shutter at the opening of the cassette 40, so that the shutter automatically opens when the cassette 40 is attached to the machine 2 and automatically closes when the cassette 40 is removed from the machine 2. The number of cassettes 40 installed can be changed as long as the number required for various processes can be secured.

[0026] The transport unit 50 includes a first transport path 51 connecting the banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 21 and the storage unit 30, and a second transport path 52 connecting the first transport path 51 and the storage vaults 31 to 33. Banknotes B are inserted into the banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 21 in a stacked state with their longitudinal direction aligned with the left-right direction of the machine body, and a kick roller 24 provided in the banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 21 separates the banknotes B in the banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 21 one by one and feeds them to the first transport path 51. The banknotes B fed to the first transport path 51 are then transported within the machine body 2 while always maintaining this orientation.

[0027] The first conveying path 51 also includes a first main conveying path 51a, one end of which is connected to the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 21 and the other end of which is connected to the storage unit 30 via a first receiving unit 58 described below, a first branch conveying path 51b extending downward from the first main conveying path 51a, a second branch conveying path 51c branching off from the first branch conveying path 51b near the banknote deposit / reject port 22 and connected to the banknote deposit / reject port 22, and a third branch conveying path 51d branching off from the first branch conveying path 51b near the banknote withdrawal / reject vault 23 and connected to the banknote withdrawal / reject vault 23.

[0028] The second conveying path 52 also includes a second main conveying path 52a, one end of which is connected to the first conveying path 51 via a first receiving section 58 and the other end of which is connected to the storage cabinet 31, a fourth branch conveying path 52b, which branches off from the second main conveying path 52a near the storage cabinet 32 ​​and connects to the storage cabinet 32, and a fifth branch conveying path 52c, which branches off from the second main conveying path 52a near the storage cabinet 33 and connects to the storage cabinet 33.

[0029] The transport unit 50 also includes a third transport path 53 that connects the first transport path 51 and the cassette 40. One end of the third transport path 53 is connected to the first branched transport path 51b via a second receiving unit 59, which will be described later, and the other end is connected to the cassette 40.

[0030] By opening and closing gates (not shown) provided at the respective branching positions of the transport unit 50, the transport route along which the transport unit 50 transports the banknotes B can be arbitrarily switched.

[0031] The transport unit 50 is provided with travel sensors 54a to 54g arranged at arbitrary intervals. The travel sensors 54a to 54g detect that a banknote B has arrived within a predetermined detection range. The travel sensors 54a to 54g are, for example, optical sensors or physical sensors.

[0032] Specifically, when travel sensor 54a provided near banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 21 detects the arrival of banknote B, it is determined that banknote B has been fed out of or returned to banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 21. Furthermore, when travel sensor 54b provided near storage 31 detects the arrival of banknote B, it is determined that banknote B has reached the vicinity of storage 31, when travel sensor 54c provided near storage 32 detects the arrival of banknote B, it is determined that banknote B has reached the vicinity of storage 32, and when travel sensor 54d provided near storage 33 detects the arrival of banknote B, it is determined that banknote B has reached the vicinity of storage 33. Furthermore, when the travel sensor 54e provided near the cassette 40 detects the arrival of banknote B, it determines that banknote B has reached the vicinity of the cassette 40; when the travel sensor 54f provided near the banknote deposit reject port 22 detects the arrival of banknote B, it determines that banknote B has reached the vicinity of the banknote deposit reject port 22; and when the travel sensor 54g provided near the banknote withdrawal reject storage 23 detects the arrival of banknote B, it determines that banknote B has reached the vicinity of the banknote withdrawal reject storage 23. Furthermore, when travel sensor 54h provided near first receiving section 58 detects the arrival of banknote B, it is determined that banknote B has reached the vicinity of first receiving section 58; when travel sensor 54i provided near second receiving section 59 detects the arrival of banknote B, it is determined that banknote B has reached the vicinity of second receiving section 59; when travel sensor 54j provided at any position on first main conveying path 51a detects the arrival of banknote B, it is determined that banknote B has reached any position on first main conveying path 51a; and when travel sensor 54k provided at any position on second main conveying path 52a detects the arrival of banknote B, it is determined that banknote B has reached any position on second main conveying path 52a.

[0033] Furthermore, the travel sensors 54b to 54d can detect that banknote B has passed through their detection ranges, thereby detecting that banknote B has been stored in the storage containers 31 to 33. For example, when the transport unit 50 transports banknote B along the deposit direction D1, and the travel sensor 54b detects the arrival of banknote B and then stops detecting banknote B, the travel sensor 54b considers that banknote B has been stored in the storage container 31. Similarly, the travel sensor 54e can detect that banknote B has passed through its detection range, thereby detecting that banknote B has been stored in the cassette 40.

[0034] The conveying unit 50 is configured so that the conveying rollers 56 rotate when driven by the conveying motors 55a to 55c, and is configured so that the conveying direction of the banknotes B can be switched between a deposit direction D1 in which the banknotes B are conveyed toward the storage unit 30, or a reverse direction D2 in which the banknotes B are conveyed toward the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 21, the banknote deposit reject port 22, or the cassette 40, depending on the rotation direction of the conveying motors 55a to 55c.

[0035] Specifically, the conveyance motor 55a drives the first conveyance path 51 to rotate forward in accordance with the deposit direction D1, rotate backward in accordance with the reverse direction D2, or stop the first conveyance path 51. The conveyance motor 55b drives the second conveyance path 52 to rotate forward in accordance with the deposit direction D1, rotate backward in accordance with the reverse direction D2, or stop the first conveyance path 51. The conveyance motor 55c drives the third conveyance path 53 to rotate forward in accordance with the deposit direction D1, rotate backward in accordance with the reverse direction D2, or stop the first conveyance path 51. That is, the first conveyance path 51, the second conveyance path 52, and the third conveyance path 53 are controlled to rotate forward, rotate backward, or stop the first conveyance path 51, the second conveyance path 52, and the third conveyance path 53 independently of each other. Note that, in FIG. 1, symbol U1 indicates the range of the conveyance rollers 56 driven and controlled by the conveyance motor 55a, symbol U2 indicates the range of the conveyance rollers 56 driven and controlled by the conveyance motor 55b, and symbol U3 indicates the range of the conveyance rollers 56 driven and controlled by the conveyance motor 55c.

[0036] The conveying motors 55a to 55c are, for example, DC brushless motors, AC motors, stepping motors, etc. The conveying speed of the conveying unit 50 may be approximately the same when conveying in the reverse direction D2 and when conveying in the deposit direction D1, but to prevent jams, it is preferable that the conveying speed in the reverse direction D2 is set slower than the conveying speed in the deposit direction D1. Furthermore, when there is no risk of jamming and the banknote B is not being recognized, the conveying speed of the conveying unit 50 may be set faster when conveying in the reverse direction D2 than when conveying in the deposit direction D1.

[0037] The conveying motors 55a to 55c are provided with encoders 57a to 57c that detect the rotational states of the conveying motors 55a to 55c. The encoders 57a to 57c are, for example, rotatable in conjunction with the conveying motors 55a to 55c and output pulse signals (for example, 4 pulses / mm) corresponding to their rotation. The number of pulse signals (number of pulses) output by the encoders 57a to 57c is stored in a memory unit 72 (described later) in chronological order with the detection or non-detection state of the banknote B read by the travel sensors 54a to 54g.

[0038] The first receiving unit 58 separably connects the first main conveying path 51a and the second main conveying path 52a to expose the first conveying path 51 and remove the banknotes B that are causing the error when a jam error of banknotes B occurs in the first conveying path 51. The second receiving unit 59 separably connects the first main conveying path 51a and the third conveying path 53 to allow the cassette 40 to be stored in and removed from the body 2. The first main conveying path 51a and the second main conveying path 52a may also be connected inseparably.

[0039] The banknote processing unit 20 is equipped with a recognition unit 60 that recognizes banknotes B passing through the first transport path 51. Specifically, when a banknote B passes through, the recognition unit 60 recognizes and counts the denomination, authenticity, fitness (presence or absence of folds, cuts, tears, dirt, etc.), and presence or absence of transport abnormalities (presence or absence of skew at a predetermined angle or more, presence or absence of multiple feeds, etc.) of the banknote B. When the recognition unit 60 recognizes a banknote B as a genuine banknote, a proper banknote, and a banknote that has been transported normally, the recognition unit 60 stores the banknote B in a storage unit 72 (described later) as a banknote to be stored in the storage unit 30. Banknotes B that are not recognized as banknotes to be stored by the recognition unit 60 and are recognized as unstorable are stored in the storage unit 72 as banknotes not to be stored.

[0040] For example, if the denomination of the recognized banknote B is one of three pre-assigned denominations, the recognition unit 60 stores the banknote B in the memory unit 72 as a banknote to be stored. If the denomination of the recognized banknote B is a denomination other than the three pre-assigned denominations, the recognition unit 60 stores the banknote B in the memory unit 72 as a banknote not to be stored. Furthermore, if a specific generation of banknotes is set as the banknote to be fed by the banknote processing unit 20, banknotes of the specific generation are designated as banknotes to be stored, and banknotes of other generations (old notes) are designated as banknotes not to be stored. Furthermore, if the storage vaults 31 to 33 that store the denomination of the banknote B recognized by the recognition unit 60 are full and cannot store the banknote B, the banknote B is stored in the memory unit 72 as a banknote not to be stored.

[0041] The recognition of banknotes B by the recognition unit 60 is not limited to being based on the entire banknote B, but may instead be based on the characteristics of a portion of the banknote B, followed by final recognition based on the characteristics of another portion of the banknote B. This allows the gate switching of the transport unit 50 to be performed early in accordance with the result of the temporary recognition, thereby enabling the banknote processing unit 20 to be made compact. If the result of the temporary recognition differs from the result of the final recognition, the gate switching is performed in accordance with the result of the temporary recognition, and then the transport direction of the transport unit 50 is switched to the reverse direction D2 in accordance with the result of the final recognition, and the banknote B is transported to the banknote deposit reject port 22. The portion of banknote B that forms the basis of temporary recognition may be set to an area ratio of 1 / 2, 1 / 3, or 2 / 3, etc., to the entire banknote B. The recognition unit 60 is not limited to a type that performs recognition in two stages, namely, temporary recognition and final recognition, but may also be a type that performs recognition only once.

[0042] The operation of the banknote processing unit 20 is controlled by a control unit 70. The control unit 70 is, for example, a microcontroller made up of a CPU, memory, etc., and includes a control unit 71 and a storage unit 72. The control unit 71 controls each of the components that make up the banknote processing unit 20. The storage unit 72 includes a ROM, RAM, etc., and stores processing programs and the like that control the components of the banknote processing unit 20. The functions of the control unit 70 may be realized by control using software, or may be realized by operation using hardware.

[0043] The memory unit 72 appropriately updates and records the quantity of banknotes B stored in at least the storage containers 31 to 33. The quantity of banknotes B in storage container 31 is incremented when the travel sensor 54b detects the passage of a banknote B transported in the deposit direction D1, and is decremented when the travel sensor 54b detects the passage of a banknote B transported in the reverse direction D2. Similarly, the number of banknotes B stored in storage container 32 is incremented or decremented each time the travel sensor 54c detects the passage of a banknote B, and the number of banknotes B stored in storage container 33 is incremented or decremented each time the travel sensor 54d detects the passage of a banknote B. The memory unit 72 may also record the quantity of banknotes B stored in cassette 40. In this case, the quantity of banknotes B in cassette 40 is decremented when travel sensor 54e detects the passage of banknotes B transported along deposit direction D1, and is incremented when travel sensor 54e detects the passage of banknotes B transported along reverse direction D2. The memory unit 72 may also record the number of banknotes B inserted into banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 21. In this case, the quantity of banknotes B in banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 21 is decremented when travel sensor 54a detects the passage of banknotes B transported along deposit direction D1, and is incremented when travel sensor 54a detects the passage of banknotes B transported along reverse direction D2.

[0044] The control unit 70 includes a position calculation unit 73 that calculates the position of banknote B within the transport unit 50. When any of the travel sensors 54a to 54g detects the arrival of banknote B, the position calculation unit 73 determines the position of the travel sensor 54a to 54g that detected the arrival of banknote B as the position of banknote B. Furthermore, the position calculation unit 73 calculates the distance traveled by banknote B from the travel sensor 54a to 54g that detected the arrival of banknote B (transport distance) based on the number of pulses in the pulse signal output by the encoders 57a to 57c after the travel sensor 54a to 54g detects the arrival of banknote B, and calculates the position of banknote B located between adjacent travel sensors 54a to 54g by adding the transport distance starting from the travel sensor 54a to 54g that detected the arrival of banknote B. In this way, the position calculation unit 73 calculates the position of the banknote B located between the travel sensors 54a to 54g based on the transport distance of the banknote B, so that the position of the banknote B can be calculated with high accuracy even when the transport speed of the banknote B varies. The position of the banknote B calculated by the position calculation unit 73 is stored in the memory unit 72. Note that the position calculation unit 73 may be configured to calculate the position of the banknote B located between the travel sensors 54a to 54g based on the transport time of the banknote B, instead of being configured to calculate the position based on the transport distance of the banknote B.

[0045] The control unit 70 includes a monitoring unit 74 that detects an error in the conveying state of the conveying unit 50. The monitoring unit 74 detects an error in the conveying state of the conveying unit 50 based on the installation intervals of the travel sensors 54a to 54k, the conveying speed of the conveying unit 50, and the outputs of the encoders 57a to 57c, which are stored in advance in the memory unit 72.

[0046] For example, if any of the travel sensors 54a-54k does not detect the passage of banknote B within a predetermined time or distance after detecting the arrival of the banknote B, the monitoring unit 74 determines that a banknote jam error has occurred, in which the banknote B is retained on the travel sensor 54a-54k. Also, if any of the travel sensors 54a-54k detects the arrival of banknote B and the time or distance that the banknote B blocks light from that travel sensor 54a-54k is less than a predetermined value, the monitoring unit 74 determines that a banknote jam error has occurred, in which the banknote B is an error stub or has an abnormal length. Also, if any of the travel sensors 54a-54k does not reach the next travel sensor 54a-54k within a predetermined time or distance after detecting the arrival of banknote B, the monitoring unit 74 determines that a sensor failure error has occurred, in which the banknote B has not reached the next travel sensor 54a-54k.

[0047] The machine body 2 is also provided with a display unit 3 such as an LCD screen used to operate the currency handling device 1, and an input unit 4 through which operation input is made. The machine body 2 is also provided with a management unit 5 that controls the operation of the currency handling device 1 in response to external instructions and input operations via the input unit 4. Note that instead of a configuration in which the management unit 5 controls the entire currency handling device 1 and the control unit 70 controls the banknote handling device 20, for example, a configuration in which the entire currency handling device 1 is controlled by a single control unit may be used.

[0048] Next, the procedure for processing various types of banknotes using the currency handling apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0049] <Deposit processing> As shown in FIG. 4, in the deposit process of banknotes B, banknotes B inserted into the banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 21 are stored in storage boxes 31-33.

[0050] Specifically, first, when the control unit 71 receives an input operation to perform a "deposit process" via the input unit 4, the kick roller 24 is driven, and the banknote B inserted into the banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 21 is fed to the first main conveying path 51a, and the conveying motors 55a and 55b are driven, and the banknote B fed to the first main conveying path 51a is conveyed along the first main conveying path 51a in the deposit direction D1.

[0051] Next, the recognition unit 60 recognizes the banknote B. The recognition result of the recognition unit 60 is stored in the memory unit 72. The control unit 71 also determines the destination of the banknote B based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 60. The memory unit 72 stores the recognition result of the recognition unit 60 and the destination of the banknote B. The memory unit 72 also stores the current position of the banknote B being transported.

[0052] Furthermore, the control unit 71 controls the opening and closing of the gate of the conveying unit 50 so that the banknote B identified as the banknote to be stored is conveyed toward the storage cabinet 31 to 33 corresponding to the denomination via the second conveying path 52, which is being driven in the forward direction, and conveys the banknote B toward the storage cabinet 31 to 33 corresponding to the denomination along the deposit direction D1.

[0053] The banknotes B transported to the storage containers 31 to 33 corresponding to their denominations are stored in the storage containers 31 to 33. When the travel sensors 54b to 54d detect that the banknotes B have been transported to the storage containers 31 to 33, the control unit 71 determines that the banknotes B transported to the storage containers 31 to 33 are banknotes that have been confirmed to be deposited into the currency handling device 1, and adds one to the number of banknotes B stored in the storage containers 31 to 33 that are stored in the memory unit 72.

[0054] Meanwhile, the control unit 71 controls the opening and closing of the gate of the conveying unit 50 so that banknote B identified as a banknote not to be stored is conveyed towards the banknote deposit reject port 22 via the first main conveying path 51a and the first branch conveying path 51b, and drives the conveying motor 55a in the reverse direction to convey the banknote B towards the first branch conveying path 51b along the reverse direction D2.

[0055] <Flow of gradual stop of transport path when transport error occurs during deposit processing> If a transport error such as a jam occurs on the first transport path 51 during the deposit process, the control unit 71 immediately stops the first transport path 51, and stops the second transport path 52 after transporting the banknote B being transported by the second transport path 52 to the storage cabinets 31 to 33.

[0056] Specifically, if a transport error occurs in the first transport path 51 during the transport of banknote B as shown in Figure 5, such as the travel sensor 54j not detecting the passage of banknote B within a predetermined distance after detecting the arrival of banknote B, the control unit 71 stops the transport motor 55a to stop the first main transport path 51a, and continues to operate the transport motor 55b to transport the banknote B being transported by the second transport path 52 along the deposit direction D1 toward the storage cabinets 31 to 33, and store the banknote B in the storage cabinets 31 to 33 according to its denomination.

[0057] 6, when the travel sensors 54b to 54d detect that the banknote B has been transported to the storage containers 31 to 33, the control unit 71 determines that the banknote B transported to the storage containers 31 to 33 is a banknote that has been confirmed to be deposited into the currency handling device 1, and adds one to the number of banknotes B stored in the storage containers 31 to 33 stored in the memory unit 72. Furthermore, when the travel sensors 54b to 54d detect that the banknote B in the second transport path 52 has been transported to the storage containers 31 to 33, the control unit 71 stops the transport motor 55b.

[0058] Next, since the banknotes B remaining on the first main transport path 51a are banknotes whose deposit into the currency handling device 1 has not yet been confirmed, the operator manually removes them from the first main transport path 51a while the transport motors 55a and 55b are stopped, and then the banknotes are re-inserted into the banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 21. Thereafter, when an input operation to "resume deposit process" is received via the input unit 4, the deposit process is resumed.

[0059] If banknotes B remain on first receiving unit 58 straddling first main transport path 51a and second main transport path 52a when transport motors 55a and 55b are stopped, banknotes B may be damaged when first transport path 51 and second transport path 52 are separated and banknotes B are removed from first main transport path 51a during error recovery work. Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the timing at which transport motors 55a and 55b are stopped so that banknotes B do not remain on first receiving unit 58 during error recovery work.

[0060] Specifically, if a transport error occurs in the first transport path 51 during the deposit process, rather than immediately stopping the first transport path 51, the first transport path 51 may continue to be driven until the banknote B passes through the first receiving section 58 based on the position of the banknote B in the transport section 50 calculated by the position calculation section 73, and then the first transport path 51 may be stopped.

[0061] Alternatively, if a transport error occurs in first transport path 51 during deposit processing and first transport path 51 is stopped, and travel sensors 54b-54d detect that banknote B in second transport path 52 has been transported to storage containers 31-33, second transport path 52 may not be stopped immediately, but may continue to be driven until banknote B passes first receiver 58 based on the position of banknote B in transport unit 50 calculated by position calculation unit 73, and then second transport path 52 may be stopped. In this way, banknote B can be stopped at a position other than first receiver 58.

[0062] Alternatively, if the stopping position of banknote B in the conveying section 50 calculated by the position calculation section 73 after the conveying motors 55a, 55b have stopped is above the first receiving section 58, the control section 71 may drive at least one of the first conveying path 51 or the second conveying path 52 to reverse in the reverse direction D2 so that banknote B retreats from the first receiving section 58.

[0063] In addition, instead of calculating the position of banknote B after it has stopped by the position calculation unit 73, when the travel sensor 54h detects that banknote B remains on the first receiving unit 58 after it has stopped, the control unit 71 may drive at least one of the first conveying path 51 or the second conveying path 52 to reverse in the reverse direction D2 so that banknote B retreats from the first receiving unit 58.

[0064] Alternatively, if the travel sensor 54h detects that banknote B remains on the first receiving section 58 after stopping, and the travel sensors 54b, 54c, and 54d do not detect banknote B, the control section 71 may drive at least one of the first conveying path 51 or the second conveying path 52 in the deposit direction D1 to move the banknote B from the first receiving section 58 to the travel sensors 54b, 54c, and 54d.

[0065] When the banknotes B stopped on the first receiving unit 58 are evacuated from the first receiving unit 58, the banknotes B may be evacuated at the normal transport speed during the deposit process, or at a speed slower than the normal transport speed. By evacuating the banknotes B at a slow speed, the transport rollers 56 can more easily grip the banknotes B, reducing slippage of the banknotes B and enabling stable transport of the banknotes B. Furthermore, when evacuating the banknotes B from the first receiving unit 58 to the travel sensors 54b, 54c, and 54d, the banknotes B evacuated at a slow speed can be reliably stopped at the desired position, thereby preventing the banknotes B from accidentally entering the storage vaults 31-33.

[0066] <Replenishment process> As shown in FIG. 7, in the process of replenishing banknotes B, banknotes B stored in a cassette 40 are replenished to storage boxes 31 to 33.

[0067] Specifically, first, when the control unit 71 receives an input operation to perform a "replenishment process" via the input unit 4, the kick roller 42 is driven to feed the banknotes B stored in the cassette 40 to the third conveying path 53, and the conveying motors 55a to 55c are driven to convey the banknotes B fed to the third conveying path 53 along the third conveying path 53 and the first branch conveying path 51b in the deposit direction D1.

[0068] Next, the recognition unit 60 recognizes the banknote B. The recognition result of the recognition unit 60 is stored in the memory unit 72. The control unit 71 also determines the destination of the banknote B based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 60. The memory unit 72 stores the recognition result of the recognition unit 60 and the destination of the banknote B. The memory unit 72 also stores the current position of the banknote B being transported.

[0069] Furthermore, the control unit 71 controls the opening and closing of the gate of the conveying unit 50 so that the banknote B identified as the banknote to be stored is conveyed toward the storage cabinet 31 to 33 corresponding to the denomination via the second conveying path 52, which is being driven in the forward direction, and conveys the banknote B toward the storage cabinet 31 to 33 corresponding to the denomination along the deposit direction D1.

[0070] The banknotes B transported to the storage containers 31 to 33 corresponding to their denominations are stored in the storage containers 31 to 33. When the travel sensors 54b to 54d detect that the banknotes B have been transported to the storage containers 31 to 33, the control unit 71 determines that the banknotes B transported to the storage containers 31 to 33 are banknotes that have been confirmed to be deposited into the currency handling device 1, and increases the number of banknotes B stored in the storage containers 31 to 33 by one.

[0071] Meanwhile, the control unit 71 controls the opening and closing of the gate of the conveying unit 50 so that banknotes B identified as banknotes not to be stored are conveyed toward the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 21 via the first main conveying path 51a, the first branch conveying path 51b, and the second branch conveying path 51c, and drives the conveying motor 55a in the reverse direction to convey the banknotes B toward the first branch conveying path 51b along the reverse direction D2.

[0072] <Flow of gradual stop of conveyance path when a conveyance error occurs during replenishment processing> If a transport error occurs in the first transport path 51 or the third transport path 53 during the replenishment process, the control unit 71 immediately stops the first transport path 51 and the third transport path 53, and stops the second transport path 52 after transporting the banknote B being transported by the second transport path 52 to the storage cabinets 31 to 33.

[0073] Specifically, if a transport error occurs in the first transport path 51 or the third transport path 53 during the transport of banknote B as shown in Figure 8, such as the travel sensors 54e, 54j not detecting the passage of banknote B within a predetermined distance after detecting the arrival of banknote B, the control unit 71 stops the transport motors 55a, 55c to stop the first transport path 51 and the third transport path 53, and continues to operate the transport motor 55b to transport the banknote B being transported by the second transport path 52 along the deposit direction D1 toward the storage cabinets 31 to 33, and store the banknote B in the storage cabinets 31 to 33 according to its denomination.

[0074] 9, when the travel sensors 54b to 54d detect that the banknote B has been transported to the storage containers 31 to 33, the control unit 71 determines that the banknote B transported to the storage containers 31 to 33 is a banknote that has been confirmed to be deposited into the currency handling device 1, and adds one to the number of banknotes B stored in the storage containers 31 to 33 stored in the memory unit 72. Furthermore, when the travel sensors 54b to 54d detect that the banknote B in the second transport path 52 has been transported to the storage containers 31 to 33, the control unit 71 stops the transport motor 55b.

[0075] Next, since the banknotes B remaining on the first conveying path 51 or the third conveying path 53 are banknotes whose deposit into the currency handling device 1 has not yet been confirmed, the operator manually removes them from the first conveying path 51 and the third conveying path 53 while the conveying motors 55a to 55c are stopped. After that, when an input operation to "resume replenishment process" is received via the input unit 4, the replenishment process is resumed.

[0076] If banknotes B remain on first receiving unit 58 so as to straddle first main conveyance path 51a and second main conveyance path 52a when conveyance motors 55a to 55c are stopped, or if banknotes B remain on second receiving unit 59 so as to straddle first branch conveyance path 51b and third conveyance path 53, banknotes B may be damaged when first conveyance path 51 and second conveyance path 52 are separated and banknotes B are removed from first main conveyance path 51a and first branch conveyance path 51b during error recovery work, or when first conveyance path 51 and third conveyance path 53 are separated and banknotes B are removed from third conveyance path 53. Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the timing at which conveyance motors 55a to 55c are stopped so that banknotes B do not remain on first receiving unit 58 and second receiving unit 59 during error recovery work.

[0077] Specifically, if a conveying error occurs in the first conveying path 51 or the third conveying path 53 during the replenishment process, rather than immediately stopping the first conveying path 51 and the third conveying path 53, the first conveying path 51 and the third conveying path 53 may continue to be driven until the banknote B passes through the first receiving section 58 or the second receiving section 59 based on the position of the banknote B in the conveying section 50 calculated by the position calculation section 73, and then the first conveying path 51 and the third conveying path 53 may be stopped.

[0078] Alternatively, if a conveyance error occurs in the first conveyance path 51 or the third conveyance path 53 during the replenishment process and the first conveyance path 51 and the third conveyance path 53 are stopped, and the travel sensors 54b to 54d detect that the banknote B in the second conveyance path 52 has been conveyed to the storage cabinets 31 to 33, the second conveyance path 52 may not be immediately stopped, but may continue to be driven until the banknote B passes through the first receiver 58 based on the position of the banknote B in the conveyance unit 50 calculated by the position calculation unit 73, and then the second conveyance path 52 may be stopped. In this way, the banknote B can be stopped at a position excluding the first receiver 58 and the second receiver 59.

[0079] Alternatively, if the stopping position of banknote B in the conveying section 50 calculated by the position calculation section 73 after the conveying motors 55a to 55c have stopped is above the first receiving section 58 or the second receiving section 59, the control section 71 may drive at least one of the first conveying path 51, the second conveying path 52 or the third conveying path 53 to reverse in the reverse direction D2 so that banknote B retreats from the first receiving section 58 or the second receiving section 59.

[0080] In addition, instead of calculating the position of banknote B after it has stopped by the position calculation unit 73, when the running sensor 54h detects that banknote B after it has stopped remains on the first receiving unit 58 or when the running sensor 54i detects that banknote B after it has stopped remains on the second receiving unit 59, the control unit 71 may drive at least one of the first conveying path 51, the second conveying path 52 or the third conveying path 53 to reverse in the reverse direction D2 so that banknote B retreats from the first receiving unit 58 or the second receiving unit 59.

[0081] <Collection processing> As shown in FIG. 10, in the process of collecting banknotes B, the banknotes B stored in the storage boxes 31 to 33 are stored in a cassette 40.

[0082] Specifically, first, when the control unit 71 receives an input operation to perform a "collection process" via the input unit 4, the kick rollers 37 to 39 are driven to feed the banknotes B stored in the storage cabinets 31 to 33 to the second conveying path 52, and the conveying motors 55a to 55c are driven to convey the banknotes B fed to the second conveying path 52 along the second conveying path 52 and the first main conveying path 51a in the reverse direction D2.

[0083] Next, the recognition unit 60 recognizes the banknote B. The recognition result of the recognition unit 60 is stored in the memory unit 72. The control unit 71 also determines the destination of the banknote B based on the recognition result of the recognition unit 60. The memory unit 72 stores the recognition result of the recognition unit 60 and the destination of the banknote B. The memory unit 72 also stores the current position of the banknote B being transported.

[0084] Furthermore, the control unit 71 controls the opening and closing of the gate of the transport unit 50 so that the banknote B identified as the banknote to be stored is transported toward the cassette 40 via the first transport path 51 and the third transport path 53, which are being driven in the reverse direction, and transports the banknote B toward the cassette 40 in the reverse direction D2. When the travel sensor 54e detects that the banknote B has been transported to the cassette 40, the control unit 71 adds one to the number of banknotes B stored in the cassette 40, which is stored in the memory unit 72.

[0085] On the other hand, the control unit 71 transports banknote B, which has been identified as a banknote not to be stored, to the vicinity of the cassette 40, and then transports (switches back) banknote B along the deposit direction D1, and then transports banknote B along the inversion direction D2 toward the banknote withdrawal reject vault 23.

[0086] Specifically, when banknote B is identified as a banknote not to be stored, even if an attempt is made to quickly switch the transport route of banknote B located on the first branched transport path 51b from the third transport path 53 to the third branched transport path 51d, there is a risk that the gate located at the branch position between the first branched transport path 51b and the third branched transport path 51d will not be able to switch in time.

[0087] First, banknote B identified as a non-storage target banknote is transported toward cassette 40 in reverse direction D2 via first main transport path 51a, first branched transport path 51b, and third transport path 53. Next, when travel sensor 54e detects the arrival of banknote B, control unit 71 stops transport motors 55a to 55c, and then controls the opening and closing of the gates of transport unit 50 so that banknote B is transported toward one of storage vaults 31 to 33 in deposit direction D1 via third transport path 53, first branched transport path 51b, first main transport path 51a, and second transport path 52, and drives transport motors 55a to 55c to reverse their rotation directions. Next, when any of the travel sensors 54b to 54d detects the arrival of banknote B, which is a banknote not to be stored, the control unit 71 stops the transport motors 55a to 55c, and then controls the opening and closing of the gates of the transport unit 50 so that the banknote B is transported toward the banknote withdrawal rejected vault 23 via the second transport path 52, the first main transport path 51a, the first branch transport path 51b, and the third branch transport path 51d in the reverse direction D2, and drives the transport motors 55a and 55b to reverse their rotation directions. At this time, by driving the transport motors 55a and 55b while keeping the transport motor 55c stopped, it is possible to prevent banknote B from accidentally entering the cassette 40. Note that, for ease of control, the transport motors 55a to 55c may be controlled uniformly. In this way, banknote B, which has been identified as a banknote not to be stored, is transported to the banknote withdrawal rejected vault 23.

[0088] <Flow of gradual stop of the transport path when a transport error occurs during collection processing> If a conveying error occurs in the first conveying path 51 or the second conveying path 52 during the collection process, the control unit 71 immediately stops the first conveying path 51 and the second conveying path 52, while causing the third conveying path 53 to convey the banknote B being conveyed to the cassette 40 and then stops the third conveying path 53.

[0089] Specifically, if a transport error occurs in the first transport path 51 or the second transport path 52 during the transport of banknote B as shown in Figure 11, such as the travel sensors 54j, 54k not detecting the passage of banknote B within a predetermined distance after detecting the arrival of banknote B, the control unit 71 stops the transport motors 55a, 55b to stop the first transport path 51 and the second transport path 52, and continues to operate the transport motor 55c to transport the banknote B being transported by the third transport path 53 along the inversion direction D2 toward the cassette 40, and stores the banknote B in the cassette 40.

[0090] 12, when the travel sensor 54e detects that the banknote B has been transported to the cassette 40, the control unit 71 adds one to the number of banknotes B stored in the cassette 40, which is stored in the memory unit 72. Furthermore, when the travel sensor 54e detects that the banknote B in the third transport path 53 has been transported to the cassette 40, the control unit 71 stops the transport motor 55c.

[0091] Next, the banknotes B remaining on the first conveying path 51 or the second conveying path 52 are manually removed from the first conveying path 51 and the second conveying path 52 by an operator while the conveying motors 55a to 55c are stopped. After that, when an input operation to "resume collection process" is received via the input unit 4, the collection process is resumed.

[0092] If banknotes B remain on first receiving unit 58 so as to straddle first main conveyance path 51a and second main conveyance path 52a when conveyance motors 55a to 55c are stopped, or if banknotes B remain on second receiving unit 59 so as to straddle first branch conveyance path 51b and third conveyance path 53, banknotes B may be damaged when first conveyance path 51 and second conveyance path 52 are separated and banknotes B are removed from first main conveyance path 51a and first branch conveyance path 51b during error recovery work, or when first conveyance path 51 and third conveyance path 53 are separated and banknotes B are removed from third conveyance path 53. Therefore, it is preferable to adjust the timing at which conveyance motors 55a to 55c are stopped so that banknotes B do not remain on first receiving unit 58 and second receiving unit 59 during error recovery work.

[0093] Specifically, if a transport error occurs in the first transport path 51 or the second transport path 52 during the collection process, rather than immediately stopping the first transport path 51 and the second transport path 52, the first transport path 51 and the second transport path 52 may continue to be driven until the banknote B passes through the first receiving section 58 or the second receiving section 59 based on the position of the banknote B in the transport section 50 calculated by the position calculation section 73, and then the first transport path 51 and the second transport path 52 may be stopped.

[0094] Alternatively, if a conveyance error occurs in the first conveyance path 51 or the second conveyance path 52 during the collection process and the first conveyance path 51 and the second conveyance path 52 are stopped, and the travel sensor 54e detects that the banknote B in the third conveyance path 53 has been conveyed to the cassette 40, the third conveyance path 53 may not be immediately stopped, but may continue to be driven until the banknote B passes the second receiver 59 based on the position of the banknote B in the conveyance unit 50 calculated by the position calculation unit 73, and then the first conveyance path 51 and the third conveyance path 53 may be stopped. In this way, the banknote B can be stopped at a position excluding the first receiver 58 and the second receiver 59.

[0095] Alternatively, if the stopping position of banknote B in the conveying section 50 calculated by the position calculation section 73 after the conveying motors 55a to 55c have stopped is above the first receiving section 58 or the second receiving section 59, the control section 71 may drive at least one of the first conveying path 51, the second conveying path 52 or the third conveying path 53 in a reverse direction in the deposit direction D1 so that the banknote B is removed from the first receiving section 58 or the second receiving section 59.

[0096] In addition, instead of calculating the position of banknote B after it has stopped by the position calculation unit 73, when the travel sensor 54h detects that banknote B after it has stopped remains on the first receiving unit 58 or when the travel sensor 54i detects that banknote B after it has stopped remains on the second receiving unit 59, the control unit 71 may drive at least one of the first conveying path 51, the second conveying path 52 or the third conveying path 53 in a reverse direction in the deposit direction D1 so that banknote B is removed from the first receiving unit 58 or the second receiving unit 59.

[0097] In this way, the currency handling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment comprises a transport unit 50 that transports banknotes B, a storage unit 30 that has a plurality of storage cabinets 31 to 33 that store the banknotes B transported by the transport unit 50, a control unit 71 that controls the transport unit 50, and a monitoring unit 74 that detects errors in the transport state of the transport unit 50. The transport unit 50 is provided with a first transport path 51 and a second transport path 52 that are arranged so that banknotes B can be transferred between them and are independently controllable for forward rotation, reverse rotation, or stopping. The first transport path 51 is connected to the storage unit 30. In the case where the second conveying path 52 conveys banknotes B between the first conveying path 51 and the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 21 from which banknotes B can be fed to the conveying section 50, and the first conveying path 51 and the storage cabinets 31 to 33, and the banknotes B fed from the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 21 are conveyed to the storage cabinets 31 to 33, when the monitoring section 74 detects an error in the conveying state of the first conveying path 51, the control section 71 stops the first conveying path 51 and continues to drive the second conveying path 52 to convey the banknotes B being conveyed by the second conveying path 52 to the storage cabinets 31 to 33.

[0098] According to this configuration, the first conveying path 51 and the second conveying path 52 can be controlled to be driven or stopped independently of each other, so when a conveying error of banknote B occurs on the first conveying path 51 while banknote B is being conveyed from the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 21 to the storage containers 31 to 33, the first conveying path 51 is stopped and the second conveying path 52 continues to convey banknote B to the storage containers 31 to 33. This prevents banknote B that remains around the entrance of the storage containers 31 to 33 when a conveying error occurs and that should be removed from the conveying section 50 during error recovery work from being mistakenly conveyed to the storage containers 31 to 33, and allows for smooth recovery from the conveying error.

[0099] In addition, the currency handling device 1 of this embodiment further includes a cassette 40 capable of feeding out banknotes B, and the conveying unit 50 further includes a third conveying path 53 that conveys banknotes B between the cassette 40 and the first conveying path 51. When the banknotes B fed from the cassette 40 are conveyed to the storage vaults 31 to 33 and the monitoring unit 74 detects an error in the conveying state of the first conveying path 51 or the third conveying path 53, the control unit 71 stops the first conveying path 51 and the third conveying path 53 and continues to drive the second conveying path 52 to convey the banknotes B being conveyed by the second conveying path 52 to the storage vaults 31 to 33.

[0100] According to this configuration, the first conveying path 51, the second conveying path 52, and the third conveying path 53 can be controlled to be driven or stopped independently of each other, so when a conveying error of banknotes B occurs on the first conveying path 51 or the third conveying path 53 while banknotes B are being conveyed from the cassette 40 to the storage cabinets 31 to 33, the first conveying path 51 and the third conveying path 53 are stopped and the second conveying path 52 continues to convey banknotes B to the storage cabinets 31 to 33. This prevents banknotes B that remain around the entrances of the storage cabinets 31 to 33 when a conveying error occurs and that should be removed from the conveying section 50 during error recovery work from being mistakenly conveyed to the storage cabinets 31 to 33, allowing for smooth recovery from the conveying error.

[0101] In addition, the currency handling device 1 of this embodiment further includes a cassette 40 capable of feeding out banknotes B, and the transport unit 50 further includes a third transport path 53 that transports banknotes B between the cassette 40 and the first transport path 51. When the monitoring unit 74 detects an error in the transport state of the first transport path 51 or the second transport path 52 when transporting banknotes B fed out from storage cabinets 31 to 33 to the cassette 40, the control unit 71 stops the first transport path 51 and the second transport path 52, and continues to drive the third transport path 53 to transport the banknotes B being transported by the third transport path 53 to the cassette 40.

[0102] According to this configuration, the first conveying path 51, the second conveying path 52, and the third conveying path 53 can be controlled to be driven or stopped independently of each other, so when a conveying error of banknotes B occurs on the first conveying path 51 or the second conveying path 52 while banknotes B are being conveyed from storage cabinets 31 to 33 to cassette 40, the first conveying path 51 and the second conveying path 52 are stopped and the third conveying path 53 continues to convey banknotes B to cassette 40, thereby preventing banknotes B that remain around the entrance of cassette 40 when a conveying error occurs and that should be removed from the conveying section 50 during error recovery work from being mistakenly conveyed to cassette 40, and allowing for smooth recovery from the conveying error.

[0103] Furthermore, the money handling method according to this embodiment includes a transport unit 50 that transports banknotes B, a storage unit 30 that has a plurality of storage containers 31 to 33 that store the banknotes B transported by the transport unit 50, a control unit 71 that controls the transport unit 50, and a monitoring unit 74 that detects errors in the transport state of the transport unit 50, and the transport unit 50 includes a first transport path 51 that transports banknotes B between the storage unit 30 and a banknote deposit / withdrawal slot 21 that can feed banknotes B to the transport unit 50, and a second transport path 52 that transports banknotes B between the first transport path 51 and the storage containers 31 to 33, and the first transport path A currency processing method using a currency processing device 1 in which the first conveying path 51 and the second conveying path 52 are arranged to be able to transfer banknotes B to each other and are configured to be able to independently control forward driving, reverse driving or stopping, and when banknotes B dispensed from the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 21 are transported to storage vaults 31 to 33, when the monitoring unit 74 detects an error in the transport state of the first conveying path 51, the control unit 71 stops the first conveying path 51 and continues to drive the second conveying path 52 to transport the banknotes B being transported by the second conveying path 52 to the storage vaults 31 to 33.

[0104] According to this configuration, the first conveying path 51 and the second conveying path 52 can be controlled to be driven or stopped independently of each other, so when a conveying error of banknote B occurs on the first conveying path 51 while banknote B is being conveyed from the banknote deposit / withdrawal port 21 to the storage containers 31 to 33, the first conveying path 51 is stopped and the second conveying path 52 continues to convey banknote B to the storage containers 31 to 33. This prevents banknote B that remains around the entrance of the storage containers 31 to 33 when a conveying error occurs and that should be removed from the conveying section 50 during error recovery work from being mistakenly conveyed to the storage containers 31 to 33, and allows for smooth recovery from the conveying error.

[0105] The currency handling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a transport unit 50 that transports banknotes B, a control unit 71 that controls the transport unit 50, and a monitoring unit 74 that detects errors in the transport state of the transport unit 50. The transport unit 50 includes a first transport path 51 and a second transport path 52 that are arranged to be able to transfer banknotes B to each other along the transport direction in which the banknotes B are transported, and the first transport path 51 and the second transport path 52 are configured to be controllable to be driven in forward rotation, reverse rotation, or stopped independently of each other, and adjacent first transport path 51 and second transport path 52. and a first receiving section 58 that detachably connects the first and second banknotes B and the second receiving section 58 to which the banknotes B are attached. The control section 71 has a position calculation section 73 that calculates the position of the banknote B within the conveying section 50. When the monitoring section 74 detects an error in the conveying state of the first conveying path 51 or the second conveying path 52, the control section 71 drives the first conveying path 51 and the second conveying path 52 based on the position of the banknote B calculated by the position calculation section 73 so that the banknote B stops at a position within the conveying section 50 excluding the first receiving section 58, and then stops the first conveying path 51 and the second conveying path 52.

[0106] According to this configuration, banknotes B are prevented from remaining in the first receiving section 58 after the conveying section 50 stops, and therefore banknotes B are prevented from being accidentally damaged when the first conveying path 51 is separated from the second conveying path 52 and the banknotes B are removed from the first conveying path 51 during error recovery work.

[0107] The currency handling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a transport unit 50 that transports banknotes B, a control unit 71 that controls the transport unit 50, and a monitoring unit 74 that detects errors in the transport state of the transport unit 50. The transport unit 50 includes a first transport path 51 and a third transport path 53 that are arranged to be able to transfer banknotes B to each other along the transport direction in which the banknotes B are transported, and the first transport path 51 and the third transport path 53 are configured to be controllable to be driven in forward rotation, reverse rotation, or stopped independently of each other, and adjacent first transport paths 51 and third transport paths 53. and a second receiving section 59 detachably connected to the first receiving section 59. The control section 71 includes a position calculation section 73 that calculates the position of banknote B within the conveying section 50. When the monitoring section 74 detects an error in the conveying state of the first conveying path 51 or the third conveying path 53, the control section 71 drives the first conveying path 51 and the third conveying path 53 based on the position of banknote B calculated by the position calculation section 73 so that the banknote B stops at a position within the conveying section 50 excluding the second receiving section 59, and then stops the first conveying path 51 and the third conveying path 53.

[0108] According to this configuration, banknotes B are prevented from remaining in the second receiving section 59 after the conveying section 50 stops, thereby preventing banknotes B from being accidentally damaged when the third conveying path 53 is separated from the first conveying path 51 during error recovery work.

[0109] The currency handling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a transport unit 50 that transports banknotes B, a control unit 71 that controls the transport unit 50, and a monitoring unit 74 that detects errors in the transport state of the transport unit 50. The transport unit 50 includes a first transport path 51 and a second transport path 52 that are arranged along the transport direction in which the banknotes B are transported so that the banknotes B can be delivered to each other, and the first transport path 51 and the second transport path 52 are configured so that they can be controlled to be driven in the forward direction, driven in the reverse direction, or stopped independently of each other, and a first receiving unit 53 that separably connects the adjacent first transport path 51 and the second transport path 52. 8, and the control unit 71 has a position calculation unit 73 that calculates the position of banknote B within the conveying unit 50, and when the monitoring unit 74 detects an error in the conveying state in either the first conveying path 51 or the second conveying path 52, the control unit 71 stops the first conveying path 51 or the second conveying path 52 where the error occurred, and when the stopping position of banknote B after the stop calculated by the position calculation unit 73 is the first receiving unit 58, the control unit 71 drives at least one of the first conveying path 51 or the second conveying path 52 in the reverse direction so as to remove banknote B from the first receiving unit 58.

[0110] This configuration prevents banknotes B from remaining and stopping in the first receiving section 58, thereby preventing banknotes B from being accidentally damaged when the first conveying path 51 is separated from the second conveying path 52 and banknotes B are removed from the first conveying path 51 during error recovery work.

[0111] The currency handling apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a transport unit 50 that transports banknotes B, a control unit 71 that controls the transport unit 50, and a monitoring unit 74 that detects errors in the transport state of the transport unit 50. The transport unit 50 includes a first transport path 51 and a third transport path 53 that are arranged along the transport direction in which the banknotes B are transported so that the banknotes B can be delivered to each other, and the first transport path 51 and the third transport path 53 are configured so that they can be controlled to be driven in forward rotation, reverse rotation, or stopped independently of each other, and a second receiving unit 54 that separably connects the adjacent first transport path 51 and the third transport path 53. 9, and the control unit 71 has a position calculation unit 73 that calculates the position of banknote B within the conveying unit 50, and when the monitoring unit 74 detects an error in the conveying state in either the first conveying path 51 or the third conveying path 53, the control unit 71 stops the first conveying path 51 or the third conveying path 53 where the error occurred, and when the stopping position of banknote B after the stop calculated by the position calculation unit 73 is the second receiving unit 59, the control unit 71 drives at least one of the first conveying path 51 or the third conveying path 53 in the reverse direction so as to remove banknote B from the second receiving unit 59.

[0112] This configuration prevents banknotes B from remaining and stopping in the second receiving section 59, thereby preventing banknotes B from being accidentally damaged when the third conveying path 53 is separated from the first conveying path 51 during error recovery work.

[0113] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways other than those described above without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention also covers such modifications.

[0114] For example, in the above embodiment, if a conveying error occurs in the first conveying path 51 or the third conveying path 53 during the replenishment process, the first conveying path 51 and the third conveying path 53 are stopped together. However, if a conveying error occurs in the third conveying path 53, only the third conveying path 53 may be stopped first, and the first conveying path 51 and the second conveying path 52, which do not have a conveying error, may continue to convey the banknotes B, and the banknotes B being conveyed by the first conveying path 51 and the second conveying path 52 may be stored in the storage cabinets 31 to 33.

[0115] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which if a conveying error occurs in the first conveying path 51 or the second conveying path 52 during the collection process, the first conveying path 51 and the second conveying path 52 are stopped together.However, if a conveying error occurs in the second conveying path 52, only the second conveying path 52 may be stopped first, and the first conveying path 51 and the third conveying path 53, which do not have a conveying error, may continue to convey the banknotes B, and the banknotes B being conveyed by the first conveying path 51 and the third conveying path 53 may be stored in the cassette 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1: Currency processing equipment 2: Machine, 3: Display, 4: Input, 5: Management 10: Coin processing section, 11: Coin deposit port, 12: Coin withdrawal port 20: banknote processing unit, 21: banknote deposit / withdrawal port, 22: banknote deposit reject port, 23: banknote withdrawal reject box, 24: kick roller 30: Storage section, 31-33: Storage cabinet, 34-36: Lifting stage, 37-39: Kick roller 40: cassette, 41: lifting stage, 42: kick roller 50: conveying section, 51: first conveying path, 51a: first main conveying path, 51b: first branch conveying path, 51c: second branch conveying path, 51d: third branch conveying path, 52: second conveying path, 52a: second main conveying path, 52b: fourth branch conveying path, 52c: fifth branch conveying path, 53: third conveying path, 54a to 54k: travel sensors, 55a to 55c: conveying motors, 56: conveying rollers, 57a to 57c: encoders, 58: first receiving section, 59: second receiving section 60: Identification unit 70: Control unit, 71: Control unit, 72: Storage unit, 73: Position calculation unit, 74: Monitoring unit B:Banknotes

Claims

1. a conveying unit that conveys paper sheets; a storage unit including at least one storage case for storing the paper sheets transported by the transport unit; a control unit that controls the transport unit; a monitoring unit that detects an error in the conveying state of the conveying unit; Equipped with the conveying unit includes a plurality of conveying paths that are arranged to be able to transfer the paper sheets to each other and are configured to be able to independently control forward rotation, reverse rotation, or stop; The plurality of transport paths include: a first conveyance path that conveys the paper sheets between the storage unit and a deposit port that can feed the paper sheets to the conveyance unit; a second conveyance path that conveys the paper sheets between the first conveyance path and each storage container; Including, A paper sheet processing device characterized in that, when the paper sheets fed out from the deposit port are transported to the storage cabinet, when the monitoring unit detects an error in the transport state of the first transport path, the control unit stops the first transport path and continues driving the second transport path to transport the paper sheets being transported by the second transport path to the storage cabinet.

2. Further provided is a cassette capable of feeding out the paper sheets, the plurality of transport paths further include a third transport path that transports the paper sheets between the cassette and the first transport path, 2. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the monitoring unit detects an error in the transport state of the first transport path or the third transport path when transporting the paper sheets fed from the cassette to the storage cabinet, the control unit stops the first transport path and the third transport path and continues driving the second transport path to transport the paper sheets being transported by the second transport path to the storage cabinet.

3. Further provided is a cassette capable of feeding out the paper sheets, the plurality of transport paths further include a third transport path that transports the paper sheets between the cassette and the first transport path, 2. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the paper sheets fed from the storage cabinet are transported to the cassette and the monitoring unit detects an error in the transport state of the first transport path or the second transport path, the control unit stops the first transport path and the second transport path and continues driving the third transport path to transport the paper sheets being transported by the third transport path to the cassette.

4. the transport unit further includes a receiving unit that separably connects the first transport path and the second transport path, the control unit further includes a position calculation unit that calculates a position of the paper sheet within the transport unit, 2. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives at least one of the first conveying path or the second conveying path so that the paper sheet stops at a position within the conveying unit other than the receiving unit based on the position of the paper sheet calculated by the position calculation unit.

5. The conveying unit is a first receiving section that separably connects the first transport path and the second transport path; a second receiving section that separably connects the first transport path and the third transport path; Furthermore, the control unit further includes a position calculation unit that calculates a position of the paper sheet within the transport unit, 3. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit drives at least one of the first conveying path, the second conveying path, or the third conveying path so that the paper sheet stops at a position within the conveying unit other than the first receiving unit or the second receiving unit based on the position of the paper sheet calculated by the position calculation unit.

6. The conveying unit is a first receiving section that separably connects the first transport path and the second transport path; a second receiving section that separably connects the first transport path and the third transport path; Furthermore, the control unit further includes a position calculation unit that calculates a position of the paper sheet within the transport unit, The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the control unit drives at least one of the first conveying path, the second conveying path, or the third conveying path so that the paper sheet stops at a position within the conveying unit other than the first receiving unit or the second receiving unit based on the position of the paper sheet calculated by the position calculation unit.

7. the transport unit further includes a receiving unit that separably connects the first transport path and the second transport path, the control unit further includes a position calculation unit that calculates a position of the paper sheet within the transport unit, The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the stopping position of the paper sheet after the first conveying path stops calculated by the position calculation unit is the receiving unit, the control unit drives at least one of the first conveying path or the second conveying path in a reverse direction so as to move the paper sheet away from the receiving unit.

8. The conveying unit is a first receiving section that separably connects the first transport path and the second transport path; a second receiving section that separably connects the first transport path and the third transport path; Furthermore, the control unit further includes a position calculation unit that calculates a position of the paper sheet within the transport unit, 3. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the stopping position of the paper sheet after the first conveying path and the third conveying path have stopped as calculated by the position calculation unit is the first receiving section or the second receiving section, the control unit drives at least one of the first conveying path, the second conveying path or the third conveying path in a reverse direction so as to move the paper sheet away from the first receiving section or the second receiving section.

9. The conveying unit is a first receiving section that separably connects the first transport path and the second transport path; a second receiving section that separably connects the first transport path and the third transport path; Furthermore, the control unit further includes a position calculation unit that calculates a position of the paper sheet within the transport unit, 4. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, when the stopping position of the paper sheet after the first conveying path and the second conveying path have stopped as calculated by the position calculation unit is the first receiving section or the second receiving section, the control unit reverses at least one of the first conveying path, the second conveying path or the third conveying path so as to move the paper sheet away from the first receiving section or the second receiving section.

10. The position calculation unit 10. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the conveying distance of the paper sheet is calculated based on the output of an encoder that detects the rotation state of a motor that drives the conveying unit, and the position of the paper sheet is calculated.

11. a conveying unit that conveys paper sheets; a storage unit including at least one storage case for storing the paper sheets transported by the transport unit; a control unit that controls the transport unit; a monitoring unit that detects an error in the conveying state of the conveying unit; Equipped with the conveying unit includes a plurality of conveying paths that are arranged to be able to transfer the paper sheets to each other and are configured to be able to independently control forward rotation, reverse rotation, or stop; The plurality of transport paths include: a first conveyance path that conveys the paper sheets between the storage unit and a deposit port that can feed the paper sheets to the conveyance unit; a second conveyance path that conveys the paper sheets between the first conveyance path and each storage container; A paper sheet processing method using a paper sheet processing device including: A paper sheet processing method, characterized in that when the paper sheets fed out from the deposit port are transported to the storage cabinet, and the monitoring unit detects an error in the transport state of the first transport path, the control unit stops the first transport path and continues driving the second transport path to transport the paper sheets being transported by the second transport path to the storage cabinet.

12. a conveying unit that conveys paper sheets; a control unit that controls the transport unit; a monitoring unit that detects an error in the conveying state of the conveying unit; Equipped with The conveying unit is a plurality of conveying paths provided along a conveying direction in which the paper sheets are conveyed so as to be able to transfer the paper sheets to each other, the plurality of conveying paths being configured so as to be able to control forward rotation, reverse rotation, or stoppage independently of each other; a receiving section that separably connects adjacent conveying paths; Equipped with the control unit includes a position calculation unit that calculates a position of the paper sheet within the transport unit, A paper sheet processing device characterized in that when the monitoring unit detects an error in the transport state on any of the transport paths, the control unit drives the transport path so that the paper sheet stops at a position within the transport unit other than the receiving unit based on the position of the paper sheet calculated by the position calculation unit, and then stops the transport path.

13. a conveying unit that conveys paper sheets; a control unit that controls the transport unit; a monitoring unit that detects an error in the conveying state of the conveying unit; Equipped with The conveying unit is a plurality of conveying paths provided along a conveying direction in which the paper sheets are conveyed so as to be able to transfer the paper sheets to each other, the plurality of conveying paths being configured so as to be able to control the driving or stopping of each of the conveying paths independently of each other; a receiving section that separably connects adjacent conveying paths; Equipped with the control unit includes a position calculation unit that calculates a position of the paper sheet within the transport unit, When the monitoring unit detects an error in the conveying state on any of the conveying paths, the control unit stops the conveying path where the error occurred, and when the stopping position of the paper sheet after the stop calculated by the position calculation unit is the receiving unit, the control unit reverses at least one of the adjacent conveying paths on either side of the receiving unit to move the paper sheet away from the receiving unit.

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