Bill processing device and coin handling device

Abstract

To enable bills to be collected in a better state.SOLUTION: Provided is a bill processing device including: a storage part having a storage space that stores a bill; an impeller having a blade part that taps the bill discharged to the storage part; a driving part that rotationally drives the impeller; and a control part that controls the driving part. When the number of bills stored in the storage part exceeds a predetermined number, the control part controls the driving part so as to increase the number of times that the impeller taps the bill.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, cash processing devices that handle cash deposits and withdrawals have been installed in retail stores such as branches of financial institutions, supermarkets, and convenience stores, or commercial facilities, etc. The cash processing devices execute deposit transactions for depositing cash and withdrawal transactions for withdrawing cash, etc.

[0003] A cash processing device is provided with a coin processing device that deposits and dispenses coins, and a banknote processing device that deposits and dispenses banknotes. The banknote processing device is formed with a storage space for storing banknotes. Banknotes transported along a transport path can be accumulated in this storage space. Regarding the banknote processing device, for example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a separation and accumulation mechanism that separates banknotes in the storage space one by one and sends them out to the transport path, and accumulates banknotes transported sequentially along the transport path in the storage space. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses that a bill press, which is a plate-shaped member that can move within the storage space, narrows the storage area within the storage space when separating banknotes one by one, thereby pressing the banknotes against rollers of the separation and accumulation mechanism and sending them out of the storage space to the transport path. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-112425 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is preferable that banknotes stacked in the storage space are stored along the stacking direction, but depending on the state of the stacked banknotes, some banknotes may not be aligned in the stacking direction (i.e., not stacked properly), which may cause problems when separating the banknotes.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved banknote processing device and currency handling device that can stack banknotes in better condition. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a banknote processing device comprising: a storage unit having a storage space for storing banknotes; a paddle wheel having blades that strike the banknotes released into the storage unit; a drive unit that drives the impeller to rotate; and a control unit that controls the drive unit, wherein the control unit controls the drive unit to increase the number of times the impeller strikes the banknotes when the number of banknotes stored in the storage unit exceeds a predetermined number.

[0008] The banknote processing device further includes a transport roller drive unit that drives a first transport roller that transports the banknotes to the storage unit, and a second transport roller that is arranged coaxially with the impeller, rotates by the driving force of the drive unit, and releases the banknotes into the storage unit, and the control unit may control either the drive unit or the transport roller drive unit so that, when the number of banknotes stored in the storage unit exceeds a predetermined number, the speed at which the second transport roller transports the banknotes is faster than the speed at which the first transport roller transports the banknotes.

[0009] The control unit may control the drive unit to increase the rotation speed of the second conveying roller, thereby making the speed at which the second conveying roller conveys the banknotes faster than the speed at which the first conveying roller conveys the banknotes.

[0010] The control unit may control the conveying roller drive unit to reduce the rotation speed of the first conveying roller, thereby making the speed at which the second conveying roller conveys the banknotes faster than the speed at which the first conveying roller conveys the banknotes.

[0011] The rotation speed of the impeller may also increase when the rotation speed of the second transport roller is increased by the drive unit.

[0012] The first transport roller may be located upstream of the second transport roller in the transport direction in a transport path along which the banknotes are transported toward the storage unit.

[0013] The control unit may control the drive unit to increase the rotation speed of the impeller, thereby increasing the number of times the impeller strikes the banknotes.

[0014] The storage unit may be formed so that the stacking direction of the banknotes stored and stacked in the storage unit is oblique to the vertical direction.

[0015] In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems, there is provided a currency handling device comprising: a storage section having a storage space for storing banknotes; an impeller having blades that strike the banknotes released into the storage section; a drive section that drives the impeller to rotate; and a control section that controls the drive section so that, when the number of banknotes stored in the storage section exceeds a predetermined number, the impeller increases the number of times it strikes the banknotes; and a coin processing section that deposits and dispenses coins. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to stack banknotes in a better state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a cash processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a cash processing device 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a storage 80 according to a comparative example. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a storage 80 according to a comparative example. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a banknote processing unit 140 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the banknote unit 7 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram for explaining stacking of banknotes in a storage 71N according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram for explaining how the trailing end of a bill is knocked down by the impeller 753. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a banknote transport operation process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device 900 according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0019] <1. Configuration of cash processing device> The embodiments of the present invention mainly relate to stacking of banknotes in a banknote processing device provided in a cash processing device (an example of a currency handling device).

[0020] (External configuration) 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a cash processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the example of the cash processing device 1 is assumed to be a self-service cash processing device that is installed in a branch of a financial institution and operated by a customer.

[0021] The cash processing device 1 has a box-shaped device housing 2. Of the surfaces forming the device housing 2, the surface facing the user is referred to as a front surface 2a, and the surface above the user is referred to as an upper surface 2b.

[0022] The top surface 2b of the device housing 2 is provided with a receipt printer 3 that outputs receipts containing transaction details, and an operation display 4 that functions as a display that displays various screens and an operation unit that accepts operation inputs for the various screens displayed on the display. The operation display 4 may be, for example, a display with a touch panel.

[0023] A banknote insertion slot 5, through which banknotes are inserted, is provided on the upper left side of the front surface 2a of the device housing 2, and a banknote ejection slot 6, through which banknotes are ejected, is provided below the banknote insertion slot 5. The banknote insertion slot 5 is provided with, for example, a shutter, and the banknote insertion slot 5 is exposed or covered by opening and closing the shutter. The banknote insertion slot 5 and the banknote ejection slot 6 are incorporated into the cash processing device 1 as part of a banknote unit 7, which will be described later.

[0024] Furthermore, a coin insertion slot 8, through which coins are inserted, is provided on the upper right side of the front surface 2a of the device housing 2, and a coin ejection slot 9, through which coins are ejected, is provided below. The coin insertion slot 8 and the coin ejection slot 9 are incorporated into the cash processing device 1 as part of a coin unit 10.

[0025] The cash processing device 1 may be connected to a financial institution server (not shown) and may operate under the control of the financial institution server.

[0026] The cash processing device 1 may be a self-service cash processing device that is installed at a checkout counter of a retail store such as a supermarket, convenience store, or gas station and is operated by a customer. In this case, the cash processing device 1 is connected to a cash register such as a POS register (not shown) and operates under the control of the cash register.

[0027] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cash processing device 1 may be a cash processing device operated by a clerk at a branch of a financial institution or an employee of a retail store or the like.

[0028] (Functional configuration) Next, the functional configuration of the cash processing device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the cash processing device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the cash processing device 1 includes a control unit 100, a receipt printer unit 3, an operation display unit 4, a communication unit 130, a banknote processing unit 140 (an example of a banknote processing device), a coin processing unit 150, and a memory unit 160.

[0030] The control unit 100 is mainly composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and controls each functional unit of the cash processing device 1 to execute various transactions. For example, the control unit 100 controls the display of an operation screen on the operation display unit 4 and the execution of various transactions (deposit transactions, withdrawal transactions, cash replenishment transactions, collection transactions, etc.) according to information input to the operation screen. The control unit 100 may also control the transmission of operation information to a financial institution server (not shown) and the execution of transactions according to instructions from the financial institution server. The control unit 100 also controls the storage of transaction history in the storage unit 160. The control unit 100 may also control the transmission of transaction information to the financial institution server.

[0031] The receipt printer unit 3 has a function of printing and issuing the results of a transaction on a paper medium (for example, a receipt).

[0032] The operation display unit 4 functions as a display unit that displays an operation screen and an operation unit that accepts operation inputs from customers. The display unit function is realized by, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device. The operation unit function is realized by, for example, a touch panel. The display unit and operation unit functions may be configured separately.

[0033] The communication unit 130 transmits and receives data to and from a host PC via, for example, a dedicated network (such as a LAN.) For example, the communication unit 130 may be connected to a financial institution server or a cash register for communication.

[0034] The banknote processing unit 140 includes the banknote unit 7, and performs deposit and withdrawal processing of banknotes in the banknote unit 7. The coin processing unit 150 includes the coin unit 10, and performs deposit and withdrawal processing of coins in the coin unit 10.

[0035] The memory unit 160 is realized by a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and stores a control program for controlling the operation of the cash processing device 1, a history of transactions performed by the cash processing device 1, and display information for various operation screens.

[0036] An example of the configuration of the cash processing device 1 has been described above. Note that the configuration of the cash processing device 1 is not limited to the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The cash processing device 1 does not necessarily have to have all of the components shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and for example, may have a configuration that does not include the coin processing device 150. In addition, the cash processing device 1 may further include a card reader unit that reads information about a user from an ID card, an IC card, or the like, a reading unit that optically reads encoded information such as a one-dimensional barcode or a QR code (registered trademark), a biometric reading unit that reads biometric information of a user, or a PIN input unit such as a keypad that accepts input of a PIN.

[0037] <2. Regarding the banknote processing unit 140> The banknote processing unit 140 includes the banknote inlet 5 and the banknote outlet 6, and has a banknote unit 7. The banknote processing unit 140 is an example of a banknote processing device.

[0038] More specifically, the banknote unit 7 has a banknote inlet 5, a banknote escrow unit, a banknote validator, a banknote cassette, and a banknote outlet 6.

[0039] The banknote insertion slot 5 is a deposit slot that accepts deposited banknotes. The banknote escrow unit is a storage unit that temporarily accumulates banknotes when the banknotes are counted. The banknote validation unit is a sensor unit that validates the authenticity, denomination, fitness, etc. of inserted banknotes. The banknote validation unit may also count the validated banknotes.

[0040] A banknote cassette is a storage container that stores banknotes. A banknote cassette may be a storage container that stores banknotes by denomination. For example, banknote cassettes include 10,000-denomination banknote cassettes, 5,000-denomination banknote cassettes, and 1,000-denomination banknote cassettes. A banknote cassette may also include a collection container used to collect banknotes from the device. A banknote cassette may also include a reject container that accumulates rejected banknotes. A banknote cassette is provided with a separation / accumulation mechanism that accumulates and separates banknotes. The separation / accumulation mechanism may be realized by a number of rollers. The separation / accumulation mechanism may also count the accumulated banknotes and separated banknotes.

[0041] The banknote ejection slot 6 is a dispensing slot for ejecting dispensed banknotes. The banknote ejection slot 6 may also function as a banknote return slot for returning deposited banknotes.

[0042] A transport path is provided inside the banknote unit 7 along which banknotes are transported by a transport belt. The transport path, for example, transports cash inserted into the banknote slot 5 to a banknote validation section, transports banknotes that have passed through the banknote validation section to a banknote escrow section, and transports banknotes stacked in the banknote escrow section to a banknote cassette. The transport path is driven by motors provided at various locations. Rollers for transporting banknotes are also provided at various locations on the transport path and can be driven by motors. For example, a pressure roller (feed roller) that presses down and transports banknotes on the transport belt is provided in proximity to the transport belt. Also, a pair of transport rollers may be provided that face each other and abut on both sides of the transport belt.

[0043] The above describes the general configuration of the banknote unit 7. Note that the banknote inlet 5 may be a banknote deposit / withdrawal port that also functions as the banknote ejection outlet 6 and the banknote return outlet.

[0044] <3. Comparative example of storage facility> In a storage container that stores and accumulates banknotes, the banknotes are accumulated and separated (discharged). Here, problems that may arise from the state of accumulation of banknotes in the storage container will be described using a comparative example.

[0045] 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining a storage 80 according to a comparative example.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3 , the stacking direction of the storage container 80 for stacking banknotes is inclined with respect to the vertical direction (up-down direction). A movable stage 87 is disposed at the bottom of the space provided in the storage container 80, and banknotes are stacked on the stacking surface (the surface facing the guide unit 85) of the stage 87 (stacked banknotes Sa). The stage 87 is movable within the space of the storage container 80 along the stacking direction or the opposite direction. When stacking banknotes, the stage 87 moves to a position closest to the bottom so as to maximize the banknote storage space formed between the stacking surface of the stage 87 and the guide unit 85 located above the space of the storage container 80 facing the stacking surface. Furthermore, when separating banknotes, the stage 87 moves toward the guide unit 85 so as to narrow the storage space. As a result, when separating banknotes, the stacked banknotes Sa are pushed up toward the guide unit 85 by the stage 87.

[0047] Storage box 80 is provided with a pair of rollers (feed roller 81 and gate roller 82) that transport banknotes, and a pickup roller 84 that feeds out the accumulated banknotes and separates them one by one. A vane wheel 83 with blades arranged radially is attached to the same axis as gate roller 82.

[0048] When banknotes are accumulated, as shown on the left in Fig. 3, banknotes S1 held between feed roller 81 and gate roller 82 are released toward the storage space by the rotation of the rollers. The impeller 83 strikes the rear ends of the banknotes S1 released into the storage space with its blades to align the media. In the storage space, the banknotes S1 are accumulated along the accumulation direction on the accumulation surface of stage 87.

[0049] When separating banknotes, as described above, stage 87 moves toward guide unit 85, and stacked banknotes Sa are pushed up toward guide unit 85. Then, the upper surfaces of stacked banknotes Sa are pressed against pickup roller 84, and banknotes are separated one by one from the stacked banknotes Sa by the rotation of pickup roller 84. The separated banknotes are moved while being held between feed roller 81 and gate roller 82, and are pulled out of the storage space and sent out to the conveyance path.

[0050] Here, the banknotes stacked may include banknotes in poor condition, such as curled, wrinkled, or folded. As shown on the right side of Figure 3, when banknotes in poor condition, such as banknote S2, are stacked, banknotes that are not aligned in the stacking direction, such as banknotes S3 and S4, may occur. Furthermore, because storage container 80 is tilted relative to the vertical direction, banknotes may fall toward guide section 85, regardless of whether or not there are banknotes in poor condition.

[0051] As multiple banknotes in poor condition are accumulated, the thickness of the accumulated banknotes Sa increases, and banknotes that have fallen toward the guide unit 85 are accumulated, the top surface of the accumulated banknotes Sa becomes inclined relative to the accumulation direction, and the gap between the guide unit 85 and the rear side (front end side of the banknotes) of the top surface of the accumulated banknotes Sa in the direction in which the banknotes are discharged into the storage space becomes narrower than when banknotes are normally accumulated. If banknotes S discharged into the storage space get into this gap, even if the blades of the impeller 83 strike the banknotes S that have reached the upper side end 86 (bill stopper) that forms the storage space located on the front end side of the discharged banknotes, the rear end of the banknotes S may not be drawn to the guide unit 88 that supports the rear end of the accumulated banknotes. As a result, a large number of banknotes get into the narrowed gap between the accumulated banknotes and the guide unit 85, resulting in a banknote bundle S10 that is stretched vertically at the top and bottom of the storage space, as shown in the left side of FIG. 4.

[0052] In this state, as shown on the right side of Figure 4, even if an attempt is made to move the stage 87 in the direction of the guide section 85 when separating the banknotes, the banknote bundle S10, which is in a taut state on the upper surface of the accumulated banknotes Sa, becomes a load, making it difficult for the stage 87 to lift the accumulated banknotes Sa.

[0053] Furthermore, even if the storage compartment is not tilted, i.e., the stacking direction is vertical, if multiple banknotes in poor condition are stacked, a bundle of banknotes may become tense inside the storage space, making it difficult for the stage to lift the stacked banknotes when separating them.

[0054] The state of the stacked banknotes that becomes a problem when separating the banknotes is not limited to the example described above, but in any case, problems may occur when separating the banknotes if the rear end of the banknote released into the storage space cannot be pulled up to the guide section 88.

[0055] Therefore, the present inventors have taken the above circumstances into consideration and have come to create a cash processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the cash processing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to stack banknotes in a better state.

[0056] <4. Banknote Processing Unit 140> The banknote processing unit 140 included in the cash processing device 1 according to this embodiment will be specifically described.

[0057] (Functional configuration) Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the banknote processing unit 140 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the banknote processing unit 140 has a control unit 141, a drive unit 142, a count unit 143, and a memory unit 144. The drive unit 142 and the count unit 143 are included in the banknote unit 7. The control unit 141 and the memory unit 144 may also be included in the banknote unit 7. The banknote processing unit 140 is an example of a banknote processing device.

[0058] The control unit 141 is mainly composed of, for example, a CPU, a RAM, etc., and controls each functional unit of the banknote processing unit 140. For example, the control unit 141 controls the drive unit 142, and controls the transport of banknotes in the banknote unit 7. The control unit 141 can also operate according to instructions from the control unit 100.

[0059] The drive unit 142 is various motors arranged in the banknote unit 7. For example, the drive unit 142 is a motor that drives a conveyor belt included in the banknote unit 7, and a motor that drives rollers arranged at various locations on the conveyance path.

[0060] The counting unit 143 has a function of counting the number of banknotes in the banknote unit 7. For example, the counting unit 143 counts the number of deposited banknotes and dispensed banknotes. The counting unit 143 also counts the number of banknotes stored in each storage compartment of the banknote unit 7. Specifically, the counting unit 143 can count the banknotes transported to the storage compartment and the banknotes dispensed from the storage compartment. The counting unit 143 can count the banknotes based on information from sensors provided in various locations in the banknote unit 7, a separation and accumulation mechanism provided in the storage compartment, and a banknote validator. The counting unit 143 outputs the count results to the control unit 141.

[0061] The storage unit 144 is realized by a ROM, a RAM, etc., and stores a control program for controlling the operation of the banknote processing unit 140, the results of validation by the banknote validation unit, the number of banknotes counted, deposit and withdrawal history, etc.

[0062] (Banknote Unit 7) Next, the bill unit 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of the bill unit 7 according to this embodiment.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, the banknote unit 7 has a plurality of storage containers 71 (71A, 71B, 71C, 71N), a separation and accumulation roller group 72 (72A to 72C), a conveyance path 73, a conveyance roller group 74, and a separation and accumulation roller group 75.

[0064] The multiple storage containers 71 may include, for example, banknote cassettes that store banknotes by denomination. Specifically, for example, storage container 71A may be a cassette that stores 1,000 banknotes, storage container 71B may be a cassette that stores 5,000 banknotes, and storage container 71C may be a cassette that stores 10,000 banknotes. The multiple storage containers 71 may also include storage containers that store banknotes regardless of denomination. Specifically, for example, storage container 71N may be a banknote escrow unit. Furthermore, storage container 71N may be a storage container whose accumulation direction is inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

[0065] The separation and accumulation roller groups 72 and 75 constitute a separation and accumulation mechanism that accumulates and separates banknotes in and from the storage space. The separation and accumulation roller groups 72 and 75 are driven by a motor (separation and accumulation roller drive unit) not shown.

[0066] The group of conveying rollers 74 includes a belt roller that drives the conveying belt that constitutes the conveying path 73, a feed roller that is provided close to the conveying belt and conveys the banknotes on the conveying belt while pressing them, and a follower roller that is provided in a position facing the feed roller, etc. The group of conveying rollers 74 is driven by a motor (conveying roller drive unit) not shown.

[0067] 6 shows only some of the components of the banknote unit 7, and does not include, for example, the banknote deposit / withdrawal slot, banknote validator, collection box, other transport paths, etc. Furthermore, the number, arrangement, and size of the multiple storage boxes 71, the route of the transport path 73, and the number and arrangement of the rollers are not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0068] Here, as an example, a flow of separating the banknotes accumulated in storage 71A, transporting the banknotes to storage 71N, which has an inclined storage space, and accumulating them will be described.

[0069] First, the banknotes accumulated in storage 71A are fed one by one by a separation and accumulation roller group 72A driven by a motor. Next, the fed banknotes are transferred to a conveyance path 73 (conveyor belt) driven by a motor, and headed toward storage 71N.

[0070] The banknotes are then delivered from the conveyance path 73 to the separation and accumulation roller group 75 of the storage container 71N. The banknotes that have reached the separation and accumulation roller group 75 are discharged by the separation and accumulation roller group 75 into the storage space of the storage container 71N and are accumulated in the storage container 71N.

[0071] Next, the stacking of banknotes in the storage 71N according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0072] (Regarding the accumulation of banknotes in storage facility 71N) Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the accumulation of banknotes in storage 71N according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the accumulation direction of banknotes in storage 71N is inclined with respect to the vertical direction (up and down direction). A movable stage 712 is disposed at the bottom of the space provided in storage 71N, and banknotes are accumulated on the accumulation surface (the surface on the banknote accumulation side) of stage 712 (accumulated banknotes Sb). Stage 712 is movable within the space of storage 71N in the accumulation direction or the opposite direction.

[0073] Storage bin 71N is provided with a group of separation and accumulation rollers 75. The group of separation and accumulation rollers 75 includes a pair of rollers (feed roller 751 and gate roller 752) that transport banknotes, and a pickup roller 754 that feeds out the accumulated banknotes and separates them one by one. A bladed wheel 753 (rotating member) with radial blades (rotating pieces) is attached coaxially with gate roller 752. The rotating shaft to which bladed wheel 753 is attached may be supported by a link that is rotated by a motor. The bladed wheel 753 rotates integrally with the rotating shaft.

[0074] 7, when banknotes are accumulated, banknotes S20 held between feed roller 751 and gate roller 752 are released by the rotation of the rollers toward a banknote storage space formed between the accumulation surface of stage 712 and guide unit 713 located above the space of storage container 71N facing the accumulation surface. Impeller 753 strikes the rear ends of banknotes S20 released into the storage space with its blades, drawing banknotes S20 to guide unit 714 that supports the rear ends of accumulated banknotes Sb and aligning banknotes S20. In the storage space, banknotes are accumulated on the accumulation surface of stage 712 along the accumulation direction.

[0075] When separating banknotes, stage 712 moves toward guide unit 713, and stacked banknotes Sb are pushed up toward guide unit 713. Then, the upper surfaces of stacked banknotes Sb are pressed against pickup roller 754, and banknotes are fed out of stacked banknotes Sb and separated one by one by the rotation of pickup roller 754. The separated banknotes are moved while being held between feed roller 751 and gate roller 752, and are pulled out of the storage space and sent to conveyance path 73.

[0076] When separating banknotes, the motor rotates the link to retract the impeller 753 to a predetermined position. The method for preventing the blades from interfering with the separation of banknotes is not limited to this, and other methods may be used.

[0077] Here, as the thickness of the banknotes accumulated in the storage space increases, some banknotes may fall toward the upper side of the storage space (in other words, the side of the storage space facing the accumulation surface of stage 712). Also, because the space of storage container 71N is inclined relative to the vertical direction, it can be said that banknotes are more likely to fall toward guide section 713. Furthermore, the banknotes to be accumulated may include banknotes in poor condition, such as curled, wrinkled, or folded, and if the top surfaces of the accumulated banknotes are inclined relative to the accumulation direction, the banknotes may not be aligned, and banknotes may easily fall toward guide section 713.

[0078] In contrast, in this embodiment, when the number of banknotes stored in storage 71N exceeds a predetermined number, the control unit 141 of the banknote processing unit 140 controls the drive unit 142 to increase the number of times that the impeller 753 strikes the rear end of the banknotes released into the storage space.

[0079] By increasing the number of times that the banknotes are struck, the rear ends of the banknotes can be more reliably drawn toward guide section 714, and the banknotes can be stacked properly, i.e., aligned. Alignment of banknotes refers to a state in which the stacked banknotes do not fall toward guide section 713, and the rear ends of the banknotes are in contact with guide section 714. In this way, in this embodiment, by increasing the number of times that the banknotes are struck, the banknotes can be aligned, and the banknotes can be stacked in a good state that does not cause problems when separating the banknotes, thereby improving the stacking state. Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining how the rear ends of the banknotes are struck down by impeller 753.

[0080] As shown in the left side of Figure 8, as the number of stacked banknotes Sb increases in the storage space and the thickness of the stacked banknotes Sb increases, it is expected that some of the stacked banknotes Sb will fall toward the guide section 713. Furthermore, if the stacked banknotes include banknotes that are in poor condition, such as curled, wrinkled, or folded, it is expected that the upper surfaces of the stacked banknotes Sb will be at an angle to the stacking direction. In this case, as shown in the left side of Figure 8, it is expected that banknotes S30 discharged toward the storage space will get into the gap between the guide section 713 and the bundle of banknotes that have fallen toward the guide section 713 or the upper surfaces of the stacked banknotes Sb that are at an angle to the stacking direction, and the guide section 713, and will not be drawn to the guide section 714, making it impossible to align the banknotes.

[0081] In this embodiment, by controlling the drive unit 142 to increase the number of times the impeller 753 strikes the rear end of the banknote, it is possible to attract banknotes that would not be attracted to the guide unit 714 with the normal number of strikes, as shown on the right of Figure 8, and it is possible to align (normally stack) the banknotes S30.

[0082] This reduces the possibility that bills will not be drawn to the guide section 714, resulting in a bill bundle being stretched out in the storage space, and eliminates the problem that the load of the stretched bill bundle will prevent the stage 712 from being pushed up during separation.

[0083] (Control of drive unit 142) The control of the drive unit 142 by the control unit 141 to increase the number of times that the impeller 753 strikes the rear end of the banknote will now be described in more detail.

[0084] When transporting banknotes, the control unit 141 controls the drive unit 142. The drive unit 142 includes motors that drive various rollers arranged in various locations in the banknote unit 7. More specifically, the drive unit 142 includes a motor that drives the separation and accumulation roller group 72 (72A to 72C), a motor that drives the transport roller group 74, and a motor that drives the separation and accumulation roller group 75, and the control unit 141 controls these to realize the transport of banknotes within the banknote unit 7.

[0085] During normal banknote transport, the control unit 141 controls each motor so that the banknote transport speed (i.e., rotation speed) in the separation and accumulation roller group 72 (72A to 72C), the transport roller group 74, and the separation and accumulation roller group 75 is all the same, and transports banknotes at regular intervals.

[0086] On the other hand, when the number of stored banknotes in storage container 71N exceeds a predetermined number (threshold), control unit 141 controls drive unit 142 to make the banknote conveying speed of separation and accumulation roller group 75 provided in storage container 71N faster than that of the other roller groups. By making the banknote conveying speed of separation and accumulation roller group 75 faster than that of the other roller groups, the conveying interval between the banknote that has reached separation and accumulation roller group 75 and the subsequent banknote is widened. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, when banknote S20 reaches separation and accumulation roller group 75, the conveying interval between subsequent banknotes S21 and S22 is widened. As the conveying interval between banknotes is widened, the time until the subsequent banknote is released into the storage space of storage container 71N becomes longer than usual, and as a result, the number of times that impeller 753 strikes the rear end of banknote S20 with its blades increases until the subsequent banknote arrives.

[0087] The control unit 141 controls the drive unit 142 (specifically, the motor that drives the separation and accumulation roller group 75) to increase the rotation speed of the separation and accumulation roller group 75, thereby making it possible to make the banknote conveying speed of the separation and accumulation roller group 75 faster than that of the other roller groups. As described with reference to FIG. 7, the separation and accumulation roller group 75 includes a feed roller 751 and a gate roller 752. The control unit 141 controls the drive unit 142 to increase the rotation speed of the feed roller 751 and the gate roller 752. The gate roller 752 is disposed opposite the feed roller 751, and during banknote accumulation, receives the rotational force of the feed roller 751 and rotates in the banknote accumulation direction. Therefore, by controlling the rotation speed of the feed roller 751 to increase, it is possible to also increase the rotation speed of the gate roller 752.

[0088] When the rotation speed of gate roller 752 increases, the rotation speed of impeller 753, which is provided coaxially with gate roller 752, also increases. This makes it possible to increase the number of times impeller 753 strikes banknotes.

[0089] The control unit 141 can also control the drive unit 142 to increase the rotation speed of the impeller 753. For example, the control unit 141 controls the motor that drives the impeller 753 to increase the rotation speed of the impeller 753, thereby increasing the number of times the impeller 753 strikes the banknotes.

[0090] Furthermore, by increasing the rotation speed of the impeller 753, the number of times the blades strike the rear end of the banknote increases, and the force striking the rear end of the banknote becomes stronger than usual, allowing the banknote to be drawn more reliably toward the guide section 714.

[0091] Alternatively, the control unit 141 can control the drive unit 142 (specifically, the motor that drives the conveyance roller group 74) to reduce the rotation speed of the conveyance roller group 74, thereby making the banknote conveyance speed of the separation and accumulation roller group 75 relatively faster than that of the other roller groups. As a result, the conveyance interval between the banknote and the subsequent banknote becomes wider when the banknote reaches the separation and accumulation roller group 75, the time until the subsequent banknote is released into the storage space of the storage container 71N becomes longer than usual, and the number of times the blades of the impeller 753 hit the rear end of the banknote with their blades increases until the subsequent banknote arrives. Note that when the control unit 141 controls the drive unit 142 to reduce the rotation speed of the conveyance roller group 74, the control unit 141 may also control the rotation speed of the separation and accumulation roller group 72 of the storage container 71 that separates banknotes to be the same as that of the conveyance roller group 74 or at least slower than that of the separation and accumulation roller group 75.

[0092] Furthermore, the control unit 141 may perform control to increase the rotation speed of the separation / accumulation roller group 75 (increase the rotation speed of the impeller 753) and decrease the rotation speed of the transport roller group 74.

[0093] <5. Operation processing> FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation process for conveying banknotes according to this embodiment.

[0094] 9, first, the control unit 141 of the banknote processing unit 140 starts the banknote transport process (step S103). Here, as an example, a case where banknotes are transported from storage container 71A to storage container 71N will be described. The control unit 141 controls the drive unit 142 to feed out the banknotes from storage container 71A, separate them one by one, and transport them to storage container 71N.

[0095] Next, the control unit 141 counts the number of banknotes stored in the storage container 71N (step S106). Specifically, the control unit 141 acquires information on the number of banknotes stored in the storage container 71N from the counting unit 143. The counting unit 143 continuously counts the number of stacked and separated banknotes in the storage container 71N, and can calculate the number of stacked banknotes in the storage container 71N.

[0096] Next, the control unit 141 determines whether the count value exceeds the threshold value (step S109). If the count value does not exceed the threshold value (step S109 / No), the control unit 141 repeats the determination until the count value exceeds the threshold value. Note that it is also possible that the transport of banknotes to the storage container 71N ends before the count value exceeds the threshold value.

[0097] Next, if the count value exceeds the threshold value (step S109 / Yes), the control unit 141 controls the drive unit 142 to increase the speed of the separation and accumulation roller group 75 provided in the storage container 71N (step S112). This increases the number of times the impeller 753 strikes the banknotes when they are accumulated in the storage container 71N, allowing the banknotes to be accumulated in a better condition.

[0098] The control unit 141 continues the transport until the transport of the banknotes to the storage 71N is completed (step S115 / No). Then, when the transport is completed (step S115 / Yes), the control unit 141 ends this operation process.

[0099] An example of the banknote conveying operation according to this embodiment has been described above. Note that the operation process shown in Fig. 9 is just an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0100] <6. Hardware configuration example> Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the cash processing device 1 according to this embodiment. The above operations are realized by cooperation between software and the hardware described below.

[0101] 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device 900 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 900 is an example of a hardware configuration that can be applied to the cash processing device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0102] The information processing device 900 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, a host bus 904, a bridge 905, an external bus 906, an interface 907, an input device 908, an output device 909, a storage device 910, a drive 911, and a communication device 913.

[0103] The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation of the information processing device 900 in accordance with various programs. The CPU 901 may also be a microprocessor. The ROM 902 stores programs used by the CPU 901, calculation parameters, etc. The RAM 903 temporarily stores programs used in execution by the CPU 901, parameters that change as appropriate during execution, etc. These are interconnected by a host bus 904 consisting of a CPU bus, etc. The control unit 100 of the cash processing device 1 and the control unit 141 of the banknote processing unit 140 are realized by the cooperation of the CPU 901, ROM 902, and RAM 903.

[0104] The host bus 904 is connected to an external bus 906, such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus, via a bridge 905. It is not necessary to configure the host bus 904, bridge 905, and external bus 906 separately, and these functions may be implemented on a single bus.

[0105] The input device 908 is composed of input means such as a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, button, switch, or microphone that allows the operator to input information, and an input control circuit that generates an input signal based on the operator's input and outputs it to the CPU 901. By operating this input device 908, the operator operating the information processing device 900 can input various data to the information processing device 900 and instruct processing operations. The input device 908 realizes the operation and display unit 4 of the cash processing device 1.

[0106] The output device 909 includes, for example, a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) device, a lamp, etc., and an audio output device such as a speaker, etc. The output device 909 realizes the operation display unit 4 of the cash processing device 1.

[0107] The storage device 910 is a device for storing data. The storage device 910 may include a storage medium, a recording device that records data on the storage medium, a reading device that reads data from the storage medium, and a deletion device that deletes data recorded on the storage medium. The storage device 910 realizes the memory unit 160 of the cash processing device 1 and the memory unit 144 of the banknote processing device 140.

[0108] The drive 911 is a reader / writer for a storage medium, and is externally attached to the information processing device 900. The drive 911 reads information recorded on a removable storage medium 912, such as an attached magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, and outputs the information to the RAM 903. The drive 911 can also write information to the removable storage medium 912.

[0109] The communication device 913 is a communication interface configured with a communication device for performing communication, etc. The communication device 913 realizes the communication unit 130 of the cash processing device 1.

[0110] It should be noted that the hardware configuration of the information processing device 900 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 10. For example, the information processing device 900 may not include the communication device 913 when communicating via a connected external communication device. Furthermore, the information processing device 900 may not include, for example, the input device 908 or the output device 909. Furthermore, for example, part or all of the configuration shown in Fig. 7 may be realized by one or more ICs (Integrated Circuits).

[0111] <6. Supplementary Information> Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0112] In the above-described embodiment, the operation process when banknotes are accumulated in storage container 71N has been described, but the operation process according to this embodiment may also be applied when banknotes are accumulated in other storage containers. For example, when banknotes are being accumulated in storage container 71A and the number of banknotes stored in storage container 71A exceeds a predetermined number, control unit 141 may control drive unit 142 to increase the number of times that a blade wheel (not shown) included in separation and accumulation roller group 72A provided in storage container 71A strikes the banknotes.

[0113] Furthermore, this embodiment is not limited to a storage facility in which the stacking direction is oblique to the vertical direction, but may also be applied to a storage facility in which the stacking direction is vertical.

[0114] Furthermore, the storage 71N described with reference to FIG. 6 may be a storage unit formed in a banknote deposit / withdrawal port through which banknotes are deposited and withdrawn, that is, a service port through which banknotes are handed over to and from customers.

[0115] Furthermore, the cash processing device 1 is not limited to a self-service cash processing device, and may be an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) or a cash processing device operated by a clerk at a financial institution or an employee at a retail store. Furthermore, the cash processing device 1 may be a device that deposits sales proceeds from a retail store or the like or dispenses change reserves. Furthermore, the cash processing device 1 may be used as a safe in a store.

[0116] Furthermore, although the cash processing device 1 has been described as handling both banknotes and coins as cash, it may be a device that handles either banknotes or coins.

[0117] This embodiment may be applied to a banknote processing device realized by the banknote processing unit 140.

[0118] It is also possible to create one or more computer programs for causing hardware such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM built into the cash processing device 1 to perform the functions of the cash processing device 1. Also provided is a computer-readable storage medium on which the one or more computer programs are stored. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1. Cash handling equipment 3 Receipt printer section 4 Operation display section 5 Bill slot 6 Bill ejection port 7 Banknote Unit 71 (71A, 71B, 71C, 71N) Storage 712 Stage 713 Guide part 714 Guide part 72 (72A to 72C) Separation and accumulation roller group 73 Transport Path 74 Conveyor roller group 75 Separation and accumulation roller group 751 Feed Roller 752 Gate Roller 753 Impeller 754 Pickup roller 100 control section 130 Communications Department 140 Banknote processing unit 141 Control Unit 142 Drive unit 143 Counting section 144 Storage section 150 Coin Processing Unit 160 Storage section

Claims

1. a storage unit having a storage space for storing banknotes; a vane wheel having a vane portion that strikes the banknotes discharged into the storage section; a drive unit that drives the impeller to rotate; a control unit that controls the drive unit; Equipped with When the number of banknotes stored in the storage unit exceeds a predetermined number, the control unit controls the drive unit to increase the number of times that the impeller strikes the banknotes. Banknote processing machine.

2. The banknote processing device includes: a conveyance roller driving unit that drives a first conveyance roller that conveys the banknote to the storage unit; a second conveyance roller that is provided coaxially with the impeller, rotates by the driving force of the driving unit, and discharges the banknotes into the storage unit; Furthermore, 2. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the number of banknotes stored in the storage unit exceeds a predetermined number, the control unit controls either the drive unit or the conveying roller drive unit so that the speed at which the second conveying roller conveys the banknotes is faster than the speed at which the first conveying roller conveys the banknotes.

3. 3. The banknote processing device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the drive unit to increase the rotation speed of the second transport roller, thereby making the speed at which the second transport roller transports the banknotes faster than the speed at which the first transport roller transports the banknotes.

4. 3. The banknote processing device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the conveying roller drive unit to reduce the rotation speed of the first conveying roller, thereby making the speed at which the second conveying roller conveys the banknotes faster than the speed at which the first conveying roller conveys the banknotes.

5. The banknote processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the rotation speed of the impeller increases when the rotation speed of the second transport roller is increased by the drive unit.

6. The banknote processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the first transport roller is located on an upstream side of the second transport roller in a transport direction along a transport path that transports the banknotes toward the storage unit.

7. The banknote processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the drive unit to increase the rotation speed of the impeller, thereby increasing the number of times the impeller strikes the banknotes.

8. The banknote processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the storage unit is formed so that the stacking direction of the banknotes stored and stacked in the storage unit is oblique to the vertical direction.

9. a storage unit having a storage space for storing banknotes; a vane wheel having a vane portion that strikes the banknotes discharged into the storage section; a drive unit that drives the impeller to rotate; a control unit that controls the drive unit to increase the number of times the impeller strikes the banknotes when the number of banknotes accommodated in the accommodation unit exceeds a predetermined number; a banknote processing unit having a coin processing unit that deposits and dispenses coins; A currency handling device comprising:

Images