Banknote processor

Abstract

To prevent cash discrepancy caused by false detection by a collection bin detection unit.SOLUTION: A banknote processor 10 includes: a unit controller 30 that transports banknotes stored in a storage bin 18 to a collection bin 21 according to instructions from the a cash processing control unit 2; a determination unit 17 that determines the denomination and orientation of the banknotes transported from the storage bin 18; a collection bin passage detection unit 23 that detects the presence or absence of the banknotes determined by the determination unit 17 and passing toward the collection bin 21; and a collection bin detection unit 22 that detects the presence or absence of the banknotes in the collection bin 21. When the determination unit 17 determines a specific denomination of banknotes being transported in a specific orientation that has a risk of causing a false detection by the collection bin detection unit 22, the unit controller 30 sets a flag, conditional upon the banknotes being detected by the collection bin passage detection unit 23, and sends banknote present information to the cash processing control unit 2, regardless of the detection result at the collection bin detection unit 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a banknote processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional banknote processing device that is applied to a money processing machine such as an automatic change dispenser is proposed in Patent Document 1. In this banknote processing device, a collection box is detachably provided on the device body, and when a collection instruction is given, stored banknotes are transported to the collection box and collected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-171617 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The banknote processing device is provided with a collection box detection unit that detects the presence or absence of banknotes in the collection box. This collection box detection unit is composed of an optical sensor that detects the absence of banknotes when the light-receiving element receives light emitted from the light-emitting element, and detects the presence of banknotes when the light-receiving element cannot receive light emitted from the light-emitting element.

[0005] In recent years, it has become known that banknotes are coated with photosensitive materials such as holograms. When banknotes coated with such photosensitive materials are collected in a collection box, light emitted from the light-emitting element is reflected by the photosensitive material and received by the light-receiving element, which can result in a false detection that no banknotes are present even though the banknotes have been collected in the collection box, which could result in a miscalculation problem.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a banknote processing device that can prevent the occurrence of miscalculation caused by erroneous detection by a collection box detection unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the banknote processing device of the present invention is a banknote processing device comprising a unit control unit that transports banknotes to be stored in a storage box to a collection box in response to instructions from a higher-level control unit; a discrimination unit that discriminates the denomination and posture of banknotes transported from the storage box; a collection box passing detection unit that detects the presence or absence of banknotes discriminated by the discrimination unit and passing towards the collection box; and a collection box detection unit that detects the presence or absence of banknotes in the collection box, wherein when the discrimination unit discriminates a banknote of a specific denomination that is transported in a specific posture that may be erroneously detected by the collection box detection unit, the unit control unit sets a flag on the condition that the banknote has been detected by the collection box passing detection unit, and sends banknote presence information to the higher-level control unit regardless of the detection result of the collection box detection unit.

[0008] Furthermore, in the banknote processing device according to the present invention, the unit control unit sets the flag to unset when the discrimination unit discriminates a banknote being transported in a position other than the specific position.

[0009] Furthermore, in the banknote processing device according to the present invention, the unit control section sets the flag to unset when the collection box is removed from the banknote processing device main body.

[0010] Furthermore, in the banknote processing device according to the present invention, the unit control section transmits flag setting information to the upper control section in communication with the upper control section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, when the discrimination unit discriminates that a banknote of a specific denomination is being transported in a specific posture that may cause erroneous detection by the collection box detection unit, the unit control unit sets a flag on the condition that the banknote has been detected by the collection box passage detection unit, and sends banknote presence information to the higher-level control unit regardless of the detection result by the collection box detection unit, thereby achieving the effect of preventing miscalculation problems caused by erroneous detection by the collection box detection unit when transporting banknotes to the collection box. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of a banknote handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a banknote handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 3(a) to 3(d) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the postures of banknotes recognized by the discriminator and the detector. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the collection control process performed by the unit control section shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a banknote processing device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of a banknote handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the configuration of the banknote handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The banknote handling device 10 illustrated here constitutes a money handling machine 1 that is used as an automatic change dispenser in stores such as supermarkets, convenience stores, etc. The money handling machine 1 comprises a money handling control unit (host control unit) 2, a coin handling device 3, and the banknote handling device 10.

[0016] The money handling control unit 2 communicates with a higher-level device (not shown), such as a POS register, and comprehensively controls the operations of the coin handling device 3 and the banknote handling device 10. The coin handling device 3 performs operations such as depositing and dispensing coins. The banknote handling device 10 performs operations such as depositing and dispensing banknotes, and includes a device main body 10a.

[0017] This device body 10a has a deposit port 11 for inserting banknotes and a withdrawal port 12 for dispensing stored banknotes as change formed in the front part. The withdrawal port 12 is opened and closed by a shutter 13, and is normally closed by the shutter 13. A collection box 21 is detachably provided at the bottom of the front part of the device body 10a.

[0018] The device main body 10a is provided with a deposit section 14, a withdrawal section 15, a discrimination section 16, a discrimination section 17, a storage cabinet 18, and a reconciliation cabinet 19.

[0019] The deposit unit 14 introduces banknotes inserted through the deposit port 11 into the interior. The withdrawal unit 15 dispenses banknotes to the withdrawal port 12. The validation unit 16 validates the authenticity and denomination of banknotes. The discrimination unit 17 discriminates the denomination and number of banknotes. The validation unit 16 and discrimination unit 17 can also identify the posture of the banknotes being transported.

[0020] The banknote postures here include a first posture, as shown in Figure 3(a), in which the surface of the banknote M with a person displayed on it faces upward and the person's head is downstream in the transport direction; a second posture, as shown in Figure 3(b), in which the surface of the banknote M with a person displayed on it faces upward and the person's head is upstream in the transport direction; a third posture, as shown in Figure 3(c), in which the surface of the banknote M with a person displayed on it faces downward and the person's head is downstream in the transport direction; and a fourth posture, as shown in Figure 3(d), in which the surface of the banknote M with a person displayed on it faces downward and the person's head is upstream in the transport direction.

[0021] The storage 18 stores banknotes and has a 1,000 yen banknote storage 18a for storing 1,000 yen banknotes and a mixed storage 18b for storing banknotes other than 1,000 yen banknotes. The reconciliation storage 19 is used as a temporary holding section during collection processing, etc.

[0022] The deposit unit 14, the withdrawal unit 15, the collection box 21, the validation unit 16, the discrimination unit 17, the storage box 18, and the reconciliation box 19 are connected by a banknote transport mechanism 20.

[0023] In addition to the above configuration, the banknote processing device 10 also includes a collection box detection unit 22, a collection box passage detection unit 23, and a unit control unit 30.

[0024] The collection box detection unit 22 is configured with, for example, an optical sensor, and detects the presence or absence of banknotes in the collection box 21. More specifically, the collection box detection unit 22 is provided in an upper area of ​​the collection box 21, and detects that no banknotes are present when the light emitted by the light-emitting element is received by the light-receiving element, and detects that no banknotes are present when the light emitted by the light-emitting element cannot be received by the light-receiving element.

[0025] The collection box passage detection unit 23 is installed in the vicinity of the collection box 21 in the banknote transport mechanism 20. This collection box passage detection unit 23 detects the presence or absence of banknotes transported toward the collection box 21.

[0026] The unit control unit 30 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the banknote processing device 10 in accordance with the programs and data stored in the memory unit 31. The unit control unit 30 may be realized, for example, by causing a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a program, that is, by software, or may be realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0027] The banknote handling device 10 configured as described above operates as follows: After a banknote inserted by being deposited into the deposit slot 11 is detected by a detection sensor (not shown) in the deposit unit 14, the banknote transport mechanism 20 is driven to transport the banknote to the discrimination unit 16. If a banknote becomes jammed during transport or if discrimination by the discrimination unit 16 is insufficient, the banknote transport mechanism 20 returns the banknote to the deposit slot 11 via the deposit unit 14.

[0028] Furthermore, when the validator 16 determines that a banknote is not a genuine coin, the banknote processing device 10 transports the banknote via the banknote transport mechanism 20 to the dispensing unit 15 and dispenses it from the dispensing port 12. On the other hand, when the validator 16 determines that a banknote is a genuine coin, the banknote processing device 10 performs a depositing operation via the banknote transport mechanism 20 to store the banknote determined to be a genuine coin in the storage container 18 (the 1,000-yen banknote storage container 18a or the mixed storage container 18b) according to the denomination.

[0029] On the other hand, when the cash handling control unit 2 receives a dispensing command from a higher-level device and the unit control unit 30 receives a dispensing instruction from the cash handling control unit 2, the banknote processing device 10 performs a dispensing operation in which banknotes of the corresponding denomination are fed from the storage unit 18 (1,000 yen banknote storage unit 18a or mixed storage unit 18b) to the banknote transport mechanism 20, and after the discrimination unit 17 determines the denomination and number of banknotes, the banknotes are transported by the banknote transport mechanism 20 to the dispensing unit 15 and dispensed from the dispensing port 12.

[0030] Furthermore, the banknote handling machine 10 performs the following collection control process via the unit control section 30 to carry out a collection operation of transporting banknotes to the collection box 21.

[0031] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the collection control processing performed by the unit control unit 30 shown in Fig. 1. In the following, the 1,000 yen banknotes and 5,000 yen banknotes in the first position described above are assumed to be banknotes of a specific denomination that are in a specific position.

[0032] Here, banknotes of a specific denomination that are in a specific posture are banknotes that may be erroneously detected by the collection box detection unit 22. More specifically, these banknotes are in a posture that may result in the banknote being erroneously detected as not having a banknote in the collection box 21 even though a banknote is actually present, because a photosensitive material such as a hologram is applied to part of the banknote, and light emitted from the light-emitting element is reflected by the photosensitive material and received by the light-receiving element.

[0033] 4, the unit control unit 30 determines whether a collection instruction has been given from the money handling control unit 2 in response to a command from a higher-level device (step S101). If a collection instruction has not been given (step S101: No), this determination process is repeated.

[0034] On the other hand, if a collection instruction has been issued (step S101: Yes), the unit control unit 30 drives the banknote transport mechanism 20 to transport the banknotes to the collection box 21 in accordance with a preset collection order (step S102). As a result, the denomination and posture of the banknotes transported to the collection box 21 are discriminated by the discrimination unit 17.

[0035] Then, the unit control unit 30 determines whether the discriminator 17 has discriminated the bill as a specific denomination (a 1,000 yen bill or a 5,000 yen bill) in a specific posture (step S103).

[0036] If the banknote is determined to be of a specific denomination in a specific posture (step S103: Yes), the unit control unit 30 determines whether the collection box passing detection unit 23 has detected the banknote (a banknote determined to be of a specific denomination in a specific posture by the discrimination unit 17) (step S104). Here, when the collection box passing detection unit 23 detects the banknote, the unit control unit 30 determines the detection of the banknote by the collection box passing detection unit 23 taking into consideration the transport time by the banknote transport mechanism 20 from the discrimination unit 17 to the collection box passing detection unit 23.

[0037] If the banknote is not detected by the collection box passing detection unit 23 (step S104: No), the unit control unit 30 repeats this determination process. On the other hand, if the banknote is detected by the collection box passing detection unit 23 (step S104: Yes), the unit control unit 30 sets a flag (step S105). When the unit control unit 30 sets a flag, it stores it in the memory unit 31.

[0038] Having set the flag in this manner, the unit control unit 30 forcibly sends banknote presence information to the cash handling control unit 2 regardless of the detection result by the collection box detection unit 22 (step S106), and determines whether the collection of banknotes has been completed (step S107).

[0039] This prevents the detection result indicating that there are no banknotes present from being sent to the cash handling control unit 2, preventing the cash handling control unit 2 from performing various processes as if there are no banknotes present in the collection box 21 due to a false detection by the collection box detection unit 22.

[0040] Meanwhile, in the above step S103, if the discrimination unit 17 does not discriminate the banknote being transported towards the collection box 21 as a banknote of a specific denomination in a specific posture (step S103: No), the unit control unit 30 determines whether the collection box passing detection unit 23 has detected the banknote (a banknote that has not been discriminated as a banknote of a specific denomination in a specific posture by the discrimination unit 17) (step S108).

[0041] If the banknote is not detected by the collection box passing detection unit 23 (step S108: No), the unit control unit 30 repeats this determination process. On the other hand, if the banknote is detected by the collection box passing detection unit 23 (step S108: Yes), the unit control unit 30 determines whether or not a flag is set (step S109). In other words, the unit control unit 30 determines whether or not a flag is set for the banknote that was transported immediately before the banknote currently discriminated by the discrimination unit 17 and detected by the collection box passing detection unit 23.

[0042] If the flag is not set (step S109: Yes), the unit control unit 30 determines whether or not the collection box detection unit 22 has detected the presence of a banknote (step S110). On the other hand, if the flag is set (step S109: No), the unit control unit 30 clears the flag to set it as unset (step S111), and performs the process of step S110.

[0043] In step S110, if the collection box detection unit 22 has not detected the presence of banknotes (step S110: No), the unit control unit 30 repeats this determination process. On the other hand, if the collection box detection unit 22 has detected the presence of banknotes (step S110: Yes), the unit control unit 30 sends the detection result by the collection box detection unit 22 (detection result that banknotes are present) to the money handling control unit 2 (step S112), and performs the process of step S107 above.

[0044] In step S107, if collection of banknotes has not been completed (step S107: No), the unit control section 30 repeats the processes from step S102 onwards.

[0045] On the other hand, if the collection of banknotes has been completed (step S107: Yes), the unit control unit 30 sends a collection completion response to the money handling control unit 2 (step S113), and then returns the procedure to end this processing.

[0046] If the unit control unit 30 has set a flag in the collection completion response, the unit control unit 30 also sends the collection completion response including the setting information of the flag. Furthermore, if the unit control unit 30 sends the collection completion response with the flag set in step S105, the unit control unit 30 clears the flag to make it unset on the condition that it has detected that the collection box 21 has been removed from the device main body 10a.

[0047] As described above, according to the banknote processing device 10 which is an embodiment of the present invention, when the discrimination unit 17 discriminates a banknote of a specific denomination being transported in a specific posture, the unit control unit 30 sets a flag on the condition that the banknote has been detected by the collection box passage detection unit 23, and sends banknote presence information to the money handling control unit 2 regardless of the detection result by the collection box detection unit 22.Therefore, when transporting banknotes to the collection box 21, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of discrepancies due to erroneous detection by the collection box detection unit 22.

[0048] In particular, since the unit control unit 30 sets a flag and sends out banknote presence information, this can be implemented simply by changing the program in the unit control unit 30, and increases in manufacturing costs due to an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

[0049] According to the banknote processing device 10, when the unit control unit 30 sets a flag, it stores the flag in the memory unit 31. Therefore, the flag can be maintained in a set state even when the money handling machine 1 is turned on after being turned off or when the money handling machine 1 is restored after an abnormal shutdown.

[0050] According to the banknote processing device 10, the unit control unit 30 sends flag setting information to the money handling control unit 2 in the collection completion response, and the money handling control unit 2 stores this information in an internal memory (not shown) so that it can be used for subsequent analysis, etc.

[0051] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications can be made.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, the collection control processing was based on a collection instruction from the cash handling control unit 2, but in the present invention, it can also be applied when transporting products to be stored in the storage unit 18 to the collection unit 21 based on not only a collection instruction from a higher-level control unit, but also a settlement instruction or other instruction.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, the unit control unit 30 sent flag setting information to the money processing control unit 2 in response to the collection completion, but in the present invention, the unit control unit can send the flag setting information to the upper control unit at any time, as long as it is sent when the unit control unit communicates with the upper control unit.

[0054] The configurations illustrated in the above-described embodiments are merely functional schematics and are not necessarily physically configured as shown. In other words, the distribution and integration of each device and component is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various usage situations, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1...cash handling machine, 2...cash handling control unit, 10...banknote processing device, 10a...device main body, 11...deposit port, 12...withdrawal port, 13...shutter, 14...deposit section, 15...withdrawal section, 16...validation section, 17...discrimination section, 18...storage cabinet, 18a...1000 yen banknote storage cabinet, 18b...mixing cabinet, 19...scrutiny cabinet, 20...banknote transport mechanism, 21...collection cabinet, 22...collection cabinet detection section, 23...collection cabinet passage detection section, 30...unit control unit, 31...memory section.

Claims

1. a unit control unit that transports the banknotes to be stored in the storage box to the collection box in response to an instruction from the upper control unit; a discrimination unit that discriminates the denomination and posture of the banknotes transported from the storage vault; a collection box passing detection unit that detects the presence or absence of banknotes that have been identified by the identification unit and are passing toward the collection box; a collection box detection unit that detects the presence or absence of banknotes in the collection box; A banknote processing device comprising: When the discrimination unit discriminates a banknote of a specific denomination being transported in a specific posture that may be erroneously detected by the collection box detection unit, the unit control unit sets a flag on the condition that the banknote has been detected by the collection box passing detection unit, and sends banknote presence information to the higher-level control unit regardless of the detection result of the collection box detection unit.

2. The banknote processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the unit control unit sets the flag to "unset" when the discrimination unit discriminates a banknote conveyed in a position other than the specific position.

3. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, wherein the unit control section sets the flag to "unset" when the collection box is removed from the banknote processing device main body.

4. 4. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, wherein the unit control section transmits flag setting information to the upper control section in communication with the upper control section.

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